When it Rains (Completed)

CHAPTER 28

It's been a busy day for both of us. We were dealing with our own businesses: he had online meetings with their company board of directors (if I'm not mistaken), and I was finishing my plates. It was partly true when I lied to Tita Alice that I was going to make a project, but it wasn't a group project.

And, of course, I made sure that Lily would never make a mess of my plates again, just like she did before. No more hot choco on the table. She's in her cage, for Pete's sake.

We were sharing one table. Magkatapat lang kami habang nagmemeeting sila. I was quietly measuring on my paper behind his laptop, but I caught him losing his attention by staring at me. He was scolded, by the way, which made me laugh in silence.

Since he couldn't leave his consecutive meetings, I was the one who prepared our lunch. I was listening to their meeting. There, he talks formally and with politeness. He speaks fluently and sagaciously about their business, which I heard for the first time. He's very different off-cam.

We were able to eat lunch together, and finally we had a chance to have a conversation after his meetings.

"I'm planning to go to our rest house tomorrow. Just to unwind. Wanna join me?" sabi niya.

I was hesitating. "May klase pa ako. I had a long vacation with you last month. Kailangan ko nang bumawi sa mga na-missed ko."

"When will be your break?"

"The week after next. We'll be having our finals, then we can probably have our sem-break. That's the time I could join you."

He just nodded all the time I was speaking. "Okay. I will wait. It's just two weeks. Just do your best in your studies."

"Thanks. Ikaw rin."

The rest of the afternoon was tiring. We finished everything at 6. The sky was already dark outside when we decided to go to a nearby restaurant. We drove out of the place and he was quiet—I mean, we were all quiet. Gutom na talaga kasi kami.

Then, we came upon a big barbeque station. I was expecting he would bring us to a fast food chain, but here we are. I just followed him as we got off of the car. We walked in and the customers were quite overwhelmed. I could sense the smoke from the kitchen.

I let him choose what we should eat for our dinner. There he ordered four kinds of barbeque from the menu and drinks. I was about to pay for the half but he insisted me not to.

We went to our table, and while we were waiting for our food, I talked with him. "Patrick," I called his name. "Next time, I will never forgive you for not letting me pay half of the bill."

"Don't worry about my money, okay? I will pay for the bill as long as I can."

"It's not about I worrying about it—I am reminding you that we work together for this relationship. If you pay, I pay. If you treat me, I'll treat you. It will be unfair if only one always gains then one always gives."

He held my hand I rested on the table. Buti na lang, I was wearing a cap and a face mask just so no one could recognize me while hanging out with him. So did he. We can freely do PDA though it's cringe, tbh.

"I will agree to that," sabi niya. "But you're still a student yet. I don't want you to spend all your allowance paying for all our dates. Buy your needs first before me."

He got a point. I still don't have any financial resources to support myself.

We started eating after our food was served on the table. That moment reminded me of what happened on the night I was with Johen. I started spacing out.

"Hey, is something wrong? 'Di ba masarap?" sabi niya.

"Wala, wala. May inisip lang ako. Don't mind me."

I started hating myself again. Why am I thinking of someone else on our date? I should be enjoying his company.

After our dinner, naglakad-lakad muna kami sa labas. Thank God, walang ulan. We could clearly see the starry sky above us. My hand was in my pocket, and the other was holding his. Pretty dark street. We walked past the cars parked in front of restaurants.

There I saw a family walking out of a seafood restaurant. I found myself wishing I still had one like it.

He stood in front of me. "Hey, kanina ka pa. You can tell me anything that bothers you."

He held my hands like we were about to exchange vows at the altar. "I don't know. I'm trying to be happy at the moment, but I can't. Siguro dala lang ng pagod kanina. Now I'm making you feel bad too. We're supposed to be happy."

"Flynn, it's fine. You can be sad. No one is stopping you from feeling what you should feel at the moment," he said. "Take a deep breath."

Inhale. Exhale. I took a deep breath, letting in the cold air into my lungs. He then wrapped his arms around me, and there I rested my chin on his shoulder.

His warm embrace. The chilly atmosphere. My loud heartbeat.

I'm getting addicted to his arms. It's the only place that could give me the comfort I needed.

We drove back to his home. We threw off good jokes on our way. His humor is still quite 'corny', but I appreciate his effort just to make me laugh.

There I realized that I've been afraid of falling for someone—to take risks that would tear my world apart. But, after he came into my life, I started building up the courage to face the world when I knew he'd be willing to stay by my side. Guess, everything is making sense to me now.

This is love. I love him so much that the idea of not having him is something I don't want for the rest of my life.

The moment we stepped into his room, I grabbed his nape and laid my lips on his. When he put his lips away, he laughed. "I could still taste the sauce on your lips."

I came back to my senses and ran quickly to the bathroom. There I was slapping myself for being dumb. Kaya ayaw ko ng ganito eh, natatanga-tanga ako. And now, he's knocking on the door, and I can still hear him laughing.