Hook, Line & Sinker

Chapter 16

Chapter 16: "Fuck butterflies. I feel the whole zoo when I'm with you."

I don't know how long I've been hugging, and sniffing him. All I know is that moments with him make me wish that I could stop the time. No amount of time would ever be enough for me when we're together. 

"Wala ka bang balak bumaba?" 

Napabungisngis ako. Para akong koala na nakakunyapit pa rin sa kanya. "Ayoko pa. Na-miss kita ng sobra!" I cupped his cheeks and gave him kisses all over his face. "Being apart from you almost drove me crazy."

Iniupo niya ako sa counter habang nakapagitna siya sa mga hita ko. He leaned his forehead against mine and closed his eyes.

"Same here.. I missed you."

My mouth slowly curved into a smile. I snaked my arms around his neck and just savored this precious moment with him. 

"Wait, bakit nandito ka? Finals niyo na."

He brushed my hair away. "Tapos na lahat. I'd been so busy rushing everything just so I could be with you fast."

Lihim akong napangiwi dahil sa guilt. So all those times na nagtatampo ako sa kanya dahil hindi niya ako masyadong tinatawagan o tini-text man lang ay minamadali niya palang tapusin lahat ng school projects at exam para mapuntahan niya ako.

I pulled him closer so I could peck his lips. Tinitigan niya ang mukha ko which made me blush. Slowly, he crossed the distance and kissed me gently. He nibbled my lower lip. I just closed my eyes and followed his lead. 

Bahagya siyang humiwalay at ngumiti sa akin. Namumula ang mukha na itinago ko ang mukha sa dibdib niya. He stroked my back gently.

"You'll come with me to Manila on Thursday. Mauuna na tayo kay Tito Akay. Then we'll have an out of town trip with family."

My face brightened up but my smile faded as I remembered about my final exam with Prof Tanedo. "T-thursday?"

He nodded. Tumaas ang mga kilay niya at tiningnan ako. "Why? Is there a problem? Your final exam is on Monday, isn't it?"

"May final exam pa kase ako sa Thursday," nakangiwing sabi ko.

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya. I pouted then explained what happened. Matapos niyang makinig sa sinabi ko ay walang kibo niyang kinuha ang mga pinamili ko at inilabas. Takang tumalon ako pababa ng counter at lumapit sa kanya.

"Why don't you start practicing?"

Ginawa ko lahat ng itinuro niya. Mas nate-tense ako dahil siya ang nagtuturo sa akin at inoobserbahan niya ang bawat kilos ko. But weirdly enough, I enjoyed it. Shin also became my willing victim, as well. Pigil ang hiningang naghintay ako sa komento niya sa niluto ko.

"S-so? Tingin mo, hon-hon? Pangit pa rin ba ang lasa?"

He gave me a blank look which made my shoulders sag. What should I do? Mukhang kailangan kong galingan na makiusap kay Mr Tanedo. I sighed and sat on the chair. 

"Makikiusap na lang ako kay Mr Tanedo na ip-"

"I think we can spend the sem break together after all."

Hindi mapuknat ang ngiti ko habang lulan kami ng eroplano ni Shin pauwi ng Manila. Masaya ako dahil sinamahan niya ako sa araw ng final test ko kay sir Tanedo. I recalled being so nervous that day but he was able to calm me down.