A Thousand Wounds

Wound 21

Wound 21

It's official. Cleyton Ruel Torres is my boyfriend now.

My heart felt so full with the realization, but behind all those, ramdam ko ang kabang unti-unting gumagapang sa aking sistema.

My friends had been so open about their opinion in my ill-fated relationship with Cleyton. That's why I'm afraid of what may happen if they would find out.

"We'd have to keep our relationship a secret, Cley.." marahan kong wika habang namamasyal kami sa Luisiana Park.

He stopped for a moment and glanced at me.

"W-Why?" the way he stuttered pinched my chest.

I know I'm hurting him again.

"For temporary only.. I'd just find time to tell my friends about us."

I held his hand, and my heart melted with how he poured his gentle gaze to me.

"I'm sorry that you have to deal with this.." I weakly spoke.

Mas lalong lumamlam ang kaniyang mga mata.

"You don't have to be sorry, baby. You know I have always wanted to show the world that I am your man, but if you want to keep it exclusive for the meantime, I understand, my queen."

He tightened his grip on my hand. "As long as I know that you are mine, I'm fine with it."

Napaawang ang aking labi sa kaniyang tinuran. Nang gawaran niya ako ng magaang ngiti ay napangiti na rin ako.

We decided to ride a boat afterward. He is holding my hand while guiding me to step on the boat. Nang makaupo ay hindi ko mapigilang mapahawak sa kamay ni Cleyton.

"What's wrong?" he asked as he busied himself in the paddle.

"Is this safe?" nangangatal kong wika.

Kaming dalawa lang kasi ang nasa bangka. He was the one rowing the boat, and paranoia is attacking my senses.

He chuckled kaya naman inis ko siyang hinampas sa braso.

"This is safe, baby," he assured me, but the worry etched on my face never faltered.

When he saw that, he held my hand with his right arm and gave it a light squeeze.

"Don't worry. I won't let anything bad happen to you, my queen," muli niyang pag-aalo sa akin.

I gradually nodded. As he rowed the boat, consciousness totally flew out of my system. Every time he turns the paddle, I can't help but stare at his flexing muscles. Napapaiwas na lamang ako ng tingin kapag mapapansin ang pag-iigtingan ng mga ugat sa kaniyang kamay.

To keep myself from those uninvited thoughts, I grabbed my phone and opened the camera. Itinutok ko ito sa kaharap, and when he saw me giggling, mabilis niyang iniwas ang mukha.

"Stop it," saway niya sa akin kaya naman napangisi ako.

"Why? You don't want a pic?"

Umirap lamang siya sa aking sinabi.

"Oh, camera shy pala ang bf ko.." I teased him, and he pouted.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sariling mapatawa. I always thought of him as the serious and sensible one, but the Cleyton in front of me is so adorable.

"Sige na nga. Ititigil ko na ho.." I conceded.

Sa aking paglingon sa aking kanan ay nanlalaki ang aking mga mata sa excitement.