lilies.

94

Kabanata 94

The moment I woke up, I immediately felt the warm body hugging me. Rai is still beside me. It's so dark so I cannot know if he's asleep but his breathing makes it sound so.

I slightly moved because my body was numb due to our current position. I don't really mind. I like it so much. I just need to move a bit so I can maintain this position for so long.

It's as if any slight movement is too much for Rai. He's a light sleeper now, I guess. I heard him groan lowly, marking that he's already awake.

"Kanina ka pa gising?" He asked, "Are you hungry? I'm guessing it's time for dinner now."

Umiling ako kahit na alam kong hindi naman niya makikita iyon. "Let's stay like this a bit more."

He leaned down and I felt his lips on my forehead. He lightly kissed my forehead twice. The last one lasts longer.

"You slept really well," He whispered, proud, "For someone who's having a hard time sleeping, you slept really fast, hmm."

Hinampas ko ng mahina ang dibdib niya. He chuckled and returned on planting kisses on my forehead.

"I'm just happy that you're comfortably sleeping."

"Only when I'm with you..."

"I'll always sleep beside you like this then."

"How are you going to do that?" I asked while overthinking his words hypothetically, "Sooner or later, you'll marry."

"Yes."

"And you'll have a family of your own."

"Yes," he said as I could feel his finger circling on my back.

"And it might not be me," I hinted knowingly, wanting to hear his answer to my proposal earlier, "It could be Trina or someone younger than you..."

I added referencing the stories I heard about his dating life years ago.

He laughed, "I know what you're doing."

I giggled and put my arms on his waist to hug him. "So, what's your answer?"

"Let's order dinner first," He answered, intentionally avoiding my question, then he opened the bedside lamp, "I forgot my phone in Gab's room."

I sulked after that. He is doing it on purpose, teasing me. Well, now that he is avoiding it. I kind of think that he felt that I was forcing him. I am not though. I just felt like I'm so sure to marry him at this moment. I feel like I wouldn't have a right time to say that except now.

I loosened my embrace when I felt like he wanted to stand up. He watches me as he is watching me too. I remained in bed just looking at him.

"Samahan mo ako," He pleaded. He is talking in a slightly high-pitched baby talk.

I shook my head to tease him too, "I'll stay here. I like staying in bed. I'll wait for you to come back."

Instead of agreeing to my suggestion, he lifted me instead. Nagulat ako nang ginawa niya iyon. He carried me all the way to the other room in a bridal style. I leaned my face closer to his cheeks so he adjusted his hold on me. His phone's on the bedside table. He needed to bend in order for him to get it but he refuses to put me down so it will be hard for him. He kind of makes it work by bending on the side.

"Get my phone."

"Ayoko nga," I teased.

"Please..."

We ordered food afterwards. As we waited for the food to come, I invited him to hang out on the balcony. It has a nice view of the city lights.

"What's your schedule tomorrow?" I asked while my eyes were glued on watching the building and their flashing lights.

"I have a meeting to attend in Tagaytay. And then I'm done. I can come home after lunch. What about you? Where will you be staying?"

"I don't have anything on my plate right now. However, I'm thinking of doing a trucking business for the meantime if Grandma's still adamant in giving back the company. It's a nice business really. They're always needed in the construction."

"To deliver raw materials?"

"Exactly. I think I'm going to be good at managing it."

"Have you been sourcing for trucks then?"

"Hmm, I'm actually in talks with buying this trucking company. I have money that I haven't used ever since. I think it's worth investing in something that's already established. Connections are hard to build especially if Grandma heard about it, she might hinder me from doing the business peacefully. It's best to not expose myself as the face of the company."

And we talked about the business after that. He understands my sentiments and struggles, gives advice on the subject matter, and I am allowed to do the same on his. It was warm. I always say this when describing my relationship with Rai. It's good to have someone that you can relate to and can talk about things that bothered you, he might be able to give solutions and at the same time, he might give you comfort.

I have never experienced that in my life. Gab is the only person I can pour my heart into and not be burdened by it. Gab is my brother but Rai is someone I want to spend my whole life with.

"I'll go with you. In Tagaytay. Tomorrow."