Del Rico Triplets #2: Retracing The Steps

Kabanata 10

Manila

"Let's go outside," I murmured after a minute of silence.

Pareho kaming tahimik dalawa matapos pagsaluhan ang init ng katawan. I was silent because I am tired, I don't know about him. Hindi na siya nagsalita pa matapos ang ginawa namin. He's just there, at my back, giving me a hug and continuously playing with my hair.

"Do you want to roam around that much?" he asked, voice is rasped.

Tumango ako. Gusto ko kasi sanang makapagpaalam pa sa kaniyang ina bago pa ito makaalis. Ang ilan pa sa mga pinsan niya. Ayaw kong isipin nila na hindi man lamang namin sila napakiharapan nang maayos.

Medyo magulo pa kagabi dahil na rin sa kapatid ni Troi. May ilan pa sa kanila na parang awkward pa sa akin noong makita ako. I just want to at least leave a good impression to them. Kaming mag-asawa.

"But I want to stay here with you. We'll stay here for the next three days. Is that fine with you?"

Nilingon ko siya dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. All of a sudden? he wants us to stay here a little longer? Pabor sa akin iyon dahil kahit papaano ay malalayo ako sa bahay namin na ilang buwan ko ring kinaburuhan.

"I want it. Pero baka biglang magkaroon ng emergency sa bahay?" hindi siguradong sambit ko.

I can hear his breathing from behind me.

"We'll leave for Manila after three days. I just want to stay here with you and relax before anything else."

Nabuhayan ako ng loob nang marinig ang lugar na kaniyang sinabi. Sa sobrang excited ko, hinila ko ang katawan paupo at humarap sa kaniya.

"Really? We'll go to Manila?" puno ng pag-asa ang boses ko.

There is something in his eyes that is so familiar to me but I cannot name it. A smile made a away to his lips.

"We will. May isang batang kailangan kong pakatutukan. Sasalang siya sa operasyon next month," aniya.

Lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ko. Parang tatalon ang puso ko excitement na nararamdaman para sa pagtungo sa Manila.

"Sige. Dito muna tayo para naman masulit ang bakasyon mo. Dapat one month iyon, hindi ba?"

Hinaplos ko ang kaniyang pisngi. He captured my hand.

"I'm sorry. She really needs to be treated by me," he explained.

Umiling ako. That's not a problem to me. Sapat na sa akin na makasama ko siya kahit papaano. I understand his profession. He's a Doctor and being one is not easy. It requires a lot of time. Pangarap niya iyon bago niya pa ako maging asawa so why would I interfere with that?

I will support him like how a wife should support her husband.

"Let's go outside," he said before dragging himself away from the bed.

Pinanood ko siya sa ginawa. Nag-iwas lang ako ng tingin nang tumayo na siya. I also brought myself to the edge of the bed. I am looking for my slippers when he went in front of me.

"I'll wash you up before we send them off."

Naalarma ako sa sinabi niya.

"Bakit pa? I can do it on my own," I stated.

Ngumisi siya at umiling bago yumuko pa rin at sinakbi ako na parang bagong kasal.

"I tired you. Lilinisan kita..." desididong sambit niya.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at tumango.

"Linis lang, ha?"

Humalakhak siya sa narinig. The few strands of hair on his chest received my frustrations.