In The Arms Of An Angel (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER 48

"Grabe ka sa akin! Ang sama mo...di na kita bati!" She retorted with a pout as her arms crossed on her chest.

He chuckled after she said that, finding her childish outburst extremely cute...until he saw her pouting lips. He felt as if he was soccer-punched in the guts as he stared at her full lips. His heartbeat doubled when she bit her lower lip self-consciously as they continued to stare at each other.

His gaze moved from her lips to her eyes then back to her lips again. He can't help but to swallow hard. Her lips seemed to urge him to come closer. And he almost gave in to the urge when he thought:

"RJ! Gentleman ka, di ba?! Disenteng babae si Dei. Linisin mo ang laman ng utak mo. Hindi pang friends lang ang tumatakbo sa isip mo ngayon!" He internally reprimanded himself as they continue to gaze at each other silently. He then shook his head lightly to dispel the impure thoughts from him mind.

"I think I may have already reached my alcohol limit...Medyo doble na tingin ko sayo...I better go ahead! G-Good night, Dei." He suddenly announced as he stood up from his chair. He can't stay near her much longer for he may not be able to control himself anymore.

"Right! A-ako rin babalik na ko sa villa medyo pagod na rin ako...I had a long day today. Good night, too RJ." She countered as she also abruptly stood up from her own chair.

Dei is obviously already intoxicated for she almost lost her balance again and hit her head on his chest. RJ held her by her arms to steady them both.

"Owwww! I'm so sorry ang clumsy ko talaga! Sorry, RJ! Nasaktan ka ba?" She immediately apologized, looking quite unfocused.

"Hindi naman, okay lang ako. Ikaw ang baka nasaktan kasi nauntog ka sa dibdib ko. Lasing ka na yata, eh. Kaya mo pa bang bumalik mag-isa sa villa mo? Ihatid na kaya kita?" He asked her while trying to check her face but a clump of her hair was blocking his view. 

"No! I'm fine! Okay lang ako!" She exclaimed. Then she muttered something that he did not catch.

"What? Anong sabi mo? Medyo slurred na salita mo. Parang di ka na okay. Halika na, ihahatid na kita..." He insisted as he circled his left arm on her shoulder while his other hand held her hair to tuck it behind her ear forcing her to look up at him.

"RJ, please don't be like this. Wag ka masyadong mabait sa akin kasi may naaalala ako na gusto ko nang kalimutan at hindi nakakatulong ang ginagawa mo. Nalilito ang isip at puso ko kahit alam kong imposible nang mabalik sa dati ang lahat. I hope you understand..." She pleaded.

RJ did not expect to feel his heart constrict at her words. He can sense from her tone alone that whoever that person is, he had hurt her deeply. He wanted to find that person and punch him repeatedly for hurting her.

"Tungkol ba ito dun sa taong iniiyakan mo nun sa bundok na kapangalan ko? Sinaktan ka nya at gusto mo na syang kalimutan?" He asked.

She only nodded quietly. He looked at her intently before he arrived at a decision.

"I can offer you my services. I am a Psychologist. I can be your therapist na pwede mong pagkwentuhan at iyakan. Kapag namimiss mo sya, I will be there para alalayan ka hanggang makalimutan mo na sya. We're friends na, di ba?" He asked her lightly. She just bit her lip while looking at him, obviously having doubts about his proposal. He thought she might be worried about his professional fees.

"It's for free. Pagbalik natin sa Maynila sisimulan na natin ang Oplan Move On. In the mean time ihahatid na kita sa villa nyo para makapagpahinga ka na ngayon gabi. Bukas mag-uusap tayo para maplano natin ang details ng therapy mo, okay?" He persisted.

He is really determined to do this for her. Why? He would not want to entertain that question yet at the moment. He just want her to be okay because it is really bothering him to see her so lost and sad.

She just nodded slowly. RJ is not even sure if she really understood what he is saying at her present state. He will help her back to her villa so she can sleep it off and just worry about her reaction by tomorrow.

For now she needs to rest.

They walked slowly side by side towards the villas with him holding her by the elbow to make sure that she does not bump nor trip on anything along the dimly lit pathway. She just walked quietly, either absorbed in her own thoughts or just plain intoxicated. They passed through another pathway on the other side of the building to avoid passing by the pool area where the party is still in full swing. They reached the villas after a few minutes.

"Dei, we're here. Saang villa ka? Dala mo ba ang susi nyo?" He asked her softly. She just handed him a  key with a holder bearing the resort logo and the villa number. He guided her towards the villa at the end of the pathway.

When they got there he inserted the key to the lock and opened it. He pushed the door open and turned on the lights. He turned towards her to bid her good night but he found her sitting by the door step with her eyes closed and her head leaning back on the wall behind her. He stooped down to her level and regarded her, taking in her exquisite features: her long, sexy lashes fanning her rosy cheeks; her perfectly arched brows; her high-bridged nose; until his gaze fell back again on her full lips. He looked somewhere else to compose himself before turning back and nudging her shoulder lightly. She just grunted.

"Dei, pasok ka na sa room nyo para makapahinga ka na. Halika alalayan kita..." He talked to her softly as he pull her up gently to guide her into the room. When they got in he walked her towards the bed nearer the door where he saw her clothes from earlier that day lying haphazardly on top of the covers. He assisted her to lie down, removed her shoes and covered her with the comforter.

"Dei, aalis na ako. I will leave your key by the bedside table and lock the door when I go out. Will you be alright here alone or do you want me to call Val so she can be with you?" He asked her in a gentle voice. She whimpered.

"Richard, wag mo kong iwan, please...ang tagal kitang hinanap...wag ka na umalis ulit please..." She mumbled brokenly. It almost made him want to punch someone or something again when he heard her say that.

"Dei, si RJ to...Dito lang ako hanggang makatulog ka. Pahinga ka na. Bukas usap tayo pag okay na pakiramdam mo. Tonight, just rest." He spoke to her in a whisper as he leaned closer to her ear.

Dei slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him with a sad smile. She lifted her hand and touched his cheek with a dainty finger. Her simple touch caused shivers to run up and down his spine that he had to close his eyes for a moment to savor it before looking at her again.

"Thank you..." She mumbled before she closed her eyes again and slept. He just stared at her, having mixed emotions.

"Dei, ano bang gagawin ko sa iyo? Bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko?" He asked himself with a sigh.