Play it Damn Straight

chapter 61 [tag/fil]

"CAN I borrow a brief from you? I-I left mine in the car, and you know, you see, it's... it's outside." Itinuro niya pa 'yong bintana after he said na his car was out there.

I smirked, "Alright, alright. I get it. You're not going out there with just a towel and half-naked."

He nodded, slightly embarrased. "I forgot it."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Oh sure you did. I thought you left it out there on purpose," I said, teasing Johann dahil I was having this kind of feeling that he already plotted it.

He laughed, a little bit fake but it's trying its best to lighten up the mood. "No, really, I didn't."

Naglakad ako pabalik sa dresser ko and I pulled out a boxer brief, tossing it to Johann. "Here you go. Just so you know, I don't have any skin conditions or diseases, especially down there. So... yeah."

Johann caught the briefs and grinned. "Thanks, crush. Appreciate it."

We both laughed na lang sa awkwardness na nangyari and tumalikod na ako nang mag-start siyang magbihis. Nagpaalam pa nga siya sa'kin bago 'yon, kung pwede na raw ba siyang mag-start. Hanep na 'yan. Hindi niya raw kasi masabi na giniginaw na siya dahil napakalakas daw ng aircon ko. Sorry naman, then go sabi ko magbihis na siya.

After Johann finished dressing up, he said, "Done," and then told me I could finally turn around. So, I looked at him and turned to face him.

Hindi ko na alam kung anong nangyari after ko siyang tingnan at napansin ko na lang na he was snapping his fingers right in front of my face and wake me up from daydreaming... I guess?

"Huy, natulala ka na d'yan! Tinatanong kita," sabi niya pa at pinalakpak nang isang beses ngunit malakas ang kanyang kamay, sapat na para gulatin ako't makabalik sa ulirat.

"Huh? Ano yung tanong mo? Hindi ko narinig, nagtanong ka ba?" sambit ko sapagkat wala akong matandaan. Natulala daw ako? That's impossible.

"Sabi ko, is it okay? Does it look good on me?" pahayag niya at patanong muli dahil 'yon nga raw 'yong tanong.

So, that was the question. Bakit hindi ko narinig? I couldn't even remember na narinig ko 'yon. Totoo nga bang natulala ako sa kanya? Shit. Liam, delikado ka na naman.

Napakamot na lang siya ng ulo nang mapansin kong nagsalita na siya matapos kong mawalan ng kibo muli. "I'll take that as a 'yes' na nga lang, natulala ka again."

"H-Huy, wait, hindi ako natulala sa'yo. May iniisip lang ako, nagkataon lang sa'yo ako nakatingin no'ng iniisip ko na 'yong naisip ko. Okay?" Sana gets niya 'yong point ko.

"Uh, o...kay...? Sige, if you say so." The look that written on his face was just he seemed puzzled.

"And yeah, bagay sa'yo." I raised my brows as I let out a quick smile.

"Thanks," he said but his smile was so much bigger than mine because of my compliment.

"That is yours now," dugtong ko pa at hindi niya na kailangan 'ka kong isauli nga o arborin pa.

He was like 'what?' "Really?"

"Oo nga kasi," I clarified. "Ayaw mo ba?"

"Gusto, s'yempre! Tara na i-set up na natin 'yong mga bagong laruan ng cat mo." Nauna na siyang naglakad palabas ng kwarto. Pinadaanan niya pa ng isang hawi ang buhok niya gamit ang kanyang palad.

"Sure ka hindi ka ma-le-late sa lakad mo?" tanong ko habang sinusundan siya.

"Hindi nga, kulit!" He was so stoked.

"I wonder na tuloy kung ano'ng lakad mo." Magkasabay na kaming naglalakad at naabutan ko na siya.

"Basta... bakit selos ka?" tanong niya sa'kin dahilan para mapatingin ako sa kanya't bigyan siya ng 'okay-ka-lang-ba-bhie?' na reaksyon.

"Luh, nagtanong lang, e. Tara na nga," saad ko't ako na ngayon ang nauna maglakad. Iniwanan ko siya. "Do'n tayo sa sofa mag-unbox and set up, ha!"

"Yes, crush!" sigaw rin niya at dinig kong hinabol na niya ako.

We moved to the living room, where the new cat supplies were scattered around: Smeagol's litter box, a cat scratch tree, and a cozy new bed with a cat pillow. Johann immediately got to work, his hands moving skillfully as he assembled the scratch tree.

I watched in awe as Johann expertly fit pieces together, tightening screws and aligning parts with ease. His focus was intense, and I couldn't help but admire how capable he was. Hindi kagaya ko na mukhang wala yata akong magiging ambag, na-fi-feel ko na. He was doing all of this for my cat, for me, and it made me feel a warmth I hadn't expected.

"Wow, Johann, ang galing mo rin pala sa mga gan'yan," I said, feeling a bit useless just standing there.

He glanced up, a shy smile on his face. "Thanks, Liam. I just want to make sure Smeagol's happy." He's so always like that, inconsistent as well, minsan shy type minsan naman confident, umo-over pa nga.

"Hmm, ang pusa ko nga ba talaga?"

"Yup, your pussy."

I nodded, watching as he moved on to the litter box, snapping the pieces together with practiced precision. "I can't believe how fast you're getting this done. I probably would've taken forever."

Johann laughed softly. "It's not that hard once you get the hang of it."

As he finished the litter box and moved on to setting up the new bed, I realized I hadn't lifted a finger to help. I had just been standing there, watching him do everything.

"Johann, I feel bad. I haven't done anything. Puro ikaw na lahat ang gumawa."

He looked up, his expression kind. "It's okay, crush. I'm happy to help. Besides, you kept me company. That's more than enough."

Smeagol, curious about all the commotion, wandered over and immediately started investigating the new scratch tree. Johann finished setting up the bed and placed the cat pillow neatly inside.

"There you go, Smeagol. All set," Johann said, looking pleased with his work.

I was amazed by how quickly and efficiently he had set everything up. "Johann, ang ganda-ganda at ang bilis mo mag-set up. Sa wakas, hindi na pag-tri-tripan niya Smeagol ang remote ng TV. Thank you so much talaga, ha? I really appreciate it."

He shrugged modestly. "Sus! No problem at all, anything for my... oops, just kidding, yeah, I'm really glad I could help."

Pinanood naming dalawa kung gaano ka-excited si Smeagol habang in-e-explore ang mga bago niyang libangan. But I felt something more for Johann, it started to melt my heart for the very very very first time, I guess. His kindness, his skill, and the way he cared—it all made my heart beat a little faster.

"You're really something, Johann," I said quietly, more to myself than to him.

He turned to me, his eyes meeting mine. "What was that?"

"Nothing," I replied quickly, feeling a bit flustered. "Just... thanks again. Ang galing mo."

He smiled, and I felt a warmth spread through me. Maybe, no, I was pretty much sure of it, that in this moment, I wasn't the only one feeling something more.