After Everything (UP Series #1)

AE 42

Chapter 42

I was sitting comfortably here in the living room, wearing a pair of pajama while scrolling on my phone, with a bowl of popcorn in my lap. Arson barked and I already knew that someone's came, especially when I heard footsteps walking towards the living room.

I stopped scrolling and my eyes went to Arson. The way her tail wagged repeatedly like an excited kid, alam ko na agad kung sino ang dumating.

"Hi baby!" It was Adam with his soft voice, who immediately lifted Arson in his arms. "Did you miss me, huh?" he asked.

Pinanood ko kung paano niya pang gigilan si Arson na parang sanggol. Arson seems like she loves what Adam's doing to her. She's enjoying it.

I smiled while watching them. I missed him. I missed... this man.

Dalawang linggo lang naman siyang nawala dahil umalis ng bansa para maglaro ng basketball international. Pero sa dalawang linggong iyon, pakiramdam ko'y lampas isang taon kaming hindi nagkita. At ngayon na nasa harapan ko na siya, kumakalabog na ang puso ko sa sobrang saya.

His eyes bore into me. Ibinaba niya si Arson para muling makawala at makagala. Umayos siya ng tayo at nagsimulang maglakad patungo sa kung nasaan ako nakaupo. He's wearing a simple black plain shirt, jeans and black Nike SB charge canvas shoes. Alam ko kung anong klaseng Nike iyon dahil kasama niya ako no'ng bumili. Kumikislap din ang silver cross rhinestone necklace niya pati ang hikaw na suot.

He bit the inside of his cheek while walking towards me with eyes fixed on me. I looked up when he's already in front of me.

"Hi!" he crouched and leaned closer to me, just to give me a kiss on my forehead.

Napapikit ako at ang labi, bumuo ng isang ngiti sa ginawa niya. Gawd! I really missed him. Sa sobrang miss ko sa kanya, hindi ko na napigilan at mabilis na inabot ang kanyang leeg para sa isang yakap.

Mahina siyang humalakhak malapit sa tainga ko kaya mas lalo lang humigpit ang yakap ko sa kanya. Medyo nahiya sa ginawa. Kumalis din naman ako matapos ang ilang minuto.

We stare at each other for a while. He licked his lips as his gaze went to my back. Medyo nagtaka ako sa kung anong tinitignan niya roon. Lilingon na rin sana ako kung hindi ko lang naramdaman na parang may kinuha siya mula sa likod ng buhok ko. Hindi nagtagal, unti unti kong nakita ang kamay niyang may hawak na kung ano.

"I missed you," he said gently as he showed me the fresh pink rose na nagmula sa likod ko.

Bahagyang nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Saan nanggaling 'yon? Daming alam ng lalaking 'to! My lips automatically formed a smile and accepted the pink rose that he's holding.

"Dami mong alam," I said, trying my best to be serious to control my smile. Lalo na ang kilig na nararamdaman.

Palagi naman akong nakakatanggap sa kanya ng bulaklak, pero iba ngayon. Siguro dahil... dalawang linggo kaming hindi nagkita at iyon ang unang beses na nagkahiwalay kami.

"Thank you," I said sincerely after I smelled the rose that he gave to me. It smells so good. Like him. I really love it, like how I love him. Everytime he does simple things and makes an effort like this, I always appreciate it, that my heart starts to beat a bit fast inside my chest.

Nakaupo siya sa harapan ko. Nakabend ang dalawang tuhod at medyo nakatip-toe, ramdam ko iyon dahil nadali ng paa ko ang sapatos niya kanina. His both hands were resting on my both side. Tiningnan ko siya. His right hand went to my lap when I pinched his nose and giggled a bit coz he's staring too much. Nang bitawan ko'y medyo namula ang ilong niya kaya napahalakhak ako. He frowned.