The Perfect Tandem

Kabanata 30

#ThePerfectTandemWP | 30

Boss:

Where are you?

Answer the phone!

Aleera!

Please answer, wife.

32 missed calls.

I typed a reply.

Aleera: You know where I am today.

After a few minutes, nakita ko ang sasakyan niya sa malayo.

Nang makalapit siya ay hinalikan ako sa noo. Hingal hingal pa siya at niyakap ako. "God, you made me so worried."

I smiled apologetically. "Sorry."

We both faced my mother's stone. It was her death anniversary.

His hand made its way to my waist.

"Next time, tell me where you are going or what you're doing. You have my child, Aleera."

Hindi ko siya pinansin. I caressed it and removed some of the small leaves.

"Don't you miss your mom, Thanatos?" I asked. His gaze felt heavier.

"I do." Pareho kaming ulila sa ina. Ang pinagkaiba, he was young when her mom went ill. I lost mine before working for him. I couldn't imagine not having my mom as I grow up. Kaya siguro ganun na lang ka-mature si Thanatos, lalo na't panganay.

"They didn't even got to see their grandchild." With that, his hand reached my stomach. It felt... heartwarming.

"I will protect the both of you with all my life," he kisses my forehead.

We watched as the flames of the candle blew into the wind as if telling us everything will be fine.

Ma, this is my child and my husband.

I wish to keep them forever.

~•~

We went to Jollibee afterwards para kumain. We didn't have anywhere else to go, so umuwi na lang kami. Thankfully, walang urgent ngayon sa trabaho kaya pwede kaming mag-off for today.

Nasa king-sized bed kami ngayon at ang ulo ko ay nakapatong sa matigas na tiyan niya. His hand is playing with my fingers.

The butterflies on my stomach has no plans to keep still, apparently.

"Nakailang girlfriend ka na?" natigilan siya.

"I don't remember, Aleera. Don't ask. Ayokong mag-away tayo." masungit niyang sagot.

Inirapan ko siya. "Away agad? Tinatanong ko lang."

"Ilan nga?" kulit ko pa.

"Hindi ko matandaan. But I've never had girlfriends after I graduated college. It's all.. no strings attached." sagot niya na para bang nag-iingat.

"In LaSalle? Playboy, naks. Bat mo sila ginirlfriend?"

"I don't know... for passing fancy I guess. Hindi naman tumatagal."

"Why?"

"They usually find the relationship boring. Hindi daw ako sweet, galante, or badboy type. Lagi silang galit na may hindi ako ginagawa. I find them demanding so I usually end it."

Napahalakhak ako sa kwento niya. Hari talaga! Ayaw mag-effort.

"Eh bakit mo pa inaya maging girlfriend kung ayaw mo mag-effort? Papasok ka sa relasyon, di mo naman mapanindigan."