What About The Promises You Made?

Chapter Two

Three days went on unsurprisingly loud and chaotic, just exactly what Augustus expected after hearing Liam and Riell's commitment to helping him settle. Honestly, mas magugulat pa siya kung biglang tumahimik 'yong dalawa at bumait. Mas iisipin niya pang sinapian sila sa gano'n.

Hindi sila masyadong nagtagal at nahirapan sa pag-aayos ng gamit dahil pagtutupi lang naman ang gagawin do'n at pag ha-hanger. Saglit na pagpupunas at paglilinis lang naman ang kailangan sa mga drawer at cabinet. Wala na siyang balak pang linisin ang bawat sulok because Rai, as thoughtful as she is, hired someone to clean every inch of the house a day before Augustus' arrival.

"Oy. Kailan ka pala bibisita ro'n sa bakeshop?" nabalik lang si Augustus sa reyalidad nang kalabitin siya ni Riell.

He blinked, then hummed, "baka bukas. Pabisita muna sa bahay niyo, Riell."

"Ha? Okay. Hindi mo bibisitahin sila tita..?" Riell asked hesitantly. As much as he'd like to avoid the topic, Riell genuinely wanted to know. "I've been getting calls lately from tita.. Although, it's fine if you don't!" he chuckled nervously, but his were sincere and comforting.

Liam then spared the two a glance, keeping his mouth shut. He understands Riell's hesitation regarding this matter. It is a sensitive topic. Still, knowing what happened years ago, they can't blame Augustus for refusing to visit his parents.

"Ignore them," Augustus forced a smile.

Riell went silent for a while, same with Augustus, who busied himself on his phone.

Liam thought of an idea on how to break the ice after a couple of minutes. "Augustus," he calls his name.

Augustus raised his eyes, meeting Liam's with confusion. "Huh?"

"Kailan susunod si Val?" Hearing this, Augustus features softened.

Liam and Riell let out a sigh of relief in sync.

"Next week! Nagtataka nga ako bakit hindi naman siya sumabay sa'kin pero sabi niya may aasikasuhin pa raw siya. She didn't tell me what pero, hay! Miss ko na siya.." Parang lantang gulay si Augustus sa huli niyang sinabi.

Halos mandiri si Riell habang nang-aasar na ngumisi si Liam. "Lagot, Augustus. Baka nagpapaalam sa kabit niya," pabirong sambit ni Liam.

Augustus' forehead creased, shaking his head, "no, wala siyang kabit. Huwag mo ngang dumihan pangalan ni Val! She would never!" He hissed angrily.

Natatawang inagaw ni Liam ang unan kay Augustus nang akmang hahampasin na siya nito. "Joke lang! Hindi ka ba mabiro? You take things too seriously!"

"Sus, Liam!" asar na ngumiti si Liam nang humirit si Riell.

"Huwag ka singit. Kami lang nag-uusap ni August, hindi ka kasali!"

"Hoy! Awat!" Augustus doesn't really want to deal with them today.

Parang batang ngumuso si Riell, "he started it!" then he pointed at Liam.

Liam's jaw dropped, "the audacity? Ako pa talaga?" he stares at Riell with a look of disbelief.

"Ih!"

Augustus eyed his cousin with disgust. Riell is good-looking and kind of cute, sure. But he's still a grown man. This look doesn't suit him at all. If everything, it makes him look stupid.

"Kadiri. Act like your age nga, Riell!" after saying that, Augustus threw him a pillow.

"Akala mo naman kina-cute niya. Riell, face it. Gurang ka na," sabat ni Liam at malakas na tumawa.

Riell's pout was soon replaced with a grimace. Augustus suppressed a laugh. Liam, on the other hand, blatantly made him embarrassed by laughing his ass out.

"Lason!"

     A phone ringing echoed around the room. Knowing who it was, Augustus answered the phone despite him brushing his teeth still.

"Darling.."

Inayos ni Augustus ang pagkalagay niya ng cellphone sa harap ng sink. "Hi," he happily greets her.

Valerie leaned her head on the headboard, "hi. Naligo ka?" taka niyang tanong. Looking at her watch, it says 8:24 PM, quite late for someone to take a bath. "Gabi na, ah."

"Hmm? Yes," Augustus momentarily stopped, "bumisita ako sa bahay nila Riell. Kakauwi ko lang, actually. I feel dirty, so I took a bath," he explained.

"Baka lamigin ka mamaya."

"I'll be fine."

"Ayus-ayusin mo lang, Augustus," Valerie playfully warned.

Augustus cheekily smiled, "yes, ma'am!"

Then, remembering what he said. "How are they? Tito and tita?" Valerie haven't gotten the chance to meet them in person yet, but she did exchange a few greetings and conversation with them through Augustus' phone.

"Chess addict pa rin si Tito Reybert. Kakarating ko pa lang, inaya na agad ako maglaro," reklamong ani ni Augustus. "Si Tita Adeth naman, gano'n pa rin. Nag-alala lang siya kasi medyo pumayat ako. Sam, hmm.. still the same. Parang siya pa rin panganay sakanila ni Riell," natatawang dagdag niya pa. He softly smiled, "I wish you were there rin. I was thinking of calling you nga kaso I was afraid I'd disturb your work.." seeing guilt spreading over Valerie's face, Augustus hurried to say, "no! No. Don't feel guilty. It's alright. I understand."

"Sorry, Gus. I'm on a break naman for a week pagdating ko riyan. I'll make it up to you. I promise," Augustus wanted nothing but to kiss her at this moment.

"Okay, sabi mo 'yan, ah." He happily grinned.

Valerie let out a chuckle, "yes, yes."

Augustus then rinsed his mouth, listening to Valerie talk about her work and itinerary for tomorrow. He turned on the aircon, locked the door, and went to his bed.

It was just then that he noticed the change of Valerie's background. He wasn't familiar with it, nor did he remember having that design in their shared apartment.

"Wala ka sa bahay?" takang tanong ni Augustus.

Valerie works from home. While it is not strange that she went somewhere else and will be spending the night there, she usually calls to inform him first.

On the other side, Valerie stiffened. "Ha?"

She never thought he'd notice. She then displayed a smile.

"No. Nasa bahay ako nila Faye, sleepover daw," she shrugged her shoulders. "She was upset when I told her about our plans. Naintindihan niya naman daw."

Augustus believed her without a thought. "Where is she?" he asked.

Valerie looked at Faye, who was watching her as she devoured a pack of chips, gesturing for her to move. "Augustus wants to see you."

Faye raised her eyebrows, moving over. "Problema mo? Mang-aagaw," mahinang binulong niya 'yong panghuli. Rinig pa rin naman nilang dalawa kaya natawa nalang sila.

"Sorry. She's mine," Augustus has this teasing smile on his lips.

"Wow. Gusto mo lang ako makita para sabihin 'yan?" mas lalong sumama ang loob ni Faye pagkarinig 'yon. "Hay! Bahala na kayo. Malalaki na kayo." With that, she left to get some juice.

"Really?" The childish exchange between her partner and her friend cheered up Valerie.

"It is true, though! You're mine. Kaya, sunod ka na agad."

"Oo na, 'yan ka na naman," Valerie rolled her eyes. "Anyway, end ko na? Andiyan na si Faye."

"Tigil na bebetime!" He heard Faye yell.

"Fine," he sighed. "I really miss you."

"So clingy," Valerie really wanted to plant a kiss on his cheeks, seeing how cute he is. "I love you."

He hummed, "I love you, Val."

"Go to sleep. Huwag na magpuyat. I'll ask Riell to accompany you tomorrow."

Augustus obediently nodded his head. "Sure. Goodnight, lovely."

"Mhm. Goodnight."