Have I Told You (PUBLISHED)

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Four

Bago mag Friday, maagang pumunta si Eisley sa bahay namin. Naunahan pa nga niya akong umuwi. Quarter to 7 pa lang, naghihintay na siya sa bahay. Naabutan pa niya sila Mama at Papa bago sila pumuntang work.

8 AM na akong nakauwi galing sa hospital kaya wala pa akong ligo, kain, at tulog. Aalis na nga dapat siya para makapagpahinga ako, pero pinigilan ko siya. Kaya ko pa naman.

Hindi siya pumayag. Pinatulog niya muna ako. Umupo siya sa sahig at sumandal sa pader ng kwarto ko kahit may upuan naman. Pag gising ko ng 3 PM, akala ko umalis na siya, pero nag-iwan siya ng sulat na bumaba raw ako.

"Kumain ka na," he tells me, washing the pan.

"Hindi mo ako sasabayan? Hindi ka pa nagla-lunch."

"Tatapusin ko lang 'to." Hindi pa rin siya tumitingin sa'kin.

"No, I'll wait for you." My stomach's growling. I'm really hungry and his chopsuey smells nice. "Anong ginawa mo kanina, habang natutulog ako?" I ask to distract myself.

"Pokemon Go."

I roll my eyes. "Seriously?"

"Pero wala akong makita dito kaya nag sketch na lang ako."

"Really? Patingin ako!" Na-excite ako bigla. I see his ears turn red. What did he sketch? Why are his ears so red? Did he do something again?

Tumayo ako at niyakap siya sa likod niya kaya napatigil siya sa paghuhugas ng sandok. I lean against his back. Ahhh, it feels so good! I can stay here forever. "Show it to me, please? Please, Eisley boy?"

"K-Kumain ka na."

"Why are you trembling? Masanay ka na sa ganito, okay? I know you like it. You love this part of dating." Nag tiptoe ako at lumapit sa tenga niya. He gasps. I whisper, "You like my hugs, kisses..." I'm not yet done teasing him when he suddenly turns around to face me.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

I give him a charming smile. "Show it to me, please? Don't be stingy. Dali na, I'll give you what you want."

Lumunok siya. "W-What do I want?"

I wrap my arms around his neck. I tiptoe again to kiss his cheek. "This." And his other cheek. "And this." Nilapit ko yung mukha ko sa mukha niya, our lips are only inches away. "I'll give you this if you show it to me."

He's about to come closer, but I turn away and go back to my seat. "Mukhang masarap yung chopsuey ah? You're getting better at cooking, Eisley boy. Dalian mo na diyan. Let's eat!"

He breathes heavily and loudly, then he leaves the dining area. He comes back with a piece of paper and puts it on the table before he finishes washing the dishes and removing his apron.

Akala ko tatabi siya sa akin, pero umupo siya sa isang side ng table. We're both at the center, sitting across from each other.

Tumawa ako at tiningnan yung sketch niya. Whoa! He's so good. Ini-sketch niya ako, habang natutulog. Sa halip na mainsulto ako dahil nakanganga pa ako at may tumutulong laway, tuwang tuwa ako. Pumapalakpak ako deep inside. Ibig sabihin, kahit ang pangit ko, tanggap niya ako.

"You like me this much?" I smile. "Can I keep this?"

He shakes his head. "You can't."

"Oh, come on Eisley boy. H'wag madamot, bad 'yun. Give this to me, alright? And I want your signature and dedication. Please, Eisley boy?"

He sighs. "You have to let me sketch you again, while sleeping."

"Okay." I shrug. "Bakit diyan ka pala nakaupo?" I tap the chair next to me. "Sit beside me."