Exactly 7 PM, nandiyan na siya sa baba. As usual, my phone rang together with my doorbell. Kausap ko siya habang pababa ako ng hagdan, hanggang sa palabas ng bahay. I kissed Callia on top of her head first before going out. There, my boyfriend is leaning on his car.
He was wearing a dark blue button-down polo, sleeves folded up to his elbows, and dark gray slacks paired with black shoes. His silver chain necklace is hanging on his neck, the wrist watch I gave is there, too. And.. damn, his smile, it completed his total look.
"You look beautiful." He said before kissing my forehead. Damn, my heart flinched.
"Let's go." He opened the door for me before he sat on the driver's seat.
"How's your day?" I asked on our way. He just glanced at me before smiling.
"Stressful, as usual, but still manageable." He gave me a reassuring smile.
"Nakakatulog ka pa ba nang maayos? You look stressed, but still handsome." I caressed his chin for a second.
"I'm planning to take a leave for a week." He glanced at me again. My brows furrowed with what he said.
The last time he took a week-leave was his trip to Bicol. Magta-travel na naman ba siya?
"One week? That's a long day off, para saan naman?" I tilted my head a little.
"I'm still planning, hindi ko pa sigurado kung matutuloy." He brushed his index finger on his lips, trying to hide his smirk.
"Bakit 'di mo pa sigurado?" I turned to him, getting confused and curious now.
"Come with me?" He offered me his hand while smiling in front of him.
Shocks, I didn't expect that!
"Wh-What?" Gulat na ko niyan.
"It's a yes or no question, love." He chuckled.
"Of course.. of course, yes!" I held his hand that he was offering to me. His smile widened before placing a soft kiss at the back of my hand.
Shit, my heart, soul, mind, sanity, jumped.
"Ngayon sigurado na ako." He smiled at me first before putting his gaze back to the road.
Sa buong byahe, hawak niya lang ang kamay ko. Pakiramdam ko ligtas ako dahil nariyan siya, dahil hawak niya ako. I can't of any safer place than the one beside him.
"We're here." He said.
Lumabas na kami at mula sa parking lot, maliwanag na ilaw ang sumalubong sa amin. Hindi ko alam nasaan na kami pero ang ganda ng lugar. Nasa isang open field restaurant kami. May mga food stalls sa gilid at sa gitna naman ang mga tables and chairs, sa dulo ng lugar ay may mini stage kung saan may tumutugtog ng gitara habang kumakanta.
"Wow, ang ganda dito." I said while still roaming my eyes around the place, lips parted a little.
"What do you want to have?" He asked after pulling a seat backwards for me, he then sat in front of me.
"Hmmm, I want.. pesto and pepper steak!" I exclaimed after a few seconds of thinking, like I just had a brilliant idea.
"Pesto and pepper steak, noted. I'll go get our food." He nodded before smiling.
I just stayed there, watching the performer on the mini stage while waiting for him. Ang ganda ng lugar, maraming tao, and maaliwalas ang hangin. Plus, mapuno pa ang paligid at marami na ang mga bituin sa langit. Such a peaceful surrounding to have dinner.
"Here you go, ma'am." He placed each plate on our table. Hindi pa siya naupo agad dahil nag-order pa siya ng drinks, red iced tea lang ang sa akin. Ilang minuto lang rin ay nakabalik na siya.
"Let's eat, shall we?" He gestured to the food on the table. He got himself some grilled chicken with vegetables like lettuce, cherry tomatoes, onion rings, and a garlic mayo dip beside it, as well as an iced pineapple juice for his drink.
Habang kumakain, napansin kong unti-unting nagiging maulap ang langit. Sana naman ay hindi kami abutan ng ulan. Maya't-maya kong tinitingala 'yung langit dahil sa nagbabadyang ulan.
"Busog?" He gave me a sweet smile when we finished our dinner.
"Busug." I answered like a kid. He just pinched my nose a little before turning to the new performer. Isang grupo ng mga lalaki na ngayon ang nasa stage, more like a band, I guess?
I reached for his hand on top of the table and squeezed it a little. Napatingin siya doon at napangiti.
"Something wrong?" He raised his two brows while asking.
"Nothing, love." I returned it with a reassuring smile.
"May gusto ka pa bang order-in?" Tanong niya. I shook my head to answer no.
"Wala na, busug na." I crunched my nose which made him chuckle.
"Okay, just tell me if you want anything." He smiled before squeezing my hand, then turning to the performers.
We enjoyed the shows, ang daming kumanta at nangharana ng mga guests. Dylan even ordered some snacks to enjoy while watching. After almost an hour, we decided to go home.
Nasa parking lot na kami nang bigla akong mag-crave sa potato cheese balls na nakita ko sa katabing table namin kanina. Tumigil muna ako sa paglalakad kaya napatigil din si Dylan.
"Love, can we go back there?" I shook his arm lightly.
"Bakit? May naiwan ka ba doon?" He glanced at the restaurant.
"I suddenly want some potato cheese balls, nakita ko 'yun kanina dun sa babaeng katabi natin ng table." I pouted.
"Pota cheese balls, noted." He nodded before placing a soft kiss on the top of my head.
"Intayin mo na lang ako sa kotse, ako na ang oorder." He said before giving me his car key, then leaving.
So I did, I waited for him inside his car. Binuksan ko pa ang bintana ko para makita siya nang mas malinaw. I was patiently waiting for him there until suddenly.. it rained.
Ang daming tao ang nagtakbuhan dahil sa biglaang paglakas ng ulan. kanya-kanya silang naghanap ng masisilungan. Ang iba naman ay naglalakad na parang wala lang ang ulan.
Shit, si Dylan.
Bababa na sana ako nang makita ko siyang tumatakbo na pabalik sa akin, hawak ang isang basang plastic bag sa isa niyang kamay. Basang-basa na ang damit niya, ang isang kamay niya lang ang pansangga niya sa ulan.
I immediately closed the window and turned off the car aircon before turning to him who was now seated at the driver's seat, all wet.
"Love, bakit di ka muna naghanap ng masisilungan? Look, you're all wet!" I gestured him his clothes.
"I'm sorry, I was already on my way back when it poured." He gave me the plastic bag he was holding.
He turned to the backseat to look for something. After a few seconds, he was already holding a white towel and a maroon shirt. One by one, he unbuttoned his polo, I immediately looked away.
Shit, hindi pala ako makaiwas ng tingin.
He took off his dress shirt and wiped himself with the towel. His pants are not that wet, though, thank goodness. Hindi ko na alam kapag pati ayan ay nabasa ng ulan. I silently cursed myself when I even surveyed his topless body.
Damn, ngayon pa talaga ha?
Matapos punasan ang sarili, sinuot na niya ang shirt na galing sa backseat. Tinutuyo na niya ngayon ang buhok niya kaya inagaw ko sa kanya 'yung towel at pinaharap siya sakin. Ako ang nagpatuyo ng buhok niya.
"Kita mo na ginawa mo, baka magkasakit ka pa niyan." Sabi ko. Nakatitig lang siya sa akin habang pinupunasan ko ang buhok niya.
"Sorry na." He pouted like a kid. I chuckled before scrunching my nose while caressing his chin. He chuckled at what I did.
"Uwi na tayo." He urged me with a nod.
"Okay, sige na." I said after finishing wiping his hair. I put it back on the backseat together with his wet polo.
Bumiyahe na kami pauwi, gabi na rin masyado. Medyo tumila na ang ulan pero may onting ambon pa rin. Habang nagmamaneho, napapansin ko ang mangilan-ngilan niyang pagbahing. Namumula na rin ang ilong at tainga niya.
"Are you feeling well? Kanina ka pa bahing ng bahing." I caressed his chin, he rested it on my hand gently.
"Just a little." His nose crunched a little.
"Can I stay the night at your house?" I asked out of a sudden. Gulat siyang napatingin sa akin bago ibinalik ang tingin sa kalsada.
"O-Oo naman." Parang hindi naman?
"I'll make a soup for you. Maligo ka pagkauwing-pagkauwi mo, okay?" I showed him an 'okay' sign.
"Okay, ma'am." He gestured an 'okay' sign too.
It took us almost an hour before arriving in front of his house. Ako na ang nagbukas ng gate para mapasok niya ang kotse niya sa loob. Pagbaba niya, sabay na kaming pumasok sa loob. Sinalubong kaagad kami ng excited na si Xavier.
It's not my first time entering his house but I don't understand why I feel a little nervous right now.
"Hello, baby boy." I patted on top of his head.
"I'll just go take a shower, love." He leaned in to give me a soft kiss on the temple before going upstairs.
Xavier followed me from behind when I went to the kitchen. I got the ingredients from the fridge before cooking some soup for him. I didn't know how much time was spent, but he was already watching me from the entrance of his kitchen when I looked there.
He was now wearing a plain white shirt and black sweatpants. Wala na siyang accessories sa katawan at bagsak na ang buhok niya. Pinupunasan niya pa rin ang buhok niya gamit ang isang puting tuwalya.
Ang gwapo niya lalo, jusko.
"Upo ka na, malapit na 'to matapos." I said after facing him. He just smiled before walking closer to where I am.
"Thanks, love." He wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. He let go after a few seconds, then took a seat in front of the countertop.
I poured some soup on a bowl and placed it in front of him. He smiled before getting a spoonful and gently blowing on it, it's still burning hot. While he was eating, I noticed his red ears. I gently placed the back of my hand on his forehead to check on his temperature, he was stunned for a moment.
May sinat siya.
I stood up and searched for some tablets in his medicine kit. Mabuti na lang at mayroon siyang paracetamol and tablets for colds. Kinuha ko iyon at ibinigay sa kanya, ininom niya iyon pagkatapos kumain.
"Can you take the day-off tomorrow? May sinat ka." I carefully said. He just gave me a reassuring smile before shaking his head.
"Pahinga lang 'to, then okay na. I have something important to attend tomorrow." He said.
"Are you sure?" I asked, worried.
"Yes, ma'am, sure." He gently nodded.
I went home first to fetch Callia, doon na rin siya matutulog dahil wala siyang kasama rito. When she got there, Xavier welcomed her with an excited wagging tail.
I went upstairs and took a bath while Dylan was busy playing with the pups. I do not have to worry about anything, though, I already have clothes, essentials, and skin care products at his house.
I just wore a simple plain white shirt and black sweat pants, matching his. Hindi namin 'to binili nang magkasama, nagkapareho lang talaga kami. I blow dried my hair before going down to him. I immediately smiled when I saw them three.
He was already resting his head on the backrest of the couch while hugging the two pups that are on his both sides. The three of them are now sleeping, cuties.
I carried Callia and sat beside him, placing Callia on my lap. Naalimpungatan siguro siya kaya napamulat, sa akin agad napatingin.
"Hey." He greeted me, still looking sleepy.
"Tulog na tayo?" I gave him a small smile.
"Okay." He carried Xavier and stood up. We kissed them good night first before gently putting them down on their beds, Callia also has her stuff here.
Halos pareho lang kami ng ayos ng bahay. He has his master's bedroom all by himself, a study room and a walk-in closet. There are some drawers for his ties, wrist watches, and even hankies. His overall furniture was in colors dark gray, dark blue, and brown, very manly.
"Take some rest, okay?" I said when the two of us laid down on the bed.
"Yes, ma'am." He smiled before plotting a soft kiss on my forehead, then hugging me.
Ang braso niya ang naging unan ko at pagkalipas lang ng ilang minuto, nakatulog na kaming dalawa.
I woke up the next morning still wrapped around his arms. He was still sleeping so I just placed a soft kiss on his lips before slowly getting out of his embrace. When I checked on the time, it was just 5:39 AM so I let him sleep for a few more minutes.
When I went down, Callia and Xavier excitedly went to me. I kissed them good morning first before heading to the kitchen. I decided to cook canned tuna and added some cabbage and onions in it. Inayusan ko na rin ang dalawang bulinggit na kanina pa ako pinapanood sa kusina.
Good thing he have some loaf from his dining table so the tuna have something to pair with. I used his coffee maker to brew some coffee beans. Aakyat na sana ako para gisingin siya pero nakasalubong ko siya sa hagdan.
"Good morning, feeling better now?" I smiled. He returned the same smile before wrapping his arm on my waist.
"Yes, ma'am, good morning, too." He then kissed me on my temple, I giggled.
"Let's eat? Breakfast is ready." I pulled him to the countertop to where our breakfast was prepared.
"Good morning, babies." Natuwa naman ako. Lumuhod siya at inamo-amo ang dalawa niyang alaga, tuwang-tuwa rin naman ang dalawa.
The four of us ate breakfast altogether. After eating, naligo na siya at nag-ayos para sa trabaho. Ako naman ay nagligpit sa lahat ng pinagkainan namin. 'Yung dalawang bulinggit ay naglalaro na sa may living room.
"Can you stay here until tomorrow?" He asked when he was about to leave for work.
"Sure." I smiled.
"Thanks, uuwi ako kaagad sayo pagkatapos ng trabaho." He happily kissed me on my forehead before finally going.
I spent the next hours playing with the babies, watching some series, and cleaning his house. He called during lunchtime saying that he is on his way to Quezon for some business meeting.
I was already cleaning the side table inside his bedroom when I saw a velvet box from the cabinet. I got a little curious so I picked it up. The velvet box had a small carving with Japanese characters that I couldn't understand.
When I opened the box, I saw a golden necklace with a locket-style heart pendant. It also had some Japanese characters carved on it. I opened the locket and saw some pictures in it.
Hindi ko na alam ano ang iisipin, napaupo na lang ako sa kama niya. Para akong nanlambot nang makita kung sino ang nasa litrato sa locket.. hindi ako pwedeng magkamali.
And then suddenly, a tear fell from my eye while looking directly at the picture inside the locket. I don't understand..
It was a baby picture of me..
and my mother beside it.