A Lifetime with You

CHAPTER V and VI

CHAPTER 5 & 6

5

Angel’s POV

Sa loob ng ilang linggo kong pananatili dito sa boarding house, I have come to realize and to learn many things about the people around me. My kuyas here are very dedicated and well-mannered. They abide by what they asked me to do before. Ni minsan hindi sila nagdala ng kung sino dito sa bahay.

Nagin maayos ang mga klase naming ni John Vic so far. Madalas kami ang magkasama and meron din namang mga times na meron kaming ibang kasama, like right now. I am with an old childhood friend of mine, Donny. Alam nya kung ano ako. Bakit kamo?

Sabay kaming lumaki at dahil parehas kaming may lahing mistikal. He’s gifted with the ability to make objects move with this mind or telepathy. He’s part clairvoyant that’s the reason why the two of us  were kept hidden and protected at all costs.

His clairvoyance shows only pieces of the future. Incoherent images that needs the interpretation of a powerful Divination master.

“Oh! mabuti naman at nagkita tayo. Kamusta kana?”

He’s straight by the way. Nga pala, mga bata palang kami madalas na syang nasasabihan na kahawig nya si Donny Pangilinan but with more muscle. He’s tall, dark, handsome, a hunk, and a very kind person and he’s my bestfriend.

“Ayos lang naman ako. Ikaw ba?” I asked as I took sat on the seat next to him.

“Heto, ayos lang din naman. Shuta! Ang hirap pala mag-STEAM-Med. Bakit kasi ginusto ko pang maging doctor eh? Nagsisisi ako, Moo.”

Moo? Oh!

That’s his endearment for me. ‘Moo’ stands for ‘My One One’. Ako lang daw kasi ang bading na love na love nya. Not in the romantic way ha? He’s like my brother na nga eh. Though there are times that people would misinterpret our closeness for something else…

He’s very clingy especially when it’s our bonding date. No one else but us nga daw eh.

“Hanggang ngayon, Donny? ‘Moo’ pa rin ang tawag mo sa akin? Baka mamaya ma-bully ka sa ginagawa mo.” I reprimanded him.

He chose not to reply but rather wrapped his arms around me and swung me around. Napasigaw ako nang mahina dahil dito, but he just laughed at me. Hindi pa sya na-satisfy at isiniksik nya pa ang mukha nya sa leeg ko.

A gesture that he kept on doing ever since we were kids.

“Donny, ano ba?” saway ko dito.

“Hala! ‘Donny’… hindi na ‘Babes’?” sabi nito na medyo patampo.

“Susmeh! Ang tatanda na natin. Mag-move on na tayo d’yan!”

“Well, no matter what happens. You’re still are my little Moo.”

Alam n’yo bang muntik na akong sabunutan ng mga ex nya kasi super sweet nya sa akin? Natawag na akong malandi, p****k, kangkarot, mangaaagaw atbp. Pero ang hindi ko inaasahan ay ang walang sawa n’yang pagtatanggol sa akin.

He stopped spinning me around when we heard someone cough.

“Oh! John Vic! Nand’yan ka pala? Kanina ka pa ba r’yan?”

Walang emosyon ang makikita sa kanyang mga mata o sa expression ng kanyang mukha. He just stared at Donny with a seemingly unamused expression and to my surprise, Donny stared right back.

John Vic’s eyes slowly moved downwards and saw Donny’s right arm that was still wrapped around me. Muli nitong binalik ang kanyang mga titig. I swear, I could feel the air thickening with the tension these two placed in the cafeteria.

“Sino ka naman?” Donny bitterly asked.

“John Vic Ortis de Guzman. Pleased to meet you.” He said with a forced smile as he extended his hand.

Donny isn’t really the type of guy na jerk.  Pero, for the first time since time immemorial, naging impolite sya. He didn’t shake John Vic’s hand. He just smirked as if trying to irk him. Tinignan n’ya lamang ito na para bang may kung anong meron dito.

“Nice to meet you, too.” He said as he whispered… “I’ll be gone for a while. Ingat ka. Lalo na sa pangit na ‘yan.”

He ruffled my hair and glanced at John Vic one last time before exiting the school. Sinundan ko sya ng tingin hanggang sa muli itong humarap sa akin. He smiled and winked at me before going out. A gesture that has been familiar to me since we were younger.

“Sino ‘yon? Ang angas naman n’on.” He said with obvious annoyance in his voice.

“Ahh. S’ya si Donny. Bestfriend ko.” I told him as we walked towards a vacant table.

“Ahhh. Bestfriend pala.”

As we ate our snacks, he kept on mumbling words incoherently. As I asked him repeatedly kung ano ang mga sinasabi n’ya pero wala itong sinabi o ginawa liban sa pagiling at patuloy na pagnguya.

“So, super close nyo pala ‘no?” he asked while munching on his burger.

Oh! I almost forgot to mention. Kapag naguusap kami ni John Vic, parati itong sa mga mata ko nakatingin. Ngayon lang hindi.

“Yes, we go way back! Mga bata palang kami, s’ya ako na ang magkasama.”

I was tempted to tell him kung bakit kami magkasama since then. Well, hindi ko lang sya basta-basta bestfriend. S’ya din ang nakatalagang protector ko. Meaning, he was designated since birth. BTW, we share the same birthdate. Bago mawala sila Mama, sabay kami sa lahat ng bagay. AS IN.

Mula grade 1 until grade 8, sabay kami maligo. Kahit anong klaseng sabay pa yan, ginagawa namin. Well, except for the … you know… s****l… stuff.

Wala daw ang mga teachers namin this morning kasi meron daw biglaang Faculty Meeting pero hindi pa daw kami pwedeng umuwi. As we were busy eating our snacks, I can’t help but feel the annoyance that John Vic was radiating.

“Bakit kanina ka pa nakasimangot dyan?”

“Wala.”

Halos matikman ko na ang asim ng kanyang mga pananalita. You know… to be honest, he looks good even he doesn’t smile at all. Bibihira ang lalaking ganun. Medyo nakaka-offend naman po talaga.

“Kwentuhan mo naman ako tungkol d’yan sa bestfriend mo.”

And obviously, merong kaasiman ang tinuran n’yang iyon. Anong meron at ayaw nya kay Orzon? Eh ang bait naman n’on. To ignite his annoyance more. Nagkaroon ako bigla ng napaka-pilyong ideya.

“Anong gusto mong malaman tungkol kay Hubby?”

Pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon. Dagliang tumingin ang ito sa akin. His eyebrows furrowed and you can see the annoyance in his eyes.

“Anong tawag mo sa kanya?”

Yep. Annoyance laced his voice not only his eyes.

“Hubby.”

“Anong ‘hubby’? as in ‘hobby’?”

“Hindi. ‘Hubby’ as in ‘husband’.”

I managed not to laugh at his reaction. Paano ba naman? His eyes are like saucers, lips pouted, nostrils flared, eyebrows furrowed. Try to imagine a guy who possesses the same characteristics that he has and then picture him with the abovementioned description I just stated.

He kept on asking things about his educational attainment, hobbies, our experiences together and the likes. Everytime na medyo sweet or touchy-feely ang tinutukoy, halos lumabas ang usok sa ilong nito.

After the break, we went na to our classes and enjoyed our lectures. Nagpaalam ako  kay John Vic na lalabas muna at may importante akong lalakarin. He offered to accompany me pero sabi ko hindi pwede, personal na lakad. Nagmaktol ang loko at sabi nya, hihintayin nya daw ako sa plaza.

The truth is, pupuntahan ko ang isa sa mga candidates for the Prime Supremacy. None other than my hubby, Donny.

When I told you that he was a powerful telepath, I wasn’t untruthful. Ibang lebel din ang pagiging clairvoyant nya. Hindi man nya nakikita ang hinaharap ng malinaw na malinaw, kaya n’yang makita ang multiple possibilities. He’s able to dwell upon the thousands and thoundsands of instances for one moment to occur.

Para mas maintidihan n’yo ang ibig kong sabihin, please watch the video of Dr. Steven Strange using the Time Stone. He was looking at the infinite possibilities of a single event.

“Hindi mo sinabi sa akin na kandidato ka, Donny.” I said as he was drinking his favorite beverage.

Chuckie.

“I didn’t see the reason why I should tell you. Ayoko kasi kasing mapahamak ka.”

“Paano akong mapapahamak, Donny? Eh hindi naman ako ---’’

“Isa ka rin sa mga opisyal na kandidato.”

Natahimik ako dahil d’on. Lahat na ng kalokohan ay kayang gawin ni Donny. But, he was never a liar. It’s like a built in system. He gets lashes daw kasi everytime he does.

“That can’t be. I don’t even exhibit signs of being a Prime.”

“Purification and The Sight. Two of the most powerful and difficult Flairs one could master. Ikaw lang sa mga kandidato ang merong abilidad na kontrolin ito.”

“Ipinasa sa akin ito. Hindi ako dalubhasa sa paggamit ng kapangyarihang meron ako. Hindi ako p’wede maging kandidato.”

“Ipinasa man sayo o hindi, alam natin parehas na ikaw ang mas lamang sa akin pagdating sa mahika. You even surpassed your parents’ abilities. You happen to master four out of eleven Flairs!”

“All of which were transferred to me! I wasn’t able to master those by my own. Inate talent ang pinaguusapan pag dating sa mga Flairs!”

“Says who?”

“The rules!”

“Of whom?”

I just pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. No one can win an argument against Donny. I know him. once he is convinced that he is morally correct, he’ll fight to the death. It is something I admire about him and at the same time it also something I greatly get annoyed with.

To tell you frankly, Donny is the commonly depicted bestfriend in novels. Tall, dark, handsome, sporty, masiba (eats a lot), overprotective and your all-around boyfriend.

Bakit kamo boyfriend?

He acts like it whenever we’re together in a public place. As in! one time, kumakain kami sa plaza tapos merong lalaking nakipagusap sa akin… obvious flirt though. Nang makita n’ya ito’y agad n’yang tinakot. He uses his powers deliberately. He inforces his will on anyone. Anyone but me of course. I wear a protective bracelet made by my Nanay to repell any psychic attacks. Suot ko pa rin hanggang ngayon kasi it’s the only piece I have left with me.

Mabalik tayo sa boyfriend moments ni Donny, he inforces his will by making anyone do humiliating things. Meron namang sumubok man-bully sa akin. Binigyan nya ito ng isang buwang headache.

When you’re a telepath, you can control all nervous functions. You can unhinge one’s very being even up to the extent of driving them into insanity.

“Look, unless sabihan ako na kandidato ako. Tsaka lang ako maniniwala at magsasanay.”

Our favorite thing to do to pass time is to watch movies. Now, nasa mood sya para kumain, so we decided to pig out.

“Sino ‘yong pangit na dikit ng dikit sa’yo?” sabi nito habang nginangatngat ang manggang-hilaw.

Sabi sa inyo, kahit gaano kagwapo merong side pa rin na salaula.

“Si John Vic?”

“Ahhh. Pangit naman ng pangalan n’ya. So common.”

Mapamula din sya. Pintasero.

“Mabait naman s’ya.”

“Nga pala, saan ka lumipat ng boarding house? Pinuntahan kita sa Caminawit pero wala ka na daw dun sabi ng Landlady.”

At ito ang isa sa mga prominent nyang ugali. Usisero. Lahat ng ginagawa ko dapat nakareport sa kanya kasi kung hindi, magagalit ito sa akin. ‘Wag nga daw ako magbo-boyfriend lalo na kung hindi kasing gwapo n’ya. Hambog!

“Eh kasi nakahanap ako ng boarding house na malapit sa school eh. Mas mura kasi may kahati ako sa pagbayad.”

“Eh p’wede ka namang tumira sa akin ah? Laking-laki ng bahay ko.”

“Bayad ng apat na buwan eh. Nakahihiya naman sa kasama ko.”

Well, that’s true. Apat na buwan ang binayaran ni John Vic ng hindi ko nalalaman. Oh diba? Alangan umalis ako?

“Sino ga ang kasama mo?”

Sasabihin ko ba? Kasi useless rin kung magsinungaling ako eh. Ewan ko kung bakit ganun? He can always tell whenever I am lying.  Kahit anong pilit kong magsinungaling sa kanya, nalalaman nya ang totoo, one way or another.

“Si John Vic.”

Biglang nagsalubong ang kilay nito, at nagsimula na ang isang mahabang sermon.

As much as I am irriated with this attitude of his, aaminin ko. Ito ang pinakagusto ko sa kanya.

CHAPTER VI

Angel’s POV

Last time, Donny kept on insinuating that I was a candidate. Hindi kasi basta-basta iyon. You should be recognized both in talent. I decided to spend the night with my bestfriend. Nagpaalam ako kay Lola Arida na sa kaibigan ko muna ako tutuloy.

Just like any typical Lola, sermon muna bago pumayag.

By the way, like in the Harry Potter films, gumagamit din ang Mystical Practitioner Community ng mga messenger birds. The difference is sa color. It primary tells the receive its importance. Kapag white dove, political importance; kapag navy blue,  ipinatatawag ka sa High Council of the Sages at kapag black, immenent death.

While Donny and I were having dinner, a white dove came into the room through the window. With the intricate design it has on its feathers, it came from the Novice Foreseer herself.

As I open the letter, nilalaman noon ang opisyal na panukalang ako’y itinatalaga bilang isang kandidato sa pagiging Prime. Something I never wished to happen to me. I do not want that kind of burden. You have to go around the world kasi and keep all of the necessary covens in check.

As a border of the Spirit Dimension and of the Human Realms, you are the sole practitioner to be relied upon when the going gets tough.

As I was reading the contents, a powerful presence was near by. Napatingin ako kay Donny at kita kong nagsimula na itong mag-chant ng incantation for a  spirit barrier. Akin itong pinagtibay sa pamamagitan nang pagchant ng incantation para sa isang aura shield.

“He’s looking for you, Angel.”

After placing the protective enchantments around the house, we settled in his room. If two of these barriers are placed in a particular area, then it could withstand the attacks of a Sage. Not so much if the attacks were to be administered by the Prime.

“Sino?”

“I am not completely sure as to who might that person be. Alam kong lalaki dahil sa wave patterns ng utak n’ya. But, I know this guy is looking for you. His intentions are unclear as of the moment.”

With seriousness laced in his voice, hindi ko pwedeng ipagsawalang-bahala ito. I invoked the Sight so could see what may happen. If the power of the Sight is combined with that of a psychic, both could look so far into the future as they possibly can. Maaari nilang malaman kung sino ang mga susunod na Prime. But, at a terrible price. What price? The doer’s sanity. Tanging ang Janus at Foreseer lamang ang pwedeng gumawa nito.

Tama s’ya. Very sturdy at unspecific ng intentions nang kung sinoman itong gusto akong hanapin. I can’t tap into his mind.

“Malalaman din naman natin ‘yan.”

He said as he tried to pacify me.

Habang nakahiga kami ni Donny sa iisang bed, ipinatong nito ang aking ulo sa kanyang braso at  inilagay ang aking braso sa kanyang bewang. Ever since kasi ganito na ang pwesto namin kapag natutulog. Kaya kapag nadadatnan kami ng mga magulang nya na ganito, wala na lamang sa kanila. Well, it’s different because sanay-sanay na ang mga tao sa aming dal’wa.

“Kilala mo ba kung sino ang ibang kandidato?”

“Hindi pa eh. I personally do not want to know who they are. Baka mamaya mga epal pa sila.”

Sa aming dal’wa ni Donny, sya ang mas bugnutin. Mabilis syang mairita kung kaya’t madalas, ako lang ang gusto nyang kasama. Buti nalang at nagbago-bago na sya kahit papaano. He can be civil pero kung wala ako, hindi sya makikipagusap kahit kanino.

Nakaramdam na ako nang antok makalipas ang ilang saglit pero di ko magawang matulog dahil ramdam ko ang pagkaaligaga ni Donny. I can still sense the presence that wants to be with me. To put him at ease, I hugged him to soothe him. I used my purification powers (one of the abilities I got from my Nanay) to make him feel safe. The Purification Flair and the Vitalization Flair  (Vitalis Sacrificium) are two of the most powerful abilities in the world. My mama mastered Purification at an outstanding height she redefined healing.

“Wag mo akong paantukin, Angel. Babantayan pa kita.”

He said almost  at the verge of falling asleep. Not to brag pero if I use my powers of purification on someone, makatutulog ito. Purification and healing are the same. When I purify, automatic lahat ng karamdaman ay mawawala. Lalo na ang stressful emotions.

“Dal’wang barrier ang nakapalibot sa bahay. I have placed an aura shield to prevent any witch, wizard, or dark entity from entering our home.”

 Nang makatulog na ito ay marahan akong tumayo at lumabas ng silid upang hanapin at harapin ang kung sinoman ang nagnanais makapasok sa bahay namin. I am sure that he’ll hate me for this.

I sense the aura shield and spirit barrier were still erected and emiting its protection. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito ang mangyayari. The moment I stepped out of the room, ramdam kong meron nilalang na gusto talagang makapasok dito sa bahay. Our eyes glow whenever we use magic and it would depend on the level of magic one will be using. There are three main colors: blue, red, and orange. When a practitioner’s eyes glow with blue, then they are wizards, if red, then they’re witches, and if orange, then they’re sorcerers.

Black if you have attained dark magic through violent means. Pero according to legend, if a Prime reaches the highest level, their eyes would glow white. It is said that if the Prime reaches this level of magic, he/she might be able to attain the power of an Archangel or even Hecate herself.

To be sure, dinagdagan ko ng proteksyon ang bahay.

Nang nakasiguro ako na walang papasok sa bahay at wala na yung presensya, pumasok na ako sa kwarto ni Donny. Pagkasara ko ng pinto, bumungad sa akin ang mukha nitong nakasimangot. I chuckled nervously as I walked towards his bed and I swallowed an imaginary lump as his stares followed my every move.

“Oh. Bakit nakasimangot ka?”

He didn’t reply. Bagkos tinitigan lamang ako nito. He’s scarier when his not talking at all, especially when he’s just staring with a stoic expression.

“Halika na matulog na tayo. Maaga pa tayo bukas.”

I tugged on his arm at humiga na rin ito. Pero hindi nya pa rin ako kinikibo.

“Paano kung napahamak ka?”

Here we go again.

Do anyone of you have a friend like him? ‘yong overprotective bestfriend? S’yang – s’ya ‘yon eh.

“Ito nanaman tayo eh.”

“It’s my sworn duty to protect you at all costs.”

“ Eh ‘yon naman ang ginagawa mo ever since. Hindi ako binayayaan ng ganitong kapangyarihan para lang sa wala. I have been given these powers to help others. Kung hindi ko ‘to gagamitin, bakit pa ako magsasanay?”

Hindi na ito umimik. He just closed his eyes and sighed. To console him, I just hugged him until we both feel as sleep. Minutes passed, he continued to mumble incoherent words but still held me tight.

The following morning, sabay kaming pumasok sa papuntang school. May motor itong lokong ‘to kaya madali lang para sa kanya na pumunta kahit saan. Nang makarating kami ng ligtas sa  school, sinabihan ako nito na pumunta na sa room at baka daw mahuli ako sa klase (kahit halos forty minutes pa bago magsimula ang aking klase). Before entering the building, nakita ko si John Vic sa may ilalim ng puno malapit sa room.

“Oy! John Vic”

Tawag ko dito. Pero something was off. Usually, kapag nakikita ako nito ay hindi nya ako iniisnab or binabati nya ako agad ng malaking ngiti. Pero ngayon, tinapunan nya lamang ako ng ngiti at bumalik sa kanyang binabasa.

“Oh. Nandyan ka pala?”

Maasim nitong sagot sa akin. Hmmm.

“Oo. Nagbreakfast ka na ba?”

“Oo, kanina sa dorm. MAG-ISA.”

He gave emphasis on the word ‘mag-isa’. Mukhang nagtatampo itong malaking mama na ito.

“Huh? Paano ka naman naging magisa? Eh nar’on ang mga Kuya at si Lola.”

“Oo nga. Eh hindi rin naman ako nakakain ng maayos kasi ang roommate ko, kagabi pa ako text nang text, chat ako nang chat. Hindi man lang nag-reply.”

Huh? After hearing this from him, I immediately rummaged through my bag and looked for my phone. Kapag kasi magkasama kami ni Donny, bawal kami magphone. As in time lang naming dal’wa ‘yon. Nang mabuksan ko ang phone ko, kitang kita ko ang sixteen missed calls, seventy-eight text messages and unread chats all coming from him.

Ngek.

Naku! Pa’no na ‘to?

“Ayy. Sorry ha? Gawain na kasi namin ni Donny ‘yon eh. When we spend time together, we don’t use our phones.”

Panunuyo ko dito. Pero hindi nya pa rin ako tinitignan. Nagtatampo nga talaga.

“Nagtatampo ka ba sa akin?”

“Aba! Napansin mo din.”

Bigla nitong sabi na pinandilatan ako ng mata. I just smiled and chuckled. He kept on sulking and mumbling. Who knew that a guy as straight as him would act like this?

Magkasama kaming dalawa buong araw pero di nya ako masyadong kinakausap, parehas kaming naka-focus ang atensyon sa mga klase namin. I tried to converse with him pero parang nagtatampo pa talaga s’ya. Kinakausap pa rin naman n’ya ako pero sobrang ikli nya lang sumagot.

Nag-text message sa akin si Donny saying na hindi kami magkikita sa loob ng isang linggo dahil meron daw STEAM-Med Summit sa Mamburao (the Capital of Occidental Mindoro). Labag man daw sa loob n’ya, si John Vic nalang daw muna ang samahan ko.

Until we got home from school, John Vic wasn’t paying me any attention. S’ya kasi ang unang tao na nag-approach para maging kaibigan ko. So, malamang sa malamang, iingatan ko.

Nang makapasok kami sa kwarto ay hindi ko inasahan ang pagbabago sa kwarto namin. Our beds are somehow nailed onto each other. Well, hindi naman kasi kakasya si John Vic sa kama, pero sana sinabihan nya si Lola.  Baka kasi magalitan s’ya.

“Uhm. Bakit magkadikit ‘tong mga kama natin?”

Instead of answering, hinubad lamang nito ang kanyang uniform at biglang humarap sa akin. Alam nyo ‘yong pakiramdam na para bang hindi ka naman papasok sa langit, pero alam mong may minus points ka na?

I scanned his sinfully alluring body from head to his pecs. I’ll be the Queen of Hypocrites if I say that I don’t find him hot.

Nagising ako sa aking trance nang narinig ko ang marahang pagtawa ni John Vic.

“Sarap ko ba?”

Lahat ng dugo ko sa katawan, pakiwari ko’y umakyat lahat sa mukha ko.  Walanjo itong taong to. Umikot na lamang ako at mas piniling hindi na magreact. Habang nakahiga ay sinubukan ko itong kausapin. Napakalaking mama naman kailangan pang suyuin!

“Nagtatampo ka ba sa akin? Sorry na.”

“Sorry nang sorry. Nagalala kaya ako.”

Sabi nito sa isang patampong paraan.

“Sa susunod naman kasi ay magtext ka bago mo i-off ‘yang phone mo. Nakakapraning kaya.”

Sabi nito habang nakatakip ang braso sa kanyang mga mata. He must really be a child inside a man’s body. Habang nakahiga s’ya narinig ko ang mahina nitong mga hilik. Is he really asleep? Because if he is, magkakaroon ako ng lakas ng loob na tignan s’ya. Well, hinding-hindi ko itatanggi na nagwagwapuhan ako sa kanya.

I mean, he’s sinfully handsome and undeniably attractive. As I immersed myself in his presence, nakaramdam nanaman ako ng kakaiba. Para bang nasa isa akong trance, I felt that I an arm wrap around me na nag-cause upang masampa ako sa harap n’ya.

“Oy! Loko ka! Bitaw!”

Sa halip na sumunod ay lalo pa nitong hinigpitan ang kapit sa akin.  Though my efforts seem to be futile, I tried an alternative. My powers went well against Sir Dan and Donny. I used my Purification spell on him. My kind will call it the ‘Aroma of Unyielding Desire’. It is the spell used to inforce your will unto others by ‘making them feel good and safe’.

“Ang bango mo naman.”

He said as he tightened his grip onto me. Wrong move. Isiniksik nya ang kanyang ulo sa akin. Pilit ko mang alisin ang kamay n’ya ay mas hinihigpitan pa n’ya ito. So, I gave up struggling. Why is it so soothing to be in his arms? I feel so secure. Habang nakahawak sya sa akin, para bang wala akong takot na pwedeng maramdaman.

Ano ba tong nararamdaman ko?

Nagkakagusto na ba ako sa kanya?

As I snuggled myself in his embrace, I lulled myself to sleep.

After walking up, I found myself as a ‘little spoon’ engulfed by John Vic. Tinignan ko ang orasan at halos eigth-thirty na pala ng gabi. I slowly removed his arm that was snaked around my waist. Truly, as aliens go: resistance is futile.

As we stayed in bed, holding each other (well, s’ya lang naman ang nakalingkis sa akin), I basked in the ambiance of safety. Habang yakap-yakap n’ya ako, para bang walang p’wedeng manakit sa akin. This is oddly similar to the feeling I received from Donny.

Hinarap ko ang sarili ko sa kanya.

He’s perfectly chiseled face, thick eyebrows, pouty, lushous lips with a glimmering red hue, and his tan complexion. Tanga lang siguro ang hindi magkakagusto dito.

Siguro… isa na ako sa mga hindi tanga.

Nagkakagusto na nga ako sa kanya.

He began to stir and slowly opened his tantalizing eyes.

“Good morning.”

He said with the infamous sleepy voice.

“Anong ‘good morning’ ka d’yan? A las nueve y media na ng gabi ‘no!”

Sabi ko dito. He reached to the desk, where his phone was placed, then proceeded to tap the screen. His eyes squinted at that sudden exposure to light, to which I did the same,  then placed the phone back atop the cupboard.

“Hindi pa ba tayo kakain? Baka galitan na tayo nina Kuya at Lola eh.”

Suhestyon ko dito.

“Ayos lang. Wala naman silang lahat dito.”

“H-ha?”

“Oo. Wala silang lahat. so, ibig-sabihin, solong-solo kita.”

He said with a scary yet… sexy smirk.

Shuta…