Never in a Haste (Tagalog)

Epilogue

Yvo

“The wedding is tomorrow, Youseff,” bungad sa akin ni Maureen nang magkita kami sa mansion.

I nodded, not knowing how to look at her. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko magagawang tumingin sa kanya at magpanggap na walang nararamdaman. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako kikilos nang hindi nagpapahiwatig na siya pa rin ang mahal ko.

It’s been four long years but she’s still the one for me. I tried dating different women. I’ve kissed them like how I did for Maureen but none of them seemed to have gotten close to the feeling that she gave me.

Kahit kailan ay walang pumantay sa kanya. At sa tinatakbo ng buhay ko ngayon, sa tingin ko ay wala na talagang papantay pa roon.

I am going to settle for less. It’s what I am going to do.

“I hope you could come, Youseff,” Maureen told me in her soft voice. Iyong boses na wala ka talagang magagawa kung hindi ang pumayag.

Maureen is the best woman I have ever known. I have always loved her. I have always longed to be with her. I have always wished for her to be mine. And she was, for a short period of time… or was she really?

She dated me because I told her I’d kill myself if she didn’t. I was very desperate because it is the only way I could get her. I want her to be mine in any way possible.

Ang akala ko ay kaya ko siyang gawing masaya noong kami na. I thought I could give her the happiness she deserves. Pero noong nakita ko kung paano siya nasasaktan dahil sa akin, wala akong ibang magawa kung hindi ang pakawalan siya. After all, I think she deserves to be happy even if it means that she will not be with me.

Tumango ako sa kanya at pilit na ngumiti. “I wouldn’t miss it,” iyon lang ang naging sagot ko bago ako pumihit at umalis.

Maureen loves my brother. Matagal ko nang alam iyon. Simula pa yata college ay si Kuya Val na ang gusto niya. Pero pinilit ko pa rin ang sarili ko dahil alam kong mas mahal ko siya kaysa sa kuya ko.

I didn’t want to be that person who would hinder her happiness. I let her go so she could be with my brother because that’s what she deserves.

Akala ko ay kakayanin kong panoorin siyang magpakasal sa kapatid ko, hindi pa rin pala. Kuya Yvan was patting my shoulders when the priest announced that they are now man and wife.

Pilit akong ngumiti at naglayo ng tingin.

Mom and Dad were very happy about the woman my brother married. Who would not like Maureen? She’s one of the best fashion designers that big stars go after. At the age of twenty-seven, she already has cemented her name on the top of the fashion industry. She was passionate about her job and the people around it.

“I guess I have to find someone as good as Maureen,” ani Kuya Yvan.

Nilingon ko siya at nakitang nakangiti ito sa akin.

Of course. Kuya Val just showed us how to get a decent woman as the first-born. The pressure on me and Kuya Yvan is going to be really heavy.

Kuya Yvan stared at me intently. “Do you want to leave and skip the reception?” tanong niya.

He knows about me and Maureen. Alam din naman ni Kuya Val pero ang alam niya’y wala na sa akin ang lahat. He thinks I’m okay with this. Kuya Yvan knows I’m not.

“Can I?” I asked back.

He nodded. “I’ll cover for you,” he replied.

I smiled and patted his shoulder. “Thank you, Kuya.” Iyon lang ang nasabi ko bago ako umalis at nagdrive papunta sa isang bar na malapit sa venue.

Mabuti na lang at gabi na nang nagsimula ang kasal nila. Iyon kasi ang gusto ni Maureen dahil masyado raw common ang kinakasal kapag umaga.

“Yvo!” tawag sa akin ni Jigs habang may isang babaeng inaawat.

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil kita kong ilang bote ng alak na ang nasa harapan niya. Lasing na lasing na rin siya pero gusto pa raw niyang uminom.

“Who’s that?” tanong ko sa kaibigan kong bartender.

Napa-iling na lamang si Jigs. “A friend,” sagot niya. “Iniwan ng boyfriend niya. Ipinagpalit sa kaibigan.”

Nilingon ko ang babae bago tumango kay Jigs. “A bottle of Corona, please…” sabi ko bago ko ibinalik sa babae ang tingin.

Hinawi niya ang buhok niya at halos mapasinghap ako sa pula ng mukha. Her cheeks are still with tears and I can see that there is another set of tears coming up. She keeps blabbering paano mo nagawa sa akin ito and bakit sa dinarami ng babae, siya pa.

Jigs tried to calm her down as he tossed me the bottle of beer. “Ano ka ba, Avery? Wala na iyon,” aniya.

Nakita ko kung paano tumalim ang tingin sa kanya noong si Avery. Napalunok si Jigs na parang natatakot.

“Naririnig mo ba ang mga sinasabi mo, Jigs?! I saw him kissing Marcela inside his car! He told me he doesn’t love me anymore kaya paano magiging ayos iyon sa akin?” galit na galit niyang tugon.

Hindi nakapagsalita si Jigs dahil sa gulat. Mabilis ang pagtaas-baba ng dibdib ng babae dahil sa galit niya.

She’s broken. This is understandable.

What I don’t understand is how could the guy cheat on her? She looks pretty even though her face is a mess due to her incessant crying. She seems loyal, based on how hurt she is right now. She seemed passionate about their relationship.

Paano nagawa ng gagong ex niya ang kasalanang iyon? I don’t think this girl deserves it. I don’t think this girl deserves him.

Naging busy si Jigs sa ibang customer dahil lumalalim na ang gabi at dumadagsa na ang mga tao. Kaya naman naiwan doon si Avery na mag-isa.

I watched her as she downed another beer. Siguro ay pang-labing tatlo na niya iyon dahil labing-dalawa na ang bote sa harap niya ayon sa bilang ko. Matibay rin ang isang ito. Hindi ko maalalang uminom na ako ng ganyan karami.

In the middle of watching her, she suddenly turned to me. I stilled completely because her eyes were really lonely and they look like they’re telling me something.

I stood up and walked to sit beside her high chair. “Are you okay?” tanong ko kahit alam ko naman ang sagot.

“Wala ka bang kasama?” tanong ko ulit pero humalakhak lang siya.

“Gusto mo bang sumama?” tanong niya pabalik. Kumunot ang noo ko. “Let’s go to Bali. I’ve never been there,” pagpapatuloy niya.

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. She wants to go out of the country at this state? Really?

“Miss, you’re drunk,” sabi ko sa kanya.

Umiling siya. “I’m not drunk. I’m Avery.”

Oh, f**k me. She must be in her limit after drinking all those bottles of liquor.

“What’s your name?” she asked and then I saw her hand going up to my face. “You’re handsome,” she giggled before caressing my cheek.

Tumikhim ako at nagpigil. Her face is so close to me. If this was an ordinary night, I would have pinned her to the wall and kissed her senseless until she begs me to take her home.

But, unfortunately, this is not an ordinary night. This was the night that I have given up on my chances at finding the love that I deserve. Pinatay na ni Maureen ang lahat ng pagmamahal na pinaniniwalaan ko.

“Let’s go to Bali, please? Kahit four days lang?” malambing ang pagkakasabi niya rito dahil sa sobrang kalasingan niya.

“What would I get if I came with you to Bali?” tanong ko.

She smiled. “You’ll be with me and I assure you that you’ll have the best fun of your life,” she leaned closer to my ear. “I am a legitimate traveller.”

Humalakhak ako sa sinabi niya. As if that would count as something I would get. I have shared nights with more important and more beautiful females—models, actresses, singers, heiresses, artists, name them all.

Pero may iba sa babaeng ito na nakakahalina. Iyon ba ay dahil sa pareho kaming wasak ngayon? Dahil ba naiintindihan ko ang nararamdaman niya?

Hindi ko alam.

But I somehow agreed to come to her.

Surprisingly, she got her passport in her clutch bag. Hindi ko na tinanong kung bakit siya may passport sa bag niya dahil ilang ulit na niyang sinabi sa aking isa siyang legitimate traveller. Maybe that’s how it really is for people like her.

I called my secretary to give me a ride to the airport and to give me my passport.

“Ito na po, sir,” sabi ni Matt nang inabot ang passport ko. Nilingon niya ang babaeng lasing na ipinahiga ko sa likod ng kotse. “Sino po siya, sir?”

Umiling na lang ako para hindi na siya magtanong. Matt has been my secretary since I started to assume the COO position in our company. Malaki ang tiwala ko rito pero hindi ko gustong malaman niyang pupunta ako sa ibang bansa kasama ang isang estranghera.

Luckily, Matt drove us to the airport. I booked the earliest flight to Bali that I could see online. Apparently, mamayang madaling araw pa iyon kaya may panahon pa para mahimasmasan ang babaeng ito.

Nang dalawang oras na lang bago ang flight namin ay napag-isip isip kong gisingin na siya. Nagising naman siya pero laking gulat ko nang malamang wala siyang maalala sa lahat ng nangyari. Ni hindi nga niya maalalang inaya niya akong mag-Bali.

I shook my head as I was on the queue for our boarding pass. I told her to fix herself because she looked like a mess. Well, it’s not like she looked less beautiful. She looked fine even with her hair in a mess.

“Hey,” narinig ko ang boses at hirap na hirap kong pinigilang malaglag ang aking panga.

I looked at her from head to toe and now, I’m kind of regretting why I asked her to fix herself.

“You look better,” iyong lang ang nasabi ko dahil literal na blangko ang isip ko ngayon.

Umirap siya pero hindi niya binitawan ang tingin niya sa akin. “What’s your name?” tanong niya.

“Yvo dela Costa.”

Tumigil siya at parang nag-isip. Batid kong may sasabihin pa sana siya kung hindi lang kami tinawag ng staff dahil kami na ang susunod.

Pagkatapos naming magcheck-in ay kumain muna kami dahil baka gutom na siya. I was feeling a little hungry, too.

She ordered a whole damn lot in that restaurant. Tingin ko ay kakainin niya ang buong menu doon.

“Iyon lang order mo?”

Tumango ako.

“Hindi ka ba gutom?” her nose scrunched a little bit.

“Gutom.”

“Bakit iyon lang order mo?”

Tumawa ako dahil sa sobrang cute ng boses niya. “I’m not a glutton like you.”

She scowled at me before defending herself. She said she hadn’t eating anything last night.

Medyo nakaramdam ako ng pagkainis sa sinabi niyang iyon. I looked at her intently. “Hindi ka nagdinner pero andami mong ininom na alak?”

She nodded sheepishly before changing the topic. She asked about the details of our flight and I could not believe how strong alcohol could be that it has the power to erase her memories.

What did she think of me, a random horny man who would ask a drunken girl to go with me abroad? I may be broken but I’m definitely not like that.

I was already starting to wonder if I did the right thing but when I saw her cry on our first night in Bali, I figured that this was just right.

We needed to be here to unwind and destress. We have been hurting and we needed a break. Or at least, I think she needs it.

Avery was nice. She was kind-hearted and I saw it with the way she treated Ismaya, our driver. Nakita ko rin kung gaano siya kasensitibo sa mga naiisip ng ibang tao lalo na ng mga katutubo ng Bali.

May mga oras man siyang nagmamaldita sa akin pero iyon ay dahil sa pangungulit ko sa kanya.

Being with her has been a breather for me. It was not Bali. It was Avery. She was different from all the girls I have known. She loved nature. She loved all kinds of people, all kinds of animals. She loved love. And that’s the time that I realized that maybe I could try again. Maybe I still have a hope in love.

But she didn’t want me. At least, not yet.

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa kanya habang nasa bar kami ng Viceroy sa huling gabi namin. “You think you’re my rebound?”

She took a deep breath. “No, maybe it’s the other way around,” sagot niya. “Baka ikaw ang rebound ko.”

Mariin ko siyang tinitigan. Ang malalalim niyang mga mata, ang ilong niyang matangos, ang bibig niyang parang hirap na hirap akong huwag halikan. Pinanood ko siya, ang lahat ng galaw niya.

She didn’t want me to be a rebound. That’s good. I don’t want to do it to her, too. She’s too precious for that. She’s the type of woman who I would want to know more.

She smiled weakly. “I don’t want to do that to you, Yvo. I am very vulnerable right now. I don’t want to let myself fall for someone just because he is kind to me.”

Then I realized that she’s right. We are broken now. We just got the hardest heartbreak of our lives. We cannot rush into things. We should not go in haste.

“Can I borrow you phone?” I asked her.

She looked at me with confused and narrowed eyes. “What?”

I almost rolled my eyes and repeated my question. She sneered at me as she unlocked her phone and handed it to me.

I smirked as I went to her calendar and created a reminder three months from now.

Meet me for lunch at Manila Peninsula tomorrow. I’ll be waiting. –Yvo

I set it on the twentieth hour of the day before it exactly turns three months. I set it with a boosting alarm. I exited the application and removed it from the queue of her opened applications.

I smirked as I gave it back to her. She looked curious and confused. Mabilis niyang chineck ang phone niya para tingnan kung ano ang ginawa ko pero wala na siyang makikita ngayon. I removed all traces of what I did.

“What was that?” she asked me curiously.

I smirked and just called the waiter. It’s already late and we’ll have to wake up early tomorrow to go to the airport. Paulit ulit niyang tinanong kung anong ginawa ko pero hindi ko iyon sinagot.

I heard this silly rule from women—the three-month rule. That’s why I set it to three months after because I know every single member of the female population is using that as a defense mechanism after a break up.

I just hope she is all moved on from his bastard of an ex then. Sana ay natapos na niya ang rebound niya at handa na siyang magmahal muli.

But then, three months had passed and she ditched me. Walang Avery ang nagpakita sa Manila Peninsula. I waited for five f*****g hours but she didn’t come.

Hindi niya ba nabasa iyong memo?

Nagkabalikan na ba sila ulit?

Fuck, dapat ba number ko na lang ang ibinigay ko?

Damn it. Andaming gumugulo sa isip ko ngayon dahil sa hindi niya pagsipot sa akin. I looked like a fool waiting for her. But she didn’t come.

Tang-ina. Nagpakatanga na naman ba ako?

Did I really think she would choose me when she’s given a choice?

What if her ex begged her back? Siyempre iyon ang pipiliin niya dahil limang taon sila noon. Sino ba naman ako? I was just an instrument to temporarily mend her broken heart. I was no one. I was merely a stranger.

But f**k, kahit anong gawin ko ay hindi ko siya makalimutan. I was back to my old ways. I was looking for someone to have fun with every night. I have kissed whoever but all I could think of is Avery’s face. How her lips would feel against mine. How her touch would make me lose my mind.

“Youseff,” tawag sa akin ni Maureen.

Nasa mansiyon sila ni Kuya Val dahil birthday ni Mommy.

I nodded at her and continued to look at the kois swimming on the pond as I held onto a beer on my hand.

This was always the cycle every single night. I party, I drink, then I get laid. Iyon lang ang naging buhay ko bukod sa pagtatrabaho.

“You want some beer?” tanong ko kay Maureen.

She smiled weakly and refused. She held her stomach. “I can’t drink now,” she replied embarrassed.

I gave her a look before realizing what she just said. My eyes widened before my lips broke out into a huge smile. “Really?”

She smiled widely and nodded. “Eight weeks pa lang.”

I brought the beer bottle down and hugged Maureen. “I am so happy for you and Kuya!” I told her in a sincere tone.

And there I realized how I have moved on from her. I was already civil because I can now look at her eyes knowing that I am not anymore in love with her.

Maureen laughed as she hugged me back. “I’m happy for you, too, Youseff,” she whispered and I hugged her tightly. “I’m so happy for the girl. You can give her all the love that you can give because you have so much to offer in your heart.”

I broke the hug and smiled weakly. I would have been happier if the girl was mine. But she’s not. I don’t think she even remembers me now.

Bumalik ako sa dating pwesto ko at muling uminom sa beer. “I don’t think I would ever get the girl,” I told her sadly.

Maureen stood beside and caressed my back. “You know you will. You are so determined for it, Youseff. I am sure you will get her.”

I looked at her and saw her smiling widely at me. “You think?”

She nodded fervently. “You’re Youseff Valentino dela Costa. You’ll do everything to get the girl, right?”

I laughed and nodded. Her words renewed my faith and my determination. Bakit nga ba parang ambilis kong bumitaw? This is not me. I don’t give up easily when it comes to what and who I love. I won’t give up without putting up a good fight.

I swear I am going to get Avery…whatever it takes.

I hired several private investigators and knew about Avery’s background. She’s the daughter of Averiano Lopez Aguirre, the pioneer in the shipping business. She has a brother who takes charge of their business now. She’s a freelance travel writer.

Nalaman ko rin ang ilan sa mga kapamilya nito. Pero wala akong nalaman tungkol sa kung saan siya nakatira. Mailap siya. Palibhasa ay travel writer kaya laging wala sa bansa. Ang tanging nagawa lamang ng mga imbestigador ay ang makuha kung saang bansa siya nagpupunta.

She’s been to five different places in a span of a month. I guess I underestimated her when she told me how much she loves traveling. No, traveling is her life.

I had known that she released a travel book recently. I bought a dozen of them and displayed them in my office. Nang inutusan ko si Matt para bumili noon ay halos hindi niya mapigilang magtaka. Of course, he knows I don’t really buy those kinds of books.

But for Avery, I will.

If there was one thing the investigators gave me that I could use the most, it would be telling me that Brenna Aguirre is her cousin. That woman is worshipped in clubs. Wala yatang party na wala ang isang Brenna Aguirre. She was a wild girl, and she was easy to find.

I walked to a party and saw Brenna looking at me. She had her eyes narrowed at me so I took the liberty to walk to her.

“You need something?” I asked.

She stared at my face and then pursed her lips in a thin line. “Are you dating someone?” mabilisan niyang tanong.

I smirked. “Why?”

“May nagpapatanong,” sagot niya.

Tumaas ang kilay ko. “Sino?”

“Hindi na importante iyon,” sagot niya. “I just want to establish the fact that you’re not dating anyone.”

“I don’t date people, Miss Aguirre.” I told her making her eyes widen.

Did she not expect me to know about her? She was always the talk of every party. Or maybe…

A small leap of hope dawned on me.

“Is she dating someone else?” I asked her.

Umismid si Brenna at napalagok sa isang shot ng tequila. “Si…sino?”

Tumaas ang kilay ko. Is she playing dumb on me now? Tang-ina. Anim na buwan na akong naghihintay na makita uli siya pero napaka-ilap ng isang iyon.

Humalukipkip ako at itinagilid ang ulo habang pagod kong tinitigan si Brenna. “You know who I’m talking about.”

I am tired of all these. I want to find Avery and see if she loves me too because I am getting all crazy thinking that she might be with someone else.

“Siya ba ang nagpapatanong kung may iba na ako?”

I was about to lose my mind. Six months of not seeing her face made me hungry for her touch. It made me hungry for her smile. Gusto ko na siyang makitang muli. Gusto ko na siyang makausap muli.

Tumikhim si Brenna. “She’s dating someone,” aniya.

“Her ex?” tanong ko.

She shook her head. “No, her rebound, I guess.”

Nanliit ang mga mata ko sa kanya. Ngayon lang siya nagkaroon ng rebound? It’s been so long that she broke up with her ex.

But then, I was relieved that she didn’t get back with the bastard. Just thinking about her getting back with him makes me mad.

“There’s a homecoming party for Hubert at Revel tomorrow,” sabi ko kay Brenna. “Bring her and her rebound. I need her to end that with him tomorrow night.”

Brenna looked at me curiously before smirking. “She got it bad for you, huh?”

Ngumisi lang ako. “Kung alam mo lang,” ang tanging sagot ko bago ako tumalikod at umalis sa party na ito.

Nang dumating ang kinabukasan ay hindi ako mapakali. I will see her tonight. She will be with her damn rebound but I didn’t care about that. Ang mahalaga ay makita ko siya at makausap.

I want her to know how much she wrecked me when she didn’t come to the meeting place I told her on the reminder.

“Why are we seated this far from the dance floor?” tanong ni Hero nang itinuro ko ang booth na ito.

I chose this one because I can see everyone from here. This is the best place to sit if I’m going to want to stare at Avery tonight.

“Aren’t you tired of all the girls, anyway?” I lazily asked my best friend.

He rolled his eyes at me but obliged. Kami pa lang ang narito dahil malelate daw sina Brix at Nixon.

Hero and I sat before seeing two girls walking towards us. Nagpakilala sila pero hindi ko na inintindi pa dahil nakita ko na siya.

Umupo ang isang babae sa tabi ko pero hindi ko na pinansin iyon dahil nakita ko na si Avery na naglalakad katabi ang pinsan niya. Luminga-linga si Avery. Siguro ay hinahanap ang rebound niya.

I swallowed when I noticed what she was wearing. She’s wearing a f*****g small piece clothing that barely covered her body. It’s that kind of clothing that could only increase my chances of going to hell because I sure as hell will damn fight anyone who will dare to glance at her long legs.

Naririnig kong kinakausap ako ng babae sa tabi ko pero hindi ko naiintindihan. My eyes are glued on that guy whose arms are around Avery’s shoulder. Tumikhim ako at nagkuyom ng kamao.

May ibinulong ang lalaki sa kanya na sinagot naman niya pero nakita ko kung gaano siya nahinto sa paggalaw nang makita ako. She seemed shocked and surprised. Her rebound boy is talking to her but she’s not listening. Her eyes are all on me.

“Saan ka pupunta?” tanong ni Hero nang tumayo ako.

“Diyan lang,” I replied without looking at him and began walking towards Avery’s table.

I almost lunged at her rebound when I saw him kiss her temple. Damn. Rebound lang siya pero kaya niyang gawin iyon sa kanya? Hindi ako makapapayag!

I clenched my fist as I walked towards her table. Nakita ako ni Brenna at ngumisi ito.

“Hi, Yvo!” she grinned meaningfully.

Kita ko ang pagyuko ni Avery bago siya tumayo. She told Brenna that she will just go to the rest room.

Damn. Are you trying to escape from me, Avery? No, you can’t escape me.

When I saw her leaving, I immediately followed despite all the people calling me. I don’t need to talk to any of them right now. I just need one person’s attention.

She took so long in the rest room which was really unusual. I know. Sa apat na araw na magkasama kami ay alam ko kung gaano siya kabilis gumalaw. Wala siyang kahit anong arte sa katawan, e.

Maliban na lamang siguro sa pagbili ng mga damit. She takes a whole day to buy clothes.

Nakasandal ako sa pader nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng ladies’ room. Bumungad sa akin ang gulat na mukha ni Avery.

“What are you doing here?” pabulong niyang tanong.

Tumayo at hinarap siya. “To party, I guess…”

Tumikhim siya bago tumango. She started walking and I can’t let her do that so I grabbed her elbow.

Fuck. Para akong malulusaw nang mahawakan ko na rin siya sa wakas. Natigilan siya at tumingin sa akin, nagtatanong.

I calmed myself before staring back at her eyes. “Why did you not meet me three months ago?”

Parang may libu-libong punyal ang tumutusok sa puso ko. Gusto ko siyang sigawan. Gusto ko siyang pagalitan pero hindi siya ang dahilan ng lahat ng ito.

Lito niya akong tinitigan. “What three months?”

I narrowed my eyes at her. s**t, she didn’t know?

“The reminder…on your phone…” Hindi ko mabuo ang pangungusap na gusto kong sabihin.

Mas lalo lang nalito ang itsura niya habang nakatitig sa akin. And then something must have dawned on her because she seemed to understand the situation.

“Did you ask me to meet with you three months ago? Iyon ba ang nilagay mo sa phone ko sa Bali?”

Tumango ako. Tang-ina, hindi niya alam?

Horror spread on her face as she looked at me. She went closer to me. “Oh, my God! I didn’t know! My phone got stolen!”

“What?” hindi makapaniwala kong tanong.

She frowned at me. “Nanakaw iyong phone ko noong nagpunta ako sa Italy dalawang buwan pagkatapos nating maghiwalay sa airport,” malungkot niyang sabi. “I’m sorry.”

Fuck. All this time, I thought she forgot about me. Iyon pala, nawala ang cellphone niya! Ang tanga ko, why hadn’t I thought of that?!

“You didn’t ditch me on purpose?” pabulong kong tanong.

She shook her head. “If I had known that, I would surely be there,” she replied. “Kung alam kong mayroong ganoon, hindi sana ako nakipagdate sa iba.”

Napaawang ang bibig ko sa sinabi niya habang nakatingin sa kanyang mukha. I have always dreamed of this all through out those six months. Wala akong ibang naisip kung hindi ang mapalapit sa kanya.

“Did you think I just left you like that?” I asked her as I caressed her face and she frowned before nodding. “Son of a b***h,” mura ko bago ko siya isinandal sa pader.

I jailed her in between my arms. My leg is in between hers. She can’t get out of my sight now.

“Is that the reason why you’re with that…man?” hirap na hirap akong banggitin ang huling salita dahil hindi ko kinakaya ang mga impormasyon na nakukuha ko sa kanya.

She bit her lip and nodded.

Fuck! Ang buong akala ko ay rebound niya iyon dahil sa walang hiya niyang ex. Iyon pala…tang-ina!

I couldn’t help but slam my palm on the cold wall. She seemed startled but I hushed her. I cupped her face and leaned my forehead on hers. “I’m sorry,” I whispered as I brushed my thumb on her cheek.

She didn’t speak but she didn’t push me away.

Ganito ba ang pakiramdam kapag malapit nang makamit ang inaasam? Hindi ko alam pero halos manginig ako dahil sa lapit naming dalawa.

“Did you miss me?” I asked, almost breathless.

I lifted my face and looked at Avery. She’s looking at me like she was so shocked at my question. Damn. Bakit ganito? Sabik na sabik ako sa kanya.

I cursed out loud when she bit her lip. “Baby, please tell you miss me, too,” I begged her. “…because I do and I’m so crazy about you.”

Umawang ang bibig niya nang marinig niya iyon sa akin.

“I hated when you wanted some time away from me but I thought it was for the both of us. I wanted to know you more but you didn’t want me to be your rebound.”

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin pero kita ko ang mga luhang nagbabadyang bumagsak.

“Avery Aguirre, I want a serious relationship with you.”

Damn. I said it. Anim na buwan na ang lumipas kaya ayaw ko nang magpatumpik-tumpik pa.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya roon at napatingin siya sa akin. “What?”

I almost smiled at how adorable she looked like when she’s surprised. I stared at her eyes and leaned closer.

“Did you miss me? Hmm?” I asked her and it was probably the softest voice I could ever produce.

My heart is going to explode. I have never felt this way before. Para akong mamamatay kapag hindi ko siya nakuha ngayong gabi. I don’t want to spend another night without her.

Slowly, she nodded as her tears fell.

Tang-ina. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko. I’ve only dreamed of this. I have never imagined it to happen in real life. I lost faith in us. But now…I’m so f*****g happy I’m also about to cry.

I wiped her tears with my thumb.

“You don’t have to miss from now on. Just tell me that you also want me as much as I want you.”

I was so desperate. I want her. I want her so much.

She swallowed slowly before nodding. “Yes, I want to be with you.”

The moment I heard her words, I immediately covered her mouth with mine. She was taken aback but I want her to realize how true this kiss is.

Damn, I want to convince myself that I am finally kissing Avery. This scene only happened in my dreams. And now, she’s here.

I turned my head to the other side and kissed her with more eagerness. I have known how I am a sucker for her smile and her touch but I’ve never imagined how her kiss affected every inch of my being. It’s as if I would die if I let go of her lips.

Now I cannot forget how magical her kiss is and what it has done to me. It has destroyed my every system. I couldn’t want something as bad as I want her kisses.

“f**k, we should have been kissing like this for a long time now,” I mumbled against her lips and she just chuckled before pulling me closer to her once again.

Her lips expertly moved against mine that it seemed like she was waiting for this for a long time. “Oh, god…” she moaned as I sucked her lower lip.

I grinned widely. “Leave him, Avery…” I told her as I connected our foreheads.

She bit her lip and nodded. Her eyes are on me and I could see how turned on she is right now.

“Be with me.”

She nodded and smiled. “Kiss me again, Yvo.”

Her words were like some good old melody in my head. Her lips are like a classic movie. I wouldn’t get enough of. I couldn’t get enough of.

THE END