Stranger's Bed

Chapter 18

Hindi ako makatulog nang gabing iyon. Sure, Arvin stayed in his penthouse all night but it did bothered me of who is that Kassandra.

Is she someone that I should be aware of? But I have no guts to ask Arvin. Ni hindi ko pa nga siya sinasagot. The nerve of me to ask. It's been weeks Ava, tigilan mo na 'yan!

"Maam, may naghahanap po sainyo sa baba."

Tumango lang ako sa sekretarya ko bago bumaba.

Postura at nakangiting Mommy ni Arvin ang sumalubong sa akin. I don't want to think about negative things, but what could she be here for?

"Good morning, hija, naabala ba kita?"

Ngitian ko siya at humalik sa kanyang pisngi. "Hindi naman po, tita. Kamusta po? May kailangan po ba kayo?"

Umiling siya at iminuwestra ang upuan sa lobby. Tumango ako at sabay kaming umupo doon.

"I was just around the area with some client so I decided to drop by to give you this."

Nilahad niya ang isang puting envelope. I smiled and opened it.

"I hope you could come. It's an event hosted by the foundation I run. Arvin couldn't come dahil nasa Palawan siya by that time. And he told me he doesn't want you going alone. But I thought it's better if I try to invite you as well."

Kinagabihan ay hindi ako nasundo ni Arvin. He's still busy sa papalapit na opening ng resort and I do understand.  Nakisabay na lang ako kay Josh nang magkayayaan kaming mag-dinner na muna.

"Hindi mo ba napapansin 'yun? There's really something about Krea. I mean, when we were in college, alam kong may iba sa kanya but I couldn't figure that out. But now that she's changed a lot parang pakiramdam ko ito yung totoong Kre-"

Nawala ako sa sinasabi ni Josh nang mag-ring ang cellphone ko. Lumiwanag ang mukha ko nang makita kung sino iyong tumatawag. Sinenyasan ako ni Josh na sagutin ko na ang tawag kaya tumayo muna ako para makalayo ng kaunti.

"Hello?"

"Hey, love... I'm at the airport right now."

Airport? Why is he at the airport?

I heard his heavy sighs on the other line. "I can't come home for a month dahil may kailangan lang akong tapusin doon sa Palawan... I'm sorry, biglaan lang kasi kaya hindi na kita natawagan agad."

I know that he'll be in Palawan in two days but I didn't expect na ganito siya magpapaalam. At ganun katagal. But I have to understand. He's a very busy man and I have to deal with that. Pero a month... I wonder how long my days would be without him.

"It's okay, dala mo na ba ang mga gamit mo?"

He chuckled on the other line. I tried to smile kahit na hindi ako natatawa sa sitwasyon na ito.

"I'm fine. I still have some of my things there sa resort. Are you coming home now?"

Tumango ako kahit di niya iyon makikita. "Yes, I will go in 30 minutes. Nakisabay na lang ako kay Josh."

"Okay. Tell him to drive safely. I love you."

Pinigilan ko ang malalim na paghinga bago ibaba ang tawag. Para akong lantang gulay na bumalik sa mesa namin ni Josh.

"So as I was saying sis, diba? Parang may iba na talaga sakanya. Even Ivy noticed that. Ikaw ba hindi mo napapansin?"

Walang gana akong tumango sa kanya habang iniikot ang pasta sa aking tinidor. Kung mag-leave kaya ako ng isang buwan? Maiintindihan naman siguro ng boss ko 'yun. Pero paano ang trabaho ko? Kung dalhin ko nalang kaya 'yun sa Palawan?

"Hello! Ava! Hello!" Nabaling agad ang tingin ko kay Josh na kanina pa pala nagsasalita.

"Huh? Oo."

"What? Anong oo?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sagot niya. Hindi ba pinaguusapan namin iyong sa bagong project sa mga De Lima? "What, Josh? Ano na bang pinag-uusapan natin?"

Umirap siya at sumimsim ng juice mula sa kanyang baso. "You weren't even listening, were you? Si Krea ang pinag-uusapan natin. Ang sabi ko anong masasabi mo sa pagbabago ng ugali niya ngayon. What's the matter? You just phoned Arvin, right?"

Ilang buntong hininga ang nagawa ko bago ko naikwento sa kanya. I know I'm being childish but I have been so dependent on him with my everyday life. Everyday routine. And suddenly he'll be away for a month. Or so.

Matapos naming kumain ay inihatid na ako ni Josh sa penthouse. Nasa pintuan pa lamang ako pero namumuo na ang mga luha ko. You can't be childish right now, Ava. Not when Arvin is so matured about everything. Not when he is busy with work, not with girls!

Halos malaglag ang panga ko nang makita ko siyang nakangiti habang nakaupo sa sofa nang makapasok ako. "I know you would miss me so I decided to postpone my flight until--"

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos at sinalubong ng yakap. "I thought you were really gone."

Tinahan niya ako at doon ko lang napagtanto na umiiyak na pala ako. Inayos niya ang upo ko sa kanyang mga hita at iniharap ako sa kanya. "You really think I could leave without seeing you?" Hinalikan niya ako at parang lumipad lahat ng paru-paro sa tiyan ko. His kisses are my bliss.

"I love you, Arvin."

Halos malunod ako sa kanyang titig nang sabihin ko iyon sa kanya. Nang hindi siya sumagot at inilapit ko ang sarili ko sa kanya. I kissed him thouroughly without hesitations. Arvin is the man I want to spend my life with.

They say na malalaman mo nalang iyon, kapag nakita mo na siya. And I know, deep in my heart that it's really him I want to be with.

He pulled away from my kiss and stared at me like I'm a fragile glass he's afraid to break. "Does this mean..."

Pinisil ko ang pisngi niya at tumango. "Yes."

"I love you too, Ava Elizabeth. You've just made me the happiest man who's about to go in a long distance relationship for a month." Ngumiti siya at inayos ang takas kong buhok sa likod ng aking tainga. "I have prepared a dinner for us--"

I wrapped my arms around his neck as I kissed him deeply. I only want to feel him tonight. Kung aalis na siya ay mababaliw ako sa isang buwan na hindi ko siya makikita.

He's my safe haven. He pulled away again and grinned at me. "Don't tempt me, love. I am trying my best to be in my best behavior so please help me."

Tinitigan ko siya sa mata. Telling him what I want. I want you, Arvin.

His smile faded when he understood my gaze. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Napaawang ang labi ko ng ginawa niya iyon.

Napahilamos siya sa kanyang mukha at nag-aalalang tinignan ako. "Are you sure about this?"

Tumango ako at dahan dahang tumayo. I spread my legs across his and playfully touched his hair.

He kissed me gently as if I'm about to break. Ang isang kamay ko ay nasa batok niya habang ang isa naman ay nasa buhok niya. I went in for a deeper kiss and let his tongue explore my mouth. His kisses were careful and soft, but with hunger and passion. He stood up and carried me to our room, his hand supporting my behind.

Nang maihiga niya ako sa kama ay naramdaman ko ang lakas ng tibok ng dibdib ko. He watched me intently as I lay there across his bed.

He scooped me in his arms and kissed me again. His kisses went all over my face, my nose my jaw and my neck. I helped him remove his polo while his kisses went deep. I can't help but cry out his name as he own me, just by his kisses. I unhooked my skirt and he took it away from my hips. I laughed as I playfully let my hands roam around his chest.

His hands went across my body and legs as he started kissing me again. I closed my eyes and let myself feel the man I love.

He stopped kissing me when he reached my collarbone. His hands were supporting my waist as he stared at me intently. "I love you, Ava Elizabeth."

I smiled at him as I unbuttoned my blouse. I have never been so sure in my life. "I love you too."