Stonehearts 5: Emerald

Thirty Three

I'd be lying if I say that I'm still walking on eggshells with my relationship with Cael. Ilang beses ko na siyang gustong sabihan ng 'i love you' kaso lagi akong napapangunahan ng kaba.

Hindi ko makalimutan ang gabi nang napagtanto ko na mahal ko na pala siya. With the building finally nearing finish, halos lagi na kaming magkahiwalay. Super hands-on kasi siya rito kaya halos gabi-gabi na siyang late umuuwi, samantalang ako sobrang busy sa mga upcoming project ko.

Isang gabi, nauna siyang nakauwi sa'kin. Galing ako sa meeting with a client, hindi ko in-expect na nasa bahay na siya ng alas-sais ng gabi. Unang bungad niya ay ang hindi ko pagsagot sa mga tawag niya. I just waved him off and told him that I'm so tired from my day and that my heels have been killing me since morning.

He just looked at me, his eyes warm and soft, like a blanket on a stormy night. Then he told me to sit by the couch and offered a foot massage. As I watched him move his magic on my ankles, the realization hit me that I want a future with him.

Ever since that night, I've been dying to profess my love for him but haven't got a chance. Nainggit tuloy ako sa kanya na kayang-kayang sabihin na mahal niya ako at the same time naaawa na hindi ko kayang sagutin 'yon.

Tomorrow night, we'll be hosting a dinner here at our unit. At napagdesisyunan ko na sabihan na siya ng 'L' word bago matapos itong araw na 'to.

Lumabas ako ng kwarto at nadatnan siyang karga si Oreo. He was moving to the slow beat of the song in the background. When his eyes landed on me, he smiled.

"Sorry, Oreo. Nandito na ang totoong partner ko." Sambit niya saka baba sa aso. Oreo whined in protest buts decided to jump on the couch and lay there.

Lumapit siya sa akin at hinapit ang bewang ko. He led me until we are in the middle of the living room. I noticed that he had pushed the table to the wall to make way to his makeshift dance floor.

"So ginagamit mo lang kanina si Oreo kasi ayaw mo ng walang partner?" I jokingly asked.

He was swaying me to the beat of the music, his left on the small of my back while his other is holding mine.

"Alam naman ni Oreo na si mama niya talaga ang gusto kong partner." Sagot niya sa akin. Natawa na lang ako saka ko isinandal ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. He rested his cheek on top of mine in return.

"You are the only one my everything and for you this song I sing. And all my life I've prayed for someone like you."

He sang with the song. I closed my eyes and savoured the moment as his voice filled my ears, his smell intoxicating my lungs and his presence filled my being.

"And I thank God that I, that I finally found you. All my life I've prayed for someone like you."

He raised his head and I followed his lead. When I looked at his face, I was entrapped in his coffee colored eyes and the emotions swimming there as he sang the next part in all seriousness.

"And I hope that you feel the same way too. Yes, I pray that you do love me too."

I gulped not able to form words. All he did was smile before kissing me on my forehead, my nose, and finally he claimed my lips.

The kiss was slow, magical and full of unspoken words. I communicated what I have been wanting to tell him through that kiss and just hope that he gets it.

"I love you." He said when he broke the kiss.

I was about to say it back when his phone rang, interrupting the music and breaking our intimate moment. I almost groan when he let me go to quickly answer the call.