SEA'S BRIDE (PHILMYTHO ROMANCE II)

CHAPTER 15

It's cold. Terribly.

It's extremely cold as the intense venting of the six split-type Air-Conditioners, that surround the whole theater room adjacently, penetrates deep into my skin. I was freezing like a damped cat. My teeth clenching endlessly in sync with the way my hands absorb the coldness making it slowly feeling so numb.

I wanted to tell him to lower the power down but ended up keeping it to myself since I don't want to look like I needed his help. Pride. This very ego of mine will soon lead me to my grave in no time. What adds more to my shivers that later turned into dismay, is the fact that we ended up watching an old film called She Creature. The film didn't spark a single bit of my fancy. I have no interest in watching that type of movie. It's too old to even excite me even though I haven't seen it before. I can see that he's having a hard time absorbing the film as well. The boredom is slowly becoming obvious from his face.

At first, I was comfortable sitting in the reclining chair coaxed by the mouth-watery table in front of us that is full of nachos, fries, popcorns, and hotdogs alongside fruit sodas and milkshakes. Why does he always serve so much for the two of us? I thought I heard him said he doesn't like anyone leaving excess leftovers?

After that sumptuous afternoon tea, how can I exactly fit all of these feet inside my stomach? I am still so full that I barely even touched any of the food. I noticed that he, too, haven't touched it. I don't know, it's just my hunch but was he waiting for me to take one first?

I can see his chin rested on his left palm while his free fingers were drumming on the armrest of his reclining chair. How can I not notice everything when out of the nearly fifty seats here, why do we have to sit next to each other? I understand it would be funny had we sit few chairs apart when it's just the two of us, but we could have at least part one seat in between us rather than this close.

I've waited a little more but It's really how I have thought about it; he's waiting for me to take one first. I'm too cold to even move, I hope he can also notice that. And just as I was about to reach the bowl of popcorn, he suddenly reaches it for me. I took it from his hand with a raised eyebrow. Here I am thinking he was just waiting for me to get first when in fact, he was waiting for the moment to serve it for me?

I don't get what he is trying to prove here. Why is he suddenly showing me a lighter attitude now? I mean, he's been like this lately and it's bothersome knowing I know how hideous and ill-tempered he can be. This much shouldn't be affecting me at all, and yet, here I am caught by surprise about the sudden change in the atmosphere. That, I mean, of course, is this man before me.

The movie looks like it isn't nearing to finish just yet but he suddenly rose and walk towards the control area. He took both the control and touchpad remotes with him. I was observing what he'll do and I didn't expect him to bother lowering the AC's power down. He even changed the film into a megalodon Hollywood film.

The previous film wasn't interesting for me, it only just reminds me so much about Philippine mythical creatures like Shokoys, Kataw , and the Sirena which mostly know as mermaids. I used to hear a lot about them back in San Ildefonso. My dad is such a fanatic about scaring us before we sleep regarding these creatures. Had I know this is just to scare us off from going to any bodies of deep water, I wouldn't have believed my dad even the slightest.

Watching felt better this time compared to a while back until he came to ask, "Comfortable?" and when my head tilted towards his side, I suddenly felt ashamed knowing he has been pinning his eyes on me already. Was he watching me all the time? This is outrageously embarrassing! Why can't he just focus on the film instead?

I tried digesting the humiliation from my chest down my stomach before I could even manage to answer, "Yeah," to him.

He abruptly followed up a question that I didn't anticipate, "Why didn't you tell me you're feeling uncomfortable a while ago?" his voice is still dull yet this time, I can sense him worrying somehow. Or maybe I was just digging up to an empty hole. Whatever it is, I better not care.

"As if you'd even care," the stupid words just freely traveled out of my mouth. It was too late for me to take it back, he was already steering his horrendous eyes towards me, again. The frigid atmosphere is worst now than how it was when the AC is in full blast.

My body is still shaking when he suddenly rested his palm on top of my hand. His warm wide hand accumulated my entire hand. This sent me a different wave of vibration in my whole body. His action brought the red gush up to my face, forcing me to pull my hand right away to tuck it in my chest.

His eyes went a bit large out of surprise. He couldn't possibly be expecting my sudden reaction but, as he gently looks in his palm, he clenches his teeth and slam his hand right away on his face. "Damn that bastard for telling me you'll feel better with this." I heard him murmuring.

What?

Does this mean he tried to hold my hand thinking I'm still feeling cold?

I instantly withdraw myself from the thought but I couldn't just stay still here and allow the awkwardness of the moment to consume the rest of the evening. Even the climax of the movie we're currently watching doesn't even seem to trigger the hard wall of discomfiture between us.

What I don't understand is why is he showing signs of modesty and concern all of a sudden? Is he being forced out of it? I'm not even sure if he's just playing around because I've known him as a vicious man but not until these signs he had been recently showing me. And it looks to me that it is unbelievable—genuine in a way.

"I'm fine. There is no need for that." saying this just in time when the movie ended is indeed a lucky timing for me. But not until he insisted to see my way into my room. I tried holding him off but it's no use, he's just going to push the block away and do as he wishes.

Before I could even close the door behind me, He blocks his feet at the edge of the door which allowed him to get inside. It may not be by force but he is still invading the single area in this place I can consider my private space.

"Why are you suddenly barging inside this room!" I grumble while pushing him from getting inside.

He is too strong for me to restrain that's why he was still able to push me aside. Here is where I am flustered and enraged at the same time. Just a moment back he was showing some concern, and now he forces himself inside my room. Was he planning to do something unpleasant against me then I should be ready for it? I remember keeping a fork inside my drawer in case such a case happens. I can't be too comfortable around him after all.

I was expecting him to jump over me now and take advantage of being inside my room. After all, it seems like this is what he is after from the very beginning. He did harass me and attempted to spoil my body but then--he did stop midway and becomes displeased as he released me after taking just a kiss; my first kiss! This isn't the time to think about that. He hasn't changed and he will never be. This man is forever a hideous being lurking in the depths of wherever sea is this.

When I am occupied by fear that he might begin to harass me once more, I was bowled over when I saw him roaming around checking the glass dome. He was even entering the walking closet and bathroom. After that, He checked on the dresser and even the space under the bed.

"Are you not even aware of the term privacy?" I tried to stop him as he keeps his perlustration.

"I am," he answered straightly while looking into the ceramic jewelry cases.

"Then why don't you leave me to be inside. Stop barging this room as you own it."

He just smirks before saying, "But I own it." He got me here.

With so much frustration in mind, I could just blow here in an instant. Remembering that I must compose myself, getting this man furious is way more dangerous especially now that he is in my room. He could just easily harm me and nobody will ever know. No one would even bother to care checking us because they are too afraid of this man.