Chapter Nine

Umuuwi siya nang mag-isa mula sa university. He was looking for Hardin’s pero wala ito. He was waiting in vain. Enrollment and orientation from the Seniors ang ganap sa araw na iyon, and he explored the university and make friends with other freshmen.

Umaasa siya na pupuntahan siya ni Hardin, na sumabay silang kumain, pero tila bolang naglaho ang huli. Hindi siya kumain kahit niyaya siya ng mga bagong kakilala niya. Sa huli ay desido siyang umuwi na lamang. Kaya wala siyang imik habang naglalakad pauwi.

Pagdating sa bahay ay pumanhik siya sa itaas. He threw himself in the bed, nakatingin sa kisame habang iniisip si Hardin. He thought about Hardin’s girlfriend na binanggit nito kahapon at kaninang umaga, malay ba niya ay kasama ni Hardin ang nobya nito sa araw na ‘yon kaya hindi na siya nito pinuntahan.

Naninikip ang kanyang dibdib. Iniisip niya kung babae lang siya ay malaya niyang sabihin at aminin ang kanyang nararamdaman. Pero handa na siyang mag-confess.

He closed his eyes slowly at hinayaan niya ang pagtulo ng mga butil ng kanyang luha. He bites his lips in agony. Just thinking of his homophobic father, the people who hated him for being gay, inconsiderate, and disparaging society, at si Hardin na straight na imposibleng mahalin siya nito, thoughts like alcohol in a fresh wound.

He was deeply hurt. He feels the pain when he’s alone pero kapag nasa publiko siya ay pinilit niya ang sarili na ngumingiti kahit alam niyang hindi bukal sa loob.

Humihikbi siya habang kagat ang labi para ipitin ang paghagulgol niya. Ngunit nabigla siya nang may mga palad na biglang nagpunas ng mga basang pisngi niya. It was a soft touch that forced him to open his eyes slowly, nakikita niya ang histura nito kahit malabo ang paningin niya dahil sa luhang namumuo sa kanyang mga mata, ay alam niyang si Hardin ‘yon.

Ngumingiti ang huli, matamis ang ngiti nito habang patuloy nitong pinunasan ang basang pisngi niya. Hindi niya alam kung kararating lang nito o baka kanina pa siya nito pinagmasdan. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya. Bumangon si Kieran. Nakayuko at hindi niya kayang salubungin ang mga tingin ni Hardin.

Ikinulong nito sa mga palad nito ang mukha niya. Napilitan tuloy siyang tumingin sa mukha nito. Like a magic spell, suddenly the pain vanished into the thin air. Staring at Hardin’s handsome face for a long second possibly heals Kieran’s heartache. Ang maamo at guwapong mukha nito ay sapat na upang makaramdam siya ng saya.

“I’m sorry,” Hardin muttered as he let out a sigh.

Hindi niya alam kung para saan ‘yon. Ang rason na tanging alam niya ay hinayaan siya nitong umuwi nang mag-isa. Pero hindi na siya bata para magreklamo. He closed his eyes at nagpapadala siya sa emosyong nararamdaman niya.

Hinahaplos nito ang magkabilang pisngi niya. Kieran’s lips quivered. Gumapang ang kamay niya sa dibdib nito at pinakiramdam ang tibok ng puso nito. He closed his eyes tightly ayaw niyang makita ang reaksiyon ni Hardin sa mga oras na ‘yon.

“I’m sorry,” muling sambit ni Hardin. “ I’m sorry that I lied to you. Walang akong nobya, Nong,” pag-aaminin nito.

Wala siyang komento sa narinig mula sa binata. Isa pa ay hindi siya naniniwalang walang nobya ang binata dahil guwapo ito at matalino pa. And why the hell did Hardin open that subject? Inalis ni Hardin ang mga palad na humahaplos sa kanyang mga pisngi. Hardin holds Kieran’s hand at idiniin nito ‘yon sa dibdib nito.

Huminga siya nang malalim. “Pee, I-i,” nauutal na sambit niya. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang dapat niyang idugtong sa sasabihin niya. “I’m sorry because I just want to listen to your heart, I just want to feel it.”

Silence fell. The air between them was filled with nothing more than the sound of Kieran’s winded breath

“The beat of my heart, is it special for you?” Hardin asked in his gentle voice.

“I’m sorry because —” Hindi niya kayang dugtungin ang sasabihin niya. Kahit naman isantinig niya ang gustong sabihin ng kanyang puso, para kay Hardin ‘yon ay isang malaking pagkakamali.

“Would it be gentle if I’m the one who put end to your sentence?” nang wala itong matanggap na sagot mula kay Kieran ay nagbuntong hininga ito. “You were sorry because you liked me.”

Kieran’s heart seemed to shake in fear and dread. Pakiramdam niya ay huminto ang mundo sa pag-ikot. He was stiffened. Ano pang lakas ng loob niya na magdilat pa ng mga mata at salubungin muli ang tingin ni Hardin. He recalled what just Hardin had said. How come Hardin knows that he fell in love with him? or maybe Hardin knew it long but Hardin kept it for himself for a while, or forever.

What if Kieran lost his best friend this time?

“You’re not going to open your eyes, and dare to look in mine?” Hardin asked.

What is Kieran supposed to say? He parted his lips but no sound came in. His voice remained in his chest. Gusto niyang kontrahin ang sinabi ni Hardin but he said the right thing. He bends his head lower to Hardin’s neck. Ikinulong niya ang mukha sa balikat nito. Nararamdaman niyang hinahaplos nito ang kanyang likuran. Kieran was emotionally and silently crying. He feels sorry about their friendship.

“I don’t know why a man seeks out a man!” Hardin murmured.

Narinig niya ang tibok ng puso nito. God knows that he wanted to be with Hardin not just as a best friend, he wanted to be with him, going out holding his hands. He wanted Hardin’s kiss and hugs.

“I understand. Don’t worry, I won’t let this affect our friendship.” He means about Kieran’s feelings.

Kieran felt a knife stabbed in his chest ten times, and he struggled to draw a breath. “You don’t have to say you like me too, and things don’t have to change.” Tumawa siya nang mapakla. “Pero hiling ko na ‘wag mo akong iwasan. I loved our friendship.” Inilayo niya ang sarili kay Hardin.

“How many times have you been listening to my heartbeat?”

“A hundred times,” he guessed.

“And still you didn’t get it, how it throbbing every time you listening to it.” Hardin smiled.

“Pee, what do you mean?” tanong niya na nakatingin siya sa mga mata nito.

“Pom rak khun.”

“Khrub.” Kieran rambled. Tama ba ang narinig niya? He heard it right that Hardin says I love you. 

“You can tell people we’re dating. I can love you. I love you, I love you without judgment. Come closer, I will let you feel that you’re worthy, who cares if we have the same private body parts? Who cares if I am a handsome man loving a handsome man too? It isn’t right nor wrong, It’s just love.”

“I don’t get it. Mahal mo rin ba ako katulad ng pagmamahal ko sa’yo?”

Tumango ito. Nakikita niya ang sinseridad sa mga mata nito. Pero hindi pa rin siya naniniwala. “Since when?” nagugulumihang usal niya.

“A years ago, yesterday, today, tomorrow, and the rest of my life. We are meant to be.”

“Sana hindi ito panaginip.”

“Gising na gising ka, Kieran,” Hardin coaxed. “So special ba talaga ako sayo?”

“I never said that—” Hindi niya dinugtungan ang sinabi niya nakita niya kasi ang matamis na ngiti nito. Kieran asked him why.

“You said to me seven years ago. ‘Khun pen khon pi sèt sam ràp phom’ I never forget that.” Hinaplos nito ang pisngi niya.

“So you know what it means?” gulat na tanong niya. If he wasn’t mistaken he mentioned that line seven years ago when he and Hardin solving puzzles in Hardin’s room.

“I am a person special to you.” Hardin smiled.

Kieran felt his breath in his face. He swallowed and look straight into Kieran’s eyes. Kieran could see the hunger in his eyes. Dahan-dahang yumuko si Hardin, and he claimed Kieran’s lips. Kieran couldn’t believe it. Hardin teases his lips. Kieran slowly closed his eyes and opened his mouth.

Sinamantala ni Hardin ang pagbuka ng kanyang bibig at lumalalim ang halik nito. He kissed Kieran gently and tenderly, Kieran felt loved. Sa wakas ay natagpuan niya ang sarili na tugunin ang halik ni Hardin nang buong puso.

Kieran’s whole world has been waiting for this moment. He feels like levitating off the ground as Hardin continues claiming his lips. Hardin’s lips warm his soul, and he feels that it was only them that exist in the entire world.

They kiss and hug. Hardin shows how gentle he was, and how wise he ruled Kieran’s lips and heart. Bumaba ang halik nito sa kanyang leeg, and he gently bites Kieran’s flesh.

Kieran took off his shirt and his flawless chest was exposed to Hardin. Kieran moaned when he feels Hardin’s tongue and teeth stroke his chest. Hardin kissed and flickered his tongue in Kieran’s chest, and back to Kieran’s neck. Hardin claimed Kieran’s lips again. They kiss deeply, intensely, and full of passion.

Dahan-dahang nitong hinubad ang shirt nito. His hand rubbed his bulging front, rubbing his c*ck through the straining cotton of his pants and underwear. Kieran was waiting for Hardin’s gift to wrap. To excited as Hardin slowly unfastens his belt.

Kieran was lost for words when Hardin slowly took off his underwear. His member hanging flaccid between his legs. Bumilis ang tahip ng kanyang dibdib at napalunok ng ilang beses. Nang papalapit ito sa kanya ay unti-unting nabuhay ‘yon. The pulsing veins running underside of Hardin’s member were visible. Hardin’s glans pinkish and gloss. It makes him more damn horny if he has a piercing on his frenulum.

Lumuhod siya sa harapan nito. Kieran was nervous. Kieran took Hardin’s member into his hands. Kieran closed his eyes as he opened his mouth and take the head of Hardin’s member into his mouth. Kieran’s tongue slipped over the crown slowly, and he moved slowly yet deeper. He took in, every single inch, and worked his way to s*cked Hardin’s b*lls. Hardin moaned wordlessly grabbing Kieran’s head.

Pinatigil siya nito. Yumuko si Hardin para halikan siya ulit. This is a tense and sweet sensation. Kieran’s other hand grabbed Hardin’s hair, while his other hand grabbed the bedsheet as he slowly dropped himself into bed and he continued to moan softly and lovely. Kieran’s love for his right guy, Hardin, now combines romantic lust and passion.

He doesn’t want to miss the right moment. He said yes when Hardin lustily whispered in his ears that he wanted more than a kiss or the hot embrace of his mouth. He couldn’t say no to Hardin, a panty-dropper.

Kieran looked at him, he could see Hardin’s eyes asking him to relax. Kieran closed his eyes. Kieran’s body began to shake and he was whimpering. Hardin moved in a sensational and tense synchronization of thrusting his beast member inside Kieran’s eff h*le.

He and Hardin are breathless. Kieran chanting that makes Hardin moves on top of him passionately. Every inch of his beast member invades every part of Kieran’s body. His back arched, his toes curled. The man Kieran considered gentle is a beast in the bed. Hardin f*ck*d Kieran wildly. His sanity abandoned him and he mo*ning so hard. There was no thought available in his mind, only the extreme lust watching Hardin biting his lip as he moved on top of him endlessly.

A glass of champagne on top of the study table, a lampshade, and romantic music make their night in the fire, lust, and romance in combination. Hardin’s moving on top of Kieran in such bliss that brings Kieran ten thousand pleasures. Kieran’s moan arrived in a mood of delight and satisfaction as the music volume raised, and he feels reaching the climax.

MADALING araw na at magkayakap pa rin sila na hubo’t hubad sa ilalim ng kumot. Mahigpit ang pagkayakap sa kanya ni Hardin. Habang siya ay isinubsob niya ang mukha sa dibdib nito, that’s the safest place for him. Hardin kisses Kieran’s hair. “Be Mine,” Kieran whispered.

“Be Mine,” Hardin said.

“Ako dapat magsabi niyan. But is your love for me real?” hindi niya maiwasang mag-usisa.

Hardin let out a sigh. “Seven years ago when I go back to the Philippines and if there was only one person who animates my thoughts ikaw lang ‘yon, Nong. I think of you all day. At ngayong nagkita na tayo, I can’t let you go. I promised myself that I’ll make you mine. And here we are, finally, you’re mine.”

“I love you,” he said in a delightful voice.

“Pom rak Khun maak gwaà.” (I love you more.)

Hinigpitan ni Hardin ang pagyakap nito sa kanya. Kieran kissed Hardin’s chest and minutes passed he fall asleep in Hardin’s embrace.

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Salamat sa mga nagbabasa.

Thank you talaga