~Winters' Pov

DAYS AND WEEKS HAD PASSED and slowly, our team has recovered from the quandary that we experienced.

Madali kaming nakabangon at nakabawi sa halos dalawang linggo rin na pagpapagaling at pagbawi ng lakas. Okay na ulit sina Blake, Zen, Martina at Ceixarder pero si Alastair hindi pa rin nagigising.

"Oh my, this is so tiring. Ang dami ko ng nacheck na mga papel at reports tungkol sa mga nakaraang pangyayari habang tulog tayo pero di pa rin ako natatapos."

Reklamo ni Martina at napasalampak sa kanyang mesa. Halos lahat kami ay busy'ng-busy at ni hindi pa kami kumakain. Naipaayos na rin namin at naiparenovate  ang buong Council Office.

Tambak rin ang gawain namin at halos di na nga kami makahinga sa dami ng trabaho.

"Pagod na pagod na rin ako. Pero wala tayong magagawa, nakahimlay tayo these past few days so we have to cope up, actually I've been confused kanina pa." Saad ni Blake na halatang pagod na rin dahil sa gulo-gulo niyang buhok.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko.

"The Paranormal Club—which is the club that has almost 30 club members has been sending us a report, saying that; Their club President has gone missing."

"I already sent Clever and Clay to investigate that one. And, the Detective Club is also helping to solve that matter." Biglang sabad ni Ceixarder.

Like us, pagod rin siya dahil siya ang nag-asikaso ng lahat para maayos na ang opisina namin.
Napabuntong hininga na lang ako. As I can see it, this place still function even the Council has been down for how many days, but it isn't well.

And, may mga Clubs rin pala rito.

"I know you're all exhausted, so let's all take a break. And Martina, you can replace Zen in the Hospital. Palitan mo siya para maka pagpahinga ka na rin muna." Dagdag pa ni Ceixarder kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

Wow. Kahit pala para siyang hari kung maka-asta minsan may konsiderasyon din pala siya. At mukhang ayaw niyang nahihirapan si Martina. Hmmm.

"Ahm, Ceix, pwedeng dito na lang ako? Ayuko kasing nandun lang sa hospital eh. Maliban sa gusto kong tumulong sa mga gawain dito, ayaw ko rin sanang makita si Alas sa ganoong sitwasyon. Nasasaktan ako eh." Malungkot na sabi ni Martina.

"But isn't it much better if you're there? Imagine. When he wake up and he'll see you, I'm sure he'll be happy. In addition to that, he needs you as much as he needs anything." Si Blake na ang sumagot.

"Pero di ko kaya Blake, lalo pa't ako ang dahilan kung bakit——"

"No, you're not. It's that fucking massacre. He just saved you for the reason that he loves you so much. And there's no one to blame, Martina. " Ceixarder snorted.

"And why? Bakit niya pa ako niligtas kung siya rin naman ang malalagay sa panganib? He should have let me——"

"An in love man can do move mountains, heaven and earth. If a man loves you more than his life, he'll surely catch all the bullets meant for you..." Makahulugang sambit ni Ceixarder at pasimpli akong tinignan"....If I were him, I will also do the same...for the girl who makes my heart go crazy and beat loud and fast. I'll gladly will."

Then he smiled sweetly. Kumalabog ang dibdib ko at napaawang ang aking bibig.

Kaya ba sinalo niya ang mga balang dapat para sa'kin? Is he inlove?

At heto na naman ang puso kong parang tumakbo ng limang kilometro sa sobrang bilis ng tibok. Whoah! Wats hapining?

"Heard Ceixarder? Sundin mo na lang ang payo niya, kasi minsan ang mga taong wala namang eksperiyensiya ay mas magaling pang magbigay ng advice kaysa sa eksperto." Sabat ni Blake kaya pinukol siya ng masamang tingin ni Ceixarder.

"Really Blake?"

"O bakit Ceix, may experience ka ba? Na-in love ka na ba? O baka nga siguro in love ka ngayon kaya para kang isang expert kung maka pagsalita." Dugtong pa ni Blake.

"I don't think I have to answer your questions. I believe I also doesn't need to defend myself." Sabi lang niya, ni Ceixarder at tumingin ulit kay Martina "Just believe that Alastair will wake up soon. For now, be pierce and brave. Alastair will surely won't like it if you'll be sad like this."

Napangiti na si Martina kahit medyo pilit. Tumayo na kaming lahat para pumunta sa Canteen at kumain ng tanghalian.

Nang maka-order ay naupo kami sa iisang mesa na nasa pinaka-gitna ng canteen. Magkatabi kami ni Ceixarder kaya pansin na pansin ko ang ginagawa niyang pagse-perate ng mga gulay at karne sa ulam niya.

"Ano yang ginagawa mo?" Tanong ko.

"Ano ba sa tingin mo? Hindi ka naman bulag para di mo makita." Pilusopong sabi niya kaya napaikot ako ng mata.

"Alam ko nga pero ang tinatanong ko ay kung bakit mo pinaghihiwalay ang gulay sa karne? Ayaw mo sa gulay?"

Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa'kin at bahagyang inilapit ang mukha niya kaya napakurap-kurap ako. Da pak?!

"I like vegetables but I don't like to eat them together with the rice. I want to eat veges after my meal." Sabi niya at tinabingi ang ulo saka pumungay ang mata niya.

"Ikaw, bakit hindi ka kumakain ng gulay?" Kapagkuwan ay tanong niya. Napa tingin naman ako sa mga gulay na nasa gilid ng pinggan ko.

"Hindi ako kumakain ng gulay, allergy din ako sa ibang gulay tulad ng pumpkin. So, no to veges ako."

"Hmmm." Yun lang ang sagot niya at nagsimula ng kumain, kumain na rin ako.

Pero nakakalahati pa lang ako sa aking kinakain nang nilagyan niya ng dagdag na kanin at ulam ang plato ko kaya pinanliitan ko siya ng mata.

"Anong ginagawa mo?"

"Di ka naman bulag para di makita kung ano ang ginagawa ko." Pilusupong sagot niya. Na naman.

"Oo nakikita ko pero bakit mo dinagdagan ang kakainin ko? Ang dami pa nga oh."

"It's better to eat much than never. So don't complain—and besides, you didn't eat breakfast earlier. Also, you're too skinny. Mas gusto ko kung malaman ka, maganda sa mata." Wika niya at bumaba ang tingin sa mga labi ko. Napangisi pa siya at napailing-iling.

Ghad! I want to slap him for putting more foods in my plate but on second thought, wag na lang pala. He looks handsome and manly today so I won't.

"Eyes up Ceixarder. Wag mong tignan ang labi ko."

"And why?"

"You might kiss me again." Nahihiyang saad ko at kumain na lang. Kapag hinalikan na naman niya ako rito tiyak na gagawa yun ng malaking ingay.

I heard him chuckled and I want to beat myself because I find it sexy. Really, really sexy.

"I'd like to kiss you actually. I'm just resisting myself not to."

Binalingan ko siya at sinamaan ng tingin.

"But I will...later when you're done. So eat quickly baby." Bulong niya pa at parang nanayo ang mga balahibo ko sa katawan dahil dun. Tumatama pa sa leeg ko ang mabango niyang hininga at aaminin kong ang hot niya pakinggan dun.

What the—what am I saying?! Nadadala na ako sa kanya ah!

"Move back and don't flirt with me. Ang landi mo pakinggan." Asik ko at nagkunwaring busy sa pagkain pero kanina pa talaga ako kinakabahan. Parang may umaararo sa dibdib ko at di ko mapigilang ngumiti.

Stop it! Winter! Kapag ngumiti ka malalaman niyang kinikilig ka!

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kutsara lalo na nang hinawakan niya ang isa kong kamay na nasa mesa at pinagsiklop ang mga kamay namin. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata at tumingin tingin sa paligid para tignan kong may nakatingin sa'min at nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang wala akong nakita. Even Blake and Martina are busy eating.

"The heck? Bitawan mo nga ang——" di ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko nang bigla niyang halikan ang likod ng palad ko.

At para akong kinapos ng hininga dahil dun. What the hell is this man doing? Does he even have some idea that my heart went haywire now?

"A-Anong.....ano ba'ng pinang-gagagawa mo...?"

"Expressing my unbearable and  intolerable feelings toward you. I can't take it anymore, I can't hide it any longer and it's getting stronger each day of my life." Mahina ang boses na wika niya habang matiim na nakatitig sa'kin. Ganun rin ako dahil parang ayaw siyang iwan ng mga mata ko. What the, he's driving me insane.

"A-Ano bang sinas-sabi mo d-dyan?"

"What I'm saying is, hell, I don't even know how to say it. Ano ba'ng ginagawa mo sa'kin Winter? Do you even know that I'm going crazy thinking of you? You're driving me crazy, baby. Do you know that?" We.Are.Just.The.Same. tandaan mo yan.

"Bakit? Ano bang ginagawa ko? Wala naman ah?"

"That's it. You're doing nothing but my heart is beating eccentrically for you. I want to see you, always. I want you near, any time. And I want to kiss and hug you, all the time. Do you know what's happening to me?"

Parang gulong-gulo na saad niya at isa lang ang naiisip ko. Pero impossible naman ata yun.

He's Ceixarder Rosevelm at ni minsan hindi ko naisip o na-imagine na mahuhulog siya sa'kin. But somehow, I feel happy that he does. But does he really?

"We think you're in love with Winter, Ceix. Because that's what I feel towards Alastair."

Bigla kong hinablot ang kamay kong hawak niya nang marinig ko ang sabi ni Martina. Gulat na gulat ako at balisa. Nahihiyang tinignan ko sila ni Blake na parehong naka ngiti habang nakatingin sa'min ngayon.

Gosh!

And right at this moment, I wish I can be invisible. Parang gusto ko na lang na hindi mag-exist sa mundo dahil sa sobrang hiya. Who wouldn't? Nahuli nila kaming magka holding hands at narinig lang naman nila ang confession ni Ceixarder.

"Yes I am. Hell, it's my first time to be attracted towards a woman." Rinig kong saad ni Ceix. And seriously? First time niya? Ako nga hindi ko na mabilang sa mga daliri ko eh.

Crap!

"Finally. Our very own, Ceixarder Rosevelm himself fell in love...to his secretary." Naka ngiting wika ni Blake at kulang na lang mag paparty sa lapad ng ngiti.

"Oo nga, akala ko forever ng walang sinisinta yang si Ceix eh. Masaya ako para sa inyo." Gatong pa ni Martina.

Ako na lang ang napatungo sa hiya samantalang ang lukong si Ceixarder ay tulala lang at nakatingin sa'kin.

"I'm...flattered, for the first time." Naka ngising sabi niya at parang kinikilig na napaiwas ng tingin dahilan para mas kutyain pa kami nina Martina at Blake.

Kaya wala na akong ginawa the whole meal kundi ang tumungo sa sobrang hiya. Or should I act like nothing happened?

Anak ng tokwang hilaw na may sibuyas at tuyo! Para ng sasabog ang dibdib ko dahil sa pagtatapat niya sa'kin. At sa ganitong paraan pa talaga.

Ceixarder naman eh. Imbis na matagalan ay natapos tuloy kaagad ako.

Nagmamadali akong umalis at iniwan sila dun. Halos tumakbo na ako para maka layo kaagad at napahinga ako ng maluwag nang ako na lang mag-isa.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Panay lang ang mura ko at di ko maiwasang mapangiti. Kulang na lang sumigaw ako dahil sa sobrang kilig at tuwa ko.

Ow! So sweet, never pang nagtapat sa'kin ang mga naging boyfriend ko dati sa ganoong pamamaraan. Aw.

"I see. So you're also delighted——"

"What the fuck?!"

Napaigtad ako nang marinig ko ang boses niya, ni Ceixarder sa likuran ko at napa mura na lang ako ng malutong nang makita siya.

At ang walang hiya ay ang laki ng ngisi.

"The heck! Wag mo nga akong sundan! Diyan ka lang——" napatigil ako nang lumpit siya sa'kin at bigla na lang akong hinapit palapit sa kanya at inilapit ang labi niya sa'kin.

Ang pangahas!

Malalaki ang matang nakatitig lang ako sa kanya habang nakapikit at hinahalikan ako. Then I felt him pulling me even closer to him and all I could do is to close my eyes and kiss him back.

If he fell in love with me hard, I fell in love with him harder. Mas malalim at mas masaklap ang pag kahulog ko sa kanya ng di ko man lang namamalayan. And together with this euphoria is trepidation. I'm afraid that this is just for temporary.

"Before, I don't care about the word 'love', I don't know what it is, and I don't know what is the feeling of it, until I felt it towards you. And I'm  afraid that it's just a dream. But if it is, I wish to never wake up again." Anas niya nang bahagyang nagkahiwalay kami at niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit.

Yakap na pakiramdam ko ay hahanap-hanapin ko kung mawawala ito.

PARANG KANINA lang ay walang mapagsidlan ang saya ko nang biglang may dumating, si Rox at may binulong kay Ceixarder. While Ceixarder, nginitian niya lang ako saka siya umalis ng hindi man lang nagsasabi kung saan siya pupunta.

Di ko maiwasang mag-alala at mag-isip kung ano ba ang sinabi kanina ni Rox at mukhang nagalit si Ceix.

"You look bothered, is there any problem?" Napa angat ako ng tingin kay Zen. Siya naman ngayon ang nandito at pumalit kay Martina. Wala rin si Blake at di ko alam kung nasaan siya.

"I'm just thinking of what did Rox told to Ceixarder. He looks livid earlier. "

"I guess I know."

"You guess? "

"Yeah. And I think it's about Necro." Napa kunot ako ng nuo dahil wala naman akong kilalabg Necro. Or maybe I just don't know this Necro.

"He's the guy with tattoos on his shoulders down to his hands. I heard to Rayven that Necro almost shot Ceixarder on the head and that's the time when they barged in."

Oh? Naalala ko na. Ang lalaking yun pala si Necro. Buhay pa pala siya? I thought they killed him.

"And he's dead now, I'm sure Ceixarder will torture him until he surrender and spill out the beans."

"Bakit pa? E alam naman nating si Olivia ang may kagagawan nun." Saad ko. Totoo naman eh.

"Yes, but we need proof, Winter. Hindi lang tayo ang may panangga, si Olivia mayron din."

"And that is?"

"A rule. A law to be precise. At kahit na alam nating siya nga ang nag-utos ng massacre hindi natin siya pwedeng pag bintangan lang basta-basta. We need proof to prove our claim. And she's damn good at cleaning her mess, at cleaning her tools but this time, we won't allow her to win. Magtiwala ka lang sa boyfriend mo."

I looked at him flatly. Boyfriend huh? Kung si Ceixarder ang tinutukoy niya...? Well, di naman niya ako tinanong o inalok na maging kami na.

He didn't asked me nor said that we're you know, that I'm his girlfriend. But he acted like my boyfriend!

"Walang kami, Zen." Tumaas lang ang kilay niya.

"But he said to me earlier, 'take care of my girlfriend, I'll be gone for a minute'. See? See that? My man is freaking in love with you."

Nag-pout pa siya at kunwaring naiiyak.

"Iniwan niya na ako dahil sa'yo—so you better take care of him. He's fragile. Believe me."

Tumango na lang ako sa kanya.

"Kahit di mo na sabihin. And correction, he's not fragile, he's tough!" Asik ko pa pero agad siyang umiling.

"He may be look strong or act like he's unbreakable but believe me, Ceixarder is at the peak of breaking down. Nobody knows his misery but me, that's why I'm loyal to him because I know the real Ceixarder. "

"And I can see through his eyes that he is strong enough Zen. Unang kita ko pa lang sa kanya, alam kong may malaki siyang ambag dito, I can saw sadness and loneliness in his eyes yet I can see how solid he is."

"And you will be his strength but his weakness at the same time. So, be strong enough too, cause the ride to hell is just starting to get hard and murderous. You might fall down to hell and he will surely follow you. So be brave." Aniya at lumabas. Kaya naiwan akong mag-isa at naka tulala.

Wala sa sariling napatingin ako sa mesa ni Ceixarder. Is he...broken? But how? And why?

Behind those deep heavy eyes, I know that he hides something. I know that he master the art of pretension but still, his true color reflects.

'Di ko namalayan na nakalapit na pala ako sa upuan niya kaya naupo na lang ako dun at wala sa sariling napapikit, naks! Ang lambot ng upuan niya. Kaya pala komportabling-komportabli siya sa tuwing nakaupo siya dito.

Parang ang sarap matulog ah. Hmmm, try natin self.

~Third person's point of view

Ceixarder can feel his hands trembling not because of fear but because of extreme anger. He's fuming mad and he can see red.

He feels like his hands want to shower with blood of the demon in front of him. He want to slit Necro's throat and rip his heart off.

The torture he experienced, the pain, the lashes, the beating, and the punishment Ceixarder made him to experienced were nothing compared to the pain that his  colleagues had felt. He deserves more, he deserves more than a death threat.

"B-Brain...maawa ka sa'kin...p-patayin mo na lang a-ako..." Necro begged.

He's crawling in the dirty floor of his cell here in the Hidden Cell of sinners that Ceixarder made for the law breakers and his enemies.

Gutay-gutay ang suot na pantalon ni Necro, halos wala na siyang pang-itaas dahil gutay-gutay na rin 'yon. Para siyang pinaliguan ng dugo at walang ni isang party ng katawan niya ang walang sugat. Sabog ang isang mata niya na dumudugo pa, his other eye, it's swollen and red as well, his nose, there's a blood dripping down from it. And his mouth, it became big and red, and Ceixarder is sure as hell that if he will punch him now, his mouth will explode and will rain of blood.

Matiim at walang emosyon lang ang mukha ni Ceix habang naka tingin kay Necro na para nang mawawalan ng malay. Nanunuod lang rin sina Clever at Clay na siyang nagpahirap rito.

"J-Just kill me-e..." Pagmakaawa pa nito pero parang bato si Ceix na nakatingin lang sa paanan niya, kay Necro. Nakakuyom ang mga kamao niya at gustong-gusto niyang patayin na lang ito pero pinigilan niya ang sarili.

"Killing you is too easy, killing you is too kind, too gentle and I want you to experience hell while you're still alive. After what you did to us, to me, you will never be like before. Mas pahihirapan pa kita kaysa patayin ka agad."

Puno ng galit na wika ni Ceixarder at kung pwede lang niyang sakalin ang lalaking kaharap ay kanina pa niya ginawa pero hindi pa pwede. He need Necro for his vengeance so he better deal with the monster inside him.

"W-wala ka namang makukuha sa'kin. Patayin mo na lang ako Brai——"

"No! I'd rather burn half of your body and heal you again then burn and beat you
again! " Ceixarder lost his control, he howled at last.

"I'd rather put you into a coffin and bury you alive beneath the earth's crust. That would be exciting and painful than you could ever imagine!"

"Brain!" Akmang sasaksakin ni Ceix si Necro ng kutsilyo na galing sa gilid ng pantalon nito nang agad siyang pinigilan nina Clever at Clay. Habang si Necro naman ay namumutla sa takot dahil para siyang sasakmalin ng isang mabangis na halimaw.

Well, an angry Ceixarder is like the most dangerous animal in the forest. So he should fear him.

"Let go of me! I will fucking slit that shit's throat!"

"Brain, we need him remember?" Pigil na tanong ni Clay kay Ceixarder pero para siyang walang naririnig. Pilit pa rin niyang inaatake si Necro na napapaatras na sa takot.

"Ceixarder, stop!" Sigaw rin ni Clever.

"Isipin mo ang daddy mo at ang lahat ng taong namatay dahil sa makasariling hangarin ni Olivia! And killing him is not a solution!"

Parang natauhan na napa tigil naman si Ceixarder at nagtatagis ang panga na tinabig ang mga kamay nina Clay at Clever na nakahawak sa kanya.

"Burn half of his body, ayaw niyang magsalita? Then burn him! Cut his fingers off and even his tongue." Matigas na utos niya sa dalawa at napatingin kay Necro na gumagapang paluhod at umiiyak.

"Brain...please don't, hindi ko na kaya——"

"I don't fucking care! Do you remember what I told you when you pointed your gun at my head?! I told you to kill me but you failed! Now, let's see who is the real boss. Who's more powerful. " Ceixarder snorted then face Clay." Do it!"

As if on cue, Necro started to breakdown and tell everything he knew about. He begged, he cried, he kneeled and asked Ceixarder to just kill him to end his sufferings.

"I-I'll tell you, I'll tell you, just let me go—kill me if that's what you want! Brain, we are once friends, please! Just kill me—" Then Necro crawled towards Clay and begged him.

"Ayuko ko na, di ko na kaya. Patayin niyo na lang ako."

Pag mamakaawa nito pero isang malademonyong ngisi ang namutawi sa labi ni Ceixarder.

"Tell me who ordered you to massacre us."

"Its Olivia——"

"As expected——"

"And Master Rowan Blackhood." Dagdag ni Necro na napatahimik sa kanya ng ilang minuto.

"Who's that motherfucker?" Clay interfered.

"Nazi's father——"

"Where are they hiding? And how come we didn't know about them all these years?" Si Clever naman ang nagtanong.

"They are hiding in the middle of the forest wherein no one has ever seen. O-Olivia did hide them well."

Nagkatinginan si Clay at Clever habang si Ceixarder ay tahimik lang at walang emosyon ang mukha.

"S-Sinabi ko na ang lahat ng alam ko, please, spare m-me——"

"Dress him up and bring him out. " biglang utos ni Ceixarder at may di mawaring ngisi sa labi.

"What will you do?"

"I will bring him to Olivia, that psychopath, inuubos niya ang pasensiya ko."

Giit ni Ceixarder at umalis.

OLIVIA is sitting comportably in her office's couch when suddenly, the emotionless, cold and lethal face of Ceixarder emerged. She was shocked but didn't care who was it, instead she faked a smile.

"Look what we have here, Ceixarder Rosevelm, what brought you here?" Kalamado niyang tanong kay Ceixarder na seryusong-seryuso ang mukha at walang mababakas na emosyon.

She felt a sudden chilling aura that made her grin even wider.

"I'm here to collect a debt, or I'd rather say, I'm here for you. "

"For me? May I know why? I'm a bit confuse." She pretended that she's innocent but she felt like her knees trembled when she saw Necro walking inward, behind him is Clay, Clever and two other Armies of the Council.

"You don't know why, Head Mistress? You useless motherfucker, I'm done playing your game. Now, it's my turn."

Bakas ang galit sa boses ni Ceixarder at hindi niya napigilang hawakan sa braso si Olivia. His grip is too tight making Olivia clenched in pain.

"Let go of me! You don't have any proof——"

"I have not just a proof, but also an Ace. If you wish to see your little princess, you better pass the first stage of your punishment." Olivia felt her world stopped hearing what Ceixarder said.

She tried to run away, push away Clever and Clay who tried to tie her up but she failed, big time.

And when she was put into the Hidden Cell of sinners, the jail that only Ceixarder and his trusted men knows, the darkness swallowed her. She didn't feel afraid because, of course she's a psychopath, why would she be afraid of the dark where, where she's at everyday?

But the fear suddenly consumed her when she heard her daughter's voice. Begging and full of pain.

"M-Mom..."

"Rollyn...no!"

She exclaimed, she tried to find her daughter but she can't. The whole place is dark, all she can see is dark and nothing else.

~Winter's Pov

NAPAKURAP-KURAP ako habang naka tingin sa puting kesame at inaalala kung nasaan ako. Then I remembered, naka tulog pala ako kanina pero bakit ako nasa sofa? As far as I can remember, naka tulog ako habang naka upo kanina ah.

Sa isiping baka may nagmagandang loob lang na naglipat sa'kin dito ay tumagilid ako ng higa para mas maging komportabli ako pero napanganga ako nang makita kung sino ang tulog sa isa pang couch.

No other than Ceixarder!

And he's damn so gorgeous in my eyes especially when he's sleeping. Di ko napigilang mapangiti at bumaba ang tingin ko sa bahagyang nakaawang niyang labi.

...the heck? How come he has that soft-looking lips? And I know it is, well, I've taste it several times.

Tsk.tsk. sayang lang ang mukha niyang tiyak na kakaadikan ng lahat ng babaeng makakita sa kanya kung habang buhay siyang makukulong dito. Pero no worries, nandito naman ako. Akin ka na lang.

Napailing-iling ako sa naisip ko at bumangon na kahit gusto ko pang mapagmasdan ang mukha niya. Saka ko lang napansin ang isang school uniform na naka kumot sa'kin. Nang makita ko ang bandang dibdib nito kung saan may pangalan, nakilala ko agad 'yon.

Ceixarder owned it. His name was on the tag.

Medyo madilim na rin kaya nilapitan ko ang lalaking mahimbing na natutulog at lumuhod ako sa harapan niya. Saka siya pinakatitigan.

Aristocrat nose, beautiful eyelids, slightly-thick eyebrows, shiny face, messy hair, and lastly, kissable thin red lips. He's too lucky to be given such beautiful feature. Even the word
' handsome ' itself won't give him any justice.

Akmang hahawakan ko ang mukha niya pero laking-gulat ko nang hulihin niya ang pulsuhan ko ng walang kahirap-hirap kahit nakapikit pa siya.

Then slowly, his eyes opened and it met mine.

"Hey...baby." Mahinang sambit niya at ngumiti.

"H-Hello. Kanina ka pa ba naka balik? Kamusta ang tulog mo?"

"Kanina pa ako naka balik at ang tulog ko? Hmmm. Okay naman." He said, chuckling and he sounds so sexy.

"How'bout you? How was your sleep? Napa-naginipan mo ba ako?" Walang pakundangan na tanong niya sa walang hiyang boses.

"Okay pero wala akong napa-naginipan. Duuh? Bakit naman kita mapapanaginipan?"

"Hmm, bakit nga ba? Aha! Kasi kinikilig ka sa'kin, o baka naman kasi iniisip mo ako kanina. Is that the reason why you slept in my chair and table?" Tanong niya at magkalapit pa rin ang mukha namin. Kaya para na naman akong kinakapos sa hangin.

Ang dami kong naiisip ngayon at kasama na dun ay ang halikan siya. Bigla ko lang kasi naisip kung ano nga ulit ang lasa ng labi niya.

At di ko namalayan na dahan-dahan na pala akong dumukwang para halikan siya.

Natauhan lang ako nang dumampi na ang labi ko sa kanya, agad kong inilayo ang mukha ko pero siya naman ngayon ang dumukwang para halikan ako.

At wala naman akong balak na itulak siya kaya tumugon na ako. Shocks! This is the first time that I initiate a kiss. Most of my ex-boyfriends do it first before I did. But now, darn.

"Can you say my name again, baby?" Wika niya nang bahagyang nagkadistansiya kami pero nakadapat ang nuo namin.

"Ceixarder." I said and he chuckled sexily.

"Damn, why does my name sounds so good when you say it? I'm just falling deeper, harder, faster and rougher."

Agad ko siyang tiningala at tinaasan ng kilay. Rougher? Huh?

Ngumiti lang siya at akmang hahalikan ulit ako nang pinigilan ko siya.

"Bakit ka ba halik ng halik?"

"Remember that it's you who kissed me first."

"Di ko nakakalimutan. What I mean is why? Bakit palagi mo akong hinahalikan mula pa noong isang araw? " kunot nuong tanong ko pero tumawa lang siya at umupo.

Now I'm kneeling before him and this position is so awkward. Or is it just me who thought it is?

"The reason is simply; because I love you. And I want to feel your lips against mine. I always want you near and I want to see you all the time." Sagot niya sa seryusong boses.

"I know I'm too sudden, too early and fast but can you be my girlfriend? "

Para akong napipi sa tanong niya at wala akong naisagot. Ayaw bumuka ng bibig ko at kahit na gustong-gusto ko na sabibing 'Oo' ay di ko kaya.

What he asked is like a music to my ears but it made me mute. I'm just so shocked and my heart won't stop beating like there's no tomorrow.

"Winter? Please answer me, you're making me nervous." May pag-aalalang sabi niya at hinawakan ng mahigpit ang kamay ko.

'Teka lang pwede? Gulat na gulat pa ako eh. Di ko pa ma-absorb ang sinabi mo at di pa gumagana ang utak ko.'

Hindi ba ako pwedeng kiligin muna? Kasi damn! Damn it!

Ilang minuto pa akong walang imik hanggang sa bigla niya na lang isinandal ang ulo niya sa balikat ko kaya di ko makita ang mukha niya. Naramdaman ko pa ang mainit niyang hininga na tumatama sa leeg ko. But why does it feel so good? Nababaliw na ako.

"Baby? I'm freaking nervous. Magsalita ka naman, okay lang naman kung ayaw mo. Di kita pipilitin pero wag ka namang manahimik ng ganito. Parang may kasalanan ako sa'yo kung di mo ako kausapi——"

"O-Oo." Isang salita lang ang nasabi ko pero agad siyang tumahimik at napaangat ng tingin sa'kin. Ilang beses siyang napanganga at parang may gusto siyang sabihn pero di niya magawa.

Now it's him who's shock.

"Say that again."

"Ang sabi ko 'OO' payag ako. Di naman na ako lugi eh. Gwapo ka naman at mukhang may pakinabang." Biro ko pa.

"Ah so you just say yes because I'm handsome and useful?"

"Partly yes? I dunno. "

"Aw. I'm hurt, I love you with my soul but you didn't feel the same. Gusto mo lang pala akong gamitin. Ang sakit masyado, parang dudugo ang puso ko."

Natatawa ako ng malakas sa kanya dahil natututo na siyang magbiro ngayon. I thought he'll forever be serious and deadly.

"Kidding. Of course I said yes because I ahm, love you too."

"Why do you sound hesitant?"

"I'm just nervous!" Hiyaw ko at tumayo na. Narinig ko naman siyang tumawa at sinundan ako dahil lumabas ako ng office.

He locked the door and hold my hand,  intertwined it with his and we walked together. I wish I have this thing called magic, then I will connect this way to eternity; to the infinity and beyond.

PS. Thank you sa nagbasa at sa pagbasa. 😍
Kyaaaa! Kinilig din ako dito ah. Goodness.

Edited.