How Do We Live?

Chapter 31: Healing

"Rahim! Seriously?" Hindi ko napigilan ang isang halakhak as I stand in front of him. Nakasandal sa kotse niya, at bahagyang tinatakpan ang mga mata. His ears were so red down to his neck.

"Shut up, Monique." Mariin niyang saad na sinegundahan ng sunod-sunod na mahihinang mura. I reach for his arms para tanggalin nang bahagya ang kamany na tumatakip sa mukha niya.

When he finally removes his hands out of his face, agad na bumungad sa akin ang namumulang mga mata. I couldn't help but put my lips on a thin line as I study him, teary-eyed and looking away from me.

"Hey." I call upon him at marahang hinaplos ang pisngi niya. Slowly stroking his strong jaw and trying to guide him to look at me.

"I'm not joking here, Rahim." I assured him na mas nagpatangis ng panga niya. As if he's been waiting for that confirmation all along.

"Are you sure?" He said with a low voice, on the verge of breaking. I immediately nod at him to answer his question. Isang singhap mula sa kanya bago niya ako hatakin papalapit.

In just a second, I was on his chest. His arms all around me, hugging me tightly. Tila takot na kapag bumitaw siya sa akin ay mawawala muli ako.

"Siguraduhin mong hindi ka nagbibiro sa akin, Monique." Mariin niyang saad bago patakan ng halik ang ulo ko. I laugh a little before embracing his huge frame too.

"Mukha ba akong may sense of humor, Rahim?"

"Oh, yeah. You don't have one." Pabiro kong hinampas ang braso niya dahil sa naging sagot. He just laugh at me before burying his face on my neck more.

"We should go inside, Rahim. Mamaya makita tayo ng mga kapitbahay ko."

"Hayaan mo silang mainggit."

"Rahim! Ano bang sinasabi mo?!" Natatawa kong saad habang kumakawala sa mga yakap niya. Nang tuluyan ng makita ang mukha niya, it was not emotional now. The proud smirk on his face says otherwise, bahagya pang tinanaw kung may makakita ba talaga sa amin.

"I'm serious."

"Seryoso 'rin ako! Pumasok na 'rin tayo. You're going to cook for me, right?" Isang taas nang kilay lang naging sagot niya sa akin bago muling hatakin ang bewang ko papalapit sa kanya.

I blush like a highschool girl when our eyes met. His dark blue orbs look at me with full adoration in them habang marahang inilalapit ang mukha sa akin.

"Kiss muna?"

"Ibrahim!" I gasp at him but to my dismay, he planted a kiss on my lips!

Another peck, and another one! His soft lips is really driving me nuts! Kung hindi ko pa tinakpan ng bahagya ang labi niya at inilayo sa akin ay hindi pa siya titigil!

"Rahim! Pumasok na tayo sa loob!" I pleaded with a full red face siya naman itong tawa lang muli ang naging sagot sa akin bago halikan ang pisngi ko at pakawalan ako.

He just grabs something inside of his car at pagbalik niya sa harapan ko. He's already holding two bags of groceries! Hindi ko napigilan ang hampasin siya ng bahagya dahil doon.

"Walang laman ang kusina mo, Monique. It makes me think that you're not eating enough." Saad niya bago nagsimulang maglakad na paalis sa harapan ko.

I couldn't help but protrude my lips as I open the door for him. Palihim na pinipigilan ang isang ngiting mamutawi sa mga labi ko.

God! This man! No wonder I can't replace him. His bare minimum was the highest other boys could go!

"So where did you go awhile ago?" Pagsisimula niya ng usapan nang mailapag ang mga grocery items sa countertop ko. I raise a brow at him na ipinagkibit-balikat lang niya habang binibuksan ang ref.