Mirae

Kapitulo 27

Kapitulo 27

Like Awkward Exes

More than two hours of silence was not only awkward for Cyra and Adiel, but it was also a trigger for the former to sleep. Hirap siyang makatulog kagabi, kaya inaantok talaga siya. Pigil na pigil lang siya dahil hindi niya gustong iwanang gising ang asawa habang nagmamaneho.

They glance at each other from time to time, but it isn't longer than two seconds. Discomfort was the title of their film if the two were shooting right now.

Nevertheless, Cyra has a tiny happiness in her heart because they are together in a car again, traveling together. Beyond the affliction, the sense of familiarity tickled her heart. Years ago, Adiel's free hand would always hold hers while he drove and vice versa. Sometimes, when the traffic light was red, he'd pull her for a short kiss on the cheek.

How she wanted to do the same now if only she had the privilege to. Life without any love in the past years was collateral damage to her choice to leave. She had thought about her husband back in Baguio in indecent ways because, well, he's her husband. Reminiscing their intimate nights.

"Nagugutom ka ba?" biglang tanong ni Adiel sa kaniya.

"Umm, hindi naman, kumain ako bago pumuntang bahay. Ikaw ba? May dala akong sandwich, kung gutom ka," Cyra replied, already trying to get out the food she prepped last night from her bag.

"No, I just asked because you might be hungry and the travel is long. Just say if you get hungry, we can drive-thru in any place we see."

Huminto si Cyra at tumango sa asawa. Sinara niya ang bag niya at tumingin na lang ulit sa bintana. Muli, nag-isip siya nang kung ano-ano para lang magising ang diwa niya.

***

Adiel's reflex hasn't changed through the years. During the ride to Batangas, he attempted to hold his wife's left-hand multiple times and stopped midway to touch the gearstick.

It was a slip of emotions he hid quickly, a Freudian slip.

Ngayong nasa resort na sila, hindi niya na kailangan maging malapit sa asawa niya. That was the plan, but his friend had another thing in mind.

"Each couple has a room! Magkakatabi lang mga rooms natin, here are your keys, guys," Summer laid the keys on the wooden coffee table.

The friend group was in the lobby of the resort. It was a rustic-themed relaxation place. The lobby was open, air was blowing from West to East. The interior included potted plants around the lobby. Outside, pebbles were on the ground towards the pool and path to the white sand beach. The employees were wearing casual neutral-colored outfits with their nametags on the left part of their chests, always smiling and nodding.

Inakala ni Adiel na ang mga lalaki ang magkakasama sa kuwarto habang ang mga babae ang nasa kabilang kuwarto naman. Pero bakit niya nga ba naisip 'yon, gayong lahat ng nasa barkada ay kasal na? Malamang, may sari-sariling kuwarto ang mga mag-asawa para sa trip na 'to. Asawa ba naman ni Summer ang sumagot nito.

"The buffet for the breakfast's still open, if you guys are hungry. Punta lang kayo, second-floor siya. For now, I'll let you guys settle in your rooms. Meet tayo uli ng 11 for lunch, ha? Tapos, may boat akong ni-rent for the afternoon. We can drink wine there and roam around the waters," Summer explained while smiling at her friends.

"Tulog muna ako, see you later," Niki said before pulling her husband away from the crowd.

"Hi, Cy!" Gwyneth came to Cyra while everyone else began to go to their rooms. "'Buti nakapunta ka!"