Villa Martinez Series #3: Addicted To You

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Happy

Giniya niya ako sa sasakyan niya at pinagbuksan ng pinto sa shotgun seat. Marahan akong pumasok doon at umupo. Umikot na rin siya papasok sa driver's seat pagkatapos. His car is tinted. Siya na ang nagkabit ng seatbelt sa akin nang nakapasok siya at hindi agad ako nakagalaw.

Humawak na siya sa manibela. Sinulyapan niya pa ang mga bulaklak sa lap ko. He started driving. "Sa'n galing 'yan?" he asked, referring to the flowers.

Saglit din bumaba ang tingin ko sa aking kandungan. "Uh, bigay 'to sa 'kin ni Sir Bernard..."

Mabilis niya akong sinulyapan. Nanibago ako sa mood niya. "That Bernard again?" mukha siyang galit o naiinis.

I nodded. "Oo..."

I saw his jaw clenched.

Tahimik na kami hanggang makarating sa bahay. Nauna na akong bumaba sa kotse niya para mapagbuksan siya ng gate at makapasok. He parked his car in my yard. Sakto lang din ito doon. Hinintay ko siyang makalabas sa kotse niya at pumasok na rin kami sa bahay.

"Why did he gave you those flowers?" he asked. He was serious.

Parang kinabahan naman ako. "Nagpaalam siyang liligawan ako..."

"When?"

"Noong isang araw lang..."

He looked like he was gritting his teeth. He looked away. "Pumayag ka?"

Marahan akong umiling. "Hindi pa..."

He looked at me again. "Pa? So, papayag ka? Magpapaligaw ka sa kaniya?"

I was looking at him. Ilang sandaling nakatingin lang kami sa isa't isa. Until I spoke. I let out all the thoughts that's been bothering me. "Oo, Jake." I said, looking at him straight in the eyes.

His lips parted and his jaw clenched.

"I realized... ayaw ko na pala sa ganito, Jake. Sa ano'ng meron tayo. Gusto ko na pala ng seryosong relasyon. Iyong may assurance. I want a future, Jake. I want to get married, too, and have children, gaya sa mga kaibigan ko. Gusto kong bumuo ng sarili kong pamilya. I'd been longing for it..." amin ko. I shook my head. "And this thing we have? Only good while is lasted... Ayoko na sa ganito, Jake-" natigilan ako nang nakita ang mga mata niya.

His eyes were bloodshot. Mine went wide as I was looking at him. "Jake..."

"That's what you want?" he asked and I wasn't able to answer immediately because I was still shocked to see him at the verge of crying... He went closer to me. We stood there facing each other. Nasa sala kami ng bahay. "Then let's have a relationship that you want!"

I think my jaw dropped. I wasn't expecting that. "J-Jake-" I stuttered.

"I'm serious, Lou. Let's be boyfriend and girlfriend." he said it with finality. 'Tapos kinuha niya sa 'kin ang bouquet na hindi ko pa nalalapag. "I'll be back." paalam niya.

"Saan ka pupunta, Jake? Teka, ang mga bulaklak, saan mo 'yan dadalhin?" But I received no answer.

He left the house. I tried calling his phone but he wouldn't pick it up. Buntong-hininga nalang akong napaupo sa sofa at hinintay nalang siya na makabalik. He said he would be back.

Nang nakabalik nga siya ay agad akong napatayo. Our eyes met. "Jake,"

"Here," inabot niya sa 'kin ang mas malaking bouquet at mukhang mas mamahalin at iba-iba ang mga bulaklak na naroon.

I looked at him. "Jake..."

"I can give you a better bouquet." he said.

"S-Saan mo dinala 'yong bigay ni Bernard-"