Kabanata 22
1517 Words
Georgia
"It's surprising that mom let you stay in a condo," ani Rocco na nasa kwarto ko ngayon at nakahiga sa kama.
I didn't tell anyone that I'm moving in with Boyd so I had to lie to my mom and pretend that I want to purchase my own condo near the university. Luckily, she let me use my savings for it. I did buy my first condo but I am not going to use it since Boyd had already gotten us an apartment.
Tinabig ko ang braso ni Rocco para pausugin siya dahil nahihigaan niya ang ilang damit ko. "Kahit naman ako nagulat. It was like she didn't want me to stay here while she's not home."
Dad went home first. Sinundo siya ni kuya Russia noong huling byahe ni kuya. I think he had an asthma attack or something while Mom had to stay in New York. Hindi naman sinabi ni Mommy kung bakit niya kailangang magtagal doon.
"Si Daddy ba pumayag?" tanong niya.
"Ewan but she already gave me the permission. She said I shouldn't go to their room. Basta umalis na lang daw ako at huwag nang iistorbohin si Daddy."
Nalukot ang noo ni Rocco. "She doesn't want you to say goodbye to Daddy?"
Umismid ako. "As if I was ever allowed to get close to Dad? Ni hindi nga ako pinapayagan noong yumakap kay Daddy o kumalong man lang."
Bumangon ang kapatid ko. "Who's gonna drive you to your unit? Can I come?"
"Uhm, huwag na. You still have to work on your science project. I'll just book a cab," pagdadahilan ko.
"Bakit hindi ka magpahatid sa driver?" tanong niya habang tinutulungan akong isara ang mga maleta ko.
"Nah, he's helping kuya Jo fix the AC in the maid's quarters. I'm a big girl now. Don't worry about me. I take Grab all the time. Just help me bring my stuff downstairs."
He sighed. "You sure you don't want me to come? Ang dami nito."
I faked a smile. "Yeah. And my friends are also waiting for me. We'll manage." I stood up straight. "Okay, I'm ready."
Rocco scratched his temple before he stood up. "Ako lang yata bubuhat lahat, eh."
I smirked. "Well, you're big enough so go."
Rocco grabbed my trolleys and pulled it out of the room while I carried my lighter bags. Noong pababa na ng hagdan ay tinimbrehan ko si Boyd. He's in the apartment right now waiting for me. Siguradong kahit katatanggal lang ng cast ng binti niya ay magpupumilit iyong bitbitin ang mga gamit ko mamaya.
I booked a cab and sent the plate number to Boyd. Isinakay ni Rocco ang mga gamit ko sa trunk saka siya nagpaalam sa akin.
"Are you sure about this?" Rocco asked.
I rolled my eyes. "Yes. Malaki na ko, Rocco. I need to be independent from now on."
He sighed. "I'm lowkey jealous, you know."
I smirked. "Well, good luck. You're mommy's pet. I doubt she'll ever let you move in. Sige na. I gotta go. Bye."
Ako na ang nagsara ng pinto. Kumaway naman si Rocco sa akin at pinanood ang cab na umalis.
Sa totoo lang ay naghahalo ang kaba at excitement ko. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay napakabilis ng naging byahe namin papunta sa apartment.
Natanaw ko kaagad si Boyd sa labas ng compound. The car slowed down and finally took a halt. Pinagbuksan ako ni Boyd ng pinto at inalok ng kamay. Nang makalabas ako ay sumilip siya sa driver.
"Magkano, boss?" he asked.
"Bayad na, Sir sa app."
Tumingin siya sa akin. "Sabi ko ako magbabayad, George."
I rolled my eyes. "Nag-auto deduct. Pabayaan mo na. Four hundred lang naman."
Bumuntonghininga na lamang siya bago na kinuha ang mga gamit ko sa trunk. I tried to carry some but knowing Boyd, of course he didn't let me.
"Kapag 'yang fracture mo, ha!" banta ko ngunit ngumisi lamang sa akin saka inagaw ang huling bag na bitbit ko.
"Tara. Second floor tayo," aya niya.
Muling bumalik ang kaba at excitement ko. Sumama ako sa kanya sa itaas hanggang sa narating namin ang dulong unit. The place looked pretty decent. Mukhang siniguro ni Boyd na kahit nasa compound ay safe at tahimik ang lugar na napili niya.
"Welcome home, baby," he whispered to my ear after he unlocked the door.
I looked around and realized that although the place is smaller than my room, it's tidy and welcoming. It's pretty much empty but the cream paints are fresh. Para bang si Boyd pa mismo ang nagpintura.
"Pasensya ka na. Maliit pa lang pero maayos naman dito," aniya nang maisara ang pinto.
I smiled at him before I snaked my arms on his waist. "This is more than enough. How much ang rent?"
"Fifteen thousand."
"Oh, cool. My one week allowance can cover it," I said.
Boyd c****d a brow at me. "Sino namang nagsabing gagalawin mo ang allowance mo para sa renta? Ako ang gagastos sa atin. Georgia."
"But you have other expenses, too. Nagpapadala ka rin sa Tarlac. I don't want your pockets to run dry."
"Marami namang tattoo gigs." He tucked my hair behind my ear. "Hayaan mo na ko. Sinabi ko naman sa'yo na papatunayan kong kaya kitang buhayin."
My heart warmed. Look at this man? Wala talaga akong masabi sa determinasyon niyang patunayang karapat-dapat siya para sa akin. Paano pa ako iiwas kung ganito kapursigido 'to?
I caressed his chest with my palm while he planted a tender kiss on my forehead. My heart feels so full right now. Pakiramdam ko ay kumpleto na ang buhay ko. Is this what newly-weds feel? Kasi ang sarap-sarap nito sa pakiramdam.
"Will you take me to your gigs?" I asked.
"Why? Gusto mo ba akong bantayan? Hindi naman ako mambababae."
I smirked. "Nah, I just wanna make sure they'll give you a good tip. I'll negotiate the prices for you."
He pinched the tip of my nose. "Isasama kita kahit saan mo gustong sumama."
"Promise?"
"Syempre naman." He held me by my cheek and smiled. His eyes sparkled with so much joy as if I am the only one he needs in his life. "Thank you, George. Hindi kita bibigyan ng dahilan para pagsisihan 'to."
My eyes softened. "I have faith in you." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niyang nakalapat sa aking pisngi. "I'm happy that I'm home now."
Yumuko siya para patakang muli ng halik ang aking noo. Maya-maya ay niyaya niya akong maupo sa lumang sofa na naroroon. He sat first and then made me sit on his lap. Lumingkis sa aking baywang ang kanyang mga braso saka namin pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong unit.
Nagturo siya. "Maglagay tayo ng picture frames diyan banda. 'Yong TV doon. Maliit na mesa para sa kainan naman doon banda."
I anchored my arm on his shoulder then started playing with his hair. "It's like we're about to start a family . . ."
He tilted his gaze towards me before he made me straddle him. Sumunod naman ako't nakipagtitigan sa kanya.
We stared at each other for a few moments before Boyd held me by my nape. Yumuko ako't hinalikan ang kanyang mga labi. Mabagal ngunit puno ng pagmamahal ang bawat halik.
He answered my kiss while cupping my ass cheek. Napapadaing ako dahil nararamdaman kong may umuumbok sa loob ng pants niya. He's getting turned on and I didn't want to stop but he pulled away from our kiss and sighed.
"What's wrong?" nagtataka kong tanong.
He licked his lower lip. "Tirik pa ang araw at kailangan pa nating mag-grocery ng stocks." He squeezed my thighs. "Mamaya mo na ko akitin."
I smirked. "Let me pay this time for our grocery and I'll let you eat me tonight."
He grunted. "Georgia . . ."
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "What? It's just groceries--"
"Nagtabi ako para rito." He sighed. "Just let me. Kung kulangin, magsasabi ako pero hangga't kaya ko, mangako kang hahayaan mo lang ako."
I rolled my eyes. "Fine," sagot ko na lang kahit na siguradong puputi muna ang uwak bago siya magsabi sa akin. Kilalang-kilala ko na siya.
He tucked my hair behind my ear then pecked a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose. Maya-maya ay bumuntonghininga siya't niyakap ako.
"Boyd?" tawag ko.
"Hmm?"
"Do you think I'll make a good wife someday?"
He lifted his head and stared into my eyes with admiration. His lips formed the sweetest smile I had ever seen.
"You'll make a great wife." He took my hand and kissed it while still staring into my eyes. "My wife . . ."
My lips curved for a tender smile. If this man isn't the one heaven had made solely for me then I don't want marriage anymore. It's him or no one at all . . .
His phone rang. Dinukot niya iyon sa bulsa ng pants niya't tiningnan kung sino ang tumatawag. Nang makita ang pangalan ng caller ay unti-unting napawi ang kurba sa kanyang mga labi.
Nalukot ang aking noo. "Sino 'yan?"
Boyd sighed before he met my gaze.
"Si Russia . . ."
- Writer
