Rule no. 1: Don't Fall In Love

Chapter 19

"We'll go hiking, love." Sambit ni Vermone pagkatapos maligo.

"So... we'll do our bucket list number seven, huh?" I smiled.

"Uh-hmm."

Since hiking... Magsusuot ako ng... maong shorts? or leggings? or... I don't know! I still want to look fashionable dahil mag pi-picture taking kami.

I'll just wear this Nike legging and my sando. I did a high ponytail and will just wear my rubber shoes. As I got out of the bathroom, I saw my husband wearing shorts and a simple white shirt. Kasalukuyang nagsusuot ng rubber shoes ngayon.

Bumiyahe na rin kami at nang makarating ay naisipan na mag lunch muna. We're currently in Mt. Bahile.

"10 minute rest then we'll go up na." Bilin ko dahil excited na 'ko umakyat.

Dala ko ang bato kung saan naka-engrave ang mga name initials namin.

"Baby, be careful." Bilin ni Vermone saakin.

May kasama kaming professional na taga-guide namin. Hindi alam ni Vermone kung puwesto ba s'ya sa harap ko o likod pero ending dahil may tao naman sa harap ko ay sa likod ko pumwesto si Vermone.

After minutes of hiking ay napagod ako ng todo. Uminom ako ng tubig at inabot na rin kay Vermone 'yon. Imbes na magpunas naman s'ya ng sariling pawis ay mas inuna pa 'kong punasan ng pawis.

"It's pretty here!" Sambit ko nang makarecover kaagad sa pagod. We're surrounded by greens! I love nature.

Syempre, picture taking. Mabuti na lang din at may kasama kami kaya ayon may taga picture saamin. Binigyan na lang ni Vermone ng money.

"Where will we place it?" Tanong ko sa kaniya.

"Hm? I... don't know..." Nagtingin-tingin din s'ya sa paligid.

Linagay na lang namin sa isang puwesto ang bato at pinicture-an na lang. Kung sakaling... babalik ako at s'ya ay may palatandaan. Mawala 'man, it's fine. Kung hindi, baka magdulot ito ng sakit at saya.

I sat down to take a rest for a bit. Umupo rin si Vermone sa tabi ko kaya isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa balikat n'ya.

I love you, Vermone.

"Where should we go next?" Tanong n'ya habang pinaglalaruan ang mga daliri ko.

I looked at our outfits at mukhang 'di s'ya fit sa kung ano puntahan namin.

"Let's rest first sa house. We still have a lot of time ahead, Ver." Sagot ko.

Yup, 11 days left to be exact.

"When is your birthday?"

"April... 14." Mahinang sagot ko.

"Malapit na." Vermone smiled.

I smiled, too. "Ikaw?"

"July 14..."

Oh, wow...

We took last minute selfie until It's time to go down. Pagbaba ay bumiyahe na kami kaagad pabalik sa beach house nila Vermone. I took a quick bath because I want to take a dip on the jacuzzi. I wore my one piece and just relaxed.

My eyes were just closed the whole time until I felt Vermone taking a dip, too. He's topless and was just wearing his beach short.

"I..." I was about to say it... Muntikan na 'yon.

"What?"

"I... think you're handsome." Palusot ko kaya natawa s'ya.

"Well, I think you're very beautiful, Adelia." He smiled and I felt that his smile were very sincere.

I think... I should talk about the divorce??? Is it the right time or...

"What are you thinking, baby?"

Damn him. Really... His soft voice always calms me.

"About our divorce." I seriously said.

Minumura ko ang sarili ko dahil nahalata yata ang sakit na nararamdaman ko.

"Don't think about it please..." Lumapit s'ya sa'kin at yinakap ako habang nakaluhod s'ya sa tubig dahilan para mapasandal ulo n'ya sa tiyan ko.

I love you so much, Vermone... And it really hurts.

"Maybe... in another life-"

"Shush. Please, Adelia, Baby, I don't want anymore of these talks first, okay?" Putol n'ya saakin at umangat na ng kaunti sa tubig dahilan para magpantay ang mga mukha namin. "Don't think about it please..." Umiiling s'ya at yinakap ako.

Why are you doing this, Vermone? I'm just loving you more and more... I hate you so much...

I hugged him tighter not wanting him to let go of me. I kissed him while praying to God na sana kahit sa gano'n na paraan ay maramdaman n'ya na mahal ko s'ya... na ayaw ko siyang mawala saakin... na gusto ko habang buhay kami magkasama...

Our kisses were full of love. We're not hyped up to have s*x for some reason but our kisses were on fire... maybe because of love? Or I'm just assuming it because... I love him.

This kiss was full of my love and pain.

He whispered something that I didn't understand.

"What is it?" Pinapaulit ko pero iling lang s'ya nang iling at yinakap ako.

And now... I'm hyped up... He kissed my forehead at tumayo sa tubig. He held out his hand kaya nagtaka ako.

"Let's cuddle, baby... please." He pouted.

Tumango ako kaagad at tumayo na sa jacuzzi. We both dried ourselves up and here we are cuddling on the bed.

"Will you immediately go back to work after this Palawan trip?" He asked me.

"Hm? Yeah, I also need to help Kyla with our business."

"Parang gusto ko pa extend ang honeymoon natin, Adelia..." Bulong n'ya at natawa ako nang bahagya.

"Noong una parang ayaw mo 'ko kasama ngayon naman ayaw mo na 'ko iwanan." Tuloy-tuloy kong sabi.

He hugged me tighter and I did not hear a word from him.

Vermone... is this still all a show?

Kasi kung puro palabas mo lang ang lahat ay tigilan mo na 'ko... Matagal na 'kong talo... Mahal na mahal na kita, Ver. I don't know what to feel when it's time for us to leave each other.

God knows how much I wanted to say "I love you" to you.

"Ver..." Tawag ko sa kaniya.

"Hm?"

"Salamat..."

He withdrew a bit from his tight hug so we could see each other. His hand was over my waist and his other arm was brushing my hair.

"Salamat saan?" Kunot noong tanong n'ya.

I stared at his beautiful eyes. "Thank you for treating me the best while we're together. I don't know if that's the "best" already but I felt so special as a wife and person. Thank you for taking care of me in this short time. Thank you for letting me experience your "husband" type..." I chuckled painfully.

Tears formed in my eyes, betraying my mind. I don't want to show him that I'm hurt.

"Hey, Adelia, baby..." He kissed my forehead then the side of my eyes. Dahilan kung saan tumulo na ang luha ko.

He immediately wiped my escaped tears using his thumb.

"Don't say those..." His voice cracked. "Things... You're like saying goodbye to me..."

"But we are soon-"

"What if I don't want that divorce anymore?" Seryosong tanong n'ya bigla na ikinataka ko. "What if I want to stay married to you, hm?"

"Stop playing with me, Vermone... Why? Did you break our rule?" Taas kilay kong tanong dahil naguguluhan ako sa kaniya.

I was hoping that he loves me but a part of me thinks that he doesn't really love me. But since I'm the only one he's with, his attention was directed to me and he's only fond of me, not love me.

"No..." He whispered and hugged me.

Ang sakit n'on... Ang sakit...

My tears were betraying me. They kept falling until I was sobbing on Vermone's chest and he just kept calming me down.

"Stop crying, please... Why are you even crying? Hm? Please, tell me your thoughts... Stop crying..." Pagpapakalma ni Vermone saakin.

Umiiling lang ako at mas yinakap na si Vermone.

Ang sakit-sakit na mag panggap.

Ang sakit-sakit mag panggap na hindi kita mahal pero ang totoo mahal na mahal kita.

"Shh..." Sambit ni Vermone na parang hinehele ako.

"There's goes my heart beating... 'Cause you are the reason..." Panimulang kanta n'ya. "I'm losing my sleep... Please come back now."

Ang malamig na boses ni Vermone ang tanging naririnig ko ngayon na nakakapagpakalma saakin.

"And there goes my mind racing... And you are the reason... That I'm still breathing... I'm hopeless now."

Am I really the reason, Vermone?

"I'd climb every mountain... And swim every ocean... Just to be with you... And fix what I've broken... Oh, 'cause I... need... you... to... see... That you are the reason..."

Hearing his low and beautiful voice calmed me down. I stopped crying and just hugged him tighter. I buried my face on his chest and while he's singing, I can feel the vibrations on his chest.

I closed my eyes and cherished this moment. My husband is singing to me... I will keep this in my heart... forever, my love.

"My heart keeps bleeding... I need you now... And if I could turn back the clock. I'd make sure the light defeated the dark... I'd spend every hour, of every day... Keeping you safe."

"And I'd climb every mountain... And swim every ocean... Just to be with you... And fix what I've broken..."

My heart is broken, Vermone...

"Oh, 'cause I need you to see... That you are the reason..."

"Come back I need you to hold me... Come a little closer... I need you to hold me tonight..."

He just kept singing until I fell asleep in his arms.

I woke up and saw Vermone sleeping, too. I looked at the time and saw that it's almost 9 P.M. Nagugutom na 'ko... Medyo hirap akong buksan mata ko dahil mugto galing sa iyak kanina.

Magkaharap mukha namin ngayon. I caressed his cheek and smiled a bit.

I love you so much.

I kissed his lips softly and a lot of times. Mayamaya lang ay dumilat na mata ni Vermone. Medyo hirap siyang buksan mata n'ya dahil sa muta na namuo sa mata n'ya.

He smiled a bit and hugged me tighter.

I chuckled a bit. I looked up and faced him and gave him a peck of kisses. He chuckled dahil siguro sa kalambingan ko. Umibabaw ako sa kaniya which made him hitched his breath.

I kissed his forehead, his nose, his cheeks, his lips repeatedly.

He now laughed softly.

"Baby..." He's smiling now.

I smiled back. I will show you how much I love you because I can't say it.

Bago pa s'ya magsalita ay binigyan ko kaagad s'ya ng mabilis na halik sa labi n'ya dahilan para matawa na s'ya.

"You clingy wife... I love that. Gano'n mo na lang ako gisingin palagi." He whispered and kissed my lips.

"Ayaw ko nga." Pagtanggi ko kahit gano'n balak ko araw-araw.

Natawa s'ya sa sinabi ko. He grunted frustratedly tila na-stress sa pagtanggi ko and he laughed. Yinugyog n'ya 'ko at s'ya naman ang lumambing ngayon kaya natawa ako.

"I'll cook our dinner, Ver." Paalam ko na.

"What will you cook?"

"Adobong mamantika."

"What's that?"

"Adobo na imbes masabaw ay mamantika. Masarap ihalo sa kanin 'yon, Verlou." Sambit ko pero naguguluhan pa rin s'ya. "First time hearing it?"

"Yeah, I'm excited. But cuddle me more." He hugged me at natatawang pinalo ko naman ang hita niyang pumatong kaagad saakin.

"I need to cook, Ver! It's 9:00 P.M already! We need to eat."

Pinakawalan na rin n'ya 'ko mula sa yakap kahit kitang-kita ko na labag sa kalooban n'ya. I went to the bathroom for a quick shower. Paglabas ko ng banyo ay nakapagshower na rin si Vermone.

Sabay na kaming lumabas sa kwarto at nagluto na 'ko ng dinner namin. Si Vermone naman ay nagsaing.

Mabuti pa s'ya ay naaaliw panoorin ako magluto samantalang si Kyla ay ayaw akong samahan para daldalan 'man lang!

"Dinner is ready!" Excited kong sabi at binaba na sa table.

Ginawa ni Vermone ang inutos ko na magsabaw ng mantika sa kanin. Kahit parang unhealthy sa tingin n'ya ay ginawa n'ya. Unang tikim naman n'ya ay nagustuhan n'ya.

"I'm so lucky na ang sarap mo magluto." Puri n'ya at dinagdagan bigla ang mantika sa kanin.

Natawa ako sa kinilos n'ya. I'm happy that he loved every single of my cooking.

"What do you want to do tonight?"

Tanong n'ya nang natapos na s'ya maghugas ng pinggan.

"Eat me." Biro ko pero ngumisi s'ya.

"Would love that." He whispered hotly and immediately scooped my butt.

Pinalo ko s'ya. "Joke lang!" Bawi ko dahilan para matawa s'ya. "Uhm... Maybe watch a movie? Tell me stories of your high school life... OH! I want that! Ver, I want that! Tell me your high school story!" Yinugyog ko pa ang braso n'ya.

Natawa s'ya sa kakulitan ko at tumango. Dahil tinatamad na kami lumabas ay nahiga na lang ulit kami sa kwarto at doon na lang daw n'ya sisimulan ang kuwento.

"Well... I'm a quiet kid, Adelia." Panimula n'ya.

"Halata." Kumento ko kaagad at kumunot noo n'ya. I smiled and kissed him at nawala na ang pagkunot. "Continue," I smiled.

"I studied at North University."

"North Univ!" I said, surprisingly. "Hindi ba all-boys school 'yon?" Tanong ko kahit alam ko.

Tumango s'ya. "Yeah, all-boys school."

"Eh?! I'm surprised na hindi ka naging bakla." I smirked and he looked at me darkly.

Natawa ako dahil mukhang naasar s'ya pero paunti-unti ay natawa na rin s'ya.

"May naging crush ka noong high school?" Tanong ko.

"Meron." He smirked.

Napahawak ako sa bibig ko dahil sa gulat.

"It's not a boy!" Agap n'ya dahilan para matawa ako nang bongga. "She's from... International East University."

That's my school! Kumunot noo ko.

"That's where I studied high school... Sino naging crush mo?" Taas kilay kong tanong.

"I did not know her name." He shrugged na parang walang pakialam.

Naningkit mata ko. "But if you knew her name... You'll date her?" Mataray kong tanong.

He smirked. "Yeah,"

Naiinis ako. He looked at me. Nang makita ang itsura ko ay parang namangha s'ya. Natawa s'ya nang kaunti at yinakap ako.

"Taga North Univ ka pero ba't napadpad ka sa IEU?"

"Nag tour kami roon bago mag college."

"Hmp, Mabuti na lang at 'di kita nakita." Pagtatampo ko.

Iniisip ko tuloy kung sino nakita niyang babae at naging crush n'ya?

Natawa s'ya. Anong nakakatawa, Vermone?

"Baby..." Paglalambing n'ya. "It's just a crush..."

"But you'll date her. Sana pala inalam mo pangalan."

Natawa s'ya ngayon. His laugh was like a beast who roared. Tuwang tuwa s'ya ngayon.

"Sana nga..." He smirked.

"Ayaw ko na malaman kuwento mo." Mabilis akong tumalikod sa kaniya at mas natawa s'ya.

"Baby... Adelia... C'mon." Suyo n'ya at yinakap ako.

"Maganda ba s'ya?" I asked bitterly.

"Sobra."

Mas nag-init ulo ko. "'Wag mo 'kong kausapin." Inaalis ko na ang kamay n'ya sa bewang ko.

Nakakairita lalo nang mas hinigpitan n'ya ang yakap n'ya sa'kin habang tawa nang tawa sa inaasta ko. Anong nakakatawa, Vermone Louisse?

I suddenly remember someone.

"Ako rin may naging crush noong high school." Pagsisinungaling ko.

"At bakit hindi mo nabanggit saakin 'yan noong nagpakuwento ako sa'yo?"

"Bakit ko sasabihin? May asawa na 'ko. What's the sense?"

Nakakairita ang tawa n'ya.

"Sa guest room ka matutulog ngayon." Mariin kong bilin at yinakap n'ya 'ko lalo.

"Baby naman..."

"Kung ayaw mo ay ako ang matutulog sa guest room!" Akmang aalis ako ay sinamantala n'ya na mas malakas talaga s'ya saakin sa pisikal kaya umibabaw ngayon s'ya saakin.

He pinned both my arms on the top of my head.

Napalunok ako sa posisyon namin ngayon.

"Sinong asawa mo?" Seryosong tanong n'ya.

"I-ikaw..."

"Sinong asawa ko?" He smiled a little.

"Tss." Umirap ako.

"Sagutin mo, Adelia. Sinong asawa ko?"

"Bakit may iba ka bang asawa at hindi mo alam?"

Kumunot noo n'ya. He bit his lower lip to stop himself from smiling.

"How do you always turn the f*****g tables..." Bulong n'ya. Hinalikan n'ya ako nang mariin. "My wife is Adeline Thania Cruz-Collins... My one and only."

My heart got tickled at that.

"Dapat ako lang maganda sa paningin mo..." Bulong ko at napapikit ako nang mariin dahil sa kahihiyan.

Ayaw ko tignan itsura n'ya.

"Ikaw lang... Mula noon... Hanggang ngayon. Ikaw lang ang pinakamagandang babae sa paningin ko. Because you're Adeline Thania... Who's beautiful inside..." He kissed my lips leisurely. "And outside." He whispered the last phrase which made my heart boom.