Game Over, Engineer

WR

2021

WHEN SHE WOKE up the next day, she feels refreshed and happy. She really had a great time yesterday with her man, and now, he's planning to take her out to a date again since it's Sunday.

While waiting for him, she scrolled through her gallery to upload some pics on her Instagram. Napangiti siya nang makitang ang dami niyang magagandang kuha sa date nila kagabi. Kagat-kagat ang pang-ibabang labi, she giggled when she saw a pic of her and Jaxavion. She was holding the camera, and her man was behind her, kissing her cheek. 

Isinali niya ang picture na 'yon sa Instagram at maghahanap pa sana ng ibang pic nang may isang picture ang kumuha sa kanyang atensyon. Napaayos siya ng upo at kunot-noo iyong binuksan. It's a picture of the city lights, and she knows na kuha iyon mula sa Sky Deck. 

Wait. . . pumunta ba sila sa Sky Deck? As far as she remembers, umuwi sila kaagad pagkatapos nilang kumain. . . so bakit may picture ng city lights sa phone niya? 

Those questions rests in the folds between her brain until Jaxavion came. Kaagad siya nitong sinalubong ng ngiti, and his smile somehow put her mind at ease. 

Bumaba ang kanyang tingin sa picture frame na hawak nito. Her forehead knotted, and when Jack gave it to her, umawang ang kanyang mga labi. Panandalian niyang nakalimutan ang larawan ng city lights, and she couldn't believe her eyes.

It's a portrait of her. . . 

He sketched her.

"I kept on thinking about you last night, so there. I hope my love likes it." 

"Holy fuck. I love it, Jack!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a blend of delight and amusement. Her man sketched her. . .

Hindi niya mapigilang dambahin ito ng yakap at paulit-ulit na nagpasalamat dito. Jack just kissed the top of her head and hugged her back. She could feel her cheeks flush, especially when his statement about why he had to draw her came into her mind. 

Ah, her man is sweet as always. 

"Anong meron? Wala naman sigurong special occasion, 'di ba?"

"Special occasion or not, you deserve to be gifted, love," he tenderly said and squeezed the side of her waist. 

Napanguso siya sa narinig, 'di maitago ang ngiti. There was something in her stomach that made her want to giggle and kiss him hard. Mas lalo niya itong niyakap. 

"Tapos wala man lang ako maibigay sa 'yo." That realization caused her lips to turn into a frown. For someone who has it all, ang hirap mag-isip ng maireregalo. 

"And I'm not asking for any reciprocation. Just stay by my side and love me, Jill. That's all I ask from you."

His response made her heart burst. Fuck. What did she ever do? Ang swerte-swerte niya naman 'ata.

"Let's go to Birhen sa Regla first and afterwards, sa Ayala Central Bloc tayo, hmm? How about that?" Jack caressed her back, and she could only nod her head and sigh in contentment. 

Kahit saan, basta kasama niya lang ito. 

Jack kissed her cheek before he pulled apart. Ngumiti ito sa kanya at saka sinapo ang kanyang pisngi. "Ganda-ganda naman nito. Pa-kiss nga."

She couldn't help but giggle upon hearing his statement. Tumingkayad siya at pinatakan ng halik ang mga labi nito. Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him before moving his lips gently. Mahina pa siyang napasinghap nang kagatin nito ang pang-ibaba niyang labi, and fire erupted throughout her senses. 

That made her pull apart. 

Natatawa siyang lumayo rito, pero hawak-hawak pa rin ni Jack ang kanyang bewang kaya inikutan niya ito ng mga mata at pinitik ang noo nito.