"Someone's shy," I teased.
"Ikaw kasi," he blamed, scratching his head before walking behind me. He hugged me and buried his face on my neck. I can hear him chuckling softly.
I let out a laugh. "Ganiyan ka ba kiligin?" First time ko siya nakitang ganito!
"Marry me." It was almost a whisper.
Nagpintig ang tainga ko at natigilan sa pagtawa, humihigpit ang hawak sa baso. Nakaramdam ako ng kakaibang sensasyon sa dibdib ko.
"What..." I was lost for words.
"You will marry me."
Desidido ko siyang nilingon bago hinampas sa balikat. "Ang demanding mo, ah!" I felt myself tear up. Is he serious?!
"Kailangan mo akong pakasalan. Panindigan mo ito." He took my hand gently and placed it on his chest, looking into my eyes while shaking his head with a smile. "You're the only one... who can make this feel alive, Ica."
"Really?" I couldn't help my joy.
"Really." He nodded. "Alam mo, tinanggap ko na na hindi mo ako mamahalin ulit. Na hanggang ganito lang tayong dalawa. Good parents for Kie. Sabi ko kontento na ako kahit na ako lang ang nagmamahal sa 'yo... pero mas masarap pala sa pakiramdan na mahal mo ako... Na ako pa rin pala."
Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko at pinilit siyang yakapin sa leeg kahit na nakaupo ako. He immediately adjusted his stance to hug me comfortably. I only thought it was in movies where you hug the person you love and suddenly have a sense of warmness envelope you. It was real.
"I will never not love you," I said.
"Cute." He let out a small chuckle. "I will never not love you... and I'm never letting you go again."
That night we became... intimate for the first time after years. It felt so new... the way he made love to me. It was so passionate with a sense of gentleness. We felt closer as if we shared a deeper connection with each other.
The next morning, I felt hang over while traveling back to Manila. Ang kaingayan ni Kie sa backseat ay dumagdag sa sakit ng ulo ko. Ayaw ko naman siyang patahimikin dahil ang maaliwas ng mood niya.
"Da, I want food!" Sumiksik siya sa gitna ng mga upuan para masilip si Marco.
"What do you want? Let's pass by a drive thru."
Tumili kaagad si Aqeila kaya napaigtad ako, gulat sa lakas ng boses niya. I felt a vibrating sensation when my elbow hit the door. Napayuko ako at ininda iyong sakit.
"Momma, are you hurt? Oh no!" Kie tapped my back to get my attention, making me laugh.
"I'm okay, baby. Don't worry about Momma." I stretched my arm to get rid of the vibration before carrying her. Masaya naman siyang naupo sa hita ko. Pinaulanan ko siya ng halik sa pisngi kaya humagikgik siya. "I love you, Aqeila."
"I love you, Ma!" Siya naman ang humalik sa pisngi ko at niyakap ako nang mahigpit.
"Sali n'yo naman ako," naiingit na sabi ni Marquenzo. Sumulyap siya sa akin saglit bago tinuon muli ang mata sa daan.
"I love you, babe."
His eyes narrowed and he caressed his chest as if he didn't expect me to tell him that. Masyado bang nakakapanibago sa pandinig niya? Well, he should get used to it!
"I love you, babe!" panggagaya ni Kie sa akin kaya napuno ng tawa namin ni Marco ang kotse.
Kasal naman ni Cali ang sunod na pinaghandaan ng grupo. Their wedding will take place on Balesin Island. Marco and I have already scheduled a week off for that. We'll also treat it as a vacation.
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Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)
RomanceISLA SERIES #5 Marco, the luckiest surfer in the island but was unlucky when it comes to love. Rejected countless of times by his first love. Ica, an actress, on the other hand, was there willing to give him everything... until it turned to nothin...
