Bewildered 🌸 (kja)

She Said What?

Harry and Liza drifted off to sleep entwined in each other's embrace. With unwavering determination, Harry made sure they never crossed the line beyond simple kisses and hugs. He vowed to do everything in his power to resist any temptation that might lead him to touch her, out of deep respect and admiration for her.

It's almost two in the morning, nang magising si Harry. Damn. Dapat ay inuwi niya na si Liza bago mag alas dose. Buti na lang at wala ang daddy nito sa bahay kung hindi, he will be dead.

His mind was foggy from jet lag as he gazed down at Liza, who was falling asleep in his embrace, but that fog lifted when he saw her stunning face.

What a beautiful sight...

Harry felt a sense of pride as he held Aphrodite in his arms. If Troy had Helen, he had his own Helen in Liza. (Helen of Troy is a renowned beauty in Greek mythology, and Aphrodite is the goddess of beauty.)

Ayaw niya pa sana na maghiwalay silang dalawa, but he has to take her back home. Napabuntong-hininga siya. "My doll," he whispered softly into her ears. "Wake up,"

She moaned in protest at isiniksik ang ulo sa dibdib ni Harry. Napakasarap ng tulog nito, ayaw ma isturbo.

Napangiti si Harry. "My doll, as much as I wanted to stay with you, I must bring you home before sunrise,"

Ngunit hindi man lang gumalaw si Liza. Nagkunwang tulog pa rin. Napakamot sa ulo si Harry. "Liza—"

"Yes, yes, 'to na, gigising na." Nayayamot at naantok na nagmulat si Liza. Inis na inayos ang magulong buhok gamit ang mga kamay. "I'm still sleepy!" reklamo nito.

Napakaganda nito tignan sa umaga kahit sabog ang buhok nito at walang hilamos. Kahit sa paghikab nito ay napakaganda pa rin nitong tignan. How is it possible for her to be so stunning and alluring in the morning? Napatawa siya nang mahina sa naisip. "Come on," Inalalayan niya itong bumangon. Nang hindi pa ito gumalaw para lumabas ng tent ay napailing siya at kinarga niya ito.

"Harry, I don't want to go home yet!" wika nito at bumusangot. "Can we just sleep for an hour before heading home?"

"You'll be late for school—"

"It's Saturday, Harry!"

Mas lalong sumakit ang ulo ni Harry dahil sa pagiging makulit ni Liza. He badly needed a long sleep later.

He buckled her seatbelt and seated her in the driver's seat. He gently said, "Alright, I'll pick you up for dinner tonight," and planted a light kiss on her lips. "It's a promise."

Biglang lumiwanag ang mukha ni Liza sa narinig. "Really?" she exclaimed with glee. "Later? As in tonight, Harry?" parang bata nitong wika at bumungisngis, kumikinang ang mga mata sa kasiyahan at excitement.

Harry smiled at her. She is stunning in everything she does. How is that even possible? "Yes, sweetheart," Umikot siya at pumasok sa driver seat and put his seat belt.

Unexpectedly, she declared, "I love you, Harry!" and Harry was caught off guard, almost jumping in surprise. His heart was racing with joy. He was taken aback by her sudden confession, leaving him at a loss for words. But one thing was certain, he was filled with happiness like never before. "I said I love you, Harry.." ulit ni Liza at makikita sa mukha nito na naghihintay ito ng tugon.

Harry gave Liza a startled and perplexed look. He was at a loss for words after Liza had confessed her love to him. Sa dami ng pinaghalong emosyon sa loob niya dagdag pa ang sakit ng ulo because of jet lag ay wala siyang may maisip na maaaring isagot. He did nothing but stare at her for who knows how long.

"It's okay if you cannot say it back yet, Harry," pagkuwa'y wika ng dalaga. Her voice carries a sense of melancholy. "I'll wait until you're ready,"

Sobrang nagulat si Harry sa rebelasyon ni Liza at hindi ito makaapuhap ng tamang salita bilang tugon. Inabot niya na lang ang kamay ng dalaga at dinala iyon sa kanyang labi at hinagkan. "Let's get going." Pagkuwa'y wika niya rito at nagsimula nang magmaneho. Hindi niya nakita ang lungkot na bumalot sa mukha ni Liza.

********

Mariane and Sixto shared knowing glances as their son joined them on the veranda for an afternoon snack.

"Where did you sleep last night at inumaga ka na nang uwi?" tanong ni Marian sa anak na mukhang antok na antok pa gayong kagagaling lang nito sa mahabang tulog. Pagdating nito kaninang umaga ay hindi na ito lumabas pa ng kwarto. Ngayon lang at mukhang gutom na gutom. "Hindi mo na kami nasamahan ng Daddy mo sa lunch kanina," Saglit niya lang ito tinitigan at muling ibinalik sa binabasang magazine ang mga mata.

Harry spread a generous amount of jam on his bread at nagsimula nang kumain and gulped an orange juice. "At our farm nearby," he replied, grumbling painfully because his head hurts. Inutusan nito ang isang katulong to get him pain relievers.

"With whom?" Marian asked once more.

"With Liza—aw! Mom!" gulat na naibulalas ni Harry nang paghahampasin siya ng kanyang ina ng hawak nitong magazine. "What is that for?"

"Harry, what in the world are you thinking huh? The Mortoni will kill you if they learn about this! Nag-iisang anak nila si Liza!" Singhal ni Marian sa anak.

Harry simply giggled at her mother. "Don't worry, Mom, I will marry their daughter in the near future, so relax, okay—" Oops! Kahit siya ay nagulat sa kanyang nasabi. So he was thinking about marrying Liza Mortoni? Wow! That is an absolute first! Alam niyang darating ang araw na kailangan niyang mag-asawa to produce an heir pero hindi niya naisip na mag settle down kahit kanino, ngayon lang—kay Liza lang.

"Harry!" inis na wika ng mommy niya at muling hinampas siya ng hawak nitong magazine sa braso.

Harry looked at his dad and tila bata na ngumuso na naghahanap ng kakampi, but his father was also scowling at him.

"Harry, huwag mo itulad si Liza sa mga babaeng pinaglalaruan mo." Sixto said sternly.

Mariane expressed her dismay, ssoing Harry, "Have you made a move on the girl? I can't bear the thought of facing Karen and Ronwel if they find out! This is absolutely mortifying!"

Harry let out a weary sigh. Mas lalong sumakit yata ang ulo niya. "Mom, Dad," he calmly said. "I haven't yet touched her—-aw! Mom!" Sumimangot siya nang paghahampasin siya nito ulit.

"Yet?! Do you have a plan then?! She's only eighteen for goodness sake!" Mariane eyed her son suspiciously. "Di mo ba kayang maghintay ng konting panahon?!"

"Mom, I have nothing but respect for her. Can't you see how much she means to me?" Harry protested. "If you're eager to become a grandmother, I'm more than willing to make you one—ouch! Mom!" Inis na pinukol niya ng tingin ang ina pagkatapos siya nito kurutin sa tagiliran. "I was made subject to so much violence at the hands of two beautiful women," he murmured. Kagabi lang pinagbabato siya ni Liza, ngayon ay pinagahahampas naman siya ng Mommy niya. "What's gotten into you women?"

Seryosong pinakatitigan ni Sixto ang anak saka napailing-iling. "You know what I promised Ronwel? Na kami ang gugulpi sayo pag niloko mo ang anak nila and I intend to uphold my end of the bargain." He warned Harry.

Maang na napatingin si Harry sa ama. Pagkuway napatawa ng pagak. "Hello, people! Could you please have a little faith in me?" tila na offend niyang wika.

Sixto poked Harry with the newspaper he was holding. "You have my complete trust in business, but not in women; I know how you treat your girlfriends, Harry." wika ni Sixto sa anak at pinandidilatan siya. "Umayos ka."

Iiling-iling ang binata habang sinusubo ang hawak na sandwich. "You people are unbelievable.." he murmured.

"But you know what," pagkuway wika ni Mariane at napabuntong hininga. "I really like that girl; she seemed so nice and plus factor na napakaganda ng batang 'yon," at nilingon sng asawa. "Right, Honey?"

Napatango-tango naman si Sixto. "Yes, Darling, I do like that girl,"

Maging si Harry ay napatango bilang pag sang-ayon, he then let out a sigh. "Me too, Dad. Me too," he mumbled unconsciously as he complained about his headache. "Damn this headache,"

"Next time, learn to sleep during a long hour of flight," Sixto sternly advised his son and gave his wife a knowing smile. They both made an effort to hide their laughter. Alam nilang parehong mag-asawa na sa sobrang sabik ni Harry na umuwi ng bansa para makita si Liza ay hindi nito halos magawang matulog sa byahe. Nakangiting napabuntong hininga siya saka napabulong ng, "Stupid in love." pag umiibig ka nga naman, oo.