Lover

Kabanata 36

Kung may magsasabi sa'kin na magiging kami ng crush ko nung nagsimula ang pasukan ay baka tawanan ko sila. Dahil alam ko kung gaano siya kasungit.

Official 6 monthsary na namin bukas. And pauwi na kami. Tahimik siya after nung hotseat na nangyari kanina.

Halata din na napagod siya ngayong araw.

“Ako na lang ang magluluto, mahal.” Presinta ko dito.

“Aren't you tired?” She asked, softly. Her gaze is soft while looking at me.

“I am not. Ako na ang bahala. You can relax when we get home.” I replied, while giving her an assuring smile.

“Thank you, Jag.” She smiled and I melted.

“Always, Love.”

I was humming to soft tune playing in the car's stereo.

“You have a nice voice. How come you never serenade me?” Tanong naman nito na gumulat sa'kin.

“I didn't know you like someone with great voice. Pwede naman kita haranahin simula ngayon.” Naka-taas ang sulok ng labi nito habang binalingan ako.

“I don't like someone with great voice.” She said, while leaving me puzzled. Ano raw?

“Huh?” Literal na tanong ko dito. Nakita ko naman ang pag-irap nito.

“I only like it because you are the someone.” Malinaw na ani nito habang ako ramdam ko ang pag-iinit ng aking pisngi. Literal na tanggal ang angas. Lord, bakit wala man lang kasing pasabi ang isang 'to.

“So, gusto mo na ako n'yan?” Biro ko dito matapos makabawi.

“Depends,” She playfully countered with giving me the usual teasing grin. I love her in all of her elements. Whether she will be mad-mad, her usual unfazed face, her full playful or this playful-sarcastic combo.

I am not loving her blindly. I know her. I know my person. I recognize her flaws and weaknesses as a person, but that doesn't stop me from loving her so much because she deserves it.

“I love you,” I blurted out all of a sudden. She didn't reply. After six months ay hindi niya pa rin ibinabalik ang mga katagang 'yon. And I am still thankful because she is trying.

“Hey, Ichi..” Pag-tawag nito habang may makungkot na mababakas sa kaniyang mata.

“Yes, love?”

“If you ever you'll be tired of waiting for me please tell me, okay? Tell me that you are tired and you can no longer wait for me. So, I won't be left hanging with the idea that you'll be there once I am ready.” She whispered. Her tone was laced with worry and melancholy.

“I'll stay. I will stay with you unless you no longer want me to stay.”

“I am almost there. Please, be patient with me... I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to lose this.” Mahinang ani nito. At sapat na iyon para bigyan ako ng panghahawakan that maybe in the next two weeks it's no longer one sided.

“Take your time and no pressure. You are always worth the wait. I love you.” And there, my baby is finally smiling.

Naging banayad lang ang pag-uusap namin habang nasa byahe. Tinatanong lang ako kung anong nangyari buong maghapon. Sabi ko wala lang at nag-solve ng accounting activities.

While hindi ko na binanggit sa kaniya ang tungkol sa rumours about her almost lover. Alangan sabihin ko pa. Masisira lang ang mood namin parehas. And I know she'll tell me once she is ready to talk about it.

Naging magaan naman ang byahe dahil hindi ganun ka-traffic.

Agad naman akong nagmadaling bumaba at ipinagbukas siya ng pinto ng kotse at dinala ang gamit namin pareho.

She walked in the same pace with me. While I carry both of things. Naka-angkla ang kamay nito sa braso ko na madalas niyang ginagawa. She sometimes rest her hand on top of my waist. Pero mas madalas akong naka-hawak sa bewang nito.

***
She immediately went upstairs and change her clothes. While I went to the kitchen to start making our dinner. Dahil alam kong pagod siya at mas maganda kung makakakain na agad siya para maaga din siyang makapahinga.

I decided to prepare stirred veggies and adobo. At nasa kalagitnaan na ako ng pagluluto ng adobo noong mapansin ko ang pag-titig nito sa'kin habang naka-sandal ito sa hamba ng pintuan.

“Gutom kana ba? Come here, love.” Aya ko dito dahil kanina pa nga siya naka-titig.

“Not really...” Sagot naman nito.

“Do you want something else?” Tanong ko dahil parang hindi siya certain sa naging sagot niya.

Lumapit naman ito sa may gawi ko at yumakap sa aking tagiliran. At ako naman ay yumakap din pabalik habang hinahagod ang kaniyang likuran.

“Let's stay like this..” She requested.

***
We immediately fall into comfortable silence while I was putting food in her plate. And tahimik lang naman itong kumakain.

“Ichi...” Tawag nito sa'kin. Nag-angat naman ako ng tingin upang salubungin ang mga mata nito.

“Yes, love?”

“Can you stay tonight?”

Bawal akong mag-yes masisira ang surprise namin sa kaniya.

“I am sorry, love. I can't. I have one major exams tomorrow. I need to review.” I half lied. Sorry, love. I do love you so so much. But I need to decline your offer even though it's really tempting. Para sa atin din naman itong ginagawa ko.

“Okay, fine.” Masama ang loob na ani nito.

“I will make it up to you. How about that hmm?” Saad ko para hindi sumama ang loob niya.

“Whatever suits you.” She said while finishing her plate. Tumayo ito at niligpit ang kaniyang pinagkainan. At tuluyang umakyat na sa kaniyang kwarto. Masama talaga ang loob.

Well, I mean this is the first time I declined her harmless request.

Yung unang malaking away namin ay tungkol sa ice cream na bawal sa kaniya kasi may sakit siya noon. Ngayon naman dahil lang sa pag-stay dito. She is really sensitive

Kahit pa sabihin na sobrang moody at tough ng personality niya. She is still someone who remembers it all.

Nakakakonsensya pero kailangan para matuloy ang isang linggong preparation namin.

This will be also the first time that both of our families will be present. I hope this will be good.

Wish me luck. Feeling ko nagtatampo ngayon ang mahal ko.