November's Kryptonite (Calendar Girls Series #11)

CHAPTER 7

“Your . . . wound,” his voice were full of worry. His eyes were fixed on my arm that got shot.

“My wound is fine,” sambit ko bago nag-iwas ng tingin sa kaniyang mga mata.

Para na naman akong nahihipnotismo sa kaniyang mga matang nagsusumamo. Gusto kong matawa sa kaniya dahil parang kailan lang ay sinabi niyang wala na siyang pakialam sa akin, tapos ngayon kung makapag-alala akala mo talaga may pakialam sa akin. When in fact . . . he’s jusy guilty of what happened. Because of his recklessness, I got shot. I don’t really blame him, though.

“It’s not . . .” nahihirapang sambit niya.

“Why do you care, anyway?” I asked bluntly. “I’m just your bodyguard, Mr. Rigler. You shouldn’t care this much for your secretary slash bodyguard.”

“You’re more than that, you know that.” I arched a brow at him. I look deep into his eyes.

“And what? Your ex-girlfriend who left you for nothing.” I said mockingly at him.

“Please,” his hoarse voice made me almost startle. “Gamutin natin ang sugat mo.” bulong niya habang nahihirapang tingnan ang aking mga mata.

Nagtagis ang bagang ko bago huminga nang malalim. “Kaya kong gamutin ang sugat ko nang mag-isa, Mr. Rigler.” I said firmly.

Matalim niya akong tinitigan bago bumaling sa mga kasambahay na tahimik na nagmamasid sa amin.

“Bring the first aid kit to my room,” aniya sa isang matalim at malalim na boses bago hinatak ang kamay kong walang tama ng bala.

Hinila niya ako paakyat ng second floor, papunta sa kaniyang kuwarto. Hindi na ako nakapalag dahil medyo nanghihina na rin ako sa dami ng nawalang dugo sa akin at sa pagod ko sa maghapon. I flinched when he suddenly grabbed my left arm and carefully lift it up.

“This is because of me . . .” he said in a hoarse voice.

I looked away, “because you’re too stubborn, Mr. Rigler.”

“Stop it,” napatingin ako sa kaniya at nagtaas ng isang kilay.

Ang kaniyang kamay na nakahawak sa aking braso ay bumaba patungo sa aking kamay. Bumaba ang tingin ko roon at parang may bumundol na kaba sa aking dibdib nang makita kong pinagsalikop niya ‘yon. Nagsalubong ang aking mga kilay at nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya.

“Stop calling me . . . Mr. Rigler.”

I scoffed in disbelief and forcefully pulled my hand out of his hold and look at him coldly.

“You’re asking me not to call you Mr. Rigler when you’re the one who told me to call that from the very beginning. I thought you’re mad at me? I thought you’re disgusted to see me here everyday? Na napipilitan ka lang na pakisamahan ako dahil may trabaho ako rito?” Hindi ko alam kung bakit puno ng sakit ang mga salitang binibitawan ko. “You forgot about me, right?”

Umiling siya at naging mailap ang mga mata, hindi na makatingin sa akin. Habang ako ay hinuhuli ang mga mata niyang naglulumikot at ayaw tumingin sa akin.

“I just said that because I was hurt and was shocked to see you again . . . for almost ten years. I missed you so much it hurts to see you work under my company as my secretary. To see you everyday like nothing happened to us before. Nagalit ako sa sarili ko dahil . . . hindi ako sapat. Hindi ako sapat para manatili ka sa tabi ko.” Umiling siya na para bang hirap na hirap siyang magsalita.

“You said—”

I was cut off of words when he suddenly stepped forward and claimed my lips fervently. He kissed me torridly as I closed my eyes, feeling how tender and warm his lips are. I can't help but to respond to his kisses. I kissed him back with all my hear. I missed him. I miss his kisses and all about him.