Wonderstruck: Se'nnight Romance

CHAPTER 16

Play of Fate

ALAS SINGKO pa lang ng madaling araw ay nagising na si Maximo sa hindi malamang dahilan. He thought that since they went late to bed last night, he should have woken up late in the morning, but look at him now, doubting his own body clock. With his eyes closed, he used his left hand, hoping to touch and hug his man to continue the sleep, but only the bed was felt. Doon naman unti-unting bumukas ang kaniyang mata at saka tiningnan kung nasaan ang kaniyang katabi.

Nasaan na 'yon? Maaga rin siyang nagising?

Before climbing off the bed, he rubbed his eyes first, lifted himself up, stretched his arms and then called out William's name through a half-shouted and half-whispered voice.

"William!" he called in his deep and sleepy voice.

Dahil doon ay napagpasyahan niya nang tumayo para hanapin si William hanggang sa makita niya ito sa kusina, tahimik na nakaupo sa dining habang umiinom ng kape. Without grunting any words, with his half-naked body, he hugged his man from behind and kissed the top of his head.

"Good morning, William," malambing na pagkakasabi nito na sinabayan pa nang paghikab. Agad namang hinawakan ni William ang dalawang kamay na nakapatong sa kaniyang balikat at saka 'yon binigyan nang malalambot na halik.

"Good morning. You want coffee?"

"Nope. I want you." Napangisi naman si William doon kahit na seryoso ang pagkakasabi ni Maximo sa panlalaki at malalim na boses.

Matapos 'yon ay umupo na si Maximo sa kabilang upuan kung saan makakaharap niya si William. He's still thinking about why they woke up this early in the morning. Kukuha na sana si Maximo ng kaniyang maiinom nang mapansin niya ang mukha ni William. His eyes, nose, cheeks, and ears are a bit red and swollen.

"William?" malambing na pagkakatawag nito na may halong pag-aalala. Mabilis naman siyang tumayo mula sa kinauupuan niya at saka lumapit kay William. He kneeled on the floor and carefully touched and assessed some parts of his face.

"Hmm?" he seemed clueless while sipping his warm coffee. The aroma of his coffee pervades the entire dining area.

"Umiyak ka ba?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Maximo habang matamang pinagmamasdan ang mukha ni William.

"Ah, hindi. Medyo masama pa rin kasi ang pakiramdam ko. Nabinat yata ako sa ginawa natin kanina," napatawa naman ang dalawa sa sinabing 'yon ni William.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" natatawang sabi ni Maximo bago niya kinuha ang kamay ni William at saka hinalikan nang paulit-ulit ang likuran nito. "I'm sorry for not being gentle. Alam mo naman nasanay na ako sa rough sex kaya hindi ko mapigilan kapag nando'n na. Sorry talaga. Don't worry, I'll try my hardest to be as gentle as I can next time."

William smiled at him peacefully and timidly before combing his hair using his own fingers and kissing him on his forehead.

"I love you, Maximo."

Napangiti naman si Maximo nang maalala niya na ito pala ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na si William ang unang nagsabi ng I love you sa kanilang dalawa.

"Why so sweet today?" Maximo sat on the floor while kissing William's right knee.

"....magiging akin kana, eh," mahinang pagkakasabi ni William habang nakangiti.

I'm so happy that he agreed to be with me and leave those people behind. People who're trying to stop us from doing what makes us happy. Those deep ocean blue eyes of his say otherwise. I don't know why.

Matapos 'yon ay naghanda na si Maximo ng kanilang almusal para naman malagyan na ang kanilang kumukulong mga sikmura. While he was busy preparing for their breakfast, William suddenly spoke his words while holding Maximo's phone.