Better Together, Forever

Chapter Eight

HINDI PA RIN nakakahuma si Ereny sa sinabi ni Ryujei na kailangan nilang magpalipas ng gabi ng bigla itong tumikhim.

“We’ll book two separate rooms, don’t worry. Tara na habang ‘di pa ganon kabaha dito,” ani Ryu at pinaandar na ang makina ng kotse nito.

Tahimik na binaybay nila ang Tagaytay at narating naman nila agad ang isang hotel na 10 minutes away lamang mula sa pinanggalingan nilang cafe restaurant.

Agad silang pumasok sa loob at nag-inquire sa receptionist.

“Can we book for two rooms please?,” anang binata at nilabas ang wallet nito.

“Good evening Sir and Ma’am,” magalang na bati ng babaeng receptionist at agad nag-check sa computer nito. “We only have 1 available room at the moment, Sir. Six hours pa bago magkaroon ng another available room,” anang receptionist.

Napatingin si Ryujei sa kanya. “I’ll just stay inside the car. Let’s book the room and you take a rest there.”

Mabilis siyang umiling. Hindi siya papayag na sa kotse manatili si Ryujei. Mamaya na niya iintindihin ang mga nararamdaman niya. Kaya naman siya na mismo ang kumausap sa receptionist. “We’ll take the room, Miss,” sabi niya. Agad namang tumango ang babae at nanghingi ng valid ID nila. Ryujei remained silent.

Nang ma-settle na lahat ay tahimik na sumakay sila ng elevator at nagtungo ng room nila.

The room is big enough for two people with a queen size bed and smart tv.

Napakalakas pa rin ng ulan sa labas. Parang wala iyong balak tumila.

She felt Ryujei’s hand on her shoulders. It was just a simple touch but it surely made her heart melt.

“You sure you’re okay that I’m here?”

Agad siyang humarap dito. Kita niya ang pinaghalong lungkot at alala sa mukha ng binata.

“Oo naman, Ryu. I feel safer that you’re here with me,” totoo iyon. The room might be full of tension now that they’re alone inside a room, but she know she’s safer and comfortable because they are together.

Ginagap ni Ryu ang kamay niya. “Really? I thought you feel uncomfortable around me,” mahinang wika nito.

“B-bakit mo naman nasabi? Is that why your mood went down earlier?”

“Kasi nalaman mo’ng birthday mo ang password ng phone ko. Tapos nakita mo pa na sinend ko kay Lolo Rod ang selfie natin. Alam ng Lolo ang totoo kong nararamdaman,” masuyong wika nito at hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay niya. Siya naman ay tila hindi makahinga sa sinabi nito. This is it, she said to herself. She wanted to let her feelings be known, too.

“There’s no point of hiding what I feel right now. I know I said that I was just being overprotective of you, but Ereny, I really like you since we were young. Nung iniwasan mo ‘ko sa pag-amin ko, I really got hurt, you know. Naisip ko na mali ang timing, nabigla kita. You were still hurting about kuya Rendell. And now we’re close again. I said to myself that I’ll do my best for you to see me as a man, too. I can still be your best friend, but I can be your man too that you can rely on,” mahabang wika nito at saka malungkot na ngumiti.

“B-but I guess you still feel uncomfortable with me. I wonder if that day will ever come..”

She wanted to cry so hard right now. Her heart is overflowing with joy. So it’s confirmed that Ryujei really likes her.

She cupped his face. “I’m sorry if I made you feel that I was uncomfortable. But no, Ryu. Lately sobrang naguguluhan lang ako sa mga nararamdaman ko. You’re right. It’s pointless if we continue hiding this. T-the truth is, you awakened something inside me, Ryu. You’ve shaken my whole system that day you first confessed. I was scared to name this feeling because we were best friends, right? Hindi naman kasi ganito dati eh. And never in my wildest dreams that I would see you as more than that. B-but guess what? I actually did.”

Nabasag na ang kanyang boses. “And when I am slowly acknowleding that fact, lalo akong natakot kasi paano kung masira ang pagkakaibigan natin? I don’t want to lose you, Ryu,” pag-amin niya rito. Pakiramdam niya ay isang napakalaking bato ang natanggal sa kanyang dibdib. Gumaan ng husto ang kanyang pakiramdam.

Ryujei touched her cheek and wiped her tears away. She was crying? Hindi niya man lamang namalayan. Napakataas kasi ng kanyang emosyon.

“We won’t lose each other, baby. That I can assure you,” masuyong wika nito at hinalikan ang kanyang noo.

She closed her eyes and breathed his scent.

“We’ll take things slow, Ereny. I don’t want to rush you. Kinailangan ko lang ilabas na ‘to once and for all because I feel like sasabog na ito anytime,” Then he looked at her. “Give me a chance, hmm?”

He didn’t have to say it. She knows her heart beat only for him. But he’s right. They can take their time. She smiled tenderly and nodded.

“Okay. I trust you.”

Tila nakahinga ito ng maluwag at niyakap siya ng mahigpit.

“I’m so happy, Ereny. Now I can freely show you how much I like you. I hope I am not dreaming right now.”

She just giggled and wrapped her arms around him. Ah, this is home.

Ilang sandali pa silang nanatili sa ganoong posisyon ng biglang tumunog ang mga sikmura nila.

Sabay pa silang kumalas at nagtawanan. They are both very hungry now.

“We need to eat.”

MALAKAS PA RIN ang ulan sa labas at alam ni Ereny na hindi pa rin talaga sila makakauwi ng Maynila sa lagay ng panahon. Ryujei is currently taking a shower habang siya naman ay nanonood lamang ng movie sa TV. Dahil naglaro si Ryujei kanina ay may dala itong spare shirts. In fact ay hihiramin din niya ang isa nitong damit. Mabuti na lamang at kahit papaano’y lagi siyang may baong underwear tuwing umaalis siya.

Narinig niya ang pagbukas ng pinto sa CR kaya tumayo na rin siya dahil siguradong tapos na si Ryujei. Gustong-gusto na rin niyang mag-shower upang makapahinga na.

Ngunit natulala siya ng sa pagtayo at pagharap niya ay tumambad sa kanya si Ryujei na nakatapis lamang ng tuwalya sa ibabang bahahi ng katawan nito. Tumutulo pa ang tubig sa dibdib nito paibaba sa tiyan nito. Namagneto ang mga mata niya roon. Ryu has six pack abs, of course. He has his own gym equipments in their house, regular itong nagja-jogging at siyempre ay naglalaro ng football kaya maganda ang katawan nito. My, her best friend is so hot.

Nang umangat ang kanyang tingin sa mukha nito ay napakalawak ng ngiti ng mokong. Nag-init ang kanyang mga pisngi. Ryu just caught her checking him out!

“Like what you see?”

She just rolled her eyes. “W-whatever. Bakit ka ba lumalabas ng CR na nakahubad pa? Tumabi ka riyan at maliligo na rin ako,” pagsusungit na lamang niya upang takpan ang pagkapahiya.

Ryu just chuckled. “Naiwan ko pala yung damit ko rito sa bag at ‘di ko nadala sa CR.”

Halos patakbo niyang tinungo ang CR at isinara iyon.

Masyado ka namang halata na pinagnanasaan mo si Ryu, self! At tinampal niya ang kanyang sarili.

Humarap siya sa salamin at kitang-kitang namumula pa rin ang kanyang mga pisngi.

Ah, nakakahiya! Oo nga at nag-aminan na sila ni Ryu pero nahihiya pa rin siya. And to think na silang dalawa lamang ang magkasama ngayon sa hotel. What would she do if Ryu suddenly pins her on the wall and kiss her? Natutop niya ang kanyang bibig ng ma-imagine iyon, parang sa mga K-drama lang.

“Stop, stop!,” angil niya sa sarili. Naghubad na siya at agad binuksan ang shower upang mahamig ang kanyang sarili. She closed her eyes. I need to calm down…