Stonehearts 10: Tourmaline

Four

I woke up with an unbearable headache. What a really shitty way to welcome my morning. Or is it afternoon already? I looked at my right, and the window proudly frames the sun shining up in the sky.

It's probably noon. Saka ko muling isinalampak ang sarili ko sa kama. Patulog na ako ulit, hanggang sa na-realize ko na hindi ito ang bnb ko. Nabalikwas ako ng bangon at napalingon sa paligid.

Nasaan ako?

Kaninong bahay 'to?

Wait, hotel ba 'to?

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Fuck!

Hindi ko maalala mga nangyari kagabi. Napahapo ako sa ulo ko at napapikit. Isang tao ang biglang pumasok sa isipan ko.

The guy from the bar. What's his name again? Sage? Anong ginawa namin? I remembered him giving me the best kiss of my life, but I can't remember anything after that.

I raised the cover and saw I'm still fully clothed. So, walang nangyari sa amin. Pero nasaan ako?

Agad akong tumayo at nagsimulang hanapin ang bag ko. May bag pa ba akong umalis sa bar kagabi? Fuck, paano ako uuwi nito?

Dumapa ako at sinilip ang ilalim ng kama pero wala. I went around the bed, looking underneath the side table pero wala rin. I opened the drawer, hoping it was there. Maliit lang naman kasi 'yon, kakasya 'yon dito. But to no avail.

I was about to close it when somebody cleared his throat, and a deep, masculine voice filled the room.

"Never pegged you for a snooper."

I slowly turned around and met the devil himself. He was leaning casually on the door frame. His thick, muscular arms pronounced.

Okay, not the right time to be leering over him.

Let's not forget that I'm so engrossed with my searching that I didn't even heard him opening the door.

"I'm not snooping. I'm looking for my bag." Sabi ko sabay tikhim.

Umiwas na ako ng tingin dahil parang natutunaw ako sa mariin na pagtitig niya. Nagsimula akong angatin ang mga unan sa kama, Hanggang sa, "Nasa labas ang bag mo, nasa sala."

Napahinto ako at muling ginawian siya ng tingin. "Ah, ganoon ba. Thank you."

Silence.

More silence.

Wala kaming ibang ginawa kundi magtitigan dalawa. Should I do the first move? Should I? Pero bakit parang naka-glue ako sa sahig at hindi ko maihakbang ang mga paa ko?

Nagbaba ako ng tingin at nag-focus sa paa niya. Damn, ang laki. Ano nga ba ulit ang haka-haka kapag malaki ang paa?

Heat started to travel to my cheeks when I again remembered the how electrifying and freeing the kiss we shared last night. I think, no, I know that what he has is big and thick. I felt it underneath me last night while I was straddling him and drowning myself with the drug that he is.

"Eyes up here, baby." He called rather seductively.

He may have a damn sexy voice, but I won't fall for it. I may let the alcohol do the talking last night, but today, maayos na ako mag-isip.

"Don't baby me." I said with a scowl.

Short-lived shock crossed his face, then his gorgeous grin surfaced. "But you loved it last night, or should I say during the wee hours of the morning."

Napaatras ako at napahawak sa dibdib ko. We didn't have sex, right? I mean, I'm still fully clothed. At hindi masakit ang aking down there. 'Diba sabi nila kapag first time it's supposed to be painful?

Tang ina! I should have asked Arcie if it hurt during her first time with Bryce.

"Woah, slow down on the thinking, tiger! Walang nangyari sa'tin. Though, I'm not opposing it if you're going to suggest it now."

Sandali akong nakahinga ng maluwag sa sinabi niya. Okay, okay. Birhen pa ang lola niyo. Ngayon, ang kailangan ko ng isipin ay kung nasaan ako at kung paano ako makakauwi sa bnb ko.

I think it's time for me to move to another city. Or bumalik na lang ako sa Maynila. O kahit na ano. Kahit saan. I just need to get out of here.

"Again, with the thinking." Suway niya. He pushed himself to stand straight before he offered his hand to me, "Come, I've prepared our brunch. I bet you're hungry."

Matagal kong tinitigan ang kamay niyang nasa ere hanggang sa binaba niya na lang dahil wala akong balak abutin 'yon. "Hindi ako gutom. And I need to go."

"You're not going anywhere." He said matter-o-factly.

I looked at him, bewildered. "Why so? Are you going to illegally detain me?"

"Illegal detention are very strong words to put what happened last night." And there's that smirk again.

Ano bang nangyari kagabi?

Napailing ako. This man has a game and he is forcing me to play with him. But I'm not gonna fall for it. Sure, he's fucking gorgeous, has a drool-worthy body, and goddamn let's not forget that talent he has on turning me into a raging hormonal teenager with his lips, but nope.

I've done my fair share of falling for stupid guys. Tama na 'yong kamuntikan akong ikasala sa isang manloloko. Manloloko na nga nakapag-deposito pa sa ibang babae.

"Aalis na ako." At this point, hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagpapaalam sa kanya.

Nginitian lang ako ng kumag saka umurong para bigyan ako ng daan. I don't know whether to run or what. But, ultimately, I kept my strides slow and casual until I've reached the double glass doors that will lead me to freedom.

I should thank him right? Ramdam ko ang presensya niya habang pababa ako ng hagdan pero ngayong nasa harap na ako ng pinto, hindi ko na alam kung nasaan siya.

Lilingon ba ako?

Pota, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin.

Gulping some confidence, I slowly turned and saw him sitting by his couch and sipping what I think is lemonade.

"Ahhh... alis na ako?" Kanina sure ako, ngayon para hindi na?

He again smirked. "Sure, no problem. Buuuuuut, I think you might be needing this before leaving." Saka niya itinaas ang kamay niya hawak ang bag na nakalimutan ko na.

At this point, I'm asking myself if I should go near him and get my bag because there's this tingling tell on my mind saying that once I go inside his radius my life will take another sharp turn towards another wild ride.

"Sooooo, you're not gonna get it?" muling tanong niya saka uminom ng lemonade. When I again chose silence, that damn smirk he had went bigger.

He set his glass down the table and rested his back fully on the couch, my purse in his lap.

"Can you please pass my bag to me? I really need to go." I softly said, not knowing why I am suddenly nervous.

"Go where exactly, Aly?" His deep, baritone voice seeped straight to my bones I can't help but shiver.

"To-to my place. A-away from here." Why am I stuttering?

He chuckled while shaking his head, "Can't let you do that sweetheart."

My heart started to rapidly pound as if it's about to burst out of my chest.

"W-why?"

He pointed at my left hand before he raised his. "We're married that's why."