"Dito ako matutulog," I said to my phone. Nilingon ko si Hugo na nakakunot ang noo at umiiling.
Mom paused.
"Of course! Why are you even telling me about that? Goodness. Kahit h'wag ka na umuwi, d'yan ka nalang!"
Umirap ako. I knew it.
"Mom—"
"Have you shaved your legs?"
"Oh my god, Mom!" may halong pandidiri na sabi ko.
Hugo raised his both eyebrows. Nilapag niya ang tong na hawak at kuryoso akong pinagmasdan. He's wearing an apron without a shirt on.
"When's the last time you went to the spa? Goodness, hindi pa yata simula noong dinala kita!"
I can't believe she's talking about this now. I don't want to imagine Hugo's face while hearing this. It's so embarrassing!
"Mommy..." I warned.
"Fine!" bulalas niya. "Do not do anything stupid!"
I turned off her call.
Nilingon ko si Hugo na kagat kagat ang kutsara ngayon. He looked at me innocently. I smiled as I watched him. Feeling ko kamukha niya iyong villain sa The Lion King. I giggled and turned around.
Excited kong binuksan ang paperbag. I already seen it, I know he bought me another pair of the platform that I ripped! Hindi ako makapaniwala. I didn't know he remembered this.
"Let me see..." he said as I wore it.
Sakto iyon sa akin. It was my size. I don't remember him asking me about it.
Lumapit ako sa kaniya hanggang sa nasa harapan na niya ako. I smiled. I got taller. Enough for me to not tip-toe when I kiss him.
Hinawakan niya ang baywang ko at pinatakan ng malambot na halik sa noo.
"Sakto..." he whispered.
"Thank you. But Hugo... this is expensive."
He pulled me closer. Hinawakan ko ang hubad niyang balikat. I snaked my hand around his neck. Masuyo niya akong tinitigan.
"So?"
"Alam ko namang nagtatapon ka ng pera. I just don't want you to..." I sighed. "Spend a lot for me."
He tilted his head. "It's my Christmas gift."
"Kahit na!" ngumuso ako. "I didn't even give you one."
"Oh, you did..." hinalikan niya ang labi ko. "This..." and then he kissed my shoulders. "This."
Umirap ako at nagpigil ng ngiti. "Ang feeling mo..."
"And this," he kissed the back of my hand. "This is a wonderful gift. So far, the best."
Hinampas ko ng mahina ang braso niya. "Fine! Let's eat so that we can make out!"
I spent the whole say cuddling with Hugo. We sat on his sofa and talked while watching a marathon. Halos hindi na namin pinagtuunan ng pansin ang pinapanood dahil sa usapan namin.
It was a long while. Kalaunan ay nakatulog ako sa hita niya. I just woke up because of the storm.
Humikab ako at nakitang madilim. Nagsimula na akong kabahan nang maramdaman ko ang kamay sa buhok ko.
Hugo hushed me as he sat beside me. "The lights are off again. Babalik rin... don't freak out."
Tumango ako at dahan dahang naupo. He placed me between his legs. Kakatapos niya lang maligo dahil malamig pa at mabango ang katawan. I could smell his strong aftershave.
