my Endless Blue

∞ Track #17: Hello Stranger pt. I

"Miah, thank you again for everything today — no words could best describe how grateful I am but I wanted to at least let you know... Kaya salamat talaga..." I held onto his right with my two hands. Then, I looked up and smiled endearingly at him. 

When our eyes met, he fondly smiled back at me. "You're always welcome, Mielie. It's the least I could do for my boyfriend. I mean you deserve even more — if only we could've enjoyed that candle-lit dinner earlier..."

Hah... B-Boyfriend... Oo nga pala. I thought I got used to it already. I was pretty sure that my entire system was getting used to me, regarding him as my boyfriend. Pero 'pag sa kanya nanggaling, nakakapanibago. It would feel out of nowhere. Hayyy. Hoping I'd get used to it as soon as possible.

"Miah... I was just worried about you. People might recognize you if maraming nakapansin sa'tin — and I didn't want to risk your career... We could still enjoy dinner like that another time. I'm not entirely opposed to it... But, I also want you to know that I don't need to enjoy such fancy things... Sapat na sa akin ang makasama kita. Ayun lang naman ang importante sakin eh — that we're together..." I felt a bit shy, so I quickly looked away. Ramdam ko rin ang pag-init ng pisngi ko.

"How did I get this lucky to have you as my boyfriend... Maybe I saved an entire population in my past life..." He reached out his left hand to my right cheek and fondled it.

Napatingala na ulit ako at tumingin sa kanya. "A-Ako 'yung swerte sa'yo... But, I'm not even sure if I'm the right one for you."

Kaagad siyang umiling sa tinuran ko. "Sshhh, stop it with that nonsense... It's not for you to decide on that — It's my call... And I say, you're the right one for me. Are we clear on that?"

"Crystal... Sorry for being such a bummer..."

"No worries... I just don't like it when you're putting yourself down — I only wish you could see yourself the way I see you..."

"Miah... Thank you... I-I'll keep that in mind..." My right hand held onto his left hand that'd been caressing my right cheek.

"Good boy... That's more like it..." We found ourselves smiling endearingly at each other.

"Sige na... Babalik pa kayo ng Manila. Please take care on your way home..." Medyo panatag ang loob ko ngayon since he's with Kuya Ynan. They brought the black van and left Euphy at a parking lot in MOA. Babalikan na lang daw nila after nila akong maihatid.

"You don't want me to stay the night?"

Medyo nabigla ako sa tanong niya pero pinilit kong kumalma. "N-Not tonight. You have a morning schedule. Kawawa naman si Kuya Ynan if paghihintayin mo siya nang matagal..."

"Alright, alright — As you wish. Now go inside already... We'll leave after..."

Then I thought of something to at least "repay" everything he did for me tonight. "Oh, I almost forgot. I need to tell you something." I slightly raised my right hand to my mouth, 'yung aktong may ibubulong sa kanya at siya nama'y bahagyang yumuko at inilapit sa akin ang kaliwang tenga. I quickly went in and gave his left cheek a peck before rushing into our front gate and front door. I didn't bother waiting for his reaction kasi alam ko namang nagulat ko siya. Mabuti na lang hindi ako nadapa nang kumaripas ako papasok sa amin.

When I got inside, napasandal ako sa aming front door at naghabol ng hininga dahil sa pinaghalong kaba, at hingal sa mabilisan kong pagkilos kanina. After a while, I got a message from Miah.

Jeremiah ♡

Mielie, you're such a naughty boy. How could you tease me like that and leave? You're so cruel. Just wait 'till we see each other again...