Chapter 5

Date Night

Mikenzo took in a deep breath to compose himself but it wasn't so easy. He thought he could distract himself by focusing on her scent but Nika smells sweet and warm and sensual. It reminded him of the few Christmases his family spent abroad.

Like the one they spent in New York, it was probably a decade ago. But he could still remember how cold he was because of the snow. He recalled sitting in front of the fireplace with Andy and their other cousins. They all had a mug of pumpkin spice latte their aunt made for them.

It was a memory that never left his mind. And Nika's scent reminds him of that Christmas day. The cold, the comfort, the fire, the cinnamon seeping out to the air from his latte. Sweet and very distinctive.

He couldn't understand it again. Because how could a person embody all of those things?

Miko closed his eyes as he allowed his lips to trail along her skin. To her shoulders, to her collarbone, to the crook of her neck. He couldn't help nibbling on her skin.

His mind was still caught in a haze.

"Miko . . . "

"I think kailangan ko nang maligo. Cold shower," he said.

"Cold shower," Nika repeated. Napatango-tango rin siya.

A grin easily appeared on her lips.

She chuckled softly. "Ako rin kailangan ko maligo. Gusto mo sabayan kita, Ser?" pang-aasar niya kay Miko.

She wiggled her brows which earned a glare from him.

"Sungit," sabi ni Nika.

"This is entirely your fault."

"Bakit ako? Sino ba sa 'tin dito bigla na lang kumi-kiss? Ako ba?" pang-aasar pa niya.

He sighed. Natatawa't naiiling na lang din siya. Okay, that's on him. He was the one who kissed her first.

He helped Nika get off the counter top. Sakto namang nakasalubong din nila si Andy dala 'yong mga hinihiram ni Nika habang naglalakad papunta sa guest room.

"Sorry ulit kanina, Andy," sabi ni Nika sa kanya.

"It's fine. Nagulat lang din talaga ako," she said turning to her cousin. "I never expected that from you."

Medyo natawa si Nika. "Kasalanan ko ata 'yan. Nahahawa na kasi 'tong pinsan mo sa kalat ko."

A crease appeared on his forehead. "Sabi mo kanina it's my fault?"

"Ay oo, aba! Ibang usapan 'yong kanina."

"Huh? What about kanina?" nalilitong tanong ni Andy. Nagpapalipat-lipat din ang tingin niya kay Nika at Kenzo.

"Wala, wala! Bata ka pa, 'di p'wede sa 'yo."

"But I'm twenty-six!" Andy argued.

Tumungo si Nika. "O, 'di ba? Bata pa," she said, secretly giving Miko a glance. He tucked his lower lip in between his teeth to prevent himself from smiling.

It's bit embarrassing and Andy doesn't have to know about it. Thankfully, she didn't ask more questions when her phone pinged.

"Balik na ako sa bahay. Ate Cheryll's looking for me na. Nagpapa-assist siya sa cupcakes na ginagawa niya," she said

"Behave kayo ha," paalala niya sa dalawa bago umalis.

Mabilis na tumango ang dalawa. Napapalingon din si Andy sa kanila habang naglalakad kasama ang kaunting panlilisik ng mata.

Nika smiled, holding a hand out. "Behave kami promise," pahabol niya.

She nudged on his arm. "So, ano? Sabay tayo ligo, yes or no?"

He wasn't sure how to react with her question. Because the truth was, there were still residues lingering in his veins from what happened earlier.

And that was a very tempting question.

"Joke lang! Sige na, may shower kamo sa loob nitong guest room 'no?"

"Yes," he said, nodding.

They went to their respective rooms to clean up, and he couldn't help but worry with the questions running on his mind.

He finds women pretty and endearing and sultry before. He knows how to appreciate them and that's it. Yet his body reacted so differently earlier. It also occurred once when they were in Jake and Lily's wedding. Thankfully, he was able to hide it to himself.

Normal lang siguro? isip-isip ni Miko. But he hates how he doesn't have any control over it. It was a response that came so gradually, he couldn't draw out how and where it began.

Sure, he knows how to act on it when it's already there. He could suppress it and keep it to himself. Kaso kung paano at kailan nag-uumpisa? He's not quite sure. He wants to know where so he could purge it from there.

Maybe he should stop kissing her?

Miko shook his head. But I like giving her kisses.

He sighed. Nakakahiya pa rin kay Nika kanina.

He didn't want her to know about it. And he couldn't help but wonder if it was inappropriate or if he offended her or if it was okay.

It was his first time to hog the shower. Dati hindi naman siya lumalagpas ng higit thirty-minutes sa banyo. But he was so occupied and worried and frustrated. Hindi niya napansin na halos isang oras na pala ang tinagal niya doon.

He paced around the room with the same recurring thoughts, and he hates how he couldn't provide answers for himself.

It's past twelve o'clock, she's probably asleep and tired.

I should probably sleep, too.

But the questions running on his mind were keeping him awake.

Miko took his phone from the bedside table.

Miko
Are you asleep?

Nika
Di pa ser
Nagpapatuyo pa ako ng buhok
Whyket?

Miko
Let's watch a movie.
Sa sala.

Nika
Ahh sige wait
Malapit naman na ako matapos dito
Sunod ako mamaya give me 10 min

Miko
Okay.

His shoulder fell when he breathed out. The movie was probably an excuse. But he's glad that she's still awake and he could ask her about the matter that's running on his mind, and that they could spend more time together.

Miko heaved himself up to go down to their living room. Kumuha siya ng bowl at naglagay doon ng nacho chips. He also took out jars of salsa and cheese sauce for their movie snack. He was about to take out a bottle of sauvignon blanc, but he thought it would be better if they drink cranberry juice instead. Tutal kanina pa sila umiinom ng wine.

"Miko? Saan ka?" rinig niyang tanong ni Nika.

"Here," he answered from the kitchen counter.

Nika helped him carry their snacks to the living room. "Ano panonoorin natin?"

"What do you prefer? Romance? Comedy? Horror?"

"Hmm . . . thriller?" sagot niya.

"Okay."

He picked a movie Andy recommended to him the other day.

Nika was also curious about it. Isa rin kasi 'yon sa naisipan niyang movie na panoorin kasama ni Lana kanina. But they picked another one.

She was immersed watching the movie. He even noticed her tiny munches on the nacho chip while her eyes were fixed on the screen.

A smile appeared on his lips. He couldn't bother her with his questions. Miko decided to watch with her even though he couldn't quite understand what's going on in the film.

Nika curled up on the couch halfway through the movie. It was cold in the living room and Miko noticed the shivers on her skin.

He inched towards her, placing an arm around Nika's waist so he could pull her closer to him.

"Lapit ka sa akin," he said, taking the fleece blanket beside their couch. He wrapped her inside the blanket. Miko extended the foot of the sofa bed so they could lie down comfortably.

She ended up locked inside his arms, lying her back against his chest as they finish watching the movie.

"Tinatamad na akong kumilos, dito na lang ako," Nika said while the credits were rolling. Her lids were growing heavy and their position was really comfortable. Nakahiga lang naman silang dalawa sa couch at yakap-yakap siya ni Miko.

But this was probably one of their dates he wouldn't forget.

"We can sleep here if you want," he said.

"Makakatulog na talaga ako pero baka langgamin 'yong natira sa pagkain natin," nahihikab na sabi ni Nika.

"I'll fix it later."

"Okay. Pero hindi ka pa ba inaantok? Tulungan na kaya kita," Nika offered with her lids half-open.

"It's fine. Sleep ka na if you want to sleep."

"Ser . . . "

"Hmm?"

"Dito na lang tayo ha, tapos yakap mo lang ako," she said.

A smile slowly appeared on his lips.

"Okay. Dito lang tayo."

Nika turned around so she could snuggle with him. She even arranged the blanket for the two of them.

"Ayan, para hindi ka rin lamigin," sabi niya saka rin yumakap kay Miko.

She buried her face in his chest, pulling him closer while Miko reached for the back of her head so he can brush her hair with his fingertips.

"Nika?" he called softly.

"Bakit?"

"Sorry pala kanina," sabi niya.

Medyo nangunot naman ang noo ni Nika sa narinig.

Nika opened her eyes, lifting her head so she could see him. "Sorry? Para saan?"

"Earlier. When Andy caught us and I couldn't move."

"Ah . . . wala 'yon. Okay lang 'yon," she said.

"It's fine with you if my body reacted that way?"

"Hmm . . . oo?"

"Are you sure? Hindi ba siya offensive and inappropriate para sa 'yo?"

"Given sa ginagawa natin kanina prior do'n? Ayos lang. Magtataka ako kung bigla kang nagkagano'n tapos wala namang enough reason para mag-react katawan mo in that way."

"Oh . . . "

Nika grinned. "Akala mo ba ikaw lang? E ako din naman. 'Wag ka na mag-alala d'yan. Kaya pala parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo kanina habang nanonood tayo."

"What do you mean ikaw din?"

"Sasabihin ko pa ba? Matalino ka naman, gets mo na 'yan," Nika said, reaching for his lips for a kiss good night.

"Matulog na tayo."

A smile appeared on his lips. "Okay."

"Takpan mo na lang 'yang snacks natin para hindi langgamin. Nakakatamad na tumayo."

"Sige."

Saglit silang bumangon para ayusin 'yong mga pinagkainan nila ng snacks kanina. Nika watched while he was busy tidying up the center table.

"Miko," she called.

"Hmm?"

"May tanong ako sa 'yo."

"Ano 'yon?" he responded.

Nika secretly heaved a breath for a little courage before asking her question. Nangangamba rin siya kanina doon. And she wanted answers for herself, too. Just so everything is clear between them.

"Someday . . . " She swallowed. "Gusto mo bang gawin? Kasama ako?"