"Gusto raw ni Wilmer na sumabay na kami pabalik ng Cebu. But even if he won't say so, iyon naman talaga ang gusto kong mangyari," Si Sue na nakaupo sa tapat ko nitong island counter.

Sila ang bumungad sa amin mag-aalas otso pa lang ng umaga. Kasama si Skylar na siyang naghatid sa kanila, dahil hindi pa rin nito kinakausap si Wilmer hanggang ngayon.

Last night suddenly became a fresh memory now in her presence. Pagpikit pa lang ng mga mata ko kagabi para sa pagidlip ay binura ang mga pangyayari ng init ng mga bisig at hininga ni Dean. It never felt cold when that kind of heat burns into your skin and lulls you to a deep sleep. The warmth against the cold felt so damn good. Hanggang ngayon ay parang napapaso pa rin ang balat ko.

"Sabi ni Sky?" medyo tumaas ang aking tinig sa kaba.

Nakita ko ang kanyang pagtango habang humihigop sa likod ng usok ng mug. Agad kong binalikan ang ginagawa dahil tila nababasa niya ang aking iniisip. I put three pancakes in her plate and rained them with a maple syrup bago dinulas sa harap niya kasama ang dalawang mug ng tinimplang chocolate drink.

"When will you talk to him? Akala ko magkasundo na kayo pagdating kay Arrow?" tanong ko habang nilalagyan ng bacon ang plate ni Dean.

"We were, until he insulted you. Wala siyang karapatan, ate. The guy should know his limits."

A small smile pulled on my lips. Kung para saan ito ay marahil sa dalawa lang iyan; Sue's sustained maturity since Arrow's birth or for siding with me or both. Sa nagiging sitwasyon namin mula pa noon, tama lang na kami na lang ang magdadamayan.

Inagaw ng dumaang katahimikan ang ingay ng cartoons sa tv at pakikipagusap ni Arrow kay Sunita. He's sitting infront of the cat eating its catfood.

"Mommy, I want a cat, too. Walang kalaro si Suni..." anito habang may catfood sa palad at sinusubuan pa ang pusa.

Pinipigilan ni Sue ang mangiti sa pinapakita nitong iritasyon. She served a piece of pancake on a smaller plate. Tinabi niya ang mas maliit na mug rito.

"Come here na and get your pancakes, Arrow. Tita Ruth's done making them."

"Later...Suni is so alone. Wala siyang kasamang kumakain." Totoo ang lungkot at awa na naririnig ko sa bata. Sinandal nito ang baba sa pagitan ng magkadikit niyang tuhod at pinapanood lang ang pusa. The young boy smiled when Sunita sweet purred.

I've never thought of it before I found out but now that the secret's out, and the longer I stare at Arrow, I get to see the evidence of Wilmer in him. Lalo na ang mga mata nito sa tuwing seryoso at walang imik. Even the pitch black hair since my sister possessed a light brown.

Ang hindi ko lang matanto ay kung saan galing ang pagiging masiyahin nito. Or maybe it was just part of his youth and innocence. Someday, he'd get either Sue's attitude or Wilmer's cold bearing. Sa ngayon ay mukhang sa tita Sky niya nakuha ang pagiging palangiti. Hindi naman kasi ako palangiti.

"Busog na iyong pusa, Arrow. Kanina mo pa iyan pinapakain. You get your pancakes here then you can watch the cartoons," mahinahong sermon ni Sue.

Doon na tumayo si Arrow at pinagpag ang kamay sa pants. Umangat ang kilay ko nang 'di sadya dahil sa tuwid na tindig nito ay si Wilmer agad ang naalala ko! Jeez! I still couldn't get over being mind-blowned!

"You wash your hands, first."

Tumayo si Sue at sinamahan ang anak sa sink. Binuhat ito at tinulungang maghugas ng kamay.

Bringing the mug to my lips, my eyes drifted to Dean's black coffee that has probably gone cold already. What took him so long to wake up? Dapat gising na siya dahil may event pa silang dadaluhan mamaya.

I left the bed earlier than him so I wasn't sure if he's still asleep or is already awake and under the shower right now. Nang ginising ko siya kanina ay daing lang ang tugon nito at humigpit ang pulupot ng braso sa 'kin.

Now I wonder if there were in between girls who have felt that warm embrace. The heat of his palms, and those arms that reminded you of talent, strength, passion and protection. Kung bakit ba kasi hindi ko binabasa ang mga rumors tungkol sa nali-link sa kanyang mga babae ay iyon ay ayaw kong malaman. I don't give a luxury of my time on things that are least of my hierarchy of importance. Importante nga bang malaman ko? It's just to bloat my curiosity.

Pagkatapos maghugas ni Arrow ay tinakbo niya ang counter at kinuha ang mga pagkain. Pinapanood ko siyang umalis hanggang sa umikot na siya sa sala.

"Bakit mo siya nilihim kay Wilmer?" bigla kong tanong, ilang saglit ang tingin doon bago binalingan ang kapatid.

Nagbaba siya ng tingin sa kanyang paubos na pagkain. Sa liwanag na pinahintulutan na sumilip ng glass wall ay mapapansin ang malumanay niyang mukha. How her soft features have a slight edge compared to mine, which suddenly brought me to the subject matter about our mother. And her identity.

I asked a question myself. Bakit ko nililihim ang mga bagay kay Dean noon? He wouldn't have found out had he not went with me and Sue at the assistant principal's office. Pero magkaiba naman kasi ng sitwasyon kaya iba rin ang aming mga dahilan.

"Natakot ako na...baka hindi niya tatanggapin...kaya inunahan ko na. I broke up with him," anito sa plato.

"How sure were you? I saw how angry he was when he found out about Arrow."

May pait ang ngiti niya nang mag-angat ng tingin.

"Sana sinabi ko na lang daw ang totoo. But we wouldn't really know. He may have claimed that he would have taken up the responsibility as a teen father, pero kung babalikan ang noon," umiling siya, "baka hindi iyon ang sasabihin niya."

Kung naabutan ko si Dean noon. Kung nakausap ko siya at napaliwanag muna lahat. Hahantong din kaya sa ganito? If we put things in retrospect, we tend to question the possibility of things like how would it have been?

"Siguro noon, iyon ang tamang desisiyon para sa 'kin kasi iba naman ang pananaw ko noong bata pa kumpara ngayon. But after hearing it from Wilmer, I knew I would still have arrived with the same resolution."

Tahimik ko lang siyang pinapanood na pinaglalaruan ang pagkain. Her focus seems to be more on the conversation than her half-eaten pancake and untouched bacon.

"But yeah, who knows, right? Pero naisip ko rin ang mga handa niyang gawin para sa banda. His ambition inspired my decision. I saw his drive when it comes to music and the band. Hindi kami ang pipiliin niya. And with their fame right now, ayokong isipin niyang iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hinahayaan ko siyang makita si Arrow. So tungkol sa kasal...I changed my mind..."

Tumango ako. I definitely knew his desperate measures just to uphold the band's status with his career in it. I've been one of his presumed loose ends that he had to cut. He doesn't care who's within the collateral damage.

"You broke up with him?" Inangat ko ang mug sa aking bibig at tipid na sumimsim.

"As soon as I found out about the pregnancy."

"Ba 't nilihim mo rin sa 'kin at kay daddy?"

Unti-unti na siyang nagbalik sa pag kain. She's slowly chewing her food as she spoke, "I don't want any more trouble. Baka puntahan mo siya, and I know how you two hated each other."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Ba't nga ba ayaw niya sa 'kin? Wala naman akong ginagawa sa kanya. Except that one time when I thought he's gay and he likes Dean so he's jealous of our relationship the reason why he loathed me."

Natawa si Sue at napasandal sa silya. Tumigil lamang nang uminom sa mug saka nanumbalik ang hagikhik.

"Pinagbabawalan mo raw kasi ako. And we had to hide because of you. Alam mo naman tayo noon, hindi magkasundo so he'd somehow sided with me. Inaayawan niya ang mga nakakaaway ko."

Mangha ang mga kilay kong umangat. "Wow, huh? That cold guy knows how to warm up after all."

Napailing ako at hindi ma-imagine ang batang Wilmer at Sue noon. How he could protect my sister despite his aversion back all those years ago while his bestfriend was in love with me. I thought his abhorrence was due to my being their backbone's distraction when in truth is, it was all because of Sue. Siguro dahilan na rin iyong una, pero mas naging dahilan ang kapatid ko.

"Ikaw ba, ate? Ganon pa rin ba ang gagawin mo? Y-you...didn't regret anything?"

Oras ko naman ngayon upang manahimik. I stared at the almost consumed drink in my mug as I take stock of everything.

I figured that Dean was obsessed with the idea of us. And I'm glad that their career ending on a high note, it became the undeniable truth that there's more to life than his dreams about us.Isa na rin itong paninindigan na kaya niyang magtagumpay na wala ako. Na ito talaga ang pangarap niya at hindi lang nakapaloob sa relasyon namin noon. We can share a one dream or two to someone special, but we can't subtract the fact that we all have our individual dreams we'd rather keep as our own.

"You don't regret the things that led you to the situation in the present where you turned happy and felt right. Kung maayos naman ang lahat ngayon dahil sa tamang ginawa ko noon, despite the madness and hate I took from the person I've wronged, if you knew that you've done the right thing, bakit pagsisisihan ko pa ang mga nangyari ng nakaraan?"

To look back and regret is foolish when you knew you couldn't control time, and travel back to those particular seconds and hours where you want to do what's right.

"Sky told me something. Pinahirapan ka raw ni kuya Dean. Then you're here...in his condo." Tinulak niya ang mukha sa akin at parang sasabihan ako ng lihim. "Sinaktan ka ba niya? Aside from hurting emotionally, did he somehow lay a hand on you?"

Umiling ako. "He could punch a guy but he would never lay a hand on women."

"Pinahirapan ka niya. Your job is demanding."

I shrugged and traced my finger in an aimless cause around the mug' s rim. "The heartache is worst to endure than the physical battles, Sue."

Tahimik niya akong tinitignan. Who knows what's on her mind?

Dahil naiilang ako kapag tinitigan na walang kaide-ideya sa dahilan ay binalikan ko na ang mug at tinungga ang huling patak. Nang nilapag ko na ay siya naman ang uminom.

"Kung noon ay pagkakamali ang ginawa niyo ni Wilmer, well I have to admit, it still is if we classify it into the standard of the society, kasi mga menor de edad pa kayo. But at your age right now, in hindsight, it's also a lesson for the both of you. Not all consequences from a mistake can be deemed as grim just because they rooted from a wrongdoing. Arrow, as being the result, surely is not a mistake, Sue."

Tumango siya ngunit may bahid itong disgusto na wala naman sigurong kinalaman sa sinabi ko.

"May hinanakit pa rin kasi si Wilmer dahil naglihim ako. Mali na ba na pinoprotektahan ko rin ang anak ko?"

I sighed, I actually understand her. Ang wala sa sitwasyon niya ay huhusgahan talaga siya. But she's my sister, and she was young. At first, yes, I was angry. But all that we had during those days were each other's backs.

"Minsan, tinatrato nating mali ang isang desisiyon dahil sa hindi tayo sang ayon," sabi ko nang patuya sa kanya, with the means of aiming that to her lover.

Sumimangot lang ito at binuong lamon ang natira sa kanyang plato.

Nangunyapit ang aking ngiti nang marinig ang pihit ng pinto kasunod ang mabibigat na mga hakbang. My eyes lingered on the dining's doorway until I saw Dean in all his fresh newly showered presence.

Wala na naman siyang pang-itaas. Ginugulo nito ang basang buhok saka hinila at inayos ang pagzi-zipper ng kanyang dark jeans habang naglalakad. He's feet is bare, so I saw how large his feet are. At bakit pinagkakaabalahan ko pang punahin iyon?

"Morning, baby zoo..."

Halos matilapon ng kapatid ko ang iniinom nang biglang ginulo ni Dean ang buhok niya nang dumaan ito sa likod bago umikot sa counter at tumabi sa akin. Kumuha siya ng bacon at diniretsong pasak sa bibig.

His other arm, as if in default, automatically anchored around my waist. Halos nagpipigil hininga ako dahil sa panghaharana ng pabango niya sa aking ilong.

"There's a fork, Dean," sabi ko nang kinamay niya muli ang bacon.

"Nah..." He drank his coffee then suddenly kissed my cheek. Nabasa ang pisngi ko dahil tumama ang basa niyang buhok. I saw his irritation when I wiped that part out with my hand.

I couldn't look at my sister so I turned to Dean's plate. Ang kamay niya ang una kong nahalata na nakatukod na lang sa edge ng counter. He's not moving so I lifted my eyes on him.

Bago ko pa malaman ang itsura niya'y sumugod muli siya ng halik. Naging kakambal ko ang araw sa init ng mukha't dugo ko nang maramdaman ang kanyang hininga. I tried pushing him because Sue's watching! But it only made him chuckle sensually which only added to my shame knowing he meant to do this for my sister to see!

"Dean...ano ba!" Hindi ko magawang maging marahas sa aking bulong. I melted as soon as I heard his raspy chuckle which tamed my hair shafts to salute.

Lilingunin ko na sana ang aking kapatid ngunit naging sagabal ang ulo ni Dean dahil sa leeg ko na mismo siya humahalik! Pinigilan kong umikot ang mga mata ko nang maramdaman ang pagkagat niya roon. Just tiny bites which causes a sting and shivers...

Kung mainit pa iyong chocolateng ininom ko kanina ay paniguradong kumukulo na ulit ito ngayon sa tiyan ko!

He gasped prior to an another open mouth attack on my neck's skin. Panay ang hampas ko sa kanyang hubad at mainit na likod at matigas na braso dahil nanonood ang kapatid ko! But his kisses keep on pushing me down until I could lie across this chair while his arm on my waist was desperately pulling me to him.

Which only brought me to feel something....goddammit, Dean! In my stomache! Hindi ko alam kung normal ito o...reaksyon lang ba niya. I could feel myself burn from this alone!

"We have a visitor, you behave! Magdamit ka nga!" Boses ko na ang ginawang panangga sa nanginginig ko nang mga tuhod.

Nakahinga ako nang maluwang nang sa wakas ay umayos siya. He adjusted his pants and smiled at me. Inawat ko ang sariling hindi magbaba ng tingin doon. The island counter's high enough so Sue wouldn't be able to see what I felt seconds ago.

Ramdam ko pa rin hanggang ngayon actually. Ang tigas nito'y tila kayang butasin ang tiyan ko.

Patagilid siyang sumandal sa counter upang maharap ako. He's smirking at me while chewing on his bacon. I saw how that arm of his bulged and strained all the same time.

"It's as if I'm naked, Ruth. Your sister's blushing and I'm not the reason why. Naalala lang niya si Wilmer. The dude loves to go naked, too. Right, baby zoo?'"

He delivered that smirk when he turned to my sister. Tulala ang kapatid kong namumula ang buong mukha. Pati ba naman siya na may ibang gusto ay hindi nakatakas kay Dean? Who could blame her if this man's topless infront of you?

"Huh?" Ang may amats na yatang si Sue.

"Say yes na lang." Si Dean.

Pinilig nito ang ulo at tila natauhan. Nalilito niyang tinignan ang malanding katabi ko.

"Ohh...kay, yes? Ano ba iyon?"

Ang mapaglarong ngisi ni Dean ay nilahad niya sa akin. That crooked smile set to break hearts.

He took a bite at his bacon. "See?"

He tilted his head with that smirk and arching left brow, tila ba ay pekeng nagtataka sa naging reaksyon ko. Namumungay pa ang mga mata nito at namumula ang ilong at dibdib.

Dean doesn't belong to the clichéd six or eight pack group of men I usually see in men's fitness magazine. But he could shame every girl's fantasy being on the cover of the love child between Rolling Stones and GQ. The most prominent part of his torso is the blatant cut of his V-line which meets and disappears at the center of his jeans.

At hindi na ako bumaba ng tingin. Nag-El Niño sa lalamunan ko.

"Ang tagal mo yatang naggising?" satinig ni Sue sa bubuhuin ko pa lang na tanong.

I'm almost suspecting that Dean knows the things that makes me weak and him being without a shirt it is.

"Pinagod kasi ako ng ate mo kagabi."

Hindi ko makuha ang gulat sa mukha ni Sue at pagdoble ng pamumula niya. I tried to catch an answer from Dean who is chuckling. Nakayukod siya sa counter habang patuloy na kinakamay ang pagkain. Tinukod niya ang forearm sa harap kaya ang upper arm niya ngayon sa side ko, mahirap iyong balewalain.

"In fact, I'm still sore..."

Kinunutan ko ng noo ang landi sa kanyang boses kasunod ang makamundo niyang ngisi.

Biglang napalagok ng tubig ni Sue. I could hear her loud gulps. Parang hindi ito mapakali.

Umatras ako sa pagharap sa akin ni Dean. I just thought that I could feel it again once he's within an inch proximity.

But I stilled when he lifted his hand to touch my lip, right where he'd bit it. A high voltage was felt on my spine and along my nerve endings. Umangat ang sulok ng labi niya. Bright danger and dark fun teamed up along with the heat in his eyes.

"Nakagat ko nga pala 'to. Dumudugo pa ba? You want me to suck it again, sugar? Mas gagaling ito kung sisipsipin ko. My kiss has healing powers, you know. So as my lips, too..." Ngisi niyang nilingon si Sue. "You okay there, baby zoo? You're blushing. Ginagawa rin ba 'to ni Wilmer?"

Pinalo ko na siya sa braso. Tumawa siya at buong akala ko'y bibitaw na ngunit bumaba lang ang kanyang kamay upang sungkitin muli ang aking baywang. His fingers are tracing circles at my exposed waist due to my muscle tank's large armhole.

"Walang hiya ka talaga, kuya Dean." Pulang-pula pa rin ang kapatid ko.

Dean keep on chuckling. "But nah...I'm the man to beat. You're aware that Will's the alpha-hole, right? While I'm the alpha-gent."

"Puntahan ko nga lang muna si Arrow!" Hindi huminahon ang pamumula ni Sue nang tumayo.

Sa mukha pa lang niya ay tila kanina pa niya gustong umalis. As soon as she's out of our sight, umimik na ako.

"Mas magaling pa rin si Wilmer sa 'yo. Nabuntis nga niya kapatid ko, e."

I was dipping the spoon in a Nutella jar nang bigla niya akong hinigit at napaharap ako sa kanya. I was scared at first but the way his heated eyes held me captive molded that fear into something which fueled my heartbeat for a race.

"You're challenging me, sugar?"A threat in his voice. "'Cause I tell you, I can produce an offspring in one single thrust. One. Single. Thrust."

Ang kasunod niyon ay mas pinagdikit niya kaming dalawa. He sensually gyrated his hips and I felt it again! Suppressing my shock is impossible! Lalo na nang gumiling muli siya upang iparamdam lang sa akin iyon! I never fought for a moan so hard!

Kung hindi lang nakaangkla ang mga braso niya sa akin ay matagal na akong naglupasay sa sahig. Parang nilagang karne ang mga tuhod ko ngayong nanlalambot.

He found another chance to push his face in my neck. While I found my long lost strength to push his chest.

"Why should I believe you? Napatunayan mo na ba?" paghahamon ko pa. I always like to challenge his ego. Ang yabang kasi, ang sarap tuloy asarin!

Sinubo ko ang spoon na may nutella at tinitigan ko siya habang dinidilaan iyon. I meant innocence, but his eyes and clenched jaw suggest otherwise. Kitang kita ko kung paano kaseryoso ang hagupit ng insulto ko sa kanya. A sensitive man behind all that intensity.

"Fuck..." That came out from his harsh mouth.

"Hmm?"

I moaned as I tasted the chocolate on the spoon. May tunog nang pinakawalan ko ang kutsara sa bibig ko.

Ang akma kong paglublob muli ng spoon sa jar ay naudlot nang inagaw iyon ni Dean at dinispatsa. Hinuli niya ang mga kamay ko at mahigpit na pinagdikit sa aking likod. Dinala niya ako sa kanyang pag ikot upang ikulong ako sa pagitan niya at ng island counter.

Kinakawag ko ang sarili dahil masyado siyang dikit at hindi na ako halos makahinga! Every space in my skin and body part, he held captive oh so tightly he made escaping impossible.

"Don't you dare, Ruthzielle. You don't know what I'm capable of. Baka hindi ka na makalakad pagkatapos ng gagawin ko."

"Bakit? Puputulan mo ako ng paa?" I deadpanned.

I was definitely under his chin now. Ang paraan ng pagkakadungaw niya sa akin ay tila alipin ako na paborito niyang parusahan. I was torn between the idea if he's mad at his ego being challenged, o ayaw niya lang talagang mapigtas ang pagpipigil niya.

"The pleasure is worth the pain..."

Napaangat ako ng kilay na hindi rin nakaligtas sa panginginig. Hinawi ng paghingal niya ang memorya ko sa mga salita. I know exactly what he meant by that. Gusto ko man siyang hamunin muli ay pati ang kakayahan kong iyon ay limot na.

Dumulas ang paningin niya pababa sa aking dibdib. I wiggled my hands but it was so tight under his grasp kaya hindi ko matakpan ang dinudungaw niya. Naiinis ako dahil hindi ako makawala kaya kinagat ko ang kanyang braso!

But dammit! Halos mapamura ako sa tigas dahil nagmistulang candy ang kinakagat ko! Pinadaan ko ang dila sa aking mga ngipin, just to check if I lost a teeth but I tasted the sweat from his skin instead.

I didn't even feel him flinch in pain. Tinignan niya lang ang markang iniwan ko sa balat ng kanyang biceps na parang kagat lang iyon ng lamok.

"Naughty, tsk tsk. You like it like that, huh?"

Naramdaman ko na lang ang hininga niya sa aking tenga. His vivid breath steamed my senses I almost gave in. The breath I expelled was laced with red pleasure at parang ikinakahiya ko ang reaksyon kong iyon. Not here...

"Isa pa, Ruthzielle..." he whispered, the threat is so full, rich and strong. "Don't bang on my patience."

Suminghap ako. My eyes rounded in fake innocence. "What did I do, sugar?"

"You. Did. This!"

Hindi ako makaiwas nang tinulak niya muli ang sarili sa akin. My legs are open enough to accommodate his frame between my legs. Kung subukan ko man itong isara ay ang uwi nito'y makukulong ko lang siya sa pagitan ng mga binti ko.

If I could only bite my throat to suppress a moan as he gyrated his hips on me again, then I'll do it. In hedonistic and tortorously slow motion, his hard masculinity down there took the deeper dive as if challenging me to fight or give in.

Ang tanging nagawa ko ay itago ang aking mukha sa kanyang dibdib habang masuyo niyang hinahalikan ang aking leeg. Namamawis ang kamay kong hindi pa rin pinalaya ng mga kamay niya. Sa basa kong noo, hindi ko alam kung sa akin galing iyon o sa pawisan niyang dibdib.

His manly scent only added to this intense sensation.

"Dean...s-stop this. Sue and Arrow...they better not catch us!" Hinihingal ako habang ginigilingan niya. I barely composed my words. How did we even end up here?!

He moaned as he took a tiny bite at my neck, again!

"You want me to stop this?" paungol niyang sabi. Halos hindi ko iyon kayanin! What the hell is he doing?! "Why don't you fight harder, sugar?"

I tried to fight with aggression but he doubled the tightness of his grasp. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang binilisan niya ang galaw ng kanyang balakang! If I'm not mistaken, he has a plan to explode infront of me, with his jeans on, and that steel-hard wood of his!

"Dean!" I panicked! Pinagpapawisan na ako nang labis. He's dry humping me!

Mas nilublob niya ang mukha sa aking leeg. He gasped as he kissed my ears, my jaw, back to my neck...collarbones...at parang bababa pa siya sa aking dibdib! Puno na ng pagmumura ang isip ko lalo na nang pinaloob niya ang isang kamay sa aking suot at hinahaplos ang aking likod pababa. It is taunting to squeeze my butt, rinig ko ang ngisi niya nang binalik ang malambing at nanunuyang haplos sa aking likod. He's teasing!

Mariin akong napapikit. Hindi pwede 'to. Kung pwede man ay hindi dito!

His increasing movements, whimpers and manly sexy groans blocked my mechanism of thinking. Think harder, Ruthzielle...

"Arrow! Arrow, come here for a second!" Buong pwersa kong hindi malagyan ng ungol ang aking boses.

"Shit!"

Mabilis kumawala si Dean at kitang –kita ko ang inis sa kanya halo ang hindi makapaniwalang tingin. The sweat from his temples that slid down to his jaw and neck and rapid breathing chest were hard to ignore. Kapwa kami nakaawang at habol ang mga hininga.

Kung hindi pa ako nagisip at sinabayan ang landi ni Dean, I can only imagine what would have happened here.

I heard Sue's voice followed by tiny steps.

"What is it, tita Ruth?"

Mabilis akong umikot at hinarap ang inosenteng bata.

"Uhm..." Shit! My trembling lips are numb. What now? Nangapa ang mga mata ko sa island counter until I saw something. Agad kong kinuha iyon at pinakita sa kanya. "Uhm... Y-you want Nutella?" I sound like Bubbles!

Dahil sa pagpa-panic ko pa rin ay OA ang kinalabasan ng aking tinig at ekspresyon. It's like I'm Dora asking for the damn road! Or Bubbles being giggly and excited!

"Yes! Yes!" Tumatalon-talon si Arrow at masigla akong nilapitan.

Nang nakuha ang gusto ay mabilis kong nilisan ang dining. Wala nililingon hanggang sa pag-akyat ko sa kwarto. Nalulula pa ako sa kaba. My insides are still warm and buzzing, lalo na sa parte kung saan tinutok ni Dean iyon! My limbs are still trembling I almost fell on the stairs! My hands...at kung susubukan kong magsalita ay mabubulol lamang ako.

But going here must have been a wrong move as soon as I open the door.

"Oh...kung sinabi mong dito mo gustong ipagpatuloy 'to...tsk, you should have told me, sugar. Just look at what you've done."

He gestured down to where he wants me to look. With a stubborn blood, mas inangat ko lang ang baba ko. This can't happen now...not yet so I have to fight it. Kahit kaunting panunuya at panguudyok pa niya ay bibigay na ako.

"Magbihis ka na. You'd be pretty hectic today, Dean," strikta kong sabi. His entertainment and ego feeds on my expression kaya wala akong pinasilip ni kaunti. Kahit nagkandabali-baligtad na ang nasa loob ko.

Tinagilid niya ang ulo at nag-angat ng kaliwang kilay. He slightly pouted with his sleepy eyes. "Oh, ayaw mong i-confirm ang ten inches? Hm?"

Goodness gracious! I knew he's a natural flirt in highschool pero hindi ko akalain na pati kalandian ay nagma-mature at magle-level up nang ganito?

Lalong uminit ang sistema ko at ang aking mukha. Sa kabila niyon ay pinagapang ko ang nanunuyang ngiti sa aking labi. Na siyang nanginginig pa. "Well...I have to see it to believe it, Dean."

At pabagsak kong sinara ang pinto sa harap niya.

"Ruth!" he shouted tailed by the series of expletives and loud knocks.

Hindi ko siya pinagbuksan at nanatili akong nakasandal sa pinto, hinihingal at nanghihina pa sa nangyari kanina.

That was almost, and by the next time Dean finds a chance to do that again...I highly doubt I could...fight it.