When Stars Collide With Hate

Chapter 25

I was catching my breath when his lips finally left mine. I fucking allowed myself to kiss him. The moment our lips met, bumalik sa akin lahat—from the first time we met until this moment. I couldn't deny it anymore... I like him! I like him so much that I'm losing my mind just because he kissed me. Ganito ba ang pakiramdam na ang taong gusto mo ay gusto ka rin?

Gago heaven!

Raphael was biting his lower lip so hard na medyo nagworry ako na baka dumugo na iyong labi niya. Pero at the same time, gusto ko ring matawa... Kinikilig ba siya? Sobrang halata na pinipigilan niya kasi mayabang siya at ayaw niyang asarin ko siya.

"Tayo na, ba?"

"Ano?" tanong ko na nanlaki iyong mga mata.

"Ah... gusto mo ligawan kita?"

Mas lalong nanlaki iyong mga mata ko at kumunot ang noo. "Ha?"

He shrugged. "I mean, you really, really like me—"

"Wow. Ang kapal ng mukha!" singhal ko sa kanya.

"Am I not right about your feelings for me?" he asked.

I frowned. "Feelingero ka talaga. How about you? Ano ba talaga nararamdaman mo para sa akin?" I asked back.

Natawa siya at kunwaring kinamot ang ulo niya. "I-I mean... Would I kiss you if I don't like you?"

Nakita ko kung paano mamula iyong mga tenga niya. Taena! Nakakaramdam pa rin pala talaga siya ng hiya at kilig. Para siyang highschool student ngayon na nag-cconfess sa crush niya.

"I guess, the feeling is mutual," maikling sagot ko.

"Means, tayo na nga?" muli niyang tanong.

Napaawang iyong labi ko. "Speed ka ser?"

I saw his forehead creases. "Life is short. I just always go after what I want," he said, staring directly at my eyes. "I want you and if you allow me, I want to have you in my life."

"But we're both guys?" takang tanong ko sa kaniya.

I wanted to be sure. Kung gusto niya talaga ako, kailangan kong malaman kung ready ba siya makipagrelasyon sa kapwa niya lalake. Ayokong dumating kami sa future na pagsisihan niya na nagkagusto siya sa same gender.

"So what, if we're both guys," he began, his eyes still focusing on me. I can't help but to stare right back at him. "Love has no gender. You're the one my heart chose and I don't want to regret later on, that I didn't choose you just because society told me to."

I couldn't help but smile at his answer. He's such a golden retriever coded guy!

"Nagtake ka ba ng kilig workshop?"

"Nah, inborn na 'to," he said, chuckling.

"Sus, inborn na kayabangan kamo!"

He suddenly held my hands. Napatingin naman ako sa kaniya at nakita ko siyang lalong ngumiti. Bumibilis na naman 'yung tibok ng puso ko sa ginagawa niya. Kung dati naiinis ako, ngayon ay di ko mapigilan ang kiligin. Simpleng paghawak lang ng kamay nagkakaganito na ako, paano pa kaya pag—nevermind...

"I thought you were straight?" bigla kong tanong ko sa kaniya.

"I was," he paused and continued. "Pero binaliko mo ako."

"Kasalanan ko pa?"

"Nope. If liking you makes me gay then so be it."

"Ganun mo talaga ako kagusto?"