Heartful Whispers

Kabanata 31

Andreign glared at us like a grumpy father waiting for his rebellious children.

"I know I told you to take your time but you did take your time too much, huh? Morning date?"

I licked my lips and bowed guiltily. Leonel only smirked at him. Mahina ko siyang tinampal sa braso dahil may kasalanan naman talaga kami! Napaghintay namin si Andreign dito.

"Sorry, Andreign. Uh.. 'yung mga pinamili ko?"

Nakasimangot siya sa akin pero kinuha niya naman agad yung grocery sa kotse. I also caught him smirking at Leonel before turning around. Galit ba talaga siya?

Si Leonel ang kumuha ng grocery kay Andreign. My eyelids quivered and my throat went dry at the sight of his flexed forearms. I tried hard to take my eyes off his biceps and veiny hands.

It was hard, especially everytime I remember how his hand touched mine while I was hugging him on the motorcycle. I now figured that he's clingy. Not that I'm complaining. I'm not. I smiled at the thought of knowing his love language.

"I'll go ahead na," si Andreign.

I pursed my lips and nodded. He smiled playfully before going inside his car.

I sighed deeply and turned around to walk towards the apartment's gate. Hindi ako makatingin kay Leonel. How could I? After that talk?

Gusto niya akong ligawan. Ligawan... kapag sinagot ko siya, boyfriend ko na siya. Boyfriend. Si Leonel. The one and only guy I've ever liked.

"B-Bakit mo ako liligawan?" Was all I can say.

"I'm in love with you, Coli. I'm still in love with you."

He accentuated every word, like what he always say, he wants everything to be clear for me. Leonel is looking straight in my eyes , but I could see and feel his labored breathing.. that he's nervous as I am, too.

He sounded so brave in declaring his love, but there was a gust of fear. Maybe because he was used to holding himself back. I've always told him that I can't accommodate relationships in my life, and he probably thinks now that I might not allow it again.

"I want you to be my girlfriend. My wife even."

My eyes widened. "Hindi pa ako m-mag-aasawa!"

He chuckled and handsomely bit his lower lip. Hindi niya ako mapapapayag kahit pa sa gwapo niya!

"I know. That's why I want to court you first and then eventually become your boyfriend." He explained gently.

I bowed my head a bit to breathe properly. Parang kanina pa ako nagpipigil. Everything overwhelms me right now but for some reason, I feel good.

"I also know that you're not in love with me yet. I want to have this proper chance to prove myself that I'm worthy of your.. love." He looked away.

"Okay.."

His eyes went back to me like magnets.

"Okay?"

"Pwede kang manligaw."

Umawang ang labi niya na tila hindi makapaniwala. He dropped his head for a moment. I saw him licking his lips, still processing it all. When he looked at me again, his eyes were a bit red and misty.

"Thank you.." he said wholeheartedly.

I drank the remaining water in my glass as a temporary escape from all the immense feelings I had this whole breakfast

"Manliligaw mo na ako," ulit niya pa kaya muntik na lumabas sa ilong ko ang tubig.

Kinuha niya ang isa kong kamay. "Ako lang ah?"