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After taking a shower at Rheyna's place, I went straight home. Refusing any of her dad's attempts to keep me there longer. 'The pancit canton1Filipino stir-fried noodles was really tempting, though... Freshly served out of the pan, the sauce glistening under the light... Fuck, I was salivating a little.' as I was reminiscing about the delicious bait I narrowly avoided, I arrived at my front door.
"I'm definitely cooking some later as a snack." I say to myself, already picturing the savory noodles.
I bring my knuckle to the door and tap it with moderate strength. "Pa, open the door po." I call out in a relatively loud voice. And soon after, I hear a loud thud inside. And before I could theorize what it was, the lock on the door clicked and swung out open.
Behind it was not my father, but Bea, my cousin. Knitting her brows as she stares intensely at me with a frown on her face. "What did you do at your friend's house?" she instantly asked. 'Is she angry we didn't go home together?'
"Sorry that we didn't go home together, Bea. Rheyna suddenly invited me to play at her place, so I went." I explained, hoping it will suffice. Instead, Bea's gaze narrowed. "That fucking bitch..." she muttered under her breath. "Huh? What was that?" I tilt my head slightly to the side and lean in, not catching what Bea just said.
"Nothing." Bea quickly responded. "What did you two play?" she questioned, and it sort of feels like I'm being interrogated right now. "Uh.. could we talk about this later? I'm pretty tired right now." I say before walking past Bea.
But before I could take a third step, I felt a hand grab my shoulder, almost yanking me back. I look over my shoulder and see Bea leaning close, sniffing the air around me. "What're you doing?!" I yell, shoving her hand off and taking a step back from her. 'There's nothing out of the ordinary... Did they really just play around?' Bea thought to herself. "I thought I smelled vape smoke from you, but it seems I was mistaken."
'Vape..?!' the accusation shook me internally. My lips falling into a frown. "Bea, you know how much I detest cigarettes and vapes."
Bea shrugs. "I know. I was just checking, kuya Mark."
"... Right... I'll be in my room for a bit." I say before turning around and walking away from the awkward situation Bea created.
'... Maybe I'm just on edge after what that busybody said to me.' Bea thought to herself, watching Mark disappear upstairs.
'I'm glad tito2uncle. Also used to refer to men older than the subject/speaker. let me shower before leaving. I would've been so conscious if I walked home smelling of sex. And they even had the same shampoo I use.'
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Several hours later. Night time, after dinner.
"Ah~ The bed feels so good after a hard day's work!" I say with glee. My tired body sinking into the mattress.
Staring at the ceiling, the events of today began replaying in my head. "I really lost my virginity earlier, huh? It was... incredible. So much more romantic than I could've imagined." looking back on it all, I couldn't help the goofy smile creeping up my lips. "I can't wait for tomorrow..! I'll be lovey dovey with Rheyna! Oh, but should we keep a low profile in school? Ooo~ Maybe we could find a secluded area for some risky school sex!" I practically squealed, turning around I faceplanted into my pillow while I hammer the mattress with my feet all giddy-like.
"I really can't wait! Oh-" I push off the bed and reach for my phone. "There's something I can do with Rheyna right now!" my lips shifting to a wide grin as I press the video call button. With every ring, my anticipation only grew.
Until finally Rheyna picked up. My girlfriend's face appearing on the screen. "Rheyna!" I call out with excitement. My lips parting into a wide smile. On the other end, Rheyna is acting all shy and timid like before, but now I find it absolutely adorable. 'Must be the boyfriend lens.'
"H-Hey there, Mark! Are you, uh- doing alright?" Rheyna stammered, her eyes darting between the screen and whatever is there to the side.
"Mhm~ I just finished eating dinner. I cooked sweet and sour fish, and it was delish! How about you, Rheyna? What did you have for dinner?" I ask, my heart fluttering in my chest. Right now, for the first time in two lives, I'm video calling my girlfriend!
'I've always been thankful for being reincarnated into this world. Especially with the memories of my past life.'
"Well... papa made some afritada for dinner. He used to run an eatery, so his cooking is pretty good. But..." Rheyna trailed off. Her gaze drifting to the side as she scratches her cheek. "I'm curious about your cooking, Mark..." she muttered.
My eyes go wide at what Rheyna just said. My cheeks growing warm too. "W-Well... If you're curious... I can make you lunch sometime... Or would you rather visit my place so you can have it fresh?" I say, my cheeky facade faltering from embarrassment.
"!? N-No! I'm, uh, not ready to meet your parents, yet..." Rheyna stammered.
"But you didn't have any qualms about taking me to meet your dad, did you?"
"Ugeh! T-That was unintentional! I thought he'd be somewhere else!"
"Sure~ Likely story~" I teased. "No, I really did! On Wednesdays he's usually at my uncle's!" Rheyna retorts, bringing her face close to the camera. The sight beckoning a chuckle from me. "Hahah- Hey your face is too close to the cam-" but before I could finish, the sound of knocking cut me off. I look to my door then back at my phone.
"Sorry, Rheyna. I'll call you back before bed." I say, feeling a little annoyed my call with my girlfriend was interrupted. "It's alright, Mark. See you later." Rheyna says with a smile. And even though I wanted to continue talking to her, I ended the call and walked over to my door. The knocks still haven't stopped.
Grabbing the knob, I twist it and pull the door open. Revealing the culprit of the knocks being none other than Bea. "Do you need something, Bea?" I ask with a neutral expression.
With a smile on her face, Bea stared back at me. "Help me practice for my roleplay, kuya Mark." she says in a tone that seems like she's certain I'll accept. But to her surprise, I shake my head. "Not today, Bea. I'm too tired. I'll help you practice tomorrow after school, okay?" I say in a calm voice, politely rejecting her.
With that, I start closing the door. "Wait!" Bea calls out. Her palm pushing against the door, stopping me from closing it. "You just have to read some lines! We can do it on your bed!" she says, impatience in her voice.
I shake my head again. "No, Bea. Let's just leave it to tomorrow, okay? I wanna go to sleep now." I resume closing the door. "Wait- I have some relaxing music-"
"Goodnight, Bea." with a thud, the door closed shut. The lock's mechanism returning to place. "Yosh... Time to call Rheyna again so I can tell her goodnight." with a smile creeping up, I head back to bed and press the call button.
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Meanwhile, outside Mark's door.
Bea stands still, her flip flops firmly in place. Her left hand tightening into a fist. Nails digging into her palm. "Shit... I wanted to do it tonight..." she mutters to herself.
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The morning after.
"Huh... It's raining..." I say to myself, watching the downpour outside my window. The droplets hammering against the iron sheet roofs.
As I was looking out the window, three knocks echoed from my door. "Bea?" I mutter to myself.
Walking over to my door, i twist the knob and open it. Standing outside, with a smile on her face like yesterday is Bea. Holding up her phone's screen to me. "Mayor Aling just suspended classes for all levels." she says, holding back her excitement.
"Since we don't have school today, help me practice all day, okay?" Bea grins.
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