Each Other

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

It was late at night and both of them could not get themselves to sleep.

Despite the wee hours, they end up sitting in the living room, laughing... cuddling here and there without noticing. Miguel was fast asleep, tired from their day out.

After another surge of stories, Sam stops and puts her hand over his. "Hey, Matt?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you promise me something?"

She doesn't know why she's about to ask him this but after going to church, she felt the need to.

"And what's that?"

As she sighs, he can see the subtle hint of tears from her eyes but he doesn't say anything.

"Kapag nahanap mo na 'yung... you know, the one for you kung hindi 'to magwork. Sana pwede pa din na ganito tayo." She catches herself, "Tayo nina Migs. Kasi, puwera kay Jaime, ikaw ang best friend ko."

At that, he knew where this was going. This shouldn't even be a surprise, Matthew knew Sam.

She's a person that's not very showy and someone who likes privacy. But when she loves, she loves.

Maybe it was their sense of non-exclusivity—walang label—that made her feel like anytime, he would go. Maybe it was that feeling when you don't really know where you stand in someone's life. Of not having any security and assurance kung ano man 'yung meron sila.

And he understands that, completely.

But Matthew? Leaving her? Not likely.

He fake chuckles, "Eto naman. Para naman may magbabago if ever..."

She eyes him, "Matt, you know naman na something will. Kung hindi talaga tayo and ehen you find her, ofcourse she will have limits. Kahit naman ako nu'n."

"Yeah, but it's not like we can't be how we are now? You're my best friend too. You always have been naman. Don't tell Anthony I said that."

She chuckles a bit.

"I know, Matt. I just... nevermind."

He sees her look down and tinkering with her hands. He knew it was time to stop playing around.

He holds her hand in return, "Hey, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, 'kay? Not unless you tell me to leave, hindi ako aalis sa tabi mo."

After all she's been through all week with work here and in Boston, heck all month, she was happy that he was there. He was her silver lining. He always has been.

Seeing him and Miguel every night after her hospital shifts was something that she looks forward to now. It's the thing that literally gets her through the day.

She nods as she purses her lips, keeping the tears at bay.

He sees this and knowing she had a rough week, Matt knew that a little extra lambing wouldn't hurt.

He opens his arms and she gladly accepts, trying to suppress her quiet sobs. "I like being able to hug you whenever I want." He kisses her hair, "I like to hold your hand. Tapos kapag nilalamig ka, rub them with mine so it'll make you feel warmer." Matt pulls away and wipes her tears, pulling back the hair on her face. "And I like talking to you like this. I like this reality the way that it is."

He cups her face, "If I ever find someone, kung hindi man ikaw 'yun, ayoko naman na mawala ka or magbago 'yung friendship natin. But I don't think you have to worry about that because I think I've already found the one. I just need to know if I'm yours."

"Loko-loko." She says as she tries to hide a smile.

"Asus.... 'loko-loko' pero kinilig, " He nudges her.

She holds his hand and eyes him, inaudibly thanking him for being there.

Matt smiles, "Sabi mo nung isang araw na you always knew you had a reason para bumalik. Ako, I always knew that I had someone worth waiting for. Now look..." He kisses her, "You're here."

Despite the tears, this makes her smile.

After everything they've been through, here they are again. Not once have they imagined that they would be sitting in the living room, their child asleep, reassuring each other that they're there for life.

This gives Matthew an idea. (Stay tuned! *wink wink)

She looks at him in the eyes. "Matt, sigurado ka na ba talaga? S-Saakin?"

"What else do I have to do ba para maniwala ka na mahal kita?" He smoothens her hair back, "Yes, I am. I have been ever since the day I told you that I loved you."

"You haven't even asked me to be your girlfriend..." She pouts, in the most adorable way, in Matthew's eyes.

She hugs him again. She hugs him tight. "Mahal kita." She sighs in his embrace and says, almost inaudibly. But he heard it, "What did I do to deserve you?"

He smiles and rubs her back, "Wala, e. Ngiti mo pa lang, kuhang-kuha na 'ko." Matt sighs and kisses her forehead, "Yung puso ko, sayong-sayo."

He pulls away and wipes her tears again, "Don't cry, my love. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. You don't have to be by yourself anymore, I'm here to stay. Gago ko naman kung iiwan pa kita." He clicks his tongue and pretends to examine her, "Tingnan mo, your beautiful face, my goodness! Imagine waking up next to that everyday? Yeap, I'm staying here. Ikaw 'yung the one ko. Lagi mo 'yang tatandaan."

She laughs and pinches his nose. Matts pull her close and Sam holds his hand as well.

Sam fixes herself. "Tingnan mo, you always make me cry, Matt."

Matt chuckles but rubs her back, "Suuus, hindi naman lagi, e."

Finally.

"Tsaka saakin ka lang naman nakakaganyan. Sa barkada lang. Pero kapag nasa ospital ka, actually kayong mag-bestfriend, both of your residents look like they're the ones that's been crying."

He chuckles when she slaps him playfully, "I'm teaching them kaya! Hindi ko naman sila pinapaiyak!"

"Kaya pala ganun na lang reaction nila kapag lumalapit kayong dalawa ni Jaime?"

She looks at him intently, admitting her defeat. "Sige na, fine. We're... kind of strict. But that doesn't mean we're horrible mentors naman! At least hindi kami ni James 'yung mga attending na kinakaya lang ng mga residents nila. They know we mean business."

"Kayong dalawa talaga... wala na 'kong masabi."

She smiles and shrugs her shoulders, "What can we say, magaling kami sa trabaho namin."

"Ang hangin!"

She nudges him as they laugh, "Minsan lang 'yan, Babe. Let me claim it for once naman. We save lives on the daily, I think we have subtle bragging rights for doing that."