I Love You, Prof.

Chapter Fifteen : Part of Me

Sheiia

It feels like everything happened so fast. The jealousy that triggered the secrets to be revealed. I feel so happy, never been so happy. I've successfully admitted to myself that I love her.

Yes, I love her.

I don't know why, when or how did it all started. All I know is I already have this eratic and atypical heartbeat she is always giving me since the first time I laid my eyes on her, six years ago and my first day in the university.

She hugged me tight upon hearing those words coming from my mouth. I'm so engulfed of my feelings right now I can't think of anything else no other than this pain, and my love for her.

"Damn, how can you make me so happy after I've hurt you? I love you, Lerise. It has been a long overdue."

Yeah. It has been a long overdue. Who says that you need to know someone before you'll be able to say that you love that person? Love is a continual process. It always grow and develop as time passes. And I know that I'm now on its phase where the feelings and attraction reign. Nandito ako sa unang bahagi ng pagmamahal kung saan ang emosyon at damdamin ang nangingibabaw, sa ngayon. Yung wala akong ibang naiisip pa kundi yung kaba, selos, tampo at salitang Mahal ko siya.

Her hug's so tight it feels like she doesn't want to let go of me. Wala akong nagawa para pigilin ang hikbing lumabas mula sa aking mga bibig. This feeling is so overwhelming I think anytime I'll be suffocated of so much happiness. Indeed, this is a pure bliss.

"Come, we should not be seen here." Kumawala siya sa pagkakayakap mula sa akin at iginiya ako paalis ng garden na iyon. Good thing is, we're able to reach the parking lot without anyone seeing us together.

"Will you come with me?" She suddenly asked when we're inside her car. At this state of my mind, I know all I can do is to follow whatever she says. I feel so vulnerable after that scene on the ladies room. Parang ang kaya ko lang gawin ay magpatianod sa mga sasabihin niya.

Is this right?

"Where are you taking me?" Nagawa kong isatinig ang katanungang iyon mula sa aking labi.

"Where do you want me to take you? It's almost five in the afternoon. Do you want me to take you home?" May bahid ng pagsuyo sa bawat salitang lumalabas sa kanyang bibig. It seems like I'm fragile that any harsh words could hurt me. Naramdaman ko na parang ayaw din naman niya akong umuwi kahit nagtanong siya kung ihahatid na niya ako.

"No. I don't want to go home, not yet." Bahagya akong umiling. I held her hand and looked at her eyes. "I want us to talk. Please."

Tinitigan niya ako nang mabuti saka nagpakawala ng ngiti. That smile that could melt a hundred girls' hearts.

Mabuti nalang at tinted ang salamin ng kotse niya kaya hindi kita ang lampungan namin dito sa loob.

"Okay. We'll talk." Then she kissed me on my forehead and revived the engine of her car. I didn't tell her where I want us to go, but I know that she already has an idea.

We arrived at the same place where we are yesterday. This jaw-dropping view never failed to amaze me. Wala akong ibang maramdaman kundi purong katahimikan lamang.

"Why am I feeling this way, Prof? It's supposed to be wrong!" I bursted out, not waiting for another minute to bubble up what's on my mind.

She just looked at me and then directed her gaze at the view in front of us. Narinig ko ring nagpakawala siya ng malalim na buntung-hininga.

"Yeah, it might be wrong. But how can you tell that it is, if you don't even understand why it's like that?"

Masyado akong naguluhan sa sinabi ni Prof. Habang tumatagal, mas lalo din akong nalito sa nararamdaman ko.