Tranquility In Havoc

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One: Official

Six years ago

Pilit kong sinisilip ang tinatago niya sa likod niya pero tumatawa lang ito at lumalayo para di ko makita.

Nakabusangot ako na tinitingnan siya sa malayo. "Edi huwag!" Inis kong saad at inis na sumalampak sa mat at di na siya nilingon.

I saw him approaching me. He's chuckling and I want to smile hearing his chuckles. I missed hearing them...

I missed him.

He became so busy in his pre-med course since last year na niya sa university. His schedules are so hectic. We wasn't able to meet for a week because I'm also busy with my studies but not as busy as him.

"Close your pretty eyes, please?"

I rolled my eyes although feigning the irritation.

Naramdaman ko ang presensiya nito sa likuran ko. Tinikom ko ng mahigpit ang mga labi ko para di mapangiti.

"Close your eyes...come on." Bulong nito sa may tenga ko.

Napatuwid ako ng upo nang maramdaman ang init ng hininga nito na tumama sa tenga ko.

I closed my eyes and waited.

"Don't peek, okay?"

"Daming alam." Pagsagot ko.

Tumawa ito and I smiled. I cannot help it. I missed everything about him.

Ilang segundo pa ang nagdaan. Kumunot ang noo ko.

Bat ang tagal?

"Vin—"

He kissed my cheek.

Napalunok ako. I badly want to open my eyes but I know he's so close to me. His breath is fanning my right cheek.

"I love you." He rasped. "Now, open your eyes, love..."

Huminga ako ng malalim at dahan-dahang bumuga. I need to be calm. Kailan ba ako masasanay sa mga paganito ng lalaking 'to? He's expressive...and I love him for that. I love him.

Unti-unting kong minulat ang mga mata ko at napaawang ang bibig.

I'm speechless for the beauty in front of me.

"Uh...twigs for you?" Ani Vince.

Twigs with leaves of different stages, types and color are in front of me in a bouquet.

"H-How..." Lilingon na sana ako nang tumama ang ilong nito sa pisngi ko.

Oh. We are this close...

Sa mga siit ko na lang itinuon ang atensiyon. Kinuha ko ito mula sa pagkakahawak niya.

I bet my eyes are twinkling in amazement right now.

"Where did you get these twigs?" I whispered while still mesmerized by the marvelous thing I'm holding.

"Hm...from their trees?"

Natigilan ako. "Seriously, Vince. I'm asking seriously?"

He chuckled and lean his chin on my right shoulder.

"I'm serious, too."

Is he the one?

"Who plucked them from their trees?" Mahina kong sambit. I unconsciously held my breath while waiting in anticipation.

Hindi naman siguro siya diba? I mean, he's so busy with his studies and having these beautiful twigs takes a lot of times to go and fro in different countries. Imposible na siya mismo ang kumuha ng mga ito...