Saving Harper

PG-13

Toothbrush.

That was the first thing na pumasok sa utak ko nung papalapit na kami sa villa. Dahil dun sa preemption ni Xavier sa gagawin namin, I was feeling extremely nervous. Nervous-excited.

"Bakit ang lamig ng kamay mo?" He smiled as we took our time walking from the porch steps leading to the villa rooms. "Kinakabahan ka ba?"

I can only nod. It sounded ridiculous and alam ko na agad that Xavier will find it amusing. "Harper, it's not our first time to kiss." I didn't need further reminder.  Kanina lang I was wishing I could remember that drunken kiss we had.

"It's different." I said. Or baka para saakin lang yon? Hindi ko alam kung paano ko ieexplain kay Xavier that it is indeed our first kiss. Real first kiss. OMG Harper, you are romanticizing this too much. Well I couldn't help but romanticize everything concerning Xavier.

A small smile played on Xavier's lips as we arrived on my front door. I faced him and my heartbeat raced as he smiled at me and tucked a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

It was again in slow motion. Xavier's smile turned to his usual boyish one, bit his lower lip, and leaned down habang pasara na yung mata nya.

I held my palm up and yun yung nahalikan nya.

Natawa ako ng konti when his eyes flew open and nagtataka sa ginawa ko.

"Alat ah." He joked pertaining to my hand na wala akong control na inamoy. Amoy hand sanitizer naman.

"Sorry. May isang request muna ako." I grinned. Tinaasan nya ko ng kilay waiting for me to say what's on my mind. "Toothbrush."

He chuckled at what I said. "Nahiya ka pa. Naghalikan nga tayo ng lasang Bacardi ka e." He joked again and inirapan ko sya. "E lasang alimango at hipon?" I didn't want our "first" kiss to be ruined by the taste in my mouth. And sa totoo lang, I want to taste him. I mean his mouth. Taste. Basta yon. Not taste him, taste him. Pota! You're still explaining to yourself Harper! I'm so glad he can't hear my thoughts.

"Okay fine, you win." Xavier rolled his eyes at me. "Excited ka masyado e." I eyed him and to which he only answered with a big smile na mas lalung nagpa kaba sakin. "Sige na toothbrush tapos kakatukin nalang kita." Oh no. Wag sa kwarto. Madaming pwedeng mangyari sa kwarto. "Umm, I'll meet you here."

Natawa sya sa sinabi ko. "Ah PDA pala gusto mo." He smirked. "Wala namang tao!" I said defensively but I still looked at both sides of the corridor. Di ko masabi yung naiisip kong madaming pwedeng mangyari sa kwarto. Mas pagtatawanan nya yon.

I was still nervous-excited while brushing my teeth. And I wasn't contented at brushing my teeth once. Nag mouthwash pako, and brushed my teeth again just to be sure I get the taste and smell of seafood out.

I stuck my ear on the door trying to listen if nasa labas na si Xavier. Ayoko namang magmukhang overeager. Ay, hindi pa ba??? Napatalon ako sa gulat nung may kumatok.

I opened the door. "Kala ko nakatulog ka na e." Xavier smiled. I almost answered na baka hindi nga ako makatulog mamaya.

I stepped out and slowly closed my room door behind me. "It's not going to be the first time na matutulugan kita. Di ka pa sanay?" I answered him. Totoo naman. Tinulugan ko sya nung nalasing ako at tinulugan ko sya nung inaalagaan nya ko sa condo ko.