Chapter 23: First Kiss

"Why so rush? Sky?" he asked, not even panicking that Prince went away.

I groaned. "Why he didn't told me?I thought he love me?"

He just clicked his tongue. "I don't know why he left."

I think the time is running. Why he left me without having my answers yet? I need him to know how much I love him! Kung noon ay parang pinigilan ako ng sarili ko na sabihin sa kaniya na gusto ko siya, ngayon ay gustong-gusto ko nang isigaw na mahal ko na siya! Mahal na mahal!

I run quickly down the street and my eyes were clouded with tears that keeps on rolling down my streets. God knows how I love Prince! I just hide it! I'm still holding on. I promised myself that whatever happened, I will choose him. If he won't choose me, then I will live, trying my best to die with him inside my heart.

I can't see him smiling now. I know that he is now thinking of me. He told and made me feel that he loves me. So that's imposible that he will just left me like this.

Sumakay man ako sa sasakyan, pero ang isipan ko ay nasa kaniya. I always thinking if...he was just okay today. I hope...I was just dreaming. I may be emotional now but the truth is...it is just because of him.

Tahimik ang bahay niya. Wala na ro'n ang mga guwardiya at sarado ang gate. Dali-dali akong bumaba at pumasok sa loob. I don't know ehy my feet bring me here. Kasasabi lang sa 'kin ni Carlo na umalis siya simula no'ng umalis ako. Ano pa pala ang pinunta ko rito?

Tanging namumukadkad na bulaklak at ang ilaw na bukas ro'n ang nadatnan ko. Wala na ang maingay na Adam, wala na si Yumi ro'n. Why they faded suddenly? Am I living in fiction? Gosh!

The GreenLand and the garden welcomed me. Sinuri ko ang buong paligid ng bahay niya pero wala nang tao ro'n. Ang sakit niya namang mahalin!

It hurts me a lot when there was a trace of his name on the GreenLand. It was engraved on the big acacia tree.

I cried, I shed more tears. My shoulders were shaking because of too much regrets. I should've told him how I love him so that he won't go away, right?

"In a count of 3, I'll be there!" I heard a voice in front of me. I sat on the ground, hugging myself that I hope, he didn't leave. I hope that this voice is real. I missed him so much. "Why are you crying? I thought you were happy with your work? Is there something wrong?"

Finally, I lifted my head and my heart pounded when I saw his face. He was smiling at me. He wore a white plain white t-shirt and a khaki cargo pants. He has cup of tea on his hand.

"Don't tell me that I was hallucinating. I thought you were leaving. "I sobbed. "Because if you did, I won't show you anymore."

"Who told you I'm leaving?"he asked and bend his knees.He put the cup beside me and held my chin. "Why are you crying?Huh? Did Carlo told you about this? I didn't plan to leave you, Sky."

"Don't leave me, okay? I love you," I said and wrapped my hands around his nape. I stood up easily and crept my hands on his back. "I love you so much, Prince."

"Did I heard it right? Are you...are you answering me now, Sky? Isn't it a dreams? Isn't a dreams anymore, say it. Please..." He hugged me back and tightened it.

"Yes. You heard it right. I was afraid, Prince." I closed my eyes and bit my lower lip to stop my sobs.

"Gosh! Sky! You made me worried. Don't cry. Hshh..." he caressed my back and let me hugged him.

Nang maramdam niyang unti-unti na akong tumahan, kumalas siya mula sa pagkakayakap sa akin at tiningnan ako sa mata. He moved his eyes from left to right and finally his eyes landed on my lips.

"Where's your guards?" I looked around and trying to search them.

"Are you hungry? I'll cook for you."

"No. Busog na ako. Even I'm not eating meals, but when you are in front of me, busog na ako. Sapat na sa 'kin na makita ka ngayon, Prince."

He laughed and ruffled my hair. "Let's eat together."

I shook my head again. "Where's your guard? Where's your guard?"

"Why are you searching them? I mean...Adam? No'ng umalis ka, binigyan ko sila ng leave. Bakit?" He raised his brows while his hands is on my shoulders.

"W-What are you doing inside?"

"I was just sitting inside, watching movie alone. Mind to watch with me? Just this time. I'll talk to Carlo about this." His winked at me and smirked.

I cannot imagine how I look like running at the street this afternoon. Hindi ko alam kung saan nahagilap ni Carlo ang balitang umalis si Prince. Hindi naman pala, eh. Ngayon ko lang napatunayan na importante nga naman pala talaga si Prince sa 'kin. I can't imagine if the person he will love in the future isn't me. I must've killed myself either. I can't bare to see him building a family with others.

From now on, I will be selfish. I shouldn't let him fall to others. I will hold him tight.

"Ano bang sinabi ni Carlo sa 'yo at parang panic na panic kang pumasok sa pamamahay ko?" Natatawang tanong niya no'ng pumasok na kami sa loob.

Magulo pa ang bahay niya at may bote pa ng alak sa sahig. Hindi rin naka-arrange ang mga frame niya sa mesa at natutuyo na ang bulaklak na noo'y dinidiligan ko lang. It's just three days without me here but it seems his house need someone to take care of it.

I looked at him, mentally asking why he was messing like this. He's even drinking.

I finally held his hands and gently squeezed it. "You're drinking. Bakit?"

"Uhm...lilinisan ko muna 'to, ha? Saglit lang." Kinuha niya ang dustpan at trash can sa gilid ng mesa niya. Akmang tutulungan ko siya ng magsalita ulit ito, "'Wag ka nang tumulong. It's my mess. Don't touch it."

"I will help you. Lulutuan mo pa ako, 'di ba?" Kahit hindi totoo na siya ang magluluto para sa 'kin, sinabi ko lang 'yon para hindi na siya umayaw sa akin.

He look at me in disapproval. "I said no. Ang kulit mo, ha!" Tumayo siya at nameywang sa akin. "Umupo ka lang diyan at gawin mo lahat ng gusto mo. Huwag kang magpakapagod, asawa ko." Tumawa siya at muling pinulot ang kalat niya.

I hugged myself while watching him cleaning his mess.

"Bilisan mo. Aayusin ko lang 'tong mga frame mo rito—"

"Don't come over there—" Kinuha ko ang frame at inayos 'yon sa kinalalagyan. Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin niya dahil ginawa ko na, eh.

Oras na para iparamdam ko sa kaniya na mahal ko siya. Hindi ko pinakikialaman ang mga frame niya ro'n. Basta inayos ko lang at bumalik sa kinaroonan niya.

He swept the floor and I found him sweating. I took out my handkerchief and handed it to him.

"Ano 'yan?"

"Handkerchief, malamang!" I raised my brows. Tinarayan ko siya dahil tiningnan niya lang 'yon. He looks tired but he just keep what he is doing.

"Can you," he said and pointed my handkerchief using his lips, "wipe off my sweats?"

Nagdadalawang isip pa akong gawin 'yon pero ang kulit ng kamay ko. Tumango na lang ako at pinunasan ang pawis niya sa noo.

"Ayos na?" I looked at him and folded my handkerchief.

His brows creased while looking at the thing on mt hands. "What are you doing? Itatago mo pa rin ba 'yan? May pawis na 'yan, Sky."

"Alam ko. Yayakapin ko lang." Tumawa ako at nilagay 'yon sa bulsa ko.

He pouted. "Bakit hindi na lang ako ang yayakapin mo?"

"Ayaw ko sa 'yo, gusto na kapag niyayakap kita, may kapalit, ha?" Tunawa ako sa aking sinabi. Hindi ko akalaing ganito ako kadaldal ngayon.

"What kind of replacement?" he asked, raises his brows and finally stood up.

I am trying to find my words in mind. Tama nga, what kind of replacement? God! I am going insane!

"N-Nothing. Let's forget about it—" I never yet done my words when he pulled me towards him and gave me the warmest comfort zone. His hugs is my comfort zone.

"Now, say it." He whispered into my ears.

"Just cook for us. I never eaten," I said, trying to avert our topic. My cheeks flushed when I felt his breath on my ear. He smells so good tonight.

"W-Why? Hindi ka ba binigyan ni Carlo ng break? Is there something wrong with you two?" He put his chin above mt head.

I was trying to brush his hands from me but he hugged me more even tightly. I heaved a sigh before answering, "We're not fighting, okay? We're just sharing something's private."

"Oh? Something's private?" He asked in a hoarse voice.

I nodded. "Yeah. You know some of them but..."

"About your family? Well, that's private and...I won't interfere." He caressed my back when he heard me sniffing.

I loosened my hugs from him. "You know dad and his story?"

He nodded and his eyes  landed on my eyes too. "I know. Most of them. But I don't want to talk about it. I don't want you to cry anymore, Sky. Because I know that you, as a woman needs to be strong. You need to be happy. Your happiness made me complete. I will be happy if you found your solace, sweetheart."

"You are living in the prestigious family. While I've grown from the poor—"

"Is that your problem? No, Lev. That won't hinders our relationship. Don't worry about that. Money is not what makes love grow stronger. Ang pera, mahanap lang 'yan, but once you lost the person you loved, you can't make it like how you made money."He intertwined our hands together. Those hazel eyes, thick brows, pointed nose and pinkish lips urge me to have a kiss from him. His eyes didn't moved.

I understands everything he said but...I was so confused with my heart. It was pounding too much and seems I will lose my control.

I held my breath when Prince pulled me closer than him. "Let's stay like this for s moment," he said.

"A-Ah...can we sit?" Hindi pa rin naialis sa mukha niya ang tingin ko.

"Can I..." he trailed off, "kiss you?"

Nagwawala na ang puso ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Kanina, iniisip ko lang 'to pero ngayon, hinihingi niya na. Should I say yes? Wait! I need to think.

I nodded my head. And without further ado, he put his left hand at the back of my head and pressed his lips to mine. My eyes widen and haven't searched any words to say. When he sucked my lip, I just closed my eyes and responded his gentle kisses.

Then he paused kissing me and his lips curved up.