Always Been You

Thirty six

Flight

Aligaga ako sa pag empake.  Ang baliw na yun. Inanunsyo ba naman sa kalagitnaan ng meeting kanina ang magiging trip to Greece.  Kasama ako!

We will be going to Greece.  As he had announced.  Just the two of us.  Goodness! Kung anumang kabaliwan ang pumasok sa kukote ng mokong na yun, sisiguraduhin kong hindi siya magtatagumpay. 

Whatever it is, I wouldn't like to know.  I hate to assume but I am thinking differently.

Nah, it's just any business trip for him.  Nothing special about it.  I told myself.  I don't need to expect anything from him.  We are just a working team here.  That's all.

I decided to take a shower after packing my things.  It was a very short notice kaya madalian ang mga kilos ko.  He just informed me that the trip will take place this evening.  Baliw talaga!

Nakatingala kong tinanggap ang masaganang buhos ng tubig mula sa shower head.  Naka heater ito kaya relaxing sa pakiramdam ang bawat bagsak ng tubig sa hubad kong katawan.  Ramdam ko ang bawat ginhawa na hatid nito sa bawat himaymay ng aking kalamnan.

I dried myself after enjoying almost an hour of steam bath.  Magaan sa pakiramdam.  Malamig man pagkalabas ko ng banyo hatid na rin ng buhay na aircon sa loob ng aking silid.  Binalewala ko na lang kasi I just felt so relaxed. 

I took the clothes that I am going to wear for this trip.  I already prepared it awhile ago.  I chose to wear a dark skinny jeans and a white printed chiffon long sleeves top.  Napalingon ako sa bedside table nang bigla tumunog ang message alert tone ng akong phone.

Dr. Matthew Sandoval:
I'm at the lobby.

Napalabi ako sa nabasa.  It's going to be a long trip for sure.  Agad kong tinapos ang pag-aayos sa aking sarili sa harapan ng dresser.  I hate to put on make-up and to look like I have prepared for it.

I just applied on moisturizer cream and finish with face powder.  Baka isipin pa niya na nagpapaganda ako para sa kanya.  No way!

After being satisfied with my looks, I grabbed my handy bag and slipped it on my shoulder.  I pulled the trolley bag as I placed my phone inside the shoulder bag.

It was already dark outside from what I saw through the window glass of the end lobby.  City lights replaced daylight.  It gives life in the darkness of the night.  With the tallest buildings, para lang ito napapalamutian ng mga ilaw.

Bago pa ako mawili na panoorin ang mga ilaw sa  labas ay napagpasyahan ko ng umalis.  I walked passed the quite lobby after securing my unit.  I made sure it is properly locked. 

Itetext ko na lang si Kaye na aalis na ako.  Di na kasi kami nagkausap after ng meeting.  We just chatted on messenger.  Nasa hospital pa daw siya.

I found him sitting comfortably in the single couch at the reception area. Magiliw itong nakikipagchikahan sa receptionist. 

They looked like they're having fun talking with each other.  Halata ang kilig sa receptionist habang kausap si Matthew.  Aliw na aliw na aliw naman itong huli. 

Para lang hari na nakaupo.  Very oblivious with what's going on while the girl is swooning at him.  Napairap ako sa kawalan.  So cool huh?

I stared at them.  Umuusok ang bumbunan ko.  As if  they're having their own world  not minding what's around.  Magaling talaga itong lalaking ito. 

Napailing na lang ako.  Kahit kailan talaga.  Mas lalo pa atang tumindi ang pagiging babaero nito.  Well, matagal na nga kaming wala di ba?  He should be out of my system anymore. Ugh!

The receptionist is pretty and sexy.  No wonder, so typical of his type.  I rolled my eyes upward.  "Flirt!" bulong ko sa aking sarili.

Napansin ata niya ang presensya ko na malapit sa kanila. Nagkulay suka pa ito nung makita ako.  Dapat lang! Malapit na akong tubuan ng ugat dito noh.

Tumayo siya kaagad palapit sa akin.  Kumabog kaagad ang salawahang puso ko.  "Hey..." He looked at me like...

No.  I don't mind him bidding goodbye to the receptionist.  Wala akong pakialam sa kanila.  Bumuntong hininga ako habang papalakad palabas.

I felt his hand on the handle of my trolley bag.  Inagaw na niya sa akin at siya na ang humila nito.

"I didn't know you're already here." Patay malisya niyang sabi.  Yeah.  'Cause you're busy flirting.  That's why.  Nanatiling tahimik lamang ako.  

He slipped his hand on my waist.  Hinapit niya ako palapit sa kanya habang naglalakad kami papunta sa sasakyan niyang nakaabang sa bukana ng main entrance ng building.  I don't know if he kissed my head or just sniffed my hair before he opened the door for me.  I closed my eyes.  Huwag kang papadala sa sweet gesture niya, kastigo ko sa aking sarili.

I rushed to settle myself on the shotgun seat.  Shit Laurice, guard yourself.  Pinakawalan ko ang aking hiningang kanina ko pa pala pinigilan.  This guy is going to be the death of me.  Geezz.

I didn't bother to start a conversation with him.  Bahala siya sa buhay niya.  Mabuti naman at hindi na siya naging makulit na kausapin pa ako.  Mas pabor sa akin itong silent treatment.

We stopped at the restaurant nearby.  Hinayaan ko siyang umorder para sa aming dalawa.  I'm not in the mood to share thoughts with him on my choices of food.  We ate in silence after our order is being served.

Pagkarating namin, may kumuha agad na naka uniform na lalake sa kanyang susi.  Ito na yata ang mag uuwi ng sasakyan niya.  Tuloy-tuloy kaming pumasok sa loob ng airport. 

Nakahapit na naman siya sa katawan ko.  His scent filled my nostrils.  The feeling years ago comes back in just a snap.  Na miss ko siya.  I can't deny it to myself.  I don't know if I can last longer pretending he hasn't affected me anymore.

No matter how much I protested na makawala sa kanya ay mas lalo pa niyang hinigpitan ang pagkahawak sa bewang ko.  Kaya hinayaan ko nalang.

I can feel his warmth as he settled next to me.  We are in the premium business class seat.  Maluwang ang aming upuan kaysa pangkaraniwan.  Animo'y isa itong lover's seat.  But then with our situation, I doubt it.  We're not lovers for Pete's sake.

The seat is much comfortable.  Matambok ang upuan at kay lambot nito.  It matches against the cooler temperature inside.  Provided ito ng mini pillows at furry blanket. The seat can be reclined to 135 degrees for better sleeping position.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa iisang kumot.  We're gonna share this? Ugh! I cleared my throat. "Can we request for a spare blanket?" Nakangiwing tanong ko sa kanya.  He just glanced at me with a bored look. Really?

Padabog kong kinuha ang kumot ang inumpisahang ayusin ang position.  I'd rather pretend sleeping than spent awake moments with him. 

Mas inayos pa niya ako habang nakasukob na ngayon sa iisang kumot. Seventeen hours flight and enduring being with him this close. Wow. Just wow.

He kissed on my temple. "Good night, baby." That's all I can remember before dozing off to sleep.

~~~
Happy New Year!
Let's welcome 2018 with great joy.  Enjoy reading... 😊