Kabanata 21

Boyfriend

We had a busy week. He had his own meetings, I have mine. Buong linggo din siyang nag turtle neck dahil hindi napawi ang mga pantal sa leeg niya.

May isang araw na matagal siyang umuwi at ka meeting niya sina Papa. Sa sumunod na araw naman, sobrang pagod ako dahil binisita namin ang isa pang project. Nag-overtime din ako kaya nakatulog agad pagdating sa condo.

"So dadating na daw ba ang shipment?" I asked someone from my team.

I figured that working is fun and fulfilling. Ilang linggo pa lang ako rito sa opisina at na appreciate ko na agad iyon. There is pressure, lalo na dahil Rockwell ako. Everyone expected great things from me despite my tainted background.

Minsan napuri ako na magaling daw ang disenyo ko ng isang senior interior designer. The old woman even noted that despite the rumors about my scandals, I still deliver. Hindi ako sigurado kung insulto ba iyon o ano but I took it as a compliment.

Nasulyapan ko si Royce na nasa hamba ng pintuan ng conference room. Kanina pa yata siya pero ngayon ko lang napansin dahil abala sa ginagawa.

It's already six in the evening. Nagsimula na ang renovation sa unang proyekto ko at minamadali ko na dahil sa projected date. Royce told me a while ago that he didn't have any more meetings.

"Excuse me..." sambit ko sa mga kasama ko nang napansin si Royce.

Nagsitinginan sila sa tinitingnan ko at mabilis na bumalik sa trabaho. Kahit pa ilang beses kong sinabi sa kanila na mabait naman si Royce, nararamdaman ko pa rin ang takot nila.

I heard he's a perfectionist. I heard... dahil wala na rin masyadong nagku-kuwento sa akin tungkol sa kanya. They're probably scared that I'll tell Royce about it. I won't. And even if I will, I don't think he'll seriously get mad at them.

He's uptight and very strict. I suppose those attitude led him to the top. It's natural for him to expect his employees to do well. At kinausap niya naman si Jun noong Lunes at masasabi kong kahit na ganoon siya, kahit paano hindi niya pa rin naman nakalimutang magpakatao. Or maybe because I reminded him but even so... that was a good move.

"Mauna ka na lang. Kanina ka pang four walang ginagawa."

Umiling siya. "Hihintayin kita. Sabay na tayong umuwi."

Binalikan ko ang team. Hindi pa ako sigurado kung anong oras kaming matatapos.

"Pero..."

"I ordered you dinner. Kasama ang ka-team mo. Dito na tayo maghapunan."

Nagulat ako. Kanina pa kami nasa meeting at hindi na sumagi sa isipan ko ang dinner. Maybe because we had snacks before we started, at hindi ako gutom, pero baka nga gutom na sila.

"T-Thanks... Sigurado ka ba na maghihintay ka? Mamaya pa kami. You should take this time off and rest. Ilang araw na kayong overtime. Ngayon na maaga ka sana..."

"It's alright. I'll rest while waiting for you."

So he waited. Nakaupo siya sa isang swivel chair sa conference room, nakapikit, at tingin ko'y tulog na kalaunan. Pero kahit ganoon, ramdam ko pa rin ang tensiyon sa team ko. Pakiramdam ko kabado talaga siya pag nariyan siya.

Iniisip kong palipatin siya sa opisina ko. Puwede naman siyang doon na maghintay at makakatulog pa siya sa sofa pero pinili niya roon. And I didn't want to wake him up, too. If he was now asleep.

He woke up when his secretary knocked on the conference room for dinner. Nahihiya ulit ang mga team ko nang nalamang galing sa kanya iyon. Halos hindi sila makapagpasalamat sa hiya at nakikita ko ring unti-unti lang ang pagkain, kahit pa bumalik na naman din si Royce sa pagtulog.

We went home late. Alas otso y media. Buti na lang at nakapagdinner na kami sa opisina.

We talked about how we already laid out our weekend. He promised that we will go to a club, so we will. After work on a Friday. It was weird. Kasi bukod sa panahong mag-isa akong pumunta, lagi akong maraming kasama.

On Friday, though, kaming dalawa lang. Zane suddenly crossed my mind... and all our other friends.

Sa Sabado ang tiya at tiyo niya ang bibisita. Naalala ko na una ko silang nakilala noong kasal. They were nice people but I also remember that moment. When I overheard them talking about Lavender Soledad.

I sighed aand turned off the shower after thinking about that incident. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang babaeng iyon sa buhay ni Royce at wala rin naman akong karapatang magtanong.

I was still in my robe when I heard a knock on my door. Dumiretso na siya sa kuwarto niya kanina siguro dahil sa pagod sa araw na iyon. Tuwing nauuna ako rito, nagwo-work out ako sa gym room. Hindi pa siya kailanman nauna. Kahit matagal akong makauwi, minsan mas matagal pa rin siya ng ilang minuto kaya iniisip kong magpapahinga na siya ngayon.

I opened the door of my room. I saw him still on his white towel. It is around his waist and his hair was damp.

"Ano?"

Madilim ang tingin niya at nagtaas siya ng kilay. Nilagay niya ang kamay niya sa taas ng pintuan ko dahilan kung bakit lumaki ang siwang niyon.

"Kailan ka ba kakatok sa kuwarto ko?"

The corners of lips rose when I realized what he said. He entered my room and raised a brow at him.

"I waited for five minutes after my shower, to see if you'll come knocking. Wala talaga, Sky?"

"Ba't naman ako kakatok? Wala naman akong sadya?"

"Tss... ako meron..." he then pulled the ribbon of my robe and started kissing me.

I can't help but smile as we kissed. His kisses were so hungry that I almost couldn't breathe.

He only pause to to admire my body but after a while, he'll attack my lips again. Tinanggal niya ang roba na suot ko hanggang sa bumundol na ang likod ng binti ko sa kama.

"I missed you..."

"We see each other everyday," I whispered breathily because it's true.

But I know what he meant. I've felt it too but I guess I was too new to this to really voice out anything.

"Then, I miss being inside of you," he whispered and put me down on my bed.

Natanggal na rin ang tuwalya niya. Sinubukan kong umatras sa kama pero hinuli niya ang paa ko at pinaghiwalay.

Gumapang siya sa kama ko at inilagay ang sarili sa gitna ng hita ko. He kissed my neck. His other hand is on my hardened peak. He groaned after a while.

"I promised myself to take it slow, but I couldn't get enough of you once we start," he whispered.

I chuckled and kissed him back. Bumaba ang kamay niya sa aking tiyan. He left my kisses to entertain my hard peaks. I moaned when his hand reached my lower abdomen. His hand then went quickly on my folds and found my nub.

I almost screamed when his teeth grazed my peaks. He then moaned and went back on my lips.

"I wanna eat you," he whispered.

I moaned because his finger slightly teased my entrance.

"Just fuck me, Royce... That's dirty-"

"What?" he chuckled and stop kissing me to look at my melting face.

"This?" he teased is slowly, poking it. "Dirty? I'd even swallow everything, Sky."

"Just damn fuck me-"

"I'll fuck you with my tongue first..." He smirked.

Then he started kissing my chest down my stomach. I bent my knees to stop him from doing it. Alam kong nangyayari talaga ito pero dahil hindi ko pa naman nararanasan, hindi ko alam.

"Royce!" I called him but he was too gone.

Alam ko dahil sa diin ng mga daliri niya sa hita ko, alam kong gigil siya. He parted my thighs and he knew I was trying to stop him through closing it. But when his mouth kissed my folds and started it skillfully, nanghina ako.

It was wet and ticklish inside me. And sometimes, it was rough and full. Pakiramdam ko mababaliw ako. I tried to look at him and when I saw him enjoying it so much, like his favorite dessert, it made me hotter!

He even looked at me evilly, his tongue sticking out and enjoying it so much. I feel feverish until I felt my slow and intoxicating release.

He entered me while I was still enjoying my release. Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit halos wala ako sa sarili nang ginawa niya iyon. He hammered me on my bed. My bed creaked back and forth as he tried to reach for his own release.

I was gone. I was too thrilled and ecstatic of what he just did. The sexy and dark look on his eyes when he stick out his tongue as he played with my folds remained on my mind, pushing me to the edge of another powerful release.

"Damn you!" mura ko nang sa huli, pagkatapos ng ilang sandaling pagpapahinga dahil sa nangyari, ay sinikop niya ako sa braso at binaba sa upuan.

"Come on, Sky..."

"Bakit ba kasi..." hindi ko tinuloy at sinulyapan ang bed sheet. "I felt it on my damn thighs, Royce! Are you sure?!"

"Look at that!" sabay lahad niya sa basang bed sheet ko.

"Aba malay ko baka may napasok ka?!" giit ko.

"Alright, I spilled the first one somewhere on your thigh-"

"Damn you!" sabay pilit kong pagmartsa sa banyo para maglinis sa sarili.

"Aayusin ko lang 'tong bed sheet mo. Unless you want to sleep with my cum-"

"Damn you, linisin mo 'yan! Magdala ka ng condom sa susunod!"

I only heard his chuckled while I was on my bathroom. Pagkalabas ko, patapos na siya sa pag-aayos ng bedsheet. Nakita kong nasa sahig pa iyong dating bed sheet. Maingat kong kinuha iyon, sinigurado na wala iyong kalat niya.

Nang hinarap niya ako, may sasabihin sana, inunahan ko na siya.

"Ikaw na ang maglagay niyan sa laundry. Good night!" iritado kong sinabi at binagsak ang katawan sa malambot at malinis na kama.

He chuckled again. "Wow. I feel used. Pagkatapos masarapan, palalayasin lang ako."

"Why? What do you want to do? Cuddle, Royce?" nagtaas ako ng kilay sa kanya bilang hamon.

He only smirked and his face darkened. Matagal bago niya nilingon ang switch ng ilaw ko at pinatay iyon.

"Good night, Sky."

"Good night, my husband. I love you..." I teased drowsily.

He slowly closed the door.

I was looking forward to Friday but I also really dreaded Saturday. Pero since bukas pa naman iyon at Biyernes pa ngayon, minabuti kong mag-enjoy na lang kaysa kabahan.

Wala namang nakakakaba sa Tiya ni Royce. Maybe it's just because of my thoughts about the after-wedding incident.

We both decided to go back to the club were we met. Mahirap na desisyon iyon. Marami pa naman kasing iba. Siya mismo ang naghamon at kahit pa ayaw kong balikan iyon, hindi naman ako makaatras.

"Why don't you wanna go back?"

"Hindi naman sa ayaw kong bumalik. Tingin ko mas marami pang magandang club do'n. Iyong bago. Or perhaps 'yong hindi pa natin napupuntahan?" sabay sulyap ko sa kanya.

He was already smirking at me, watching my facial expression.

"Really?" he teased.

"Bakit naman ayaw kong pumunta doon? What reason do I have to avoid that bar?"

"Maybe because we first met there?"

Tinawanan ko iyon. "At? Ano naman ngayon?"

"I don't know with you... Kaya nga bakit ba ayaw mo roon?"

"Fine! Let's go back there, Royce! Anyway, gusto ko lang namang maglibang. It's only been a month since all of these happened, but I feel like it's been ages since I last went out and have fun!"

Kaya sa huli, pagkatapos naming magtrabaho, umuwi na at nagbihis. We went to dinner at a near restaurant. At pagkatapos noon, dumiretso na sa bar.

He reserved us a VIP seat and it slightly pissed me off. Dahil malapit iyon sa kung saan ako nakaupo sa gabing iyon. I glared at him after the attendant lead us to that table.

"Vodka," iritado kong sinabi sa waitress bago naupo.

Nagtaas ng kilay si Royce. "We should just drink wine..."

"Akala ko ba magba-bar tayo?"

"Yeah, but we can drink wine here."

"Are you scared that the news of my alcoholic tendencies will resurface again?"

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa.

"No, I just don't want you drunk."

"I won't drink too much. Happy?"

Nagtagal ang tinginan namin. He's wearing a black dress shirt folded on his forearm. He still looked a bit corporate pero ganito ko naman siya na meet noon. Meanwhile, I'm wearing a mesh top with a black bra underneath, and a leather skirt. We didn't blend. He looked formal, while I looked like usual... a hard party girl.

"Fine. Pero kapag sinabi kong titigil ka sa pag-inom, titigil ka, Sky..."

Ngumuso ako at naningkit ang mga mata. "That's why I said I'd like a boyfriend material boyfriend after our divorce."

Iniisip na mas maganda pa ring hindi ako pipigilan ng magiging boyfriend ko balang-araw. He also pursed his lips.

"Ang akala ko ba mas gugustuhin mo ng boyfriend na salungat sa'yo?"

He then leaned closer. Ang kamay niya ay nasa upuan ng sofa sa gilid lamang ng pang-upo ko. It seemed territorial, especially now that he's leaning. And his left hand on my thigh.

"Someone who isn't into parties, to compliment you?"

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "Bakit? Ikaw ba, ayaw mo sa parties? E, dito nga kita na-meet?"

"I was just drinking that night while thinking about your father's outrageous offer. I'd like it done here, to get distracted with the crowd and loud music."

"Really? I was dancing right there..." sabay turo sa mismong naaalala kong lugar.

Napatingin din siya at ngumisi. Siguro dumaan din sa isipan niya ang alaala.

"Well, while I was seriously thinking about my problems, I suddenly got horny watching you dance."

Nilapag ang order namin pero walang sumulyap sa waitress. He then slightly kissed my lips. Nang tumigil siya ay nanatili ang tinginan namin.

"Ikaw? I'm sure men grow so hard for you whenever they see you dance in parties. At sigurado akong hindi na mabilang ang party na napuntahan mo... Bakit ako?"

I immediately downed a vodka as I remember that night. Wala naman ding dahilan para magsinungaling pa ako kay Royce kaya nang bumaling ako, diretso kong sinabi ang totoo.

"I want to rebel. If I was getting married with a stranger... with no other choice... then at least I have a choice kung kanino ko ibibigay ang virginity ko."

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa katawan ko bago binalik sa mga mata. His eyes were dark, like the club's.

"Sa akin. At sa akin ka rin naman kinasal. So I was just like your long time boyfriend that night. Enjoying your virginity before our proper engagement the next day."

Plastik akong ngumisi sa kanya. "Except that you're not my long time boyfriend... kaya hindi ka na naghintay."

"I am patient, Sky. Kaya kahit matagal na kitang girlfriend no'n, rerespetuin ko kung ayaw mo pa."

I snorted. "Really? You're patient, Royce? Kumusta iyong nagawa natin sa eroplano? How patient, right?"

He chuckled and kissed my smile. "Well, we were already married. And I've tasted you so it's hard to control it. Pero kung hindi pa... at kung ayaw mo pa talaga... kaya ko namang maghintay."

Napaisip tuloy ako. A fluttering feeling made me stop and dream a bit.

Ano nga kaya kung boyfriend ko pala siya? Kung matagal na kaming magkakilala at kami na. At na hinintay niya ako hanggang sa puntong iyon, na ikakasal na kami.

I can imagine Royce visiting me at home, with my parents around, while he's still in his corporate attire. I can imagine him working under my father's wing, and also trying his best to please me... as his girlfriend.

It's a bittersweet thought.

Dahil alam ko na hindi iyon nangyari. I was partying in all sides of the country and the world, while he's working hard for the company. We weren't boyfriend and girlfriend. We were different.

"I'm sure I can wait patiently. Kahit na siguradong iniisip mo ngayon na hindi ko kaya."

"What were you like as a boyfriend?" I asked curiously.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay kong nasa hita niya na pala. Imbes na tanggalin iyon, hinayaan ko iyon doon. Kumunot ang noo niya sa akin.

"Sa ating dalawa, ikaw lang ang nagkarelasyon. I had physical relationships but never as a girlfriend. And those physical things aren't even counted. Ikaw, nagkagirlfriend."

"Are you sure you want to talk about that?"

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "Bakit? Tingin mo magseselos ako?"

Nagtaas din siya ng kilay. Nagtagal ang tinginan namin. In the end, he sighed defeated.

"I wasn't a good boyfriend. I was busy with school, Sky. That was my priority more than anything else..."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Masyado pala akong nanaginip na magiging masugid na manliligaw o boyfriend siya. Mukha nga naman talaga siyang hindi ganoon!

"Iyon din ang rason kung bakit ayaw kong makipagrelasyon. I only wanted the physical relationship... not the commitment."

Umirap ako. "So you can't be my patient long time boyfriend before that night..."

Tinitigan niya ako habang nginingisihan ko siya. He looked at me, his eyes on mine then on my lips, then back on my eyes again.

"Kasi ayaw mo naman ng commitment-"

"Based on my last relationship, Sky. I was still in college that time. Kaya baka..."

My heard pounded a bit.

"Kung nagkakilala tayo a year ago... or even two years ago... maybe..."

Nilingon ko ang inumin at nilagok ang isa pang shot. He also did his shot. My heart hammered. His hand rested on my waist and he pulled me closer for another hot kiss.