The Love that Made the Stars Fall (+18)

13| The Rule Breaker

Ｊｏｄｉｅ

"Alam mo naman na friends tayo, 'di ba? Kung may problema ka, you can lean on me," ani Sir Luke sa akin habang ibinabalik ko sa kanya ang helmet. "I'm willing to lend you some money—"

"Oh no, Sir Luke. 'Di po ba ang sabi ko naman sa inyo, don't worry? I still have two weeks. Isa pa, may mga panibagong gigs ako this week and the next. Ayos lang po ako."

Nagbuntong-hininga at namaywang si Sir Luke. "Sige na nga. Hindi na ulit kita pipilitin. Pero iyon nga, tulad ng sinabi ko, huwag kang magdadalawang-isip na lumapit kung talagang kailangan mo na," paliwanag ni Sir Luke bago siya bumalik sa bike niya at painitin ang makina nito. "Or, ganito na lang. Since ayaw mong pumayag na pautangin kita, pagbigyan mo na lang ako sa ibang bagay."

Ibang bagay? "Hala. Kinakabahan naman ako," kako na ngumiti. "Ano 'yan?"

"A simple favor." Sir Luke scratches his head, looking a bit embarrassed before continuing. "Can you please drop the 'sir' and the 'po'? Nakakatanda na kasi ng feeling eh. Just call me 'Luke.'"

I laugh. Now I understand why he always looks slightly pained whenever I use those polite terms. I can't refuse this request though especially because he's only ever shown me kindness.

"Okay. Good night. . .Luke." Napayuko ako bago magpakita ng isang nahihiyang ngiti. I hear him gasping loudly.

"Good night, Jodie. See you tomorrow." May halong lambing ang pagsabi niya nito bagay na nagpainit sa mga pisngi ko. Pagkatapos, pinaandar na niya palayo ang bike.

I'm grinning as I walk back to my unit, head down, relieved that the day is finally over and I can finally rest—oh.

I spot Matteo leaning against the wall, right in my path. He's smoking, something that's strictly forbidden inside the compound. The moonlight catches his formal suit, casting an eerie glow as the white smoke he exhales dances in the chilly air.

For a moment, nawala ako sa sarili ko habang tahimik ko siyang tinititigan.

Matteo is so... beautiful. Ugh, no, no, no. I need to derail this train of thoughts. Especially since whatever he's up to now is not remotely pleasant. He's breaking one of the rules of this place. My rules!

There's not a single good bone in his body, even if he might be the most stunning creature I've ever laid eyes on—seriously, stop. Why do these thoughts keep hijacking my brain? Do I have a crush on him?

Damn it. Gusto ko tuloy manapak at hindi ko alam kung siya ba ang gusto kong sapakin o ang sarili ko.

"Smoking inside the compound costs 3K," pagsusungit ko rito.

Matteo, this jerk, just stares at me, puffing away, not a word in return. Taas-noo ko na lang tuloy na ipinagpatuloy ang lakad ngunit natigil ulit nang ipitik niya ang upos ng yosi sa may daanan ko.

I'm about to yell and make him pick it up, but he quickly strides into his unit. I glare at the discarded cigarette, my face scrunching up in frustration.

Konting provoke pa, Matteo. Kumukulong tubig na ang isasaboy ko sa'yo!

Ｓｅｂ

Kinabukasan, lampas alas-diyes ng gabi. Nagmadali ang binatilyong si Seb sa pagsagot sa mga tanong nang maramdaman niya ang antok. Makailang beses na rin niyang sinasabunutan ang sarili huwag lang makatulog sa may lamesita kung saan niya tinatapos ang module na ibinigay sa kanya ni Jodie Tuazon.