Love in Bangketa

34

After that night happened, it felt like Max and I became more connected with each other. Sa bawat pagdaan ding ng mga oras, I feel sadder, because malapit na rin akong umuwi.

I haven't told any of these yet to Max. It felt like I really owe him an explanation. Maybe, I should ask Elisa or Aezy about it? I was trying to practice kung paano ako kapag wala si Max sa tabi ko.

Mas lalo akong naging dependent sa kaniya.

"Hello, Max. Good morning," I answered the phone call from him.

It took him seconds before he greeted back. "Good morning, Xynnah. Tunog may sakit ka... ayos ka lang ba?" He asked in a concern and raspy voice. I think, kakagising niya lang.

Umubo ako bago pa ako makasagot sa kaniya. I think, he was right. I was feeling sick today. My head was throbbing... a little. Pero, sinisipon ako at inuubo. Fuck it. I used to hate this kind of feeling... of feeling weak na humihiga ka lang sa bed mo.

"I..." I sniffed. "... am okay, Max. Don't worry about me,"

Kahit hindi ko siya nakikita ngayon, nalalaman ko na kung paano kumukunot ang mga kilay nito ngayon pa lang. He would always remind me to be truthful to him, regardless the situation, kung saan ako kumportable.

And whenever I share my life with him, he never fails.

"Hindi ka okay, Xynnah. Gusto mong samahan kitang magpa check-up?" Aniya.

Any of the people in this house didn't know about Max and I, yet. Aside from Aezy, of course. I wanted to leave them curious. Most especially Tito Gerard. The more he gets to know things, the more he is likely to involve himself.

"Max... Rest lang kailangan ko. H-Huwag ka na mag.. alala," In between my words, it's either I will cough or sneeze.

For a week, I felt weak. Ganoon din ang pagka absent ko sa work ko. I thought, I would be fine, but no. Tito Gerard hasn't checked up on me, neither Auntie Roan. Only Aezy and Manang Tina.

"You should drink your meds now, Xynnah. For sure, kung si Max lang nagbabantay sa'yo, hindi ka aabot ng one week sa sakit mo," Aezy placed in front of me the breakfast she cooked.

"Good thing, hindi niya ako binabantayan," I replied in a weak voice. Aezy left my room for she was about to do some errands pa. I ate what she prepared for me and took a rest for a while.

Kagising ko, I was being bombarded with messages from Max. It was too late for me to realize that he was on the way now on to Tito Gerard's house. Tumunog ulit ang phone ko para ipakita ang message ni Max.

From: Max

xynnah, musta kana??

masama pa b pakiramdam mo?

ayaw mo ba talagang magpa check up??? samahan kita

xynnah??

otw na ako

Hindi ako nagpapanic dahil ayaw kong makita si Max, pero ayaw kong makita niya akong ganito! My hair was all messy! Kung may perfect messy hair bun, I don't know kung ano pang tawag dito sa hair ko!

Bago pa ako makababa, nakita ko na si Max... holding a... basket? Anong laman ng basket na 'yon?

Aezy diverted her gaze at me. "Pinapasok ko na siya, so both of you could talk. Baka namimiss mo lang kasi si Max kaya ka nilalagnat, Xynnah?" She teasingly asked.

Umiling na lamang ako. I chuckled. "That's impossible to miss him, I almost see him everyday, Aezy,"

Aezy mouthed "love birds" bago siya umakyat sa kwarto niya. Max looked at me. I induced a weak smile.

"I will understand if you won't court me na,"

Umupo ako sa sofa sa living room habang nakasukbit pa rin sa balikat ko ang malaki kong comforter. I looked like a fluff ball with this.

Nagkunot ang noo niya. "Bakit naman?" He, then, placed the basket of fruits in the table.

"I look ugly," I whispered.

Umiling siya. "Napakababaw na rason naman no'n, Xynnah, para itigil ko panliligaw ko sa'yo. Lagi ka namang maganda para sa'kin,"

"You can always be honest wit--"

"'Yun ang totoo, Xynnah, kaya huwag mo na akong kontrahin pa," Tumawa siya at kumuha ng apple sa basket. He went to the kitchen area to wash the apple. I watched him from the living room habang binabalatan niya ang apple at hinihiwa.

Bumalik siya ilang minutes pa lang at binuksan ko na ang TV, so we wouldn't be awkward. I didn't have the strength to open my mouth kahit gaano pa ako ka-arte.

"Apple tsaka orange. Kain ka nito para magka vitamins ka sa katawan," Aniya.

Sinunod ko siya at kumuha ng apple. He was staring at me lovingly. Gusto kong mahiya. He patted my head habang kumakain ako.

"What are you doing, Max?" I raised an eyebrow.

Tumawa siya. "Mukha kang pusa. Ang cute mo,"

Inilingan ko na lang siya at nanood kaming dalawa ng TV. Mabuti na lang at wala sina Tito Gerard for their three days vacation. My head was feeling light, so I put it on Max's shoulder.

He caressed my hair. "Masakit ba ulo mo?"

"Hmm," I replied. Thoughts were running in my head right now. Should I tell him na ba na malapit na akong umalis? What will happen to us if ever that day came? Will he stop courting me? Mawawalan na ba kami ng connection?

But, then again, as long as I could feel the necklace on my neck, feel ko connected pa rin kami saan man ako pumunta.

"Max..." I called him. "What if... umalis ako rito one day... anong gagawin mo?"

He held my hand. "Bakit? Aalis ka ba?"

That question almost broke my heart. "Ah... question lang naman. I wanted to know your reaction," I chuckled.

"Kung aalis ka... sobrang malulungkot ako," He sighed. "Wala na akong maaasar,"

Inangat ko ang ulo ko mula sa shoulders niya at tinapik siya sa braso. "You are always mean,"

Tumawa muli siya. "Kung aalis ka... malulungkot nga talaga ako. Parang sa buwan na nakasama kita, parang hindi ako sanay na wala ka sa tabi ko,"

"We have connection naman pa rin. We can use social media. We can call, text, or even video call,"

Lumungkot muli ang mukha niya. Maximo Colt Fablo. You are undeniably adorable. "Iba pa rin kapag kasama kita. Kapag nakikita kita nang personal. Bakit? Aalis ka ba, Xynnah?"

Pinisil ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa'kin. Even him, questioning kung aalis ba ako, hurt me the most. Max made me feel things again. Sa 19 years ko, I felt numb.

But, Max regained it all.

"Hindi..." I smiled. He smiled back. Dinantay ko ulit ang ulo ko sa kaniya.

"... pa," I whispered, but enough for him not to hear it hanggang sa makatulog na ako sa balikat niya.