VIII. Like a Tryst in a Closet

“Trish?”

Biglang napalingon si Trisha sa kanyang likuran  and something within her changed, like her heart was being wrung out and her tears were pooling at the corner threatening to fall. Nakatanga lamang siya habang nakatingin dito.  His saying something but she doesn’t  care.  Looking at the man who have helped her twice already made her realized how she desperately needed comfort right now.   She remembered to glanced at her back and thankfully no trace of Jade.

“Hey!” protesta ni Marsden when she suddenly grabbed his hand and hurriedly looked for some place to hide before Jade could see them.  Thankfully may nakita siyang pintuan at the corner situated just outside the hall where the girl she bumped into came from.  Binuksan niya ito habang hila-hila pa rin si Marsden papasok sa loob na ngayon niya lamang napansin na isang maliit na storeroom.  Dahil sa liit ng storeroom at laki ng lalaking kaharap nakalapat ang likuran nito sa pintuan samantalang si Trisha naman ay nakahawak sa suit nito above his chest. It’s the only way para magkaroon ng space between them for decency.  Pero at that moment she doesn’t care if Marsden is a guy and they should’t be this close. After her adrenaline faded away hindi na mapigilan ni Trisha ang pag-iyak.  She didn’t want to stop especially when she felt a pair of arms pulling her close and reluctantly caressed her back for comfort.  She let go of all her pent-up emotions and let her tears fell bearing the pain and hate squeezing her heart.

Hindi inaasahan ni Marsden na muli ay magkikita sila ni Trisha.  The moment he saw her redden face and her beautiful eyes glistening with moisture at the corner, he knew something was wrong and it somehow affected him more than he wanted to admit just like the first time and the second time their paths crossed.  Now, knowing who she was and what memories she could reawaken, he wanted to ignore her and pretend he didn’t saw her troubled eyes.   But he knew he can’t, with resignation, he asked her repeatedly if she’s okay? She wasn’t listening and just looked at his face with a vulnerable expression.  He  was a little shocked when Trisha suddenly grabbed his hand. Hindi niya alam if she’ve gotten hold of her memory of him back in their elementary days because Trisha held him comfortably like they’ve known each other for long.   He disregarded the tingling sensation he felt when her little hand tightly grabbed his large one. 

Marsden almost cursed the moment they entered the small storeroom with mops and brooms at the corner.  If he was aware of the little burn as they held hands a while ago, right now as Trisha’s body slightly pressed against him he is definitely in hell.  He almost laugh at his reaction, it’s like a tryst in a closet.  Not actually expecting his sudden awareness towards this undeniably beautiful and innocent creature, even his friend down there burned, for he’s a man afterall. Yeah, just a normal reaction, nothing more!  The moment he calmed down he heard something.  Is she crying now? But before he could try to see her face in the dark room he felt her grip on his front suit tightened and her face was now pressed against his chest.  There’s the sound again, a soft whimper that could soften a man.  He reluctantly pulled her close and caressed her back to give her comfort and let her cry until she could cry no more.   Maybe it’s about her cheating boyfriend. Five years ago he also seeked comfort, not with his friends, not with a stranger and not with the home he live for years… but to a faraway land where he wallowed in pain alone.

Patuloy si Trisha sa pag-iyak at nagpapasalamat siya sa comfort na ibinibigay sa kanya ni Marsden.  Ang simpleng pagyakap lamang nito sa kanya at ang tahimik na presensya nito ay sapat na para guminhawa ang kanyang pakiramdam.  Huminga siya ng malalim at niluwagan ang pagkakahawak dito.  She looked up and felt his hot breath caressing her right cheek and realized how closed their faces were.  Napakadilim ng kwarto ngunit naaninag niya ang mga mata  nitong nakatingin sa kanya, ang ilong nito at ang mga labi na nagpapaalala sa kanya that she seeked comfort with a man, an attractive man he barely knew but feels familiar.  Trisha pushed herself straight and let her hands fell at her side.  With the small space their bodies still touched.

“Are you okay now?” mahina nitong tanong sabay tanggal ng mga kamay nito sa baywang niya.

Trisha instantly felt cold without his comforting heat. “Yeah, I’m sorry for dragging you…again!” nahihiya niyang turan dito.

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it.” He was still whispering and in pain? There’s something in his voice that gave her the impression that he suddenly became uncomfortable.  Trisha can’t figure out his expression because of the dark but her senses came alive and it made her remember that they were inside a small storeroom and Trisha felt something building within her when she looked back at his face.  She bite her lower lip to stop the heat building on her cheeks, if it’s bright in here surely Marsden would see a tomato in front of him.  Biglang napakapit si Trisha sa braso nito nang maramdaman ang mainit nitong hininga na ngayon ay kumikiliti sa kanyang tenga.

“I think we should go out,” while slowly caressing his lips in between her earlobe and neck.  “I’m almost at my limit Trish,” Marsden added while tightly ceasing his hands to stop it from wrapping it around her waist again and kiss her torridly.  The urge was so strong and Marsden barely controlled it.

A soft moan escaped her throat and a shiver that tickled her whole body came after Marsden kissed her neck and uttered those words. She remembered the kiss they’ve shared, feeling the same electricity but a minute after, Trisha stilled and cleared her mind.  “Stop it!”  She said loudly but she’s not angry.  Hindi rin niya maipaliwanag kung bakit hindi niya magawang magalit dito kahit na masyado itong naging forward and did something he shouldn’t.   Malakas pa rin ang tibok ng puso niya nang  pinihit nito ang doorknob at binuksan ng kaunti ang pinto to check the hallway.  Nang masiguro ni Marsden na  walang tao ay hinila na niya si Trisha palabas. Once outside, they silently waited for the awkwardness to go away before Marsden asked for the third time if she’s okay.  She nodded and finally looked up at him.  “Tha–“ hindi na natapos ni Trisha ang sasabihin nang siya naman ang hilahin ni Marsden pasakay ng elevator, passing the front reception towards the entrance where he asked for his car to the valet.   Binitawan lamang nito ang kanyang kamay nang buksan ang passenger seat and help her to hop in.