Chapter 49

"Come inside, Engineer."

I smirked at him, gesturing my hand to the laboratory. My parents arrived before him, and they were aware of his presence here. May sarili nang mundo sina Tart at Rio kasama sina Donut, Onyx, Cookie, at Eclair. May regalo pa naman si Rio kanina para kay Tart pero mukhang mas gusto niya ring makipagharutan muna sa nagbigay.

Lairgren glanced back over his shoulder. The reluctance on his face was apparent, so I put my hand on the back of his brown sweater to push him. Unluckily, he didn't budge a fraction. I looked up at him, and he was already glowering down at me.

"Alam ba ng magulang mo na papapasukin mo ako rito?" His tone was hard and on the edge.

"Of course!" I sported a coy smile, tucking loose hair strands behind my ear. "My parents have trust in you, and they will revoke it once you do something indecent to me."

His now dark blue eyes narrowed at my mouth. A ghost of smirk played off his lips, but he was abrupt to cast it away. Nilisan niya ako ng tingin at humakbang na papasok sa loob ng lab ko. I followed him inside before I locked the door behind me. There were DND and No Paws Allowed Inside signs on the door.

He turned his heels when he heard the clicking. Kumuyom ang panga niya at tumagilid ang ulo.

"Unlock the door, Skyricharm."

Sumandal ako sa pintuan at ngumiti. "I work here with a locked door, Lairgren."

He only took a step advance but my heart jumped at his dominance. "Kahit na. Hindi mo puwedeng i-lock 'yan nang tayong dalawa lang ang nandito! Ano'ng iisipin ng mga magulang mo kapag nalaman nilang naka-lock tayo rito?"

I looked up pretending to think of an acceptable answer. He seemed like a cat on hot tin roof. Ibang-iba sa El na kilala ko noon-walang pakialam kung may mali sa ginagawa basta makuha lang ang gusto niya.

Now, he's very cautious of his every actions with me, especially now that he's in our house. Ayaw niyang pag-isipan siya ng hindi maganda ng mga magulang ko. Gusto na niyang gawin ang mga bagay sa akin sa tamang paraan. That was what he said before, and now he's trying his best to be better than the big jerk he was, as he admitted himself.

Gusto ko 'yong Lairgren ngayon. Kaya lang... parang mas gusto ko na ngayon iyong El noon. Saka... talaga ba, Lairgren? Kaya mong panindigan ang pagiging good boy ngayon?

I smirked inwardly as I thought of a naughty plot. Itinuro ko ang isang sulok sa kisame sa likuran niya habang nakatingala sa kaniya.

"There's a CCTV camera here, so you don't have to worry about-"

"Ganito ba lagi ang ginagawa mo kapag nandito ka lang mag-isa? Nila-lock ang pinto? Paano kung may mangyaring masama sa 'yo sa loob-"

I stood a defense. "Nothing bad happened to me, and nothing will. Why are you so worried-"

"Keep the door unlocked, Miss Blaustein! Kahit may security camera dito, hindi magandang tingnan na naka-lock ito nang tayong dalawa lang!" he insisted through gritted teeth, completely ignoring all I said.

My chest was heavily rising and falling. I curled my fists and pushed back my shoulders.

"My laboratory, my rules. Now, if you can't stand being with me behind this locked room, then you're free to leave. Basted ka na rin agad, Engineer Merrick! At ibig sabihin, ayaw na kitang makita ulit kahit kailan!" I dictated in a loud and clear voice.

His gaze traveled down to my lips, then to my chest. He wetted his lips with his tongue and his brow knitted. I pursed my lips and did my best for my shoulders not to falter their stance because of the way he was looking at me.

"Okay..." aniya sa tonong sumusuko at nag-iwas ng tingin. "Your rules, I follow."

Gumalaw ang panga niya at tinalikuran na ako bago pinasadahan ng palad ang buhok. I bit down on my lip as I stalked toward the vacant table pressed against the wall. This was where I usually practice blood smearing before. I pointed my chair with paw shaped cushion.

"Umupo ka muna diyan. Akin na 'yang mga specimen cup na dala mo," utos ko at naglahad ng kamay.

He stretched out his hand carrying the small paper bag containing three of my requirements for this exam without even looking at me. His attention was on the ring light on the stand across the table.

"How often do you film yourself when you work here?"

I was taken aback for a second.

"I watched your short videos on Instagram..." he backed up his question.

"Oh," I muttered and nodded. "I document all my lab activities, except whenever I practice blood smearing. Pictures na lang kinukuhaan ko para pagkumparahin. Naka-save sa desktop ko ang lahat ng videos. And, uh, I would randomly send it to my cousin every time she'd send videos of her work, too..."

Tumango siya. "Ido-document mo rin ba ang gagawin natin ngayon?" he asked innocently.

My cheeks burned. Gagawin namin? Ako lang naman ang magtatrabaho rito dahil pasyente ko siya?

"W-Well... ayos lang ba sa 'yo? 'Yong gagawin ko lang naman ang vi-video-han. Hindi ka kasama, uhm, I mean-"

He pulled out his phone from his pants pocket and lent it to me, which I accepted heedlessly. He sat on my chair comfortably despite it looking so small with him on it, but my neck got to relax. Mas mataas na ako nang kaunti sa eye level niya.

"Use my phone to record yourself. Gusto kong panoorin ang ginagawa mo."

"It's boring. You can just watch me now."

"Panonoorin din kita ngayon. Pero panonoorin ko rin 'yan kapag wala akong ginagawa. Hmm... maybe before I sleep when I'm missing you?" he said suggestively.

He rested his back on the chair and laid his arm on the edge of my table. Sinundan ko ng tingin ang bawat galaw ng daliri niyang mahinang gumagawa ng tunog sa lamesa. The image of him on his bed and beneath his sheets, holding his phone with one hand to watch my boring video of working with his specimens in the lab to sleep made my face boil.

"E-Eh 'di boring nga kaya gagawin mong pampatulog? Sleeping pill ba ang video ko?" Ngumuso ako at matalim siyang tiningnan.

The corner of his lips tugged upward, and mischief danced in his hooded eyes. Mayamaya ay umalog ang balikat niya sa walang tunog na tawa at nagkaroon ng mga guhit sa gilid ng mga mata niyang natutuwa.

I was too enthralled watching him laugh that I let him take advantage of me to hold my wrist and pull me closer to him. My heavy-lidded eyes fluttered down to his hand over my wrist. He drew me further to him between his separated thighs to accommodate me.

Ang kamay kong may hawak ng phone niya ay naipatong ko sa malapad niyang balikat. Ang isang kamay na may hawak rin ay naroon sa ibabaw na ng lamesa. Doon ako kumukuha ng suporta habang ang mga binti ko ay nanlalambot sa paraan at init ng paghawak niya sa akin. Lalo lang tumindi ang panghihina nito nang tuluyang dumikit ang gilid ng mga hita ko sa magaspang na telang nakabalot sa binti niya.

Napawi ang ngiti niya habang namumungay ang mga matang nakatunghay sa akin. His other hand slithered around my waist to take away all my senses from me. What are we doing here again?

"Ayaw mo ba?" he asked in a provocative tone. "Ayaw mong... ikaw ang pinanood ko bago ako matulog?" His chuckle was deep and low which sent shivers down my spine.

I swatted his shoulder at the sound of sexual innuendo in his voice. Or maybe it was just me and my prurient mind? At siyempre, kasalanan niya kung ganoon ang iisipin ko! Noong dumating lang siya ulit ay doon ako nag-iisip ng mga ganito, e. Kaya oo, kasalanan niya kaya marumi ang utak ko ngayon!

"Hindi na 'ko magre-record!" Tinulak ko ang balikat niya pero hindi naman gumalaw ang mga paa ko. "Saka manliligaw ka pa lang, hawak ka na nang hawak sa akin, ah?"

He pursed his lips in an attempt to conceal his smirk. "Nililigawan ka pa lang, bakit parang gustong-gusto mo namang hinahawakan kita?" He cocked his brow with intense arrogance.

Sumabog na nang tuluyan ang mukha ko sa init. Hinampas ko ulit siya sa balikat at nakakuha na ng lakas para tumakas sa pagkakabihag niya sa akin. I pointed my index finger at him.

"B-basted ka na!"

"Ma'am Blaustein, hindi mo pa nga nagagalaw ang ibinigay ko, bagsak na agad ako sa medical exam?" Humalakhak siya. "Wala bang reconsideration, Ma'am? Second opinion, ganoon?"

"Anong second opinion, e, wala pa namang initial diagnosis ko?"

Umirap ako at hinagis sa kaniya ang phone niya na walang kahirap-hirap niyang nasalo. A lopsided grin appeared on his lips.

"Hirap mo naman maging Med Tech, Ma'am. Wala pang resulta, basted ako agad? Hindi mo pa nga tiningnan kahit ihi ko. Uminom pa ako ng gatas para lang makadumi. Yong sperm ko, patay na yata kadadaldal mo sa akin. Tapos basted na ako?" Umiling siya. "Ayaw ko na nga..."

My nose scrunched at his long list of concerns about his samples. I stomped my feet toward him when he threatened to stand and leave. He sprung back to his seat with wide eyes and a hand over his mouth when his face collided against my left boob.

Medyo masakit 'yon, ah? Ang tigas ng ulo. Pero hindi ko na ipinakita ang pag-inda roon sa dibdib.

"Did I order you to leave? Lab ko nga 'to, kaya ako ang masusunod. Hindi pa kita pinaaalis, kaya dito ka lang. Do you understand?"

His head repeatedly bounced like a tamed lamb to his shepherd. Iritado kong hinila ang kamay niyang tumatabon sa bibig.

"Sumagot ka," utos ko, nakatitig sa labi niyang namumula.

Galing sa nakaawang niyang labi, kumurba paitaas ang magkabilang dulo nito. Halos kumislap pa ang mata niya sa pagkaaliw kahit seryoso naman ako sa sinasabi.

"Opo, Ma'am..." Ngising-ngisi siya na parang aso.

Umismid ako at kinuha na ang dala niya. Hinanda ko na ang puwesto at gagamitin ko habang nakaupo siya roon. Bandang huli, napapayag din ulit akong hayaan siyang i-record ang gagawin ko sa kaniyang phone.

I checked his sperm count first. Its liquefaction time was seventeen minutes, which was normal, as per my record right after he walked out from one of our toilets with his samples. I told him all my observations from its volume, pH level, while under the microscope, and let him see his sperms when I was checking the motility and morphology.

I wanted to give him more access to peek through the eyepieces, but he wasn't granting me the freedom to move away from him by holding my left hip to keep me in place. That was an excuse, though. I could easily get away from his hold, but I chose not to.

He peeked through the right eyepiece of my microscope while I ogled at his side frame, particularly at the tattoo behind his ear. I curled my bottom lip into my mouth when his eyes blinked at me.

"This is completely normal, isn't it?"

"Y-yes. Everything in your semen analysis is completely normal. Wala rin akong nakita na kahit anong pathogen kaya okay na. Pero iche-check din natin ang urine mo, kasi minsan doon nakikita ang mga pathogen."

"Pathogen?" He quirked a brow.

"Pathogen... bacteria, virus, o parasite na nagko-cause ng disease o infection tulad ng herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV. Ito 'yong mga sexually transmitted disease na maaaring maipasa mo sa partner mo kapag hindi na-detect agad o naipagamot. Possible kang makahawa through semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk, at blood."

"Paano ka mahahawa sa dugo?" He threw the question with interest. "I'm only familiar with HIV and AIDS. Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome."

"Sharing of needles when injecting of drugs. Kapag 'yong needle na ginamit sa taong may ganitong sakit ay ginamit sa taong hindi infected. O kaya kapag may open cut or wounds ka, puwedeng maging portal 'yon ng pagpasok ng virus. Possible ring pumasok sa mucous membrane like vagina, mouth, and the glans or the tip of your penis," I explained thoroughly.

Kumunot ang niya at kumiling ang ulo. Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa akin at nakikinig kaya nagpatuloy ako. Para tuloy akong clinical instructor at siya ang estudyante.

"Common misconception sa mga ganitong sakit, lalo na sa HIV, ay nakakahawa raw ito kapag hinawakan mo lang ang taong infected. Pero hindi iyon ganoon. Hindi ka magkakaroon nito kapag hinawakan mo lang ang balat ng mga taong may ganitong kondisyon. Hindi rin nakakahawa ang laway. Pero kapag meron ka nito, puwedeng makaapekto ito sa fertility mo. Pero hindi ibig sabihin na dahil maaapektuhan nito ang parte ng buhay mo, masisira na agad ito."

PLHIV, or people living with HIV, can still live normally with proper treatment and a healthy lifestyle since there's no cure yet for HIV and AIDS. Effective treatment reduces the amount of viral load or HIV in your body fluids.

Kapag bumagsak ang viral load, magiging undetectable ang virus sa katawan. If you are undetectable for six months or so by taking medication, the virus will be untransmittable. Thus there's the HIV campaign: undetectable equals untransmittable (U=U) to help end the HIV stigma. The risk would be very low, but you still have to maintain the medication to keep the viral load low.

"What if you find any pathogen in my semen or urine? Ba-basted-in mo ba ako? Mandidiri ka?" He probed.

Huminga ako nang malalim at tinitigan nang mabuti ang mga mata niya.

"El, ang sagot ko sa panliligaw sa 'yo ay wala naman talagang kinalaman sa medical na exam na 'to. I want to check upon your health for you... and eventually for us too."

I cleared my throat when a phantom of smirk crossed his face. Bahagyang bumagsak ang balikat ko nang idinako ang tingin sa kaniyang dibdib. Doon ko lang napagtanto na kanina pa siya halos nakakuba para lang hindi ako mahirapan sa pagtingin sa kaniya.

"And why would I be disgusted if you were positive from any disease or infection? Ako ang may pinag-aralan tungkol dito. Ako ang isa sa higit na dapat na nakakaalam at nakakaintindi sa kanila. Ang kailangan ng mga taong may HIV o ano mang STI or STD ay pag-intindi at suporta, hindi pandidiri at panghuhusga. At ang mga taong kulang sa kaalaman sa isang bagay ay dapat turuan."

A small smile was drawn on his face after I was done explaining. He patted my head using his right hand while his left one stayed on my hip. Pinisil-pisil ko ang mga daliring nakatago sa suot na gloves.

"U-uh, are you done checking? Isusunod ko na ang urinalysis," sabi ko, hindi alam kung saan ibabaling ang mga mata huwag lang sa kaniya.

"Yes, Ma'am..."

His hand abandoned my hip and a sigh emitted from my lips. I concentrated on my work, trying my best not to look over where he was to prevent a distraction. He went to my phlebotomy area or the tusukan area. Ibinalik ko ang atensyon sa slide na nilalagyan ko ng sample ng feces niya.

"Nandito lahat ng mga gamit mo para sa course mo?" usisa niya.

"Mostly. Why'd you ask?" I glanced at him again.

"I... sent you a phlebotomy kit. Hindi mo ginamit? Nakatago? O... itinapon?"

My brows twitched, and my chin tipped heavenward. He sent a phlebo kit to me? Isa lang naman ang phlebo kit na ibinigay sa akin nang hindi ko kilala. Sa kaniya galing iyon? I clipped my mouth when I remembered it was the same kit Eclair knocked off on my desk. Pero hindi naman iyon ang tuluyang bumagsak aa sahig kaya buhay pa naman sila.

"Nasa kuwarto ko iyon," sagot ko.

"Did you use it?" Humarap siya sa akin at humalukipkip.

Umiling ako at ngumisi. "Hindi ko alam kung kanino galing kaya hindi ko ginamit. Nagre-restock lang ako kapag nauubusan 'yong ginagamit ko..."

I put the slide I was holding under the microscope. I adjusted the knobs while looking through the ocular lenses so I could observe the stool sample. Kagat ko ang ibabang labi habang naka-focus sa paghahanap ng posibleng parasite o OVA-ang itlog ng parasite.

My mother knocked on the door to give us some snacks while I was cleaning and sanitizing the area and equipment I used. Si Lairgren ang bumukas ng pinto para tanggapin iyon at kinausap nang kaunti si Mama. Naabutan ko pang bumungisngis si Mama nang bumaling sa akin habang inaayos ko ang phlebo kit ko.

"Don't forget to lock the door again, my cupcake." She even winked at me before turning around to leave us.

"Tita Rappy-"

The door shut in Lairgren's face.

I skipped past him to the door to ensure it was locked again. I whipped my heels to face Lairgren who was at his wits' end. He was holding the fruit platter, and I took one strawberry and popped it into my mouth.

"Kumain muna tayo. Nagugutom ako-" sabi ko habang ngumunguya.

"Naghugas ka ba ng kamay?" His eyes turrned to saucers.

Tumaas-baba ang ulo ko. "Kumain ka rin. Kukuhaan na kita ng dugo pagkatapos."

I strode toward the other side of the lab where my large grey faux fur bean bag sat. Nakahiga roon si Cookie the bear kaya kinuha ko muna bago umupo. Pinaupo ko muna siya sa gilid bago ko tinapik ang tabing espasyo.

"Upo ka rito, oh. Kasya naman tayo." Ngumiti ako kay Lairgren.

Mabagal at maiikli ang ginawa niyang hakbang papunta sa akin. The space he took a few inches from me shrank deeper than mine, and I even bounced up a little. I protruded my lips and moved closer to him. Too close our legs and arms touched.

Bahagya siyang umiwas habang salubong ang kilay. Nakadikit ang mga paa niya sa sahig habang ang sa akin ay nakataas dahil hindi abot. Kinolekta ko ang buhok na nakalugay at inilagay sa kaliwang balikat bago kumuha ulit ng prutas sa hawak niya.

"May pasok ka ba tuwing Sabado?" I asked and peered at him under my lashes.

Kaiiwas niya lang ng tingin sa akin. Kumuha siya ng isang slice ng apple at inisang subo iyon.

"Wala. Pero madalas akong mag-overtime tuwing Sabado," sagot niya habang naroon ang tingin sa pader imbes na sa akin.

Gano'n? E paano 'yan kapag sinagot ko siya, ang oras lang namin na magkasama ay tuwing after work niya at Linggo? Hindi pa nga sigurado kung busy siya every Sunday. At hindi nga rin sigurado na lagi kaming magkikita pagkatapos niyang magtrabaho. Basta ang sigurado ko lang ngayon, sasagutin ko pa rin siya.

Bakit hindi, 'di ba?

My plan after passing the board exam was to wait until our oath taking before applying for a job. For now, I would focus on making more crochet items and selling them online. I will continue doing it even when I work since my cousin and I established the T&T Crafts for a cause.

"Natutulog ka ba rito?"

Tumingin siya sa likod namin. Pinanood ko ang paglagay niya ng kamay sa inuupuan namin para haplusin ang kalambutan nito.

Tumango ako sa tanong niya. "Umiidlip minsan kapag marami akong ginagawa rito."

His eyes flew to me. "Ikaw lang madalas mag-isa rito? Hindi ka nagpapapasok ng iba kapag may ginagawa ka?"

Bago ko siya sinagot, umusog ulit ako palapit sa kaniya. He must have thought I didn't see him moving away from me as though I had fungal infection. Kapiranggot na nga lang ang space sa gilid niya, pinipilit pang lumayo. Siguro kapag kumandong na ako nang tuluyan sa kaniya, wala na siyang magagawa.

"Oo, ako lang. Minsan pumapasok si Mama kapag may ibibigay pero lumalabas din agad. No one stays here apart from me. In fact, you are the first person I let to stay while I'm working," I supplied.

He arched an eyebrow while eyeing our side thighs brushing against each other that even air couldn't pass through.

"Why? Because I'm your patient?"

"Technically, yes, you're my patient. First patient after passing the board exam. But patients don't stay in their med tech's laboratory, do they?"

I pricked the sliced cube of purplish pink dragon fruit with a two-tine fork and shoved it in my mouth. It was sweet and cold, just as how I fancied it. Cold fruits taste more heavenly.

"But you are special to me, so you get special treatment. Something that my family doesn't get first."

I smiled sweetly and batted my lashes when my eyes soared to meet his alluring blue orbs. His face was two spans away from mine. Inipit ko sa pagitan ng mga labi ang dulo ng fork nang bumaba sa labi ko ang tingin niya.

"I don't think it's a good idea that we're locked alone here," he croaked his sentiment, eyes becoming dopey.

"I think it is," I countered. "Bakit ka ba masyadong nag-aalala na tayong dalawa lang ang nandito? Natatakot ka ba na may gawin ako sa 'yo? Ako? May gagawin sa 'yo?" I smirked.

I dropped my gaze to his lips, and I licked mine so my smirk disappeared. The rapid beat in my chest enhanced to truculence when his tilted head descended on me. My knees met, and my hand fell to my thighs. I wasn't going to back down.

I sucked in a breath when his lips stopped an inch across my mouth. I swore I heard my own swallow while I was staring down at his nose.

"Ayaw mong hinahawakan kita kanina dahil nanliligaw pa lang ako pero ikaw itong mahilig din dumikit at manukso..."

Heat rose to my cheeks in a flash. "P-pero hindi mo n-naman ako h-hinahawakan ngayon..."

"Oo... at mananatili akong susunod sa gusto mong iyon hangga't hindi mo pa ako sinasagot, Riri."

"Pero hinawakan mo a-ako kanina! Dito!" Tinuro ko ang aking balakang. "S-so... I d-don't really mind if you hold me again. O-okay lang..."

The sound of his smirk was taunting and tingling my nerves. My eyelids slammed down when the apex of his nose nudged my left ala. I tipped my chin up, but his hand caught my jaw to thwart my venture to his mouth.

Napamulagat ako. Ang hinlalaki niya ay nasa ibabaw ng labi ko. Umiling siya habang nakatitig nang madilim sa akin. Para bang nagagalit pa dahil sa binalak kong gawin.

"Hindi dapat naghahalikan ang nagliligawan pa lang, Riri," sambit niya sa tonong dismayado pero halatang nanunukso.

I never thought that being this close with him away from someone else's eyes was more difficult and frustrating than our immuno sero. Gusto ko nang lumayo pero hindi rin sumusunod ang katawan ko, lalo pa't hawak niya ang panga ko.

Tumingin muli ako sa kaniyang labi at napalunok. Para akong nauuhaw na matikman iyon at tuluyan na akong tinakasan ng kahihiyan. His lips looked so kissable. It had been years since the last time I tasted it, and I was never this greedy for his lips to gratify the longing of mine.

Nanindig ang balahibo ko sa marahang haplos niya sa aking labi. Bumaba ulit ang mukha niya sa akin.

"Sagutin mo muna ako, Riri, kung gusto mong halikan kita," he whispered like a devil trying to defeat the battle against the angel on my other side. "Pero kapag sinagot mo ako, siguraduhin mong hindi lang labi mo ang kaya mong ibigay sa akin."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "W-what?"

"I want more than your kisses," he declared, focusing now on my eyes.

"More than my kisses? You mean sex?" I blurted deliberately.

Mabilis nawala ang kamay niya sa panga ko para pitikin nang mahina ang noo ko. His low groan switched to a guttaral chuckle.

"You spicy cupcake! That's not what I meant!" he chided with a smirk while shaking his head.

Inilapag niya sa katabing console table ang platter. Napalayo ako sa kaniya nang kaunti sa pagkapahiya at napadampot na lang ng prutas sa hawak niya sa isang kamay. Ano palang higit sa halik kung ganoon kung hindi sex?

Ngumuso ako at umusog palayo sa kaniya. Dinampot ko si Cookie na initsapwera kanina at niyakap para magtago ng mukha. Now that his laugh echoed louder, shame swarmed over me.

"Oh? Bakit ka lumayo?" he asked teasingly. "Come here, baby Ri. I think I need to do some cleaning with your dirty mind."

Ibinaon ko ang mukha sa leeg ni Cookie habang umiiling. Naramdaman kong hinihila niya ang kung anong parte ng teddy bear ko kaya sinilip ko iyon. Kamay ni Cookie ang hawak niya.

I scooted backward to settle on the middle of my resting bed. Pahigang nakalubog na ang katawan ko nang tuluyan habang yakap pa rin ang teddy bear.

His hand held my left ankle, and I immediately kicked it away.

Bahagya pa siyang nakanganga habang nakangising sinisilip ako sa likod ni Cookie. Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang humiga sa tabi ko nang patagilid, nakaharap sa akin. He propped his left arm as his pillow and put his other arm over my teddy bear's tummy that was laying on me.

Naglaho ang ngisi sa kaniyang labi at pumungay ang mga maga habang pinagmamasdan ako. Humigpit ang yakap niya sa amin ng teddy bear ko. Uminit ang pisngi at tainga ko kasabay ng pagkalabog ng puso. Hindi na ako pumalag dahil gusto ko naman.

I peeked on him sideways. Nanatili siyang nakatitig sa akin na tila tinatantya ang distansya naming dalawa. Kumalma ang marahas na dabog sa aking dibdib habang tumatagal ang paghawak ng tingin niya sa akin.

"I'm not going to work tomorrow, so I'll spend the whole day with you."

"You'll spend the whole day with me?" I repeated.

Pumikit siya at tumango. Nang dumilat ay sumagot, "I want to date you properly this time. Pagbigyan mo ako ng isang araw bukas. Kahit sarili mo lang ang dalhin mo, ako na ang bahala sa lahat. Ipinagpaalam na kita sa magulang mo kahapon."

Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa mga mata niya. The thought of going out with him thrilled me. It would be our first romantic date if ever!

"Anong oras tayo magdi-date?"

Hindi ko man lang itinago ang excitement sa tono ng pagtatanong. Napatagilid ako ng harap sa kaniya kaya nasa pagitan naming dalawa ang stuffed toy ko at ang kamay niya, gumapang na sa tagiliran at likod ko.

The side of his lip curved. "Susunduin kita rito ng alas singko ng umaga. Wear anything you are comfortable with. We will not do anything extreme for our first date."

"Five o'clock in the morning?" bulalas ko. "That's too early... but okay! Magbi-breakfast na ba ako rito o..."

Tumagos ang tingin ko sa kaniya habang nag-iisip. What are we gonna do that early? If I'd wake up early, I should sleep early, too. My eyes scanned the wall until they landed on my yellow clock.

Pasado alas otso na? Ang bilis naman ng oras! Hindi pa kami tapos sa test!

Bumangon siya nang kaunti at itinukod ang siko bago ipinatong ang ulo sa kamay nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin.

"Dadalhin muna kita sa bahay ko. Doon na tayo kakain."

In a tick, my thoughts made a swerve to run into a much more pondering upon hearing his advisory. He will bring me to his house. His house. The one that served as his shelter for the past years?

He pulled my back closer to him, and the big bear between us got squashed. Cookie's head rested below my chin. Lairgren's eyes traveled on every corner of my face with so much yearning, then sighed when he seemed content with the view.

"Ikaw lang ba ang nakatira sa bahay mo?" I asked. "Bukod kay Rio Grande kung doon din siya nakatira. I mean... your family, perhaps? Do you live with any family o relative member? 'Di ba may pamangkin ka?"

I clamped my lips when I realized he was watching my mouth while I spoke.

"Malalaman mo bukas," sagot niya at hinaplos ang ulo ko gamit ang kamay na kanina ay nasa likuran ko.

Ngumuso ako, medyo nalulungkot sa katotohanang hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin akong alam tungkol sa pamilya niya. Habang siya, kilala pa yata ang buong angkan namin.

"You never introduced me to your family. I'm suddenly worried if they will like me..." mahina kong pahayag.

Tumaas ang sulok ng mga labi niya bago pinindot ang dulo ng ilong ko. Lalo akong sumimangot at inirapan siya.

"You don't have to worry about it, baby Riri."

"'Di pa nila ako nakikita at nakakausap kaya dapat akong mag-alala. What if they find me ugly or too childlike? I'm not ugly, though, but definitely not so pretty. And... and... I still act like a child now around just my family because I want to be babied-"

His deep chuckle interrupted my rambling concerns. Umiling siya at kinagat ang labi. The clear amusement in his eyes.

Inamin ko na nagpapa-baby pa rin ako kahit matanda na! Pero ano namang masama roon? Bini-baby pa rin nila ako kaya ayos lang. Magpapa-baby ako sa kanila hangga't gusto ko. Hmp!

His hand stilled on the side of my head.

The azure pair of globes gave me assurance even before his mouth spouted. Masuyo siyang ngumiti at muling hinaplos ang aking buhok na kapag tumagal ay paniguradong makakatulog na ako.

"Riri... katatangi-tangi ka. Minamahal kita. Kaya pagdating sa akin at sa pamilya ko, hindi mo kailangang mangamba."