15

Igniting a Heartbeat
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Igniting a Heartbeat

Oh, I've heard it before
Finding so called love then you leave it behind
But now I feel so sure
I'll listen to my heart this time
So I'll lay it on the line

I know that what I've found is once in a lifetime
(and) I know there's no way out
Coz its once in a lifetime

 

Once in a lifetime Freestyle
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"Hey, Baby. Wakey, wakey."

 

 

 

I snickered while I slowly opened my eyes. Dahan-dahan akong tumingin sa side ng kama to see Karina smiling prettily at me, habang naka-lean forward ang katawan nito sa upuan at nakapatong ang siko sa maliit na space ng higaan.

 

 

 

"Good morning, Babe," Mahina at puno ng lambing niyang bati sakin while still sporting those same gorgeous smile. "How's your sleep?"

 

 

 

"Maganda. Napakaganda," I replied, habang nire-relish ang pakiramdam na gumising sa umaga nang may isang napakagandang Karina Ellyse Riego na bubungad sayo.

 

 

 

She giggled. "Are pertaining to the morning, sleep or me?" She wiggled her eyebrows.

 

 

 

"Sa umaga, sa tulog pero mostly sayo– ang ganda-ganda mo lang kasi talaga Karina." Namula ang mga pisnge niya.

 

 

 

"Ang aga-aga pero nambobola ka na agad diyan." Ngumiti siya as she softly caressed my face. "Bangon na, Babe. I brought you breakfast," She continued, raising a breakfast wooden tray.

 

 

 

My mouth parted. "Rina, hindi ka na dapat nag-abala pa..." I bit my lip. Sanay akong mag-alaga. Ang hindi ako sanay ay 'yung inaalagan ako. Pero, I admit, this action just made my heart flutter so much.

 

 

 

Ang sarap palang maging receiving end nang pag-aaruga lalong-lalo na kung galing ito sa taong gusto mo.

 

 

 

"But I want to, Babe. And I also want to take care of you." She leaned in closer and kissed my forehead kaya napapikit ako. Pigil na pigil na 'yung kilig ko dito, Lord. "Dahil everything about you is also my responsibility, Leafy."

 

 

 

I groaned in giddiness. Tinakpan ko ng unan ang mukha ko at tumili nang pang-maangas way. 'Yung slight lang ganon. Titili pero astig pa din dapat.

 

 

 

Narinig ko naman ang mahihinang tawa niya. Then, I moved up a bit, sumandal sa headboard, and cleared my throat.

 

 

 

But I suddenly frowned when I remembered her state yesterday. "Teka, wala ka bang hangover? Baka masakit pa ulo mo." She quickly shook head and flashed me a gentle smile.

 

 

 

"Nope. Hindi ako dinadapuan ng hangover, Babe. Don't worry." Wow, edi sana all. Pero somehow, gumaan naman ang pakiramdam ko doon. Baka pinipilit lang niya ang sarili niyang bumawi and I don't want that.

 

 

 

I sighed, grateful. "Thank you, Rina," I thanked her sincerely, at kinuha na ang wooden tray palapit sakin.

 

 

 

I looked at the contents at natakam ako bigla sa mga pagkain. A heart-shaped pancakes topped with strawberries and maple syrup, bacon and scrambled eggs plus milk and orange juice. Wow naman.

 

 

 

I moved my attention back towards Karina who only smiled at my reaction. Umusog ako ng kaunti, patted a small space beside me, urging her to sit down next to me.

 

 

 

"Babe, tabi ka. Sabay na tayo kumain." Pag-aaya ko sakanya and she chuckled.

 

 

 

"But baby, it's for you." Tanggi nito and I quickly made a puppy face and jutted my lower lip out. Look at what you're doing to me, Karina Ellyse Riego. Ang aga-aga pero nawawalan na agad ako ng anggas amp.

 

 

 

She sighed, grinning. "Alright. Since you're being cute." Umupo siya sa tabi ko, but not before pinching my cheeks.

 

 

 

Nagsimula na akong humiwa ng pancakes, giving Karina the first bite who protested at first pero gumive-in din kalaunan. She's now munching the food I gave her while pouting a little.

 

 

 

"Bawal ka na magpa-cute sakin. Nanghihina ako." I laughed at her remark bago siya sinubuan uli. She took it without protesting this time.

 

 

 

"Pano ba 'yan? Eh inborn na cuteness ko?"

 

 

 

"Hmm, maybe that's why I always get so weak in the knees, I can hardly speak, I lose all control and something takes over me." Aba kumanta pa ang loka-loka.

 

 

 

I made a face, acting like I was cringing at her to which she only replied with an eye roll at hinampas ang braso ko.

 

 

 

"Ang bully." I laughed and kissed her hands.

 

 

 

"I'm kidding. Ang galing-galing mo kaya kumanta," Biro ko and she playfully rolled her eyes again. Wow. Tumataray na ah haha. "By the way, Good morning, Baby Rina ko." Paglalambing ko, hugging her by the waist.

 

 

 

"Pinagbabawal na teknik 'yan ah, hmmp." She huffed, crossing her arms. I chuckled.

 

 

 

Mas lumapit ako sakanya, and I was a small inches away from her ears. "Alam mo ba? Ang laki mong paasa kagabi, beh. I just really hope that you remembered what you did last night," I whispered huskily and I felt her tensed up.

 

 

 

"So we could continue where we... " I moved even closer and this time her breath hitched. "Left off." And then I blew some air in her ears which caused her to squeal habang tinakpan ang tenga niya.

 

 

 

I was only laughing at her expression right now. How does it feel, baby? Don't you know na mabilis kaya ako matuto.

 

 

 

"Leafy!" Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin siya sakin habang tumatawa ng mahina. I only raised my brows at her, smirking.

 

 

 

"What?"

 

 

 

"Stop that," Sumeryoso na ang ekspresyon nito. "Or magb-breakfast tayo ulit– pero ikaw na ang gagawin kong breakfast this time," That made me shut up.  Right, how could I forget that she's always a one step ahead when it comes to things like this.

 

 

 

"Ang kalat mo." I only chuckled, admitting my defeat. My baby's flirting game is just too strong.

 

 

 

Matapos naming kumain ng umagahan with a side dish of lambingan, umalis na'ko ng tuluyan sa kama para makapag-shower na sa cr ng guestroom.

 

 

 

"Leafy, Babe." I stopped in my tracks, turning my head at Karina's.

 

 

 

"Yeah?"

 

 

 

"Pwede sumama?" She pouted her lips, pointing at the door of the cr while her index fingers touched together. Sinabayan pa niya ng pangmalakasang puppy eyes.

 

 

 

"Bastos mo na talaga, Karina." I sighed, smirking. I guess there's really no denying it, noh? Nagpanic pa'ko kagabi when there's really no need to.

 

 

 

Eh mas lalong lumevel-up na kasi ang openness namin sa isa't-isa. And it's all because of her damn 'baby, let's talk' joke, and the almost kiss na hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa din malimut-limutan, pota.

 

 

 

"Eh?" She feign an innocent face. "Masama ba mag-conserve ng water?"

 

 

 

"Masama kung ikaw."

 

 

 

"Ay awit. Pero sayang talaga ang water, Babe. Legit."

 

 

 

"I know. Kaya sagutin mo na ako. Tas let's conserve water everyday." Nanlaki ang mga mata niya, not expecting that I would finally yield to her teasing. Like I said, madali akong matuto.

 

 

 

"Hala! Gagi, ang dumi-dumi!" She exclaimed, then looked above, clasping her hands together. "Lord, sorry po. Hindi ko po sinasadyna bahidan ng kahit na anumang karumihan ang minamahal kong manliligaw." I laughed. "It just so happens hehe."

 

 

 

"Ewan ko na talaga sayo, Karina." Pumasok na'ko sa cr.

 

 

 

After showering, I went out dressed in a fresh pair of white t-shirt and jeans. Buti nalang talaga at nakapag-prepare ako beforehand. Since I somehow knew that this was gonna happen– like me staying over at Karina's house.

 

 

 

For the costume, Hindi ko pa suot kasi dadaanan pa namin ito mamaya sa tailor shop, tas doon kami magpapalit ng damit. Alas-nueve ng umaga pa naman magsi-simula ang performance namin, so may time pa.

 

 

 

"You done na?" I nodded my head. Nagbihis din pala siya habang nasa cr ako.

 

 

 

I shamelessly checked her out. She's sporting the same as me– white shirt and jeans, except pinatungan niya ng black leather jacket and may nakasabit na black Ray-ban shades sa shirt niya. Then, I looked below and wow, naka ankle leather boots lang naman ang ate niyo na may GG brand na nakalagay.

 

 

 

Ang expensive at cool!

 

 

 

"Ang astig natin ngayon lods ah. Hindi ka ba maiinitan niyan?" Biro ko. Hinawi naman niya ang nakalugay na mahabang buhok at nagpost ng 'pogi' sign.

 

 

 

"Syempre, ako lang 'to no," She boasted which made me chuckle. "Tsaka inborn na ang hotness ko. Kaya, instead of mainitan, I bring the heat in, baby." She winked kaya napailing nalang ko.

 

 

 

"Ang hangin talaga. 'Yan siguro ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ka naiinitan," I teased, extending my arm to take my bag and then her hand para sabay na kami lumabas ng room.

 

 

 

"Baka nga siguro," Pabiro niyang sabat.

 

 

 

Naabutan namin sila Tita and Titalola na kumakain ng kanilang breakfast sa hapagkainan. I immediately let go of Karina earning me a soft whine from her. Narinig naman siya ng dalawang ginang pero tinawanan lang siya ng mga ito.

 

 

 

Lumapit ako sakanila Tita to kissed both of their cheeks, also greeting them goodmornings.

 

 

 

"Bakit ako walang kiss kanina, Baby?" Angal nito nang naka-nguso pa ang labi. "Katampo naman. Bigyan mo'ko now." She demanded.

 

 

 

"Maka-hingi ka naman diyan, nak. Bakit? Binigyan mo na ba ng label 'yang si Sweetie?" Tumawa ako habang si Karina naman ay sumimangot.

 

 

 

"Bakit? Kayo ba, ano ba label niyo at hinahalikan kayo ng manliligaw ko?" Diniinan niya pa talaga ang last two words niya. Alam ko namang nagbibiruan lang sila. "Atsaka anong sweetie ka diyan!"

 

 

 

Tumaas ang kilay ni Tita atsaka ngumisi. Mukhang maghahamon pa nang away amp. "Duh, baka nakakalimutan mo na sinagot na namin 'yang si sweetie. Kaya may karapatan kami noh," Pagyayabang nito. "Plus, endearment namin 'yong sweetie. Bakit? Bawal ba?"

 

 

 

"Opo, bawal mag-endearment sa Baby ko kung hindi si Karina Ellyse Riego ang nagtatawag 'non." She clicked her tongue atsaka mataray na umirap. Wow naman. "Ako lang dapat ang may karapatan."

 

 

 

Haynako. Tumawa nalang ako sa inasta nila. I went back to Karina's side, grabbed her hand at pinagsalikop 'yon into my own ones. Pagkatapos ay binigyan ko ito ng masuyong halik.

 

 

 

Nakita ko naman kung pano ngumit ang tatlong magandang Riego sa ginawa ko. "Tita, Titalola, alis na po kami," Paalam ko sakanila. "Baby, paalam kana haha," udyok ko.

 

 

 

Karina kissed her mom and lola goodbye, sumama pa'ko pabalik kasi hindi na niya binitawan ang kamay ko amp.

 

 

 

"Babye, ingat kayo ha. Sweetie, text me pag nasa school na kayo ha. Tas ano, mag-ingat ka din sa anak ko!" Sinamaan siya ng tingin ng anak niya. Lakas talaga ng amats ni Tita.

 

 

 

"Mom!"

 

 

 

"Oh ano?" Natatawang tanong ni Tita. "Dejoke lang. Anak ko, mag-ingat ka din sa pagda-drive ha. Text me din."

 

 

 

"Wow naman. Anak ko ang endearment sakin, pero 'yung kay Leafy, sweetie? Ang totoo, hindi ko na alam kung kanino ako magseselos amp," She murmured pero narinig namin kaya napahagik-hik kami sa tawa.

 

 

 

When we got into their car garage, inalalayan ko agad siyang makapasok sa sasakyan niya. Napatigil pa ako sandali habang pinagmamasdan ang mga naka-parkeng sasakyan. Ang dami kasi! Halos lahat sports car pa.

 

 

 

Nagtataka tuloy ako kung pano nila ginagamit lahat kasi tatlo lang naman sila dito sa mansyon nila, twenty or more kung pati bodyguards and maids– which I doubt na gagamit.

 

 

 

Pero ang ganda talaga ng navy blue na Jeep Wrangler na 'yun oh grr.

 

 

 

Pumasok na'ko sa loob after ko mag-fangirl sa mga sasakyan. Ikinabit ko na ang seatbelt at dahan-dahan nang nag-maniobra si Karina palabas.

 

 

 

"You have a driver's license na ba, baby?" She asked kaya napatingin ako sakanya. Seryoso lang siya nakatingin sa daan kasi medyo matraffic na ang dina-daanan namin.

 

 

 

Napaisip ako. Bakit kaya ako tinatanong nito?

 

 

 

"Wala pa eh. Bakit?"

 

 

 

"Nothing. Just curious," She replied. "Pero gusto mong matutong magmaneho?"

 

 

 

"Hmm, minsan haha. Pero okay naman na ako sa pacommute-commute lang."

 

 

 

"Oh okay. Pero if ever, may dream car ka ba?" I hummed, thinking of that Jeep Wrangler again na nakita ko sa garahe nila.

 

 

 

"Gusto ko 'yung mga type na J

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Makolit
Leafy and Ellyse <3

Comments

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ROYAL_LOCKSMITH 11 streak #1
Chapter 5: Leafy cheering for her ate Rina.🤭
Eli_The_Queen #2
Chapter 29: Still my fave!!🧚🏾‍♀️ thank you for this author🥹
Jaeeeeee_
166 streak #3
4k na, 🥺
Kannakobayashi09 #4
Chapter 15: Bagay pala sila yuna + Irene = yurene (hahaha urine ✌️😆)
Jamess #5
nice
1609Andrea
2038 streak #6
Congrats on the feature!
reesedrax
#7
wow, just wow 🙌
IceQueenChogiwa
1052 streak #8
Congratulations on the feature!
1609Andrea
2038 streak #9
congrats on the feature!
purplejoch
#10
omggg congrats!! on getting featured author nim, will re read kasi namiss ko si ang green flag couple : Leafy and Ellyse 🤍