3 - Burn

Three – Burn

YASMIR SIERRA

"I want her." Ngumiti naman ito sa sinabi ko. Hindi na ako nagpatumpik-tumpik pa na kunin siya.

She's dangerously hot. Fuck. Hindi niya ba alam iyon?

"Miss Hira," tumayo ito at sinabi sa kanya ni Ms. Cha na saakin na siya maninilbihan.

She's annoyed by how she looks at me right now. Annoyed? Hindi ba dapat ako ang mainis sa pang-iiwan niya saakin ng gabing iyon?

Again, a mischievous smile plastered on my face. I just can't stop smiling, I don't even need an assistant, but because of what happened that night and now I saw her here in my hospital, why not owning her as well.

What I touched is mine. Hindi ako titigil hangga't hindi siya naangkin. Damn. She's making me crazier. She's burning the hell out of me.

“This is love?” I pondered silently, shaking my head in denial. “No, I refuse to believe it. I won't allow myself to fall into the same trap as Errol, Yael, and Rafael. I won't let love drive me to madness.”

Despite my protests, I couldn't deny the overwhelming sensations coursing through me. It wasn't love, I reasoned—it was a burning desire, a craving for her touch to extinguish the fire within me. Yet, as she stood before me, the intensity grew, the flames rising higher and hotter with each moment.

“Why is it getting hotter?” I wondered, feeling the heat radiating off her presence. “And why do I feel like I'm the one getting burned?”

Napahinto ako sa isang tagong hallway ng hospital, na walang masyadong nakakapunta rito. Eto din ang daan papuntang opisina ko, pero hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko.

I paused, heart pounding, and turned to face her. She mirrored me, apprehension in her eyes. Before she could retreat, I gently placed my hand on her back, pulling her closer until she was mere inches away.

In this close proximity, I could fully appreciate her beauty. Her eyes, like black-pitch almonds, held a depth that drew me in. Her thick yet clean eyebrows framed them perfectly, while her long, thick eyelashes accentuated their stunning allure. A small, pointed nose sat delicately atop her small face, perfectly complementing her features. And then there were her lips—thin, sweet, and rosy, inviting me with their softness and allure. She was undeniably gorgeous, and I couldn't resist but to voice my admiration.

"You're absolutely stunning," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as I drank in her beauty.

"Hi there, little kitten," I greeted her softly, my voice carrying a hint of playfulness.

I felt her trembling slightly, her body tense against mine. She gulped audibly; her lips caught between her teeth in a nervous gesture. Was she afraid? And if so, why? The thought puzzled me, stirring a curious mixture of concern and intrigue within me.

Parang noong nakaraang gabi lang ang lakas ng loob niyang halikan ako, tapos ngayon ano? Is she's regretting now that she kissed me?

As I leaned in, she seemed poised to pull away. But I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her tightly against me. The sensation of her softness against me ignited desire, and I felt myself beginning to harden.

Despite the urge to give in, I forced control, tightening my grip. But in resisting, I felt on the verge of combustion, desire threatening to consume me.

In a sudden impulse, I pressed my lips against hers, a fleeting kiss. Then, just as quickly, I released her, feeling the undeniable hardness of my arousal.

Turning away, I cursed inwardly at my lack of control.

"I just need you from time to time," I muttered, my voice tinged with frustration, "You don't need to come with me all the time."

But as the words left my lips, a subtle question lingered unspoken in the air: unless you want to be with me.

"You're assigned at the private rooms, right?" I asked to make sure that I wasn't wrong.

"Y-yes doc," I smiled.

"You must do your job there. But once I call you, you must come to me at all cost. Got it?" I asked.

"Eh, doc hindi naman po ako assistant, nurse po ako." I chuckled when she said that. "Isn't that your job to assist the doctor, Miss Hira?" Tanong ko sa kanya ng hindi ko siya nililingon. Baka kung ano pa magawa ko kung lilingunin ko siya.

"On the field, do—" I turned around and face her. "You're on the field, Miss Hira. What are you talking about?" Kunot noong sabi ko. Napalunok ito dahilan para ngumisi ako.

I walked towards her but she keeps on moving backwards.

"What are you expecting, Miss Hira?" I teased. She avoided my gaze. Patuloy parin ako sa paglapit sa kanya hanggang sa may cart ang nasa likuran niya dahilan para muli ko siyang hatakin pahila papalapit saakin.

"You're in the hospital, Miss Hira," I reiterated, my voice gentle yet insistent, a subtle reminder of the potential dangers lurking in such a bustling environment. "It's essential to be cautious and mindful of your surroundings, especially with equipment like that cart around."

As she glanced at the janitor's cart, I couldn't help but notice the way her expression shifted, a flicker of realization crossing her features. It was a small reminder that even in seemingly mundane moments, there was always the possibility of unforeseen risks.

Inagaw niya mula saakin ang kamay nito at tumikhim.

I slid both hands into my side pockets, a subconscious gesture of seeking comfort or stability amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. With a heavy sigh, I turned on my heels and made my way back to my office, each step feeling heavier than the last.

The encounter with her had left me feeling drained, emotionally and physically exhausted. I couldn't shake the lingering effects of our brief interaction, the intensity of my desire still burning brightly within me.

"God, why does she have this effect on me?" I silently lamented, grappling with the tumultuous sensations coursing through my veins. It was a question without a clear answer, leaving me to wrestle with the enigma of my own emotions.

"Could you get me some coffee first?" I asked as soon as I landed on my swivel chair.

Kinuha ko ang wallet ko at inabot sa kanya ang card ko. Nagdadalawang isip itong tanggapin iyon, pero kinuha niya rin ito kaagad na may inis na ekspresyon sa mukha.

Damn. Why is she's so cute?

"Get yourself something too. I don't want you to collapsed or something." I gently said as I laid my eyes back to the computer, wearing now my reading glass.

"Uh, what coffee do you like, doc?" She asked, didn't bother to take a look.

"The coffee shop already knows my order, just tell them my name." Kinuha ko ang isang folder na nakapatong sa lamesa ko at binasa iyon.

"Hurry, Miss Hira." Sabi ko ng hindi ito gumalaw mula sa kinatatayuan nito. Pagtingin ko sa kanya ay nataranta ito at muntikan pang matumba dahil sa pagkakabangga nito sa side table.

Kaagad din itong kumaripas ng takbo at nang nawala na ito ay napasandal ako sa inuupan ko habang tumatawa ng mahina.

"Damn, she's so cute."

Ilang saglit lang ay bumukas ang pintuan, noong una ay akala ko si Hira na iyon pero bumungad saakin ang kaibigan kong si Elijah.

"Yow, your assistant is kinda cute," taas kilay akong nakatingin sa kanya.

"I saw her lost. Inutusan mo daw, inis na inis." Tumawa ito. Binalingan ko ang computer at nag scroll lang para mabilisang basahin ang documents.

"Why are you here?" Tanong ko ng hindi man lang siya binabalingan ng tingin.

"Here," inabot niya saakin ang proposed budget ng Cardiology Department.

"At bakit ikaw ang nagbibigay nito saakin?" Taas kilay kong tanong sa kanya. Tumawa ito.

"Alam mo namang takot sila sa'yo."

"That's not a valid reason, Mr. Elijah."

"Fine, dahil alam nilang pipirmahan mo kapag ako nag bigay." Ngumuso ito.

"Reject." Sabi ko ng hindi man lang binubuklat ang folder.

"Don't be too hard, Yasmir!" Singhal nito saakin.

"Sir or Mr. We're at work, Mr. Elijah." Kalmado kong sabi sa kanya.

"Oh fuck," tinataas ko siya muli ng kilay nang magmura ito.

Muli akong napasandal sa inuupuan ko at nakahalukipkip ko siyang tinitigan.

"Are you cursing now the president?" Ngisi kong tanong sa kanya. Ngumisi naman ito.

"Yes, and if you don't want to sign this, Mr. President, aagawin ko sa'yo si Miss Hira, fuck she's hot and gorgeous on her all-white uniform, I bet she's good at kissing, since I saw her kissing you last time, we're on the bar." I groaned in disbelief.

"So, are you blackmailing me, Mr. Elijah?" Mas lalo naman itong napangisi.

"Woah, are you threaten, Mr. President?" He teased. Damn this man!

"Fuck you." Inis kong sambit sa kanya. Muli itong napatawa at tinuro ang folder na bitbit nito.

"Sign, it's for the patients, Mr. President and not mine." I grunted in defeat.

I skimmed the report and immediately signed the papers. Wala naman akong nakitang mali kaya pinirmahan ko na.

Nakangiti itong kinuha kaagad ang dokyumento at aalis na sana ng opisina ko.

"Tell them to send me a copy." Pagkalabas nito, ilang saglit lang ay pumasok si Hira na hingal na hingal. Napataas ang kilay ko.

"Here's your coffee doc," napansin kong kape lang ang dala nito.

"Didn't you get anything for yourself?" I asked, she politely shrugged her head. Wow, she's now being polite?

Pinatong nito ang kape sa lamesa ko at inabot ang card ko pero masyado akong busy para tanggapin iyon kaya nilapag niya iyon sa lamesa.

Nagulat na lamang ako ng matapon ang kape sa hita nito, napasigaw pa ito sa sakit.

"Damn." Kaagad ko siyang binuhat papuntang banyo ng opisina ko at dahil siguro sa gulat niya ay napakapit ito sa batok ko at naramdaman ko ang pagkiskis ng labi nito sa leeg ko.

Damn. She's a fucking temptress!

Nilapag ko siya nakasaradong toilet bowl at tinanggal ang suot niyang sapatos.

"Do-doc,"

"Stop talking, Hira!" Singhal ko sa kanya.

I reached the shower head and slightly open it as I turned on the cold water. Tinapat ko iyon sa hita ni Hira na kaagad niya namang Itinaas ang palda nito. Napalunok ako ng makita ko kung gaano ka kinis ang hita nito. Napaluwag ako ang suot ng necktie sa init na nararamdaman ko. Fuck. I'm burning.

"D-doc..." Her voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to look at her, my expression clouded with anger. I couldn't fathom how she could be so reckless as to allow herself to get burned by the hot coffee.

But my frustration only intensified when I felt the burning sensation within me, a relentless reminder of the desire I couldn't act upon. Damn it.

Her black-pitched eyes met mine, and I found myself ensnared by the intensity of her gaze. She looked at me with an expression that mirrored a lost kitten, innocent and vulnerable. Damn it again. How was I supposed to avoid her stares when they seemed to pierce through my defenses with such ease?

"Doc, basang-basa na ako..." wika nito. Para akong nabingi sa sinabi niya.

She's wet already? Bumaba ang tingin niya kaya nasundan ko ito. Kaagad ko namang nilayo ang shower head sa kanya. Basang-basa nga ito.

I chuckled, the sound serving as a release valve for the tension that had built up between us—or perhaps just within me. If I didn't, I feared I might act on impulses that I wasn't ready to confront.

Why did she have this effect on me? Why did it feel like she was setting me ablaze, igniting a fire within me that I couldn't control? She was like a walking inferno, dangerous and alluring in equal measure. And yet, despite the risks she posed, I found myself unable to tear myself away from her magnetic pull.