Midnights to Remember

Memory: Twenty Three

Twenty Three

Sunday passed by and the next thing I knew it was Monday all over again. Naglalakad ako ngayon sa tahimik na hallway dahil wala pang estudyante. I was about to go to our building when I saw Kaius standing in front of the school bulletin board.

"Good morning, Kai." I greeted him. Napatingin siya sa akin but his reaction was blank. I got confused, he always has this wide grin plastered on his face kapag nakikita niya ako but now it's just blank.

I was more shocked when he started to walk away. I grabbed the hem of his shirt to stop him. He looked back at me then to my hands that is grabbing his shirt.

"Kaius what's wrong?" nagaalalang tanong ko. Umiling lang siya at tinanggal ang kamay ko sa shirt niya. Napailing na lang ako at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad patungo sa building ng business department.

I can't help but to sigh in class habang nagdidiscuss ang professor. Isang buwan na lang matatapos na ang school year. We have one last project in our org before this year finally ends. When I heard the bell rang dali dali kong inayos ang mga gamit ko at patakbong lumabas. May meeting kami ngayon dahil paguusapan namin ang last project.

Pinagtitingnan ako ng mga kaklase ko habang tumatakbo ako sa hallway. I slide on the slippery floor para mas mabilis makapunta sa kabilang building. Not so prim and proper but who cares I'm hella excited to see my friends.

When I finally reached the door of our office I smiled before opening the door. I only saw Kaius, in his usual position in the couch. My smiled faded when he didn't greet me, tinapunan niya lang ako ng tingin at binalik ang paningin niya sa binabasa.

"Where are the others?" tanong ko.

"May mga klase pa raw." he casually said. I sat on the single sofa because I know Kaius doesn't want me near him right now. The silence between us is deafening, all I can hear is our heavy breathing and the sound of air conditioner.

"I'll head out for a bit." paalam ko. When he didn't respond I got up and leave the office. Tinahak ko ulit ang mataong hallway and I left the campus to stop by at the near convenience store.

After kong mabili ang kailangan ko ay naglabas ako ng ballpen and my sticky notes. I bought a Chuckie and a club sandwich.

Bati na tayo pls :(

I wrote that on my sticky notes then I stick it on the drink. It really bothered me, usually I will not care about these things but not to them; not to him.

Bumalik ako sa office at andoon pa rin si Kaius nakahiga habang nakapatong ang libro sa mukha niya. Nilapag ko ang club sandwich at Chuckie sa center table. Hindi ko alam kung anong paborito niyang inumin kaya I chose Chuckie dahil this makes me feel better kapag iniinom ko ito.

I sat on the floor then I tapped his shoulder. Tinanggal naman niya ang libro sa mukha niya at tiningnan ako. I smiled at him and I gave him the drink and sandwich.

.

He ignored it so my eyes widened. Padabog kong binaba ito, aalis na sana ako nang hawakan niya ang braso ko kaya napaupo ulit ako. I looked at him in frustration, he's confusing me.

"Don't be mad na, please." I pleaded. His face was still serious but he can't help it anymore and he smiled. He tried to suppress it but failed to attempt.

"Oh ngumiti ka na!" masayang sabi ko. Ginulo niya naman ang buhok ko.

"Oo na, bati na tayo prinsesa." nakangiting sabi niya. I smiled at him and I pinched his cheeks, that made him laugh.

Hmm I missed him calling me that.

"Don't do that again, Kaius. It's bothering me, that's pure torture. I can't stand it when people gets mad at me." sabi ko.

Umupo naman siya at nilapag ang bigay ko sa center table. I looked up to see his face because I was still sitting on the floor. I almost jumped when he held my nape, the next thing I knew our face are in inch apart from each other.

"I'll be damned by doing this, but I can't hold it any longer." he said with his baritone voice. I don't know how long we've been looking each other, no one broke the stare. I was captivated by his piercing brown eyes, it's drawing me in.

Am I falling for this huge playboy?

I gasped when he close the gap between our face. I felt his soft lips crashed into mine, he started to move his lips so I grabbed on the hem of his shirt. Good grief! I don't know but I responded, he sucked my lower lips to part it and when it did he slid his tongue inside my mouth. The unfamiliar sensation made my knees trembled. I did the same thing and I bit his lower lip. He pulled me up and made me straddle on his lap without breaking the kiss. I wanted to stop but my body says otherwise. He slid his tongue inside my mouth again and I sucked it. I was gasping for air when the kiss ended, I almost smack myself after the realization of what happened.

Wtf Kadence! You're so reckless.

That was so awkward, freaking god. Hindi ko alam kung saan titingin, I tried to avoid eye contact.

T-that was my first kiss!

Bumaba ako mula sa pagkakapatong sa kaniya at iniwas ko ang paningin ko. I was caught off guard when he held me by my chin, I met his gaze. His eyes was sparkling when I look into it, his face softened while he looks at my face.

"K-kaius." I said. I tried to avoid his gaze.

"Your lips taste the sweetest thing I have ever tasted, princess." he said with his husky voice.

Hinampas ko siya sa braso at dali daling lumabas ng office. Pabagsak kong sinara ang pinto at sumandal dito. I calmed myself down because my breathing was not stable.

You're driving me crazy, Kaius. What the freak was that, Kadence! This is so not you.

~

Bumalik ako sa office nang magmessage si Ashley na tapos na ang klase nila. Pagdating ko andoon na silang lahat, my stupid self immediately looked for Kaius. There he was, smiling like crazy. Dumiretso ako sa conference table sa tabi ni Jansen.

"Okay since andito na tayong lahat, the meeting will now come in order." sabi niya at pumapalakpak nang dalawang beses.

"May suggestions ba kayo kung saan tayo pwedeng gumawa ng charity event?"

"Boss merong nasunugan na school dito kahapon, nakita ko sa balita. Siguro isang oras na byahe lang 'yon." sabi ni Vince.

"Okay then, this will be our new project. Asikasuhin niyo na ang mga task niyo. Cesha at Jansen simulan niyo na maghanap ng funds, ikaw naman Vincent wala ka naman nang dapat gawin since balikan lang ang byahe natin, sa pag document ka na lang magfocus. Kaius and Kadence sa pagbili kayo ng supplies, pero baka lahat tayo ang bumili since marami ang kailangan bilihin." mahabang paalala sa amin ni Ashley.

Tumango kaming lahat at nagkanya kanya na kami ng ginagawa. I am now sulking at the chair dahil wala namang ginagawa at iniisip ko pa rin ang nangyari sa amin ni Kaius. I was busy overthinking nang magsalita si Ashley.

"Grabe! Ang mamahal ng school supplies." frustrated na sabi ni Ashley.

"Bakit boss? Magkano dapat ang budget natin?" tanong ni Vince.

"Siguro more than 30 thousand ito. Alam mo naman ang pinakamataas na nakakalap na funds nila Cesha 20 thousand lang, pahirapan pa. Nagreach out kasi ako sa school, tinanong ko kung ilan ang mga students over all at kinuwenta ko na lahat ng mga kumpletong supplies na maiibigay natin sa mga estudyante pati na rin ang mga supplies each classroom." sabi ni Ashley habang nakatungo sa conference table.

"I can ask my Mommy and Daddy for funds." sabi ko out of the blue.

"Hindi nila alam hindi ba, Kade?" tanong ni Ashley.

"Oo nga baka mayari ka niyan." sabi naman ni Vince.

"Oh no. I can tell them that you just asked me if they can donate some for charity. They surely will, Mom and Dad always donate in this school." nakangiting sabi ko.

"Omg, you're an angel talaga Aicelle!" masayang sabi ni Cesha.

"Thank you, Kade. I appreciate this, Cesha and Jansen will find other funds too." nakangiting sabi ni Ashley.

"Rick kid, alert!" sabi ni Vince at gumagawa pa ng kung ano anong sounds habang tumatawa at paikot ikot sa loob ng office.

"Nakakahiya, Kadence. Ikaw nanaman ang sasalo." Jansen said.

"Sila Mommy naman, not me." nakangiting sabi ko.

Nagstay pa kami sa office hanggang sa magyaya na silang umuwi kaya nag pack up na kami. It was another exhausting day but I'm still happy to spend it with them.

~

After Ashley dismissed us dumiretso na ako agad sa bahay at hinintay na makauwi sila Mommy and Daddy. I cooked their favorite dish to lighten up their mood. While we're eating I tried to open it up to them.

"Mom, Dad the school organization about charity-" panimula ko.

"What about it, anak?" nakakunot ang noo na sabi ni Mommy.

"We've already talk about this, iha. I told you you're not allowe-" sabi niya.

"Oh no, Dad! It's not about that. They asked me if you can donate funds for their upcoming charity." sabi ko. I was hesitant about this because they could be suspicious.

"Okay, sweetheart. How much?" tanong ni Dad. Nilabas niya ang cheque mula sa bag niya.

"I don't know, Daddy. It's up to you po." kunwaring hindi interested na sabi ko.

"All right. Ikaw na lang mag abot sa kanila." sabi ni Dad.

"Thank you, Dad." I politely said. Tiningnan ko ang cheque and it's 50 thousand pesos. After namin kumain ay umakyat na ako sa taas. I can't contain my happiness when I closed my door, our funds for this charity is secured. I squealed and put the cheque on one of my notebook.

I opened my phone and check our group chat.

Hey, guys. It's yo' girl in the house - Me

Hello, Kade. Kamusta? - Ashley

Our funds is secured ;P -Me

Wow thank you, Kade! - Ashley

Thank you, Aicelle! We owe you big time- Cesha

It's fine guys ano ba! Goodnight, Pathfinder - Me

.

I closed my phone and put it on the night stand. I was about to sleep when it rang.

Kaius calling...

I stared at it for a few more minutes before I thought about answering it.

"Hello?" hesitant na sagot ko.

"I just want to say good night." he said on the other line.

"All right. Goodnight." I plainly said.

"Gusto ko lang marinig boses mo bago ako matulog." dagdag niya. I was caught off guard again, what are we? The butterflies inside my stomach was fluttering again, damn it.

"Jeez you're cheesy." sabi ko. Narinig ko naman ang tawa niya sa kabilang linya.

"About earlier Kaius-" sabi ko pero pinutol niya ang sinasabi ko.

"I regret nothing." he said with his baritone voice.

"Let's sleep na, Kai." sabi ko.

"Mm alright. Narinig ko naman na ang boses mo." he said.

"Good night, wifey." his voice is hella attractive.

"Good night, Kaikai." nakangiting sabi ko.

Binaba ko ang tawag at tumitig ako sa ceiling. Should I risk our friendship? Or should I not? I am torn between what my heart wants and want my mind thinks.

I don't want to risk something that is indefinite. Maybe this too shall pass, I can't afford to lose the Pathfinder. I am gonna set aside my feelings and think about the bond between us. It will make a dent to our friendship if we will risk it.

But my heart said other wise. Kadence Aicelle Aguilar you're freaking doomed.