What the Trees Kept Whispering [COMPLETE]

• CHAPTER 19 •

I kept on gasping for air nang maiahon ako ni Euthymios mula sa ilog. Pabigat nang pabigat ang aking bawat hininga na halos sinusubukan kong habulin.

Euthymios enveloped me in his embrace but it didn't stop me from hyperventilating. Tila umiikot din ang aking tingin sa paligid. I can't even look straight at anything!

Para akong asong hingal na hingal, tablang hindi maigalaw ang katawan. Euthymios's skin felt so cold against mine. Hindi ko alam kung dahil lang ba sa tubig, sa simoy ng hangin, o sadyang malamig lang talaga siya.

Tila walang balak kumalma ang aking mga baga sa pagbuga ng hangin. My mind was trapped in a haze as I tried to pull myself together, but it won't just cooperate.

My skin crawled as I heard the trees crackle. My breaths grew heavier and faster. Humiwalay si Euthymios mula sa yakap nang maramdaman niyang 'di pa rin ako kumakalma

"Vian?" he called out, gazing at me with concern. I can't keep my eyes focused on him. He cupped both my cheeks to stop my head from swaying. "Vian, tingnan mo 'ko. Vian, I'm sorry, okay? Hindi ko sinasadya. Please, tell me what should I do." His voice trembled as he tried to catch my eye.

I did not stop from breathing rapidly. Tuluyan nang nanghina ang aking mga tuhod. Mahigpit akong kumalang sa mga braso ni Euthymios upang pigilan ang sariling tumumba.

"Uhh... shit," he uttered.

He carefully settled me by the riverbank as I kept on heavily inhaling and exhaling. Ramdam ko ang pagbigat ng aking katawan. An ambiguous feeling swirled around my chest, engulfing me in a void of unanswered questions.

Euthymios held both my hands in his, gently caressing them with his thumbs. My eyes still couldn't look in a stationary direction but I can see how worried Euthymios is.

"Ano bang nangyayari sa 'yo, Vian? Please, umimik ka naman," he beseeched, trying to calm me down.

Nangatal lang ang aking panga. For some reason, I can't utter a single word. As if I ran out of things to say.

Gusto kong sabihin kay Euthymios kung ano ang naging pakiramdam ko habang nakalubog ako sa tubig, pero ni isang salita ay walang lumabas mula sa 'kin. Gusto ko ring isiwalat sa kanya ang mga bulong na aking narinig pero parang maging 'yon ay pinatikom ako.

His hand trekked its way to my shoulder. He gently formed circles around it, feeling the softness and soothing sensation of his palm. But I just can't seem to calm down.

Umabot na ang kanyang kamay sa tabi ng aking leeg. Ang lamig pa rin ng kanyang balat. My huffs peeled through his arm as I trailed my look at him in bewilderment.

"Vian..." he whispered, shakily. "Calm down... please..."

My tongue was tied. My teeth gritted onto each other.

I got lost with all of these I'm feeling.

Humigpit ang kapit ni Euthymios sa aking kamay at leeg, tila pinapakiramdam ang aking pulso. Paniguradong dama niya kung gaano kabilis ang pagtilbok niyon. Sinubukan kong tumingin nang diretso sa kanyang mga mata.

That look...

"Mios... I-I..."

Tila tuluyan akong nawala sa aking sarili nang biglang itinuon ni Euthymios ang kanyang mukha papalapit sa akin. I didn't know how and when it happened. It just did!

He sealed the gap between our cascading breaths with his lips. My gasps were replaced by soft groans as I felt his mouth moving onto mine. I was taken by surprise!

His hands gently massaged over me, leading me with his kiss. I was petrified yet my heart was on fire, letting loose.

I didn't move a muscle. My mouth didn't even twitch. But I just let him move his lips as it dampens mine.