Hidden Anecdotes

2005

"Aalis ka na?" She muttered weakly, in a strained voice.

She was slowly climbing down the stairs, her left hand gripped firmly on the rails; slowly sliding it as she continued descending down.

Her eyes were lonely - downhearted. Her signature eyebrows narrowed with displeasure.

And there was him, ready to leave; Facing the front door.

She stopped halfway,  waiting for him to speak, to turn around, to see his fine features, to hear him say he is not going anywhere.

He took a deep breath and adjusted his tie, loosening it a bit. His face was crestfallen but he managed to force a smile before turning around. He was damned good at playing with his emotions. Not as good as her though but very convincing. She was always better at it.

"It's getting late. Baka nakakaabala na ko. I should probably---"

"Hindi." It was a quick snapped disapproval. She didn't even let him finish his words.

Their eyes met. His lips parted slightly. He was quite surprised by her reaction.

"You can stay." She said it blankly but in a shaky tone. Not twitching any parts of her face. She knew how to fake it. " You have to stay" and she whispered her last words, sincerely looking deep in the hazel window of his soul. Communicating with those ridiculously expressive eyes.

However, he turned his gaze away, avoiding the contact - not wanting to be lost in those.

"Pahinga ka na. I'll be here tomorrow." He smiled trying to sound like he wasn't affected - that he was not broken inside.

She walked toward then she stopped in front of him. There was a moment of silence.

That moment when she caught his eyes and he could not get away from it anymore. He was locked in by her stare.

After sometime she moved her eyes down and reached for his hand.
"Dito ka na lang." She squeezed it, "Please."

He could not decline it. He knew he could not. He never slammed her request. And to think that she was hurting and she was begging him to stay, was painful to see.

He found the genuine in her eyes. And it was enough for him to believe that he was still important to her. That he has still the chance. That she wasn't closing her doors to him. That she was still willing to sort things out.

They were not getting any younger. They once built and were a family. God knew, he would do anything to win her back.

She was still waiting for his response.
It took him a while to process everything in his mind. That he did not even noticed that he was smiling.

"Nangingiti ka dyan?" She asked curiously, in a sharp tone. That's how she speak - Outrightly and contemptuously.

He chuckled and shook his head.

"Uy, Mr. Ladies' man I'm asking you to stay the night." She tagged his hand a bit hard, at last wearing her 'taray' look.

It was quite silly how the situation grew from heavy to light.

He then encircled his right arm around her waist, pulling her against him. "What are you plotting huh, Ms. Taray?" He smirked.

Her hands rested on his chest. She closed her eyes and started running her fingers on his chest to his broad shoulders. "This is the first time you're so close to me after so many years." She sighed and turned her chin up.

"Di ka ba komportable?"

She smiled, shaking her head. "Di naman. It's just that, it's was long time ago that I forgot the feeling."

He tucked some of her hair strands behind her ears.

"Kinikilig ka, alam ko." He smiled teasingly.

She furrowed her eyebrows, sending him glare.

"I knew it. Don't deny. Namumula kaya yung tenga mo."

She brushed his hand away and rolled her eyes. Just like back in the day, when he would tease her and she would eventually get annoyed.

He chuckled and reached for her chin, moving it so he could have a look in her eyes.

"Uuwi na ko." He caressed her face smoothly.

"Sabi ko you can stay naman di ba? Mas pakipot ka na sa kin ha." She raised her eyebrow.

He laughed.

Then she smiled.

He noticed that she was enjoying staring at him as she was like familiarizing every corner of his face.

"Ang ganda mong lalaki, no?"

A moment of silence then they both laughed.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, he looked down and pressed their forehead against each other (still laughing).

"You're still attracted to me, eh?"

"Excuse me? Ikaw. Ikaw 'tong mas! Mas obssessed sa akin, mas corny, mas gandang ganda sa kin, mas--"

"Mas mahal mo."

She did not see it coming. Oh boy, she was trapped. It was awkward. Her smile faded quickly but she redeemed it back fast as well.

"Mas assuming! Kita mo na? Self proclaimed ka rin e."

He shook his head smiling again.

This time she did not rant stuff like she used to. She did not channeled her taray mode. She was watching him smile. She was so focused on being mesmerized by his charm and forgot to restrain herself. She cupped his face and gently claimed his lips.

He was taken a back of course. He got to kiss her again after so many years.

Slow.

Just doing it slow.

She let go after sometime but he did not. He was still pressing his lips on hers. Just against it,but not moving. They remained in that position, catching their breaths.

"I missed you so much" he whispered

She smiled, "Alam ko"

End