Forever and Always BOOK 1 ( a sequel to As Long As Forever)

Forever and Always - CHAPTER 5

Lagpas hating-gabi na'y gising pa rin si Erika. Sa dami ng nangyari ngayong gabi at sa samu't-saring emosyon na dama ng dibdib, hindi niya magawang matulog. Her heart is crying out for Alex. That burning hatred in his eyes, the hurting was too much for her to bear. All she wanted was to be with him to take some of his pain. But that accidental kiss made her feel awkward. She acted as if nothing happened kahit na sa loob-loob ay nawindang ang buong sistema niya.

How can something so fleeting bore so deep in her memory? Aniya sa isip. She should forget it. She should sleep on it. Pinilit niyang ipikit ang mga mata pero ayaw dumating ng antok niya.

It's been two hours since she was home but she still could not forget that kiss. Sa tuwing pipikit siya'y ang labi ni Alex na dumikit sa labi niya ang paulit-ulit niyang nakikita. At paulit-ulit na tinatambol ng malakas ang dibdib niya. Nanggigigil na kinagat niya ang unan. How could this happen to her? She shouldn't be like this. For God's sake, it's like an incest! Alex is like a brother to her!

Erase your thoughts! Utos niya sa isip nang makita na naman sa balintataw ang mukha ni Alex na dumikit sa kanya. She used to dream that her first kiss would be romantic. Under the moonlight, in a field of flowers or with fireworks. Napabuga siya ng hininga. Instead, she had it hidden under the window drapes that smelled dust- very old dust! And with a guy she does not love!

Well, she loves Alex but not that kind of love.

Smack lang naman iyon, aniya sa isip. She can't consider it as her first kiss. Plus, it was an accident!

Ngunit hanggang ngayon ay tinatambol pa rin ng kaba ang didbdib niya at ramdam pa rin niya ang labi nito sa labi niya. It was so soft and yet it was electrifying. Bakit gano’n?

Napabalikwas siya bigla ng bangon nang biglang tumunog ang celphone niya. Ganoon na lang ang pagkadismaya niya nang makitang si Lance iyon. Ang pinakamamahal niyang date na iniwan siyang bigla sa ere at ni hindi man lang siya nagawang ihatid pauwi. Wala siyang planong sagutin ang tawag nito ngunit tila wala itong planong tigilan ang pag-dial ng number niya kaya napilitan siyang sagutin iyon.

"Erika, I'm sorry," bungad nito kaagad pagkasagot niya.

"It's late, Lance," aniyang hindi maiwasang maghinanakit dito.

"Please tell me you forgive me. Hindi ako makatulog kakaisip sa'yo."

Natigilan siya ng saglit nang mahimigan ang desperasyon sa boses nito. Was he really that affected? She’s just his date, not his girlfriend. Nawala tuloy bigla ang hinanakit niya sa binata. "It’s okay, Lance. You don’t need to worry about it," aniya.

"Can you meet me outside?"

Kumunot ang noo niya at napatingin sa labas ng bintana. Nasa labas ito ng gate nila, nakasandal sa kotse nito. Nanlaki ang mata niya.

"Aren't you supposed to be home? Lance, it's late. Papagalitan ako ni Mommy at Daddy."

"Just five minutes. Please, I'm begging."

Hindi siya sumagot.

"Please, Erika. Just five minutes."

"Let's talk tomorrow, Lance," aniya.

"Please, Erika. Hindi ako aalis dito hangga't hindi kita nakakausap."

Muntik na siyang magdabog. How could he be so difficult?

"Or I could ask your Dad's permission," anito. Nakita niyang papalapit ito sa doorbell.

"Okay! Okay! Lalabas na ako. Five minutes, okay?"

Hindi na niya alintanang naka-pajama lang siyang lumabas. She sneaked out through the back door at maingat na hindi makagawa ng ingay. Paglabas niya ng gate ay kaagad siyang sinalubong ng yakap nito. Napangiwi siya dahil amoy-alak ito.