Author's Note:

I do not own the music video attached to this chapter.
(I Like Me Better by Jaehyun of NCT)

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28th Charm(2)

“Shrue ba itong naririnig ko sa’yo, beks? Pupunta kang library para mag-aral? ‘Di ka kaya mangisay doon?!”

Kung kaharap ko lang ngayon si Ricci ay malamang na nasabunutan ko na ito. Katawag ko ito ngayon habang naglalakad papuntang library. Katatapos lang ng huling klase ko ng umaga at may isang oras pa bago mag- lunch break na sakto namang bakante din ni Vitto kaya’t gagamitin na namin ang oras na iyon upang i-tutor niya ulit ako.

“Kahit anong gawin mo, beks, you can’t ruin my day because today is special.” I sighed dreamily as I remembered the present I prepared for Vitto. I heard Ricci snorted on the other line.

“Maalala naman kaya ng jowa mong henyo kung anong meron ngayon?” May pagdududang anito. Bumagal ang paghakbang ko.

“S- Syempre.” May pagdududa ding sagot ko.

“Naku, naku, beks, remember what Shakespeare said?” Pagpapaalala nito sa akin. Ano namang kinalaman ni Shakespeare dito?

“Syempre!” Taas noo kong sagot.

“Sige nga, anong sabi niya?” He challenged. Daig pa nito ang professor ko sa Asian Art History kung makatanong!

Lalo kong binagalan maglakad dahil kailangan kong mag- isip ng mabilis. An imaginary lightbulb flashed above my head. “Ang sabi niya Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo!” I proudly replied. It’s one line from Romeo and Juliet that I can really recall.

“Tanga!” Ricci squeaked from the other line. Nabibinging inilayo ko ang tenga sa cellphone. “ Ewan ko ba naman kung paano ka nagkakajowa ng matatalino sa IQ mong ‘yan, beks? Kung patak lang ng tubig ‘yang IQ mo, beks, kulang pa ‘yong pang- tooth brush ko!”

“Kadiri ka, bakla!” Naiinis na singhal ko dito. “Sino ba kasing may sabing magpa- quiz ka tungkol kay Shakespeare!”

“Expectation is the root of all heartaches, bakla! Kaya ‘wag ka masyado nag-aassume, huh? Baka mamaya umaatungal ka na namang tatawag sa amin ni Peewee. Nastress na kami ng bonggang- bongga sa’yo noong nag- break kayo ni Gino. Pagpahingain mo naman ang beauty namin!” Mahabang litanya nito na ikinaismid ko.

“’Wag kang magalala, bakla. Wala ng beauty na mawawala sa’yo kasi wala ka naman talaga n’on.” Sa wakas ay narrating ko din ang harapan ng library.

“Hoy!”

“My carrots is waiting for me. Papakilala ko kayo ni Peewee pagdating niyo dito next month. Pero bawal siya landiin! Bye, beks! Love you!” Mabilis kong pinatay ang tawag at nagmamadaling pumasok sa library.

Nang makapasok sa loob ay dumiretso ako sa usual spot kung saan lagi si Vitto. Lumawak ang pagkakangiti ko nang makita siyang seryosong nagbabasa. Hindi man lang nito iniangat ang tingin sa akin nang umupo ako sa tabi niya. Gusto kong sumimangot pero lumawak pa ang pagkakangiti ko nang makitang suot pa rin niya ang couple’s ring na mula sa fake wedding namin sa wedding booth noong Founding Anniversary ng University.

Noong una ay ayaw niya pang pumayag na suutin pa rin namin iyon. Kung gusto ko daw ay ako na lang ang magsuot. Hindi ko siya tinigilan hanggang sa mapapayag ko siya. Worth it ang kinain kong gulay nang araw na iyon kapalit ng pagsusuot niya sa singsing namin.

“Carrots.” Kinikilig ang ngiting hinila ko ng bahagya ang laylayan ng t- shirt niya, “alam mo ba kung anong araw ngayon?” Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi upang mapigilan ang kinikilig na paghagikgik. Sa kabila ng kakulitan kong ito at kasupladuhan niya ay ‘di ko rin talaga inaasahang isang buwan na kami. He looked at me and adjusted his eyeglasses. I looked at him expectantly.

“Wednesday ngayon.” Seryosong aniya na ikinabagsak ng mga balikat ko. I maintained my smile and tried some more. I cleared my throat.

“Oo nga, Wednesday ngayon. Do you remember anything special today?” I threw him a hint hoping it would help him recall what today is aside from the given fact that it’s Wednesday!

Vitto’s forehead furrowed as he seemed to try to recall what’s special today. I smiled expectantly at him praying that this time he would remember it.

“I don’t recall any holiday today.” He said and I almost want to hit him.

Seriously, Vitto! You’re so smart yet so dense!

“Try harder.” I pushed and he clicked his tongue in impatience.

“Why are you trying to quiz me about what today is? Even children in prep knows it’s Wednesday today and certainly not a holiday.”

Yeah, that smart mouth of him would be the death of me. Tama nga si Ricci, bakit pa ba ako mageexpect sa lalaking ito na mas maalala pa kung anong scientific names ng mga halaman kaysa sa date ng monthsary nila girlfriend niya? I huffed a breath and annoyingly snatched my book in my bag when I peeked on the little box of present inside like it was teasing me. Padabog na inilapag ko sa mesa ang libro at narinig ko ang muling pagpalatak ni Vitto.

“What’s with you today?” He asked, his voice in between bemused and annoyed.

I stared at him sharply and hissed a reply, “Today is Wednesday!”

Vitto ignored my outburst and handed me a paper. I snatched it from him and my mood soured even more when I saw series of questions and the only perk of that was that it was in multiple choice.

“If you read the pages I asked you to, you’ll surely get the right answers.” Anito. Nang tapunan ko siya ng matalim na tingin ay nasa binabasa na muli ang atensyon niya. Kahit sinong babae ay maiiyak sa frustration kung kinalimutan ng boyfriend niya ang monthsary nila at iyon mismo ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. I snifled and it seemed to get his attention.

“Are you crying over the questions?” He asked suspiciously. I sniffled again and looked at him.

“No!”

“Then why are you crying?” Tila mauubusan na ng pasensyang tanong niya na naging dahilan ng tuluyang pagpatak ng mga luha ko. Damn tears!

I shook my head and turned my gaze to the paper just to avert looking at him. I heard him closing his book then he scooted closer to me.

“Should we read the lessons again?” He asked, his voice now gentler. Nang hindi ako sumagot ay inabot niya ang aklat ko at binuksan sa pahinang kailangan kong aralin.

“Which part did you not understand?” Tanong niya.

“Everything.” Naisagot ko dala ng inis.  Narinig ko ang malalim na pagbuntong- hininga niya na tila ba ay nagiipon ng sapat na pasensya.

“Seriously, Oreo?” He asked trying to conceal the exasperation in his voice but failed. And I knew I had already tested his limit. I knew that he’s going to stand up now and walk out on me. But I already counted up to ten and he was still there. I slowly looked at him and my irritation was swallowed by the scene I saw. He was patiently marking certain parts of the lesson, silently and without any complaint. Sudden guilt surged through me.

I was so selfish.

“C- Carrots.” Mahinang untag ko sa kanya. Nang iangat niya ang tingin sa akin ay hindi kakikitaan ng anumang iritasyon ang kanyang mga mata. Dahil doon ay tila kabayong sumipa ng sumipa ang guilt sa dibdib ko.

Yes, I was so selfish.

“Hindi mo ba talaga naaalala kung anong meron ngayon?” Muli ko na namang tanong na ikinalaglag ng mga balikat niya.

“Sabihin mo na lang kasi sa akin kung ano ‘yon.” Sagot niya.

“Bahala ka d’yan.”Naiinis na bulong ko habang sisinghot- singhot na nakatingin sa papel.

Nang matapos kami ay siya ang nag- aya mag- lunch nang marahil ay hindi ako mahintay para ayain siya. Kahit pa hindi ko siya iniimik ay matyaga niya pa rin akong tinuruan at halos nasagutan ko ng tama lahat ng mga binigay niyang tanong.

Yes, I am feeling guilty with my bratty and selfish attitude but frustration has gotten the best of me today. I admit that I am the type of a nagging girlfiend but funny that I cannot nag Vitto right now. Not with something I wanted him to remember without telling him. if I tell him, I felt like it would make it less special.

I lazily walked that it was actually the first time I didn’t care if I couldn’t keep up with his pace but he seemed to notice I wasn’t walking by his side when he stopped and turned to check on me.

“What’s wrong?” Tanong niya.

“Bag. Heavy.” I lied, my tone lazy. Walang imik siyang lumapit at kinuha ang bag sa akin at isinukbit iyon sa kaliwang balikat.

Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakad ngunit nang mapansing hindi pa rin ako sumasabay sa kanya ay muli siyang huminto. Nakakunot ang noo niya nang lingunin ako.

“You walk so fast.” I complained and of course I was just lying. He heaved a deep breath and walked towards me. I was stunned when he held my hand and started walking so I had no choice but to walk by his side.

We did not go to Cup and Tea but to a restaurant just inside the campus. We sat on a Table for four persons on a corner waiting for our order when he spoke to me.

“Do you want me to grab some carrot cake from Cup and Tea?”

Tila may sariling utak ang mga kamay kong awtomatikong pumulupot sa braso niya. Umisod pa ako palapit sa kanya hanggang wala ng distansyang nakapagitan sa amin. Nagtatampo ako pero ayokong umalis siya sa tabi ko.

“Ba’t mo ako iiwan mag- isa ditto? Inis ka na sa akin?” Nakasimangot na tanong ko sa kanya, and the sound of his chuckle softened me I finally smiled. He tucked the astray strands of my hair behind my ears and playfully flicked on my nose.

“Brat.” He muttered playfully making me pout. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi maiinis kung sa lahat ng pwede niyang makalimutan monthsary pa talaga namin? Pero kahit pa magmaktol ako maghapon, wala din naman akong mapapala kaya tatapusin ko na ngayon ‘tong tampo ko. Kinikilig akong napangiti. Bumitaw ako sa pagkakapulupot sa braso niya upang kunin sana ang regalo ko sa bag nang magsalita siya.

“Can I braid your hair?” He suddenly asked making me stunned. Nang lingunin ko siya’y bahagyang namumula ang gwapo niyang mukha, but that just made him even more handsomer and I was awed.

“M- Marunong ka?” ‘Di makapaniwalang tanong ko. It’s just not in his personality to be doing some girly stuffs like that. Muling tumakip sa mukha ko ang ilang hibla ng aking buhok at inipit ko iyon sa likod ng aking tenga.

“Mabilis akong matuto.” Aniya saka inilabas ang cellphone. I peeked at what he was doing and saw him clicking YouTube app and searched for a tutorial on how to braid hair. I was more awed I couldn’t speak but just let my jaw hang open. Hinawakan niya ang magkabila kong balikat saka ako inikot patalikod.

His long dainty fingers gently combed my hair and it was causing loud thumping of my chest. His touch was soothing, featherly yet the impact was heavy. Like it was making me fall harder, deeper in a place I hope I could meet him. He started doing knots on my long hair and I bit my lower lip, my hand unawarely reaching my chest.

How can someone be so unawarely sweet? Like him? Like my carrots.

“Vitto.” I called softly and he hummed in acknowledgement. I smiled to myself, “I love you.”

I wasn’t expecting for an answer, but when he planted a soft kiss on the top of my head, it was more than the reply I could ever want.

I’m so in love.

˚ᴥ˚ᴥ˚ᴥ˚ᴥ˚ᴥ˚ᴥ˚

I opened my eyes as I heard a strumming of guitar from the living room but I was too lazy, too tired to get up and check for it. Vitto have been patiently teaching me and he let me slept when he noticed that I was tired. I remembered sleeping on the sofa in the living room but where I was didn’t feel like the sofa anymore. It’s more softer, it’s more comfortable and spacious. I lied on my side and inhaled Vitto’s fragrance on the sheet. Everything in the room smelled like Vitto and it was pulling me into slumber.

And the relaxing sound from outside even got more pronounced. I can tell that whoever that was has a real talent in playing the guitar. It’s then I realized that he was playing Lauv’s I Like Me Better.

To be young and in love in New York city

The first line got my eyes opened. The voice was smooth, featherweight, so good in the ears.

To not know who I am but still know that I’m good as long as you’re here with me

That voice, cold yet warm as I took it in. An angel. I must be dreaming and an angel must be singing.

To be drunk and in love in New York City

My senses snapped. Why would an angel singing about being drunk and in love? I finally woke up.

Midnight into morning coffee

Burning into hours talking

Damn

An angel wouldn’t curse! But he really sound like one. Realization rubbed the sleep on my eyes and I immediately got up. I have heard that voice before! I went out the room and my jaw dropped with what I saw.

I like me better when I’m with you

Vitto was singing! He was seriously strumming his guitar and singing like he’s living in his own world.

I like me better when I’m with you

I knew for the first time

I’d stay for a long time ‘cause

He seemed to notice that someone was watching him when he looked up and met my gaze

I like me better when—

I like me better when I’m with you

His skilled fingers started plucking  and the room was filled with a melody I wanted to float in forever. His voice, I should have known that he was the one I heard singing in the botanical garden. The sound from the guitar faded yet the melody he created inside me did not. I must feel stupid for crying over a song that wasn’t sad at all but I started to shed tears. Vitto set his guitar aside and stood up to go to the kitchen, and when he came back, on his hand was a carrot cake. He travelled the distance between us and that’s when I saw the letters inscribed on the cake that made me shed even more tears. I was overwhelmed. A good kind of overwhelmed.

“Y- You knew?” I asked, my vision hazy with tears yet I can still read clearly the word beautifully insicribed on the orange-colored cake. THANK YOU. Two words yet for me, it expressed so much more.

Vitto reached for my hand and pulled me towards the sofa. He lowered the cake on the coffee table and  faced me. He used the back of his palams to dry my tears yet they kept on pouring.

“You knew.” I sobbed. Now it wasn’t a question but an absolute statement.

“Thank you for making the past month a roller coaster ride, Oreo.” He murmured and more tears were choking my throat. He smiled so gently my heart felt so safe, so at ease. “Now, I look forward to everyday because of you… because of my bunny.”

In novels and movies, a perfect scene always ended with a kiss, but when he pulled me for a hug,  it’s when I realized that perfection isn’t on the part where two persons touched lips, but when they touched hearts through an embrace.

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Author's Note:

Kung may nagbabasa man po sa kwentong ito, kapit lang po tayo dahil matatapos din natin ang kwento nina Carrots at Bunny. Nagmatapang po akong sumali sa isang writing contest dito sa Wattpad at isinali ko ang nobela kong nasa genre ng Vampire. Please try to read and support the story, too. Kung di kalabisan ay mag-iwan ka din sana ng boto sa dalawang kwento. Maraming salamat.

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TRES DIOSES CAIDOS : Kiss the Blood

He can take your life in a blink of an eye, figuratively and literally. That’s how powerful the super X- class vampire Eizen Klyde is. In his world, he is a god. Everyone fears and respects him. He lived for a hundred years protecting his throne as the highest god and that’s how it would be for all eternity. But after a war, he had lost the highest of his power-- fire. Before the enemies would learn of his weakness, he immediately set back to the other world to obtain the vial of the sacred blood that would help him restore his lost elemental power. Obtaining the vial was easy, but drinking the sacred blood was hard. Why? He was falling in love with his own human vial.

https://my.w.tt/1tGGbGI0Y7