My Love My Hero, Hanz (UNEDITED)(COMPLETED)

16

ANGELI saw the jet Ski first. Nakatali sa isang bato at naroon lang sa dalampasigan.

"Iniiwan mo lang nang ganyan ang jet Ski dito sa beach?" she asked.

"Ligtas ang lugar na ito, Angeli."

Bahagya lang siyang tumango. May pakiramdam siyang may dobleng kahulugan ang sinasabing iyon ni Hanz. Then her eyes flew to the fishing boat behind the big rock. Hindi nga niya makikita ang bangka dahil nasa tagilirang bahagi iyon mula sa bahay at sa may pagliko ng dalampasigan. It was painted in white and blue. Sa gilid ay nakatatak ang Blue Lady, in black script.

"You also inherited that from your grandmother?"

"Sa lolo ko. He was a fisherman. Doon niya binuhay ang pamilya niya." Hinagod siya ng tingin ni Hanz. Naka-shorts siya ng puti at oversized white polo shirt at canvass sneakers. "Wala ka bang dalang pampaligo?"

"Sa ilalim ng polo shirt ko."

"Good," wika nito. Hinawakan siya nito sa kamay ay hinila na palusong sa tubig.

Nasa dibdib na ni Angeli ang tubig nang marating nila ang bangka. Naunang sumampa si Hanz sa pamamagitan ng katig at saka ito yumuko at inabot siya. A moment later, she was standing next to him.

"Welcome aboard the Blue Lady, Angeli. And I'm going to kiss you."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "W-what?"

"It's a tradition," nakangising wika nito. "Isang lumang tradisyon iyon ng aking mga ninuno. When a lady comes on board a Belleza boat for the first time, she has to kiss the captain."

"Nagbibiro ka."

Umiling ito. "It's to ensure good luck."

Hindi niya malaman kung matatawa siya. "Oh, I know you're making this up."

"Absolutely not. One thing you can count on, Angeli, hindi ako nagsisinungaling." Humakbang ito palapit sa kanya. "Kaya nga kanina pagdating nati'y gusto kitang hagkan pero naisip kong gamitin ang pagkakataon sa sandaling ito."

"Come on, Hanz..." Umatras siya ng isa palayo rito.

"It's an unbreakable tradition, Angeli." He cocked his head and his smile widened slowly as he moved closer.

Tumaas ang kamay ni Hanz patungo sa likod ng ulo niya at banayad siyang kinabig. Then he bent his head. As his lips brushed hers, Angeli felt an intense wave of pleasure pass through her body. His kiss was tender at first and then with increasing passion.

Angeli responded hungrily, ang mga kamay niya'y kusang tumaas sa batok nito. She melted dizzily against him habang ang kamay nito'y dumadama sa likod niya. She had never dreamed that a kiss could evoke such overwhelming desire.

All she wanted was to surrender herself, body and soul, to Hanz Belleza.

ANGELI was right. He was making up the tradition. It was a stupid excuse to kiss her. He couldn't control his desire. At kung siya ang masusunod, he would take her right then and there.

And he was complicating things.

Hanz ended the kiss and groaned inwardly nang maramdaman ang walang-salitang pagtutol ni Angeli. He held her close against his chest. He breathed in the rose scent of her shampoo, tasted the silky strands of her hair.

If only she didn't feel so right in his arms.

Atubiling pinakawalan niya si Angeli.

"May sinabi rin ba ang tradisyon ng mga ninuno mo kung gaano katagal dapat ang halik?" she teased.

He chuckled. "I could kiss you forever, Angeli..."