It's 1 in the afternoon already and she's still sleeping peacefully. I dont wanna wake her up. I cant wake her up. I fully understand that she needs this kind of sleep right at this very moment.
I sat on the bed and turned on my macbook as I check emails. Suddenly, her phone rang.
It's Tita Tracy.
"Tita," I answered on its first ring. I have a feeling that this call is something important.
"Moe, hi," she greeted.
"Hi tita, good afternoon. Julie is still sleeping," i told her as i glanced at Julie.
"I expected that," she laughed. "Please tell her to check her email tonight. I sent her some appointment and schedules there. I just need to know kung alin dun yung i-a-approve niya," she continued.
"Oh sige, tita. I'll tell her as soon as she wakes up. Thank you, Tita. Magpahinga muna kayo. You just got home," sabi ko. It has only been like 15 hours since they landed here.
"I will, Moe. Siya yung pagod. It's good you're there to take care of her," she said and a smile formed on my face.
"Sige na. Magpahinga ka na muna din," Tita Tracy ended the call right i said thank you again.
As I go over my files, a certain folder caught my attention. It was renamed as "Written Songs"
I opened it and saw a list of song titles. I nearly forgot about these. I opened one that is entitled as Stay and read the words quietly.
I shooked my head and immediately close the folder. It was my composition that i never wanted to publish. I cant bring them out in public. They are the pain of the past. And that i need to forget, let it go. Let it disappear. I can write a better ones right now. Perhaps Julie can help me too. But i dont think now is the right time. I still wanna enjoy every moment of time with Julie. Ayoko munang malayo sa kanya.
She stirred once, twice, thrice and then extended her arms. With her eyes closed, she reached for me. I closed the mac book and put it aside.
I moved closer to her as I touched and fixed her hair to see her angel-like face clearly.
"Hey," i whispered. She tightened her grip and i chuckled.
"It's time to wake up, love," i tried. Slowly opening her eyes, my smile widens.
"Hi," she smiled. God, her morning voice. Dang so sexy.
"Hi, love. The sun is about to set. The princess should get up now," i mumbled and she laughed. I was kidding about the sun.
"Anong oras na?" she asked.
"2 PM."
"You're kidding me," she panicked and sat up.
"Hey, baby. Relax. Calm down. You can sleep as long as you want," i motioned her to bed but she shooked her head.
"Kanina ka pa gising?" She asked and ran to the bathroom to do her rituals when she wakes up.
"Amm, i woke up around 10," i went on.
"Ugh!" She groaned. "Baby, sorry i woke up so late," she apologized.
"Love, it's okay," i chuckled near the bathroom door.
"You'e tired and we're not going anywhere today. Dito lang tayo sa bahay. I'll prepare you food. What do you want?" i explained and asked.
"Gusto ko ng pancakes, please," i heard her talked.
"Pancakes in 10 minutes for my love!" i shouted softly and i rushed to the kitchen to prepare. And after another 5 minutes, she came in and hugged me from behind. By the way, she looks hot with my white t-shirt on her. Glasses on plus a tight hair bun.
"Ang bangoooo!"
"Special pancake for my Julie," i giggled. "But you have to wait a little more longer. Why dont you turn on the tv and see what the world's latest news?" I suggested instead of having her see me here making a mess. She shooked her head and move to my side.
"Ayokong manood. Can i borrow your laptop instead?" nakabungisngis niyang tanong.
"You dont have to ask, love. Go ahead. Iniwan ko sa mesa sa kwarto. Will you be fine going up to get it?"
"Walang problema. Ako nakikihiram eh," sagot niya. Napailing na lang ako. She ran as fast as she could. And i suddenly heard a lound bang.
"Julie Anne!!" i shouted again. Such clumsy.
"Babe!! I just.. This is nothing! Yung hagdan kasi medj shunga!" she screamed back.
"Hindi mo naman kasi kailangang tumakbo!" i scolded her in a loud voice.
"Sorry!" she chuckled. I guess she's at the living room now. Everything turned quiet.
"Love, your pancakes are served. Halika na," i called and hang the apron on its place. She didnt answer so i went to check her at the living room. Nakatingin lang siya sa laptop.
"What's wrong?" i asked. Im quite anxious. She's not even moving, she's just staring at the laptop.
"When did you take this?" tanong niya without breaking her stare at the laptop.
"What's that?" i asked curiously as i looked at my screen.
"My wallpaper?" tanong ko at tumango siya.
She looked at me seriously, waiting for my answer.
"I took this one five years ago," i sat beside her. Her gaze was still on me. What? Anong meron sa wallpaper ko? Tulog siya dito. Nakapikit yung mga mata niya. Naka open slightly yung red lips niya. Yung buhok niya natatakpan ng isang mata niya.
"How long have you been using this walllaper?" she asked again.
"I never really changed it since the day i set that as my walllaper," i smiled pero siya expressionless pa din. She's thinking deeply and the silence is growing.
"Love, kainin mo muna yung pancakes mo," pagkukumbinsi ko.
"That can wait," she said dismissively and suddenly turned her position and faced me.
"Baby, sabi mo pag uusapan natin yung about sa career plans mo when i get back, right? Im back. So pwede na ba nating pag usapan yun ngayon?" mahinhin niyang pag open up sa topic. I stayed quiet for a minute and she just cant wait for me to speak and so she went on again.
"Because you have so many talents. Pursue your dreams. Kahit ano sa kanila. Photography. Filming. Being a cook. But most especially an artist. As a singer. As a composer. As a rapper."
Dreams. Sure.
"Julie, i will. But not right now. I have to wait. 3 years maybe?" i looked around. I just wanna stay focus on taking care of her.
"Why wait that long? The doors have finally open. Again. All you have to do is to choose which one to enter," pagdidiin niya.
"Love, ang sa akin lang, gusto ko munang bumawi sayo.. And.."
"Elmo,"
Uh oh.
"Ayokong ma-stuck ka dito." she cut me in.
"I know, love pero.."
"Ayokong isipin ng mga tao na parang sa akin na lang umiikot yung mundo mo," she breathe in.
"But that's true and to...."
"That's not it. I love you. Always have. Always will but.." she kept going. And now its time for me to interrupt and end this compromise.
"Julie, all i wanna do is to stay by your side right now and take care of you for a little while because i'll surely comeback on the limelight when im ready."
"Enough about me. Okay? Elmo, i fell inlove with a guy who was once rapping onstage. Every lyrics that comes into his mouth were sweet and pure and innocent," she spoke calmly.
Point taken.
The life that i had before was incredibly beautiful. But now with her, i cant even think of a word to best describe how it even feels. And all i ever want is a time with her.
"Babawi lang ako sayo," i pushed it through.
"Moe, hindi mo pa din ba makuha?" she sounded half mad now. Her forehead creased and i touched them with my fingertips. She slowly calm down and bowed her head.
She looked at me before she talks again, "Moe. Please never worry anymore about that stupid 3 years. It's gone and done and..."
"I fear about schedules. Time. Critics. Gossips and all that. I fear about losing you," i said quietly. Sinabi ko na yung last thought na na-stuck sa utak ko. I heaved a deep sigh.
"Look at me," she cupped my face and level her eyes to mine.
"Dont worry about it. We can arranged every schedules. Mapag uusapan yan. Ang sa akin lang, ang gusto ko lang, ayoko na sa akin lang naka focus yung mundo mo. The world is an incdedible place and together, titignan natin yung beauty na binibigay niya sa atin. And i assure you, hinding hindi ako mawawala sayo. Kahit anong sabihin nila. I'll stay with you and by you always. So please," she sighed and closed her eyes.
I realized at this very moment na... Tama nga naman. Life is about taking risks and grabbing opportunities. But im still afraid about everything as I opened up about it with Julie but she made it clear that no matter what, she'll stay.
She'll stay.
I nodded once.
"What's that for?" may ngiti sa mukha niya.
I smirked and sighed happily, "I dont even know what you ever did to me!" i left the thought hanging for i know, alam na niya ang ibig kong sabihin.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Shall we go and eat now? You need something to take in," i asked at bigla niya akong niyakap.
"Can we stay like this for awhile? I missed you. And this," she looked up and i gave her a feather like kisses on the lips.
"Never ever argue with me again," i told her in between our kisses.
"Not gonna say yes. I need to fight for what i think is right, Mr. Elmo Magalona!" she answered teasingly.
I laughed this time.
We stayed in each other's arms for like an hour or so before deciding to eat. Nag uumapaw yung saya ko. At dahil jan, we might as well grab some ice cream later. But knowing Julie....
"Bakit ka nakangiti jan?" there's a puzzled look on her face.
"Wala," i just couldnt hide it.
"Bakit nga??" pagpupumilit niyang tanong at bigla siyang umupo.
"Nothing really. Are we gonna argue about this again?" tanong ko at bigla siyang natawa.
"Baby, lets go to the beach? Watch the sunset again!!!!! Bili na din tayo ng ice cream? Matutunaw na yun agad mamaya. So siguro pwede din akong makikain. Ano ano ano???" she excitedly asked me.
After a heavy argument, eto siya. Nangungulit.
Now lets hit the road! Beach. Ice cream. Make some more memories.
"Lezgow!"
Julie, really.
With a huge smile on her face, i watched her enjoy the water under the setting sun. I took my camera out and start pressing the shutter button. More for my wallpaper. ????
• • •
Dont ever cry a river again. Lezgow to the beach! Magpakalunod. Nyenye. ?? have a good night. ??
M~
