ONE LAST KISS

CHAPTER 9

"Thankyou for choosing me." Sambit niya.

Tahimik lang kaming nakaupo after our heartfelt messages.

God knows how happy I am today. Finally. I am beyond proud to have him as my boyfriend.

"Thankyou din, Nicholas. Salamat sa paglilibre mo sakin."

Ngumiti siya.

"Hindi naman nasasayang ang pera ko kapag ikaw yung kasama ko."

Napatingin ako sakaniya.

"Alam ko yun.. pero hindi pwedeng palagi. I have my own money Nicholas. It's hard to make money.. May pera ka pa ba?"

"Meron pa naman, Elaine. Yung pera na ginastos ko ngayon.. pinag-iiponan ko to. Iniipon ko yung mga nabibinta kong portrait."

My heart suddenly feel warm.

I admire him more for this.

His small effort, it matters to me.

Nakangiti akong tumayo at humarap sakaniya. Kinuha niya ang dalawa kong kamay at hinawakan ito. He's caressing it gently.

"Mas lalo kitang nagustuhan." Bulong ko ngunit sakto lang para marinig niya.

He looked at me like I was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

He's staring at me sincerely.

I broke his gaze and pulled his hand to stand up.

He let me to stand him up, but I lost my balance so both of us fell on the sand.

I complained and touched my head. Nicholas laughed at me and patted my forehead which made me even more angry.

Masama ko siyang tiningnan.

Hawak-hawak ang tiyan niya, mas lalo pang tumawa.

He slowly showed me my beret na nahulog malapit sakaniya. I tried to catch it but he moved further away so I couldn't catch it.

Mas lalo akong lumapit sakaniya. Saka ko lang napansin na sobrang lapit na pala ng mukha namin.

Natigilan siya sa pag-angat ng beret.

He cleared his throat.

He swallowed hard.

My cheeks heated when I caught him staring at my lips.

Oh damn.

I quickly get up when I got my senses back.
What was that? Hinagod niya ng marahan ang kaniyang batok at umiwas ng tingin.

Kaya hanggang sa pauwi kami, hindi parin siya kumikibo o tumitingin man lang sakin. He's really stiff and mute.

As usual, he walked me home.

"I'm sorry for what happened kanina.." I spoke.

Dahil sa tingin ko, hindi talaga siya magsasalita kung hindi ko sisimulan.

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad. Tiningnan niya ako gamit ang kaniyang mapupungay na mga mata.

His both hands are placed on his pockets.

He threw a heavy sigh.

"Don't be sorry. I'm the one who should be sorry. I'm just..." He trailed off. "too shy."

"Why are you shy Nicholas? It happened accidentally din naman. And, hindi naman natin ginusto yun diba?" Nanunudyo kong tanong.

I drool my eyes over him, anticipating for his answer.

"Sinong tanga ang hindi gustong makipaghalikan sayo Elaine? You're just.. so much at ang hirap abutin."

I was so shocked on how vulgar his words are. It's not that it's bad but.. I thought he's shy? Talaga bang nahihiya siya?

Also... He's thinking about kissing me? But we are settled just an hour ago. He's got to be kidding me.

"You want to kiss me?" I bluntly asked.

He's alarmed from what I've asked. His lips parted a bit. Sinuklay niya ang kaniyang medyo mahabang buhok gamit ang kaniyang kamay.

"I can't kiss you Elaine. Hindi pa nga nag-iisang araw na naging tayo. May respeto ako sa mga babae lalo na sayo." His brows furrowed a bit.

That's a relief. Oh God. May kulang pa ba sa lalaking to? He seems so perfect. Hindi ko mapigilang masagi sa isipan na, Am I deserving to be his girlfriend? Am I worth to be with? He's just so.. perfect.

"Nicholas."

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

His eyes twinkled upon hearing it. Tila ba ay pinoproseso niya ang sinabi ko. Tila ba hindi siya makapaniwala sa narinig.

"Tama ba ang narinig ko?" He smirked then he lick his lower lip. " Mahal mo'ko?"

I nodded.

"Jesus. Don't kill me yet." He chuckled sexily.

He seems don't mind about how his laugh feels so sexy for me. Parang wala lang sakaniya.

We ended up burst out laughing with each other under the street lights.

Hawak-hawak ang tiyan ko nang makarating kami sa harap ng gate namin.

He looked up, checking if the lights are still on. As usual, the lights are already off. Our entire house is dark. It means dad is still not here. At sigurado akong natutulog na sina Manang sa oras na ito.

He took a deep breath as he went down his gaze on me.

"Palagi bang wala ang daddy mo?"

I pouted.

"Well, yes. Simula noong inilibing si Mommy, hindi na siya gaanong umuuwi dito. Palagi niyang sinasabi na may emergency meeting, board meeting with the directors at ano-ano pa. When in fact, I already knew what he's up to nowadays. Sigurado akong kasama niya ngayon ang bagong babae niya." Pagkukwento ko.

I don't mind sharing about my family problems to him. He always let me feel the warmth, that I am always welcome to him. He always gives me comfort and peacefulness that I've been seeking for.

Noon, sobrang lungkot ko dahil wala na si Mommy. Wala na akong mapagsabihan ng mga problema at pangyayari sa buhay ko. I have no one to laugh with, to cry with. Because even my own Dad can't even give me his time and listen. That's why, I didn't expect that there will be someone sent from God above who will always be there for me, listen to my problems, talk to me, comforts me whenever I'm sad, makes me smile and cheer me up when I feel so down. Someone who will give me strength everytime I am about to give-up. I am so much thankful for him.

He cleared his throat that made me divert my attention to him.

"Simula ngayon, hindi ko ipaparamdam sayo na mag-isa ka. Sasamahan kita araw-araw, kung saan ang punta mo. I will always accompany you. I can do those things that your Dad can't give you, Elaine."

Agad ko siyang niyakap at doon, hindi ko mapigilang umiyak. Between his arms, my tears started to fall. I can't stop it.

Kahit ano pang pigil ko ay naiiyak parin ako.

I am so touched sa sinabi niya. He's really one of a kind.

I took a deep breath before I realized one thing.

Finally, God answered my prayers. He gave me a perfect guy. This, is all what I've been waiting and praying for. I am waiting for someone who can do things that my Dad can't do for me. I am waiting for someone who can gave enough time for me. Someone who will stay by my side through up and downs.

Finally, he came.