Obnoxious Oxygen

Chapter Twenty Seven

Thunderstruck. Yes, that must be the perfect term to describe how my own words hit me. What the hell did I just say? And why the hell did I say that?

I can feel my heart beating rapidly like it's seeking for a way out. I turned to see Oxygen's reaction, he didn't say anything. He's just there, staring at me. I started to panic, anticipating for what he's about to say. Will he laugh? Will he get mad? Will he believe it? Or maybe he'll think it's ridiculous. Dear Lord, this is insane.

"Oh, forget it!" I exclaimed, climbing down the bed. I don't think I could be anywhere close to Oxygen at the moment, I swear my embarrassment will eat me up. "Pretend you didn't hear anything and just-"

I shrieked. Before my feet hit the ground, he's already at my elbow pulling me back up. "Not so fast,"

"Let me go!" I tried jerking off his hand but he's not letting me, instead he continued drawing me closer to him until I'm seated on his lap. "Get off me, Oxygen-"

"Look at me, Gabby." He moved his head to catch my eyes but I ducked mine. Much as I'd like to see his brows furrowing as I'm imagining it with the tone of his voice, still, I can't. I'm not gonna tilt my head and let him see the evidence of my embarrassment, I sure look awful right now. "Gabbana, tignan mo ko sabi."

"O-Oxygen, this is enough. We've had too much tonight, bukas nalang tayo ulit mag-usap." I tried to lift myself up away from him but he just pulled me down.

"Mukha mo bukas. Kung gusto mo pala na bukas na natin 'to pag-usapan edi sana bukas mo nalang din sinabi. Kasi putangina, Gabbana. Ano bang akala mo? Makakatulugan ko 'to? Hindi. Hindi 'to makakapag-antay ng bukas-"

I was forced to look at him and shot him a glare to shut him up. He's annoying me, I hate him. He has so much to say. Really. Like always. "Will you shut up!"

His expression softened, a pair of slate-blue eyes screams gentleness. "You love me..."

I do. I attempted to open my mouth and say something but no words came out, I shut it back. Shifting my eyes somewhere away from his.

"No, baby, just look at me." In a demanding tone, he whispered. Touching the side of my face with one hand, then his fingers trailed down to my chin just so he could tilt it. Now I was left with no choice but to meet his gaze, locking our eyes like magnet. "Mahal mo ko, Gabbana. Tangina, wala ng bawian 'yon. Period. No erase. Kain susi. Lunok."

I don't understand what he's saying but I've managed to nod. "I guess there's no point of denying it. I've already said it. Yes, Oxygen, I think I'm in love with you. Don't ask me why, don't ask me how. Because I don't know. Oxygen, I don't know. You're annoying, you're hilarious, you make me yell all the time, you drive me crazy and I love you. I love everything about you."

His eyes sparkled then his lips drawn back a little at the corners forming a smile, looking like he's enjoying what he's hearing.

"I love you in a way that's nauseating to others." I sighed, feeling the corners of my eyes beginning to water. I don't know why I'm becoming emotional over this, but damn, I am.

God, I love Oxygen. Do I really love him? I loved Ethan, never have I questioned that. Because Ethan is everything a woman should look for a man. Oxygen isn't, well not until you know him the way I do.

"I love you, too"

Now he loves me, too- wait. What?! I snapped a gaze at him and he's looking straight to my eyes. "W-What did you say?"

"Bingi-bingihan, baby?" He grinned. "Sabi ko, Gabgab... mahal din kita."

Mahal. Mahal niya ako? I shook my head. That can't be. Growing up, I have my parents to tell me how much I'm loved and cherished, then boys came, telling me they love me but I know they don't really mean it. They barely know me and sure as hell only love how beautiful they see me. "I don't believe you, Oxygen. I'm hard to love-"