CREAM OF THE CROP

Chapter 40

"Damn, I need to shower," he said after kissing the portion between my eyes. I think it's a thousand times sweeter than any form of kiss. But still, I was rooted to the ground. It seems like I lose my ability to move.

Ang lapit lapit ng mukha niya sakin. Hindi imposibleng magkapalit kami ng mukha.

Inayos niya ang mga takas na buhok sa mukha ko habang matiim na nakatingin sakin. I still can't move. Natatakot ako na baka isang galaw ko lang ay mawawala yung espasyo sa mga labi namin. I can feel the loud thumping of my heart in my chest.

Hindi ko nasundan ang pagpatong ng ulo niya sa balikat ko. Isiniksik niya ang ulo sa leeg ko. I shivered upon contact. I'm hyperventilating for Pete's sake!

"Tell me how old you are," he whispered.

Naguguluhan man ay sinagot ko parin. "16," sabi ko.

I felt him nod. "16," ulit niya na parang sa sarili niya iyon sinasabi. "Still young."

Hindi ako nagsalita.

"Just so you know, love, I'm trying with all my might to not kiss you right now," he whispered. Ramdam kong nahihirapan siya. "Most of the times, kaya ko," he paused. Inangat niya ang tingin sakin. My heartbeat raced. "But I think this time is not one of those times, baby."

So ayun, biglang may namuong tsunami sa tiyan ko.

"Just once," he said. I sharply drew a deep breath. Gah, I need CPR. Help.

Unti-unti niyang inilapit ang mukha sakin. I'm finding it hard to breathe. Nanginginig ang paa ko. And like I was in some sort of magic, I closed my eyes. I waited. But it didn't come.

"Where do you want your first kiss to happen again?" he asked then I felt his fingers touching and tracing the curves and everything on my face.

I opened my eyes and met his. "A-at the altar," I stammered.

"Run, love. Run now that I can still help myself," sabi niya gamit ang hirap na boses.

Napalunok ako ng bonggang bongga. I'm even afraid of what I'm about to say. "Pano yan? Hindi ako runner?"

His eyes turned a shade darker. It's burning with desire. Napalunok ulit ako. Jusko, kung ano-ano na lang lumalabas sa bibig ko.

May naisip ako bigla bilang palusot. "Hey, may nakita akong shop kanina sa daan. They offer tattoos na audio waves ang ilalagay instead of the ordinary ones."

His forehead creased. "So? Why are you diverting the topic?"

"Uy di ah. Gusto ko lang itry?" sinubukan ko ulit.

He stared at me for a few minutes. Nakakulong parin ako sa pagitan ng dalawang kamay niya. He looked like someone observing something in a lab.

"I thought you don't like tats?" He asked carefully.

"I like it if it's small, hidden, and holds a meaning," I said.

"But you're scared."

"Of course not," I replied defensively. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

Hinawakan niya ang baba ko at maingat na iniharap sa kanya ang aking mukha. How could that firm hand hold me like it's made of cotton?

"You're scared, baby," he said. Napalunok ako. Somehow he's right. "But we'll do it together, hmm?"

"Alright," I said. He smiled and put his forehead on mine and we stayed like that for a couple of minutes.

***