Love Persist

Kabanata 9 - Dreamy pause, filled with ethereal serenity and sweet nothings.

Ito ang una kong magpatuyo ng buhok gamit ang hair dryer. Actually, hindi ako literal na nagpatuyo ng sarili kong buhok. Sa likod ko ay si Professor Gil na nagpapatuyo ng basa kong buhok. She would knead my scalp, providing a soothing effect that alleviated my nerves. I was not as nervous as I was a while ago. I didn't know how she did it so gently, though. At saka, suot ko ang jacket niya at nakakawala sa ulirat ang amoy nito.

"Are you sure you are okay with sitting for a long time? Your hair is thick and long, this will take a long time." Tanong niya habang patuloy na pinapatuyo ang buhok ko.

I hummed in contentment. "I should be the one asking you, professor. Do you have the patience to dry my hair?"

"I also have long and thick hair, I'm already used to it. By any chance, did you get your hair rebonded?"

"I haven't tried rebonding my hair."

"Have you at least considered whether or not to rebond your hair?" Pinadausdos niya ang mga daliri niya pababa sa balikat ko. After that, she carefully moved my hair to the side.

"That didn't cross my mind. And even if I want to, hindi ako papayagan ni Mama. Sabi ni Mama nakakasira ng hair ang pagrerebond."

"Your mom's right because once you rebond, you will not be able to get your natural hair back. Your natural hair is silky and smooth; it suits you."

My face flared at her compliment.

She turned off the hair dryer and made a slight movement that caught my attention. I tried to see what she was doing, and then narealize ko na lumipat siya sa tapat ko. She was dipped in the bed, sitting on her knees. Her gaze was fixed on me.

"You look like a mess," she mused, followed by a light chuckle.

I pouted, but I was actually hiding a smile deep inside.

"Right after you gave me a compliment," I said sarcastically.

"I'm referring to your messy hair, silly. C'mere, move closer."

Hindi ako kumibo. Hindi sa ayaw ko kundi wala akong energy para kumilos. Sa palagay ko she sensed it kasi siya ang nag-adjust sa amin. I held my breath as she moved closer to me. I suddenly felt nervous and excited, even though there was no reason for me to feel this way.

"Don't fall asleep, 'kay?"

Maybe I felt too sleepy, or maybe I had gone mad knowing that this was my first experience with a hair dryer, or maybe it was the hot chocolate that I finished and now the sweetness has affected my system, or maybe it was because of how Professor Gil looked at me with a sweet smile and warm gaze that made me whirl my tongue and say words that shouldn't have come out of my mouth.

"I'll try, but it might be a bit of a challenge because your touch has this therapeutic effect."

I couldn't read anything in her eyes; there was a lot of emotion in them. But her overall expression showed everything I needed to know. The way she bit her lower lip, her nose scrunched a bit, and the edges of her lips were shaking, I knew she was trying to hide that damn gem smile.

One thing I was very sure of was that she was pleased to hear my words.

"Hey, Heaven."

Aware ako na gising ang diwa ko, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes and move my muscles. My limbs were stiff and achy; my head felt incredibly heavy; and my throat felt constricted.

I could hear Professor Gil's voice calling my name nonstop. I tried to voice out my words, but nothing came out. I could only utter a low grunt.

I took a sharp breath as I felt a cold touch on my forehead. I struggled to open my eyes but when my vision appeared, Professor Gil's worried face instantly blocked my view.