Sari
"Sarimanok! Where are you? Sariiii!!!"
I went out to meet Malik at the front of the house in a hurry. "What? What's wrong? Are you hurt?!" I worried.
"Sar — bakit ka may bitbit na bra?"
I was in the middle of packing my stuff when he called. We would be heading back to Manila in a couple of days so I started gathering my stuff already. "Kasi naman yung sigaw mo parang May emergency."
He looked sheepish. "Oh sorry. Sobrang excited lang ako."
"Ano ba yun?" I asked, hiding my bra in my back pocket.
"I got the some sponsors to help build pipes. Hindi na mahihirapan sila Lolo mag-igib kahit wala na tayo dito."
My eyes widened in amazement and admiration. "Oh my god! Oh my god! Thank you, Malik!!! That's such a great thing to do."
I launched myself and gave him a big hug. "Oh my god, bakit ang baho mo?"
He laughed. "Nakipaglaro kami ni Totoy sa kambing niya eh."
I rolled my eyes. "Ugh. Maligo ka na nga."
He nodded and bounded out happily like a big kid. I caught a glimpse of him taking his shirt off before he went in the bath area.
Suddenly, I saw...
... the Datu leaning in... our first kiss...
... deepening the kiss, him pulling me closer and making me feel things I had never felt before...
... his hands travelling low on my belly and then lower and lower until...
"Malik!"
"Sarimanok! Are you okay? You're flushed."
"Huh? Ah... ummm wala. Mag-e-empake na ulit ako. Ligo ka pa. Baho mo pa din."
*
It was a strange day to say the least.
I still got flashbacks of that previous "life" with the Datu, just that my mind was clouded by hormones and all that was being shown to me were those intimacies.
Those sweet kisses when she would come down from the tree.
Goodbye kisses when it was time for them to part for the day.
Malik kissing me and apologizing for the hurting me during our first time.
The Datu and Sari, I mean. Not Malik.
Ano kayang feeling halikan si Malik?
I immediately shoved that thought aside.
Hoy, Self! Sila yung may moment, hindi ikaw at si Malik.
Still, it got me curious especially when one of my dreams got very detailed and I woke up panting... but giddy. Gosh, that dream was even better than my boyfriends. I've only been intimate with one boyfriend but even kisses had never made me feel that.
I was practically drooling at the sight of a shirtless Malik when he entered the home that morning. "Good morning, Noks! Liligo lang ako bago tayo umalis ha."
"Okay..." I said, breathily.
"Noks?"
"Hmm?"
"HUY NOKS BAKIT MO KO MINAMANYAK?!"
That made me sit up and avert my gaze. "Oh my god." I had been eyeing Malik's crotch.
"Oh my god. I'm sorry, Malik. I'm so sorry."
Embarrassed, I ran to my room.
Hours later, we were on our way back to Manila and I refused to fall asleep on the bus. Mahirap na, baka kung ano na naman mapanaginipan ko.
I think Malik had an idea but he didn't comment on it. He just gave me knowing smiles.
Staying awake did not help because I would get regular visions about those anyway.
One of my favorites was when the Datu looks like he hadn't seen her in a while. When she appears, his whole face would light up and he would welcome her with open arms, which should run to happily.
Then, after a tight, heart melting hug, he would pull back, cup her face and kiss her. It would start sweet, then he would deepen it, pull back a little and give her light pecks... then claim her mouth again for a more intense kiss.
I was pretty sure I was blushing the entire time.
Malik kept asking if I was okay and I would answer dismissively. When he brought me home, he finally said, "You do know I see the same things, don't you?"
I was stunned.
Just before he disappeared, he whispered, "Mukhang masarap 'no?"
