Love in the Woods

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

DULCIS

I cannot reach out for my robe. Where is it?

In lieu of the presence of my robe, I saw a familiar figure of a man. I tracked down who the man is. He is that same guy I saw before! He looks dead when he saw me. Oh boy, the guy’s scared. Well, he is because I already had grasped his tremors. I need to find my robe for me to get out in here! I got frustrated because I cannot reach out for it. It is a meter away from me!

Sinigurado kong hindi niya makikita ang dibdib ko. I stretched out my arms pero wala talaga, ang layo! I tried. "Come on..."

I found his shoes taking small and slow steps. He is trembling when I look up to face him. He treads towards the place of my robe. He grabbed it and he’s about to offer it for me but unfortunately...

I fell.

"Miss!" he yelled.

I even heard the splash because of my fall. Ugh! I need to climb to my hardest again! Kakaiba ang nararamdaman ko dahil nagging conscious ako sa katawan ko at hindi naman ito nangyyari sa akin noon. I wanna cover myself up even I am not used to. This man is an influence.

"Miss! Hello! Buhay ka pa ba?!" he shouted again.

"I'm okay!"

"Miss, paano ka aakyat?" he whispered but I heard it clearly. His worried tone made me panic, too.

"I can manage! Wait for me!"

"O-okay!"

I tried so hard to climb by my nails and my limbs. I saw hiw face and I reddened as I bow my head in embarrassment.

"P-pakiabot naman yung... y-yung robe," I said shyly. I expelled a heavy breath. I must take care of myself. "Huwag kang titingin," I even ordered.

God, his rearview is attractive!

I quickly put my robe on. I sat down and rested. A guy here is with me. I felt uneasy because he saw me at that moment of difficulty. He didn't know I shifted into a ruinous behemoth being a while back. I'm still lucky he didn't see me like that. That would be very awful...

He turned to look at me, looking more horrified when he saw me. "Multo!"

Aghast was all over him and that ridiculed me.

"I-ikaw di ba y-yung--"

"Wow! I'm glad you remembered me!" I flushed as I am overwhelmed he can still remember me. I walked towards him but he backed away.

"H-huwag kang l-lalapit! Multo!"

"Ghosts are benign, idiot," I prated.

"W-weh?" he hardly asked. Ano ba naman, malaking duwag! I chuckled.

"Oo nga! At... I am not a ghost! Ano 'to, recapitulation ng pagkikita natin three months ago?" I prated again and inspected him.

He wears a signature tee-shirt. He wears jeans just like the jeans Darke wear often.

My body is wet so when a gale came, it makes me shiver. "I gotta go," I murmured and started to walk. I wanna stay with him but I'm really cold, I almost quiver here. And... I'm tired, too. Kailangan kong matulog ng maayos. I need to follow Darke's instructions to me.

"Wait!" He gripped for my arm and he quivered in surprise with the contact of or skin. Told yah! I am not a ghost but I am a wolf! "Y-you're alive..."

"Syempre."

"Where are you living? Why are you out on this time?"

I pointed my index finger onto the location of my house. His head tilted to see the direction I was pointing.

"Really?"

"You wanna come with m-me?" I'm really getting colder. "I need to go, nilalamig na ako."

"Can I? Wala bang magagalit?" Darke would probably get angry with me if I'll tell him this. But I want companion. I missed having someone to talk to.

"Come!"

I ran as fast as I could. Gah, I'm eager to take a bath. I fumbled for my keys and later I found them on my robe's little pocket. I don't care if my gaucheness will be noticeable. I realy need the door to be opened.

"Easy, walang naghahabol sa'yo. Unless ako," he enunciated. Hahabulin niya ako? I'll make sure I will be the first victor because I am a good runner. Huh!

"Lock it when you have finally stepped inside!" I yelled at him as I went inside my bathroom.

Pagkatapos kong naligo ay mabilis kong binuksan ang pinto ng banyo at nabangga ko siya kaya bumagsak kaming pareho sa sahig. Nabasa na tuloy siya! Thank heavens I wrapped my towel around my bare body. Kung sakaling hindi ay nakita na naman niya akong walang saplot. I... I felt a spark with the cohesion. My face flared and my heart pounded way faster than the usual. He stared at me with his pair brown eyes. The overlap took minutes before I come up with my thoughts. Bakit hindi pa ako tumayo rito sa dibdib niya eh baka nabibigatan na siya sa akin!

"Sorry!" I muttered.

"Sorry," he also whispered. I moved away awkwardly. Darke will be furious if he would see me with this man.

He's now sitting on the couch, staring at me hen I am approaching him. Lalo kong ipinulupot ang kumot sa katawan ko.

"Ang daming naka-reserve na tanong," he muttered.

"Huh?"

"Bakit ka nasa labas ng ganung oras? Bakit ka naliligo doon sa balon eh may magandang source ka naman ng tubig dito sa bahay mo?"

I smiled. He is like Darke.

"Hmm? I'm used to roam around." I musn’t tell him what am I. He will surely got scared any minute by now. Ayoko naman 'yun. I want him on my side, too. I feel cozy with his physical presence. I had always reserved reverie for him that's why he's always present inside my head, too. Cute, aye? "And I want to explore inside that well. Gusto mong sumama next time?"

"Ano bang meron sa balong iyon? And what is this, Ibong Adarna lang ang drama mo? Explore? Dora, The Explorer?" he asked.

"It was just... so interesting."

"At hubo't hubad ka pa ganun? Di ka na nahiya na pinaabot mo pa sa akin ang robe mo. Buti hindi panty at brassier ang pinaabot mo sa akin. Tss..." Why does he look pissed?

"I'm used to it."

He glared at me. He was like telling me to stop what I am doing.

"Okay, fine. Matutulog na ako ha? Pagod akong umakyat," I said.

"Tss... that's what you get. Usod ka nga," he ordered. Umusod naman ako to make a space for him. "Lambot naman ng kama mo, miss. Well, di pa pala kita kilala ah? I am Jean Tovin Harshbarger."

"I am Dulcis."

"Whoa, Dulcis? Cool... What is your full name?"

"Dulcis Dentin Santilices. Call me Dulcis and I will call you Jean Tovin."

We stared at the white ceiling for minutes. I am sleepy. What will he do if I fall asleep? Is he going to filch some things inside my house? He doesn't look lousy anyway. And... he looks real richer than me.

"Are you naked?"

"Yes."

"May boyfriend ka?"

"Oo naman."

"Kasintahan?" His smirk sends me spine-chilling reaction.

"Wala."

He lauhed. "Boyfriend is kasintahan no! Do you exchange 'I love yous'?"

"What?"

"Wala! Kalimutan mo na. I'm satisfied na young, wild and free ka."

"You talk too much. Matulog na tayo."

"I can't sleep ngayong nalaman kong naked ka under this comforter. Are you even comfortable without clothes? Yung boyfriend mo, pinapayagan ka bang nakahubad ka during nights? Paano kung may rapist?"

I arched my brows in bewilderment. Hmp! Darke talks like him but not too much like Jean Tovin.

"Sorry if you found me blabby. Ngayon lang kita nakilala. Let's know each other."

What will I get if I'll know him? The tiredness I felt swept away. Oh, this man talks with verve that is why I go with the flow. He is making my cells rouse. Dealng with him is awful.

"Chitchat adjourned," I declared. I wanna sleep in serenity! Pagbigyan niyo naman ako!

"What?!" He sounded disagreeing at that.

"Matulog na tayo. Pasalamat ka you were welcomed here."

"Tss... gwapo kasi ako."

That's it! He's really attractive! I don't like him now the way I liked him before. He’s just arrogant.

"Hmp, maganda kasi ako kaya ka naman willing na pumasok." I rolled my eyes.

He examined my face. "Magkakasundo tayo," he whispered menacingly and closed his eyes. Gusto kong siya ang maunang matulog para matitigan ko siya but fate was cruel dahil ako na ang naunang nakatulog. So awful. I hope this is just a simple dream.

"Rise and shine, naked girl!"

"You're real? My dreams were true?" Ths is the first thing I mentioned. I dreamt of a guy who was very loquacious. He questioned me about why I wasn't wearing clothes. He even... slept beside me!

"Truer than true, naked girl," he replied and grinned. "By the way, nagluto ako ng hotdogs, egg omelette pancake kasi naman kailangan ko ng umuwi. Ayoko namang magbiyahe ng gutom na gutom. Di bbale ipinagluto rin kita."

"O-okay." This guy is serving me! What was his name again?

"Dulcis, bangon na nga. Magdamit ka muna tapos halika na."

Nagtalukbong ako sa kumot saka ako nagdamit doon. I wore my brassier and panty and then I slid my red silk robe on my body. He stared at me again, his brow arched. He shook his head and cracked a smile.

"You're hiding your smile."

"Huh? Don't mind me. May topak kasi ako ngayon. Sige, kain na tayo."

His beautiful face is lucid this day. Napapigil ako ng ngiti nang napagtantong ganito pala ang totoong mukha niya. He has wide eyes, he have this perfect pointed nose, he have... sexy lips like Darke, and his jaw is just perfect. I'm dumbfounded that I sought these features of him. Oh my God! Did I just praise him?

"Gwapo ako ano?"

"Yes. I mean-- no! J-just a little!"

"Naiintindihan kita." He chuckled.

"Aalis ka na?"

"Yup. Makikiligo ako ha?" he spoke with his mouth full. I can’t understand why I am letting him in my territory. He’s not Darke to be with me like this.

"Okay."

"Ikaw? Saan ka pupunta? Hindi ka ba pupunta sa city? I can drive you there if you want."

I applauded at the back of my mind. City? I want to go there! I want to roam around there! I want to see city lights at nights, too! Gah, I know Darke will be mad at me if I leave. But I remembered him encouraging me to go ut with him and afraid to say I always refuse him.

"No, thanks. Maybe next time?"

"Ang layo naman kasi ng bahay mo sa mismong city! Sana pwede naman kitang ipasyal. Gusto mo? My treat!"

If Darke is a little passive, Jean Tovin is very active.

"Hindi pwede."

"Bakit? Ikaw lang ang babaeng ayaw lumabas! Mag-shopping, ayaw mo? Make friends!

Because I am eccentric, Jean Tovin. I am not as typical as girls out there. I am a wild beast. Your nightly routine is different from my night life.

"Uh, still no."

"Wala kang kasama rito?"

Sanay namman akong mag-isa. I can exist without other people but I can't live without Darke. But what am I doing right now-- waking up every morning without seeing his beautiful face...

"Obivously, ikaw."

His eyes widened.

"Ako?" He pointed himself and I nodded.

"Yes. You're now my ally."

"Survivor Philippines naman ngayon ang drama natin." I shrugged because ei can’t understand him.

"Hindi ka na babalik?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're not going to see me again here?"

He smirked. He quaffed some coffee and cracked a smile again. "Wow. Attached ka na sa akin agad? Bilib na ako sa kagwapuhan ko," he stated. This one’s arrogant huh.

I frowned.

"Oo, bibisitahin kita bukas."

"Bukas?"

His laughed again and I felt myself blushed. "Oo, bukas."

"H-hindi mamaya?"

His eye s widened.

"B-bakit?" taking taka kong tanong. He seriously darted his gaze at me. My knees almost trembled.

"Okay. I'll be back here tonight. I'll bring some movies for us."

Matagal ko pasiyang natitigan bago ko napagantog hindi nga pala siya pwedeng magtagal sa tabi ko. "W-wag na pala. I mean... mamaya. Afternoon. Don't tell me mag-oovernight ka again?"

This time, siya naman ang nagkunot ng noo.

"Huh? Edi maganda kung mag-oovernight ako rito? Di ba? I am busy buong umaga. Nights lang ang vacant ko."

Hindni nga yatang maaaring bumalik sa akin. Hindi ko kayang i-preedict ag magiging reaksyon niya sa akin kapag sinabi ko sa kanya ang totoo kong buhay.

"Gusto mo ba talaga akong makasama?"

Yes, I want him to be my friend. I won’t deny it. "2 AM."

"What?"

"2 AM naman ako available. Pupunta ka pa?"

"8 PM ako pupunta," he said with finality.

Kinabahan na ako sa pinagsasasabi niya. Dapat nga palang hindi ko na siya inaya pang puntahan ulit ako rito. "Ano? Deal?"

I nodded sowly and he smiled widely.

"Good girl. Wear clothes, okay? Sige, maliligo na ako."

I am having a reverie about him- Jean Tovin since the night I saw him. He is a good man and I wanna cherish him. I have this weird feeling for him. I am feeling... comfortable and happy just seeing his comical face. I wonder if Darke will be happy, too.

"Bye, naked Dulcis!"

"I am not naked!"

He laughed. “Kidding! Bye, Dulcis!" He waved goodbye. Pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili ko, my chest hurts. That 'bye' word hurts me in no time.

"B-bye..."

Then he went off...

I chose to read Falling To A Heartless Vampire. The first thing I noticed, it was a fantasy. Vampires exist but I have never seen any of them. Darke and I used to tell stories about them when we were still young. Hmm... the author is not that cruel and brutal. Eureka Alberti. Her masterpiece is romantic though. Sinara ko ang libro at nagdesisyon basahin ulit iyon next time.

I organized the books in the shelf and inspected those. Darke might be reading these romantic novels, too. Hmm... What's with the term love anyway? I have known romantic and quixotic fuss but not love. Naloka kasi ako sa definiton ng love na-- "love is a heterogeneous conglomeration of absurdity calculated to bamboozle the anatomy of the individual who becomes intoxicated with its abominable and irresistible power." The definition is really vague unlike 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 that says that "Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but it is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail" and is followed by "love is eternal."

Well, I still hope I will encounter love in my stay here in the woods. Hmm... sa tingin ko ay malapit na. I cracked a smile with that thought.

7 PM. I'm scouring the entire floor for his sojourn again here. He will probably spend the night here again. His grins made me tingle. Hayyy...

8 PM. I am happily waiting for him here at my porch. I wore an elegant fuchsia dress. I wonder if he will praise me with this getup.

9 PM. Where is he?

10 PM. I yawned for the nth time.

11 PM. I headed towards the well. Here we go again.

12 MN. Transition.

1 AM. I went back to the house. I bathed and I fixed my bed. I sought no sign of Jean Tovin. I frowned and almost felt like crying a river.

2 AM. I cried then fell asleep, face damped.