Below The Tide (Charity Series #1)

• Fifty One •

Betina Tiara

~

Naglinis ako ng katawan pagkauwi namin ni Zen galing sa ospital. Dahil cellphone lang ang tanging bitbit ko mula nang makaalis kami sa apartment, puting polo muna ni Zen ang sinuot ko-- na nagmukhang dress sa katawan ko.

Hindi rin ako masyadong nakahawak sa cellphone ko kanina dahil busy ako sa pag-aasikaso kay Zen. Napag-usapan namin na... simula ngayon, dito na ‘ko tutuloy sa bahay niya. Gusto ko sanang tumanggi dahil nakakahiya pero siya ang nagpumilit no'n at wala na ‘kong magagawa dahil galit na galit si Zen sa nangyari at ayaw niya nang maulit 'yun lalo't nakatakas ang lalaki.

"Babe, are you hungry? I’m sure haven’t eaten yet," ani Zen nang makaupo ako sa tabi niya rito sa sofa, "I’ll try to look for a food---" akmang lalakad na siya nang pigilan ko siya sa kamay.

"Sugatan ka pa, ‘wag mo ‘kong isipin."

He stared at me for a long time before he heaved a sigh and sat beside me again. I can tell his frustration and anxiety.

"I’m sorry, babe..." he said quietly, "I should’ve gone there faster. I can’t help but to feel sorry. Kung nakarating lang ako sa ‘yo ng mas maaga e ‘di sana hindi ganito ang nangyari."

"To begin with, you didn’t know the address so why are you feeling sorry? The important thing here is you came and saved me."

"But you’re my responsibility... right from the very moment you said yes to our relationship, you became my responsibility--- my top priority."

I squeezed his hands gently, he looked back at me and our eyes locked.

I smiled at him, "Thank you for saying that. Atleast, alam kong may paninindigan ka."

"So please stay with me, babe. Live with me from now on," his eyes were full of emotion, "Ayoko nang maulit ‘tong nangyari lalo at hindi nahuli ‘yung lalaking ‘yon. Hindi ko kakayanin kapag sa pangalawang pagkakataon, magtagumpay na siya."

"Yes, rest assured that I will live with you in the same house from now on," nodding at his concern words, "So stop feeling sorry, okay?"

Marahan lumapat ang isang kamay niya sa aking pisngi, mas lumapit siya at nagdikit ang aming mga noo sa isa't-isa.

"Keep in mind that whatever happens, I will always protect you. I’ll stand by your side for always and forever. I will never... let you go," I heard the sincerity in his words, my heart moved by it.

"I love you, Zen."

Zen's lips formed a small smirked and pressed his lips on mine. It was just a long steady kiss filled with passionate and over-flowing love that made my heart beat like crazy, in a good way. Feels like I’m melting over and over again.

"I love you more, Betina." he replied wholeheartedly.

Nasa gano'ng posisyon kami nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko sa maliit na lamesang katapat lang namin. Dinampot ko 'yun at nakitang si Seven ang tumatawag.

Oo nga pala, matapos kong makausap ang head security ng building ay hindi na muna 'ko sumagot ng mga tawag o text, inasikaso ko kasi si Zen.

"It’s Seven," I said.

Zen made a face and folded his arms on his chest, "Put it in loudspeaker, please."

Sinagot ko ang tawag at nilagay 'yun sa loudspeaker, "Hello... Seven."

"Betina! Bakit ngayon mo lang sinagot? Nag-alala ako. Nakita ko pala kayo kanina sa CCTV ni Zen... he’s injured? How’s the both of you?" there's a hint of hesitation as he asked.