Eh Yung Hindi Naman Tayo? DATI (COMPLETED)

The Gem

It was Saturday night, you came over after work with bags of takeouts.

"Wow. Ang dami nito. Parang ration na to ng isang linggo." I chuckled and kissed your cheek as I held the door open for you and the food you brought.

We proceeded to the kitchen and took out the containers. You had 3 orders of my favorite pesto pasta, 3 orders of mozzarella sticks, a platter of cold cuts and cheese, 3 steaks, two packs of salads, and 3 slices of strawberry cheesecake in there.

"Meron bang may Birthday o Fiesta na hindi ko alam? Bakit ang dami?" I asked.

"Hindi ko kasi natanong kanina kung anong gusto mo nung pa-order na ako kaya dinala ko lahat ng gusto mo sa resto na yun at alam kong andito si Dean kaya dinagdagan ko na." You smiled.

"Pero... ganito kadami? Kaya tumataba ako eh. Laki na naman tiyan ko nito." I grinned.

"Sexy pa din naman." You said as you slipped your hands around my waist and hugged me from the back as I placed the food on the table. You kissed my shoulder and rested your lips on it.

"Kahit magka-bilbil ba ako?"

"Oo naman. Proud pa ako kasi ibig sabihin hiyang ka sa alaga ko." You grinned.

"Wow naman. Paano ang gwapo at yummy mo pa din? Malalait na naman ako nito masasabihang di bagay sa'yo tapos ili-link ka na naman kung kani-kanino o kaya naman ike-claim na mas bet mo sila kesa sa akin kasi hindi ako kasing ganda at kasing sexy nila. Masyado akong ordinary para sa isang Alden Richards." I laughed but you didn't seem to find that funny.

You turned me to face you and frowned. "Sino nagsabi niyan? Ituro mo." You said in a serious tone.

"Ako. Wag ka ngang masyadong seryoso diyan. Normal na yun. Tinatawanan ko na lang." I smiled.

"Hindi eh. Minamaliit mo na naman ang sarili mo nang ganyan. Nakikinig ka na naman sa kanila."

"Hindi ko kailangang makinig sa kanila, totoo namang..."

"Nicomaine, wag na wag mong susubukang ituloy yan. Hindi yan totoo." You scowled and I froze at the stern expression in your eyes.

I closed my mouth shut and kept quiet. I looked down and mumbled. "Kain na tayo. Tawagin ko lang si Dean."

I went to his room and you finished setting up the table.

Minutes later, we were all eating dinner around the table. We sat across each other instead of the usual arrangement of us sitting close together on one side of the table with Dean on the other.

The meal was awfully quiet with only the sound of utensils on the plates heard. Tension was heavy in the air and it was obvious how we intentionally avoided talking to or gazing at each other. Dean on the other hand quietly observed us as he ate.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Dean spoke. "Nakakabingi. Sobrang tahimik. Sa kwarto ko na itutuloy tong pagkain baka matamaan ako ng lumilipad na plato dito."

He then got up and took his plate. "Sorry, Dean. Promise. Walang lilipad na plato. Wag kang mag-alala kay Meng."

"Hindi ako kay Menggay nag-aalala. Sa'yo. Iba magalit yan. Good luck." He patted your shoulder and pointed at us. "Ayusin niyo yan ha? Invested na ako masyado sa ship na to." He chuckled and left.

We both laughed softly at that and shook our heads but when our eyes met, we both looked away.

After dinner, I expected you to leave but you didn't. You helped me with cleaning up although it was very obvious how you still avoided me.

When the last plate was being washed then wiped dry, I found no other reason for you to stay and I knew by that time that you were even more upset.

You wiped your hands then sighed heavily as you leaned against the sink with your head down. Your were closed and your expression was serious.

With our two years of knowing each other, I knew you won't say a word unless I do. You could just quietly stand there all night with looking at me but you won't leave. I know you won't. You never did. You always stayed with me even if we have misunderstandings.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore, I walked over to you and back-hugged you, pinning your arms to your sides with my embrace. "Love, wag ka na magalit please."

You remained silent but you slipped one hand on my arm and nodded your head.

"Sorry na." I whispered and leaned my cheek on your back.

You sighed again and turned to face me. You cradled my face in your hands and looked deep into my eyes.

"Wag mo na ulit sasabihin yun ha?" You said. "Ayaw na ayaw kong minamaliit mo ang sarili mo at mas ayaw na ayaw kong nasasaktan ka at naapektuhan sa mga sinasabi ng mga taong walang gusto kundi makapanakit ng kapwa."

"Hindi naman kasi. Joke lang kasi yun." I reasoned.

"Kahit joke. Ayokong marinig. Hindi mo deserve yun. Kahit isang masamang salita, hindi mo deserve yun. Ikaw ang pinakamagandang biyaya na dumating sa buhay ko. Wala nang ibang babaeng kasing ganda mo sa loob at labas. Wala na akong ibang mamahalin nang ganito. Naiintindihan mo? Walang ibang papantay sa'yo para sa akin, Nicomaine Dei Mendoza, at lalong-lalong walang makakalamang. Nag-iisa ka lang. You are a treasure, a gem, a once in a lifetime. Mahal na mahal kita. Ikaw lang." You told me without taking your eyes off of me. "Ikaw lang."

I was overwhelmed by the emotion in your speech and the rush of feelings that simultaneously flowed through me at that moment. I slipped my arms over your shoulders and pulled you down for a deep and passionate kiss.

With our foreheads still touching as we caught our breaths after minutes of intense kissing, I whispered. "I may never understand what you see in me, RJ but someday I know, I'll find that gem through your eyes. Mahal na mahal din kita." 💛

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Unbeta'ed and not proofread. Thank you for reading.