The Opposite of Hate (Upper Crust #1)

Chapter 43

Chapter 43
"Blame"

Kumapit ako sa kanya. Masyadong mahirap igalaw ang mga paa ko dahil sa suot na heels. They got tangled on the hem of my dress. Binuhat niya na ako at naglakad papuntang hagdan. Hanggang balikat niya lang ang tubig samantalang lagpas na ito sa ulo ko.

"Bakit ka pa lumusong? Kaya ko namang lumangoy."

"Maghihintay pa ba akong mapano ka?"

Nakagat ko ang labi ko. Tumitig ako sa seryoso at madilim niyang mga mata. Ramdam ko ang lamig, hindi lang dahil sa pagkakalublob sa tubig, but realizing what just happened a while ago. Two ladies-not just ordinary girls-could actually stoop low just to fight for him. Pinag-aagawan siya. And it's not just them who seeks his attention. Marami pa, mula noon hanggang ngayon. Hindi sila kumukonti, they keep coming.

"May gusto ka na ba kay Dove?" I said in a small voice, parang hindi galing sa akin. It sounds so insecure. "Did you catch feelings for that Dove while with her? Is that why you're having second thoughts?"

Natigilan siya. He gazes down at me. Bahagyang kumunot ang kanyang noo.

"Let's get back together, please?" I whispered, a bit hysterical. "Please, Aris?"

I know being insecure is wrong. Pero hindi ko lang ma-control ang nararamdaman. Akala ko sagad na iyong kay Viviana, pero hindi pa pala. Siguro dahil na rin iyon sa kaalamang Dove was with him after I broke his heart. Hindi malayong magustuhan niya si Dove. Two years is already long enough para mahumaling siya sa iba lalo pa at nasaktan siya. Although, it wasn't the same for me. Maybe because ako ang nanakit at nagsikil ng tunay nararamdaman. Iyon ang kanina ko pa pinag-iisipan ng malalim. I have never been so bothered that I feel restless.

"I already said I am sorry that I hurt you, and that I love you."

Hindi ko gusto na ganito siya. It feeds my monsters. He was always quick to assure me dati. Kaya niya agad itaboy ang insecurities ko. Hindi pa ako nangamba at natakot nang ganito dati. Ironic, how he is the reason of many of my insecurities, yet he can easily mend it.

Tiningnan ko siya sa namumungay na mga mata. Dahil buhat niya ako, magkapantay na ang paningin naming dalawa.

"Baby, please?" halos magsumamo ako sa kanya. Hinaplos ko ang nakaigting niyang panga. I feel so weak in his arms.

"Love me back." Huminto ako para pakawalan ang bara sa lalamunan ko. "Even if it's less now."

Bumitaw ang isang kamay niya sa akin. It flew to my neck. His thumb was on my jaw. My eyes shut close nang yumuko siya at siilin ako ng halik. Hindi iyon malambot at malumanay. It was hungry and almost punishing kiss. He tastes wine, bitter and sweet, and a bit of mint. I cupped both his face sa paglalim ng halik. It's like finally finding an oasis in the middle of a vast desert-a rain after a long drought.

I was panting when he removed his lips from mine.

"I can't imagine loving you less." Nakapikit ang mga mata niya at nakadikit ang noo sa akin. When he opened his eyes it blazed with a lot of emotions. "Kaya pa kitang mahalin ng mas matindi."

It made my heart ache in delight. Nag-init ang sulok ng mga mata ko. I smiled despite the continuous contracting of my heart.

Inabot ko ang labi niya at mariin siyang hinalikan. I feel like my heart would swoon in extreme feelings for him. Then his tongue makes its way to my mouth and I welcomed it with mine. Mas kumapit ako sa kanya. Lalo pa niya akong kinabig padikit sa kanya. The sloppy kisses send me to frenzy.

He stopped just when I was about to lose my breath. Nakaawang ang labi ko sa paghahabol ng hininga.

"Akin ka na ba talaga?" he whispered dangerously.