LIE TO ME (under Evaluation)

CHAPTER 4

RIKA WAS TOTALLY DUMBFOUNDED by Dylan's bluntness. Bagaman hindi nito direktang tinukoy ang 'gusto' nitong gawin, hindi siya ganoon kainosente upang hindi iyon mahinuha.

An awkward atmosphere started to creep between them. Only this time, Rika knew there would be no punch line or pick-up lines that would comes next. Dylan is dead serious to what he just said! At mabuti na rin na nakatulog siya dahil kahit papaano'y nakabawi siya ng sapat na lakas upang mapanatili ang kanyang konsentrasyon at maiwasan ang pagpapanic niya.

"Thank you for not doing 'it', then. You're a true gentleman, Dylan."

Isang kiming ngiti ang isinukli ni Dylan sa sinabi niya. Pagkuwan ay sumandal ito sa headrest ng kama. He gently raked his hand to his tousled hair, and the effect was too sexy she can't help but stare.

Tandaan mo: hanggang tingin ka lang Rika! Paalala niyang muli sa sarili niya.

Napakibot si Rika nang bigla itong bumaling sa kanya. With those pair of sexy eyes while his fingers still raking his hair.

"I think I have to let you leave now."

Translation: Go home or get laid.

Biglang pinanuyuan ng laway si Rika dahil sa kanyang naisip. It was just a wild guess, ngunit iyon ang nakikita niyang mensahe sa mga mata ng lalaki.

He's giving her a warning!

"Ahm... I think so too."

"I'll walk you to the door."

"Hindi na. Magpahinga ka nalang dito."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Okay."

Bago lumabas ng silid ay humakbang siya palapit sa lalaki. Dylan's eyes follow her until he is looking up to her. Nang makatayo siya sa tabi nito ay walang sabi-sabing dumukwang siya upang dampian ng halik sa pisngi nito.

The gesture was subtle and unmalicious. And yet, Dylan seemed to be caught in surprise. Wala itong imik hanggang sa mag-angat siyang muli ng tingin. Mabuti na rin 'yon. Dahil ayaw niyang makarinig ng anomang salita na babasag sa kakapalan ng mukhang meron siya ngayon!

Kelangan talaga may kiss sa cheek, teh?! Tanong ng konsensya niya.

Bakit, anong masama sa 'beso'?

"I am really glad to see you again, Dylan. I really do."

Agad ding tumalikod si Rika upang magtungo sa pinto. Nahawakan na niya ang makintab na door knob at bahagya nang nabuksan iyon nang biglang may pwersang tumulak doon pabalik sa pinaglalapatan noon.

She felt a warm presence behind her so she turned to look at it. Ngunit hindi niya inasahan ang kanyang nalingunan. Nakasunod pala sa kanya si Dylan ng hindi niya namamalayan!

"Wait." Dylan is standing very closely behind her. "I just remembered you saying, 'no kissing in public'."

"That's right."

His one hand is resting beside her head while pushing the door closed against her back. "Well, we're not in a public place anymore. Your prohibition doesn't apply here, since you broke it first..."

She can see the shadow of desire lurking in those compelling bluish eyes of his. Yet, the anticipation on what he is about to do crawls on Rika's nerves like a teasing current.

"Dylan, what are you doing?"

"I'm about to return the favour."

"What fav—" Sinakop ni Dylan ang kanyang mga labi bago pa man niya matapos ang kanyang tanong!