Unexpected Desires

CHAPTER 18: Unspoken Feelings

CHAPTER 18: Unspoken Feelings

Mayari Calleope's Point of View

"Hey, Mayari." Narinig kong tawag ni Riley sa akin habang nagbibihis ako. Andito ako ngayon sa condo niya dahil pinapunta niya ako at may sasabihin daw siya.

Nagtataka pa nga ako dahil bakit hindi niya masabi thru phone, kailangan talaga pupunta pa ako sa kaniya.

"What? Anyway, ano palang sasabihin mo?" Nagtatakang tanong ko sa kaniya pagkatapos kong isuot ang tshirt niya pansamantala.

Malaking tao si Riley kaya naman napakaluwag ng damit niya sa akin. It's like an oversize tshirt to me.

"You look good in that," Riley complimented with a grin, eyeing me through the reflection in the mirror. His playful teasing had me smirking.

Hindi ko naman maiwasang hindi mapailing habang pinipigilan ko ang sarili kong ngumiti.

"Perv." I chuckle. Tumawa naman si Riley at lumapit sa akin, encircling me in a warm embrace from behind. We stood before a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and as I gazed at our reflection, his next words surprised me.

"You know, we look good together," he stated. A smile tugged at my lips; indeed, if someone glanced at us in this moment, they might think we were a couple. However, the truth was different – we were more like friends with benefits.

Yet, as I pondered this, a strange sense of melancholy washed over me. Why was I feeling this way? I had willingly entered this arrangement, but now, the limitations of our relationship weighed on me, causing an unexpected tightness in my chest.

Bakit ako nakakaramdam ng lungkot? I mean, ginusto ko rin naman ang ganitong set-up pero bakit parang sumisikip ang dibdib ko sa tuwing naiisip kong pangkama lang ang relasyon na mayroon kami ni Riley?

"What if we take our relationship to the next level?" Riley's question caught me off guard, and I met his gaze through the mirror, silently seeking confirmation of his sincerity.

"We what? Are you serious?" I asked, taken aback. Riley chuckled, his inquiry carrying an inexplicable gravity, setting my heart racing with uncertainty.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero kakaiba ang dating ng tanong niya sa akin. I feel different. Kumabog din ng malakas ang puso ko sa tanong niyang iyon. Tila ba para akong kinabahan bigla.

"Kidding," Riley said, wearing a pout that made him look like a sulking child, "I know you don't like me." His words drew a laugh from me.

"Well, at least you're aware," I teased, maintaining a playful tone. Riley decided to break our embrace and stepped back.

"Ouch! You're being too harsh on me, Mayari! Don't you realize that you're hurting me?" he melodramatically exclaimed. I chuckled, crossing my arms and facing him.

"Well, you're not into me either, so, fair enough," I grinned. Riley halted and locked his gaze onto me. His previously playful expression shifted suddenly.

"Who said I don't like you?" he inquired, leaning closer to me. His seriousness caught me off guard.

"Riley?" I uttered, gently pushing him away. He held my gaze and tenderly caressed my cheek.

"No words can express how head over heels I am for you, Mayari. So, don't tell me that you're not into me, because you know nothing about how I truly feel for you," he confessed as he leaned even closer, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead.

Riley's words sent my once calm heart into turmoil. What did he mean by those words? What don't I know about his true feelings for me?

Hindi ko alam kung ginu-goodtime lang ba ako nitong si Riley or talaga bang siryoso siya sa mga sinabi niya eh. Pero base sa nakikita kong emosyon na nakapaloob sa mga mata niya ay para bang siryoso nga siya.

Urg! Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang hindi pamulahan ng pisngi dahil sa mga sinabi niya.

"S-silly! E-ewan sa'yo." Nauutal na pahayag ko at mabilis na naglakad na ako palayo dito upang maitago ang pamumula ng mga pisngi ko. I don't know why but I feel embarrassed and nervous at the same time.

Narinig ko naman ang pagtawa ni Riley.

"Kinikilig ka noh?" Paghabol nito sa akin. Sinamaan ko naman ito ng tingin.

"Kilig my ass! Sinong nagsabi na kinikilig ako? Pinangingilabutan, that's the right term." I retorted, trying to sound stern despite the evident emotions bubbling beneath the surface.

"Admit it. You're feeling all giddy inside, aren't you, baby?" Riley's teasing persisted, earning him a glare from me.

"Say what you want, but I'm not," I responded, attempting to maintain an air of annoyance. I exited his bedroom, leaving Riley's laughter behind.

"Weh? Aminin mo na kasi na kinikilig ka, baby." Panunukso pa rin ni Riley. Sinamaan ko naman ito ng tingin.

"Sabing hindi nga eh!" Saad ko na parang bata na napipikon. Bumuhanglit ng tawa si Riley habang ako naman ay napasimangot na lamang. Talagang hindi makukumpleto ang araw niya na hangga't hindi niya nasisira ang araw ko.

"Let's eat; I'm hungry," I called out, hoping to divert the conversation. Riley had a knack for riling me up.

Lalabas na sana ako ng biglang nagsalita si Riley.

"Are you going out like that?" Riley's amused voice reached my ears. I glanced at my attire – one of Riley's oversized t-shirts and nothing else. Embarrassment colored my cheeks as Riley chuckled.

"Just wait here a second; I'll get you some clothes," he said before vanishing into his room.

As I waited by the door, uncertainty gnawed at me. Riley had a knack for stirring my heart, and this feeling was different, something beyond our usual encounters.

Damn! Hindi ko alam kung anong tawag dito but I feel a bad feeling about this feeling of mine towards him.

"Here." Inabot ni Riley sa akin ang pajama niya at agad ko naman iyong sinuot.

"Thank you." Saad ko. Lumapit naman si Riley sa akin at inakbayan ako.

"Anything for you, baby." He said. At bago pa ako makapag-react ay iginaya na niya ako palabas ng kaniyang condo at sumakay ng elevator pababa ng lobby.

Naka-akbay pa rin siya sa akin at hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapakali.

"Alisin mo nga 'yang kamay mo sa balikat ko. Ang bigat ng braso mo," I complained. Riley glanced at me, feigned innocence, and withdrew his arm from around my shoulder. However, to my surprise, he captured my hand. It wasn't just a casual hand-hold; he intricately interlocked our fingers.

"What are you doing?" I inquired, perplexed by his actions. Nagkunwaring inosente naman ito.

"I'm holding your hand," pilosopong sagot niya sa akin sabay taas ng magkahugpong naming kamay.

I nearly facepalmed in frustration at Riley's playful behavior. This guy truly knew how to get under my skin.

"I told you to remove your hand. I didn't say to remove it only to hold my hand," I retorted, trying to hide my growing irritation. Riley responded with a mischievous grin.

"Well, you didn't specify not to do it. Besides, I want to hold your hand, and there's nothing you can do about it," he declared, winking at me.

I was on the brink of a response when the elevator doors slid open. "Let's go, baby," he said, still clutching my hand, leading the way as we stepped out of the elevator.

I had no choice but to follow him. There was no point in resisting; I couldn't win against this guy.

We strolled in silence, our hands still entwined. I couldn't resist stealing glances at our joined fingers. It was as though they were custom-made for each other, a perfect fit. I could feel the gentle warmth of his palm and the reassuring firmness of his grip, as if he was reluctant to let go.

Suddenly, my heart started racing, and my mind swirled with thoughts. What was happening to me? Why did I keep having these thoughts? Why was it that whenever I was with Riley, I couldn't sit still, and my heart pounded loudly? Could there be something wrong with my heart? Should I get it checked? Ugh!

"Baby," Riley's voice snapped me out of my reverie. Wala sa sariling sumagot naman ako.

"Bakit?" I asked.

"This is what I wanted to tell you," he said, grabbing my full attention. Right, he did mention he had something to say. I had forgotten amid his teasing.

"Oh right. What is it?" I asked, puzzled. Tinignan naman ako ni Riley at ngumiti sa akin.

"Let's go on a date, baby," he whispered, the words hanging in the air like an electrifying promise. I was rendered utterly speechless, caught off guard by his unexpected proposal.