Flying Without Wings (Del Gallego Series #1)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Red

After his created promise, we stayed at the shore. Both of us sat there while watching the sun conclude the day. I felt Maximo embrace me from behind, giving me warm cover amidst the sea breeze.

I caressed his arms as a smile of contentment engraved my lips.

I hope we can stay this way.

I hope so.

"She's not my type," I heard him say.

My gaze shifted to him. Nakita ko ang pag-aalala sa mga mata niya. He later sighed and kissed my temple, allowing my eyes to close.

"Hindi ko siya gusto, Athena," marahan niyang sabi sa'kin.

Nanatili akong tahimik.

"Do you want to know whom I like?"

I bit my lower lip.

Para akong nahi-hipnotismo sa malalim niyang boses. I hide my smile and drag my gaze towards the setting sun. Bukod do'n napansin ko rin kung paano ang mga alon pabalik-balik na humahalik sa baybayin.

My heart pounded.

Ngayon ko napagtanto na kahit pa magulo ang buhay, ramdam ko pa rin ang kapayapaan. Hindi ko na kailangan pang itanong kung bakit dahil sa bawat oras na nararamdaman ko iyon, nasa tabi ko si Maximo.

"Sasabihin mo ba... kung gusto ko?" I asked.

Ramdam ko ang pag-tango niya. "Yeah."

I sighed. "Then who? Sino ang gusto mo, Maximo?"

"Her name is Athena," he whispered, causing my heart to skip a beat. "Do you know her? Hmm?"

My cheeks flushed and I heard him chuckle near my ear.

"She's beautiful, you know?" he even teased me, making me avert my gaze. "She's innocent and adorable. She also likes cookies a lot. Do you want to know more about her, baby?"

I groaned. "You're teasing me."

He barked into laughter.

It made me watch him. My heart softened at the sound of his happiness and the bright look in his face. Parang may humaplos sa puso ko ng maramdaman ang kasiyahan niya.

I like the way he smiles and laughs.

I felt like... he was ever free.

I pout my lips. "So, do you like a kid then?"

Napahinto siya sa tanong ko at napakunot noo.

"You told me, I was young." I grimaced.

He watched me long before he sigh. His chin settled on my shoulder. "Yeah, you're young. I'm twenty-one already and you're seventeen. It's already a big gap between our ages. Pero maghihintay pa rin ako kapag pwede na. Kasi may magagawa pa ba ako? Gusto kita, eh."

Gusto.

Kahit hindi mahal ang binanggit niya, napangiti pa rin ako.

"Ako rin. Gusto kita," I nonchalantly said and he stilled.

Uminit ang pisngi ko nang makita siyang gulat.

"M-Maximo..."

"Y-You like... me too?" He blinked.

Kinagat ko ang labi. Hindi ko alam pero tumango ako sa kanya. And to my surprise, he suddenly buried his face in the hollow of my neck. I heard his heavy breathing while murmuring.

"Uh... Maximo?"

"Fuck!" he cursed and hugged me tighter.

I frowned at him. "I thought you hate cursing?"