Kabanata 10
1078 Words
His tempered statement stunned me. However, after a moment of being in a daze, I blinked and fake a cough. "Ano ba, Lucian? I'm not kidding!"
I breathed a sigh of relief when he boisterously laugh. Right, Lea. Lucian always jokes around, hence, grasp yourself tightly.
"I don't have any problem with you, okay? Calm your nerves right now, Lea."
"Whatever. I know you're lying." Humalukipkip ako. Then, I averted my eyes from his hawk gaze and chose to focus my attention outside instead.
"How can you say so?"
Nasa labas pa rin ng bintana ang aking atens'yon. However, I answered him without giving a reserve stare.
"Your mouth can tell lies, but your eyes don't."
Silence gored the line between us. We were completely engulfed by the absence of the sound for about a minute or more so.
"Got your tongue stuck out there?" my remarks broke the muteness of the atmosphere.
"Hmm? Good choice of words."
"So... you're defeated now?"
This time, he chuckled loudly in a mocking manner.
"No, princess. I've never been defeated. Let's just say that I'm lying... but sometimes you also need to lie in order to wrap the painful truth."
"But what if telling lies will hurt you more than saying the truth? It's just the same thing, Lucian. Lies or truth, it will still inflict suffering in any possible ways it can."
Natahimik siya ng ilang segundo. I drew into a deep breath and told him to stop the car.
"Sweetbox cafe?" he gazed at me, puzzled.
"They have the best coffee in here." simpleng tugon ko.
Whenever I am in need to study or just want to find a place to hang out, what instantly springs to my mind is a coffee shop. There are many different coffee shops around the place, but merely one is my absolute favorite. And this Sweetbox cafe is the coziest little nook I am in favor of.
Sa pangdalawahang upuan kami pum'westo ni Lucian. I eyed him. He's tapping his fingers on the table, fabricating a small sound. I find him cute in his chair doing that.
His ragged type doesn't belong here. You see, Lucian's features aren't like a prince charming in some fairy tales. But instead, he looks like the villain in the story where usually does evil things.
Parang isa siyang bagong species na napunta dito sa mundo. Hindi kasi maamo ang mukha ni Lucian. Mukha siyang laging nanghahamon ng away.
Not that kind of basagulero sa kanto. Siya 'yong tipong mukhang manwhore na palaging nang go-ghost ng babae. Iyong bad boy type na mapanakit.
There's no trace of gentleness within him.
"So, why did you ask me to go out with you?" my eyes were questioning him together with the curiosity of my voice.
Natigilan ako sa mga salitang lumabas sa bibig ko. There's no hidden meaning in it but it squeaked as it has. Ang gulo, Lea, ah?
"I want to know you more, Lea."
Why does it seem like a twofold something? Kagaya ng kinakain kong cake.
I sipped from my drink before clearing my throat. Para yatang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko dahil sa sinabi niya.
God. Why I am so weird right now?
I'm doubting the rational within me 'cause Lucian is the living proof of becoming irrational!
"There's no more to know about me."
"There is... the deepest."
His face was stern, even a little melancholy, in repose, which was transfigured when he smiled. Here was the same long-boned face, tapering to a pointed chin, the same widely spaced eyes with the droop of the left eyelid... the same steady but slightly ironic gaze.
Wala sa oras akong napalunok. Parang may bara sa lalamunan ko at hindi nakakatulong ang pagkagat ni Lucian sa straw ng ice coffee niya.
He looks so sinfully sexy while biting that. I wish I was the straw to be bitten on.
Oh my God! Did I dream up about my cousin?!
Forgive me Lord for I have sinned.
Ugh! Lucian is... he is, sheym! He is a walking temptation!
If my mother will find out my thoughts, she'll preach me to the extent!
Forgive me mother for lusting my cousin. It won't happen again! Oh God, sorry!
Hindi ko nakayanan ang mabibigat na mga titig niya kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin. Bahagya pa akong napasinghap dahil sa kakaibang emosyon na lumukob sa dibdib ko. I need to calm my raging system. Looks like Lucian did some invisible magic tricks on me.
The thing that happened about a minute ago feels like he's hypnotizing me. Mapapatulala ka at mabla-blangko ang utak kapag natitigan ka ni Lucian.
It feels weird but I'm liking it.
Nababaliw na yata ako. I shouldn't be feeling this! Lucian is my cousin for Pete's sake!
Hindi pwedeng magkacrush ako sa kanya! No. It's impossible!
"Ahmmm..." I can't find any words for a reply to continue our conversation. Masyado yata akong nawindang kay Lucian kanina.
"Are you still attending classes?"
Wala akong mahanap na tamang tanong. Let's just settle this way.
"Would you want me to?" if Lucian isn't my cousin, I would assume that he's flirting with me.
I already experienced such moves like that. I don't really like being fooled by those words. I don't fall easily by that even though I'm a considerate one to deem someone else's feelings.
"I want a nice and smooth talk, Lucian. I'm not assuming things because it's so wrong to view those but, will you stop talking to me that way?"
His forehead crest. "Why?"
"It's kinda flirty."
"Wow. How can you tell it's flirty? It's just my normal way of talking. Kasalanan ko bang nakakaakit akong kausap, Lea?"
That made my brow arch. "Ang conceited mo!"
"I'm stating the fact, Lea."
This entire conversation will lead to nowhere. His sarcastic and conceited phrases were slowly wearing down my patience!
"Just please answer my questions appropriately."
He's dealing with me through a hard way and he absolutely thinks that it's funny! Well, it wasn't!
"Is my way of talking bothers you a lot?" he playfully replied.
I had enough. It's better for me to stop seeking answers 'cause there's no way that Lucian will give the precise replies that I want.
"Lucian, let's drop that topic, shall we?"
"Alright. You might fire me with your excessive redness."
Nakakainis talaga siya kahit kailan! He dares to tease and insult me at the same time.
"You're so annoying!" I draped my palm in my flushed cheeks.
Isang mapanglarong ngisi ang iginanti niya sa 'kin na siyang ikina-irap ko nang todo.
- Writer
