When I See You Smile

Chapter 8

MULA nang magkaunawaan sila ni Borj ay marami na ang nabago kay Roni. Her feelings for him deepened each day, too. Ngunit nanatiling hindi alam iyon ng kanyang mommy sa loob ng ilang buwan.

"Roni..."

Nag-angat siya ng paningin mula sa sahig na bakal ng double-swing sa garden. Napangiti siya nang makita niya si Borj. Naka-shorts lamang ito na pang-basketball. Marahil ay hindi rin ito makatulog.

"Hi!" bati niya rito.

"What keeps you still awake?"

"Nag-aabang ng satellite na dadaan." Tumawa siya at tumingala sa langit.

Umupo ito sa kaharap na swing. Pinagsalikop nito ang mga palad at itinukod ang mga siko sa magkabilang hita nito. He was staring obliviously, na ngayon ay nakasanayan na niya.

"Hindi ka ba giniginaw?" puna niya. Wala itong suot na pang-itaas. And it was almost midnight. Kahit mag-a-Abril na ay malamig pa rin ang dapyo ng hangin nang mga oras na iyon.

Umiling lamang ito. "Bukas ang kuwarto mo kaya bumaba ako at naisip ko na baka nasa kusina ka. Then I found you here. Hindi ka ba makatulog?"

"Nagbasa ako kanina kaya nakalagpas na ang antok ko."

"May alam akong solusyon." He grinned. Marahang kinabig siya nito. He nuzzled her cheekbone, tracing a delicate spiral to the corner of her mouth.

Some faint scent of soap and shampoo tinged her nostrils. Halatang galing ito ng banyo. Mamasa-masa pa ang buhok nitong sadyang hindi pinapuputulan. So many emotions rolled through her. His breath rasped against her. And she was beyond thoughts. In tender coaxing, his lips captured her soul, her hands sliding over her, encompassing each sensitive mound of flesh covered by her pajama top. His fingers danced over her belly, then moved slowly back to the hollow of her throat that made her gasp.

"You know... what?" she cut.

"What?" patamad na tanong nito.

"I love you so much."

Nag-angat ito ng ulo. Isang malapad na ngiti ang naglaro sa mga labi nito, as if he wanted to shout in joy because of what he heard. "Oh, Roni. I love you, too..." he lowered his mouth to hers, slowly but surely. "More than so much."

Yearning made her dizzy as he nibbled gently. The quickening rasp of his breath as he caressed her roused her to a thrilling excitement. She kissed him back with wild abandon. He moved and kissed her passionately. Namalayan niyang naibaba siya nito mula sa swing sa maingat na paraan. Pagkuwa'y napaigtad siya dahil sa lamig ng mga damong nasa likuran na pala niya.

The lenght and width and breadth of him overwhelmed her. She couldn't move as his legs brushed a hairbreadth on either side of hers, his arms slipped around her shoulders, and his hands swept beneath her back. She felt a little fear when she felt his passion consuming her. She concentrated on his lips with her mouth instead. His need seemed to give her fears, it was so fierce but ironically gentle. Desire covered his entire face.

"You're afraid, babe," A husky, teasing laugh drew her startled gaze to his face.

He stiffened and got off her. "Ayokong magsisi ka, Roni. Ang oras ng pagsisisi mo ang hindi ko kayang harapin. I'll have the damnest control hanggang kaya ko." He smiled. Inilahad nito ang kamay at tinulungan siyang makatayo. Hinapit siya nito sa baywang pagkaraan at iginiya sa pagpasok sa kabahayan.

"Thank you. You love me that much, huh?"

"Um-hmm." Masuyong hinalikan siya nito sa noo, pagkaraa'y sa kanyang mga labi, saka ngumiti. "I would rather be stranded between loving you afterwards because of your regrets. I love you, Roni." He left an airy kiss on her moist lips.