Illicit Love

Kabanata 38

I stirred from my sleep as a warm, tingling sensation brushed against my skin. Slowly fluttering my eyes open, a soft smile tugged at my lips at the sight of Solanna. She was fast asleep, her gentle face tucked closely against the crook of my neck. I knew then that I could spend an entire lifetime staring at her beautiful face and never once grow tired of it.

Hindi ito ang unang beses na matutulog kaming dalawa sa isang kwarto, pero ito ang unang beses na matutulog kaming dalawa nang ganito kalapit sa isa't-isa. I couldn't help but smile as the memories of last night replayed in my mind like a vivid loop, sending a quiet thrill through me.

Kahit ayaw kong umalis sa pagkakayakap niya, dahan-dahan kong tinanggal ang kamay niyang nakayakap sa baywang ko para bumangon. Inayos ko muna ang pagkakabalot ng comforter sa katawan niya bago umalis sa kama para hanapin ang lahat ng damit ko. Nang matapos makapagbihis, muli ko siyang nilingon. 

She was still sleeping soundly, her expression radiating a quiet peace. I walked over to her side and let a gentle kiss fall upon her forehead. In the stillness of the room, I leaned down to her ear and let a soft, barely audible whisper escape my lips. "I love you..."

Habang palabas ng pinto ng kwarto ni Solanna, nakasalubong ko si Beatrice na palabas ng kwarto naming dalawa. Parehas kaming natigilan na dalawa habang gulat na nakatingin sa isa't-isa, pero siya ang unang nakarecover saming dalawa. Unti-unting tumaas ang kilay niya kasabay ng pagkurba ng kanyang labi.

"I won't ask, Zariah..." Nagkibit siya ng balikat at kumindat sakin. "Pero marami kang ikwe-kwento sakin mamaya." Pagkasabi niya noon, naglakad na siya papunta kung saan.

I drew a long breath to steady myself before retreating into the room. An unusual surge of excitement hurried my pace, and within twenty minutes, I had finished my shower and dressed. I chose a minimalist white tie-back top and a long skirt that felt light against my skin. Once I finished a quick makeup routine and applied sunblock, I checked my reflection one last time and finally made my way out of the room.

Pagbalik ko sa kwarto ni Solanna, naabutan kong mahimbing pa rin siyang natutulog. Gusto ko man siyang hayaang matulog, pero anong oras na. Lagpas na sa tanghalian, at alam kong ramdam niya na rin ang gutom dahil hindi pa kaming kumakain simula kagabi. 

"Sol..." Sinubukan ko siyang gisingin. "Sol, wake up."

"Hmm..." she hummed gently, which made me smile.

"Come on, wake up, sleeping beauty. We need to eat."

"Five more minutes, please..."

"Pero hindi ka pa kumakain since last night. Aren't you hungry?"

"I am not hungry. I'm tired, so please let me sleep!" Napanguso ako habang nakatitig sa mukha niyang nakasimangot kahit na nakapikit. Nakadapa siya kaya nakaunan ang kalahati niyang mukha, pero kita ko pa rin ang bawat ekspresyon ng mukha niya. Her cuteness was too much to handle, damn. 

"But you need to eat."

Nagsalubong pa lalo ang kilay niya habang sinusubukang imulat ang mga talukap ng mga mata niya, pero hindi niya magawa. "I don't want to..."

"Why?"

"I'm sore all over, Zariah. All I want is to sleep," she muttered, letting out a soft huff as she pouted at me. "Eat if you want to, but just let me rest, okay?"

I shook my head inwardly. This woman is the death of me. Why did she have to be so effortlessly cute all the time?

"Baby—" Natigilan ako nang biglang lumipad ang isang unang na nahawakan niya papunta sa mukha ko. Imbes na mainis, natawa na lang ako nang makitang sobrang sama na naman ng tingin niya sakin. Bakit ba ang maldita at sungit ng babaeng 'to? Hindi na talaga nagbago.