Seduction 101

28-Realization

She is looking at him, for the first time ever, nakita niya ang isang parte ng pagkatao nito.

He looked vulnerable, he looked like a child that needs care.

Hinaplos niya ang pisngi nito and looked at him eye to eye.

He caressed her lower lip as a respond. Mataman din itong nakatitig sa kanya.

"Are you okay, sir?" She asked.

"Stop calling me sir, Belle. Rome will make me happy." Sagot naman nito.

"Rome." She uttered.

"That's my girl." Her heart leaped. Ayaw niyang umasa, ayaw niyang mag-isip. He just called her his girl and her heartbeat beats like it never been before.

She smiled at him, he smiled back.

"Let's go. It's getting late." Aya nito. Ngumiti siya dito at tumango.

They walk side by side and hands clasped together.

Hindi niya maintindihan kung ano ang mararamdaman. She knew that something changed. She knew that after what happened earlier, mayroon ng nag-iba sa kanila.

"What are you thinking?" She looked on his side and saw him wearing a worried look. Nasa byahe na sila pauwi sa kanila.

Tipid niya itong nginitian.

"Wala naman. Mga konting bagay lang." She responded.

"Does that little things include me?" Napangiti siya sa tanong nito.

Tumango siya. She saw how his lips formed a smirk. Tinampal niya ang braso nito.

"What?" She asked with a comical look.

"What what?" He asked back.

Napailing na lamang siya at ibinaling ang mata sa daan.

She felt him move beside her and her breathing became uneven when she felt his hand on hers.

Nandoon na naman ang di maipaliwanag na pakiramdam niya. Nahihirapan siyang huminga na para siyang maiihi. Hindi niya lamang matukoy kung sa kaba o sa excitement na magkahawak na naman ang kanilang mga kamay.

She felt his lips on her hand and her heart swell. Gusto niyang umiyak.

Maraming katanungan sa kanyang isip, pero sa ngayon, hahayaan na muna niya ang mga bagay-bagay.

Tahimik lamang siya sa loob ng sasakyan.

When she rode his car earlier, she felt awkwardness. Pero habang nakaupo siya sa loob niyon ngayon, she felt nothing but complete bliss.

Wala silang imikan dalawa but the air was light.

She heard him hum.

The engine stopped and she saw her house. Kay bilis talaga ng oras.

She heaved a deep sigh and look at him.

"What's that for?" Tanong nito.

Napangiti siya rito.

"Ikaw talaga, kahit konting bagay napapansin mo. Bawal na bang huminga ngayon?" She tease.

"Hindi naman, but a sigh means something...something deep. And yes, lahat ng bagay tungkol sayo napapansin ko." Hindi niya mawari ang mararamdaman, nagfefeeling teenager na naman siya.

Kung bawal lang ang kiligin, matagal na siyang nahuli ng dahil dito.

She cupped his face and pinched his cheeks lightly.

"Umuwi ka na, magpapahinga na ako. See you and goodnight." Akma niyang bubuksan ang pintuan ng sasakyan ng pigilan siya nito.

"Belle." Seryoso ang tono nito.

Belle. Sa isip-isip niya. He called her Belle. Tanging kapamilya pa lamang niya ang tumatawag sa kanya ng ganoon.

"Thank you." Pasimula nito.

"Thank you for being there...being here. Thank you for not judging me." Tahimik lamang siyang nakikinig dito.

"For holding my hand and for making me hope again." She bit her lip. Of all times, ngayon niya ayaw maging emosyonal.

She needs him to see that she's strong.

"You see, I never opened up into someone. Even to Grand. After my parent's death, I never looked at someone to be my help. Grand is there, yes, but I never opened up on her. I don't wanna stress her. Ayokong makita niya akong malungkot, na mahina. I am the only person that she has now." Pagpapatuloy nito.

"And of all people, ikaw pa ang nakakita sa akin na mawalan ng kontrol." Hinawakan niya ang kamay nito.

"You know what, Rome. Sometimes it's okay to be weak, to cry, to lean on someone. Kasi, malalaman mong may mga tao pa palang andiyan para sayo. That there's someone who cares and willing to share your tears. Ang pag iyak ay hindi basehan na mahina ang isang tao. It's a sign na nakakaramdam ka pa, na buhay ka pa." She can't contain her emotions anymore and finds herself crying.

Naawa siya rito.

"After the tears, Rome. Siguraduhin mong babangon ka, na gigising ka na ang nasa isip ay ang paglaban sa kalungkutan. When you are sad, think of something that makes you happy. Think about your grandmother who's always there to help you, to caress your check and told you that she's still there, that you have her. Na may back-up ka pala sa gyera kung malapit ka ng matalo." He cupped her face and wiped her tears. Tahimik lamang itong nakikinig sa kanya.

"Wag kang magpatalo sa kalungkutan, fight and ask for help. May mga taong nagmamahal sayo na handang tumulong kung nawawala mo na ang sarili mo. You are a brave man, I know. Pero sana huwag mong isarado ang pintuan mo sa lahat." She lean and pressed their lips together.

"Good night, Rome. Thanks for the night." Hindi na niya hinintay na magsalita ito at lumabas na ng sasakyan. She went straight ahead on their house at hindi na lumingon pa.

That night, she realized something.

She's in love, in love to Rome Garrick Vraga Demedes.

Her demon of a boss.