My Lust Love

Chapter 7

My brows crossed in confusion. "What is it?"

Wendy and I startled when the door suddenly opened.

"Swimming time!" Paulo entered the room; he stopped walking when he saw me. "Karmina nandito ka pala."

I just laughed. Nagkatinginan kami ni Wendy.

"Syempre may girl's talk din kami, kala ninyo kayo lang." She crossed her arms.

Paulo grinned. "Ah okay. Anyway magbihis na kayo." He went in front of their closet. "Swimming tayo." He then, glanced at me. "Karmina sali ka na sa 'min."

Wendy grabbed my hands. "Oo nga Karmina, tara swimming."

Tipid akong ngumiti. "Third wheel nanaman ako." I laughed sardonically.

Paulo looked at me at may hawak na siya ngayong shorts. "Sinong nagsabi?" He smirked. "Kasama natin si Alexis."

I chuckled. Para talagang bini-big deal nila 'yong sa 'min ni Alexis.

"Kasama naman pala si Alexis eh. Tara na sama ka na rin." Parang batang hinila-hila ni Wendy 'yong braso ko.

I laughed kahit medyo lumalakas na 'yong hila niya. "Oo nga Wendy. I'm just gonna change." Finally she set my hands free.

"Iyon. Sige sige."

I waved my hands to them before leaving. A smile formed on my lips. Siguro bagot na bagot na 'ko rito kung 'di ko sila nakilala. Baka hanggang ngayon umiiyak pa rin ako sa kwarto ko, luckily I found them.

Naghanap ako ng swimsuit na pwede kong suotin. Ang dami kong dinala pero feeling ko wala na akong masuot.

My eyes glistened when I saw my favorite swimsuit. Kinuha ko 'yong white pearl shaped tube top and white high waisted bikini bottom.

"Oo nga pala; how could I even forger this one." Humarap ako sa salamin. I imagined myself wearing it. Great I looked like Ariel on Little Mermaid.

I stopped walking towards the comfort room when a door bell woke the quiet surroundings.

I rolled my eyes. Sobrang excited naman ata ni Wendy. I was shaking my head but a smile formed into my lips.

"Yes wen--" I stuttered when I saw a topless good looking man. "A-Alexis?"

Hindi nanaman siya nakangiti. His stares was too deep to embrace.

"Hindi pa rin tuyo?"

My brows crossed, but then I laughed. "S-sino ako?" I couldn't stop myself from being sarcastic this time.

He looked at me with disbelief pero agad ding bumalik ang walang emosyon niyang mukha. "Alam kong tuyo ka na. I was referring to my towel."

I stunned for a moment. I bit my lower lip; what he said affected me for the second time. Joma and I weren't already making out, one month before I caught him cheating. So yes tuyo na nga ako, but how could Alexis even say it to me straight to my eyes.

I flinched when he faked a cough. I shook my head. Lumipad nanaman ang utak ko.

"Ah ano nga ulit 'yon?" I laughed. "Oo nga pala 'yong twalya mo." Tumango-tango ako at pilit tumawa. "Syempre tuyo na 'yon, ikaw talaga. Teka kunin ko."

I turned my back on him. Pumikit ako at humingang malalim. Kung ano-ano kasing sinasabi ni Alexis, nalulutang tuloy ako. I shook my head and continued walking.

Nang makalabas ako sa banya, napahinto ako nang makita siyang nakaupo na sa kama.

"Eto oh. Thank you." I handed him the towel. Nilabhan ko pa 'yan. Nakakahiya naman eh.

Tumango lang siya. I waited for him to went outside but he didn't. My brows crossed. "Ah... do you still need something?"

"Sabay na tayo."

Lalo akong napakunot. I didn't know why I was getting slow around him. Parang hindi niya kayang diretsuhin lahat ng sinasabi niya.

"Anong gagawin natin?"

His dark eyes looked at me. "Sa pool area rin ang punta mo diba?"

I grinned. "Ah oo nga pala." Hinampas ko 'yong balikat niya. "Ikaw kasi ang dami mo pang paligoy-ligoy. Pwede mo namang sabihin." Tumikhim ako to make my voice sound bigger. "Sabay na tayo magpunta sa pool area. Ganon!"

Unti-unti kong inalis ang ngiti sa labi ko nang tumitig lang siya sa 'kin. He didn't say anything; even laugh.

Hindi nagtagal ay binalik ko rin ang ngiti ko. I lifted my chin. "Ganda ko 'no?" I joked hoping the awkwardness would go away.

My eyes widened when he nodded. "Oo."

My mouth parted, but no words came out on my lips. I didn't expect him to said that. Akala ko babarahin niya nanaman ako. Teka, maybe his yes was a sarcasm.

I chuckled. "Was that a sarcasm?" I faked a laughed pretending he didn't affect me.

"No." Wala pa ring patid sa pagkaseryoso ang mukha niya.

I gulped. I couldn't find any words to say. I was used to getting compliments, but he was the last person I expected to give me compliments.

"Wag ka masyadong ma-flattered. Lahat ng tao maganda para sa 'kin." Now he was looking at his legs.

Natawa na lang ako. "I was not flattered." Medyo lang. "Nagulat lang ako kasi akala ko manglait lang ang alam mo."

Our eyes met once again. "Did I insult you?"

I raised my right brow. "Did you?" I crossed my arms.

Sa wakas natalo ko siya sa titigan. He again, looked on his legs. "Kaya nga sorry diba."

I laughed. I decided to sat beside him nang mangalay na ang mga tuhod ko. "Let me guess, ma-pride si Ruby 'no?"

He was still looking at his legs. " Why do you care?"

"Ito naman ang sungit." I slightly pushed hum. "Nanghuhula lang eh."

"Hindi ka ba ma-pride?" He sounded like he was pretty sure na ma-pride rin ako.

A smile formed in my lips. "Why do you care?"

Parang kutsilyong tumama sa 'kin ang titig niya pero pilit ko pa rin itong nilabanan. "I don't."

Something pinched my heart, but I still managed to smile. "Then why are you asking?"

He again, looked at his legs. "Matagal ka pa ba?"

My brows furrowed. He just changed the topic. "Anong matagal pa?"

"Wendy and Paulo is waiting."

I rolled my eyes. Sino ba nagsabing hintayin niya ako? I didn't even ask for it. I gasped before standing up. "Eto na nga po oh. Magpapalit na po." I sarcastically said before leaving him.

"Laro tayong Marco Polo!" Wendy shouted. Napapakunot na lang ang noo ko. Kanina pa siya sigaw nang sigaw samantalang magkakalapit lang naman kami.

Hindi ko na alam kung ilang oras na kaming nakababad sa pool. It was nice because I felt like we owned the pool dahil wala namang ibang naliligo kundi kami lang.

"Ano 'yon?" I asked. It was familiar, but I never played it.

Alexis' stoic face looked at me. "Hindi mo alam?"

Hinampas ko 'yong tubig papunta sa kanya. "Obviously."

Tinakpan niya lang 'yong mukha niya. Ni'hindi siya gumanti. I looked back at Wendy. Ang boring naman kasama ni Alexis sa pool.

Wendy pushed Paulo. "Paliwanag mo sa kanya love."

Tumawa nang nakakaloko si Paulo. "Hindi mo kailangang manulak love."

Napailing na lang ako nang nagsabuyan sila ng tubig. Mabuti pa si Paulo at Wendy marunong maglaro ng hampasan ng tubig. I wonder more what was Alexis' life with Ruby; siguro sobrang boring.

Tumikhim ako pero mukhang hindi nila narinig. They were still busy splashing the cold water. Napatingin ako kay Alexis and he just shrugged at me. I rolled my eyes at him.

I faked a loud cough. "Are we still gonna play o kayo na lang?" I said, putting a joke sound on my voice.

Finally they stopped acting like a child and looked at me. They both laughed as if Alexis and I have a dirt on our face.

Paulo grinned. Unti na lang makikita ko na pati bagang niya. "Oo nga pala. Kung gusto ninyo kami na lang ang maglaro, tapos kayong dalawa." Paulo said teasingly.

I shook my head, but a smile formed on my lips. "Ewan ko sa inyo. Aahon na 'ko. It's getting colder."

I noticed na kanina pa nila 'ko pinagtutulakan kay Alexis; specially Paulo. I already cleared that Alexis and I were just friends. Palibhasa hindi nila alam na masakit pa ang puso ko ngayon.

"Hala mamaya na." Wendy pouted.

I gave her a sweet smile. "Giniginaw na 'ko. I'm sorry Wendy. May bukas pa naman." I laughed. Mahaba-haba pa naman ang bakasyon ko rito. Oo nga pala, I forgot to ask hanggang kailan ang stay nila rito, well maybe later ko na itanong.

"Aahon ka na rin Alexis?" Paulo asked with a grinned on his face. Panay talaga ang ngiti ni Paulo. Sobrang proud niya siguro talaga sa dimples niya.

I looked at Alexis na naglalakad na palayo sa amin. He stopped and looked back at us. "Pagod na 'ko."

Paulo laughed. "Parang double meaning," he whispered, enough for Alexis to hear it.

"Narinig kita." Alexis said nang hindi kami nililingon.

Nagtawanan na lang kaming tatlo at pinagmasdan namin si Alexis hanggang sa makaahon na siya.

"Oh Karmina, akala ko aahon ka na rin?"

Nabalik ang tingin ko kina Paulo. "Yes. Kayo ba, hindi pa talaga kayo aahon?"

Paulo looked at Wendy. Wendy pouted like a child pleasing her father. Paulo laughed and pinched her cheeks. Iyan nanaman ang ka-cheesy-han nila. "Fine love." He then, kissed her nose.

Buti na lang napigilan ko ang sarili kong umirap. I loved it when Joma kissed me on my nose, pero ngayon it felt like a curse to me.

I nodded. "Sige mauna na 'ko sa inyo." I waved my hands goodbye before turning my back on them.

Kinuha ko 'yong towel ko sa table namin. I glanced at Alexis. Pinapatuyo niya 'yong buhok niya using his towel. I started drying my body, then my hair. Nag-bathrobe muna 'ko in case magustuhan ko ulit magbabad sa pool.

I flinched when Alexis' shoulder touch mine. "Anong gusto mo?"

I looked at him with my brows crossed. "Ha?" I wonder when would he ever learn to talk straight to his point.

"Hatdog." His face was serious.

I bursted a laugh and pushed him. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. I didn't expect na nambabara rin pala siya using those word tapos wala pang emosyon. He looked crazy sarcastic.

"Marunong ka pa lang gumamit ng ganyang words?" Hindi pa rin naalis ang ngiti sa labi ko.

His brows crossed. "Anong tingin mo sa 'kin?"

I shook my head, but my mouth released laughter. "Physical appearance ba o ugali?" I sarcastically asked.

He raised his right thick brow. I bit my lower lip when I found his look funny.

"Both."

Binigyan ko siya ng ngiting nakakaloko.

"Gusto mo atang masabihan kang gwapo eh." He flinched nang tusukin ko 'yong tagiliran niya. "Sige, gwapo ka naman."

He was way more attractive than Joma. Specially his black dazzling eyes. Kahit nakakailang itong tumitig minsan, I couldn't deny na ang lakas talaga ng appeal niya dahil sa mga mata niya. Kahit pa medyo may eye bags siya, nakakadagdag naman ito sa pungay ng mata niya.

He smirked. "I know."

My lips parted. My heart felt happy when he smile, but I couldn't believe he just claimed it himself.

I laughed sardonically. "Don't make it a big deal. Para sa 'kin gwapo naman lahat ng lalake." I smirked. I wouldn't forget what he said a while ago, and I finally I used it as my reverse card.

He shrugged. "Okay." Kitang-kita sa mukha niyang wala siyang pake sa sinabi ko.

I pushed him again. "Okay, okay." I mocked him. "Anyway ano ba 'yong tanong mo kanina? What do you mean when you said." I relaxed my face to mocked him again. "Anong gusto mo?"

"Pagkain."

I grinned. "Bakit? Lilibre mo 'ko?"

Hindi pa rin siya nag-react sa sinabi ko. Ang tibay ng mukha nito ah. "Hindi. Ako lang mag-o-order ng lunch."

I rolled my eyes. Ayaw pa manlibre, mukha namang maraming pera; ang ganda ba naman ng room na kinuha.

"Ah kung ano na lang 'yong iyo." Wala akong maisip kainin ngayon. I wasn't craving for something.

He glared at me; he parted his lips. I waited for what he was about to say, but he suddenly closed it and his face was back to its normal cold aura. "Fine."

Bumagsak 'yong balikat ko. Akala ko ba naman may sasabihin siya. I just watched his back walked away from me.

I gasped when I remembered Joma. He was always the one who order when we had dates. Tapos palagi kong papanuorin 'yong likod niya papuntang counter because I always felt secured makita ko lang 'yong well-built niyang likod, but I was wrong. I should have known earlier that my heart wasn't secured from him.

"Oh nasaan si Alexis?" Wendy was running towards me. Habang pagod na pagod kung maglakad si Paulo.

"He ordered food for lunch."

Wendy got her towel at nagsimula ng magpatuyo. "Namili na siya? Mukhang gutom na ah." She chuckled before looking at Paulo na nagpupunas na rin ng katawan. "Love puntahan mo si Alexis, baka hindi niya mabuhat lahat ng pagkain natin."

Paulo nodded. "San ba siya namili?"

My lips parted but my mind didn't know what to say. Oo nga pala, hindi ko siya natanong; marami pa namang bilihan dito.

"Ah... I forgot to ask eh pero doon 'yong way niya kanina." I pointed the direction where I watched Alexis walked away from me.

"Sige ako na bahala." He handed his towel to Wendy. "Love pakiayos na lang muna 'to."

Wendy nodded before Paulo ran away. I looked back at Wendy na nagsuot din ng bathrobe. Aba mukhang may plano pang maligo ulit ah.

Wendy sat at me with a grinned on his face. "Parang close na close na kayo ni Alexis ah." She slightly pushed me.

Napangiti ako. Iyan nanaman siya. Aasarin nanaman ako kay Alexis. "Magkaibigan nga kami." The thought of us being friends still put a smile on my lips.

"Sus diyan nagsisimula 'yan."

I laughed sardonically. I shook my head. "As if." We were both broken. As if magkasundo kami.

Wendy playfully smiled. "Malay mo naman. Bagay nga kayo. May spark."

Napatakip ako sa bibig ko; I laughed hard. Spark daw; ganoon ata talaga kapag in love. Kung ano-ano nasasabi. I understand Wendy, she was madly in love kaya pati 'yang spark-spark pinaniniwalaan niya.

"Edi sana nakuryente na 'ko." I looked away when I remembered him touching me sexually. Nakaramdam ako ng kuryente sa buong katawan ko niyon. I shook my head, that was an exception. Syempre we were in an intense kissing, normal lang na makaramdam ng ganoon.

Nabalik ako sa huwisyo when I heard Wendy's laugh. "Kita mo natutulala ka na. May effect na siya sa 'yo."

"Ha? A-ako?" I pointed myself. "Natutulala? No I'm not. May naalala lang ako."

Wendy raised her right brow, still with a smile on her face. "Ano pa lang naalala mo?"

"Ano... si Joma." He was the only one that came on my mind.

Wendy's eyes widened. I bit my lower lips when I realized that what I said may lead to another interrogation about my life. Damn. Singit kasi nang singit sa utak ko si Joma. That guy, he doesn't even deserve a single place in my heart and mind pero bakit ang hirap niyang alisin?

"Joma? Sino 'yon? O.m.g may boyfriend ka?" Lalong nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Ni'hindi niya inalis ang titig sa akin.

I shook my head. "No. Ex." There was sudden pinch on my heart. "Boyfriend." Nag-iwas na 'ko ng tingin. I wouldn't want her to say na malungkot nanaman ang mga mata ko.

"Ex? Kaka-break ninyo lang?"

Pinilit kong ingiti ang nagmamatigas kong labi. "Yes, but it's okay. I'm okay." I glanced at her.

Binalik ko 'yong tingin ko sa kamay kong nakapatong sa hita ko.

"I knew it. Sabi na may problema ka rin eh. Kaya ka ba nagpunta rito mag-isa?" I wanted to shut her lips from asking. Napapansin ko ng may pagkatsismosa siya.

I took a deep breath and nodded.

She puffed a breath as if she know what I feel. "That must be sad."

Pinilit kong tumawa. "I said I'm okay." I looked at her to let her see my wide smile.

She smiled and caressed my back. "It's okay not be okay. Remember that."

I looked away nang mawala na ang ngiti sa labi ko. I could feel that Wendy was a good listener and she really was an understanding person, but I still didn't know how to share my experience to others. I didn't even know were to begin with.

Wala na akong masabi. I couldn't think of something that can make the awkwardness fly away. I just nodded, still looking at my hands.

"Kainan na!" I looked up when I heard Paulo. Bitbit na nila 'yong isang tray na puno ng barbeque at isang tray na puno ng rice. Lalo akong nakaramdam ng gutom sa mabangong usok na dala ng barbeque.

Wendy and I nodded at each before helping them fix our foods. Wendy helped Paulo with the barbeque so I decided to helped Alexis.

We both stopped when our hands touched each other. Our eyes met pero agad kong binalik ang tingin sa tray ng kanin. We continued what we were doing.

"Pinag-usapan ninyo nanaman kami ni Alexis 'no." There was a hint of joke in Paulo's voice.

My brows crossed at him. Even if it was a joke, I could tell that it was half meant for him. May pagka-assuming pala 'to.

"Hindi kaya. Ibang lalake pinag-usapan namin."

Napahinto ako sa pag-ayos ng mga plato. I looked at Wendy and she was also looking at me. Her lips was slightly opened, she looked like she wanted to tell me something, but she was hesitating.

"Naku sino 'yan? Grabe ibahagi ninyo naman sa 'min." Palipat-lipat ang tingin ni Paulo kay Wendy at sa akin.

I didn't even try to look at Alexis, because I could already see at my peripheral view that he was staring at me deeply. It was like a sharp knife wanting to stab me.