Paggising ko, wala na si James sa tabi ko. I had a good night sleep. Nakakapagod palang magpakasal and to think wala naman talaga akong ginawa doon. It was James who did everything. I know he was really tired.
I heard the bathroom door open. Out came my best friend slash husband. And I was shocked to see him shirtless. Aba! May abs na s'ya! I wonder where my chubby bestfriend go?
"Chekay, matunaw ako," he said laughing.
Oh my! Masyado ba akong obvious? "Yes, Chekay, masyado kang obvious. 'Yung bunganga mo -- nakabuka pa!" He was still laughing.
"I hate you. Mind reader ka talaga. I did not say that out loud, did I?"
"Say what?" he said teasingly. Nagsuot na s'ya ng shirt. Buti naman! Kasi nagha-hyperventilate na ako! Ang init bigla! Tapos, umupo siya sa tabi ko.
"Where did you donate your fats? Namimiss ko sila," ganting sabi ko na lamang.
"Why? Don't you like the lean me?" tanong niya.
"Well, I just miss my cute chubby huggable bestfriend." Pa-cute kong sagot.
"Hey, I'm still the same old James. I'm still your huggable bestfriend. Mas gwapo nga lang and mas sexy." He chuckled.
"Yah! Same old James -- mayabang pa rin!" I retorted.
Makalipas lamang ng ilang minuto, dumating na 'yung breakfast na inorder ni James.
"Let's have breakfast then you can freshen up. Our flight to Florida is at 2pm. By the way, Ate Florence came when you were sleeping. They're in a hurry. May duty pa daw siya tonight. She said she'll just call you. My mom called a few minutes ago, too. Nakapagcheck-out na sila. Oh, and my mom bought you clothes you can wear in Florida." Dirediretso niyang sabi sabay turo ng suitcase sa gilid.
"Nakakahiya naman sa Mommy mo. She did not have to do that."
"Don't worry. She really enjoyed shopping for you. She said you're the daughter she has been waiting for." He assured me.
"I like your mom," I suddenly said.
"She likes you, too. Come let's eat. I'm famished. Kanina pa kita hinihintay magising."
"Famished? Exaggerated ka naman masyado. But well, I'm starving, too."
"Famished, starving -- pareho lang na exaggerated ang mga salitang iyon." He argued.
"Ah, basta let's eat! Gutom na ako. Let's not have a vocabulary lesson okay!" I did not really want to argue.
He laughed, "You're amazing, Francheska!"
What did mean by that? Famished to Starving to Amazing? He has some issues with his vocabulary!
After eating, we prepared and went straight to LAX. Alam n'yo bang 5 hours ang byahe by plane from LA to Orlando? Ako, hindi! At kung hindi ko lang mahal si Mickey Mouse, hindi ako pupunta dito.
It was 7pm LA time pero well since different timezones 9pm na sa Florida. Around 30 minutes pa raw ang layo ng hotel from the airport.
While we we're in the hotel car, I yawned. Kailan ba matatapos ang kapagurang 'to? "Sleep Chekay. Come here," sabi ni James sabay offer n'ya ng shoulders n'ya to be my pillow. I had no energy to protest. I leaned on him and dozed off.
"Chekay, we're here." I felt him tapping my shoulders.
"O-okay," I murmured. Para akong zombie. I just followed him. Hindi ko nga alam how we got into our room. Medyo nagising ako nang nakita ko ang room namin at 'yung bed. Everything was blue in color.
I looked around. No couch. "We'll share the bed, James ... no protests," I said then I sat on the bed.
"Hey, I did not know you're that aggressive, Chekay. Akala ko ba dalagang Pilipina ka?" he teased sitting next to me.
"Well, technically, hindi na ako dalaga and soon hindi na rin ako Filipino citizen." I retorted.
"Galing mo na humirit ngayon," he said laughing.
"Yeh! Right!" I said but with very little energy. Hiniga ko 'yung likod ko pero my legs were still hanging down the bed.
James did the same thing and asked, "tired?"
"Yah," I yawned.
"Just rest Chekay ..."
"Seriously, James, you know when I saw you again st the restaurant, medyo naiilang ako. Medyo hindi comfortable. We haven't seen each other for more than 7 years but then you just suddenly agreed to marry me."
"Uhuh?" he said turning sideways to face me.
I turned sideways, too, to face him, "But after everything you did in our wedding and after everything you said, I felt that my bestfriend is back. Parang noong highschool lang uli tayo. You're still my huggable dear best friend."
He smiled, "I meant everything I said Chekay. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you for almost 7 years. Siguro na-overwhelm lang ako when I moved here. You know -- new environment and stuff plus the pressure of college life, but I'll make up for our lost years. I'll really take care of you just like the old times."
"Promise?"
"Yah! Promise! Chekay, can I ask a question?"
"What?"
"Why do you feel comfortable being with me? Why do you trust me? Why did you choose me as you bestfriend?" he asked.
"Ang dami namang tanong. I don't know. Maybe because back in high school, I found your chubbiness so adorably cute!" I answered.
"Ang katabaan ko ang nagustuhan mo? That's the very reason why most girls shun away from me. Ikaw lang and si Joan ang mga babaeng 'di lumalayo sa akin. Well, Joan and I practically grew up together so she had no choice, but you ... why?" he stared at me.
"And why not? Those other girls were dumb. They did not see the real you. The one I saw beyond all those fats- 'yung caring, lovable and adorable guy!" I satered back.
"You're amazing Chekay! God must have really spent a little more time making you ..."
I giggled, "Uy! Inaamin mo na! Na para talaga sa akin 'yung Boy Band song na 'yan! Maka-boy band ka na ngayon!"
"I just like the meaning of the song! I still don't like boy bands, " he retorted.
"Sus! Ayaw mo pang aminin. Deep inside NSYNC fan ka!"
"Chekay, you're my best friend and I care for you ... pero please ... wag mo nga ipagpilitan ang Boy bands sa akin!" he pleaded. He was so darn cute 'pag inaasar.
"Ayaw mo pa rin talaga magpatalo sa akin."
"Hay, naku! Let's sleep Chekay." He ended the argument with a yawn.
"Sing for me James," lambing ko.
"What song?"
"Any boy band song," I teased. Kakagat kaya siya sa pa-cute ko?
"No way!" he answered with a loud voice.
"Please," I tried my puppy-eyes look.
He made a hissing sound.
"Sige na! Please ... " I pleaded.
"I hate you for doing this to me Chekay! Few lines lang.".
Great! I won, "Go! Game! Kanta na."
"But my love is all I have to give ... Without you I don't think I can live ... I wish I could give the world to you ... But love is all I have to give ...'" He sang.
Napatili ako, "Lumilevel up ka na BackStreet Boys na! Boy Band Fever!"
He maded another hissing sound, "Good night, Chekay!"
"Night, James!" I yawned.
