Nic
I admit, happy ako that ako na ulit ang focus ni Rj, but alam ko naman that I can't be selfish so I promised him na hindi na ako magtatampo kapag nakipagdate siya ulit.
"Hindi na. Hindi na ako makikipag-date at kasalanan mo yun ha? Hanggang tumanda na ako, sasama ako sa'yo dahil diyan. Kahit Lolo Kulas ka na, you're going to be stuck with me."
Okay, ang cute nun.
Pero lately, naiinis na ako when Rj says teases me. "Lola! Babae ako, Rj. Lola dapat hindi Lolo."
He laughs, but still continues to call me different guy references.
One time I was late in going down, he teased, "Ang tagal mo naman bumaba, Kyah. Gutom na ako, Kuya Kulas."
"Ate kasi!"
"Okay. Ate Nicolas."
Nyek.
I don't know why, basta, parang it meant something to me for him to see me as a woman. I've worn more dresses these days, heels, put my hair down, makeup... lahat.
He notices naman, but he would go, "Ang gwapo ni Mister Nicolas! San lakad mo?"
Nakakainis na eh.
I would go full blown tampo... except...
He often picked me up at work nowadays and often comment on my looks (even if he calls it gwapo).
Lagi siyang may pasalubong sa akin, and a few times, may flowers pa.
One Thursday, he sent me chocolates at the office. His note, "Here's to growing old with you, Lolo Kulas. Love, Lolo Boogs."
Love? Love? Love ba talaga?
Tapos, kingina, kinikilig ako.
Pero ayoko na mag-assume! Sasabihan na naman ako nun na lumaklak ng isang tabo ng pagka-assumera.
The following Thursday, he called, "Nic?"
"Uy," sobra kong gulat and I knew something was wrong. "What's up? Where are you?"
"Nasa hospital. Binangga yung car ko and -"
"What?! Are you okay? Nasaktan ka ba? Sino bumangga? Ipapakulong ko sila!"
He chuckled. "I'm fine. Medyo malaki yung bangga sa likod and na-whiplash ako. Ayun, ipapagawa muna yung car and hindi muna daw ako pwede magdrive so hindi kita masusundo ha?"
"Oo naman, wag mo na isipin yun. Will they keep you there? Or uuwi ka?"
"Uuwi na din. Dun na ako magpapahinga."
"Sige, dadaan ako later. You want anything?"
He asked for food. Yup, generic. Food. Kahit ano kasing ibigay mo kay Boogs, kakainin nun.
Dahil request niya, I had a spaghetti platter delivered, the burger he liked, ice cream, chips, chocolates, salad, pansit, pan de sal... kulang pa kaya?
"Uy! Fiesta ba!!!" He teased.
As soon as the guard and I placed the food in his kitchen, I hugged his waist because he was in a neck brace. "Bakit ka nakaganyan? Aminin mo, nasaktan ka 'no?"
"A little. Sabi nung doctor it's not too bad but it will be really painful in the next 48 hours. Then to be safe, huwag muna magdrive. But otherwise, okay naman ako."
I hugged him tighter. Thank god he was okay.
"You scared me, Boogs."
"Kaya mo pinakyaw yung mga pagkain sa lahat ng restaurant?"
"Para hindi ka magutom." I ushered him to sit. "Diyan ka lang. I'll prepare your food."
"Ang sweet naman ni Kulas!"
For the first time in weeks, I was glad he was calling me Kulas again.
His neck brace limited his movements so I took to feeding him. "Ang sweet mo naman. Thank you ha?"
"You're welcome. Don't ever get into an accident again, my heart can't take it."
He gasped at what I said. "Teka, nasa heart mo na ako?!"
"Oo naman... ano. Friend. Best friend. Carpool."
"Liar."
"What... wag kang feeling! Bakit... IKAW KAYA! You wrote to me 'Love, Boogs'!"
"Oo nga! Eh love kita eh."
"Yeah, I know as a Kuya." I snorted.
"Hindi ha! As Ate."
I made a move to walk out, but he pulled me and I landed on his lap. We were both surprised because, although we've had a lot of hugs, this was a first.
"Uwi na ako," I said.
"Okay."
Neither of us moved. Rj even tightened his hold on me.
"Pahinga ka na."
"Yup."
"Sige. Babye."
I leaned in and kissed him.
On the lips.
Another surprise for both of us.
Fortunately, I recovered quicker, jumped up and ran out of his flat. Just as I was closing his door, I heard him shout, "HOY!"
"Hoy, Kulas!!! Isa pa!"
