Love Persist

Kabanata 40 - Unseen yet felt, understood in silence, two souls intertwined.

I didn't know kung paano ako napunta sa condo ni Professor Gil—the whole ride here was a blur. I also didn't know how I ended up being pressed against the door—all I knew was that she was kissing me, soft and gentle, na para bang I were something precious and fragile that she had to handle with care. At ako, I was clinging to her, responding to her touch with an equal measure of desperation and tenderness.

I couldn't believe this was happening. Kanina lang ay akala ko talaga na tapos na ang lahat, na nagkamali lang ako at isa lang akong tanga na nagsabi ng feelings niya sa taong hindi interested. But now, here I was, tangled up in her arms, my lips fused with hers in a kiss that set my whole body on fire.

My hands found their way around her neck, pulling her closer as I kissed her back with a desperate fervor. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang pagkahilig na 'to, pero parang hindi na ako marunong magcontrol ng sarili ko. It felt like nawawala ang mundo sa paligid ko, like the only thing that mattered was the way she was making me feel.

Dahan-dahan bumaba ang mga halik niya mula sa labi ko papunta sa leeg ko, at hindi ko maiwasang mapa-ungol nang bahagya. She was setting my skin ablaze with every touch, every caress, and I couldn't get enough.

"Professor Gil," I gasped out, not even knowing what I was asking for.

Naramdaman ko ang hand niya na tumaas sa pisngi ko, ang kuko niyang banayad na humahaplos sa mukha ko. She pulled back slightly, her eyes searching mine intently.

"Heaven," she murmured, her voice low and rough with emotion.

Despite the intensity of the moment, I couldn't help kundi alalahanin at i-rationalize pa rin ang nangyayari because I didn't want to make another mistake again sa kaniya. I had to be sure that this was real and that she really wanted this just as much as I did.

"I promised you before na I will control my feelings, Ceci," I said breathlessly, "but I—I don't think I can do that if—if this continues."

Her breath, heavy and warm, brushed against my face, na dahilan para tumaas ang mga balahibo ko. "I have no idea what I'm doing either, Heaven," she confessed, a slight crease forming on her brow. "What have you done to me?"

I stared at her, my heart pounding in my chest. Ramdam ko ang guilt sa boses niya at ang pagdadalawang-isip niya, but she was still here, ang mga kamay niya ay nanatili sa waist ko, her lips just inches away from mine.

"I'm scared," I admitted quietly, "but if—if you want this... then I'm here."

Mayroon pa rin isang parte ng utak ko na umiingay na dapat tigilan na namin 'to, that this was so wrong and could only end in disaster just like before. But can you blame me? My whole world had narrowed down to the way she was looking at me, na parang wala nang ibang tao but us, na parang imposible ito pero nangyayari pa rin.

Her eyes flickered down to my lips, and I knew right then na hindi ko na mapipigilan ang sarili ko kundi sundin ang nararamdaman ko. Just this once, I let my heart pour out to her. Ngunit before ko pa man maclaim ulit ang mga labi niya, humarang ang kamay niya sa lips ko.

"But first, I'd like to know why you haven't reached out in a while. I thought everything was going well between us." Seryoso ang mukha niya, gayundin ang boses niya.

Napaiwas ako ng tingin, wondering just how much I should share with her. Kasi naman I felt like a total idiot sa mga nangyari.

"Kasi, I thought you didn't want me around and that you were just using the mark as an excuse to keep me from approaching or getting closer. But... I actually tried to approach you. But then, 'lagi ko kayong nakikita na magkasama ni Sir Amores, and I thought..." I trailed off, feeling my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. "I thought may relationship kayo. 'Yon din kasi ang naririnig ko sa campus."