Loving the Sky (College Series #3)

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Napamulat ako sa sinabi niya. My heart pounded loudly against my chest. Sigurado ako sa gusto kong isagot sa kanya pero dahil sa gulat ay hindi ko nabuo agad ang mga dapat sabihin.

Seryoso ang tingin na iginawad niya sa akin. Our bodies were touching beneath the comforter, but my attention was fixed on him.

"I'm not pressuring you, Reese. I just..." He sighed. "I can't wait to marry you."

At that moment, it felt real. It felt like a vow... a sacred promise. May bumikig sa lalamunan ko kasabay ng dahan-dahan kong pagsiksik sa dibdib niya.

I was so happy. I used to dream about this... and it was really happening.

Ni hindi ko magawang ngumiti. I felt like if I moved, this fantasy would come to an end. Hinalikan niya ang tuktok ng ulo ko at ipinalibot ang braso sa katawan ko. Our heartbeats were in harmony. Mabilis, malakas, at para sa isa't isa lang.

Hinihigit ng antok ang mata ko ngunit nilalabanan ko iyon dahil gusto ko pa siyang makausap.

"We'll proceed with our plan. We'll explore the islands of Greece and live in a townhouse in Athens for a year." Huminga siya nang malalim. "But, of course, we have to earn first. We cannot rely on our parents. I will work hard for you and our family."

His voice sounded determined and certain... para bang matagal na niya iyong ipinaplano. I closed my eyes and imagined a life with him. Sigurado akong ilang beses din siyang hindi uuwi sa akin dahil sa flights niya pero alam ko namang kaya ko siyang hintayin. We'd be each other's refuge, clear skies, and sunny days. We'd love each other through all phases of the moon and stay together in any weather.

I knew it was too early to conclude things. We just got back together.

But after years of loving him from afar, this felt like a gift from heaven... a dream fulfilled. Kaya siguro hindi ko rin pinatagal ang panliligaw at panunuyo niya. Kaya siguro ganoon ko rin kabilis naibigay ulit ang sarili sa kanya. Kasi alam kong sa pinakatahimik at banayad na parte ng puso ko, ang buhay kasama siya ang pinakamalaking pangarap ko.

"Let's do that..." nanghihinang sabi ko.

That was a peaceful and quiet night. With a sense of security and love, I dozed off in his arms. And at that moment, I realized that my choice was finally right.

The next few days were pretty normal, but... beyond beautiful. Ganoon pa rin siya. Walang palya sa paghahatid-sundo sa akin. Ilang beses ko na ring nakasama sa dinner ang mga magulang niya dahil lagi nila akong pinapupunta sa mansyon. It was perfect, almost unbelievable.

Ni hindi ko inakalang darating ang araw na mangyayari ulit 'to. Para akong bumalik sa dating buhay ko noong masaya pa kami sa isa't isa.

"Mommy?" I whispered one night when my mother called me. Patulog na dapat ako dahil katatapos lang ng video call namin ni Rouge.

"Debs, are you there?" Sadness was dripping from her voice.

Bahagya akong umupo sa kama para sumandal sa headboard. Nangunot ang noo ko dahil sigurado akong kalungkutan ang narinig ko sa tinig niya.

"Yes, my. Do you have a problem?" I asked out of concern.

She sighed. "I just keep on missing you, anak. Kailan nga ulit ang fashion show n'yo? We're planning to go there..."

My lips parted. Mabilis na napuno ng saya ang dibdib ko.

"Really?" Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mangiti. "It'll be next week! Please... pumunta kayo! I will show you how talented your daughter is!" masayang-masayang pahayag ko na nakapagpatawa sa kanya.