Nakangiti ako sa isip habang pinapanood ang busangot na mukha ni Archer. Ang sarap asarin. Paupo na siya sa kanyang pwesto nang lalong lumalim ang kunot niya sa noo dahil sa tunog ng kanyang door bell. He let out an exasperated sigh.
"You're expecting someone?"
He frowned at my question. The answer must be 'no' then?
Iniwan niya ako sa kusina para tunguhin ang pinto. I heard it opened kasunod ang antipatikong boses ni Archer na nagtatanong sa kung sino man kung anong ginagawa nito sa kanyang bahay.
"Just visiting my favorite uncle." I heard someone said. At hindi ako pwedeng magkamali sa kung sino ang may-ari ng boses na 'yon.
Ang lawak ng ngiti ko nang itulak ko ang sarili patayo para takbuhin ang pinto. I was right! It was Carlton! His gaze flew to me and his face lightened up as much as mine did.
"Harriet! My, my. If it's not my most favorite gorgeous human being on the planet!"
Tinakbo ko siya ng yakap. He chuckled sexily sa pagbangga ng mga katawan namin. Yumakap ako sa kanyang leeg pero hindi nagtagal ay naramdaman ko na kaagad ang matigas na kamay ni Archer sa aking braso, hinahawakan ako nang mahigpit upang hilahin palayo kay Carlton.
"I'm so glad to see you!" I exclaimed, still beaming at my most favorite gorgeous human being as well -- not above Archer, though, when it comes to being gorgeous -- and totally ignoring what Archer just did.
"Put your filthy hands away." Babala ni Archer sa pamangkin na tinaas ang dalawang palad bilang pagsuko, natatawa sa asta ng tiyuhin.
"I didn't even touch her yet." Depensa ni Carlton. His eyes were full of amusement.
Pinalis ko ang kamay ni Archer. Tinanggal niya 'yon mula sa pagkakahawak sa 'king braso pero para lamang kabigin ako sa baywang palapit sa kanya.
"Wala ka bang trabaho?" Iritang tanong ni Archer na sinagot lang ni Carlton ng malawak na ngisi.
"I'm on leave. Para makatulong rin ako sa pagbabantay kay Lolo."
"Anong ginagawa mo dito kung gan'on?"
"Pinalitan na ako nila Tita Ava at Tito Leon. Geez. Hindi ba ako pwedeng bumisita dito? Lagi naman akong welcome dito, ah! Nagtatampo ka pa nga sa 'kin kapag hindi kita nadadalaw. Well, now, I'm here!"
Archer's jaw clenched in complete dissent. "Now's not a good time." Then, he held me tighter and closer to him. There's something about his touch. It feels...possessive.
Tinapunan ako ng tingin ni Carlton saka tinawanan ang tito. There's a hint of mischief in the glint of his eyes. "I think now's a really good time. Especially that Harriet's here. Matagal kaming hindi nagkita."
"Bumalik ka na lang bukas."
"What? I'm planning to stay the night."
I pushed Archer and it surprised me that it was an easy thing to do. Sinimangutan ko siya. "Why are you rude to him?" Carlton is really a good friend of mine and I love seeing and talking to him. And I don't like it when people treat my good friends poorly.
I reached for Carlton's arm. "Come, Adonis. We're just about to have dinner. Join us."
"Oh, jackpot! I knew it's adobo I'm smelling!"
Hinila ko na siya papasok sa dining room. Archer was left there scoffing, his lips were parted in disbelief. Mabilis naman siyang tumalima upang sundan kami sa dining.
"I only cooked for two people." He said as if that would make Carlton leave. He watched his nephew sat on the chair he was supposed to sat on earlier. Beside me. Lalo siyang binalot ng iritasyon.
