✔ The Casanova's Angel (Filipino Novel)

Kabanata 31

"Okay, let's jot that down."

"Sure ka?"

"Yes." Tumingin saakin si Nickko like I was asking such an obvious question.

Kumunot ang noo ko at binasa ko ulit yung clause: Both parties should exclusively see each other to avoid future confrontations. 

"I don't get it." I told him. The Nickko Romano, playboy extraordinaire and someone who collects girls like they're toys is agreeing to be exclusive with me even though we're faking? Huh? Hindi ko gets? Saan mo pa narinig sa lupalop ng mundo na ang isang lalaki na katulad ni Nic, who I might add can get anyone in a flash, would agree in this clause. Well, to agree in all of this in general.

"Anong hindi mo gets dito.." Tinignan niya ang papel na hawak ko at binasa ang mga nasulat naming rules. "Yung pagsuot ba ng disenteng damit? I don't care if you wear a bikini in your restaurant Angel pero syempre pag nasa meeting o pag nasa labas tayo when you're with me, I'd like to talk to you without being distracted on ripping your clothes off."

HUUUUH?

Sa huling sinabi ni Nickko ay naginit ang pisngi ko. Ano daw? "H-h-huh?!" Ang matalino kong sinabi. 

Tumingin siya saakin ng mga ilang segundo at natawa. "I like that shade in your face, Gel." He smiled at me sabay bigay saakin ng papel. "I think we've covered everything now. Kelangan nalang natin i-make sure ang mga details: When we met, how it happened, how we fell for each other."

"Wait!" Ang sabi ko sakanya dahil like it or not kelangan ko parin ng explanation about the exclusivity clause.

"Yes?" 

"Pls explain the last clause."

"It's as clear as day, Angel. Isang basa lang klaro na, what would you still want to know?"

"Helloo, you? Exclusive? With me?"

"Bakit parang nang iinsulto ka?" He asked while raising his left brow. 

"A-ah,  well hindi naman. I mean,  ikaw? The Nickko Romano?"

"Oh,  what about me?"

"I mean, why would you want to stay exclusive?  Especially with a fake relationship?"

Hindi ko namalayan, until I felt the heat of his body near me na ang lapit niya na pala saakin.  Yung tipong palaging nangyayari saamin,  my back on the wall and him towering over me.  Instinct ko na ba lumayo sakanya?  At kung ganun,  instinct niya na rin ba lumapit saakin?

"Because Angel,  it's an exclusive relationship with you, regardless if it's fake or not." He said with his face an inch from mine. 

Syempre, hindi nanaman ako makapag isip.  I should call this the Nickko effect.  Palagi nalang nagiging blanko utak ko pagdating sakanya.  Marupok na kung marupok pero kung ikaw ba nasa pwesto ko ay maiiwasan mo rin siya?

Hindi ako nakasalita ng medyo matagal bago siya lumayo at tumawa ng onti. 

"Oh,  and Angel,  just so you know,  this is exclusive everything." Sinabi niya bago lumabas ng kwarto. 

Huuuh?

Sinundan ko siya at nakitang hawak hawak niya na ang bag ko.  "Let's go?"

"Saan?"

"Hahatid ko na ang girlfriend ko pauwi."

"H-huh?  Umm,  hindi.. Uh..." Sinundan ko siya palabas ng pinto at papunta sa elevator.  I had to walk fast kasi matangkad siya at syempre I'm just average.

"Yes?" Ang sabi niya saakin ulit with a smug tone might I add. 

"Fake girlfriend." Ang sabi ko sakanya trying to be smug but I'm sure I'm failing quite terribly. 

Hindi siya umimik ng mga ilang minuto hanggang makababa kami sa parking at papunta sa kotse niya. Sumakay kami ng walang imikan but it wasn't awkward.  More of pareho namin tinitignan kung sino ang iimik ng una - power play. 

But for sure alam ko nanaman kung sino panalo.  Si Nickko, as usual.  Pero still wag natin pahalata na talo tayo. 

We maintained our silence until makarating sa building ko. And he broke it by leaning in and slowly kissing me on the lips.

It was sudden and short yung mga tipong bitin. 

Nabigla ako kaya hindi ko naprocess ang lahat.  "Ohh-kay?" Tinignan ko siya as if asking kung ano yun. 

"The clause says exclusive which means exclusive in everything,  Angel."

"E-e-everything?" Namula yung pisngi ko just thinking of the things that are included in his 'everything'. 

"Yes,  that was a goodnight kiss Angel. So,  Goodnight." Ngumiti siya at inintay ang sasabihin ko. 

But I was so flustered.  Hindi ko alam ang gagawin kaya tumango nalang ako at dali daling lumabas ng kotse at nag wave bago pumasok na sa building and into my home. 

Guess we know what, or rather who I will be thinking tonight,  diba?