Astonishing Us

XV

Nagkatitigan kami matapos ng pagbulong n'ya sa 'kin, ang bilis ng tahip ng dibdib ko habang titig na titig ako sa kulay berde n'yang mga matang titig na titig din sa 'kin.

Titig na titig ngunit napakagaan ng titig n'ya na para bang ako na ang pinakamagandang babaeng nakita n'ya sa mundo at na para bang takot s'yang pati sa mabibigat na titig ay maaari akong masaktan, pinapakita ng titig n'ya sa 'kin kung gaano n'ya ko gustong ingatan, nakikita ko iyon sa mga kislap ng kulay berde n'yang mga mata.

Hindi ako makapaniwala, everything happened so fast, was he saying he loves me? I mean that is what I read between the lines. But it's just been two weeks since we accidentally met in that club, how could he possibly love me in that short period of time? Nauna akong nagbawi ng tingin sa titigan naming dalawa.

I am afraid that just like how I mistook attachment to love when I was with Jaime, he was just misunderstanding what he feels for me.

It's just so fast that my mind couldn't process everything, the lyrics, the words nor his actions it was so unbelievable.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa mga hita n'ya.

"Magbibihis na ako, Ridge. Kailangan ko ng maghanda para sa runway mamaya," sabi ko saka tinalikuran s'ya. Hindi pako nakakahakbang palayo ng hablutin ni Ridge ang pulso ko na nagpaigtad sa 'kin.

"I know you're still traumatized on what happened between you two, you may not be affected by him, but not on what he did to you, I could see you're not believing what I'm trying to tell you, I can clearly understand. But please, Aether. Do not judge my feelings so easily, I'm sorry if I couldn't say it straight to your face, or if I'm sticking to these 'actions speak louder than words', I just, I just wanna tell you it when I finally got the urge and when I know you will finally believe it," an'ya mula sa likuran ko ng halos bulong na pero sapat pa din upang madinig ko.

"It's so fast I know, but I just found myself looking for you after you left me that morning, I got sleepless nights thinking how could I ask for apology or how could I see you again..." Ipinalibot n'ya ang matitibay n'yang braso sa bewang ko saka ko naramdaman ang masusuyong pagpatak n'ya ng halik sa tuktok ng ulo ko.

"...It just happened. I know you got trust issues in men on what he did to you, I hate to admit that seems like I'm gonna pay for what he did. I'm willing to work hard each day to earn your trust, Aether... but with you putting a label or not I couldn't promise you that I won't act like a jealous possessive boyfriend, because I will and I will, because I'm afraid I'm gonna lose you."

Pinaikot n'ya ko paharap sa kaniya bago naging magaan ang pagkakayapos n'ya sa 'kin, ang mapupungay n'yang mga mata ay lumamlam ng magtama ang mga mata namin.

Hinalikan n'ya ang noo ko ng napakagaan na para bang mababasag ako kapag naging marahas s'ya. He is holding me so light and soft that it is giving me the urge to cry.

I've never felt so treasured and secured like this aside from my mom's presence. Sinubsob ko ang mukha ko sa baba ng malapad n'yang dibdib at nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng marinig kung gano kabilis ang tahip ng dibdib n'ya gaya ng sa 'kin. Funny how I could only reach the bottom of his chest on how tall he was. I smiled with the thought.

This guy... How could I judge him so harshly? Like me he'd always been betrayed by the person he expected to be his ally. Niyakap ko s'ya at pinagsawa ang ilong ko sa pagsinghot ng natural n'yang mabangong amoy.

"Let me be with you in every moment please, Bubbles. I wanna be with you... Always"

"ANONG SAGOT MO?" Sabay na tanong nila Mira at Princess sa 'kin habang inaayusan ako ni Mira, pagtutukoy nila sa mga sinabi kanina ni Ridge sa 'kin.