At Last, Him

Chapter 33: In Good Hands

The gentle morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room as I opened my eyes to the sound of my phone vibrating on the nightstand. My mother's name flashed on the screen, and I sat up, heart tightening. Picking up, I managed a steady voice as I greeted her.

"Shan, anak," sabi niya, puno ng init at pananabik ang kanyang mga salita. "Uuwi ka ba ngayong araw? Bibisitahin natin ang Daddy mo."

The question settled heavily in my chest. I had prepared for this moment, rehearsed how I'd respond, yet I felt that familiar sting in my throat as guilt and sadness welled up.

"I'm sorry, Mommy," I said, voice soft but unyielding. "Nasa Baguio ako ngayon, with CL and his family."

There was a brief pause on the other end before my mother's surprise turned to joy. "CL? Boyfriend mo? Shan, I'm so happy for you." I could hear her smile in her voice, that hint of excitement that only mothers get.

"Bring him home soon, okay?" she added, with a trace of hope.

"I will, Mommy. I promise."

Nang matapos ang tawag, humilig ako sa mga unan, ang bigat ng usapan ay bumaba sa akin. Ang mga sinag ng araw ay lumalakas na ngayon, at kailangan ko ng hangin. Quietly, I slipped out of bed and stepped onto the balcony, the crisp morning air filling my lungs. The view of Baguio's rolling hills, crowned by pine trees and mist, spread out before me. It was beautiful—comforting, even—but it wasn't enough to chase away the conflict brewing inside.

I wasn't ready. Going home meant facing the ache I had kept buried, standing before my father's grave and confronting the words that still felt stuck in my heart. What could I say that would make up for the years I'd carried this distance?

Isang mahinang kaluskos sa likuran ko ang pumutol sa aking mga iniisip. I turned to see CL, his hair tousled and eyes still heavy with sleep. He leaned against the doorway, studying me with that steady gaze of his.

"I heard your call," he said, voice low but kind. "If you want to go home to Bataan, we can leave today. I'll come with you."

My heart squeezed at the sincerity in his offer, the way he'd give up this place that held such comfort to him just for me. I managed a small smile and shook my head.

"No, I love it here," I said. "And your birthday is in two days."

He walked over, slipping an arm around my waist as we both looked out at the horizon. In that moment, surrounded by the quiet beauty of Baguio and the warmth of CL beside me, I let the guilt ease just a little. Siguro hindi pa nga talaga ako handa, pero habang nandito ako, napagtanto ko na hindi ko na kailangang harapin ito mag-isa.

The days flew by in a delightful blur of moments that felt like snapshots—CL giving me a tour of his childhood haunts, stories that had us laughing until our sides hurt, and quiet afternoons spent with his family, who embraced me like I was already one of them. I felt at home in a way I hadn't in a long time.

Finally, November 3 arrived—CL's 29th birthday. I found myself staring at him that morning, taking in the boyish grin that played on his lips as he slept. The four-year age gap between us seemed trivial when I looked at him, especially with how youthful and handsome he was. Dahan-dahan akong bumangon mula sa kama, maingat na huwag siya magising, at lumabas sa malamig na umaga.

There was something exhilarating about sneaking off to the city center to visit an upscale jewelry shop. My palms were damp as I examined the rows of rings glistening under the glass. Hindi ako mayaman sa anumang paraan, pero ang mga taon ng pagtatrabaho sa malalaking proyekto ay nag-iwan sa akin ng sapat na ipon para sa mga ganitong sandali. Pagkatapos ng tila walang katapusang paghahanap, natagpuan ko ito—ang singsing na tila sumasalamin sa lahat ng kahulugan ni CL sa akin. Simple yet elegant, timeless.