Recapturing You [RCS#1]

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 17

Wʀᴏɴɢ Pʀᴇsᴜᴍᴘᴛɪᴏɴ

Every second and minute with Hrothgar was truly magical. Hindi ko alam na p'wedi pala akong maging mas masaya pa. I thought that having all of my needs, extravagances and watching Adam Levine's live concerts would fulfill my satisfaction. I did not expect that I'd be more contented than ever just by having Hrothgar around me. He completely made me forget about all my luxurious whines. He took good care of me in his simple, yet amazing ways. Mukhang mas gusto ko na nga lang mamalagi sa bahay nina Hrothgar kaysa sa amin.

Gustung-gusto ko ang pagiging maalalaga niya. Iyong simpleng paglalagay ng kanin at ulam sa pinggan ko, pag-iipit ng buhok ko sa likod ng aking tainga, pagpupunas ng pawis ko at kahit ang pagpagpag ng talampakan ko sa tuwing nakapaa lang ako.

He treated me feel like a real princess. With him, all of my insecurities faded away like pieces of ash blown by the serene strike of the wind. He was a man who definitely knew how to make a woman feel like a queen. Only Hrothgar had the knack of making my heart beat so fast with only one look, one touch!

I felt secured beside him. Nothing scared me out, nothing worried me, and nothing bothered me. His tight hug was the safest place for me. I no longer aimed to look for anyone else who could take good care of me as Hrothgar. My love for him kept sprouting more and more.

"Demmie, why don't we visit the Santiesteban's ranch? Miss ko na ang mangabayo! Bisita tayo, please!" salubong kaagad sa'kin ni Lily, kalalabas ko lang ng banyo.

Napawi ang ngiti ko, napalitan ng pag-iling.

"Ikaw na lang muna, Lily. May pupuntahan kasi ako."

Sinabi ko kay Hrothgar na doon ako manananghalian sa kanila. Nagsuhestiyon naman siyang susunduin ako kaso tinanggihan ko na at baka makita pa kami nina Nicasio at makarating pa kina Mommy. Not that I was ashamed to show the world that we were in a relationship. Heck, I would love announcing to people that the man who rightfully owned the wholeness of my heart was he.

Ngunit sa mga oras na 'to, hindi pa ako gan'on kahanda. Hindi ko pa nakakausap ni Thrym tungkol dito. May karapatan pa rin siyang malaman na may napupusuan na akong iba. I also wanted to tell him that there was really no chance for us to be together. Humahanap lang ako ng tamang tyempo.

Tumahimik si Lily at nagtatampo akong binalingan.

"You're going to visit your friend again. Mas importante na ba 'yon kaysa sa akin, Demmie? Did you already find a new best friend? Hindi na ba ako?" Her gloomy expression and the taste of melancholy in her voice made my heart ache.

Inisang hakbang ko ang distansya namin para gawaran siya ng isang mahigpit na yakap na mabilis niya namang tinugon.

"Of course not, Lily. You are my only best friend, you will always be. No one will ever replace your spot in my heart!"

My own words just then hit me back. Sinabi ko noong si Lily lang ang pagkukuwentuhan ko sa lahat ng sekreto ko pero hindi niya alam ang tungkol sa amin ni Hrothgar. Sasabihin ko naman, eh. Hindi pa nga lang ngayon. I just needed more time.

She bit her lower lip as I wiped off her tears when I pulled away.

"Aww, Lily."

Naglalambing ko ulit siyang niyakap nang mahigpit.

Her cries made me chuckle.

Such a towncrier! Akala ko ako lang itong iyakin sa'min!

"Sige, bisitahin natin ang Thrym Santiesteban na 'yan." nangingiti kong saad dahilan para kumislap ang mata nito.