Mary Grace

Thirty-Four

Thirty-Four

Harry arrived half an hour later, knocking softly at the door. I immediately hide my doodle book underneath my pillow, stood up, glance myself at the mirror to fix my hair to make sure I still look like a human being, and hurried up to open the door.

"Hi—" I froze when he automatically sealed a light kiss on my lips, my cheeks burning hot. He grinned at me.

"Hello to you, too."

I slapped him lightly on the chest. Namimihasa na siya sa kakahalik sa akin! And I'd be a hypocrite to deny that I don't like it. I loved every single moment that we sealed our lips.

Pumasok siya sa loob at dun ko lang napansin na medyo nabasa siya ng ulan. Sinilip ko kaagad ang bintana. Lumakalas na ang ulan. I squealed like a little girl inside of my mind when he pulled out a 1-litre Chuckie from a grocery bag along with some take-out Chinese.

I sat cross-legged across him as we ate our dinner over small chats. Ikinuwento niya sa akin ang batang muntik nang masagasaan ng jeep para lang iligtas ang isang maliit na kuting. He also told me that he treated the little boy for an ice cream explaining why it took him about half an hour to get back to the traveler's inn. I loved how he tried to steal kisses from me every time he gets a chance. I would frown at him but his smile would immediately melt me from the insides I found myself grinning back at him.

"Makakauwi na tayo ng Pampanga bukas," He announced as he emerged from the bathroom, fresh from the shower and wearing track pants over a black shirt. Pinapatuyo niya ang kanyang buhok gamit ang maliit na tuwalya. He looked at me expectedly.

I sighed then I shrugged. "I don't even want to think about it." Lumapit sa akin si Harry at naupo sa harap ko. I stared at his face. How could this guy with such a big heart have a "devil-may-care-look"? I remember my first impression about him when Ate Annie brought him to house. Akala ko mayabang siya, snob. But his looks were the complete opposite of his real attitude.

He patted my head. "Don't worry, I'll be by your side okay?"

"I'm sure Mom and Dad will kill me," I grumbled under my breath.

He laughed. "Yes, they will." Which didn't really helped.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa dahil alam kong iniisip din niya si Jeremy. "Diba sabi mo wala kang pinagsabihan tungkol sa road trip na ito?" He asked slowly, as if stirring the water.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, even Jeremy. No, most especially Jeremy."

He nodded his head slowly too.

"I've made up my mind, Harry." Lakas-loob kong sabi sa kanya. "I'm going to break up with him."

He stared at me for a long time I didn't really know the answer he was expecting from me. Then he sighed. "Look, I'm going to give you time to think about it. Baka nasasabi mo lang yan ngayon dahil nadadala ka ng nararamdaman mo. I hate to see myself ruining a relationship, Mary Grace. As much as I wanted all of you to me, hindi ko naman pwedeng sirain lang kung ano ang nabuo niyong dalawa ni Jeremy." I could sense the hint of sadness and despair on his voice that he was trying to hide. He even tried to smile. "As what I've said, I'll leave all the decision to you, okay?"

I nodded my head again, thinking about it. Gustong-gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na hindi lang ito ang rason kung bakit ko gustong makipaghiwalay kay Jeremy. He hit me. He was never the same when I started seeing Harry even when I didn't discovered my feelings for him. And Jeremy and I, we both knew that something is wrong with our relationship, we just tried to ignore it thinking it will soon subside down. But it didn't. In fact, it just deteriorated. Nagiging toxic na ang relationship naming dalawa. I never felt the same excitement every time I see him, or have sex with him, or do anything with him around. It wasn't just the same anymore.

As much as I wanted to blurt it out loud, I keep my mouth shut. Tama nga si Harry, baka nadadala lang ako ng emosyon ko ngayon. Natatakot akong isipin na baka pati siya ay nadadala lang din. Na baka pag-uwi namin sa Pampanga at pag naghiwalay na kaming dalawa ay makakalimutan niya na din ako at ang nararamdaman niya sa akin.

"Huwag ka nang masyadong nag-iisip." He must've sensed that I'm deep in my thoughs. He pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head. I inhaled his manly scent. I'm getting addicted to his scent, his kisses, and his touch I don't know if it's a good thing or not. "You'll get through it. No, scratch that—we'll get through it. I'll make sure of it."

I've never felt more secure in my entire life if not for Harry's words. I nodded, feeling a whole lot better with his words. "Now, you should get some sleep." He tucked me into bed. "Maaga pa tayo bukas."

I smiled at him and watched him go to his own bed that is only a few feet away from mine. We were facing each other's side. Nakatingin lang kami sa isa't-isa but I didn't feel the awkwardness that we both suffered yesterday and earlier before he confessed. It was pretty comfortable, if I must say.

"Give me your hand," He said as he stretched out his hand to reach mine. I automatically withdraw my hands inside the blanket and held his outstreched hands. He squeezed it as he close his eyes. "I'd like to remind myself that you're real," He murmured before slowly dozing off to sleep.

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. His words are driving me crazy! Kahit na gusto ko siyang titigan sa buong magdamag ay hinila na din ako ng antok at pagkapagod. Soon enough, I fell asleep while still holding his hands.

I scrunched my face with eyes still close when I feel something warm on my neck. My eyes automatically flew open only to find Harry next to me, squeezing himself on my tiny bed while his arms are wrapped around my waist.

Napangiti kaagad ako. Umusog ako nang kaunti to give him some room dahil mukhang mahuhulog na siya. He stirred from his sleep, opening only one eye and spreading nibble kisses on my neck and jaw.

"I'm sorry," He murmured. "I woke up at dawn and couldn't get back to sleep. I stared at your face and I couldn't hold back anymore. I want to fall asleep next to you."

I nodded my head at him and smiled back in response. Gusto ko pa sanang matulog kasama siya when his alarm went off, startling both of us. Grumbling, he reached for his iPad and turned off his alarm. He looked at me and sighed, saying out loud things that are running inside of my head as of the moment. "As much as I wanted to sleep next to you the entire day, we better get going para makarating tayo sa Pampanga nang hindi pa gumagabi."

I wrapped my arms around his waist. His hard torso immediately turned me on. I found myself being attracted to a guy who takes care of his body and everything that he is passionate about. "Five more minutes." I grumbled.

He laughed, causing a nice vibration. Then he patted my head. "C'mon now, you lazy ass. We need to keep going."

And oh, did I mention that I loved hearing him curse or say any foul language? The Harry that has been introduced to me years ago is so polite, even until now. But hearing him curse feels different. I don't know, he feels more real to me, I guess.

I grunted but slowly obliged. I finally let go of him which he awarded with a quick kiss. "Maliligo muna ako," He announced. When I didn't answer and continued frowning he grinned. "Gusto mong sumama?"

Kinuha ko ang unan sa aking likuran at ihinampas sa kanya. Tatawa-tawa naman siyang pumasok sa CR.

Nang maisarado na niya ang pinto, I collapsed on the bed again. Napabuntong-hininga ako.

I'm really falling for him, hard. I can't control my emotions anymore and Harry's kisses and touches weren't helping either.

Muntik na akong matawa sa mga pinag-iisip ko.

I never thought I will see my dead sister's boyfriend this way.