In His Kiss

Epilogue

Epilogue

I automatically put my hand to cover my gaping mouth.

"Oh no! I forgot to refill my tumbler with water!" I exclaimed. Hiro only glanced at me with a small smile on his lips. Ang natatandaan ko lang ay nilagay ko sa kusina ang tumbler ko para lagyan ng tubig pero naiwan ko na lang ito magisa sa kusina.

"I already did, it's in the bag at the backseat." When he said that, I spun my head to the backseat. Totoo nga ng sinabi niya at mayroong bag ang nakalagay dito. Maya-maya ay may bigla na lang pumasok sa isip ko.

"My scrunchies!" Another exclaimed from me when I noticed my hair tie was missing on my wrist. Hiro only raised his left arm and showed the scrunchies on his wrist. Lumapad ang ngiti ko.

"Seriously, Laure? What are you going to do to your life without me?" My boyfriend said with a smug expression on his face. Pinigilan ko na lang ang sarili kong huwag umismid. If I know, he loves it when I depend too much on him.

"If you didn't seduce me earlier, Mr. Romantic, then maybe I already prepared myself early." Sabi ko at lalo lang lumawak ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. I am determined to wipe that grin off his lips. Once Hiro got home from work, he started kissing me on my neck and planted many kisses on my face. From a simple, harmless kiss, it escalated to finishing two rounds in our bed. Hindi muna ako pumasok sa flower shop habang si Hiro naman ay nag half-day lang. He's still managing his security business and, at the same time, managing his family's business. Hindi ko alam paano niya napapagsabay ang oras niya. But then he told me that his security business is only a case-to-case basis.

Hiro told me some of his experiences getting out of the organization— some because he couldn't tell me all of them. Pero ayos lang naman sa akin kahit hindi niya isa-isahin ang mga bagay na ginawa niya. It's okay, even if it remains a mystery to me. The important thing is that he's now here and has no plans to leave anymore. That is something to be thankful for.

When he asked me to live with him six months ago, I didn't know he was already prepared. Instead of giving me tons of flowers, he gave me a key to the new house he bought. That's when we decided to live together so we would know what to expect. And just like Hiro said, he doesn't want to burden me with expectations bound to a social construct called marriage. He let me enjoy my life even though I'm committed to him. If we both want to get married later, then we can do it. Ngunit ngayon ay ineenjoy lang namin dalawa ang isa't isa. We missed each other like crazy! Halata naman na bumawi kami sa isa't isa sa araw na hindi kami magkasama. Our nights had been filled with watching our favorite variety show, lots of kissing, watching the stars, more kissing, having outdoor dates, sharing stories, kissing, laughing so much, and oh, did I already say kissing?

When I told him I had cut ties with my family, he said he'd wait for me so I could introduce him to them with my head up high—maybe not now, but soon. And what I really appreciate is that Tita Ayame told me that even though I left mine, I gained theirs. She told me to start thinking of them as a family. Napapaluha na lang ako habang iniisip ito. How could they accept me so easily?

"Oh shoot! I forgot to turn off the stove!" Biglang sabi ko. Nahampas ko nang mahina ang kanyang braso. Hiro only shakes his head.

"Calm down, kotik. I already checked it when we left. I also locked the door. Wala ka na dapat ikabahala. What else that you think you forgot? Baka pati ako nakalimutan mo na rin sa bahay?" He was humoring me. Halata naman sa paraan sa boses niya na binibiro niya ako.

"Argh! I am busy trying to look presentable today that's why I forgot to check other things." Bumaba ang tingin ko sa aking suot. Sinigurado ko talaga na kahit kaunting minuto lang ang tinagal ko sa paghahanda ay mag mukhang presentable pa rin ako. Besides! Who goes to a concert who doesn't have their OOTD? Definitely not me. Maybe Hiro? Nang lumingon ako sa kanya ay nakasuot lang ito ng puting hoodie at black jeans. He's also wearing a cap. He was aiming to dress like a college boy.

"You are already beautiful, kotik. Mas maganda nga kung walang damit," kumindat pa talaga ang binata sa gawi ko.

"Hiro!"

"Now I am tempted to make a u-turn and spend our day cuddling. Bakit pa kasi kailangan pa natin pumunta?" I can't stop rolling my eyes.

"Baka nakakalimutan mo. You are the one who surprised me with VVIP ticket. You are the one who gave me the privilege to see Cold n Blue up close! Kaya wala ng bawian, no." I stick my tongue out of him. Hiro knew that I am a big fan of this band. Isa pa, ngayon ko lang din sila makikita ng malapitan. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na makita sila. I really thank Hiro for giving me the opportunity to see them play together.

"I can't wait to ask for the Lucas' autograph!" Excited na sabi ko sa kanya.

"Autograph ko, ayaw mo?"

"Tsaka na kapag naging member ka na ng Cold n Blue." I grinned. Hiro only grinned back.

"I gave you the ticket because I know you love that band. And of course, because I love you. Even if I dislike the idea of you— fan girling over Lucas Louvre, I still want you to be happy." Napasimangot pa siya nang banggitin niya ang pangalan ng drummer ng banda. Kahit ang paghawak niya sa steering wheel ay humigpit.

"I want you to pay that with a kiss later," he gave me a long, amused look.

"I love you too, Hiro. Don't worry, I'll give you more than a kiss later." I wiggle my eyebrows, indicating that I have something playful in mind. I couldn't stop grinning. Kahit ang labi ko ay kusa na lang na ngumingiti dahil kay Hiro. Happy. I am happy.

Hiro is the warmth of my daily life. That's why I have this urge to be a good person for Hiro and myself: because I deserve this kind of love, because he deserves this kind of love, and because both of us made an effort to rebuild our lives.

-FIN-
***

Note: I know you'll skip reading the author's note, but I will still say this: I wrote this story so I could have something to look forward to after my exhausting work.

When I started making the first half of the story, my first thought was, "gusto kong gumawa ng cute lang na story vibes" a little spicy with chapter over 40. And then, when I started imagining Hiro Stanislaski, my first thought was "gusto kong gumawa ng lalaking trauma-free, living an honest life, emotionally intelligent, guilt-free, family-oriented, know what he wants type of guy." Idk if I succeeded, but Hiro has a soft spot for me. Cute lang talaga story niya, kay Raven ako babawi. I'll take this opportunity to plug Raven's story entitled IN HIS EYES. Thank you everyone for your patience. Salamat talaga sa mga nag vote, magvovote pa lang, sa mga nag comment and magcocomment pa lang. I appreciate appreciation, guys.

PS: I'll try making Hiromaru Stanislaski's Memoir. I say 'Try' since I can't promise and overcommit.

Hiro Ishikawa Stanislaski = In HIS Kiss