Bente Kwatro

20. Perplexed

"So maybe you can tell me now the whole thing that happened to you today, Alexa?"

Sinulyapan ko si Charm na nasa passenger seat. Her brows were creased.

"I thought you'd already forgot about that." Nagkibit balikat ako at muling itinuon ang aking atensyon sa pagmamaneho.

Inihatid lang namin sina Chai at Nanay Carmela matapos ng maliit naming celebration para sa graduation ni Charm. Now we're heading to the hospital.

"I wouldn't let it slide this time Alexa. I want to know what happened to you. And when I say 'what happened' I mean everything, even the slightest detail that happened to you."

I chuckled and shaked my head. "Seriously Charm? Can't we just enjoy this night and celebrate this day? I mean, you just don't know how proud I am to you. Saka nasabi ko naman na sa'yo kanina sa University 'di ba? Do I really have to detail it?"

"I know you are." She smiled and winked. "But we can enjoy the whole night while you are telling me some interesting stories."

I laughed. I hold her hand and kissed it. Saan na nga ba napunta ang mga ganitong pagkakataon sa pagitan namin ni Charm? Mga ganitong pangyayari na napakasimple lang ng lahat. We were not shouting with each other. We never misunderstood one another. We listened from each of our stories. I looked at her. "Mahal ko.. I miss us.."

Dumami ang gatla sa kanyang noo. "Care to elaborate Mahal kong Alexandra." Puno ng lambing ang kanyang boses.

Gosh did I just melt with those looks of her? "When I said 'I miss us', I was actually pertaining to 'us'!" Nagkatingin kami at sabay pang nagkatawanan.

"I think your jokes were getting lame, Alexa." She teased.

I shrugged. "Well, I don't mind having a 'lame joke' as long as it will still make you laugh!"

"Hmm.. Alright then. I'll add that for all the 'kilig' things that you said and did for me. Fair enough Alexa?"

Hindi ko na napigilan ang mapatawa. "Now that would be great, Charmaine!" Ipinark ko ang aking sasakyan sa hospital. "Can you accompany me inside, Charmaine?"

Pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay saka nag crossed arms. "So I thought derecho na tayo sa condo mo, Alexandra?"

"When are you going to learn that its 'our' condo?"

"And how many times do I need to tell you that its only 'yours' and that I'm just having some sleepovers!"

Muli kaming nagkatawanan. Hinarap ko siya saka ko muling hinawakan ang dalawa niyang kamay. "You know, I love this night, I mean this kind of nights that we got to spend time with each other. You know, that even we're talking nonsense stuffs, still it means a lot to me." Napakamot ako sa aking noo. "Do you get what I mean? You know, spending time with you like this is precious. Its like, I wanted to freeze each moment to stay like this." Nagkibit balikat ako saka muli siyang tinitigan. "I know I don't often tell you what I really do feel. And sometimes I'm being sarcastic or just I'm making fun of it but I do love you, am I making sense to you, Mahal ko?"

Her eyes were a bit teary while she smiled. "Of course! Of course you do always make sense, Alexa!" Ginagap nya ang aking kamay saka ito dinala sa kanyang mga labi. "I love you too.. So so much." Ngumiti siya saka ako kinindatan.

Halos sabay lang kaming bumaba ng sasakyan. Muli ko siyang hinawakan sa kamay at naglakad na kami papunta sa loob. Kukunin ko sana ang dalawang paper bag na pinabili ko kay Myra pero naunahan nya na ako.

"Sorry Ma'am, pero tapos na po ang visiting hours. Magstart po ulit bukas ng 8 am." Iyon agad ang sinabi ng nurse on duty nang makarating kami sa reception ng hospital.