Smile For Me, Ressler

15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Did you mean it?

"You're like a kid," I shook my head, trying to tease Zild.

Tinikman niya 'yong niluto kong Pinakbet. I cooked Pinakbet for him dahil mahilig talaga siya sa gulay. That's what his Mom has been telling me as far as I remember.

"Masama bang ma-miss ka?" he said, flashing me an innocent smile. "Mmmm," he repeatedly moaned like a child who's enjoying the food. "You're not a good cook," panlalait niya sa 'kin kaya sumimangot ako.

He chuckled. "But I enjoy the food because you made it for me," he said while smiling at me. "By the way . . ." He trailed off. "Bakit nandito si Ressler?"

I sighed. "I forgot to bring my inhaler so he brought it for me."

"Ah, sweet," he said, full of sarcasm.

Tumingin ako sa wall clock and napailing ako nang makita kong 11pm na.

"Really, Zild? Pumunta ka pa talaga dito kahit alam mong gagabihin ka," sermon ko sa ka'ya.

"You asked me if it was really Mom who's missing you, or me. So nag-drive agad ako papunta dito to answer your question," he stated.

I raised my eyebrows at him and pinatong ko ang baba ko sa kamay ko na parang bata. "And what's your answer?"

"I missed you," he said, looking straight in my eyes. Napaiwas tuloy ako ng tingin.

"Are you crazy? Why would you miss me? It's not like we're a real couple."

Nakita ko ang pag-iiba bigla ng timpla ng mukha niya at tiningnan ako ng masama.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked, raising my eyebrows at him.

"You are my girlfriend, Tam. And that's for real." He folded his arms above his chest. He's so cute!

"We're just pretending, Zild. Have you forgotten?"

Mas lalong nainis ang itsura niya. I tried my best to stop myself from laughing but I just can't. I bursted out in laughter.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked. I want to answer him but I just can't stop from laughing.

"Seriously, Tam? Tatawanan mo lang talaga ako?" He really sounds annoyed.

"Ang cute mo," I giggled. Napahinto tuloy siya sa pagmumukhang masungit and nagbago na naman ang timpla ng mukha niya. He's now blushing! Oh God, bakit ba ang cute niya?

"I was just teasing you. Okay? Don't get mad at me. You're my boyfriend, for real. I know that," nakangiting sabi ko. "And I appreciate your effort going all the way from Vera City just to see me," I added.

We're not actually pretending to be a couple. To be honest, we became closer because we spent a lot of time together. It's just that, it's not yet love. Just not yet. It's too early for that.

"It's good to know that you actually have some sweetness flowing on your blood," he teased me.

I handed him a glass of water as he finished his food.

"Thanks, Tam."

I flashed him a genuine smile. "You're welcome, boyfriend," I said, laughing.

Zild slept in Marcus' room, and si Ressler naman doon natulog sa guest room. Kami naman ni Brook ang natulog sa loft. Gusto nga ni Marcus at Zild doon kami sa kwarto ni Marcus matulog tapos sila na lang ni Zild ang dito sa loft, pero tumanggi agad kami ni Brook. Masaya kaya matulog dito!

"Tam," tawag sa 'kin ni Brook kaya napatingin ako sa kanya habang nakahiga kami.

"Bakit hindi nag-uusap kanina si Kuya Zild at Kuya Ressler? Akala ko ba sabi mo magpinsan sila? Eh bakit gano'n, hindi naman sila nagkikibuan kanina?" sunod-sunod niyang tanong.

I shrugged. "'Di ka pa inaantok?"

"Wow. Change topic lang girl gano'n?" asar na sabi niya kaya natawa ako.

"Hindi ko rin kasi alam ang sagot sa tanong mo. Ang alam ko lang, close sila dati pero ngayon hindi na."

* * *

Damn. It's 3am already pero hindi pa rin ako makatulog. Kapag gumagawa kaming plates, gustong-gusto ko matulog, ngayong ang dami kong time matulog, hindi naman ako makatulog. Tss.

Inis akong bumangon para pumunta sa kusina.

I took out the water from the refrigerator and poured myself a drink.

Sarap talaga ng malamig na tubig kapag ganitong oras.

"Can't sleep?" a voice behind me asked.

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita at nakita ko si Ressler.

"Hindi rin ako makatulog," he added and sat on the chair.

"And why can't you sleep?" I asked, leaning on the refrigerator. Bahala na kung bumagsak bigla 'tong sinasandalan ko.

"Did you really mean it?" he asked. Ano'ng sinasabi niya? Tss. Epekto ng puyat. "When you said you'll stop bothering me because you're tired of chasing me"—he paused—"did you mean it?"

I froze when I heard his question. Bakit ba napakabiglaan ng mga tanong niya?

I crossed my arms above my chest and raised my brow at him like a kid.

"Yes," I answered.

Tumayo siya mula sa kinauupuan niya at lumapit sa 'kin.

Napalunok ako ng maraming beses nang mas ilapit niya ang sarili niya sa 'kin.

Aatras sana ako pero nabangga ko 'yong ref sa likuran ko kaya hindi na ako makagalaw.

Now, I'm trapped.

"You never stopped bothering me, Tam," he said, closing the gap between us. Napakagat ako sa labi ko.

"Puwede bang lumayo ka ng konti? Hindi ako komportable 'pag ganyan ka kalapit," pagsasabi ko ng totoo pero mas sumeryoso lang ang mukha niya.

"You said you'll stop bothering me but every single thing you do keeps bothering me."

Damn. Sobrang lapit ng mukha niya sa 'kin. Ano bang trip niya?

Before I can even say a word, bigla niya akong hinalikan kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.

I-Is he out of his mind?!

I tried to push him away but he's just too strong.

Pinangarap kong mahalikan siya pero hindi sa ganitong sitwasyon. May girlfriend siya at may boyfriend ako! I'm not that desperate!

I tried my best to stop him but when I got the chance to open my mouth and say something, he invaded my mouth and played with my tongue.

F*ck.

I won't kiss him back.

I won't.

I felt his hands wrapped around my waist as he started kissing my neck.

The warm smile of Zild suddenly flashed on my mind.

Sh*t.

Mali 'to.

Buong lakas ko siyang tinulak and I slapped him hard on his face.

"F*ck you," galit na sabi ko at mabilis akong tumakbo pabalik ng higaan ko.

Naramdaman ko na lang bigla ang pagtulo ng luha ko.

I hate him! I f*ckin' hate him!