I Fell For You

Chapter 16: Man from the Plane

We spent the following days just appreciating the time we have together. I tried to make the most out of it kahit pa may trabaho akong kailangang gawin. Buti nalang at hindi ako ganoon kaloaded kaya maaga akong nakakapag-out.

While I'm at work, Ephraim would spend time in his hotel room. Tapos 'pag tanghali ay pupuntahan ako sa trabaho para sabay kaming kumain. We'd go out in a less crowded restaurant to avoid paparazzi.

My co-workers were so shocked meeting Ephraim in person. Nagpanic pa sina Karl at Victor kaya't hindi na masyadong nakapagsalita. It was just a quick introduction though.

I'm just a little sad that I wasn't able to introduce Ephraim to Madelaine. I haven't seen her at work, and her family says she's sick. Medyo nag-aalala talaga ako sa kanya dahil tingin ko ay inooverwork niya ang kanyang sarili. That's why Demi and I agreed to visit her one of these days dahil hindi rin ito sumasagot sa aming groupchat.

Demi is staying with her boyfriend for the moment. Sabi niya for privacy daw namin ni Ephraim but I know she just made that excuse so she could spend time with her jowa. Advantage naman iyon pareho sa amin. Mas malaya akong harutin ang boyfriend ko. Kitang-kita ko kasi ang mapang-asar na mukha ng pinsan ko sa tuwing lumalapit ako kay Ephraim! She's always like that.

Ephraim and I would usually just stay at home and watch some random movie we picked on Netflix. Hindi kami masyadong lumalabas dahil mas wild ang mga reporters dito sa Pilipinas kumpara sa mga bansang tinuluyan namin noon. S'yempre ay big news nga naman na narito sa Pinas ang isang prinsipe.

"I talked to the president," that's what he said when I asked him how he managed to land safely and well, privately. Nailing na lamang ako roon. Hindi na nagulat na may koneksyon siya sa presidente ng bansa.

I'm just glad na hindi pa naman kami kinukuyog masyado ng mga reporters. Siguro'y nahahandle na iyon ng maayos ng mga bodyguards na dala ni Ephraim, pati ng security na pinadala ng presidente.

Although, stolen pictures of us are going over the social media platforms. Nag-trending pa nga iyon at napuri pa si Ephraim sa pagiging sweet kuno sa pag-punta sa Pilipinas para makasama ako.

It was really sweet of him, I won't deny that. Hindi ko inexpect na pupunta siya dito para sa pasko. And he even communicated with my parents.

His three days stay past like a second. Alam ko namang saglitan lamang iyon pero ang unfair talaga kasi tila sobrang bilis ng takbo ng oras kapag nag-eenjoy ka. Sometimes, I just wish I had the power to slow the time so we could have more time together.

I let out a soft sigh. Well, I should really get used to this. I'm sure there would be countless times that I had to say my farewell to him. After all, we lived in a different country.

"You seem quiet," puna ni Ephraim habang abala ako sa pag-luluto ng pinakapaborito niya daw na Pinoy food, sinigang.

This is the first time I'm going to cook for him. As in iyong hindi prito-prito lang na kagaya kapag nag-aalmusal kami. Madalas kasi kaming mag-order na lamang ng hapunan kaya ito ang unang beses na ipagluluto ko siya ng dinner.

Nang tiningala ko siya ay hindi ito nakatingin sa akin kun'di sa aking niluluto. Parang manghang-mangha siya sa ginagawa ko. Ang isang kamay niya ay nakahawak pa sa kanyang tiyan, tila gutom na gutom na.

Mahina akong natawa bago sinagot ang kanyang tanong. "I just feel a little sad lang kasi you're going home tomorrow..."

At least, you were able to spend time with him, I argued with myself.

His eyes turned to me. Pinagmasdan niya ako bago lumapit at ipadausdos ang kamay sa aking baywang. "I'll be back, ayi..."

"I know." I pouted. "Maybe I just can't get enough of you."