Halaw (Writing Exercises)

TRUST ME, THEO (Story Teaser)

This is reposted from last year. 

February 14, 2023 ko pala ito pinost originally. So ito talaga dapat ang Valentine's day piece.

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Kahit pamilyar na sa kanya kung kaninong daliri ang nagtulak ng isang libong pisong papel papalapit sa chessboard niya, nag-angat pa rin ng tingin si Theo. Tumambad sa kanya ang nakangising mukha ni Rachel Beatrice Trinidad del Valle. The woman whose life's goal it was to hound and irritate him.

Inarkuhan niya ito ng kilay na lalo lang ikinalapad nang pagkakangisi nito.

"Not interested," brusko niyang sabi.

"Kulang pa?" Dinagdagan nito nang ilang libo pa ang perang nasa counter.

He rolled his eyes at her and returned his attention on the board, moving his pawn.

He tried to put her out of his mind, but her disctinct perfume is muddling his brain. What the fuck is that anyway? He tried to find out, but short of raiding her house, he couldn't seem to find the brand nor the name of the fucking thing.

Some bratva brigadier he makes . He couldn't even find a fucking perfume. Fuck!

Naantala ang pagkastigo niya sa sarili nang lumakas ang amoy ng pabango. It surrounded him now, followed by a heat that's distinctly Beatrice. He could bitch until Armageddon comes, but this woman has the presence that he couldn't forget no matter how hard he tries.

Binalingan niya ang babae. Isang pulgada na lang at didikit na ito sa kanya. He had to remind himself to fucking breath and control it.

The woman is a shark for weakness. A whiff of it and she'll pounce on him. Only a fool will fall for her clueless bimbo act. The bratva does not breed fools.

He snapped at her. "I said I'm not interested. Not now, not ever."

"Gasgas na linya na 'yan, T. Makailang beses mo na bang sinuka at kinain din naman ulit 'yan? Besides, never is a long time. I'm great with changing someone's mind. You know that."

"Seriously, del Valle. Hindi pa ba sapat ang mga pumupunta sa open buffet na nilalatag mo?"

There's no discernable change in the woman's expression, but he knew his words hurt her even when she doesn't show it. It's his default to go for the jugular everytime, but he wishes he's not like that with this woman. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mayroon dito, but she brings out the worst in him. And, also the best.

"You're welcome to slap me, Beatrice. Hindi ako papalag."

Her eyes remained as opaque as ever, hiding what she really thinks and feels, but the corner of her lips lifted in a teasing smile. As if everything between them is forgiven and forgotten.

"Why should I slap you when a kiss would hurt you more?"

Ayaw niya man, napangiti na rin siya. There's the shark he knew lurks under the 5-foot-8 bombshell.

"I'd like to see you try."

"I will," simple niyang tugon. "After I've fed a few more buffet customers first. I knew how much you enjoy sloppy seconds."

He really did hurt her all right. Those were fighting words. A swipe at his preferred partners.

"Touche."

She grinned up at him. He watched her crook a finger and a grinning fool approached them.

"Hello," bati ni Rachel sa bagong dating na ikinatuwid nang pagkakatayo ng lalaki. "I'm Rachel."