Waiting for You (COMPLETED R18 Tagalog)

Chapter 2

**Flashback**

Hindi pa tapos ang last class nila pero pinapasok na ni Lexie sa bag niya ang mga libro. It was also the last day of class. Nagmamadali siyang umuwi kasi ‘yon ang araw ng uwi ng kuya niya from Manila. Doon na ito nag-aaral. He was studying BS Med Tech. Preparatory at gusto nitong mag proceed sa medicine.

Sukbit ang bag na mabilis siyang naglakad palabas ng school.

“Lex, sabay ka ba bukas? Mag mamall kami.” Sigaw at habol sa kanya ni Justine, ang best friend niya at kababata.

“Text lang ako tomorrow kung pwede ako. Nandyan si Kuya eh.” hindi tumitigil at pasigaw niyang sagot. Itinaas niya din ang kamay at kumaway.

Pagdating sa gate ay naghihintay na si Mang JImmy, binuksan na din nito ang pinto para makasakay sya. Mabilis itong umikot once she was settled in.

“Dumating na po si Kuya?” Tanong niya agad.

“Oo, kanina. May mga kasama siyang schoolmates niya daw. Mga alas quatro na silang dumating.”

“Mang Jim, daan lang tayo saglit sa Julie’s. Dadaanan ko lang po yung baking ingredients ko.”

Along the way naman ang Julie’s at naitawag niya na din kanina ang order niya. Nabayaran niya na rin.

Malayo pa lang nakita niya na si Miss Julie sa labas ng store at bitbit na ang mga orders niya. Ibinaba niya lang ang bintana pagkahinto sa tapat ng shop.

Malapad ang ngiti. “Hello po.”

Hindi na siya bumaba at lumapit na sa kanya si Miss Julie. Inabot na din ang mga orders niya.

“Let me know if you need anything, hija.” Ani Miss Julie. “Send my regards to your parents and your kuya. Balita ko umuwi daw today.”

“Opo. Kaya po dadagdagan ko yung binake kong macarons. Favorite niya ‘yon eh.”

“O, sya. Ingat sa pag-uwi” Julie stepped back. With a wide smile, she waved too habang paalis na sila.

BUMUSINA SI MANG JIMMY para mapagbuksan sila ng gate. It opened to a nice well-kept lawn with a few pine trees at may swing pa sa isa sa puno doon. Meron din isang hammock. May paikot na driveway.

Theirs was a two-story house. With a magnificent view of the mountains sa bandang likod. Their house was built on a mountainside with breathtaking views of the cordillera mountain range with great cool weather all year round. In the early morning, it even looks as if it was above the clouds.

The car stopped at the front door. Dali-dali siyang bumaba at pumasok ng bahay.

“Kuya? Kuya?” Malakas niyang tawag.

“Nasa likod bahay ata sila Lex,” Sagot ni Aling Magda, asawa ni Mang Jimmy.

“Thank you po.” at humangos na siya to the back garden.

Nakita niya nga ang kuya nyang nakatalikod from where she was at, talking to people na hindi niya pa kilala. They were at the gazebo na isa sa mga paborito niya ring tambayan sa bahay. She ran to him and hugged him from the back.

“I missed you, Kuya.” She had her arms tightly around his waist and her head in his back.

Nabigla naman si Lucas sa biglang yakap na natanggap. He saw fair skinned arms sa baywang niya. A contrast to his tanned hands na nakahawak na rin sa mga braso na nakapulupot sa bewang niya ngayon.

He can feel the tight hug. He can feel a head on his back and small breasts too. Napapangiti tuloy sya.

“Lexie, kung sinu-sino na ang niyayakap mo ah.” Narinig ni Lexie na nagsalita galing sa likod. Napalingon siya at laking gulat niya nang si Kuya niya ang nasa likuran. He was laughing at her. Mabilis niyang kinalas ang pagkakayakap pero mahigpit naman ang hawak ng sinumang niyakap niya sa mga braso niya.

“Wait, let me go. Sorry po.” At sinubukang kalasin ang mga braso niya.

“No! Finder’s Keepers! Sa kin na to, iuuwi ko na pag balik ko ng Manila.” Nagbibirong banta ni Lucas.

Malakas namang nagtawanan ang iba pang naruon.

Niyakap pa lalo ni Lucas ang mga braso sa bewang niya kaya napasubsob lalo si Lexie sa kanyang likod.

“Bagay naman siguro kami eh.” Dugtong niya pa na ikinatawa ulit ng grupo.

Napalingon naman si Lexie sa kuya niya. Nangingilid na ang luha niya sa hiya. She was probably blushing all over. She can feel heat creep up her face.

“Hoy, tama na yan, cradle snatcher” Sabay batok ni Mark kay Lucas. At sinimulang baklasin ang mga kamay na nakahawak sa braso ng kapatid niya.

“Promise aalagaan ko to. Huwag mo siyang ilalayo sa akin” nagdadramang sagot ni Lucas kay Mark. Malakas na nagkakantyawan ulit.

“Ulol. Bitawan mo na nga. Pinaiyak mo pa eh.” Hinila na ni Mark ang braso ni Lexie. Binitawan na naman ni Lucas ang mga iyon. Daling yumakap sa Kuya niya si Lexie. Halos hindi maiangat ang mukha sa hiya. Tiyak pulang pula na ang mukha niya.

Naramdaman niya naman ang pagpihit ni Lucas paharap sa kanila. Yumuko ito at sinilip sya.

“Hi, baby girl” Nakangiting bati nito sa kanya.

Inirapan niya ito at binaling ang ulo sa kabila.

“Ooooooooyyyyyy, basted na agad?” malakas na tudyo ni Niam, isa sa mga naka grupo doon.

Naramdaman naman ni Mark na humigpit ang yakap ni Lexie at pumadyak pa ito. Tiningnan niya ang mga kaibigan para tumigil na. At tumahimik naman sila. Niyuko niya ang kapatid at binulungan, “Binibiro ka lang.”

Nakita niya naman na tumulo na nga ang luha nito. “Shhhhh. Don’t cry. Binibiro ka lang eh.” Saway niya na dito.

“Samahan mo ko sa bahay.” Bulong din ni Lexie. Parang di niya kayang maglakad pabalik mag-isa sa hiya. Napapasinok pa sya.

Pumihit na rin pabalik ang kuya niya tsaka lang siya bumaklas sa yakap. Inakbayan na lang siya ng kuya niya at halos itago niya na ang mukha niya sa kili-kili nito. At sinamahan siyang makabalik ng bahay.

Pagkapasok sa kusina.

“O, napa’no yan?” Tanong ng mommy nila na busyng-busy sa kusina. Agad na naghugas ng kamay when she saw her red eyes.

“Wala, Mom. Nabiro lang. Ang lakas naman kasi man- alaska nitong si Lucas.” kinusot pa ng kuya niya ang buhok niya.

Pumunta naman siya sa ref para kumuha ng tubig. Medyo nakalma niya na din naman ang kanyang dibdib. It was her first time to hug a guy at mabiro nang ganun. She felt her heart beat fast. She can still smell his back and the warm hands that hugged her arms at his waist.

Her heart raced when he said hi. She can still see those dark brown eyes looking at her and his wide smile.

“Akala ko kasi ikaw eh. Pareho kayo ng shirt.”

“Lukaret ka din. Syempre pareho kami ng team.”

Umirap na lang siya ulit sa sinagot nito.

“Saan na pasalubong ko?” Pag-iiba niya ng topic.

“Si Lucas. Hindi pa ba siya sapat.” Pang-aalaska nito sa kanya.

“Kuya naman eh.” nagdadabog niyang iniwan ito at punteryang magkulong na muna sa kwarto.

“Syempre may pasalubong ka,” Pahabol naman nitong sagot. “Pero pwede din si Lucas kung siya ang gusto mo.”

Padabog na umakyat siya ng hagdan. Na sinagot naman nang malakas na halakhak ni Mark. Naiiling na lang ang Mommy nila sa kanila.

KASAMA NG KUYA NIYA ANG MGA KAIBIGAN SA BAKASYONG Y'ON.

Si Niam. He was taking up Engineering. Their family owns one of the leading construction businesses in the country.

Si Matthew. He was studying Business Management. Their family owns a hotel chain and sikat na sikat in Asia.

Also, Jessica. Same sila ni Matthew na Business Management and she was also Matthew’s girlfriend. May sinama din silang Brenna, friend daw ni Jessica who recently came back from the US and dito na daw magpapatuloy ng pag-aaral.

And finally, si Lucas. From a family of doctors. They own the leading hospital in the country. They have partnerships with different hospitals around the world.

Hindi rin naman mahirap ang pamilya nila pero hindi masasabing ganoon kayaman ng mga ito. Their family owns a vast stretch of land. Pinapalago ng father niya through modernized farming. They have partnerships with hotels and restaurants for their fresh produce.

His father might have been disappointed that her kuya pursued medicine pero sinuportahan pa rin nila. Their father hoped that one of them would eventually want to keep the family name in agriculture.

WHEN SHE GOT TO HER ROOM, napatili siya when she saw what was on her bed.

Oh My God! This is her kuya’s pasalubong? Nakita niya ang Kitchenaid mixer box. Dali-dali niyang binuksan ang box at baka puro lang papel ang laman noon. Totoong Kitchenaid mixer nga! She grinned. She loved the mixer and she loved the Red color too. She liked the old school vibe/ look.

Pinag iipunan niya y'on. When it came to hobbies, Their parents expected them to work for it. Kaya hindi niya mahingi lang nang basta ang mga gusto niyang kitchen equipments.

She liked to cook and she loved to bake. She got it from her mom’s love of cooking. And she always got compliments sa mga nasubukan niya nang iluto. She was now trying to improve her skills with baking and she already had a small business going.

She took a selfie with the mixer and sent it to her Kuya, “Thank you. Buti, it’s not a prank. I love it.” she captioned her picture message to Mark.

She was about to put down her phone when she heard the buzz. She opened her brother’s reply and it was a group photo with a caption. “We heard you! We want to try the macarons”

She looked at the photo. It was taken at the gazebo. She looked at Lucas and couldn't help but zoom the picture on his face. He had a wide grin again. Ang gwapo niya! And she got embarrassed all over again nang maalala ang nangyari kanina. She was so stupid.

“Like that you love it!” pahabol pang message ni Mark.

She just a rested for a bit at dali-dali na siyang pumasok ng banyo to take a shower. Malapit na silang maghapunan. She did not want to cause a delay. Hindi kasi nag uumpisang kumain sa kanila until they were complete sa table.

She wore a blue shirt and a white shorts. Naka thong slippers lang siya palagi sa bahay. Nagpapatuyo siya ng buhok sa tapat ng electric fan nang may kumatok.

“Hey, Lex, kakain na daw”, she heard someone call her from behind the door, Bumilis ang t***k ng puso niya. Does it sound like Lucas? Never pa siya nag ka crush before. Ganito kaya ang crush?

“Okay, bababa na ako.” Parang ang hina ata ng boses niya. Narinig kaya nya? Tumikhim muna sya, trying to clear her throat. “Bababa na ako.” Pag uulit niya.

She took the small towel she usually used to dry her hair and rubbed her hair vigorously para mabawasan man lang ang pagkabasa nito. Ayaw niya na mabasa ang shirt na suot so she tied it into a loose bun na hindi sinusuklay.

Nagkalat pa ang styrofoam from the kitchenaid packaging kaya binalik niya muna ‘yon sa box and tried to lift it. Shock! Ang bigat pala. She put it down on the floor and she started to slide it hanggang sa pinto. She opened the door and was surprised to find Lucas waiting for her.

Biglang namula ulit ang mukha niya. “Hindi ko alam na naghintay ka pala.”

“It’s okay. Are you trying to bring that down?”

“Hindi na. Papakuha ko na lang mamaya.”

“You know it’s okay, right? Ako na magbababa.” At binuhat nga nito ang box at sinabayan niya na ito sa pababa ng hagdan.

Nasa hapag na ang lahat waiting for them. They were walking side by side and she could feel all eyes were on them.

“Tito, nandito na po pala yung mamanugangin nyo eh.” biro ni Niam.

Nagsimula na naman ang tuksuhan. Lexie can feel her face start to blush again.

“Kung mahihintay niya ba si Lexie eh. ”

I cannot! Pinatulan din ng daddy ang biro ng mga friends ng kuya niya.

“Matagal ka pang maghihintay.” sabi pa ng daddy niya looking at Lucas.

“I will wait, Tito.” Nakangisi naman sagot ni Lucas na lalong nagpalakas sa biruan.

Hindi ni Lexie alam saang lupalop siya magtatago at that time. It was embarassing.

“Saan ko ilalapag?”

Nabigla pa siya when she heard Lucas ask. Nakalimutan niya na atang hawak pa nito ang mabigat na mixer.

He was looking at her, observing her flushed face so closely.

“Ay, sorry.” Sinamahan niya ito sa kitchen at itinuro ang counter. “Thank you.” Nakatungo niyang dugtong nang mailapag na nito ang kahon.

“You should be saying that to me and not to the tips of my shoes.”

Humigit muna siya ng hininga at itinaas ang ulo. She found him looking intently at her. Halos di lumalabas ang boses niya pero narinig niya na man ang “Thank you” coming out of her.

He tapped her nose with one of his fingers. “I should be asking for a kiss for that when you turn legal.” He grinned and pinched her nose and joined the rest sa hapag.

Nauna na sa dining table si Lucas. Lexie tried to calm herself first bago sumunod. Hindi niya inasahang magbibiro pa rin ito kahit sila na lang.

When she got to the table, the only unoccupied seat was facing Lucas na naupo katabi ang Kuya niya. They left the seat beside her mom empty. She usually sat beside her brother pag umuuwi naman ito.

Halos di siya makakain. Everytime she looked up, she met Lucas’ eyes. When she tried to reach for something, He picked it up and handed it to her. Pinag-uumpisahan ng tuksuhan everytime may inaabot sa kanya si Lucas. He was just grinning comfortably sa lahat ng panunukso.

She looked at her mom asking for help.

Her mom just smiled at pabulong na sinabi, “Consider it practice, he will not be the first guy na ibibiro sa yo.” and her mom pated her behind the back.

Nakasimangot naman niyang tiningnan si Lucas who was still looking at her.

“Mukhang boto din si Tita kay Lucas boy natin ah.” si Niam na nakatingin pala sa kanila ng mommy nya.

Nagkakantiyawan na naman ulit.

She didn't know how she survived dinner but it eventually ended. Thank Goodness!

UMAKYAT NA SI ED TO HIS LIBRARY at may late video call meeting pa ito with some partners. Si Mark at mga kaibigan naman ay lumipat sa sala para ituloy ang kwentuhan. Naiwan sila ng mommy niya sa kusina. She was starting to prepare to bake some macarons and prepare dough for bagels for tomorrow morning.

“Lex, I want egg pie for breakfast tomorrow,” Mark called from the living room.

“Ha? So you don't want macarons?” sagot niya din.

“No. I want egg pie AND macarons.”

“What? Ang takaw mo naman.”

Mark laughed.

She needed more counter space at kailangan tanggalin ang box ng mixer sa counter, she decided na tawagin ang kuya niya. Pag silip niya sa sala, ganun naman pag lingon ni Lucas sa kusina.

Lexie cannot help notice na katabi nito si Brenna sa sofa and mukhang masyado naman atang malapit ang pagkakaupo ng dalawa.

Kinindatan siya nito. Umirap naman sya.

She saw Lucas move away from Brenna trying to create some space.

He mouthed, “Okay na?” at pilyong ngumiti.

Umismid siya at hindi na ito pinansin, “Kuya, palipat naman muna nitong box oh.” Tawag ni Lexie kay Mark na nasa kalagitnaan nang pagkwekwento.

Napakamot tuloy ito ng ulo.

“Where do you want it moved?” ana ng baritonong boses. It was Lucas. Mabilis itong tumayo at lumapit when he heard Lexie’s request sa kuya niya.

Tumaas naman ang kilay ni Mark sa kaibigan and left NIam and Matt with wide grins on their faces.

She tried to control the racing of her heart. Hindi na ata hihinto sa pagkabog ang puso ni Lexie sa tuwing malapit si Lucas. She kept getting goosebumps when he was near.

“Dito na lang muna” She started to direct him to the walk-in pantry at sumunod naman ito. She opened the door at dahil makitid, hindi naman makalabas at nakasunod na sa kanya si Lucas, nauna na siyang pumasok para makapasok din ito.

Lucas put down the box sa bakanteng espasyo sa isang rack doon. Pag kalapag nito ng box ay pumihit ito paharap sa kanya.

She took a step back.

“Are you uncomfortable with me?” and he came nearer. Near enough that she needed to lift her chin to see his eyes. She could smell him and his cologne. That cool, manly scent she also smelled on his shirt earlier. She could smell his minty breath. And she could almost feel his heat. She decided to look at his chest instead.

“No! Hindi, k-kuya” Umiling pa siya to emphasize it.

He did not move or say anything right away.

When she lifted her head. She saw Lucas na nakatingala, rubbing his face with his hands as if frustrated.

“I am not your brother, Lexie. Call me Lucas.”

Hindi siya makaimik.

“Call me by my name,” giit nito.

“Ha?” She saw Lucas’ eyes were looking at her open lips.

Napabuntong-hininga ito. His hand moved to her face and she felt his finger on her jaw pressing it closed.

He expelled another deep breath and his finger tapped the tip of her nose next. Pumihit na ito palabas.

“Say my name, Lexie.” His hand was on the doorknob but he was not opening the door.

“L-Lucas” She answered in an irritated voice.

Lucas grinned and finally opened the door and left.