lilies.

43

Kabanata 43

R a i

I wake up early in the morning. Pupunta akong Cebu ngayong araw para sa meeting sa isa sa Hotel namin doon. Hindi ako nag-alarm pero maaga akong nagising dahil siguro alam na ng body clock ko iyon.

Hinalikan ko ang ulo ni Lily. She's still asleep. Her head's still buried on my chest.

Hindi ako agad nakatulog kagabi. Kahit na lasing ay hindi ko magawang makatulog agad. I have a situation down there. That I needed to calm down first.

She's the most innocent person I've ever met in my entire life. May mga babae akong nakilala na peke ang pagiging inosente pero siya? She only knew good things, she only saw the good in people and the situation. Being with her makes me feel like I'm a sinner.

The idea of love she told me last night was that of the Disney movies for kids, and mine are really r-18 stuff. I don't mock her. I love her for that. It makes me feel like I want to change my views about love to fit hers. I want to be like the leading man in the movies she watched and books she read.

Even though being with her gave me so many worldly ideas, I want to respect her. Ako nalang ang magdudusa mag-isa. I want to be the man she wants.

Even when I think that it's impossible for me to replace Adriel in her heart, I still want to love her well. Maybe, if she sees that I'm worthy to love, she will choose me. If she gives me a chance to love her, I will make sure she will never regret it.

Maingat akong tumayo. I need to wash up before she woke up. Para mabango naman ako kapag gising na siya.

"Good morning," I heard her outside.

I asked Manang to come early because I'm going to Cebu. She has the keys.

"Have you had your breakfast?" tanong niya kay Manang, "Why are you only cooking for two? Sabay ka na po sa amin."

Lumabas ako sa kwarto at nakitang nakahilig siya sa counter, kaharap si Manang. Ni hindi niya ako napansing lumabas. Abala siya sa pakikipag-usap dahil tumanggi si Manang sa alok niya.

Niyakap ko siya mula sa likod. Pinahinga ko ang kamay sa kanyang tiyan. I crouched a little and put my head on her shoulders. I sniffed her neck.

Kahit ganoon ang posisyon namin ay hindi ko na napapansin sa kanyang body language ang kaba. Her breathing is normal. She's not resisting either. She's really used to me now. Even when Manang is watching, she's letting me be physical with her.

Umikot siya paharap sa akin. Umayos ako ng tindig habang pinapanuod siya. Hindi ko binaba ang kamay ko pero niluwagan ko iyon para makaikot siya. Nakayakap pa rin iyon sa bandang baywang niya. Tumingkayad siya para maabot ang tainga ko.

"Ask Manang to eat with us. And," She whispered, then she kissed my cheeks. I bit my lips. I can't hide my smile. I'm really weak for this girl, "Good morning."

"She's not used to it, baby. We have so many helpers in our house, They have a budget for food," I murmured, just enough for her to hear.

Inalis ko ang isang kamay sa baywang niya at inayos ang takas na buhok niya. Iniipit ko iyon sa kanyang tainga. I caressed her cheeks after. She's really cute even in the morning. I want to kiss her.

"She's alone here naman. And hindi pa raw siya kumakain. Please?" Mas lumapit siya sa akin kaya mas tumingkayad pa siya. Natawa ako dahil halos hindi na niya ako maabot. Yumuko ako, "Ayaw niya pumayag e. Maybe, you can convince her."

"My morning kiss first," I commanded.

She looked confused. She pouted, "Already gave you one."

"Hmm," Umiling ako at hinawakan ang labi ko, "Do it here. Tinulugan mo ako kagabi."