Chapter 21
"But I need to take it slowly. . . I don't wanna rush you, baby." he continued, eyes are now yielding.
Because I was too flushed, I didn't know what to say. Gusto kong sabihin na gusto ko rin siya. Gustong-gusto ko rin siya. That I wanted to be in a relationship with him already. Pero ayaw niyang magmadali.
I don't know if I'll be happy with that.
"I'll court you, okay?"
Sa sinabi niya tuluyang natunaw ang namuong sakit sa aking dibdib kani-kanina lang.
He's gonna court me!
Then fine. I'll agree to his condition. We'll take it slow. Hindi rin naman iyon masama. Liligawan niya naman daw ako. I should be contented with that.
"You know I still think that you're too much for me." huminto siya, tumitig nang sandali sa akin saka nagbuga ng malalim na hininga. "Though I wanted you to be mine already, I still need to prove myself to you. . ."
"Sahil. . ."
"I want to be the man you deserve."
Gusto kong sabihin na sobra-sobra rin siya para sa akin. I was the one who first think of that. That he's too much for me.
I got home without realizing. Basta ang alam ko sobrang gaan ng pakiramdam ko. I feel like I'm flying. Tila nasa ulap ako't nakikisabay sa mga ibon na malayang lumilipad. I've never felt this feeling before. This was all new to me. Palagi namang bago kapag kay Sahil galing. Siya naman palagi ang dahilan.
That night, Sahil called me. Nag-usap kami magdamag at hindi sana iyon mapuputol kung hindi niya lang narinig ang paghikab ko.
"Go to sleep, Raquelle. . . and I'm sorry, pinuyat kita masyado." he said with his tender voice.
Walang magawa ang puso ko kung hindi ang tumibok ng mabilis para sa kaniya.
"Goodnight, Sahil. . ."
"Goodnight, baby."
Masyado akong nilulukob ng kasiyahan para maapektuhan sa mga ikinikilos nina Mommy. Hindi ko nalang iyon pinansin kahit na medyo nagtatampo ako dahil tila nakalimutan na nila ang kaarawan ko.
Before, they would always try to come home before dinner. Para sabay-sabay sana kaming kumain dahil doon nalang kami nakakapagbonding pamilya. But now, I think they also forgotten about that.
Kaya heto na naman ako ngayon kumakain mag-isa. I cooked chicken adobo since it's just easy to cook it. Nang matapos kumain ay naghugas agad ako at naglinis ng bahagya. Then I hastily ascended to my room because I was anticipating for Sahil's call. Ang sabi niya ay tatawag na raw siya gabi-gabi.
Nagpaalam pa siya sa akin. Who am I to decline?
"Tomorrow's your birthday right?" bungad niya matapos kong sagutin ang tawag.
"Yes. . ." I hummed.
How did he know? Wala naman akong nabanggit sa kaniya.
"Do you have plans?" he asked after a second, siguro'y nag-isip pa.
Hindi rin agad ako nakasagot. Should I tell him our plan? Pupunta kami bukas sa Isla Himlayan to celebrate it. Hindi pa nga ako nakapagpapaalam kina Mommy dahil ang tagal nilang umuwi.
"Hmm." sagot ko. "May pupuntahan kami. . ."
"Kami? Who's with you? Sina Tita ba?"
I smiled thriftily. Can't believe he can be cute too.
