Camille Syanna

"ZA, this is really disgusting!" I kept grimacing while trying to hold the blue plastic bag full of fish we bought from the wet market. "You should've carried this na, eh!"

"Sure, if you want to trade." He flexed the one sack of rice he had over his shoulder. His corded arms angled in the process.

I knew I shouldn't look, but I couldn't help it.

"Cams, baby, 'wag mo na akong pagnasaan pa." Malambing niya akong nilingon at nakitang pinagmamasdan ko 'yung biceps niya. "You know all you have to do is ask,"

Naiinis na inirapan ko siya at nauna nang maglakad pabalik sa bahay. "In your dreams, ZA! In your dreams!"

Agad na tumaas ang aking kilay nang makita sa loob si Charlene. She was all dolled up with tons of blush on her cheeks. Her floral dress made her look like someone pulled out of barbie land.

"Hello, ZA!" Masigla nitong bati, bago ako nilingon at matamis na nginitia. "Hi, Camille."

I made a face and walked past her. "I think we should start locking the doors when we leave."

Tinungo ko ang kusina, agad naman na nakasunod sa akin si ZA.

"You're being rude again," he stated, putting down the sack of rice.

"I was not," I rolled my eyes. "We were being too complacent. Paano kung sa susunod hindi lang si Charlene ang pumasok dito habang wala tayo?"

And as if on cue, Charlene followed us into the kitchen. She raised the bag she was carrying. "ZA, nagluto pala ako ng Caldereta."

I twitched my lips to keep myself from saying something I shouldn't be saying. It was kind of her to bring ZA food.

"Thank you, Charlene." ZA said politely, taking the bag from her. "Sana'y hindi ka na nag-abala."

"Kaya nga," dagdag ko sa sinabi ni ZA bago siya ituro. "Eh, marunong naman 'yan magluto. He wouldn't be hungry."

"Yeah, but sometimes it's nice to have someone cook for me." Sabi niya bago ngumiti kay Charlene. "You've always been an angel."

Angel na 'yon? Like, it was only Caldereta, noh? If I only knew my way around the kitchen I would've made something more complicated.

Charlene blushed, tucking the loose strands of her hair behind her ears. "Bolero ka pa rin hanggang ngayon."

I rolled my eyes. I wanted to LOL at the scene, but instead I walked toward the sink and washed my hands na lang. Right at this moment, I wanted to apologize to everyone I might have annoyed during the course of my chasing over Zanti. Good Lord, if I ever was that annoying and realized it sooner, I probably would have killed myself.

Bumalik ako sa dining table after I dried my hands clean. I couldn't stand Charlene, but I wouldn't let her be alone with ZA either. I took the book I left on the counter bago kami namalengke ni ZA kanina. I started reading where I left off.

It was an interesting Mitch Albom novel. But right now, my head wasn't on the texts. My attention was on ZA and Charlene. They were talking about some topics that Charlene had initiated. Because, syempre, she wanted to keep his interest.

Which was really desperate! Oh, I'm one to talk. Need I remind myself that I bought the same car model as Zanti so we'd look like a couple? I was the queen of pathetic bitches.

Halos kalahating oras na rin magka-usap ang dalawang ito. I knew from the tone of Andre's voice that he was getting bored. He was just trying to be polite not to stop her from talking. But his ears must be bleeding now.

My silent laughter from his suffering came louder than intended. They both turned in my direction, so I pretended that it was from the book I was reading.

A few minutes later, Charlene excused herself to use the bathroom. Tumayo rin si ZA, hindi ko nga lang alam kung saan siya pumunta dahil hindi na ako lumingon. I didn't want him to think din na I was watching his every move, kahit totoo naman!

Not a second later, ZA placed a bowl of snacks in front of me. He bent down and leveled his face at the book I was pretending to read. "What a genius brat,"

He smirked, napataas ang aking kilay nang abutin niya ang libro at iikot iyon sa tamang ayos.

"You're the only person I know who could read books upside down." He leaned and kissed me on the cheek.

God! I almost die of embarrassment. How did I not notice that?! I had been holding it for almost an hour! Shame!

"Well, yeah! Reading upside down and backward is a type of Neurobic exercise, a kind of exercise targeting the growth of new neurons." I gritted my teeth. "I'm that smart!"

Oh, I just heard about that exercise on the Discovery channel by mistake. I was going to watch E!

"Oh, I know." He shrugged and went back to his seat. "Do you want to eat lunch?"

Umiling ako. "Later, siguro."

"Sure? Kanina pang umaga ang huling kain natin." Kinuha niya ang isang biscuit mula sa bowl na inihanda niya para sa akin. He opened it and hand it to me. "Kumain ka muna."

"Thank you," I took the strawberry Rebisco from him and ate it.

"Are you jealous of Charlene?" Diretso niyang tanong.

I gasped and shot him a glare. "Bold of you to assume that!"

"What?" Natawa siya. "I was just asking. Kung hindi naman, eh, 'di hindi."

"I don't know," kumibit ang aking mga balikat. "But I don't like her. Maybe because she reminded me so much of myself when I was chasing down Zanti. I never realized how annoying I could get until I someone do it for somebody else. God, I felt sorry for Zanti. I have annoyed him all these years. And for what?"

Magsasalit sana si ZA nang bumalik na si Charlene upang magpaalam na kailangan na daw nitong bumalik sa clinic.

"Ihahatid na kita," ZA offered politely.

"Hindi na, pwede naman akong mag-tricycle nalang." Charlene bit her bottom lips, inviting ZA to insist on initial offer.

"Okay," tugon ni ZA. I suddenly felt sorry for her that he wasn't into his game.

But who was I kidding? I didn't want him to go with her alone.

Nagpaalam na ito sa amin, tinanguan ko lamang siya. Si ZA naman ay inihatid pa ito hanggang labas. Ilang sandali lamang ay bumalik rin siya sa kusina. Doon pa rin siya umupo sa tapat ko. Hindi kami nag-uusap dahil nagpapanggap pa rin ako na nagbabasa.

Matalim ko siyang sinulyapan nang maramdaman ko ang kanyang paa sa aking binti.

"Andrei!" I warned him.

He chuckled and continued trailing up, to the upper part of my thighs.

I swallowed when his toe felt me against the fabric of my underwear. Oh, my God! He wasn't doing this to me!

"Stop it, ZA!" I shouted and forced myself to stand up. Lalakad na sana ako palabas ng kusina nang tumayo siya upang kunin ako.

He grabbed me by the waist and spun me over to kiss me deeply.

I moaned when I felt his hardness poking against my stomach.

I closed my eyes and cursed myself for giving in. I was returning his kisses in no time. Naramdaman ko rin ang pagbuhat niya sa akin pa-upo sa ibabaw ng lamesa. I wanted to protest but couldn't find my voice because deep inside, I wanted this. I wanted more.

"Andrei...." I moaned his name between kisses.

We were interrupted by a loud knock from the door that was already opened.

Tila doon ako nagising at natauhan. My upper body was on the table, and ZA standing in the middle of my widely opened legs.

We were both catching our breaths when I pushed him away. Mabilis akong bumaba sa lamesa at inayos ang aking damit. My legs were trembling. I couldn't keep standing, I might fall. I grabbed a chair and sat on it.

ZA watched me with intense passion burning in his eyes. Parang gusto niya pa akong abutin at umisa pa ngunit muli na naman namin narinig ang malalakas na katok mula sa labas ng bahay.

Tumalikod siya at pinag-buksan ang kumakatok. Nangunot ang aking noo nang makita si Red na pumasok kasunod ni ZA bitbit ang isang bote ng alak.

Red saw me in the kitchen but didn't say anything. He wasn't even surprised I was here. It was like, he knew I'd be here!

"What happened?" ZA took the whiskey from him and readied two glasses.

Red's mouth was shut. Humila ito ng upuan mula sa aking harapan. I stared at him when he wasn't looking. I had met Red a couple of times before he even began dating Chi, and the man had always scared me. There was something about him that intimidates the hell out of all the people around him. And I wasn't an exception.

How did Chi manage to be with this man? It was a mystery unsolved.

I excused myself to give them both the privacy they needed. "Aakyat muna ako,"

Bahagya kong nginitian si Red nang mapalingon ito sa akin. He acknowledged me with a nod. That was the most people could get from him.

"Okay, I'll bring you food," ZA told me.

"No, don't bother. Siguro mamaya na lang, matutulog rin kasi ako."

Hindi ko na siya inantay pang makasagot at mabilis na akong umakyat sa aking silid. I had been turning and tossing over the bed for the next hours. I was also halfway to finishing the book I was just pretending to read earlier.

Gusto ko sanang bumaba upang tignan kung naroon pa ba si Red dahil medyo nagugutom na rin ako, pero pinipigilan ko ang aking sarili. And then I heard heavy steps from the hall, bumukas ang pinto ng aking silid at pumasok si ZA.

"Is Red gone?" I asked. I didn't hear his car leaving.

"Nah," pagod na umiling si ZA. "He's downstairs. Baka maya-maya ay umalis na rin iyon."

"What happened to him? If you don't mind me asking." Maingat kong tanong.

"Oh, I do. It's not my business to tell, darling." He said and walked toward me. Nakakaintindi akong tumango. "I just wanted to check on you. Nagugutom ka na ba?"

I would've lied kung hindi lamang tumunog ang aking tyan saktong pagtanong niya.

"Hahatiran na lang kita rito ng pagkain, ha?" Malumanay niyang sabi. "Sorry, Red need the little space I could offer."

"You don't have to keep apologizing," I rolled my eyes. "This is your place. He is your friend. Do whatever you can to help him."

ANNOUNCEMENT:

VLADISLAV - ZA's POV which covers the first and second-generation timeline is open for pre-order. We have limited slots left. Please message us on Facebook to order: https://web.facebook.com/frapwpstories or https://web.facebook.com/frxppauchino/

Title: Vladislav (ZA's POV) | Price: P550

Book details: 5x8 perfect bind, 200 pages, cream paper, matte cover.

Thank you!