Lipstick Stains

10 - To Us (Epilogue)

They say when you finally kiss the person you love, you feel fireworks. But kissing her didn't feel like that. Not only did it feel like coming home, but it felt like a storm stopped within me. Our lips, pressed like that against each other, calmed whatever chaos was inside me. And for the first time in a long time, I'm at peace.

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We parted, breathing heavily. I pressed my forehead against hers and laughed, "Totoo ba 'to? Hindi 'to prank or trip mo lang diba?"

"Totoong totoo. Hinalikan na kita, wala nang joke joke dito."

"Mabuti na 'yung sigurado ako."

She gave a me quick kiss on the cheek and cuddled up next to me with her head on my chest. I sighed and wrapped her in my arms. Hinding-hindi na kita pakakawalan. Akin ka na for life.

"Natatawa tuloy ako," she said, looking up at my face.

"Bakit?"

"Naalala ko kasi na tinanong mo ako kung galit ba ako dahil may secret admirer ka. Natatawa na ako no'n sa isip ko kasi bakit ko naman pagseselosan 'yung sarili ko?"

"Ang dami mo kasing alam! Kung umamin ka na lang sa'kin edi tapos na diba tayo na agad."

I can feel her laughter vibrate on my chest. Sobrang infectious to the point that I feel warm inside. Ngayon ko na lang ulit naramdaman 'yung parang sasabog 'yung puso ko sa tuwa.

"Sige nga, bakit ikaw? Sabi ng staff mo may crush ka sa'kin pero hindi ka rin naman umaamin."

"Nakakahiya kaya. Saka I didn't want to ruin our friendship. I'd rather keep it a secret so we'll remain friends kaysa awkward tayo sa isa't isa because of my feelings."

"Gano'n rin naman dahilan ko. But I'm happy na nandito na tayo sa point na 'to."

"Dapat lang naman nandito na tayo. Mga 2 months mahigit mo rin akong pinakain ng mixed signals."

"I treated you to dinner ha. Tapos, pinakain kita ng luto ko. Counted rin 'yun."

"Counted rin ba 'pag kinain kita?"

Hinampas niya ako bigla pero natawa lang ako. Pambawi 'yan sa "good girl" comment niya dati 'no! Hindi ako pumapayag na ako lang mababaliw nang gano'n, dapat siya rin.

She hid her face on my chest as her face reddened. "Joke lang, Pangga. Rated PG muna tayo."

"Pangga...I like that."

Kumawala siya sa yakap ko tapos kinuha 'yung bag na dala niya kanina and the bottle of wine na hindi namin naubos. Binuksan na rin niya 'yung TV, poured wine to our glasses, and claimed her favorite Cheetos Puffs from her bag.

"Feel at home ka ha."

"Sa'yo na mismo nanggaling, mahal. I feel like home diba?"

Tumayo siya sa harap ko and looked deeply into my eyes. "Ang ganda ganda mo talaga, Risa."

Pinagmasdan niya nang kaunting saglit 'yung mukha ko tapos ngumiti siya. The kind of smile that would send butterflies to your stomach and make your mind go haywire. She smiled the way that would make you want to put her in your pocket just so you could carry the happiness that she embodies.

Nilapag niya 'yung Cheetos sa tabi ko then gently touched my cheeks.

She pressed a light kiss on my forehead, automatically making me close my eyes. I held her waist in an attempt to stop myself from shuddering. She kissed both my cheeks subsequently, then my nose, making me giggle.