Flaws and All

Twenty Five

Thankful

"Xochitl! Pinapaubos mo naman kay Kuya eh"

"Anong ako? Sabi ko kumain lang sya tapos ayan nakasampong stick na!" inisa isa ko pa ang stick para bilangin, hindi lima, hindi sampu, dose na at may kinakain pa syang isa!

"Zarette, tigil na. Sa dinner nalang" inabutan ko sya ng tubig at nilapag nya naman ang bagong stick na ubos na ang laman. Grabe.

Hinila ko na sya papasok ng bahay at hinayaan na ang tatlo sa ginagawa, inopen ko ang tv at naghanap ng magandang papanuorin.

"Hal, any plans on your birthday?" he whispered, he chewed his gum after.

Sumandal ako sa braso nya at naghikab, he pulled me closer for a tight hug.

"Wala pa naman, siguro dito lang sa bahay, lutuan mo ako ah"

I felt him nod his head. I yawned again and felt a little sleepy.

"How about a vacation, hal?" tanong nya ulit.

"Sana, gusto ko mag out of the country. Kapag nakalabas na si lolo sa ospital" I buried my face on his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Wag mo na ako regaluhan ah? Dami mo ng binili sakin na damit at make up, thank you pala don Za"

"Bayaran mo nalang ng kiss" he teased. Inangat ko ang ulo ko para halikan ang pisngi nya but he moved his head para salubungin ang halik ko ng labi nya.

His lips tasted so sweet and minty, his tongue knocked on my teeth seeking for his entrance, I opened mine and bit the tip of his tongue, I felt him smile in between our kisses.

His tongue entered and savored my mouth. And he smiled again after, he pressed a soft kiss on my lips again and on my head.

"Kuya, inuubos mo naman eh" reklamo ni Prim, nakailang stick na kasi si Zarette sa kinakain namin, napapatitig nalang kaming lahat sakanya.

Maging si manang na alam kung gaano kaarte sa pagkain si Zarette ay napatitig nalang rin.

"Masarap nga, bibilhan kita ng sampong kilo nito basta pakainin mo lang ako ngayon okay ba?" pagsusungit nito sa kapatid.

Natawa nalang ako at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain ko.

Lahat kami bagsak, busog na busog at di na kayang tumayo. Pabagsak na ang mata ko sa antok at kabusugan.

Huminga ako ng malalim at tumayo para maghugas ng kamay, sumunod naman si Zarette habang pinapabula ko ang hand soap sa kamay ko.

"Okay ka lang? Baka mamaya sumakit tyan mo ah? Dami mong nakain" he just smiled.

"Hindi hal, I'm fine"

"Ako na ang maghuhugas, magpahinga na kayo" singit ni manang, sinuot nya ang kanyang gloves at inayos ang mga pinggan.

Didiretso na sana ako sa guestroom ng pagsatham nila ulit ako ng pinto.

"Go and spend the night together love birds!" sigaw ni Prim sa loob. Napailing nalang ako, si Zarette nakasandal sa pinto ng kwarto ko.

"Halika ka na" sabay hila ko sakanya papasok.

"Wag po ate" he teased.

"Che!!"

"Pinapatawag mo daw ako? Ano na naman, Zarette?"

"Sungit naman nito, miss ka lang. Come here" I walked towards him and sat on his lap. He's my human chair.

Kunwari pa ay nagdadabog pa akong umupo sa kandungan nya. Dalagang pilipina nga kasi ako. Ahihihihi.

"Bakit nga?"

"Three days before your big day" its my nineteenth birthday.

"Yup, and? Grocery tayo?" he shaked his head.

"Do you have thick jackets?" tanong nya, tumango ako, may mga nagamit at nabili ako sa las vegas noon.

"Bakit? Ang init init gusto mo magjacket ako?" umiling sya at humalik sa braso ko.

"Wala lang, random na tanong lang hal." I cupped his face to squeezed his cheeks.

"Kiss mo nga ako. Pagod ako" sabay papungay ng mata nya.

"Hmmm" I teased, tinignan ko ang computer nya at DoTA lang naman ang nakabukas. "Nakakapagod maglaro ano?"

He bit his lip before flashing a playful smile.

"Can I take you out on your birthday hal?"

"Hindi natin sila isasama? Dapat kasama natin sila, then the next day date na tayo"

I'm playing with his hair, I pulled his head closer to kiss his forehead. He smiled sweetly at me before kissing me on my lips.

"Prim, pack her things. Pakisabi narin sa friends mo, the boys are done packing already. Don't get caught, Prim"

"Kuya, libre mo talaga ah? Thank you!" she giggled before ending the phone call.

Dear Zarette,

Siguro habang binabasa mo to nasa airport na ako. Sorry if I'm leaving you with this letter, I don't have the guts to say goodbye Za. I gave you the chance to tell me everything, but you didn't. And you know what I am pertaining to, you and Amaryllis kissing. I lost my self and I want to go find myself without you. Hindi ko sinasabing hanggang dito nalang tayo, pero sana hanggang dito nalang yung sakit. I want my space Za.

Ps. And this is my opportunity to visit lolo too, if you wish you follow me abroad just please give me a week to spend with my family. I hope I'll see you there, Hal.