An Everglow After Sunset

Chapter 17

Warning : Medyo SPG

Nasa living room kami ng bahay ngayon. Marami na sa mga bisita ang nagsiuwian dahil lumalalim na rin ang gabi.

Iniwan kami ng mga kapatid pagkatapos nilang makausap si Dymaun. Masama pa rin ang tingin ni kuya Jay sa kaniya kanina nang balikan ko. Ayaw naman niyang magsalita kung ano ba ang pinag-usapan nila at ang sabi lang ay sa kanilang lima nalang iyon.

I didn't bother asking more... as long as they're fine with Dymaun.

Mama's also happy with all the vases he brought from his pottery in the mansion, the reason why his airplane was bounded to CIA.

"How was your trip?" Dymaun asked as he caressed my hair while we're in a tight embrace. Nililingon man kami ng mga kasama sa bahay ay wala kaming pake.

"It's fine. The cities were great! We took pictures together. We had a wonderful stay and I've seen new sceneries. You know we traveled a lot back then pero mostly sa Europe 'yon. I wanna go to Turkey! Their hot air balloons are gorgeous! I'm always looking forward to riding one. Arggg!"

He chuckled. I looked at him smiling. He's so damn cute. Pwede palang pagsabayin 'yon? Gwapo and cute at the same time? Damn. My heart's pounding hard.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Because you are adorable as you pout. You like hot air balloons? We have that in Clark. Mas malapit pa. I'll even invite Ed Sheeran to the fest. You'll see," mayabang niyang sabi, ngayo'y nakangisi na.

"Talaga!? Seryoso 'yan? Kailan!?"

"Of course on the next festival, miss." He crinkled his nose as I kissed his cheeks. Hindi ko tinigilan ang mukha niya hanggang sa humalakhak siya, nakikiliti sa mga halik ko.

"Stop it, miss. Makita tayo nina mama baka mapagalitan tayo. Hinaharass mo ako masyado."

"Wow. Ako pa talaga!?"

"Bakit? Hindi ba?"

He looked at our position. Halos nakapatong na pala ako sa kaniya at may iilang nakatunghay samin galing sa kusina.

Nahihiya akong nag-ayos ng upo at tinampal ang kaniyang braso.

"Nang-aakit ka kasi, bwisit ka!"

"What? I didn't do anything, miss. You just missed me. Come here." Hawak niya ngayon ang kamay ko at tinatapik ang espasyo sa gitna namin.

"Usog ka pa oh."

"Ano ba!" Pag-iinarte ko.

"Palagi na lang miss tawag mo sa'kin! Girlfriend mo ako, hello," pag-irap ko pa pero ang totoo'y halos mangisay ako sa kilig habang sinusuyo ako.

"Ganun talaga miss muna, sa susunod misis ko na."

I glared at him, suppressing my smile. Mahina siyang natawa nang napansin ang ngiti ko kaya naman hinampas ko ulit ang dibdib niya.

Nagtuloy lang kami sa kulitan at pagcatch up hanggang sa nagpaalam na rin siyang umalis. Kinausap pa siya saglit nina kuya sa labas. Hinayaan ko naman. We did have a great time, ayokong mang-usisa pa.

"I like him, hija," Mama said the morning after her birthday party.

Nasa hapag kami at kumakain ng almusal. Inaantok pa ako nang katukin ako para kumain, may trabaho pa sina kuya kaya bumangon din ako.

"Po, ma?" I kissed her cheek and greeted them with "good morning". Ganoon din ang ginawa ko kay papa at sa mga kapatid at pamangkin.

"He's a gentleman. I see that you are also having a good time with him. You smile a lot more with him."

"Kaya pala nung nasa SoKor tayo may pa-with you next time ka pang nalalaman," Kuya Jay teased na ginatungan din nung dalawa.

"Tsaka ikaw mama, porket binigyan ka ng vases na bear boto ka na agad? Hindi mo man lang tinanong kung anong trabaho nun. Malay mo he's a bum pala."

"He's not a bum! May tinatayo siyang business, okay? Duh. Mas mukha ka pa kayang tambay kesa sa kaniya."

Natahimik lang kami nang itinupi ni papa ang hawak na dyaryo. Lahat ay nakaabang sa sasabihin niya. Pati na rin ang mga kasama namin sa bahay ay nakuha ang atensiyon.

"Ano?"

"Uhm! Ano ka ba. Kumusta yung boyfriend nitong anak mo? Ano-ano ka diyan." Hinampas siya ni mama at bahagya siyang napaigik malamang lang ay may kurot 'yon sa tagiliran.

"Aba ewan. Hindi ko naman kasama sa bahay," seryosong sagot nito. We ended up laughing so hard with what he's said. Tama naman hindi niya kasama sa bahay.

Iba talaga kapag ganitong nag-uusap sa hapag. Nakakagaan ng kalooban. I'm so happy that I have this kind of family, easy to get along with.

The next days went fast. Dymaun and I didn't see each other that much because he's busy with work. His shop s***h school workshop s***h museum, nah, just kidding on the last part, will about to open in two days.

Well, I understand. My boyfriend's a responsible man. And I got busy checking our business, too. Kuya Kiel will fly back to the States with his family next month so I really need to train and probably take charge.

"How's the construction going?" I asked Dymaun when we met. This is about my proposed project on their mango farm. I noticed that there were high schools near the area—the back entrance of the farm near the lake.

Then, they have the treehouse, under renovation, and the spacious pathway in the middle of the farm where the treehouse is also located. But, it was no use. So, I gave him my sketch. From a treehouse, we'll make it two and put a bridge in between the tree houses to connect them. And there will also be some surprises.

I don't know how he'll make it happen but he agreed to it. I also told him to move at least 20 trees to have more than a one and a half hectare space, bigger than a football field.

"We're still moving the trees, baby," he replied.

Yep. I'm now his baby. Angal ka?

"Okay. I see. How are you... doing?"

"Good, baby. How 'bout your office?" He replied after sipping on his tea.

"I'm fine but you look stressed. Have you been sleeping?" I asked him and moved my chair towards his. Awwwwe. My baby instantly moved his head towards my shoulder, leaning onto it.

"I'm just tired. But I'm recharging. I'm a solar panel and you're the star that I needed to survive."

Sus. Ang galing mambola. Star daw ako, edi gago... Marami kami?

"Stupid," I snorted.

"Solar panels can't get energy from stars, you moron."

"Ouch. I'm hurt." Lumayo siya sa akin at nag-iinarte na akala mo'y may ginawa akong nakasakit sa kaniya.

"Baby, the sun is a star."

"Oh. Y-yeah." Ambobo mo sa part na 'yon, Alec.

"Now... Who's stupid, huh? Who's the moron?"

He's tickling me in my waist and laughing hard while I try to glare at him but failed dahil sa kilabot na dala ng mga kiliti niya. Hindi ko kinaya.

"Still you. Stupid! Moron!"

"You're cursing me now? They're the same..." Tangina. Daming alam.

I am in his arms, sipping from our milkshake when the same girl he's with the day I saw him in the mall entered the café.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay at tumingin kay Dymaun na may kausap sa telepono. Iyon ata ang contractor na nag-aasikaso sa farm.

Hinaplos ko ang braso niya at hinigpitan ko ang pagkakahawak ng kamay niya sa aking bewang at mas umusog sa banda niya. Kulang na lang ay kumandong na ako.

Nang tignan ko ang babae ay saktong paglingon naman nito kaya't nagtama ang aming pangin. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay at naiilang siyang nag-iwas ng tingin pero lumapit pa rin sa banda namin. This...

Kinatok niya ang banda ng lamesang malapit kay Dymaun. Nag-angat ito ng tingin sa kaniya at automatikong nagpakita ang perpekto niyang mga ngipin.

He then stood up and removed his hand from my hold para mayakap ang babae. That s**t hurts. That girl even smirked at me. Go on.

Hinayaan ko silang mag-usap. Hindi ako aalis. Pake ko sa inyo, pag-umpugin ko pa kayong dalawa. Tawa-tawa kayo ah... maubusan sana kayo ng serotonin at dopamine. Tsk.

I sipped on my milkshake and went to the counter. I ordered a bread roll. Nanatili muna ako malapit sa isang wall-mounted bar table habang naghihintay ng order.

Panaka-naka ang titig ni Dymaun sa akin, ganoon din ang isang grupo ng mga basketball player na pumasok habang nag-oorder ako.

Nang tapunan ko sila ng tingin ay nangunot ang noo ko at hindi na sila pinansin pero hindi ata nakatiis ang isa, o ipinagtulakan ng mga kasama, at lumapit.

"Hi," he approached. Umupo agad sa stool katabi ng akin.

"Hi," I greeted back, coldly.

"Ahh... I'm Benj." Nagtaas ako ng kilay nang maglahad ito ng kamay sa akin pero bago ko tanggapin 'yon ay tumingin muna ako sa banda ni Dymaun. He's busy.

"Taken," I said without shaking his hand.

"Malagkit ang kamay ko," palusot ko na lang.

We talked a bit kahitpuro oo at hindi lang ang sagot ko hanggang sa maramdaman ko ang paggapang ng magaspang na palad at mahahabang daliri ni Dymaun sa bewang ko. He kissed my temple, "Are you done?"

"Still waiting for my take-out," I blurted.

Tumikhim si Benj. "Ahh. I'm going, Miss. Excuse me."

Tumango lang ako sa kaniya at nagpangalumbaba habang naghihintay sa order. Nang tinawag ang pangalan ko ay kinuha na agad 'yon at bumalik sa upuan namin kanina. The b***h is still there. I rolled my eyes.

"Who's that? And he called you miss?"

"Tsk. It's Benj."

"Benj?" Siya naman ang nagtaas ng kilay ngayon.

"First name basis kayo? Why didn't you introduce me to him?" Mariin siyang bumubulong sa akin.

"I just met him. Kanina. Nakipagkilala lang. Bakit?"

I can hear his frustration through his breathing.

"Do you like talking to him? Do you like him? Is he handsomer than me? O-of course n-not... I'm hotter, right? You like me better?"

"Are you saying that I'm flirting with him? Hell, what if I am? You're busy with this b***h here anyway."

Humalakhak nang malakas ang babaeng kakatawag ko lang ng b***h. Naiinis na ako. Sasabunutan ko 'to in no time.

"Shut up, Margaret."

"It's Marga!"

"Tss. Margaret ah. Tunog lukaret."

Mas lalo pa siyang tumawa. "I like your b***h, D."

"Well, I don't. And I am not his b***h. I'm his girlfriend... b***h," panunuya ko rito.

"Margaret! Stop!"

Nanggagalaiti na ako sa galit, inis, at selos. Matagal-tagal na rin nang huling mapaaway ako. Ibubuhos ko lahat kapag nahablot ko buhok mo.

"Baby, stop. She's my cousin," Dymaun's whispering on my ears while tightly hugging me from the back.

"Cousin, huh? I saw you two kissed at the mall and you're telling me now that she's your cousin? That's bullshit."

"B-baby... Calm down. S-she is Kael's sister... The only girl in our family now. And she only kissed me on my cheeks. That's normal to us," Dymaun's explaining. Turning the tables ey?

"The only girl turn into b***h. That's amazing!"

"D. She just flipped the tables," sabat ng babaeng 'to. This Margaret here, I hate her.

"Chill ka lang. Pinsan ko 'yan... tapos ibibili ka lang sana niya non ng bulaklak pero nakita ko kaya nagpalibre muna tas ayon... Nawala ka raw."

"Margaret," Dymaun hissed.

"Anyway. I'll go. Nagulo ko na kayo pero bago ako umalis..." nagpapagpag muna siya ng kamay at inayos ang kaniyang white robe. Akala ko ay iaabot niya sa akin iyon pero isinuksok lang sa loob ng robe niya.

"Mikaela Margaret Arceo. Call me Marga, your future OB-GYNE. Syempre medyo matagal pa, hintayin mo akong gumraduate bago kayo mag-anak ah? And, he's your b***h, girl. Ulol na ulol na eh. Bye."

Umalis kami sa café na parang walang selosang naganap. Kumalma ako nang nasa sasakyan na. Si Dymaun naman ay panay ang halik sa kamay kong hawak niya.

Nagpahatid ako sa condo ko. Dapat ay may pupuntahan pa kami pero dahil sa nangyari kanina'y nawalan na ako ng gana. Mukhang may emergency din siya base sa narinig ko sa katawagan niya kanina.

I closed my unit's door on his face. Agad kong pinagsisihan 'yon kaya binuksan din kaagad ang pintuan.

"I'm sorry. Please, forgive me," sabi ko sa maliit na boses.

He didn't say anything and just held my jaw for a kiss. He didn't stop. His eyes were closed and I can feel his affection. The softness of his kisses became rough, making me wound my arms around his neck and kiss him back.

We heard some giggles from the direction of the elevator so he lifted me and let me straddle my legs around his waist. He pushed the door open and continued kissing me until I felt the cold wall on my back.

We were catching our breath when he pulled away from the kiss. Nakaawang ang mga basa niyang labi kaya muli ko siyang hinalikan. I can't get enough of his kisses.

He again moved. This time, towards my room. I closed my eyes, even more, loving the feeling he's giving me. Inihiga niya ako sa kama at nang magbukas ng tingin ay topless na siya.

He showered my body with his kisses. From my temple, jaws, down to my neck. He's nibbling my skin. His hands found their way on my erect peaks. Napaungol ako.

The next thing I knew is I'm half-naked and he's already feasting over my left boob while the other one was cupped by his hand.

He moved on top of me and kissed my lips again while his hand is unbuttoning my shorts. I felt his mayor, twitching on my bare stomach. He's f*****g turned on!

His kisses moved down to my stomach till it reached my now exposed womanhood. He pulled me towards the edge of my bed while he's kneeling on my carpeted floor. Geez. Is he really doing it?

His biceps and triceps move as he reached for my legs. Dang hot, potter.

He licked me down there. Hindi siya tumigil kahit nagmamakaawa na ako dahil hindi ko na kaya. I pulled a handful of his hair and moaned.

He's so good but I can't take it anymore. I feel like I'm about to pee.

"Baby, stop. I can't... I c-can't take it anymore."

I bit my lips harder when he continued and didn't listen to me. My muscles there became more sensitive and when they tensed, I felt my release being licked by him.

He covered my body with a comforter and laid beside me, kissing my forehead. He pulled me closer to him and rested his chin on the hallow on my neck.

"I hope I eased your stress now," he whispered and kissed my collar bones.

Geez. What just happened?

...

Uh-oh.