I wasn't sure if I should take my car. I knew that my mother would throw a fit if she'd see me leave but the subdivision's gate is a good 5-minute sprint from my house and I wasn't in the mood to exercise in the middle of the night.
"Sunduin mo ako," I told Iggy over the phone. "Tawagan ko lang 'yung guard that I'm expecting you so he'll let you in. I'll call you again," I said before I ended the call.
I called the guardhouse's number and minutes later, I was outside the house and waiting for Iggy.
"Hi," I said as soon as I slid into the seat.
"Hi," he replied leaning sideways to give me a kiss. "Are you okay?"
"Oo naman," I replied fastening my seatbelt.
"'Yan 'yung bahay n'yo?" he asked.
I had decided to meet him near the back gate which is on the opposite side of my parents' bedroom.
"Mula d'un sa harap hanggang dito? Ang laki at ang ganda. Nalula ako."
"Pero, mas maganda pa rin naman ako kaysa bahay namin, 'di ba?" I kidded.
"Oo naman," he replied. "May mas gaganda pa ba sa girlfriend ko?"
"Dapat talaga wala na kasi baka bigla kitang saktan."
He laughed. "So, saan kami pupunta ng nag-iisang pinakamagandang nilalang para sa akin?"
I laughed, too. "Ikaw, saan mo gusto?"
"Pwede ka bang iuwi?"
"Ikaw na lang kaya ang iuwi ko tutal nandito na tayo sa bahay?"
"H'wag kang magbibiro ng gan'yan, Eira, magpapakaladkad ako sa'yo kahit saan."
"Ang kaladkarin naman pala nitong gwapong 'to."
He took my hand in his before bringing it to his lips. "I'll go with you to the end of the world, Eira..."
"H'wag kang masyadong sweet d'yan, Mr. Moore, baka gawin kitang keychain."
He gently caressed my cheek. "Sigurado kang okay ka lang talaga? Ayaw mo bang samahan kita kapag kinausap ka na ng Mommy mo? I hate the thought na pagagalitan kang mag-isa samantalang dalawa naman tayong..."
"Nag-enjoy?" I asked with a grin.
He sighed. "I just don't like you to face this alone. I promised you that I will take care of you, remember? 'Tapos heto ka masama ang loob pero wala man lang akong magawa...""
"I really appreciate this, Iggy. I am honestly touched that you're here. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na gusto ko pala ng mga ganitong effort. 'Yung tipo ng effort na para sa akin lang and not for everyone to see. Ang hilig kasi ng ex ko sa grand gestures. Lahat ng ginawa n'ya noon naka-announce sa social media, naka-hashtag, at dapat nakikita ng iba."
"Naka-hashtag? You didn't find that weird? Matakot ka sa mga lalaking parang palaging may pinapatunayan sa ibang tao."
"H'wag na nga natin 'yun pag-usapan."
"Ikaw kaya nag-mention."
"Sorry..." I sheepishly said. "Pero, mabuti hindi ka nainis."
"Gusto ko ngang mainis kasi nabanggit mo na naman 'yung ex mo but I realized just how unfair I am being. Siyempre mapag-uusapan natin 'yung taong 'yun dahil naging parte s'ya ng buhay mo. Ayoko namang itago mo sa akin na nagkita kayo o nagkausap just because you don't want to hurt my feelings."
"Ew 'yung part na naging parte s'ya ng buhay ko. But I am impressed with how mature you are. You're right though."
"I am?" He sounded baffled.
