Love Me Back, Cacius (SOON TO BE PUBLISHED)

CHAPTER 13

Gabi na nang makauwi ang pamilyang Saez, abot tenga ang mga ngiti ng mga ito nang makita ang sandal ng dalaga katabi ang sapatos ng binata.

  “ She's here Mom.” agad na saad ni Alliyah.

   “ May pagkain here sa kusina, I think si ate ang nagluto nito.” jenny added at sumandok ng pagkain na siyang sinundan rin ng ate nito.

   “ I think kapag mag-pakasal na si kuya at ate crystal lagi na ako nasa Bahay nila para kumain. Ang sarap niyang magluto hindi ako makapaniwala na kakain tayo sa ganitong oras dahil lang sa masarap na ulam na niluto ni ate Crystal.” mahabang alintana ni Alliyah at nilantakan ang pagkain nito.

   “ Pumasok na kayo sa mga kuwarto niyo, Huwag kayong gumawa ng ingay baka maistorbo natin ang date ng ate at kuya niyo.” paalala ng ginang sa dalawang anak na kanya-kanyang nagsipasukan sa silid ng mga ito pagkatapos ubusin ang nilutong ulam ng dalaga.

   “ I'm glad na nakahanap siya ng babaeng mamahalin niya, Akala ko hindi na tayo magkakaroon nang daughter-in-law” anang daddy ni Cacius at pinagbuksan ng pinto ang asawang abot tenga ang ngiti.

***
The laughter turned into tears as Cacius and Crystal watched the Titanic movie. Crystal felt deeply the pain of being separated from their loved ones. She couldn't help but shed tears that fell on her cheeks while hugging the pillow, while Cacius gently stroked her back to comfort her.

   “ Why are we watching this? It's my first time I cried like this. Seeing you cry because of this movie feels like my heart is being crushed,” Cacius wiped his tears and hugged Crystal who was crying.

   “ See, no matter how much they love each other, there will still be obstacles in their love. That's why I don't believe in forever because our loved ones will still leave us,” Crystal sniffed and broke free from the embrace of Cacius na ikinagulat ng binata.

Ilang minuto pa ang nakalipas nang basagin ng binata ang katahimikan na namumuo sa loob ng kwarto nito.

   “ It's already 10:00 in the evening,” pagkuha nito sa atensyon ng dalaga na ikinatingin nito sa suot niyang relo. Tumayo ito at binuksan ang sliding window upang silipin kung may tao pa ba sa hallway nang biglang kumidlat at bumuhos ang napakalakas na ulan.

Crystal shivered as the lightning struck, but she startled when two arms wrapped around her from behind.

  “ Are you afraid of thunder and lightning?” a soft voice made her freeze. She knew deep down that she was not afraid of thunder and lightning because it accompanied her when she was in pain. She believed that whenever there was lightning and thunder, it empathized with the pain she was feeling, so she was surprised when Cacius hugged her.

  “No. I'm not afraid of lightning, I was just startled, that's why I reacted that way.” I uttered

   “Oh, I thought you were scared, that's why I hugged you, but can we stay like this for a while? Let me hug you. Being hugged is a form of rest for me, and I feel lighter whenever I hug you. I'm not like this with my friends because their perception of me is cold and grumpy, but this time, I want to hug you. I don't like physical touch, but when I met you, I don't know why, but I find myself longing for your simple touch on my hand and your hug. Please let me hug you.” His voice became gentle and soft, and he hugged me tightly.

Napapikit ako nang dumampi sa pisngi ko ang malamig na hangin na nanggaling sa nakabukas na bintana. Nakanguso kong tinapunan ng tingin ang braso ni Cacius na nakayakap pa rin sa'akin sa likuran ko. Dahil sa nakaramdam na ako nang pangangalay kinuha ko ang atensyon nito.

  “Cacius…” I called out his name. “ I'm starting to feel numbness, can you continue hugging me on the bed? Or do you want me to go home?” I asked softly as Cacius tightened his embrace around me and released a series of breaths near my ear, causing me to feel ticklish there.