Stonehearts 6: Alexandrite

Twenty Five

Hindi ko na namalayan kung anong oras nakauwi si Gio kagabi. All I remember was he texted me past 9:00 pm informing me that they arrived at the bar were Gie used to work, and that Lev booked it for the night.

It really looked like they enjoyed it because he kept on messaging me pictures of them throughout the night until 1 am.

Nagulat nga ako kinabukas dahil ang aga niyang nagising, nadatnan niya ako kusinang busy na magluto ng agahan namin.

"Good morning, wifey." He greeted, giving m a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek from behind before he let go and grabbed the coffee pot.

"Good morning. Anong oras ka nakauwi?" I asked while watching him pour himself a cup of his caffeine fix.

"A little past 3 am. Ferris was already sleeping and Brinx kept repeating how he regret doing what he did to Q when they were young making them lose all those years."

By the end of his sentence, we found ourselves smiling at each other, "Sound familiar, no?" I kid.

Making him chuckle, "Yup, very familiar with the wasted years part." He took a sip of his coffee before setting it down on the countertop. "Anyway, did Q call you yesterday?"

Tumalikod ako sa kanya at tinuloy ang pagluluto ko, "Yes, she did. Lunch out daw kami ngayon, buti na lang off ko dahil holiday ng kliyenteng hawak namin. Pero sabi ko kailangan pa kitang tanungin, kasi 'diba kapag off ko ako ang sumusundo kay Taba?"

Wala akong ibang narinig kundi katahimkan hanggang sa bigla nanaman siyang umakap sakin mula sa likod, "Wifey, ako na bahala kay Taba mamaya. You go out and have fun with the girls. But not too much fun, though."

I giggled. Nagulat pa ako. I freaking giggled like a high schooler in love, "Ikaw ba kagabi? You didn't have too much fun?"

"Is this jealousy I hear from you, my dear wife?"

I stopped stirring and faced him, "Oo, bakit?"

His arm fell loose on his sides and he suddenly coughed, na para bang nasamid sa sarili niyang laway. He rubbed his chest, all the while staring at me wide eye.

"Teka, ginulat mo ako."

Natawa ako saka itinuloy ang pagluluto ko, "Tuloy-tuloy pala ang pagtatagalog mo kapag nagulat ka. Pakigising na si Clyde baka ma-late pa kayo."

Naramdaman ko pa ang presensya sa likuran ko ng ilang sandal bago siya nagtungo sa itaas para gisingin si Taba.

I decided not to discuss my feelings for him this morning because he still has work and Clyde still has school. And Gio being Gio, malaki ang chance na hindi siya pumasok kapag inumpisahan ko ang usapang 'yon.

I got busy the whole morning cleaning what ever I can in the house. Gio has his cleaning lady visit twice a month but I convinced him that I'll be doing the cleaning and the laundry. Tutal wala rin akong ambag dito sa bahay.

At around 11, I arrived at the restaurant where the girls and I agreed to meet. Nandoon na nga sila kahit ang usapan ay 11:30 pa.

"Hi, Ate Lex." bati ni Aya na siyang unang nakakita sakin.

Just like a signal, the three other rose to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank God, you finally decided to join us na walang Gio na nakabuntot sayo." Natatawang ani ni Q nang nakaupo na kami ulit.

"Nahihiya kasi ako...ummm...sumama na tayo-tayo lang." I admitted while biting my lip.

"So, we were told. Chance also told me about the problems you're experiencing on your new assignment." Tugon ni Ate Amy, 'yong maamo niyang mukha hindi tinatago ang pag-aalala sa akin.