Dusk Kisses

03

"Lauri, sa Library daw"

Today's friday and Katatapos lang ng classes when my group mates called me para sa meeting namin.

It's all about sa 'cooking for a cause' namin in our TLE subject, wherein we'll hold a feeding program for public school elementary students na underweight and kung mayro'n mang malnourished. Kung ako ang tatanungin, i want to do this para sa mga bata pero mas lalo ko 'tong ginustong gawin dahil sa grade. And.. i kind of feel bad about it.

Erich is currently discussing our plan habang tahimik ang lahat at maingat na nakikinig sa lahat ng sasabihin niya. She's strict and a bit mataray, no one actually wants to mess with her. Well i hate to say this but I'm included with those people. I just don't want to make my life chaotic.

Sobrang hassle no'n kapag gano'n.

"How about lutong Pinoy?" Iza suggested.

"Yes! You're right plus mas maa-appreciate nila if familiar 'yung taste. 'di ba?" Mikee commented.

"So... as i was saying yesterday, sino na ang mamimili ng ingredients?" Erich seems very serious about this task. I bet she doesn't want to lose in this competition, mataas taas rin kase ang points na makukuha.

Yes, it's a competition. May mga teachers na magja-judge ng niluto namin pero siyempre pang taste test lang 'yung amount ng food na ibibigay namin sa kanila para sakto na sa kids 'yung foods.

I was busy thinking about my answers sa quiz earlier. I played the pen around my fingers, thinking really deep about that one questionnaire from the booklet.

Sht, mali pa yata 'yung pag-solve sa isa! Math pa talaga, Lauri? Seriously?

"Lauri" hindi lang mataray kundi madiin niyang tinawag ang pangalan ko, causing me to drop my pen.

This damn wench, g-tech yun!

I paid her my attention with my annoyed look. I almost rolled my eyes, buti na lang i have stopped it from rolling. Leader nga pala 'to, baka mamaya sabihing di pa 'ko tumulong. Sa dami na ng ambag ko sa grupong 'to? Tsh, she would really get into my nerves kapag sinumbatan niya pa 'ko.

"Are you still with us?" she sassily asked me with an arched brow.

Hindi pa obvious?

kating kati nang umirap yung mga mata ko. if i could even describe my annoyance to her, it's like i'm barely hanging onto the thin string of my patience. ugh! so kagigil!

Nakakainis na rin 'tong babaeng to. Kung pwede lang talaga magreklamo, baka noong isang araw ko pa ginawa.

"of course... Erich" i even smiled, gosh! for the love of all that's holy, bigyan niyo po ako ng pasensiya.

She's always giving me the hardest tasks! Una 'yung pagco-compute ng K/Cal, i spent the whole day for that ha! Second, she asked me to know the weight of the kids na papakainin namin for the program, for my beauty's sake!

there were 30 kids in total! Tapos ngayon? Don't tell me di pa tapos 'yung p**********p niya sakin? Quotang quota nako, ha!

"samahan mo si Mikee na mag grocery," she said without even looking at me, busy rin siya sa draft ng plan.

"Wait, what?!" Nakalimutan ko na yata ang maging mahinahon.

Mataray niyang ibinaling sa 'kin ang paningin "hindi mo ba ako narinig?"

"Pero bakit ako?"

"At bakit hindi ikaw?"

"Seriously? Ako talaga?"

"Are you complaining?"

What the freak?!

Napapikit nalang ako sa inis!

I hate this b***h! Ugh!

"p-pero Erich--" mikee was hesitant.

Erich just gave her a b***h face, 'yung tipong nanaisin mo nalang na magpakain sa lupa.

When our meeting was finally over, Mikee hesitantly approached me.

"di ako makakasama, Selene" she said with apologetic eyes. "Sorry," she added. I still wanted to protest but considering how soft she is? The fire inside me just seemed to disappear.

"why? What's the matter?" I worriedly asked.

"Yesterday, I already asked her kung pwedeng iba na lang 'yung mag grocery, i have to come sa airport tomorrow, e. We'll pick up my mom, she's from Dubai," I don't lie when I say the excitement from her voice makes me want to let her not come with me. Well, ano pa nga ban'g magagawa ko? My conscience urged me na hayaan na lang siyang sunduin 'yung mom niya kaysa sumama sa 'kin mag grocery bukas.

The next day, maaga akong gumising para maaga ring makatapos. I tried to wake my sister up pero walang nangyari, puyat na naman siguro to? Mga 8 pm na 'ko nakauwi last night pero wala pa rin siya, e. Sa'n kaya 'to galing?

"Hey, samahan mo 'ko!" I tried shaking her.

She just groaned and covered her face with a pillow. "sabi ko kasi sa 'yo, mag-utos ka na lang sa mga crew sa baba! for god's sake may grocery store tayo!" she advises then goes back to being asleep.

She was right! i could just pull someone and give them the list of everything Erich wanted me to shop for---and that's also easier, magkakaroon pa ko ng time para gawin yung mga take home tasks ko but i can't just blow away the opportunity to shop by myself! I mean, I wanted this.

Thinking about this last night made me almost thank Erich for giving me this task, naalala ko na hindi pa pala ako nakakapag grocery mag-isa. it's fun and therapeutic so I thought maybe I could take this as a blessing in disguise!

I marched out from her room, masyadong makalat! It's suffocating! I understand naman na busy maging college student pero her being makalat is unreasonable, may mga days rin naman na walang pasok pero she didn't even think of cleaning her room.

I just shrugged.

Mababaliw ako kakaisip ng magulo niyang kwarto!

I finished my breakfast. Di na'ko nag abala pa na mag effort sa ootd ko.

I just wore a simple white v neck shirt na may print medyo oversized rin and maong shorts. I partnered it with a mini designer bag, kasya na do'n ang wallet and phone ko. I also put my hair up into a messy bun.

While waiting for a ride, chineck ko na sa phone ko kung may laman pa ba yung card ko using an app. Until i received a message.

From: Erich the bitch

Don't forget anything, or else, I'll erase your name sa list ng mga tumulong.

Ugh she's so childish! Kala niya madadaan niya ko sa attitude niya? Hell no!

To: Erich the bitch

'ge

Ewan ko, sa tuwing itong babaeng 'to 'yung kausap ko nangangati na lang 'yung mga mata kong umirap.

Mabilis akong nakarating sa mall and agad na dumiretso sa supermarket para hanapin na agad yung pinapabili ni Erich.

I inhaled heavily.

patience...

I breathed out.

patience.

Kung hindi niya inutos sa akin 'yung pagkukuha ng k/cal ng mga bata, baka siguro nag volunteer pa akong bumili ng mga ingredients, wala naman kaso sa 'kin kahit sariling pera ko pa ang gamitin dahil alam ko namang maganda ang kahihinatnan ng pag-gastos ko. Pero hindi! Halos lahat na sa 'kin niya pinagawa! i came to the point that i won't be even shocked if she asks me to cook on the day of the competition. Gosh, i hate her!

I was all alone and enjoying myself until I saw someone so familiar that his mere existence scares me. Kung hindi kahihiyan, trahedya lagi dala nito, e.

anong ginagawa niya rito?

I internally freaked out. I even tried to hide behind the shelves pero malakas yata talaga radar nito sa taong may hinanakit sa kanya.

"Hey" He greeted me. he was holding a basket, kumuha rin siya ng mga ilang product sa shelves.

Lord... is this what peaceful day means?

parang lahat ng ginawa kong kahihiyan sa harap niya nagreplay sa utak ko! Bakit naman nagabala pa yung utak ko na mag-imaginate?! Ang daming time?!

"Uy, Kent" I awkwardly nodded and smiled before trailing my sight back to the shelves.

"Busy?" He asked

"Medyo lang," I gave him a smile pero agad na binawi 'yon, ibinaling ko ulit ang paningin sa shelves at naghanap ng mahahawakan. I even pretended to look at the food nutrients ng hinahawakan kong product. Hanggang ngayon, fresh na fresh pa rin sa utak ko 'yung nangyari sa classroom at sa bulletin hall.

"manong is still on your schedule, right? you promised," my eyes narrowed habang inalala yung promise na pinagsasabi nito.

Ah! Right, coffee date s***h pa-thank you treat. My lips parted at humulma ng bilog na shape nang maalala ko ang pinangako. "after na lang siguro ng finals week" completion week ngayon 'til next week, lahat ng requirements and performance task ay hanggang ngayon lang, the week after next week 'yung finals for first grading.

"Do you have my number?" I looked at his side, medyo nagulat ako sa sinabi niya pero agad rin kumalma dahil wala namang masama sa paghingi ng number ko. sa shelf pa rin ako nakaharap ngayon. Umiiwas pa rin sa mga tingin niya. Sobrang kinakain talaga ako ng hiya ko. Hindi ko kinakayang makisama nang maayos today.

I slowly shake my head. i wasn't looking at him dahil chineck ko 'yung label ng tomato sauce na kukuhain ko.

"Pwede na siguro 'to" i mouthed without an ounce of voice coming out from my throat. Nilagay ko na 'yung tomato sauce sa cart at akmang lalakad nang mabagal para makita pa 'yung mga nasa shelves.

"akin na" i abruptly looked at him ng bigla siyang nagsalita. ako ba 'yung kausap niya?

oh, my God. malamang! di naman pwede na 'yung mga products 'yung kausapin niya. sagot ko rin sa sarili ko

inabot ko sa kanya 'yung tomato sauce. his brows furrowed as confusion took over his face. pabalik balik ang tingin niya sa tomato sauce at sa akin na para bang kinukumpara niya!

"What the hell is this?" pinipigilan niyang tumawa. i winced.

"sabi mo sa 'yo na?"

his brows shot up as a cute smile invaded his lips. bagay naman sa kaniyang ngumiti, e. "mata-type ko ba 'yung number ko dito?" he chuckled.

"ah, sht" minadali kong kunin sa kamay niya 'yung tomato sauce. i whipped my phone out from my pocket t'saka binigay sa kaniya. "sorry" i laughed a little. tangina ang lutang?!

he looked down to my phone with a grin in his face. my eyes widened habang tumatalikod ako sa kaniya. Ano 'yun, Lauri Selene?! nakakahiya ka! sabi ko sa sarili kong isip.

"Here, don't hesitate to text me when di ka na busy para sabihan ko si manong." He uttered before giving back my phone.

I raised my brow nung napansin kung anong name niya sa contacts.

Kent Pogi.

i tried not to make a big deal out of it pero,

Wow ha, he's grossing me out! Di naman sobrang gwapo!

Okay, I'll take that back, oo na pogi na.

Kinulit niya lang ako while shopping, bat ba sunod nang sunod 'to? "buying stuffs for the event?" i nodded, still avoiding to have an eye contact with him.

He is sooooo talkative! Puro siya daldal! I wasn't paying full attention to him because I'm trying to focus sa mga bibilhin ko! I don't want to miss a single thing from the list, 'no!

ewan ko nga, parang naging feeling close siya bigla!

"Bakit ikaw lang nandito? Nasaan 'yung mga kagrupo mo?" He was behind me, nakikitingin rin sa shelves. Ang lakas mag-feeling na kunwari bibili, konti lang naman laman ng basket. tatlo lang yata.

"Hindi ko alam, di naman ako hanapan ng mga taong wala rito, 'di ba?" I glanced at him before turning my sight back to the shelf then gripped onto the supermarket cart handle then pushed it slowly.

"But, they're your groupmates. They should be here with you kapag ganitong mamimili ka." i can even feel his constant stare. sinusundan pa nga niya ng tingin kung anong kinukuha ko sa shelf. i feel like a tita with her pamangkin na galing sa nursery school.

"Bakit mo ba sila hinahanap? Crush mo si Erich the b***h?" I was just... Teasing him.

"Erich---ano?" He was pinning his eyes onto me, waiting for my words. I saw him subtly bit his lower lip, probably to contain his laugh. Wala namang nakakatawa, ah?

"Wala" i stopped walking, may kinuha ako sa shelf then nilagay ito sa cart.

"Ulitin mo nga"

"Ayoko"

"ang hina nung kanina,"

Ano ba 'to napaka kulit naman, sinabi ko na nga na ayoko!

"Ayoko nga sabi"

"Bakit ayaw mo?"

"Baka isumbong mo 'ko" hindi nakaligtas sa pandinig ko iyong pagtawa niya nang mahina. I just glared at him kaya he stopped chuckling.

"oh, come on! I didn't know you like giving nicknames," he chuckled teasingly again.

While I was getting something from the shelf, he suddenly went to the front of my cart and then he held the corner bumper of it.

"E, sa 'kin?" I saw his Adam's Apple moved "Anong itatawag mo sa 'kin?" He smirked as his eyes narrowed. God, singkit na sumingkit pa lalo. "Hindi naman ako choosy, pwede na siguro 'yung... master 'no?" He playfully said without taking the smirk off his face.

"'Wag ka nga feeling special" inismiran ko siya.

I let out a deep sigh before pushing the cart, "Ahh! A-aray!" My eyes widened when Kent groaned.

I frantically walked my way towards him then checked his feet, ito ang iniinda niya. I sat on my heel para magkapantay ang mukha namin.

"Oh, gosh! I'm so s-sorry, hindi ko sinadya! wait, i'll call for help," Halos mag-rap na ako rito sa pagkataranta but, he didn't answer any of my questions and just continued groaning.

Damn it!

"Does it hurt a lot? Magsalita ka naman, oh!" i really feel so fcking guilty! God, had i known, hindi ko na sana tinulak.

"Ikaw na nga nakasakit, ikaw pa galit?" He said in such a sarcastic tone. I am well aware that my face just changed when I realized how he wasn't in pain anymore. I tilted my head a little bit to the right, trying to figure something out. My brows furrowed when he started to trace a smile through his lips then touched the floor with both of his hands at sinuportahan ang sarili sa pagtayo.

Nagkukunwari lang siya?

"you suck. you fcking suck." I looked away while muttering a curse.

My lips parted as he lend his hand to me "tumayo ka na diyan"

I tapped his hand, "I don't need your help, jerkass." i rolled my eyes at humawak sa cart ko but my eyes automatically widened when the cart moved at nag slide!

matutumba ako! teka ayokong magkaron ng internal bleeding!

Agad kong hinawakan ang ulo ko gamit ang dalawang kamay ko

dahil sa kapapanood ko ng grey's anatomy, i developed the fear of having brain injuries! gosh!...

gusto ko na agad umaray kahit hindi pa tumatama yung katawan ko sa sahig, I was really-- hundred percent expecting myself to fall onto the floor pero ganoon na lang rin ang gulat ko when,

He wrapped his arm around my nape at inalalayan ang bewang ko!

I heard him groan in pain. I swear if i were to translate those groans into feelings? Sobrang taas ng pain level nun! "y-yeah , you don't need my h-help, right?" he whispers under his breath, sounding really pained. Hawak-hawak niya ang batok ko sa paraan kung paano hawakan ang batok ng sanggol. Hindi ako ang nasaktan, hindi ako ang nauntog sa sahig at hindi ako ang naapektuhan because it was Kent.

If not for him, baka ako na ang nabagok sa sahig. The pain was written all over his face, halatang masakit ang pagkakabagsak ng balikat niya sa semento. i looked around the corner to see if there was anyone who saw my stupidity.

Thank God, wala.

I was in a deep state of shock but i had enough consciousness to realize how we looked. We were facing each other habang nakahiga sa sahig dahil sa pagkakabagsak. I did nothing but gaze at his hallucinating awe.

Pagdaan pa ng ilang segundo, I helped myself to stand up, pinagpag ko ang kamay at inalok iyon kay Kent. "Masakit?" I asked, realizing how much pain he gained for me.

"Hindi, masarap. Try mo, oddly satisfying" he sarcastically replied which made me smile.

"Okay, I won't ask any more questions... you seem fine, still an a*s" i turned my back against him at inunahan na siyang maglakad. I bit my lower lip for some uncertain reasons.

Dumiretso ako sa beverages section, kumuha ako ng isang boteng tubig at binuksan iyon. I'm just going to pay for it later.

He was behind me, minamasahe ang balikat niya. "Here," i handed it over to him while i was scratching the side of my brow. "'y-yung balikat... mo" i felt guilty. narinig ko kay Syrus na swimmer si Kent, halata naman sa skintone niya.

he looked at his shoulder then he did a circular motion to massage it. tinagilid niya 'yung head niya on both sides, the next second I heard a lot of cracking.

How the hell did he do that? hindi ko talaga magets kung paano!

He looked back at me with a grin on his face. "so, we're worried now, huh?"

I hate to admit it but yes! I'm so freakin' worried.

"you know, they say a kiss would ease every pain" he didn't let a split second pass like it normally does, nang-asar pa talaga siya. I rolled my eyes as I inhaled a large amount of breath then let it all out.

"dagdagan natin 'yung sakit, gusto mo? sa kabilang balikat para pantay?" i endearingly said. out of a sudden, all the guilt and worries flew away.

He quirks a smile "no, thanks" He said, looking away from me saka ininom 'yung tubig. straight. bottoms up.

"So... staying here for good?" He asked habang naglalakad kami, we've already recovered from what happened earlier. It was almost thirty minutes ago.

"Aalis, 'pag kailangan," 'pag gusto ni Dad.

"Do you mind if I... ask?"

i shake my head, nakatingin sa shelf. hinahanap ko 'yung cream na nilagay nila rito sa list. may mga specific brand names. Napaka-arte kala mo naman i-e-enumerate ng mga bata yung mga price differences at flavors ng bawat item.

"Bakit ka pa bumalik?" he made me daze for a little while. inabot ko lang 'yung cream sa shelf t'saka ako tumayo ng maayos at hinarap siya.

"i missed you" my face was devoid of any emotion. i just stared at his stupid face. good looking dork.

"are yo---" he looked like a complete naive

"you should have seen the look in your face" i laughed so hard!

his head fall back, hindi makapaniwalang nadali ko siya ng biro. he looked at me while containing his smile, "oh... yeah, you got me" he said, finally releasing his smile.

I felt unusually flushed. Damn those smiles, Vasquez.

it's not really hard to see.

His features aren't typical, like, there's something in him, which I can't literally point out, but it's clearly making him and his smiles remarkably unique.

I double checked the list habang pina-punch na ng cashier 'yung mga items.

Sht wala pa palang cheese!

"Pasabay ako, ah? Just one item lang naman."

"Whatever," Sakto nang sumunod sa 'kin si Kent siya ang naiwan sa counter then i ran as fast as i could.

"wait---you're next in line, Sel--- where are you going? Hoy!" I almost stopped myself from breathing. Hingal na hingal ako nang makarating ako sa dairy products section kumuha nalang ako ng kahit anong brand tapos bumalik sa counter.

"Mahal"

my eyes automatically widened when i heard him.

What did he say?!

I tapped my chest lightly, kumakabog pa rin ang dibdib ko.

I mean, normal lang naman iyon diba? Kasi... Tumakbo ako?

"H-huh?" I asked out of confusion.

"Sabi ko mahal," he faced me, looking innocent and far from being mischievous. "Yung mga binili mo." Walang mababasang pangloloko sa itsura niya kaya naniwala agad ako even if my mind was telling me otherwise.

Nasa grab na kami nang marealize kong kalaban pala namin sila Kent sa 'cooking for a cause'

Lauri Selene "fcking dimwit" Salvador. bagay yata.

I tapped my forehead then covered my face with both of my hands. Umiling-iling pa ako

"Hey, all... good?" I can sense the frustration coming from his voice. "let me s-- what the hell's going on... hey" He's trying to take a look at my face.

"sht... sht. I should've known."

"i should've known it from the very start. bakit pa kasi kailangang competition 'yun.." I whispered, massaging my head. I didn't reply to Kent.

"Huh?" Nilingon ko siya, at halatang gulong g**o na sa pinagsasabi ko. Puno ng pagdududa sa kanya ang mukha ko at alam kong nahahalata niya iyon. i tried to compose the hell in me. right. baka hindi yun 'yung reason kung bakit siya nando'n. i mean, judging by is basket earlier? he didn't seem like he's going to shop for the competition.

"did you..." I released a deep breath. I had to. "Was it your intention to go there and shop for your ingredients?" I can't help but ask!

He smirked playfully, which made me go crazy! my eyes widened like it never has before!

"so yun nga! Oh, my God! i love my life," nasapo ko ang ulo ko.

"I-i'll be dead meat" i anxiously stated, nakatulala habang iniisip ang magiging resulta. I pouted before giving him a death glare. The kind of glare that he would rather teleport to hell than to fight back to me.

May tagabuhat nga ako ng grocery, ganito naman pala 'yung catch! Sana inorient naman ako para hard pass na lang!

I was more embarrassed when he glanced at me and laughed a little, 'yung para bang nangaasar pa talaga!

"Tsh, makuha ka nga sa tingin! Nakakainis ka" anas ko

"Alam mo ang cute mo, you look like a fish" he chuckled. lalo akong nainis! Damn you!

"Excuse me?!" Asik ko. "I'm not cute! I'm maganda, super ganda!" Tumatawa tawa pa siya nang hindi nakatingin sa 'kin! Tsh! Siguro sa girlfriend mo tumatalab 'yang mga kalokohan mo.

gladly, she isn't me. Jerkass!

i scoffed when he pouted, imitating what i was doing! hindi cute! ang sarap itulak habang umaandar 'yung car.

"Sana sumakit talaga 'yung nabangga ko na foot mo, foot-angina ka." i mouthed while looking outside through the window.

"Ang sweet niyo naman po mamsir, bago pa lang po kayo, 'no?" It's manong driver ng grab! my eyes widened. parang gusto ko na lang masuka!

"Manong, we're not together, kadiri!" I exaggerated.

"Ang ibig sabihin niyo po ba ay hindi pa?"

Gosh! I saw how Kent smirked while looking at me, straight to my eyes. Umirap na lang ako kahit sa upuan ni manong ako nakatingin.

"No, manong. Hindi kami. Walang kami. Period."

"Ay gano'n po ba? Nako, ma'am. Sa mga nakikita at naririnig ko sainyo ni sir, para kayong magsyota," he said while he was looking at me through the rear view mirror. What the? Seriously? Kahit sa stranger wala akong ligtas?

When we arrived at our building, He helped me sa pag lift ng grocery bags paakyat sa unit. I tried my very best na wag siyang kausapin. Bakit ba siya sumama sa 'kin? Wala naman sa usapan 'yun, ah? i mean, wala ngang usapan na sasama siya sa 'kin.

Kung ang pagbubuhat nitong mga pinamili ko ang inaalala niya, he doesn't need to. Meron akong mga tao dito sa building na pwedeng hingan ng favor para ro'n.

Pero huli na at di ko na nasabi ang mga 'yon sa kaniya dahil dumiretso na siya sa elevator.

When I opened the main door naalala kong nando'n pala si Asteria, kaya I was quicker than my reflexes to react. I immediately close the door before she sees us.

"Why?" Bigat na bigat na siya sa mga bitbit niya.

"My ate... she's inside!" His eyes widened as he seems hesitant kung iiwan niya na ba 'yung mga bag dito o tutulungan niya pa 'ko

But then, I was late!

Fck timing. There never was a perfect one.

Binuksan ni Asterianah ang pinto. Her lips parted when she saw us. I turned my gaze to Kent, and I saw him pursing his lips habang magkakasunod pang lumunok. it was subtle but i can still see how his adam's apple moved every gulp he takes.

"Sino siya?" She said with a heat resistant spatula on her left hand, 'yun pa ang pinanturo niya kay Kent.