Sweet Pacific Breezes (Provincia de Marina Series #4)

Kabanata 38

Kabanata 38

Sweet Pacific Breezes

Hindi ako makahinga. I felt like all of the air in my lungs had deflated and left my body. Hindi tumagal ang titig ko sa kaniya dahil parang nalulunod ako. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa railing dahil alam kong hindi na rin naman ako makakatakas.

Mas lalo siyang lumapit sa akin. I thought that he'd go after my lips but I just felt his hands on top of mine. I can feel my veins popping up because of how tight I clang on the stainless railing. Under his gentle hand, I seemed to relax. Magaan, hindi mapilit, at sadyang nakakakalma, that's the effect of his touch on me. Tumingin ako sa kaniyang mahabang pilik mata. His lashes weren't curled perfectly, and his brows had some outgrowing hair. Bahagyang nangingitim ang ilalim ng kaniyang mga mata and I realized his face got some light marks on it. May manipis na balahibo sa ibabaw ng kaniyang labi and the curved of his lips shaped like a perfectly thin cupid's bow. His lips were slightly chapped and reddish.

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa kaniyang mga mata. Nahuli niya akong nakatingin sa kaniya.

"You're the most gorgeous woman my eyes ever laid on," he changed the subject softly. From begging with longing to just merely uttering what was on his mind. Umangat ang kaniyang kamay at hinawi ang hibla ng buhok na humaharang sa aking pisngi.

"Liar," I said. It earned a chuckle from him, with one of his brows lifting. Patuloy pa rin siya sa pagtingin sa aking mukha.

Ang kaba sa dibdib ko ay unti-unting nawala. In fact, I don't know what to say to him if ever he just continued on begging.

"I may lie on some things but not this, Cleora," he inhaled. "You're breathtaking, like the view of sunrise in between mountains, a rainbow after the rain, a rain after the long drought, and the view of sunset over the horizon."

"Liar," giit ko pa rin.

"If I'm a liar, why couldn't I take my eyes off of you? Kung sinungaling ako, bakit ako mag-aaksaya ng panahon para lang pagmasdan ang mukha mo?"

He cupped my cheek, his thumb slowly caressing my skin. Ang mga mata niya ay nasa mukha ko pa rin at tila walang balak na mag-iwas ng tingin.

"You hate me, so why would you say that I was the most gorgeous woman your eyes ever laid on? What about your first love? Your first crush? Hindi ba dapat sila ang mas maganda sa paningin mo?"

"I do not fall in love based on outside beauty, Cleora."

"So do I have to thank you because you fell in love with me because I'm beautiful? I don't think that's going to make me feel better, Isidore."

Natigil siya sa paghaplos sa aking mukha at napatawa. The corners of his eyes wrinkled while his dimple made a depth on his cheek.

"You can't convince me to tell you that I fell in love with you at first argument, Cleora. I don't think that's a smart move."

"Enough about this," pag-iiba ko. Masyado na siyang malapit sa akin. And although I want him close, I don't think it was the right time for it.

"Hindi pa ba tayo aalis? Mainit na at ayaw kong magtagal sa ilalim ng araw," puna ko.

"Wait," pigil niya sa aking kamay. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at napataas ang kilay. Without ado, he pushed the back of my neck and smacked his lips on mine. Naramdaman kong dumulas ang aking kamay mula sa pagkakahawak sa barandilya ng cruiser.

I felt the cruiser shook lightly with his harsh move. Napasinghap ako nang pumalibot sa aking baywang ang kaniyang braso para mahawakan ako nang maigi. My eyes are slowly closing as his lips moved, inviting me to open up for him. Suminghap ako at ginantihan ang kaniyang malambot na halik. Bolts of electricity traveled out of nowhere until I can feel at the tips of my fingers. Unti-unti akong yumakap sa kaniya habang ginagantihan ang kaniyang halik. I felt him pushed me on the railings, my back feeling the metallic material. And like the sand welcoming the waters of the ocean, I slowly melted in his arms. Nagpatianod ako sa ragasa ng tubig sa pampang, my thoughts becoming empty as I only thought about his lips on mine.