Maingat na umasok si Gerald sa kwarto ni Ashley. Tulog na tulog ang dalaga. Maingat niyang ibinababa ang gym bag sa may gilid ng bed at pinagmasdan kasintahan. He felt that strong urge to slid in beside her and make love to her but when he remembers how she had looked up at him with such trust everytime they make out, the control always wins even if its one of the hardest thing to do when she is so close. She looked innocent and extremely young ,his eyes detailed her slender form beneath the sheet. His loins tightened and shook his head. He decided to take a shower first. He went to the bathroom to take a shower.
After his shower, he quietly settled down beside her. He pulled the sheet over himself ,moved closer to her and put his arm over her waist .He could smell her, feel her warmth, hear her soft breathing. He cursed and kissed her.
"Natawa si Ashley," kala ko makakatiis ka."
Natawa din si Gerald, " sabi ko na nga gising ka eh." He pressed his mouth to hers.Their lips parted. Their tongues touched. As the kiss deepened, Gerald groaned , "we better stop , if we keep kissing like this , I dont know if I can wait ."
Affection shone from her eyes as she raised her head and pressed her lips into his again. "I love you so much!"she whispered in the dark.
He smiled. And at the risk of breaking his control, kissed her gently on the temple and closed his eyes.
They both slept in. Nagising lang sila sa boses ni Jase. Kinakatok na sila.
"Hoy kayong dalawa diyan, gumising na kayo, tanghali na no? Kung matutuloy tayong mag Christmas shopping , you better get up. It's almost 10 am." Nagtataray na sabi ni Jase.
Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Nagkatawanan. "Ibang klase talaga tong kaibigan natin. Ang taray." Nasabi na lang ni Gerald.
Babangon na sana si Ashley ng pigilan siya ni Gerald. "Dito ka muna, hayaan mo muna siya. "
"We are going out soon" sigaw ni Gerald para matigil na si Jase.
"Better be soon." balik sigaw naman ni Jase.
Gerald kissed her . "Good morning sweetheart, hindi pwedeng walang morning kiss bago bumangon. Pag kasal na tayo, hindi lang morning kiss, want more before I start my day." Pilyong bulong nito kay Ashley na hindi maiwasang mamula na nararamdaman ang init ng katawang ng kasintahan.
"Good morning to you too." Sabay kurot , we better get up. Ako muna mag shower ha, madali ka lang namang gumayak, have to dry my hair pa."
"Pwede naman kasi tayong sabay di ba? Mas exciting yun!"
Hinampas ni Ashley si Gerald at mabilis ng bumaba ng bed. "Panay ka kalokohan."
After an hour ay nasa mall na nga ang apat. Kasama din nila si Colin. Gusto man nilang maglakad na lang sana ay hindi nila nagawa dahil kasama nga nila si Gerald. Baka daw pag may nakakilala sa binata ay pagkaguluhan sila kaya nag drive na rin sila , gamit sasakyan ni Colin. Nag brunch muna sila sa isang kilalang restaurant dahil pare pareho silang hindi pa nag breakfast.
Napagkasunduan nila sa first 2 hours ay magkasama muna sina Ashley at Gerald , Colin at Jase then magkikita sila uli duon sa restaurant at pag gutom sila , will eat something then magpapalit sila ng partner para naman para kung anuman ang gusto nilang bilhin for the other person ay mabili din nila.
Naging very productive naman ang two hours nilang magkasama. Bukod sa nag enjoy na silang nagkukulitan ay nabili ni Asley mga gusto niyang bilhin para sa mga taong malapit sa kanya. Ilang stores lang naman ang pinuntahan nila. Una nilang pinuntahan ay Lacoste. Duon namili si Ashley ng mga pan regalo para sa mga lalaki. Binilhan niya ng little something from Tiffany and Co sina Tita Vangie at Mama Charlene niya binilhan na rin niya ang mommy niya kahit alam niyang hindi din niya maibibigay in time for Christmas.
