LOVE AGAIN: Chapter 11

Author’s Note:

Okay guys, I said I was gonna upload last Sunday and I actually planned to do just that kaya lang, di ko nagustuhan ang POV ni Jared. So inulit ko ang Chapter 11 in RINDEL’S POV. So sorry about the delay.

RINDEL

It’s been three days since we last talked. Alam ko na alam na ni Jared na iniiwasan ko siya. That call I got made me think about my motives. Ano nga ba talaga sa akin at bakit ko tinutulungan si Jared. I know I like him but what Rhoi told me 3 days ago got me thinking if I’m the right person for Jared.

Nagliligpit na ako ng gamit para makauwi nang pumasok si Jared sa office. We never talked in the office except for business.

“We need to talk.”,sabi nito.

I sighed. I guess we did have to talk again sooner or later.

“Alright. Let’s do it over dinner.”,sabi ko.

Natulala naman ito. I chuckled. He really did look adorable.

“Just like that?”, he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean you ignore me for three days and now pumayag kang makipag-usap over dinner?”, he said incredulously.

“Well, yeah.”, I shrugged.

“Why though? Why were you ignoring me?”

“I thought we’re going over this during dinner?”, I smirked.

“R-right. I’ll grab my stuff.”

“Don’t bother taking your car. You can ride with me.”

We drove silently to Stavross. We ate quietly as well. Alam kong gusto nang mag-usap ni Jared. Halata naman dahil hindi ito mapakali.

“So what do you want to talk about?”, I finally asked after finishing my food.

“You know exactly what I want to talk about. Bakit mo ako iniwasan nitong mga nakaraang araw? Did I do something wrong?”

I smiled at him.

“Stop smiling!”, he exclaimed after three seconds.

Napatawa naman ako sa reaksyon nito. He pouted.

“Okay, I’ll explain everything. I know who you are Jared.”, I said.

“Syempre naman. Assistant mo ako, natural kilala mo ako.”, he retorted.

“No, I mean I know who you are. Like history-wise. I know that you were an actor not so long ago.  You came out. Basically everything.”,sabi ko.

He stared at me in shock.

“How? Paano mo nalaman? Was it the phone call you got? Did you do a CI on me?”,sunod-sunod nitong tanong. He looked hurt.

“Yes. It was the phone call but no, I did not do a CI on you because I know you. I mean, I thought I did. I was really surprised though.”

“But that doesn’t my question. Bakit mo ako iniwasan nang nalaman mo?”

“I was getting there. I avoided you, yes, but not because of the things that I found out.”, I paused. “Okay, maybe it was, but for good reason.  I needed the time to think. Nag-isip ako kung dapat ko pa bang ituloy ang pagtulong sa’yo. What you went through was horrible and natakot ako na baka mangyari ulit yun sa’yo at ako ang maging dahilan. I don’t want to hurt you Jared.”

“But you did anyway. In a way. Nasaktan ako dahil iniwasan mo ako. I know we don’t have a label or anything and that you’re only helping out but it was a kick to my ego when you avoided me after we kissed. I thought it was something I did at paulit-ulit kong inisip kung ano ba ang nagawa ko.”, he said

“No. No. Don’t think that okay? Wala kang ginawang mali. I’m sorry if I somehow hurt your ego.”, I apologized. “Like you said, we don’t have any label and that’s exactly why I needed to clear my head. You might have noticed nawala akong ibang lalakeng pinatulan mula nung magsimula itong set-up natin. I like you Jared. Nasabi ko na ito noon sa’yo di ba? But that’s just it. I have issues, you know that. What If the feelings get too deep and I screw up. I don’t want you to experience what happened in the past again. That would ruin whatever is going on between us and ayokong mangyari yun.”

We were silent after that.

“So ano’ng plano mo?”, he asked after a while.

I smiled.

“I intend to keep my promise. I will still help you.”,sabi ko rito.

“But…”, he trailed.

“No buts. I will help you. That’s it.”

He smiled.

“I missed that smile.”,sabi ko rito. He blushed.

I laughed. He’s just too adorable.

“So you seem really upset that I was ignoring you. Why?”, I asked afterwards.

“I- I just, well, I…”, he stuttered and I grinned. Like I said, adorable.

“You missed me didn’t you?”,tanongkoritosabaygalawngkilay.

He turned a red after I said that saka umiwas ng tingin. “Umuwi na nga tayo.”,sabi nalang nito maya-maya.

Nang nasa kotse na kami pauwi ay nagsalita ito.

“Yes.”, sabiniya.

“Huh?”,takang tanong ko.

“Yes. I missed you. That’s why I was upset.”,paliwanag nito.

I smiled before answering.

“Good because I missed you too. Especially yang ngiti mo.”, sabi ko rito which made him grin at me.

Nang makarating kami sa bahay ay nagbihis agad ako. I checked my bag for the files I needed to look over pero wala ito roon kaya pinuntahan ko ang kotse. I was right. Naroon nga ang mga papeles. Isasara ko na sana ang pintuan ng kotse nang biglang may umilaw sa passenger seat. It was Jared’s phone indicating a low battery. Kinuha ko ito para ihatid kay Jared.

I knocked on his door ngunit walang sumagot. Binuksan ko ang pintuan at muntik nang mabitawan ang hawak kong mga papeles. Jared was almost naked. He only had his underwear on at aktong magsusuot ng t-shirt.

“Oh shit!”,pasigaw nitong sabi.

I was just stunned. He had such a beautiful body. I still looked at him like a kid looking at a chocolate cake on his birthday. I knew right then and there that I wanted him.

“Uhm, Rindel, if you don’t mind-“, naputol na ang kung ano mang sasabihin nito.

I closed that distance between us and kissed him. God I missed kissing him. I know I only kissed him twice but I couldn’t get enough.

He was shocked at first but then followed suit. He kissed me back.

My right hand made its way to his back and my left at the back of his neck. We kissed for who knows how long. Naghiwalay ang aming mga labi but only to breath. I put my forehead against his.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. You’re just so fucking hot.”

“Should I take that as a compliment?”, he asked. Breathless.

“Yes.”, I said and took his lips again.

We fell onto the bed. The kiss never breaking. Maya-maya pa ay tinanggal nito ang suot kong damit. I let him. He threw it on the floor. I could feel his growing erection on my thigh and I’m sure he could feel mine. He flipped us over so that he could be on top on me while kissing. I let my hands travel down his smooth back. I found the waistband of his boxer briefs and I played with them, teasing him.

I slipped my hands into his underwear and squeezed his ass. God, does this man have to be smooth all over? I thought.

Tumigil ito sa paghalik sa akin. He looked at me. Then spoke. “Take me.”

It took me a moment to process what he said. When I did, I’m pretty sure my eyes went out of their sockets.

ITUTULOY…

MORE AUTHOR'S NOTE:


Don't kill me! Hahaha! I love you guys! :)

LOVE AGAIN: Chapter 10

RINDEL'S POV

I had to admit. Nakakapanibagosaopisinangayongwalasi Jared. He always managed to keep the place alive with his jokes and witty comebacks. Sadyangmasiyahinsiyangtao. He has this infectious smile that whenever he does, the people around him can't help but smile as well. Now, I can't wait to go home and see that smile.

Home.Napailing ako. I never considered anywhere my home. After all, I was always alone. For me, a home is a place where you and your loved ones live. Not just a shelter to sleep in, eat in and to stay in. Now, thinking about where Jared and I live and considering it home somehow is a shock to me. Do I love Jared? Am I seriously in love with my assistant after a few days of being together? And not even together as boyfriends.

I smiled. Maybe I am.

Mabilis kong niligpit ang mga pinirmahan kong mga papeles para makauwi ako. Maybe I should get something for Jared.

I decided to call him and ask what he wanted for dinner.

"Hello?",pagsagot nito.

"Hey, sorry, did I wake up?", I asked when I noticed his raspy voice.

"Yeah. It's fine though.",sagot niya.

"Sorry. I should make it up to you. Do you want something to eat? I'll buy it on the way home.",sabi ko.

"Naku, hindina. Wag kana mag-abala.", tutolnito.

"I want to. Saka alam kong wala na tayong supply sa pagkain kaya hindi na rin tayo makakapagluto. Unless gusto mong noodles nalangangkaininnatin for dinner.",pagkontrakonamanrito.

He chuckled.

"If you insist then I think I want some Chinese food”, sabinito.

“Yun lang?”

“Yeah, yun lang.”, sagotnito.

“Okay, Chinese food coming right up. Can you wait for thirty minutes?”

“Sure. What if your late?”, he asked in a challenging tone.

“Then you get a kiss for free.”

Tumawaito. As I listened to him laugh, I found a smile slowly creeping its way on to my face.

“Then your time starts now Rindel.”,sabi nito saka tumawa bago pinatay ang tawag.

Napatawa nalang rin ako.

I better get moving then. Slowly.

As I drove to a nearby Chinese restaurant, I can’t help but think that I forgot to ask something. Nakalimutan kong itanong kung may particular na pagkain ba siyang gusting kainin. So I decided to buy a lot of menus.

Nadatnan kong nanonood ng Oculus siJared. He was scared. Alam ko dahil nagulat siya nang buksan ko ang pintuan.

Natawa ako sa kanyang naging reaksyon. Dahilan para batuhin ako nito ng throw pillow.

“Hahaha! Nakita mo sana ang mukha mo! Takot na takot ka oh!”,panunukso ko sa kanya.

“Ikaw ba naman ang manood ng pelikulang nakakatakot mag-isa tapos biglang may magbukas ng pintuan, hindi kamatakot!”,naiinis nitong sagot.

Patuloy pa rin ako sa pagtawa at naupo nalang ito sa sofa at sumimangot.

“Alright. I’m sorry.”,sabi ko habang pinipigilan ang tawa.

Hindi ito kumibo.

“Hey, sorry na. It was mean of me to laugh.”,pagsuyo ko rito ngunit hindi pa rin ako nito pinansin.

I decided to sit down beside him. I put the take out on the center table. Humarap ako sa kanya ngunit iniiwas nito ang tingin sa akin. I held his shoulders and made him face me.

“I’m sorry.”,sabikorito. This time, hindi ako tumawa.

He looked into my eyes. Then he nodded.

“I know what will make you forgive me.”

I quickly went to the kitchen and got eating utensils as well as two drinking glasses. I took out the takeout from the bag. I placed them on the table.

“Bakit parang andami ng pinamili mo?”,takang tanong nito.

“Aha!! Nagsalita ka rin!”

He rolled his eyes at my childish reaction.

I just grinned at him.

“Bakit nga? Andami nyan.Paano natin uubusin yan?”,sabi nito. Naiiritanaulit.

“Relax. I forgot to ask you what you wanted so I kinda bought everything.”,paliwanag ko sa kanya.

“Ha? Eh di sana nagtext ka sa akin. Masasayang lang yan.”

“Nope. We can always re-heat these tomorrow. Yun ay kung may sobra.”

Tumango ito. “Ano ba ang mga pinili mo?”,tanong niya.

“Um, we have Orange Chicken, Szechuan Noodles with Spicy Beef Sauce, Chinese Green Beans and Lettuce Wraps.”

Biglang tumunog ang tiyan ni Jared nang matapos kong sabihin kung ano-ano ang pinamili ko.

I looked at him and noticed a tinge of pink on his cheeks.

“See. Gutom ka.Mauubos natin to.”,sabi ko na nakangiti.

“Shut up. Syempre gutom ako. It’s been 48 minutes. Kanina pa ako naghihintay.”

I looked at my watch and saw that it’s already 7:52 PM. I smiled at this.

“So I guess I owe you a kiss.”,sabi ko sa kanyang nakangisi sabay galaw ng mga kilay.

“Sabihinmo, sinadya mo lang talagang tagalan para makahalik ka sakin.”,sabi nito sabay kuha ng pagkain at nilagay sa pinggan nito.

I just smiled and did the same before answering.

“So you’re saying you don’t like my kiss?”, I challenged.

“No, I didn’t say that.”

“So you do like my kisses?”, I challenged again.

“I didn’t say that either.”, he said and took a bite of orange chicken.

I laughed at this.

“So am I forgiven?”, I asked.

“Yes. But only because you bought so much food.”

“Fair enough. But tell me if it was the other way around, would you not laugh?”, I asked.

He was quiet. Then looked at me and laughed.

“Okay, fine, I would totally laugh if it was you who got scared.”

At nagtawanan kami.Pinatuloy naming ang panonood ng Oculus habang kumakain. Maya-maya pa ay natapos na ito at napagpasyahan naming manood pa ng isa pang pelikula.

“The Fault in Our Stars? Seryoso ka ba?”, I asked.

He nodded. “Yes. Matagal ko na to gustong mapanood eh.”, he said.

“Fine.”, I said habang nililigpit ang mga napagkainan namin.

It turns out, the movie was great. Sad and heartbreaking but beautiful nonetheless. I found myself crying at some point of the movie. Ganun rin si Jared.

He ended up resting his head on my shoulders again throughout the movie. Nang matapos ang pelikula ay nagpunas ito ng luha saka tumingin sa ‘kin.

“Ang unfair naman nun.”,sabinito. “May cancer nangasila, ganun pa ang love story nila.”

I nodded. “Apparently the world is not a wish-granting factory.”, I quoted from the movie.

“Apparently.”

“But you know what?”, I asked him.

“What?”

“Mas gusto koyungganun.”,sabiko.

“Ang mamatay sa cancer?”,takang tanong niya.

“Loko! Hindi!”, I laughed. “I meant their love story. Yes, it was short and yes, it was bittersweet but it was true. It was real and nothing could ever replace true love. Sabi pa ngani Hazel Grace di ba, “Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.”,pero hindi yun nagging hadlang sa pagmamahalan nilang dalawa.”

“Did that happen? Sayo?”, he asked.

I was taken aback. Hindi pa palaalamni Jared kung bakitakoganito. Kung bakit papalit-palit ako ng lalake na para bang damit. I thought about if I should tell him or not. I decided on the latter.

“I don’t wanna talk about it.”, I said saka tumayo nang bigla ako nitong hawakan sa kamay.

I looked at him. He was looking down.

“I - I’d like to c-claim the kiss.”,pagkakuwan ay sabiniya.

I chuckled.

I then pulled him up and asked him to look at me.

He did and then I kissed him. I kissed him slowly yet I poured all my feelings for him in that kiss. I slipped my tongue into his mouth. He gave me access and our tongues danced for dominance. We kissed for what seemed like eternity. Then we stopped. Both breathless.Parehong ayaw bumitaw sa pagkakayakap ng isa’t-isa. I didn’t even notice how his hands went into my hair and how my hands made their way under his shirt.

He was going to say something pero natigil iyon nang biglang mag-ring ang cellphone ko.

TO BE CONTINUED….

AUTHOR’S NOTE: 

Dun dun dun!! Cliffhanger! Okay, This is probably the longest chapter I’ve written for this story. I am so proud of myself. Hahaha! I hope you guys are still reading this because I now have the time and resources to write. Comments please and recommend to other readers na kilala ninyo!

SPECIAL THANKS to Alfred of TO.Thank you Alfred for not giving up on my story despite my slow updates in the past. I’ll try to work faster. 

-PENSandPAPERS