Endless Love (Book 1 of Boundless Love Trilogy)

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 22

We both stood there in the middle of the gazebo feeling both each other's warmth. I buried my head in his chest and I could hear his heartbeat rapidly beating.

"I could hear your heart beating fast," I whispered slowly.

"That's what you do to me," he laughed quietly and swayed us both. "I'm okay, Doc. You don't have to worry."

I hummed and released myself from our hug. Tumingin ako sa kanya at nginitian siya.

His eyes peeking through his glasses looking at me filled with love... and happiness. Para sa akin, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nangyari na ang inaabangan ko. Ito pala ang pakiramdam ng um-oo sa taong matagal ka nang sinisinta, at makita ang reaksyon niya.

"Were you expecting this?"

Umiling ito. "N-Not at all," he stuttered still in shock but grinned anyway.

I couldn't help but give him a warm smile and gave him a peck on the lips. He was quickly caught off guard making him touch his lips with his eyes wide open. I swear, I saw his cheeks burn like a tomato and it's cute.

"Ganyan ka pala 'pag kinikilig," I joked.

Inirapan niya ako at niyakap ang tagiliran ko at naglakad na kami papalabas ng gazebo. "You know, I wasn't expecting you to say yes that quick. I can't explain how happy I am and... and..." he paused.

"And?"

He let out a chuckle. "Mamaya na lang pagbaba natin sa condo. Let's have dinner first, hmm?"

Napanguso ako. "Cliffhanger ka na naman, Zairen."

He laughed and stopped for a while to face me. He cupped my face in his hands. "Mamaya na lang, please?" pa-cute pa nitong saad. "Smile ka na. Ayaw kong nalulungkot ang girlfriend ko dahil sa akin."

I tried to stifle a smile but I couldn't help it.

"I made you smile, see? Ang galing ko talaga," yabang nito. "Also, saying that you're finally my girlfriend makes me fall for you even more."

"Cheesy!" I clicked my tongue and crossed my arms in front of my chest.

"But I made you smile."

Umiling ako at hinawakan na ang kamay niya bago kami pumasok sa elevator at bumaba sa unit niya. Sabi niya magluluto na muna siya ng hapunan kaya naman naligo muna ako bhabang nagluluto siya.

Mabuti na lang at palagi akong may extra na damit sa locker. Dito na ako naligo para paguwi ng bahay ay magaaral na lang ako. Pagkatapos ko maligo at magbihis ay lumabas na ako patungo sa kusina.

He was done cooking so I prepared the table para makapag-palit na rin ito dahil nakasuot pa rin ito sa suit niya. Gusto niya kasing lagi naka-porma lalo na 'pag may meeting. Halata sa mukha niya na pagod na pagod siya sa trabaho pero binigyan pa rin niya ako ng oras.

"Sa susunod ako naman ang magluluto pa sa atin," I offered and took a bite.

"Dapat mas masarap ang luto mo kaysa sa akin. Baka hindi na kita ulit paglutuin." tumawa ito.

I scoffed. "Masarap akong magluto, Zairen. Paborito nga ni Lolo at Lola ang adobo at giniling ko. 'Pag natikman mo 'yon sigurado akong magugutuhan mo rin." pagmamalaki ko.

"We'll see," he replied with a smirk. "I'll bake you some cookies again, next time."

Muntik ko ng mabuga ang kinakain ko sa sinabi niya. "You baked the cookies you gave me a while ago?"

"Yes. Bago kita sunduin, umuwi muna ako para mag-bake." he grinned.

Hindi ko akalain na marunong pala mag-bake si Zairen. Ang sarap noong cookies kanina akala ko nga binili lang niya sa bakeshop o 'di kaya ay ang Mommy niya ang gumawa. Mahilig din kasi mag-bake si Tita Faye at pinapatikim nito ang mga gawa niya sa akin tuwing pumapasyal ako sa kanila.

Sa kanya nga rin ako natutong mag-bake. Tuwing pumapasyal kasi ako sa kanila ay palagi niya akong tinuturuan. Isa rin siya sa rason kung bakit nahilig din ako sa paggawa ng mga pastries.

Ang tagal ko na nga na hindi nakita si Tita dahil sa sobrang busy nila sa negosyo nila. At ako naman ay abala sa mga gawain sa UAD. Lalo na ngayon na pumapasok na ako sa med-school. Ilang taon na lang ay residency na. Malayo pa ang kailangan kong tahakin para maabot ko ang pangrap ko pero malayo na.

We ate dinner and had a conversation. Pinagusapan namin ang mga panahon kung kailan kami nagkakilala. Ang pagiging masungit niya. And all our other little but golden memories. We both cleaned the kitchen and then watched a movie after.

My curfew is at nine pm but it's still seven-thirty after we finished the movie. Aalis na lang kami rito ng eight-thirty dahil malapit lang naman ang bahay.

After watching the movie, I stood up and went to open up the sliding door, and headed to the balcony. The breeze of wind quickly touched my skin making me shiver a little. Kung kanina ay ang sunset ang maganda, ngayon naman ay ang nagtataasang mga building na nakailaw ang nagpaganda ng paligid.

I felt a presence from behind. Niyakap niya ako mula sa likuran making me lean back. I could hear his breathing in my ear. I closed my eyes and savored the moment.

"Nilalamig ka," he said softly. "I'll get you a jacket."

He was about to let go of me but I held his arm that was wrapped around my waist to stop him.

I shook my head. "Don't." I stopped him and held him like there was no tomorrow. "I'm fine."

He let out a heavy sigh and I felt him nod.

"Ang ganda ng view rito, Zairen. Parang nasa New York lang." I stated and titled my head to look up at him.

"But not as beautiful as you," he looked down and our eyes came in contact.

We stared at each other for a moment at bumalot ang katahimikan. Ngunit naalala ko ang sabi niya kanina sa rooftop. Ano kaya 'yon?

"Zai," I touched his chin with my fingers. "Ano pala yung sasabihin mo sa akin kanina?"

He showed me a warm smile. "I love you,"

I was caught off guard for a second but I smiled wide. Sa mundong kinatatayuan ko, ngayon ko lang nalaman na may tao pala na nagmamahal sa akin ng ganito.

"I love you," he repeated. "Kahit na minsan naiinis ka sa akin dahil sa pasusutil ko. I love you even with your flaws and imperfections because no one is perfect, Alora. Mahal kita simula noong magkaibigan pa lang tayo. Kahit na alam ko na baka wala akong pagasa ay naghintay ako. My love never faded and whenever you tell me your problems, your worries, everything, it made me feel special. Kasi ako ang natatakbuhan mo kapag kailangan mong masalo, 'pag napapagod ka, 'pag alam mong hindi mo na kaya," he held my cheek and pulled me closer. "I love you, Kahit na mapagod ka na sa kakasabi ko niyan at maiirita ka na. Remember, that I will always be right by your side, through your lows and highs, 'cause it's only you."

Sinong magaakala na ang lalaking nakilala ko lang noon sa gazebo ng UAD ay andito na sa harapan ko at sinasabi na mahal ako? Ang masungit at mataray na Zairen na nakilala ko noon... he's here confessing his love for me.

"I love you, Zairen,"

When those words came out of my mouth, I knew at that moment that this will be a new memory for us. Isa na ito sa hindi ko makakalimutan.

He closed his eyes and smiled lovingly before pulling me in for a kiss. I closed my eyes and kissed him back. I wrapped my arms around his nape and he pulled my body closer to him. We both pulled out gasping for air.

I stared at him lovingly.

"I love you endlessly, love," he said and gave me a peck on the lips.

I grinned and pinched the tip of his nose playfully.

"My endless love for you is too good to be true. I love you endlessly."

ARTEMESTELLE