Just Another b***h in Love

SIMULA I open one good eye and smile when I see the man lying beside me. Sobrang payapa ng itsura niya, very opposite when he is awake. I stare at his handsome face and memorize his features. How I adore his perfect square jaw, it makes him more domineering and intimidating. He has thick dark brows na kapag gising siya ay madalas halos magdugtong na. I lift my point finger and lightly trace his aristocrat nose. "Ang tangos talaga!" I said to myself. Nakasanayan ko na iyong gawin every time I wake up beside him. After being content, I give him a peck on his lips and get off the bed. I never bothered to cover my nakedness. Dumiretso ako sa bathroom para maligo. Pagkatapos maligo, I wore my spaghetti strap and boxer shorts. Hindi ko na sinuklay ang basang buhok and just dry it hastily with a towel. Bumaba ako sa kitchen para magluto na ng aming breakfast. "What am I gonna cook?" I mumbled as I looked at what was inside the fridge. I took out two eggs, some bacon and tocino. Inuna ko munang magsaing sa rice cooker before frying. I turned on the coffee maker and brewed his favorite coffee. Isa-isa kong nilapag ang mga naluto sa table pagkatapos ng ilang sandali. "Dennis?" I heard him calling from the distance. "Kitchen!" I replied. I went to the coffee maker saka nagsalin ng kape sa mug niya. I did not bother getting one for me dahil makikiinom lang din naman ako sa tasa niya. That is also a habit. I heard footsteps. A little while later, he entered the kitchen with his disheveled hair and only his boxers on. Hindi talaga uso ang lamig sa taong ito. Maybe because he is hot? "Good morning, love." Lumapit ako sa kanya at hinalikan siya sa pisngi. "Breakfast." Umupo naman siya sa usual spot niya. Inabot ko sa kanya ang kanyang coffee. "What time is your flight again?" Umupo na rin ako sa tapat niya. "Later. Nine in the morning." I nodded. Seven pa lang ngayon. "Naayos ko na ang luggage mo. You can check it later baka may nakalimutan ako." "Nah," sabi niya. I rolled my eyes. He is too confident that I packed the right things. Well, I have been doing that for a long time. I have memorized the things he needs during his trips. I put food on his plate and he started eating. Sarili ko naman ang inatubag ko pagkatapos. Just like our usual mornings, he is quiet and I will do the talking. "Go now. I already prepared your clothes," sabi ko pagkatapos naming kumain. He went back to the room para makaligo na. Mabilis ko namang hinugasan ang mga pinagkainan at mga nagamit kanina sa kitchen. Pagpasok ko ng kwarto ay sakto namang tapos na siyang makaligo. He changed into his underwear while I started fixing the bed. He is in his Lacoste collared shirt and dark jeans. Inayos ko ang collar niyang nalukot konti sa likod. He is simply dashing. "Excited?" I teased him, but I felt something tugged my heart. I hide the pain with a grin. He rolls his eyes. "What? You've been waiting for this since time immemorial." I chuckled. Halata naman ang iritasyon sa gwapo niyang mukha. Binalingan ko ang luggage niya, I closed it and locked it. Binalingan ko ulit siya. "Should I still stay here?" tanong ko sa kanya. Hindi ko na itinago ang sakit sa boses ko. I know he knows what I am talking about. Tinitigan niya ako using his dark deep set eyes. "And where are you planning to stay?" Nakakunot na naman ang noo niya. I shrugged my shoulder. "I'm gonna buy my own condo or better yet find someone who'll buy me a house." Inilingkis ko ang mga kamay ko sa leeg niya. I wiggle my brows and giggles. Mas lalong lumalim ang gatla sa noo niya. Even with a frown on his face, he is still very much gorgeous. "You stay here," he said in a stern voice. Inalis niya ang kamay ko sa pagkakalingkis sa kanya. Lumapit na siya sa luggage niya at binuhat iyon. Lumabas siya sa kwarto, sumunod naman ako. "I'll be going. You stay here," sabi niya nang nasa pintuan na kami. Ngumuso ako. "Where's my farewell kiss?" I said like a little girl. Dahil mukhang wala naman siyang plano, ako na mismo ang tumingkayad para mahalikan siya. It was supposed to be just a smack, but I was surprised when he kissed me back. That made me smile. He deepened the kiss. I darted my tongue and he did too. Nang kapusin na ng hininga ay saka lang kami bumitaw. "You go chase your h-happiness." He has no idea how much effort it took me to say that. "Off you go." Tinulak ko na siya ng marahan palabas ng penthouse niya. I kissed his cheek before he finally went. Our gaze met and I saw lots of emotion in it. Kumaway ako sa kanya. Hinatid ko siya ng tingin, at nang mawala na siya sa aking paningin ay pumasok na ako. As soon as I closed the door, my knees turned to jelly. Dahan-dahan akong dumadaosdos habang tumulo na ang mga luhang kanina pa pinipigilan. I have been rehearsing this moment inside my head a long time ago pero hindi parin pala ako handa. Akala ko mababawasan ang sakit. Akala ko hindi ako magbi-breakdown but here I am, so broken. I just let go of the man I love. I smiled bitterly when I realized hindi ko naman pala siya ni-let go because he is not mine to begin with. "Tang ina! Chase your happiness?" I laughed while crying. Tang ina ang sakit! "Tang ina ang swerte mo Rossette! Nasayo na ang lahat!" Kung may makakakita sa akin, siguro iisipin na nababaliw na ako... Baliw naman talaga ako. Hinayaan kong tumulo ang mga luha ko. Iiyak ako hanggang sa may iluluha pa ako because after this, I have to get back up again. I am not a damsel in distress. I am b***h! Kusa rin namang huminto ang luha ko. Nagtaas-baba ang dibdib ko sa paghahabol ko ng hi ninga at unting unting pagkalma. I went back to my room and brought out my luggage na nakatago sa closet. Sakto namang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Denny Lao is calling. I calm myself bago ito sagutin. "Yes, Denny?" "Ate, we are boarding... teka may sakit ka ba?" Napansin niya siguro ang malat kong boses. "No. I am fine, Denny," sagot ko. "How are the kids?" Kahit papaano gumaan ang kalooban ko just thinking about the two boys. "Chiz keeps on blurting out how excited he is. Ito namang si Ham, alam mo na, poker face, mana sa pinagmanahan." That made me smile. "Is that mama?" I heard someone in the background. "Sige na. Please take care of them. Susunduin ko kayo." "Noted, Ate." I ended the call. I changed into my jeans and shirt. I tied my hair into a ponytail. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang sarili ko sa salamin. Napabuntonghininga na lang ako. I grabbed my luggage and roamed my gaze all over the place. I smiled at the memories, my memories here. Looks like this will be the last time I will be stepping here. One final glance then headed to the door. Mabibigat ang bawak hakbang ko paalis. I bring out my phone and call the driver to fetch me. Hindi naman nagtagal at dumating na ang sasakyan sumundo sa akin. "Saan tayo, Ma'am?" tanong niya. "Sa NAIA, manong," sagot ko. Thanks to the traffic and it took us a while bago makarating sa airport. Nang malapit na ay nag-ring naman ang cellphone ko. Mabilis ko itong sinagot. "We just landed, Ate." I nodded. "Good. Malapit na kami." Manong stopped the car. Umibis naman ako. May pagmamadali akong naglakad. Hindi naman ako nahirapang makita sila. "Mama, here!" Hyper na sabi ni Chiz. Nagtatalon pa ito. Napalawak ang ngiti ko. Dinamba agad ako ng yakap ni Chiz pagkalapit ko. "Where's my kiss?" Agad naman niya akong binigyan ng kiss sa pisngi. "How about you, young gentle man?" Binalingan ko si Ham. He hugged me and gave me a peck on the cheek as well. "Now, we're off to go," sabi ko at hinawakan si Chiz sa kamay. "Thank you so much, Denny." "The pleasure is mine." Nag-bow pa siya, napailing na lang ako. Pumasok na kami sa SUV. Katabi ko ang dalawang bata. Binalingan ko si Ham. Nakabusangot kasi ito. "What's wrong, Ham?" Nag-aalala kong tanong. "Are we gonna really stay here for good, Mama?" tanong niya. "Yes. Bakit? 'Di ba we talked about this already?" sabi ko sa malumanay na boses. "Nothing, Ma," Sabi niya. I know how they are attached back in our home in Bukidnon pero hindi ko na sila pwedeng hindi isama rito. They are fast growing up. I have been away most of the time, kaya ito na ang pagkakataon para bumawi. Dumating kami sa bahay na nabili ko sa isang exclusive subdivision. It is a two storey house with backyard and pool. Hindi kasing laki sa mansyon namin sa Bukidnon but this is big enough para sa amin. "Are we gonna live here, Ma?" tanong ni Chiz pagkatapos igala ang paningin sa bahay. "Yes, baby." Binalingan ko si Ham. Halata sa mga mata nito ang pag-o-obserba sa paligid. He is like that, bata pa lang. "Let's go, Ham?" Pumasok na kami sa bahay. "Manang Magda, roon po ang magiging silid niyo." Turo ko sa maids quarter. "Magpahinga po muna kayo." "Sige, hija." Lahat naman ay maayos na kaya wala na dapat alalahanin. This house has five rooms. Kompleto na ito sa lahat ng gamit. I made sure of it. Nasa living room kami, nanunuod ng movie habang naghihintay sa pagkain na pina-deliver ko. Nakalingkis sa akin si Chiz. He is the clingy and sweet guy between the two. My phone rings. I thought it is from the resto pero laking gulat ko na si Rurik pala ang tumatawag. I instantly frowned. Why would he call me? He can't possibly call miles above the ground! I don't know but my heart hammered. "Sandali lang, baby. May call si mama." Tumayo ako at pumunta sa kitchen para sagutin ang tawag na nakailang ring. Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago pindutin ang answer button. "Hey!" I tried to sound cool. "What took you so long?" His voice is filled with irritation. "I am in the kitchen. Napatawag ka? Don't tell me nasa France ka na?" I kidded. "Where are you?" Hindi parin kumakalma ang boses niya. "Here? Sa c-condo mo." I laughed nervously. "Really?" "O-Of course. Why did you call again?" "Where are you?" Ulit niya sa mas mariin na boses, binalewala ang tanong ko. "Nasa condo mo nga." My palm is sweating. Something's wrong. "Kung ganoon, bakit wala ka rito?" Oh God! I gasped. "What do you m-mean?" tanong ko kahit alam ko na ang sagot. "I am here." Para akong binuhusan nang malamig na tubig. Napaawang labi ko. Bakit nandito pa siya?! My mind exclaimed. Parang kanina lang umiiyak ako dahil umalis na siya. Now I wanted to cry because he is still here!