Visual of Elysian (Abstract Series #2)

Chapter 22

"Sorry," I told him with guilt.

He grinned. "Ayos lang. Alam ko namang busy ka."

Napatingin ako sa dalawang plato na nasa mesa. Bawat plato ay may steak at mashed potato na nakalagay. May gravy pa sa gilid. My heart weeps at the thought of him preparing all of this while I am completely unaware that today is our anniversary.

"Let's eat." He even cut the steak into thin slices for me. I kept glancing at him, unsure on what to do next.

Wala man lang akong maibigay na regalo sa kanya. Alam kong hindi excuse ang busy kong buhay para makalimutan ito pero talagang napuno ang isip ko sa mga ipapasang gawain.

"Kain ka na," he groaned when I didn't move my food. "May ibibigay ako sa 'yo mamaya kaya ubusin mo na 'yan."

May ibibigay pa siya? Mas lalo lang bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. Talagang pinaghandaan niya 'to.

He was the first to finish his meal. Ilang ulit niya rin akong pinagbantaan na susubuan niya ako kung hindi ako kakain ng maayos.

"Come on."

"What are you doing?" nagtataka kong tanong nang nilagyan niya ng piring ang mga mata ko.

"Basta." I could hear him clicking his tongue, guiding me in the right direction.

Narinig kong may binuksan siyang pinto hanggang sa tumigil kami. He quickly removed my blindfold.

Medyo malabo pa ang paningin ko noong una pero nang maayos na, agad akong namangha sa nasa harapan ko.

"Happy anniversary again," he greeted once more, waiting for my reaction.

A large artwork stands in front of me. It's me staring out at the vast ocean. I'm quite sure this is the photo he took during our trip to Bantayan.

"You painted… this?" I pointed at the painting, my entire system being in chaos.

He nodded. "Hindi ako magaling sa arts kaya nanood na lang ako ng mga video sa YouTube. May natutunan din naman ako sa klase natin kaya…" He stopped and scratched the back of his head.

"This painting will serve as my love for you. Letting go of this one means I am finally letting you go too."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "May plano kang iwan ako?"

His lips parted but chuckled. "Of course, no! Gusto ko lang ipaalam na sobrang importante ng painting na 'to."

I stepped up close to him and threw him a kiss on the lips. He was taken aback at first, but finally returned the kiss. Tumigil siya sa paghalik sa akin nang sinimulan kong tanggalin ang mga butones sa polo niya.

"Sian…" he called, breath becoming heavy. "W-What are you doing?"

I smiled a little. "I am giving it to you."

Mas lalong naging mabigat ang paghinga niya. I watched him take a step backward from me.

"Kung ginagawa mo lang 'to dahil naguguilty kang nakalimutan mo ang anniversary natin, please, 'wag."

I exhaled a deep breath. "I am ready, Aid. I even took shots."

Umawang ang labi niya, siguradong gulat sa sinabi ko. I lied, okay? I am not taking shots! But I want to do it with him. Ayon naman sa mga kilala ko, hindi naman daw nakakabuntis kapag unang beses.

"S-Sian…" he called again, soft this time. "Are you sure about this? Nakainom ka ba?"

Mahina akong natawa. "Hindi ako lasing, okay? Please, let's do this."