Just Like How the Lightning Strikes (del Grico Series #5)

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

Sa ‘yo lang

I watched as Law’s eyes wandered around our condominium. As soon as I called him, he immediately answered again. Talagang hindi siya nagdalawang mag-u turn kahit malayo na siya. Wala pang ilang minuto, nakabalik na siya sa parking lot ng building namin.

Our condo was not that huge. Talagang sakto lang sa dalawang tao. Kaya hindi ko maiwasang mahiya gayong ang mayamang si Law, naglilibot ng tingin sa bahay namin. For sure, he’s been into bigger condos! Panigurado ring mas malaki rito ang tinitirahan niya ngayon.

“So, this is where you live?” he asked the obvious.

“Yeah. I think so,” sagot ko naman. “May bahay kami rito nina Kuya sa California pero umuuwi lang ako roon kapag nagbabakasyon sila rito. Madalas kasi, nasa Pilipinas sila.”

Tumango naman siya. Sunod niyang pinuntahan ang mga nakasabit na frames sa dingding na ako ang nagdisenyo.

He skimmed the photos until his eyes stopped at my picture with Theo. Talagang nag-init ang pisngi ko nang makita iyon ni Law.

“H-Hindi ko pa natanggal. Hindi pa kasi ako naglilinis ng condo ulit,” pagdadahilan ko agad, wala pa man siyang sinasabi.

Nilingon niya tuloy ako at pinagtaasan ng kilay.

Hell! I am obviously nervous!

“M-Mag-i-sleepover ka ba rito?” pag-iiba ko na lang tuloy ng usapan.

“Yeah. Where’s your room?”

Huh?! We’re going to sleep in the same room?!

Okay. Alam ko naman na nagawa na namin ‘yon noon. May nangyari pa nga. Pero… hell! This is different from before! We’re completely sober tonight!

Iniisip ko pa lang na magtatabi kami mamaya sa iisang kama ulit, hindi na ako mapakali.

I needed to distract our conversation again. Alam ko pa namang masyado akong halata kapag kabado.

“Later. Uh… are you hungry? I can cook for us.” Bago pa siya sumang-ayon, hinatak ko na siya tungo sa kusina. Hindi naman na niya tinutulan pa ang ideya ko.

Alright. That was a scam.

I didn’t really cook for us. Ininit ko na lang ang b-in-ake kong lasagna na nasa fridge. Buti na lang din, hindi na nag-he-heavy meal si Law sa gabi. Iyon na lang ang kinain namin.

“Wait a minute.” Habang magkaharap na kumakain, bahagyang inabot ni Law ang labi ko para punasan ang dungis sa gilid ng bibig ko.

“Thanks—What the hell, Zryan?” I was about to thank him for being thoughtful but I was surprised when he licked his finger after.

Like… what the hell was that?!

“What?” natatawang pagmamang-maangan niya pa.

“Why did you have to… do that?” Unti-unting humina ang boses ko. Ako na ang nahiya para sa kanya.

“It’s nothing. As if I haven’t tasted your lips yet,” he shrugged as he ate a spoonful of lasagna.

“Still.” Hell. I can’t believe him!

Imbes naman intindihin ang sinabi ko, iniba niya ang direksyon ng usapan.

“You’re so cute when you’re blushing,” sambit niya bago dumukot ng cellphone sa kanyang bulsa. “Stay still. Let me take a picture of you.”

“Stop. I’m serious.” I glared at him but he didn’t budge to take a picture of me.

“Smile, Alya,” utos niya pa kaya mas lalo ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin.

He smiled as he checked the picture he took. Mayamaya pa nang sinilip ko ang ginagawa niya, i-s-in-et niya na pala bilang wallpaper ang picture.

“Ginawa mong wallpaper?!” talagang gulantang na tanong ko.

“Yeah.”

Oh hell! Hindi ko talaga alam kung paano tumakbo ang utak niya!

“You’re crazy!”

“I guess I am.”

I sighed.

After having dinner, I took a half-bath. Si Law naman, pinahiram ko na muna ng oversized shirt at sweatpants ko at para maging komportable siya sa pagtulog.

Paglabas ko sa CR, talagang nasa kama ko na si Law at prenteng nakaupo.

One look and my heart hammered so damn fast. Hell!

“T-Tabi tayo?” nauutal na tanong ko sa kanya.

“Ayaw mo?” Pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay.

I blinked several times, trying to brush off what I was feeling.

“Hindi… naman.” Bakas sa boses ko ang pagdadalawang-isip.

“I can sleep on the couch if you’re not comfortable beside me, Alya."

Nang sinabi iyon ni Law, mabilis akong napatutol.

“No!” Lumunok ako bago hininaan ang boses. “I mean… nagtanong lang naman ako e.”

Hell, Eve! What's with your stuttering shy voice and s**t?

While I began to have internal chaos, Law even managed to smirk.

“Why so nervous?” puna niya pa na mas lalong nagpapula ng pisngi ko.

“I’m not!” mabilis kong dipensa.

He licked his lower lip to stop his obvious smile.

He's enjoying my nervousness! I'm sure of that! Bakit naman kasi napaka halata mo, Eve?!

Then, the lightning struck outside. I flinched because of its horrific loud sound. Malakas pa rin ang ulan sa labas.

"Come here," utos ni Law at tinapik ang tabi niyang espasyo. Kung makautos siya, parang siya talaga ang mas matanda sa aming dalawa.

I walked towards him slowly. Hindi na ako nagreklamo pa.

“Still afraid?” he asked quietly when I finally sat beside him.

Even that simple question of him made my heart flutter. Oh hell!

“Not anymore. May kasama naman ako ngayon e. Sad’yang magugulatin lang ako.”

He smiled as he nodded. Sandali kaming nagkatitigan na siyang nagpatindi ng kabog ng puso ko.

Sinubukan ko tuloy mag-isip ng ibang p'wedeng pag-usapan.

“Marami ka nang alam tungkol sa ‘kin. Kaunti palang ang alam ko sa ‘yo,” turan ko. Buti't kahit hindi ko direktang sinabi, nakuha niya kung ano ang gusto kong mangyari.

For the past weeks that we've known each other, he remained like a mystery to me. Kaya palagi pa rin akong nawiwindang minsan sa mga sinasabi at ginagawa niya dahil hindi ko pa talaga siya lubusang kilala.

“What do you wanna know then?” He shifted on his seat and turned his full attention to me.

Hmm.

“Can I ask about… that?” nagdalawang-isip na tanong ko sa kanya at nginuso ang kanyang peklat sa kilay.

Unti-unting nawala ang kuwela sa kanyang mukha. Kaagad ko na lang tuloy binawi ang itinanong ko.

“If only you’re comfortable sharing!”

Baka sabihin niya, masyado akong pakialamera! Why so nosy, Eve?!

Before I could overthink that I crossed some lines, Law finally assured me.

“It’s fine," sambit niya. “To be honest, this is the reason why my mom and dad sent me here in California.”

My lips parted in utter disbelief when he started telling me his life. Itinuon ko sa kanya ang buong atensyon ko.

“There’s this f*****g son of a motherfucking b***h who kept claiming I was his son.” Base sa kung ano ang itinawag niya sa lalaki, halatang-halata ang galit niya. “One day, that psycho tried to abduct me. Buti na lang, bago pa makalayo ang sinasakyan namin, bumangga na ‘yon. Doon ko ‘to nakuha.”

He made his story sound like it was simple and quick but I know it was not. I'm pretty sure, it was traumatizing for him too.

Nanatili akong tahimik. Binigyan ko siya ng pagkakataong maikuwento nang buo ang dala-dala niya.

“My mom and dad explained why that fucker claimed I was his child.” He clenched his teeth. “Sinubukan niya palang gahasain ang mom ko noon, Alya. My dad thinks he’s a big threat to our family and to me so they sent me here in California instead.”

Fury glistened in his amber eyes. That was the first time I saw him be mad. Nakakapangilabot.

Parang gusto ko tuloy pagsisisihang tinanong ko pa siya. Mukhang pinaalala ko lang kasi sa kanya ang mapait niyang nakaraan e.

“Sorry to hear that…” I muttered with concern.

I immediately thought of a new thing to talk about. Para na rin hindi maging masyadong emosyonal ang gabing 'to para sa amin.

“So, bakit nga pala parang hindi ka masyadong nag-po-pokus sa pag-aaral? Parang lagi kang free e,” tanong ko para lang mas gumaan ang usapan namin.

Law's smirk came back. Napanatag ako roon.

“To be honest, I’m just waiting to get my permanent residence card here so I can join the US Navy.”

My eyes widened because of what he stated.

“Really?! Woah.” Navy, huh? Hindi na kataka-taka na sa mga gaya niya, ganoon ang pangarap. “My father had a friend in the Philippine Navy too. He used to visit us before.”

His eyebrow rose.

“Really? What’s his name? My dad might know him. He’s also in the Philippine Navy.”

Oh. So, his dad is in the Navy too? Baka kaya siguro ganoon din ang gusto niyang maging.

“I forgot e. Tagal na rin kasi. I haven’t seen him since my father died,” pagkukuwento ko naman.

I was so young when that Tito of mine used to visit our home in the Philippines. Hindi ko na talaga siya nakita matapos mamatay ng mga magulang ko.

Our talk was interrupted by a loud thunder. Muli akong napapikit at napahawak sa dibdib ko dahil sa gulat.

“Have you thought of seeing a therapist regarding your anxiousness to be alone when the lightning strikes?” tanong tuloy ni Law sa akin.

“Actually, I have,” pag-amin ko. “But when I asked permission from my brother, sabi niya mga baliw lang daw ang nagpapakonsulta sa therapist.”

Law watched my lips closely as I talked. It was kinda distracting.

“Are you close with him?” dagdag na tanong niya pa.

“N-Not really," nauutal na sagot ko tuloy.

Siguro, dahil din sa laki ng agwat naming dalawa ni Kuya Drake kaya magkaiba talaga ang mga pananaw namin sa mga bagay-bagay.

“I thought so," aniya kahit parang hindi naman yata pumasok sa isip niya ang mga sagot ko.

He was staring at my lips! He seemed distracted by them while I was distracted by his gaze. Oh hell!

We remained silent for a few seconds. My heart throbbed for some sensual reasons. Kahit malamig ngayon, tila namumuo ang pawis ko.

When Law looked me in the eyes, we stared at each other for a few moments before he finally gave in and leaned for a kiss that I accepted right away.

Oh hell!

As soon as our lips met, I felt like I was on cloud nine. I knew he wanted me to kiss him as passionately as he did, based on the desire and fire in his kisses. So, I did.

“Sasamahan kita bukas na bukas para magpatingin,” tila hangin na bulong ni Law sa pagitan ng halik namin.

“Mmkay.” That was the only thing I could utter when I was fully drawn to his lips.

The sounds of our kisses were turning me on. Nakaliliyo pa ang malambot na labi ni Law lalo na nang nagsimula itong bumaba sa aking panga hanggang sa aking leeg.

I tried so hard not to moan. I also arched my head to give him more access to my neck. My hands kept wandering and caressing his back because of the addicting sensation.

Tuluyan nang pumaibabaw sa akin si Law. He positioned himself in between my legs.

He claimed my lips again as he caught both of my hands and pinned them up above my head using only one hand. Ganoon kalakas at kalaki ang isang kamay niya para magawa niyang hawakan ang dalawang palapulsuhan ko. Hindi rin naman ako pumalag.

I kept gasping sensually. Excitement ate up my whole system. When I tried to look at his amber eyes, I saw the fire in them. Pumungay ang kanyang mga mata.

I wasn't able to cherish our first night together because we were both drunk that time. Ngayon, hindi ko alam na ganito pala katindi sa pakiramdam kapag hindi lasing at si Law ang kasama.

We were still dressed fully. As I wondered how he would navigate our night's ship, he yanked up my t-shirt, revealing my bra.

“Hmm…” No matter how hard I restrained myself, a moan still escaped my lips.

Law smirked before he dived into me again and started kissing my collarbone. My back arched automatically because of the tingling sensation it caused.

Pakiramdam ko'y hindi na pisngi ko lang ang namumula ngayon kung 'di buong mukha ko na.

His lips started wandering down to my cleavage, near to my mountains. The tip of his nose also traced my cleavage while sniffing me seductively.

Nang tuluyan siyang nakarating malapit sa dibdib ko, tumigil siya sandali lara tumitig.

It felt like I was on the verge of something. I anticipated he would eventually unclasp my bra but it didn't happen.

Ikinasinghap ko nang tumigil siya at ipinahinga ang kanyang ulo sa aking dibdib. Akala ko, naghihintay lang siya ng tamang oras pero hindi. Nasigurado kong tuluyan siyang tumigil nang pakawalan niya ang mga kamay ko.

Huh?

“W-Why did you stop?” Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong mapatanong. Nakakahiya pa nga dahil halata ang pagkadismaya sa tono ko.

He stayed silent for a little longer. Nanatili lang namamahinga ang ulo niya sa aking dibdib.

“Is it because I’m flat?” hula ko pa tuloy.

Is he disappointed that I am not as blessed as the other girls he slept with?

Dahil sa tanong kong iyon, tuluyan na siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin.

“What? Of course not!” He even chuckled.

“Then why?” I sounded kinda frustrated which I've never been before when it comes to this.

Napabuntonghininga na lang si Law bago siya bumangon sa dibdib ko. Siya na rin ang nagbaba ng damit ko.

I watched him closely, trying to read what's going on inside his head. Hindi ko kasi talaga siya maintindihan minsan.

Muling bumalik sa tabi ko si Law. Kahit ganoon, nagawa niya pang magnakaw ng pahapyaw na halik sa labi ko.

He seemed interested in what we were doing too! So, why did he have to stop?

“I don’t want you to think we’re doing this for payback,” aniya na siyang tuluyang sumagot sa mga tanong sa isip ko.

Nagparte ang aking mga labi dahil doon.

To be honest, I didn't think about it that way. Pero siya, naalala niya pa talaga.

“I don’t want you to think I only want to be with you for this just like your bastard ex,” dagdag niya pa.

Something gripped my heart in a good manner. Parang gusto kong maluha dahil sa mga sinabi niya.

Kailan ba ang huling beses na may lalaking nagpahalaga sa akin nang ganito? Parang hindi pa yata nangyari iyon. Ngayon pa lang. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang maging emosyonal.

“Sinabi mo na rin ba ‘yan sa iba?” may pagdududang tanong ko.

I love how he makes me feel special but I don't like the idea of him telling these same things to other women.

I need assurance.

Ilang sandali pa, napapikit ako nang patakan niya ng halik ang aking noo.

“Believe me or not, I never said that to someone before. Sa ‘yo lang. Sa ‘yo lang naman ako nagkaganito e.”