Caressing My Perplexed Stella [HS #3]

CHAPTER 32

I lose count of time, or maybe, I didn't mind counting at all. Naglalandas ang mga daliri nito sa bagsak kong buhok, nag-aaya iyong ipikit ko ang mata at matulog.

"How many minutes left?" I asked, I tried to get up but he pulled me again. Bumagsak ang katawan ko sa dibdib niya, parehas yata kaming walang balak na umalis dito.

"Aster can wait," He whispered, I pouted as I gather up all my energy and get up. Hindi na ako napigilan nito. "Makikita ko naman kung hihinto na siya riyan," Turo niya sa tapat.

I don't want to sound so melodramatic, but truth to be told, I loathe the days that I had to deal with his absence. Video call and text messages sucks, although I can't demand something more than that.

"When you go back to work, when will you come back?" Natigil ito sa biglang tanong ko, halatang hindi naisip na maitatanong ko ito ngayon. Iniwas nito ang tingin, huminga ito nang malalim at tila ayaw pag-usapan iyon. "You should let me know..." Was that a plea? Whatever.

My hand slowly caress his shoulder. "It's alright, I can you wait. Just tell me how long, so I'd know..."

"Months," Mahina nitong sabi. Sa isang iglap ay nagbago ang aura namin. Huminga ako nang malalim, inaasahan ko na 'yan! Ni pinipigilan ko nga ang sarili na huwag nang isipin pero gusto ko ring malaman. "Do you want me to extend a little longer, I can..." He whispered, muli siyang tumingin sa akin at nakita niya kung paano bumagsak ang mata ko sa gilid niya.

"No, you can't. I don't want you to extend," Diretso kong sabi, napasinghap ito ngunit hindi ko ibinalik sa kanya ang tingin. "You should go when you have to go," I know I'm honest with that, I can't be a hindrance for him. He has... A bigger world out there and yet, I can feel the honest pain too.

"Another month," Pilit pa nito, umiling ako at tinanggal ang hawak sa kanya. Isinandal ko ang likod sa backrest, ang tingin ko ay nasa harapan na. "If you're worried, I can send a mail that I'll extend. I can change the day of my flight,"

He's here for two months, for Pete's sake! I know he's tired and all, he's been out with us since day one! But two fucking months? I'm sure his boss will throw a fuss! Let's say his the headchef and manager but it's too long to consider a vacation. He needs to go back there, they need him–more than I do!

"No, I don't want you to extend." Sagot ko. Kung kailangang paulit-ulit kong sabihin iyon para makumbinsi siya at pati ang sarili, it'll be my mantra until we're both convinced.

"Dale," He uttered my name like a prayer. He reach for my elbow, slowly caressing it. Tila gusto nitong humarap ako sa kanya, I'll lose all my shit when I do that. "I won't stay there for a very long time,"

"You have contract, I know it'll take months or maybe years and that's fine..."

"What's not fine is you're being like this, all of a sudden. And that's bothering me," Sa gilid ng aking mata ay nakita kong inilabas niya ang cellphone, mabilis itong nagtipa.

Don't tell me he's sending a rushed mail to his boss? Itinapat niya ang phone sa tainga. Kumunot ang noo ko, is he calling his boss? Nanlaki ang aking mata, akmang aagawin ko sa kanya iyon nang bigla niyang iniwas ang sarili. Kinuha niya ang kamay ko habang namumuo ang pagkairita sa sistema ko.

"Huwag mo nang ipilit!" Tumaas ang boses ko ngunit hindi niya ininda iyon. "I'm not like the other girls who would beg for your time! I know my limit so damn, Lennon! Just drop the call!"

"Aster? Yes, go first. Susunod kami. Maybe another ten minutes," Marahas kong binawi ang kamay, handa na akong bumaba nang bigla niyang ilock ang mga pinto.

Matalim kong ibinalik sa kanya ang tingin ngunit isang malambot na titig lang ang iginawad nito.

"If only you'd ask me, I won't even hesitate to abandon that work so I could stay here."