CHAPTER 35
TROUBLED
Iris' POV
"Ris! Huy!" I almost jumped when Tiffany touched my arm.
"S-sorry. What?"
"Tinatanong ka ni Caylee kung sasama ka ba daw sa amin mamaya."
I frowned since I didn't hear anything. "Sasama saan?"
Caylee sighed. "Ang lutang mo girl. What's up with you?"
I nervously laughed. "Kulang lang sa tulog, pasensya na."
"Wag niyo kasing araw-arawin ni Dash!" biro niya kaya nagtawanan silang lahat nila Naomi, Ava at Tiffany.
"Baliw. Ano ba kasi 'yon? Anong meron?"
"We're going shopping at Serenaville Mall. Mag-start na kasi ang palaro ni Senyor kaya kailangan na namin ng mga bagong damit. You want to join us?"
"Pass. I need to finalize my resume for my internship."
"Can't you do it on the weekend?" Ava asked.
"I'm afraid not. Last month pa kasi ito binigay pero ngayon ko pa lang ginagawa at hindi pa ako nakakapaghanap ng kumpanyang papasukan ko. Most of my classmates have started already while I'm sitting here, still polishing my resume."
"We're sure your parents can arrange that you," Naomi commented.
"Have you all forgotten engineering isn't exactly my parents' first choice for me? Kahit na graduating na ako, sasabihin lang ni Mama na dapat kasi nag-HRM ako kung hindi ko naman pala magawang tumayo sa mga sarili kong paa. I can't ask for their help. Kailangan makita nila na hanggang dulo, kaya ko."
They all pouted since they knew, there's nothing they could say to change my mind.
"Sayang naman. Hindi tayo complete," Caylee muttered.
"Sorry talaga. Next time na lang."
I looked down on my laptop and continued what I was doing. I'm not really in the mood to set aside my priorities now.
I was out of sorts for the past few days because my mind's very distressed. Palagi akong kinakabahan at hindi mapakali tuwing nandoon si Dashiell sa bahay nila. I was afraid that he'd suddenly call me, angry and hurt because he finally learned about my past.
Malay ko ba kung anong tumatakbo sa isip ng kapatid niyang si Damian. Hay nako! Katapusan ko na talaga kapag bigla na lang umamin 'yon kay Dash!
"Sus kaya naman pala ayaw sumama sa atin, babe time kasi. Iris ah, baka iba na ang pinagaaralan niyo sa kwarto ni Dash. HAHAHAHA!" Naghalakhakan sila nang mangasar si Naomi. Magtatanong sana ako kung anong trip niya nang makita kong nasa labas na pala ng pintuan si Dashiell. Nakatayo siya doon habang kausap ang mga kaibigan niya. Mukhang tapos na ang practice nila kaya sinusundo niya na ako.
"For the record, we're going to my house and not his. And we're not doing anything else but finish my resume." Tumayo na ako at inilagay ang laptop sa bag ko.
"Yeah right, like we believe you." Caylee giggled and so are the others. I just rolled my eyes and bid goodbye to them.
"Have fun girls!"
Paglabas ko ay sinalubong agad ako ni Dash ng maikling halik. Pawis na pawis siya kaya kinuha ko agad ang panyo ko at pinunasan ang noo niya.
"Bakit hindi ka naligo?" I asked.
"Sa bahay na. Let's go?"
I just nodded and naturally allowed him to take my hand. Sobrang at home na kami sa bahay ng isa't-isa kaya balewala na sa akin kung sa bahay siya makikiligo. Palagi naman siyang may dalang damit sa kotse niya.
Good mood si Dash habang naglalakad kami papunta sa parking lot. He's telling me something about soccer that I can't quite understand but it's making me smile since he seems so excited about it.
"Wait, ano ulet? Sino?" tanong ko nang hindi na talaga ako maka-catch up. I always try my best to aware of his sports side. Gusto ko kahit hindi ako super fan ng soccer ay nagagawa pa rin naming mapagusapan iyon. His world revolves around it so I want to be in it too.
"Kanina, habang nagpa-practice kami, bigla na lang ako tinawag ni Coach. Then he introduced me to some people wearing suit and ties. I thought they were new sponsors for the team but I was surprised when they told me they're from the country's federation for football players."
"Oh... What do they want from you?"
"They want me to to join the national team." Sobra ang ngisi niya nang sinabi niya iyon. I could see his eyes sparkling from happiness. "They said they've been watching me for the past few years and they've seen how I played. They were so impressed by my skills so they make a special trip here to personally invite me."
Napanganga ako sa gulat. "Dash, that's great! Wow! So did you accept it?"
Tumango siya. "Pagiisipan ko pa sana at hihingi pa sana ako ng permiso sa'yo pero naunahan ako ng saya kaya um-oo na ako agad-agad."
"You don't need my permission! You know I won't stop you from reaching your dreams ever! My life, sobrang natutuwa ako para sa'yo! Ang galing galing mo! Congrats! Deserve mo 'yan!" Niyakap ko siya at sinuklian naman niya ako nang halik sa pisngi.
"Thank you, my life. Hindi pa rin nga ako makapaniwala," natatawang sambit niya.
Alam ko kung gaano kamahal ni Dashiell ang soccer. It's one of the joys in his life. Honestly, I'm not that surprised this happened to him since I knew how good he is at what he does. Kaya nga siya naging captain ng Larkyn Bear ay dahil may talent talaga siya sa paglalaro. He's gifted.
"We should celebrate and eat something delicious!" I happily suggested.
"Ah, so ikaw ang kakainin?"
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad kong nilingon ang paligid sa takot na may makarinig sa kanya. Nakahinga naman din ako ng maluwag ng mapansing walang ibang tao dito sa parking lot.
When I looked at Dash, he burst out laughing. "Joke lang! HAHAHA!"
Hinampas ko nga ang braso niya upang magtigil siya. "Ang salbahe mo. Hay nako!"
I could feel my cheeks burning from his sudden dirty joke. He wasn't even flirting so I didn't see that one coming.
"Sorry na, hahaha." Hinawakan niya ang parehong kamay ko at tinitigan ako. "Pero masaya ako. Sobra."
"Bakit naman?"
"You're back to being my Iris." He smiled.
Nagulat ako doon. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"You were just so distant lately..."
"Palagi naman tayo magkasama ah."
"No. Not physically. Just the overall you. Parang ang lamim lamim lagi ng iniisip mo. Tuwing tinatanong naman kita, sinasabi mo wala lang."
Natahimik ako doon. I didn't know what to say. Totoo naman kasi na nawala ako sa sarili nitong mga nakaraang araw. I keep on thinking, should I tell him about my past or not?
It's hard to decide because I had never kept a secret from my boyfriend until now. I honestly hate lying but I also know telling him won't do anything good.
"H-hindi ko alam na napapansin mo. Sorry," I said, almost whispering.
"I get it. I get how stressed you are at being the top student. I just wish you tell me sometimes. Malay mo matulungan kita." Pinagbuksan niya na ako ng pintuan kaya natigil ang usapan namin. Once inside, he continued talking while driving. "May mga subjects kaming related sa course mo. You know I'm good at math so if that's about computation and formulas, you can always count on me. I can also do your homework for you or give you tips so you can memorize things faster. Just tell me what you need and I'll help you."
Ghad, he's such a sweetheart. Paano nga ulit ako nagkaroon ng isang Dashiell Aleckzander Lewis?
"Pasalamat ka talaga nagda-drive ka or else, hinalikan na kita diyan sa lips," biro ko.
---- Warning: SPG ----
Dash smirked and grabbed my hand. I was shocked when he placed it on top of his jersey shorts, just above his dick. My mouth instantly fell open.
"You can do something else..." I looked at him and caught him licking his lower lip while smiling. When he gazed at me, he bit his lower lip.
"Y-you're kidding, right? Delikado ang iniisip mo. Baka maaksidente tayo." I tried to pull my hand away but he placed his hand on top of mine, instantly stopping me. Then he surprised me even more by guiding my hand towards the inside of his shorts and boxers. Napakagat ang labi ko nang maramdaman ko na mismo ang pagkalalaki niya.
"We still have time before we reach home. I'll be careful, I promise. Just give me a little massage, please?" His begging woke the fire in my lust, even though I am not planning on it.
I unconsciously grabbed his shaft and he squirmed into my hold. His hips moved and I could see that the teasing pains his semi-hard cock. He wants more, a lot more, but he couldn't do anything because his left hand is gripping the steering wheel while his right hand could only gently touch the top of my head. He would glance at me for a few seconds and then his eyes would focus on the road again.
Wanting to give him the satisfaction he's pleading for, I started to stroke it, slowly at first till I could see him breathing heavily. There's something about being in control right now that I honestly love. It gives me power that I am the only girl that could do this to Dashiell.
"F*ck!" He cursed in a low voice as I jerked his cock faster than the moderate speed. He then started moaning which unintentionally turned me on.
"Are we not there yet? You are driving rather slowly today, my life," asar ko sa kanya na ikinatawa niya.
"Traffic Ma'am," He lied and I couldn't help but giggle. I know he's doing it on purpose because he's enjoying this and I do as well.
My inner slut self nods her head in agreement.
Playfully, I took his dick out of his shorts and starting kissing it without warning, licking it like I'm eating an ice cream. He tensed up even more when I swirled my tongue on the tip before finally sucking him.
I don't usually do this. Every time we get intimate with each other, it's always him pleasuring me. Hindi kasi ako sanay at mas lalong naiilang ako pero gusto ko rin ma-explore ang sarili ko paminsan minsan upang malaman ko kung ano ang kaya kong gawin para sa partner ko.
"I swear I'll stop the car on the side if you keep on doing this. I only asked for a massage." He groaned and gripped my hair but not in a way that it hurts. It was the kind of a little tug to pull me up but it didn't work. It only made me think he wants me to be submissive at him.
"Are you complaining?" I groped him a little harder and he moaned loudly.
Dash bit his lower lip and drove faster while I did my thing. When he stopped his car, I raised my head to look outside. That's the only time I noticed exactly we are. Nasa may garahe na kami ng bahay niya.
"You should take responsibility for what you've done." Iniurong niya ang upuan niya at agad inalis ang seatbelt upang makagalaw siya ng maayos. I was speechless when he grabbed my ass and pulled me towards him. I sat on his lap, my dress lifting up from the position.
Hinawakan niya ang batok ko upang mahalikan ako habang ang isang kamay ay minasahe ang dibdib ko. I kissed him back but my mind's started to think about a million things.
"W-wait. Why are we here?" gulat na tanong ko. Nobody said about going to his house today!
"Then where should we go then? My bed? Baka marinig tayo ni Kuya. His room is just in front of mine."
"Anywhere but at your house," I mumbled when given a chance. "Akala ko sa bahay tayo."
Ayoko ngang makita ang Kuya niya at mas lalong ayokong magpanggap na naman na hindi kami magkakilala sa harapan ni Dashiell. I already have too many sins to have a new one added on my list.
"Okay. We'll just do it here, in my car." I knew he's drowned from the lust and I should be too but because I'm aware of Damian's presence upstairs, I suddenly don't feel like doing it.
"Stop! Dash, stop it!" Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang balikat niya at pinigilan siya sa paghalik sa leeg ko. Parehas kaming hingal at natahimik.
Nang matauhan ay bumalik na ako sa pagkakaupo sa shotgun seat. Ibinaba ko na ang dress ko upang matakpan ang panty ko habang inayos niya na rin ang shorts niya. He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair while waiting for my explanation.
"What just happened?" He asked, sounding a little frustrated but more on confused. "We both wanted it and suddenly, you're no longer interested? Why? Did I do something wrong?"
Hindi ko magawang magsalita. Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano ko ie-explain sa kanya na hindi ako komportableng nandirito kami sa bahay nila.
"The car windows are tinted and no one will come here, trust me." Hindi naman ako nahihiya kahit makita pa ng mga tauhan niyang umuga ang kotse. May oras ngang napapalakas ang ungol ko habang nasa kwarto kami ni Dashiell, mas malakas pa sa music. I always forget my surroundings when Dash makes me feel good and that's something I already got used to.
"Hindi Dash, naalala ko lang kasi, may.... ano... may kailangan ako tapusing resume. We shouldn't be doing this right now." That's the lamest excuse I could use but I just couldn't think of anything to use to reason out.
"I can finish that in ten." He leaned in so our lips could meet. "Can we go back to where we left off now? I thought this was your gift for me, for making it to the national team? Wag mo naman ako bitinin," naglalambing na sambit niya. "Binitin mo na nga ako nung anniversary natin, 'di ba?" I could see in his eyes that he undeniably wants me.
What is wrong with me? Sisirain ko pa ang mood naming dalawa dahil sa walang katuturang takot.
I climbed off towards him again and went back to sitting on his lap. He welcomed me with a passionate kiss, his arms wrapped around my waist. We were making out when we suddenly heard a car entered the garage. Napatingin ako sa dumating na black wrangler jeep. It parked just beside Dashiell's car.
"Don't tell me that's your..." May hindi ko magawang matapos ang sasabihin ko habang pinapanuod ang sasakyang iyon na mamatay ang ilaw at makina.
Sinundan ni Dash ang tingin ko bago tumango. "Yeah. Kakauwi lang pala ni Kuya."
Nanuyot ang lalamunan ko nang marinig kong bumukas ang driver's seat. My eyes waited for Damian to show up and when he did, I think I froze from my spot.
"Don't worry, he won't see us." Dash cupped my face and kissed me again. I willingly allowed him but my heart suddenly ran wild as if I'm scared to be caught.
I almost jumped when I heard a knock on Dashiell's car window. Napanganga ako at agad tumingin sa gilid, only to see Damian standing there.
What the hell?
"Should I---" Hindi ako pinatapos ng salita ni Dash. He opened the car window without even letting me go back to my seat. Hinayaan niyang makita ako ng Kuya niya sa ganitong pwesto. It's not like Damian could see my dress skirt lifted but still, this is a very inappropriate position for him to witness. Ang buhok ko, sigurado akong magulo ngayon.
"Why are you still here---" Natigil si Damian nang makita niya ako. Kitang kita sa mukha niya ang gulat. "Oh."
I blushed even harder. Gustuhin ko man gumalaw ay mahigpit naman ang yakap ni Dash sa akin.
"What do you want?" tanong ni Dashiell na halatang nagmamadali upang makabalik na kami sa ginagawa namin.
"I...uhh..." Damian cleared his throat and took his eyes off me. "Yayain sana kita para sabay na tayo mag-dinner pero... mukhang busy ka pa pala."
My boyfriend chuckled. "We'll be there in a few." Sinarado na agad ni Dash ang car window ngunit bago ito maisara ng lubusan ay nagtugma pa ang mga mata namin ni Damian.
He looked like he still wanted to say something.
The moment the car window closed, Dash continued his kisses on my jaw to my neck, down to the middle of my breasts. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I did my best to go back to my mood earlier but failed miserably.
I just can't do this now.
"Dash..." I touched his arms and shook my head. "I'm really sorry. Hindi ko talaga kayang..."
He stared at me for a few seconds before he finally let go. "Okay."
Hinawakan ko ang mga pisngi niya at tinitigan siya maigi. "Some other time," I promised.
"Yeah, sure."
Hindi man niya aminin ay alam kong nalungkot siya. Or maybe a little upset because this is the second time that I've said no to him. Magkasunod nang beses na humihindi ako kung kailang gustong gusto niya.
And I feel really bad for doing it but there are just some things I need to sort out to get my head straight.
Umalis na ako sa pagkakaupo mula sa kanya at inayos na ang sarili ko. I combed my hair with my hand and stared at the front.
"Dash, I---"
"It's fine," mahinahong sambit niya. "Just go inside first and let me finish this myself. I can't leave the car with a hard on. Baka asarin ako ni Kuya o makita ako nang mga katulong namin."
"Do you need my help..." I may not be in the mood but I can still do things for him.
"Hindi na. Sige na, baba ka na."
I looked at his face to see anger and I'm relieved that there's none. I kissed his cheek before I hopped out of his car.
I should definitely make it up to him soon. I'll cheer loudly on one of his games at school or surprise him outside his classroom with his favorite food, adobo. Basta dapat makabawi ako.
I went inside their mansion house and was about to walk straight upstairs when I noticed Damian on the sofa. He looked up from texting on his phone.
Pormal akong tumango at naglakad na uli nang magsalita siya. "Can we talk?"
Oh crap.
Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin. He stayed a feet away from me. "Iris, we need to talk."
"A-about what?"
"About our situation."
I pursed my lips as I realized what he meant.
"Wala naman tayong dapat na pagusapan."
Tiningnan niya ako na para bang ibang lenggwahe ang lumabas sa bibig ko.
"Madami tayong dapat pagusapan." He frowned. "What happened at Paris in particular---"
"Girlfriend na ako ni Dash." Tumingin ako sa daan papunta sa garahe bago ko siya nilingon ulit. "So don't ever bring that up again. We don't need to remember the past."
Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang maglakad ako paakyat ng hagdanan.
"Irene---sh*t, Iris!" mahinang pagtawag niya. I just continued walking till I almost reached Dashiell's bedroom. Bubuksan ko na sana ang pintuan nang mahawakan ni Damian ang siko ko. I looked at his hand and he dropped it instantly.
"Don't tell me it doesn't bother you too? I highly doubt that because I can't stop thinking about it!" And I could see how troubled he is through his eyes.
Ayoko nang ganito. Ayokong makita kami ni Dash na naguusap dito sa hallway. At mas lalong ayokong nagbubulungan kami kasi pakiramdam ko, may ginagawa kaming mali kahit wala naman talaga!
"Ano pa bang gusto mong pagusapan natin? Wala naman na tayong magagawa kung nangyari 'yon! Ginusto ko bang magkaganito sitwasyon natin? Malay ko bang Kuya ka pala ni Dash!" I almost screamed.
"Why'd you leave?" diretsang tanong niya. His eyes are so focused on mine that my lips trembled.
Natahimik ako ng ilang mga segundo habang pinagmamasdan ang mga mata niyang titig na titig sa akin. "Don't act as if you didn't know."
I wrote everything on that letter. Hindi pa ba malinaw na kaya ako umalis ay dahil sa kagustuhan ng nanay ko?
"All I know is that you left without a word and you showed up years later as the girl my brother's dating." He ran a hand through his messy hair and then he took the tie off his tux. "You didn't even explain why. Iris, bakit mo 'ko biglang iniwan? May nagawa ba 'ko para lumayo ka? Cause by all fair means, I thought we were into each other. I felt it. O ako lang ba 'yon? Did you fake having feelings for me just like how you faked your name?"
Parang sumakit ang ulo ko sa mga narinig ko.
My past haunted me down and knocked me straight in the face.
"Did I not explain myself clearly on the----" Natigil ako nang may umakyat na katulong nila, bitbit ang mga damit ni Tita. I smiled at her and watched her enter Tita's room before I glared at Damian. "You lied too you know. Did you forget you used that non existent name, David? Parehas lang tayong nagsinungaling at nagkamali," bulong ko.
"I know but I have my reasons."
"So am I but none of that matters anymore," I exhaled, keeping my voice down. "Damian, please. Let's just forget about it for the sake of Dash. Matagal na 'yon. That was two years ago. Magse-second year pa lang ako noon, fourth year na 'ko ngayon. I am not the same person that I was before. Mahal ko si Dashiell at ayokong masaktan siya kaya wag na natin ungkatin pa ang nakaraan, parang awa mo na."
"I just need answers so I can finally remove that memory from my life."
I suddenly heard footsteps from below and I'm assuming it's from Dash.
"Kung may malasakit ka sa kapatid mo, tanggalin mo na sa alaala mo ang nangyari sa'tin. We shouldn't have happened."
Pumasok na ako sa loob ng kwarto ni Dash at sinandal ang sarili sa pintuan ng ilang segundo. My whole body's shaking and I could feel my hands and feet getting numb.
I forced myself to walk towards Dashiell's bed. Umupo ako doon at kinalma ang sarili ko.
I hope this would be the last time Damian asks me about Paris. Gusto ko na lang kalimutan lahat ng iyon. My Mom's right. I was reckless during those days. Kung hindi ako nagrebelde, wala sana akong ganito kalaking problema ngayon.
Damian's POV
Hindi ko nagawang makagalaw habang nakatitig sa pintuan ng kuwarto ni Dash.
Her words keep on ringing on my ears.
"We shouldn't have happened."
She regrets it so much it f*cking hurts. It was one of the best days of my life and yet for her, it was merely a mistake.
Sabagay, masisisi ko ba siya? She's Dashiell's girlfriend now, for crying out loud.
"Kuya, anong ginagawa mo diyan?" I snapped back to sanity when I heard my brother's voice from the top of the stairs. "Waiting for someone?"
I raised my phone and faked a smile. "Kakatapos lang ng phone call. Ikaw? Bakit kakauwi mo lang?"
"Oh, I had practice." Ngumisi siya at palarong binangga ang braso ko. "I'm joining the national team."
"Sh*t. 'Di nga?"
"I got an offer this afternoon and I just can't wait to start! Do you think Dad would be happy about it?"
"Of course! F*ck bro, that is so cool! Congrats!" Inakbayan ko siya at ginulo ang buhok niya. "I knew you'd make it. Sabi ko sa'yo e. Mas magaling kang maglaro ng soccer kaysa sa akin."
"Nah, if you didn't stop you'd be on my place too." Tatawa tawa niya akong tinulak. "Saan ka pala galing? Bakit ganyan suot mo?"
"Ah. Kila Dad." Our father introduced me to the board this morning. I had to look professional to get a great first impression. Mukhang nag-work naman dahil lahat sila ay masayang makilala ako. Or maybe they're just good at acting. Either way, I had fun during the tour around the company.
"Where is he by the way?"
At the hotel. Doon siya pupuntahan ng doctor niya for his checkup today. Ayaw niya kasing malaman ng media ang tungkol sa sakit niya kaya naman sobrang nagiingat siya. If he goes to the hospital regularly, someone may tip off the reporters and that would only cause a huge scene.
Hindi pa pwedeng malaman ng mga nasa kumpanya na nagpaplano na siyang ilipat ang shares niya sa akin. A sudden change of ownership in a company like ours is like a war waiting to happen. Madami ang magbabalik agawin ang kumpanyang pinaghirapan ng pamilya namin. Madaming kakalaban at magtatangkang angkinin ang DCLDI.
I have to know everything first before I present myself as the new CEO. Kaya nga ang alam ng mga tao doon ay mago-OJT lang ako. Though, that's kind of true too. I still have some units I need to complete to get my diploma.
"He's meeting some business partners. Pinauna na niya akong umuwi."
"Oh. Si Mama? Alam mo kung nasaan?"
"I haven't even talked to Mom since I came home. She's always out with her friends."
Pakiramdam ko nga hindi siya masayang nandirito ako. She didn't even ask why I'm suddenly in the Philippines. She just acknowledged my presence and left.
Shrugging, I smiled at my brother. Out of the blue, I remembered what Iris said.
Tama siya. Masasaktan lang si Dashiell sa ginagawa ko. I need to keep my sh*t together and leave Iris alone.
"Tumawag nga pala sila Silva. They want to eat outside," I lied. "Aalis na muna ako."
"Ganun? Okay. Ingat kayo. I have a girl I need to accompany with anyway." Ngumisi siya, tinapik ang braso ko at pumasok na sa loob ng kuwarto niya.
I caught a glimpse of Iris at Dashiell's bed before my brother closed the door.
"Yup. Totally off limits." I whispered to myself, shaking my head.
Dashiell's POV
After eating dinner, Iris stayed for a few more hours. Kanina gusto na niyang umuwi pero nang mabanggit kong umalis ang kapatid ko ay nakumbinsi ko na siyang dito na lang muna matulog. I noticed she tends to be awkward when my brother's around. Naiilang siguro siya na nandito si Damian dahil ngayon niya lang ito nakakasama.
Nang matapos ko ang assignment ko ay lumapit ako kay Iris. She's at my study table, sending applications to several companies in the country. Hinalikan ko ang pisngi niya at pinanuod ang ginagawa niya.
"How's it going?" I asked her.
"Hopefully may sumagot sa kanila for interview at makapasa agad ako. I heard from some of my classmates that they had a hard time finding a good company since most of the engineering students have already started their interships. Dapat talaga nakapagpasa na ako nito pero nalimutan ko sa dami ng ginagawa."
I kissed her cheek again. "Do you need my help?"
"Hmmm?"
"My father owns a construction company, remember? I can ask his secretary to have your application accepted right away."
Napabalikwas siya ng upo. "Talaga? You can do that?"
"Of course. Maganda nga kung sa amin ka mag-intern. When you graduate, we can both work there. I heard office romance can be exciting."
She giggled and bit her lower lip as if she's trying to constrain her happiness. "Donito Lewis Construction and Development Incorporation is the top in the country. Paano nga bang nakalimutan ko iyon? I could learn a lot if I go there."
"Then it's settled." Hinila ko siya upang tumayo saglit. I sat on the chair and pulled her back so I could cuddle her. "Madali pa kitang mabibisita doon dahil makakapasok ako agad agad sa loob ng opisina." I smiled and put a loose strand of her hair behind her ear using my index finger.
"Thank you, Dash. Nakahinga na ako nang maluwag ngayon. I've been worried sick about this." Kaya pala kanina pa siya nawawala sa sarili.
"Anything for you."
Nagkuwentuhan kami hanggang sa biglang nag-vibrate ang phone ko. Iris handed me my phone from the table and we both read the text message from coach.
He said I might start my training next week. Ganun pala kabilis dahil madami pa daw akong dapat pagaralan at para na rin makundisyon na ang katawan ko. I have so many things I need to do before I get included on the final line up. Hindi dahil makakasama ako sa national team ay ibig sabihin makakalaro na ako sa mismong laban. If I don't prove myself, I can end up sitting on the bench and that would be a nightmare.
"Oh, bakit ganyan ang itsura mo? Aren't you happy?"
I kissed the tip of her shoulder. "Believe me, I'm looking forward to it but I also know that would mean less time with you. Mawawalan ako ng oras sa'yo, Iris." I played with her hand and sighed. "Masyado pa naman akong nasanay na araw araw tayo nagkikita."
She smiled. "I'll be busy too anyway. May required hours ang internship ko so patas lang tayo. Atleast habang nasa training ka, I won't miss you that much because I'm also doing a lot of things."
"You won't miss me?"
"Sabi ko hindi gaano. Hindi ko sinabing hindi talaga."
I chuckled. "Good. Atleast malinaw ang usapan."
Iris laughed and ran her hand through my hair. Inayos niya iyon bago titigan ang mga mata ko. "I hope you stay crazy about me even though there's a huge chance you'll get to meet a lot of beautiful athletes and fans out there."
"Since when did I look at someone else? Ayan ka na naman..."
She's having non sense worries again.
"My heart only beats for your love and my soul only yearns for your existence."
I held her gaze as I continued speaking.
"There is nothing in this world that can separate or break us apart. I will marry you someday and you're going to be the mother of my children."
A tear escaped her eyes as I seal my promise with a kiss.
*End of Chapter 35*
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Just want to share how I imagine Iris, Dash and Damian would look like hehe:
Iris Fleur Leona:
Dashiell Aleckzander Lewis:
Damian Alejandro Lewis: