Chasing Admon Damien

Chapter 39

Kinaumagahan ‘nun ay pumasok na ako sa trabaho. Kahit naman pinayagan ako ni tito na um-absent kahapon ay nahihiya pa din ako.

Kapapasok ko pa lang sa loob ng opisina ko ay sinundan na kaagad ako ni Cindy. “Ano’ng nangyari kahapon?”

Ipinaliwanag ko sa kanya ang nakaraan. I explained it carefully so she would understand. “He just did that so we could talk.”

Humagalpak naman siya sa tawa tsaka tuwang-tuwang pumalakpak.

“Eh di, sinagot mo na? Kayo na ba ulit? Wait, I’ve read an article about him. Ang yaman niya pala and he lived here. Kaya naman pala pamilyar siya sa akin.”

Ibinaba ko ang bag at hinarap siya. “We talked and cleared things between us. I guess we’re fine now.”

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata. “Talaga? Hindi ka na lugi doon, noh? Ang hot na, gwapo at successful pa. Para palang teleserye ang love story niyo. In the end, kayo pa din talaga ang magkakatuluyan!” She exhaled dreamily.

I was about to answer her when we heard a knock on the door. I was dumbfounded when I saw tita Dana entered my office. I blinked several times. Am I just hallucinating? What is she doing here?

She flashed a gentle smile. "Good morning. Sorry to interrupt you, but Ava, can we talk?" 

I still wasn’t able to compose myself when Cindy politely excused herself. Para akong napako sa kinatatayuan ko, muli lang akong nabalik sa sarili nang isarado ni Cindy ang pintuan.  I cleared my throat to push away the nervousness in my chest. 

"G-good morning ma'am. Uh, upo po  kayo.” I managed to offer her to seat in a rattan chair while my knees are trembling.

"Salamat."  Umupo naman siya at sa harap niya ako umupo.  "Ang ganda naman ng opisina mo."  Her eyes roamed around the office, I still don't get why she is here. Nandito ba siya para pagsabihan ako na hiwalayan  si Adam? If that's the case, then I won't  listen to her now. I now know what I want  and I will fight for it. 

But her eyes are gentle and her voice is low. Dahil dito ay mas lalo akong kinabakabahan. Ano ba ang gusto niyang mangyari? "T-thank you, po."   I managed to say even if curiosity is consuming me

“You are the head of your department?”

“H-hindi po.” Nahihiya kong wika. It was tito’s idea. I know he had plans making me the head of our department. Akala siguro niya ay hindi ko narinig ang pinag-usapan nila ni Cindy.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay. “Oh, I thought you are.” Mahina siyang humalakhak ngunit hindi ko makita kung ano’ng nakakatuwa doon.

Nang hindi na makatiis ay nagkalakas ako ng loob na magtanong sa kanya. “Ano po ang sadya ninyo dito?”

She instantly composed herself, she looked stiff now. “W-well, I came here to clear up things. But first I want to apologize for everything I’ve done to you, Ava. You know, as a mother l am just protecting my son. I hope you understand me.” I can clearly see the sincerity in her eyes. Gone was the scowl on her face and the hatred in her eyes.

Tumango ako sa kanya..“Noon pa man ay naiintindihan ko na po kayo. I listened to you because I understand you.” Marahan akong ngumiti.  “And I will do that same thing if it was my son to. I will protect him whatever it takes. Or, I can do worst just to protect him.”

She smiled at me and stared briefly in my face with pain. Kapagkuwan ay bumuntong-hininga at nagpatuloy din. “When Adam woke up from the hospital, you were the first one he was looking for. Kasabay naman ‘nun ang pagragasa ng matinding sakit ng ulo niya. He was shouting and fights with the nurses and doctors. Ikaw lang ang hinahanap niya. Para mapakalma ay tinuturukan siya ng kung anu-anong gamot. Kung makikita mo lang ang kalagayan niya noon, maaawa ka sa kanya. I was so afraid. I’ve never felt that kind of fear in my entire life. Bilang isang ina, ayokong makita ang anak ko sa ganoong kalagayan.”

“Nang magising ulit siya ay hindi niya na kami maalala. Ang sabi ng doktor, epekto iyon ng aksidente kaya pabago-bago. Dalawang linggo pagkatapos nang patuloy na gamutan sa ospital, naalala niya kami. That time, I felt that something was wrong with him because he was not asking about you. I initiated telling him about you but the sudden headaches came again. It was unbearable I thought we would lose him. I was so afraid. Kung anu-ano ulit gamot ang itinurok sa kanya. Kaya natakot na akong sabihin ulit sa kanya ang tungkol sayo. Iyon din ang payo sa akin ng doktor noon. I don’t want to risk my son’s life, Ava. Nag-iisang anak ko siya.”

She paused to wipe away the tears on her cheeks. Pati ako ay hindi maawat ang mga luhang tumutulo mula sa aking mga mata. Napakasakit marinig ang mga pinagdaanang hirap ni Adam. Pero masaya ako dahil kinaya niya. If not, I won’t be happy again.

“The accident brought a very traumatic experience in our family. Hindi ko na siya pinayagang umuwi dito dahil baka sumakit ulit ang ulo niya. I know Limabu is special to him. Lahat ng makakapagpaalala sa kanya tungkol sayo, lahat ‘yun tinanggal ko. Ayoko nang maranasan niya ulit ang naranasan niya sa hospital.”

She looked at me with regret in her eyes. “I even told Adam to marry Katrina so he would totally forget about you. But my son refused.”  Ngumiti siya sa akin na para bang may naalalang maganda. "Kahit pala hindi ka naaalala ng isip niya, tumibok ulit ang puso niya sayo. Nang nakita kita sa opisina niya, natakot ulit ako para sa anak ko. Baka mapahamak siya at mas lalong hindi na makaalala. Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ka but I wished that he will remember you someday.  I know my son's only happiness is you. I witnessed it long ago."

Nagulat ako doon sa huling ipinagtapat niya at may humaplos sa puso ko.  “Salamat po, ma' am.” 

She gracefully laughed.  "It's tita, hija. Pero kung ako ang tatanungin, I would love you to call me mama. But of course, ayokong pangunahan ang anak ko!” 

Pakiramdam ko ay umakyat ang lahat ng dugo ko sa mukha dahil sa hiya. "S-sige po, tita." I stammered. Lumapad ang ngiti ni tita Dana.  I bit my lower lip. I didn't know it will turn out like this, I thought she will tell  me to leave her son alone. 

Ngunit nagulat kami pareho nang may kumatok sa pinto. We glanced at the door and we were surprised to see Adam. He was shocked  when he saw his mother.  

“Mama.” Masama ang tinging ipinukol niya sa ina. Siguro ay iniisip niyang nandito ang ina para utusan akong hiwalayan siya. Ngunit bago pa siya makapagsalita ay tumayo na ang ginang at sinalubong ang anak.

“Son, please don’t be mad. I came here to talk to Ava and apologize to her.”

The anger in his eyes eventually faded. His gaze went to me checking me if his mother was telling the truth. Ngumiti ako sa kanya upang patunayan na nagsasabi ng totoo ang ina.

“Oh. I need to go now, son. Marami pa akong aasikasuhin sa hacienda.” Pagpapaalam ni tita Dana. She glanced at me and smiled. Ngumiti naman ako pabalik. Adam kissed his mother’s head before she went out.  Hindi pa man nakakalabas nang tuluyan ang ina ay hinila niya na ako para mayakap nang mahigpit.

“What did she tell you, hm?” he asked while embracing me from my back.

“Nag-sorry nga siya.” Wika ko habang nilalaro ang mga kamay niyang nasa tiyan ko.

“And?” pakiramdam ko ay nakakunot pa din ang kanyang noo.

“Iyon lang naman.”

He kissed my nape before he speak. “I need to go back in Manila. Papa turned over his company to me. Marami akong aasikasuhin.”

Napangiti ako. He is the only heir so…

“Sobrang busy mo na pala niyan?”

Mas hinigpitan pa niya ang yakap sa akin. His head now rested on the crook of my neck. “Sasama kana sa akin pabalik ng Manila?” he asked instead.

Napalingon ako sa kanya dahil sa sinabi niya. His eyes are hopeful. “Hindi pwede. I need to finish my project here.”

“Matagal pa iyon.” He looked problematic now.

“Ilang buwan nalang.”

“Tagal.” Reklamo pa din niya.

“You can visit me here when you are free.”

Bumuntong-hininga siya. “I will miss you so bad.” Alam kong wala siyang magagawa. I know deep inside him, he understands me.

Gumalaw siya sa likuran ko. Nagulat na lang ako nang may maramdamang malamig na bagay siyang inilagay sa aking daliri.  Nangilid ang mga luha ko nang  mapagtanto kung ano ito. Singsing. Hindi ako makapagsalita, gulat na gulat sa  nangyayari. 

“You will never get away from me anymore. You will marry me." He said while sniffing on my neck.  I stared closely at his ring. It is a diamond ring 

"Adam...”  I still can't find the right words to say. 

"Hindi pa naman ngayon kung ayaw mo pa. I just want to mark you mine, baby.” he whispered huskily. 

Yumakap ako sa kanya nang mahigpit habang umiiyak. Ang daming nangyayari, baka hindi ko kayanin ang lahat ng  pasabog ngayong araw na ito. 

He pushed me gently so he could kiss me. I returned his kisses with equal desire and passion.  “Yes, I’ll  marry you Admon Damien Claveria.” I whispered between our kisses.

He instantly stopped kissing but his lips still glued on my lips. “I love you Ava Crestia Claveria!”

True enough, he flied back to Manila the next day. Gusto niya pa sanang i-extend ang vacation niya dito ngunit kailangan na siya sa kompanya ng pamilya niya.

I am so proud of him, sa lahat ng narating niya. He put up his own company, now he’ll manage his family business.

It had been six months since that happened. Tinotoo nga niya ang sinabi kong pwede siyang dumalaw dito kapag free time niya. He visits me three to four times a month! Nagugulat nalang ako minsan na nasa opisina ko na siya. Friday afternoon ay nandito na siya. He stays for two days here. Madalas weekends siya nandito para wala akong pasok at masulit namin ang isa’t-isa. We oftenly go to their waterfalls having a picnic.

Time is too fast for those who rejoice, all right. Halos hindi ko namalayan ang nagdaang anim na buwan. Tapos na ang project ko sa Limabu at napagdesisyunan kong bumisita sa kanya. I didn’t inform him I’m  here in Manila so it’s gonna be a surprise.

Tinawagan ko siya upang itanong kung nasaan siya. He told me that he’s in his father’s company. I’ve never been there before but I’ll know the way.

I politely asked in the information desk about his office kaya lang ay tinanong ako kung my appointment daw ba ako. Labag man sa aking kalooban, I told them I am Adam’s fiancee.

They immediately turned me over to Adam’s secretary. Kita ko ang kaba sa mga mukha nila but I flashed a friendly smile at them.

Hindi na ako nagulat nang makita si Dona. She shrieked in happiness when she saw me. Nagyakapan kaming dalawa.

“Ava, ah? Fiancee mo na pala si engineer?” nakakalokong ngiti niya. Nginitian ko lang siya tsaka tumango. “Well, may meeting pa kasi si sir, eh. Gusto niyo mo bang i-inform ko siya?”

I shook my head immediately to disagree. “No, no. Maghihintay na lang ako sa kanya.” If it’s  a meeting then I won’t meddle. Hindi ako magpapa-importante.

“Sure ka, ha?” kita ko pa rin ang panunukso sa mga mata niya.

“Yes. Okay lang ako. I’ll wait.”

“Okay. Sa opisina ka na lang  ni engineer maghihintay kung ‘ganun?”

I nodded at her. “Salamat.”

She guided me inside Adam’s office and asked me what I want.

“I’m fine. Kakakain ko lang, actually.”

“Sige. Maiwan  na kita dito, ha?”

Doon ko sa swivel chair niya napiling umupo. Nae-excite ako kung ano’ng magiging reaksiyon niya kapag nakitang nandito ako. Inilibot ko ang paningin sa kanyang lamesa. Napakalinis. Hindi pa din talaga siya nagbago.

Napangiti ako nang makita ang picture ko sa lamesa niya. It was a stolen shot. Nasa opisina ko ako sa aking table at may ginagawang kung ano.

I glanced at his computer and saw it was on. I tried to open it but got disappointed when I found out it has a password. I pouted my lips and think his possible password. I put my name but it didn’t open. Napasimangot ako. What could it be? I tried my birthdate and to my surprise, it opened. I giggled. You really do love me, Claveria?

Ngunit muntik na akong atakehin sa puso nang bumukas ang pinto. Ang seryosong  mukha ni Adam ang una kong napansin. Hindi ko man lang nakitaan ng anumang gulat sa kanyang mga mata. Maybe Dona already told him that I am here.

I smiled at him but I was stunned when his face still serious. Para akong nakagawa ng kasalanan sa paraan ng pagtitig niya.

Napakunot ako ng noo. What is your problem, Claveria?

Dahil sa nakikitang takot sa kanyang mga mata ay hindi ko magawang tumayo upang salubungin siya. Ang plano ko pa naman ay salubungin siya ng mahigpit na yakap at halik pero hindi ko magawa.

He looked so hot even if his eyes are dark. Habang lumalapit sa akin ay lumalakas ang tibok ng puso ko. When he was already in front me, my heart literally stopped beating.

Hinawakan niya ang swivel chair at iniharap ako ng tuluyan sa kanya. Napalunok ako. “Hey, are you m-mad?”

“You’re  here.” He briefly stated instead of answering my question. The dark aura in his face is still visible. I don’t know why is he behaving this way. Dalawang linggo kaming hindi nagkita dahil may business trip siya abroad. Pilit niya akong isinasama ngunit tumanggi ako dahil patapos na ang proyekto ko. Gusto ko ngang madaliin upang matapos na kaagad.

“I miss you so bad.” I said instead. I touched and caressed his handsome face“I... I love you!” hoping that the frown on his face vanish. And this is what I really feel. I do love him with all my heart.

Instantly, he stared at me longingly.  Nakatitig  lang kami sa mata ng isat-isa. There's a defeaning silence between us. I sadly pouted. “Didn’t you miss-

But then he lifted my chin to give me an earth-shattering kiss. In between our kisses, I smiled a little. I know he misses me too the way he’s kissing me. Our kisses deepen. No one wants to let go. He kissed me on my neck and that made me moan. 

His kisses went down and gently bit my breast that is still covered with fabric.  I am wearing a white dress with a low neckline and reached above my knees. Kaya naman nang ibaba niya ang strap ng dress ko ay lumantad na agad ang brassiere ko. He easily unhooked it and put one nipple inside his warm mouth.

Napaliyad ako sa kakaibang sensasyon. I wrapped my legs around his waist not wanting to let him go.  He rested his face on my neck.  “I miss you. You came here so sexy, I just want to make love to you.”

“I want you… so bad.” My voice is filled with pain and pleadings. I miss him so much. “I want you-

He softly cursed and captured my lips again. His both hands are massaging my breasts. My eyes were closed, enjoying this feeling he’s giving me.

He lifted me up. I know what he wants so I held my underwear and put it down. His stare turned darker as the night. He is like a lion ready to devour me. I mentally grin wickedly. Gustong-gusto ko kung gaano siya kabaliw sa akin.

He massaged my buttocks and kissed me languidly. My hands moved to touch his hard on. I heard him curse and impatiently open his zip. His lips came back to my breast and bit my pinkish nipple. He is biting and licking it alternately I can’t help but moan with pleasure. I held his hard on and felt it throbbing and pulsating in my bare hand. Napakagat ako sa aking pang-ibabang labi. I know lust is written all over my face. And I don’t intend to hide it from him.

He stared at me darkly before he entered me. The pain is unbeareble at first but when he started to move, it eventually vanished. Napalitan ng masarap at nakakakiliting pakiramdam. He is so warm inside me.

I looked at him and his eyes are closed tightly while pushing and pulling  inside me.  When his pace became faster, I held the side of the table to find support while my other hand was on his neck. He is pushing so deep and fast I can feel myself coming. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang malalakas na ungol hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang sariling nanginig. 

"Ah"  I felt his hot liquid inside me.

"Fuck."  Napakapit ako sa batok niya habang hingal na hingal. He embraced me so tight while catching his breath.  “I love you, wife.”

I smiled genuinely at that. My heart is overflowing with so much joy. He kissed my temple before he fix myself. Sunod niyang inayos ang sarili  niya.

When he's done, I gave him an envelope. Nakaupo siya sa kanyang swivel chair habang nasa kandungan niya ako. My hands are wrapped in his neck. My body is pressed against his hard body intimately.

He opened the envelope while eyeing me questioningly. I just shrugged my shoulders. Binasa niya ito at nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata. 

I stared at his handsome face, amused.  "So, iha-hire mo ba ulit ako?"  It is an application letter.  

Matamis siyang ngumiti at hinalikan ako sa mga labi. “You’ll start tomorrow. Ipapaayos ko ang office mo.”

“Office ko? I don’t need that. Okay na ako kagaya nung dati.”

“No. Your office in Cebu gave me an idea.”

Sumimangot ako. “Ayokong may masabi sila.”

“You’ll gonna be my wife so, we’ll be needing some privacy.”

My smile turned wider this time. “Like this?”

“Like this.” We smiled at each other.

Hm. Hindi na din masama! Just thinking about it made me so excited and wild. 

Pagkatapos ng ilang sandali ay tumayo ako. “You done today?”

“Yes.” He stated hoarsely, still looking at me intensely.

I held his hands urging him to stand up. “Uwi na tayo.” I have a mischievous smile on my lips.

Hindi nga ako nabigo nang tumayo siya at yakapin ako nang mahigpit. “Let’s go home then, wife.”

In our story, I learned that we all experience to get discouraged. To get hurt. Not everything we wanted will go according as planned. Adam and I had a lot of plans for our future. For our future family. But everything vanished in an unexpected way. A tragedy kept us apart.

But… what I learned is love will take us back to where we truly belong. Our love took us back in each other’s arms.

We have different ways on how we cope up when our plans didn’t succeed. Some, they just go with the flow, thinking that it’s not really meant for them. But some, they find other ways to get the things they ever wanted in their life. Hindi nila isusuko kasi mahal nila.

I promised to chase Admon Damien pero hindi ko napanindigan. I left him because I thought it was the best thing to do. For his own sake. Kung mauulit man ang nakaraan, gagawin ko pa rin iyon. Aalis pa rin ako. Because that’s how I love him. I’ll  do everything for him. To make him safe.

When we chose to give up something we love, we must be prepared for the consequences. Good or bad. Noong iniwan ko si Adam, alam kong magiging malungkot ako na wala siya. Alam ko ang magiging epekto nito sa buhay ko. Alam kong hindi ko matatagpuan ang kasiyahan na nararamdaman ko sa piling niya sa iba. I was ready. I was ready to wallow in loneliness but then he saved me. He never lost faith in our love.

Dahil doon, mas lalo kong napatunayan kung gaano ka-wagas ang pagmamahal niya sa akin. Napatunayan ko na kahit anong mangyari ay ipaglalaban niya ako. That’s why I just made the right thing. The best decision I’ve ever made in my entire life is choosing Admon Damien Claveria to be my best half.