The Missing Element

Chapter 31

"I'm so proud of you, my love." I planted a soft kiss on his cheek as he went to my side. His graduation ceremony just ended.

"I love you." He encircled his arm around my waist while the other was holding the flowers that Tita Elisse gave him.

"Ako na po!" Sabi ko nang naghahanap sila ng kukuha ng picture.

"No, you should be included in the picture. Call Kuya nga 'yung photographer." Utos ni Ate Tricia kay Tatum.

"Lovebirds naman dali!" Dali daling hinila ni Ate Tricia si Tatum at pinaalis sila tita kaya natawa ako.

"Chemistry guys! I need chemistry!" Pagc-coach niya sa 'min habang hawak 'yung camera.

"Ayaw mo Biology?" Pilosopong sagot ni Terran kaya inirapan lang siya ni Ate Tricia.

Humarap ulit siya sa 'kin at inilapit ang mukha. "Chemistry daw." He chuckled. Napalunok pa ako saglit bago ko naramdaman ang labi niya sa labi ko. Agad ko siyang hinampas sa likod at lumayo.

"Ha! Got it!" Sigaw ni Ate Tricia at lumapit sa 'kin, ipinakita na nakuhanan niya 'yon. "Kilig! Sana all! Where's Yuan?!" She rolled her eyes and looked around to find her boyfriend.

Napatingin ako kay Terran na nakikipag-picture pa sa mga friends niya kaya tumabi na lang muna ako at kinausap si Tatum dahil wala rin naman siyang ginagawa.

"May gift ako." Biglang sabi ko habang nasa kotse kami, pauwi sa condo niya. Katatapos lang namin mag late lunch at umuwi na sila Tita Elisse dahil may gagawin pa raw sila.

"Ano?"

"Secret." Tumawa ako at inasar asar siya dahil nac-curious na siya.

"May bomba?" Walang kwentang tanong niya nang pigilan ko siyang pumasok sa condo niya.

"Oo pasabugin ko sa mukha mo." Umirap ako at kinuha 'yung mga gamit niya bago binuksan nang kaunti 'yung pinto para makapasok ako. Sabi ko dun na lang muna siya sa labas.

"Is this your way of letting me sleep outside? So tagal." Narinig kong pagrereklamo niya habang inaayos ko 'yung mga balloons.

"Come here na!" Sigaw ko. Agad siyang pumasok at napahinto nang may humarang na mga lobo sa harap niya.

"Ano 'yan Talia Amaya." He moved his face away. Pasimple niyang pinunasan 'yung luha niya kaya dali-dali ko siyang nilapitan at inakap.

"E! Why are you crying?" I laughed ang ruffled his hair. Crybaby!

"I love you." He pouted and went to the couch to take a look at the laptop prepared on the coffee table. It was a compilation of all the video clips I took of him studying.

"Love," He pouted and lied down on my lap. Such a crybaby in private.

"I have a gift." I said while I was tracing his jaw with my fingers.

"Hmm? Isn't this your gift already?" He asked, pertaining to the setup around us.

"Surprise 'yan babe. Iba 'yung gift." Tumawa ako at inabot 'yung paper bag sa gilid ng sofa.

"What's this?" Tanong niya habang binubuksan 'yung box. "Hala! Baby! Don't tell me..." His eyes widened, trying to stop himself to look at the box. "Love," He pouted.