LEO THOUGHT that Rayos would stop after he pushed her that night, stopping her from kissing— making out with him. Oh, how wrong he was. He loved to kiss her forehead and neck after, pero dahil sa mga ginagawa nito sa kanya sa mga nakaraang araw, ni ilapat ang mga labi niya sa noo nito ay iniiwasan na niya.

She always teased him. Just like now, kung maaari lang ay sabihan na niya ang kapatid nito na ikulong na lang si Rayos sa kwarto ng mga ito, gagawin niya.

Nasa dulo siya nang sofa at tahimik na nanonood, not until Rayos rested her head on his lap. Ayos lang sana kung ang mukha nito ay nakaharap sa TV, but no! Her face was facing his lower abdomen! It's making him feel uncomfortable.

Mariin niyang kinagat ang pang-ibaba niyang labi.

"Baby, nanonood ka pa ba?" He asked. Umiling lang ito sa kanya at pinalupot ang mga braso sa baywang niya, isinubsob ang mukha sa tiyan niya.

Nahilamos ni Leo ang mukha. It was a good thing that he's far more different from the other guys, who's the same age as him.

"If you want to sleep, Rayos, pumasok ka na sa kwarto mo." Nagtitimpi na sabi niya.

Imbes na makinig ito sa kanya, mas lalo lang na humigpit ang pagkakayapos nito. Marahas siyang suminghap. Leo gritted his teeth and looked down at Rayos. He can see the ghost smile on her lips. This girl…

Wala siyang choice kung hindi ang hayaan ito sa gusto. Leo reminded himself again and again that he'll be good as dead once he touch Rayos. Ano ngayon kung gusto siya ng kapatid nito? That guy will still kill him. Not to mention her father.

The only thing that kept Rayos brother's sane was the fact that she's sleeping in a different room.

He softly patted her arm, habang nililibang niya ang sarili sa panonood. Hanggang sa namalayan niya na nakatulog na ito. Leo chuckled to himself when he heard her snoring softly. Unti-unti rin na lumuwag ang yapos nito sa kanya.

He slowly moved. Ingat na ingat siyang tumayo para hindi ito magising. Leo scooped her and carried her towards her room, hindi na nag-abala si Rayos na lagyan ng kung ano-ano ang kwarto nito sa apartment niya. Aside from the bookshelf she bought, wala na.

Leo slowly put her down and covered her body with her duvet before leaning and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Please, stop teasing me… my patience is running thin, baby," namamaos na bulong niya.

Pinatay niya muna ang ilaw sa kwarto nito bago lumabas at bumalik sa sala. He turned off the television first before checking the whole apartment, locking the door and windows.

***

NAKASIMANGOT si Leo nang pumasok siya sa School. It was his birthday and he couldn't skip, major subject kasi 'yon at may exam pa sila.

Ni hindi niya ma-appreciate ang mga greetings galing sa mga blockmates niya. Except from his girl, of course.

Nagising siya kanina na nasa loob ito ng kwarto niya, waiting for him to wake up. She also had some class, kaya suot na nito ang uniform. Rayos was the first one to greet him 'Happy birthday', what made his morning was Rayos soft kisses and her 'I love you's'.

"Zodiac, kanina kapa uwing-uwi ah?" One of his blockmates asked.

He just smiled a little. Leo was now learning to communicate with his blockmates, sa mga lalaki lang, yung may pakinabang at hindi pabigat sa kanya. As much as possible, if he could, and if it wasn't necessary, hindi siya nakikipag usap sa babae.

"Happy 21st birthday, Zodiac! Wala bang pa-party?" Tumatawa na tanong nito.

Umiling siya. "I don't like parties."

"Kami na ang mag pa-party para sayo." Tinapik nito ang balikat niya. "Mag se-send na lang ako ng pictures!"

Leo shrugged his shoulders. "Ingat kayo."

Pagkatapos niyang ayusin ang mga gamit niya, nagmamadali siyang umuwi. He's planning to have dinner with Rayos. His father wasn't home and for some reason, ganoon din ang Mama nila. Even his sister, Pisces. Although, they didn't forget to greet him via message and Pisces told him to pick up his own cake at their Café.

Nag grocery na siya bago pa ang birthday niya. Of course, the cupboard was full. All he needs to do is to cook. He trusts his skill and YouTube to make a delicious or maybe a decent meal for him and Rayos. He's planning to cook something different today.

May mga nakasalubong siya na kaklase niya noong Senior high at binati rin siya. Even his seatmate before greeted them. Magkatabi lang naman kasi ang building nila kaya palagi niya itong nakikita.

"Thanks!" Leo smiled warmly.

"I haven't seen Rayos… kayo na ba?" Nanunukso na tanong nito sa kanya.

Leo couldn't help but to smirk smugly. "Tagal na."

Mahina itong tumawa sa naging sagot niya. "Congrats, happy birthday ulit!"

Leo just nodded his head and walked fast, heading to his apartment. Ni hindi niya na pinansin yung iba na bumabati sa kanya, what's more important to him was to get home and prepare for their dinner.

He was busy watching tutorials on YouTube, hindi niya pansin ang nasa paligid niya. He was startled when he saw Vraiose waiting for him, in front of the door. May hawak itong cake at nakasindi rin ang kandila, she was smiling brightly at him.

Leo pursed his parted lips. Kinabahan siya bigla sa ngiti nito.

"Happy birthday, mahal ko," malambing na sabi nito.

Leo was not that dense para hindi mapansin na may binabalak ito sa kanya. Ngumiti na lang siya at nilapitan ito para patakan ng halik si Rayos sa noo.

"Blow your candle, Leo. Hurry!"

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa nauupos na kandila. Bahagya siyang yumuko at hinipan 'yon. Rayos looks so happy, ayaw niyang mawala ang ngiti sa mga labi nito kaya pinanatili niya rin ang ngiti sa mga labi.

Leo gulped hard. Her dress was a bit revealing. It was his first time seeing her dress like this. Her cleavage was on full show.

Rayos used to wear dresses… na hindi nakikita ang mga tuhod nito, pati na ang dibdib. She's conservative. A little.

"I already ordered food for us— what the heck are you doing there?" Kunot ang noo na tanong nito sa kanya nang makita siyang naiwan sa tapat ng pinto.

Umiling lang siya. He placed his bag on the sofa and went to the dining table, near the kitchen. Hinila ni Rayos ang upuan at sinenyasan siya na maupo.

Nang makaupo siya, bahagya itong yumuko at mabilis siyang hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Birthday mo ngayon kaya ako muna ang magsisilbi sayo," anito.

Huminga siya nang malalim. To clear his head.

Si Rayos ang nagsandok sa pagkain nito, she even poured water in his glass. His guard was up while they're eating. Leo did his best not to look at her. Kung titingin man, sinisigurado niya na sa mukha lang ni Rayos. Watching her talking was fun, but knowing that she's wearing a revealing dress? Damn him.

"Oh, may gift pala si Jillian sayo." Tumayo ito at may kinuha sa kwarto nito.

Kinutuban si Leo nang makita ang mamahaling wine na hawak ni Rayos.

"Let's try this one?" Nakangiti na tanong nito.

Tapos na silang kumain, of course, it was a good time to drink wine. But it's a no for him. A big no!

"I don't think it's a good idea… Kainin na lang natin 'tong cake? Itago mo muna 'yan." Leo said and pointed the cupboard. Nakikiusap na ang tingin niya kay Rayos.

Rayos sneered at him. "Birthday mo naman ah? Tikim lang, promise!" Itinaas nito ang kanang kamay, nangangako.

Leo massaged the bridge of his nose. Of course, she won't listen to him. Lalo na at planado na nito ang gabi nila. Rayos was that kind of woman, if she planned it, she'll make it happen. By hook or by crooked.

"Damn," he uttered under his breath.

Tumayo siya para ligpitin ang pinagkainan nila. Habang si Rayos naman ay dinala ang cake sa sala, placed it on the coffee table, kasama ang wine at dalawang wine glass. She even open the television and choose a decent romance movie.

"Oh, we're gonna watch?" Leo asked and sat on the floor, grabbed the throw pillow and placed it on his lap.

Nagsalin ng wine si Rayos sa wine glass nila pagkatapos nitong lagyan ng yelo. He was carefully watching her, first sip, she stopped. Mukhang tikim lang talaga ang balak nito.

Nawala ang atensyon niya sa pagbabantay kay Rayos nang mag-umpisa na itong dumaldal.

"— she's always asking about you! Duh? I am your girlfriend, hindi ba siya nahihiya?"

Leo chuckled softly at her. He could tell that she's annoyed and jealous at the same time. Kahit sa totoo lang, wala naman dapat itong ika-selos.

He enjoyed listening to her rants that she didn't notice how she drank her wine pretty fast! Tsaka lang 'yon napansin ni Leo nang makita ang laman ng bote. Halos maubos na 'yon.

Malamlam ang tingin sa kanya ni Rayos. Leo was still in his right mind.

"Can you hug me, please?" Rayos asked.

He hummed and scooted over, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

"Kiss?"

Namamaos siyang tumawa nang ngumuso ito. Yumukod siya at mabilis na hinalikan. It was supposed to be a quick kiss but Rayos grabbed his nape and kissed him aggressively.

Leo seized her hand and pulled out. Not letting her dominate him. He smirked and kissed the tip of her nose.

"No, Rayos. Kissing and hugging… Those were fine with me. We're not doing it. Not until you turn 20."

Lumabi ito sa kanya. "Matagal pa 'yon! Malay ko ba kung maghanap ka ng iba!"

"Shushed it. I won't. It won't happen." He assured her. Dahil maski siya, alam sa sarili na hindi niya kayang gawin ang bagay na 'yon sa iba.

☕