Teased Of Us

special chapter II

Luna.

The moment I opened my email that morning, the blinking notification almost made me drop my coffee.

An International Leadership Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, but this time as guest speaker.

I blinked twice, reread it, made sure hindi ako nagha-hallucinate from stress.

Then a soft gasp escaped my throat.

"Luh? Totoo?"

Before I could even process the excitement, familiar arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

"Morning. What happened, love? Who's emailing you this early? Kung admin mo na naman na nagpa-panic, I swear.." Drei's sleepy voice pressed against my shoulder.

"No." I laughed, twisting in her arms. "I got invited as guest speaker in Bangkok."

"Really? No, doubt. Tama sila ng pinili." she fully woke up at that.

Her hands framed my face, eyes full of pride, the same eyes that once looked at me across a noisy college hallway, before life got complicated and before we found our way back to each other.

"Our ever brilliant and passionate, VPAA. The woman who terrifies half the faculty and inspires the other half. Deserve talaga." she added.

"Flatter me pa more." I rolled my eyes, na para bang hindi ako yung asawa niya.

"I plan to. Later." she smirked, leaning closer.

I slapped her arm playfully, but my heart warmed.

God, I loved this woman. Even after 13 years of marriage, two kids, hundreds of sleepless nights, countless emergencies, and careers that swallowed half our time, she still looked at me like I was her favorite view.

Siya pa rin talaga ang nagpapahina ng tuhod ko.

Then a thought slipped into my mind.

"So, maybe you should come with me." aya ko bigla.

"To Bangkok?" kunot noong sabi niya.

"Yes." sagot ko.

"Tayo lang?" she asked again.

"Yes, love." I smiled at her.

For a long second, she simply stared, then her expression softened, relief, longing, quiet need flickering behind her almond eyes.

"We need this." I whispered. "Drei, I need you with me this time."

"Alright, I'm coming." she answered, pulling me into a slow, grateful kiss.

--

The house was chaos the night before our flight.

Soleil, our eldest was ranting again for not bringing her with us.

Savi, our youngest naman eh nakailang paalala na ng pasalubong daw na bibilhin ng mama niya.

"Mom." Soleil whined as I knelt beside her. "What if I have a quiz? What if I forget something? What if.."

"You're not a baby anymore." I reminded her gently. Minsan lang siya mag inarte ng ganyan, at hindi yan dahil sa akin talaga. Sa mama nila.

"I am still your baby." she shot back dramatically, arms crossed. "I can't sleep if Mama Drei isn't home." see? Ang OA, kanino ba 'yan nagmana?

Behind me, Drei pretended she never softens.

"NapakaOA mo, Soleil Andree." she whispered at napailing pa.