Galleria

Chapter 36

"Aren't you too hard to him?" he asked with his furrowed eyebrows.

"Hmmm. Serves him right." I simply replied.

I admit I am too hard but he deserved it. That's what he gets in hurting my friend.

"I hate him for hurting Roya! Don't try to cover up for him!" I am just so frustrated right now.

"Calm down. You are always so hot tempered." His voice lowered as his arms enveloped my waist.

"What are you doing here by the way? I still don't forgive you, remember?" I unclasp his hands.

"Your nephew is a fucking as---." Hinatak niya ako saka niya ako hinalikan dahilan upang hindi ko maituloy ang aking sasabihin.

Tila ba ako nawalan ng lakas sa ginagawa niya. Nanlalambot ang mga tuhod ko dahilan upang mapakapit ako ng mahigpit sa kanyang matipunong braso.

"I love you Chaya." sabi niya saka niya muling sinakop ang aking labi.

"Hmmm.. S-top." I pushed him a little to break the kiss. Hindi ko pa siya napapatawad.

"Chaya." Muli niya akong hinatak upang halikan ngunit nag iwas ako ng mukha.

"Greg. Hindi pa tayo bati!" ang kaninang inis at galit na nararamdaman ko'y tila unti-unti niyang pinapawi. Hindi na ako galit sa kanya ngunit ayaw kong isipan niyang 'easy-to-get' ako. I have what they called 'PRIDE."

"Come on Chaya. Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sayong wala akong kinalaman sa mga desisyon o kahit anong agenda ni Raphael." He looks so pitiful.

"Kailan mo ba ako papaniwalaan Chaya?" he added.

"You want me to believe in you? Then try putting some efforts para maniwala ako." I said in a sarcastic voice tsaka ko siya tinaasan ng kilay.

"Ano pang gusto mo? I did everything I can. Put all of my efforts these past few weeks." tila ako binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa sinabi niya.

Come to think of it. May point naman siya.

After I went to his condo nang mga panahong hindi ko mahagilap si Rain. He sent me flowers every day. He call me several times which I always decline. Tuwing nagpupunta siya dito sa apartment ay hindi ako lumalabas kaya he would wait outside for an hour or so.

"Ganyan ka ba ka-manhid Chaya?" he look so pained.

I can't help but to feel guilty.

Yes, he did everything he can. He lend a hand when I asked him for help.

"Sorry if my efforts isn't enough for you." he looked on the floor and his voice is trembling.

"I'm sorry I am so useless. I'm sorry if my nephew hurt Roya. I am sorry that I am Raphael's uncle."

"Sorry I came here. I just wanted to see if you are okay."

"I'll leave now, I'm sorry I bothered you." he turned his back and walk through the door.

Fuck this! Why do I love this man so much!

I pulled him towards me and before he realized, my lips pressed into his.

I caged him with my embrace.

He is so warm.

"I'm sorry." I broke the kiss and looked at his face.

That's when I saw his eye bags, the lines in his forehead and his sad eyes. He really look so tired.

"Sorry for acting like a child." I traced his lips using my thumb and softly caressed his cheeks with my other hand.

"You know I'll do everything for you Chaya." His tears flow gently.

"Hush now. I love you." once again, I claimed his lips and we got devoured by the fire of passion.

......................................................

"Greg, can you accompany me today?" I am resting my head on his chest and I can still hear his heartbeat. It is so fast as if he run for a marathon.

"Sure." He said gently as he play with my hair.

"You know. Rain knelt down in front of me when we talked." I said out of the blue. I still can't forget the frustration and loneliness that is written all over his face.

"He cried." I added.

"Hmmmm. I knew it. He love her." he simply replied.

"At first, Raphael planned to woo Roya because of the Galleria's Lot. He needs it so badly because it'll serve as a restaurant for their newly built hotel and it is Raphael's very first big project so he wanted to impress the investors."

"Little did Raphael know that as time progress, He is falling deeply in love with Roya. He doesn't want to admit but it is written all over his face." He added.

"He never begged for anything to anyone before. That's how high his pride is. But if he knelt down in front of you, begged while crying. Then, Roya must have awaken the 'love' that is sleeping deep within Raphael'd heart."

"I understand now why you are so confident back then. You really know your nephew after all." I said as a sign of defeat.

"Chaya, is Roya's condition really that bad?" he asked with the hint of curiosity.

"She have an amnesia because of depression and stress. But the doctor told us not to worry because her memories can still be restored. She just needed some time." I explained.

"However, that last time we rushed her to the hospital. The doctor told us to watch over her carefully coz she might be suicidal." I paused.

"She cut her palm that time." I can't help but see Roya's face back then. She looks so miserable.

"I hope she'll be fine soon. She's such a gentle person." I looked at him and gave a peck kiss on his lips.

I sat on the bed and turned to him.

"Let's take shower and visit Roya." I reached for his hand and once again shared a passionate kiss.