Ideal Men 1: Russo Mancini (On Hold)

4

Isa lang ang taong pumapasok sa isipan ni Icy habang nakatingin sa invitation card galing sa nag-iisa niyang kaibigan. Her friend, Jill, wanted her to be there. Of course she needed to go, but the problem is that she'll need a partner. Magmumukha kawawa ang dalaga kapag mag-isa na papasok ng venue, much worse, baka hindi siya papasukin dahil by twos dapat. It's too weird to call her ex to accompany her. But she's too shy to ask Russo.

Icy cooked pancakes along with cookies. She brought the food with her and tapped the doorbell at his house. It's still seven a.m. but the gate remained close. Napagpasyahan ng dalaga na bumalik sa loob para tawagan ang binata. 

"Tesorina?" bungad ng boses sa kabilang linya. 

The way he called the endearment with a soft voice is giving her butterflies. She distanced herself from her phone and cleared her throat before talking.

"Nasa work ka na?" 

"I'm inside a plane, tesorina, going to fix something in Hong Kong. Are you alright? Do you need anything? I'll provide it, or do you want me to come back?" 

Icy felt sad when she heard him say 'inside the plane' pero wala naman siyang maggawa nandoon na ang binata. However, she's happy that he's worried about her and sad because he didn't tell her he was leaving. Pero ramdam niya naman na importante ang pupuntahan ng binata doon. So she understands. Plus, they're not official.
 

However, when it comes to him, she is always glad and grateful. Aside from her friend Jill, only Russo makes him feel that she is an important person. 

"Sabihin ko nalang kapag nakauwi kana. Don't worry, it's not an emergency. Ingat kayo!" 

Naglinis, nag rearrange ng gamit, nagsketch, at nanood maghapon si Icy. Gusto niyang lumabas pero tinatamad siya. When evening came, she decided to wait for him. Icy wanted to make a simple dinner for him, but it's already a quarter to seven and there's still no sign of Russo. So she texted him, asking if he'd be coming home tonight or not.

Russo Mancini: I'm not sure yet, tesorina, maybe I'll go back tomorrow or the next day.

Icy wonders what happened, but she didn't ask. Siguro sasabihin din ng binata kapag nakauwi ito. She wished him a safe flight and a safe stay. And Russo replied thanks. Icy cooked ramen and brought some kimchi to the living room. She watched Netflix series to pass time until she fell asleep on the couch.

Nagising ang dalaga ng mahulog ito sa sofa na tinutulogan. She cursed in pain and frustration. Luckily, the rug is soft, but still, her body was shocked from falling. Hindi niya namalayan na nakatulog siya doon at tapos na rin ang pinapanood niya. She glanced at the clock and realized it was still 2a.m. in the morning. Tumayo ang dalaga para lumipat sa kwarto para matulog nang tumunog ang doorbell galing sa labas. 

Pagkabukas ni Icy sa pintuan, naamoy nito ang pamilyar na pabango at sinalubong siya ng mahigpit na yakap. Napangiti ang dalaga saka pabalik na yinakap si Russo. He rested his head on her neck, and somehow his tiredness came off. Kumawala ang dalawa sa pagkakayakap saka ngumiti sa isa't isa.

"Good morning, tesorina" Russo said.

"Good morning too. Are you okay? Let's head inside." nag-aalalang saad ng dalaga. 

Russo obediently nodded. Icy can see eyebags and tiredness in his eyes. Mukhang hindi natulog ang binata at diretsang umuwi ng Pilipinas. 

"Sorry for barging on your house this early."

Umiling ang dalaga. "Don't say that. You're always welcome here. At saka gising naman ako nong nag doorbell ka."

Nagtaas ng kilay ay binata at binigyan siya ng nagtatanong na tingin.