After All This Time

Just a Friend.

Patrice's POV

I woke up with a smile on my face. But it was immediately replaced by a frown nung hindi ko maramdaman sa tabi ko si Ricci. I opened my eyes and sat up and noticed that I was only wearing his shirt. Hindi ko matandaan na sinuot ko to kagabi. Siya ba yung nagsuot nito sakin? Bumangon ako and found my clothes scattered on the floor. Pero no sign of Ricci's. Malamang, suot ko yung shirt niya.

Kumatok ako sa banyo and twisted the door knob. Agad naman itong bumukas revealing that there's no one inside.

Did he leave already?

I suddenly remembered his words last night. Sabi niya yun na daw yung huling gabi na magkakasama kami. Did he mean na pag gising ko, wala na rin siya sa tabi ko. The idea changed my mood.

Nakakalungkot naman kung ganun.

I headed towards the bathroom. Pumasok ako at ni-lock ang pinto. I started to strip off in front of the mirror. I smiled sadly when I saw his marks on my neck. Meron din sa may dibdib at tiyan ko. Actually, they were everywhere.

Nilagay ko sa hamper yung shirt ni Ricci tapos naligo na ko. I got relaxed as the warm water started to flow on my body. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba dapat ang maramdaman ko.

Yes, I am beyond happy about what happened last night pero at the same time, malungkot din ako. I am sad and heartbroken cause I know what happened last night would be the last time I'd be with him like that.

Yun na yung huling beses na pwede ko siyang angkinin at tawaging akin.

Pinigilan ko yung iyak ko. Sabi nga, don't be sad because it's over. Smile because it happened.

Iisipin ko na lang na napaka-swerte ko. I couldn't imagine that this would happen to me. I remember, may nabasa ako sa twitter na tweet ng isang fan ni Ricci na ako daw ang babaeng bukod na pinagpala sa lahat. Natatawa na lang ako kasi sobrang witty and smart ng mga fans niya. In my case, fan turned girlfriend plus the mom of his first child. I am lucky, aren't I?

Tama sila eh, pinagpala nga talaga ako. I was blessed enough to be his girlfriend and to be the mom of Ryle. Kaya siguro dapat nga maging masaya at maging kuntento na ako sa lahat ng nangyari when I was his girlfriend kasi hindi lahat mae-experience kung paano at kung gaano kasarap mag-mahal ang isang Ricci Rivero.

Nung matapos akong maligo, I wrapped my body in my towel and brushed my teeth. Pagkabas ko ng kwarto, I got shocked.

"Ano ba yan! Nagulat naman ako sayo."

"Sorry! I went out to buy bread diyan sa malapit na store. Umm.... magbihis ka na, breakfast is ready."

His eyes went to my neck then he smirked.

"I thought you left... already. Pero wait, bumili ka ng walang t-shirt?!"

"Ah... oo. Nag-car na lang ako kahit sa kanto lang kasi ang init eh. And I don't want to walk around shirtless outside!"

Nako, for sure pinagnasaan na siya nung babaeng masungit na nagtitinda dun sa tindahan nila ate Lorna.

"S-sige labas muna ko. Bihis ka na tapos kain na tayo."

"Okay."

Nginitian niya ko and went out of the room. Minadali ko ang pagbibihis ko. Hindi na nga ako nagsuklay kasi ayoko siyang paghintayin ng matagal. I went straight to the dining area and found sunny side up eggs, bacon, hotdogs, and a toast.

"Let's eat?"

Ngumiti ako at umupo sa tapat niya.

"Thank you for preparing the breakfast, Ricci."