Take Me Down, Professor (El Profesor #1)

Chapter 46

"Te iubesc."

Kumunot ang noo ko at napatingin sa kaniya. Nakangiti lang siya na parang sira. Magsasalita pa sana ako nang halikan niya ako.

"You can think about it more." Hinaplos niya ang buhok ko. "I just want to hear your thoughts; that's why I asked, because this is about us and will be us in the near future. They might want us to get married because they are just worried about their wealth, but I am not after it. I am after your insight because you are the one I'll be asking to marry. I want you to be aware of my sincerity and clear intentions. I am not dating you for anything else; I really want to marry you, Jothea. This might be overwhelming for you now, but I understand; you're still in your early twenties. I'm fine waiting," mahabang paliwanag niya na nagpanganga lang sa akin.

Muli niyang hinaplos ang pisngi ko. Akala ko ay tapos na siyang magsalita, hindi pa pala. Natutuwa ako sa tuwing ipinapaliwanag niya ang saloobin niya. Pakiramdam ko ay napakaimportante kong tao. "We don't have to get married because they want us to. I am not pressuring you either. I want you to marry me when you are ready, and if you really want me to be your husband."

"Do you really want me to be your wife?" tanong ko.

"Yes."

Kita ko sa mga mata niyang hindi siya nagbibiro. This is fucking overwhelming, just like what he said. Ganito ba ang mga lalaking nasa late twenties na? Kapag may nagustuhan, gusto na agad pakasalan?

"I'll think about it, Ismael."

"Of course, my love."

He kissed my forehead before letting me wash up. He told me he'd follow, so I went to the shower room alone. Even their bathrooms are breathtakingly flawless, made with unique styles that I don't even want to touch. My dirty hand doesn't have the right to touch it. My poor sweat would stain them.

Narinig ko ang pagpinig ng pinto. Pumasok na si Ismael para samahan akong maligo. We were sharing the water coming from that beautiful showerhead. Hindi ko mapigilang mag-isip. Kapag naikasal ba kami ay palagi kaming magsasama nang ganito?

He was touching me and caressing every inch of my body, helping me to bathe. Malamig ang tubig, pero kakaibang init ang nararamdaman ko dahil sa mga haplos niya.

And then we moved to the bathtub to scrub each other's backs. Sandali pa kaming napatagal sa paliligo bago napagpasyahang umahon na.

Nakita ko ang nakahandang puting bestida sa may kama. Napatingin ako kay Ismael. He just smiled while wearing his clothes.

"Help me zip, Ismael," utos ko sa kaniya habang tinutukoy ang bandang likod ng dress na suot ko na hindi ko naman maisara.

Napapikit ako nang dumampi ang kamay niya sa likod ko. "Touch the zipper, not my back."

"Sorry, I can't help it."

Inalis niya ang mga nakaharang na buhok sa likod ko sa pag-aakalang isasara niya ito, pero hinalikan niya ang balikat ko maging ang batok ko.

"Ismael...stop it."

"Let me admire your back for a moment," he whispered, under his breath. Hinayaan ko na lang siya. He is planting small kisses behind me and even left some marks. Hindi talaga siya natitigil. Kumbinsido na akong adik nga siya sa akin.

"Are you sure it wasn't the lust you're feeling towards me? What if it wasn't love but lust?" hirit ko.

"I know the difference between them, Jothea. Don't try to use my words against me."

Mukhang nainis siya sa sinabi ko, kaya sinara niya na nang tuluyan ang damit ko. Badtrip yarn?

Kinakabahan akong bumaba sa dining room, kasama si Ismael. Shit. My death is near.