The Dreamers

XVII

"Hello, boyfie. Let's go on a date."

Javi looked up at what he was doing and stared at me. Kakatapos lang namin mag-dinner sa office niya and he was finishing up reports habang nagkakape.

"Ha?"

I laughed and gave him a quick peck on the lips. 

"Cute mo. I said, let's go on a date. This Saturday. Anywhere and anything you want to do." I say, flopping down the chair in front of his table.

Hindi ko alam kung saan siya mas nagulat, sa pet name ko, sa kiss, or sa pagyaya ko ng date.

"Javi!" Pagulit ko.

"Ulit, di ko nagets." Paliwanag niya.

"Alin doon?" Tanong ko.

"Simulan mo sa umpisa. Ulitin mo lahat ha pati ito." Turo niya sa labi niya. "Dali."

Tumawa ako. "Manyak." Pang-aasar ko. 

Lumapit ako sa kanya para pagbigyan siya pero nung makaikot at makalapit ako ay agad niya kong hinila paupo sa kanya. He tilted my face and kissed me.

I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck, savoring his kisss.

He let go of my mouth but kept his hold on my face. "Ulit nga, parang di ko pa din nagets." 

I laughed and pushed him so I can stand up bago pa niya matuloy ang masamang balak.

"So, ano na nga? Game ka?" I ask.

He was pouting like a kid na hindi nabilhan ng candy. "Ang damot." Bulong niya.

Natawa ako. "Sa Saturday nga dali. Unli-kiss." Pag-asar ko.

Nagliwanag naman agad ang mata niya. "Game!" Natawa ako at hinampas siya.

"So ano gusto mo gawin?" I ask.

He leaned back, crossed his arms, and smiled at me knowingly. "Me? Yung gusto ko gawin matagal na e nakakapagod, sasakit ang katawan mo, at talaga namang pagpapawisan tayo."

Namula ako kaya hinampas ko siya. "Javier Genrio!" Tumawa lang siya.

>>>>>

Shit. Shit. Shit. Malapit na.

"Almost there." Hingal na sabi ni Javi.

"Stop." Pakiusap ko sa kanya, catching my breath.

"Sabay tayo. Bilis." Yaya niya sakin.

I know malapit na kami sa rurok. Kaya naman binilsan ko na din ang paggalaw.

F**k.

...

...

...

...

"Finally!" I say, habol hininga. 

We're at the top of Mt. Hulo. 

Lintik naman kasi tong si Javi, ang naisip na gawin ngayon ay hiking. Mukha lang akong fit pero hindi talaga.

"Bagal mo." Pang-aasar ni Javi. I scoff at him. "Baka ikaw!"

We're camping here for the night. Pangarap daw kasi ni Javi na makita ang sunrise from Mt. Hulo. Gaano ba kadami ang pangarap nitong mokong na to?

Javi was setting up the tent and I was in charge of the bonfire. 

We sat down in front of it, watching the star-lit night sky. Katatapos lang namin magdinner and we were talking about random stuff from our childhood nung maalala ko. 

I stood up and went inside the tent. Pagbalik ko ay inabot ko sa kanya ang isang kahon.

"Happy birthday, Mayor." Bati ko pagkaupo sa tabi niya.

Kumunot ang noo niya, "My birthday is in..."

"Two weeks pa, I know." Pag-amin ko. "Gusto ko lang unahin yung sa akin para wala akong kaagaw." Asar ko.

Tumawa siya, "Wala ka naman talagang kaagaw sakin." Sagot niya. 

He opened the box and took out my gifts.

The first one is a PH flag pin, engraved with his initials, JESG, sa likod. Below it are the words, servant-leader. To best describe who he is.

"This is beautiful." He whispers while staring at the pin. 

He looked up and smiled at me. "Thank you, Val." I return his smile. 

"Buksan mo na yung isa." I say.

The second box contains three Parker pens. Each one engraved differently.

Governor Javier Elizalde Sion Genrio

Senator Javier Elizalde Sion Genrio

President Javier Elizalde Sion Genrio

Natawa siya. "I love this." He looked at me, "But you should have given the senator and president pens a little later."

I panicked. "E, siyempre unahan na natin. Dun din naman ang tuloy." Pagsisinungaling ko.

Inangat niya yung sealed envelope na nasa pinakailalim ng box. "What's this one?"

I smile. "That one, you should promise to open only on your birthday."

"Bakit sa birthday ko pa?" Tanong niya.

"Basta. I-open mo lang right after ng surprise ko sa birthday mo." Pagsisinungaling ko.

Nanlaki ang mata niya na parang bata. "May surprise ka pa sa birthday ko?"

"Of course." Sagot ko. Liar.

He smiled. "Okay, sige. I promise."

I went back inside the tent and took out the cake and lit the candles. I belted out a Happy Birthday song, completely out of tone, kaya siya tawa ng tawa. I crouched down and held out the cake so he can blow on the candles. 

"Make a wish." I say.

He smiled and shook his head. "I have everything I've wished for." He held my hands holding the cake. And looked at me. "I love you." He said right before niya hipan ang kandila.

Ang sakit-sakit.

Bago pa ko magsimulang umiyak at mabuking, binaba ko ang cake na hawak ko at lumapit sa kanya. I placed my knees on each side of his legs—straddling him. I wrapped my arms around his neck. He was confused, but supported my weight and looked up at me. 

Then I kissed him.

He was surprised at first but after a few beats I felt him respond to my kisses. Kinabig pa niya ako lalo, kaya halos wala nang space sa pagitan namin.

Binuhos ko lahat while kissing him. Everything I feel. All the love I have.

I broke the kiss and held his face, tears streaming down my face. 

"I love you, Javi." I say, voice breaking.

Nagulat siya, but then he smiled that f**king beautiful smile of his and suddenly, all felt right in this world.

He held my face, wiping my tears away. He kissed me again, this time, taking control.

I gave him everything I have. For the first and the last time, I told and showed him how much I love him.

Mahal na mahal kita, Javi.

>>>>>

@ajnotawriter (Twitter)