Cursed Kiss (Curse #1)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I wore a white cap, white jacket and a white mask when I got out of the gates. Sobrang init sa labas ng campus. Sobrang sakit ng init at parang tumutusok sa balat ko.

Maybe I'm barely recognizable or overly suspicious in the eyes of others, I care less.

Deo was wearing a cap and a jacket na may zipper in the middle of the heat. Nakita ko siya papalabas ng gate may dalang itim na payong. He went straight to me. Ang bilis niya naman akong mamukhaan?

"You can remove your mask if you want to. May payong naman kaya hindi masyadong mainit," he offered.

I shrugged. "I prefer it this way."

Natawa siya at pinayungan ako. "Artista ka, miss?"

"Bakit mo ko pinapayungan? Personal assistant ba kita?" I said, matching his tone.

Ngumiti siya. "Oh? You don't want to? Palibhasa tisay... hindi takot umitim."

He pulled me to the side where it was a safezone. Pinagpalit niya kami ng pwesto at doon siya sa malapit sa may mga dumadaang sasakyan. Nang matapos na naming lakarin yung extended waiting shed ay binuksan niya na yung payong. At parang hindi niya pinapayungan ang sarili niya. The shade of the umbrella fell on me more.

Suki ata nilang magpipinsan ang pinuntahan naming carinderia. Presentable naman itong eatery at simple. Plus, medyo distansiya sa school. I've always wanted to eat in an eatery before but sadly I wasn't allowed to. Laging sa high-end resto nagda-dine ang pamilya ko.

Nandito yung dalawa niyang kapatid na kambal na si Frian at Rheese.  Si Anthony at Daniel na mga pinsan niya andito rin. He putted his index finger at the center of his lips and signalled me to stay silent. His cousins were busy eating and minding their own business. Gamit ang payong ay pasimple kaming dumaan sa harap mga pinsan niya ng hindi namamalayan. He guided me to a square table for two, far off corner of the eatery. It was distanced from his cousins but near to the counter.

"Are your cousins gossipers?" I asked directly. Still without removing my facemask and cap. Ganoon rin siya.

He held out a small chuckle. "No, but they would tease us. I don't want you in an uncomfy situation."

He stood up and ordered food. Tinanong niya rin kung anong gusto ko out of the menu above the counter. I said what I want and he came back with a tray and the food.

"Magaling silang magluto rito," he started. "That's why we got tired of eating at the cafeteria dahil mas masarap rito at mas mura," he then sat on my left side.

I removed my mask and gave a moment of silence. I muttered words of thanksgiving for the Most High. Nang matapos ay nagulat ako nang sabay kaming nag-amen. He was praying along with me huh?

"Why do you look so surprised? I'm serious when I said I know how to pray," he defended while eating.

Umiling ako. "Bihira lang akong makakita ng lalaking ganoon," yung hindi nahihiya.

"Really?" imangat ang dalawa niyang kilay. "That's weird though, lahat ng pinsan ko marunong."

"Lahat ng Hiñago?"

"Yeah... Lalo na si Satari at Frian,"

"I didn't know that..."

Alam kong marunog si Satari pero hindi ko akalain na marunong rin ang mga pinsan niyang lalaki.

That's impressive...

Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin ko at umiling.

"You said that the hug was intentional but the kiss isn't. Can you explain that?" I asked. This was another reason kung bakit ako sumama sa kanya, because I want to open the topic. I don't want to let it slide.