Chapter 21

"Wait here, I'll go back in the house to get my cigarette."

"Sure."

Pinanood ko si Maverick nang tumayo ito mula sa pagkakaupo sa mat at naglakad pabalik sa bahay. Walang pang-itaas na suot ang lalaki. Naka-boxer shorts lang ito as usual.

"Tsk. Ang tigas ng balat. Hindi man lang nilamigan kahit kaunti."

Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa marahas na alon ng dagat at uminom mula sa hawak na lata ng alak.

Maliwanag ang buwan sa kalangitan na nagbibigay-tanglaw sa puting buhangin at asul na karagatan. Maririnig mo rin ang malakas na hampas ng hangin sa paligid.

Hindi ko alam kung ano na naman ang nakain ni Maverick at nagyayang mag-night swimming. Hindi pa ba siya nakontento kanina sa kabilang resort kung saan pinilit niya akong turuang mag-surf buong araw?

Inalog ko ang hawak na lata ng alak at tinanaw ang dagat.

"Maybe he wants to make the most out of the place tonight. After all, it's our last night here in this magical place. It's our last night together."

Sa naisip ay muling bumalik ang kakaibang kalungkutan at panghihinayang na ilang araw nang namamahay sa aking kaibuturan.

Tomorrow, it'll be the end of everything between us. Our connection, our snide remarks, and our moments together. Bukas, babalik uli sa reyalidad ang lahat.

Tomorrow, I'll be back being the errand girl.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" naalala ko ang tanong niya sa akin. It was a rhetorical one given our set-up. Nonetheless, it never failed to make me hope for a thing that I am very aware of that I will never have.

"How insensitive of you to ask me that. Kung sana ay ganoon lang kadali ang lahat."

Inayos ko ang nakabalabal na blanket sa katawan nang marinig ang mga yabag ni Maverick. Umupo ito sa tabi ko at nagsindi ng sigarilyo.

"Gusto mo?" alok niya sa akin.

Hindi ako sumagot at kumuha na lang agad sa pakete. Inilagay ko ang sigarilyo sa bibig at inilapit ang mukha kay Maverick. Idinikit nito ang nakasinding parte ng sigarilyo nito sa akin. He lit my cigarette using his.

I suck and then blow the smoke through my nose and mouth.

"Did you enjoy my company for the past week?" panimula ko. "Cause I enjoyed yours."

Itinaas nito ang alak sa akin asking for a toast. Pinagpingki ko ang mga lata namin at sabay kaming uminom.

"I enjoyed you. I enjoyed talking to you and having sex with you. Especially the sex part. It was good."

"Kahit wala akong ginawa?" I grinned at him.

Ngumiti rin siya sa akin at tumango. "Oo, kahit wala kang ginawa. You're a good student."

Doon na ako malakas na napatawa. "Thank you, sir. Uno ako, ha."

Maverick cackled and then got serious all of a sudden. "My offer still stands."

"And my decision is still the same. Kapag ikaw naging boyfriend ko, sasakit lang ang ulo ko sa iyo. You're too big, too powerful, too rich for my own liking."

"Is that a bad thing?" Pumihit ito sa gilid para ilagay ang wala ng laman na lata ng alak.

"Para sa akin? Oo naman. I can't handle you." Itinaktak ko sa buhangin ang sigarilyo na nakaipit sa hintuturo at gitnang daliri.

"Really? The great Femella I know will not say that thing. She is the most confident and strongest woman I encountered except my mother of course. So far, I think you're handling me well."

I chuckled. "Nah. Di mo pa siguro siya kilala." I took in a long breath and exhaled the smoke. Iniiwas ko ang tingin at itinuon sa kawalan. "Let me tell you a story, Mav. There was once a girl who is living in fear. She's scared and scarred... and loneliness is all she ever know in her entire life. Hindi siya pinili kahit siya ang mahal. Hindi niya kailanman naranasan ang piliin ng mga taong mahal niya. Her parents have no choice but to choose the other weaker child for them to survive. In short, she was banished to a place with no identity. Lumaki siyang palaging mag-isa at takot sa lahat ng tao. Kinaiinggitan niya palagi ang mga taong pinipili gaya ng kapatid niya."

Napaigtad ako nang pahirin ni Maverick ang mga luha na hindi ko namalayan na tumakas na pala sa aking mata. Pinalis ko ang kamay nito at itinuloy ang pagtutuyo sa luha.

"Sorry, nadala lang ako sa kuwento. Ang ganda kasi ng pagkakagawa. I considered it a masterpiece."

"Who's the author?"

"Just someone very dear to me."

Humithit ako sa sigarilyo at agad rin itong ibinuga saka idinuldol ang stick sa buhangin. Tumayo ako at hinayaang malaglag ang blanket sa mat. Inilahad ko ang kamay kay Maverick suot ang pamilyar na ngiti na para bang walang nangyari.

"Tara, swimming tayo? Sayang naman ang panahon kung hindi natin susulitin 'di ba?"

Tiningnan ako ni Maverick na para bang may gusto pa itong itanong pero sa huli ay inabot niya rin ang kamay ko at tumayo.

Hindi ko nahulaan ang kaniyang sunod na ginawa. He swooped me in my feet and effortlessly swung me in his shoulders. Pagkatapos ay tinakbo nito ang dagat at itinapon ako sa tubig.

Napatili ako dahil sa biglang pagragasa ng lamig sa aking buong katawan.

Tumatawang lumangoy ako sa ilalim at hinagilap ang paa nito but he was able to grab my waist and pulled me above the water.

Inalis ko ang basang buhok na tumabing sa mga mata at nang-aakit na pinagmasdan si Maverick. Nakapasak pa rin sa bibig nito ang sigarilyo.

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi at pinasadahan ito ng basang dila. I moved my head to the side and gestured him to come to me using my two fingers. Bumaba ang tingin nito sa naka-exposed na leeg ko at lumunok. His Adam's people moved in a very sensual manner.

Lumapit ako sa kaniya at hindi ito nilulubayan ng tingin na kinuha ko ang sigarilyo mula dito at humitit. Inipon ko ang usok sa bibig at kinabig ang lalaki. Kumapit ako sa balikat nito at ibinuga sa bibig nito ang usok. He parted his lips and willingly receive it.

Magkahinang pa rin ang mga matang sabay naming ibinuga ang usok. The side of his mouth moved into a smile. I grinned. And then without saying a word, we both grabbed each other and kissed like forever, like our lives depended on it alone.

We kissed until our breathes almost ran out. We kissed until everything is dissipated. It's just me and him kissing under the moonlight and drenched in a cold salty water in this island where no people know me and no past to drag me down.

"You sure you're not changing your mind?" Maverick fingered my swollen lip.

"N-no, I guess." My lips quivering while looking at his red lips.

Kinuha nito ang sigarilyo sa kamay ko at itinapon sa tubig.

"If I'll call you one of these days for an arrangement, will you not disappoint me for your response?" He wrapped my legs on his waist and started walking back into the shore. Pinagsalikop ko ang mga kamay sa leeg nito.

I locked my eyes on him never letting a single second left us.

"Expect me to reject you..." His face tightened into a grim one. "Or not which greatly depends on what kind of arrangement I will receive."

"Good." He laid me on the mat and started unfurling the strings of my bikini.

Nakatiim-bagang ito habang puno nang pagnanasang hinaplos ang leeg ko pababa sa braso patungo sa aalon-alon kong tiyan.

I caressed his face and pulled him to me. "You're too sweet and caring for someone like me. It's just a sex escapade and you paid for me. Why do you have to be like this, Maverick? Why do I have to see your other side?" Bumaba ang daliri ko sa labi nito at masuyong hinaplos ito.

"It's because I'm not doing it with that thing in my mind." He cupped my face.

I caught my breath at his revelation. "Do you hear yourself now? Alam mo ba kung anong kahulugan ng mga sinabi mo?"

"Kagaya nga nang sinabi ko, simple akong mag-isip. If I like the person, I tell her right away. Life's too short to waste in running in circles." He pressed his forehead to mine and closed his eyes. "You make me feel things, Fem. Strange emotions that I never thought I would feel in this lifetime. So please, will you explore this crazy feeling with me?" His eyes are pleading, his gaze turning me into a molten rock.

"What if we won't work. What if the past will catch at us? Our meeting is so unconventional. Baka sa una lang maganda at maayos," I whispered, my voice full of doubt.

"I don't make empty promises, Fem. Praktikal akong tao at totoo. When I see a potential, I do anything to make it work," wika nito habang dahan-dahang dumidilat.

Malungkot na ngumiti lang ako bago hinila ito para magtagpo ang aming mga labi. Hinalikan ko siya nang ubod ng init at tamis. Idinaan ko sa halik ang hindi ko masabi gamit ang mga salita.

Words felt underwhelming at this moment like anything I would say is never enough so I just did what I think is the best response.

"I take it as a yes," he said after pulling out briefly, his eyes smiling

Hindi na niya ako binigyan ng pagkakataong sumagot pa nang walang habas na sinakop nito ang bibig ko. Mapusok ang halik. Nakakadarang. Tinutupok nito lahat nang dinadaanan at sinusunog ang aming mga katinuan.

I groped his ass and lift myself to meet his sweltering solid frame. My softness a direct contrast to his firm and solid body.

"Stop."

Maverick's confused eyes darted at me. His hands stopped in mid-air.

"Let me," I speak softly.

Umalis ako sa ilalim niya at itinulak ito pahiga. Napangisi ang lalaki.

"So you want to be in charge. Hurry up, babe. I'm not in the mood for some teasing. I'm fuckin' horny. We can save the slow dance later."

I put my finger on his lips. "Shhh. Don't be a killjoy. Just enjoy the ride, master."

Sumakay ako sa tiyan nito at sinimulang halikan ang punong tenga ng binata. Sinundot ko ng dila ang earlobe niya at sinadyang lawayan ang leeg nito.

Naramdaman ko ang malakas na paghugot ng hininga ni Maverick at ang humigpit ang mga kamay nito sa bewang ko.

Bumaba ang bibig ko sa leeg nito. I twirled my tongue over the soft skin and suck it hard for seconds. I felt satisfaction swelled when I withdrew and saw my mark on his skin.

Hindi na ako nag-aksaya ng panahon pa at hinalikan ang lahat na madaanan ng labi habang papababa ako sa katawan ng binata.

Every groan, growl and howl of him is music to my ears. Mas ginaganahan akong ipagpatuloy ang ginagawa dahil sa nasasarapang tunog na nanggaling sa binata. Bawat ungol nito ang palatandaan na nagugustuhan niya ang ginagawa ko kaya mas lumakas pa ang loob ko.

Hindi ko pinalagpas na bigyan ng pantay na atensiyon ang matigas na dibdib at tiyan nito. I kissed and tasted every ridge and crest of his taut body imprinting and branding him as mine.

Even if it's just only for tonight.

Maverick rumbled and pulled me above him but I refused. I continued touching his body and giving appreciation to it.

I traced my tongue across his stomach while fondling his erect nipples. Maverick gently lugged at my hair but I did not give in.

Pinigilan ko ang sarili kahit nanginginig na rin ako sa sobrang pagnanasa.

I went down between his thighs to saw his cock jutting to the waistband of his boxer shorts. I crouched to kiss it but Maverick yanked me to him and devoured my lips.

He managed to flip our position in an instant. Napunta sa buhok nito ang mga kamay ko at sumabunot. Gumanti ako ng halik sa kaparehong intensidad. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata at nag-focus sa nakaliliyong sensasyon.

I shut down all the other coherent thoughts and concentrated on this temporary madness.

I'm trying to collect memories with him as much as possible and this one is a good addition to my growing collection.

Pinunit nito ang kapiranggot na piraso ng panloob ko at ibinaba. I gasped at his roughness but instead of feeling scared, my pussy dripped more juices.

Ibinuka niya ang mga hita, hinawakan ang nakatayong pagkalalaki nito at tuluyan na akong inangkin. Each thrust filling the sweet ache until I became full of him.

I let out a sigh when he is completely settled inside me. Hindi muna ito gumalaw. He just stayed there with his teeth clenched while looking at me as if I'm a fragile thing that needs protection.

I ran my fingers on his face. He is such a beautiful sight to behold under the moonlight. More so when he's on top of me.

"Do you know that humans are at their most vulnerable state when they're having sex?"

Maverick stripped the skimpy top off of me. "I didn't know that."

"Now you know."

"You just made that up." He released a guttural sound when I moved my hips.

"Maybe, maybe not but I can't think of anything else when we are so defenseless and helpless other than this act."

He placed my hands on his shoulders and started pumping slowly. "I could agree on that but on one thing."

Kinagat ko ang dila nang mas lumakas ang pagbayo nito. "Ano?"

"Look at me in the eyes. Never close them until we're finished. Let me see your vulnerability, Fem."

"O-okay," nauutal kong pag-sang-ayon at sinunod ito. I met his dark eyes, my fingers already clawing over his back while we danced in the rhythm that is as old as time.

"You're beautiful," he murmured, his voice almost a growl.

"I know," I replied which earned a smile from him.

Hinagilap niya ang kamay ko at pinagsalikop sa kaniya.

Sa ilalim ng sinag ng buwan sa mala-paraisong islang iyon, magkasama naming inabot ang walang kapantay na kasiyahan. Saksi ang buwan at karagatan kung paano ko isinuko ang kahuli-hulihang bagay na pagmamay-ari ko. Wala sa usapan at lalong wala sa aking isipan pero aaminin kong tuluyan na akong nahulog sa binatang isinumpa kong hindi ko kailanman magugustuhan.

Hindi ko alam ang nangyari. Basta na lang akong nagising isang umaga na nakatitig sa kaniya habang hindi magkandatuto sa pagtibok ang aking puso.

Para bang kaya kong iwanan ang lahat at kalimutan ang misyon ko.

Because being with him is pure happiness. Being with Maverick is going back to my years of joy.

We reached orgasm together without taking our eyes off from each other.

He dropped to my neck and nuzzled his nose there. Naghahabol pa rin ito ng hininga gaya ko.

Hinagod ko ang kaniyang likod at pinatakan ng halik ang kaniyang ulo.

Pumikit ako kasabay ng pagkabuo ng isang desisyon.

A tear rolled off the side of my eyes.

MAVERICK IS snoozing already on my side while I sat on the bed holding his spare cellphone. May hinihintay akong text mula kay Dave.

The phone beeped. Binuksan ko ito at binasa.

Buti naman at nagparamdam ka na. I have the information we need. Alam ko na ang pagkakakilanlan ng may-ari ng aso. Bad news. He is planning to go to US together with the subject. Kailangan mo nang magdesisyon agad. Isang maling hakbang lang, maaring madaliin nila agad ang pag-alis. I need to see you the soonest.

"No, I won't let that."

Nilingon ko muna ang natutulog na lalaki bago nagpadala ng mensahe. Tumitig ako sa kisame ng ilang sandali bago nakabuo ng isang plano.

I sent a text message to a number and then took out the sim card and went to CR to flush it. Ibinalik ko sa closet ang cellphone at bumalik sa kama.

Tumagilid ako ng higa at nginitian nang malungkot si Maverick.

"I'll miss you," bulong ko.

Niyakap ko ang lalaki at napayapa agad ang pakiramdam ko.