Rendezvous in August (Astrology #1)

XXIV

RIA 24

Comfortable silence wrapped around us from the car to the hallways of the condominium.

Hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin tinatanggal ang pagkakayakap sa braso n'ya. Nakasandal at paminsang pinapasadahan ng ilong ang tela ng suot n'yang dress shirt.

Aries was silent too. He did not say a word while we were driving here up until now. He was silently letting me indulge him, his warmth, his presence.

Wala sa sarili akong napangiti.

I was never the type to think of the far future, but I'd like to imagine the day I will give him my warm thanks when this arrangement is over.

I let him go and punched my card then opened my door. Binalingan ko siya.

"Do you wanna come in?"

Aries shifted his weight. Umayos siya nang tayo at tumikhim.

"Can I?"

My brows slightly shot up. Bakit hindi? I wanted to ask but I settled on nodding my head at him as a response.

I opened the door wider to let him in.

Tahimik siyang sumunod sa akin. I turned on my lights and put my bag on the breakfast counter. I glanced at him when I noticed he was being silent.

"Why are you so timid? Para namang first time mo rito," I commented and let out a small chuckle.

Didiretso na sana ako sa kwarto para maligo when he spoke.

"I'm sorry," Aries whispered.

Huh?

Tuluyan ko na siyang hinarap. He stood still in front of me—-with furrowed brows, pursed lips, and weary eyes.

"For not fulfilling my promise to you." He continued.

"Na dalhan ako ng lunch?" Nalilito kong hula.

Mahina siyang tumango.

I wanna laugh heartily at him. But he looked so guilty over it so I stopped myself. Tingin ko hindi ata ako naging successful for doing that kasi bahagyang kumunot ang noo n'ya sa akin.

"You're not upset over that?" He clarified yet he was still confused.

Okay now, I couldn't stop myself from chuckling. Umiling ako.

"No, Ries. I was upset over something else and not that." Humalukipkip ako. "Although, if it wasn't for the thing I'm upset right now baka nga nagtampo na ako sa'yo."

Aries pouted his lips and reached for me. I let him pull me closer. He then wrapped his arms around me and planted a kiss on my cheek.

"I'm really sorry. Something came up with the company we're investing in and I had to attend the abrupt meeting."

I returned his hug and buried my face in his chiseled chest. Isang beses kong pinatakan ng halik ang dibdib n'ya. My lips felt the material of the fabric of his shirt. I unconsciously smiled.

"It's okay."

"May kasama ka raw na ibang lalaki ron?" Singit n'ya bigla sa gitna ng yakapan namin.

My grin grew wider.

"Your cousin told you that didn't he?" Inangat ko ang mukha ko para matingnan siya.

Aries eyed me. Sumimangot muna siya bago tumango.

"Yeah. Dalawa raw. Kausap mo."

I let out a laugh kahit na parang bumaliktad ang sikmura ko sa narinig.