Beyond His Caution (Lost and Retained #1)

Kabanata 23

Kabanata 23

Hands Intertwined

We are on our way home. Ang kaliwang kamay ko ay hawak-hawak ni Toran habang siya'y nagd-drive. Marahan niyang hinahaplos iyon habang nakalapag sa legs ko. 

I can't stop myself from smiling. Simula ng sabihin ko na gusto ko siya, hindi na niya binitawan ang kamay ko. He's holding it like his life depends on it.

I gave him a smile when he asked me if we are together. Ilan minuto kaming nagtititigan nang ngiti lang ang ginawad ko sa kanya. He looks confused and nervous at the same time but a small smile crept across his lips after a few idle moments.

Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo. He went directly at me and pulled me for a hug. Agad na lumapat ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya.

He's tall and huge but he feels soft and gentle while I'm wrapped in his arms. Para bang komportable at ligtas ako sa mga yakap niya.

''W-why?'' I asked, shocked with his sudden move.

''Hmm..''

''Bakit ka napayakap? Dream come true ba?'' pilya kong sabi.

Unti-unti kong tinaas ang mga braso ko at yinakap na rin siya. I can feel his ripped back from my touch. 

He laughed. ''Yeah. You are my dream come true..'' he whispered. 

My brows furrowed and I gave him a pout when I went away from the hug.

''Bolero ka, 'no?''

He chuckled. ''It's true. My eyes automatically glued on you when I saw you that day..''

I blinked for a couple of seconds. My lips parted. To hear from Toran that it is really me who he likes from the very beginning is making my heart flutter in happiness. Akala ko talaga ay hindi ako..

''I didn't expect that you'd remember me..''

''Who wouldn't remember you? You are all serious when I first saw you. Kahit na nagbibiro ako at tumatawa na ang lahat ay wala ka pa rin pinapakita na emosyon,'' sagot niya.

I pouted more. ''Wala kasi si Lucy.. Wala akong makausap no'n. Saka.. why didn't you get my name?'' naningkit ang mata ko.

''I'd look like a stalker, Liana. I can get the registration form and search for your name but that's creepy,'' halakhak niya.

''When I saw you again, that moment inside the department, I couldn't believe it..'' dugtong niya.

''B-bakit?''

He hold my right hand and intertwined it with his. ''I thought I just had a crush on you but when I saw you that day again, looking at me like you are interested..'' he insinuated with a teasing smile across his lips.

''I knew it is more than a crush. Ang tanda ko na para do'n,'' he laughed.

''Hindi ko naisip na baka naaalala mo ako no'n. Miski ako nagulat na speaker ka pala sa event na dinaluhan ko,'' I answered. Feeling so happy and amused.

''So it's really me who likes you that much, huh?''

''Yeah..'' I chuckled.

We both seated when the waiter came. Napanguso si Toran dahil ayaw nyang pakawalan ang kamay ko. Kung hindi ko pa iyon kinalas ay baka walang bumitaw sa aming dalawa.

Ang iba't ibang putahe ay nilapag na sa mesa. Shrimp fettuccine alfredo, the special bulalo, at ang potted shrimp lang ang pamilyar sa akin. 

''Have you dined here before?'' salita ko pagkatapos umalis ng waiter.