#COMM

Chapter 25

Our first day as something was freakishly hard. My whole family was weirded out dahil gising na agad ako ng 6am. I mean, it was a Saturday and I usually sleep in lalo na kapag pagod ako from work.

But because of Jasper, I woke up extra early. I wanted to see him, sue me.

"You're in good mood," Psalm noticed, eyeing me.

I shrugged and stuffed my mouth with a piece of whole wheat bread. I tried to slow down, but really, I was trying to eat fast para makalabas na ako. Ka-usap ko naman si Jasper last night, pero I missed him already.

Bakit ba ang clingy ko bigla? Balak ko pa yatang talunin si Jasper sa pagiging biglaang clingy niya.

After I was done eating, I went upstairs ulit and applied another coat of liptint. Bigla kasi akong na-conscious sa lips ko kasi Jasper kept on staring! As in unabashedly staring dahil wala naman siyang pakielam kahit mahuli ko pa siya na naka-titig sa labi ko. Ayan tuloy, dapat nasa state of perfection lagi ang lips ko dahil may fetish pala si First Lieutenant.

I had work scheduled this day and for the first time, I wished I had this day free. I was usually always eager to work, but gusto ko lang ng free time today and talk with Jasper.

"Stop, Maggie. Don't be that girl whose life revolves around a guy. Work pa rin, okay?" I told myself as I was on my way outside. When I got out, I immediately saw the Protection Squad and they were complete. Kellan and Nico looked stupid dahil may binabato na food si Kellan tapos sinasalo naman ni Nico gamit 'yung mouth niya? Tapos Evan was texting someone—his wife siguro.

And there was Jasper.

My First Lieutenant.

A smile dawned on my face upon seeing him. Gosh. My face automatically heated up upon remembering how tightly he held me last night... tapos hawak niya lang lagi 'yung hand ko. And he kept on placing tiny kisses on the top of my head, my forehead, and my shoulders.

Should I tell my parents na kaya? I mean... until when is hug enough?

"Good morning," I said, trying to keep my voice even dahil baka masyadong mahalata nila na may something. I mean, I could tell the twins naman since they're super supportive, but Evan? I still wasn't completely certain. If Jasper let me take my time before ko sabihin sa family ko, I'd let him do the telling kay Evan. Let them straighten out whatever issues they had.

Jasper was about to smile at me, when Evan raised his head to look at us. Ayan tuloy. Nawala 'yung smile ni Jasper.

"Good morning," Jasper replied, his voice was impassive. But it's okay. Alam ko naman na he would greet me nicely if only wala si Evan Sungit.

"Good morning, Ma'am!" Kellan greeted. He was smiling, and that's telling me na he's aware na something happened. Feeling ko talaga alam niya! Chismoso kaya 'yan si Kellan.

"Morning..." I said, trying to show na nothing good naman sa mood ko masyado, kahit na truth was, I wanted to pull Jasper and tell him to hug me na ulit.

Good thing Jasper already changed the arrangement back to normal kaya siya na ulit 'yung kasama ko sa car. Sobrang kaduda-duda naman kasi if bigla na lang ngayon na kasama ko na ulit siya! Kellan was eyeing me kaya last night kasi I was super smiling! Kasalanan naman ni Jasper! Kung anu-ano ang kalandian sinabi niya sa akin!

Me: What time ka natulog?

Jasper was looking straight ahead. I knew that his phone was always on vibrate, at na nasa pocket niya 'yun. I was waiting for him to get his phone, pero hindi niya pinapansin. So, while Manong Driver was driving, I poked Jasper and mouthed phone.

"What?" tanong niya na naka-kunot ang noo.

"Phone!" I hissed.

"I'm working," sabi niya. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. Dati naman, walang effect, pero biglang nagsigh si Jasper at inabot 'yung phone niya. Good to know na takot siya sa akin.

Upon reading my text, kumunot na naman ang noo ni First Lieutenant. A few seconds later, I received a text from him. I didn't bother changing his name sa phone ko kasi baka mabasa ng kapatid ko(especially Psalm since he's born pakielamero).

Dull Boy: I'm right beside you.

Me: But Manong's with us.

Me: And he's loyal to my parents.

Dull Boy: Are you going to say something indecent that you can't say it in front of him?

Biglang namula iyong mukha ko. I saw Jasper shooting me a quick glance, and there was a hint of amusement on his face! Aba! Nawiwili na si First Lieutenant na tuksuhin ako. Hindi 'to pwede! I should be the one making him uncomfortable!

Me: I was going to ask for your opinion sa bikini na isusuot ko for the pictorial...

Me: It's very tiny, Jasper...

And it was my turn to laugh dahil nakita ko kung paano mamula ang mukha ni Jasper hanggang sa leeg niya. I even saw him clenching his jaw and rearranging the way he sat down. Jasper, then, put his phone down and just looked straight ahead hanggang sa makarating kami sa venue. Tss. Ayan lang pala katapat.

I was about to talk to him pagbaba namin, pero naka-sunod na agad sila Evan sa amin. Tss. Hirap din pala ng may tinatago. Kahit hold hands lang sana...

I went inside na lang and prepped for the shoot. It was true naman na bikini 'yung pinapasuot sa akin kasi editorial for magazine. And I wasn't even sure why I was still accepting these kinds of editorial kahit Abuela's not very happy about this. Siguro, as a way of rebelling?

"Good morning, Sierra," I greeted the makeup artist. I sat down and she started to do her magic. I usually close my eyes while getting makeup, but aware that Jasper's just standing and I could see his reflection sa mirror, so I opened my eyes.

"I forgot to ask Manang to cook lunch," I said. Sierra didn't know my parents naman, so I felt kinda safe to talk to Jasper around her. "If late na tayo matapos, what do you want for lunch?"

"Later."

I frowned. Ayan na naman siya sa later niya!

"Jasper," I said in a warning tone. "Lunch? What do you want?"

"I'm working," he replied. Sobrang serious niya na naman! Ano ba ang dapat kong gawin para kagaya lang siya nung last night? Should I pray na Sunday na agad para off-duty na agad siya?

"Fine. 'Di 'wag tayong kumain lahat," I snapped at him. I just wanted him to eat lang naman. Ang tagal na issue ko na sa kanya 'yan, but hindi niya pa rin ako mapagbigyan. Of course, concerned lang naman ako kasi sabi nila Kellan, kaya ni Jasper kahit ilang days na walang food. Something about his training sa pagiging sniper kaya sobrang kaya niyang magtiis kahit 'wag gumalaw.

Sierra must've noticed the tension, so she subtly excused herself na may kukunin lang. Pag-alis niya, I continued to glare at Jasper, pero hindi ako nagsasalita.

"Siobhan," he said in his malambing tone bigla. Ayan magaling ang lalaki. Kapag pissed na 'yung girl at saka magiging malambing. In the first place, dapat hindi niya ako iniinis kasi concerned lang naman ako sa kanya.

"What?"

"I'm working," he said as if it was explanation enough.

"Pagwork ba, bawal kumain?"

Jasper sighed. "You don't understand."

"Then explain. I'm sure I'll understand kasi hindi naman po ako stupid," I sarcastically said tapos tumayo ako para may kuhanin sa bag ko.

But I freaking froze when I felt Jasper hugging me from behind.

"I'm always professional when it comes to work, but you always make me break my rules."

I was about to bite my lips kasi kilig na naman ako, but I stopped myself kasi Jasper said na I shouldn't bite my lips when he couldn't even kiss me. Grabe talaga 'yung mga words niya!

"Gusto ko lang naman na kumain ka..." I whispered, still praying na 'wag muna bumalik si Sierra, because this position felt so comfortable.

"I don't want to risk your safety," he said. I felt sad nung maalala ko na Jasper's still blaming himself dahil sa pagkamatay nung girl na binabantayan niya before.

"Nandyan naman sila Kellan," I told him. "You trust them naman, 'di ba?" I held his hand na naka-encircle sa waist ko. Bakit sobrang sexy ng veins sa arms ni First Lieutenant? Why is everything about him so sexy?

Jasper sighed. "Fine," he said.

I beamed. "Thanks, First Lieutenant."

"It's weird hearing you call me that."

I broke the hug and faced him tapos ako naman 'yung yumakap sa kanya. I rested my face against his chest. I felt him din na he's hugging me, too. I-lock ko kaya 'yung pinto? Pero baka naman magduda sila kung bakit naka-lock...

"Do you have your uniform with you sa guest house?" I asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"Can you wear it for me?"

"Why?"

"Nothing," I said, but kinikilig na agad ako iniimagine ko pa lang na makikita ko si Jasper na naka-military uniform. He's super sexy siguro lalo!

"You're weird," he said, then he kissed the top of my head na naman. I looked up to him and beamed. Tapos hindi napigilan ni First Lieutenant kasi napa-ngiti na rin siya sa akin. I wrinkled my nose and he stifled a laugh.

Tapos, when we heard the door being opened, nagulat ako sa bilis ng reflex ni Jasper! Biglang nasa kabilang dulo na siya ng room! He was standing like a monument. So, when Sierra entered, parang casual lang na nakatayo ako sa harap ng bag ko. Grabe talaga!

* * *

After work, there was a party thrown for the staff. It was at some club in Taguig. I wanted to go home na sana to rest (and talk to Jasper) pero the director insisted that I come... so, wala na akong nagawa.

I was wearing a leather skirt, white chiffon blouse, and black stilettos. My face was all made up din because of the makeup for the shoot. Paglabas ko ng dressing room, agad ko na nakita si Jasper. Buong shoot kasi, since bikini lang talaga 'yung suot ko, sa mukha ko lang naka-tingin si Jasper... which was adorable, in my opinion.

"I'll try na maaga tayo makauwi," I said. Alam ko rin naman na pagod na sila. And pagod na rin talaga ako from working all day. Jasper just nodded, tapos kinuha niya 'yung bag ko from my hand. "No, it's okay. Makeup lang naman laman niyan."

"I insist," he said.

"Magaan lang naman."

"I can't even hold your hand in public. Let me, at least, carry your bag."

Parang biglang nawala lahat ng pagod ko sa narinig ko from him. A smile appeared on my face. Kainis! Kilig na naman ako!

Pagdating namin sa car, nandun na agad si Manong kaya may bantay na naman kami. Kanina kasi while we were walking, sobrang hawk-eyed ni Evan! Ni hindi man lang ako maka-tingin kay Jasper ng longer than 5 seconds! Mamaya isumbong ako nun kina Abuelo, e!

Jasper opened the door for me (which was still a little weird since dati naman hindi niya ako pinagbubuksan ng door) tapos pumasok na ako. I told Manong na we're going to Pool Club. Alam niya naman where 'yun since 'dun madalas si Psalm, that party boy.

I tried to take a nap first, pero aware na aware ako na katabi ko si Jasper. So, pinatong ko iyong bag ko sa armrest and reached for Jasper's hand. Bigla siyang napa-tingin sa akin. Kinunutan ko siya ng noo.

Me: there's a bag naman. Di makikita ni Manong

Dull Boy: At least warn me

Dull Boy: What if instead of my hand, you reached for something else?

Me: HOY

Me: Wag kang masyadong swerte!

My face was red dahil ayan na naman siya sa mga hirit niya. Tapos si Jasper, parang nagpipigil na ng tawa! Natukso niya na naman ako, kainis! But he looked so cute na ganyan na nagpipigil siya ng tawa!

So, when Manong pulled over, I took a deep breath and shouted, "You're so annoying, Jasper!" I tried to sound so irritated talaga. I never shouted like this in my life! Manong seemed taken aback kasi usually laidback lang ako. "Manong, mag-uusap lang kami ni Jasper, umalis muna po kayo," sabi ko na parang nagpipigil ng galit.

Manong went out, leaving me and Jasper. Jasper looked confused.

"What did I—"

But instead of letting him finish, I pulled him and hugged him. And upon feeling his skin against mine, I felt relaxed.

"Ssh," I murmured, melting in his arms. "Five minutes."

I felt Jasper kissing the top of my head. "Hug monster," he said.