Chapter 38
I woke up alone in bed. Axev's bedsheet is wrapped around me. Minulat ko ng husto ang mga mata at tinitigan ang puting kisame.
It happened. I can't believe it happened. Siguro nga nababaliw na ako. We weren't even close to okay and everything happened so fast. However, I didn't want to be hypocrite. I wanted it. It was my advances that pushed him and I know his limit when it comes to those things. He's my ex-boyfriend after all.
Huminga ako ng malalim at inisip kung anong gagawin. I asked for a no-strings-attached relationship. Ngayon ay may pagdadalawang isip na ako tungkol do'n. It was a spur of the moment and it was the first thing that came into my mind.
No strings attached, of course, I know how it will work. It's a purely physical connection and nothing more. No emotions involved and no commitment. An open relationship.
Hinilot ko ang sentido at saglit nag-isip. Shit. What the hell was I thinking? However, I didn't want to take back what I said. What done is done and all I need to do is to stick with it.
Tumayo ako at kinuha ang mga damit na binili ni Axev bago nagtungo sa bathroom niya. I didn't saw my clothes there. Naligo ako at nagpalit bago lumabas ng bathroom. Medyo maluwang ang damit sa akin at halos takpan na nito ang shorts na suot ko. Wala naman akong gagawin sa kwarto kaya lumabas na ako.
Tahimik, hindi ko alam kung nasaan si Axev. Naka-paa pa ako habang naglalakad sa hallway. The floor felt cold on my feet. Just like last time, I was already steps away from the stairs when I saw Axev on one of the couches in the vast living room. Kaharap niya ang kaniyang laptop at mukhang busy.
Suminghap ako. Okay. I got this. After what happened between us, ngayon pa ba ako mahihiya? Mabagal akong naglakad pababa ng hagdan. He immediately noticed me.
His hazel eyes bore into me for a few seconds. Halos umurong ang tapang ko sa klase ng titig niya. He's wearing a gray shorts and black sleeveless shirt. Ngumuso ako nang tumayo siya, nasa kalagitnaan pa lang ako ng hagdan.
I saw him picked up something on the floor. It was a red fluffy slipper. Naglakad siya palapit sa hagdan at hinintay ako sa dulo. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga nang nasa harapan ko na siya mismo. I can smell his scent.
"Put this on," aniya at nilapag sa paanan ko ang slippers.
Tiningnan ko 'yon. It was exactly my size. Sinuot ko ito bago inangat muli ang tingin sa kaniya. I didn't know what to say. Bakit ang hirap humanap ng mga salita sa tuwing nasa harapan ko siya?
"Gutom ka ba? Nagluto ako." Aniya at pinagmasdan ako.
"Did you eat already?" Tumikhim ako at bahagyang iniwas ang tingin.
"No, I was waiting for you." He replied, still staring. "It's already two in the afternoon."
Damn. I cleared my throat and nodded. Bakit parang kakaiba siya kung makatingin? It's like he's figuring me out. I bit my lip and glanced at the couch.
"I... can eat alone naman," sabi ko at sinulyapan siya. "Mukhang busy ka."
"Sabay na tayo." He replied immediately.
Ngumuso ako at tumango. Pumunta kami sa dining room, iniwan na niya ang laptop niya ro'n. He was so tall! Hanggang balikat niya lamang ako. Tumangkad naman ako, ah? Tumangkad din siya kung gano'n.
The food was already on the table. Mukhang kanina pa naayos. He asked me if I want it to be reheated, umiling lamang ako at na-upo na. He was fixing something on the counter while I was checking the food.
Vegetables again. I pursed my lips. Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo, hindi lang ako kumakain ng mga gulay ngayon dahil minsan ay wala na akong oras magluto at puro take-out na lang ako. Bilang pa sa daliri ang kaya kong lutuin.
