Always, My Jade

Silence (53)

Sakay kami ng kotse ni Batchi, isang kotse na lang ginamit namin dahil usapan namin ay balik din kami sa RK, pero mula pa sa biyahe ay tahimik na kami lalo na si Althea. I just held her hand the whole time and gently caressing her palm that is still swollen.

"Batchi pwede bang ihatid mo na lang kami sa condo ni...namin." basag ni Althea sa katahimikan at tinanguan ko lang si Batchi nang tumingin sa rear mirror at nagtama ang mga mata namin.

"Ok, Tsong. Ayos ka lang ba?" balik tanong ni Batchi.

"Yes, Batchi. gusto ko lang magpahinga."

"You can rest until tomorrow if you want, ako ng bahala sa mga appointments mo."  - Cathleen

"Thanks Cath..."

"No worries. I think you still lack good sleep." pahabol pa ni Cath. Yon lang at tahimik na muli ang buong biyahe habang si Althea nakatingin lang sa labas at malalim ang iniisip.

Huminto ang kotse sa tapat ng condo namin. I was about to get out ng pinigilan ako ni Althea.
"Batchi pwede bang ipasok mo sa parking area sa loob?" hiling niya.
Oo nga pala sa isip ko at tumango na lang ako kay Batchi. Napansin kong umiling lang si Cathleen at dineretso na ni Batchi ang kotse paloob.

Bago bumaba I invited Cathleen and Batchi na bumaba muna but they both declined. "You both need to rest." sabi lang ni Cathleen. Agad lumabas si Althea habang bumeso na ako sa dalawa bago bumaba. Pero pumunta sa tapat ng driver's seat si Althea at nakatayo lang, nagtinginan lang si Cathleen at Batchi at parehong napailing. Saka binuksan ni Batchi ang pinto at lumabas. At doon niyakap ni Althea ang kaibigan."Sorry for being stubborn." bulong niya. "Ok lang Tsong basta hindi lagi." sabay balik yakap at tapik ni Batchi sa likod niya. Pagkalas nakayuko itong lumapit sa tapat ni Cathleen, bumaba si Cathleen at siya ng yumakap kay Althea. "Not everything that Althea wants Althea gets, remember that. We did this for Jade and not for you." sabi ni Cathleen.

"I know Cath and thank you. Sorry again."

- - -

Mula pagpasok namin ng condo tahimik kaming pareho ni Althea. Niready ko ang warm bath para tuluyan siyang mapakalma. With lavander and chamomile scents to help her calm down and relax. Nilapitan ko siya na nakaupo sa couch while watching tv. "Lovelove, your tub's ready." Tumango lang siya at tumayo when I held her hand and she walked behind me.

She's lying in the tub and with the warm bath and scents I can feel her silent content while her eyes' closed. I was about to stand and leave her when I felt her hand held mine and gently pulling me gesturing me to join her. I bent down to kiss her forehead then stood back and undressed, she patiently waited without opening her eyes and even when she felt that I was already in the tub. I sat at the other end of the tub but she extended her hand for me to reach and when I did she gently pulled me and let me sit in between her legs, she then hugged me from the back and rest her head on my shoulder. I held her arms that embraced me and we stayed that way silently. In that moment we felt no lust, no need, no thirst for each other even in our nakedness but the need to be one in silence.

After the bath, we found ourselves watching movies both seated in the reclining chair, nakasandal ako sa kanya and seated between her legs while her head's in my shoulder, both of us eating ice cream. Walang pa ring nagsasalita, parang nagakakaintidihan kami sa gitna ng pananahimik namin. Konting salita lamang at madalas ako lang pag may itatanong sa kanya.

Nakailang pelikula din kami at naramdaman kong kailangan ko ng maghanda ng hapunan namin. I was about to stand ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko. "I'll prepare us dinner Lovelove." bulong ko sabay hawak sa magkabilang pisngi niya and gave her a quick kiss.

"Cheat day?" yon lang ang sinabi niya pero nakuha ko na. Ano kayang nasa isip niya at napaka tipid niyang magsalita ngayon.

"Ok, I'll call for delivery then."