My Maid is a Spoiled Brat

by: Kim_JL_Stan

Solaris (jlg) ran away from home to avoid an arranged marriage.

Instead, he became a household helper with zero experience for one very patient boss who happens to be exactly his type.

Leo (sk) only needed someone to help him with the household chores. What he got was a helper who couldn't do a single chore without making a mess.

Now, he wasn't sure if he'd actually found a helper or just another problem in the making.

And it doesn't help that his helper is way too good-looking for his own good.

DISCLAIMER:

This is a work of fanfiction created for entertainment purposes. The characters are based on real individuals, but the relationships, personalities, events, dialogue, and situations portrayed in these stories are entirely fictional.

Some stories may contain mature themes, romance, intimacy, suggestive content, or other sensitive situations. Please read according to your own comfort level.

These stories are not intended to represent the real lives, personalities, or relationships of the individuals who inspired the characters.

Thank you for reading, and enjoy the story!

By continuing to read, you acknowledge that this is fictional content created for entertainment.

Solaris parked his luxury car in front of the mansion and tossed the keys to one of their houseboy.

"Welcome home, Sir Solaris."

"Thank you."

He had just come back from spending the afternoon with his friends, pero agad niyang napansin ang mga kotse ng mga magulang niya. Maaga silang umuwi. Napangiti siya.

Perfect.

Lalambingin niya ang mga ito para pondohan ang susunod niyang Europe trip. Ilang araw na rin siyang bored.

One word from him, and his parents would make it happen immediately. After all, kahit ano namang hilingin niya ay ibinibigay ng mga ito.

The latest phone? A luxury car for his birthday? A trip anywhere he wanted? Walang problema. His father could arrange it with a single phone call.

Being the only son of one of the wealthiest families in the country definitely had its advantages, and Solaris loved every second of it.

Anything money could buy was within his reach.

If he wanted something, he could have it with the snap of his fingers. People would do anything just to please him. After all, he was that important.

He was Solaris Almonte.

"Mukhang maaga sina Mommy at Daddy, Manang. Nasaan po sila?" tanong niya sa mayordoma sa bahay nila.

"Nasa study po sila Ma’am at Sir."

"Thanks, Manang."

Agad siyang nagtungo sa second floor.

Pero pagdating niya sa tapat ng study, napahinto siya nang marinig ang mga boses mula sa loob.

"Magandang pagkakataon ito para sa dalawang pamilya. Nasa tamang edad na rin si Solaris." narinig niyang sabi ng Daddy niya.

"We should tell him soon. Kilala mo naman ang batang ’yon. Gustong lagi siya ang nasusunod." Boses naman ng Mommy niya ang narinig niya.

Solaris frowned. Tell him what?

Curious, he stayed where he was, and then he heard the next sentence.

"Kapag natuloy ang kasal, mas magiging matatag ang partnership at relasyon natin sa kanila."

His brain completely stopped working.

Kasal? As in marriage? His marriage?

To who?

Bigla siyang napaatras. Surely, he heard that wrong. But the conversation continued.

"He'll understand eventually."

"We're doing this for his future."

Solaris stared at the closed door in disbelief.

Excuse me? Future niya pero hindi siya kasama sa desisyon?

The more he listened, the more annoyed he became. Hindi niya kilala kung sino ang ipapakasal sa kanya. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang itsura nito. Kung mabait ba. Kung may sense kausap. O kung makalat bang kumain. .

Napangiwi siya. Deal breaker agad.

If he were getting married someday, it would be because he fell in love. Dahil siya ang pumili. Dahil siya ang nagdesisyon. Hindi dahil may pinag-usapang arrangement ang mga magulang niya. At lalong hindi dahil may pakinabang ang dalawang pamilya.

Hindi siya papayag. Kahit ano pa ang sabihin nila.

Kaya matapos magmukmok, magreklamo sa sarili, at maglakad-lakad sa kwarto nang halos isang oras, nakapagdesisyon si Solaris.

He was leaving.

That night, he packed his clothes, gathered all the cash he could get his hands on, and stuffed everything he needed into a suitcase.

He didn't care if he didn't know exactly where to go.

All that mattered was getting out of this house.

Standing outside the mansion gates, Solaris looked back one last time.

"Good luck finding me."

Then, with a satisfied grin, he walked away. Because wherever he ended up, it would be the last place his parents would think to look.

And definitely far away from the stranger they wanted him to marry.

Meanwhile...

Leo had just found himself in a little crisis of his own.

Isang linggo na simula nang umalis ang kasambahay niyang si Ate Maria. Nagpaalam itong uuwi sa probinsya sa Mindoro dahil kakapanganak lang ng anak nito at kailangan ito sa bahay para tumulong sa pag-aalaga ng apo nito.

As much as Leo wanted to be understanding, he really needed someone to help him with the household chores. Though he knew how to take care of himself after years of living alone in Australia, he still needed someone to help manage the house.

He wasn't completely helpless when it came to household chores. He could cook simple meals, do his own laundry, and clean up after himself if he really had to.

The problem was that he rarely had the time or energy for any of it.

As a painter, Leo often spent entire days locked inside his studio working on commissions and preparing for upcoming exhibitions.

Once he became focused on painting, everything else ceased to exist. Meals were forgotten. Laundry piled up, and the house slowly turned into a messy chaos.

Nakipag-ugnayan na siya sa isang agency para humanap ng kapalit, pero sinabi nilang aabutin pa ng ilang linggo bago sila makapagpadala ng helper sa bahay niya.

Ilang linggo? He was already struggling to keep up. The least he needed was someone who could keep the house running while he focused on his work.

Leo slumped onto his sofa, staring at the messy living room in frustration. May mga damit na nakatambak sa isang upuan at may mga hugasin pa sa kusina.

May ilang sketchbooks, paint tubes, at art supplies din na nakakalat sa coffee table.

Napabuntong-hininga siya.

"Great. Just great." Napadaan ang kamay niya sa buhok habang napabuntong-hininga. "What am I supposed to do now?"

Then he heard the doorbell ring. Nang buksan niya ang gate, nagulat siya nang makita ang isang lalaki na nakatayo sa labas. Hawak nito ang ipinaskil niyang signboard na may nakalagay na "Wanted Helper."

Nang mapatingin siya sa mukha nito ay bahagya siyang natulala rito. Masyadong maganda ang mukha nito para sa isang lalaki, pero hindi rin naman sobrang feminine para mapagkamalang babae.

He has that well-balanced face that could be handsome and beautiful at the same time. Especially his big doe eyes, which looked so innocent that they made people believe he was incapable of doing anything bad.

At bilang isang painter, agad niyang napansin ang mga detalye. Ang hugis ng mukha nito. Ang mahahabang pilikmata nito. Ang mga labi nitong may perpektong hugis, na para bang maingat na iginuhit ng isang artist

For some reason, his fingers suddenly itched to grab a sketchbook and capture that on paper.

"Bakante pa po ba itong position ng helper?" tanong nito habang may matamis na ngiti sa mga labi na nakapagpabalik sa kanya sa reyalidad.

Helper? Mag-a-apply siyang helper? takang tanong ni Leo sa isip.

Muli niya itong tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa. Wala sa hitsura nito ang maging helper. Sa totoo lang, mas mukha pa itong modelo kaysa sa taong naglalaba ng damit o naghuhugas ng pinggan.

"Maga-appply ka?" hindi niya napigilang tanong.

Tumango naman ito. "Yes po."

Napakunot-noo si Leo. "May experience ka ba?"

Bahagyang natigilan ang lalaki. "Experience po sa... pagiging helper?"

“Malamang. Helper ang ina-apply-an mo, di ba?”

Natahimik ito.

"Marunong ka bang maglaba?" dagdag ni Leo sa tanong niya.

"May washing machine naman po."

Napakunot ang noo ni Leo. "Maglinis ng bahay?"

"Kailangan lang naman pong itapon ang mga basura."

"Magluto?"

Ngumiti ito na parang sobrang confident pa ito sa sasabihin.

"Magaling po akong umorder sa iba’t ibang food delivery app."

Napabuntong-hininga si Leo habang pinipigilang mapahawak sa noo.

Diyos ko. Mukhang wala itong alam sa gawaing bahay. So bakit siya naga-apply na helper?

"Anong pangalan mo?" tanong niya.

"Sol po." It was not totally a lie because Sol had always been his childhood nickname.

“Buong pangalan?”

“Sol Villanueva po.” he said nang masulyapan niya ang isang kahon na may nakalagay na “Villanueva.”

"Okay, Sol. My name is Leo. At bakit gusto mong maging helper kung wala ka namang alam sa gawaing bahay?"

Sa unang pagkakataon, bahagyang nawala ang ngiti nito. Napatingin ito sa dala nitong maleta bago muling tumingin kay Leo.

"Kailangan ko lang po ng matutuluyan," sabi nito sa malungkot na tono.

“Hindi kita matatanggap sa trabaho kung wala kang alam sa gawaing bahay.”

"Sir, please naman po, maawa na kayo. Kailangan na kailangan ko lang po ng trabaho," pagmamakaawa pa nito sa kanya.

Napakunot-noo si Leo. Parang may mali sa sitwasyon.

"Hindi po ba kayo naaawa na baka mapahamak ako dahil lang sa hindi ninyo ako tinanggap sa bahay ninyo?" dagdag pa nito.

"Hindi po ba kayo makokonsensya?" Napabuntong-hininga pa ito at tumingin sa madilim na kalsada sa likod nito. "Paano po kung makidnap ako?"

Natahimik si Leo. Hindi siya makapagsalita at makasingit.

"O kaya mabangga? O kaya mapunta ako sa masamang landas dahil wala akong trabaho?"

"Masamang landas agad?"

"Hindi po natin masasabi ang mangyayari sa buhay.” Tiningnan pa siya nito ng may lungkot sa mata. “Kapag napanood ninyo po ako sa balita bukas na lumulutang na lang sa ilog, masasabi niyo po kayang wala kayong kasalanan?"

Sol even grabbed his arm and looked at him with those doe eyes again. "Ako po kasi, hindi yata makakatulog nang mahimbing kung may taong nangangailangan ng tulong tapos pinabayaan ko lang."

Napatingin siya sa maleta nito na may tatak na Rimowa. Masyadong bago at mahal para sa isang nag-a-apply na helper.

Kahit ang sapatos nito ay mukhang mas mahal pa sa isang buwang sweldo ni Ate Maria.

Sino ka ba talaga?

Hindi siya naniniwalang simpleng aplikante lang ito. Pero napansin niya rin na mukha itong desperado. Hindi man tuluyang nawala ang pagdududa niya pero bigla siyang naawa.

Paano kung totoo nga ang sinasabi nito? Paano kung mapahamak nga ito sa labas? At paano kung mabalitaan na lang niya bukas na may nangyari rito?

Parang hindi yata kakayanin ng konsensya niya kapag nangyari yun.

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Fine. Tinatanggap na kita sa trabaho."

Agad na lumiwanag ang mukha ni Sol. "Talaga po?"

"One month," mabilis niyang dagdag bago pa ito tuluyang matuwa. "Kapag natutunan mong gawin lahat ng mga nabanggit ko, saka pa lang kita gagawing permanent helper."

Mabilis na tumango si Sol. "Okay lang po kahit probationary helper pa lang po!"

Sa totoo lang, hindi rin sigurado si Leo kung tama ba ang desisyon niya. Hindi ito mukhang helper. Hindi rin ito mukhang marunong sa gawaing bahay. At higit sa lahat, halatang may tinatago ito.

May kung anong hindi tugma sa kuwento nito. Pero sa puntong ito, mas malakas ang awa niya kaysa common sense.

"Thank you po, Sir!" masayang sabi ni Sol bago agad hinila ang maleta papasok ng gate na parang natatakot na magbago pa ang isip niya.

Napailing na lang si Leo habang pinapanood ito. Sana nga ay hindi niya pagsisihan ang desisyon niyang ‘to.

The grin on Solaris's face widened the moment he entered Leo's gate.

Effective ang pag-arte niya!

Sa totoo lang, hindi naman bago sa kanya ang ginawa niya. Kapag may gusto siya noon, ganyan din ang ginagawa niya sa mga magulang niya. Konting drama. Konting paawa. Konting puppy eyes. Tapos ibibigay na nila ang gusto niya.

Kaya nang makita niyang unti-unting lumambot ang mukha ni Leo kanina, alam na niyang may pag-asa siya.

Kung tutuusin, masuwerte rin siya. Sa dami ng bahay na puwede niyang puntahan, dito pa talaga siya napadpad.

Mukhang mabait naman si Leo at halatang malambot ang puso nito. Dahil kung hindi, ay baka pinaalis na lang siya nito pagkatapos ng palpak niyang job interview.

At isa pa...type niya ito. As in sobrang type.

Napangiti siya habang hinihila ang maleta papasok. Kung ganito pala kagwapo ang pakakasalan niya, baka hindi naman pala ganoon kasama ang ideya ng pag-aasawa.

Nang buksan ni Leo ang gate kanina, halos nakalimutan niyang magpanggap na kawawang aplikante. Hindi niya in-expect na gwapo ang magbubukas ng gate. Gustong-gusto niya ang singkit nitong mga mata, at kahit simpleng white t-shirt lang ang suot nito, halata pa rin ang hubog ng mga braso nito. At kung tama ang hinala niya, siguradong may abs din ito sa ilalim ng shirt nito.

Exactly his type. Not bad, Solaris. Hindi ka lugi sa paglayas.

Sa totoo lang, nagbabakasakali lang naman siya nang makita niya ang signage sa gate. Kung may ibang tao sigurong nagbukas ng pinto at tinanggihan siya, baka umalis na lang siya at naghanap ng ibang matutuluyan.

Pero since si Leo ang nagbukas ng gate, mas ginusto na niyang mag-stay sa bahay nito.

Napawi lang ang ngiti niya nang makita kung gaano kagulo ang sala at kusina ni Leo. Napakurap siya. Paano niya aayusin ang lahat ng ito kung wala naman siyang alam sa gawaing-bahay?

Napaka-kalat naman ng lalaking ‘to.

The next day, maagang nagising si Leo para bigyan ng instructions si Sol tungkol sa mga magiging gawain nito sa bahay. Pinagpahinga niya muna ito kagabi at di muna binigyan ng gawain para maayos muna ang mga gamit nito sa kwarto.

Kaya nang bumaba siya kinabukasan, hindi niya inaasahang may mga nagawa na ito. Napansin niyang wala na ang mga damit na nakatambak sa sala. Maging ang mga maruruming plato sa kusina ay nawala na rin.

Napangiti siya.Mukhang maaasahan naman pala si Sol. Nang sumilip siya sa kusina, nakita niyang may inaayos pa ito sa counter.

“Sol,” tinawag niya ito mula sa kusina.

Agad itong napalingon. "Good morning po, Sir!"

"Good morning. Anong almusal natin?"

“Eto po, Sir.”

Nakahilera sa isang plato ang maliliit na canapé na may iba't ibang toppings. May smoked salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, at kung anu-ano pang hindi niya matukoy.

Napatitig siya rito. "Nasaan ang almusal?"

Napakunot-noo si Sol. Bulag ba ito? Nasa harapan na nito ang almusal.

"Iyan po."

Muling tiningnan ni Leo ang plato. May walong piraso. Kasinglaki ng dalawang kagat bawat isa.

"Almusal ba ito o appetizer? Nasaan ang pagkain?"

Natahimik si Sol. Hindi pa ba sapat ang ginawa niya? Sa mga hotel na napupuntahan niya noon, normal lang naman ang ganitong serving.

Bakit parang nalungkot si Leo habang nakatingin sa pagkain? Tsk! Wala man lang appreciation. Napasimangot siya.

Pinag-effort-an pa naman niya iyon. Sigurado rin siyang masarap ang mga canapé na ginawa niya dahil natutunan niya pa sa Europe kung paano ito gawin.

“Hindi niyo po ba nagustuhan ang almusal?”

Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Leo.

"Um-order ka muna sa Grab ng almusal natin. Magkakape muna ako."

Masama ang loob na inabot ni Sol ang kapeng ginawa niya para dito. Natigilan ito matapos humigop ng kape. "Ikaw ang nagtimpla nitong kape?"

Malamang, tayo lang namang dalawa ang tao dito.

"Yes po, Sir," nakasimangot pa ring sagot niya. May reklamo na naman ba ito?

"Masarap. At least meron ka naman palang alam gawin kahit papaano," nakangiting sabi ni Leo.

Bahagyang gumaan ang pakiramdam ni Sol sa narinig. Akmang kukunin na sana niya ang mga canapé para itapon nang pigilan siya ni Leo.

"Kakainin ko muna 'to habang hinihintay ang order natin."

Tsk. Kakainin mo rin pala. Ang arte-arte mo pa kanina.

Napangiti siya nang palihim habang pinapanood si Leo na kumuha ng isang canapé at tikman iyon. Napatango-tango pa ito at mukhang nagustuhan din ang ginawa niya.

Leo had to admit that the canapé was surprisingly good.In fact, it was much better than he had expected.

Sure, it wasn't exactly the kind of breakfast that could keep a Filipino full until lunch, but the flavors were good. The bread was crisp, the toppings were well-balanced, and everything somehow worked together.

At least marunong siyang magluto... ng pagkain na hindi nakakabusog.

Napailing na lang siya habang kumukuha ng isa pang canapé. Bago niya namalayan, halos mauubos na niya ang buong plato. Natigilan lang siya nang may mapansin siya sa basurahan.

Wait, plato niya ba yun?

"Sol! Nasaan ang mga plato natin?"

Ngumiti si Sol. "Naalis ko na po."

"Hinugasan mo na?"

Biglang nag-iwas ito ng tingin. Napakunot-noo si Leo.

"Sol, nasaan ang plato?."

"Po?"

"Hinugasan mo ba ang mga plato?"

"Hindi po." pag-amin nito.

"Eh nasaan?"

Sandaling natahimik si Sol. "Nasa basurahan po."

"TINAPON MO?!" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya. “Alam mo ba kung magkano ang mga platong itinapon mo??!

Napaatras si Sol sa lakas ng sigaw nito, pero hindi niya napigilang mainis. Kanina pa siya pinapagalitan nito na para bang kasalanan niya ang lahat.

"Bakit po kayo naninigaw, Sir?" depensa niya. "Marumi na kasi iyong mga plato kaya itinapon ko na."

Kung bakit kasi itinambak lang ni Leo ang mga iyon. Siyempre didikit talaga ang mantika at sebo. There was no way he could clean that.

"Porselana 'yon!" halos mapasigaw na si Leo.

"Paano ko po malalaman?" agad niyang sagot. Napasulyap siya sa basurahan."Sa sobrang dumi po kasi ng mga plato, hindi ko na sila makilala."

Napahawak si Leo sa noo. "Sol..."

"Suggestion ko lang naman po, Sir," mabilis niyang dagdag. "Bumili na lang tayo ng paper plates para wala nang huhugasan. Mas convenient pa po."

He couldn't help but pout habang pinipigilan ang sariling sagutin pa si Leo.

Bakit parang kasalanan pa niya? Siya na nga ang tumulong maglinis, siya pa ang masama.

Dapat mainis si Leo sa sitwasyon. Sa totoo lang, dapat galit na galit na siya. Tinapon ng bagong helper niya ang mga porselanang plato niya. Mga mamahaling plato.

Pero imbes na magalit, bigla na lang napadako ang tingin niya sa mukha ni Sol. O mas partikular...sa mga labi nito.

Nakasimangot ito habang nakapout pa nang bahagya dahil sa sermon niya.

Ano ba naman 'to? Paanong napunta roon ang isip niya?

Of all the things he could be thinking about right now, why was he focused on how kissable Sol's lips looked?

Damn. Maaga yatang mauubos ang buhok niya rito.

Napabuntong-hininga siya at mariing kinuskos ang mukha.

"Fine. Hindi na natin mababawi ang mga plato. Pero bawal kang magtapon ng kahit ano sa bahay na 'to nang hindi muna nagpapaalam sa akin."

"Kahit basura po?"

"Lalo na kung hindi ka sigurado kung basura ba talaga."

"Noted po, Sir."

Leo thought that would be the end of it.

Hindi niya in-expect na sa mga susunod na araw, isa-isang mababasag ang mga plato niya. Muntik nang masunog ang kusina dahil sa tangkang pagluluto ni Sol. Bumaha rin sa laundry area matapos nitong lagyan ng napakaraming sabon ang washing machine.

Sa bawat araw na lumilipas, mas lalo siyang napapaisip kung helper ba talaga ang kinuha niya o dagdag na problema. Pero ang mas nakakagulat?

Ay siya mismo.

Dahil kahit gaano karami ang kapalpakang ginawa ni Sol, hindi niya pa rin ito mapaalis. Kahit ilang beses niyang isipin na wala itong alam sa gawaing bahay. Kahit ilang beses siyang napapabuntong-hininga sa mga kapalpakan nito. At kahit ilang beses niyang kumbinsihin ang sarili na pauuwiin na niya ito.

Hindi niya pa rin ito magawang paalisin.

Dahil sa tuwing makikita niya ang mga mata nito na parang laging humihingi ng isa pang pagkakataon...Bigla na lang siyang nanghihina.

At sa totoo lang, hindi na niya alam kung dahil ba iyon sa awa o sa ibang bagay. Hindi niya na rin alam.

Napabuntong-hininga si Leo habang nakaupo sa sala isang gabi. Hawak niya ang sketchbook niya at idinadaan dito ang inis na nararamdaman niya.

Sa loob ng halos dalawang linggo, mas marami nang nasirang gamit si Sol kaysa sa nalinis nito. But despite that, he had to admit that the house had become livelier because of him.

Hindi man ito perpekto pagdating sa gawaing-bahay, kitang-kita naman niyang ginagawa nito ang lahat para matuto at makabawi sa mga kapalpakan nito.

At higit sa lahat, hindi ito takot magsabi ng nasa isip. Kung may reklamo, sasabihin nito. Kung may opinyon, ibibigay nito. At kung minsan, may lakas pa itong loob na makipagtalo sa kanya.

It was frustrating. But somehow, that was exactly why having Sol around never felt dull. Life had become far more chaotic since Sol arrived, yet it had also become strangely exciting.

Habang iniisip iyon, tuloy-tuloy lang ang paggalaw ng lapis niya sa papel. Nang matapos siya, saka lang siya napatingin sa iginuhit niya.

Natigilan siya.The face staring back at him from the paper was far too familiar. The well-defined jawline, the long eyelashes, and those large eyes with a tiny mole beneath one of them. Pati ang mga labi nitong madalas nakasimangot kapag pinapagalitan niya ay naisama niya nang hindi niya namamalayan.

Napakurap siya. Kailan pa niya nakabisado nang ganoon ang mukha ni Sol?

Bago pa siya makapag-isip nang mas malalim, bumukas ang pinto ng kusina. Lumabas si Sol habang may hawak na dalawang baso.

"Sir."

Agad niyang isinara ang sketchbook at tumingin dito. "Anong kailangan mo?"

"Mainit po ang panahon kanina kaya naisip kong gumawa ng iced matcha latte," sabi ni Sol. Medyo naninimbang dahil may nagawa na naman siyang kapalpakan kanina. Nasunog niya lang naman ang paboritong T-shirt ni Leo.

Inilapag niya ang isang baso sa harapan nito bago maingat na pinagmasdan ang ekspresyon ni Leo. Medyo kinakabahan siya.Baka kasi tuluyan nang nagsawa si Leo sa kanya at paalisin na lang siya bigla. Hindi pa siya pwedeng umuwi sa bahay nila.

Natigilan si Leo. Kung may isang bagay mang nagagawa nang tama si Sol, iyon ay ang paggawa ng masasarap na inumin. Tama din ang timing dahil kailangan niya rin ng makakapagpalamig ng ulo niya.

"Thank you."

Bahagyang lumiwanag ang mukha ni Sol. Parang batang nakatanggap ng papuri.

At nakapagtataka man, napangiti na rin si Leo. Hay. Hindi niya alam kung anong ginawa ni Sol sa kanya, pero hindi niya talaga magawang magalit nang tuluyan dito.

At mukhang iyon lang din ang hinihintay na pagkakataon ni Sol.

"I’m sorry po, Sir. Hindi ko po talaga sinasadya.” Bahagya itong napayuko. "Akala ko po kasi ipapatong lang ang plantsa at okay na. Hindi ko po napansin na nasunog na pala."

Napapikit si Leo. "Sol, kulang na lang umapoy yung damit. Sunog na sunog na.”

"Sorry po talaga, Sir. Pero at least po mapapalitan niyo na siya ng bago," inosente pang sagot nito, na para bang nagawan pa siya nito ng pabor.

Napabuntong-hininga si Leo. Diyos ko. Hindi niya alam kung matatawa ba siya o maiini uli.

“Starting tomorrow, tuturuan kita nang maayos kung paano gawin ang mga gawaing-bahay.”

Natigilan si Sol. Hindi niya maiwasang matuwa. Sa loob ng dalawang linggo, bihira niyang makita si Leo. Lalabas lang ito para kumain at pagalitan siya sa mga kapalpakan niya.

Nalaman niyang painter pala si Leo at madalas itong nagkukulong sa kwarto para tapusin ang mga trabaho nito.

“Hindi ba kayo busy, Sir?”

“Nope. I’m done with my work, so I’ll help you with the household chores.”

“Talaga, Sir? Thank you po!” sabi ni Sol, bakas ang tuwa sa mukha.

Aminin man niya o hindi, masaya siya na sa wakas ay makakasama niya si Leo nang mas madalas. Because in the two weeks that he had been here, he had already learned that Leo was a good man.

Kahit ilang beses siyang magkamali o pumalpak, sinesermunan lang siya nito pero hindi siya kailanman ipinahiya o pinagsalitaan ng masasakit na salita. He could even banter with him, and Leo would simply sigh and calm himself down instead of lashing out.

No one had ever been that patient with him before. Even his parents sometimes got mad at him and called him a spoiled brat whenever he became too much to handle. But Leo never truly lost his temper with him.

Sure, he complained a lot. He sighed every five minutes and occasionally looked like he was one step away from kicking him out of the house. But somehow, he never did. Leo would grumble, lecture him for a few minutes, then help him fix the problem anyway.

Sol had also noticed something strange about him.

Leo always seemed to look away from his face whenever he was scolding him. If Sol pouted long enough, Leo would immediately avert his gaze as if he were avoiding something. In fact, Sol had caught him staring more than once.

Particularly at his lips.

At first, he thought he was imagining it. But after catching Leo doing it several times, he became certain. Every time he pouted, Leo's gaze would briefly drop to his mouth before quickly looking away.

Did Leo find his lips weird or something?

Maybe he should ask him later.

But first things first, he needed to make sure he did his job well kung ayaw niyang tuluyang mapaalis. He only had two weeks left to become Leo's permanent helper.

He wasn't ready to go home yet. Not unless he went home with Leo and told his parents that he would marry him instead.

“Huwag po kayong mag-alala, Sir. I will do my best para matuto,” he said with determination.

Ginusto niyang maging helper ni Leo, kaya kailangan niyang matuto.

Napangiti na rin si Leo. Siguro nga, kasalanan niya rin.

Mula nang dumating si Sol, halos hindi niya ito nabigyan ng tamang gabay. Sakto kasing may tinatapos siyang commissioned painting noon, kaya madalas ay hinahayaan na lang niya itong mag-isa para mag-figure out ng mga bagay-bagay.

At malinaw namang hindi magandang ideya iyon dahil wala itong alam sa mga gawaing-bahay.

Ngayon lang siya ulit nagkaroon ng oras. Sa wakas ay natapos na rin ang painting na ilang linggo niyang pinagkakaabalahan.

Kaya siguro panahon na para turuan niya si Sol nang maayos.

Kinabukasan, matapos ang almusal, isinama ni Leo si Sol sa pinakamalapit na department store. Bitbit ni Leo ang isang maliit na listahan habang si Sol naman ay masayang nakasunod sa kanya.

“Sir, bakit po tayo nandito?”

“Kasi kung tuturuan kita ng gawaing-bahay, kailangan maayos din ang gamit sa bahay,” sagot ni Leo. “At kailangan na rin nating palitan 'yung mga plato kong nabasag mo.”

Namula si Sol. “Ang tagal na nun, Sir. Hindi ka pa rin maka-move on. Ganyan ka din ba kapag may ex?”

“Secret!” Leo said teasingly.

Pagdating nila sa kitchenware section, agad na namilog ang mga mata ni Sol.

“Wow! Ang daming plato!”

“First time mong makakita ng plato?”

“Hindi po. First time kong mamili ng plato.” Magkaibang bagay iyon. He never do that in their house.

Habang si Leo ay diretsong tumitingin sa mga simple at puting disenyo, si Sol naman ay huminto sa isang set ng mga plato na may character ng isang batang singkit ang mga mata.

Agad na nakuha ng character ang atensyon niya. Dahil kamukha ito ng mata ni Leo.

Ang cute.

“Sir, ito na lang.”

“No.”

“Bakit?” Napasimangot siya.

“Mukhang pambata.”

“Ang cute nga po.” Itinaas ni Sol ang plato at inilapit ito sa mukha ni Leo. “Look. Kamukha ng mata n'yo, Sir.”

“Hindi, ang layo.”

“Kamukha mo po, Sir.”

Nagkatinginan sila. Sa huli, napabuntong-hininga si Leo.

“Fine. Kunin mo na.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sol sa tuwa.

“Talaga?”

“Isa lang.”

“Thank you, Sir!” masayang sagot ni Sol na agad na inilagay ang plato sa cart.

Hindi nila napansin ang saleslady na matagal nang nakangiting pinagmamasdan sila.

“Ay, newly married po ba kayo?”

Napaubo si Leo sa gulat. Ganun ba ang hitsura nila sa paningin ng ibang tao?

“Ano?”

“Bagay po kasi kayo. Tapos magkasama kayong namimili ng gamit sa bahay.”

Awkward na napatingin siya kay Sol na matamis nang nakatingin sa saleslady. “Hindi pa.”

“Sol!”

“Ano po?”

Namula si Leo hanggang tenga habang mabilis na itinulak ang cart palayo. Anong ibig niyang sabihing hindi pa? So in the future magpapakasal sila?

Habang si Sol ay halos tumatakbo para makahabol.

“Sir, teka lang po!”

Pagkatapos mamili ng mga plato, kumuha rin sila ng mga grocery. Tinuruan ni Leo si Sol kung paano pumili ng sariwang gulay at karne. Makalipas ang ilang minuto, kumuha si Leo ng dalawang kamatis at iniabot ang mga iyon kay Sol.

“Pili ka kung alin ang mas sariwa.”

Tinitigan iyon ni Sol nang ilang segundo bago itinuro ang isa.

“Ito po.”

“Bakit?”

“Mas matingkad po ang kulay at mas firm.”

Tumango si Leo. “Tama.”

Agad na lumiwanag ang mukha ni Sol. Para siyang batang nakakuha ng perfect score sa exam.

Napangiti si Leo. “Good job.”

Hindi alam ni Sol pero sobrang saya niya sa simpleng papuri ni Leo. Mas masaya pa siya kaysa sa kahit anong mamahaling bagay na natanggap niya noon.

Pag-uwi nila, nagsimula na ang totoong leksyon sa mga gawaing-bahay.

“Una, paghuhugas ng pinggan. Alisin at itapon mo muna ang mga tirang pagkain bago mo padaluyin ang tubig sa plato. Pagkatapos, saka mo sabunin at banlawan. Siguraduhin mong wala nang madulas na parte at amuyin mo rin kung may amoy sabon pa. Kapag wala na, malinis na 'yan.”

Tumango si Sol.

Sinubukan niyang sundin ang mga itinuro ni Leo, pero sa unang minuto pa lang ay nagtalsikan na ang tubig kung saan-saan.

Napaatras si Leo nang aksidenteng matanggal ni Sol ang spray ng gripo.

Diretsong tumama sa kanya ang bugso ng tubig. Sa loob ng ilang segundo, basang basa na ang damit niya.

“Sol.” Napapikit si Leo habang pinupunasan ang mukha. “Patayin mo muna ang gripo. Dahan-dahan lang. Huwag mong biglain ang pagbukas.”

“Sorry po, Sir—”

Natigilan si Sol.

Bigla siyang napatulala. Dahil sa pagkakabasa ng puting T-shirt ni Leo, bahagyang bumakat ang matipunong hubog ng katawan nito.

Naramdaman niyang parang biglang uminit ang paligid. Matagal na niyang alam na bukod sa guwapo ay maganda ang katawan ni Leo pero ibang usapan pala kapag nakita niya na ng personal.

“Sol?”

Hindi siya sumagot. Nakatingin pa rin siya sa abs ni Leo.

Confirmed nga. May six-pack si Leo.

“Sol.”

“P-Po?”

Napakunot-noo si Leo.

“Bakit parang natulala ka?”

Mabilis na umiling si Sol at iniwas ang tingin sa katawan niya. Namumula rin ang dulo ng mga tenga nito.

“Wala po.”

“Sigurado ka?”

“Opo.”

Napatingin si Leo sa sarili niya bago niya napansin ang basang T-shirt. Agad siyang natigilan. Napansin niyang napatingin uli sa kanya si Sol na agad ding umiwas ng tingin ng sulyapan niya uli ito.

Lalong lumalim ang kunot sa noo ni Leo. Dahan-dahang bumaba ang tingin niya sa mukha ni Sol. Sa namumulang tenga nito. Sa pag-iwas nito ng tingin. At sa paraan ng mahigpit nitong paghawak sa plato.

He had the urge to laugh out loud. It seems like his helper is not that immune to him.

“Sol.”

“Po?”

“Tumingin ka nga sa akin.”

Mas lalong namula si Sol.

“Ayoko.”

“Bakit hindi ka makatingin sa akin?”

“Kasi ang pangit ng katawan mo, Sir. Sinabi na ngang ayokong tumingin, bakit kailangan pang mamilit?”

Nagdadabog pa nitong sagot habang nakasimangot.

Napatigil si Leo. “Pangit ang katawan ko? Sige nga, tingnan mo ulit ako at sabihin mong pangit,” Leo said with a teasing smile.

“Ayoko nga. Busy pa ako.”

“Saan? Sa isang platong kanina mo pa hinuhugasan?”

Natigilan si Sol. Napatingin siya sa lababo. At doon lang niya napansing hawak-hawak pa rin niya ang parehong plato sa nakalipas na ilang minuto.

“Kasalanan n'yo po kasi.”

“Anong ginawa ko?”

Hindi agad nakasagot si Sol. Hindi niya naman pwedeng sabihing kasalanan nito dahil masyado itong guwapo. At lalong hindi niya pwedeng amining distracted siya dahil sa abs nito. Kaya nag-imbento na lang siya.

“Masyado po kayong maingay.”

Napatawa si Leo. “Maingay?Samantalang ikaw ang madaldal dito?”

“Sir naman.”

Natawa si Leo. Ngayon niya lang na-realize na sobrang dali palang asarin si Sol. At sobrang dali rin nitong mamula.

It seemed like he had just found a new favorite pastime.

“Fine,” sabi niya habang pinagmamasdan pa rin si Sol na sobrang cute sa paningin niya ngayon. “Hindi na kita aasarin. Pero para sa isang taong nagsasabing pangit ang katawan ko, kanina ka pa nakatitig sa abs ko.”

“Leo!”

Pareho silang natigilan. Iyon ang unang beses na tinawag ni Sol ang pangalan niya nang walang kasamang Sir.

Mas lalong namula si Sol nang ma-realize ang ginawa niya.

“Sorry po!”

Pero sa halip na mainis, mas lalo lang natawa si Leo.

“It’s fine.” Hindi na niya ito kinulit pa. Pero sa paraan ng lalo pang pagkapula ni Sol, Leo found himself thinking that Sol looked unbearably cute right now.

Sa mga sumunod na araw, halos araw-araw na silang magkasamang gumagawa ng mga gawaing-bahay. At unti-unti na ring nagi-improve si Sol, much to his relief.

Everything seemed normal, except for the fact that Leo found himself sketching Sol in all sorts of different expressions.

Napupuno na ang sketchbooks niya ng mga mukha nito. May mga drawing doon si Sol na nakangiti, nakasimangot, nakakunot ang noo, at minsan, tulala habang nakatingin sa kawalan.

May isa pa ngang sketch na nakapikit ito habang nakasandal sa kitchen counter, mukhang pagod matapos maglinis ng bahay.

Leo stared at the page for a moment. Hindi niya alam kung bakit parang ang dali-daling iguhit si Sol. Maybe it was because Sol had so many expressions. O baka dahil halos buong araw niya itong nakikita.

Whatever the reason was, his sketchbook was slowly becoming a collection of Sol's faces.

Napabuntong-hininga si Leo bago niya isinara iyon.

“You’re such a handful, you know that?” bulong niya, kahit wala naman si Sol sa harap niya.

At hindi niya napansin ang maliit na ngiting sumilay sa labi niya.

Finally, one month had passed. It was time for Leo to tell Sol whether he had passed his one-month probationary period.

That afternoon, Leo called him to the living room.

“Sol, come here. We need to talk.”

Napakunot-noo si Sol as he approached. “May nagawa po ba akong mali, Sir?”

“Umupo ka muna.”

Mas lalo siyang kinabahan as he sat across from Leo.

“I’ve been observing you for the past month,” Leo began. “And honestly…”

He paused, letting the silence stretch.

“Hindi ko alam kung papasa ka.”

Nanlaki ang mata ni Sol. Halatang kinakabahan na. “Sir?”

Leo almost smiled at his reaction. “You still make mistakes, and sometimes I have to remind you how to do things. And, this morning, nakabasag ka na naman ng baso.”

“Hindi ko naman po yun sinadya. Dumulas lang talaga sa kamay ko.”

Saglit siyang tumigil bago ngumiti.

““But you’ve improved a lot. And because of that….you passed.”

“Talaga po?!” hindi makapaniwala na sabi ni Sol.

Tumango si Leo. “Starting today, you’re officially my full-time helper.”

“Thank you, Sir!” Sa sobrang saya, biglang tumayo si Sol at niyakap siya.

Leo froze. He definitely wasn't expecting that.

He didn't know where to put his hands at first, but he finally decided to place them on Sol’s waist. He didn't know a man's waist could be so small and soft.

Meanwhile, Sol was just too happy to care about anything else.

I passed. I can stay. I don’t need to go home yet.

The thought alone made him smile even wider as he hugged Leo tighter.

After a few seconds, napaatras si Sol nang ma-realize niya kung gaano siya kalapit kay Leo.

“Ah… sorry po.”

Mabilis siyang bumitaw at bumalik sa sofa, namumula ang pisngi.

Leo cleared his throat, trying not to smile. He could still feel Sol’s warmth against his hands.

“Congratulations, I guess.”

Ngumiti si Sol. “Thank you po uli, Sir!”

That night, Leo was sketching again when Sol sat in front of him.

Sol glanced at the sketchbook in his hands, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“Anong dino-drawing mo, Sir?”

“Just something.”

“Pwede po bang makita?” Sol leaned closer, trying to peek at the page.

Leo closed the sketchbook slightly. “It’s not finished.”

He can’t admit the fact that he was drawing Sol’s face again. He might find him creepy if he saw all his sketches of him.

Sol pouted but didn't push further. Instead, he watched Leo continue sketching.

After a while, curiosity got the better of him.

“Sir…”

“Hm?”

“Pwede n’yo rin ba akong i-drawing?”

Leo paused then he looked at him. “You?”

“Opo. I want to see how I look in your drawings.” And maybe I want to know how you see me.

Leo stared at him for a moment before nodding.

“Fine. Sit there.”

For a few minutes, neither of them spoke. Leo focused on his sketch while Sol tried his best not to move.

But eventually, Sol started getting curious again.

“Do you always draw people?”

“Not really.”

“Then ano po yung usually nyong pinipinta?”

“Anything that catches my attention.”

Sol smiled. “So, may nakita kayong interesting sa akin?”

Leo paused, his pencil hovering over the page. “Don't flatter yourself.”

Sol laughed. “Ang defensive mo naman, Sir. Nagtatanong lang eh. Pumayag ka kasing i-drawing ako eh so baka interested po kayo sa akin.”

Leo shook his head, but a small smile appeared on his lips. “And what if I am?”

“Po?” Sol asked, clearly caught off guard by Leo’s answer.

“If I said I was interested in you, what would you do about it?”

Sol stared at him. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Wait. Is he serious?

Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ni Sol.

“Interested… like…” He hesitated. “Interested in what way?”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “What do you think?”

Sol immediately looked away, his ears turning red.

“Ewan ko sa’yo, Sir.”

Leo chuckled and returned his attention to the sketchbook. “Then don't worry about it.”

Sol frowned. Bakit parang ito lang ang pwedeng mang-asar?

Biglang siyang nainis. “What if sabihin ko rin, Sir, na interesado rin ako sa’yo? What will you do about it?” he asked, his voice challenging.

Hindi pwedeng siya lang ang dehado sa sitwasyon na ’to.

Leo’s expression changed. His eyes darkened slightly as he looked at Sol.

“Then can you tell me in what way?”

Biglang tumayo si Sol at lumapit sa kinauupuan ni Leo.

“Like this.” He said out of impulse.

Before Leo could say anything, Sol leaned down and pressed a quick kiss against his lips.

For a second, everything went completely still. Sol pulled away first, his heart pounding wildly. Then reason finally came back to him.

Shit! Did I just kiss my boss?

Leo was still staring at him, clearly caught off guard.

Sol suddenly felt his confidence disappear.

Bakit parang mas nakakatakot pala kapag seryoso na siya?

“Do you mean it?” Leo asked him.

Hindi agad nakapagsalita si Sol. The embarrassment was finally catching up to him.

Sana kainin na lang ako ng lupa.

“I’ll take it as a yes.” Then Leo smiled. “You better take responsibility from now on.”

“Ha?”

Before Sol could process what he meant, Leo reached for his hand, gently pulled him closer and kissed him hard.

Halos mawalan ng hininga si Sol sa sobrang diin ng halik ni Leo sa kanya. He opened his mouth to get some air, but Leo just took it as an opportunity to insert his tongue into his mouth. He was already running out of breath, but the kiss also felt good to him.

Without realizing it, his arms found their way around Leo’s neck as he held on tighter, which encouraged Leo to deepen the kiss. Napapitlag si Sol nang maramdaman niya ang pagkagat ni Leo sa pang-ibabang labi niya. And as if soothing him, he sucked on it to ease the pain.

He felt Leo’s tongue tangling with his own, sucking and licking. The sound of their kissing was so loud that Sol felt his face getting a bit warmer. Ang laswa sigurong pakinggan if someone was actually listening to them. But he didn't really care, he just focused on kissing Leo instead.

When they finally pulled apart, Sol found himself struggling to catch his breath. Hingal na hingal siya.

Nakakamatay palang makipaghalikan pero…masarap din sa pakiramdam.

He smiled to himself. When he thought it was over, Leo kissed him again.

“You’re driving me crazy, Sol, do you know that?” Leo said habang patuloy na dinadampian ng halik ang mga labi niya. “Whenever I looked at your lips, all I think about is kissing you.”

Sol felt his face grow warm. At hindi nakakatulong na paulit ulit siyang hinahalikan ni Leo na para bang wala ng bukas.

“God, your lips taste so good,” Leo cupped his cheeks and kissed him more aggressively. Forcing him to open his mouth once more. He imitated the movements of Leo’s lips on his and tried to suck on his upper lip while Leo sucked on his lower lip.

If he only knew that kissing will feel this good then matagal niya na sanang hinalikan si Leo. He was starting to get addicted to the feeling.

Then a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

Wait. Ano na ba kami?

Napamulat siya. Hindi ba dapat alam niya muna kung ano ang status nila bago siya tuluyang matangay ng mga halik ni Leo?

“Sandali.”Napaatras si Sol at inilayo nang kaunti ang sarili.

Napakunot-noo si Leo, halatang nabitin sa halikan nilang dalawa. “What?”

“May tanong ako.”

Leo let out a small sigh. “Now?”

“Oo, kasi importante 'to.”The seriousness on Sol's face made Leo sit back.

“Fine. What is it?”

Nagkatinginan sila. Humugot muna ng malalim na hininga si Sol bago nagsalita.

“Ano na ba tayo?” sabi ni Sol. “Kasi kanina helper mo pa ako. Tapos ngayon hinahalikan mo na ako.”

Namula nang bahagya si Leo. “That's your concern right now? After kissing me?”

“Syempre. Hindi pwedeng hahalikan mo lang ako tapos wala tayong label. Kasi kung balak mo lang akong gawing pampalipas-oras, tigilan na natin 'to ngayon pa lang,” mataray niyang sabi.

Kahit na nagpapanggap siyang helper ngayon, siya pa rin si Solaris Almonte, ang tagapagmana ng pamilya nila. There was no way in hell na papayag siyang maging panandaliang libangan lang ni Leo.

Kahit na masarap pa siyang humalik.

Leo stared at him for a few seconds before letting out a laugh.

Napasimangot si Sol. May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi niya?

“Sir, seryoso ako.”

“I know.”

“Eh ano ngang sagot?”

The amusement in Leo's eyes softened. Dahan-dahan niyang inabot ang kamay ni Sol. “You really don't know?”

Umiling si Sol.

Leo smiled. “Sol, I just told you that I'm interested in you.”

“Oo nga, pero—”

“And we already kissed. For the record, I don't just kiss anyone, Sol. Especially not my helper.”

“So, ano na nga?.”

Natawa na lang si Leo. “Napaka-impatient talaga.” Then he squeezed Sol's hand. “If you're asking whether I like you, then the answer is yes. I like you, Sol.” Leo looked at him with a serious face.

Natahimik siya. His heart suddenly started beating a little faster.

“And if you're asking whether I want us to be official...” Leo continued. “Then I'm asking you now.”

“A-Ano 'yon?” may halong excitement na ang tono niya.

“Will you be my boyfriend?”

Napangiti na siya nang tuluyan at, walang kaabog-abog na hinalikan si Leo sa labi.

“Of course! Now…we can continue kissing.”

Natawa si Leo. “Ganun talaga ang una mong naisip? Where's my I like you too?”

“Sinagot na nga kita. Ang sabi ko ‘Of course’.” Napataas pa ang isang kilay ni Sol. “I thought that part was obvious.”

Napatitig si Leo sa kanya nang ilang segundo bago napailing. “Iba ka talaga.”

“So ,ayaw mo na bang humalik? Kasi kung ayaw mo—”

Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin nang maramdaman niya ang paghila sa kanya ni Leo.

Niyakap na lang ni siya ni Leo at gigil na hinalikan sa mga labi.

Napailing na lang si Leo sa utak niya. Mukhang mas sasakit yata ang ulo niya ngayong boyfriend niya na ito. Then again, he might as well enjoy the privileges.

Then he continue to kiss Sol until their lips become numb from all the kissing.

The next morning, Sol woke up in an unusually good mood.

Actually, scratch that. He woke up in an excellent mood.

Why?

Because he had a boyfriend now. A very handsome boyfriend who happened to own the house he was currently living in.

Life was good.

“Good morning!” bati niya kay Leo habang nakita niya itong nagkakape sa lamesa.

Napatingin si Leo sa kanya. “Good morning.”

Natigilan si Sol. Bakit parang ang cold naman ng bati nito sa kanya “Sandali lang..”

“What?” takang tanong ni Leo sa kanya.

“Hindi ba dapat may special treatment na ako?” Nakasimagot na sabi ni Sol.

Napataas ang kilay ni Leo pero lihim na siyang natatawa sa loob niya. “Special treatment?”

“Oo, kasi boyfriend na kita.”

“Anong klaseng special treatment?”

“Good morning kiss. Binati mo lang ako ng good morning so ano, magkabigan lang ba tayo?” When he thought about it he felt that he was right.

Natatawang tumayo si Leo at nilapitan siya. Gigil nitong hinawakan ang magkabila niyang pisngi at hinalikan siya ng mariin sa labi. He thought that it will only be a short kiss but it seems like Leo has a different definition of a good morning kiss.

“W-wait, enough!” Itinulak niya ito palayo sa kanya. Good morning kiss lang ang hinihingi niya pero bakit parang nasobrahan naman yata ito sa gigil sa kanya. It was still early in the morning.

“Good morning baby!” Leo even touched his lips as if he wanted more. ”Anything else for the special treatment?”

Napatingin siya dito at medyo nadi-distract din siya sa pagtingin nito sa kanya. “D-date. Yes! I want to go on a date.”

“Okay. Wanna go out today? I have time.”

“Really?” Now, they are talking. Excited na siyang lumabas uli kasi grocery and bahay lang ang naging routine niya simula ng maging helper siya ni Leo. So, he kinda miss going outside to play.

“Anything else?” tanong muli ni Leo. Halatang naaaliw ito sa excited niyang mukha.

“Hmm... oh, yes. I want you to finish that sketch of me. I don't think you were able to finish it yesterday.”

Gusto talaga niyang makita kung paano siya nakikita ni Leo.

Leo stared at him for a moment. “If you want to see it, I have more than that. They're in my room.”

Napakunot-noo si Sol. “Paano nangyari 'yon? Kahapon mo lang naman ako sinimulang i-sketch.”

“Who told you that I only started yesterday?”Hinila siya ni Leo papunta sa kwarto nito at inabot sa kanya ang ilang sketchbooks.

Naguluhan pa siya noong una. Pero nang buksan niya ang isa sa mga ito, natigilan siya.

He saw several sketches of himself with different expressions and in different situations. Some showed him doing household chores, while others captured him smiling, pouting, or looking sad. There were a lot of them.

And in all of them, he looked radiant and full of life. They were all beautiful, as if Leo had captured every one of his emotions on paper.

No one had ever paid this much attention to him before. He was touched that Leo noticed the little things. The things that even Sol himself didn't notice.

“Do you like it?”

”Hindi lang like, I love them. So, this is how you see me? Sobrang ganda ko pala sa paningin mo?” he said jokingly.

“Yup, beautiful and shining just like a star.” Leo smiled softly. “So, are you up for that date now?”

“I love to.”

Life with Leo after they became boyfriends was surprisingly fun. The days seemed to pass much faster now.

They went on dates whenever Leo had free time. Sometimes they would try new restaurants. Other times, they would simply walk around the mall, argue over what to eat, or spend an entire afternoon grocery shopping like an old married couple.

At home, not much had changed. They still did household chores together.The only difference was that they were now allowed to be affectionate with each other.

Napansin niya that Leo seemed to love kissing him. Every time na may pagkakataon, Leo would always find a way to kiss him. Minsan, namamanhid na ang labi niya, pero hindi pa rin niya ito pinipigilan kasi gusto rin naman niya.

Like today in the kitchen, when they were so lost in kissing each other that Leo even put him on the countertop at pumwesto pa sa gitna ng mga hita niya. Hindi niya alam kung saan niya ilalagay ang mga kamay, so ipinatong na lang niya ang mga ito sa balikat ni Leo.

Then when he felt Leo’s biceps, his curiosity got the best of him so he squeezed it. Ramdam na ramdam niya kung gaano katigas yun compared sa kamay niya. Now he wants to touch Leo’s abs and check if ganun din ba yun katigas.

Then he heard Leo laugh. “Enjoying yourself?” And, as if he read his mind, kinuha ni Leo and kamay niya at dinala yun sa abs nito.

“You were looking at it last time so I figured you wanted to touch them?” Leo teased him. “You can touch it as much as you want. Boyfriend privilege.”

Okay, the buffet is open. I can touch as much as I want daw. Hehe.

Matagal na siyang curious sa abs ni Leo kung gaano ba talaga katigas, kaya hindi na niya pinigilan ang sarili na hawakan iyon.

“Wow.”

Natawa si Leo.

“Anong wow?”

“Ang tigas nga.” It was very different from his, which was much softer. Curious, he pressed it a little more, completely oblivious to the fact that Leo’s gaze was growing darker with every passing second. Satisfied with his exploration, he finally stopped touching it.

“Are you done?” Leo whispered to him. “Is it my turn now?”

Huh? Anong ibig niyang sabihin? Wala naman siyang abs.

He then felt Leos hand inside his shirt as he touched his soft tummy. Pinisil pisil nito yun, hindi pa nakuntento at ang mga baywang niya naman ang pinisil nito. Napapitlag siya dahil sa ginawa nito. Nakakakiliti.

“Can I kiss you here?” Leo asked him, referring to his tummy. Namula ang mukha niya pero tumango siya. They were both adults so whatever happens today then they will both be responsible for it.

(Note: The Special Chapter is available on the The Tides and Tales Reader Hub. Please visit https://stejayharbor.com/harbor-story-login to access it.)

The next morning, nagising si Sol na masakit ang katawan. Hindi siya tinigilan ni Leo kagabi hanggang sa mapagod silang pareho. Ramdam pa rin niya ang pamamanhid ng mga labi niya dahil sa sobrang panggigigil nito. Sigurado rin siyang marami siyang marka sa katawan.

But despite that, he still felt refreshed because it seemed like Leo had cleaned him up before he passed out.

Napangiti siya nang bahagya habang nakatitig sa kisame. Leo was really a caring and kind man.

Mula nang dumating siya sa bahay nito, wala naman talaga itong ginawa kundi kabutihan sa kanya. Tinuruan siya ng mga gawaing-bahay, pinagtiyagaan ang lahat ng kapalpakan niya, at minahal siya nang walang hinihinging kapalit.

At dahil doon unti-unti na siyang nakonsensya. Because he was not being completely honest to Leo.

Hanggang ngayon, naniniwala pa rin itong isa lamang siyang helper na naghahanap ng trabaho. Hindi nito alam na si Solaris Almonte talaga siya. Ang nag-iisang tagapagmana ng pamilya Gaspar.

Napabuntong-hininga si Sol. Maybe it was finally time to tell Leo the truth. Kung seryoso talaga sila sa isa't isa, hindi niya pwedeng itago ito habambuhay.

Kinakabahan siya sa magiging reaksyon nito. Pero mas natatakot siyang malaman ni Leo ang totoo mula sa ibang tao. At ayaw niyang isipin nito na niloko niya lang ito mula sa simula.

And speaking of Leo, nasaan na ba ang lalaking iyon? Huwag niyang sabihing nag-eat and run ito. Hahanapin niya talaga ito hanggang sa dulo ng Pilipinas.

He stood up and felt a bit of pain on his butt. He wanted to go to the bathroom but it seems he needed more energy to do that.

Maya-maya, bumukas ang pinto, and he saw Leo enter the room carrying a tray of food.

“Good morning, Sol. How are you feeling?”

Napasimangot si Sol.

“Good morning, Sol?” ulit niya. “Bakit hindi na baby?”

Natigilan si Leo. “Huh?”

Umusog si Sol at tinaasan ito ng kilay. “Are you only going to call me baby kapag nasa kama tayo?”

Muntik nang mabilaukan si Leo sa tanong. “Sol!”

“Ano? Valid question naman.”

“Fine.” Natawa na lang si Leo bago yumuko at hinalikan siya sa noo. “Good morning, baby. Happy now?”

“Very.”

“Good. Eat first. I prepared something light for you, so eat up and regain your energy.”

“Baby, I want to go to the bathroom first. Carry me, please,” he pleaded, giving Leo his best puppy-dog eyes.

Mukhang nag-alala naman ito sa kanya. “Are you sure you’re really okay, baby?”

“I’m fine, just a little sore. I just need some help standing up for now.”

Agad namang lumapit si Leo at maingat siyang binuhat.

“Comfortable?” tanong nito habang dinadala siya papunta sa banyo.

“Opo,” sagot ni Sol, lihim na natutuwa sa paraan ng pag-aalaga nito sa kanya.

Pagkatapos, tinulungan din siya nitong makabalik sa kama bago inilapit ang tray ng pagkain.

“Kain na, baby.”

Masunurin namang kumain si Sol. Habang sumusubo, hindi niya maiwasang mapangiti.

Leo looked genuinely happy taking care of him, and for some reason, that made Sol very happy.

Maybe being spoiled by his boyfriend wasn't so bad after all.

Sol was at the grocery store today, buying food for both himself and Leo. It was their monthsary, and he wanted to surprise him.

He had even decided that tonight would be the night.

No more lies. He was finally going to tell Leo the truth about who he really was. The thought made him nervous, but also relieved. Leo deserved to know.

Habang inilalagay niya ang ilang sangkap sa cart, bigla siyang nakaramdam na parang may nakatingin sa kanya.

Napakunot-noo siya. Paglingon niya, natigilan siya. Tatlong lalaking nakaitim ang nakatayo sa kabilang aisle.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang ma-realize kung sino ang mga ito. It was their family’s bodyguard.

No way.

Hindi pa siya pwedeng umuwi. Hindi pa niya nakakausap si Leo. Hindi pa niya nasasabi kung sino siya.

“Sir Solaris.”

It's been awhile since he last heard that name. Agad siyang napaatras. Isa sa mga bodyguards ng pamilya nila ang lumapit.

“Hinahanap na po kayo ng pamilya ninyo, Sir.”

“Sabihin n'yo sa kanila na hindi n'yo ako nakita.”

“I'm afraid we can't do that, Sir.”

Napamura si Sol sa isip. Hindi na siya naghintay. Agad niyang iniwan ang cart at tumakbo.

“Sir Solaris!”

Nagkagulo ang ilang mamimili habang mabilis siyang lumiko sa susunod na aisle.

Pero gaano man siya kabilis, hindi niya matatakasan ang mga taong trained sa mga gantiong scenario.

Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas bago siya napalibutan.

“Sir, please cooperate.”

“Hindi ako uuwi.”

“Hindi po papayag ang mga magulang ninyo. Ilang buwan na po kayong nawawala at nag-aalala na sila sa’yo.”

“Damn it! Bitawan ninyo ako. Tatanggalin ko kayo sa trabaho kapag nakauwi ako sa bahay namin.”

Tila walang mga narinig na maingat ngunit mahigpit pa rin siyang ineskortan palabas ng supermarket. Habang isinasakay siya sa sasakyan, isang bagay lang ang laman ng isip niya.

Paano niya kokontakin si Leo para sabihin dito kung nasaan siya. Hindi pa niya nasasabi kay Leo ang totoo.

Biglang nakaramdam si Sol ng takot. Paano kung hindi na niya makita si Leo ulit? Paano kung hindi siya payagan ng mga magulang niyang bumalik?

Paano kung tuluyan na siyang ipakasal sa taong gusto ng mga ito para sa kanya?

Unti-unting namuo ang luha sa mga mata niya. Napaiyak siya nang tuluyan.

Gusto lang naman niyang umuwi kay Leo.

Leo was already losing his mind trying to find Sol. He had been looking for him everywhere, but he couldn't find him.

At first, he thought Sol was just running late.

But then two hours had already passed, and he still hadn't heard anything from him.

His calls went unanswered. His messages remained unread.

He already had a bad feeling about this. Something was wrong. Sol wasn't the type to disappear without telling him.

His bad feeling only worsened when he reviewed the CCTV footage from the supermarket. The video showed Sol running from several men before they escorted him out of the store at isakay sa kotse.

Leo heart dropped. From the footage alone, it looked like Sol had been taken away by unknown people.

His hands clenched into fists. For a moment, he couldn't think. The worst part was not knowing whether Sol was safe. And for the first time, Leo felt genuinely afraid.

And as much as he didn't want to do this, since he'd been independent all his life, he called his parents.

He needed all the help he could get to find Sol, and this was the fastest way he could think of.

It had been one week since Sol was brought back home.

Nagmumukmok pa rin siya sa kwarto niya. He was still so mad at his parents that, until now, hindi pa rin niya kinakausap ang mga ito.

He had tried calling Leo, but then he realized that he had lost his phone when he ran away from his bodyguards.

Great. Just great.

Not only was he stuck at home because his parents had grounded him dahil naglayas siya sa bahay nila, but he also had no way of contacting the person he desperately wanted to see.

If I know, gusto lang talaga nila akong ipakasal sa kung sino man ang taong 'yon dahil kailangan nila para sa business.

Sol groaned and buried his face in his pillow.

He missed Leo.

He missed their little house.

He even missed doing household chores, which was something he never thought he'd say in his entire life.

A knock suddenly came from the door.

“Sol.”

He immediately recognized his mother's voice.

“I'm not talking to you,” he answered without lifting his head.

“We're going out tonight.”

“Good for you.”

“Get dressed.”

Sol finally lifted his head. “What?”

“We're attending a party tonight.”

“I'm grounded.”

“You are. That's why we're taking you with us.”

He stared at the door in disbelief. “Wait, what kind of logic is that?”

His mother ignored his question.

“Be ready in thirty minutes.”

“Mom, ayokong sumama.!”

But she was already walking away.

Sol groaned again and fell back onto his bed.

I swear, kung magkakaroon uli ng chance, maglalayas ako uli.

Thirty minutes later, he was dragged downstairs in a suit he didn't even choose for himself.

His father was already waiting by the door. “Let's go.”

Sol rolled his eyes and followed them reluctantly.

The moment they arrived at the house, Sol already knew something was wrong.

It wasn't a huge party. In fact, there were only a few cars parked outside and a small number of guests inside. Sol didn't recognize most of them.

He looked at his parents suspiciously. “Why are we here?”

His mother smiled innocently. “We're invited to a dinner.”

Sol narrowed his eyes. “Then why did you make me wear a suit para lang sa isang dinner?”

His parents ignored him and continued walking toward the house.

The moment they entered, a middle-aged man and woman approached them.

“It's good to see you again, Roberto,” the man greeted Sol's father warmly.

“Likewise, Sebastian,” his father replied as they shook hands.

The woman beside him smiled and gave Sol's mother a brief hug.

“It's been a while, Celina.”

“It has,” Sol's mother agreed with a smile.

Sol stood beside them, just looking between the two couples. He unconsciously stared at the man his father called Sebastian because his eyes reminded him of someone.

His father noticed his expression. “Sol, these are Mr. and Mrs. Villafuente.”

“Nice to meet you, Sir, Ma’am.” Sol greeted politely.

Mrs. Villafuente smiled at him. “We've heard a lot about you.”

He smiled awkwardly. “I hope there is nothing bad about it.”

Mrs. Villafuente laughed. “No. Everything's good. You are gorgeous.”

Should he be happy about it? .

Sol forced a smile. There was something strange about this. Everyone seemed to know why they were there except him.

His suspicion grew when his parents looked like they were waiting for something to happen.

His father cleared his throat. “Sol, there's someone we'd like you to meet.”

Sol's eyes widened. Oh, hell no. if his hunch is correct. His family was introducing him to that person.

“Dad…”

“Just meet him first.”

“I don't want to meet anyone.”

Before Sol could complain any further, they heard footsteps coming from the stairs.

A young man walked toward them. His face looked both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Parang nakita na niya ito dati, pero sigurado rin siyang ngayon lang sila nagkita.

He was dressed neatly in a dark suit, looking every bit like someone who belonged in a wealthy family. Sol stared at him.

Mr. Villafuente smiled. “Sol, this is Stefan, our youngest son.”

Stefan smiled politely and extended his hand. “It's nice to finally meet you.”

Sol slowly looked at his parents. “Wait, is he the guy?”

“Sol…be polite.” His mother's smile became awkward.

Sol stared at Stefan.

He’s handsome pero mas gwapo pa rin ang boyfriend ko.

“I’m sorry, but I already have a boyfriend, so I can’t marry you.”

Sol expected Stefan to get offended, but instead, he suddenly laughed.

“You're so funny! No wonder he likes you.”

Napakunot ang noo ni Sol. “Who are you talking about?”

Stefan only smiled and took a sip of his drink. “You’ll find out later.”

“Ang helpful naman ng sagot mo.”

“Thank you.”

Sol stared at him. Stefan looked far too amused for someone who had just been rejected.

“Hindi ka ba na-offend?”

“Bakit naman ako mao-offend?”

“I just rejected you.”

“Did you?”

Lalong kumunot ang noo ni Sol. This guy was weird.

“I just said I have a boyfriend and I can't marry you..”

Stefan chuckled. “And, why do you think I’m the one who’s gonna marry you?”

Sol was about to ask more questions when the front door suddenly opened. Everyone turned.

A familiar figure walked inside. Sol froze. His heart nearly stopped.

“Leo?”

Leo looked around the room before his eyes landed on Sol. For a moment, they just looked at each other. Sol's eyes immediately filled with tears. He missed him.

After a whole week of being trapped at home, after desperately trying to find a way to contact him, Leo was finally standing right in front of him. But before Sol could run toward him, Mr. Villafuente spoke. “Leo, you're late.”

Leo didn't answer. His eyes remained fixed on Sol. Then he slowly walked toward him then pulled him for a hug. “Baby, I missed you so much.”

Sol smiled widely as he returned Leo’s hug. “I missed you too.”

Sol's parents exchanged glances. Nakangiti ang mga ito habang nakatitig sa kanilang dalawa.

Mr. and Mrs. Villafuente were also smiling as they watched them. Kahit si Stefan ay napailing na lang habang natatawa.

Then Mr. Villafuente spoke. “Sorry for the late introduction. This is our other son, Leon Rafael Villafuente. My eldest. He's a painter and doesn't like to socialize, so this is the first time everyone has met him.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sol. What? Leo is their son? So magkapatid sila ni Stefan?

“Parents mo sila?”

Leo grinned. “Yup.”

“Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin na mayaman ka pala?!”

“You never asked. And for the record, you also never told me that you are Solaris Almonte.”

Well, may point naman. Okay forgiven na.

Then another thought hit him. “Wait.” He slowly turned toward Leo. “Paano mo nalaman kung nasaan ako?”

The amusement on Leo's face faded. “When your parents took you home, I couldn't contact you. I was so worried that I needed to ask my parents for help.”

Everyone in the room suddenly looked very interested in the conversation. Especially Mr. and Mrs. Villafuente.

“Leo was surprisingly desperate,” Mrs. Villafuente commented. “He never asks for help unless it's very important.”

Leo sighed. “I told them I needed to find my boyfriend,” he said before looking accusingly at his parents. “Only to find out they were helping arrange a dinner between you and Stefan.”

“Technically, we were only introducing them,” Mr. Villafuente defended.

“It looked like an arranged marriage meeting.”

“It did,” Stefan admitted.

Mr. Villafuente ignored them. “We didn't know Sol was the boyfriend you were talking about. But when we found out, we immediately spoke with Sol's parents to sort everything out.”

“On the bright side,” Stefan said, “everything worked out for the better.”

Leo intertwined their fingers. “Of course it did. Because there is no way I'm letting anyone else marry Sol,” Leo said calmly.

His grip on Sol's hand tightened. “Because I'm the only one who's going to marry him.”

Sol stared at Leo for a moment. Pakakasalan niya ako? Then a smile slowly spread across his face.

“Yup.” He looked at both families. “I'm only marrying Leo.”

Then his mother let out a long sigh. “You silly child.”

Napatigil si Sol. “Huh?”

His father pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sol, if you didn't want to marry someone, we wouldn't have forced you.”

Natahimik si Sol. “...Talaga?”

“Of course,” his mother said. “What kind of parents do you think we are?”

Sol immediately looked away.

His parents stared at him. “Don't answer that,” his father warned.

“I heard you talking about it in the library,” Sol mumbled.

“You could have just talked to us.” His mother rolled her eyes. “You didn't even bother listening to the whole conversation.”

“Well, I thought you were forcing me to get married.”

“We weren't. We only wanted you to meet the Villafuente family. And maybe get to know their son,” his father added. “But if you really didn't like him, we wouldn't have forced you anyway.”

Natahimik si Sol. Looking back, maybe he had overreacted a little.

“Hmm… I'm sorry?"

His parents exchanged a glance.

“Only a little sorry? Do you know how panicked we were when you disappeared?”” his father asked.

“Fine. I am very sorry.”

“Good.”

His mother smiled and pulled him into a hug. “We missed you, sweetheart.”

Sol hugged her back. “Sorry, Mom.”

His father joined the hug a second later.

“And next time,” he said, “before you run away, at least let us explain okay?.”

Sol hesitated.

His father narrowed his eyes. “Sol.”

“Okay, okay. Promise.”

“Good.”

Then his father glanced at Leo.

“Although, looking at the two of you now, I suppose everything worked out in the end. Maybe all that trouble wasn't for nothing. If it led the two of you to each other, perhaps it was meant to happen.” He then smiled at Leo. “Good luck, Leo. You're going to need a lot of patience with this brat.”

“Dad!” nakasimangot na sabi ni Sol.

Leo chuckled. “I'll do my best. I already have a lot of experience.”

Everyone laughed, habang napanguso naman si Sol, which prompted Leo to give him a quick kiss on the lips.

Sol immediately blushed because of it, but Leo just pulled him closer and hugged him tightly.

“Now that everything is settled, why don't we finally have dinner?” Mrs. Villafuente said with a smile.

And just like that, what Sol had assumed was an arranged-marriage meeting turned into a family dinner.

Apparently, everyone already knew the truth except him.

—FIN