Tempt Me

13

Kakarating lang nila sa condo nito. Magkatabi silang nakaupo habang umiinom ng kape.

Di niya inaasahan na babalik siya kay Paulo. Parang noong nakaraan lang ay galit na galit siya dito dahil pinilit siya nitong pakasalan. That time, gusto niyang kainin siya ng lupa but now, she's pretty much depending on him.

Kahit na galit ka sa isang tao o may nagawa itong masama sa'yo pag tinulungan ka nito when you felt like nobody's willing to, ay mapapalapit ka dito. 

"Naalala mo ba nong umakyat ka sa puno ng mangga?" natatawang tanong nito.

"Yes, i do. Ilang oras ako don and you had to bring me water and food. Akala mo ay nagmamaktol ako--"

"Pero sa totoo ay di ka marunong umakyat ng puno at sa sobrang takot mo ay ginusto mo na lang na sa puno na matulog."

"Ng dahil sa galit ko sa'yo ay nakalimutan ko na kung gaano mo ako inalagaan nung mga bata pa tayo. And hello, sobrang taas ng punong yon." 

Her anger has consumed her. She didn't even give him a chance to say sorry for what he did.

Inilapag nito ang tasa nito sa coffee table and wrapped her in his arm.

"I am so sorry Jasmine. For what happened 15 years ago. I was drunk and I---I am just so sorry. For forcing you to marry me, for everything." bulong nito.

If they only had this talk before. She might just have married him with her whole heart. Dahil hindi naman talaga ito mahirap mahalin.

"Sorry din Pau, I held a grudge towards you na hindi man lang kita hinayaan na mag-sorry or mag-explain."

She felt his arm wrapped tighter around her.

"Pero Jasmine, I still can't let you go. You're my wife and I want to start anew. I know this marriage's foundation is not that strong," mahina itong natawa, "No, walang pundasyon itnog kasal natin, pero baka naman pwede mo kong matutunang mahalin. Ikaw na lang ang pamilya ko and I love you, I always have and I always will." pabulong ang boses nito at sobrang lapit ng mukha nito sa tenga niya. "I will do my best to be a better man and husband to you."

She needed someone and he was there, at alam niyang lumalambot ang puso niya para dito.

"Sorry rin Pau, dahil sa nagawa ko." tugon niya habang inilalapag ang tasa at ipinilig ang ulo sa balikat nito.

Napasandal sila sa couch and he wrapped his other arm around her.

"We're a mess mahal. But we'll survive." wika nito sabay hawak sa baba niya.

She looked up at him and her lips accidentally brushed his. Napapikit naman siya. Di niya inaakala na makakaramdam siya ng kuryente. 

Napangiti naman ito. He knew she felt it, the electricity, that need, the longing for physical touch.

Inilapit nito ang mukha nito siniil siya ng halik nito. At first ay nagulat siya. She didn't want to do this yet.

His kisses were soft and passionate. Hungry and needy.

Nakapikit ang mga nito, he's patient. 

Dahan-dahan na rin siyang tumutugon dito. Her heart racing. Dahan-dahan rin ntinog hinahagos ang likod niya.

 They were panting when he ended the kiss.

"I'm sorry mahal, you must be tired--- magpahinga na muna tayo." wika nito but she needs him. She needs to feel that she's needed. She needs someone, someone to help her pick up the pieces of herself.