Tamed [GL-Sapphics]

Chapter 20 - Indirectly

TAMED XX - INDIRECTLY.

WE'VE finally made it to Hotel Entrada, and it's no surprise it's such a fancy, big hotel since so many tourists stay here every day. Today, they're hosting over 300 people from Cambridge University, which is why the hotel was fully booked and other tourists had to stay at nearby hotels.

Umupo lang naman ako sa biyahe pero pakiramdam ko ang dami kong ginawa dahil sa pagod at antok. Hinanap ko agad ang pangalan ko sa rooming list sa tulong ng isang hotel staff. Dalawang students per suite. Richelled already told me na roommates kami kaya iyong suite number na lang ang tinanong ko.

"Akala ko one week lang tayo rito?" Pinuna ko ang dalawang pink na malalaking maleta ni Richelle, medium and extra-large ang sizes tapos mukha nina Tom and Jerry ang designs.

"I should warn you that this isn't your typical vacation, naninigurado lang ako dahil baka may extension pa. Iyong huling beses na nagpaganito ang Cambridge ay madaming activities like now, may main event ulit tayo sa sabado. Don't miss it!"

"Hindi ba't narito tayo to have fun and relax after the eventful week of Grand Variety Show?"

"Exactly! We're keeping things casual, so just relax and enjoy!"

Dumiretso ako sa elevator dala iyong degulong na mga maleta niya, nakapatong sa isa 'yong travelling bag ko at suot ko naman packbag ko. Gusto ko na lang maglaho nang mapansing si Professor Sandoval pala iyong unang pumasok bago ako. Embarrassing flashbacks to our mishap in the elevator kept popping into my mind.

Phone lang dala niya, she probably sent her things to her room already. Her lip corners lifted slightly. "Are you staying here for good?"

"Kay Delos Reyes 'yung dalawang suitcases, ma'am." Hindi naman ako nagkape kanina pero napa-palpitate ako.

Calm down, Zamantha. Hindi naman siya nangangain ng tao.

"Roommates?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Sumunod siya sa 'kin nang magbukas ang elevator. Nahulog iyong travelling bag kong nakapatong lang sa maleta ni Richelle kaya naman ay tinulungan niya akong ilabas lahat ng dala ko.

"Salamat." I tried to take back my bag from her.

"I'll take you to your room."

"Are you sure, ma'am?"

"Am I scaring you?" seryosong tanong niya nang magtama ang kamay namin tapos akala mo napaso akong bumitaw.

"What do you mean, Miss Rhio?" Ako, takot? Sa kanya? Ngayon pa talaga niya itatanong sa 'kin pagkatapos ng lahat na pinagdaanan ko sa kanya?

"I'm confused why you're always afraid of me. I'm doing my best to make you feel comfortable, yet you still seem anxious every time we cross paths."

I was starting to feel like things were improving between us, but now that the semester has ended, I'm feeling more nervous amd anxious around her again. Siguro dahil sa mga naging realizations ko nitong mga nakaraang linggo na pino-process ko pa rin hanggang ngayon. I couldn't tell if I'm just flailing around in the dark, trying to figure out what these emotions mean, or if I'm just not ready to accept and act on it.

"Signs and symptoms po 'yan, ma'am."

"Signs and symptoms of what?"

Sinapo ko ang ulo ko. "Na kulang ako sa vitamins, ma'am. I think you just misunderstood. I'm not scared around you, ganito lang talaga ako."

"Are you for real?"

"I'm being honest."

"Then, let's cut to the chase. I'm talking about you and me, Zamantha." She rolled her eyes and sighed.