Busy and boring days passed. It's normal, tho. I've prepared for those. I was ready for the normal days, the boring ones, those that are hard to surpass. I wanna spend my everydays with Althea. She is the love of my life, after all.
"Did you accept the project?" I politely asked.
Nabalitaan ko na may project siya abroad. She didn't tell me, tho.
"Hindi pa natin napag uusapan, eh. I told them I'll ask you first."
It was a rainy and peaceful afternoon. With our tv streaming on Netflix, our hot coffee at the top of the table, cinnamon rolls, and my girlfriend beside me.
"Come closer," she pulled me as she said that.
"Are you having a hard time deciding on that project?" Curious lang. Wala naman kasing problema kung kukunin niya o hindi.
"Nope. I'm actually depending on your decision. I have upcoming projects with different models dito sa manila and out of this town." She gracefully sipped on her coffee as if she's a part of a royal family.
Really, tho. Everything that she does, even her little moves, just everything, it amazes me. It's as if I was made to be amazed by her.
"Sayang yung project na yon, by. Saang bansa nga?" Since I only heard the project by the news, ang naabutan ko lang ay ang mga photographers na kukunin.
"New York, daw eh. Four days sa New York, tapos five days sa Paris." She's looking at me intently as if she's waiting for a reaction.
"Get that project. Sayang naman. That will be a big break. Hindi ka nauubusan ng trabaho, yes, but that's such a big project for you to reject."
"Nath will be one of the models, babe. That's why I'm considering your opinion." She looked at me with a guessing stare.
Umirap ako at lumayo ng kaunti. Well, there will be no problem, right? Mahigit isang linggo lang naman.
"We can facetime each other, love. After shoot or when you have time."
"Magkaiba ang oras natin, mahal."
"It's really fine, Althea. Sa akin ka pa rin naman uuwi." A slight laugh came out of my mouth.
I don't know why I'm this happy. My heart is happy, I have my peace within me. I have a faithful girlfriend, a girlfriend who's more than willing to sacrifice anything for me.
How could I ask for more? This is more than what I have ever imagined. This is more than what I've been praying for.
"I love you..." it was almost a whisper. Kasunod ng binitawan kong mga salita ang halik na iginawad ko sa pingi niya.
Tunay ngang ibibigay ng Panginoon ang hinihilingn mo sa kanya as long as nag papakatotoo ka.
"I love you too so much, by." Hinalikan niya ako sa labi. It was just a peck but it gave me so much feelings. "I love you, so, so, much." Isang ngiti ang ipinakita niya habang nakatingin sa mga mata ko.
Sinuklian ko ang mga ngiti niya at hinayaan siyang titigan ako.
"Thank you," her voice cracked as she said that.
Oh my gosh!
"Bakit ka umiiyak?" Natatarantang pinunasan ko ang mga luha niya sa magkabilaang mata. "Mahal, bakit?"
"Thank you, baby," binuksan niya ang kaniyang mga braso. Naintindihan ko 'yon agad kaya lumapit ako para sa isang yakap.
Mahigpit na yakap ang natanggap ko at hinayaan ko siyang gawin 'yon.
"I love you, I love you, Salamat." Lalong humihigpit ang yakap niya kasabay ng pagbitaw niya sa bawat salitang binabanggit niya.
"Baby, please, tahan na..." pag aalu ko dahil hindi ko naman alam kung bakit umiiyak siya.
Kumalas siya sa yakap at nginitian ako.
"Why do you love me?"
Napahinto ako sa tanong niya.
Well... bakit nga ba?
"I don't know." Kasabay ng pag iling ang sagot kong 'yon.
"You love a lot of things about me, right?" Pinaglalaruan niya ang mga daliri ko nang sabihin niya 'yon.
"Everything about you, love."
"What if—"
"No what ifs, Althea. Mahal kita. Lahat lahat ng tungkol sayo. Your every version and every aspect. At kahit mawala ang mga minahal ko sayo, o kung dumating man ang araw na makalimot ako," ngumiti ako at ginawaan siya ng isang mabilis na halik. "Sayo ako babalik, at ikaw ang kikilalanin ng puso ko."
"Alam mo ba..." tears started to pour over her eyes again. "I've never been this scared all my life." She smiled at me as her tears started to fall.
Ngumiti ako at hindi nagsalita. Hinayaan niya akong punasan ang luha niya ngunit alam kong may kadugtong pa ang sinasabi niya.
"Gusto kong ipagdamot mo ako. Gusto kong ikulong mo ako sayo, gustong gusto ko kapag inaangkin mo ako. Hindi ako kahit kailan magiging sa iba. Sa'yo lang. Ikaw lang ang mahal ko. Ikaw lang ang uuwian ko."
Hinayaan ko siyang yumakap sa akin ng sobrang higpit. Hinayaan ko siyang umiyak at kumandong sa akin.
"I can't even imagine going out, having dates, kissing or making love with anybody else. It's just you. A clear future with you. A solid and happy future with you."
"I love you," I whispered.
"Masaya akong hinahayaan mo ako na maging ako. Na hindi mo nililimitahan ang mga ginagawa ko. Na minamahal mo ako sa kung ano ako. Without expecting anything in return."
"Tahan na, mahal... mahal kita."
"You kissed my flaws as if they're your type of masterpiece. You listen to my rants as if you're used to it. You're loving me everyday as if you're made to do it."
"Baby..." inangat ko ang baba niya upang mag pantay ang mga paningin namin. "I'll keep on doing those things everyday. I'll choose you everyday. I'd love to listen to your voice each day..."
"Thank you," mahina niyang sambit kasabay ng pagsisiksik ng kanyang mukha sa aking leeg. I can now feel her every breathe.
"I won't get tired of doing the things that keeps our relationship strong. Mahal, believe me... you keep me going." Halik niya ang nagpahinto sa akin.
"Baby, I can't call it living if it's not with you." Dagdag ko pa habang inaayos ang mga takas na buhok niya na nagsasayaw sa kanyang mukha.
"Babyy..." lalong lumakas ang iyak niya na parang apat na taong gulang na inagawan ng candy. Ginamit niya ang sarili niyang damit upang punasan ang mga luha't ilong.
"Baby..." ulit niya. This time, mas mahina at mas kalmado.
"If there will be a time where your memories will fail to remind you of my love, I'm hoping that your heart will find its own way going back to my path." Seryosong pahayag ko habang nakatitig sa kanya.
Para lang siyang batang sumasang-ayon na paulit ulit tumatango.
"My heart will never forget this type of love. Para akong lumipad sa ulap o nagtatampisaw sa ulan."
"Lalim, ah?"
Hinampas niya ako sa braso at yumakap muli sa akin.
Hinayaan ko siyang kumalma sa pagitan ng aking mga braso. Hindi ko man nakikita ang mukha niya, ramdam ko naman ang unti unting kumakalmang tibok ng puso niya.
"Tulog ka na..." mahina kong bulong sa kanya.
Minutes passed and she really did, fell asleep. It is, indeed, a peaceful afternoon with my love.
