Good Riddance (DS #2)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12:

The Paternal Issue

KALAGITNAAN ng hatinggabi ay naririnig pa ang hagikgik at bungisngis ni Blair. Like always, she's happily talking to her boyfriend over the phone.

May kinukuwento kasi si Jack tungkol sa pamilya nito nang gabing iyon. It was very funny and entertaining.

"Your family knows no drama," she commented after the story. "Things are not complicated. Bonus pa na ang comedy niyo palagi."

"Nag-aaway away din kami dito. Nagkakatampuhan. We are not perfect," depensa naman ni Jack.

"Yes. But you're still happy! I want that kind of family, remember?" Napatingin siya sa picture frame na nasa ibabaw ng dresser niya. Larawan lang nilang mag-ina 'yon. That's the only "complete" family picture she can get for now. "Naiinggit talaga ako..."

"H-Hey... you're turning sad every time I talk about my family... H-Hindi ko na lang ba sila ikukuwento?" marahang tanong ni Jack. "I... I don't want you sad like that."

"No, Jacquin! I like hearing stories about your family," tanggi naman ni Blair. "Gusto ko ngang naririnig iyon. And I'm not sad! I'm happy for you! Because when we get married, I will be part of your family naman, hindi ba?"

"M-Married?"

Tumango siya kahit hindi siya nakikita nito. "Yes! Hindi ba tayo magpapakasal kapag mas matanda na tayo?"

Napatikhim ito. "G-Gusto mong m-magpakasal s-sa'kin?" parang hindi ito makapaniwala.

Natawa tuloy siya. "What a question, babe!!! Of course I do! I want us to last forever, Jack."

Tumagilid si Blair nang higa at tinitigan ang hairclip na bigay ni Jack. Laging nakapatong iyon sa bedside table para hindi niya makalimutang isuot.

"Can't you imagine me with you in the future?" seryosong tanong niya rito.

"I always do, Blair..." mahinang sagot naman nito. "I just don't know if you'd still want me that long..."

"Ha? Bakit?"

"I-I don't know. They say you can still meet better guys in college..."

"Hindi na 'ko magiging interested kasi boyfriend na kita, eh. Hindi ba sabi mo, love is a commitment? So, I'm going to keep on choosing you!"

Hindi ito sumagot.

"Jack?"

"Still here."

She pouted. "Won't you keep on choosing me?"

"Ahm... choosing is only if you have options. So..."

Napakunot-noo siya. "So?"

"I don't have to choose you..." masuyo nitong sabi. "You're not an option. You are the only option for me... Because it's you or no one at all, Blair. "

Napakurap-kurap si Blair. Pagkatapos ay nagpagulong-gulong siya sa kama. "Jack!!!"

"W-Why?" parang nataranta ito sa tili niya.

"You are so sweet, babe! Kunwari ka pang hindi nagbabasa ng mga romance novels pero parang bida ka doon kung magsalita!"

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam nang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ni Blair. At sa bawat tibok, ay mainit na pakiramdam ang namumuo sa dibdib niya. And that warmth is very comforting...