Out Of The Woods

Into the Woods

I breathe in her lavender scent, and just like that, the wonderful memories of last night rushed through my mind. It made my heart race really fast. I opened my eyes as slowly as I can. Sam's still asleep. I could hear her soft snore and it made me smile. This is it. This is the view that I would want to wake up to every morning of my life.

Last night was wonderful. Maybe for Sam, it was a one night stand- but to me it was making love. The kisses we shared, every touch, every moan and thrust were filled with love I have for her. My love is enough for both of us. Kung ano ang kulang sa pagmamahal nya sakin, ako na ang bahalang mag-puno. If only I am selfish enough, she would have been mine already. But, I don't want to get her love that way. I want her to love me in her own time. I don't want her to choose. I want her to have no other choice but me. Ako lang. That's why I am standing by what I said last night- I am forgetting that this ever happened. I'll treat this as a one night stand.

"I'm keeping my word." I whispered and got up.

I picked up our clothes that were scattered on the floor. I looked at her once more. She was lying sideways while hugging a pillow. Her back was bare as the blanket was only covering her from the waist down. I fixed the blanket to cover her up to her shoulders. I stared at her for a few more seconds before I went to the bathroom for a shower.

When I got out of the shower, Sam was still sleeping. I took my phone from the bed side table and called the booking agency. I started making calls for our flight home. Tinawagan ko si mama para sabihin na uuwi na kami. Tuwang-tuwa sya. Ang sabi nya kausapin ko daw agad si papa pag-uwi ko at humingi ng tawad. Alam ko nahihirapan si mama dahil sa tampo sakin ni papa. Aayusin ko naman talaga ang gulo na ginawa ko pag balik namin, bigyan lang sana nila ako ng kaunti pang panahon. I need more time with Sam.

"Sinong tinawagan mo?" It was Sam. She was already dressed.

"Si mama. Sabi ko uuwi na tayo. I also called the booking agen-"

"Agad?! We just woke up tapos naghahanda ka na agad umuwi? Wag muna, please." She was panicking.

"Sabi mo after crossing out the last thing on your list we're going home. Tapos na diba?"

"Oo nga. Pero hindi pa natin nalilibot ang Rome. Hindi pa nga ako nakakakain ng Gelato dito eh! Wag muna tayo umuwi!" She was trying to negotiate.

Hindi ko naman sya matitiis eh. And extending our stay here, means that I get more time to be with her. Me and her. Just us two.

"I booked our flights 5 days from today. How long do you want us to stay?" I asked her.

"2 more weeks, please?" She smiled cutely without trying too hard.

"Okay. 2 more weeks." I nodded.

"Yes!!! Rome, here we come!!!" She said excitedly and then she hugged me tight. "Thank you, Peter Pan! Thank you for being with me for two years. Thank you for the little piece of Neverland... I'm ready to go home... I just want us to savor our last days in our own little universe." She pulled away from the hug. "Pagbalik kasi natin sa Manila, we have to let other people in again. Mamimiss ko na tayong dalawa lang."

I pat her head and messed her hair.

"Ako din. I'm gonna miss this."

We stayed in Rome for 2 more weeks. Kung saan-saan lang kami pumupunta at tumatambay. We ate a lot of pasta, pizza and gelato. Drank a lot of wine too. It was a long goodbye to our little piece of Neverland. Everyday seemed like a count down to the end. On our last night, we went back to the Trevi fountain and just sat there. And under the night sky and sparkling stars, we kissed.

The next day, we took the last flight going back to Manila. No one knew that we were coming home that day, so imagine the surprise on Sam's family's faces when they saw us by the gate of their house. Sam was so happy to see her parents and all her siblings. She may not be her old self anymore, but she is happy. She's still the girl I am in love with, and I know that it won't change anymore.