Strings Of Perfection

"Parang mas ga-ganda 'yang jersey mo kapag ako ang sumuot."

Eliunous who just came out of his room glanced at me. He tilted his neck, probably wondering if I was being for real before slowly nodding his head.

"Okay, let's exchange then."

My eyes immediately twitched. "Ano?!" Hindi maka paniwala kong sagot.

He played with his tongue inside his mouth for a moment before walking nonchalantly back to his room.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin, the corner of my lip was slightly arched out of disbelief.

Trip non?

Minutes passed, and I saw Sylas' head peek out from his room. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay bago bigla na lang ibinato sa'kin ang jersey niya.

"Tang ina, seryoso?"

I caught it effortlessly, his minty scent immediately filling my nostrils.

Naka awang ang labi ko habang tinitigan ang apilyedo niya na naka plastar sa jersey niya. Ang expensive talaga ng apilyedo ng kupal na 'to. Eliunous? Amputa, tunog mabango.

"Hindi pa nga tayo, gusto mo na agad ibigay sa'kin apelyido mo!"

"Give me your damn jersey, Livreun! It's cold out here!"

Nanlaki agad ang mata ko sa narinig. Without wasting a second, tumakbo ako papunta sa kwarto ko at mabilis na nagpalit ng jersey. I replaced my jersey with his.

Pagkatapos kong maisuot nang maayos ang jersey niya, I took my jersey and threw it back into his room, hoping he'd catch it.

Napa ngisi ako. Gusto lang pala na mag palit kami ng jersey, hindi na lang ka agad sinabi.

"Crush na naman ako." I muttered to myself, walking back to the living room. His jersey felt warm, softer than I expected, at parang amoy bago kahit suot na niya kanina. Amoy baby powder.

As I sat on the couch, the door to his room opened again. Sylas stepped out, wearing my jersey this time. He glanced at me, tugging at the hem like he was testing the fit. "Bagay?"

I tilted my neck, looking at him so intently, like I was examining his whole being.

Simple lang ang porma niya ngayon---suot ang jersey ko paired with cargo pants. His hair was still messy and damp. Naka-ID pa rin siya, as usual. Pero kahit gano'n kasimple, ang lakas pa rin ng dating niya.

Parang may sariling gravity 'tong tao na 'to. Kahit ano yatang isuot niya, parang siya pa rin ang pupuntahan ng atensyon. It didn't make sense. It was almost annoying.

"Bagay naman sa'yo lahat."

Nanahimik siya ng ilang segundo at mabilis na iniwas ang tingin, as if hindi niya alam ano ang e-re-react. "Don't compliment me too much, Creu."

Napangisi ako, amused by his reaction. "Oh? Bakit? Natatakot ka bang tumalab?"

He glanced back at me, this time may playfulness sa mga mata niya. "Maybe," sagot niya, sabay taas ng kilay. "You keep it up, and you might regret it."

I raised an eyebrow, leaning back sa couch at tinapik ang armrest. "Regret? Talaga? Try mo nga."

He chuckled, tugging at the hem of my jersey like he was making a point. "You sure about that? Baka hindi mo kayanin."

My mouth fell slightly open. For some reason, I couldn't find the right words to fire back. Parang na-stuck yung utak ko sa tanong niya, leaving me speechless.

Noticing my silence, his smirk deepened. Alam niyang panalo siya sa round na 'to. He turned away nonchalantly, as if dismissing the moment, and started walking toward the door.