If you come back

Veintequatro

Sophia's

I woke up early that morning to cook breakfast for Steve. Hindi niya talaga ako tinawagan kagabi magdamag. Ayaw niya akong kausapin, ako naman, nag-aalala, tawag ako nang tawag sa kanya hanggang sa mapikon na lang ako. Kaninang madaling araw, kausap ko si Jean at nabanggit nga raw ni Luigi na nasa office raw si Steve at hindi umuwi tinapos na yata niya lahat ng articles nila for this whole issue. I sighed. Sana naman makita niya na priority ko rin siya pero sa ngayon priority ko rin ang sarili ko at ang trabaho ko.

Pareho lang naman kami ng gusto sa buhay and that is to be successful.

Bandang 8am nagpunta ako sa Most. Sinalubong ako ng staff, tuwang – tuwa sila sa akin, na-miss raw nila ako, nagkamustahan kami and I found out na may staff meeting sila kaya nagmamadali akong pinuntahan ko si Steve. Nasa office niya siya at nakakunot ang noo habang nakatingin sa screen ng laptop niya. I knocked on the glass wall. This was my office and I kind of missed it pero mas nami-miss ko si boyfriend.

"Hey, good morning..." Sumilip naman siya. I saw a weak smile on his face. Tumakbo ako at kumandong sa kanya. "Love, galit ka pa ba? I made you breakfast." Steve just buried his face on my neck.

"Ah, Pia, I missed you so much. Bakit kasi kailangan mong umalis? Dito ka na lang sa akin..."

"I am for you, but I have to work too. I want to reach for my dreams, Steve. Sana maintindihan mo iyon."

"I want us to settle down." He whispered.

Alam ko iyon, pero naiisip kong parang unfair. He had his time with his work. He was able to see the world while he was working in New York Out. He went to different parts of the world, saw it with his eyes, tapos ako, magse-settle down agad?

Bigla kong naisip ang mga huling katagang sinabi ni Mcbeth sa akin noon sa park. He said that he wanted me to expand my universe. Somehow, I get it now. Naisip kong noon ay umiikot talaga ang mundo ko para sa kanya. I even lost the will to dream because his dreams become mine. I lost who I was when I was with him and now, it's as if Steve was trying to take that part of mine away for wanting to settle down early. I'm just starting.

"We can settle down and I can still work..." I said.

"Pia, my family is from New York, yea, but we are very traditional. My father would want us to be like that too. He wouldn't like it if I let you work. You should just stay in our home, and live ike a queen because I intend to make you one. That's how much I love you.

"But I'm not traditional. Steve, I love my job."

"Pia---"

"Steve---"

"Pia!" It was Jean. Naudlot ang usapan namin ni Steve dahil dumating si Jean. Umalis ako sa lap ni Steve para yakapin si Jean.

"Oh my god, akala ko hindi ka dadalaw rito! Hindi ka nagsabi kagabi!"

"Hey, Pia." Luigi greeted me. "Sa office lang ako."

"Sige. Sunod ako." Jean smiled wider. "Tamang – tama nandito ka, you should see our contents for the next issue. We are at number 1! We are unbeatable! Mind if I borrow Pia, Steve?"

"No. She's always busy... so, yeah, what's the difference?"

"Steve..." I shook my head. Gosh! Kailan ba kami maaayos! I need to use my magandang bra and panty na! Nakakaloka si Steve! Ang babae masyado!

We went to the art room. Pagpasok namin ay napansin ko agad ang isang napakagandang babae – sobrang ganda – sobrang regal. Pakiramdam ko nasisilaw ako.