My Sunflower World

Chapter 14

“Good morning!” Ethan greeted Pippa with a big smile when he felt her moving from where they ended up together the morning after, in the middle of her bed, just like the last time they shared a bed together. During the course of the night, they just gravitated towards each other again as if there is an invisible magnet pulling them towards each other. Pippa’s head was pillowed on Ethan’s chest and his arms around her.

Pippa smiled, moving a little sideways and looked at Ethan’s smiling, cheerful and so handsome face with a bit of stubble on! “Good morning, Ethan! Did you sleep well?”

“Of course, with you beside me, I slept like a babe!” Ethan grinned, his whole face lighting up. Waking with Pippa by his side, like this, is really the best feeling in the world. “How about you? How are you this morning?”

“I’m good, the best ever. Thank you for taking good care of me.” Pippa replied, then moved to give Ethan a hug. He is the best guy in the world. When they went to bed last night, what had happened when they got home settled in into her system, and her arms just went numbed from the delayed reaction to the ugly scene with Martin. Ethan just held her tight, whispering soothing words to her, caressing her hair gently until she fell asleep in his arms.

“For you, Pippa, anything! You don’t know how much you have comforted me when I had that nightmare. I was glad I was here to comfort you too last night.” Ethan caressed Pippa’s face gently and lovingly with his knuckles as they shared a gaze that spoke volumes, understanding and speaking to each other even without words. Soon after, the caress was replace by something else, something more basic, and yet deeper and more meaningful.

“Pippa,” Ethan whispered as he lowered his mouth to hers. Pippa tilted her head a bit to receive Ethan’s kiss. Their lips met and locked into a smouldering kiss. It went on like forever, so lost they were with what they were feeling at that moment. Ethan found himself caressing Pippa and she was doing the same, caressing his back, his arms, his face, nape and everything she could touch as she tried not to drown in the sensation Ethan’s kisses was evoking in her whole being.

“Pippa, my darling!” Ethan muttered, fighting of the passion which was consuming them, and leading them to the point of no return. “Darling, I think we need to stop, while I still can, while we still can.” He managed to say in between catching his breath and controlling his body’s reaction to Pippa’s touch and kisses.

Pippa at first, just looked dazedly at Ethan with her lips swollen from the kisses they have shared, not comprehending fully what he was trying to say, then the sudden realization. “Oh,” she managed to say and then blushed, burying her face on Ethan’s broad chest.

Ethan cupped Pippa’s face, looking deeply into her eyes. “Pippa, I want you. I want to make love to you,” he said very straightforward. “But I want you to want it too. I want you to be sure, and not because of the heat of the moment or the circumstances we found ourselves in. I know it would be something beautiful between us, but it has to happen at the right moment, at the right time, and most important of all, when you are ready.”

Pippa completely understood what Ethan meant. She nodded. She loves him the more for this, so unlike Martin! Then she realized what she had just said in her head. She loves Ethan, with all of her! Her heart started beating fast and suddenly, she can’t breath with the sudden rush of emotion and with her realization. She never felt like this before. Her mom is right. You just know! She tried to calm herself. “I understand, Ethan. Thank you. I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”

Pippa and Ethan shared a smile, a look and both of them felt at that instance that they crossed into a deeper level of their relationship.

“Halika, let’s get up na. I’ll cook you breakfast.” Pippa said after a while, then tried to leave the bed.

“Hmmmm, mamaya na lang please!” Ethan held Pippa’s arm to stop her and reeled her back to the bed. “Maaga pa naman. I want to stay in bed with you pa.”

“Mr. Bowman, sure ka ba diyan? Sabi mo nga, we needed to stop, tapos heto, we will spend more time pa in bed. Temptation, you know!” Pippa teased him, at the same time, finding the best space in the bed, in his arms.

“Hmmmm, I’m that hard to resist, huh.” Ethan said with a big smile, teasing Pippa with an exaggerated pose.

“Swell head, hahahaha. You looked like Gaston in Beauty and the Beast witht that pose! Strutting like a peacock and flexing his muscles to Belle!”

Ethan and Pippa shared a big laugh, then looked at each other again, then cuddled while they talked about their plans for the rest of the day. They only got up when Pippa heard Ethan’s tummy grumbling.

“Halika na kasi. Hayan, you are hungry na. I’ll make you brunch.” Pippa dragged herself out of the bed. “Bathroom lang ako.”

“Okay, Darling Pip, you are the boss.” Ethan sighed, stretched his arms, then got out of the bed too. “I’ll make coffee. Mauna na ako sa kitchen mo. Sige na, do what you need to do, I’ll just figure out where everything is.”

When Pippa emerged from her room several minutes later, Ethan had coffee brewing. He did manage to find everything. He even took out the cold cuts, bread and jam she bought yesterday.

“I’ll just be a second, Pippa. I need to use the loo.” Ethan said.

Several minutes after, he was back too, then they had a cozy breakfast, or brunch for that matter.

“So, Manila it is for us today.” Pippa said as she buttered her third slice of bread for the morning. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she had taken the first bite of the sandwich Ethan made for her.

“Yes, we can just drive around and then see what strikes our fancy. Would that be okay, for you to drive me around? I can relieve you, but maybe better if you do it please as I might get us hopelessly lost.” Ethan said with a grin.

“Oh, I don’t mind driving.” Pippa replied. “I’m happy to do it.”

Pippa and Ethan tidied up the kitchen together, then went to their respective rooms to get ready for their Saturday afternoon playing tourists in the city.

Pippa emerged from her room wearing shorts that showed off her long legs, a sleeveless top, a small bag slung across her chest and her most comfortable pair of ballet flats. Ethan admired the casual look she projects from the doorway of his room. “She is really the loveliest girl, inside out.” he mused.

Pippa chose that moment to look at Ethan and gave him a smile that lit up her whole face. Ethan at that moment realized how much he love this wonderful and lovely girl who got into his heart unexpectedly but wonderfully so. His heart skipped a beat and he felt he can’t breath from the rush of love he was feeling at that moment for Pippa. It felt so overwhelming and alien to him. It was way beyond the feelings he thought he had for Claudia. The truth is, he never felt like this before.

“Let’s go.” Pippa said, breaking into Ethan’s bemused expression. He smiled at her and her heart jumped. He looks so handsome in the shorts, t-shirt, and sneakers he put on that afternoon. He was looking at her strangely, wonderfully so. “Ethan,” she called his attention again. “Earth to Ethan!”

“Oh, okay, let’s go Pip.” Ethan said, taking hold of Pippa’s hand and intertwining it with his.

“Hmmm, you just went off. Is something the matter?” Pippa asked Ethan while they walked along the corridor leading to the elevator. At the same time, the scene from last night crept into her thoughts. She squeezed Ethan’s hand, for comfort.

“Don’t think about it anymore, Pip. It’s okay. You were so brave last night. You stood up to him. Forget about him.” Ethan squeezed Pippa’s hand back, wanting her to know that he is just there for her. “As for me, I’m very much okay. I just had a wonderful realization earlier.” He finished with a smile that lit up his face.

“Hmmm, and what is that, Mr. Bowman, if I may ask?” Pippa smiled at Ethan.

“Secret for now. I will tell you about it, Ms. Montenegro when the moment is right.” He replied, at the same time, giving her a light kiss.

“Sige na nga. Promise, you will tell me ha.” Pippa said as she pressed the elevator button going down.

“Promise, cross my heart.” Ethan put their clasped hand on his chest.

They shared a loving smile, and that was what the people inside the elevator saw when it opened to their floor. They can’t help but smile, seeing these couple so in love with each other. So, they thought.

Pippa and Ethan’s first stop turned out to be Pippa’s alma mater. While they were driving along Quezon Avenue, Ethan asked Pippa where she went to school and how it was like the first time she was in Manila alone to study. Pippa drove him towards the University of Santo Tomas campus while telling him of her college life. They walked around the sprawling campus for an hour, hands clasped, eating ice cream, and chatting.

Their next stop was Chinatown where they explored the shops and the interesting streets of the place, then off they went to the other usual tourist spots in Manila – to Fort Santiago, crossing to Manila Cathedral, then around Intramuros by foot – San Agustin Church, Casa Manila, Bahay Tsinoy, and the walled city’s interesting cobblestone streets. Pippa showed Ethan her favorite part of Intramuros, the Puerto Real Gardens. Too bad that section was closed off at that moment. They walked back to where she parked her car when they had her fill of the walled city.

Since it was merienda time, they ended up having coffee and snacks in the newly-restored Luneta Hotel, which Pippa have been wanting to check out since she saw one of her friends Facebook post on the beautiful hotel just after it opened last year.

“Wow, this hotel is really something!” Ethan remarked as they enjoyed their coffee. “I like the architecture.”

“Yes, it is beautiful. I always admire it everytime I passed by, when it was still abandoned. I’m glad it was restored, unlike some of the old structures in the city. Looked at the Metropolitan Theater we passed by, the one I pointed out to you after the bridge.”

“Oh, yes, that one. A pity isn’t it. It has a beautiful facade too.” Ethan remarked, thinking that it is a pity to let go of historical buildings, just like that.

Pippa and Ethan chatted about old buildings, with Ethan said Pippa will like Europe with her love of old buildings and structures. They stayed in the hotel’s cafe for an hour, then took Roxas Boulevard, and ended up in the CCP Complex. When Ethan saw the amusement park there, he cajoled Pippa into going, saying he has not been in one in ages. Pippa, smiling, indulged Ethan as she realized too that the last time she was in Star City was when she was a kid, with her parents.

Ethan wanted to try all the rides, and they did, except for the Surf Dance and the giant Ferris wheel. They opted to save those rides for last.

“Ethan, I’m not sure I can.” Pippa said when they were in front of the giant Ferris wheel. “I haven’t ridden one. Though, I want to try. I’m just a bit scared of heights.” Pippa admitted. “But, I really don’t want to live in fear or not try conquering it, so there is a part of me that want to try and ride it.”

“But would you like to try now? If you are scared, I’m here. I’ll be with you in this.” Ethan said with a reassuring smile to Pippa.

Pippa gulped, took a deep breath, then looked at Ethan. “Okay, let’s go. I know you will be there for me so it should be okay.”

“That’s the spirit, Pip!” Ethan admired Pippa’s determination to conquer her fear.

Soon after, they were inside their air-conditioned gondola, about to ascend. The Ferris wheel started moving up, and Pippa held on to Ethan while trying to control the seemingly thousands of butterflies in her stomach. Ethan put his arms around Pippa. She leaned against his broad chest as the Ferris wheel slowly went up, until the grounds became a small dot. Ethan advised Pippa not to look down as it would make her feel woozy. At the top, the view was incredible!

“Wow!” Pippa remarked as she looked around. She can see the whole Roxas Boulevard, with a magnificent view of the Manila Bay and the setting sun. It was picture perfect, especially with Ethan’s arms around her, keeping her safe, assuring her that he is there for her.

“Wonderful, isn’t it? When we go England, I’ll take you up in the London Eye.” Ethan remarked. “For sure, one day, the two of us will end up there.” He said confidently, at the same time keeping his fingers crossed that they will really do. He wants to show Pippa his world too, if she will allow it.

“That, I want to see and experience. Basta ba kasama kita eh.” Pippa said, gaining confidence. She looked up at Ethan. She feel so full of love for him.

The Ferris wheel started its descend then and before Ethan can say anything else, Pippa let out an exhilarating scream and held on to him for dear life as she felt her tummy getting hollowed from the fast descend. It was fun, though!

Pippa enjoyed the next ascend and descend, and the whole Ferris wheel experience.

“Wooh,” she exclaimed when they were on firm ground again. Her knees were wobbly. Then she laughed while holding on to Ethan’s arm. “That was the best ever, Ethan. Thank you for taking me up there and being with me!” Pippa said animatedly and with a smile that made her so beautiful and alive in Ethan’s eyes. He can’t take his eyes off her vibrant face.

“I love you, Pippa! ” Ethan suddenly said, softly.

“Ethan….” Pippa was surprised at what he said, at the same time, her heart beat like crazy.

“Be my girl, please, Pippa.” Ethan added, with all the love he is feeling for her on his face.

Pippa swallowed heart, then said, “Yes,I will be your girl.” She gave Ethan a tremulous, happy smile. She said softly, “I love you too, very much.”

Ethan smiled. He looked like someone who won the lottery. “Thank you, Pippa. Promise, I will not make you cry. I love you very much!”

The noise around them faded in Ethan and Pippa’s world, as they looked at each other with all the love they are feeling. They moved towards a kiss that sealed their newly-declared feelings for each other.