BOOK 6: How You Love Her

Epilogue

November 3

Nanunuod lang si Via ng teleserye, hinihintay na dapuan ng antok. Past 9pm na siya'ng nakauwi galing trabaho. Pagod naman na siya, pero ayaw naman siya'ng patulugin ng utak niya. Via has that kind of dilemma, she's sleepy but her mind won't just let her rest.

     "Maybe it's wrong for me to watch this series. Naiinis lang ako sa pagiging formulaic ng kwento." she snorted and looked for another channel which for her has more sense. She ended up watching a cooking show.

   Hindi pa pala siya nakakapag-dinner. Hindi rin naman siya nakakaramdam ng gutom. Ayaw niya rin na kumain nang marami kapag gabi dahil mahihirapan lang siya'ng mag-burn ng calories. She took out a cereal bar from her fridge, that was made by her mother.

   Nang bumalik na siya sa couch niya—a light gray backless divan—ay saka lang nito napansin ang message ni Lance. The guy was asking if she's already home. Via answered truthfully and it just took seconds when Lance responded with a call. Looks like he was just waiting for her to reply.

     "Hi." Lance greeted with much gusto.

     "Hi. How's work?"

     "Wala naman'g masyado'ng interesting happenings ngayon sa trabaho. Ikaw? Ano'ng ginagawa mo?"

     "Hinhintay ko lang na antukin ako."

     "Ah, kumain ka na?"

     "Wala ako'ng gana."

     "You want me to bring you food?" 

   Namilog ang mga mata niya sa narinig. She looked at the time, past 10pm na. And the weather doesn't look good outside.

     "Huwag na. Maaabala pa kita."

     "Hindi naman. I just—hindi ko kasi gusto'ng kumain mag-isa ngayon."

     "But you're nowhere near my area." she was already smiling.

     "But I could come to you."

     "Lance, gabi na."

     "Pagod ka na ba?"

   She bit her lower lip. Olivia knew she missed him big time. Busy sila sa mga nagdaan'g araw, talaga'ng gusto'ng gusto niya'ng makita ulit ito.

     "Hindi." ang lumabas sa bibig niya. It wasn't an accident. She purposely stated that word. She wanted to give him a hint that she'll be waiting for him to come.

     "Alright. I'll bring you food."

     "No. I'll cook for you."

     "Talaga?"

     "Mm."

     "Sure. I'll be there."

     "I'll wait."

—

That wasn't the first time that Lance visited her place. Nagpupunta naman si Lance dun para ihatid o sunduin siya, or simply to cuddle. She loves cuddles. She loves cuddling him.

   But that night.

   That night she knew it would be more than just cuddles.

   Via finally heard the sound of her doorbell as she waited for her cabbage roll casserole to cook. When she opened her door, it was Lance—of course. They both smiled. He suddenly hugged her. It was so tight, Via could feel every ounce of her body pressed against Lance's.