Gray

Chapter XXXI

Kagaya noon, narito kami ni Kiel sa bakuran. Nagkasya kaming dalawa sa duyan na naroon.

We're waiting for Stella and my parents... to talk about the case. Balak naming hanapin ang sindikatong humawak kay Liam. Lalo na ang lalaking nagbigay sa kanya ng trabahong iyon.

Kiel's hand is rested on my back, habang ako ay nakasandal sa kanyang balikat. My sleeveless shirt made me conscious. Dahil sa tingin ko ay kita ang pagtayo ng mga balahibo ko sa kanyang mga pag hawak.

"Weren't you lonely when you were in London?" His breath smells like fresh mint. Sumiksik pa ako sa kanyang katawan, feeling every heat his body has. Oh, I miss this.

"Hindi naman. I've got friends there."

"Like who?" Inisa isa ko ang mga naging kaibigan. But of course, the best friend I had in London was, "Dylan."

"You still talk?" Humarap ito sa akin. His lips touched my forehead. Hinalikan niya iyon.

Ang mainit niyang kamay ay mabagal na pumapasok sa aking damit. Kahit na likod ko lang ang hinahawakan niya ay hindi ko mapigilang mapasinghap.

Hinayaan ko siya sa gustong gawin. We missed each other so much. I don't want to ruin this moment.

"I— uhh— hindi na masyado. He's busy... I think. Kagaya ko." Balisa kong sagot.

"Uh-huh?" Ang mga daliri niya ay naglalaro sa aking likuran. He's making me crazy!

"You liked him?"

"No!" Agap ko. "I never did."

Ngumuso siya. Is he doubting me? Tinusok tusok ko ang kanyang tagiliran. "Totoo nga. I never really had the time to check men when I was in London. I was busy finding my own path to you know... my dreams."

"Yeah. And he was there for you." Tamad niyang debate.

"Yes. I did lean on him. But only as a friend!" Hindi siya sumagot. I almost heard crickets.

"Are you jealous right now?" Taas kilay kong tanong, nanunuya. I saw him roll his eyes. "No," simpleng sagot nito.

"I know you hated me when you were in London, Aristelle. Paano ako hindi magdududa na nagkagusto ka sa lalaking iyon? He's been with you. I bet almost everyday. I won't blame him if he fell for you. Or if he made a move. Because baby, you're not hard to love. D'you know that?" He said with so much compassion. I felt my cheeks blushed. Baka langgamin kami rito!

"And fuck him if he did make a move! Did you too kissed?" The hammock violently moved because of his sudden move. Bahagya siyang umangat para tingnan ako sa aking isasagot.

I blinked. Hindi agad nakasagot dahil sa mga sinabi niya. He just said the sweetest thing! Paano ako makakasagot kaagad!

He muttered another curse at bumalik sa pagkakahiga. "You did kissed," he assumed.

Hinampas ko ang kanyang dibdib. "Hindi ah!"

Oh, kung alam mo lang, Kiel. "I hated you then, yes. But I was longing for you, too! Sige nga, paano ako magkakagusto sa iba kung baliw ako sayo?" He remained silent, pero nakanguso. Pinipigilan ang mga labi sa pag ngiti.

Yeah. Let that sink in, Kiel! I'm freaking in love with you. "Never... doubt my love for you," dagdag ko.

He nodded as he hug me tight. He kissed my head and whispered he's sorry. Umiling lamang ako at mas lalong siniksik ang sarili sa kanyang leeg.

I understand him. I can't imagine how frustrated he must be here when I was in London. Ang alam niya ay galit ako sa kanya while he's still so in love with me.