Kabanata 34:

Bleed Again

My Persian cat was lying on my lap and expected me to keep him with the lap of luxury through my soft caress.

Shanie was busy in her laptop at the front desk outside my office. It was the usual time when no one would list down for a consultation.

"Play with him, play with the fire." I pondered what Marky said to me over and over again.

Ang pagpinid ng pintuan ang siyang nagpasindak sa aking pusa. Pinalabas niya ang matatalas niyang ngipin. Nanlilisik ang mga mata niya kay Shanie.

"Doc, may emergency!" bungad niya at hindi pinansin ang reklamo ng aking pusa.

"Emergency? Saang hospital galing?"

Under normal conditions, patient with allergic attack were normally taken directly to the nearest hospital before they would be consulted for a skin allergist.

"This will be the first time that I'll be receiving a patient directly to our clinic."

"Nagkataon lang siguro na kilala ka at dinala kaagad dito para maagapan. Pero ang gwapo ng pasyente, doktora."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Sumunod ako kay Shanie sa examination room.

My face turned out sour upon seeing my client.

Devon was flopping on the examination bed. Nakabukas ang ilang butones ng kanyang long sleeve.

Namumula ang dibdib niya. Ngunit hindi ito natural na pamumula lamang. Nakalupi rin hanggang siko ang sleeves niya. Litaw na litaw ang mga kalmot ng kamay sa kanyang pang-ibabang braso.

"I can determine allergic reactions: through the size of marks on their skin; the change of pigmentation; the intensity of their respiration; and the itchiness, or the aggressiveness to scratch their skin that a person feels. And guessing by looks of you, you seemed to be just acting. You think you can fool me with this scheme. It's not going to happen."

Umupo ako sa gilid niya.

Lumundag ng marahan ang kama. Nakaharang ang isang braso niya sa kanyang mukha na parang dinadama niya talaga ang allergic reaction sa katawan niya.

"I'll leave you two here, doc. May tumatawag..."

Shanie gave me a teasing wink, and she hobbled out.

Kinuha ko ang aking dermatoscope.

"Stop acting, Devon. You think you can fool me? You should think twice before doing this. This is obviously just claw of fingernails. You scratch your skin so harshly, that cause red marks in your arms. Ang pamumula sa dibdib mo ay sanhi ng matinding pagbilad sa araw."

"Doc, my butt is also itching. You may want to take a look at it."

He flipped on his back. Dinaklot niya ang aking kamay sa kanyang puwetan.

I tugged his slacks down, and slapped his butt cheeks.

"Harder, please. Spank me more."

He chuckled. He was not wearing a brief, but my old Victoria's Secret underwear!

Tumayo ako para pigilan ang namumuong ngiti.

"You still have my Victoria's Secret Underwear?"

He rose up. He sat in front of me. He bit the inside of his cheek like he was holding off a smile. The pout on his lips was prominent than his smile.

"I still have it. Allergic ako sa Calvin Klein na mga underwear, kaya hot pink Victoria's Secret underwear nalang ang sinuot ko, doctora. It's more comfortable than briefs."

I coughed onto my shoulders when his gaze traveled down the length of my body, and stopped at my legs.

I pulled down my skirt. I forbid myself not to look down at him.

My brain ceased from working when he tucked me onto his arms. The movement defined his strong arms.

We squeezed to each other in the small space. He yawned with a deep growl. He tightened his oversized limbs on my back. He was really cute, and big as a bear.

"Go back to your work, Devon. Don't disturb me with mine."

"Your secretary said, you don't have anyone to examine right now? You don't have any surgeries either. It means you are free right now."

"I have things to do." I mumbled, struggling to get out of his arms.

Mas lalo lamang niya akong hinigpitan. My chest started to strain as I felt his sharp jaw on my cheeks.

His lips were on my neck. His breath was fanning my earlobe. His heat was slowly transmitting to me.

His eyes dropped to my lips, and he let out a sound of frustration.

"If we're still like we used to be, your lips may be ravished by now. Bambino, Cara."

My mind was buffering. I took control of myself.

"If I'm really rude, your fleshy butt is on the ground right now."

He whipped up a finger to my lips. "Ssshh..."

I obliged him. Nothing coherent seemed to appear in my brain. Each one of his steady exhales skated over me. Our clothes served as the barrier between us.

I clenched my thighs.

"Babe.." naninimbang ang kanyang boses.

"Hmm?" I answered.

Why I am allowing him to do this adamant spontaneity?

Walang malay kong sinara ang nakabukas na mga butones ng damit niya. Dati pa man ay alam kong hilig na niyang ilantad ang pang– itaas na bahagi ng kanyang katawan.

I flattened my palms to the crease part of his chest.

"Amm...Give me a permission."

The silk of his clothes slipped over my palms.

I could feel my intestines started to wiggle.

Sumagi na naman ang isang sariwa at mabahaging alaala sa aking isipan.

Siguro masyado akong mahina noon. Ang unang halik na aming pinagsaluhan sa mismong likuran ng malaking bato ay unang ebidensiya ng kahinaan ko.

"I know what you're planning to do at this moment. Huwag mong gawin, Dev. Lalo lang akong lalayo sayo." I sharply warned him.

"Anong relasyon meron tayo ngayon? Friends don't do sweet cuddles. We're not even look like friends. We're more likely a sweet– married couple having a foreplay session."

Tila dumikit ang aking dila sa ibabaw ng aking bunganga.

His hand wrapped around my hair. I considered myself undergoing a major change — from human to a flying insect when I felt the very plump skin of his lips on mine.

His large palms were cupping the entire space of my face. I totally melt under the flick of his affection. He kissed me with the slowness of a sloth, but with complete precision.

The kiss was flawless. He was like savoring the longing he had for me. Mabagal ang kasidhian ng mga halik niya. Damang-dama ko kung gaano ito kapani-paniwala sa puntong makakalimutan kong naging dahilan siya ng pagkasira ko.

His lips and caress were soft. But the rest of him was solid.

Whenever he kissed me, my worries and doubts turned into mush, leaving me in the state of delusion.

I couldn't bring myself to break it.

Ramdam ko ang pagtaas ng bilis kaya't hiniwalay niya kaagad ang mga labi sa akin.

Dinikit niya ang noo sa akin. "I'm sorry, Eirene. Ang hirap lang pigilan. It's really hard to avoid the surge of emotion when we're close an inch. You're not responding. Paunti-unti luluwag din ang mga rehas dito..." he whispered and pointed my heart.

He kissed my forehead as if he could earn my trust again. His eyes were desperately searching for an answer, but my mouth was totally clamped.

Lunod na lunod pa ako sa mga madayang halik niya. Hindi ko namalayan ang pagtayo niya.

"I'll be gone for four days, Eirene. Babalik ako kaagad. I'll be meeting with one of the trusted engineers in Singapore for the Sussana Coast building construction. We will still get in touch."

The door opened. My eyes widened.

"Dito ka lang pala pumunta. Yawacca, Diavolo. Gisayang sayangan lang nimo akong oras. (Sinayang mo lang oras ko)" Rafael complained.

***

Friday morning started with a fast walk around the track, then a short drive to the clinic. The silence in the morning felt too odd without his disturbance and fuss.

Tumunog ang phone ko. I thought the message was from him, but I was wrong.

Marky:

Check his Instagram ASAP.

I refreshed my Instagram. He followed me. I clicked on his Instagram profile. May larawan siya sa harapan ng clinic ko. His caption was:

visiting my future🙈 visit her clinic for bright skin, and bright future😉

Oh. Should I thank him for the short advertisement?

I read the comments.

@mikeymilolot_ si BöSs PuMâPag-ibig yieee😎 pa-lëtChön NaMän dyan!

Michael Angelo was such a creative typer.

@Donaleto_88 HAHAHAHA as if Ate Eirene will let you inside😝

@Rafaelhumot Manigas ka sa labas. Magiging bright future mo dyan sa init ng araw.

@miswa90 I think my panties slipped😋

@tangkong67 huhu sana all may future. Wala na ba talaga akong pag-asa papi?🤧

@caraclaro oh! Siya yung nakita ko sa Forbes magazine. Goodness. Pinahiya mo mga Greek-Gods, papi. 😨

Ang laki na ng narating niya.

My phone beeped again.

Unknown Number:

Please answer my call.

A reluctant smile pulled up on my lips.

Hindi ko sinagot ang mga tawag niya. Kahit labin-limang beses siyang tumawag.

Unknown Number:

I'll understand if you're busy, babe. I'll just send pictures and videos of me🙈 Baka lang namimiss mo na ako🙈

Nag-uumapaw ang mga videos at pictures sa aking messenger.

Diavolo sent a voice message.

Diavolo sent a video.

Diavolo message you.

My fingers were trying not to click them. Thanks to stupidity, I accidentally clicked a short clip of him.

Nasa kama siya. Magulo ang buhok. Bagong gising. Nasa likuran niya ang mataas na kapansin-pansin na Marina Bay Sands Sky Park.

"Buon giorno. Ti amo. Cara. Maliligo palang ako at mag-aalmusal kaagad. Don't worry about me. Look behind me, babe. It's breathtaking, right? It will be more breathtaking if we made love here in front of it. What do you think?"

I almost choke.

I typed a message:

Stop sending me these pictures and videos just come home safe.

Masyado ba akong nag-aalala? My thumb hovered in the send button. I was battling with my doubts about not sending a single message at all. Gayun paman, na-click ko na ang blue paper plane button.

Diavolo sent a voice record.

"You're worried. Answer my calls, please."

His accent was beyond gorgeous when its voice recorded.

***

Ganoon ang routine namin sa loob ng apat na araw. Lunes ng alas sais ng Gabi. Nasa lounge hall ako ng Hotel namin.

Katatapos lang na all-around monitor na ginawa ko. Kahit mayroon namang naka-assign para e-regulate ang takbo ng hotel. Mas wais at praktikal parin kong ako mismo ang gagawa.

"Bakit ayaw niyong ibigay ang room number ng asawa ko? Ako ang asawa! May karapatan ako! Alam na alam ko na may kasama siyang babae. Gusto mo bang matanggal sa trabaho, Miss? Na saan ang manager niyo dito?"

A complaining wife rushing to our hotel was never the latest issue. The commotion was attracting attention. I sauntered to the reception to fix the problem.

"What's the problem, ma'am?" pormal kong salubong.

"Are you the manager?" strikta niyang tanong.

"Partly."

Umarko ang kilay niya. "Bakit hindi niyo binibigay ang room number ng mga guest niyo? Mismong asawa pa talaga ang hindi niyo pinagbigyan."

"Kung maaari po ibaba po natin ang ating boses. Mas malilinawagan po tayo pareho."

She sighed forcefully. "Matutulungan mo ba ako?"

"Miss. Abunda, what's the room number of her husband?" diretsahan kong tanong sa aming receptionist.

"Room 95 po..." nag-alinlangan niyang sagot.

"I'll escort you to him, ma'am."

I gestured my hand to the elevator.

She followed me. Her heels were clicking on the tiled floor. Nanggigil ang ngipin niya at kumikibot ang mga labi niya.

Nauna na siyang lumabas ng narating namin ang floor. Hinanap niya kaagad ang numero ng kwarto sa bawat pintuang nakahilira. Nang mahanap ang tamang kwarto ay malakas siyang kumatok.

An angry married woman with a dishonest husband was scary to handle.

I walked ahead.

Nakuha ang atensiyon ko sa isang kwartong nakabukas.

Realization hit me like a brick when I noticed the guests inside. It was Ingrid and Devon hugging to each other.

I thought married women with cheater husbands could only feel this type of sudden rage of emotion.

"I'm sorry to disturb, but please close the door for the sake of your privacy."

Kumalas sila sa kanilang malambing na yakapan at umikot sa akin.

Jealousy swoon over me.

Why would I be jealous? We're nothing anyway! There's nothing to be jealous, Eirene!

Parehong nanlaki ang mga mata nila. It was the first situation I witnessed the desire in her eyes to explain.

I walked back to the elevator, not daring to look back.

When I got to my own apartment, I leaned against the door, sliding my back, and bringing my knees to my chest.

Periedot Spiels