Nang makarating ako sa kuwadra ay doon na lumitaw ang anino ni Simon. Dali-dali akong lumapit para hagkan siya saglit.
"Thank you for coming birthday boy," usal ko bago siya muling pinatakan ng halik sa labi. "I'll just get Valir inside."
Hindi ito nagpaiwan sa labas, bagkus ay sumabay ito sa akin papasok. We were holding hands while walking toward Valir. The corner of my lips lifted. I could feel the erratic beating of my heart against my chest.
I could live forever like this as long as it was with him.
I didn't know that the sprouted seed of admiration I felt for him would grow more than I'd expected. The growing infatuation within my heart turned to desire—which I never felt to someone.
I might sound selfish but yes, I wanted to own him only for myself.
Tahimik kaming nakarating sa tabing-ilog habang sakay ni Valir. Nagpasya kaming siya na lang ang pagsakyan tutal ay kasya naman kaming dalawa.
The night breeze embraced us. Bumaba si Simon mula sa aking likuran at inilahad ang kamay sa aking gilid, inaanyayahan akong bumaba. Nakangiti ko itong tinanggap at nagpasalo sa kaniya.
"Bakit wala kang dalang damit? I told you we'll gonna swim," I blurted out when he finally tied Valir on the tree.
Pinagpag niya ang mga kamay bago tumingin sa akin. We could vividly stare to each other because of the moonlit night.
"Ayoko nang magbitbit ng gamit kung kaya ko namang umuwi ng basa," kibit-balikat niya bago kinuha ang bag ko.
Inilabas niya roon ang dinala kong manipis na kumot para ilatag sa damuhan. Matapos no'n ay umupo siya bago tumingala sa akin. He cocked his head on the side that urged me to sit beside him.
He held my waist and put me between his thighs before caging me around his muscled arms. Namumula ang pisnging isinandal ko ang sarili sa kaniyang malapad na dibdib. His body heat gave me warmth and tranquillity.
I couldn't find a more suitable place but in his arms. I always felt at ease and at peace.
"Thank you," bulong niya sa aking punong-tainga.
Bolts of electricity ran through my veins. I heaved a satisfying sigh and caressed his arms. "Para saan?"
I let my eyes settled on the shimmering water. 'Pag lilingunin ko kasi siya ay baka malunod na naman ako sa malalalim niyang mga mata.
"Sa lahat... sa bawat pakiramdam na pinapadama mo sa akin."
Naunat ang labi ko para sa isang mabining ngiti. I felt him plant a kiss on my temple before leaving feathery kisses on my neck.
"Same to you Simon..." Gumalaw ako at tuluyang pumihit paharap sa kaniya. Muli kong nasilayan ang kaniyang kakisigan na lalong nagpahigit sa aking hininga. "I love you," I muttered with all of my heart and pulsating nerves in my whole system.
Kita ko siyang saglit na natigilan bago napangiti at kinabig ako papalapit. "Mahal kita," at yumukod na siya para sakupin ang labi ko.
Hindi ko mailagay sa salita ang eksaktong nararamdaman. Ang alam ko lang, mahal na mahal ko ang lalaking ito na hindi ko siya kayang ipagpalit kanino man.
And knowing that he loved me back gave me another wave of satisfaction in my being. It felt like floating in ecstasy... so surreal.
Kumalas kami sa labi ng isa't isa matapos ang ilang sandali. I lovingly stared at his eyes and I was again, drowned with its darkness. Its darkness gave me love.
