WARREN GIDEON: In War, I Found Peace [Warren & Astacia]

Kabanata 8

Nanlamig ako sa sinabi niya at mas nanlamig pa noong umihip nang malakas ang hangin. Every part of me was soaked, and I could not help but wonder how Warrion managed to stay okay despite the chilling water of the river, showing no sign of wanting to leave.

“You can take off your dress,” biglang sabi ni Warren na sandaling nagpatanga sa akin habang nililingon ko siya. Mabilis na itinama naman niya ‘yong sinabi nang siguro ay mapagtanto na hindi iyon magandang pakinggan. “I mean, take it off to let it dry in the sun, so you won’t catch a chill. The longer you wear that, the colder you will feel.”

“Hindi. Okay lang ako,” kinakabahang tanggi ko, hindi kailanman magpapakita ng halos hubad na katawan sa kaniya, ano!

Pero nakita ka na niyang hubad, Astacia! Hindi nga lang nakita kundi natikman pa—Ugh!

Wala siyang alam na ako nga ‘yon!

Naguguluhang nilingon ko siya noong bigla siyang tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa puwesto niya. I watched as he approached the rocks near the riverbank, leaving me gaping like a codfish at how handsome and hot he looked even when turned away. Warren Gideon Arespacochaga had such a broad back, trim waist, and tight ass muscles that were slightly outlined beneath his jeans, which hung lowly on his hips. He picked his shirt he removed and then returned to me. Taas-kilay ko siyang tiningala noong inabot niya ‘yon sa akin.

“Sige na. Maghubad ka na at patuyuin ‘yang suot mo para hindi ka lamigin. Here, wear my shirt for the mean time,” aniya.

Nag-alinlangan ako at nagpabalik-balik ng tingin sa kaniya at doon sa shirt na iniaabot niya. I was determined not to accept it, but when the cold wind blew again, I was left with no choice but to reach it from him before I turned into ice.

Muli siyang umupo roon sa inupuan niya. Samantala, hindi naman ako makakilos at makatayo dahil nakatingin siya.

“May problema ba?” tanong niya hanggang sa tila ba maunawaan niya ‘yong sitwasyon. “Oh, alright! I’ll turn my back while you change.”

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag at noong sandaling nakatalikod na siya sa akin ay dali-dali kong hinubad ‘yong basang suot ko. Pinag-initan ako ng mga pisngi at hiyang-hiya noong maiwan akong naka-underwear na lamang dahil pakiramdam ko ay hayag na hayag ako kahit wala namang ibang tao.

Halos tumalon ‘yong puso ko palabas ng dibdib ko noong biglang gumalaw siya at inakala ko pang lilingon siya.

“Huwag ka munang humarap!” halos magkandautal na sabi ko.

He chuckled, lifted his arms in surrendering position, and said, “Relax, Astacia. I just shifted on my seat. Tell me if you are finished.”

Napahiya ako roon at saka mabilis na isinuot ‘yong shirt niya. And wearing it made me realized how small I was compared to his large frame. Sobrang luwag ng shirt niya sa akin at mahaba na nangalahati nga sa mga hita ko, pero ipinagpasalamat ko naman nang husto.