Sundered by Time (Manila Series #1)

Chapter 18

I woke up at exactly 5:30 AM because of the cold air. I looked at the air condition and it's freaking nineteen degrees celsius! I immediately adjusted it with the remote on the bedside.

The man beside me is sleeping peacefully. I got up and covered myself with a blanket other than my clothes. I pulled down the sweatshirt that I borrowed from Levi yesterday night, I went to the restroom to brush my teeth, wash my face and went to the balcony with a coffee mug in my hands. Maaga kaming natulog kagabi pagkatapos mag devotion.

I felt a hand placed on my waist. "Good morning," he smiled.

"Morning.." bati ko at naramdaman ang pagyakap niya sa akin mula sa likod.

We waited for the sun to rise, hanggang sa uminit ang tirik ng araw bago kami pumasok sa loob. Dumeretso siya sa kuwarto dahil may tumatawag sa phone niya habang ako naman ay sa couch pumuwesto, sumisimsim ng kape. He got back and sat beside me, putting his arms on my shoulder while he's on the phone.

Inalok ko siya ng kape kaya uminom siya habang nakikinig sa kausap. "Lichuaco, may I remind you that I am your cousin... not a secretary, you fucker."

Nagulat ako sa pagmumura niya kaya humarap na lamang ako sa TV. I felt Levi planting a kiss on the side of my head and pulling me closer. He whispered an apology then talked to someone on the other line.

"Do your thing. Busy ako."

I held on to his legs habang nakasandal sa kaniya nang bahagya kaya kumalma siya.

"Private. Bye."

When I glanced at him, he threw his phone on the coffee table and faced me.

"Achilles?" I asked na ikinatango niya.

Ubos ko na ang kape kaya nilapag ko rin ang baso sa mesang nasa harapan. Medyo inaantok pa ako at napansin niya iyon. Levi offered his shoulder pero tumanggi ako.

"He's asking me to send flowers. Traffic raw, baka ma-late ang delivery."

"To whom?"

He smirked. "Don't be jealous. Just someone from Ateneo, kaklase ni Lauren."

My mouth opened in awe.. Okay. So sila?

"It's Daisy and Yves, Lura, don't push me and make me a third wheel."

In those simple words, parang ang dami ko nang nalaman. He doesn't need to elaborate further, naintindihan ko na. It's their private matters anyway, it would be mean to ask for more information.

"Are you going to church?" I asked, it's Sunday today so I think he will...

"Yeah, are you planning to?"

I nodded, which made him smile and ask me if I have spare clothes that I brought or if we still need to go somewhere to get my clothes. Nag-isip ako sandali at hindi siya agad sinagot. I opened the television and picked a movie that's on his list. He just got out of the shower when he saw me on the couch.

"Kumain ka na? I told you that I already cooked, or do you want other foods?" he asked.

Tumingala ako sa banda niya. "It's family day.. Sunday so my family would be in church," I said, being bothered by something.

He looked composed. "Can I formally meet them?"

My eyes widened. I didn't see that coming. "Seryoso ka?!"

He was more shocked to see my reaction, kalaunan ay bahagyang natawa. "Lura, matagal na kitang gusto. Matagal ko nang gustong gawin 'to."

Levi looked around, as if he's pertaining to everything that's happening right now.