Lost in Love

(35)

A car approached me and I helped myself get in the front seat and fasten my seatbelt.

"Good morning." He smiled and greeted as he hold my hand while he drives using his other hand.

"Eyes on the road", I told him even without looking at him. Nakikita ko lang sa peripheral view ko na maya't maya na naman tumititig 'tong lalaking 'to sakin.

"Sungit naman ng babaeng 'to" sabay tumawa. "Hmm, san mo gustong magbreakfast?"

"Kahit saan. I don't feel like eating too much. Kahit saan, okay na ako."

"Alright."

And he continues to drive. We went to the nearby 24/7 fastfood and as he parked, sinabi ko sa kanya na ayoko ng food doon. So he again stepped on the gas and continues driving.

He then stopped on the nearest sandwich store and he went on hazard.

"Okay ka ba dito?" he asked me.

I shook my head so he started driving again.

"Ang sabi mo, kahit saan. Tapos ngayon, namimili ka?" he's teasing on me again.

"Oo, sinabi ko ngang kahit saan. Pero hindi ko naman sinabing wala akong karapatang pumili." I teased him back.

"Ang gulo mo. Pasalamat ka..." he cut it out.

"Pasalamat ako na maganda ako?" and I laughed. "Oh, God! Thank you at maganda ako!" and I continued laughing like a witch. Pati din siya nakitawa na lang sa kalukahan ko.

He then parked in front of a known breakfast buffet restaurant.

"Wala nang pilian. Dito na tayo. Pagod na ako magdrive and may work pa ako noh."

"I told you I don't feel like eating." And I rolled my eyes on him.

"May set breakfast naman dito or sandwiches that you can have. While I'm going to go on buffet. Para hindi na tayo magtalo." Sabay binigyan na naman ako nang matamis na ngiti.

I pouted my lips para magpa-cute saka naman niya kinurot nang madiin yung pisngi ko.

"Cute ka na, kaya wag ka na magpa-cute, okay?" he smiled. "And wag ka na beastmode. Mukha ka nang zombie."

Saka ko tinanggal yung kamay niya sa pisngi ko. "Whatever" and rolled my eyes at him again.

"You're such a babyyy." As he pinched my cheek again and laughed at me.

I helped myself out of the car and he also followed me inside the restaurant.

We ate peacefully, no phones involved. That's what he taught me. Na kapag nasa kainan, left aside the phones as a sign of respect sa food and also sa taong kasama mong kumain. I was so embarrassed na bilang lalaki siya pa ang nagturo nun sa akin. Knowing na dapat ako pa nga ang may table manners. I told him I just get used to it lalo na kasi mag-isa lang naman ako sa bahay. So while I ate, I used to use phones lalo na pag nasaktong tumatawag si Dad para mangamusta. But then, I was glad I am teaching myself manners as well. Wala namang masama not to have phone at hand while eating for 30 mins to an hour.

We just talked about how my day at work gone by, I asked him about how his sleep was kahit alam kong puyat na naman siya dahil gumising siya nang maaga. Madalas nag-iinsist siya na sunduin ako sa office at hinahatid niya ako pauwi. Mag-sstay siya for 3 hrs to extend his sleep and will go na for work afterwards.

Ilang beses na kaming nagtalo about this kasi ayokong nahihirapan siya. Gusto ko tuluy-tuloy at kumpleto ang tulog niya habang ako nagwowork. Sanay din naman kong umuwing mag-isa and mabilis lang naman ang byahe ko. Hindi na din naman delikado ng 5am.

Pero sabi niya, hindi naman siya nahihirapan. He love what he's doing. And okay naman daw siya na ineextend yung sleep niya kasama ako sa bahay. Paraan na din daw niya yun na mag-catch up kami about our day. Since tulog siya while I'm at work at tulog naman ako habang siya naman ang nagtatrabaho.

Hindi naman 'to everyday nangyayari. Siguro mga twice to thrice a week. Kasi ako din ang pumipigil sa kanya. Minsan nag-rereact ako na parang galit na para lang wag na siyang tumuloy kasi nga alam kong pagod siya. Pero dahil sobrang kulit niya, kung kelan ako galit, saka naman siya magmamdaling pumunta sa office para lang dalhan ako ng 1-pc ng rose or chocolate, peace offering daw niya. Kahit ang totoo, di naman ako galit. Kaya ang ending, yung kilig ko, abot hanggang rooftop sa office.

Before, once a month nakakatanggap ako ng bouquet of flowers from him. Pero nung mga nakaraan, hindi lang isang beses. Naging twice na hanggang sa naging weekly na. Pinagalitan ko na din siya about it dahil sabi ko gastos lang yun. But as usual, it makes him happy so I let him be. Happy na din naman ako. Ang tingin sakin ng mga officemates ko, ang hair ko abot na hanggang NLEX. Talo ko pa si Rapunzel.

Yung bahay ko dati na dull ang itsura, nagkabuhay simula nang dumating siya. Yung flowers na binibigay niya, nagbibigay kulay sa black and white kong bahay. Yung buhay kong nasira, muling nabuo. Yung puso kong nawasak, tinulungan niyang maghilom. In no time, naging masaya ako. I felt like this has been the very first time I feel loved sincerely. The first time I feel like I am appreciated dearly.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked as he held my hand over the table.

I came back to my senses after thinking all of his efforts. I dropped my spoon slowly and held his hand as well. "Thank you, Ivan. For everything." And I smiled at him wholeheartedly.