Arra
The families decided to spend a weekend in Tagaytay and it was perfect because Pong and I wanted some getaway with them as well.
Some of the group spent time golfing, Pauline and I caught up on the latest news in the jacuzzi at the house we rented, our mothers were cooking and also making chika.
"This is nice," Pauline said, now lounging inside, with everyone.
"I know."
Pong and I sat on the daybed, Pauline was hanging out on a settee, Pocholo was tinkering with the tv (he's Pong and Pauline's older brother na hindi ko masyadong nakekwento) and the others were scattered around the rental.
When we first arrived, nahiya pa kami ni Pong to keep sitting together — him, because my parents were there and he wasn't sure if they would be okay with it, me because I didn't want to look too clingy. But, sitting apart didn't feel right. Even as friends naman kasi we always sat together.
After one meal, where he took the seat closest to the couch I was on and his body was hyper extended so we could keep talking or he could reach out for me, my mom said, "Pong, tabihan mo na nga si Arra. Baka malaglag o mabalian ka pa diyan."
We looked at my dad to see if he would agree. He rolled his eyes and chuckled. To Pong's parents, he said, "Hulog na hulog yung bata niyo, Balae."
Speaking of my dad, he had an interesting question.
Pong sponsored dinner one night where he suddenly stood up and announced, "Everyone I have good news!"
The rest of the group looked to me excitedly and I cannot help but feel slightly worried. If he was announcing something about a relationship then it wasn't going to be with me because we haven't had THE TALK.
Pong got up, poured wine for everyone then returned. I was getting nervous by the second.
"Ano 'to?!" Pauline asked. "Ikakasal na kayo?"
I showed her my hand. No ring. I shook my head to signal that I had no idea.
"Kuya Paolo, ano na????" Pauline asked, impatiently.
Pong lay the tapas and cheese spread he made for us. "I got promoted to VP. Youngest Vice President for IT Project Management!"
Everybody cheered. "Congratulations!"
When everyone had settled and started to dig in, my dad asked, "What does the promotion mean, hijo? Ibabalik ka na nila sa US or post you in some other country?"
Oh. I didn't think of that so I nervously waited for Pong's answer.
"No po, Tito. Same pa rin yung terms ng appointment ko dito. Then, up for review in a few months to see if I want to stay or take up another international post," Pong explained.
Dad frowned. "Iiwan mo si Arra?"
My mom came to Pong's defense. "Hindi nga makatiis na hindi sila tabi, tingin mo he can leave her?"
Pong agreed. "It would be up to her naman po kung anong set up ang gusto niya. If she wants to stay here, dito din po ako."
I was surprised at that. "What? Eh dream mo to live in different countries. What if they offer you London or some other European country?"
"Bakit pinapalayas mo si Kuya?" Pauline teased.
"No naman. It's just -"
Pong cut me off. "Talk later? We haven't discussed it but I guess we should." For now, "More wine?"
When our parents turned in and Pauline and Pocholo were busy playing a game, we headed out to stroll around the garden.
"Pong, about what my dad said, don't let him get to you ha? Of course you should take good opportunities abroad," I said.
His brows furrowed in thought. "You make a good point and I am curious still about different cultures. But being here... I don't know. Iba pa din kasi talaga dito."
"True. But, like you said, you will always come back naman."
"You hate goodbyes, no matter how temporary," he pointed out.
"Yes, but I can handle myself."
"I know." He rubbed his nose against mine. "But what if I can't?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if... what if I'm the one who can't say goodbye anymore? I never liked seeing you sad when I left, lalo na yata ngayon."
"Huy. Cheesy part of the night na naman ba 'to?"
He chuckled and nodded. "Your dad was right."
"About what? Na iiwan mo ako?"
"Nope, not that." He made me face him directly and cupped my face. "Hulog na hulog na ako eh."
I tried to stop myself from smiling. "Naiihi yata ako."
"Totoong wiwi o sa kilig?"
"Both."
Pong threw his head back in laughter. When it died down, he said seriously, "I meant what I said at dinner. If you choose to stay here, then I'd stay. But, if I get a good opportunity and you'd want to try living abroad, that's the only time I'd take it."
"You earn 100 gold coins for that."
"Good."
We started to head back inside, but I stopped. "Teka, kung ganyan na yung level natin at kasama na ako sa considerations at decision making mo, meaning ba nito tayo na?"
Pong blushed. HE BLUSHED! Paka cute talaga. "Decision mo naman yun eh."
"Love mo ba ako?"
"Di ba sabi ko nga hulog na hulog na ako?"
"Oo nga no. Pero hindi mo sinabi yung 'love'. Malay ko ba."
So, he said it. "Arra? Bakit ang kulit mo? Wag ka na magmaang-maangan. Alam mo naman eh. I love you. I'm in love with you."
"Eh paano yan..." I trailed off and saw Pong look a little worried. "Love din kita eh."
He clutched his chest. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
I grinned. "Sorry."
"So... tayo na?"
Looking like I fool, I kept grinning and nodding and raising my eyebrows.
"Pero wala munang kiss ha. Nandito magulang natin," I said.
He agreed. "Okay. Sige. Pero... totoo? Tayo na?"
"Yes."
He bit his lip and pumped his fists in the air. To the heavens, he whispered, Thank you!
Him and me.
And Rocky.
Always.
