Tú Eres Mi Sol

XLII

"You deserve to live a life we are excited about. Do not let others make you forget that and steal that away from you. You deserve to be happy."

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Several weeks after Dei's visit to San Francisco.

"For a moment!"

Dei's running to the door to open it. She looks at the door viewer first, the stance looked familiar and the hair.

"Dei" she hears her name and she opens the door.

"RJ, Love. Andito ka!"

"Pinaakyat na ako ng doorman mo"

She was going in for a hug when Richard stopped her. 

"I'm filthy. Airplane Bacteria all over. Gustong gusto kitang yakapin pero magshoshower muna ako"

***

Richard found Dei in her work table busy typing something on her Mac. He walks and stands next to her and kisses her head. 

"Sorry about earlier, I'm very picky about cleanliness."

"I know" she then hugs his torso and adds "I missed you"

"I haven't had sleep, I went straight from work to here."

"Teka bakit ka andito? Di ba dapat nasa work ka pa?"

"Huh?"

Dei checks her calendar

"Oh goodness,I lost track of dates! Tapos na pala yung 3-month stint mo. Ang bilis lang!!! Ang dami kong ginagawa e"

"So much paperwork I think that's obvious, looking at the stack of papers on your table and beside your chair, parang nag-suswimming ka na nga sa papel e"

Dei slaps Richard on the chest.

"I think this is what the Brits call "I'm snowed in", so how can I help you?"

"Okay na RJ. I got this"

"That you do." Richard kisses her temple. 

"Dei."

"Yes?" Dei looks at her. Richard pouts.

Dei holds his face. "Ay parang five years old, sige na nga. Namiss ko din to." Their lips meet in a searing kiss and exploring each other's mouth.

"Sarap" Richard says after.

"Busy ka ba hangang later?" He asks Dei.

"Yes, may tatapusin pa ako e."

"Okay, Dei, I have to run and meet someone for afternoon tea. I'll be back for dinner. I'll make you that Spaghetti Carbonara that you love from Marco Pierre White's recipe!"

"You have fun, Love!"

***

"Hello, Ma Cherie!"

"Michel-Jan!"

"Did you know dzzat your petit ami is here?"

"You mean Richard right?"

"Oui, Oui"

"(H)ee's (h)eere at a cafe with a woman!"

"He did say he's meeting someone for tea"

"Let me go nearer ! *Aie* *Aie*"

"Are you alright?"

"No, Nooo, no!, I dzzzrripped overrrr ze buuuushes."

"Are you hurt?."

"I dzzink ze girl is Victoria, ze ooone in ze phoootos"

"They are college classmates"

"Ze Reeechaaard looooks mad, Ma cherie. (H)Aands up in ze air. (H)eer hands aaand up in zee air. Reeechhaaard zzzhakes (H)eead several times."

Dei hears a swatting sound over the phone and seems like someone fell.

"Michel-Jan!"

"Dei, I waaant zhho zee more of zhis rendezvous but I (h)aave to go! I zeee a docteur"

"What? What happened!"

"Les Fourmis... Errrr.. Zee Ants!!! Bit me!!! Zeee feet all red!"

"Go see a doctor. Thanks for calling"

***

Dei felt someone kissed her head.

"Andito ka na pala!"

"You're too engrossed in those paperwork. Buti na lang you gave me a spare key. I brought some pastries from Fitzbillies para you can munch on something while I'm making carbonara."

Dei just looked at him

"Punta tayo sa sala so that we can cuddle first before we make dinner. Miss na kita, baby girl"

When they reached the living room, Richard sat on the sofa and Dei was going to sit next to him when he pulled her to his lap.

"I missed you, baby girl. Kung possible lang to go home to you every night, I'll do it."

He noticed that Dei was not responding.

"Hey Love, what's with the long face" he asked while stroking her hair 

"You can tell me anything and everything, Love, kahit lamok yan that won't go away. I will listen. May ipis ba na dapat patayin? Asan?"

Dei wasn't looking at Richard, her eyes cast down.

He placed his hand on her chin and looked at her face.

"Dei? Love?"

"Michel-Jan called me awhile ago. He said he saw you and Victoria at a cafe."

"Ahhh.. is my baby girl jealous?"

Richard hugged her tighter. 

"There's nothing to be jealous about. I can't tell you about it right now but you have to trust me."

Dei looked at Richard intently.

"Dei, it took us a long time to get here. I'm not going to throw it away just like that. And I know that look. You do not have anything to worry about." then Richard kissed her forehead.

Dei felt Richard's sincerity and she's known him all her life. Dei then kissed his cheeks and stood up.

"Okay! Tapos na yan. Asan na ang pastries ko? Stand up! Bilis and go to the kitchen, I'm hungry! Chop! Chop!"Dei said while her hands did a clapping motion.

Richard pats his back and Dei hops. He carries her to the kitchen. He puts her down in one of the chairs in the kitchen counter. He then hands her the bag from Fitzbillies, which she immediately opens.

"Scones!!! These are my favourites!" 

"I know kaya binili ko."

He preps for cooking, putting a pan of water in the stove, opens the oven and puts in the bacon when he sees Dei happily eating scones and notices she has some crumbs near her lips. He walks to her and licks the crumbs with his tongue instead of wiping it with his hands. He then goes in for a kiss.

Dei pushes him. Richard moves back a little and looks at her.

"MISTER! ENOUGH KISSING. Tama na muna. Magluto ka muna! YOU HAVE A HUNGRY PERSON HERE! Dali!!!" Dei points at herself and then proceeds to eat her scones some more.

Richard kisses her forehead and looks at her.

"Bakit andito ka pa? What are you looking at! GO MAKE FOOD! YOU HAVE TO FEED ME! HUNGRY PERSON HERE! Go make food!Chop! Chop!" Dei waves her hand in a flicking motion.

Richard laughs at Dei's antics. He definitely missed having her around!