Mr. Left (Mr. Series #2)

Chapter 44

As soon as I opened my eyes, Jhon Rey's face was the first thing that I saw. He was looking at me dearly. He is caressing my face. It seems like he's enjoying his view.

Muli akong napapikit habang pinipigilan ang pagluha. Naalala kong muli ang nangyari sa amin kagabi. Ang pag-iyak naming dalawa, ang matino naming pag-uusap, at ang pag-amin niya sa kaniyang mga kasalanan. Hindi ko inakalang mangyayari ang lahat ng iyon. Hindi ko alam kung anong tumulak sa kaniya para humingi ng tawad sa akin. Knowing him, hindi ko talaga inakalang ibababa niya ang lahat para lang tanggapin ko siyang muli.

Muli kong ibinukas ang mga mata ko, at muli niya rin itong sinalubong ng mga tingin. Namamaga pa rin ang mga mata niya katulad ng akin. It was the first time I had seen him cry, and it was the very first time he showed me his soft side. Para akong nag-step up papunta sa puso niya. Sana someday, makarating ako roon. Hindi man sa kung nasaan si Quency, kahit sa sulok lang ako, magiging masaya na ako.

We were staring at each other for a long time while lying on the bed. Pakiramdam ko ang dami kong gustong sabihin sa kaniya, but I can't find the words to express my true feelings. At ang isa na roon ay hindi ako makapaniwalang narito siya sa harap ko, katabi ko sa kama, habang hinahaplos ang mukha na para bang ipinapahiwatig niyang nakikita niya na ako.

"What's on your mind?" tanong niya sa maamong boses. Hindi ko mapigilang mahiwagaan sa kung anong dahilan kung bakit tila naging mabait na siya sa akin. Anong nangyari? Totoo na ba itong lahat?

"Nothing. How about you? What's on your mind?"

"Definitely you."

I feel like crying. The feelings inside me are overwhelming, and I couldn't express how happy I am without crying. Iniisip niya ako. Wala man ako sa puso niya, at least nasa isip niya ako. Hindi ko alam kung anong dahilan bakit ako naroon, pero masayang-masaya ako na malaman na iniisip niya ako.

Isiniksik niya ang kamay niya sa may parteng leeg ko. "Come here," pag-aalok niya. Lumapit ako sa kaniya. Nakaunan ako sa mga bisig niya, when he completely embraced me. Mainit. At gusto kong mapaluha dahil niyayakap niya ako nang mahigpit. Maging ang paghaplos niya sa likod ko ay tila ba nanghihingi rin ng tawad sa akin.

"Do you hear it?" pagtukoy niya sa dibdib niya.

Tumango ako. Rinig ko ang malakas na kabog sa dibdib niya. He must be really sincere this time. Without a doubt.

"Would you mind telling me why it beats so fast?" I heard him chuckle. Tumingala ako para tingnan siya. Sumisingkit ang mata niya dahil sa pagtawa lalo pa't maga ang mga ito. Ang cute tuloy. Hindi ko rin maiwasang mapangiti.

"I don't know. Bakit ako ang tinatanong mo? Eh puso mo 'yan," pabalang na sagot ko sabay mahinang palo sa dibdib niya.

"Bakit? Hindi ba ganiyan kabilis ang tibok ng puso mo para sa 'kin?"

I glared at him. "Ah, gano'n?" Kinurot ko ang nipple niya na naging dahilan ng pagngiwi ng mokong. Narinig ko siyang tumawa. Wow, nakakapagbiro na siya. I feel relieved.

"Binibiro lang kita. Na-miss kitang asarin."

I rolled my eyes. "Kailan mo 'ko inasar? Wala akong maalala. Baka away, palagi mo 'kong inaaway," asik ko.

"Hindi pa kasi ako tapos." Lumapit siya sa tenga ko. "I missed teasing you, sa kama."

Inirapan ko siya. "Tsk. Gusto mo lang umisa, eh. Bahala ka d'yan! Manigas ka!" Tumayo na ako sa pagkakahiga. Somehow, I felt bitter pa rin kapag naaalala ko na ginawa din nila ang mga ginagawa namin. The thought of that makes my heart hurt every time. At mukhang na-trauma na akong gawin ulit iyon dahil pakiramdam ko, 'yon at 'yon ang papasok sa utak ko kapag ginawa namin.

Naglakad na ako palabas ng kwarto. I was surprised when my phone rang. But the name on the screen surprised me more. It was Dad. It was the very first time he called me. Matagal ko nang ni-save ang contact information niya sa phone ko para kung sakaling kailanganin ko siya ay tatawagan ko siya, but I can't bring myself to ask for help from him. But now, here he is calling me. Hindi ko alam kung matatakot ba ako o maiiyak.

"Y-yes, dad?" sagot ko. My heart is screaming, and I don't know why. Maybe I'm just happy to know that Dad is calling me now.

"Yes, Sheen May. I couldn't contact your husband, so I'll just inform you."

So it was about Jhon Rey?

"Alright, Dad. He's with me. I'll tell him about it." 

Nakita kong tumayo na rin si Jhon Rey sa kama. He went to the section where his workout equipment was. It was near the living room. He is now wearing a tank top and shorts. Is he planning to workout in front of me?

"Good. Tell him to prepare. We'll visit Carpio's house for a simple family gathering tomorrow. Tapos na naman siguro ang honeymoon phase niyo, ano?"

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako dahil sa biro ni dad. Para siyang ibang tao. I guess he's in a good mood now.

"O-opo," nahihiya kong sagot.

Honeymoon phase? We're now in the cheating phase!

Well, my family is unaware of the struggles that Jhon Rey and I have faced in our marriage in the past few weeks alone. I, too, was confronted with the problem of cheating, which I never knew we would overcome. Shocking! Traumatizing!

"Great. See you tomorrow."

I was stunned when Dad said that. I couldn't help but feel like I was floating on air when I heard those words, since I assumed they meant he couldn't wait to see his one and only daughter, who happens to be me.

"Who called you?" As he came closer, Jhon Rey questioned me about it.

"It was Dad. He told me he couldn't contact you. He also informed us to visit your house tomorrow for a simple family gathering."

Tumango-tango siya, bago hinanap ang phone niya na nakalimutan niya kung saan niya naipatong, pero maya-maya rin ay nahanap niya na rin iyon. "I see, he tried to call me once, kanina," he said. He is referring to my father.

"It's been a long time since I went there," dagdag pa ni Jhon Rey na mukhang hindi natuwa sa paanyaya sa amin ng aming mga magulang namin.

Doon ko naalalang lumayas nga pala siya sa kanila. Perhaps he felt uncomfortable around his father because he had been handled in the same manner as I had throughout his life.

"I understand. Should we go?"

I went to the refrigerator to get some fresh milk, and then I poured it into a glass. In addition to that, I made him some coffee.

"Yeah, of course," he answered. "Thank you." He accepted the cup of coffee that I offered him and took a swig from it.

"Would you be fine?" nag-aalala kong tanong.

He showed a grin. "Why? Would you be worried?"