Taming Sun in the Heir's Heart

Chapter 15

"All I saw that time was you smacking spaghetti on her face," he explained, "My mind didn't work on that moment, I was too shocked."

Ikinikwento na nito ngayon ang nakita niya sa nangyari. Umikot ang mata ko dahil sa nabubuo na namang galit.

"I've known Vanessa for being sweet, and I've known you for being strong, so that's maybe my initial thinking. I'm really sorry," He sincerely apologized, "I forgot that you will never raise a hand unless there's a person being bullied."

"Now, you remembered," I rolled my eyes.

Nakaupo kami ngayon sa sofa. It's past 12am and he's still here to apologize.

"Nagsink-in lang sa akin no'ng mapanood ko ang CCTV footage. I remembered you are a black belter in aikido and taekwondo."

Ang mga kamay kong naka-krus sa aking dibdib ay pinaghiwalay niya. Sa kaliwang bahagi ng sofa siya naka-upo kaya hinawakan niya ang kaliwang kamay ko upang pakiramdaman ang nasugatan doon.

"Are you having troubles doing your plates because of this?" He asked.

"No. Support lang naman ang left ko but," I said in detail, "Medyo mahirap dahil kumikirot minsan."

Parang kanina lang ay umiiyak ako dahil sa sakit na nararamdaman ko at sa hindi pagkaka-alam ng birthday.

I sighed remembering why I ignored him. I was being too much to him. Siya ang sumasalo ng pagkukulang ng mga dati kong manliligaw. They gave me less than the bare minimum, and now that Damon's giving me more than the bare minimum, he is being ignored.

"I sorry too for ignoring you for days," I said when silence fell between us as he is massaging my injured hand.

"I understand." He answered with a sincere smile, "But it's making me feel awful how along those months of dating, I haven't gained your full trust."

My eyes pooled with tears. Nguiwi ang labi ko at gustong pigilan ang pagiyak ngunit tumuloy-tuloy ito. Umiling-iling ako dahil gusto kong pabulaanan ang sinasabi niya ngunit gano'n talaga ang nang yayari.

"It's okay, Francy, I understand." He said, "But I still have a long time to date you and get to know you. Someday, I'll earn your trust—"

I shool my head between his words, couldn't the pain I'm feeling, I cannot talk. I covered his hand holding my left hand with my right hand.

"—and will make myself trustworthy enough for you to keep me for life." He said in pain, "You don't have to do the same. Because I trust more than I trust other people. After this thing happened, it made me trust you ten times I trust you before."

My sobs and his hush are the only things you could here at this very moment. I constantly shook my head to stop him from saying painful words that could hurt him.

"I'm... sorry..." I sobbed.

Pilit niyang pinupunasan ang mga luhang lumalandas sa aking pisngi. Pinapatahan din ako at paulit-ulit na sinasabing wala akong ginawang kasalanan.

"Sorry for always making you feel untrustworthy." I said, almost whisper.

"It's okay. It's okay, I have a plan for that. No need to feel sorry." He hugged me this time.

His hug made me feel warmth and comfortable. Patuloy lang ang paghikbi ko sa kaniyang leeg at patuloy naman ang paghagod niya sa likod ko at sa paghalik sa aking buhok.

"You said hate crying kasi nagbo-bloat ang mukha mo the next morning?" He said to cheer me up, "We will date tomorrow and you're crying. Mahihirapan ka na takpan 'yan ng make up!"

I chuckled at his words. Gusto kong kagatin ang balikat niya sa gigil sa kaniya pero hindi ko na ginawa.

"Bakit? 'Di mo na 'ko magugustuhan kapag bloated ang mukha ko?" Tanong ko nang humiwalay ako sa pagkakayakap sa kaniya.

"No. I'm falling deeper now though," Titig na titig ito ngayon, "You don't look like you just cried."

"Ah. It's my magic." I chuckled, "Anyways, we will be having our date tomorrow?"

"Later, baby. But, yes." I chuckled again after he corrected me. He laughed with me.

"It's quite late. You should go home." I smiled at him.

"Are we good now?" I nodded at his question, "Are you sure?"

"Yep." I smiled.

Ngumiti ang gwapong nilalang sa harapan ko at ginulo ang buhok ko. Nauna itong lumabas at inantay pa akong makapasok sa bahay bago pinaandar ang kotse.

To Tita Elise:

Sorry, Tita. Damon and I had misunderstang. Ngayon palang po uuwi si Damon. We had to talk about something.

I explained. Nakatext ako kay Tita Elise kanina ng tungkol sa pagpapaalam ko na si Damon ay nandito pa rin sa bahay. Ngayon ay natext ulit para ipaalam na pauwi na ito dahil baka nagaalala ang mga pamilya niya.

"I remember noticing Luke last night looking at me and trying to talk to me. But we have bouncers around because we can't let anyone near us because JC." kwento ko, "Tapos biglang nando'n ka na?"

Damon laughed at my side of story that night.

"I was drunk and it was dark that I didn't recognize him at first but he resemble some of your features—"

"Mas gwapo ako doon." He cut me off. That made me stop.

"Yeah, I know. But you two really look alike an—"

"But I look way better than him. Don't put me in the same frame as him." Halos kulog na ang galit sa boses nito.

Gusto ko nang matawa. I look out of the window of his car. We are on ourway to Bataan to watch sunset.

"Can I sleep? Ginawa ko pa ang remaining plates ko para hindi ako magahol bukas e." Sabi ko, "Wala akong tulog."

Kita ko ang pagsimangot nito habang diretso ang tingin sa dinadaanan.

"I'm still having my sentiments here and there this love of my life beside me, feeling sleepy," Bulong-bulong nito na akala mo sobrang lawak ng pagitan namin para hindi ko marinig iyon.

He's all to that pagtatampo vibe niya, but he still reclined my seat to help me sleep comfortably.

"Sabi ko, magkamukha kayo. Pero wala akong sinabi na nagga-gwapuhan ako roon." Saad ko, "And he's like what? Same age as mine or younger? No thanks."

"Ayaw mo sa kaedad mo?" He asked.

I lied my head on the back rest. Tumagilid ako paharap kay Damon. He is looking fresh with his clean cut hair and his casual clothes. Ang gwapo, sobra.

Napapapikit-pikit na ang mata ko sa antok pero kailangan ko pa ring sagutin ang tanong niya.

"Not really. Pero ikaw naman kasi ang gusto ko kaya syempre, ayaw ko sa mga gano'n." Wala sa sarili kong sabi.

Nakapikit na ang mata ko nang marinig ko ang pagmumura niya. Hinampas pa nito ang manibela kaya napadilat ako.

"Why? What's wrong?" Napabangon ako napatingin sa paligid.

But everything looks normal so I have to look back at him.

And there, I'm seeing Damon so red like a tomato.

I gasped in shock. Nang magsink in sa akin ang kung ano nangyari ay saka lang ako natawa.

I laughed whole heartedly. Pilit nitong kinukunot ang noo sa akin at ipinapakita ang suplado nitong ekspresyon na nakikita ko lamang kapag may kausap siyang iba maliban sa akin, pamilya niya at mga kaibigan niya.

"Nagsusuplado yarn?" Pang aasar ko.

Tinusok ko ng aking hintuturo ang kaniyang pisngi. Masungit nitong iniiwas ang mukha sa akin kaya mas lalo akong natawa.

"Ganiyan ka pala magselos, no? Pakiligin lang ng onti, matutunaw na agad?" Me spitting out my observation which is very obvious.

"Stop it. You're taking advantage of my weakness." Anas nito. Hinawakan ang kaliwa kong kamay na kinikiliti siya at nilapag iyon sa lap ko.

Itinigil nito ang kotse sa gilid, malapit sa mga puno.

"Iihi ka?" Tanong ko na natatawa.

"Oo, sasama ka?" Balik nitong tanong.

Dahil inaabot ako ng kalokohan ay tumatawa akong sumagot.

"Oo, tara titignan ko future ko sa pants mo—"

"Francine Lucy! Oh! Your mouth!" Binuo nito ang pangalan ko habang takip-takip ang bibig ko ng kaniyang kamay.

Mamamatay na ako sa kakatawa.

"Don't be so naughty!" Pinakawalan nito ang bibig ko nang maramdaman ang tawa ko.

Pinanggigilan nito ang pisngi kong pisilin at niyakap ako nang sobra higpit.

"What? Ang inosente ko kaya!" Anas ko sa kaniya na natatawa na rin sa kalokohan ko.

"Innocent my ass." He blurted out, "I'll just pee and stay here. Don't you dare look at my thing, magagalit 'to!"

His warning made me laugh hard. He is smirking playfully with his words. Medyo tumatawa itong lumabas ng kotse at umihi sa isang puno.

Looking around, every side looks so green. Mapuno at madamo ang paligid. Maaliwas ang kulay ng mga ito at buhay na buhay ang kalikasan at ang kultura noon rito.

"I thought you'll be sleeping?" Tanong agad nito nang makapasok at nakitang kumakain na ako ng pringles na binili niya para sa akin.

"Nagutom ako kakatawa." Sagot ko.

He started driving again. Kumuha ako ng isang piraso ng pringles at itinapat iyon sa kaniyang bibig.

"Eat it," sabi ko kaya kinain niya naman. Gano'n ang naging routine. Kakain ako at pakakainin ko siya habang nakikinig sa tugtog.

Kumuha ako ng water bottle sa likod. I opened it myself and drink directly to it.

"Can I have a drink, too?" He asked.

Tumigil ako sa paginom at kukuha sana ng isa pang bottled water sa back seat nang hawakan niya ang kamay kong may hawak ng ininuman ko at itinapat iyon sa bibig niya. Direkta siyang uminom sa ininuman ko. Binitawan niya ang kamay ko at hinayaan akong hawakan iyon para sa kaniya.

"Pa-baby ka rin talaga, 'no? I remember you drinking with your own hand while driving before." Sabi ko, "At talagang sa ininuman ko pa. That's indirect kiss!"

"You seem caring whenever I drive. Sinusulit ko lang." sagot nito, "And that's only indirect. We'll do more than that when we're together."

That made my eyes widen in shock. An image of us kissing each other made my face heated.

"H-hoy! Hindi, ah! Matagal pa 'yon!" Hinampas ko ang braso niya.

"What? Tititigan lang natin ang isa't-isa kapag officially dating na tayo? Of course not, baby. We'll eventually do kissing." saad nito, "And when we're married, we'll do more than kissing. Ayun na 'yung future mo under my pants."

Gulat na gulat ako sa mga pinagsasabi niya at nakatingin lamang ako dito, hindi gumagalaw. Now, it's his turn to laugh out loud.

"You keep on blabbering naughty words, and now that it's my turn, you're so red that you can't talk?" He pulled over the car, "Where's your tongue, naughty girl?"

He turned to me and cup my face. Sobrang lapit ng mukha nito sa akin habang nakangisi. Ang titig nito sa aking labi ang mas lalong nagpamula sa aking mukha.

Dahil sa pagtitig nito sa akin ay bumalik ang pagiisip ng pagsagot sa kaniya ng 'oo' sa panliligaw sa akin.

Nang bumalik ang mata nito sa akin ay nagiwas ako ng tingin. He chuckled and kissed my forehead instead. Napapikit ako sa rahan at lambot ng paghalik nito sa akin.

"We're here now."

I pushed him lightly to sit properly. Natawa siya sa ginawa ko kaya naupo siya nang maayos. He even let me retouch my make-up.

We are near the view deck, out looking the mountains, sea, and the sun setting. Kakaunti lang ang tao sa paligid para manood. This is more like an exclusive place for sightseeing. May sumalubong kaninang nagaccomodate sa amin.

Nang lumabas na si Damon habang inaayos ang bag ko ay ang pakikipagtalo ko sa isip kung paano ang gagawin sa pinaplano ko. Mabagal ang paglabas ko sa pinto ng kotse ni Damon habang tinitignan ang paligid kung saan gagawin.

"What's wrong? You don't like the place?" He asked.

"No! Sobrang ganda!" Agap kong sagot saka ngumiti kay Damon ng sobra. Pinakatitigan pa ako nito bago tumango.

"Let's wait untill the sun sets?" I asked him when we got near the edge.

"Yes, and we'll eat our dinner there." Turo nito sa exclusive restaurant.

Sa restaurant na lang kaya? Joke. Nakakahiya. Parang public confession. Maraming makakaalam. Fresh pa masyado ang issue dahil hindi pa nakalilipas ang isang buwan simulang mangyari ito.

I took out my phone to take pictures of the scenery.

"Paint that and I'll buy it. This time, don't give it to anyone." I laughed at what he whispered to me.

Iyong unang beses na nagpaint ako ng sinabi niyang bibilhin niya ay kinuha ni Kuya Vince bago ko pa mapaalam kay Damon na tapos na.

"Kinuha kasi ni Kuya Vince sa kwarto ko. Nakita ko na lang, nakadisplay na." I said.

Hindi ko na binawi dahil ang materials na ginamit ko roon ay bili sa akin ni Kuya Vince. And the painting looked good on his dining's wall.

"Don't leave your door open then." Saad naman nito na ikinatawa ko. Parang nakikipag agawan pa kay Kuya.

"Let's just take a picture."

I took ay picture of us. I have compiled our pictures together and his stolen shots I took every time we date. We had someone we approached to help us take us a picture.

"Thank you po." Maagap kong saad sa napakiusapan namin. The guy took great photos of us.

"Send me that. I'll change my wallpaper this time." Damon whispered.

"Why? What's your lockscreen ba?" I asked him as I seat on the grass, facing the sunset.

Damon sat beside me and place his latest iphone on my lap, "Open my phone."

I raised an eyebrow and smirked at him.

Inayos ko ang iphone ko rin na cellphone at isinet up sa likod namin. Nakita niya iyon at nakitang recording ito.

"What is that for?" He asked.

"For vlog." sagot ko agad kahit may iba akong plano, "Memories na din."

He sat facing me so I did the same. Ang background namin sa video ay ang papalubog na araw. Nagiging silhoutte ang aming katawan dahil sa pangaagaw ng background. Inadjust ko pa ng konti at naayos naman nakikita kami at ang background namin.

I took his phone and open it. Umilaw ito at nagpakita ang picture kong nakangiting nakaheart sign. Kuha ito noong dance competition. Suot ko ang dalawang medal sa leeg. It was a stolen shot but I looked like I was looking at his phone. Maybe he took it while I'm having the time of my life letting all people take a picture of me.

"Why this picture? You should've ask me if you want us to take a picture that time! You look like a fan!" Masama ang loob ko, "And I looked haggard! Ang panget ko!"

He laughed at that and just shook his, "Well, I am really a fan of yours. And no, you look wonderful that day. I was so proud watching the woman I'm courting, for the first time competing on the dancefloor."

Mabilis akong nagisip ng pick up line.

"Then, the next time you'll watch that kind of competition, it will not be the woman you're courting. It will be your girlfriend you'll be watching." Saad ko.

I waited for his answer. Nagkatitigan pa kaming dalawa. Tumagilid ang ulo niya, tila nagtataka sa sinabi ko.

Tila hindi nakuha ang sinabi ko, umiling ito, "Nope, I will only be watching your competitions starting from the day I courted you."

He must be thinking of the women whom I'm constantly listing who are in this field, too! Akala siguro niya ay ayon ang tinuturo kong sunod na papanoorin niya at girlfriend niya.

I looked at the camera side ways. I made a weird expression of feeling disappointed and at the same time, getting weird at how Damon's mind work whenever he's with me.

I sighed. Sige, ibang diskarte naman. Hindi tumalab. Ang hirap naman na malaki ang age gap dahil hindi na niya nasusundan ang trend ng edad ko. Napakamot ako sa ulo ng patago.

"The sun is setting fast," He stated.

"It look so beautiful." I said. He agreed.

Papadilim na dahil mixed of yellow, dark orange and red orange na ang sky. Nilingon ko si Damon sa harap ko na tahimik na pinapanood ang sun set sa gilid namin.

"Belated happy birthday." Saad ko.

Napalingon siya sa akin. His deep brown eyes reflected the sun. He is deeply staring at me. Tiim bagang itong nakatitig sa akin.

I pulled something on my purse. I pulled his right hand and put a Saint Laurent chain bracelet on his wrist, almost the same of the chain necklace he made me wear with the ring as a pendant.

"I realized I didn't know you more than you know me," I sound crying, "Even the smallest detail about you, your birthday, I don't even know."

Sinulyapan ko ang mukha niya at nagulat sa pagkakatigil nito habang tinitignan ang paglapat ng chain bracelet sa kamay niya. Is he disappointed? Does it look cheap or what?

"If I've known your birthday, mas maganda pa diyan ang nabili ko. Sorry, mura lang tuloy nabili ko." I apologized.

He shook his head, still unable to move. He swallowed hard and raised his head to look into my eyes.

"Saint Laurent is expensive for a student, Francy..." Kita ko ang paglamlam ng titig niya sa akin.

Ang matigas na awra nito ay namamangha at nanlalambot ang pagtitig sa akin. Ang dalawang kamay kong nakahawak sa kamay niyang sinuotan ko ng bracelet ay kinulong din ng kaniyang mga kamay at dinala iyon sa kaniyang labi saka hinalikan iyon.

"Thank you... Thank you so much." He said in a husky pained voice.

I croaked my head to the other side to see his face but he's hiding already behind our hands. Huminga akong malalim. Pasulyap kong tinignan ang cellphone kung tuloy tuloy ang recording.

"W-wala ka bang itatanong?" I asked awkwardly.

Ibinaba niya ang kamay ko at curious na napatitig sa akin.

"Like a question yuu wanted to ask a long time ago?" I asked him to make it clearer.

Tumingala pa ito ng bahagya, at nang ibalik ang mga mata nito sa akin saka kunot noong umiling.

"I'm sure I have asked all of the questions I've wanted to ask before. Why?" Ibinaba nito ang mga kamay ko ngunit hawak pa rin.

Habang nakaindian sit ako at idiniretso niya ang mga paa sa magkabilang gilid ko. Ang mahahaba nitong legs na natatakpan ng pants ay kinukulong ako sa damuhan.

"Really? No questions at all? Sa buong panliligaw mo?" Giving another hint again.

He shooked his head. He put his hands behind my back and pulled me closer to him. Tapos na ata itong manood ng sunset kaya buong atensyon na nito ang nakatuon sa akin.

"Seryoso bang wala kang tanong o hindi mo lang ako nagegets?" I asked, getting impatient.

He croak his head on the other side, he is trying to read me. My annoyed expression is giving him a hard time to know what my point is.

"Is this the disadvatage of our four years age gap?" Tanong ko sa sarili ko ngunit dahil ang lapit namin sa isa't isa ay napasinghap siya.

"It's just four years. And I am not on the age to forget things." Pagdidipensa naman nito.

Umihip ang malakas at malamig na hangin. Medyo madilim na at binuhay na lamang ang warm yellow ligths na mga nakasabit, giving us another warm vibe kahit nauubusan na ako ng pasensya.

"Ah, so settled ka na sa manliligaw ka lang? Hindi mo na kailangang magtanong ng 'will you be my girlfriend?', gano'n?" I asked annoyed.

His lips parted at my words. Tila tuluyan na nitong nakalimutan ang cellphone na nagrerecord dahil sa mga ekspresyong ipinapakita nito ngayon. He was so shock. He stopped moving again.

"Ano? Uulitin mo o ako na ang magaanyaya sa'yo dahil parang nagenjoy ka na sa panlili—"

"Can I be your boyfriend?" He cuts me off with his loud but deep tone voice saying those.

It made my breathing hitched and my heart raise and started to pound loudly. My mouth is slightly open and my eyes are almost falling out.

Mapungay ang mga matang napalunok ito at tumingin muna sa damong nasa sahig bago humugot ng energy at tumingin ulit sa akin.

"I promise, I will do my best to love you so much. I will still constantly court you and take care of you. I love you so damn much!" Mahaba ngunit sa nanginginig na boses na litanya ni Damon, "So now, Francine Lucy Ignacio, will you accept me to be your boyfriend before we get married?"

Ang mariing titig nito, ang nakakapang init na haplos sa puso ko dahil sa kumportableng ambiance ng paligid, at ang sinseridad ng lalaking nasa harapan ko.

His built, his talent, skills, intelligence and wealth, thoses are just some details of him that I know, ipipilit niya. But for sure, after I accept him, I will know more anout him.

"Please be my girlfriend, baby..." Halos bulong na nitong sabi na mas lalong nagpatulo ng luha ko.

"Yes, Damon Iñigo Delborja, sinasagot na kita." I sobbed in a whisper only us could hear, "I-I'm your girlfriend now. I love you..."

Sunod-sunod ang pagpatak ng luha ko habang kita ko ang pagkagat niya ng labi bago tumango at bumulong ng iba't ibang mura.

"I love you. I love you so much, Francy. I love you so damn much!" Paulit-ulit niyang bulong habang pinupunasan ang luha ko.

Hawak nito ang magkabilang pisngi ko ay marahan at matagal ang pagkakahalik nito sa noo ko.

"It feels like a dream come true." He whispered as we close our eyes. Feeling our forehead against each another, and our nose brushing one another.

He sighed out of contentment, "We are officially together now."

"You are my boyfriend now," I chuckled, "Sorry it took you so long to have me."

He shook his head and hug me in the same position as he kiss my head.

"Nope. It's all worth it." He said, "I'm just so happy that I could finally call you mine."

I laugh my feelings. I feel so happy right now that smiling is not enough.

"I'm filming us. Look at the camera," I whispered to his ear.

Bahagya siyang humiwalay sa akin pero ang mga kamay ay nasa likod ko pa rin.

"Eighteenth of November, two-thousand and two. Six twenty-eight pm. We are officially together." I said while we're looking at the camera.

The sunset in between the mountains, above the sea, and behind us, looked like a painting. The warm yellow lights giving us the warmth aura from my phone's camera lighting.

We stayed like that for a moment, sitting on the grass and talking to each other.

"Mom," Damon said to the person who called on his phone.

Nasa loob na kami ngayon ng restaurant, tanaw pa rin ang tubig at madilim na bulubundukin.

I'm resting my back on the back rest while my right hand is being squeezed and massaged by Damon.

"I'm in Bataan. I'm with my girlfriend," saad nito kaya napalingon ako.

I raised an eyebrow to a handsome man smirking at me while listening to the phone.

He chuckled after I heard a loud shout from the other end. He's not on speaker so I only can hear loud noise.

"Yes, Mom. You heard me ri—" He was cut off so he chuckled again.

He kissed my hand out of happiness. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin dahil parang pinaglalaruan pa nito ang kaniyang ina.

"Francy won't get mad, My. She knows." He answered.

I shooked my head as I look at the waiters putting the dishes on our table.

"Yes, Mommy. Francy agreed to this." He answered again.

I have to squeez his hand to warn him and make him stop. He only nodded but his face is still plotting things. I shooked my head in disbelief.

"Yes, Mom. It's because Francy is my girlfriend." He answered which made me stop again.

I heard another loud shout again. Damon laugh at the chaos happening on the other end until the call has ended.

"They ended the call without noticing it. Mommy and princess are celebrating so much," Damon shooked his head but a smile still etched on his lips.

"They're that excited to hear the news?" I said still shock.

"Tuwing magkikita kami ni Princess, ayan ang laging tanong." He said as he took care of my plate.

We ate the night together and are now having some talking when I noticed there are no stars.

"We should go back now. There are no stars, meaning it will rain." Sabi ko.

Damon agreed to my suggestion and settled the bill. Nakipagtalo pa ako na ako ang magbabayad ngayon ngunit hindi pa nailalapag ang bill ay iniabot na nito ang card niya. Dahil mas malayo ako sa kung nasaan ang waiter, hindi ko na naiabot ang card ko.

"We should be paying now equally." Saad ko. Umiling lamang siya at uminom ng tubig.

Hindi pa siya nakakasagot ay bumuhos na ang malakas na ulan. Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa.

"Mabilis lang naman ata 'yan? Let's wait 'till it stopped?" I asked him.

"Okay, baby," He answered. He's enjoying his time with me so he don't really mind.

Mga ilang minuto nang lumipas, hindi pa rin tumitigil hanggang sa tumawag na si Mama at nagtatanong kung nasaan na kami dahil malakas din ang ulan sa manila.

"Hindi pa po kami nakakaalis dito dahil malakas din ang ulan. We're done eating and just waiting until the rain stops." Sagot ko.

"If it's already late, you can stay there for the night. Kasama mo naman si Damon, e. Just find a decent hotel room to sleep for the night." Saad ni mama kaya nagulat ako.

Mom has been protective even when I'm with 8balls who are almost boys. Giving me much trust with Damon shocked me.

"Let's sleep here for the night daw if the rain won't stop." I told Damon.

I doubt it won't stop. But 10:32 pm came and the rain is still falling hard. Marami na rin ang nastranded na mga tao. Nagabiso na ang restaurant na magcheck-in na sa hotel nila o umalis na bago pa mastranded sa loob.

"Shall we stay here?" He asked me.

Tinitigan ko ang ulap. Still no signs of stars. Binuksan ko ang cellphone at tinignan ang weather forecast for the whole dawn. Alas kwatro pa medyo titila ang ulan.

"Yeah, I guess we should."

Nakarating kami sa reception at one bedroom suite na lang ang available. Damon looked at me worriedly. I almost laugh at his hesitation to get it.

"We'll get it, Miss." Sabat ko kaya tumango na ang receptionist.

"I'll sleep on the couch." Bulong ni Damon sa akin habang nasa elevator kami.

Nang makarating doon ay nakita namin ang coach na pang dalawang tao lang. Nang maupo siya rito ay halos masakop niya na agad.

"I'll sleep on the floor, then." Saad niya.

"Sa bed ka na," sabi ko habang binubusan ang sling bag ko na may lamang simple thin brown dress at disposable underwears.

"You can't sleep somewhere else, babe. I wi—"

"We will be sleeping on the bed together." Sabi ko sakaniya kaya napatigil at napatitig ito, "Why? May gagawin ka ba sa akin?"

"Wala," ngising nakakaloko, "Pero ikaw baka may gawin sa akin?"

"Wow! Ang kapal ha!" Hinampas ko siya ng nakita kong tuwalyang nakalapag sa kama.

Hindi siya nakailag dahil busy din siyang tignan ang mga damit niya.

"I only have clothes for tomorrow. I don't have clothes to sleep," salita ko, "Should I sleep naked?"

Napalingon si Damon sa akin at nakita ang madilim nitong titig kaya natawa ako.

"I have clothes here. Don't you dare, Babe," tiim bagang nitong sabi.

"Tss. You won't be tempted with my body. You've seen better than thi—"

"I've seen your beach photos." He said, "It was my first time feeling hot without even touching my thing."

Napasinghap ako sa detalye niyang sinabi. My beach pictures are most likely a little bit conservative than other women's pictures posted with only two peace or one piece bikini because I'm usually wearing shorts or I'm putting cover ups.

He place a pair of black boxer short and a black v-neck shirt infront of me and told me to wear it.

We laydown together side-by-side. I thought Damon will put pillow between us. But when I didn't, he occupied the space between us and lie down beside me, facing me.

"What is it?" I asked, a little bit sleepy because of the sound of the rain.

"You're my girlfriend now." He said still staring at me dreamily.

"Still can't move on, Damon?" I smirked. Sumimangot siya kaya natawa ako, "Why?"

"You're still calling me by my name?"

"Why what's wrong with that?" I asked with a laugh.

Humarap din ako sa bahagi niya kaya naman nagtama ang tingin namin.

"You should be making endearments now, babe." He said.

"What about you? You've been calling babe, baby, babes, and many more." I accused him.

"I'm giving you all endearements we have in this world." He said, "You should do the same to me."

"Why though?" I asked. Papikit-pikit na ang mata ko dahil sa haplos ng kamay niya sa aking buhok.

"You can never use any other endearments with other boys because you used all of them to me." He answered in a soft but deep voice which made me laugh.

"You are so immature!" Pinisil ko ang ilong niya.

He only smirk as he touch my cheek. Titig na titig sa akin, kinakabisado ang ang aking mukha hanggang sa mapatigil sa aking labi. I pursed my lip which made him look at my eyes again and back to my lips.

"Can I..."

"Hmmm?" I answered, not able to say a word. I gulped hard.

"Can I... hug you for the rest of the night?" He asked. I nodded.

He is hugging me as he is combing my hair to sleep.