The One

Chapter Seventeen

"I THOUGHT you knew already why I'm doing these things." ang sagot ni Migs habang matiim na nakatitig sa akin.

He cupped my face with his hand. Pilit na hinuhuli ang tingin ko.

"I still love you, Rhin. I want to be part of your life. I want to be near you. I want you to give us a chance. Please, give me a chance." his voice is so tender and it gives warmth to my cold heart.

It breaks the standing brick wall boundary I have built for myself.

How come I feel like I was defeated and winning at the same time?

I couldn't look away from our intense stares.

I was too weak not to be melted by his eyes and words.

Before I could even think twice, I found myself pulling him closer and kissed him.

Hindi ko alam kung epekto pa rin ba iyon ng tapang na dala ng alak o dahil iyon talaga ang matagal ko ng gustong malaman mula kay Migs.

Ang sabihin nito at manggaling dito mismo na mahal niya pa rin ako. Labis na natutuwa ang puso ko sa kaalaman na iyon.

Ramdam ko ang pagkagulat ni Migs sa ginawa ko dahil hindi agad ito nakapag-react.

Ilang sandali pa ay gumanti siya ng halik habang maingat na inaalalayan ang bewang ko. Pakiramdam ko nanghihina ang mga tuhod ko at kung hindi siya nakaalalay ay mabubuwal ako.

I feel like something -- some buried feelings has awakened in me.

I always knew it's there. Deep in the darkest corners of my heart, I knew it's there. I keep on fighting over it, denying over it, covering my feelings with pessimistic thoughts all this time. But now, I don't want to think anything. I just want to be loved by him.

Halos hindi ko na nga namalayan na nasa loob na pala kami ng apartment at nailock ni Migs ang pintuan ng hindi humihiwalay sa mga labi ko.

Naramdaman ko nalang na nahiga ang likod ko sa malambot kong kama.

His hands are gently touching my waist, caressing my hair.

My heart is pounding like crazy.

My senses are focusing on him and kinda excited for what is going to happen next.

We're running out of breath when we parted our lips.

"Hmm.. so what do you feel for me, Rhina? Do I have a chance?" hingal na tanong ni Migs habang hinahaplos ang pisngi ko.

"Yes, Migs. I love you too." ang agad kong sagot. Hindi ko na gustong magsinungaling pa sa totoo kong nararamdaman.

Migs genuinely smiles at me like he won a lottery. He kissed my forehead.

"I love you Rhin. This time, I'll be better for you. I'll stay with you through thick and thin. I know I shouldn't be asking this, you're drunk and you probably won't remember this but I want to marry you."

'Yun ang mga katagang narinig ko mula sakaniya bago tuluyang pumikit ang mata ko at nagpatangay sa antok.

PAGMULAT ko kinabukasan ay wala si Migs sa tabi ko. Tandang tanda ko ang mga nangyari kagabi at alam ko na bago ako nakatulog ay katabi ko siya.

Nakaramdam ako ng inis ng mapagtanto na iniwan nanaman ako nito.

Dahil wala naman akong pasok ay hindi muna ako bumangon sa kama.

Binalikan ko sa alaala ko ang naging pag-uusap namin ni Migs kagabi at ang sweet confession na nangyari sa pagitan namin.

He loves me and I love him too.