The Calm and the Storm

Beginning

Beginning

I was in college when I first met Jeno Emmanuel Serese.

Nag-aaral ako sa loob ng kuwarto ko. Freshman year and I was so stressed about it. Masyado akong nanibago sa university life. I was not fully adjusting.

Kailangan ko ng pagkain. Gusto kong ma-distract. Kaya lumabas ako ng kuwarto upang magtungo sa kusina.

Habang pababa sa hagdanan, nakarinig ako ng ingay mula sa terasa. From our glass wall, I saw my sister with her friends.

May mga laptop at libro sa mahabang mesa. They were supposed to have a group study, pero nauwi ito sa tsismisan at hagikhikan.

I didn't really care about her friends or anyone outside my batch. Masyado pa akong nag-a-adjust sa college life kaya wala pa akong panahon para mag-party!

With a sigh, I ignored the noise and went to the kitchen.

May business trip sina Mommy at Daddy kaya walang magagalit kung uupo ako sa kitchen counter. That was my plan when I was searching for food in the refrigerator.

Cold pizza at fresh milk. Kinuha ko agad ito at isinara ang pinto ng ref—

"Ahh!"

Oh my gosh! Nanigas ang buo kong katawan nang makita siya. And that was the first time I saw his face.

He was tall and muscular. Defined 'yung panga niya tsaka may pagkasingit ang kanyang mga mata. Attractive. Yes. He's attractive.

The guy only flinched when he heard my scream. Lumubo nang kaunti ang mga mata niya.

"I'm sorry." His voice was so deep and cold. "Did I scare you?"

Wala sa sarili akong umiling kahit natakot naman talaga ako sa kanya. My gosh, I probably looked so smitten!

Hindi ko matanggal ang pagtitig sa kanya! He nodded and went past me. His perfume smelled so manly and expensive. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin kaya nanatili lang akong nakatayo habang nakatanaw sa kanya.

The guy scratched his nape when he stared at the cabinet. Then he looked at me.

My gosh. Nanghihina ang mga tuhod ko. Ang mga tili ay pilit kong tinigilan.

"You are Therese's younger sister, right?" tanong niya.

"O-Oo."

"Nasaan pala ang mga baso ninyo?" he politely asked.

Kumurap-kurap ako at tinuro ang cabinet. "There."

"Okay, thanks."

I nodded and gave him a smile. Binuksan ko ulit ang ref at nagkunwari na naghahanap pa ng ibang pagkain habang lihim na nakamasid sa kanya.

I was shocked when he opened the faucet and drank tap water. Sabi ni Mommy, kahit okay namang inumin ang tap water ay hindi kami sigurado kung malinis.

"Kuya, may cold water dito sa ref," sabi ko.

Muntik siyang maubo. He finished it all and looked at me. Because of the water, his lips looked glossy. Kaagad ko namang iniwas ang tingin ko roon.

"My name is Jeno Emmanuel," aniya. "And you don't have to call me kuya."

Napalunok kaagad ako. That was the first time I heard his name. Kinagat ko ang loob ng mga pisngi ko upang hindi mapangiti.

"My name is Trinity," I responded.

He put the glass on the sink. "I know."

Trust me, I almost collapsed.

Tumango siya sa akin bago umalis sa kusina. Sobrang bilis ng pagtakbo ng puso ko. I watched his back until I could never see him again. His perfume was still lingering.