Please, Forget me Not

CHAPTER 26

"Let's swim," I said as I pulled away from his arms after what it seems like forever.

"Right now? At this hour?" I could see the objection in his eyes. I nodded as I started to undress.

"Kaiah, the water is freezing cold. Let's just do it tomorrow. Baka magkasakit ka pa," he said in a concerned voice, but he can't stop me now that I'm only left with my undies.

"No, I'm not. If you don't want to join me, it's fine." I smiled at him and ran towards the ocean. I walked farther until the water reached my shoulder. The water is surprisingly warm... or maybe it's just because of the alcohol in my body.

I screamed when someone held me on my waist under the water and suddenly pulled me down then pulled me up after a few seconds.

The grinning face of Zach was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes.

"You scared me," I breathed.

"Sorry," mahinang sabi niya at pinitik ako sa noo.

"Ouch, what was that for?" I glared at him while rubbing the area.

"You're so stubborn. Aren't you feeling cold?" he asked.

I laughed when I saw him shudder before I shook my head.

"No, not at all," I answered while combing my hair back with my fingers. "I'm feeling warm. Like I'm in a hot spring," I continued.

He shuddered again.

"Ikaw ang nilalamig, e," I giggled and scooted towards him. Our bare skin touched as the waves hit us. I felt a shiver down my spine with the sudden contact, but I didn't move away.

I grabbed his arms and put them around me. There was something like awe on his face when I looked at him. I missed staring at his perfect face this close. So close that I could even feel his breath on my face. It smelled like peppermint. My hand flew on his hair and pushed them back. A strand fell back, touching his eyebrows beautifully. I smiled. It looks so perfect.

My hand started to trace every feature of his face. He was just watching my every move. He gasped when I touched his lips and rubbed them slowly. I leaned in and kissed just the corner of his lips. I don't know where I got this courage to do what I'm doing right now. Maybe because of the alcohol I drank, but I'm not drunk. I still know what I'm doing.

"Happy Birthday to the love of my life," I said in the sweetest tone I could muster and pressed my lips against his for a few seconds. I was about to pull away, but he held my head and pulled me even closer. I closed my eyes as I wrapped my arms around his neck. I smiled against his lips and kissed him back with the same intensity.

I've never been this hungry from his kisses before. That's how much I missed him. We almost ran out of breath when we stopped. I felt my face flush when I saw how swollen his lips were right now.

"You had a drink?" My eyes drifted back to Zach when he spoke.

"How did you know?" I wanted to slap myself when I realized my question.

He smirked. "How do you want me to answer that... with word or through action?" I shook my head immediately and looked away.

"Nevermind."

"You sure?" I could feel the playfulness in his voice. Sigurado akong pulang-pula na ang mukha ko ngayon.

I hid my face on his bare chest. "Stop teasing me, Zach."

"Okay. But if you cannot hold your curiosity anymore, don't be shy to ask me. I would love to answer you, baby."

"Zach!" He laughed.

"Okay, I'll stop now." He said trying so hard to stop himself from laughing.

Sinabuyan ko s’ya ng tubig sa mukha bago ako lumangoy palayo sa kan’ya. Napahalakhak naman siya bago ako sinundan.

Tumigil ako sa paglangoy nang bigla akong may maalala.

“How did you find me here? Hindi ko naman sinabi sa’yo kung saan sa Cebu kami pupunta, a?” tanong ko kay Zach nang makalapit siya sa akin.

“Connections.” He winked at me. Napairap ako.

“Kay Kleah ba?”

Tumawa muna siya bago tumango. “I miss you so much that I couldn’t wait for another day to be with you.” He tucked my hair behind my ear before caressing my cheek. He was staring at me as if I’m the most valuable thing in his life that he can’t live without. I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of his touch that I’ve been longing for, for months. He sighed. “What have you done to me, Khyrss Sariah? Why am I so f*cking in love with you?” he said in his usual hoarse voice. I opened my eyes and stared directly at his hazel orbs. Gone was the playful Zach. All I see right now is a man in love.

A man in love with me. 

Gusto kong maiyak sa sobrang tuwa. I couldn’t even find the right words to say to him or if those words could even justify how I felt about him. With overflowing emotions, I closed the distance between us and hugged him tightly. Tears of joy started to stream down my face as I felt his arms around me.

God, I love this man so much. I love everything about him. I love how his words could always make my heart flutter. How his eyes could make me feel loved and special. How his arms could make me feel safe and secure. How his actions never failed to make me feel important and valued. How I find comfort even in times of silence with him.

I’m certain that I could never find someone who can make me feel as much as Zach does.

If only I could stop time the time, I will. Mahal na mahal ko si Zach at parang hindi ko kakayanin kapag nawala pa siya sa akin. He’s as important as the air I breathe.

Nanatili lang kami sa ganoong posisyon na walang nagsasalita, hinahayaang isayaw ng alon ang aming magkayakap na katawan.

Nang unti-unti ko nang naramdaman ang panlalamig, inaya ko na siyang umahon sa tubig at bumalik sa resort. Kumatok ako sa suite namin ni Kleah pero hindi siya sumagot. I knocked again but still got no response.

"Maybe she was already sleeping?" Zach said who was leaning his side on the wall. Wala pang isang minuto matapos niyang sabihin ‘yon ay nakatanggap naman ako ng mensahe kay Kleah.

 Kleah:

Tinatamad akong buksan ang pinto.

I curled my lips.

I opened it and showed Zach my screen to tell him she wasn't asleep yet. After a few seconds, my phone vibrated again. His whole face flushed suddenly including his ears and neck while staring at my phone before he looked away.

I was weirded out by his action, but I just shrugged it off and focused my attention on my phone.

My eyes widened when I read the second message Kleah sent to me.

Kleah:

Just stay with your boyfriend tonight. I know you're longing for each other. And oh, don't forget to use protection if u guys will do 'that' thing ha 

That explained why Zach's face was as red as a tomato. He saw that message before me!

Ngayon, dalawa na kaming namumula!

Leche ka, Kleah!

Tumikhim ako at tumalikod sa kan’ya dahil sa kahihiyan. I read Kleah’s message once again before shutting my eyes tightly, mentally cursing her. After that, I typed my reply asking her to open the door.

Ilang beses ko siyang pinilit na pagbuksan ako ng pinto pero ayaw niya talaga. Ang gagang ‘yon talaga. Humanda siya sa akin bukas!

Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago dahan-dahang humarap kay Zach at umiling sa kan’ya.

“She refused to let me in. I guess I’ll be staying with you tonight.”

“Okay, then. Let’s go to my room.” Umuna na siyang maglakad at sumunod naman ako. I can feel the awkwardness between us. Walang nagsasalita sa amin habang binabaybay namin ang daan patungo sa suite niya. I was just following behind, three steps away from him.

After what feels like forever, we finally reached his room. He opened it and ushered me inside. Pagkasarado niya ng pinto ay dumiretso siya sa maliit niyang maleta. Nanatili lang akong nakatayo sa may pinto habang nililibot ng tingin ang suite niya. Mas malaki ito kaysa sa room namin ni Kleah. May maliit na kitchen and dining area sa left side ko at sa right side naman ang sala set. May malaking kama naman sa kabilang dulo malapit sa glass wall at sa tapat noon ay may pinto na sa tingin ko ay banyo.

Naputol ang pagmamasid ko nang lumapit sa akin si Zach.

"Wear this." He handed me his sweater and boxer. “Change quickly, namumutla ka na.”

"Thanks," I said after grabbing them in his hand and immediately walked towards the bathroom.

I let go of the air I didn't know I was holding when I closed the door behind me. After a few minutes of just leaning on the door, I started to take a quick shower. It took me almost an hour to finish my things before I went out.

"I thought you had fallen asleep inside," Zach mocked then eyed me from head to toe. He flashed a smile. "My clothes look good on you." Nag-iwas ako ng tingin dahil sa biglaang pag-init ng pisngi ko dahil sa sinabi niya at mas hinila pa pababa ‘yong sweater na suot ko. Bigla akong na-conscious dahil masyadong maiksi ‘yong boxer niya to even cover the half of my thigh kahit na kanina lang doon sa beach, sa harap niya pa ako naghubad. Kasalanan ‘to ni Kleah, e. Bakit niya ba kasi sinabi ‘yong kanina? Okay lang sana kung ako lang ang nakabasa, e kaso nabasa rin ni Zach.

Ang awkward tuloy!

"Tse! Maligo ka na nga!" I replied, rolling my eyes at him. Humalakhak siya bago tumungo sa banyo. I shook my head and let out the smile I was trying to stifle when he closed the door of the bathroom. I know he also feels awkward and he’s just trying to be playful around me to bury that awkwardness.  

Dumiretso ako sa sala at humiga sa couch. Binuksan ko ‘yong tv para libangin ang sarili ko habang hinihintay siya na lumabas sa banyo.

I feel like Zach was hugging me right now because I can smell his unique and manly scent through his sweater that I was wearing. Next time, magdadala na ako ng damit niya tuwing may travel ako para ‘pag na-mi-miss ko siya, mararamdamn kong nasa tabi ko lang siya at yakap niya ako.

Itinuon ko ang atensyon ko sa palabas na napili ko sa netflix ngunit ilang minuto lang ang lumipas ay nakatulog na ako. Nagising ako nang maramdaman ko ang pagbuhat sa akin ni Zach at marahan akong ibinaba sa kama.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up," he said softly when he saw me awake. "Nilipat lang kita, nakatulog ka na kasi sa couch. You should go back to sleep.” He covered me with the comforter and leaned in to place a kiss on my forehead. “Goodnight, Kaiah.”

I was waiting for him to occupy the other side of the bed, but he didn't, so I sat up only to see him on the couch.

Sinuklay ko ang buhok ko gamit ang kamay bago tumayo at lumapit sa kaniya.

"Zach..." I called him softly. He turned to me. His gaze traveled down on my bare thigh. I saw him swallowed violently before shifting back his gaze at me.

“Hmm?”

I frowned. "Why are you here? Don't you want to sleep beside me?"

“I want to, but…” he trailed off.

“But what?” Mariin siyang pumikit at umiling. Nagising nang tuluyan ang diwa ko at sumilay ang mapanuksong ngiti sa aking mga labi. Mukhang alam ko na kung bakit.

“Are you still thinking of Kleah’s message?” tanong ko at mas lumapit pa sa kaniya.

Natigilan siya saglit bago tumango at sumagot. "I just thought that you might get uncomfortable near me because of what she said a while ago," he explained.

“Ako ba talaga, Zach?” biro ko.

“What do you mean?” Tumingala siya para tingnan ako. Pinagmasdan ko naman ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya para malaman kung nagmamaang-maangan lang ba siya. Parang nabasa niya naman ang nasa isip ko kaya nag-iwas siyang muli ng tingin. Napa-hagikhik tuloy ako.

“Come, sleep with me.” I saw how his brooded eyes turned dark because of my naughty choice of words. He glared at me.

“Khyrss Sariah…” he said in a warning tone.

“What? Inaaya lang naman kita matulog. Tsaka tabi naman tayo laging matulog, a?” I murmured innocently.

“Yes, I know, but…” He trailed off and swallowed hard again. He looked like he’s fighting an internal battle right now.

“But what?”

“Kaiah, stop it.”

“Stop what?” I teased more. Ang sarap niya kasing asarin.

“’Yang ginagawa mo ngayon,” he sounds so frustrated.

“Ano bang ginagawa ko?”

Umiling siya. “I’m warning you.” Napanguso ako.

“Okay, titigil na po…” Pabiro kong itinaas ang dalawa kong kamay at umatras. “Pero hindi ka talaga tatabi sa akin matulog?” I asked seriously.

Pinagmasdan niya akong maigi at nang makitang seryoso na ako sa tanong ko at walang halong panunukso, bumuntong hininga siya bago tumango. 

“Yes, because I don’t trust myself right now. Baka kung ano pa ang magawa ko sa’yo,”  he admitted, finally.

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. “I guess I’ll just hug my pillow tonight, then.” I shrugged.

I wanted to tease him one last time, so I bent down to whisper at him. “Goodnight, baby. Just meet me in your dreams.” I murmured seductively, my lips almost touching his ear.

I smiled before I turned my back on him. But before I could even take a step away, he suddenly pulled me back and made me straddle him. He didn’t give me a chance to protest when he grabbed the back of my neck and crashed his lips with mine. I was caught off guard by his aggressiveness. Nevertheless, I closed my eyes as I started responding to his kisses.

He was devouring me like a hungry beast. He moved his tongue expertly as if he wanted to brand every inch of me his. Ibang-iba sa paraan ng paghalik niya sa akin kanina. His wet kisses were intoxicating. All I could do was kiss him back with the same intensity. I felt his other hand squeeze my right arm as if he was restraining himself from doing something more than this bago iyon bumagsak sa aking hita. He then started making lazy circles on my bare thigh. I felt a shiver run through my spine, making my body jolt. Suminghap ako at hinuli ang kamay niya bago pa ito maglakbay kung saan-saan.

Nanggigigil niyang kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi ko. Napahawak naman ako sa dibdib niya para sa suporta. I tried so hard to stop myself from moaning because it might pull the last string of his self-control. As much as I wanted to feel him on my skin, to be as close to him as I can, to feel that connection with him, I know there’s a right time for that.

We were panting hard when our lips parted. My forehead is still resting on his. My cheeks are flushed. All I could hear right now is our ragged breathing.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto na walang nagsasalita sa amin. Umatras ako ng kaunti para tingnan siya. His eyes were closed while he’s gasping for air. Halos matakluban na ng magulo at bagsak na buhok niya ang kaniyang mga mata.

I reached out my hand to comb back his damped hair.

“Ang sarap mo namang asarin, nanghahalik,” biro ko.

He shook his head.

“You don’t know what you’re saying, Kaiah. Do you have any idea what I want to do to you right now?” I could see burning passion and desire in his eyes when I met his gaze. Napalunok ako dahil sa tingin niyang ‘yon. “I can barely control myself. Why do you have to tease me that much?”

Naramdaman ko ang pag-init ng pisngi ko. I bit my lower lip and lowered my gaze. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Hindi ko alam na ganoon pala kalaki ang epekto ko sa kan’ya.

“Oh, God. Please stop biting your lips. You’re making me want to devour them again.” Shocked because of his brazenness, my hands immediately flew over my mouth while shaking my head. Baka kung saan pa ang marating namin ‘pag hinayaan ko pang maglapat ulit ang aming mga labi kaya tama na muna.

I could even feel my lips swelling because of all those encounter we had ever since we met each other again. Nakakailan na ba kami? Dalawa? Tatlo? Apat? Hindi ko na matandaan. Mas lalo namang nag-init ang pisngi ko nang isa-isang nag-flashback sa akin ang mga ‘yon.

Umalis na ako sa pagkakaupo sa kandungan niya habang ang isang kamay ko ay nakataklob pa rin sa bibig ko.  

Nakatayo lang ako sa harapan niya habang ang mata ko ay palipat-lipat ng tingin kung saan, hindi alam ang gagawin.

“Tutulog na ako, goodnight!” sabi ko makalipas ang ilang segundo at mabilis na tumakbo pabalik sa kama. I covered myself with the comforter and turned my back towards his direction.

I know for someone who’s already twenty-two, I’m acting like a freaking sixteen-year-old who just got my first kiss.