The Way It Was - Abridged (Complete)

20

Then

"YANI."

Napapitlag ako. "What time is it?" Nagsimula akong magkumahog. "I have to..." There was something I had to do. I just couldn't remember. "I have to..."

"Sshhh..."

Naramdaman kong may yumakap sa akin. "It's still early. Don't panic."

"What?" Tumingin ako sa nagsalita. "Roarke?"

Hinagkan niya ang sentido ko. "Yes. It's just me. And you're okay. It's still dark outside."

"Really? Did I sleep? I'm not supposed to sleep. I need to study." Pinagmasdan ko ang mga libro at notebooks na nakalatag sa coffee table.

"Is that why you're here in the living area?"

"Yeah. I'm worried I won't wake up on time. How... Why are you here? I thought you had to spend the night in the studio?"

Muli niyang hinagkan ang sentido ko. "We're not happy with some parts of the song we're working on. We decided to take a break. I missed you. I thought I'd slid in bed with you, but I found you here. This is not the best way to sleep, babe. You'll have body aches in the morning."

Nakaupo ako sa lapag at nakatalungko sa may coffee table. "I'm fine. I'm..." cramming. Kumalas ako sa kanya. Itinuro ko ang silid. "Go to bed and rest. I'll just..." Tumingin ako sa mga libro at flashcards ko. Hindi ko maalala kung saan ako tumigil bago ako iginupo ng antok. Wala akong ideya kung paano magsisimula. Ano ang naaalala ko sa mga binasa at pinag-aralan ko? May natira ba?

My mind was blank. I couldn't think of anything. It was like all the things that I learned and read just vanished.

Gusto kong sabunutan ang sarili ko. I was going to fail. Again.

I was so ready for a meltdown when arms surrounded me once more. Roarke drew me into him. Gusto kong magpumiglas pero parang wala akong lakas. Naipikit ko na lang ang mga mata ko nang mariin niyang hagkan ang sentido ko.

"It's okay, babe. You're okay."

I was not. But it felt nice to be in his arms. Parang kaya kong paniwalaan kahit na sandali na magiging maayos nga talaga ang lahat, na magmimilagro at papasa ako sa mga exams at practicals ko.

I felt as if I didn't deserve this reprieve but I was really glad he was here and that I was in his arms.

"Let's sleep, okay?" aniya sa banayad na tinig. "You need rest."

Umiling-iling ako. "I can't... I need to..."

Hinila niya ako patayo at dinala sa kuwarto ko. Nang makita ko ang kama ko ay nawalan na naman ako ng lakas na tumanggi. Kaya hindi ako pumapasok doon. Kaya nanatili ako sa living area.

Pinahiga ako ni Roarke. I groaned because the bed felt so good. It felt like a reward I didn't deserve. Hinubad niya ang suot niyang sapatos, jacket at pantalong maong bago niya ako sinamahan sa kama.

"Do you want sex?" tanong ko. It had been a while since we had been together. I was sure I could muster the strength kahit na hinihila na talaga ako ng antok.

Natawa si Roarke habang ibinabaon ang mukha sa leeg ko. "I love you, Yani."

"I love you, too," I murmured.

Parang kapipikit ko lang nang maramdaman kong may yumuyugyog sa akin. "It's time to wake up, babe."

"What?" Nagmulat ako ng mga mata at kaagad na napapitlag nang makitang maliwanag na. "Oh, my God, I'm late!"