Forever

Naniniwala ako na lahat ng ending ay ang simula ng isang mas magandang kwento.

It wasn't planned. Wala akong planong bumaba for dinner pero I suddenly remembered na dapat kong bayaran ang aking internet bill. Kung hindi ko ito babayaran ay madidisconnect ako. So I had to rush to the mall near our office and then, I paid my bill.

Dahil siguro may oras pa ako para lumakad ng kaunti, iyon nga ang aking ginawa. I went walking. I checked the latest movies and their respective schedules. None of them interest me. Nagpasya akong maglakad-lakad muli. Hanggang sa nakita kita.

You were so handsome. I tried gazing at you. Nagulat ako nang makita kong ikaw rin, ay nakatitig. Hindi ko ito binigyan ng kahulugan. Tinantya ko rin kung straight ka. Mahirap na at baka ako'y mapaaway. I tried keeping myself busy. Muli akong bumalik sa side ng Cinemaworld kung saan makikita ang schedule ng mga bagong pelikula. Nakaupo ka malapit dito. I intentionally went to that place to check on you. Pero pinipilit kong magpakadiscreet dahil ayaw kong lumabas na masyado akong pacute.

Muling nagtama ang ating mga mata. Hindi ko maipaliwanag pero para akong napako sa iyong mga titig. That look on your face. That certain look that almost made me melt. You looked so sincere, sobrang maamo, an air of sophistication's also felt within your aura. I found myself indulging in your totality. Wala ni isa man sa atin ang nagalis ng tingin. Walang gustong huminto sa pagtitig. Umaasa ako na sana ay gusto mo ako kaya mo ako tinitignan.

All of a sudden, ikaw ay ngumiti. Alam kong gusto mong tumabi ako sayo dahil na rin sa iyong mga tingin sa bakanteng upuan sa iyong tabi. Ngunit ako ay nagdalawang isip. I find it difficult trusting people. Malay ko ba kung callboy ka or criminal. Mabuti nang maging maingat.

Patuloy ang iyong mga titig. Nakikita ko ang pagsusumamo. I checked my phone at nagulat ako dahil oras na para ako ay bumalik sa opisina. I tried to think what to do pero parang nagkusa ang mga paa ko na tumabi sa iyong upuan.

Nakita ko ang iyong magandang ngiti. Mas nakita ko nang maigi ang iyong features. Lalaking-lalaki. May mga wrinkles ka na pero para sa akin ay nagdagdag lang ito sa iyong kakisigan. Walang gustong magsalita sa atin pero naririnig natin ang sigaw ng ating mga puso. Nakaramdam ako ng init. Hindi ito libog dahil hindi naman ako tinitigasan. Maybe it was the emotional warmth someone feels when he's with someone special.

“Are you afraid of me?,” tanong mo sakin.

Napangiti ako. Maybe you read it due to my gestures.

“Yes. A bit,” prangka kong sagot.

I heard you laugh. Tinignan kita at nakita kong nakatitig ka sakin. You are now then, giggling. You looked so cute. Biglang nagseryoso ang iyong mukha.

“Why are you afraid?”

“I-i don't know.”

I felt warm, again.

“Would you mind if we go on a walk? I better get going. I still have work at 8.”

Nakita ko ang iyong mukha. You suddenly looked so happy.

“Sure.”

I started walking and you followed. We kept exchanging glances and grins. Nakakapanibago dahil I am the usual flirt. This time, para akong nautal. My charm left me for a moment. Was I just too overwhelmed by you?

“Are you still scared of me?”

“A bit,”

Naramdaman ko ang pagpatong ng kamay mo sa aking balikat. It was warm and soft. I felt you drawing me closer to your body. Naramdaman ko ang pamumula ng aking mukha.

“Please, don't be scared. I'm a good guy. I want nothing but the best for you. Please, trust me on that.”

Mas lumakas ang tibok ng aking puso. No one has ever made me feel that way. You are a complete stranger pero sobrang lakas ng attraction ko sayo at ramdam ko na ganun ka rin sa akin. It was just different and honestly, I didn't want our momentum to end.

“Please trust me. I really do like you. I swear. You are my type.”

And now. I was enveloped with that warm feeling. I was blown away. No one so frank has made it direct me. Ikaw lang.

“Alright. I trust you.”

I smiled. Pagkasabi ko nito ay parang gumaan ang aking pakiramdam. Parang handa na ako kung saan man to tutungo. I saw that happiness in your eyes.

Nagpaalam na ako dahil kailangan ko ng bumalik sa office. You walked with me. And when we already said our farewells, you gave me a kiss on the forehead. Walang pakialam sa mga makakakita.

“I like you a lot. I really do,” that husky voice made me feel so warm.

Yes. Kinikilig ako. Promise.

“Me too.”

“Susunduin kita after work. I need to see you. Please.”

“I'd be glad too.”

You gave me one more kiss on the cheek. I squeezed your hand and hurriedly went out of the mall. Muli kitang nilingon and I saw you happily waving your hands like a kid.

I felt warmth. It's like home.

Lumipas ang ilan pang oras at uwian ko na. Akala ko ay nagbibiro ka lang pero hindi ko maalis ang ngiti sa aking mga labi nang makita ko ang iyong sasakyan, at ikaw. You kissed me on the forehead at inalalayan ako pagpasok sa iyong magarang sasakyan. My officemates were all shocked. We drove to your place. And you never let me go. You held me tight. And it felt like forever.