Between The Lines

A kiss for appreciation

When i woke up, bigla kong nahigit ang aking hininga ng makita ang lalaking nasa aking harapan habang ako ay pinapaypayan.

He was wearing a helmet and some breathing apparatus, like a face mask or so.

Napakunot noo akong nakatitig sa kanya. I heard him chuckle before removing his helmet and mask. "Okay ka lang?" He asked immediately.

I stared at him from head to toe and I realize his a fire fighter. "O-okay lang, am i unconscious for so long?"

He shooked his head. "Fortunately, you didn't. Gumising ka kaagad, and that's good news. I thought something had happened to you, nagkulang ang mga rescuer and ambulance, the fire broke out which was raised to the 4th alarm. Neighborhood and other businesses were affected badly. That approximately 45 was pronounced dead. Pang 46 ka na sana."

He giggles. I stared at him, unbothered. "You looked for me?"

"Trabaho ko naman 'yun syempre—"

A tear fell on my eyes and i hugged him very tight. "I smell ash—" I scoffed and cut his sentence off.

"No one tries to help me in the most vulnerable time of my life, whether it's your job or not, you could have not come, i totally heard them. Siguro nasabi na 'yun sa inyo na nakalabss na ang lahat. Alam kong ako na lang naiwan sa building na 'yun but yet—"

"Yeah, Intuition. Sinabi nila lahat ay nakalabas na but i didn't listen, because things like that happen, I don't wanna guilt creep on my system. i wanna check even though i was being called, dahil nga sa kakulangan ng tao nakinig agad ang iba kong kasamahan na wala na, they looked so frustrated that time but a miracle came. Mabilis naapula ang apoy but the search is still ongoing."

"Thank you, i-i appreciate it. It means a lot to me," bumitaw na ako sa pagkakayakap sa kanya at tsaka napatitig sa lugar.

"Nasa tent ka ngayon, the medics Installed it here dahil puno na lahat ng hospital. But if you're uncomfortable pwede kitang ilipat."

"No thanks, it's not a big deal. I'm not dying." I looked at him and smiled. "I'm Ynes Victoria Real, you are?"

"Rhyster Archimedes Alcaraz, Rhys or Archi for short."

I smiled again. "Thank you again, Rhys."

He shrugged and stood up. "You're thanking me way too much, if you're thankful. A kiss of appreciation is enough."

He chuckled. "Just kidding. Mauna na ako"

He turned his back at me and started walking out of the tent. Tumayo ako at tsaka hinabol siya, i grabbed his hand, making him glance at me.

He was so tall that i needed to tip-toe and press my lips against him, i was expecting him to be shocked and froze or didn't move at all but he opened his mouth and grabbed a handful of my hair. A slow burning sensation arises as his kisses are slowly getting deeper and aggressive.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and I could clearly smell the ashes and smoke from his body but it didn't help me stop at all. "R-rhys" I moaned his name as i felt his hand travelled to my butt.

"Yes?" He said in between our kisses. He sucked and licked every corner of my lips sensually until we ran out of breath. I took a deep breath at habol ang hininga na bumitaw.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't go that far. That's reckless—"

I peeked a kiss on his lips and smiled. "I hope it's enough to show my appreciation?"

He bit his lips and I could sense him blushing. "Hmmm, i think so? Let's see each other soon, Miss heiress." Umalis na ito pagkatapos magpaalam.

Napabuntong hininga ako. What did i just do?

It wasn't me. What? Did I fall in love at first sight? Why? Who wouldn't be? He's so broad, tall, his jawline, his nose, his brown eyes. His thick brows? I guess that would be a problem.

His handsome, for sure he has a girlfriend? What if he does have one?

God. Am I committing a crime?

Ayshh! I should have made it clear!!

I should talk to him, sooner. Not next week but tomorrow.

I should clear things up so i wouldn't feel guilty. No! Cheating?! I can't bear to cheat accidentally!

I should do what i have to do. Or make him investigated?

Both.

I should do both.

"Darling?" I heard my Father's voice as i left the tent. Kasama niya si mama, they were standing next to each other with a worried face. I sighed.

They left even though their only child wasn't with them?

"Are you okay, hija? I talked to Zach and he said nahiwalay ka daw sa kanya when you two tried to leave. "

I smirked and laughed sarcastically. "As if, maniniwala ka pa rin sa taong 'yun?"

"What do you mean, Ynes?" Dad asked in a serious tone of voice.

"He left before i could process anything. I was rescued by a firefighter, over there" tinuro ko ang mga nagkukumpulan na mga rescuer. They were talking and took note they looked so tired.

"Oh my gosh? So it was you? You were the one left alone?" My mother asked, shocked.

I nodded. "I am."

"I'm sorry, Hija." My mother hugged me and tapped my shoulder. "We got busy, the fire broke out first in our building, that everything na natamaan ng sunog ay humihingi na ng danyos. Nabusy tuloy kami sa pagaasikaso nun."

I smiled. "It's fine, I'm alive thanks to, him."

I was watching Rhys walking towards out direction with a purse on his hand. He smiled at our eyes had contact.

"Ynes, it's your pouch. Nakita daw 'yan nila when they looked for things to retrieve." Rhys said and handed me my purse.

Buti at hindi rin ito nasunog. I totally forgot i had this.

"Thank you!" I said smiling.

My mom cleared her throat kaya napa tingin si Rhys sa kanya. "Good evening, madam. Rhys Alcaraz"

"He's the one who saved me." I said as i shifted my focused to her.

Dad walked towards Rhys position and hugged him. Rhys was startled and frozed. "Thank you, Son." Three words but, means a lot. He was so sincere and I know dad so well than the woman who raised me, my mom.

"It's not a problem, Sir. Trabaho ko naman po talaga. Just thank your daughter for staying alive" he smiled at me. "I'll be leaving now."

"Okay, take care." Mom said, frowning.

I just sighed staring at my mom. She was so over reacting. Ano bang meron sa kanya?

She's like that every time she sees "commoner" ika nga niya.

"Let's leave Romualdo, You should freshen up. That commoner smells like smoke."

"Mom, don't be rude. Parang hindi naman kayo nanggaling sa kalagayan na 'yan. You were once a commoner na ikinasal sa mayaman. Did you forget you weren't born with a golden spoon, Mom?"

Mom didn't talked. Umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin at tsaka napabuntong hininga. "If i insulted you, I'm sorry. But I won't be sorry for what i said, you don't have to be rude to the person who saved me. He was there when I couldn't reach any of you. So I wouldn't let you insult anyone, Lalong-lalo na siya"

Kinaumagahan maaga akong umalis para pumunta sa aking trabaho. Yes, i work. I don't just sit and relax. I tied my hair in a ponytail and wore a lacey spaghetti strap corset top paired with a pencil skirt and a blazer.