It was a lazy Monday afternoon and I am lying here on my bed. Hindi ako papasok sa trabaho ngayon because it's my grandfather's birthday. Kailangang nandoon lahat kaming mga apo niya. Something that I really don't like. I really hate gatherings. Iniisip ko kasi na plastic lang din naman lahat ng kamag-anak namin.
"Breeze, get ready. We're going to be late." Sigaw ni Mama mula sa pintuan ng kwarto ko. Hindi na siya pumasok.
I forced myself to get up. I don't know why pero may mas energy pa ako pag-papasok sa trabaho. I really don't want to see my relatives. They'll compare us and all, which I really don't care but it's annoying dahil hindi naman ako nakikipag-kompitensiya sakanila.
I was about to wear my oversized hoodie when my phone rang, at alam ko na agad kong sino ang tumatawag.
"What?" Tamad kong tanong pagkatapos kong buksan ang camera.
"You're wearing that to the party?" Tanong niya kaya inirapan ko nalang siya at inayos ang buhok kong natakpan ng hood ko.
"It's just a simple dinner." Asik ko naman dahil dinner lang naman talaga but ofcourse I know Mama will scold me for this.
Cypher chuckled and I can see amusement in his eyes.
"I really don't want to see my relatives. Nakapa-OA at perfectionist nila. Akala mo naman ang gaganda nila." I let my rant go off para hindi ako masyadong mainis.
"Chill. Baguio is cold today." Sabi niya na parang natatawa sa asal ko.
"Well, that will be a good excuse. Thanks!" Iniwan ko ang phone ko sa harap ng vanity mirror para maitali ang buhok ko.
"Don't tie your hair. It's cold, Breeze." He stopped me kaya napatigil din ako sa pagtali ng buhok ko.
"I'm Breeze. I'm colder." I joked but the brute just make face not even smiling. Kainis!
"That's your last." He said it with no humor so I rolled my eyes and let my hair fell down in my back.
"Wish me luck for this gathering." Natatawa kong sabi sakanya tsaka naglagay ng kunting lip tint.
He is intensely looking at me which makes me feel uneasy. Ramdam ko ang bilis ng pintig ng puso ko sa paninitig niya. This is not really good. I shouldn't be feeling this way towards him. We're just friends. And I know he is just treating me this way in a sisterly way. Maybe he saw me as his little sister. Damn!
"Is that strawberry flavor?" Biglaan niyang tanong kaya napakunot ang noo ko.
Is he asking the flavor of my tint? Flavor talaga?
"It smells like strawberry, so I guess it is." Sagot ko.
He shifted his position. Kanina ay nakadapa sa siya bed at may yakap na unan, ngayon ay nakasandal na siya sa headboard ng bed.
I can see the upper part of his massive chest. May yakap kasi siyang unan kaya hindi ko makita ang kabuoan ng katawan niya. So damot!
"That's why your lips smell like strawberry." He said huskily which makes my face heated. Gosh!
"Uhuh" sabi ko nalang dahil wala akong mahagilap na salita. Bwesit!
"I don't like strawberry but I can try your lips." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. What? Try my lips? Ano?!
He laughed at my reaction while hugging the pillow. What the hell Cypher?
I was about to say something pero hindi ko natuloy dahil kumatok ulit si Mama. Kaasar!
"Breeze, ano ba?!" Sigaw niya galing sa labas. Kaya agad na akong nagpaalam kay Cypher at pinatay ang tawag.
Hawak-hawak ko ang dibdib ko habang palabas ng kwarto ko. I can't still breath properly, what the hell is happening to me? And the heck of what he said, paulit-ulit na nagpi-play sa utak ko ang sinabi niya.
