Professor's Pet Series: Quinn Ellis

XXXVI. Official

"Please, baby, open your eyes for me." I mumbled, crying happy tears for being able to hold her and feel her once again.

I remained that way for a while. Silently crying on her shoulder, my face nuzzled on the crook of her neck. Suddenly, I can feel a slight pressure in my hand. Agad napaangat ang  aking ulo at tinignan ang mga kamay naming magkahawak. Nakita ko kung paano dahan-dahang gumalaw ang mga daliri niya, trying to give my hand a squeeze. Kumurap pa ako ng ilang beses, thinking I might be seeing things, but, I can feel the pressure as she gently squeezed my hand. Mabilis akong nag-angat ng tingin, at hindi ko na napigilang mapasinghap ng makitang bukas na ang mga mata nito, at nakatingin sa akin.

I bit my lip to hold back my tears when I saw her lips curving up in a small smile. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sariling sugurin ito ng yakap.

"Oh, baby, you're awake. Thank god, you're awake." Hagulgol ko sa leeg nito. Ilang sandali rin akong umiyak lang. Trying my best not to squeeze her too tight, and avoiding her injuries.

"M-miss, I.. I want to.. to see you. Look at me, p-please." I heard her beg in a very hoarse voice. The voice I so long to hear for a while now. Inangat ko ang ulo ko saka tumingin sa mukha nitong mas mukha ng may buhay kaysa kanina. Mas lumawak rin ang ngiti nito sa labi. Slowly she cupped my face, as she stared at me intently, seemingly memorizing every feature.

"I dreamt of this face a few times. It's a freaking nightmare." Mahinang bulong nito. Hinawakan ko ang kamay nitong nasa pisngi ko. Wanting to feel her warmth, to assure myself that she's finally awake. Tuloy-tuloy din ang pag-agos ng mga luha ko. Lumunok ulit ito ng mariin bago nagsalita.

"In my dream, Kelsey and I were driving really fast. And, then out of nowhere, I saw you crossing the highway. But.. b-but it's too late. Kelsey, s-she.. she will hit.. I saw you dea--" Hindi na niya maituloy ang sasabihin dahil tumulo na rin ang mga luha nito.

"Shh! Baby, no. No, I'm alive. I'm okay, I'm right here. Please, calm down." Pilit ko itong pinapakalma dahil 'yong heart monitor niya began beeping like crazy.

I wiped away her tears as I stood up to get some tissues. Kaso mabilis niya nahawakan ang braso ko.

"Where are you going? Please, Miss, don't leave me." Pagmamakaawa nito. Yumuko ulit ako to give her forehead a kiss to reassure her.

"I'm not going anywhere, baby." I wanted to say 'I promise'. But, I remembered how it  turn out ng unang beses na mangako ako sa kanya. I knew how I hurt her badly that time.

As I continued to wipe away her tears, she slowly pulled me closer to her before kissing me on the lips. It was just a quick peck, pero hindi ko na napigil ang sarili ko. I kissed her once more, this time a little deeper. I had to pull back after a while, and remind myself that Quinn's still lying in a hospital bed. Masyado akong nadadala ng emosyon.

I pulled back and looked at her. Nakangiti na ulit ito, at hindi ko rin maiwasang ngumiti pabalik. Oh, how I missed that mischievous smile.

"Are you really here, Miss?" Tanong nito pagtapos akong pagmasdan sandali. Tumango naman ako dito as I held her hand tighter and caress her cheek.

"I am, Merced." Sagot ko habang pinagmamasdan ang maganda nitong mukha.

"Merced? Kanina lang baby tawag mo sa akin." Nakasimangot na sagot nito, and I had to roll my eyes. She really is back.

"Fine, baby." Lumawak naman muli ang pagkakangiti nito ng marinig ang sinabi ko.

"That's better. Now, come gimme a kiss, Professor." Tiningnan ko na ito ng masama. Is she power tripping me? In the end, wala din ako nagawa ng abutin niya ang batok ko at gawaran muli ako ng mainit na halik sa labi.