Maybe Next Time (A Series #2)

Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Label

I am not quite comfortable in the same roof as him after that heated question that I shamelessly asked him.

Sa tagal ng pagkaupo ko sa kanyang couch habang umakyat siya sa kanyang kwarto upang maligo. I can't contain the heavy atmosphere around me and I feel flushed so I stood up to fetch some water in his kitchen.

Ang makamundong pagnanasa ay hindi naalis sa aking isipan at kinagat ko ang aking labi habang nagsalin ng tubig sa isang baso.

I was about to drink the water when I heard a loud thudding and rush footsteps. Kumunot ang aking noo at bahagyang natigilan nang pumasok si Howl sa kusina. Umawang ang aking labi ng konti habang gulantang napatingin sa kanyang pagmamadali. I saw relief in his face when he saw me and he let off a deep sigh.

"I thought you were gone..."

My wild mind is nowhere clear and pure. Hubad siya ngayon na nakatayo sa bulwagan ng kusina. His hair is still wet and few drops of water is traveling down to his sculpted muscles. And I can't stop my eyes from going down and saw his v-line that can sprout out my eyes by just imagining what he is hiding. Kapit buhay talaga ang puting tuwalya sa kanyang bawyang.

Kung kanina'y hindi ako makahinga ng maayos, ngayon, nakakalimutan ko nang huminga ng mabuti. He smirked and slowly walked towards me.

Tumikhim ako nang nakabawi na at pasimpleng binaling ang tingin sa baso.

"Y-Yeah... I just went here to get some water."

Kinagat ko ang aking pang ilalim na pisngi nang lumapit na siya ng tuluyan sa akin. It took him such a long time is the shower and now, he is standing a few inches away from me and I can smell his aftershave mint.

"Uh-huh. It scared me that you're gone again," banayad niyang bulong.

Ngumuso ako at inangat ang baso upang makainom ng tubig. May kamalayan ako sa kanyang panitig sa akin kaya mas lalong kinakabahan ako kahit wala naman talagang dapat ikabahala. Or maybe it is because I pictured a very indecent scene of us that is why I can't deny my awkwardness.

I calculated it just enough for me to get my posture back but I didn't expect that after the tip of the glass and the water touched my lips, due to a nerve-racking moment caused by his stares, the water spilled on me.

He chuckled lightly and drew nearer. Kinuha niya ang baso sa aking kamay at nilapag niya iyon sa counter na nasa aking likod. Sinamaan ko siya dahil sa halakhak na iyon.

"Let's change your shirt." mahina niyang sabi.

Dinungaw ko ang aking basang damit at nakita ang aking pula na bra dahil doon. I crossed my arms and maintain my straight-friendly face at him.

"Matutuyo naman ito mamaya pero kung may extra t-shirt ka, pwede naman." kalmado kong tugon.

Bahagyang kumunot ang kanyang noo at nagulat ako sa sunod niyang ginawa. He caught the hem of my white plain shirt and tried to pull it up.

"Howl!" gulantang kong sita.

Inosenteng bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin. "Binibihisan lang naman kita. Hindi naman sa hindi ko pa ito nagawa sa'yo dati,"

I flushed more and couldn't utter a word. He successfully took off my wet shirt, leaving me in my red bra which is very... I am ashamed of it. I crossed my arms again, covering my bare chest.

He cleared his throat softly and a ghost of a smile is carved in his face.

"Ang t-shirt, nasaan ba 'yon?" pang iba ko ng topic.