In His Kiss

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Laure Ri Daza's Point of View

"I see, you still remember me." I was greeted by a humorous voice on the other line. I groaned over the phone before nudging a little to the side. The first thing I did the moment I open my eyes was to greet my mother a happy birthday— because that's what good daughter do. I always remember the important dates of my mother's life. She loves it. It makes her feel important.

"Mom! Of course I remember! Birthday mo ngayon, bakit ko naman makakalimutan 'yon?"

"Aba! Mas nauna pang bumati si Creed sa'yo."

"Si Creed?" Gulat na tanong ko sa kabilang linya at biglang napabangon ng wala sa oras.

"Oo. Bakit parang gulat na gulat ka? Tsaka nagpadala na rin siya ng regalo para sa akin. Napaka sweet talaga ng kasintahan mo, Laure. Pati kami ng papa mo ay inispoil."

"Ma!"

"Ano? Tsaka pala Laure, ayos lang ba kayong dalawa? Bakit nang tumawag sa akin si Creed kanina para batiin ako ay kinamusta ka niya sa akin?"

"We're fine. We're doing good." I lied between my teeth. I don't want to get my parents involved. Siguro ay ginawa ito ni Creed dahil alam niyang iniiwasan ko ang tawag niya. He's been calling me since last night. Pero ni isa ng tawag niya ay wala akong masagot. Ha! He's acting as if he wasn't with Adelaide the previous night! And I also blame him for ruining my night. I was about to enjoy my dinner with Hiro but we ended up eating burger instead.

"When are you going back here, Laure?" Napahawak ako sa noo ko nang tanungin ito ni Mama sa kabilang linya. It's been forever since I went back home. I was always swamped with work, I couldn't come to my hometown— to the place where I grew up. There is a sudden pull in my stomach when I was reminded of that place.

"Today, Mom. I actually wanted to surprise you. Today is my dayoff and I filed a leave for tomorrow. I'll be staying for the night."

"Oh! Kasama mo ba si Creed? Ipagluluto ko siya kamo ng paborito niyang pagkain." Napasimangot ako kahit hindi niya ako nakikita. The fact that we're talking about Creed makes my head boil.

"Ma naman, ako ang anak mo di'ba? Bakit paborito lang ni Creed ang ipagluluto mo. How about my favorite?" Narinig ko naman ang mahinang pagtawa ni mama. Napapailing na lang ako sa aking sarili habang sinasabi ito. I am not even sure if my own mother knows my favorite. Does she know that I love oven-baked chicken?

"Bakit? Magiging anak ko rin naman si Creed. Besides, I've been acting as his second guardian since you were kids. Naalala mo ba na sa bahay siya naghihintay tuwing gabi habang hinihintay niya ang magulang niyang makauwi?"

"It's because you adore him." I rolled my eyes and stood up from my bed. I started stretching my body as I put my mom in a speaker mode.

"It's because you loved him around, Laure." Pagtatama nito sa akin. Napatigil naman ako sa aking ginagawa at tumingin sa phone ko. Of course, that memory is still vivid to me as if it happened yesterday. Creed's parents has always been busy. Natatandaan kong palagi silang busy sa kanilang trabaho kaya gabi na umuuwi. And since Creed is an only child, he was left alone in that huge house. Nang nalaman ito ni Mama dahil sa akin ay sinabihan niya ang parents ni Creed na pwede naman magstay muna ito sa bahay namin sa tuwing magisa ito sa kanila. I remember Creed's mother face sunken from guilt because of that. But my mother assured her that it wasn't a chore. Creed usually stayed up until dinner to our house and go back to his house once his parents come back from work. 

I didn't realize that I've been playing with my hands now as tears started to swell in my eyes. That's when it comes to my mind that the bond between Creed and I had been so deep with all those years.