Before I Hold You (Haciendera Series #1)

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

Delusional

I ran out of words as he stared at me intently. Para akong mabibingi sa sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. Those last three words... it made my world stop. 

He wants to marry me. Kasal. I've never thought about that. Sa murang edad pa lang ay naisip na niya iyon pero ako...

"Samuel, a-are you serious? We're not even yet in a relationship but-"

His large hand held mine. He caressed the back of my hand using his thumb. The side of his lips rose a bit. 

"I'm serious, Anastasia. You may think I'm crazy but you're already included in my priorities. You're one of the reasons why I'm striving harder to chase my dreams."  

Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko. My lips parted, slightly trembled because of unknown emotions. Napainom ako ng juice, sakaling ikalma ang sarili, pero natapon ang juice sa uniform ko dahil halos manginig ang mga kamay ko!

I muttered a curse for the mess I made. Sometimes I hate myself for being clumsy when I am with him. I tried to wipe my skirt using my handkerchief pero hindi na naalis ang bakas ng juice.

"Oh, dahan-dahan lang," he softly spoke.

He raised his hand to the side of my lips then wiped it using his thumb. I can't help but to stare at him when he's close to me. When he stopped wiping, his gaze went to my parted lips at nagtagal roon ang tingin. 

He slowly lean his face to mine while not taking his eyes off my lips. I almost froze when his nose is almost touching mine! I closed my eyes, waiting for him to kiss me.

"Ate Asia, nandiyan ba ang phone ko?"

Naalarma ako nang papalapit ang kapatid niya. Sa sobrang gulat ko, minulat ko ang mga mata at lumayo sa kanya, aabutang kaonti na lang ay hahalikan na ako! I grabbed my juice, sipped it then... blew it in front of his face! He almost jumped and his eyes opened in surprise!

Nang makitang malapit na ang kapatid niya, I pushed him hard, making him fell on the floor. His eyes are wide open because of shock. Dali-dali akong umayos ng pagkakaupo nang dumating si Leticia, as if walang halikang magaganap.

"Oh! Anong nangyari sa'yo, Kuya? Para kang tanga diyan na halos nakahilata sa sahig," she commented.

I confidently sipped my juice, not looking at him. Halos mapapikit ako sa kahihiyan dahil sa ginawa ko sa kanya. As if sasabihin ko sa kapatid niya na muntik na kaming maghalikan kaya ko siya tinulak.

"She pushed me when I was about to ki-"

Humagalpak ako sa tawa. "Tama ka, Leticia! Mukha nga siyang tanga riyan! Kiniliti ko lang sa bewang, nahulog na sa sahig!" palusot ko.

When I looked at Samuel, he looked hopeless. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kanya at napainom ulit ako ng juice. Damn you, Samuel! Gusto mo pang ibulgar na ang muntik na tayong maghalikan sa sarili niyong bahay.

Bumungisngis si Leticia at umupo sa bakanteng upuan. Hindi ko matingnan si Samuel dahil sa nasabi ko. In my peripheral vision, he stood up then wiped his face. Dumako ang tingin ko kay Samuel na naguguluhan akong tinitingnan. I smiled fakely at him. Pasensya na, ha?

"Nagtatanga-tangahan lang 'yan, Ate Asia. He's isn't like that before he met you," she smirked. 

"At least napapansin niya ako. Ikaw? Alam kong nagtatanga-tangahan ka sa crush mo pero 'di ka naman pinapansin," Samuel fired back.

Woah! That was unexpected! A playful smirk appeared on Samuel's lips. Leticia glared at him then threw the pillow to his brother. Gusto ko rin sanag asarin ang kawawang bata pero baka palayasin niya ako rito.