UNFAILINGLY YOURS

To The Moon

I am just worried

I'm not enough to keep you

From this cruel world

_____

Three swift knocks--That's the code. She'll know it's him, even though he's not sure she'd open up. Not in this time of day, at least. He glances at his watch--fidgety, tapping his feet and crossing his arms but he realizes it's early, it's just a quarter past eight. He snaps his right fingers at the thought, Nasa Rome nga pala sila, wala sa Pilipinas. But they already had dinner and the team agreed they were retiring early. Well, they agreed, he didn't, pero hindi na siya nagsalita kasi Nadine was also tired and speechless, leaning on to him sleepily earlier pagkatapos nilang mag dinner. He knew because she was not into THAT much PDA, she's usually too bashful at times, kahit friends pa ang kasama nila, and she wants to be cool about their relationship. Not that there's anything cool between them.

He stares at the door that seemed lifeless. Of course James, it IS lifeless. It was just about five seconds since he last knocked but he was itching to knock again, but he didn't want to worry her. She might think there's a fire or something, it's just a stupid article.

The article. He hissed in his head--All at once, he felt blood-boiling, cuss-conjuring, funny things in his stomach followed by a wave of goose bumps and a twisting sensation in his gut—thinking that she might have already read it, or might be reading it. Three swift knocks, God, please no. A moment's pause and he knocked three times again, keeping the rhythm, but finally she opens up. Black hoodies, grey sweat pants, with a towel over her shoulder partly hidden by her long black hair and a fresh aura. Why are you so cute?

"James, Ba't gising ka pa?" She hissed

"Bawal?" He says nonchalantly. If he's good at anything, it's probably playing cool. Thankfully its natural and thank all those acting experience; today, he's in a role playing a cool boyfriend who just wants to see his girlfriend because he misses her (even after just seeing her barely an hour ago)—well, no acting required naman, kung 'di lang doon sa part na naiinis and worried pa rin siya. But he has to suppress all that for now and get into "THE role."

She narrowed his eyes at him but he only smiles, as if that would work. "Matulog ka na" she whispers, "tulog na sila lahat dito, o" She was referring to her roommate. Ironically, it's his own road manager, Ms. Ca, who will be the first one to drive him out of their room and send him to sleep.

"It's still early, let's take a stroll"

"Ngayon na? Hindi ka pa pagod?"

"Not when I'm with you"

She laughs despite herself "Tigilan mo ako ha" but closes the door behind her so she doesn't wake anyone up.

"Let's go!" she's still hesitant "Please?" He makes his puppy dog face and she laughs on cue. Music, that's how you describe her laughter. He just can't get enough of it like everyone else.

She shakes her head and holds his hand. "I don't think we should, there'll be cameras..."

"Then let's not bring any"

"You know what I mean"

"Sige na, I'll be awesome, pupunta tayo sa isang PRIVATE place"

"PRIVATE PLACE?" he felt her freeze

"Ha!" he presses her nose with his forefinger "You should've seen the look on your face!"

"KASI!"