Relentlessly Yours [Completed]

Chapter 26

Nicola, Age Twenty Six
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Walang mapagsidlan ang saya ko sa sumunod na tatlong buwan. Kai basically kidnapped me two weeks following his race in Singapore. But it's not exactly kidnapping if I was a willing victim, right?

We went from one country to another, basically exploring the entirety of Europe. Kai and I made love everywhere, and I mean, everywhere. At the beach in Nice, France. Beneath the stars in Switzerland. In the train in New Zealand. So and so forth. Nahirapan na akong alalahanin ang lahat ng lugar. I just happily let myself get lost in his touch without a care in the world.

Kai also insisted that we keep our engagement to ouselves first.

"Let me have you all for myself for a few months, baby. Makakapaghintay naman sila 'pag balik natin." He had told me that a month after his proposal.

When dad kept on bugging me where I was and why I left the country so abruptly. Calum also demanded to know my whereabouts although I have a very good inkling that he knew I was with Kai. Kung anu-anong palusot ang binigay ko sa kanila. I told them I was backpacking accross Europe to explore art and the culture.

Dad was adamant to know where I was because he was concerned about the ranpant sex traffickers in Europe and threatened to hire a search party to track me. I didn't want that and I was safe with Kai so, I reluctantly agreed to let him know every time Kai and I moved.

Hindi naman 'din ako totally nagsinungaling dahil in-explore ko din naman talaga ang mga art museums at history ng Europe. Hindi ko nga lang pinaalam or kinonfirm na kasama ko si Kai.

Or that we were engaged.

Engaged.

I'm engaged. To be married. To Kai. To the boy I met when I was six years old. To the boy who first kissed me and told me that I was beautiful. I was engaged to the love of my life and I couldn't think of anything else in the world that could make me happier than I already am.

Pakiramdam ko ay sasabog ang puso ko sa saya at sa pagmahahal. Kai wanted us to organize and prepare for our wedding as soon as we get back in the Philippines next week. Tango lang ako ng tango. Kahit pa saan niya ako pakasalan ay okay lang sa akin. Ni hindi ko nga hinahangad ang engrandeng kasal. I'm just so elated and over the moon knowing he's mine. Finally, Kai will be mine forever.

"I know you have a lot of projects to catch up on, baby, pero magpahinga ka muna ng kahit dalawang araw, okay? Alam kong napagod kita ng husto," nangingislap ang mga mata na panunudyo sa akin ni Kai pagpasok namin sa condo niya.

Yes, sa condo niya. I basically live here at this point. Kung ayaw niya akong mawala sa paningin niya bago pa kami na engaged ay mas lalong hindi niya na ako papayagang mawala sa paningin niya ngayon.

"That's what I'm planning to do," I sighed. "Kaya lubayan mo muna din ako ng ilang araw, okay?"

He grinned, kissing the side of my head. "Susubukan ko."

Nangingiting inirapan ko siya habang tumatawa na binitbit niya ang mga bagahe namin papasok sa master's bedroom. Nagpahinga lang kami ng ilang oras dahil medyo jet-lagged din dahil sa mahabang byahe. I'm used to flying in long hours but I can't seem to get over the jet lag every time.

Nagising ako sa ingay ng phone ko at agad na napabalikwas nang makita ang pangalan ni dad. Kai's hand reached for me in his sleep and I kissed it before dropping it back on the bed. Tumayo ako at sinagot ang tawag ni dad.