Paolo
Ganito pala yung feeling.
Best friend and girlfriend in one. I'm not bad mouthing my exes ha? I loved them and learned a lot from those relationships. It's just that Arra has been a really close friend for a long time and I've never had that with anyone else. Now, we were together.
Girlfriend.
Arra.
Girlfriend.
Sobrang saya!
"Huy, parang high school lang!" Pauline teased after I told her that Arra and I were officially together then couldn't stop myself from smiling.
"I'm in love, Pauline. Hulog. Hulog na hulog," I admitted.
"Ang kadiri! So kahit nga magaabroad ka ulit isasama mo? Totoo? You do know that essentially means marriage, right?!"
I knew. That did not scare me. "Siyempre. Pero hintayin ko na ready na si Arra."
"And you? Are YOU ready?"
"In the future? Yes," I paused. Then added, "Now? Yes."
"Wow! Seriously?"
I nodded. "She's the one."
Did things change? Not so much. We thoroughly enjoyed being together and our conversations. We had our differences and we still kept a separate group of friends and did things apart but the best part was coming together at the end of the day to tell each other about it.
Meron pala kaming slight change. I mean, I get to kiss her now.
Our second first kiss was delayed by a month.
As you know, we got together during a family outing and didn't feel right making out there! The following day naman when we left the place, we were all tired and parted ways as soon as we got to our village.
I didn't want to text her to meet me just so I could get a kiss!
We would meet up during the week but I didn't want our first kiss to be some random event. Oo na, maarte but I wanted it to be special.
So, hindi ako nagpapakiss.
Gwapo 'no? Ako pa ang tumanggi.
During one of our weekend dates, I brought her home and then kissed her on the forehead. "Good night!"
"Pong? Yun na yun?"
I went back and kissed her on the nose.
"Pong!"
"Soon. Okay? Para memorable."
Unlimited hugs and holding hands naman yung first month namin eh! I just wanted to show her that our first kiss meant that much to me but it wasn't the only thing I was looking for with her.
Our first month went by quickly. We wanted to spend it with Rocky, so we cooked a simple meal, bought good wine and stayed in.
"One month!" Arra said. "What's the best part for you?"
"This. Getting to talk to you about everything," I said, pulling her closer as we were cuddling in the couch. "You?"
"Same. Plus the hugs. I really like your hugs," she said. "What's the worst part?"
I thought about it. "Minsan..." she pulled back so she could look at me. "... nahihiya na ako umutot."
Arra laughed out loud. "Yan din problema ko! Nako-conscious na ako ngayon when I have kabag."
"It's normal you know."
"I know but baka ma-turn off ka," she admitted.
"True. Makamandag yung utot mo eh."
"Yabang nito."
We laughed again. "Thank you for being with me this past month."
Arra smiled. "We've been dating for a bit longer than that."
"I know, thank you din for that." I leaned forward, "Arra, can I kiss you?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
Best Second First Kiss.
*
My birthday fell on a weekday close to the weekend of our third month so we planned another getaway with the family.
During that Thursday, I didn't expect much because we already made plans anyway.
But when I opened my door that morning, Arra appeared at my doorstep with a cake and balloons. "Surprise! Happy, happy birthday, Pong!" I leaned in for a kiss and escorted her in.
"Thank you, R! Hatid na kita to work?"
"No! Ako maghahatid sayo," she declared. "At saka pala, Pong?"
"What?"
"Can I take you out for dinner tonight?"
Ang saya pala to be asked. "Yes! Of course. Thank you for making plans!"
When I arrived at the office, there were even more greetings. Jen came up and gave me a buss on the cheek. "Happy birthday, Paolo!"
"Thanks, Jen." When I looked up, Arra was standing at the doorway to my office, holding a bag of pastries and coffee. "Arra, hi!" Quickly moving to her side, I motioned to my officemates. "Everyone, girlfriend ko, si Arra."
"Hi po. Iiwan ko lang 'to for you. Hindi ka na nakapagbreakfast kanina. Sorry ang bagal ko mag-drive," she said, apologetically. "Una na ako."
"Hatid na kita." When we got to where she was parked, I started, "Arra, about yung naabutan mo?"
"Huh?"
"Si Jen..."
"O?"
"Bumati lang."
She smiled. "I know. Sabi ko naman sa'yo walang issue sa kin yun. Go. Enjoy your day. Tuloy pa din date natin later?"
"Siyempre!"
"Good. See you. I love you! Happy birthday!"
She took me to the buffet I've wanted to try for so long. Our families joined us there as well. "Arra! This is too much!"
"Birthday mo eh. You've always done so much for my birthdays, turn ko naman. I'm going to spoil you for the rest of my life."
I looked at her. "For the rest of your life?"
"Yes," she promised.
"Then that's the best gift ever. Thank you for the greatest birthday," I told her.
She beamed up at me and my heart melted again.
We shared a hug and then, "Let's eat!"
