Chasing Fate [On-Going]

Chapter Eight

Nessa and I had a blast last night. Eleven na kami umuwi at hindi pa noon natatapos ang cook fest. Kung hindi ko pa siya nakitang humikab ay hindi pa sana ako umuwi. I thought she would wake up late but after my morning workout, nadatnan ko siyang inaasikaso ang laundry.

"Good morning," bati ko sa kaniya.

"Oy, gising ka na pala!"

"Kumain ka na?"

Her eyes darted on the wall clock. "Mag-aalas dies na. Kung ang tinutukoy mo ay agahan, oo naman."

"I woke up kinda late."

"May pagkain ka sa lamesa. I-reheat mo na lang."

"I'm not hungry. Anyway, kakasimula mo pa lang bang maglaba?"

She nodded. "Inuuna ko 'tong mga puti. May isasabay ka pa ba?"

Since I was wearing a white compression shirt, I decided to take it off. I gave it to her. "Puwede bang isabay kahit medyo basa pa ng pawis?"

She cleared her throat. "Oo naman, bakit hindi?"

Sinalang na niya ang washing machine at may mga pinindot. When the clothes inside started tumbling, she continued sorting out the denim and cotton fabrics.

"Bakit nandito ka pa? May kailangan ka pa?" she asked.

"Hmm, wala naman. I'll stay here."

"Wala ka bang ibang gagawin?"

I leaned on the wall with my arms crossed over my chest. "Why does it feel like you don't want me here?"

"Hindi sa gano'n, oy!"

"Then what?"

"Puwede bang magsuot ka ng t-shirt?" tumayo siya.

I noticed her eye raking my torso. I also noticed the slight movement of her throat. Did she just swallow?

"Why, am I making you uncomfortable?" I asked, trying my best to sound baritone.

She took a deep breath, her eyes still discreetly glancing at me. . . although she is not really doing a good job at doing it secretly. I slowly advanced toward her. Umatras siya so I kept walking. Tumigil lang siya nang tumama siya sa washing machine. Pinatong ko ang mga kamay ko sa ibabaw ng washing machine at napapagitnaan siya ng mga ito. Our bodies were so close to each other. She looked away.

"Jackson," she managed to whisper.

"Yes, Nessa?"

"Amoy pawis ka."

I stifled a gasp. Lumayo ako sa kaniya nang kaunti bago nagpigil ng ngiti. "Mabaho ba ako?"

Umiling siya. "Hindi ko naman masasabing mabaho. Siguro mabantot lang."

"And what's the difference?"

"Kapag mabantot, slight lang."

I chuckled before turning my back on her. "Magsa-shower na nga ako! Mamaya maging mabaho pa ako, eh!"

Narinig ko ang pagbulong niya pero hindi ko na 'yon pero hindi ko na 'yon pinansin. Before I took a shower, I texted Kasper, my cousin, Rouge, asking if I could crash by his place. May mga plano akong gustong tanungin sa kaniya, but he said he's too busy with his family. I went to my last resort, Chaos. Ayaw ko pa sanang siya ang lapitan ko dahil kailang lang ay inaasar ko pa siya.

I texted him and asked him if I could go to his place. Tapos na raw ang mga trabaho niya kaya ayos lang. I sighed and went to shower. Before I turned the water on, inamoy ko ang sarili ko kung mabaho ba ako kagaya ng sinasabi ni Nessa sa akin. I couldn't even smell anything. What is she on about?