On That Same Year

Chapter 46

After that miraculous night, I found myself lying on the soft mattress of his bed. I can even smell his natural scent from his pillows and blankets.

He's not around when I woke up so I took the chance to dress up, I almost curse at myself when I can't find my clothes anywhere. So, he left me no choice but to go through his wardrobe and wore some his boxer and white t-shirt na nagmukhang oversize sa katawan ko.

Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapaika-ika dahil sa kababalaghang nangyari sa amin kagabi pero inaamin kong masyado akong kinikilig ngayon.

Although, I'm not sure if what happened to us last night can bring us back the closure and of course . . . from what we had back then.

Before I left his bedroom, I carefully examine his place.

His room's all painted in black and white theme at maayos ang pagkaka–desinyo nito. May iilang paintings ang nakasabit sa magkabilang walls and his things were placed perfectly. As I continued on exploring my eyes to the place, I can't help but notice the photo frames on his bedside table.

Naupo ako sa gilid nang kama at maiging pinagmasdan ang litrato kung saan nakaupo sila ng kaniyang lola sa sofa'ng sira-sira na, but in the midst of all the poverty I'm seeing in that photo, I knew it was precious and a treasure for him. They're both smiling genuinely and I saw how Ruzh's eyes sparkled because of too much happiness.

A faint genuine smile was plastered all over my lips at the sight of it. He look so dàmn happy. Maybe it would've been nice if I saw that genuine smile of him again? It's been so long.

Kukunin ko na sana ang isang litrato na nasa gilid ng lamp niya ng may marinig akong ingay sa sala ng condo.

I put back the photo frame on its rightful place and walk towards the door. I could even hear a female and male voice talking, they're not yelling though. Just having a normal conversation like they're old friends.

Pipihitin ko na sana ang door knob nang marinig kong nag tanong siya sa lalaki.

“So, kayo na ulit?” rinig kong boses ng isang pamilyar na babae sa sala.

Kahit na alam ko na kung sino iyon, namalagi ang kuryosidad sa isip ko dahil sa tuno ni Bianca, hindi siya galit? And worst, why is she asking about us? Alam niya kayang nandito ako? Ano kayang magiging reaksyon niya kapag nakita niya ako rito? Sasabunotan niya ba ako o makakatikim ako ng isang malutong na sampal kapag nalaman niyang nandito ako?

Should I prepare myself? Or I'll just hide from here?

Saglit na namalagi ang katahimikan sa sala bago sumagot ang lalaking umangkin sa akin kagabi.

“No . . . not yet.” he uttered, I felt a slight pang inside my chest after hearing that. Oo nga, 'di pa kami.

Pinihit ko ang pintuan para sana sumilip at marinig ng mas klaro iyong pinag-uusapan nila ng gumawa ng ingay ang pintuan ng kwarto ni Ruzh at parehas silang napalingon sa gawi ko.

Imbis na pumasok sa kwarto at mag panggap na walang nangyari ay ngumiti lang ako na may puno ng pag-aalinlangan at kahihiyan.

Napako naman ang paningin ni Ruzh sa suot ko at halos malaglag ang panga ko ng makitang walang kahit na anong galit roon, instead, he's staring at me softly like he used to before.

Mag e-explain na sana ako dahil alam kong magagalit si Bianca sa akin pero imbis na salubongin ang sampal niya ay isang malakas na tawa ang umalingawgaw sa apat na sulok ng condo.

“So I see you've already brought her here, ano nakagawa naba kayo?” tumatawang bigkas ni Bianca na ikinakunot ko naman nang ulo, nakita ko naman ang pamumula ng pisngi at tainga ni Ruzh bago hinilot ang magkabilang sintido.