Piece by Piece

Chapter 29

"There are far far better things ahead than any we leave behind." — C.S Lewis

29

"Hindi ka sasamang mag out of town bukas?" Malungkot na saad ni Karylle habang nakayakap ito sa leeg ng nobyo.

"I can't. I'm sorry." Matabang na sinagot ni Vice.

"Bakit? You've already been gone for a week. I've missed you."

"They need me at the office."

"But Vhong is coming."

"Exactly the reason why I can't go. Wala na nga si Vhong, mawawala rin ba ako?" Vice explained.

"Di na lang ako sasama sa kanila. Dito na lang ako."

"No, sumama ka. Your whole family's gonna be there."

"But, you won't be there." Saad muli ni Karylle na nakapagpakilig sa binabaeng puso ni Vice which made him smile, he grabbed Karylle by her waist at pinaupo sa kaniyang mga hita as he smelled her scent of vanilla.

Vanilla?

"You smell different."

"I do?" Maang-maangang tanong ni Karylle.

"Pinalitan mo yung shampoo mo?" Tanong ni Vice.

Natawa naman si Karylle. Kailangan na nga yata talaga niyang masanay na ang boyfriend niya ay hindi lang normal na boyfriend. He is gay, a woman at heart. He notices small details, ultimong ang simpleng pagpalit mo ng lotion at shampoo napapansin niya.

"Maybe that's my lotion."

"Vanilla? Really?" Natatawa si Vice habang tinatanong at inamoy ulit si Karylle.

"Oo, why? Ayaw mo ba nung amoy? Sabihin mo lang hindi yung tinatawanan mo pa ako." Pagtatampo ni Karylle, akma sana siyang tatayo pero pinigilan siya ni Vice at mas hinigpitan ang yakap dito.

"Do you know that vanilla stimulates sexual desires with your partner? That's scientifically proven." Nanlaki ang mata ni Karylle.

"So... are you seducing me, miss?"

"Kapal neto." Natawa si Karylle but then she turned red, only proving her guilty. Yes she really did some research about scents.

"Naku, naku, naku. Okay lang. Seduce me all you want, Ney. Ngayon pang gustong gusto ko ng magkaron ng Alfonso." He said then kissed her.

Karylle's mood suddenly changed. Dumako pa ang paningin niya sa computer ni Vice na nakabukas, ang wallpaper nito ay ang recent photo nila with Alfonso kung saan hawak siya ni Karylle at nasa likod naman nila si Vice na nakayakap sa kanila.

It was Vice's favorite photo. Mukha daw kasi silang isang pamilya. He has been very vocal about someday turning that photo into reality with Karylle. And he was also fond of Alfonso, kung papayag nga lang si Anne, siguro ay hihiramin niya pa ang bata sa mga magulang nito.

"Ang cute niya no?" Tanong ni Vice kay Karylle.

"Sobra." Sagot ni K.