Saving Harper

Family 2.0

The last 2 days we were in Iceland, we did whale watching, city tour and another sea tour to see the icebergs. Dun sa whale watching I vomited sa boat and of course, sinama nanaman ni Xavier yun sa video jusko talaga. Buti nalang kami lang makakanood nito.

Tawa kami ng tawa when we started watching the clips sa airport while waiting for our flight heading back t home to be called. I didn't know Xavier was able to record my epic facial expressions about almost everything. "Am I really like this?" I wondered cringing my face. Alam ko naman yung sagot kasi nasabi na din yon sakin ni Franco.

"Hindi. Sa ibang tao isa lang expression mo. Passive borderline masungit. Ganyan kita kilala for the longest time. Isipin mo nalang kung gaano ko katagal hinintay na makita kang ngumiti." He kissed the side of my head.

I wondered how it would have been like if I had met Xavier sooner. Kung mas maaga syang napadpad sa area ko at napagkamalan kong assistant. Or if Franco introduced us dati pa. Would we be here where we are today? Or we would just run off course eventually? Would knowing Xavier sooner just make him another one of the things I pass up? Or marerealize ko din that I need him?

"I bet all the expressions you've elicited from me are worth it." I retorted rolling my eyes kahit di nya nakikita. "Everything about you is worth waiting for." Xavier's voice resounded contentment. It was like our "now" was all he could ever want. Hindi sya nagmamadali papunta doon sa point na babalik na ulit sya saakin nor he didn't seem to want to freeze time. He just wants to live it. With me.

I wish I could have the same "zen" he has about us eventually having thousands of miles between us. Just the thought of booking our flight for Hilda's wedding is enough to trigger a mental panic attack dahil it would also mean na aalis na si Xavier. I try to block that out so ang result wala parin kaming tickets to Boracay for the wedding.

"Sa condo ka ba magstay or uuwi ka?" I asked him hopefully as we waited for our luggages dun sa conveyor belt. We finally arrived Manila from our very long flight and medyo maaga pa. It was only 5:30pm. I was thinking we could stay in for dinner but if Xavier wants to go out ok lang din naman. I think I might have jet lag pero survivable naman yung dinner. Buti nalang Sunday pa lang bukas, may time pa kong maka adjust before pumasok sa office.

It's too clingy I know, but being back in Manila made me feel our remaining months quickly approaching. Okay, calm your nerves Harper. I only have to think about my plans I have yet to work on to follow him in Seattle para di ako magwala about him leaving. I don't think mag kakalayo kami ng matagal. I can also go to him sa Christmas and New Year, I'll be alone anyway because of the recent ties I've broken with my family. It would probably be the best Christmas I'll have if kasama ko si Xavier.

I took a mental note to list all the vacations I can take to go to him bago pa ko lumipat don. And I also have to think of how and when I should tell him of my plans. Depende on how absorbed he will be on his studies. If sobrang busy sya, I would need to tell him the earliest possible time para makapag prepare din naman sya. Or maybe I could tell him sa Christmas? Wait! What if I derail his plans there? What if he doesn't want me there??

Panic.

"About that, I was thinking we can stay sa bahay namin for tonight?" I shook my head to focus on what he said. Bahay. Not condo. "Bahay?" I asked him. I haven't been sa bahay nila. Of course I wanted to see kung saan nakatira si Xavier before sya nag sarili, but it would mean na makakasama ko ulit yung family nya. Di ko alam if my jet lagged self can manage to ruin the first impression I was able to make.

Not that I don't like his family. Quite the opposite actually especially with his lolo. I'm kinda apprehensive lang kasi I've only been with them once so I don't know if they even like me.