EDWARD'S POV
"It's late. You better go to sleep. We've got an early flight tomorrow." My mom reminded me. I kept on looking at my phone, waiting for her text or call. I let out a heavy sigh.
"In a while, mom. I'm waiting for Maymay, she'll arrive about this time." I looked at my phone for the time.
Time Check: 11:07pm
Mom gave me a teasing and questioning look.
"I have to ask Maymay something... about our schedule." came right out from my lying mouth trying to avoid the teasing from my mom.
"Road manager na pala si Maymay ngayon." she still teased. I pretend that I did not hear her. "Not later than 12, okay?" she added before she went to her room.
We did not see each other for two days because of our separate engagements. I miss her. I kept on sending her video messages earlier, we talked on the phone, but I feel that those were not enough. I want to listen to her stories of antics in Iloilo, and look at her round eyes that seem to tell stories too. I badly want to see her hands that move like it have its own emotions when she cannot find the exact words to say.
"Gaaaah!" I rubbed my face with my hands trying to stop myself from calling her again. I know I can be too much but I can't help myself worrying if she's okay. I'm about to open my ROS to keep me awake. At exactly 11:11pm my phone chimes. Got my 11:11 wish.
YamYam:
Nasa condo na ako. :) Kakarating ko lang. Tulog ka na. Bawal ma-late. Good night!
As soon as I got the message, I stood up and ran towards the door. "Mom, I'll just gonna go to Maymay's. Will not gonna go beyond 12. Promise." I shouted, loud enough to reach mom's room.
I run at the hallway towards the elevator in my pajamas and blue shirt. My correctional glasses on and my hair unkept.
When I stepped in, Patricia is in the kitchen. "Hey, Pat." I greeted.
"Oi, Edward. Kakapasok lang niya sa kwarto." She answered me even without hearing my question. Pat knows me well.
I knocked twice. "Yaaaaam" I called so she will know its me.
The door opens and I see a smiling Maymay right in front of me. "Bakit ka nandito? Maaga ka pa bukas, kaya nga di na ako dumaan sa condo mo. Para magkapaghinga ka ng maaga." she pushes me a little and punches my arm. I got used to this kind of "lambing". Kinda violent but I like it.
"You did not miss me? Aalis na lang ako." I pretended to walk away and grabbed the door knob.
"Asus! OA nito!" she came close for a hug. "'wag na. I know you're tired. I'll go." I tried removing her arms around my neck and stopped the urge to hug back. God! It took a lot of strength not to hug back but I want to play this game because she gets sweeter when I am sulking.
"You did not even get me any pasalubong." I continue frowning but I am smiling inside because she is still hugging me and caressing my back.
"Meron kaya!" she said and then tip-toed and kiss my cheek. I smile widely and scream a "yes" on the inside.
"Just that? Just one?" me trying my luck.
She slapped me slowly, and said "Nagpapauto na ako sayo ha! Demanding mo pa!"
I just chuckled and hugged back. "I missed you. Thank you sa pasalubong. Sana next time damihan mo ha?." I continue to hug her tightly, feeling her warmth while she punches my back.
"Dong, teka... 'di na ako makahinga." she complained.
"Sorry" I loosened my hug. We are hugging for a while when she suddenly said, "Thank you, dong. Pinagaan mo loob ko." before stepping away from the hug.
She then suddenly sang her heart out 'Hayaan Mo Sila' with matching dance moves. She danced across her room. Singing just a bit too loud and dancing and jumping with full of energy. She has always been full of energy but this is not like any days. I can see there is something wrong and she is hiding it, pretending to be happy. I just watched her dance and jump across the room and when I can't take seeing her dancing, jumping and dancing yet her eyes are screaming sadness, I came close and asked, "Kamusta Iloilo, Yam?"
She stopped and looked at me. She is panting from dancing. I actually want to ask her something else, but I don't want to get to that right away.
There was silence for a while. She is still panting while looking at me. I just stared at her and hoped that she will see what I really want to ask her. She then came rushing for an embrace and started sobbing on my neck. I knew it. I knew that she'll breakdown after going to her father's place.
"It's okay, Yam." I comforted her caressing her back. I sat her on the corner of her bed and fixed her hair that covered her face.
"heeeey," I tried to lift her now bowed head.
"Hindi kami nagkita." she said between her sobs. I kneeled in front of her and reached for a hug again. I know she is talking about her father. I kissed her forehead and waited for her to talk more.
"Alam ko naman na ang labo na magpakita siya sa akin diba? Pero kahit alam ko yun, umasa pa rin ako. Umasa ako na naghihintay siya sa akin sa airport o baka i-susurprise niya ako sa hotel o 'di kaya sa meet & greet man lang. Pero, 'di siya dumating." She continued crying.
I hate seeing her cry like this. It breaks my heart. No, break is not the right word. Its like my heart is under torture- like crashed, throbbed, torn. I hate it. I can't stand it.
I sat beside her, she rested her head on my shoulder, I put my hands on her waist for support. I wiped her tears with my hand.
"Habang nasa stage ako, 'di ko maiwasang maisip na baka nandito siya. Baka nandito siya para makita ako, ayaw lang niya na makita ko siya. Baka isa sa mga nanuod 'dun, kamag-anak ko. Baka pinsan ko yung nahawakan ko ng kamay. O baka kapatid ko yun. Baka yung matandang babae na nasa audience, Lola ko yun. Ayaw ko man isipin, pero di ko talaga maiwasan." she cried harder.
I start panicking when Maymay can't stop crying. "Haciendera ka pala, Yam." Shit. What the heck I am saying.
"Ha?" she lifted her head to look at me, confused.
"And dami mo kasing Cows. Baka. Haciendera!"
She paused and looked at me "Boang ka! Ang corny mo hoy!" she laugh out loud. Tears stopped pouring. Her eyes swollen but are now smiling.
"Thanks God~ She is now truly laughing." I innerly sighed.
"Corny daw. Natawa ka naman." I said.
She lie on her bed, rolling and holding on her stomach and still laughing. This girl is still crazy. Just a second ago, she cried buckets of tears, now, she is laughing like crazy. This crazy girl is driving me crazy.
I put my palms on her cheek, and let my thumb caress her smooth skin. I said while looking in her eyes, "Today was not the time, Yam. There will be a time that he will see you and then you'll talk. Let's wait for His perfect time, okay? And it that happens, I'll be beside you. Whatever happens, I'll be here."
I closed my face near to hers. She is on her back and I am inches on top on her, both my arms on her sides. I reached for a kiss, hoping that by this she'll feel what I just said. Hoping it will wash away even a little of all her hurt she's feeling now. After a minute, we broke the kiss and gasped for air.
I look straight in her eyes and touched my forehead on hers. "I wish I could take your pain away, yam. I really really do. If only I can."
She runs her fingers on my hair which made me closed my eyes, "You did. Pinapagaan mo loob ko, Edward. Pinapasaya mo ako."
Maymay fell asleep on my arms. It's already 1am. I still have to get ready at 5am later for my flight. Maymay also have to go to Pangasinan. I watch her face rested on my arm, her eyes are swollen from crying. Even if I badly wanted to lay beside her the entire night, I can't because if my mom knows that I went home passed 12 she'll go ballistic. Also, Mama Ludy will freak out if I stay the whole night.
"I love you. I'll never leave you, Yam." I whispered after I lightly kissed her lips and stand tip-toeing, hoping I'll not wake her.
Before I could reach the knob of the door, I heard the bed squeak and heard her said "Thank you, dong. I love you."
