KABANATA 4

Ethan ended up sleeping on the other room. The room was almost identical with Alpas' and the only difference is that it's empty. It only has a bed, cabinet, and a beside table.

Ethan has no problem with the room but he is craving for a close contact with Alpas.

After sleeping for only two hours, he woke up, feeling his dry throat. He decided to grab a glass of water.

Tumayo siya at binuksan ang kaniyang pinto. Napatingin siya sa kaniyang kanan at nabigla nang makita niyang bumukas din ang pintuan ni Alpas.

“Bakit gising ka pa?” tanong ni Ethan habang tinitignan niya ang mukha ni Alpas.

Alpas blushed when he heard the hoarse voice of the other male and he looked up to meet Ethan's eyes.

“School related stuff.” He lied. He was searching things on the internet about the werewolves and he didn't notice the time. He knew that the information about the werewolves on the internet were not real but he still got hooked.

Ethan frowned and Alpas didn't notice. They both went to the kitchen.

Tinignan ni Ethan si Alpas. “Bakit nagtitimpla ka pa ng kape? Matulog ka na.”

“Pagkatapos ng ginagawa ko.” sabi ni Alpas.

“Can I help you with anything?” Ethan asked.

Alpas looked at him and smiled guiltily. Sa totoo lang, sa kaka-research niya tungkol sa mga werewolves, nakalimutan niya na may ipapasa pa pala siya bukas sa paaralan.

“It's okay. Matulog ka na lang ulit. Mabilis lang 'to.” sabi ni Alpas.

“Right,” sabi ni Ethan na para bang may naalala siya. He continued, “pwedeng hiramin ang phone mo?”

“Anong gagawin mo?” kalmadong tanong ni Alpas at humigop siya sa kaniyang bagong timplang kape.

“I'm searching for a cheap apartment. Need na naming umalis sa dormitory bukas.” sabi ni Ethan.

“Oh.” It dawned on him, isa si Ethan sa mga boarding students. Then he asked, “May pera ka pa?”

“Meron pa naman at susubukan kong maghanap ng summer job.” sabi ni Ethan at uminom ng tubig.

“You can...” Alpas stopped what he was about to say and his face flushed red.

“Baliw na ba ako? Why do I want him to stay here? What kind of behavior is this!” Alpas thought to himself.

Ethan was amused with Alpas' expression. He is suddenly curious what's going on inside the other male's head. He can't help but raise his right hand to pinch Alpas' chin and he slowly lifted his head to meet his gaze.

“I can what, Al?” Ethan muttered with his low voice. “Hmm?”

Alpas was to lost in Ethan's beautiful dark eyes. They are as dark as his wolf's fur. Before even thinking, his mouth moved first.

“Y-you can just stay here.”

Ethan was stunned at first but after a second, he flashed a mischievous smile.

“Are you inviting me to live with you?” Ethan asked, his voice was laced with teasing.

Alpas was so embarrassed and his first instinct was to go back to his room. But Ethan didn't allow him, he took a hold of his hand and turned him back to him.

“Anong oras ka pupunta sa school bukas?” Ethan asked innocently.

“... 7:30.” Alpas said.

Ethan smiled and said, “Okay, sabay na tayo. Kailangan kong kunin mga gamit ko sa dormitory.”

“O-okay.” Alpas said and he turned around to leave the kitchen. He felt so hot for some reason.

“You forgot your coffee, love.” Ethan said teasingly.

Alpas turned back around with a noticable irritation painted on his face. He grabbed his cup of coffee and went to his room hurriedly.

Ethan chuckled, he was really amused. He lifted his hand and sniffed Alpas' scent. He took a deep breath, rooted in his place for a couple of seconds.

His smile never left his face until he went back to his own room.

The next day, Ethan woke up and the sun was just about to rise. He stretched his body before standing up and he went to the bathroom to take a morning shower.

When the warm water hit his back, he let out a sigh of satisfaction. It's still early and he surely took his time ender the warm water coming from the shower head.

After showering, he realized that he doesn't have another set of clothes and a towel. He contemplated a bit before deciding to go to Alpas' room, naked.

He didn't know where he gain his confidence— maybe werewolves were proud with their body. He found his way to Alpas' room and he knocked.

He heard a shuffling sound inside and light footsteps.

Binuksan ni Alpas ang pinto habang ginugusot niya ang kaniyang mga mata.

“Pahiram ng damit.” Ethan said.

Alpas turned around and he left the door open. Hindi niya napansin na walang saplot si Ethan dahil hindi niya ito tinignan at dumiretso siya sa kaniyang cabinet para kumuha ng damit.

Ethan followed him inside and he inhaled the scent that he have grown to love in short amount of time.

Alpas can feel the presence behind him and he handed a pair of boxers first. Ethan picked it and started wearing it after.

Alpas turned around with a shirt and pants in his hands and he almost jumped in shock.

“Anak ng!”

Ethan laughed. “Good morning din.”

“B-bat wala kang suot?!” Alpas asked loudly.

“Nakalimutan ko na wala pala akong pampalit.” Ethan said and he took the pants from Alpas' hands. He wore it right in front of Alpas.

Alpas' mind is reminding him to look away but his eyes were glued to Ethan's chiseled physique. He thought to himself, How can a senior high school have this kind of body?

Ethan noticed his gaze and a sense of pride rose in him. He smiled and grabbed the shirt from Alpas.

Alpas was pulled away from his thoughts and he quickly made his way to his bathroom.

“After mo maligo, diretso sa dining room, ha? I'll cook a breakfast.” Ethan said.

“O-okay!” Alpas replied.

Hindi mawala ang ngiti ni Ethan habang  papunta siya sa kusina para magluto. He felt so happy, it's like— Alpas is his little ball of serotonin.

Sa kabilang banda, nakasandal si Alpas sa pintuan ng kaniyang banyo habang nakahawak siya sa kaniyang dibdib. Even with his past lovers, he haven't experienced this kind of feeling with them. He is still not ready to open his heart but Ethan came, barging his way in.

He peeled his clothes off and he started showering. His thoughts started to drift again.

He have known Ethan ever since he started teaching in the international school. Ethan's batch was his first advisory class. When he first saw Ethan, he was stunned to see such a handsome student. Knowing it's an international school, he thought that Ethan is a son of a rich man and he felt like he was a trouble. But once the class started, he was stunned again when Ethan was one of the students who stood out in class. The younger never failed to surprise him.

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and he started wearing casual clothes. Uniform weren't required anymore because the class has ended. The grade 6 and 12 teachers were just preparing for the upcoming graduation of their students.

Inipon ni Alpas ang mga gamit niya at nilagay niya ito sa kaniyang backpack. Tapos, kinuha niya ang luma niyang cellphone na gumagana pa. Napansin kasi niya na walang phone si Ethan. Lumabas siya at dumiretso sa dining room.

Ethan flashed him a gentle smile and he placed the two plates of omelette on the table.

“Salamat.” sabi ni Alpas.

Lumapad ang ngiti ni Ethan at tumango ito. “Naglalakad ka lang papuntang school?”

“Yep.” Alpas said and then asked, “Kailangan mo ba ng moving truck para sa mga gamit mo?”

“No need. Magrerenta na lang ako ng taxi.” sabi ni Ethan at nag-umpisa na siyang kumain.

“Tawagin ko na lang kaya si Yahree? Nadadala na man niya yung kotse ni mama.” suggest ni Alpas at sumubo rin siya ng pagkain.

Ethan drank from his cup of water and said, “'Wag na. I can manage, really.”

Alpas didn't say anything anymore and started to focus on eating his meal. He rarely eat breakfast and he usually just drink a cup of coffee before going to school. Ethan's cooking was not the best— after all he's not a real chef, but it really taste good.

After eating, they both rest for a few minutes before started walking towards the school.

“Anong oras ka uuwi?” tanong ni Ethan.

“Usually mga 5:30 PM na sa faculty office pa ako, baka ngayon medyo maaga dahil wala ng pasok.” sabi ni Alpas.

“Ah.” maikling sagot ni Ethan.

Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas at nakarating na sila sa school. Napatigil sa paglalakad si Alpas at may kinuha siya sa kaniyang bulsa.

Napatigil din si Ethan at nabigla siya ng inabutan siya ng cellphone ni Alpas.

“Habang wala kang phone, gamitin mo muna 'yan. Nakasave din number ko diyan. Just call me if you need anything.” sabi ni Alpas.

Ethan smiled. “Thank you.”

Tumango lang si Alpas at nagsimula ng maglakad.

“See you later.” sabi ni Ethan at naglakad papunta sa direksyon kung saan ang dormitory.

When he reached the dormitory and opened his door, he was stunned.

ㅡ to be continued.