CHAPTER 8

ZEHANNAH'S NOT SO wholesome dream bothered her greatly, especially when she woke up and realized that today was Reigo's day. She promised him her entire weekend and if she could take it back, she would.

But even how much she didn't want to see him, she was now face-to-face with the man in her not-so-wholesome dream, Reigo Vasquez.

"Good morning," kaagad na bati ni Reigo kay Zehannah nang pagbuksan ng pintuan ng dalaga ang binata.

"Ang aga natin, a." Hindi pinahalata ni Zehannah na hindi siya makatingin nang deretso sa kaharap. Paano siya makakatingin nang deretso kung sariwa pa sa alaala niya kung paano niya ito niluhuran sa 'panaginip' niya. "Hindi pa nga ako nagkakape, nandito ka na," aniya saka pinapasok ang binata.

Zehannah should feel guilty that Reigo had to wait for her, but it's only five forty-five in the morning! He was too early! May karapatan siyang magpahintay!

"The early bird catches the worm," Reigo reasoned as he entered her condo, and Zehannah grimaced at that.

"So you're telling me that ... I'm the worm?"

"In this saying, yes, you are. But of course, you're not a worm," nakangiting paliwanag ni Reigo. "You're too great to be one. I'm risking my all for you, after all."

Hindi na nagulat pa si Zehannah na may sagot at banat na naman si Reigo. He always had an answer to everything, and a segue to his flirtatiousness. Hindi natatapos ang sasabihin nito nang walang kaharutan o banat sa dulo.

"Maliligo lang ako tapos mag-aagahan. Wait for me here," ani Zehannah na iniwan sa salas si Reigo at naglakad pabalik sa kuwarto nito.

"Can I join you?" with a charming smile, he asked. "It's for the environment, my Zee. Save water, bath together—ever heard of that saying? It's for mother earth, not for me."

Zehannah just sighed and showed Reigo her middle finger.

At least I tried. Reigo mused. "If I can't join you under the shower, can I use your kitchen instead?"

Doon napatigil sa paglalakad si Zehannah saka umikot paharap kay Reigo. "Why?"

"I'll make breakfast."

Zehannah frowned. "I thought you don't cook?"

"I can cook a little. Like frying eggs and frying other stuff. But nothing complicated. Unfortunately, I'm really no good at slicing and peeling stuff. It's scary as shit, so I have an automatic peeler and slicer at my place. Pero nag-aral na akong maghiwa kagabi pagkauwi ko. Inisturbo ko si Calderon at nagpaturo ako para marunong na akong maghiwa at maayos akong makatulong kung kailangan mo ng tagahiwa ng mga sahog."

Bumaba ang tingin ni Zehannah sa kamay ni Reigo na puno ng band-aid ang ilang daliri. He really did practice last night.

"Gusto ko lang matikman ang luto mo kaya sinabi kong hindi ako nagluluto." Kapagkuwan ay nakagat ni Reigo ang pang-ibabang labi na para bang kinakabahan. "Are you, um, mad?"

"Hmm. Not really." How could she be mad after seeing those band-aids around his fingers? He learned how to slice and peel just for her. "But of course, I will not let you off the hook." She smirked at Reigo. "Gusto mong matikman ang luto ko, 'di ba? Sure, I'll cook for you every night. Be grateful and say thank you."

Reigo gulped in nervousness. Dapat maging masaya siya na ipagluluto siya gabi-gabi ni Zehannah, pero bakit pakiramdam niya torture sa katabangan ang mangyayari sa kaniya gabi-gabi?

Pero at least, hindi maalat. Pakunsuwelo ni Reigo sa sarili bago nakangiwing ngumiti sa dalaga. "Thank you. Pakidagdagan lang ng asin, please."

Misteryosong ngumiti lang si Zehannah kay Reigo at pumasok na sa kuwarto para maligo. Si Reigo naman ay napabuntonghininga nang makita ang ngiti ni Zehannah.

It felt like a predator smiling at its prey. And I'm the prey! Ah, fuck. Bagsak ang balikat na tinungo ni Reigo ang kusina para gumawa ng agahan.

He was not an amazing cook like Calderon. His cooking skill was just so-so, nothing special, but he was proud to say that he could make a perfect sunny-side-up egg.

Yep. I'm an egg master. That's his specialty. Cooking eggs and frying stuff. Pero nasisiguro niyang hindi matabang ang timpla niya.

Hindi naman sa pinapatamaan niya si Zehannah pero parang ganoon na nga. Pero siyempre pa, sasarilinin niya lang 'yon, baka masapak siya ni Zehannah at pakainin siya ng walang lasang pagkain. Mukhang 'yon pa naman ang balak ng dalaga.

Habang nagluluto siya, nakatanggap siya ng tawag mula kay Calderon.

He answered his call while frying bacon and sausages.

"So you're actually cooking...?" Thorn sounded skeptical when Reigo told him what he was doing at the moment.

"Yep. I can cook, you know."

"You can't. Imahinasyon mo lang na marunong ka. All you can do is fry. Nakakahiya naman sa mga marunong magluto."

Tiningnan ni Reigo nang masama ang cellphone na naka-loudspeaker na parang bang nakikita roon ang kaibigan na kausap. "I can cook, asshole. I just can't slice or peel stuff, but I can cook a decent meal."

"You mean you can fry."

"It's cooking too!" he exclaimed.

"Imahinasyon mo nga lang 'yon." Thorn clicked his tongue. "Anyway, how are you and Zehan?"

"Magde-date kami kaya huwag kang isturbo. Bye!" Pinatay niya ang tawag at pinagpatuloy ang pagpiprito.

Nang matapos siyang magluto, tamang-tama naman na pumasok si Zehannah sa kusina. Bagong ligo ito at may dala-dalang first aid kit.

Huh? Reigo was confused as to why she was carrying a first-aid kit until she took his hand and inspected his fingers. "I'm fine, Zee."

"When did you put these band-aids on?"

"Last night before sleeping...?"

"Alisin mo lahat tapos hugasan mo ang kamay mo," utos ni Zehannah saka ito na ang naghain ng niluto ni Reigo.

Nakamasid lang si Reigo kay Zehannah habang gumagalaw ito sa kusina at hinuhugasan niya ang kamay. At nang makita ni Zehannah na tapos na siya, lumapit ito sa kaniya habang dala-dala ang first-aid kit.

Reigo just watched as Zehannah dried his hand with a clean, lint-free towel, and inspected his cuts before carefully putting an ointment on them. Only after that did Zehannah put new band-aids around his cuts.

"There. Let's eat."

Sumunod ang tingin ni Reigo kay Zehannah na naglalakad na patungong hapag-kainan. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Reigo looked at his hands and thought, yeah, those cuts are worth it.

Mabilis na sumunod si Reigo sa hapagkainan at pinagsaluhan nito at ni Zehannah ang niluto nitong agahan.

A perfectly cooked sunny-side-up egg that was praised by Zehannah, well-cooked bacon and sausage, and also perfectly toasted bread.

"I only accept praise with a kiss."

Napabuntonghininga si Zehannah habang sumisimsim ng ginawang kape. "Reigo, masyado pang maaga para sa kalandian mo. Pakapehin mo muna ako."

"Kapag nakapag-kape ka na ba, hahalikan mo na ako—" Reigo abruptly stopped and his eyes widened at Zehannah when he realized something. "Fuck. You just called me by my name!"

When Reigo pointed it out, Zehannah was surprised herself that she did. Palagi kasing Mr. Vasquez ang tawag niya rito dahil hindi naman sila matagal nang magkakilala. But now that she had called him by his name, it meant she's acknowledging his existence in her life little by little.

Hay. Gusto kong sabihin na gutom lang 'to, pero tangina, busog ako.

Gustong kutusan ni Zehannah ang sarili pero umakto siyang hindi big deal ang pagtawag niya kay Reigo sa pangalan nito. "Ayaw mo bang tawagin kita sa pangalan mo? I'll happily go back to calling your Mr. Vasquez—"

"Nope. I'm happy." He was smiling happily, alright. "Call me by my name again."

Zehannah indulged Reigo. "Reigo."

"Again."

"Reigo."

"Again."

Ibinuka ni Zehannah ang palad kay Reigo. "Give me your phone."

Curious about what Zehannah needed on his phone, he gave it to her after unlocking it. Nakamasid lang si Reigo habang may pinipindot-pindot ang dalagawa sa cellphone niya saka biglang sinabi nito ang pangalan niya. Kapagkuwan ay ibinalik nito sa kaniya ang cellphone niya.

"Hayan. Ni-record ko na ang pagtawag ko sa pangalan mo. If you want to hear it again, just press play." Zehannah innocently smiled at Reigo. "Now, be grateful and say thank you."

"Thanks, Zee!"

Balak inisin ni Zehannah si Reigo sa ginawa niya pero nakangiti ang dumuho habang nay ginagawa sa cellphone nito. Hindi niya alam kung ano 'yon hanggang sa hilingin ng binata na tawagan niya ito sa cellphone.

And that's when she found out what he did to her recording.

He made it his ringtone! And it was so weird hearing her voice calling Reigo's name again and again while his phone was ringing!

It sounded like she was moaning his name, goddamn it! "You...!"

"I made it a ringtone and assigned it to your number. Aren't I a genius?" He proudly grinned at her as if he did something so remarkable. "Come on, my Zee. Praise me and kiss me."

Zehannah was beyond exasperated, but getting annoyed by Reigo would only stress her out, so she breathed in and out deeply until she calmed down.

The whole breakfast, Zehannah did not heed Reigo any attention. Baka talaga ma-spatula niya ang binata.

"Hindi mo ba nagustuhan ang ringtone na ginawa ko?" tanong ni Reigo nang natapos silang mag-agahan at naghahanda nang umalis. "You recorded it."

She glared at Reigo. "E kung gawin ko ring ringtone ang pagtawag mo sa pangalan ko, matutuwa ka ba?"

"Yep." No hesitation whatsoever. "Give me your phone. I'll happily record myself calling you 'Zee' again and again. Nanginginig pa."

Zehannah internally shuddered. "That's creepy."

"Really?" Reigo did not feel the same. "I'm okay with it, though. It's actually a turn-on. You sounded like you're moaning my name. At least, kahit man lang sa ringtone, inuungol mo ang pangalan ko."

Okay! That recording was a mistake! A big mistake! "Burahin mo."

Mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatro ang sagot ni Reigo. "Ayoko."

"Kahit halikan kita bilang kapalit?"

Again, he didn't hesitate. "That's tempting, but no. Gusto ko halikan mo ako kasi gusto mo, hindi dahil may kapalit kang gusto. I may not seem like it, but I'm a very pure minded when it comes to kisses, my Zee."

Nalukot ang mukha ni Zehannah. "Pure minded, my ass."

"I am." He gorgeously and playfully smiled at her. "Kisses are meant to be enjoyed and not to be used as a means to barter, my Zee."

"Wow. Ang kapal ng mukha. Pagkatapos ng modus operandi mo?"

"Bakit? Hindi ka ba nag-enjoy sa halik ko?"

Zehannah did not deny it because she did not dislike those stolen kisses, but she was a savage woman. "Halik pala 'yon? Those were just pecks, Reigo. I can hardly call it a kiss—"

Suddenly, Zehannah's face was in between Reigo's hands, cutting her words off. And in less than a breath, Reigo's lips claimed hers and unlike those stolen kisses of his, he slid inside his tongue and kissed her senseless that he was almost devouring her lips.

The bastard was too good of a kisser that Zehannah didn't even think of pushing him away. Plus that fresh breath of his was one of Zehannah's weaknesses. She didn't even think of distancing herself from him.

Her body tingled and shuddered at that kiss and she felt like chasing Reigo's lips when he slightly pulled away. But still, his lips were hovering over hers and his tongue was licking her lower lip as if tempting her for another kiss.

"How's that for a kiss?" Reigo whispered over her lips, making her subtly gulp. "Did it pass your standard of kisses, my Zee?"

Thanks to Zehannah's strong willpower, she was able to speak calmly even though her insides were melting after that kiss. "Yeah. It was good."

Reigo's lips dropped, and he softly kissed her neck, then her shoulder, and then he rested his forehead on her shoulder as if tired.

"Sorry for kissing you with tongue without your consent," he apologized softly while wrapping his arms around her waist. "I got a little pissed, and I snapped. I'm sorry, Zee."

Sa narinig, ibinalik ni Zehannah ang sinabi ni Reigo sa kaniya nang mapansing hindi ito masaya kahit nakahalik sa kaniya. Hindi katulad ng modus operandi nito palagi na nakangiti itong tumatakbo. "I thought kisses are meant to be enjoyed?"

"I did, but you didn't. That's why I'm sorry."

Zehannah sighed and tapped Reigo's back. "Raise your head."

Reigo obliged and looked at Zehannah as if he was ready for anything—even a slap.

Iyon ang nasa isip ni Reigo, na sasampalin siya ni Zehannah dahil sa ginawa niya at nakahanda na siya roon, pero kabaligtaran ang ginawa ng dalaga.

Instead of slapping him, her hands softly cupped his face and her lips met his.

It was a simple meeting of the lips for a couple of seconds until Reigo opened his mouth and welcomed Zehannah's addictive tongue.

With ragged breathing, Reigo pulled Zehannah closer and deepened the kiss that Zehannah started. He was devouring her, and Zehannah was doing the same as she wrapped her arms around his neck, biting, sucking, and licking Reigo's lips and tongue.

The sound of kissing and soft moans and groans filled Zehannah's condo. It's as if the two had forgotten that they were about to go out on a date.

They kissed and kissed some more until their lungs screamed at them to breathe.

That was the only time they pulled away from each other, but their lips were still brushing against one another as they filled their lungs with air.

"Alam ko na ang isasagot mo sa 'kin pero gusto ko pa ring magtanong." Reigo placed a quick kiss on Zehannah's lips. "Want to stay at home and kiss 'til we can't anymore or food hopping?"

Mabilis ang sagot ni Zehannah. "Kahit gaano pa kasarap ang labi mo, pagkain pa rin ang pipiliin ko."

Mahinang natawa si Reigo. "Sabi ko nga."

Zehannah rolled her eyes at Reigo as she stepped back from him and glanced at his crotch. "You should calm that down before we leave."

"Yeah, I should." Reigo breathed in and out while jogging in place a little, but it was not going down.

"Why don't you sit?" Zehannah suggested saka ang dalaga na ang humila kay Reigo paupo sa mahabang sofa habang nakatayo naman siya at nakaharap dito. "Kalma lang. Breath in, breath out. You can do it."

Sinunod ni Reigo ang sinabi ni Zehannah pero hindi siya makapag-focus dahil nasa harapan lang niya ang dahilan kung bakit buhay na buhay ang pagkalalaki niya.

Reigo did not realize that he was giving Zehannah a hot and bothered look like he would devour her any second.

And those seductive and lust-filled eyes were giving Zehannah the feeling like Reigo was fucking her with his eyes, and it made her shiver.

"Hindi tayo makakalabas sa ginagawa mo." Tumalikod si Zehannah para takasan ang titig ni Reigo. "Nakatalikod na ako. Calm down, will you?"

"Zee..." They were in the living room, but Zehannah was certain that that was Reigo's bedroom voice. "Your back looks so sexy."

Zehannah cleared her throat and moved so Reigo will see her side and not her back.

"Such seductive side-profile," he commented while gulping.

And Zehannah groaned. Front, back and side, Reigo's horniness knew no bounds! "That's it! Doon ako sa kuwarto ko. Hindi ka kakalma kasi kung saan-saan ka natingin. Tawagan mo ako kapag kalmado ka na."

Nang makapasok sa kuwarto niya, naiiling na napaupo si Zehannah sa gilid ng kama. Seriously, that guy.

Kapagkuwan ay wala sa sariling napahawak si Zehannah sa mga labi.

The kiss she shared with Reigo made her mind stop working, which was dangerous. But she did not dislike it. She actually enjoyed it. A lot.

Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi. Slow down, Zehan. Kalma lang. Halik pa lang 'yon. Hindi ka pa niya hinahawakan, gaga. Huwag maging marupok kahit masarap si Reigo! Isipin mo na lang na diet ka at bawal na pagkain si Reigo. Huwag na huwag mong titikman. Huwag magpapaakit!

Zehannah was talking to herself and conditioning herself while Reigo, who was now alone in the living room, was surprised to see how fast he went soft after Zehannah left. Ngayong walang Zehannah sa harapan niya, parang nawalan ng buhay bigla ang pagkalalaki niya at bumalik sa pagtulog.

"Fuck..." he muttered under his breath. "That was dangerous. Halik pa lang 'yon."

Reigo was worried about himself, but his addiction to those lips was something he couldn't and didn't want to control. Kissing Zehannah made him happy. He enjoyed feeling her lips against his.

I don't think I can stop. I am interested in those lips and the owner of those lips too much.

Reigo groaned and called for Zehannah. "Zee...! I'm calm now. Let's go before I become hard again!"

Lumabas naman kaagad si Zehannah sa kuwarto niya at pinakatitigan si Reigo na ngayon ay nakatayo na at wala nang bukol sa harapan ng pantalon.

"Okay ka na?" tanong ni Zehannah.

Tumango si Reigo at parang nagmalalaking sumagot. "Yep. It's down."

Zehannah just shook her head, put her sling bag on, and silently walked toward her condo's door.

Nang makalabas ang dalawa, siniguro muna ni Zehannah na naka-lock ang pintuan ng condo niya bago umalis.

"That's my car," ani Reigo ng nasa parking lot na sila. "Gusto mong sumakay sa 'kin—I mean, it would be nice if you would ride me and—"

Tumikhim si Zehannah. "Wala talagang pinipiling lugar ang kahalayan mo."

Reigo smiled. "Thank you for the compliment. Anyway, which do you prefer? Ride in my car, ride on me, or in your car?"

"Mahal ang gas." Nauna na siyang maglakad patungo sa sasakyan ni Reigo. "I'll ride in your car."

"How about riding on me?"

Her middle finger saluted at Reigo before she opened Reigo's car door and went inside.

Kaagad na nag-seatbelt si Zehannah nang makasakay si Reigo at tinanong ang binata nang nasa daan na sila. "Ang aga-aga pa at busog pa ako, ma-e-enjoy ba natin 'tong food hopping natin?"

"It's a food hopping date, Zee," pagtatama ni Reigo kay Zehannah. "It's a date. A date."

Napabuntonghininga si Zehannah. "Oo na. Food hopping date. Masaya ka na?"

Reigo grinned. "Yep. Anyway, I think the time is perfect. I want to take you to fifteen different places with great food and delicacy—just like me since I'm an overall delicacy—and I think we can go to the first seven places today and visit the eight tomorrow."

Tumango si Zehannah. Reigo invited her and he had an itinerary in mind, so he let him decide their route. At ayaw niyang mag-isip sa mga sandaling 'yon dahil abala siya sa pagtingin sa dashboard ng sasakyan ni Reigo.

Ang laki talaga ng kaibahan ng normal na sasakyan sa luxury cars. There're tons of buttons and Zehannah admitted that it was a little intimidating, but she was curious.

"Reigo, ano'ng pipindutin dito sa sasakyan mo para magpatugtog ng kanta?" tanong ni Zehannah dahil inaantok siya. Ang aga ba naman niyang magising at lumabas ng condo.

"Here." Reigo pointed at the center of the dashboard and patiently taught her how to.

The music in his car was connected to Reigo's phone, so the playlist that Zehannah was now browsing was Reigo's playlist.

"Bakit lahat ng kanta mo pang-broken hearted at bitter?" tanong ni Zehannah sa binata.

"Because that was me before I met you."

Napa-tsk si Zehannah. "Bumanat ka na naman."

Reigo chuckled. "I only have two new songs. It's on the top list. Check it out."

Zehannah listened, and it surprised her to see that it was 'Kings and Queens' by Ava Max and 'Good things' by Zedd and Kehlani.

"Seriously?" hindi makapaniwalang aniya na bumaling pa sa binata.

"What?" He smiled while driving. "They're wonderful songs and they remind me of you."

Zehannah chose 'Kings and Queens' by Ava Max and the sound inside the car surprised her. It was so good that Zehannah couldn't help moving her body and singing along.

"... to all of the queens who are fighting alone, baby you're not dancing on your own...!" Bigay na bigay si Zehannah habang sumasabay sa kanta. "Can't live without me, you wanna, but you can't, nah-nah-nah."

To Zehannah's surprise, Reigo sang along too and he was slaying the lyrics. "Think it's funny, but honey, can't run this show on your own. I can feel my body shake, there's only so much I can take..."

"...I'll show you how a real queen behaves. Oh..." Zehannah continued singing and when the song hit the chorus, Reigo sang along with her with a wide radiant smile on his lips while moving his body as if dancing while sitting down.

Nawala ang antok ni Zehannah habang sabay silang kumakanta ni Reigo. Early in the morning and she was having fun listening and singing along to her favorite song.

"Ah, that was good." Sumandal si Zehannah sa kinauupuan at ngumiti. "Nawala ang antok ko. Parang gusto ko tuloy paulit-ulit na pakinggan ang 'Kings & Queens'."

"You can put it on repeat. I don't mind."

"Sure ka?"

"Yep. Go ahead."

Zehannah was happy to put her favorite song on repeat while singing along. And seeing Zehannah having fun in his car, Reigo had a smile on his face while driving.

It was a first for him. He did not want to compare Zehannah to his exes, but Zehannah was just so refreshingly different that he couldn't help it. It was not only Zehannah, his reactions and emotions too differed from before. He's genuinely happy, and it showed on his face. Hindi na niya kailangang i-schedule kung kailangan siya dapat masaya. Just thinking of Zehannah and her savageness and witty comebacks was enough to make him smile.

"Huh?" Zehannah frowned when she saw the sign of the building where they were parking. Vasquez Constructions. "Ano'ng gagawin natin dito?"

Nginitian lang ni Reigo si Zehannah saka lumabas na ng sasakyan. Kaagad naman sumunod si Zehannah at natigilan nang lumapit sa kaniya si Reigo at inilahad nito ang kamay sa kaniya.

A flashback entered her mind—it was the time when she first met Reigo at the café. Reigo did the same too—he offered his hand at her and, just like now, she didn't hesitate to accept it.

"May naiwan ka ba sa opisina mo?" tanong ni Zehannah sa binata habang nagkahawak-kamay silang naglalakad patungo sa elevator.

"Nope. Just trust me." He smiled at her. "It'll be fun."

As if she had another choice, she was already holding his hand and riding in the elevator with him to the... wait, rooftop?

Bago pa makapagtanong si Zehannah kung ano'ng gagawin nila sa rooftop, dumating na ang elevator. It was the fastest elevator she had ridden, and it surprised her. But what awaited her when she stepped outside the elevator was even more surprising that it made her jaw slack.

A helicopter with three letters on its tail—E.E.Z.

Reigo tugged Zehannah's hand, pulling her out of her reverie. "Come on, Zee. Let's go to our first food-hopping destination. Cavite and their pansit."

Zehannah was still having a mini-shock. Nang sabihin ni Reigo na magpu-food hopping sila, sa isip niya ay sa lungsod lang kung nasaan sila at sa malalapit na bayan. Hindi ito!

Food hopping date on a helicopter.

Sinampal na naman siya ng kahirapan. Sinusubok talaga siya araw-araw ni Lord.

Hay. Makapag-pansit na nga lang sa Cavite. 

CECELIB | C.C.