Rejected

  "HOW's your study, prinsesa ko?" Biglang napunta sa akin ang astensyon nina Popsi. Silang dalawa kasi ni Ruru ang nag-uusap kanina.

"I'm having fun po," I answered with a smile. "This upcoming Monday, may short quiz po kami."

He nodded. "May kaibigan kana ba, prinsesa ko?"

I nodded, "Opo. I have two female friends,"

"Mabuti naman. Akala ko mahihirapan ka makipagkaibigan dahil baka kilala ka nila..."

Saglit akong natigil sa akmang pagsubo. Uminom na lang ako ng tubig bago nagsalita.

"Hindi naman po. I don't think they knew me. I also told them to call me Rashaiah instead of Rara. Hindi rin po ako nagbabanggit ng mga kung ano sa nakaraan,"

Tumango siya. Mukha namang satisfied si Popsi sa naging sagot ko. Ruru looked at me.

"Lalaki? Wala naman umaaligid sa 'yong lalaki?" he asked.

"Wala naman po,"

"Basta, prinsesa ko, tandaan mo na kailangan mong sabihin sa akin kung may umaaligid sa 'yo. Para mahanap ko at makita kung katiwa-tiwala ba," Popsi said.

I sighed. "Popsi,"

"Gusto ko lang mag-ingat. Mahirap na't baka masalisihan. Dalaga kana, nak, mas lalo ka pang gumaganda sa paglipas ng mga araw. Sigurado akong may mga lalaking babalakin na ligawan ka."

"Wala naman po, 'e..."

"Hindi mo masasabi't kasisimula lang ng pasok niyo. Pero kung hindi na namin mapipigilan, wala naman sigurong masama kung kilalanin namin ang mga lalaking manliligaw sa 'yo," he added.

"Only courting, princess. Bawal pa rin ang boyfriend," Ruru reminded me seriously.

Napailing na lang ako sa mga narinig. Nang matapos kami kumain, nagpaalam akong aalis mayamaya at bibisitahin ko sina Dustin at Thunder sa mansyon nila. Pinayagan naman ako basta hatid-sundo ako ni Dawson.

The guard at the Altamirano mansion opened the gate for me. I was walking into the pathway to their entrance door when my legs stopped as I saw the man standing at the front door.

Dwight Altamirano was wearing a three-piece suit in dark grey with a maroon necktie. His head tilted in my direction, and our eyes met. I don't have the chance to look away because I will look evasive if I do.

So, I continued walking as if he wasn't on my mind all night.

"May utang ka sa akin," he stopped me from entering the main door.

Dahil matangkad at malaki ang katawan niya, hindi ako makapasok sa pinto, maliban na lang kung lulusot ako sa ilalim ng mga braso niya... na kailanma'y hindi ko gagawin.

"Utang? I'm not the type of person na nangungutang, no!" I protested.

His left thick brows slightly twitched.

"Tinakbuhan mo ako kahapon," he said hoarsely.

My cheeks seared up when I remembered what happened yesterday. Mariin kong pinaglapat ang labi.

"You pretty little thief," he whispered sexily.

"I-I'm not a thief. . . I didn't steal anything," I said, almost mumbling.

"Oh, yeah?"

Napaatras ako nang magsimula siyang humakbang palapit sa akin. Umatras naman ako dahil palapit na nang palapit si Dwight.

"Dwight—"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mabunggo ang likuran ko sa pader. I instantly felt the cold texture of the wall behind me. Yet, the warm puff of Dwight's breath brushes my skin when he leans closer. Both of his hands were on the side of my head and his eyes were on mine—delving into the tiniest part of my soul.

"You stole a kiss from me yesterday," he whispered. "And I want to take it back..." he added before I felt him crouching closer to my face.

Mariin akong napapikit, hinihintay na lumapat ang labi niya sa akin. I felt the tip of his nose on my cheeks. But then, I waited for seconds, but I didn't feel his lips on mine. Nagmulat ako ng mga mata at natagpuan siyang mariin na nakatitig sa akin.

"I don't kiss bad girls," he whispered dangerously.

My mood crashed into the mud.

"Excuse me, I am not a bad girl!" I felt offended and embarrassed.

He looked at me as he inserted a stick of cigarette he took from the back of his chinos between his lips.

"I know," he answered while smoking. "You are a good girl, Rashaiah..."

I bowed my head to hide my burning cheeks. I don't know if that was a compliment or the opposite. I looked up at him and scoffed when I smelled that familiar smoke again.

"Stop that," Matapang na sabi ko.

"Hmm?"

"Stop smoking..." I swallowed hard. "Smoking is bad for the health. Maawa ka naman sa baga mo. It can also cause bad breath..."

"Am I bad breath to you?"

"I don't know."

His mouth smells so good! It smells like mint and—Rara, ano ba 'yan?!

His eyes narrowed in a quick second. "You kissed me... you should've known that."

My cheeks instantly felt hot as my heartbeat skipped a beat.

"S-sa pisngi lang naman 'yon!" I stuttered.

"Why? Did you wish you kissed me on the lips instead?" he asked, taunting.

Natameme ako. 

"I-I'll go inside na. Can you move and stop blocking the way?" I said, avoiding the awkwardness I was feeling.

I stiffened when he grabbed my arm. "Now, you are avoiding me, huh?"

A sudden burning feeling rushed through my whole body like a wildfire. Why do I always feel like this when we made physical contact?

This feeling whenever he's around are new to me. Ni minsan, hindi ko pa 'to naramdaman sa iba. 

Damn, no.

I can't feel this way towards him.

I can't like him.

"P-papasok na ako sa loob!" Natatarantang sabi ko at hinila ang braso ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya.

Hindi ko na siya tinignan at lumusot na lang ako sa ilalim ng mga braso niya. He stepped backwards because of what I did. My heart pounded loudly against my chest when our eyes met for the last time.

Damn it.

I shouldn't feel this way, not with him...

But I don't think I can stop anything anymore because I think I like him already.

"Miss Rara, tara merienda na. Nagluto si Manang ng pagkain," Asherah was innocently looking at me.

I smiled at her. "Oh, sure,"

"Malalim yata ang iniisip mo?" she asked.

I sighed. "Medyo... it's just about what happened last time,"

"Iyong tungkol sa mga paparazzi?"

I nodded quietly.

Kinuyog ako ng mga tao nang pumunta kami sa amusement park kasama ang mag-ama. May nagshu-shooting pala roon at nakilala ako ng ilang reporters.

Mabuti na lang at agad din namatay ang balita dahil bigla itong nawala. I don't know who did it, but I am certain that my manager and road manager did something to make the recent videos and pictures of me deleted.

Popsi was worried sick when he saw the news.

"Ayos ka lang ba talaga, prinsesa ko? Ipahanap ko kaya sa tech namin kung sino ang nagpakalat ng mga pictures at videos mo sa social media?"

I shook my head, "I'm fine po. Medyo na overwhelmed lang ako dahil hindi na ako sanay na maraming mga kamera ang nakatutok sa akin," I muttered honestly.

Simula noong pumutok ang issue, hindi na muna ako pumupunta sa bahay nina Dustin. Tatlong beses sa isang linggo lang ang pasok ko sa pastry school kaya't nang mga panahon na 'yon, hindi ko kailangan pumasok sa skul.

"Don't mind those people, Miss Rara," Asherah said. "Don't waste your time overthinking about them."

I looked at her and smiled sincerely. "Sige na nga." I sighed. "But I told you to call me Rara. Ang pormal kasi masyado ng tawag mo sa akin," Nakangusong sabi ko at sabay na kaming pumasok sa kusina.

"Oo na. Sasanayin ko na ang sarili ko," sagot niya habang may maliit na ngiti sa labi.

Asherah was Thunder's first-ever official Nanny. Nasabi sa akin noon ni Dustin na may private nurse na nagbabantay kay Thunder noong newborn pa lang siya. Pero nang lumaki na 'to, hindi na siya kumuha ng tagapangalaga.

Asherah was a silent type of woman. Tahimik lang siya pero malakas ang dating. Ngumingiti naman siya lalo na kapag kasama at kausap ang alaga niya.

I am comfortable talking to her, too. Ilang beses na rin kami nagkasama sa galaan. Thanks to Tintin, I think Asherah and I can be friends.

The next day, I woke up at six in the morning. We don't have class, so I plan to spend my morning at the gym.

I wore a black front zipper crop top with long sleeves and black yoga shorts, paired with my new workout shoes. I completed the look with a high ponytail and a baseball cap.

"Good morning, prinsesa ko! Saan ang lakad mo? Maaga pa, 'a?" Popsi bombarded me with questions when he saw me downstairs.

"Gym po. It's been a while since I visited the gym. Magpapahatid naman po ako kay Dawson," sagot ko habang pinupuno ko ng malamig na tubig ang tumbler ko.

"Ah, okay, prinsesa ko." He said, and gently kissed the top of my head. "Ingat ka, nak."

I nodded, smiling. "Opo! Thanks, Popsi!"

Dawson automatically opened the car when he saw me marching out of the house. A few moments later, we arrived at the gym. Since magtatagal ako ng ilang oras sa gym, I told Dawson to do whatever he wanted. If he wants to go and rest at home, go.

I finished the last set of sit-ups, and sweat dripped down my forehead. The dry, clean, and matted floor of the gym was soaking with my back's sweat. I took my tumbler and greedily drank from it.

I froze when my eyes landed on the fitted white compression shirt and black sweatpants a familiar man was wearing. The way his biceps flexed while walking and the silhouette of his perfectly carved abdomen underneath his shirt were mouthwatering.

Damn, sexy!

I immediately looked away when I realized I shouldn't gawk at him. 

I can't like my best friend's brother. He's off-limits. He was like an older brother to me. That's taboo.

So, I am avoiding him.

I want to avoid Dwight as much as I can so these feelings inside me will vanish easily.

I don't go to Dustin's much anymore because I'm busy with pastry school. Kapag magkikita kami nina Dustin at Thunder, hindi na kami sa mansyon nila tumatambay para hindi ko rin makita si Dwight. It's been four days, and that's how it always happens.

"So you decided to play an avoiding game, huh?"

I nearly spit the water in my mouth when I heard someone speak near my ears. I swallowed the water and turned to him. My heart did a summersault when our gazes met.

"Dwight, nandito ka pala!" I forced a quick smile.

"You are avoiding me," his voice was sliced with annoyance.

"Huh? I'm not avoiding anyone." Luckily, I didn't stutter.

"You are obviously avoiding me," he declared. "Why?"

I looked away, avoiding his gaze.

"Hindi nga," I answered.

"You are," he insists.

Matapang kong sinalubong ulit ang titig niya.

"No, I am not," I answered shortly. "Anyway, I'll leave you here. I'm going to run," I said casually, pointing to the treadmill.

I didn't wait for him to answer. I marched over to the treadmill and maneuvered the machine.

I thought he was gone, but a few minutes later, I saw Dwight running on the treadmill beside mine. My breath hitched when his head tilted to my side and our eyes met. Umigting agad ang panga niya sa paraang pagalit.

"Stop avoiding me," he said coldly.

I gave him a quick look. "I said I am not! I am just busy!"

"Hindi kana pumupunta sa bahay,"

"I am studying," I answered without looking at him.

"Rashaiah, that's not a reason—"

Iritado kong pinatay ang treadmill at humarap sa kaniya.

"Do you like me?" I asked straightforwardly.

I saw him bit his bottom lip as he sighed problematically. Mabilis niyang hininto ang sariling treadmill at lumapit sa'kin. He rested his hand on his waist.

"Were you waiting for my next visit to your mansion?" I asked with a tone of accusing.

Dwight, sabihin mong oo at susugal ako.

Just say yes, and I will gladly let your wildfire burn me.

I froze, and my eyes widened because instead of answering me, I felt his hand on my chest. He held the zipper of my top and closed it. Hindi siya nagsalita nang ginawa niya 'yon.

"Dwight," his name rolled out my lips like a honey.

Our gazes locked with each other, making my stomach swooped.

"Do you have a schedule after this? I know a coffee shop nearby..."

"So?"

"Let's have breakfast," he offered gently.

"Why?" I asked confusingly.

"I want to tell you something," he said.

I only nodded still speechless that he invited me for breakfast. Nang bumalik siya sa treadmill, tumakbo agad ako papunta sa banyo. Tinakpan ko ang bibig at pigil na pigil na tumili.

Bakit?! Ano bang sasabihin niya't hindi niya masabi ngayon? Kailangan ba talaga, kumain muna kami ng agahan bago niya masabi?

Since I had already showered and dressed, I just waited for Dwight outside the locker room. I was wearing grey low-waisted jogging pants and a loose crop top shirt.

Dwight's scent immediately invaded my nose when he was a few inches away from me. He smells like musk, mint and aftershave cream. He smells so good! I want to bury my nose on his neck and smell him all day.

Rara, ano ba?! Magmo-move on kana, 'di ba?

He's now wearing a black fitted t-shirt and faded jeans paired with white sneakers. His outfit is simple, yet he looked like a ramp model.

"Hey, let's go?"

I nodded. "Okay,"

I bit the inside of my cheeks as I glanced at him through my peripheral vision. Dwight walks first as his legs are long, and he knows where we will eat, but I noticed that his steps suddenly slowed until our paces were equal.

Did he walk slower so he could match my steps?

I almost stopped walking when Dwight walked on the other side of the side walk. Malapit siya sa kalsada habang ako ang napunta sa may gitna, malayo sa mga sasakyan. I smiled secretly when I realized what he did.

Dwight opened the glass door of the coffee shop and waited for me to enter before he let go of the door.

"Thank you!" I smiled at him.

Naghanap agad ako ng table at naupo. Tumingala ako nang makitang palapit na si Dwight. I gestured for him to walk faster.

"Sit," I uttered and gestured to the chair in front of me.

His brows furrowed in annoyance.

"Sit? What am I? Your dog?" he hissed and sat right away.

I grinned and grabbed the menu. Nagreklamo pa, umupo rin naman! I scanned the menu and looked at what to eat.

"What's your order?" I looked at Dwight, but to my surprise, he was already looking at me. My cheeks slowly roast as he looked away as if nothing had happened.

"I'll have my usual order," he said after a few seconds. "What's yours? I'll order for the both of us,"

"I'll have the souffle pancakes with strawberries, please, and iced coffee," I stated my order, smiling. "Here's my payment," I was about to give my card, but Dwight had already left.

Napailing na lang ako.

I watched him order our food on the counter. I only have the view of his back, but he still caught my full attention. The longer I stare at him, the deeper I fall.

I lowly grunted and slapped my forehead when my inward thoughts arose again.

"Rara, shut up! He's off-limits!" I admonished.

I composed myself when Dwight came back with our orders. I bit my bottom lip when he put my order in front of me. I didn't say anything. He just did that voluntarily. He even put the utensils on the correct sides. Dwight knew I was right-handed.

Nakakainis naman, 'o! Paano ako magmo-move on?

Tahimik lang kami habang kumakain. Nakabibingi nga pero tiniis ko na lang. Hindi ko maiwasan na hindi siya sulyapan dahil ang linis niya kumain, maingat. I watched him eat in awe when I realized that he was left-handed. An idea popped into my mind.

"Dwight," I gently called him.

Namumungay ang mga mata niya nang tumingin sa akin.

"Left-handed ka pala? Ako kasi right-handed," I uttered randomly.

"Hmm, so?"

I went closer to him, making him off guard. I rested my elbow on the table while staring directly into his eyes.

"So, I guarantee that I can treat you right."

A shadow of a smile passed over his serious face, but it had gone so fast I might've imagined it.

"Just eat, Rashaiah," he demanded softly.

I sighed with disappointment and just focused on my food. But after a short silence, Dwight spoke.

"I know you and my brother don't have any relationship... so I know someone who you may like,"

My eyes widened in a fraction. I looked up at him.

"Excuse me? Are you making reto sa akin?" maarteng sabi ko.

He never lost eye contact with me.

"Yeah. So, give me your number," he said.

It was a shocking moment when Dwight asked for my number. But when his reason repeated in my mind, I just wanted to grunt in disappointment. Natagalan pa akong ilabas ang selpon ko dahil parang ayoko ibigay.

We exchanged numbers before I hid my phone back in my bag.

"Kanino mo ako irereto?" I asked in curiousity.

"His name is Leoniel Salcedo... and he's my best friend," He licked his bottom lip. "He's an engineer working in ZDS."

I shook my head repeatedly to show my disagreement.

"Bakit hindi na lang ikaw?"

He immediately choked on his drink. Dwight coughed as his eyes narrowed in astonishment.

"What?!"

I'd come this far. There was no backing out now.

"Why don't you try dating me?" I asked with defiance.

"What?" he repeated.

"Okay, I will date you instead," I proposed.

Biglang umigting ang panga niya.

"Rashaiah, we should stop talking about that,"

"Why?" I smirked, masking the pain by pretending I didn't hear or feel anything.

"I have no intention of being in a relationship with you..."

"Bakit naman?"

"I'm in love with someone else."

Biglang bumagal ang tibok ng puso ko sa narinig. Parang punyal na paulit-ulit na bumabaon sa dibdib ko ang sinabi niya. My hand gripping on the spoon tightened.

"Then, I'll take your feelings away from that person!"

He bit his bottom lip and looked away.

"You don't have a chance to me," he said without looking at me.

This is the first time someone has rejected me. I don't know how to feel. Okay, maybe a little disappointment but also a little thrill. Kung akala ni Dwight susuko agad ako, well, nagkakamali siya.

"It's fine. Ang mahalaga, may chance ka sa akin," I answered playfully.

"You are..." He looked at me again. Then, he shook his head firmly. "Unbelievable."

"I'm also available!" sagot ko agad.

"Are you serious?" he asked with pure annoyance.

"Sa 'yo? Oo naman."

His already serious expression intensified.

"Rashaiah shut up," he warned.

My lips lifted into a cunning smirk. "Make me," I dare.

He sighed problematically. Napahilot pa siya sa gilid ng noo. Halatang stress na stress sa akin.

"Rashaiah, you are still young. You will meet many boys in the future, but I am not on the market."

Naningkit ulit ang mga mata ko sa inis. He remained serious as he stared at me, watching my every move.

"Hindi na ako bata! I'm turning twenty-four next month!"

"My answer is still no,"

"Your answer may be no right now, but soon, you'll bark for me!" I declared, as I never avoided our eye contact.

Fuck, fine!

The moving on is postponed!

Great wall of Dwight Altamirano—how could I climb it?

:)