Kabanata 5
1195 Words
Khalila
I must say I'm impressed with Kalyl's farmhouse. It's a single-storey home with a nice view of the barn and the trees. The house's interior is black-dominated industrial style. Sa bawat sulok ay nagkalat din ang iba't ibang hyper-realistic paintings ni Kalyl na malaya kong napasadahan ng tingin kanina dahil wala siya.
"He said we shouldn't wait for him anymore. I think he's going to a party tonight and might not be home until three in the morning," ani Halley habang isinasalin ko ang niluto kong ulam sa bowl.
I smirked. "Who said I'll wait for him even if he'd ask me to? Para sayo lang din ang niluto ko."
Kumislap ang mga mata ni Halley at ang mga labi niya ay hindi niya napigilan sa pagkurba. Mayamaya ay impit akong napatili nang hulihin niya ang aking baywang saka niya ako hinatak upang makandong.
"Stop it. Kakain na," I reminded.
Halley's lips curved a little wider. Itinulak niya ang ilang hibla ng buhok kong hindi naisama sa aking messy bun. "You're giving me a glimpse of the future that's waiting for me. Damn, my heart is so full right now."
"And your tummy isn't, Mr. Prieto so knock it off. You have all night to cuddle with me."
He stole a kiss on my shoulder blade and wrapped his arms even more around my waist. Nang magkatitigan kami ay tila bumagal ang ikot ng mundo. Halley's eyes drifted towards my lips, and the next thing I knew, we were already sharing one of our most passionate kisses.
Natigil lamang iyon nang marinig namin ang pagpatong ng mga susi sa mesa. Halley and I drifted our gaze, and when we saw Kalyl smirking while leaning his palms on the edge of the table, I swallowed my own saliva as I looked away.
"Hey, man. Thought you'll be home late?" si Halley.
Nadama ko ang pagtitig ni Kalyl sa akin. "Can't be a rude house master. It's your first night at my place. I should entertain you." Umayos siya ng tayo. "Looks like dinner is ready, hmm? Lemme get my plate so I can join you."
Napasunod na lamang ako ng tingin kay Kalyl habang patungo siya sa kusina. "Hindi ko naman siya sinakop sa niluto ko," I murmured annoyingly.
Halley pinched me on my waist. "Lil, let him join us. Just try to be a little nicer."
I sighed. Kung hindi lamang dahil kay Halley ay talagang susungitan ko nang husto si Kalyl. Hindi ko na lamang pinansin pa, kaya nang magsimula kaming kumain at nag-usap sila ni Halley ay tahimik kong kinain ang food ko.
"So you'll be in space for two years after your training?" Kalyl asked.
"Yeah. Hopefully ma-reduce pa ang length ng stay ko sa ISS." Halley rested his palm on my thigh. "Ayaw kong mangulila nang husto."
Umismid si Kalyl. "Hindi ba mas okay nga 'yon? You get to test her faith and loyalty towards you."
Tumaas ang aking kilay. "You only put someone on a test when you have an existing doubt towards them. Why, hmm? You've got major trust issues that you're passing everything onto someone else?"
Imbes na mainis ay ngumisi pa si Kalyl. "Why so defensive, Ducani?"
"I'm not. It was only a question. It depends on how you perceive it."
"Well, it's true that I've got trust issues. Everyone has their own skeletons in the closet." Isinubo niya ang patatas habang nakatitig sa akin. "Some even walk around the city carrying their skeletons like accessories."
"Can relate, hmm? Are you a walking red flag as well?" I asked, c*****g a brow.
"A red flag made of meticulously woven fabric?" He grinned, nang-aasar. "Maybe? Parang ikaw."
I scoffed. "Excuse me?" Inis akong tumayo. I even rolled up my sleeves and jerked my head. "Suntukan na lang, ano?"
Napabuntonghininga si Halley. "Guys, please. I'm on a vacation, at wala akong balak mag-referee sa inyong dalawa habang nagbabakasyon. Please. Knock it off." Halley held my arm. "Sit down, Lil. You don't have to do this. He's just teasing you."
Tumaas ang kilay ko kay Halley. "Teasing me? He's insulting me pagkatapos niyang kainin 'yang niluto ko!"
"Which you cooked out of my stocks... right?" sabat na naman ni Kalyl.
Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa kanya. "And you think I don't have the means to buy my own groceries, hmm? I'd even buy the entire store!"
Kunwari ay tamad niyang tinusok ng tinidor ang patatas sa kanyang plato. "Well, then... buy it."
Gusto ko na siyang batuhin ng baso kung hindi lamang tumayo si Halley at inakbayan na ako. We went out of the house and took a night walk so I'd calm down. Ngunit nang napansin niyang mainit pa rin ang aking ulo ay pinaupo niya ako sa kahoy na bakod saka siya pumwesto sa pagitan ng aking mga hita.
"Tell me what I can do to ease your anger away," he said while rubbing his thumbs on my waist.
I sighed and rested my palms on his neck. "Look, Hall. I just wanna enjoy our time together. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ba tayo ulit magiging libre. We're about to get busier than ever, and who knows? Baka ngayon na lang natin makakasama nang ganito ang isa't isa. Iyong hindi natin kailangang magtago. I don't want him to ruin our time."
"I'm gonna talk to him, Lil. Mahilig lang talaga siyang mang-asar kapag alam niyang pikunin ang tao. Sinabi na ni Reemo sa'kin 'yon. Maybe if you will show him that he doesn't affect you, titigil na, pero kakausapin ko pa rin, okay?" He cupped my cheek and looked into my eyes sincerely. "I don't want anything else to ruin our vacation, too. God knows how much I wanna wake up each day next to you, Lil."
Tila napawi ang galit ko dahil sa kanyang huling sinabi. My face turned calm as I heaved a sigh, and the longer I'm seeing sincerity in Halley's eyes, the more my anger is subsiding.
Payak akong ngumiti. "Do you really want me that much, Hall?"
"More than everything, baby, and all I want is to make you feel how much I want you in my life, bago pa tayo maging busy at magkalayo so I hope we'll just focus on each other for now. Can we do that?"
Lumunok ako't itinango ang aking ulo. I rarely submit, but there's something about Halley that makes me want to feel feminine around him.
"Okay."
"That's my girl." He kissed me on my forehead. "Now let's get in and finish our food."
"Huwag na."
"You made it for me, Lil. I wanna finish it. Para iyon sa akin kaya uubusin ko."
Napangiti na lamang ako't hinayaan siyang alalayan akong makababa, ngunit bago kami naglakad papasok ng bahay, ikinulong ni Halley ang magkabila kong pisngi sa kanyang mga palad saka niya sinakop ang aking mga labi.
It was a quick yet passionate kiss, and when our lips parted, I saw his eyes flickered with joy as if he's seeing the whole universe in my eyes as he said the words that made my heart flatter.
"I love you, Khalila. Ikaw ang kalawakan ko..."
- Writer
