Always and Forever (Golden Girls Series #1)

Prologue

Always and Forever (Golden Girls Series #1)

***

Napayakap ako sa sarili ko nang maramdaman ang lamig ng simoy ng hangin. It's eleven in the midnight and I'm still here in front of the café waiting for taxi. Wala ng masyadong tao dahil lumalalim na ang gabi. Nasira ang sasakyan ko kanina at wala na akong naging oras sa pagpapaayos dahil na rin I was busy with work.

I stopped when I saw a black pick-up in front of me. Agad kong iniwas ang tingin ko. Damn.

He open the window of his car sabay tingin sa akin na hirap na hirap nang makahanap ng taxi.

"Get in," he said.

Umiling naman ako. I rolled my eyes a little.

"No thank you, baka may taxi narin maya-maya,"

"Nilalamok kana riyan," he added.

"Eros, It's fine,"

Madami pa siyang sinabi na makakapag kumbinsi sa akin na sumabay sakanya, hanggang sa nabunot na nga niya ang alas.

"Someone is waiting for you to come home," aniya.

I look at him and rolled my eyes. Wala naman akong nagawa kundi buksan ang front seat tsaka sumakay. A ghost smile plastered on his face.

Hindi naman siya nagsalita buong byahe, buti nga at wala naman akong balak na kausapin siya. Hanggang sa makarating na kami ng bahay.

Inunahan ko siyang buksan ang pinto ko. I can do it myself anyway. I'm not fucking PWD.

"Eros, you don't have to do this but thank you," saad ko.

Nasa tapat na kami ng bahay ngayon. Tahimik na rin ang aming subdivision at ang nga street lights lamang naaaninag ko.

"No worries. Next time text me kapag wala ka ng masakyan,"

Agad naman akong umiling.

"Hindi naman palagi. I always bring my car, malas nga lang today,"

He forced a smile habang ang dalawang kamay ay nasa bulsa ng pantalon niya.

"So, gotta go?" aniya.

I nod and smiled at him.

He kissed my forehead like he's used to do that to me. It's nothing for me anyway. He was a good friend to me though.

"Goodnight, Gab."

Tahimik lamang ako at hinintay na siyang makaalis.

I open the gate since I have my keys. Tulog narin ang aming maids and guards kaya nakakahiya naman kung gambalain ko pa sila.

I went straight to his room upstairs. I turned on the lamp and saw my Mom stood up from the side of the bed.

"Kakatulog niya palang. Inantok ata kakahintay sayo,"

Lumapit naman ako sakanya at agad hinalikan ang noo niya. Hush now, baby.

"Thank you, Mommy,"

Ngumiti naman si Mommy ng bahagya sa akin.

"Magpahinga ka na,"

Tumango naman ako tsaka naman siya lumabas para makatulog at makapagpahinga narin sa kwarto niya.

I changed my clothes and went straight to bed to rest. I feel so safe when he's asleep beside me.

***

The next morning, I woke up around seven-thirty. Saturday ngayon at halfday lang ako sa trabaho. Mamayang hapon na ako papasok.

I slowly removed my blanket para hindi siya magising. He looks like an angel.