GEMS 31: Hello Again, My Heart

CHAPTER 18

NAKASANDAL siya sa pinto ng Volvo niya nang dumating si Faith. Isinara ng guwardiya ang gate nang makapasok ang kotse nito. She went out of her car and went to his arms uncaring of the curious glances of the
two security guards.

Rand held her close for a few moments. Then
wordlessly, inakay niya ito patungo sa main entrance ng building kung saan kanina pa niya pinabuksan sa guwardiya. Ilang sandali pa'y nasa elevator na sila papanhik sa penthouse apartment.

"I am both worried and surprised, Faith," aniya nang nasa loob na sila ng apartment. "Hindi ko inaasahang papayagan ka ng mommy at lola mo na umalis at makipagkita sa akin.

Inihagis nito ang bag at susi ng kotse sa sofa. "I am a big girl, Rand. Besides, alam ni Mommy na makikipagkita ako sa iyo."

The smile he gave her was indulging. He pulled her against him. He threaded his hands through her thick mane of curly hair, reveling in the texture, and slanted his mouth across hers.

She melted in his arms and kissed him back with hunger and longing. His arousal was instantaneous. But he had to exercise absolute self-control.

Bumaba ang kamay niya sa ibabang likuran nito at binuhat ito patungo sa silid habang magkahinang ang mga labi nila. Isa-isang pinakawalan ni Faith ang suot na sandalyas habang papasok sila sa silid.

Banayad itong inilatag ni Rand sa kama at
pinakawalan ang mga labi nito. Dumako ang mga kamay niya sa jeans nito at hinubad iyon. Faith helped him by taking offher T-shirt. She wore no bra and Rand released a harsh breath.

He took his time taking off his own shirt. Iyon at ang jeans at blouse nito ay maingat niyang inilapag sa settee. Tinitigan niya ito. Her pink nipples had hardened already and were waiting for his hands and mouth.

There was a spark of excitement in her shadowed eyes from lack of sleep as she anticipated of what was to come.

He joined her onto the bed. Iniangat niya ang ulo nito at ipinaunan sa bisig niya.

"Shall we make love with your pants on?" she
teased.

"When it comes to making love with you, I am a merciless man, Faith," he said, "and as you noticed, very much aroused. I want you so badly..."

"But?"

"I don't think that's the reason why you want to be with me today," he said with a sigh. "So, I'd rather hold you in my arms for as long as you want me." Then he kissed the top of her head.
"I missed you..."

"I miss you, too. At isiping wala pang anim na oras mula nang maghiwalay tayo kaninang hapon."

"Hindi mahalaga kung gaano tayo katagal na hindi nagkita. Mga taon man iyon o mga sandali," he said meaningfully. "Ang mahalaga ay ang damdamin ko para sa iyo at ikaw para sa akin."

"Ano ang nararamdaman mo para sa akin, Rand?"

"I love you." It was simply said. He pulled her even closer, his arms enfolded her soft body.

Faith closed her eyes tightly. "I want to stay in your ams forever, Rand," humihikbing sabi nito. "I don't even understand why this glow when you're near, why this thrill when you touch my cheek, why this joy when you kiss me. And when you said you love me, I want to feel happy."

"And you are not?" He was both pleased and
surprised at her declaration.

"I am happy when I am with you. But why is it
happiness couldn't last? Her tone was more confused than ever. Then sob after sob racked her body. It broke Rand's heart.

Kung ano man ang gusto niyang sabihin dito... kung ano man ang maraming bagay na gusto niyang linawin ay maipagpapaliban niya.
Hinayaan niya itong umiyak nang umiyak sa dibdib niya.