2 - Desires

YASMIR SIERRA

I glanced at the door of my office when it suddenly swung open, revealing my cousin Riley and Eros. Not far behind them were my two friends, Elijah and Lucas.

"What are you all doing here?" I asked, my voice dripping with laziness and a hint of surprise.

"Let's go to a bar," Eros declared, making me raise an eyebrow in response.

"Does your wife know about this?" I queried, my tone slightly teasing. Eros laughed at my question.

"Yes, she knows I'm with you guys. Can't I go out? Work is incredibly stressful," he replied in a languid tone, as if the very thought of work exhausted him.

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, contemplating the unexpected proposal. I glanced at the stack of paperwork on my desk, feeling the weight of the stress they represented. Maybe a break wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"Oh, kayo? Ganon rin?" Tanong ko sa tatlo. Naniningkit ang mga matang nakatingin sa tatlo.

"I'm broken, man." Sabi ni Riley.

"Nuh," react naman ni Eli.

"Ikaw din?" Tanong ko kay Eli. Ngumuso naman ito kay Lucas, nakita kong matamlay ito.

"Madami akong ginagawa," sabi ko sa kanila at muling binalingan ang mga nakatambak na dokyumentong kailangang i-review para mapirmahan.

Shit. Hindi ko alam kung doctor pa ba ako o taga pirma na ng mga proposals. Nag-aral ako ng almost eight years para maging doctor, pero heto't nakakulong sa opisina!

"Dali na, Mir!" Hinila ako ni Eli patayo sa upuan ko kaagad ko naman hinablot ang cellphone at wallet ko.

"Bwiset kayo, mag-overtime na naman ako bukas! Wala na akong tulog!" Singhal ko sa kanila.

Tumawa lang ang mga ito. Argh! Palibhasa kasi hindi naman masyadong busy si Riley at Eros!

As we made our way out of the office, the sound of their laughter and banter filled the corridor. I couldn't help but smile. Sometimes, it really was important to step away from the grind and unwind with the people who mattered most.

In the parking lot, Eros took the driver's seat. The drive to the bar was filled with animated conversation and friendly jabs at each other. When we finally arrived, we headed straight in and ordered drinks.

"Oy, minsanan na nga lang tayo magsama! Pag-bigyan mo na! Bukas babalik na naman ako ng France kaya, aliwin niyo ako." Nakangusong sabi ni Riley.

"Taena ka, Riley hindi kami piyaso para aliwin ka. Edi doon ka nalang sana sa strip club’s para magsaya! Nandadamay ka pa!" Singhal ko kay Riley.

"Harsh mo bebe, Mir. Pa-kiss nga!" Kaagad kong nilayo ang mukha ni Riley saakin. At hinila naman siya ni Lucas.

Napaupo ako sa bakanteng upuan, nag order ng alak ang mga ito. Tamad ko naman silang tinignan na nag-iinuman, tumatawa at biglang iiyak.

"Bakit kasi bawal kami ni Raine?"

"Wtf, Riley! Eight years ang gap niyo ng pinsan ko, manahimik ka!" Singhal ni Eros kay Riley kaya natawa ako.

"Ang pedo, Riley. Gusto pala bata." Natatawang sabi ni Eli kaya nabatukan siya ni Riley.

"Li, kung ako sa'yo maghanap ka nalang ng iba. Kesa pumatol ka sa bata. Tangina, sixteen palang si Raine. Paano mo nasabing inlove ka na doon sa kanya, ha?" Natatawang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Fourteen palang siya," pinalo naman nang mahina ni Eros ang walang lamang botelya sa ulo ni Riley. Napadaing naman ito sa sakit na siyang inirapan ko.

"OA mo." Bulas ko.

"Tangina hanapan niyo nga ako ng iba!" Sigaw nito.

"Nag-cheat siya," napatingin kami kay Lucas at inuuntog na ang ulo nito sa lamesa.

"Gago, five years na kami, pero nag-cheat siya!" Umiiyak na ito. Napahawak naman ako sa ulo ko dahil sa sakit ng ulo na dala ng mga ito.

"Isayaw nalang natin iyan, Lucas." Hinila ni Eli si Lucas at Riley kaya nagpakasaya ang tatlo sa dancefloor.

Naiwan naman kaming dalawa ni Eros na mukhang problemado.

"Problema mo?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Huminga naman ito ng malalim at tinunggab ang alak.

"Si Errol." Tumango ako.

Hindi parin kasi nakakausap si Errol, sinasaktan parin ang sarili dahil sa pagkawala ng unborn child and fiancé. Kahit sino naman ata mababaliw kapag ganong ang nangyari sa mahal mo. Lalong-lalo na ang makita ang fiancé nitong nagpakamatay sa loob ng penthouse nila.

"Gagaling din si Errol." Sabi ko sa kanya. Errol may be weak now, but I know he'll be fine. He just need time to heal.

Muling bumalik silang tatlo na tawa ng tawa.

"Wala kang balak magpakasal, Mir?" Tanong ni Riley binato ko siya ng tapik ng beer sapol naman ito sa noo niya.

"Ikaw nga rin e!"

"Twenty-three palang ako! Huwag mo akong itulad sa'yo na twenty-six na! Naunahan ka pa ni Eros!" Sigaw nito saakin at tumawa sila silang tatlo.

Natigilan ako ng may babaeng lumapit saamin at tinignan ako sa mga mata. Ilan saglit lang ay hinalikan niya ako.

Nagulat ako sa ginawa niya. Nakita ko naman ang mga ngisi nila.

Kaagad kong tinugon din ang halik ng babae. Nanlalaban ang mga dila namin sa loob ng mga bibig namin. Damn. Why I can't resist?

She exudes a captivating aroma of vanilla, a scent so enticing that it's almost addictive. Despite my aversion to vanilla, there's something irresistible about her fragrance that draws me in, leaving me unable to resist its allure.

Hinila ko ito dahilan para mapaupo sa kandungan ko. Napayakap naman ito sa batok ko.

Ramdam ko ang pagkainit ng paligid. It is just me or the place is getting hotter?

Mabilis ang paghinga kong sinasalo ang bawat halik nito. Argh, I can feel her on my bulging junior in between my thighs damn.

I find myself squeezing her waist tightly as our kiss intensifies, becoming increasingly wild and impassioned. Though tempted to explore further and touch her breasts, I exert restraint, mindful of the potential consequences. The last thing I want is to inadvertently lead her back to my condo. Damn, this is testing my self-control.

Bakit ganito ang epekto niya sa akin? It feels like she's draining all my strength, engulfing my entire being like a consuming fire. Or perhaps it's because she's intoxicated? Damn.

The commotion from my friends and cousins snaps her out of it. She immediately stands up, about to leave, but I quickly intervene, trying to stop her.

"Do you plan to leave me hanging, miss?" I ask, pointing to my erection. She looks at me, biting her lip, her gaze shifting away. Damn, she's adorable.

Fuck. I'm so turned on. I want to take her right here, right now.

She swiftly moved through the crowd, vanishing like smoke in the wind. I hurried after her, scanning the room, but she had evaporated. Disheartened, I trudged back to our table and sank into my chair with a heavy sigh. The bar's chatter and laughter seemed distant as I stared into my drink, the swirling liquid mirroring my whirlwind of emotions.

"We'll be expecting a wedding invitation soon," Eli quipped with a playful grin, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he nudged me with his elbow.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his jest, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips as I reached for the beer cap on the table. With a flick of my wrist, I sent it sailing through the air, aiming directly for Eli's head.

The cap made contact with a satisfying thud, eliciting a yelp from Eli as he instinctively reached up to massage his forehead, pretending to nurse an imaginary bump. His theatrics earned a round of chuckles from our friends seated around the table, adding to the lively atmosphere of the bar.

"Ulol," I muttered under my breath, shooting Riley a glare.

"Aw, feeling disappointed?" Riley fired back, a playful glint in his eyes. I shot him a look of mock annoyance before grabbing my drink and taking a long sip, silently wishing for the conversation to shift elsewhere.

"How was the kiss, Yasmir?" Lucas chimed in, a sly grin playing on his lips as he leaned in expectantly.

"She's hot though," Eli interjected with a smirk, wrapping an arm around Lucas's shoulders and turning the moment into a playful banter. The atmosphere around the table turned into a lively game of teasing and jesting.

Feeling a surge of frustration and embarrassment, I decided to excuse myself from the table and slipped outside the bar for a moment of solitude. The cool night air provided a welcome relief from the heated banter inside. Retrieving a cigarette from my pocket, I lit it and took a deep drag, allowing the nicotine to soothe my frayed nerves as I contemplated the events of the evening.

***

Two days have passed, yet her image haunts me. It's not just her face but her lips that I can't forget. I yearn for the touch of those sweet, soft, rosy lips. Damn.

Standing up from my desk, I decide to take a stroll through the hospital corridors, a routine to clear my head amidst the chaos. A few doctors follow, perhaps out of duty or respect. I wonder if their presence is due more to my title than genuine interest.

Walking through the familiar hallways, the rhythmic sound of my footsteps soothes me. The bustling hospital provides a comforting backdrop to my thoughts. Amidst the activity, I'm lost in memories of her intoxicating presence. If only my role as president didn't bind me, I could pursue her freely, like any other man.

Despite my status as a resident, it's curious how they seem to follow my lead. They discuss various patient cases, seeking my input and guidance, as if I hold more authority than I actually do.

Arriving at station one, I notice a cluster of fresh-faced interns. I signal the attending doctors to leave, and they exit, leaving me alone with a patient chart. I review it briefly before returning it to its spot.

My attention shifts to a young woman nearby, engrossed in writing. She seems familiar, but I can't place her. As our gaze lock, her eyes widen in recognition. A surge of triumph hits me—I remember her impulsive kiss at the bar, and excitement ignites within me.

Nakangisi akong napatingin sa kanya, bakas sa kanyang mukha ang pagkagulat nang nakita ako.

"Is that one free?" Turo ko sa dalaga.

"Ah no, doc. But if you want her, pwede ko pong ibigay sa'yo." Natatarang sabi ni Ms. Cha. Want her?

A mischievous smile spread across my lips as I stood before her. Now that I had found her, it was time to have a little fun, let’s play a game, little kitten.

"I want her." Ngumiti naman ito sa sinabi ko. Hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa na kunin siya.

She's dangerously hot. Fuck. Hindi niya ba alam iyon?