Brave Hearts (Published Under LIB)

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26

HOW could this man wait for me for years? Was it for real? Was it possible to love for a long time without getting tired? Could someone really love that much even if things were uncertain?

While staring at Atlas' sleeping face, I couldn't help but feel emotional and wonder how much time he spent waiting for me. Sa akin na hindi sigurado, sa akin na nawawala at takot na muli silang makita.

How could you love that much, bibi?

He looked like a baby sleeping beside me, magulo pa ang buhok at bahagyang nakaawang ang labi. He looked so adorable and handsome, naalala ko na naman ang pinanggagawa niya kagabi kaya napangiti ako.

Kapag pinagsama talaga itong magpinsan na 'to at lasing, parang nayayanig ang mundong ibabaw.

His arms were wrapped around my waist. Umayos ako ng higa at ipinatong ang ulo sa kamay ko habang pinagmamasdan siya.

Dr. Atlas Louis Montezides. Ang gwapo naman ng pangalan, bagay na bagay sa kanyang mukha.

I chuckled a bit when I touched his nose, he jolted and then went back to settling down. His lips protruded a bit and I was so tempted to kiss him so that was what I did.

Mabilis lang naman. I stole a quick kiss from his lips and giggled like a teenager.

I remembered my high school days with him, my first kiss during the ball but that was the last one too. Ngayon lang ako muling nakahalik kaya siguro'y tuwang-tuwa ako.

I glanced at the clock and it was almost seven in the morning, hindi ko nga alam anong oras na kaming nakatulog sa sobrang kakulitan ni Montezides. Napagod na lang din at nag-aya ng matulog.

I planted a soft kiss on his forehead and slowly removed his arms from my waist. Marahan akong umalis sa kama para magtungo sa banyo at maligo. When I got out, he was still sleeping like a baby. Nangingiting inangat ko ang comforter sa kanyang katawan bago lumabas ng kwarto para makapagluto ng agahan.

I took eggs and bacons from the fridge, balak kong ayain na dito na lang din kumain sina Heart para sabay-sabay na kami. Nag-ayos ako ng kanin para mag-fried rice na lang at nagtimpla ng orange juice at inilagay sa ref.

While I was in the process of frying bacon, I jumped when I felt a tight hug from my back.

"O-oh..." I gasped and turned to see Atlas hugging me from behind, his head buried at the side of my neck. "Atlas?"

His breath was touching my neck. Nangunot ang noo ko nang 'di siya magsalita kaya inangat ko ang kamay ko at inabot ang kanyang buhok.

"What's the matter?" I whispered. "You okay, bibi?"

He heaved a deep sigh, hugging me more, binaba ko ang sandok at hinawakan ang kamay niya sa may tiyan ko.

"Atlas?" I called. "You okay?"

"Hmm," he hummed, sniffing my neck. "I'm just making sure you're real..."

Doon na ako nangiti.

"This is real, Atlas. Bakit naman 'di 'to magiging totoo?" I asked.

"Kasi nga, sa panaginip nga lang kita nayayakap," he whispered and kissed my neck, napasinghap na ako at pinalo ang kamay niya sa tiyan ko.

"Makiliti, Atlas!" I hissed.

But he didn't stop. It amused him. Walang pakundangang pinaulanan niya ng halik ang leeg ko.

"M-makiliti...it tickles! Ano ba!" tawa ko.

I screamed but he was too quick to carry me, napairit ako nang walang hirap niyang nabuhat ako sa braso niya kaya napakapit ako sa batok niya.

"Atlas!" I hissed, sinipa pa ang paa ko para makawala pero masyado siyang malakas at persistent.