First Glance

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

"Niko!" I jumped out of joy like a ten year old kid when the snow started pouring. It's the first snowfall of the year and I'm really really waiting for this.

"Should I take you a picture?"

I nodded still looking at the enticing snow like a child when I am freaking 32 this year! Gosh! I blink when the film camera's flash hits my eyes. I glared at Niko pero nawala din ang atensyon sa kaniya at tumingin ulit sa itaas.

It's been four years… 

Where still here.

Stronger.

Damn, I'm so proud to say that.

I looked at Niko. He was just looking at me while pouting, trying to hide his smile and holding the film cam.

"I love you."

He burst out laughing.

"Is that the effect of snow on you?"

I pouted. Nagpapaawa kasi siya minsan na hindi ko na daw siya mahal dahil hindi ko na siya sinasabihan ng I love you sa kaniya pero paano naman 'yung effort ko na paglutuan siya lagi tapos gisingin siya sa umaga. God! Ang wife material, shet!

We are here in New York, celebrating the New Year together and we are here in the street where Santa Claus and Christmas lights are scattered all around. I pulled my hand out of my pocket to catch some snow.

"I love you too, baby."

He kissed me.

"I love you more,"

"I love you more and more,"

"I love you forever,"

"I love you forever and ever,"

I hit his arm. "Ang plastik mo, hindi bagay sa'yo!"

I still want to enjoy the snow but It's getting colder and colder as minutes pass by so we have no choice but to go back to the hotel. He ordered some hot chocolate for us before we got back to our suite.

I looked at him. I still can't believe that it's been four years since then. I still can't believe kung paano ko siya naloko ng dahil lang nakita ko siya sa balcony. Mabuti na lang at hindi pa siya nagigising sa katotohanan na ako ang girlfriend niya. Char.

We have been traveling in different countries around Asia these past few months, because of a controversy that really affected my career. That's why Tito, who is still my manager up until now—suggested to lilo down the issue before coming back again. My career really blew up these past few years. I got a chance to walk in the Victoria Secret Runway, YSL in Paris and many other different brands. The best years of my career.

But, of course in this industry, you should be aware that when you are at the time where you shine they will always try to bring you down.

Hindi pwedeng maging masaya sila sa success mo.

Kasi gusto nila, sila lang ang maging successful.

But, It's fine. I looked at Niko who is now receiving the foods he ordered including the hot choco. I unconsciously smiled.

As long as I am with Niko.

I'm gonna be fine.

We woke up around nine in the morning, naked under the sheets. Napa-facepalm na lang ako ng maalala ang nangyari kagabi. Mahina kong sinipa si Niko ng inisin ako sa mga sigaw ko kagabi. 

Putangina talaga.

We just stayed in the suite the whole day dahil tinatamad na daw siyang maglakad, pinagbigyan na daw niya ako kahapon kaya buong araw akong inis na inis sa kaniya. Palibhasa kasi madalas siya nandito e.

"Don't be sad, we have tomorrow pa, hmm?"

"Maglibot ka mag-isa mo bukas."

He just laughed.

After two days, bumalik din kami sa Pilipinas. Aliw na aliw talaga ako kapag naririnig ko ‘yung pangalan niyang sinasabi sa eroplano. Siya kasi ang piloto kahit noong papunta kami, sinadya niya talaga na masabay sa New Year ang flight niya para makasama ako.

Perks of being the owner of the Airline you work for.

Pagdating doon sa condo namin, bagsak na agad siya at ako naman ay antok na rin pero gusto pang ayusin muna ang mga gamit pero may jetlag din kasi ako kaya naisipan na lang na bukas mag-ayos at tumabi sa kaniya. Yes, we've been living together for almost 2 years.

Kinabukasan ay wala na siya sa tabi ko at narinig kong may nagluluto kaya baka siya iyon. Bumangon ako at ginawa ang routine ko tuwing umaga bago umpisahan ayusin ang mga dala-dala naming gamit.

Marami-rami kaming dala dahil bumili ako ng pasalubong kay Jara at Tito. Matagal na rin kasi nilang gusto pumunta sa New York pero pumayag naman sila ng nagpaalam ako sa kanilang kami muna ni Niko.

"Oh, you already awake," stating the obvious.

"Yeah..."

"Let’s eat first then I will help you to arrange that, okay?"

I nodded at sinabing susunod na lang ako.

"Should we visit Jara and your Tito so that you can give them the pasalubong?" He suggested. Niko is super close with them. Sometimes, I will think of the times when Tito hated him the most and I will just laugh. 

"Yeah, but not now. I’m still tired. Maybe tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sure,"

Kinabukasan ay pumunta kami sa kanila, katulad ng plano. Hindi na sila sa Bulacan nakatira, dahil nagtatrabaho na si Jara as a professional graphic designer at minsan ay siya rin ang nirerecommend ko sa mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho kaya hindi na talaga sila pwedeng sa Bulacan dahil nandito rin ang trabaho ni Tito.

But, I can’t lose our house in Bulacan. That’s the only thing that Mom left on us. 

Pagdating namin doon ay nakita ko si Tito na nakahilig sa lamesa, problemadong problemado. At alam kong dahil iyon sa issue na hindi ko naman ginawa. Jara saw us that’s why naabutan ako ni Tito na nakatingin sa kaniya.

He immediately smiled.

I hugged them.

"Happy New Year, Ate!"

"Nassan si Niko?"

I heard the door opened, kaya tumango siya. Si Niko siguro iyon, nagpark pa kasi kaya nauna na ako. We ate lunch dahil nagluto ata si Jara. Nasa gitna kami ng kwentuhan ng nakalimutan kong may ibibiigay nga pala kami sa kanila. Inaya ko si Niko na bumaba para kuhanin ‘yung mga pasalubong na nasa sasakyan.

"Kami na lang ni Tito..."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Nakita kong sumulyap si Tito sa kaniya, naguguluhan din pero parang nagkaintindihan agad sila ng tumingin si Niko sa kaniya dahil pumayag naman agad si Tito.

Kami naman dalawa ni Jara ang nagkatinginan. I can see that she wants to tease me about something but keeping her mouth shut and pretending like she doesn't know what's going on.

What was that?