You, Me, and The Sea (Finding Forever)

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 15

"Tulog na ba siya?"

Tumango ang lalaki kapagkuwa'y ininom ang isinaling tubig sa baso. Nilapitan at hinalikan siya sa pisngi ng nobyang kararating lang. 

"Nasa room niya, nanaginip iyon kanina."

"A- ano na naman ang--"

"Don't worry, it was just a dream. Maayos na naman ang pagtulog niya." Payakap niyang kinausap ang babae upang huwag na itong mag-alala. "Hey, you're not her nanny. Besides, let her be. Ang mahalaga, nandito tayo for her."

"Alvin, alam mo namang nakokonsensiya ako. Hindi ko siya kayang pabayaan na lang. I have to help her!"

"Hindi naman natin siya pababayaan. We're in this together. Just stop worrying too much, okay?"

Bahagyang tumango si Norma. Nagyakap ang magnobyo. 

"Was I good in my mother's womb?" She smiled sweetly before saying, "I'm lucky to have you, a supportive and understanding boyfriend." 

Touched by her words, Alvin touched her lips. "Hey, I don't remember if I've already told you," holding her chin, " I'm proud of you!"

Napangiti ang babae sa ibinulong ng katipan. "And why is that?" Hindi niya maitago ang kilig na nadarama sa harap nito. 

"You're not just strong, you're thoughtful and caring, too. Good qualities iyan ng babae na gusto kong maging asawa."

"Hmm… nagpaparinig ka na ba, dear? We're not yet financially stable."

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Ang sinasabi ko lang, I'm lucky to have you. You're such a gem na hindi dapat pinapalampas," adding after a sigh, "mabuti na lang hindi ako binigyan ng chance ni Angelie. Ikaw pala ang para sa akin." He touched and massaged her hand and kissed it. She then kissed his head. His nose tip. His lips.

"I want you, dear!"

No word came out of Norma's mouth, but her parted lips and the look in her eyes tell it all. He put his hand on her back, trying to find a way to untangle her bra.

"No!" A scream from Angelie's room automatically stopped them. Nagkatinginan sila, parang biglang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig ang kanina lang ay mainit na eksena.

Hindi pinigilan ni Alvin ang pagmamadali ng nobyang makarating sa loob ng kuwarto ni Angelie. Kahit paano ay batid niyang maaaring bangungutin na naman si Angelie. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit sila nagsasalit-salitang magkakaibigan sa pagmo-monitor sa dalaga.

"Angelie, wake up!"

"No!... Don't go!" Larawan ng depressed at nagsusumamo si Angelie habang nananaginip. Niyugyog naman siya ni Norma.

"Gising na, Angelie!"

Nang bumuka ang mga mata ni Angelie ay habol na niya ang hininga.

"It was just a dream." Masuyong inayos ni Norma ang magulo at pawisang buhok ng babae. Pumasok naman si Alvin at pinainom ng tubig si Angelie.

"Bakit paulit-ulit na lang?" Disappointed at tila nanlalatang turan ni Angelie. 

"It was just a dream, huwag mo ng dibdibin."

"Look at you, is this the time na dapat ay nandito kayo? Di na yata kayo nagdi-date because of me. Why don't you leave? Leave me alone! I'm just a burden to you!"

"Hey," sinenyasan niya si Alvin na lumabas muna ng kuwarto dahil tutulungan niyang magbihis ang babae, "don't do this to yourself. Hindi naman kami araw-araw na nandito, 'di ba? Besides, we like coming here."