Arvic picked me up early in the morning for a drive. It's my last day in Philippines since I'll be leaving tomorrow so we decided to spend it somewhere far.
We went for drive thru first then drove to the south. He brought me to the beach just to relax and keep my mind of things.
We just walked along the beach while talking about everything instead of swimming (hindi niya na rin ako pinilit matuto).
We chose a good spot away from people to rest. He head is resting on my lap using me as a shade.
"Bibisitahin mo ba ako sa Japan?"
"No."
Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya not expecting his answer. Hinampas ko siya. "Ulutin mo nga sinabi mo. Hindi mo ako bibisitahin? What a good boyfriend."
"Kailangan kong kumita dito. You want me to leave my business?"
"You should still say yes kahit hindi."
He raised his brows, "So you want me to lie?"
"Never mind. Bahala ka na nga dyan! Ayaw ko na sayo. Maghahanap nalang ako dun ng bagong boyfriend."
"Okay. Pakilala mo sa akin ha?"
"You- Akala mo ba hindi ko totohanin?"
Bigla siyang tumawa. "Bakit ka ba nagagalit? I won't visit you because once I do mas mamimiss kita. Tsk, aalis ka nalang aawayin mo pa ako."
"Nagpapalusot ka pa. Okay, you're forgiven."
"Galit ka kasi agad." Aniya at kinuha ang kamay ko. Nilaro niya 'yon habang nakatingin sa akin. "2 years is not long. It's just two birthdays, two Christmas and two new year's then I can have you again. We can do this right?"
It looks like he's reassuring me but it's more like he's saying that to convince himself instead.
"I don't know. Bakit mo kasi ako sinanay? You spoil me too much paano pag namiss ko luto mo? Paano pag namiss kita?"
"Don't worry because I will also miss you." Then he added, "Everyday."
He asked for my phone and he recorded several voice messages. "Listen to this everytime you miss me."
Sumimangot ako. How is voice record enough? But I didn't say anything. It's not like we have many options.
We stayed until sunset before driving back to the city.
This is one of the days that I'm really thankful for Arvic. He doesn't show me that he's sad, he plays joke all day and made me laugh pero sa aming dalawa alam kong mas malungkot siya. He just didn't want me to feel bad for leaving.
So I thought, he must really love me so much.
"I love you." I told him.
These are words I never said enough. Tama nga ang kasabihan na nasa huli ang pagsisisi. I should've told him I love him everyday, I should've make him feel loved when I had the chance.
He glanced at me briefly and grinned. "Say it again."
So I did. I said it over and over until we arrived at my house.
"Ingat pauwi. Text mo ako." Sabi ko.
He nodded.
Walang gumalaw sa amin. My seatbelt remained fasten while my left hand is entwined with his.
Unlike other days no one wants to be the one to first let each other out of sight tonight.
"Gusto mong pumasok muna?"
"Can I stay?"
We said in unison then we chuckled when we realized.
Nagkalat ang gamit ko sa apartment so the only place we could squeezed ourselves in is the corner table where I usually eat. We were seated across each other with coffee in hand but no one drank a single sip from it.
We stared at each other for a long time, memorizing each other's features. I looked at Arvic's thick brows, slightly high nose down to his thin lips. I will miss looking and touching at his face and kissing his lips.
Silence enveloped us before Arvic broke it.
"Stay with me tonight." Arvic almost pleaded.
He never initiate to sleep beside each other. Kung maaari gusto niyang hiwalay ang lalaki at babae so everyone's teasing him to be old fashioned but I guess tonight is different.
What came out of my mouth was unexpected. "Okay."
So I brought my luggage with me to his house. There's no need to bring sleepwear since I can wear his.
Mabibilang sa daliri kung ilan beses kami nagkatabing matulog. I think it was even less than five so this should've been awkward but I felt the opposite.
I felt comfortable and safe in his arms.
Before I knew it I already reached out and touched his face. He leaned into my palm and gave it a kiss.
"I love you." He murmured.
I ran my thumb across his lips and smiled. "I love you too."
"I will miss you but it doesn't matter kasi alam kong worth it. Galingan mo dun ha? Or else I will personally go to drag you back."
Natawa ako. "I dare you, let's see if you can really drag me back. Ang galing ko kaya. I'm not class secretary of 4 years for nothing."
Arvic grinned. "And please don't drink too much during gatherings. Sake is really strong and you go crazy when drunk."
"Oo na. I'm not like you, hindi ko hobby ang mag-inom."
Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Oh? Sino sa atin ang-"
Hindi ko na siya pinatapos dahil alam kong babanggitin nanaman niya 'yung pag-inom ko nung send off party.
"Dami mong sinasabi. Matutulog nalang ako kaysa makinig sa sermon mo." Tinakpan ko ang tenga ko.
Tumawa siya at tinanggal ang kamay ko sa tenga. He kissed it and smiled at me. "Alright, I won't say it anymore."
Then he pulled me against his chest and patted my head. "Sleep, love."
I hugged him back and fell asleep like that.
The next day, Arvic drove me to the airport without saying anything.
He smiled. "See you after 2 years."
There wasn't a need for words between us anymore because we already know the words in our hearts.
I just nodded and grinned widely while waving goodbye.
See you after 2 years.
