Switched

8

8

Fire

My heart beat wildly against my chest. Lukas was so close to me I could smell his breath. The sensation of his lips on the corner of my mouth is still sending sparks in me eventhought that almost kiss happened moments ago.

He cupped my cheeks before staring at my eyes. The brown orbs of his stare greeted me. Sa ilang beses ko siyang natitigan, walang pagkakataon na hindi ako namangha sa mga mata niya. He was gorgeous, yes, but his eyes, they were beyong anything that is beautiful. His eyes is a work of art, beyond beautiful than anything I have ever seen before.

His gentle caress woke my senses. Lukas bit his lip while staring at me. Pumikit siya bago ako hinila papunta sa kanya at niyakap ng mahigpit. He settled his face at the crook of my neck before speaking.

"Gusto kita, Noelle," bulong niya. His body shuddered against me as his words carried the weight of his emotions. Napapikit ako at wala sa sariling pumaikot ang mga braso sa kanyang katawan. I held on to him as I hugged him tighter.

"Gustong...gusto..."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko para pigilan ang pagsagot. I can't throw words at a moment like this. Not unless I am sure of what I am feeling. I don't want to say anything and then regret it later. Gusto ko, kapag sasabihin ko na sayo ang nararamdaman ko Lukas, ay sigurado na ako. Walang halong pagaalinlangan o kung ano pa man.

A relationship should always be based on genuine feelings. If I have learned anything from my parent's failed marriage, that is to love genuinely and to never rush into anything that you couldn't handle. Ang pagmamahal ay isang magandang regalo kung sigurado ka sa isusugal mo para lamang makuha ito.

I know that I feel something for Lukas already. Eversince he saved me, I know that there I am attracted to him. But I won't let this attraction dictate me. If I would be in a relationship with him, then it would be because I am sure that I love him.

I may be young, but innocence should never be a darkness that would cloud your better judgement. Balang araw, Lukas Miguel, masasabi ko rin sayo ang nararamdaman ko.

Nanatili kaming tahimik dalawa habang magkayakap. The only sound that I can hear are the waves crashing on the piles of rocks near the shore. A wild bird flew against us and that was our cue to let go of each other. He boyishly grinned at me before pinching my cheeks.

"May pasok pa ako," aniya. Tumango lamang ako, parang sasabog ang dibdib sa saya.

"Tutulong pa ako kay Lola sa palengke," anas ko naman. Kinagat niya ang labi niya bago ngumisi.

"Let's go," he announced before pulling me back to get inside. We held hands as we enter their small cottage.

We spent the next hour preparing for our morning routine. Lukas would attends his classes while I will be Lola's helper sa karinderya.

Inayos ko ang baunan ni Lukas ng tanghalian bago ako nagpasyang magbihis. I opted to wear a simple, three fourths white blouse and a floral layered skirt. Pinusod ko ang buhok ko at lumabas na para ilagay sa tricycle ang mga ulam at gamit namn ni Lola.

Kinuha ko ang kaldero ng kanin at akmang bubuhatin na sana iyon ng mabilis na dinampot ni Lukas iyon. Napasinghap pa ako sa gulat pero kumindat lamang siya at parang wala lang kung binuhat ang malaking kaldero.

My eyes playfully rolled as he carry the pot to the tricycle. Sumandal lamang ako sa hamba ng pinto habang pinapanood siya, suot ang side bag at nakauniporme para sa klase.