I tried yanking my arms out of him but he won’t bulge, naturally because he is way bigger and stronger than me not than I’m petite for a man whose strong and muscly. I mean I’m still have some muscles but not the way this person has, the way his veins protrude and like will pop anytime soon. Those biceps that keeps on flexing because of the way he holds my arms. I mean no wonder woman and men keeps on glancing on him because I’m not kidding his one hell of a fine species.

“What the heck are you thinking, Edy? Wearing that stupid dress in a bar? Are you out of your mind?”

Nabalik ako sa realidad ng bigla siyang magsalita at bitawan ang salitang iyon. Adrenaline rushing, I finally break his arms holding my arms.

“Is that what you think of me? Wearing some stupid dress?” I yelled at him, tears starting to pool out of my eyes. I did not know that it would hurt more hearing it from his mouth.

“I didn’t mean to be that way, Edy. You were clearly being mocked inside the bar and you were just simply being naïve. He said it more calmly but I know his not, the way his nostrils flare, his eyes full of anger not at me but from the guys at the bar.

“I know they were making fun of me but you shouldn’t have punched Mike. Oo, na-offend ako sa sinabi niya pero hindi mo na sana siya pinatulan pa. I could’ve handled it the nice way.” I replied to him calmly, letting him know that I’m fine. I do not want to trigger him and make him marched inside the bar so he could punch Mike. Ayoko namang mapang-abot na makarating sila sa police station dahil lang sa simpleng joke. Joke nga lang ba?

“Mas nasaktan pa ako sa sinasabi mo kesa sa pang-aasar nila sa’kin eh.” I simply did not want to put it that way but the way his angry eyes turns into a guilty, apologizing look. Alam ko naman na hindi ganoon ang nais niyang iparating pero hindi niyo ako masisisi. Pinahid ko ang mga luhang muntik ng bumadya.

“Don’t cry, Edy. It was not supposed to be like that. I was just angry at Mike and his buddies and I let it all out to you. I’m sorry, okay.” He calmly said, showing a sign of defeat. Finally.

“It’s okay. Basta wag mo na lang uulitin.” Nakangiti kong sabi sa kanya. “Tsaka sayang naman kung hindi ko susuotin iyong dress na binili mo sa’kin”. Pahabol ko pang litanya habang binabaybay naming ang kanyang sasakyan na nakaparada.

“You know I can’t keep promises that can be broken because of a stupid people. But, yeah, if you insist.” And now his back to being nonchalant again, gone the angry and ready to kill man. He opened the door of the passenger seat from me to seat. After letting myself get comfortable in his car, he circles the car, opened the door of the driver seat lets himself get comfortable to it, he then put his keys to let the engine start and maneuvering the car on the way to my condo unit.

“Alam mo hindi mo naman na kailangan pa akong ihatid sa condo ko. Pwede naman na akong mag-Uber.” I mean, nagtatampo pa rin ako sa kanya dahil sa sinabi niya sakin sa pagsuot ng dress.

“No, not that I know your sulking at me for saying wearing that stupid dress”. I chuckle at the tone his giving me; he knows me too well.

“Pakiramdam ko tuloy ang panget, panget ko sa dress na ito.” Pang-aasar ko pa lalo sa kanya. Alam ko naman na hindi niya ako matitiis. Malapit na lapit na rin pala kami sa condo unit ko. Ang bilis ba naman kasing magpatakbo, buti na lamang at wala ng mga sasakyan ng mga ganitong oras, pasado ala-una na rin kasi ng madaling araw.

“Look, Edy, I never meant to said to you. I was angry, yes, but not at you. I lost control because seeing them mocking you, making jokes about the way you dress and present yourself. I was livid, and want to kill the hell out of them. I only you weren’t there, and had stop me. I would probably should have taken care of it them. Permanently.”

I was taken aback at his confession. I know that his protective of me since we were little but not to the point that he would kill people. I don’t want him to go to jail because of me, it feels so wrong and selfish.

“Killing people is not the right thing to do, you should know that because I hate it. I’m not that kind of person.” Naiinis kong lintaya sa kanya.

Hindi na siya sumagot pa sa sinabi ko dahil alam kong ayaw niya na ring mag-away pa kami. Mas gugustuhin niya na lamang na manahimik at baka kung saan pa umabot ang mapag-uusapan namin. Tumagilid ako ng pwesto at tumingin na lamang sa labas ng bintana ng sasakyan. Mabuti na lang at malapit na kami sa building ng condo unit ko.

After he parked the car, I didn’t wait for him to open the door for me. Lumabas na ako kaagad at naglakad papasok ng building. Naramdaman ko na lang na katabi ko siya at kasabay sa paglalakad. I forgot that he has long legs and can easily chase me, so much for walking out on him. Sumakay na kami ng elevator and then I press the 12^th button.

When we reach the 12^th floor, lumabas agad ako pagkabukas na bukas ng elevator. Dali-dali kong itinapat ang key card sa tapat ng door lock. Before I could close the door and say thank you to him, he caught my hands. Nagsisising iniangat ko ang mukha ko dahil sobrang lapit ng mukha niya. Konting maling galaw lang at maglalapat ang mga labi naming.

“I want to kiss you so bad, right now.” After saying that, he then claimed my lips. Close the door behind us and then press inside the wall of my condo unit.