Clarity (A SANDRO MARCOS FANFICTION)

21. Worth

SANDRO

"Simon ngiti ka kaya. You look like you hold the weight of the world on your shoulders." Airi told him that morning as she took a selfie of us with the sea of clouds behind.

Simon rolled his eyes and just glared at the camera.

"Nakakagigil ka alam mo yun?" Airi said, gritting her teeth while widening her eyes at Simon.

"Whatever. I enjoyed the view. This is just my usual stoic handsome face." He replied.

"This is just my usual stoic handsome face," Airi mimicked sarcastically. "Narcissist." She mumbled.

I chuckled and pulled her to my side. "Let's just drink the coffee we brought while we watch the sunrise." I told her.

She smiled. "Wait. Set up ko lang camera." She replied and went to set it up behind the log where we planned to sit down, facing the sea of clouds.

"Thank goodness someone thought of drinking coffee. The bag is so heavy." Simon grumbled as he put down the bag where we put the small thermos that has brewed coffee in it, disposable cups and the fresh pandesal.

I rolled my eyes. "Stop complaining. You agreed to come with us."

"I forgot that I am going to be the third wheel. Again."

"She's not making you feel like one Si."

He looked at me. "No. But you are with all the holding hands, hugging and kissing her knuckles, forehead and cheeks. You looked so clingy. I threw up inside my mind a thousand times." Simon replied sarcastically.

I laughed at my younger brother. "You need a girlfriend."

"And suffer the consequences of falling out of love and breaking up? No. Pass. The only thing I need in the world is alcohol." Simon retorted.

"You and your love for alcohol."

He smiled. "It's the only thing that wouldn't break up with me."

I rolled my eyes. "Airi and I have a ten-year plan which consists of not breaking up." I share.

He gave me the coffee he poured on the cup and looked at me. "Then break up after ten years?"

I made a face. "No. Of course not. What is the point of dating that long if we are just gonna break up?"

Simon rolled his eyes. "Are you gonna marry her then?"

It made me smile. "Yeah I would." Unconsciously, my gaze turned to Airi who was smiling as she walked towards us.

The streak of sunlight shone towards her face. She looked radiantly beautiful as she smiled, probably singing some song as she walked. My heart throbbed at this beautiful woman who got my attention.

"You got a drool on the side of your mouth Sands." I heard Simon spoke.

I made a face at him and checked. "Shut up." He was fucking teasing me.

Airi plopped down on the log where I was seated. "Simon penge coffee."

Simon just obliged. Airi looked at me, smiling.

"What?" I asked.

"Gwapo mo." She chirped, giggling.

"Are you going to kiss him? Should I turn around and pretend I am alone?" Simon interrupted.

"Or you can watch us para matutunan mo kung paano humalik." Airi retorted.

Simon made a face. "I have seen you kiss each other for satan knows how many times and fucking know how to kiss a woman and make her forget her ex."

"Edi panoorin mo ulit kami. Sad to say hindi ka makakanood ng live porn kasi abstinence is life etong kapatid mo which means, both of us are tigang unless may sex toy siya na tinatago at pinaglalabasan ng sperms," I made a face. "Which means, wala akong dilig which means-"

"Please stop talking." Simon cut it.

"Boring mong kausap," She turned to me. "Sandro laplapan na lang us while the sun is rising kasi it's so fucking romantic." She said, giggling.

---

True to her words, the night market was packed with a crowd of people walking around and buying from the stalls. Airi and I were holding hands as we walked the streets of Baguio.

"Bili tayo knitted sweater." She told me while looking at the stall beside us.

"Okay." I just agreed.

"Suot natin sa Christmas tapos photoshoot tayo. Ayieee. Kilig! Simon mainggit ka!" She exclaimed as if Simon was with us.

I chuckled. She pulled me closer to the stall and began to look for sweater.

"Choose the red one." I told her.

"Makihanap ka kaya."

"I prefer holding your hands here." I replied.

She turned to me and rolled her eyes. "Landi mo Sandwo."

Someone suddenly bumped me from behind before I could say anything and made me lean towards Airi. I grabbed her, afraid she might fall. She shrieked and clung her arms around my neck, pulling me even closer. Airi's eyes widened in shock like me.

The world literally stopped in my sight and Airi was the only person in my sight right now. I can hear the fast beating of my heart despite the crowd of people talking around us. The cold crisp of air suddenly turned hot.

"Am I holding your boobs?" I asked upon realizing what part of her body I grabbed. Our lips were so close that I could almost kiss her.

"You are holding my left boob and my nipple is probably turned on right now, Sandwo." She replied, almost teasing.

I made a face and let go off my other hand. "Sorry. Reflex." I mumbled.

Airi smiled, her arms still around my neck. "You can hold them anytime you want Sandwo."

I rolled my eyes. "Cinnamon please."

"Just teasing you." She laughed and went back to what she was doing.

I sighed and breathed some air. It was so fucking hot.

---

"Every Christmas talaga bumabati kayo the Pilipinas?" Airi asked while waiting for the camera to set up.

I nodded. "Yeah. I don't know when it started but yeah." I replied.

She chewed her bottom lip. "How do you feel about the people still bashing your family? Don't get me wrong. I love your family. Your parents have been kind to me ever since but I know there are still haters out there."

I smiled and swiped the hair that covered her eyes. "Nothing. I respect their opinions. If that is what they want to believe, so be it."

"They are missing out the goodness in your family Sandwo and it makes me want to protect you if ever they hurt you." She muttered, cupping my face.

"That's sweet but I am the one who is supposed to protect you, Cinnamon."

"We'll protect each other then. How would you like that Sandwo?" She asked. "It's not a team if won't. We are not following the rules of teamwork which is essential in a relationship." She added.

I laughed. This woman has always something to say. "If you think so then sure. We'll protect each other Cinnamon. I think that's romantic."

She looked at me in the eye. "That is romantic than flowers and chocolates Sandwo."

Oh Airi. You are making me feel things.

---

goodnight :)