Tiningnan ni Ocean si Aspen na nakaupo sa may living area. She was slumped on the carpeted floor while her things were scattered on top of his wide wood coffee table. She's got that serious look on her face, her curvy thick brows were drawn together, her eyes were slightly squinting, and her lips were pursed. While she stared seriously on the paper she held in her hands.
Inilagay niya sa plato ang inihanda niyang sandwiches at saka niya ipinatong sa wooden tray kasama ng dalawang baso na may ice at dalawang lata ng pineapple juice at bag ng chips. He lifted the tray and walked his way towards Aspen. He went down the three steps at ilang sandali pa ay nasa living area na siya at nakatayo sa harapan ng malapad na mesa.
"Babe, break muna, you needed to eat something," ang kanyang sabi rito. Tumingala sa kanya si Aspen at isang matamis na ngiti ang isinagot nito sa kanya. Inayos nito ang mga nakakalat na mga notes at books para bigyan ng espasyo ang tray na kanyang inilapag sa ibabaw ng mesa.
"Thank you, what did you prepare for us?" ang tanong ni Aspen na nanatili pa rin na nakaupo sa sahig na nababalot ng kulay dark gray na carpet.
Naupo siya sa sofa at ang kanyang tuhod ay kaliwang tuhod ay nasa tabi ni Aspen, "Uhm, nothing fancy, just some beef sandwiches and a bag of chips and of course, pineapple juice, sorry babe but, yung inorder ko na strawberry ay sa makalawa pa ang dating," ang kanyang sagot dito at bahagyang humaba ang kanyang nguso dahil nga sa disappointment na hindi niya maibigay kay Aspen ang hinihingi nito.
Isang tikom na ngiti ang gumuhit sa labi ni Aspen at ipinatong nito ang kanan nitong kamay sa kanyang tuhod, where she too rested her chin and she gave her that doe look in her eyes.
"Okey lang, alam ko naman na labis ang effort mo para maibigay ang gusto ko," ang malambing nitong sagot sa kanya. Her voice was like the sound of the morning breeze when it touches the leaves. It is soothing to his ears.
Isang ngiti ang iginawad niya kay Aspen and his left hand reached for her to touched her soft right cheek with the back of his hand. At naalala niya ang ginawa niya kanina sa frat house at ang paghihiganti na iginawad niya sa tatlong pinagpustahan si Aspen.
They must be terrified of thinking on what was going to happen to them, and that's all what he intended to do. Hindi siya estupido na gagawa ng isang bagay na puwede siyang balikan, he doesn't act on impulse and base on his emotions...except of course when it comes to showing his love to Aspen.
He instructed the three straight men na takutin lang ang mga ito and no sexual assault will happen nor physical abuse. But he only wanted them to get terrified and that will be a warning to those who abuses the fraternity para makapang-abuso ng ibang tao.
"You're smiling by yourself? Care to share it with me?" ang tanong ni Aspen sa kanya. Kumurap-kurap ang kanyang mga mata at bumalik ang kanyang diwa sa kasalukuyan at tiningnan niyang muli ang mga mata ni Aspen at hinaplos niya ng mas may riin ang pisngi nito. Hindi niya hahayaan na may mananakit pa rito, ang kanyang sabi sa sarili.
"I love you," ang kanyang sagot dito, "when I admitted my love for you, ay hindi na mapapantayan ang kasiyahan na nararamdaman ko, kaya naman, napapangiti na lang ako na mag-isa."
Aspen held his hand and she brushed her cheeks on the back of his hand while she too gave her a sweet smile.
"I love you Ocean at ikaw ang nagbigay ng saya muli sa aking buhay," ang sagot ni Aspen sa kanya na tumimo sa kanyang puso.
Isang buntong-hininga ang kanyang pinakawalan at naalala niya ang napag-usapan nila ni Aspen kanina, "Aspen are you sure na ayaw mo na sumama sa akin bukas?" ang tanong niya kay Aspen. Binawi ni Aspen ang pagkakapatong ng kamay at baba nito sa kanyang tuhod at bumagsak ang mga balikat nito.
BINABASA MO ANG
Always been You (completed)
Romance"Thou shall not covet thy mother's...LOVER" Hard headed, strong willed, and stubborn as mule. Those were the adjectives use to her by her mother. Aspen Palacio thought her mom's perception of her were all untrue. After all, she will never understand...