Chapter 46

Mikha POV

Ilang araw na din yung lumipas simula nung nangyareng halik samin ni Aiah.

Mas naging malapit kami sa isa’t isa, at kahit hindi na namin muling napag-usapan pa yung nangyare sa falls, ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagbabago.

There was this unspoken, beautiful electricity between us-every touch felt lingering, and every smile shared felt like a quiet confession.

Unable to keep it all to myself anymore, I ended up talking to Jhoanna about what happened between me and Aiah. Pero nakakapagtaka lang, dahil habang nag-uusap kami, parang may malalim at mapagmahal na kahulugan yung bawat sinasabi niya.

Flashback

“Hey Mikha, don’t think too much okay? It’s not good for you,” Jhoanna said, tapping my shoulder softly with a knowing smile.

“But I want you to know that you are so free to feel everything. Wala kang tinatapakang tao, Mikha. That’s why kuya Gelo and your father brought you here. It’s safe to live your life here.”

“I know, Jo. I know, you know my past, and I understand why you can’t say anything about it yet,” I sighed, a soft smile forming on my lips as Aiah’s face flashed in my mind. “But somehow, there’s this feeling inside me… Parang si Aiah, parang matagal na kaming magkakilala. Something about her just completely calms my soul down.”

Jhoanna smiled warmly, her eyes turning soft and teary. “Mikha, if your mind doesn’t remember anything, make your heart remember. You can never go wrong with that. Trust your heart, Mikha… and I’m always here for you… The moment the accident happened, akala talaga namin hindi mo kakayanin. But believe me, seeing you alive right now and learning to love again makes your loved ones-and even your forgotten loved ones-so incredibly happy. Everything works for good, and that life of yours is a blessing to us. So for now, let’s prioritize your well-being para gumaling ka na agad, buddy.”

End of Flashback

“If your mind doesn’t remember anything, make your heart remember. You can never go wrong with that. Trust your heart, Mikha.”

These words kept echoing inside my head, melting all my doubts away. Tama si Jhoanna. As long as I follow my heart, I will never go wrong. At kung ano man o sino man si Aiah sa nakaraan ko, ang mahalaga ay sigurado ako sa nararamdaman ko ngayon-na mahalaga siya sa akin. I knew for sure that she plays a huge, beautiful part in my life. I will make things right, one heartbeat at a time.

I was sitting out on the balcony, the cool evening breeze brushing against my skin. I picked up my acoustic guitar, gently resting it on my lap. As my fingers found the chords, I started strumming a sweet, romantic melody, my voice naturally catching the tune as I began to sing out into the quiet night.

“Halika rito…

Sumugal ka ng sampung minuto.

Sabay tayong maglalayag sa kawalan,

Sakay ng ating isipan…”

I closed my eyes, letting the music take over, feeling a deep sense of peace. With every chord, my mind automatically drifted back to that magical encounter inside the hidden cave.

Habang kumakanta ako, kusa kong naalala kung paano nagsalubong ang mga labi namin sa likod ng talon…Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala hanggang ngayon. I could still vividly feel how incredibly soft and hot Aiah’s lips were against mine. It was a deep, consuming warmth that completely paralyzed my thoughts. Naalala ko rin kung paano nagwala ang puso ko noon-sobrang bilis ng tibok, kulang nalang ay lumabas sa dibdib ko sa tindi ng kaba at kilig. static felt like it was rushing through my veins all over again just remembering the texture of her skin and the weight of her breath.

“Iwan natin silang lahat,

Tayo muna hanggang sa pagdilat.

Buburahin lahat ng alaala kasama sila…”

Thinking about Aiah, my voice softened into a breathless, loving whisper, pouring all my hidden emotions into the lyrics.

“Saglit lang, tayo muna bang dalawa…

Saglit lang, tayo munang dalawa…”

I leaned into the rhythm, my heart fluttering with a sudden, intense sweetness.

“Lumapit ka rito…

Kahit na sampung segundo.

Hawakan ang aking kamay kahit pasmado,

Magsisilbing tulay tungo sa ‘di sigurado.

Iwan natin silang lahat,

Tayo muna hanggang sa pagdilat.

Buburahin lahat ng alaala kasama sila…”

As the last chord resonated in the air, I slowly opened my eyes and lifted my head from the guitar.

My breath instantly hitched.

It was completely surreal, like my daydreaming literally brought her to life.

Right there, standing just a few feet away near the balcony door, was Aiah.

Kanina pa pala siya nandoon, tahimik na nakikinig at nakatitig sa akin habang inaalala ko ang mga labi niya.

The view of her took my breath away. She looked absolutely stunning under the silver moonlight, her hair gently flowing with the wind. But what made my heart skip a beat was the look in her eyes-they were beautifully soft, brimming with a tender mix of worry, deep longing, and an undeniable, overflowing admiration. She was looking at me as if I was her entire universe.

“A-aiah…” gulat na sabi ko, biglang nabulol dahil sa labis na tibok ng puso ko.

She smiled, a breathtaking, beautiful smile that reached her eyes, making them glisten. “Don’t stop, Miks. It’s so beautiful.”

“Salamat… K-kanina ka pa ba dyan? Hindi kita napansin,” I stammered, my cheeks instantly heating up into a deep blush.

I quickly stood up, almost tripping over my own guitar stand in the process. Literal na nag-panic ang puso ko dahil yung taong idinedaydream ko lang habang kumakanta, ngayon ay prenteng nakatayo sa harap ko, looking at me like with so much love.

“Ha-have a seat! Amm… Ano, meryenda? Tea, coffee? Or pastry, gusto mo? Nag-bake kasi ako kanina, e,”

stammered ko, halos maputol ang dila ko sa tindi ng kaba habang natataranta kung anong unang iaabot sa kanya.

Aiah softy smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s okay, Miks. Kakain ko lang, medyo busog pa ako… Pero salamat.”

“Ah, hehe… Ganun ba…”

Dahan-dahan siyang umupo sa tabi ko sa balcony bench. Saktong-sakto lang ang space, kaya naman bahagyang nagdikit ang mga braso namin. The instant contact sent a literal electric shock straight up my spine.

“Oo nga pala… Napadaan ka?” tanong ko, sinusubukang ibalik ang cool kong boses.

Inayos niya ang ilang hibla ng buhok na humarang sa mukha niya bago tumingin sa akin. Her gaze was purely magnetic.

“Sorry… Narinig ko kasing tumutugtog ka. I just… I couldn’t help it, Miks. When you started singing, my feet just moved on their own. I needed to hear it live. And I needed to be near you while you sang it.”

“N-nagustuhan mo ba? Baka nakakabulahaw na pala ako sa maganda kong kapitbahay. Pasensya ka na.”

“Uyy, hindi ah…” Humina ang boses niya, at biglang may dumaang matinding lungkot sa mga mata niya habang nakatitig sa gitara ko. “I like it. I really, really like it… It actually reminds me of something.”

The look in her eyes was so heavy with a mysterious longing that it made my chest ache.

“Ga-ganun ba? Sige… I’ll play more for you.”

I adjusted my fingers and started to strum a few more chords, playing a softer, more romantic melody.

Throughout the whole song, she just looked at me. It was the look of a girl who was so deeply, irrevocably in love. Her gaze was so intense, so full of devotion, that it made me delusional-making me feel like, deep down in my forgotten past, she and I really had something beautiful. Something sacred.

Maya-maya pa, sa kalagitnaan ng huling kanta ko, biglang bumuhos ang isang napakalakas na ulan.

Natawa ako nang mahina

“Mukhang niloloko mo yata ako, Miss Aiah… Mukhang yung panahon na mismo ang umaayaw sa boses ko.”

Aiah shook her head instantly, her eyes locking onto mine with a soft, teasing glint.

“No… Baka naiyak lang yung kalangitan sa sobrang ganda ng boses mo.”

Before I could even process the heavy blush creeping up my face, isang malakas na kulog ang umalingawngaw, kasabay ng mas paglakas ng hampas ng ulan.

“Naku lumalakas na yung ulan.

Tara, pasok ka muna sa loob… Hindi kaya ng payong yung lakas ng ulan na ‘to,” seryoso kong sabi sabay hawak sa siko niya para gabayan siya papasok.

The moment the balcony doors closed behind us, the tension inside my living room completely shifted. Sobrang iba. Parang biglang nabawasan ang hangin sa paligid at nahihirapan akong huminga.

I mean, just having Aiah’s presence inside my house… it did something crazy to my system.

Hindi ko na alam ang sasabihin ko, pero mas lalo akong nataranta nung mapansin kong maging siya ay tila naiilang din. For a solid five seconds, we just stood there, staring deeply into each other’s eyes under the dim living room lights.

“A-amm… I’ll just get us some coffee. Hot or cold?”

“Hot,” she said.

There was a strange, heavy emphasis on how she said it. Pagtalikod ko papuntang kitchen, ramdam ko ang biglang pagpatak ng pawis ko sa gilid ng noo. Napalunok nalang ako nang malalim.

Gulp.

Relax, Mikha. Don’t be nervous. Hindi niya pwedeng mahalata na kinakabahan Kaya mo ‘to. Inhale, exhale.

Pagkatapos kong magtimpla nang mabilisan, agad kong dinala ang tray sa sala.

“Here, drink it habang mainit pa.”

She sniffed the aroma and giggled softly.

“Wow, brewed coffee… Mukhang walang matutulog sa’tin tonight.”

My mind immediately short-circuited. GHAD OF NEPTUNE, ano ba ‘tong iniisip ko?! Iba ang dating sa akin ng pagkakasabi niya, but I forced myself to act cool and let out a fake, nervous laugh.

“Ah, oo nga, pampagising.”

Inilapit ko sa kanya yung platito.

“Here, taste this cake. I baked it a while ago. Mag-uwi ka din mamaya ha.”

Tinitigan ko siya nang maigi, napansin ang bahagyang pagbaba ng balikat niya.

“Oo nga pala… How are you? I mean… Amm, you’re alone sa house niyo, and feeling ko… sobra kang nalulungkot lately. I just want to check on you. But if you’re not comfortable sharing, it’s totally okay, Aiah.”

Aiah paused, staring down at her coffee mug as the steam fogged up her face.

“Actually… Okay naman na ako. And I’ve realized a lot of things lately.” She lifted her head, her beautiful eyes shimmering with pure sincerity.

“Malaking tulong ka, Mikha. Being with you… being near you, it makes me so genuinely happy.”

My heart did a violent flip inside my chest. Napalunok ako, feeling my lips tremble a bit before I could find my voice.

“S-seryoso ba? I’m… I’m really glad, Aiah. One call away lang ako dito, pero basta ikaw… I’ll always make sure na okay ka.”

Before she could answer, isang napakalakas na kidlat ang gumuhit sa langit, sinundan ng kulog na halos magpayanig sa buong bahay.

Zapp!

Biglang nawalan ng ilaw. Total darkness.

“Mikha!”

Aiah shrieked in pure panic.

Bago ko pa man maiproseso ang nangyari, I felt a warm, trembling body crash into mine. Aiah threw her arms tightly around my neck, sobbing as she buried her face into the crook of my shoulder. She was hyperventilating, her whole body shaking violently from a sudden panic attack.

Seeing her this terrified triggered something visceral deep inside me. It felt like an old instinct kicking in-a deep, ancient urge to protect this girl from any harm. Whether it was a trauma from a storm or something she was secretly holding onto, I didn’t care. I just knew I couldn’t let her go.

I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist, pulling her flush against my chest to anchor her.

“Shh… It’s okay. It’s okay, Aiah. Everything’s okay, I’m here.”

“Don’t leave me, please… Mikha, don’t, please…”

she cried, her voice cracking into tiny, heartbroken pieces that cut right through my soul.

Mas lalo niyang isiniksik ang mukha niya sa leeg ko, gripping the fabric of my shirt so hard as if she was terrified I would vanish into thin air if she let go.

“I won’t. Andito lang ako, okay? Hindi kita iiwan, wag kang matakot,”

I whispered over and over, my heart aching with so much emotional concern. I gently rubbed her back, swaying her slightly in the dark, pouring all the love and reassurance I could give into that embrace.

Ilang oras na din ang lumipas, pero walang tigil pa rin ang buhos ng ulan sa labas. At ang pwesto namin ni Aiah mula kanina? Hindi na nabago. We didn’t even attempt to move away from each other, as if our bodies were already so naturally used to being this close. It felt too comfortable, too right.

Nakaupo kami sa sahig, nakasandal sa sofa. My arm was securely wrapped around her waist, supporting her back, while her head was resting heavily on my shoulder. It was incredibly romantic-the quiet house, the sound of the rain, the warmth of her body against mine. But more than the romance, I felt this intense, protective instinct. Every now and then, nililingon ko siya, noticing how her eyelashes were still damp from her tears.

To be honest, ihing-ihi na talaga ako. Kanina pa sumasakit ang pantog ko, but looking at how peacefully she was resting against me, it felt like I didn’t have the absolute right to move or go anywhere, Bahala na kung mag ka UTI. Since she needed me to stay still, I would stay still. Ganyan siya kalakas sa akin.

Bzzzz.

Suddenly, the lights flickered back on.

“Thank God,” bulong ko.

The sudden brightness brought us back to reality. Dahan-dahan kaming naghiwalay ng yakap, and an immediate, thick, awkward silence filled the room.

“Amm… Aiah?”

“Mikha?”

sabay naming tawag sa isa’t isa, tapos pareho kaming natawa nang ilang.

Clear my throat, I took a leap of faith.

“Ano… Kaya dito ka nalang kaya matulog? Gabi na din kasi at masyadong malakas pa rin yung ulan sa labas. Isa pa, mag-isa ka lang sa bahay niyo… Dito ka muna sa bahay para may kasama ka kahit papaano.”

Napahinto siya, napatitig sa akin na para bang nag-iisip nang malalim bago dahan-dahang tumango bilang pagsang-ayon.

“Alright! A-ayusin ko lang yung kwarto!”

panicking ko namang sagot habang mabilis na tumatayo.

“I have an unused toothbrush sa shower room, and if you want to take a bath, isusunod ko nalang yung tuwalya at damit.”

Hahakbang na sana ako paalis nang biglang may maalala akong importanteng itanong. Nilingon ko siya ulit.

“Aiah.”

“Mikha?”

“How about a hot bath? Do you need the heater? Baka kasi lamigin ka nang husto, Medyo malamig.”

Aiah’s cheeks flushed a soft pink under the light.

“Amm… Sure. Thank you, Miks.”

I just smiled in pure nervousness and nodded before rushing up to fix everything.

I highly respect Aiah, kaya naman hindi ako yung tipo ng tao na magti-take advantage sa ganitong sitwasyon. I had absolutely no plans of sleeping in the same bed with her tonight. Sa sala nalang ako matutulog sa sofa para mas kumportable siya sa kwarto.

Pagkatapos niyang maligo, pilit kong iniwas ang tingin ko para hindi siya mailang habang inaayos ko ang mga unan at kumot niya. Noong masiguro kong okay na ang lahat, pumasok na din ako sa banyo para makaligo nang mabilis bago dumiretso sa sala para matulog.

The entire house was dead quiet. Ang tanging naririnig ko nalang ay ang mahinang ugong ng aircon mula sa sala habang nakahiga ako sa sofa. Iniisip ko, baka mahimbing na ang tulog niya.

Since my brain refused to shut down and I couldn’t sleep for the life of me, I decided to turn on the TV. I was staring blankly at some random, boring late-night talk show, trying to drown out my thoughts, when a soft, hesitant voice broke the silence.

“A-amm… Mikha?”

The second that voice hit my ears, my heart skipped a dangerous beat. A powerful, overwhelming wave of déjà vu crashed into my brain, making my vision blur for a split second.

Teka… Parang… Parang nangyari na ‘to dati?

I aggressively tried to dig through my thoughts, desperately searching for a memory of this exact scenario, but my brain hit a solid brick wall. I just couldn’t grasp it.

Dahan-dahan akong napaupo sa sofa at napatingin kay Aiah, who was standing at the foot of the stairs wearing one of my oversized t-shirts.

“Po?”

I asked, looking up at her-and the moment I did, I instantly realized I shouldn’t have. Her eyes were incredibly soft, reflecting the dim, flickering light of the television. She looked so small, so beautifully vulnerable.

“Malaki naman yung kama mo, Kasyang-kasya naman tayong dalawa… Bakit hindi moko Samahan?”

I felt my throat tighten, my collar suddenly feeling suffocatingly hot.

“Ah… It’s okay! This couch is actually really comfortable, Aiah. Sanay naman ako matulog sa sofa, kaya okay na okay ako dito. Huwag mo na ako alalahanin.”

Instead of going back up, she took a slow step closer to the couch. Her voice dropped into a tiny, heartbroken whisper, a vulnerable plea that shattered all my defenses.

“Mikha, please…”

She looked down, gently biting her lower lip.

“I can’t sleep alone… Tsaka I really don’t mind sharing the bed with you. Do you mind?”

I looked at her. Her eyes were wide and glossy, looking exactly like a helpless puppy’s. She looked so stunningly real, so open. And when she looks at me like that… how on earth could I say no? How could I possibly turn her away when all she was asking for was just not to be alone in the dark?

I swallowed the massive lump in my throat and let out a slow, defeated breath.

“Okay,”

I said quietly.

I was completely defeated. No fighting it anymore. I am just a human being with weaknesses-and right now, Aiah was my beautiful, ultimate weakness.

But as I stood up to follow her in my room that heavy, striking feeling of a powerful déjà vu continued to echo relentlessly inside my head and my heart.

Nangyari na ‘to. Alam kong nangyari na ‘to.

…….

Aiah’s POV

Since that kiss behind the waterfall, I know something completely changed between us. For me, mas lalo ko lang siyang na-miss.

Mas lalo kong gustong mayakap at mahalikan yung mga labi niya.

Gusto kong maramdaman yung init niya, the exact same warmth that used to belong to me every single night.

And this feeling is torturing me.

Every day na i-vivideo call ko si Janna, sinasabi ko nalang sa kanya na may ginagawa si Mikha, o may biglaang alis, trabaho, o kahit anong palusot na maisip ko. But I am running out of time. Isang linggo nalang, kailangan na niyang bumalik sa baryo para bumalik sa school. Hindi ko alam pano ipapaliwanag sa kanya ang lahat kapag nalaman na niya ang totoo.

I don’t wanna rush Mikha, but the doctor says sometimes Mikha opens up at may mga blur dreams na daw siya about family, and sometimes déjà vu.

Is what I’m doing working? I mean, if the doctor says wag munang ikwento yung mga hindi niya naalala, hindi naman niya sinabing bawal iparamdam sa kanya ang mga nakalimutan niyang pakiramdam.

At least, I’m at ease now because napatunayan ko na kahit hindi ako makilala ng isip niya, ako parin yung gusto ng puso niya. Her body remembers me even if her memories don’t.

Good thing nandito kami sa liblib na lugar, malayo sa gulo ng totoong buhay namin. Kasi kung madaming babae sa paligid at aaligid kay Mikha at kaagaw ko, baka makapatay ako. Her charm is dangerous, and seeing anyone else look at her the way I do would completely break me.

So now, all in all, nandito ako, nagkakakasya maging butihing kapit bahay ng asawa ko.

Crossed fingers, sana makayanan kong hindi siya halikan ulit ngayong gabi. Kahit miss na miss ko na siya, hindi parin tama kasi sa isip niya, bago palang kaming magkakilala.

Mahirap na, baka this time ma-turn off siya sakin o mabigla siya sa tindi ng nararamdaman ko.

​Pero susulitin ko ‘tong gabing ‘to. Habang nararamdaman ko ang mga yabag niya sa likod ko patungo sa kwarto pagkatapos ko siyang pilitin na samahan ako,Parang sasabog yung puso ko, I miss being with her, sleeping with her, and waking up to her messy morning hair.

​I miss you so much, babi… Please remember me.
…….

Mikha POV

Sumunod na ako kay Aiah sa kwarto tapos marahang umupo sa gilid ng kama.

I felt this heavy, awkward tension suffocating the entire space, at sumasabay pa yung malakas na buhos ng ulan sa labas sa tindi ng nararamdaman ko ngayon. Ghad, my hands were literally sweating. Sana lang talaga hindi niya marinig yung maingay na tibok ng puso ko dahil sa sobrang lapit namin.

This is my own room, but right now, I felt like it wasn’t mine. Damn hormones! Mikha Lim, pull yourself together!

I looked up at her, and my breath completely trapped inside my throat. Aiah was just wearing one of my oversized t-shirts, and damn, she looked incredibly hot without even trying. The loose fabric slipped slightly off her shoulder, revealing her smooth, glowing collarbone. Her hair was still damp from the shower, smelling like fresh vanilla, and under the dim light, her bare legs looked so soft and tempting. She had this effortless, natural sensuality radiating from her na literal na nagpapainit sa buong sistema ko.

“Aiah…”

“Mikha…”

Sabay pa kaming nagsalita, making the atmosphere even more intense.

“Sige, mauna ka na. Ano ‘yun?” sabi ko, sinusubukang bawiin ang lakas ng loob ko.

“No, it’s okay. Ikaw muna, Miks,” she replied softly, her eyes locked onto mine.

I took a deep breath, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Ano… Amm, ano kasi, Aiah… After what happened to us doon sa falls….. I felt something unusual. Something na feeling ko, sobrang familiar. I mean, in my memories, we just newly met. Pero ang gulo, kasi I feel like I’ve known you for so long, and you know me too.”

Biglang bumigat yung damdamin ko habang nagpapatuloy ako sa pagsasalita. The frustration of my amnesia was finally breaking through.

“It was a mess, Aiah. Sobrang hirap ng walang maalala. Sobrang natatakot ako kung tama ba ‘tong nararamdaman ko.”

“What do you mean, Mikha?” she asked, her voice cracking slightly.

“I mean… it’s just such a strong feeling since day one na makita kita paggising ko sa ospital. Something different. Something I can’t explain… Like this feeling that I belong to you,” I breathed out, the truth finally spilling over. “Sorry for this sudden confession, Aiah. Alam ko naman na madaming bagay tungkol sa past ko na hindi ninyo pwedeng ipaalam sa akin ngayon, at naiintindihan ko naman ‘yun. Pero gusto ko lang malaman kung tama bang maramdaman ko ‘tong mga bagay na ‘to… Kasi kung mali, pipilitin kong itigil.”

Habang pinakikinggan niya ako, kitang-kita ko yung mga luha na gustong kumawala sa mga mata niya. There was a profound, aching longing in her gaze that I couldn’t explain, but it pierced through my chest.

Dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa akin, taking up the remaining space between us, and looked at me intently.

“Ano ba ang nararamdaman mo, Mikha?”

Napalunok ako dahil sa sobrang lapit niya. Hindi ko na rin nasagot ang tanong niya dahil maging ang utak ko ay tuluyan nang nag-shutdown. Basta ang alam ko, may kakaiba sa aming dalawa. It was a burning flame, an invisible thread, a feeling that defied all logic.

We were still looking at each other, her breath fanning over my lips. Her gaze was so intense na para akong mapapaso. It was completely tempting, drawing me in like a moth to a wire.

“Anong nararamdaman mo, Mikha?”

inulit niyang tanong, her voice dropping into a breathless whisper.

And then, before I could answer, she leaned in and captured my lips with a quick, sweet, torturous peck.

“A-Aiah?!” gulat na sabi ko, my eyes widening as my heart did a violent somersault.

Aiah smiled through her tears, her fingers gently moving up to cup my jaw.

“About that kiss… Sabi mo familiar, ‘di ba? Then why don’t we repeat it? So you can explain further.”

That was the exact moment my control completely snapped.

Hindi ko alam kung sino sa amin ang unang nag-initiate ng halik, but it was fast.

I didn’t care about the warnings anymore… yes, she was completely right, we needed to do it again. When I pulled her into me, our lips met in a collision of pure desire. At first, we kissed softly, parang ninanamnam lang muna namin ang labi ng isa’t isa, appreciating every touch and every shared breath.

But then I saw Aiah’s burning eyes. I don’t know if she was crying or what, but the emotion in her was so intense. Bigla niyang hinawakan ang bewang ko while her other hand cupped my face, deepening our kiss like she had been waiting for this exact moment forever.

It was a hot moment, but Aiah was definitely hotter. I could feel her skin burning against mine, transmitting a wild wave of electricity through my body.

A soft gasp escaped her mouth, at agad ko namang kinuha ang pagkakataon na ‘yon upang mas palalimin pa ang halik. My tongue swirled with hers habang ang ulan ay patuloy na humahampas sa labas. Everything became a blur of intense heat and heavy friction. Lost in the intoxicating fog of the moment, hindi na namin namalayan na ang mga kamay namin ay kusa nang gumagapang sa ilalim ng suot naming damit, craving for the raw, direct contact of bare skin.

With feverish, desperate movements, clothes were discarded, thrown mindlessly somewhere on the floor. Sabay kaming natumba sa kama, and we were both completely naked now-stripped of all defenses and completely drunken with a burning fire that we could no longer contain. Wala ‘to sa plano, pero hindi ko na din mapigilan yung nararamdaman ko.

​Yung mga kamay ko, parang kusang gumagalaw, trailing to her entire curve with a flawless, desperate familiarity.

​I kissed her lips passionately, consuming her gasps, before trailing my lips down to her burning skin. I worshiped her neck with hot, lingering kisses, making her back arch completely off the mattress as she let out a breathless, weak moan. Every point of contact felt like gasoline on a roaring flame. Our bodies were locked together, slick with sweat, completely overtaken by a burning fire so hot, it felt like we were melting into one single soul in the dark.

“Aagghh Mikha… oh ghad, I miss you,” she whimpered against my mouth.

I miss you? Nabigla ako nang bahagya. My mind stalled for a split second, wondering why she would say those words as if we had been apart for years.

Ngunit bago pa man ako makapag-isip nang malalim, the burning sensation of her body against mine completely erased my doubts. Aiah suddenly cupped my face with both of her hands, her fingers trembling with so much love as she pulled me down into a fiercely possessive, devastatingly hot kiss.

It was an explosion of pure, raw emotion-so consuming, deep, and full of devotion na literal na nawala ang lahat ng gulo sa iniisip ko. Para niyang itinatali ang buong kaluluwa niya sa akin, marking me as hers and hers alone. In an instant, any lingering confusion sa utak ko ay biglang naglaho, napalitan ng tindi at sarap ng bawat paglapat ng mga labi namin.

From that moment on, ang natitirang ilangan sa pagitan namin ay tuluyang napunit. Driven by a breathless, wild energy, Aiah completely took over, worshiping my body with a fiery passion and an intense longing na halos maubos ang hininga ko. She flipped our positions with sudden strength, pinning me beneath her habang ang mga kamay niya ay nakayakap nang mahigpit sa bewang ko, pulling me flush against her burning skin. She looked so breathless, wild, and incredibly beautiful under the dim light, mapping every inch of my skin sa pamamagitan ng mga maiinit at nagmamadaling halik na tila ba takot na takot siyang mawala ako.

We were completely drunken with a burning fire so hot, losing ourselves to a passionate, breathtaking rhythm na punong-puno ng pagmamahal-isang rurok ng emosyon na wala na kaming balak pigilan pa.

Habang dahan-dahang humuhupa ang bagyo sa labas, ang tanging natira sa silid ay ang mabibilis na paghinga naming dalawa at ang init ng kanyang katawan na nakayakap sa akin. As I looked at her sleeping peacefully on my chest, one thing became absolutely clear: my mind might be completely broken, but tonight, I finally feel like I’m home.
….