This I Promise You

24

Halik

"She was looking for you and almost fainted when she couldn't find you anywhere." Gabriela explained it to Evan.

"Thank you for taking care of her." Evan told her.

"De nada (You're welcome). I'll leave you two now."

"Gracias (Thanks), Gabriela." Sambit ko habang nakayakap pa rin kay Evan.

Gabriela smiled at us before she left. Kaming dalawa nalang ni Evan ang naiwan na pareho pa ring nakatayo sa gilid ng pinto at magkayakap.

"Let's take a seat." Aniya at marahan akong inalalayan papunta sa sofa.

He helped me take a seat on the sofa and then grabbed the glass of water from the coffee table and gave it to me. I took a sip of it this time. Kinuha niya ulit sa akin ang baso nang iabot ko sa kanya ito pagkatapos uminom.

"Are you okay now?" He asked. I nodded in response.

He then gently grabbed my nape and pulled me closer to him to hug me again. I felt him kiss the top of my head before he sighed.

"I thought you were hurt or something. I'm glad you're okay." Aniya, nanatili ang labi sa aking buhok.

"Akala ko kasi iniwan mo na ako..." Panimula ko.

Evan then released my head so he could look at my face.

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I've been rude to you..."

Hinaplos niya ang mukha ko at umiling-iling.

"I said those harsh words to you even though you just wanted to keep me safe...I got scared because you have all the reasons to leave me. Wala akong karapatan na pigilan ka kung magdedesisyon kang iwan ako dahil mali ang naging trato ko sayo."

"You've been through a lot. You're overwhelmed and depressed. It's understandable."

"No," Ako naman ang umiling. "I only cared for my feelings. I'm sorry for being insensitive, Evan."

Tumango siya, hindi pa rin inaalis ang mapupungay na mga matang nakatitig sa akin. We stared at each other for a while, and then my eyes drifted to his lips...I want to kiss him.

Dahan-dahan kong inilapit ang mukha ko sa kanya. He knew what I was going to do, but he let me do it on my own.

Pinatakan ko siya ng mabilis at marahan na halik. Hindi siya gumalaw pero tinanggap niya ang paglapat ng labi ko sa kanya. I kissed him again, but this time it was longer.

Our first kiss happened in my room, and it was so memorable. It's so magical that I will never forget it. We kissed at our wedding too. It's our second kiss, but I don't remember it that much. Everything has been so overwhelming for me since the day before the wedding, and my mind is not in the right place.

That day was supposed to be joyful and well celebrated, but our minds are in chaos. I know Evan felt that too.

Kaya ngayon, gusto kong bumawi sa kanya. Gusto kong palitan ang araw na iyon ng panibagong alaala na pareho naming hindi makakalimutan.

A lot happened, but we can't go back to that day anymore. Right now, all we can do is accept the present and live with it. Be happy, just like our families want for us, and build new memories together.

"I love you, Evan..." I whispered as I gently held his face.

His lips parted as I saw a glimpse of surprise in his expression, but it faded quickly too, and he turned back to being serious.