RETURN TO ME (Completed)

Chapter Fourteen

“This is not just a truly happy birthday. This is my best birthday... ever.” deklara ni Rui habng binabanlawan nito ang mga utensils at kung anu-ano pang ginamit nila sa pagkain.

Ngumiti lang si Tori dito bilang sagot. Bago muling pumiraso sa slice ng cake sa hawak niyang platito at ibinigay iyon kay Rui. He smiled playfully before he opened his mouth for the cake. “Ngyum.” he said with his mouth full.

Natawa lang siya, bago inubos ang natitira pa sa platito. Pagkatapos ay ibinigay niya iyon dito. “Eto pa, dodong.” she giggled. Kinuha niya ang mga nabanlawan nang mga gamit at pinunasan ang mga iyon, bago ibinalik sa dish cabinet.

Nang matapos na nila ang mga ligpitin ay niyaya niya itong bumaba sa beach upang maglakad. The coast was well-lit at may ilan pang naroon din na kung hindi naglalakad ay mga nakaupo lang sa buhanginan at nakapaikot sa mga bonfire.

She  took his hand, and held onto it tight as they walked in silence. She felt so content. Ilang gabi niyang inimagine ang eksenang iyon. She longed for that moment. Of being happy and content by simply being with Rui.

She was actually fine with those thoughts, with simply imagining. Dahil hindi niya inisip na muli pang darating ang pagkakataong iyon.
Hindi kaya nananaginip lang siya? Hinila niya ang ilang hibla ng buhok. Bago marahang tinampal ang sarili. Aray!

“Anong ginagawa mo?” nagtataka pero natatawang sabi ni Rui habang hawak ang isang kamay niya, marahil ay nag-aalalang muli niyang tampalin ang sarili.

“Tinitingnan ko lang kung totoo ang lahat. Baka panaginip lang.” sagot niya. Inalis niya ang kamay sa pagkakahawak ng binata.

“Ang weird mo talaga ngayon, Attorney. Of course it's real.” hinuli nito ang parehong kamay niya at inilagay iyon sa magkabilang pisngi nito. “I'm real, okay? Ayan, hawak mo na ang guwapong mukha ko.”
She just looked at him intently. “Kung totoo ka talaga, puwede kitang halikan?”

He arched a brow at her. “Here? May mga makakakita...”

“So? I only live once...” sabi lang niya. Inilapit niya ang mukha dito at akmang hahalikan na ito ngunit marahan nitong inilayo ang sarili sa kanya.

“I think you just had too much wine, Viktoria.” naiiling na sabi nito. “Tara, ihahatid na kita sa inyo.” inakbayan siya ni Rui at iginiya pabalik sa direksyon ng bahay nito.

“Excuse me, I'm sober! Naka-dalawang baso lang ako ng wine.” protesta niya, at pinilit kumawala dito. Ngunit tila naaaliw na tiningnan lang siya ng binata bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. “Rafael Luis Javellana! Huwag kang OA. You're forgetting that I went through four years of law school and we survived mostly through hard work, and lots of booze. I've had harder stuff than wine. I had pure tequilla and unflavored vodka... and scotch. And whisky! Minsan halu-halo pa iyon.” patuloy na sabi niya.

“Can you hear yourself, Viktoria? You're talking too much. And loudly. You're drunk.” naiiling na sabi nito. Paakyat na sila sa kinatitirikan ng bahay nito.

“Sira. I was just trying to explain. Kahit sinong nagdaan sa law school ang tanungin mo, iyon ang sasabihin sa iyo. I am sober, Rui. Don't treat me like I am out of my wits. I can even drive myself home if I brought a car.” patuloy na sabi niya habang muling inaalis ang kamay sa pagkakahawak nito. Sa wakas ay bumitaw din ito.

“You wanted to kiss me right in front of those people on the beach. And I have always known you to not favor PDA.” paalala nito habang mataman siyang minamasdan.

She smiled. “It is your brithday, Rui. And like I said, I only live once. Maano ba iyong basagin ko naman ang ilang rules ko minsan?”
He stepped closer. “”You can kiss me now.”

Sinalubong niya ang tingin nito. “By all means...” then she cupped his head with both hands and pulled him close, so she can kiss him, and she did with all the passion and intensity she could muster. She kissed him as if there was no tomorrow. Dahil kahit alam niyang hindi siya nananaginip lang, at lalong hindi siya lasing, ay gusto niyang patunayan sa pamamagitan ng halik na iyon na totoo ang lahat. 

Tori could see, hear, smell, feel, taste love spilling out from that kiss. Out and all over, until she doesn't know what else to do anymore. Maybe kissing isn't enough. Maybe...

Naramdaamn niyang marahan siyang hinawakan ni Rui sa magkabilang balikat at inilayo dito. His breathing was coming out in gasps, as if he was drowning. But Tori could see desire in his eyes, and the pain of holding back... holding back what?

“I should drive you home, Viktoria...” bulong nito.

She looked at him, straight into those soulful eyes, with his glasses now slightly bent. “Äyoko pang umuwi.” itinulak niya pabukas ang main door. “Where is your room?”

“Viktoria...” tila nahihirapang tawag ni Rui.

“Nasaan dito ang kuwarto mo? Let's go there..” she grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him close. “Tell me where it is before I change my mind, Rui.” she said, almost in a whisper.

“Viktoria, are you sure?” naniniguradong tanong ni Rui. She could see shock, disbelief and excitement in his eyes.

Tumango siya. She's never felt so sure in her life. “Yes. Without any doubt...none at all.” she kissed him once more. Before she felt herself being lfited, being carried, as his mouth kept moving over hers and all she did was kiss him back as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.