Heartful Whispers

Kabanata 34

Nakaupo na ako sa sofa ng penthouse ni Leonel nang maisip ko ang lahat.

Holding my backpack tightly on my lap, I watched him get something inside the bedroom.

He went to me and kneeled. That's when I clearly saw the pastel pink pair of furry slippers on his hand.

He gently held the my kneel and carefully removed my shoes. He examined my foot a bit then looked at me.

"Namumula ang paa mo. Masikip ba yung sapatos?"

Sandals ko pa ito noong college. I didn't bother to buy a new one because it's still wearable and Ate Cora gave it to me as a gift.

"Medyo.." amin ko.

Tumango siya. "I'll buy you a new one. Do you like a specific brand?"

"Pero nasusuot ko pa naman kaya okay lang! Saka na ako bibili ng bago."

He removed the other shoe and examined my other foot again. The way his thumb softly rubbed the swollen part of my feet sent shivers in my stomach.

"But it's hurting you. I can buy tomorrow, Coli. Anything else you're not comfortable with? Is your bag-"

"Ayos lang ang bag ko! Hindi siya masakit sa balikat." Agap ko.

Marahan niyang inangat ang paa ko para isuot ang tsinelas. My lips pouted and my brows shot up, probing an inquiry.

"Bakit may ganyan ka rito?" Hindi ko na napigilan.

Umangat ang gilid ng labi niya. He licked it before looking at me.

"I bought it for you."

Natigilan ako. Sa akin? Bakit? Hindi naman ako parating napupunta rito. I wasn't convinced and he noticed it.

"It's only you and mom who made it here, Col. Hindi ako nagdala ng ibang babae kahit kailan."

"Bakit?"

He chuckled.

"Anong bakit?" Malambing niyang tanong.

"Bakit hindi ka nagdadala?"

Is that possible? I know it's normal. For all those years, I wouldn't take it against him if he had fair share of intimacies with women. I didn't give him assurance when I left. Hindi ko naman pwedeng iexpect na hindi na siya gugusto ng iba pagtapos ng mga nangyari.

He deserves to find his own happiness. I am only asking now because I sincerely want to know.

"If you're thinking that I probably brought women here for sexual activities, I didn't. I can't.."

"Bakit?" I asked again. But this time, that 'why' made me nervous for some reason.

"I would only think of you."

I swallowed hard. Hindi ko na alam ang isasagot. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin pero ramdam na ramdam ko ang pamumula ng mukha ko. I tried to steal a quick glance on him. He's still watching me. Lalo akong kinabahan.

"I'll lend you my clothes." Aniya at tumayo na.

I saw him shaking his head while walking towards the bedroom again.

I realized I am being too stiff and awkward. Kaya naman tumayo na rin ako habang hinihintay siya. His eyes lightened up when he saw me standing, waiting for him.

He gave me the folded clothes. Ipinatong ko iyon sa maliit na coffee table sa gilid para maibuklat at matantya kung kakasya sa akin.

It's a plain black shirt and a white wide pants. May tali naman iyon kaya sa tingin ko ay pupwede namang maadjust. I caught him staring at me after I gauge his clothes.