Flames and Vengeance (South Series # 1) COMPLETED- To be published

Chapter 45

I moved out from Rylie's unit a day after that. Calix helped me send my things to my parent's house in Alabang. At first he wanted me to move in with him in Makati. With my paranoia, ang hirap ko ng magdesisyon, and the anxiety of bar results was creeping in. I need my family to be with me.

For my first Christmas vacation without the responsibility of studying for an exam the following year, my family flew to Paris, si Ate Trish lang naiwan kasi may duty siya, at feeling ko hindi rin niya maiwan si Kuya Miggy, I heard they got back together.

"Hindi ka ba uuwi ng anniversary natin?" Tanong niya noong nat'yempuhan niyang gising ako at nakasagot ng tawag.

"Uuwi ako ng 30, let's see kung aabot ako."

"Bakit hindi na lang 29, para out-of-town sana tayo, tatlong taon na tayong nasa city lang?"

"Walang available niyan."

"So, hotel na naman tayo?" Tanong niya.

"Unit mo na lang, sayang pera."

"Ako naman gagastos, ayaw mo?"

"No need," I declined. "Sige na, nagpe-prepare na sila mommy ng handa. See you sa 31?"

"Merry Christmas, baby!"

"Merry Christmas!" I replied.

Dahil honeymoon trip ng kapatid ko 'yon, halos mag-isa kong namamasyal, tinatamad rin naman ang parents ko. I felt freedom on days I stayed there, I was alone when I went to different attractions, but I never felt lonely.

"Ingat ka," si mommy. "Text mo ako 'pag nasa Manila ka na. Bakit naman kasi January 1 anniversary niyo? Lagi tuloy hindi ka namin kasama."

Dad laughed. "Four years niya na 'tong ginagawa, hindi ka pa rin sanay?"

Kuya scoffed. "Malay mo mommy next New Year kasama na natin siya."

Hindi niya ako nasundo sa airport kasi hindi ko sinabi anong oras ang dating ko, it was 10 pm when my flight landed, ilang oras na lang New Year na. Dahil traffic pa papunta ng Makati, January 1 na noong nakarating ako sa kanya.

"Sorry," I started. "Delayed ang flight."

He hugged me immediately. "Akala ko hindi ka na uuwi. Happy 4th anniversary, baby!"

I responded with his kisses, it was passionate and calm. "Happy 4th, my love."

"Kain muna tayo?" 

Tumango ako. He held my hand and ushered me to sit across his. The dinner was kinda cold already, he was apologetic, akala daw kasi niya hindi na ako darating.

"Gusto mo iinit ko?" Tanong ko kasi hindi naman siya nakakakain ng malamig ang pagkain.

Hindi ko na hinintay na magsalita siya, agad akong tumayo at kinuha muna ang pasta at steak, I reheated it in his microwave.

His arms snaked around my waist seconds after, he then rested his chin on my shoulder. "I missed you. So bad. Huling taon na 'yon na magkahiwalay tayo ng bahay."

"Mag-ayos na ba ako next week?" Tanong ko.

"Ikaw. 'Yong church na ba ayusin mo? Ako na sa civil?"

"Hindi ka ba busy?" Tanong ko ulit.

"Busy naman lagi, but that's our wedding, of course I'll make time."