Treacherous

Chapter Seven

One week

Andromeda S. Consunji's

PAHAPON nang bumaba kami ng bundok ni Ruel. Hindi siya masyadong nagsasalita, hinahayaan ko naman siya. Habang pababa kami ng bundok ay hawak niya lang ang kamay ko, napakahigpit noon. I like the warmth of his hand on my skin – kaya nga bigay na bigay rin ako kapag nagse-sex kami kasi super sarap niya talaga.

I smiled at myself while looking at him. I really have a feeling – no scratch that – I know that he's lying to me. I know that there are things he knows but he's not telling me. Hindi ko alam kung tungkol saan iyon, maybe I am really right, maybe he's rich, maybe he's a carnapper or whatever, as long as he's not hurting me, wala namang kaso sa akin iyon. Wala naman akong karapatang magtanong kasi ng pareho lang kaming ay itinatago sa isa't isa.

If I ask him and he tells, ibig sabihin, kailangan ko rin sabihin sa kanya ang sikreto ko. I don't want to tell him anything or more like I don't want him to change the way he treats me.

"Bakit, Mayora?" Nakangisi na siya nang bumaling sa akin.

"Wala. Ang gwapo mo no? Hindi pang-pinoy ang features mo kung titigan kang maigi." Hinalikan niya ang kamay ko.

"Agad – agad? Di pa pwedeng gwapo lang talaga ako." Kung kanina ay hindi siya nagsasalita, ngayon naman playful siya. Inalalayan niya ulit akong sumakay doon sa hummer. I am feeling a bit tired pero gusto ko pang mamasyal. Pagsakay niya ay hinarap ko siya agad.

"Mayor, gusto ko pang mamasyal." Ngumuso ako.

"Tsk, akala ko sex na ito." Tumawa siya nang hampasin ko siya sa balikat. "Saan mob a gustong pumunta?"

"Ay, teka, google ko ito." I tried googling it, may signal naman kasi kahit paano. Mag-aalas singko pa lang ng hapon. Maaga pa. I giggled. May nabasa ako iyong Cemetery of Negativism. Pinakita ko naman sa kanya iyon.

"Bakit diyan?"

"Wala lang. Parang ang bigat diba? A cemetery where we can bury all our negative feelings. This will be nice. Iwe-waze ko ha." Sabi ko sa kanya. Ni-set ko iying waze ko tapos nilagay ko sa dashboard iyong phone. Nag-start na siyang mag-drive. Binuksan ko naman iyong stereo ng hummer niya.

I am pretty sure that it's his. But I don't really care. I played some songs and while on the road, I was singing... He looks as if he was enjoying it...

Midnight...you come and pick me up no headlights...

Long drive, could end in burning flames or paradise...

Fade into view oh...

He was banging his head. Natutuwa yata talaga siya sa akin. I kissed his cheeks tapos ay sumayaw – sayaw pa ako habang nakaupo roon sa hummer. I am very happy – I don't know why, maybe because of the thought that someone like him, even thought we both have secrets to hid, wants to be with me.

Tanggap ko na kasing mag-isa lang ako hanggang huli. That's why I understand Orion's gifrlfriend, we both have the same fear, ang kaibahan lang, Victoria has Orion now and she's not gonna be alone for I know my brother and that he was very much in love with her.

You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye
And I got that red lip, classic thing that you like
And when we go crashing down, we come back every time
'Cause we never go out of style, we never go out of style
You've got that long hair slick back, white t-shirt
And I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt
And when we go crashing down, we come back every time
'Cause we never go out of style, we never go out of style...