Chapter 4: Pink Panty

"PLEASE, don't leave just yet," pigil ng lalaki nang pahawak na ako sa pinto. "I can't seem to function knowing you haven't eaten."

Napatitig ako sa doorknob. Hindi ko siya kilala at hindi ko alam ang nangyari sa aming dalawa. But the way his voice cracked, pakiramdam ko'y totoong nag-aalala siya.

"Please…" The stranger begged again. "Kahit sumubo ka lang nang kaunti, magkaroon lang ng laman 'yang tiyan mo."

Napahawak tuloy ako sa tiyan ko. Ramdam ko ang pagkulo nito. I frowned. Perhaps, it wouldn't hurt my pride to bite a toast.

"I'll wait for you," he added.

Saka pagyabag ng mga paa ang sumunod na tunog. Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko. The last time I met a stranger, I felt fear.

Ngunit parang bumaliktad ang mesa at mas gumaan ang loob ko ngayon.

Umiling ako bigla saka huminga nang malalim.

Offering breakfast doesn't mean he is a fully decent man. Hindi ko pa nga alam kung ano ang buong naganap sa amin. Masama pa rin ang kutob kong may ginawa siya. O kung may ginawa man ako, ay sinamantala niya.

But isn't it too early to judge? My clothes were washed and neatly ironed. Did he do it?

"Umm… Hi…"

Nakatungo ang ulo ko habang sinasabi iyon. I can't believe I am doing this.

"Come. Have a seat…" My head lifted and saw him pull a chair. "Have you finally given up on your tummy, hmm?"

"Huh?" Kumurap ako. "No! Of course not!"

He chuckled. "Ahh, kaya pala nakatutok sa mesa 'yang mga mata mo."

"Hindi, ah!"

Mukhang masarap 'yong tocino.

"Hindi 'yan ang nakikita ko."

I glared at him. "You know what, kung aasarin mo lang din ako, mas mabuti pang hindi na ako mag-breakfast dito!"

"Alright. Huwag ka na magalit. Halika na dito."

Inirapan ko siya. Kailangan pa niya akong ma-stress bago tuluyang pakainin.

"Do you want coffee?" tanong ng lalaki sa oras na makaupo ako sa upuang inalok niya.

"Nope. I don't drink coffee."

While I'm seated here in his little dining area, the man is standing tall behind the kitchen counter doing some chef stuff, na hindi ko alam at wala akong pake. Though I know how to cook, kadalasan ay mga Italian cuisine.

"How about juice?" tanong niya, ang mga kamay ay nakahawak sa counter.

"Sorry. Too much sugar."

"Hot milk, then?"

"Ayaw. Mabigat sa tiyan."

"How about a cup of tea?"

"Still a no."

"Then, a chocolate drink would be nice."

"Good choice." I straightened my back. "Make it dark chocolate, please…"

"Dark chocolate, then-"

"With mallows."

He grinned. "With mallows, yes…"

Nanatili ang titig namin sa isa't isa. His dimples showed no mercy to my pounding heart. Pasimple kong hinagod ang buhok ko at tumingin sa ano… sa ref.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko. This man looks so fresh in his glistening damp hair. Paano! How can he look so calm and peaceful early in the morning? Kapag ako 'yan, sabog ang buhok ko.

"Uhmm… If I may ask… Like, seryoso na 'to… No accusations or whatsoever…"

Umayos ako ng upo para hindi niya isiping pinagloloko ko siya.

"Since you don't look like somebody na kayang manamantala ng girl, then siguro, may ginawa ako kagabi. Now, tell me. Ano 'yon?"

I eyed him expectantly. I waited. Literally waited. Pero sinalubong lang niya ang titig ko habang may hinahalo. I hate it that he looks so unbothered.

"Oh, come on… Tell me…" I pulled my hair. "I want to know how I came here, how I awoke with a new set of clothes-"

"What do you want to know?" He cut me.

It took me a while to process it.

"W-What do you mean?"

Now, he's back to his serious look. Umikot ang lalaki sa kitchen counter at nilapag ang tasa ng tsokolate sa tapat ko.

"Which part do you exactly want to know?" He said so casually, and I was stunned.

Anong gusto kong malaman?

"I… I don't remember anything."

Niyakap ng mga palad ko ang mainit na tasa at napatitig sa kawalan. Its warmth comforted my soul.

"I feel ashamed," I brought up. "Nahihiya ako. My conscience won't take it if ever I put you or anyone in trouble dahil sa inasal ko."

I watched the smoke swirled from the cup of cocoa drink. Kagabi lang ako uminom ulit. At sinadya ko talagang magpakalasing. Kung nagawa ko mang mag-eskandalo o ano, it'd be totally my fault. Lalo na kung may nadamay o naabala ako.

"You don't have to worry," is never enough to calm me.

Ramdam kong umupo siya sa kabilang dulo ng mesa.

"You did nothing crazy."

"Tsk. Sabi mo lang 'yan." I huffed. "I'm sure may ginawa ako pero tinatago mo lang kasi ayaw mo 'kong mag-alala."

Surprisingly, he giggled.

"Well… There was a problem-"

"See. You're keeping it from me."

"Sort of." He looked like he lost it. "Pero maliit lang naman 'yon. It was immediately sorted out."

"Hindi mo ba talaga sasabihin kung ano 'yon?" Ngumuso ako, baka tumalab sa kanya. "I'll have to see if I need to apologize."

"You don't have to." Ngumiti siya. "Because if I tell you, baka hindi ka na makakain niyan."

Napakurap-kurap ako.

"See. You won't take it." Ginaya niya ang tono ng pananalita ko.

Napatulala ako. Kung sinasabi niyang hindi ako makakakain nito, then it must be something awful and gross! Damn, Anastasia! What have you done?!

"Do you want an oat meal?"

"Yuck! Ano ba!"

I covered my face. Mas lumakas ang tawa niya.

"Hey, I don't mean a thing."

"Ang baho ko siguro no'n!"

"Natin. Ang baho natin."

"Shit, you could've asked for my friend to take me home!"

"But how could I?" aniya. "By then, no one would want to talk to me… kasi amoy-suka din ako tulad mo-"

"Wala akong naririnig! Wala akong naririnig!"

Nagtakip ako ng tainga. Mas humalakhak siya sanhi para sumingkit ang mga mata niya. I pouted and decided to pay attention to my food.

Humablot ako ng loaf bread at padabog na kinagatan 'yon. Then, I munched my food while glaring at him.

"Alright. Fill in."

"Ano? Feeling?"

"Jesus. Let's just eat."

Inirapan ko siya saka humigop ng tsokolate. Alam kong mali ang naging impression ko sa kanya, but it doesn't mean he can tease me all that. Hindi naman kami close. And wala akong balak na kilalanin pa siya.

"Then, how did you change my clothes?" I asked bluntly. "Pinaliguan mo ba 'ko?"

"Of course, I won't do that," mabuti kung ganoon. "I called my sister's nanny. Hindi mo siguro maalala, pero siya ang nag-asikaso sa 'yo."

"Really?"

"Hmm." He sipped his coffee. "Oh, and the clothes you wore were my sister's. Hindi niya alam na pinahiram ko sa 'yo."

"Even her undies, huh? Same figure kami?"

"Hindi sa kanya 'yon." I saw him turn red. "I… I actually bought that. Also the cycling shorts."

"Oh, my gosh…" Nagtakip ako ng bibig. "How do you know my fucking size?!"

"Huh?" He put down the mug.

"My size!"

"It's... It's not what you think!"

"Nagsara na ang mall sa mga oras na 'yon! Are you sure you bought it?"

"I… bought it. Before."

My jaw dropped.

Hindi ko alam na may ganito pala siyang sikreto. Kung alam ko lang, sana'y hindi ko siya pinagsalitaan nang masama. That's why he... or rather she also took care of me. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng awa.

"You know what, I completely understand now. I accept you," saad ko.

"Huh?"

Hinawakan ko ang dib-dib ko para madama niyang hindi ko siya hinuhusgahan.

"There's nothing to hide. Alam ko na." I smiled with full of heart. "May kaibigan din akong katulad mo, and I totally empathize with you."

"What?"

"You are with me in this battle-"

"Hey. Listen here."

I reached for his hand. Pati iyon ay sobrang lambot. "I know you bought that panty for yourself-"

"What?"

"Shh…" It must've been hard for him. "You can trust me, sizzy. Sa ating dalawa lang ito."

"What are you saying?!"

He looked so confused.

"Aww. That's okay. Hindi ako madaldal. I can keep this a secret. Our secret. Salamat dahil pinahiram mo ako ng pink panty mo."

"Fuck, that isn't mine!"

"You don't have to deny it-"

"Miss, I am a straight man!"

He stood up from his seat. Parang may dumaloy na libo-libong kuryente sa katawan niya upang magkaroon ng ganoon kalakas na tapang ng loob.

"I am a fully straight man who can kiss girls like you!" His voice thundered.

Naestatuwa ako sa tangkad niya. His broad chest is rising and falling. Mabilis kong tinakpan ang labi ko dahil baka totohanin niya. Baka anumang oras ay susunggaban niya ako. And I am afraid I can't help myself... kiss him back.