Behind Curtains

Kabanata 14

Kabanata 14

Fine

Being liked was not an experience I have not been into.

Being confessed to, was.

I stared at the reflection of my nakedness, and winced. Napaka-imposible talaga noong sinabi ni Sir Killian, iling ko sa sarili at bumalik na sa pagbabanlaw ng katawan.

Being someone's crush was not a new scene to me. Although it does not happen as often as it did with the more popular faces, I have known what it feels like to be fancied by people I do not share the same sentiments with.

And that specific category of the opposite sex was usually composed of persons I talk to regularly, kaya walang umaamin talaga ng harap-harapan.

They were perfectly aware of how I would react.

Alam na alam nila na ang magiging automatic response ko ay ang pagiging awkward at ang paniguradong pag-iwas. And because I can be very immature about it, I'd always put on an offensive disgusted face for them, para lang tumigil sila sa kahibangang 'yon.

I did not care about coming off mean. I just do not like it when polite interactions are suddenly secretly laced with one-sided malice.

But this case with Sir Killian was different.

Kung totoo nga ang sinasabi niyang may gusto siya sa akin... mahina kong tinampal ang aking mga pisngi. The thought of it just exceeded all scopes of flattery, so blushing was excusable. But I do not want to give it more thought. 

Ang kapal naman ng mukha ko kung makakalimutan kong sweldado ako't ang manilbihan lang naman ang trabaho ko.

I had to suck in breath while doing the routinal knocks on Sir Killian's door.

Usually ay aalis na ako matapos ang iilang katok, at maghahanda na ng almusal. But because I was up earlier than my alarm clock, ay nakapagluto na ako't lahat para kakain nalang si Sir Killian.

I just made breakfast sandwiches for him, anyway; so worrying about his food getting cold wouldn't be a problem.

Tatalikod na sana ako para bumalik sa paglilinis ng kusina nang bumukas na 'yong pinto ni Sir Killian. Inayos ko ang aking pag-tayo, to formally greet my boss; but chose to hold my tongue, when he came out of his room, frowning and looking pissed.

"That is not what we agreed on, Stellan," he sneered on his phone, closing the door behind him. Napa-atras naman ako. "You said you'd handle the Lizares' account, while I am busy with the reconstr—"

Hindi na nadugtungan ni Sir Killian ang sinabi at mariin nang pumikit. He frustratedly pinched the bridge of his nose, while he listened to his phone, tila ba hindi nagugustuhan ang mga naririnig mula sa kausap.

Tahimik akong umatras muli. I planned to inconspicuously walk back to the kitchen nang iangat ni Sir Killian ang kanyang mukha at agad na nahuli ang aking tingin.

I smiled crookedly at him, despite the frown on his face.

"Good morning, Sir." I mouthed noiselessly, pointing a thumb at the hall.

Mas lalo lang yata na kumunot ang noo niya nang makita ako.

I understood, though. Monday was always the most hectic day of the week; along with Tuesday's and Friday's, because those were crucial bank days, too. At nakikita 'yon sa marahas na mga ekspresyon ni Sir Killian tuwing umaga. And more often than not, by the number of phone calls he takes for breakfast, too.