Nagising ako kinabukasan na may humahalik na naman sa balikat ko. Hindi ko na lang sana papansinin pero napadaing ako nang maramdaman kong may gumagapang na kamay sa katawan ko. Shit.

"Hoy, William, ang aga-aga! Pagpahingahin mo nga ako!" reklamo ko sa kanya pero pinagtawanan niya lang ako. Instead of stopping, he continued touching my body and I gasped when he started to fondle my breasts again. Napadilat na nang tuluyan ang mga mata ko at hinampas ko agad siya sa braso dahil doon.

"I don't think I'll ever get enough of you, love," William whispered in my ear na siyang nagpatindig ng balahibo ko. Unti-unti ko na namang nararamdaman ang pag-init ng katawan ko at halos mapamura na ako nang mapansing may matigas sa may binti ko.

"Ohmygod. Seriously, William? As early as now?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kanya. Imbis na sagutin niya ang tanong ko, isang malalim na halik ang ibinigay niya sa akin. When he stopped kissing me, sinamaan ko agad siya ng tingin.

"What?" he asked and he even had the nerve to laugh! Oh, God. Masusuntok ko 'to nang wala sa oras e. Hindi pa kaya ako nakapag-brush ng teeth tapos gusto niya, action agad? Hello? Hindi ba pwedeng hygiene first?

"Stop it, William. What time is it na ba?" I asked him in an attempt to change the topic and to make his mind wander somewhere else. But to my dismay, he just kept on drawing circles on my tummy. He was teasing me and god damn it, I'm about to give in anytime soon.

"Love, don't hold that breath. Relax..." he whispered again which made me shudder and release the breath I didn't even know I was holding in. He was about to pull down the sheets that were covering my body when my focus shifted somewhere else.

"Where did you get that painting?" The style of the painting was insanely familiar. Pakiramdam ko, I've seen it somewhere before but I couldn't remember where. Napabuntong-hininga si William bago siya umayos ng pagkakahiga sa tabi ko. I was still distracted by how hard he is right now but I chose to keep my eyes on the painting that I was referring to.

"My mom bought it before from an artist who was introduced by her amiga. She insisted that I should place that painting here. Hindi naman na ako nagreklamo. Why do you ask?" William said as he pulled me closer to him. Ang ending tuloy, halos halikan ko na yung dibdib niya sa lapit namin sa isa't isa. Rinig na rinig ko ang tibok ng puso niya dahil sa posisyon naming 'to. Was his heart beating so fast because I'm beside him right now o dahil sa nabitin na naman niyang balak? Whatever the case is, I did not bother to ask.

"It's familiar kasi. I feel like I've seen it before..." Napaisip ulit ako kung saan ko nga ba nakita yung painting na 'to. When it finally clicked, napabangon ako bigla sa pagkakahiga, pulling the sheets away from William. I had to look away agad para hindi ko tuloy siya makita.

Shit. Saglit na panahon lang talaga, nahawa na agad ako sa kaharutan ng lalaking 'to.

"Oh shit. Kaya pala familiar! I have a similar painting in my room! That's made by CLouise F, right?"

"I don't really remember the name of the artist but seriously?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni William and he did not even bother to cover himself. Masyado siyang proud sa katawan niyang kanina pa talaga ako tinutukso. Damn it. I had to mentally slap myself para mawaglit sa isipan ko yung kanina ko pang nararamdaman na pag-init ng katawan ko.

"Yes nga! I saw her works online kasi. Nagandahan ako so I ordered one. May gusto pa nga sana akong ipa-commission sa kanya but she's been busy with a lot of projects pa. What are the odds that we'll have something common like this?" Napangiti ako at the thought. Akala ko talaga kasi, we wouldn't share any similarities anymore. And by that time comes, William would eventually get tired of me and dump me somewhere. But every day, we learn things about ourselves which gives us more reasons to stick together.

And it's not just because we often make out or by this, we did something more than that. Hindi lang talaga siya because of the immense heat and attraction that we feel towards each other. I mean, okay fine. William's really hot and I really like the fact that he loves my whole being and my whole body. He had proven that to me countless times last night. Halos hindi na nga niya ako pinatulog dahil doon. But at the back of my mind, what we did was something more than just satisfying the earthly pleasures that we have. While doing it with him, I felt appreciated and loved.

"Hmm. Do you want another artwork from her?" William asked while he was starting to create a trail of wet kisses from my neck down to my shoulders. Tinatapik ko siya every now and then dahil hindi ako makapag-concentrate sa pinag-uusapan naming dalawa. How he manages to multitask right now is way beyond me.

"What do you have in mind?"

"Why don't we ask her to create our portrait together?" he suggested which got me thinking. Hindi ba masyado pang maaga for that? Pakiramdam ko kasi, creating a portrait is too much. Parang sobrang pang-long term na agad nung idea. Yes, I appreciate the thought pero ewan ko ba. Nape-pressure ako bigla sa ganoon.

"H-ha?"

"You heard me. I'll fix all the details, all you have to do is say yes."

"Oka— Ahhh, shit."

"Yes, love?" Kahit nakatalikod ako kay William, I am well aware that he's smirking right now. Sasagot pa lang sana kasi ako sa sinabi nang bigla niyang pisilin ang dibdib ko. Tuwang-tuwa naman ang gago sa nakukuha niyang reaksyon mula sa akin.

"I hate you!" halos paungol kong sagot sa kanya. Lalo pa siyang natawa when he heard how breathless I am. Oh, God. Ang aga-aga, gumagawa na kami ng kasalanan!

"No, you don't. So, you're in?" he whispered in my ear which caused me to shudder, again. I'm really not a green minded person but with the way he whispered, I knew what he said has another meaning to it.

"O-oo na!" sigaw ko sa kanya at binitawan naman niya ang dibdib ko. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil doon. But just when I thought I was finally safe from his schemes, William hugged me from behind. Naramdaman ko na naman ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko dahil naramdaman ko na naman how hard he is right now.

Shit. Ito na naman po siya!

"Now that we've settled that matter, can we go back to business now?" William asked and when his hands finally woke my senses up, I knew that there was no turning back.

***

"Have you ever wished you were born in a normal family?" I asked William while we were on our way to their house. His parents wanted to meet me after they found out that I'm the girlfriend of their son. I was really hesitant to meet them kasi hindi ko naman alam kung hanggang saan ba talaga kami aabot ni William pero naisip ko, it was only fair for me to meet them. Si William nga, hinarap agad sina Daddy kahit first day pa lang namin, ngayon pa ba ako matatakot kung kailan halos four months na kami?

"What do you mean?" tanong pabalik ni William. He would glance at my direction every now and then while trying his best to focus on driving. Paminsan minsan, hinahawakan niya rin yung kamay ko. Para bang natatakot na bigla akong mawawala kapag nabitawan niya yung kamay ko.

"Yung wala silang ie-expect sa'yo kasi hindi naman kilala yung pamilya niyo. Tapos you're free to do to everything that you like. No one will judge you for being who you are and hindi kailangang kalkulado yung bawat galaw mo. Sometimes kasi, I just find myself hoping that I was more normal. If that was the case, maybe I could have found more friends na hindi lang lumalapit sa akin kasi gusto lang nilang gamitin ako. And who knows? I might actually be known by people because I was pursuing my passion and not because I was the daughter of this rich couple na walang ibang ginawa kung hindi makipagplastikan sa ibang tao," I told William which caused him to suddenly park the car on the side of the street. Tiningnan niya ako nang maigi dahil doon.

I didn't want to bring up such a heavy topic pero ewan ko ba. I just wanted to let it all out this time. Ngayon na lang din kasi ako nakahanap ng taong makikinig sa mga hinaing ko and wouldn't judge me because of it. Somehow, I know that William feels the same way too. Maybe in a different way, but I know that he can relate to me in a way or another.

When I looked at William, bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala. I've already told him multiple times kung gaano kasama ang loob ko sa parents ko lalo na kay Mommy. He would always try to lift my spirits up and distract me in different ways pero at the end of the day, bumabalik pa rin yung gano'ng feeling. Pag-uwi ko ng bahay, I would always be welcomed by the same scenario. To be honest, it gets pretty tiring. Sometimes, parang gugustuhin mo na lang biglang sumuko.

"Aisleen, you're already perfect with the way that you are now."

"Well, I was programmed to appear perfect in front of other people."

"Remember the first time I told you that I like you?" pagtatanong bigla sa akin ni William at napatango ako bilang sagot. I could clearly remember that day. It was the day when my life suddenly changed because of him.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. I like you, your personality and whatever flaws you may be hiding beneath that façade that you have. I loved you for being true to yourself whenever you're with me. Just don't think too much, okay?" William said then he pulled me in for a hug. When I felt how warm his hugs felt, doon ko na pinakawalan yung mga luhang kanina ko pa palang pinipigilan. Napabitaw tuloy si William sa pagkakayakap niya sa akin as he tried to stop my tears from falling.

"Hush, love. I don't ever want to see you cry." Sa bawat pagpatak ng luha ko, siya namang pagpunas ni William doon. Inilabas na rin niya yung panyo mula sa bulsa niya. After that, kinuha niya na rin yung bottled water mula sa backseat ng kotse niya. He then gave it to me in an attempt to calm me down.

"Aisleen, I love you. And from now on, I will be your safe haven. You don't need to pretend and to force yourself to be on par with your parents' standards. You've exceeded my expectations and God, you're so perfect that I can't bring myself to believe that you're actually mine." Upon hearing William's words, I just felt my heart beating fast. I couldn't believe how lucky I am to have him beside me. He became my escape in the "perfect" little world that my parents have built for me.

Tahimik lang kaming dalawa ni William habang hinihintay niyang kumalma ako nang tuluyan. He kept on playing with my hands which surprisingly helped me in this situation. And when he finally saw that I was okay, tinanong na niya ako kung pwede na kaming tumuloy sa bahay nila. I told him yes but at the back of my mind, I knew it would take a while before I could really accept the twisted situation that I was in for my whole life.

***

"It's so nice to finally meet you, hija!" Agad na pagbati sa akin ng mommy ni William pagpasok na pagpasok namin sa bahay nila. She was all smiles and her arms were open wide as if expecting me to hug her at once. Kahit na nag-aalangan, lumapit pa rin ako sa kanya and my eyes widened when she hugged me tightly na para bang ang tagal na naming magkakilala.

"Ma, don't scare her." Narinig kong sabi ni William habang pinipilit tanggalin ang pagkakayakap ng mommy niya sa akin. When I was finally free from that power hug, inakbayan agad ni William.

"Non-sense. Hindi ko naman itatakas 'tong si Aisleen." Napapailing na sabi ng mommy niya pero ang laki pa rin naman ng ngiti sa kanyang mukha. I nervously laughed because of what's happening. Hindi ko naman kasi in-expect na ganito agad ka-warm ang welcome sa akin ng parents niya. I was expecting them to be more... plastic? I guess I got used to my mom who's always wearing her fake smiles and pretends to be hospitable to everyone around her. Hindi ako sanay na maka-meet ng taong totoo talaga yung happiness nang makilala ako.

"It's okay po, ma'am. Praning lang po yata talaga 'tong si William." Natatawa kong sagot sa kanya kahit na alam ko sa sarili ko na halata namang pilit. Probably noticing my awkwardness, lalo akong hinapit ni William palapit sa kanya. I then looked at him but he just smiled and kissed me on my temple.

"If I only knew that my son could be as sweet as this, matagal ko na pala sana kayong pinakilala sa isa't isa and please, call me Tita Myra," William's mom said, still smiling warmly at me. Dahil doon, paunti-unti na ring nawala yung kabang nararamdaman ko.

Lunch with William's parents was surprisingly enjoyable. They were talking all throughout the meal and it was obvious that they were doing it because they wanted to and not because they were forced to do so. Laughter can be heard and they were teasing each other every now and then. Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang i-compare yung sitwasyon nila sa sitwasyon ko. We were always silent during meals at hindi man lang naming magawang magbiro sa isa't isa. Bawal din kaming gumawa ng kahit na anong pagkakamali.

I guess William's life is still better than mine. Kahit na planado na yung mga dapat niyang gawin sa buhay niya, mas close pa rin sila ng family niya and it wasn't just for a show. I could feel how warm they are kahit na ngayon ko pa lang sila nakilala. I can't help but feel envious tuloy. I couldn't even remember the last time I felt like this whenever I'm with my own parents.

"You okay?" tanong sa akin ni William while we were drinking tea. It was their family tradition na rin pala kasi to drink green or black tea after their meals. First time ko to try it out and surprisingly, I liked the taste of it.

"Uh, yeah. I'm kind of sleepy lang. Late na rin kasi ako nakatulog dahil may tinapos akong paper," halos pabulong kong sagot sa kanya. I didn't want his parents to hear it din kasi. Nakakahiya naman na sabihin kong inaantok na ako. They might feel like I'm bored while I'm with them.

"Do you want to rest first? You can stay in my room," William offered pero umiling na lang ako bilang sagot. Pero nung hindi ko na napigilan, napahikab na talaga ako. Tita Myra noticed me agad when that happened and to say that I want the earth to swallow me whole right now would be an understatement.

"Hija, why don't you rest for a while? We can still talk later until tomorrow. You're staying here tonight, right?" tanong niya sa akin at napalingon agad ako kay William dahil doon. Wala naman siyang nabanggit na dito kami magpapalipas ng gabi.

"About that, hindi ko po nasabi kay Aisleen na gusto niyo siyang mag-stay dito. So wala rin po siyang dalang gamit," William answered at halata agad sa mukha ni Tita Myra ang disappointment.

"I'll just ask Toni to buy clothes for her. You don't have to worry about a thing. Go, hija. Magpahinga ka na muna. William, bring her to your room," utos ni Tita Myra at wala na kaming nagawa kundi sumunod sa kanya.

By the time we entered William's room, he immediately locked the door and wrapped me around his arms. I could sense how warm he is right now and I swear I could just stay like this forever. I'm too comfortable around him and his body now that I don't even flinch anymore whenever he's acting like this.

"Why didn't you tell me that they wanted us to stay here until tomorrow?" I asked him while I rested my head on his shoulder. When I felt him kissing my temple, I immediately closed my eyes and savoured the moment that we have right now.

"I wasn't sure if you would like the idea. Besides, I like it more when it's just the two of us." His last sentence was as soft as whisper pero narinig ko pa rin iyon. I looked up at him at nang mapansin kong naka-ngisi na naman siya, I already knew what was running in his brain. Addict!

"Baliw," maikli kong sagot sa kanya at natawa na lang kaming dalawa. Humiwalay din siya sa pagkakayakap niya sa akin at inalalayan na niya akong makahiga sa kama niya. And before I could even close my eyes, he kissed me on the lips and I heard him saying 'I love you.'

If being with William and his family could make me as happy and accepted as this, sana pala ay noon ko pa sila nakilala.

***

So ano pong masasabi natin kay William? Do you still think that he'll break Aisleen's heart? Why or why not? Explain in not less than 10 sentences. Charot. Hahaha.

Let me know your thoughts about this chapter by leaving comments!

Thank you!

Raice