Page 30 of Not My Type, Not Yet.

“Bakit ka umalis?” he asked as he nuzzled his face on my stomach. Humigpit ang pakakayakap nya sa beywang ko kaya napabuntong hininga nalang ako.

“Tumalikod ka nga muna,” I urged him but he wouldn't budge. Nakaupo siya ngayon sa pagitan ng hita ko, kakatapos nya lang maligo and I'm trying to dry his hair.

“Bakit nga muna kasi?” maktol nya na parang bata. He looked up and pursue his lips and bat his eyelashes. I furrowed my brows, aba?

Napabuntong hininga ulit ako at nag iwas ng tingn.

“I got jealous,” mahinang pag-amin ko. Minata ko sya at nakitang malalim ang tingin niya sakin habang nakangiti.

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko at binato ang towel sa mukha nya na syang ikinahalakhak nya.

“Tanginang yan, nagseselos na nga yung tao tas tatawanan mo pa!” inis kong singhal sa kanya.

He kissed my stomach giddly, “You're so cute baby. So much so that I wanted to eat you,” napitlag ako dahil bahagya nyang kinagat ang tagiliran ko.

“The fuck!” Singhal kong muli at pilit syang tinutulak papalayo, though there's no strength to it kaya napaiwas nalang ako ng tingin.

Pinasok nya ang kanyang ulo sa loob ng T-shirt ko kaya napasinghap ako when his warm breath touched my skin. I groan and threw my head back. Humugot akong malalim na hininga bago sya sipain palabas sa T-shirt ko.

“What was that?” reklamo nya when he hit the ground. Bahagya akong napairap.

“My affection for you?” I said cooly. He purse his lips again and sat beside me. Niyakap nya ang beywang ko at binaon ang kanyang mukha sa leeg ko.

“Then tell me why you got jealous…hmm” he inhaled kaya napapikit ako.

“I-I heard a rumor saying na si…si ano daw…ano si…fuck!” frustrated kong saad.

I just can't admit that I flew all the way to Costa Rica because of some rumor I heard about them. It was hard for me to say it since I already knew that he never liked Zyran. It would be easy if it was then, pero ngayon? damn.

“Hmm? What baby?” he cooed.

“Si Zyran daw wallpaper mo tas nong nakita ko kayo sa canteen, napakaganda ng ngiti mo kaya I figured that sya pa rin pala talaga ang gusto mo despite all the things that happened to us…” mahina kong saad, enough for him to hear me.

I closed my eyes tightly waiting for his laughter.

But seconds later he let go of me kaya napamulat ako.

I saw him walking to the restroom kaya nagtataka ko syang sinundan.

I leaned against the door frame and watched his back.

He rummaged through his wet pants and took out a phone wrapped in a plastic bag. Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa nakita.

Did he do that kasi alam nyang mababasa sya? Huminga ako ng malalim para pigilan ang tawa ko. He looked so worn out that time pero nagawa nya pang ibalot ang cellphone nya sa plastic.

I held my breath when he turned around to see me. “Buti naman at hindi pinasok ng tubig,” he murmur. Maluha-luha akong umiwas ng tingin. Fuck! tawang-tawa ako dahil sa plastic.

I clear my throat when he walk towards me, umayos din ako ng tayo. He gently smiled at me at hinapit ang beywang ko. Tinapon nya ang plastic sa basurahan kaya napaiwas ulit ako ng tingin.

“Let's sit. I want to clear things up. It's bothering me,” inalalayan nya akong umupo kaya napataas ang isang kilay ko. May sakit?

He sat beside me and opened his phone, as soon as the light spread my eyes instinctively widened.

He chuckled and rested his head on my shoulder. “You looked good.” He praised and glanced at me.

It was a photo of mine sitting by the cafeteria window in my uniform—a drink cradle in my hands, smiling softly. The sunlight spilled through the glass window casting golden hue on my face and skin as the photo was captured from a distance.

“It’s always been you, dummy.” He handed me his phone. He kissed the side of my head. “You don’t need to worry about me falling out of love because I've been praying for his day to come for years, baby,” he whispered sincerely.

I closed my eyes for a second, I could feel the warmth from his words creeping in my chest. I snake my arms around his shoulder and buried my head in his neck.

His lavender scent filled my nose as soon as I inhaled. I chuckle, ang laking tao tas lavender ang body wash.

Nanay Menerva bought the wrong body wash, Memere already has a ton of body wash and Sloane refused to wear such feminine scent kaya sa akin napunta to.

“How about you? I heard na you have a lot of ex girlfriends. Tas sobrang close pa kayo ni Abi, so close na pwede na kayong mag halikan sa tuwing magkasama kayo,” he taunted kaya halos manigas ang katawan ko.

I laugh nervously. “Wala naman akong iniyakan sa kanila, ikaw pa lang tsaka wag kang mag-alala kay Abi, tomboy yun,”I said sweetly. He eyed me suspiciously.

“Tomboy sus…”

“Trust me Knox, ikaw lang talaga ang mahal ko.” I explained. I saw how he stifle a smile and looked away.

“Mas marami ka palang experience,” parang nagtatampo nyang saad. Mahina akong napatawa, oh god, how I dreamed of seeing his side of him.

I cupped his face, “Wag kang mema dyan, ikaw first kiss ko tangina.”

Nanlaki ang mata nya at unti-unting gumuhit ang malaking ngiti sa labi nya. “Talaga?!” his eyes sparkled kaya napangiti ako.

“Yes. Talagang-talaga,” I chuckled.

I may have a lot of girlfriend back then but I never touched nor kissed them. It felt so wrong to touch a woman if your feelings and intention with her is not genuine enough. I wasn't genuine so I never touched them. I respect them, that's all there is to it.

“Really?” He bit his lips and pulled my collar.

Tumango ako,”Really.”

We smiled, and with that we shared a soft and tender kiss, a kiss so tender that a tear escaped my eyes. This one is far warmer from the ones he had before. Pure intention, genuine and passionate. My chest clenched, not because I was hurting but because I'm so happy right now.

“Nasan wallet mo? pupunta tayong mall tas wala ka man lang dalang pera? ayos ka ah, akala mo ililibre kita? no way!” ang oa na si Sloane.

I shrugged my shoulder at sumandal sa hood ng sasakyan. It is the next day and Knox just got back from their house. Pinauwi sya ni Memere para kumuha ng mga gamit nya, sasamahan ko sana pero nakatulog agad ako.

“I got mine, don't worry,” I said. Tinaasan nya ako ng kilay.

“Asan?”

I pointed at our door entrance, her eyebrows arched again. She was about to open her mouth but Knox walked out from the door, fixing his shirt.

“Boyfriend.” I shrugged my shoulders.

Her mouth gaped open and I just smirked.

“Told you I got my wallet,” I winked at her.

Madaming pera si Knox, the only reason kung bakit hindi niya ako nasundan sa Costa Rica is because wala syang passport. I laughed mentally, tangina talaga.

Knox looked up, agaran syang napangiti ng makita ako. I put both of my hands inside of my pocket and walk towards him.

“Baby, how do I look?” bati nya at agad na hinapit ang beywang ko ng makalapit ako sakanya.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang mukha nya haggang sa bumaba ang tingin ko sa kwelyo ng polo nya.

“Parang bata,” I murmured and fixed his collar.

“I didn't fix that intentionally so that I could see you do that,” he whispered and grinned. Mahina akong napatawa at tinapik ang balikat nya.

“Nice move buddy,” I laughed.

“Buddy and not baby?” kunot noong tanong nya, I pursed my lips and tapped his shoulders again.

“Tara na naghihintay na si Sloane sa atin,” Tinulak ko sya papalayo at nauna nang naglakad papuntang kotse.

“Ang daya,” he whispered enough for me to hear kaya napangiti ako.

“Wow, salamat at natapos na din ang lambingan nyo ano. PDA masyado, oh edi kayo na may lablayp! kainis,” maktol nito at naunang pumasok sa kotse.

Umikot ako sa passenger seat at don umupo. Pagpasok ni Knox, agad kong binigay sa kanya ang susi ng sasakyan.

He looked at me and grabbed my hand instead at pinatakan yun ng halik na syang ikinatikhim ko. He chuckled and grabbed the key.

“Wow ulit, pinapamukha nyo talaga na single ako no?” reaction ni Sloane.

“I think you should explore the bar more often, malay mo nandonn ang para sayo,” ani Knox habang nagmamaneho.

Umirap si Sloane, “Buti sana kong nandon sya eh.”

Knox glanced at her through the rear-view mirror. “Nandon yun, just trust me.”

Nagkasalubong ang kilay ko, kelan pa naging close ang dalawang to?

“Feel ko talaga I should stopped introducing my girlfriends to Austine, sya lagi ang habol kay nakikipagbreak sa akin eh, paano ba naman napaka gwapo ang daming naghahabol. Tapos alam mo ba one time he called a random girl, baby, ayon halos ilang buwan naghabol sakanya. Pogi no,” agad na nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa sinabi sya.

Kabado kong minata si Knox, he looked at me for a second before averting his gaze in front.

“Don't get the wrong idea ok? Wala akong pinatulan ni isa sa kanila,” marahan kong paliwanag at inabot ang kamay nya.

God, kinakabahan na ako dito. I don't want him to get the wrong idea. Ang bantot na nga ng mga nakaraan ko tas dumagdag pa to si Sloane. I side-eyed her and throw dagger looks on her. She glanced away kaya halos mamura ko na sya.

Mukhang manunuyo pa ako habang gumagala kami ah. Salamat Sloane.

“Knox…”I called his name softly pero hindi man lang ako pinansin. I groaned and slump back on my seat.

I tried talking to him but he would just smile weakly and not respond at all. Aigoo. Buong byahe tahimik lang kaming tatlo, halos marinig na nila ang kabog ng dibdib ko. Sensing my frustration Sloane texted me.

Bro, sorry T_T

May araw ka din sa akin tamo.

Dumating na kami sa mall at agad na lumabas si Knox ng mapark na ang sasakyan. Agad ko syang hinabol.

“Amm…alis na muna ako hehe,” Si Sloane at tumakbo papalayo.

When I fucking catch you Sloane!

“Knox, talk to me…”I coaxed and grabbed his wrist gently. He scoffed. “Let me explain ok—”

“It's easy for you to call other people baby, tas pag ako hindi mo matawag,” maktol nya.

I blinked twice. Huh? Akala ko pa naman iniisip nya na sobrang babaero ko na at mandiri sya.

“Huh?”

Nagtatampo syang humarap sa akin. “Are you ashamed to call me baby? tas pag sa iba ok lang? kinakahiya mo ba ako?” he lowered his head.

Oh my god.

Hinapit ko ang beywang nya at pinatakan ng halik ang labi nya. “I wouldn't kiss you so openly kong kinakahiya kita…” he licked his lips, a small smile tugging the corner of his lips.

“Then why won't you call me baby?”

I scratched my nape and lower my head. “Kinikilig kasi ako…baka tumalon ako pag lumabas yang salitang yan sa bibig ko. That would be uncool and I don't want you to see that.” Mahina kong saad, tanginang buhay to.

Ramdam ko na umiinit na ang pisngi ko dahil sa sobrang hiya.

“Hmm…then call me baby, I want to see that uncool side of yours,” inangat nya ang ulo ko. He smiled, namumula na rin ang kanyang tenga at leeg.

I swallow the lump in my throat, never in my life I feel so shy calling someone baby. This isn't me. Back then the word flows naturally pero ngayon? in front of him? gosh.

“Go on, I'm waiting.” He urged while grinning from ear to ear. Do you enjoy torturing me that much huh?

I wet my lips at mas lalong nilapit ang katawan nya sa akin. I buried my head in the crook of his neck and inhaled sharply. “Baby…I love you.”

I heard him chuckling and hugged me tightly. “If my soul had a favorite place, it would be wherever you are, I love you too…really.”

Last night, in the middle of the rainy season, on July 25, we finally shattered the rusted chains forged by our parents’ past. We chose the freedom to love each other over the echoes of inherited pain.

I smiled. So this is how it felt to be loved? It was warm and comforting, like a breeze after the storm.

“You're not my type back then really,” I said, chuckling.

“Not yet?” he teased.

“Yeah, not yet.”

It's true that the first time I saw him I was piqued by his indifference demeanor. That's the main reason why I approached him. His not my type, I don't like cold people but as day goes by unti-unti ko na syang natitipohan.

Ang weird, and it's ok.

After our suyoan season, pumasok na kami sa mall at naglibot-libot. We didn't see Sloane, hinayaan nalang namin dahil malaki na sya kaya nya na ang sarili nya.

“Couple shirt?” I asked when he suggested na bumili kami ng shirt.

“Yeah.” He replied as he licked his ice cream.

Tumayo ako at inilahad ang kamay ko sa harapan nya, he grabbed it happily at sabay kaming nagtungo sa store para bumili ng damit.

Marami siyang binili na couple shirt para sa aming dalawa, napatawa nalang ako dahil nag eenjoy syang mamili.

“Excuse me,” Napatingin ako sa likuran ko ng may kumalabit sa akin. I saw a girl looking at Knox with those eyes that are every familiar to me. Admiration.

“Yes?”

Humarap sya sakin saglit at binalik ang tingin kay Knox na namimili ng damit. I blocked her view, ngumiti lang ako sa kanya ng tumingin sya sakin.

“Pwede ko ba mahingi name ng friend mo? He's totally my type,” she uttered dreamily, she scoot a bit para masulyapan si Knox na syang hinarangan ko ulit.

She furrowed her brows, “Pwedeng tumabi ka muna?”

I smiled sweetly. “You want his name?” dali-dali syang tumango at hinawakan ang laylayan ng damit ko.

“Yes please,” she clasped her hands together and bowed her head a little.

“Hmm…baby, someone wants to know your name here. She seems interested in you,” I grabbed the attention of Knox. He stopped for a moment and looked in my direction.

“B-baby?” nauutal-utal nyang saad. I looked down on her and smirked.

“Yeah, my boyfriend is such a catch don't you think so?” Pagmamayabang ko, nanlaki lalo ang mata nya at pabalik-balik ang tingin sa aming dalawa ni Knox.

Lumapit si Knox saakin at hinapit ang beywang ko. “I'm sorry miss I'm not interested, mind if you go away? I don't want my boyfriend here to overthink things,” he then kissed the side of my head.

“Boyfriend?!” halos pasinghal nyang saad. Tumango lang kami kaya mas lalong lumaki ang mata nya. “Omg I'm so sorry!” she apologize before running away.

Natawa nalang ako habang pinagmamasdan ang tumatakbo nyang pigura. “What a show, pogi masyado eh,” Pinasadahan ko sya ng tingin, from head to toe.

He's wearing a crisp white polo tucked into tailored cream trousers and clean white Nike sneakers. It’s giving effortlessly refined, and timeless vibes.

Pero may kulang. Relo.

Tinanggal ko ang relo ko, I grabbed his wrist and slipped my watch. He looked at me, confused kaya ngumiti lang ako.

“To complete the look,” I wink at him.