SAHARA’s lips were warm and soft. He didn’t have to wait long for her to respond because the moment his lips touched hers, her mouth instinctively opened, as if she’s been wanting the kiss as much as he did.
All of a sudden, he ended the kiss as if he’d been burned. “I missed you so much, Sahara. Ever since I saw you again, I can’t get you off my head,” he whispered while looking deep into her eyes. With the lamp still in one hand, he caressed her cheek with the other. Her eyes were sparkling against the light. “Alam mo ba kung gaano kahirap para sa’kin na makita ka na may kasamang iba? It was the worst feeling, Sahara. Knowing that you’re with someone else – with someone I knew all my life…alam mo ba kung ano ang gusto kong gawin ‘nung nakita kong kasama mo si…Tito Ric
NANATILIlang si Ace na nakayakap sa kanya pagkatapos ng lahat. Nakahiga na ito sa tabi niya, nakaunan ang ulo sa kanyang balikat na parang bata. “I love you,” she heard him whisper, without looking at her. “You don’t need to say anything now, Sahara. I just feel that I need to tell you that I love you.”Tumagilid siya ng higa para humarap rito. “Pero Ace, napag-usapan na natin ‘to, diba?”“Yes, I know.” Tumagilid rin ito ng higa gaya niya. “Naalala mo ‘yung sinabi ko sa’yo no’n na I’m willing to be your kept lover?” he whispered while his fingers were busy featherly touching her arm. “Well, I still do, Sahara. Kahit habang-buhay.”“Seryoso?” Napangiti siya.“Mukha ba ‘kong nagbibiro?” Pinaseryoso nito ang mukha – kinunot nito ang noo, pinagsalubong ang mga kilay at pinaliit ang mga mata, na
EVERYTHING’s set. Ace called Agustin last night para sunduin sila ni Sahara sa Inn. The plan – tutuloy sila sa airport at lilipad patungong Boracay. He called their hotel, booked a room and probably from there, they could arrange another flight to Palawan or wherever because he’s sure that his Tito Ricky would do everything to find Sahara – and if he discovered that she’s with him, he’s dead.“Come on, let’s have some breakfast first while waiting for Agustin,” bulong niya sa tainga ni Sahara.Tumango ito nang bahagya at ngumiti. Hawak-kamay silang magkatabing naupo sa bar ng Inn. Ipinatong niya ang mga gamit ni Sahara sa ibabaw ng bar counter at iayos niya ang pagkaka-sukbit ng knapsack sa kanyang balikat. Good thing that the entire place was still operating despite what happened. Maaliwalas na ang kalangitan, na parang walang nangyari. Alas siyete pa lamang ng umaga pero abalang-abala na ang lahat
“WELCOMEhome, hija!”“It’s good to be home, Dad!” masayang bati ni Karen sa ama pagdating na pagdating niya sa kanilang mansion. Her Dad was busy reading the newspaper that morning in the garden when they arrived.Mr. Agusto Montinola was balding. Malaki ang tiyan nito at paminsan-minsan ay kailangan na ng alalay dahil hirap nang maglakad sa tuwing inaatake ng arthritis. He’s almost seventy at kung si Karen ang tatanungin, dapat ay mag-retire na ito sa pagne-negosyo.“Akala ko hindi mo na ipapakita sa akin ang apo ko, eh.”“P’wede ba naman ‘yon? Eh ito’ng si Miguel ang susunod sa mga yapak ninyo,” nakangiti niyang sabi. Kinuha niya si Miguel, ang kanyang isang taong gulang na anak sa yaya nito at ibinigay sa ama.Tuwang-tuwa naman ito na binuhat ang unang apo. “At sino pa nga ba? Eh nag-iisang apo ko itong si Miguelito!” Iniupo nito ang
KAREN’Sfather has been a womanizer all his life at hindi na rin niya matandaan kung kailan nagsimulang mawala ang hilig nito sa mga babae. Nevertheless, she was happy about it. Her dad became a more respectable man and a better father. Isa na rin siguro iyon sa mga dahilan kung bakit pinili niya ang baguhin ang sariling buhay at lumagay na sa tahimik.At first, Sebastian was just a challenge for her. Boyfriend ito ng dati niyang best friend, na naging malupit niyang kaaway, at wala siyang hangarin noon kundi ang paghigantihan si Sahara dahil sa pang-aagaw nito kay Ace. She loved Ace more than anybody, more than anything and she swore to her life that she’d do anything to win his heart again.But things changed when she was able to know Sebastian more. He was a good soul and when he learned about her being pregnant, he didn’t think twice in being a part of the whole parenting process. Sinasamahan siya nito tuwing check-ups, sa pa
NAGULATpa si Sahara nang pagkatapos niyang maligo ay nadatnan niya si Ricky na nakatayo sa harap ng pinto ng banyo. He was still wearing his typical office attire, wearing that usual dreamy smile. Alas sais pa lamang ng gabi kaya naman hindi niya inaasahan ang maagang pagdating nito sa kanyang condominium unit, lalo pa’t halos isang linggo na itong hindi nagpapakita roon.“Can I invite my girl to a romantic dinner?”Kumunot ang noo niya. Nilampasan niya si Ricky at humarap sa vanity mirror. “Ano’ng okasyon?” mahina pero matigas niyang tanong.Sa halip na mainis ay napangiti si Ricky. Mabilis itong lumakad palapit sa kanyang likuran. Agad nitong hinapit ang kanyang baywang at inamuy-amoy ang kanyang leeg. “Walang okasyon. I just missed you.”“Paano’ng hindi mo ‘ko mami-miss, halos isang linggo kang hindi nagpakita. Kahit sa office, wala ka man lang pasabi.”
“WHERE are you going?”Hindi naituloy ni Sahara ang pagbukas ng pinto dahil sa tanong na iyon. Dahan-dahan niyang nilingon si Ricky na noon ay nakatayo sa likuran niya, hawak ang isang tasa ng kape.“I-I just need to buy some new make up.”“Come on, I’ll drive.” Ibinaba nito ang tasa sa ibabaw ng center table at kinuha ang susi ng kotse sa bulsa.Umiling siya. “Hindi na, Ricky. Nariyan naman si Mang Julio and besides, may meeting ka, hindi ba?”“I can re-schedule it, honey,” sabi nito sabay halik sa kanyang pisngi. “It’s Sunday anyway. I guess I deserve some time off from the office and be with my love.”“No, really, honey. I can manage. Ayoko namang maka-istorbo ako sa trabaho mo and baka may makakita sa atin na magkasama. Si…Martina baka-““It’s perfectly fine. She’s out of town so you don’t
“WHERE are you going?”Hindi naituloy ni Sahara ang pagbukas ng pinto dahil sa tanong na iyon. Dahan-dahan niyang nilingon si Ricky na noon ay nakatayo sa likuran niya, hawak ang isang tasa ng kape.“I-I just need to buy some new make up.”“Come on, I’ll drive.” Ibinaba nito ang tasa sa ibabaw ng center table at kinuha ang susi ng kotse sa bulsa.Umiling siya. “Hindi na, Ricky. Nariyan naman si Mang Julio and besides, may meeting ka, hindi ba?”“I can re-schedule it, honey,” sabi nito sabay halik sa kanyang pisngi. “It’s Sunday anyway. I guess I deserve some time off from the office and be with my love.”“No, really, honey. I can manage. Ayoko namang maka-istorbo ako sa trabaho mo and baka may makakita sa atin na magkasama. Si…Martina baka-““It’s perfectly fine. She’s out of town so you don’t
“SO, who is he?”She just came out from the shower when she saw Ricky sitting on the bed, with newspaper in his hands. Seryoso ito sa pagbabasa. He was already dressed up with his favorite black suit. Ngayong gabi kasi ang birthday ng isa sa malalapit nitong kaibigan sa negosyo at gusto nitong isama siya roon bilang ‘executive assistant’. Yeah, she should get used to it, but she couldn’t. Hanggang kailan nga ba siya mananatiling isang ‘executive assistant’ ng isang Arch. Ricardo Aguas?“The guy at Mandy’s. The one with a group of people, beside our table. Who is he?”Si Baste. Hindi alam ni Sahara na napansin pala iyon ni Ricky. “Bakit?” sa halip ay tanong niya. Tumuluy-tuloy siya sa walk-in closet para kumuha ng isusuot na damit.“He smiled at you…and you smiled back at him.”Kunwa’y inabala ni Sahara ang sarili sa pamimili ng isusuot