For The Stars Have Sinned

“It’s already late yet you didn’t eat your dinner,” said Lyndon. When he saw my sulking appearance, he flicked my nose and smiled. “Hop in. It’s my treat.”

The corner of my lips twitched. I didn’t hesitate and immediately got into the passenger seat of his pick-up. He drove the car out of pier one.

“There is a restaurant near Plaza Indepedencia. I heard they have good cuisine,” he said after a few minutes.

“Is that resto still open? It’s late,” I said.

He didn’t answer. I snorted and looked outside the window.

He suddenly asked. “Are you often like this?”

“Hmm?”

“This, eating late.” He glanced at me before turning the wheel. He looked at the road ahead again. “Skipping meals is bad for the body.”

“No. I always eat on time except tonight.”

The car went silent after that. I didn’t want to talk and he was silent during the whole drive.

The streetlights were open and the establishments were lighted up. I watched how the glass of the car window would flicker every time we passed by the streetlights that were several meters away from each other.

I closed my eyes and didn’t realize I fell asleep. I just woke up when someone tapped my cheek. When I opened my eyes, I saw Lyndon. I almost yelped when I realized that our faces were too close from each other.

“H-Hey,” I cleared my throat. “What are you doing?”

He straightened up and motioned for me to get out. I removed the seatbelt and got out of the car. I saw the big restaurant in front.

The cold wind blew strongly. It made the strans of my hair fly around. I quickly grabbed the hair and tied it up, turning to Lyndon. He’s talking to someone on the phone. I raised my eyebrows. It’s late and he’s still working? Or was he talking to that woman again? My face became grim and I decided to cross the street first.

Fortunately, there aren’t many cars passing through this part of Plaza Independencia and only a handful of people were walking on the sidewalk.

I stood in front of the calinderia and looked up at the bright 24/7 Joyce Kainan signage above. Good cuisine? Hmm… I approached the shelf where the dishes were served. There was still a pot on the side that I thought was filled with rice.

I stood there for a few minutes before I felt Lyndon’s presence by my side. I pursed my lips. “Done working?” I asked.

The corners of his lips rose. “You sound like a jealous wife, huh?” he joked.

Both my cheeks got hot and I rolled my eyes. “Shameless!” I then pointed to what I thought was a delicious dish.

The woman in an apron and a hairnet approached us. She smiled at us and attended to my order. I let Lyndon order after me while I went inside first. I looked for a good spot. There’s a table near the dishes which looked cleaner than the other tables. I chose to sit there.

Lyndon was carrying the tray where our orders were placed. He followed the woman in an apron carrying the rice. Lyndon placed the dishes on the table and thanked the woman before returning the tray. The woman just smiled and left while Lyndon sat across from me.

I reached for the dish and rice while secretly glancing at him. He was not bothered about my manners and just let me do what I want. I raised my eyebrows. I thought he was going to scold me again like what he usually does.

We ate in silence. After a while, I finished first and I glanced at him. He’s leisurely eating his fill. I looked away and turned my gaze to the entrance when someone bought was negotiating with the shopkeeper. After a few minutes, I looked down at the wristwatch. It’s past eleven o’clock and I still have a class tomorrow.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Aren’t you done yet?” I asked impatiently.

Why does he seem to be slower than me? I was done eating minutes ago!

He put the spoon down and looked at me. He picked up the table napkin from the side and elegantly wiped the side of his lips while staring into my eyes and I could feel his teasing smile in those eyes. I huffed.

“Why are you in a hurry?” he asked.

I frowned. “I have class tomorrow. I can’t wait for a prince like you!”

He raised his eyebrows at what I said and smiled. “I see. If you’ll ask me, I can give you a ride.”

“Don’t joke around. Why would you do that? I know you’re a city boy,” I said.

“You think so?” he asked, a smile still on his lips.

“Of course.” I pursed my lips. “You’re still not done? You’re too slow,” I complained and looked at my wristwatch again.

He laughed. “I’m living in Baclayan. It’s right next to Arbor so I’ll just take you to El Grande.”

“Oh.” I stared at him. “Are you serious?”

“Yes,” he said and stood up.

I also stood and walked after him who had already walked out of the building. I just waved at the shopkeeper before running after Lyndon.

But when my foot stepped out of the building, it suddenly started to downpour. I gasped as my body immediately got drenched in rain water.

“Rishel!” Lyndon called and immediately pulled me, seeking shelter from the building.

I cussed loudly and hugged myself as the cold wind blew.

What a bad luck!

It was very late and there weren’t many bars open except for the big bar a few meters away from the plaza. Adding to the fact that the cold breeze was blowing onto my body and it was freezing cold!

Lyndon pulled me closer to his body. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders. I felt warm and I sighed in relief. I glanced at him and saw that he was shivering in the cold.

I felt bad for him so I nudged his arm. “You’re cold. Get your jacket back,” I said.

My teeth chattered and I tried to control them but no avail. He looked down at me and smiled. “I can manage.” He sighed. “After this heavy downpour, it would be hard for us to take a long trip in the south.”

I nodded in agreement. The city was prone to heavy floods and it was a hassle to drive in this stormy weather.

While waiting for the rain to stop, the shopkeeper approached us. “Miss, it looks like it’s going to rain for the whole night. If you don’t have a place to stay tonight, you can book a room upstairs.” She pointed to the second floor.

I looked up and saw that it was an apartment house. I looked up at Lyndon. “What do you think?”

“We’ll take one room,” he said to the shopkeeper.

I raised my eyebrows. “One room?”

I insisted to Lyndon that I would get a separate room but when we reached the second floor, I found out that there was only one room available. I frowned. It would be bad if one of us will sleep in the calinderia.

“I can sleep in the hallway,” he presented and he really went out.

I was at a loss. I didn’t want to sleep in the hallway but my conscience wouldn’t let me settle knowing that I let Lyndon outside. Even more, I could clearly see how he shivered when the cold wind blew from the open window.

“Do you have spare clothes?” I asked the shopkeeper.

“Uh.” She thought for a moment. “No, Miss. But there is a free robe that you can use. There is also a towel in the bathroom to dry your hair.”

I guess that will do. That’s why I followed the woman to get two robes. I also went to the bathroom to get two towels.

While walking back to my rented room, I saw Lyndon lying on the floor opposite the door. I stood by his side but there’s no reaction from him. I realized he was asleep. I felt even more guilty.

He was tired from all day’s work so no wonder he would sleep that fast. I pursed my lips and nudged him gently. “Hey,” I called.

He woke up. His tired eyes stared at me. “Rishel?”

“Come on.” I sighed. “Follow me inside,” I said then opened the door for him.

He followed me inside the room like a lost child. The corner of my lips twitched to hold back a smile. I never knew that he got this cute side of him whenever he’s tired and sleepy.

“Here, dry your hair and change your clothes.”

He accepted the robe and towel I handed him. Since there’s no bathroom inside the room, he changed clothes in the corner. Of course I looked away and combed my wet hair.

“My things didn’t get wet, right?” I asked him.

“No,” he said. “I put a tarp on it.”

“Then, thank you.”

We were silent after that and I laid down on the bed. I watched him dry his hair in the corner of my eyes. Then I saw him lying down on the sofa. It’s only in that moment I realize that I had been holding my breath for a long time.

I thought he’ll squeeze himself on the bed but I never expected his consideration. A warm feeling spread in my heart.