Moonlight Kiss (Kanaway Book 2)

XIV

HABANG humahakbang patungo sa kusina ay nadarama ni Jaquelyn ang pagsunod sa kanya ni Brien. Pagpasok sa kusina ay tumungo siya sa ref at kumuha ng tubig. Sa sulok ng mga mata ay nakikita niya na pinagmamasdan siya ni Brien.

Nang hindi siya makatiis at tapunan ito ng tingin ay may bahid ng pag-aalala ang mukha nito. Huminga siya ng malalim.

"I advice you na ngayon pa lang ay humanap ka na ng ibang dahilan kapag bumalik ang... she's your ex-girlfriend, right? Kahit sino naman talaga ay hindi ako maipagkakamali na girlfriend mo."

Sa halos dalawang hakbang ay nakalapit si Brien kay Jaq. He stood right in front of her. "Don't you look down on your self. You're not ugly," his voice was almost angry. Kung hindi lamang doon ay marahil na napatawa na siya. He was too serious. Kaya't sumeryoso rin siya.

"I know I'm not ugly," tumatangong wika niya. "But I also know that I look ridiculous," itinaas niya ang dalawang kamay upang pigilin ang akmang pagrerebolusyon ni Brien. "Tumitingin ako sa salamin, Brien. But..." inilagay niya ang dalawang daliri sa ilalim ng baba. Acting like a handsome guy. "I can be handsome. So, please, don't worry about me." She even smiled.

Nakatitig lamang si Brien sa mukha ni Jaquelyn. Hanggang sa unti-unti ng na-relax ang mukha nito. His eyes soften and almost... almost smiled. "I hope you know that I like you."

Napangiti siya. "Of course."

"No," umiling si Brien. His eyes intensified. "I like you, Jaq. I really do..." his hand sunk into her hair. "I am not sorry sa mga sinabi ko kanina. Hindi kita ginamit lang Jaq. I really want you to be my girlfriend."

"Alam ko naman––ano?" umawang ang kanyang labi. "Anong sabi mo?" pabiglang bulalas niya ng ma-realize kung ano ang sinabi lamang ni Brien.

His hands moved to frame her face. His fingers were slowly caressing her skin. Like a feathery touch. His hand was really light. "I like you, Jaquelyn."

She trembled as she stepped back. "You can't possibly... no, you can't."

"Why?"

Napatawa siya ng mapait. Why? Hindi siya apektado sa mga sinabi ng ex-girlfriend ni Brien kanina. But she was affected with his sudden declaration. In a bad way. Why would he like her? Siguro ay naawa ito sa kanya sa pag-iisip na apektado siya sa mga sinabi ng ex nito? Because he pity her?

"Why would you like me?" lumigid siya sa kabila ng mesa upang doon dumaan palabas ng kusina. She doesn't trust herself on crossing in Brien's way. She wished he wouldn't follow her. Ayaw niyang magpatuloy ang usapang ito.

Ngunit rinig niya ang pagsunod pa rin ng binata. Pabigla siyang humarap rito. She almost hit his chest. He wasn't touching her and yet he could feel the heat emanating from him. It felt like his body was pressing to hers.

"Because you're strong. You have the most beautiful smile, the best laughter and best voice. Because you're beautiful..."

"And I'm nobody as well. Ni hindi ko naalala kung sino ako," she countered wearily. "You don't have to say you things like that Brien," dagdag pa niya.

"This is how I feel. I do like you. I like you as you are right now."

Natahimik si Jaquelyn. She can't absorb his words. Ayaw niyang tumingin sa mukha nito. Baka mas lalo lamang siyang malito sa makikita niya.

"Look, Jaq, you don't have to say the same."

"What?"

The intensity in his eyes subsided, replaced by something warmer. Bigla ay pumalit sa mga mata nito ang kakaibang kislap. His eyes looked warm, warm green. "You don't have to say you like me, too, if you just pity me or so. I can take it." His whole face lit up. "Seriously."

Natawa na siya ng tuluyan. "But I probably like you, too. Not out of pity," wika niya sa pagitan ng pagtawa habang humahakbang palabas ng kusina.

"Probably?"

"I think."

His laughter followed her every step. The warmth washed over her like a splash of cold, fresh water. Tumigil siya at humarap rito.

"Brien, hindi ko alam kung seryoso ba ang usapan nating ito o––"

He stepped forward and framed her face and kissed her. Really kissed her. His lips was moving passionately over hers. Her eyes stayed open while her hands and arms were trapped between their bodies. Hindi niya sigurado kung itutulak ba ito o ano. At bago pa siya makapagpasya ay nailayo na ni Brien ang labi at mukha sa kanya.

Now his eyes were really blue. It darkened and intensified.

"Siguro ngayon makakapagpasya ka na kung gusto mo ba ako o hindi."

Oh. She liked the kiss. Humaplos ang kanyang paningin sa mukha ni Brien. He was the only one closest to perfection she had ever seen. Who wouldn't like him?