CHAPTER 21
1227 Words
NAPABUNTONG-HININGA si Neriah habang nakatingin kay Lucien na nakaupo sa sofa sa living room. She noticed that he’s not in the mood after receiving the call. Hindi na nga rin ito masyadong nakakain.
Lucien rested his elbows on his knees after putting his phone on the coffee table.
He just received another call from his father. Another reminded that no matter how far he traveled, his family always found a way to reach him.
Tahimik na lumapit si Neriah at umupo sa tabi ni Lucien.
Walang nagsalita sa kanila.
Neriah simply stayed beside Lucien.
Lucien let out a tired sigh.
“I feel bad, Neriah.”
Humarap siya sa binata. “Do you want me to comfort you?” tanong niya. She was not good at saying soothing words, but she’s good in action.
Tumingin si Lucien kay Neriah. “Paano?”
Instead of answering, Neriah slowly shifted closer until their knees touched. A mischievous smile curved her lips. Then, before Lucien realized what she was doing, she gently climbed onto the sofa and settled herself across his lap, facing him.
Lumaki naman ang mata ni Lucien sa gulat na para bang hindi na nasanay kay Neriah. “…Anong ginagawa mo?”
Neriah wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. “Comforting you.”
Hindi mapigilan ni Lucien ang maiksing tawa na kumawala sa kaniyang bibig. “But being on top of me isn’t exactly a standard way of comforting someone.”
Nagkibit ng balikat si Neriah. “It works on me.”
“Neriah…”
Before he could finish protesting, Neriah leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.
He kissed her back just as gently.
Nang maghiwalay ang kanilang labi, pinagdikit nila ang kanilang noo.
“Are you feeling better?” Neriah asked.
Ngumiti si Lucien at tumango. “This trick of yours really works.”
“Shall we continue?” Neriah asked, grinning. Nagbibiro lang siya, pero sineryoso ‘yon ni Lucien.
Lucien put his hand on Neriah’s back and pushed her closer to him. Habang ang isa niyang kamay ay hinawakan ang batok ni Neriah at kinabig ito. He claimed her lips—a hungry mouthful kiss.
“Lucien…” daing ni Neriah nang bumaba ang halik ni Lucien sa leeg niya.
She tilted her head to give Lucien full access to her neck.
Naramdaman na lamang ni Neriah na tinatanggal ni Lucien ang pagkakabutones ng suot niyang satin pajama. Hinayaan niya ang binata sa gusto nitong gawin at humawak siya sa balikat nito.
“Kung ayaw mo ang ginagawa ko… just tell me to stop…” wika ni Lucien. But he was hoping Neriah would not stop him.
Neriah closed her eyes as she felt the tingling sensation of what Lucien was doing to her.
Nang matanggal ni Lucien sa pagkakabutones ang suot niyang pajama, lumantad ang balat niya sa dibdib. Lucien pulled down her upper clothes and kissed her skin.
“Lucien…” she said softly as her hand gripped his shoulder when she felt Lucien’s lips on her cleavage.
“Ahmm…”
“Neriah…”
Lucien’s hand slid on her back and unhooked her bra.
Her bra loosened, and Lucien took that opportunity to lift it.
Napasinghap si Neriah nang sapuin ni Lucien ang isa niyang dibdib at marahang minasahe. She arched her back when Lucien kissed the other. Almost at the same time, napahawak siya sa buhok ni Lucien.
She bit her lower lip as she let Lucien pleasure her.
“Lucien… ahmm…”
Ramdam ni Neriah ang pagtigas ng p*********i ni Lucien, but before it would burst into a steamy moment, Lucien stopped, hooked her bra, and closed her clothes.
He buried his face in his neck.
“You…”
“We’re not married,” Lucien said.
Neriah let out a deep sigh and dropped her head on Lucien’s shoulder. Akala naman niya kung ano na, ‘yon lang pala ang dahilan kung bakit ito tumigil.
“Akala ko ba gusto mo?” wika ni Neriah, at nagtaas ng tingin. “Lucien, your friend down there had reacted.”
“I know, but I don’t want you to regret it.”
Itinuro ni Neriah ang mukha. “Did my face say I regret it?”
Lucien was stunned for a moment. Then he said, “You want it to happen?”
Neriah rolled her eyes. “Kung ayaw kong mangyari, bakit pinigilan ba kita sa gusto mong gawin?” she said. “You just ravish my breast.”
Natawa nang mahina si Lucien sa huling sinabi ni Neriah. “Sorry—”
Tinakpan ni Neriah ang bibig ni Lucien. “Don’t say that. Pakiramdam ko tuloy nagsisisi ka sa ginawa mo. Paano naman ako? It already happened, Lucien. Nilawayan mo ang dibdib ko.”
Lucien stared at Neriah. “Do you want me to take responsibility?” he asked.
“Anong gagawin mo?”
“I’ll marry you.”
Natigilan si Neriah. Napatitig siya nang ilang sandali kay Lucien, saka natawa. “Stop kidding me—”
“I’m not kidding,” seryosong sabi ni Lucien. “I can’t see myself with anyone other than you.”
Ipinalibot ni Neriah ang braso sa leeg ng binata. “Lucien, masyado pang maaga para diyan. Why don’t we take it slow?” she suggests. “Well, we both know that we like each other.”
“But we don’t have a label,” naiiling na wika ni Lucien. “How am I supposed to introduce you to my friends?”
“Friends? You have friends?” gulat na tanong ni Neriah.
Amused na pinisil ni Lucien ang tungki ng ilong ni Neriah. “Yeah, I’ll introduce you to them later.”
Napangiti si Neriah. “That’s good then. I hope they’re good and loyal friends.”
“They are.”
Neriah pouted. “Nakakainggit naman.” Aniya. “Maliban kasi sa pinsan ko at sa girlfriend ng mga Kuya ko—mga kaibigan ng Kuya ko—wala na akong kaibigan. Plastik naman kasi ang ibang tao. They would only know you if you have money,” she said as she leaned toward Lucien. Nakaupo pa rin siya paharap sa kandungan nito.
Well, it’s comfortable sitting on Lucien’s lap.
“You have me. My friends will be your friends if you want.”
Tumango si Neriah.
“Anyway, back to our conversation earlier, Neriah,” Lucien looked into her eyes. “What’s our label now?”
Neriah pouted again. “Parang hindi na kasi exciting kung sasabihin nating boyfriend at girlfriend na agad tayo?”
“So?”
“So…” ngumiti si Neriah. “How about we stay like this?”
Kumunot ang noo ni Lucien.
“When someone asks you, then just tell them I’m your woman, and when someone asks me, you’re my man. After all, when we met, I already claimed you as mine.” Sabi ni Neriah.
Lucien stared at Neriah while chuckling. Napailing siya, saka niyakap na lamang ang dalaga. “Whatever you say, sweetheart..."
They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in a quiet embrace as the rain poured outside.
For the first time that day, thoughts of the Verdan family, expectations, and old wounds faded into the background. Ang tanging nasa isip na lamang ni Lucien ay ang babaeng nasa bisig niya.
And somehow… that was more than enough.
- Writer
