No Matter

8

Marcus and I came back to the hotel as if nothing happened.

We respected each other's decision of not bringing it up until our trip ends because we should be enjoying our stay. I somehow feel relieved because I got to converse with Marcus regarding such sensitive topic. I've never wanted to open it up to other people, even to my closest friends because I don't want to be a burden.

Marcus made it easy for me to not bottle up my emotions for a while. He helped me. At kahit wala akong naikwento, alam kong naiintindihan niya ako. At ganon din ako sa kaniya. It was as if we were having an interpersonal intellectual orgasm a while ago.

Tumigil ako at humarap kay Marcus nang marating namin ang kwarto ko.

"Thank you," I smiled at him, it was a sincere smile. Ayoko ng habaan pa ang pasasalamat sa kaniya dahil napagod na rin ang utak at bibig ko sa ginawa namin kanina.

"Thank you rin. See you tomorrow," Kumaway siya bago tumuloy sa katabi ng room ko, iyon ang kanila ni Miss Amber.

Nagdesisyon akong magbabad sa jacuzzi to relax after an exhausting day. Pagkatapos kong gawin ang night care routine ko, I decided to call my mom.

"What's up, sweetheart? How are you?"

"I'm okay, mom... I'm at Siargao," I bit my lower lip while waiting for her response. Ilang segundong tahimik ang kabilang linya.

"Oh. You didn't tell me beforehand.."

"Sorry po. Kagabi lang din po kasi ako nainform," I chuckled nang maalala ko si Marcus.

"I see. Who's with you?"

"My friend and her mom. May mission po sila rito sa Siargao. I'll be here for a few days lang po."

"Hmm, alright. Come to our house after you get home, alright?"

"Yes, mom!" Nakangiti kong tugon kahit hindi naman niya makikita.

"Uh, mom.."

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"I love you."

Muling natahimik ang kabilang linya bago magsalita si mama, "I love you, too. You are my life, anak."

Nagkamustahan pa kami ni mama before deciding to end the call.

Naisipan ko namang tawagan si Amya dahil hindi ako nakapag-reply sa tawag niya kanina.

"What's up, cheesenut?"

"San ka?! I want to see you!" Amya was pouting when she answered the video call. I chuckled at her reaction and told her where I was.

"What?! Paano ka nakarating sa Siargao?!"

Nakamot ko ang ilong bago ikinwento sa kaniya ang lahat ng nangyari. Detailed.

"Oh my.. Szeirra! Magkaka-lovelife ka na ba?! I guess my ship is at last sailing? Hihi!" She giggled and smiled widely as if she won a lottery.

It was the truth. Amya was teasing me with Marcus back when we were in 11th grade because Marcus was my husband in a short film we did for a major subject. I rolled my eyes at Amya, "Tss. Hindi. Trip lang niya."

"No! He wouldn't go this far if he doesn't have any feelings for you, Szeirra! Trust me, alam ko."

"Talaga lang, ha?"

Siya naman ang napairap ngayon, "Eh? Kamusta naman? Masaya ba diyan?"

"Mm, yeah. I was able to breathe."