Midnight Breeze (Chasing Dreams Series #3) | C O M P L E T E D

Chapter 23

"C-Come again, Hailey?"

Pagod na pagod na si Menandro, ngunit bigla siyang nabuhayan sa narinig ko. He even sat on the bed and pulled me up so we could have a proper conversation.

Syempre tinakpan ko ng kumot ang katawan ko para hindi ma-distract ang kausap ko. Sabay ang pagpilig ng kanyang ulo at pag-ngisi, pero 'agad din naman nag-seryoso.

"I love you..." mas malakas at mas malinaw kong sinabi kumpara kanina.

"Y-You love me?" his voice cracked a bit and there was a glimpse of tears in his eyes.

"Yeah..." Tumango ako at ngumiti. "I am in love with Menandro Silverio. No other words; that's what—"

Mabilis niya akong siniil ng halik. Napakurap ako, ngunit dahan-dahan rin pumikit. Sa isang iglap ay magkalapat na ang aming mga katawan at ang kanyang kamay ay gumagapang mula sa aking likod pataas sa aking batok. His gentle touch was tingling and electrifying. Alam niya talaga kung paano ako walain sa sarili ko. I held onto his arms and kissed him back. Pero bago pa man lumalim ang halik, unti-unti na siyang lumayo para lang ako ay mabitin. Our bodies were a few inches apart, but his mouth was so close to mine...

"I prepared a surprise for you, Hailey; and I was gonna tell you how I truly feel about you, pero heto tayo ngayon at ako pa ang na-surpresa mo," he whispered softly that I could feel and smell his breath.

I let his words sunk in my head and thought about it carefully. He said he was gonna tell me how he truly feel... D-Does it mean our feelings are mutual? Mahal niya rin ako?

Ikinulong niya ang mukha ko sa kanyang mga palad. I don't know why I was suddenly nervous, but I looked into his piercing eyes. Ang tingin niyang napako sa mga labi ko ay umangat papunta sa mga mata ko.

"Mahal kita, Hailey. Hindi ako sigurado kung kailan nagsimula, pero sigurado naman ako sa idinidikta ng puso ko." Itinapat niya 'yung kanang kamay ko sa kaliwang parte ng dibdib niya. "Maraming dahilan kung bakit karapat-dapat kang mahalin, pero nag-iisa lang 'yung babaeng nagpahulog sa akin ng husto. It was worth taking the risks when it was all for you. And I didn't mind how long it took me to get here 'cause I finally got the woman whom I thought I could never ever reach."

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko at hinayaan nang pumatak ang mga luha ko. Menandro wiped my tears and kissed my forehead before he pulled me closer for a warm and tight hug.

"I love you," he said and wrapped me in his arms.

"I love you, too," as I lowered my head, I hugged him back and buried my face on his chest.

Madilim na sa kalangitan at mas lalo lamang pina-ganda ng mga liwanag na nagmumula sa street lamps ang Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. The place was really magical and it seemed like parties are being held at the old houses right now.

Magka-hawak kamay naming binaybay ni Menandro ang gilid ng tulay. We just had dinner at the Filipino restaurant in Casa Unisan. Tatapusin namin ang aming unang gabi dito sa Santuario de San Jose at kukuha ng maraming litrato naming dalawa.

"Hailey, do'n ka banda sa may lamppost. Mas maganda ang lighting do'n," my boyfriend commanded after taking my first solo picture.

Tumalima ako at nag-isip ng panibagong pose. I was just so glad na si Menandro pa itong game na game sa pagkuha ng mga picture. Isa pa sa mga napansin ko sa kanya ay hindi siya ma-reklamomg tao. Kanina ay babad na babad kami sa initan, ngunit ni isa ay wala akong narinig sa kanya. We're having a great time so far!