Nowhere To Be Found

27. Rhysand

Ashanti Farrah Belamour

"I love you," Rhysand stated.

I had such a hopeful expression on my face as I stared into his eyes, recognizing how serious and earnest he was. I felt his hands around my waist and his gaze never left mine. His other hand reached up and pressed against the back of my head, forcing me to lean against his chest.

For a little period of time, he held me in silence, as if we were communicating through our emotions, through our hearts.

"You mean that?" I could hear his heart beat. My ears are slightly placed against his chest.

If I focused enough attention on my heart beat, I could nearly hear my own heartbeat. I wondered if he could hear it, or if he could feel my heart beat as well.

I couldn't help but admit that I had been looking forward to this moment. His declaration of love for me.

"I really mean that, Farrah," He muttered, full of sincerity. "And, I don't know what to do if I lose this chance to be with you. I no longer interested about love, but when you came into my life, you just made me got an interest about it,"

My lips parted, but even a single word didn't come out of it. I remained silent while listening to his confession. Yes, his confession! I no longer have feelings to confess. Umpisa pa lang ay alam naman niyang mahal ko siya.

"I really don't believe in courtship," he stated. "Just marry me,"

Agad akong umalis mula sa pagkakayakap niya. Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay saka inirapan. Umalis ako sa harapan niya, saka naglakad papunta sa pintuan.

Akma kong bubuksan ang pinto nang pigilan niya ako. Mahina siyang natawa nang harapin ko siya nang masasama ang mga tingin.

"Aguy," natatawang saad niya. "Nagalit na nga,"

Humalakhak siya para patuloy akong asarin, ramdam kong pulang pula na ang mukha ko sa inis nang dahil sa mga ginagawa at pinagsasabi niya.

"Hindi ka na tumatanggap ng joke?" nakangusong saad niya, tila napipilitan pa sa ganoong akto.

"Did you say a joke in the beginning?" I asked sarcastically.

He shrugged his shoulders, and scratched his head, lightly. "Ayaw mo nang kasal?" nagtatakang tanong nito, ramdam ko ang pagiging seryoso niya.

"Bata pa ako," seryoso kong sagot, nakanguso.

Mahina siyang natawa saka ginulo ang buhok. "Ayaw mo no'n? Magkakabata ka na rin pagkatapos ng kasal?" natatawang biro nito.

Hinampas ko siya sa balikat, walang tigil. Tawa naman ito nang tawa habang sinasangga iyong sunud-sunod kong paghampas.

Natatawang huminto siya sa pagsangga, hinawakan niya ang dalawa kong palapulsuhan para patigilin ako.

"Tama na," natatawang aniya bago napailing. "Being tired is not good for the baby," Muli siyang napahalakhak.

"Siraulo ka," nahihingal kong saad, natapos ang sunus-sunod at walang tigil kong paghahampas sa kaniya. "I am model for Pete's sake, Rhysand!"

Natawa siya, nangangasar ang kaniyang mga tingin. "Alam ko, Farrah..."

"And, what made you think that I am going to be impregnated by you, huh!" I exclaimed.

Muli na naman siyang natawa sa hindi mabilang na pagkakataon. "Hindi mo sure ang buhay, Farrah," he shrugged his shoulders.

Ngumiwi ako saka napairap. "Kontrolado ko ang buhay ko, Rhysand!"

Tumango siya. "Tama ka, kontrolado mo," He chuckled. "Pero, anong magagawa mo kung magkakaanak tayo?"

Tumawa naman ako. "Eh, hindi mo nga ako magawang ligawan, Rhysand! Sus! Ano ba iyang pinagsasabi mong kalokohan!" naghahamon kong saad, nakangisi.

"Ah," He pushed his tongue against his cheek while breathing. He already knew I would say that but he just couldn't accept his defeat. He striked for another remark. "Huwag mo akong hamunin, Farrah,"

"Hindi naman kita hinahamon, Rhysand," napapailing kong saad, pinapakita na medyo seryoso ako. "Baka.. hinahamon mo ang sarili mo?"

"Ayoko lang sana dumating sa puntong hindi ka pa nakakasal, pero may anak ka na," natatawang aniya, sa pagkakataong ito, tila seryoso na nga siya.

He walked towards the door. "I was joking earlier, don't take it seriously." He sighed. "I would never let you lose your career,"

It was another tiring but fun day of being an assistant of my Dad. He was having so many meeting lately, and I am always with him throughout the meeting. I had never leave him, because I am pretty sure that he needs my assistance.

Six months had passed since Rhysand started to court me. I don't think that courting was a bad idea, though, it looks exciting. Dad challenged Rhysand, he made him do something that was reckless, hard, and dangerous.

Pero, hindi iyon tinanggihan ni Rhysand. Hindi siya nagreklamo sa mga mahihirap na pinagawa ni Papa sa kaniya. Tinanggap niyang iyon nang buo, at walang pagrereklamo.

Even, when my Dad made Rhysand questioned his greatness in his own field. He challenged Rhysand until that day comes when he was the one who gave up on Rhysand.

Rhysand admitted that he took my Dad's challenges as a joke one. He just really wanted to impress me, and my Dad in his greatness and skills.

"It's not that hard," Rhysand said. "But, I was mentally challenged," He laughed and shook his head.

A little laugh escaped my lips too. "I thought you don't believed at courship?" I asked, a little bit curious. "Why would you let your self do some reckless things just for a woman?"

He nodded, and agreed to what I just said. "I don't believe in courtship, it's a waste of time, actually."

For the first time, I found my self clueless about love. I am being clueless but, this man gave me some definition about it. He made love meaningful for me.

I thought love was a kind of joke to all people. Some were taking love as a joke, and they don't really take it seriously. So, some people ended up crying because of one person's wrong definition of love.

Rhysand turned his gaze at the sky. "If I love the person, I'll tell her immediately away." He stopped. "But for you, I'll make an exemption. Just love me now, and I'll court you for the rest of our lives."

&.&