Kabanata 14:

Truth or Drink

We ate at his balcony in an average size table with striped mantle, wineglasses and candles. It was a typical set-up for a romantic date.

I stopped chewing when he leaned a little closer.

"Oh, my. Give me some peace, Devon..."

My back stiffened.

"You have a sauce in your mouth."

He sat back to his chair. He licked the sauce that came from the side of my lips and gave me a lascivious wink.

"Holy me,"

We clinked our wine glasses before downing the shot, letting the burning liquid slide down our throat. We sat back with satisfied sighs. Pinagmasdan ko ang kalmadong dagat at binabad ang sarili sa ganda nito.

Tinukod niya ang kanyang siko sa arm rest ng upuan.

"Eirene," he whispered.

I was pulled back from my own trance. I cleared my throat, trying to calm myself. He was staring at me again as if he sees the world in me.

"You want to play a game?"

It took me seconds to get what he said.

"What game? Do you think we are too old for games?"

"This game will help to know us better."

He drained his glass.

My forehead folded. "What are you trying to say, Devon?"

"I mean, it's a truth or drink game. I will ask you any random questions, it's up to you if you will answer it or not."

"What's the thrill of it?" I questioned as more confuse folds showed on my forehead.

"Thrill? You're going to take a shot of tequila if you're not going to answer the question. Then you will throw me questions back."

"Amm..."

Gusto ko nalang matulog, pero hindi pa naman ako masyadong inaantok.

"C'mon, Eirene. Are we going to stare each other the whole night? I might not have a good sleep." pabulong ang pagkakabanggit niya sa huli.

"Alright." I submitted to his little game.

Pumasok siya sa bahay at kumuha ng mga index cards at dalawang markers sa kalkunsilyo ng mesa.

"We have to write down our questions here." he placed down the cards and marker in front of me.

"Just remember, Eirene, you can only answer the question honestly, or take a drink." he emphasized the rules.

The questioning and answering started. As far as I remember, I didn't ask personal and intimate inquiries, unlike Devon who seemed to be cultivating some of my intimate secrets.

Sinagot ko ang iba at hindi sinagot ang mga bagay na dapat hindi tinatanong. Kaya't palagi akong napapainom ng matapang na alak.

Meanwhile, he was confident to voice out everything about him. He answered all my questions with chin held high. Even if it was weirdly subjective for his own good.

"What was the last thing you cried over?"

"Before I came here."

That night when my parents arguing about the disappointment I made.

"Have you ever gotten in a physical altercation with someone?"

"Just recently."

Only him. Noong isang araw na sinigawan ko siya dahil sa inis.

"Have you ever had a secret relationship?"

"I haven't, really."

Kumurba ang mukha niya sa isang nakakahalinang ngiti.

"What's your favorite drink?"

"Bloody Mary."

He flipped the next card of question.

"What's the biggest lie you've ever told?"

"I told my mom that I'm reviewing my notes, but I'm not."

"What are you really doing when you told your mom you're not reviewing your notes?"

"Kama Sutra."

A deep-guttural laughter exploded from him. Nang humupa ang libang na libang niyang tawa ay tinanong niya akong muli, "Are you a virgin?"

Seryoso na ulit ang mukha niya. Siya pa iyong mukhang kinakabahan sa sarili niyang tanong. He was fumbling the index card, reeling his marker in the presence of anxiety.

I swallowed hard.

There's no denying that I was a proud virgin.

"Yes. I'm a proud virgin." I answered proudly.

Relief and jubilant were written on his face. I couldn't meet his gaze.

"You're probably somehow mocking me deep inside your brain that I'm still vestal at this age."

His eyes softened. "I'm not. That is not a shame. For me, that is praise-worthy, Eirene. Neither those women who aren't virgin already, but they value themselves by not depending on that societal standard."

"Thank you..."

I had entered a conversational and physical intimacy with him. I would have to be very much careful now.

We fixed the table and chairs back inside his house. Kaya wala akong mauupuan. Sinadya niya bang isauli ang mga upuan para pareho kaming maupo sa iisang rocking chair?

Nangangalay na ako saka tatayo! At ang nakakagulat hindi niya man lang ako pinaupo sa rocking chair. Other-wise, offer me a seat! And he should be the one standing!

He reached for my hand and grasped my fingers with his. "Come on, baka mangalay ka diyan, Eirene."

I took two steps and his arms immediately wrapped on my waist na parang inaasahan na talaga niyang hindi ako aayaw. Totoo naman. Wala na akong ibang choice.

I felt my inside throbbed with need as I settled on the side of this thigh. I felt someone pour a bucket of lava around my body. I felt the searing excitement for no reason. It was the strangest feeling. How dare me feel excitement in that kind of situation? Where in fact, there was nothing to be excited about!

"Are you comfortable now?" he asked softly.

I nodded and stared at his lips.

"You are driving me insane, Eirene...."

Wala na talaga ako sa huwisyo. I probably looked like a wasted drunken lady. I could feel his warm breath in the crook of my neck. He filled another cup with white strong liquor gamit ang isa niyang kamay.

Siya na mismo ang nagpainom sa akin. My hands were not capable to hold the cup. I circled my arms on his neck while I emptied the glass.

He sighed. "That's the last."

I shook my head in contumacy. "Gusto ko pa, Devon..." My words turned out into a whisper.

"Oh. God. Your voice sounds like moaning in pleasure."

The alcohol inside me was brimming. "What if I am?"

"I'll carry you to Marky's rest house."

"No! Make me moan just like what you suggest!" I whined.

He massaged his temple. "No, Eirene. I'm suggesting right now na dalhin na kita sa kwarto mo..."

He was about to swing me up. I held his wrist.

"I'm suggesting right now that you kiss me like what you did behind that rock..." I murmured to his ear.

He stiffened and gazed at me intently. "Stop this, Eirene. I know you're drunk. I want the sober Eirene back."

"I thought you like the Eirene Drunk? Because you can take advantage of me..."

My grit was overwhelming. I never had the confidence to act salaciously to someone ever.

"I may be acting flirty to you but I don't have that intention, Eirene.

Lasing ka. I should be making sure you're back safe in Marky's rest house. So, please, listen to me."

"No, kiss me now."

"Huwag matigas ang ulo, Eirene."

His jaw moved. His eyes were mad and I was doubting myself. My appearance.

I blinked my eyes. "Am I not look attractive right now like what I look behind that rock, Devon? That's why you can't kiss me right now?"

He could take advantage of my body. He could do anything what he wanted in my body. But it was different more than what I expected. I shifted my one leg to the other side. I was completely straddling him now.

"You are the most stunning creature I ever laid my eyes on..." he groaned in silent plea as I moved upwards to the bulge between his legs.

"Jesus. Patawarin niyo po ako."

He grunted looking upwards, asking the Almighty God for consideration.

"What?" asik ko. "Devon..."

"Hmm?"

My core was pulsating in the contact of his rigid thing against his jeans.

"Parang sasabog ka na!" I chuckled sexily at his face.

"I'm controlling myself!"

I unconsciously gyrated my hips. My body was spurred, lost, and drown. I didn't know what gotten in my head.

The only thing I wanted that night was to feel him. His skin on me. Both of us writhing in heat. I licked my lips. His shaft was poking me, healthy and ready. It was hard as a steel even with thick fabric on. I knew very well that he would hurt me with his thing.

"Stop grinding, Eirene." he ordered. "Don't make this hard on me, babe."

"Babe...yes please..." I teased him more.

"Porca Miseria..."

Hinawakan niya ako ng mariin sa baywang. He was stilling my shameless and seductive grinding. Ngunit hindi ako nagpapigil.

"I have to admit, Devon. I'm not the usual prim lady. I have wild imaginations. I've read and watched videos. So, I'm giving you my utmost permission to touch me..."

"You're only saying that because you're drunk, Eirene. Tigilan mo na ito. Kung hindi, iiwan kita dito sa labas. At matutulog na ako..." banta niya.

"Iiwan mo ako dito? My body will be shivering in cold. My lips will be trembling. I'll be bitten by mosquitos. I can't believe you! Are you really this heartless?"

"Babe, that's not what I meant. I want you back in Marky's rest house, so you can sleep peacefully." his tone was calm.

I pouted my lips. "Don't talk to me with that tone. I want the flirty Devon..."

"Stop provoking me. I'm on the edge right now, Eirene." His jaw grinded more.

"Then fall from that edge." I pushed him to his limit.

"No. I have been labeled by you as cat caller. It was my fault. And now, you are basically sloppy and soused to the eyeballs. I do not want to be labeled a rapist. I am serious, Eirene. Do not make this hard on me. I'll escort you back to the rest house."

It was a formidable and sane rejection.

"I want to sleep in your house." I said with my mind hazy.

"But no sexual intercourse."

He guided me inside. His hands on my back. He was attentive to my needs. He gave me his spare t-shirt while his back was facing on me. Then, he fixed his bed for me and provided me the softest blanket from his cabinet. He turned off the light from the ceiling and only the bedside lampshade was turned on.

I thought he would leave the room, but I felt my feet warm from the socks he put on me. He kissed my forehead before he closed the door. That's how that night ended.

Periedot Spiels