Flying Without Wings (Del Gallego Series #1)

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Chaos

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makahiga na sa aking malambot na kama. Tahimik ang buong silid, tanging hininga ko lang ang humahari sa paligid. Nakatingin ako sa kisame at biglang ipinikit ang mga mata ng dumapo ang nangyari kanina. Uminit ang aking pisngi at kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi.

Did he kiss me?

I repeatedly touched my lips, remembering his soft ones.

Oh, no!

Napabalikwas ako kaagad sa nararamdamang kakaiba. Nasapo ko ang aking dibdib sa sobrang lakas ng tibok nito. It's my first time kissing someone and it came from Maximo—a stranger?!

I don't know how to say it, though! Pero siya ang unang estrangherong nakahawak sa akin ng ganoon. May mga nagtangka noon sa ilang dinner na sinama ako nina Kuya Jax para sa ilang pamilya ng mayayaman na negosyante, halos mga anak nito ay binalak na makipag-lapit, ngunit agad nahaharangan nina Kuya. Sa tikas at mukhang nakakatot pa lang na aura ng mga kapatid ko, kaagad ang mga itong umiiwas.

But Maximo made me feel how to be touched and kissed by someone.

Paulit-ulit na sumasagi sa aking isipan ang bawat kataga na kanyang binitawan kanina.

"You're my property. So part your lips, fearless Herrera...."

I smiled weirdly, painting my cheeks red. I cupped my face and pouted, asking myself why am I feeling this way towards him?

He's a Guerrero for Pete's sake!

Alam kong may atraksyon akong nararamdaman para sa lalakeng iyon, ngunit hanggang doon lang iyon. Sigurado ako. Yes, aaminin ko na guwapo siya at matipuno. A perfect picture of an ideal man. He may be good looking and I'm attracted, nonetheless, it's all just like that. No other things that draw meanings behind the line.

So maybe I should stop overthinking? Isa pa, hindi ko dapat binibigyang kahulugan iyon dahil lang sa simpleng halik. Right! He's a ladies' man to begin with! May babae nga siya kanina!

I want to curse myself for that! Bakit ngayon ko lang naisipan ito? Dapat pala sinampal ko siya at ang sarili ko, para matauhan kaming dalawa. Hindi lang naman kasi siya ang may kasalanan. Even I accept being at fault too. I need to be responsible enough for accepting his kiss.

My mind is flooded with all those thoughts that I didn't notice my breathing was heavily dragged by that.

"Dios mio! Nababaliw na ata ako!"

I shooked my head. Marahas akong bumuga ng hangin. Still, in dire straits, I lay again on the comfy bed, but now my arms were stretched sidewards. My eyes fixed on the ceiling and there, everything that happened a while ago began to flood my mind like flowing water—pristine and unceasing.

Nang matapos ang halik na iyon ang tanging nagawa ko na lang ay ang kumurap-kurap na tila hindi makapaniwala sa lahat. Kung hindi niya lang ako hinawakan sa pulso at hinila, tulala lang ako buong sandali.

He unexpectedly brought me to a gazebo, proudly established at the higher part of the land nearby the stunning falls. But unlike the usual structure of the small building, it was something unique and modernized. Half of it was covered by bricks with a glass-tinted door toward a single room. The other half was designed for viewing the fascinating scenery from a close distance.

Huminto kami sa harapan nito, saka niya ako sinipat.

"You're wearing..." Inis na pinikit niya ang mga mata pagkatapos pasadahan ng tingin ang suot ko. "Damn it! Next time, don't dress like that! Men are drooling over you, and it's not pleasant!" he grumpily spat.