Was it Prohibited?

Énteka

I'm looking outside the glass window as I chew the waffle inside my mouth, fifth day since I left kuya's condo and still no text from him, hindi na ako umaasa dahil alam kong malamang sa malamang nakalimutan na naman niya ang tungkol sa akin, ganon kabilis. Parang hangin lang naman ako sa kaniya.

I stopped chewing when I felt a familiar sting in my chest as I unconsciously thought about my place in kuya Phyton's life, I secretly take a deep breath as I get another mouthful slice of waffle and put it in my mouth.

I chew it again when I felt a warm thumb wiped something on the side of my lips. Napakurap-kurap ako ng maalalang may kasama pala ako, nabaling ako kay Damon na dinala ang hinlalaking ginamit niya pamunas ng whip-cream sa gilid ng labi ko sa bibig niya para sipsipin iyon.

My cheeks burn instantly as I watch him sexily suck the thumbed he used on cleaning the side of my lips, pagkatapos non ay inabot niya ang table napkin sa ibabaw ng mesa at nagpunas ng kamay niya.

He fixed his eyeglasses as he stared at me, "you want extra whip cream? I could ask over the counter for it."

Napangiti ako sa tanong niya saka marahang tumango, tipid naman niya akong nginitian saka nagtungo sa counter ng starbucks, my eyes followed Damon as he walks over the counter to ask for extra whip cream, I am smiling until he went back on his seat in front of me and started transferring the whip cream over my waffle.

Maaga pa ng maisipan naming magkita na, kaya naman hindi ko na din nasabayan pa si Peyton mag agahan, although he looks like he has someone to dine with him naman na rin kasi–halos ipagtulakan niya ako kanina ng malaman niyang maaga akong susunduin ni Damon, so dahil maaga pa nga, Damon and I decided to eat breakfast in Starbucks here in Intramuros.

Actually mamayang alas dos pa talaga ang pasok ko, habang si Damon naman ay alas tres pa ang pasok. Hindi ko din alam kung bakit agad akong pumayag ng magyaya si Damon na maggala muna around Manila bago pumasok ngayong araw, siguro kaya ko pumayag kasi si Damon siya. After our breakfast we planned to go to National museum, kasi, he noticed pala ang pagiging banyaga ng itsura ko, so he wants me to learn something from the Philippine history by going at the National Art Musuem, he badly wants to show me the big painting of Spoliarium by Juan Luna there, and a lot more paintings by different Filipino painters.

"Finish your food na so, we can go na," he pushed my frappe near me and that made me smile even more, I simply nodded my head and continued eating.

"ANNASTAZIA," lumingon ako mula sa pagkakaharap ko sa paintings na nakasabit sa pader at patagilid na hinarap si Damon ng tawagin niya ako.

Napakurap-kurap ako ng ang bumugad sa akin ay flash ng DLSR camera na hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha.

"Shit," he cursed under his breath, kaagad niyang kinalikot ang kamera saka napabuga ng hangin, "flash isn't supposedly on," he shrugged as he holds the camera on his left hand.

"... You took a photo of me?" Tanong ko sa kaniya, he looked up at me with the camera in front of his face, like he is about to take picture of me again.

"Yeah, it's a hobby for me to take pictures of what's beautiful-" he stopped that made my eyebrows furrowed, he took a deep breath and shook his head as he checked the camera again, "I'll fix it first, baka open na naman ang flash, mapalabas pa tayo."

I giggled at him, it was kinda epic, I know kasi flashes of cameras could fade the paintings so it's not allowed when taking pictures, yeah he must check it first.

I was enjoying everything, nabubusog ang mga mata ko sa pagmamasid sa bawat nakapintang larawan at nakaukit na mga sining sa loob ng museyo, I'm enjoying every seconds of it but at the same time I couldn't help but to be sad.

This was my plan too when I decided to study here in Philippines and live with kuya, to have him bring me with places like this, where I could enjoy and be with him at the same time.

Napabaling ako kay Damon ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko at dahan-dahang pagsiklupin iyon, tumikhim siya habang ang mga mata niya sa likod ng salaming suot niya ay abala sa pagmamasid ng nakapintang larawan sa harap namin, I smiled at his simple action and slightly squeezed his hand that put a small smile on his lips.

I should stop.

I should stop thinking about kuya Phyton from now on.

I should focus on what's right and that is to be with Damon.

And not with Phyton who I grew up thinking he was my biological brother.

"IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE, I texted Peyton to pick you up here, I'm sorry I cannot bring you with me if it is raining hard outside, my way's in España, baka baha na sa mga oras na 'to do'n, and I need to check a unit there too, baka nabasa na ang mga gamit na nandon. The classes are suspended so, you might as well go home with Peyton," sabi ni Damon sa akin matapos niyang magtipa sa cellphone niya, I'm sitting on a hallway bench still inside the museum.

I nodded at him, "mauuna kana bang umalis?" Tanong ko.

Bahagya naman siyang umiling saka naupo sa tabi ko, "I'll wait for Peyton before I'll go," napatingin siya sa kamay kong nakapatong sa ibabaw ng hita ko, inabot niya iyon at pinatong sa hita niya habang pinaglalaruan ang mga daliri ko.

"Annastazia... I just wanna ask if you know..." he looked up at me and stared deeply in my eyes with his grayish impressive yet mysterious eyes, "if I could formally court you? I know it's fast that's why I want to take it slow a little bit. So, can I court you?"

Napaawang ang mga labi ko sa tanong niya, hindi ko yon inaasahan. Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili ko, hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang nahuli ang pagbilis ng aking puso.

I like Damon right? I like him romantically and now he's asking if he could court me, my answer should be yes, should be a solid 'of course' but with kuya Phyton's face entering my mind all I could do is to stare at Damon's handsome face.

Napakurap-kurap lang ako ng may umalingawngaw na malakas na kulog.

I should really stop thinking about Phyton, this has to stop... and the only way to successfully stop myself from thinking about him is to focus on Damon.

I stared at Damon's handsome face for another couple of second, before reaching his face with my other hand and without thinking twice, I leaned my face closer at him and kiss him on the lips, I closed my eyes as I pressed my lips on his lips.

It was just a long smack kiss, simple pressing of lips, I was still collecting myself to pull away when I heard a camera clicking that made eyes popped opened.

Napahiwalay ako kay Damon at napabaling sa lalaking nakakulay itim na hoodie na agad tumakbo palabas ng Musuem kahit umuulan.

"That's a yes, right?" Damon asked squeezing my hand.

I swallowed before looking back at him and smile, "yes, you can court me, Damon."

Is that Kuya Phyton's paid men? To watch me?

So... he still cares...

If it is really care.

____

THENAUGHTYGRAY