I Brought My Heart To Hong Kong

Chapter Thirty-Four: Leave

Chapter Thirty-Four
Leave

It was Jayden who deepened the kiss. Alam kong ako ang nagsimula pero ako ngayon ang nalulunod sa malambot niyang halik. At hindi ko man lang siya mapigilang noong siya na ang halos kumontrol.

He cupped my cheeks and held me closer. His playful tongue slid inside my mouth; I gasped softly. Tumawa siya ng mahina nang hindi bumibitaw ang labi sa'kin. Hindi matigil ang pagpintig ng puso ko. It was as if my heartbeats were the music while we kissed.

He caressed my back gently, it sent my whole system glitching. Hindi ko alam kung saan lumilipad ang utak ko. Every thought and taste of his lips is sending me away from my sanity. Nakakabaliw pero ayokong itigil.

Kaya nadismaya ako noong itinigil niya dahil pareho kaming naghahabol ng hininga. Kahit na ganoon, hindi niya inalis ang pagkakadikit ng ilong ko sa ilong niya. Maski ang labi ko, onti galaw lang, mahahalikan na naman ulit ang kaniya sa sobrang lapit.

Kaagad kong naramdaman ang pag-ingit ng pisngi ko sa ginawa namin. Sa puntong iyon, feeling ko kasing-kulay na rin ng strawberry ang mukha ko.

Mabuti na lang din at strawberry juice ang ininom ko kanina.

Umatras si Jayden at umayos ng upo. Pinanatili ang komportableng titig sa'kin samantalang hindi ako makatingin ng maayos sa kaniya.

"You heard it," he began.

Kumunot ang noo ko kaagad at agad napatingin sa kaniya. Maaga kong nakalimutan at ginawa namin nang bumuntong-hininga siya.

"My father got devoted to gambling. He depended on it as a source of money without thinking about the risks. Natalo siya ng paulit-ulit. Nabaon sa mas maraming utang."

My lips pursed at the confirmation.

"Mom and his bank savings aren't enough. They still need a few hundred to deem everything paid. Nalaman kong nanghiram na sila ng pera sa pamilya mo. We thought my father used it to pay for deficits but..."

Bakas ang iritasyon sa mukha niya at napahinto saglit.

"He wielded to gamble again, thinking he could gain enough to pay all back. Nabaon lang siya ulit sa mas malaking utang. Hindi sapat ang pera sa bangko. Kahit galawin ang emergency fund, hindi pa rin kakayanin. My mother's already on the edge of planning to sell her commercial property because we have nobody left to borrow money from."

My heart throbbed. I couldn't express how I should empathize.

Hindi ko alam na magagawa ni Tito Jared na isiping mas magandang isugal muli ang perang pambayad na sana ng utang.

"Now, he knows you're my girlfriend. Gusto niyang pakiusapan ka na kumbinsihin ang magulang mong pautangin kami ulit... Ayokong ganoon ang gawin."

Mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay niya dahilan para tingalain niya ako. "It's okay."

I admire him for his principle. I admire him for standing up for what he thinks is right.

"What if I can convince my dad and he'll be able to lend you some again?" I asked.

Sa mabilis niyang pag-iling, alam kong hindi siya pabor doon.

I understand. Alam kong hindi magandang pakinggan kung gagamitin man ako ni Tito Jared. But he only needs my help. Kanina, halatang pinag-iisipan niya pa nga kung tamang makiusap sa'kin. He doesn't seem like he wants to oblige me to do it. I think he wanted to say I only need to try. And I love Jayden. I want to prove I can help him. His family.

"Wala namang masama kung susubukan ko," dagdag ko pa.

"I know, but it won't be helpful. We're just planting debts over debts," he said.