The Ruler

Kabanata 12

Who's Back?

Nagising ako ng nakayakap kay Reid. I already saw the rose-pink light of dawn from the glass window. It was very amazing to see it because it is rare in this season. Hindi ko na maramdaman ang sakit sa aking paa. Sa tingin ko ay hindi naman iyon ganoon kalala. Pinagmasdan ko ang mukha nya habang mahimbing na natutulog. Ang mabigat nyang braso ay nakadantay sa aking tiyan. Mahigpit iyon, as if he's assuring that I'm not going anywhere. I smiled when I saw his angelic yet rough face. I know, the irony of it.

Bahagya akong gumalaw upang pagmasdan pa ng mabuti ang kanyang mukha. He literally looks like a baby wanting his mother's warmth. Marahan akong natawa dahil doon.

Binuksan nya ng kaunti ang mga mata nya, as if nasisilaw sya ng kung anong ilaw. Ngumiti sya ng marahan at nagbuntong hininga. As if he's relieved that I am beside him.

"Good morning.... Masakit pa ba ang paa mo?" He said in his husky manner. Bumangon ito at ginawaran ako ng halik sa noo. I gladly obliged.

"Morning too... Nope. I think I'm alright." I said in awe. He looks so pleased. Nagulat ako nang bigla itong tumayo. He shamelessly swift the comforter away and stand with all of his might. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin dahil doon. Ramdam ko ang pag-init ng pisngi ko. I saw in my peripheral vision that he reached out for the towel in the rack. He wrapped it in his waist. Doon lamang ako nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob bumaling sa kanya.

I saw a glimpse of naughtiness in his dark eyes. "You're blushing." He said as if he has a solid evidence. Sinimangutan ko lamang sya. He chuckled hard. Lumapit ito sa akin at dinaganan ako. Tinitigan nya Lang ang mukha ko. Na pawang sinusuri ang bawat detalye niyon.

"God,..." He whispered under his breath. I smiled at him. He kissed my lips. It was a quick smack.

"Should we tell your parents about us?" He said hoarsely, with full of concern.

"S-Sure..." I said while smiling awkwardly. Muli nya akong tinitigan.

"Hmmm.... What about U.S?" Biglang tanong nya. Sumeryoso naman ang ekspresyon ko. Oo nga pala. My work in U.S. I can't leave it behind that easily.

"I-I'll think about it" I stammers. The smile on his face fade away. "Okay." He just simply said. Tumayo sya at nagtungo sa C.R.

Naiwan akong nag-iisip kung ano nga bang dapat kong gawin. I mean, I can't just leave everything in U.S. I've got a pretty good job there. For the past two years, I've built myself there. With the help of some friends, such as Travis.

Naririnig ko ang bawat patak na nahuhulog sa sahig galing sa banyo. Natukso akong pumasok ngunit pinili ko na lamang na magbihis. Kinuha ko sa sahig ang t-shirt ni Reid at isinuot iyon. Pagkatapos ay bumaba ako sa kwarto at nagtungo sa kusina. Binukas ko ang fridge upang tingnan kung ano ba ang pwedeng lutuin roon.

Nakita ko ang isang supot ng mixed vegetables doon. Naisipan kong magluto ng Chinese food. I knew that Reid loved Chinese cuisine before. I hope he still did.

Itinali ko paitaas ang buhok ko at sinuot ang apron na nakasabit sa rack. Nagsimula na akong mag-gisa ng may maramdaman akong presensya sa likuran. It's Reid. His hair is soaking wet. Tumutulo pa ang mga iyon sa balikat ko. I chuckled and face him. He's looking dead serious, but there's a hidden desire behind his vignette eyes.

"What?" I said and caressed his face. Marahan nyang pinikit ang mga mata at hinawakan ang kamay ko sa pisngi nya.

"Please, stay..... I can't afford to lose you again after two long years..." He said hoarsely. Parang gusto kong manlambot sa sinabi nya.

"Alright, alright.... I'll stay. For the mean time. Aasikasuhin ko ang resignation letter ko. I'll resign, hmm?" I assured him. He smiled genuinely and give me a warm kiss. It was longer than I expected. Hanggang sa naamoy ko na nasusunog na ang niluluto ko. Agad akong humiwalay kat Reid dahil doon.