Burnt Traces (Esquivel Series #1)

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17
REMINDER

          
            THIS AFTERNOON, I got a call from Lala. He reminded me to maintain my diet because I will start next week. May gaganapin kasing photo shoot sa isang magazine cover. He also informed me that I was paired up with Allen, that jerk who suddenly kissed me on the bar. We're not on the same angency so why the hell that he is my partner? Hindi ko na natanong pa si Lala dahil binabaan niya kaagad ako. I was planning to tell Heiron about this but I don't have enough courage to do so. Surely, he will be mad. Knowing him.

Alas kuwarto na ng hapon, isang oras na lang bago darating ang van na kukuha sa amin dito sa hotel. Heiron was just doing paper works. I am just lying on the bed while watching him that serious. Nakikita kong kumukunot ang noo niya kapag may hindi siya naiintindihan. O di kaya hinihilot niya ang kaniyang sintido at kinakagat ang kaniyang labi. I am already prepared the Iwahig Firefly watching. Nakabihis na ako't lahat-lahat. I also brought my necessary stuffs like make-ups, extra shirt, phone and such.

"Why are you staring?" I was taken aback when I heard him talk. For the past two hours, he didn't even talk to me. Busyng-busy nga siguro siya sa trabaho niya. You know, it keeps me wondering why he works like he is already a real business man. He's still a Grade 12 student for pete's sake, and note that he still doesn't have a degree! He didn't take up ABM or any college courses. Nakakamangha lamang na pinagkakatiwalaan na siya ng kaniyang mga magulang.

"Hindi ba pwede?" Pagtataray ko. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at sinarado ang kaniyang laptop. Nakabihis na rin siya katulad ko at handa na rin para mamaya. He shrugged his shoulder and made his hair messy. Bumuntong-hinga siya at lumapit sa akin.

"You done?" I asked. Still, he didn't answer and bit his lip. Tumabi siya sa akin. Nakahiga ako habang nakatukod ang aking siko sa kama habang siya naman ay nakaupo sa harap ng aking tiyan. He caressed my arm and knead it using his big thumb. Mukha nga talaga akong maliit kapag hinahawakan na niya ako. He has a great body build. Sht. No wonder girls are drooling for him.

"About Mom." I paused. Medyo nagulat ako dahil ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na pag-uusapan namin ang kaniyang Ina. The tension on the atmosphere build up. I don't know. The issue between his mother and him is too heavy to handle.

"She's out of country... for now." My eyes widened. He sighed again and put some strands of my hair at the back of my ear.

"Business." He shortly added. I nodded silently. Hindi ako kumibo. He leaned closer.

"So—you mean." Tumango siya. Hindi niya ako pinatapos. Mukhang alam na niya ang ibig kong sabihin.

"Yes. You still can't meet her. I already told her about you. She said that she will meet you right after she fly back here." Mabibigat na hininga ang kaniyang pinapalabas. He told me those words without even blinking.

"Oh alright. Hindi rin naman ako handang humarap sa nanay mo. I'm a bit terrified." I meant it as a joke but he didn't laugh. I bet he didn't get the humor. His hand landed on my cheeks. He gently caressed it and my eyes abruptly became dreamy. Nakakalula ang kaniyang mga hagod. I pat his palm using my hand.

"Can I ask you a question?" He didn't respond. Pepe ba siya? Kanina pa ako tanong ng tanong eh. I sighed and stared back at him. Nakaigting ang kaniyang panga. Seryosong seryoso ang kaniyang mukha.

"When you have a phone call, your mood usually shifts. Bakit?" A long silence reign on us. Hindi niya ako kinibo. Nakatitig lamang siya na parang tinatantya ako. He leaned even closer. Nahuhulog na ang talukap ng aking mga mata dahil sa lapit ng aming mga mukha. Napaawang ang labi ko. Para akong naduduling dahil sa titig niya.