Eight Letters

Chapter 10

Elliana's Point Of View

"Aalis ka na bukas."

I covered my sadness with a wide smiled. Bukas na ang alis nina Tita at Tito kasama si Isaac at Yvonne. Nandito kami sa kwarto ni Yelena at tinutulungan kong mag-empake ng gamit si Yvonne.

"I can stay."

"Yvonne, napag-usapan na natin 'to. Besides, it was the main plan, right? Doon mo tatapusin ang pag-aaral mo."

Tinupi ko lahat ng sando at tshirt niya. Si Yvonne ang naglalagay sa maleta habang ako naman ang nagtutupi.

"It was."

"Be mine permanently, Yvonne," I bit my lower lip to avoid myself from crying.

"Sa 'yo lang... palagi."

Hinigit ako nito at niyakap ng mahigpit.

"Date tayo?" mayamaya ay tanong nito.

Of course, I agreed. This is the last day that I get the chance to hold her. After nito, uuwi na siya at kailangan ko na namang maghintay ng matagal bago ko siya mahawakan ulit. Hinatid ako ni Yvonne sa bahay para kumuha ng damit. Stargazing daw kami ulit at bukas niya na ako iuuwi kaya kailangan kong dalhin ang pantulog ko. Dahil sa pagmamadali ay hindi na ako naglagay ng make up.

"Love, let's go."

I looked up to Yvonne who's lips are parted while staring at me.

"Damn! So pretty," she grinned.

"Love, huwag mo akong biruin. Wala akong make up ngayon," sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.

"Yeah, and that's the face that I fell in love with. You're so pretty without make up," she chuckled.

"You look so natural," she added.

"But I look so good with make up."

"Yes, you do. And as what I've said, I won't stop you from wearing it."

Hindi ako nagsalita at binigyan lang siya ng maliit na ngiti. Pinasibad na ni Yvonne ang kotse. Habang nagmamaneho ay hawak nito ang manibela at hawak naman ang kamay ko sa kabila.

"Love, focus on driving. Huwag sa kamay ko," sita ko.

Minu-minuto ay binibigyan nito ng mumunting halik ang likuran ng kamay ko.

"Your hands fits perfectly on mine."

"Love! Eyes on the road!" reklamo ko.

"Nasa kalsada naman ang tingin ko," nagpakawala ito ng mahinang tawa.

Palihim na napairap ako at hindi na nagsalita pa. Yvonne's eyes was on the road. I lifted my head to watch her as she drives. Ang angas tignan ng girlfriend ko habang nagd-drive. She's extremely attractive. This relationship brings the real me. This woman is capable of unmasking the real me. And it's fine, 'cause she's my person.

"New place, huh? I wonder whose property is this."

Ipinalibot ko ang tingin sa lugar ma pinagdalhan sa 'kin ni Yvonne.

"Mountain cabin alpine style vacation house," Yvonne snaked her arms around my waist and kisses my temple.

"Trespassing ba tayo?" tanong ko.

"Hindi, kilala ko ang may-ari nito."

"Sino?"

"That's a secret for you, my Love. Pumasok na tayo, ang init dito sa labas."

Sinukbit niya sa ulo ko ang bitbit na jacket at hinila ako papasok sa loob. God! This is amazing.

"I like it here," I murmured.

"Yeah? Same."

Inayos ni Yvonne ang gamit namin sa isang tabi. Lumapit ako sa may balkonahe at hinila ang nakatakip na kurtina. The trees embraced my sight.

"Love, kapag kasal na tayo, gusto kong ganito ang tirahan natin. Nasa gitna ng kagubatan," wala sa sariling ani ko.

"Elli, maawa ka sa puso ko. Sobrang lakas ng tibok."

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko nang maramdaman ko si Yvonne sa likod ko. Humarap ako sa kaniya at nag-angat ng tingin.

"Ginulat mo 'ko, akala ko nag-aayos ka pa."

"Feel this? It's because of you."

Yvonne pulled my head and made me incline to her chest. Excited, I encircled my arms around her waist and smelled her addictive scent.

She smells like home. Her smell became my therapy. It makes me calm.

"Ang bango mo," pinanggigilan ko ang baywang nito.

"Love, I didn't out any perfume or cologne today. I smell bad."

"Hindi, ang bango mo. Amoy tahanan ko," pinatakan ko ng halik ang labi niya at ngumisi.

Yvonne held my head and pinned me against the glass wall. She leaned in and crashed her luscious lips against mine. I closed my eyes the moment our lips met.

Yvonne and I watched netflix the whole afternoon. When evening came, Yvonne set a small fire outside and we sat there.

Nakasandal ako sa puno ng kahoy habang si Yvonne naman ay nakahiga sa damuhan at ginagawang unan ang hita ko. Nakatingala lang ako sa langit at nakangiting tinititigan ang mga bituin. Honestly, I don't know what's with me but I really admire s
the stars. They're so pleasing to look at. I just love to watch them until I sleep.

"Love."

"Hm?" I hummed.

"Mahal kita."

Nagbaba ako ng tingin kay Yvonne na ngayon ay taimtim ring nakatitig sa 'kin.

"Mahal rin kita."

"Kantahan kita?" alok nito na agad ko namang tinanguan.

Inabot ni Yvonne ang gitara sa tabi at inayos iyon. Nang maayos ang gitara ay bumalik siya sa pagkakahiga at tumikhim.

"This song is dedicated to my person, my partner, my girl, my home, my comfort. You don't know how simp I am for you, Love. Your smile is my strength.Your scent is my therapy. You yourself is my comfort. I love you."

I covered my mouth with my hand as tears started falling from my eyes. Yvonne started strumming and at the same time singing. Singing a song that is dedicated to me.

"When we're out in a crowd laughing loud
And nobody knows why
When we're lost at a club, getting drunk
And you give me that smile
Going home in the back of a car
And your hand touches mine
When we're done making love
And you look up snd give me those eyes."

"'Cause all of the small things that you do
Are what remind me why I fell for you
And when we're apart, and I'm missing you
I close my eyes and all I see is you
And the small things you do."

"Elli?" Yvonne stopped strumming.

"Love?"

"Huwag mo akong iiwan."

"Hindi kita iiwan," sumisinghot kong sagot.

"Dito ka lang sa 'kin. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kapag iniwan mo ako. Kaya huwag mo akong iiwan."

"Hindi kita iiwan, dito lang ako... sa tabi mo."

Umupo ito at hinila ako para yakapin. Ginantihan ko rin ito ng mahigpit na yakap at hinayaan ang sarili na umiyak. Pinaghalong sakit at saya.

"And when we're apart, and I'm missing you
I close my eyes and all I see is you
And the small things you do," she whispered in my ears.

"Ipapakilala kita kay Mama at Papa. Go, chase your dreams and I'll be with you every second of it. I'll wait for you. Kapag ayos na ang lahat, ipapakilala kita kay Mama at Papa," litanya ko.

Mas humigpit ang yakap nito sa 'kin.

"Ihaharap kita sa altar, Elliana. Pangako 'yan."

*****