Progeny #1: Embers Of Devotion

Chapter 13

Standard

“Let me try it, come on!” pilit ko kay Cloudius habang patuloy siyang umiiling.

“No, Lavena. Stop it.” Natatawa siya nang yugyugin ko ang kaniyang balikat.

“Last day na natin dito, ayaw mo pa rin ako payagang pumunta roon?” Tinuro ko ang veranda. “Kasama ka naman,” giit ko.

I’ve changed my mind. Sabi ko ayaw ko masulyapan iyon but isa ring experience iyon. Silip lang naman tapos hindi na ako lalapit sa railings. Kasama ko pa siya. I just want to etched that in my memory but how am I going to do that if he won’t let me? May pin code na kailangan o ‘di kaya ay fingerprint niya and I keep on bothering him because of that.

Dinampian niya ng halik ang puno ng dibdib ko. Ang hininga niya ay tumatama roon. He’s sitting on a reclining chair and I am on his lap. Nakaharap sa kaniya.

“Hindi ka nabibigatan?” nakangusong tanong ko.

Nagpatuloy siya sa paghalik sa puno ng dibdib ko.

“Nah. I’m strong,” he proudly boasted.

Humalakhak ako sa sinambit niya.

“Paano kung mas tumaba ako kakapakain mo sa akin nang marami?”

“Then I’ll make myself even stronger,” simpleng sagot niya.

I slapped his shoulder because of happiness and looked at the veranda again to dispateched it. Baka mamaya sobra na akong kiligin at ma-turn off siya.

“I really want to try it…” bulong ko.

He breathed like he’s tired hearing that. When I shifted my stare at him, nakatingala na siya nang bahagya para maabot ako ng tingin. Suplado at seryoso pa rin ang mukha niya pero magaan ang kalse ng tingin na ibinibigay sa akin.

“Just a glance, Lavena,” deklara niya.

I cried out in joy, just like a child getting the most awaited approval from my parents.

"I swear," I said, breaking into a wide grin.

Umalis ako sa kandungan niya.

“Wear a shirt. It’s cold outside,” paalala niya.

“Let’s make it hot then.” I winked after I came up with a solution to the problem.

He shook his head like he’s used to hearing my spicy remarks. I laughed because that makes me happy and more comfortable. Pinanood ko siyang magsuot din ng tee shirt. Dito kasi ay hindi namin kailangan noon dahil may heater naman. But outside, I don’t think so. Pero tulad ng sabi ko, pwede naman naming painitin.

“Let’s go,” he said and took his phone.

I know what that's for. Hindi ko naman alam na mahilig siyang kumuha ng litrato. I know he’s a model and he likes the camera but not as a photographer but that’s what he has become during the past two days. Puro litrato ko ang kinukunan niya. He let me browse his phone. Iniiwan niya iyon nang bukas, walang password. Siyempre sinita ko siya kasi what if he lost it? Edi ang dali lang mabubuksan? But he told me he removed the password since I am the only one here. Ibabalik niya raw kapag nakauwi na kami.

I love how he’s comfortable with me too. He never browses my phone but if he ever wants to, he can. Wala naman akong tinatago and I love the feeling that we’re the same.

“Careful, Lavena,” he reminded me.

Umawang ang labi ko at tinawanan siya na ikinasimangot niya.

“Papalabas pa lang naman ako ng pinto, oh,” sabi ko iminuwestra ang sarili.

Hinagilap agad ng kamay niya ang akin at ‘di na hinayaan na makawala iyon sa hawak niya hanggang sa lumapit na kami sa railings. I felt my body tingling in thrill but also in horror. Shit! Nangangatog na agad ang tuhod ko natatanaw ko pa lang ang ibaba. Wala pa ako sa railings!