"All my life affection has been showered upon me, and every forward step I have made has been taken in spite of it."
Author: George Bernard Shaw
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CHAPTER 10: THE KISS
Damn it!
He saw her lying on the rock, sleeping soundly with laptop and books beside her. May mga kasama pang mga pagkain. It looks like, parang natutulog lang siya sa sarili niyang kama. Umigting ang panga niya sa nakita sandali. Rhean spent most of her time in the library during college at kapag napagod sa pagbabasa—natutulog ito sa mesa. Minsan doon niya ito naabutan maghapon.
He sighed at napailing-iling.
Makulimlim na and yet she's still sleeping in this place without thinking that anyone could harm her. Hindi ba ito nag-iisip? Hindi lang naman sila ang mga tao sa islang ito. At sa itsura nito, marami ang mga kalalakihang pwedeng magkainterest.
What if some other man will see her like this? Rape her at itapon sa dagat pagkatapos? God... Iniisip pa lamang niya ang posibleng masamang mangyari ay kinikilabutan na siya.
Lastly, tumataas na ang dagat, high tide na. The waves becomes bigger and closer towards her at kapag hindi pa siya dumating, siguro ay aanurin ng dagat ang babaeng ito. He gritted his teeth in frustration. This woman is really not aware of the possibilities.
He saw the sign nang dumaan siya dito—off limits ito sa mga turista dahil malalim at may mga matutulis na bato sa ilalim.
Jesus! What was she trying to do with herself!?
She moaned and moved. He suddenly came closer to her dahil parang iikot ito at tiyak na mahuhulog ito sa alon ng dagat. He picked up all her belongings and then put them inside the bag. Gumalaw ulit si Rhean and when she opened her eyes she suddenly stood up and got panic nang makita ang naglalakihang hampas ng alon. He took his hand abruptly and pulled her to step down from the rock. Naiinis man ay pilit niyang tinatago at nanatili ang pagiging kaswal, upang itago ang pag-aalala.
"Max.. wait. Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Nagtataka nitong tanong at hinila ang kamay mula sa kanyang pagkakahawak.
Nang makababa na sila sa buhangin saka niya ito nilingon. Napakurap kurap lamang ito at naghihintay siyang magsalita. He clenched his jaw.
"Diba ako dapat ang magtanong sayo niyan? Anong ginagawa mo dito sa ganitong oras?" He pointed the rock, "You slept there without even thinking the possible danger you are in. Have you seen those big waves? Ilang hakbang na lang tatangayin ka na ng alon? This area is off limit for tourists, did you see the sign?"
"Ah... I'm okay." Nalilitong sagot nito, salubong ang kilaya.
"Did you see the sign that this place is dangerous for swimming? And for people like you!" Binulyawan niya ito dahil sa anxiety na kanina pa niya nararanasan nang mawala ito at nang madiskubre niya ang kalagayan nito kanina. Natutulog kahit malapit ng magdilim.
Napakurap si Rhean sa nakikitang galit at pagpipigil ni Max.
"I—I didn't know. I did not see the sign." She answered stuttering.
He comb his hair using his fingers in a frustrated manner. He looked at her again, Rhean remained confused—and speechless. She was speechless about why he was acting so concerned and speechless because she didn't understand his anger. His bubbling emtions.
She didn't notice the signage kanina habang papunta sa lugar na ito. She must be preoccupied of their arguments kaninang tanghali.
He shakes his head off, "My God, Rhean.. you could be raped by any freaking guy here or the waves will carry you over the ocean. You could be dead, for Christ's sake, woman!"
She remained calm and she bit her lip in tension. Tumingin si Rhean sa mga naglalakihang alon sa dalampisgan, agad naisip ng dalaga ang posibleng mangyayari sa kanya kapag nitangay siya ng alon palayo. She could swim but not that kind of waves in the water. Nakita din nito ang fence—that serves the purpose. Bawal ang mga tao sa lugar na ito. She realized now kung bakit nagagalit si Max.
"Thank you for your concern." Mahinang tugon ng dalaga at umiwas ng tingin.
He heaved a sighed then look at her again. Galit siyang napahilamos.
'Yeah I cared so much.. and you don't have any idea how you scared me to death... worrying for you.' He wanted to say that, pero pinigilan niya ang sarili. She doesn't deserve it.
"I only cared about the accident that might happen on this island dahil sa kagagawan mo. Masisira ang reputation ni Reeve kapag nagkataon." Mga salitang taliwas sa kanyang totoong intension. He paused for a while, nakita niya ang sakit na rumihistro sa mga mata nito. Agad itong umiwas sa mapanuri niyang tingin.
"Let's go." Kalmado niyang tugon. Nakaramdam siya ng awa dahil hindi naman ito umiimik. He was about to turned his back when she snapped.
"Well, thanks for reminding me. Nagkaroon tuloy ako ng utang na loob sayo. And I guess hindi naman kargo ng kunsensya mo kung may masamang nangyari sa akin dito. Besides, hindi mo naman ako obligasyon." May halong sama ng loob nitong sabi.
Natigilan siya saglit at nilingon ito. Nagtagpo ang kanilang mga mata. Seryuso lamang ang mga mata nito ngunit may halong lungkot. He hate to see this—ang nakikitang nasasaktan o nalulungkot ang dalaga. Noon kapag nag-aaway sila, tumatahimik lamang ito pero hindi siya pinapansin. Pero kailangan niyang pigilan ang sarili. Hindi niya hahayaang manipulahin siyang muli ng dalaga upang masaktan na naman siya nito. Nanatiling malamig ang kanyang mga matang nakatingin sa dalaga.
"Yes, you are not my responsibility but I'm not a bad person, Rhean. Do you think "I'll be happy if something bad will happen to you here? Just because you hurt and left me six years ago?" Pang-iinsulto niya na may kahalong panunumbat.
She swallowed hard at napakurap sa sinabi niya. Nang-uuyam siyang napangiti sa dalaga. "Maybe, you should at least say that you're done with someone before you ditch that person without a warning. I just hope naging masaya ka sa ginawa mo." Mariin niyang tinitigan ang mga mata nitong nanghihinang nakatitig lamang sa kanya.
She has those expressive and gentle eyes—ang pinakanagustuhan niyang titigan noon sa dalaga. Maybe until now. Pero hindi na siya magpapadala. Not like this. Not anymore.
Agad niyang tinalikuran ito pagkatapos sabihin ang mga 'yon. "Hurry up. It's getting dark." Nagmamadali siyang naglakad, bitbit ang bag ng dalaga na naglalaman ng laptop at iba pang mga kagamitan nito.
Tahimik lamang siyang naglalakad at nakasunod lamang ang dalaga sa kanya. Walang imik. Panay ang kanyang buntong-hininga. Nilingon niya ang dalaga ngunit malayo na ang agwat nilang dalawa. Huminto siya sa paglalakad upang hintayin ito. Napakunot-noo siya habang tinitingnan ito.
"Can you walk faster?" Nilakasan niya ang boses pero tila wala itong narinig.
He sighed at napailing na lamang. Aside sa mabagal itong maglakad, wala talaga itong balak makinig sa kanya. Nakatitig lamang siya habang naglalakad ito papalapit sa kinatatayuan niya. Napuna niya ang namumulang mga mata nito. Umingos ito na animo's sinipon.
"Are you okay?" He asked, wondering.
She looked up and wiped her face with her hands. She didn't answer him, instead, nauna itong naglakad sa kanya. Dahil sa nararamdamang pagkainis sa pag-ignora nito, hinablot niya ang braso ng dalaga and pulled her towards his body.
"Ouch!" Sumubsub ang dalag asa kanyang dibdib. Napahawak ito sa kanyang noo at dahan-dahang tumingala sa kanya. Seryuso lamang siyang nakatitig sa dalaga, tinatantiya ang nilalaman ng isip nito. Parang wala kasi ito sa sarili.
"Ano bang ginagawa mo?" She asked while holding his forehead. Nakakunot-noo nitong tanong.
"Ako dapat ang magtatanong sayo niyan." He said while staring at her whole face—from her brows down to her luscious lips. Hindi parin nagbabago ang itsura, she still looks beautiful than ever. In fact, mas lalong gumanda ito ngayon, mas nagkaroon ng laman and at the same time mas lalong lumitaw ang oval shape nitong mukha.
May maamo parin itong mukha. Still, mysterious. He loosened his grip from his arms. Inalis niya ang pagkakahawak sa braso nito and he sighed. This shouldn't take long, ayaw niyang magkaroon ulit ng attachment sa dalaga as much as possible—hangga't kaya pa niyang iwasan.
She pressed her lips. He'd also noticed that she was staring at him. Nang magtama ang kanilang mga mata, mas lalong lumakas ang pintig ng kanyang puso. The familiar beat of his heart, the way she looks at him, it was all like the old Rhean. Nangungusap. Nagbabadya ng kakaibang emosyon. Like the way she cared for him.
He remained serious, not revealing his real emotion right now. Walang ekspresyon ang mga titig ni Max kay Rhean. Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong titigan, Rhean broke it by blinking her eyes for a few times and looked away. Lihim siyang nadismaya. This woman is the one who broke his heart six years ago—she didn't even ask forgiveness about it. She remained cold and still—mysterious.
"Let's go." Malamig niyang tugon. Akmang maglalakad na siya nang biglang hawakan ni Rhean ang kanyang kanang braso.
He looked at her—perplexed. Ilang beses muna itong kumurap at humugot ng hangin bago nagsalita.
"I'm sorry, Max." Mahinang tugon nito. It was like a whisper from the air.
And now she was sorry. But it was all the same. He still feels abandoned—neglected with his feelings before. Hindi na maibabalik kahit ilang beses pa itong humingi ng tawad. He longer needs it.
Ang hindi niya maintindihan sa sarili ay ang pagnanais na bumalik ito sa buhay niya despite the confusement and the betrayal.
Hindi alam ng binata kung ano ang magiging response sa sorry nito. Para saan pa ba ang paghingi ng tawad nito kung wala na silang dapat balikan sa isa't-isa.
"Why did you leave six years ago? Is it because you found love with someone else? Or did you just fall out of love with me?" Lumunok siya, "And you need someone to use for your own reason? Or maybe hindi mo lang talaga ako minahal at nahihirapan kang pakawalan ako—because I was so head over heels with you?"
He needs to hear it now. Nakatitig lamang ang dalaga sa kanya na tila nagdadalawang isip kung sasabihin ang totoo.
"Now tell me, what's the truth?" Ulit niyang tanong.
She swallowed, tila hirap na hirap sabihin ang totoo. Mapakla siyang natawa at napailing-iling. "You're a liar, Rhean." Madiin niyang pagkakasabi sa dalaga.
Tumulo ang luha nito. At mabilis namang pinahid. Hindi na siya magpapaapekto sa mga drama nito. He's done for her. Tama na ang nasaktan siya ng subra-subra noon. Ang hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit hindi nito masabi-sabi ang totoo.
"You know what, it'll be fine with me kung nagmahal ka ng iba or what. It's okay if you can't be honest with me. We're done. And I'm over with you." Naiinis niyang sumbat sa dalaga dahil wala itong balak na maging totoo sa sarili o maging honest sa kanya, even just this time. The familiar pain struck him. Lihim siyang napamura sa sarili. He shouldn't be affected like this. This was over. He already moved on.
"Let's go, it's getting dark." Maya-maya ay malamig niyang tugon dahil nananatili itong walang kibo at pinapahid lamang ang luha.
He hates seeing her crying pero hindi na siya nagpadala sa kadramahan ng dalaga. Tapos na sila, matagal na.
Nang akmang talikuran niya ang dalaga ay nabigla siya nang bigla na lamang itong yumakap sa kanya at isinubsok ang mukha sa kanyang dibdib.
"I'm sorry Max. Kung kaya ko na sabihin sayo, I'll tell you everything. But for now please, hear me out, I'm so sorry..." She sobbed.
Hindi siya nakagalaw. Hinayaan niya lamang ang dalaga na yakapin siya ng mahigpit. Her warm body—gives him so much desire to hug her back but he hold himself dahil ayaw niyang magmukhang mahina. Sa isang yakap at iyak lamang nito ay agad siyang magpapadala sa sariling emosyon. Hindi dapat.
After a few minutes ay kumalma ito at lumuwag ang pagkakayakap sa kanya. Still, he did not respond. Hinayaan niya lamang ang dalaga. Tumingala ito sa kanya pagkatapos punasan ang luha. She pressed her lips at tinitigan siya ng dalaga. Nananatili lamang siyang seryuso at nakatitig sa mga mata ng dalaga.
Hindi siya nakahuma nang kabigin siya ng dalaga at hinalikan sa labi. Righ there, sa kanyang pagkabigla nabitiwan niya ang bitbit na bag at nahulog ito sa may buhangin. Napakurap siya at kusang pumikit nang maramdaman ang malambot nitong labi. Aakmang igagalaw niya ang kanyang labi upang rumesponde nang tumigil ang dalaga.
"I'm sorry..." Anas ng dalaga nang tinanggal nito ang pagkakalapat ng kanilang labi. Tumitig ito sa kanya saglit.
To his dismay, kinabig niya ang dalaga at dinagsa ng mainit at mapagparusang halik ang labi nito. She started it at binitin siya nito. He wanted to punish her.
He licked her lips hungrily, twisting her tongue inside her sweet mouth. She's so dam*n irresistible. Her lips are still the most delicious lips he had ever tasted. He pulled her body closer to his. Bumangon ang pananabik at pagnanasa ng kanyang katawan. Matagal din niyang pinanabikang kuyumusin ng halik ang labi ng dalaga. Rhean wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing She moaned and respond to the way he was kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck at mas lalo naman siyang ginaganahan na mas diinan pa ang halikan na kanilang pinagsasaluhan dahil til natatangay na ang dalaga sa kanyang ginagawa. She's still affected with his touch, with his kisses, and it is an advantage for him to seek revenge for what she did to him.
Umungol si Rhean ng malakas. The warmth of her lips shivers his entire body. He wanted to take her.
The kiss becomes deeper and hotter. He slid his hands on her slender waist and then pressed her body towards him, to make her feel how hard his manhood was now. She's turning him on. It is very hard for him to control his desires. She made a lingering moan that could almost explode his whole being.
Shit! She made him feel so needy, so wanton.
Goodness!