8: The Day He Asked
725 Words
JADE TALLIA VALDEZ
Hindi ko pinahalata sa kanya na nasaktan ako, kinimkim ko iyon. Tumango ako ng kaunti. "As long as you're happy, Zander."
Hindi ito nagsalita at nakatitig lamang sa akin. Inipit ko sa aking tainga ang buhok na humarang sa mukha ko bago tumayo. Inilapag ko ang paper bag sa office desk at sininop ang gamit sa ibabaw niyon.
Tumayo na rin ito ngunit hindi malapit pa rin ito sa akin. Binitbit ko ang paperbag bago ito harapin.
"You can keep that. It's nothing to me but trash." Diretso kong sabi at nilagpasan ko ito.
"You know, Tallia.." Napatigil ako sa paglalakad ngunit hindi ito hinarap. "If you have that attitude while we're living on the same roof, baka sakaling nagustuhan kita."
I looked at him and smirked. "You won't. Because all you can see is gold-digger and attention-seeker girl."
Bahagya itong umupo sa ibabaw ng desk habang nakatingin pa rin sa akin.
"I can't see her anymore. It's like Jade Tallia Valdez-Sandoval is a new person." He licked his lower lip. "Hey, why don't we give it a shot?"
Bumilis ang pintig ng aking puso. "What do you propose, Zander?"
Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Let's try to work things out. Our marriage, I mean."
Wait, what? Did I heard it right?
"Zander, ang sabi mo last time ay gusto mo na ng annulment." Saad ko nang makabawi sa pagkagulat dahil sa sinabi niya.
"I want to know if we're compatible."
"Compatibility isn't enough reason why we should keep this marriage, Zander." Mariin kong sabi.
"Then what?"
"Love!"
Nainsulto ako nang tumawa ito. "Ridiculous. Sorry, I don't believe in those bullshit."
"That's because you don't have a heart." I sighed. Why did I ever love such cold person? "I'm ending this conversation. Good bye, Mister Sandoval."
"See you later, Misis Sandoval."
Tumalim ang tingin ko sa kanya. "It's Valdez. I never used your surname."
"You're married to me." Stop this!
Binaba ko ang paperbag sa lapag at mabilis na lumapit sa lalaki na naging malaking parte ng aking mundo. Halos kalahating metro ang layo ko sa kanya. "Zander, stop this! It will never work between us. Because you don't love me-"
"Do you?" Putol nito sa sasabihin ko.
Kumunot ang aking noo. "What?"
"Do you still love me?" He asked.
What if I do? What will he say?
And what if I don't? What will he do?
Napalunok ako. "Zander, I know you're only doing this to get revenge on me for ruining your life, but please, I've had enough of all the heart aches."
"You did not answer my question."
Napapikit ako. Bumabalik kasi lahat ng sakit n'ung iniwan niya ako sa kabila ng aking pagmamakaawa. Naplano ko na lahat n'ung gabi bago kami ikasal kung paano ko ito paiibigin ngunit gumuho ang lahat ng iyon nang dahil sa kanya.
I opened my eyes when I surpressed all my emotions, ngunit napahakbang ako patalikod nang mapagtanto na magkalapit na ang mukha namin ni Zander. Lumapit na pala ito sa aking kinatatayuan.
Pumaikot ang matigas nitong braso sa aking bewang at hinapit palapit sa kanya. Mabilis ang t***k ng aking puso at wari'y nahinto ako sa paghinga.
"You know what? I'm tired of waiting. I'll just let our bodies talk."
Zander's lips were cool as it brushed mine, gently at first. Our touch raised tantalizing shivers down my spine as his firm mouth nibbled and caressed my lips.
Slowly, he deepened the kiss, like someone savoring a sweet pastry, and licked at my lips until it parted to admit him. Zander courted me with swift, teasing touches of his tongue against mine.
My hands rose and slipped around his neck. His hair was soft under my fingers as I pulled him closer, wanting more of his mouth.
He chuckled softly against my lips, as if pleased with my boldness. Then his kiss changed, and my world shrank to the wet, hungry urgency of his mouth on mine.
“Do you want me?” He asked, breaking our kiss and running his hands all over my body, sliding them easily over the thin material of the dress.
"Zander.." It was not a whisper. Did I just moan?
"Come on, say it."
"Yes, I want you." I whispered between our lips. “I need you."
"Good." He said and took a step back. "You can leave now."
- Writer
