Enmeshed Kinship

11

Michael told me what I should do if ever I get a chance to meet the Jeric Cerda guy again.

That guy might have a hint if it just did happened that someone targeted him. So Michael should be more extra careful as he just endangered his self. We still had no idea for what his job is. We only got some of his personal informations that aren't really that so private and helpful to what we want and need to find out.

"Sara, wait for me later after your work"

I was scrolling in my phone, just doing anything in social media. He's wearing his socks while standing up bending his knees in air supported by his hand habang nakaupo ako sa couch hinihintay siya na mag ayos since he insisted na ihatid ako at mas nauna din ako nakatapos.

"Oh, Okay? Why?" I stopped at what I'm doing then looked at him in front of me.

His smile looking like smirk appeared ulit at me.

Bumalik  ako sa ginagawa ko.

"Let's go?" He asked me and I nodded.

We're now inside his car and I could smell his perfume feeling like he bathe in it. I'm starting to memorize all his actions although he hasn't told me anything about his life yet but him and Blake as brothers and adopted. I even know na kung kelan niya ako sasagutin. Smiling isn't really what his hint whether he'll answer me or what and he's kinda bipolar in that, I mean yeah right? We're just having conversation and five seconds later he won't answer  me na.

I was about to open the car after I removed the seatbelt when he held my wrist.

"Take care."

I tucked my hair behind my ears with my right hand to left side of my ears then looked at him after the way he held it.

"Yah sure, you too."

Hours went by so fast. I fixed myself for what imminent thing Michael will brought me. Too mysterious, too full of surprises. It's dinner time so I'll tell him nalang to wait for me so I'll cook our dinner ulit. Sardines this time.

"Hey, someone might see us, what are you thinking?"

He was leaning in the car, one hand on pocket, ang isang tuhod ay naka bend at ang paa ay nakapatong dito. Yeah if you know what I'm saying.

"Here. Change"

He handed me the paperbag then I saw a black dress and heels with it.

"What? Why?Where?"

Then I've felt the 'this man won't answer me' feeling again so I immediately checked for fitting room.
Hospital? Fitting room really? Syempre I have no choice but to change sa restroom.

I had some retouch, sprayed perfume then removed my ponytail.

"Ravishing" he then smiled at me.

"You're crazy, what's this plan? You should've at least notified me"

I held his arms as he offered it. I felt his fingers on my hands, I thought he'll hold it but it feels like he's saying something. Pabalik na kami sa kotse since sinamahan pa niya ako makapagpalit.

It's freaking Morse Code! Good God I didn't find it sweet. I looked at him without stopping walking.

(. -) (- . - .) ( - )

The hell is he thinking?
I recalled what I felt on my mind.
He can just say it really. I don't know what for, but I knew what is it already.

He chuckled."I was just testing you"

Oh, wow, are we now having telepathy.

"Why?"

"Come in."

Hindi na naman niya ako sinagot. At pinapasok nalang sa sasakyan.

"Hmmm, where are we going?"

"I could've seen many times if this is messenger" sagot ko sa tanong ko.

"Coz you're too nosy and I was hoping it will lessen when you knew no one will answer you"

"Oh what a logic! It even never even came to my mind" tumingin nalang ako sa bintana kahit wala pa din akong idea kung saan niya ako dadalhin.

Feeling ko malayo pa at bigla nalang akong kinabahan sa kung bakit ganto tinatakbo ng isip ko. My tongue get itchy, lalo pag may tanong na gusto ko ng masagot.

Humarap ako sakanya. "Michael, do you have a girlfriend?"

He looked at me in a second at binalik sa daan ang tingin. "Will you court me?"

I had my chance para gumanti kaya hindi ko din siya sinagot, para naman maranasan niya yung lagi kong nararamdaman pag di ako sinasagot. Kaya bumalik ako ng tingin sa daan.

"Ten years ago you started flirting with me, ngayon you're doing the same thing"

"You're unbelievable. May I ask you a question? Why are you so cynical, I mean haven't you opened to anyone before just thinking that they only might use you or something?"

What the hell?! So hindi siya payag na siya yung hindi pinapansin kaya nung ako na nagsalita hindi na naman niya ako pinansin?!

"Let's go madame." He supported me offering his arms again as I go out in his car.

It's peaceful. We're on the garden there's a table in the center.

I was about to go there when he did go to different direction. Hawak ko pa ang braso niya kaya nadala ako.

Napatigil siya at tumingin sakin.
"Where are you planning to go Sara?"

I got a little embarassed. Ang toyo naman niya, I just thought we'll go there, where else diba?

"I'm kidding, we'll go there, just wait"

Buti nalang binawi niya yung sinabi niya. I don't know how to retort anymore. Wala akong maisip na magandang palusot maliban sa gusto
kong pumwesto doon and just act spoiled brat kaya magt-tantrums pag di napagbigyan dahil nakareserve pala yun.

I don't know where our route would be pero sinamahan ko nalang siya.

"Michael? Michael is that you?"
She then excitedly hugged him habang nakakapit pa talaga ako sa braso niya ha:) "Michael!"

"Oh doc. Sara! What are you doing here, and uh" he looked at Michael at nakipag usap ulit sakin. "With Michael?"

She's the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Concepcion. We weren't close that much like Allison although we're on same age. I just also don't know why and I don't have to find out why.

"I think we're having a dinner? We're living in same roof naman  I just don't know how did we ended up here eh may pagkain naman sa bahay, just not cooked yet, oh!" Something came up to my mind. "It must be because of the dish, don't you like how I cooked?" I giggled "Sardines naman dapat ngayon eh"

He was staring at something on the floor in front of us, at biglang lumingon sa taas ng direksyon ko na malayo tingin.

"Itchy tongue" then scratched the bridge of his nose.

I saw Kristine just looking at us.

"Jeez I got carried away, I'm sorry Kristine, forget about all of it"

"Why are you both living together?" She said out of curiosity.

"We're obviously together".