Up Where We Belong

Chapter 17

Night

He sounded sincere. I can't hide my smile. It was plastered on my face. Obvious 'yon sa mukha ko at iyon ang problema ko dahil napakatransparent kong tao.

"You're handsome, too," I honestly said. "And a great actor as well."

He smirked. "What made you say that?"

"Ang galing mo kayang umarteng boyfriend, fiancé at husband. Paniwalang-paniwala kaya ang mga tao."

"It turned out great because of your cooperation."

"Kunsabagay. Because of you, I discovered one talent of mine. Siguro subukan ko na din mag-artista, ano?" I giggled.

We're heading to his grandparents' house. Nandoon na ang iilang gamit ko, hinatid ng mga tauhan. Hindi dinamihan ang mga damit dahil hindi daw naman kailangan 'yon sa honeymoon. Napapailing nalang talaga ako sa mga inaasahan ng mga tao.

"Pwede, pwede. Why not? I'll be your number 1 fan," seryosong sabi niya.

I frowned. "It was just a joke, okay?"

He smiled. "I'm here to support whatever you want to do."

I gazed at him. What was he thinking?

"Titingnan natin. By the way, our countdown starts. 364 days to go," I cheered.

Nagmamadali akong bumaba ng kotse pagkarating ng bahay. Gusto ko nang ihiga ang pagod kong katawan. Ramdam ko ang pangangalay ng panga ko sa kakangiti. Ganoon ba naman kabusisi ang mga photographers. Buong katawan ko parang tinakasan ng lakas.

"Okay ka lang ba?" Gab checked on me when we both stepped inside the house. It looked like there was no one here beside us.

"Okay lang ako. Medyo masakit lang ang katawan ko pero keri lang naman," sabi ko at naglakad patungo sa kusina, bitbit ang laylayan ng damit. "Umakyat kana doon sa kwarto mo. Kukuha lang ako ng tubig."

Hindi ito umalis bagkus ay sinundan niya ako sa kusina. "Nauuhaw ka rin ba?" tanong ko nang hindi pa rin ito umaalis. Binuksan ko ang ref at kinuha ang pitsel. I poured water on the glass and drank it all out. Ang sarap, sobra! Parang manamis-namis ang tubig.

He took the pitcher and poured water on the glass where I drank. Inisang lagok niya ang laman ng baso. Uhaw na uhaw din siguro ito sa buong araw na acting-an.

For a while, no one spoke. We just kept staring at each other like we're trying to read each other's minds. One thing is for sure, I can't read his thoughts.

He started walking towards me. I took a few steps back, but he also kept taking few steps closer. One step back and my back slammed against the wall. He was few inches away. Halos magkalapit din ang aming mga mukha.

"G-Gab," I asked, my voice shaking. I pressed my hands against his chest. "Don't t-tell me..."

I couldn't finish my sentence. I only managed to scream and paddled my feet so he could put me down as he carried me in his arms.

"Hey! Put me down!" I shouted at him. Hindi ito nagsasalita kaya naman nakaramdam ako ng kaba sa maaari niyang gawin.

He climbed the stairs slowly. I couldn't do anything else but to wrap my arms around his neck, or else I'd fall getting away from him.

"Anong b-binabalak mo?" kandautal ko. I looked at his blank face. I can't see any indication that he's making fun of me or if he's about to do something unthinkable.

I stopped making any attempt to let go from him. I relaxed a bit and shifted my thoughts to the door in front of us. Ang alam ko ay ito ang magiging kwarto ko at ang kasunod na kwarto ay sa kaniya.