CHAPTER 10
1335 Words
CHAPTER 10
“Rica?”
“Po? Patapos na pong magbihis, palabas na.” I said as I heard DJ calling me from outside. Dito na ako sa banyo nagbihis dahil alam kong labas-masok siya sa villa simula noong araw na nagkasakit ako.
He never leave my side since then, naging personal nurse ko siya kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa kanya dahil maayos na ang pakiramdam ko ngayon.
Matapos kong maligo, magbihis at mag-ayos ng konti ay lumabas na ako ng banyo. Nakita ko siyang nakaupo sa kama, may isang tray din na nakalagay sa bedstand ang nasa kanyang tabi. He is busy with his phone ngunit agad niya itong inilagay sa katabing mesa nang makitang palapit na ako.
"I'm checking some emails," he said, as if he thought I was being suspicious.
I smiled at him and gave him a knowing look. “You seem to be taking this personally, wala naman akong sinabi.”
He patted the space on the bed in front of him, as if telling me to sit down, lumapit ako at umupo doon.
"I just want you to know that you have nothing to worry about. I don’t want to keep you a secret, and the last thing I want is for you to get hurt." he said, reassuring me.
“Okay po,” I teased him. Nagawi ang tingin ko sa tray na nasa gilid niya. “So, what do we have here?”
“Oh, right.” Kinuha niya ang bedstand kasama ang tray at umusog siya ng konti palayo sa akin at inilagay ‘yon sa gitna namin. “It is a Japanese style fluffy souffle pancake with coffee.”
Hindi ko mapigilang matakam. “Naks naman, you’re paying attention, ha.”
He smiled and grabbed the slicer. He started slicing the pancake, “of course, I’m a keen observer and listener. Hindi ko pwedeng ma-miss ang bawat detalye tungkol sayo. I wanted to see you happy.”
“How thoughtful of you, hindi mo naman na kailangan gawin ‘to.” sabi ko. Pero deep inside I felt very happy dahil kahit na maliit na detalye ay hindi niya nakakalimutan. Small things mean a lot, ika nga.
“Just let me, okay? Kapag kasama mo ako, you don’t have to do the things you usually do on your own. Hayaan mong ako naman ang gagawa.” he gently pinched my cheeks. “Let’s eat? I mean if you want to share the pancakes.” Muli siyang ngumiti na ubod ng tamis katulad ng pagkain na nasa harapan namin.
I smiled at him and nodded. “I don’t want to compare but this is the first time I got to experience this.”
Tumigil siya sa pag-slice ng ibang bahagi ng pancake at tinignan ako. “What do you mean?”
“My ex doesn't usually do this. Kung hindi ko pa sinasabi, eh ‘di niya pa gagawin. Parang napilitan, ganon. But with you... Ganito pala ang feeling ng tinatrato ng tama.” I chuckled softly. “I get to experience Words of Affirmation and Acts of Service at the same time,” I added.
With a gentle reverence, he took my hand in his, lifting it to his lips. He pressed soft kisses against the delicate knuckles, each touch a whispered promise, a silent declaration of his affection. The warmth of his lips lingered, sending a flutter of warmth through me, turning an ordinary moment into something profoundly intimate.
“Well, hindi mo na ako kailangan pagsabihan. I’ll do everything that will make you happy and content, Rica. So, say ahh?” Kinuha niya ang tinidor na may slice ng pancake at akmang isusubo na ito sa aking bibig.
Namilog ang aking mga mata ng matikman ‘yon. Ang sarap!
“Let’s eat it together.” Masaya kong alok sa kanya, and we got to enjoy the breakfast he prepared.
***
“Thank you for the delicious breakfast, DJ. Alam kong hindi mo gusto ang kape pero ininom mo pa rin.” I smiled. Umupo kami sa isang blanket na nilatag ni DJ sa buhangin. Dinala na naman niya ako sa private part ng resort na siya lang nakakaalam, this place is really enchanting and special. Nakakakalma ang ihip ng hangin at ang tunog ng alon. “Hindi ko alam may souffle pancake na pala sa menu ng Amihan Cafe.” dagdag ko pa.
Marahan siyang napailing habang minamasahe ang kaliwang kamay ko. “Wala ito sa menu. I made it since it is your favorite.”
I felt a butterfly in my stomach. Pucha, sobra na ang pagpapakilig ng lalaking ‘to!
Seryoso niya akong tinignan, until there’s a mischievous smile forming on his lips. With his left hand, he caressed my cheek. “You know, I really like seeing you blush. It makes me feel fulfilled because I know I have an effect on you.”
Mahina kong hinampas ang kanyang braso. “Wow, ha! Kapal naman ng mukha mo,” natatawa kong saad, ngunit hindi ko maitago ang kilig. Wala na, finish na talaga.
“It’s okay,” he replied with a gentle smile. "What matters most to me is that you’re happy.”
“Thank you, DJ. I don’t know what to say—”
“You deserve it, Rica.” He cut me off, he took my hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze. “As long as you’re with me, everything will fall into place. I promise.”
He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on my forehead.
Wala kaming ginawa masyado ni DJ dahil ayaw niya akong mabinat. Ngunit may napapansin akong kakaiba sa mga kinikilos niya, he is so clingy and extra caring. Perhaps he’s been thinking that in just a few days ay babalik na ako ng Metro.
I’m getting ready to go to bed when I heard my phone buzzing. Nang makita ko ang pangalan sa screen ay agad kong sinagot ang video call.
“Took you so long to answer.” bungad niya. Naka-pout pa yung mokong. Kainis! Sarap i-kiss!
Umayos ako ng higa bago sumagot. “Ang OA, hindi naman ata umabot ng isang minuto.” I heard him chuckled, inayos niya ang kanyang basa at magulong buhok at humiga na rin. Katatapos lang siguro niyang mag-shower.
“Sigurado ka ba na ayos ka nang mag-isa dyan? I’m worried.” The sincerity in his voice makes my heart melt.
“Huwag ka ng mag-alala, maayos na ang kalagayan ko. Salamat sayo.” I smiled. Ilang sandali lang ay humikab na ako.
“You better sleep already.”
Tumango ako, ngunit may kung ano akong nababasa sa facial expression niya. “You want to say something?”
He nodded, napansin ko ang tenga niya na namumula.
“Uhm, I have something prepared for you tomorrow. J-Just wear comfortable clothes.” Nahihiya niyang saad.
Kumunot naman ang aking noo, na curious ako bigla. Tinawanan lang naman ako.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Rica.”
Hindi ko siya sinagot bagkus ay tinignan ko na siya ng masama.
“Patience, Rica. Malalaman mo bukas.” He added. “Good night.”
I just rolled my eyes at hindi na umangal. Kung katabi ko lang siya ngayon, na kurot ko na siya sa singit, eh. May pa-surprise pa siyang nalalaman.
“Good night, DJ. I love you.”
Hindi ko inaasahan ang nasabi ko; pareho kaming natigilan ni DJ. Agad kong tinakpan ang aking bibig at mabilis na in-off ang cellphone.
Hinawi ko ang kumot na nakatakip sa aking katawan at nagmadaling tumayo nang makarinig ako ng sunod-sunod na katok.
“Rica, can you please open the door?”
Nakatitig lang ako sa doorknob na pilit binubuksan ni DJ, ramdam ko ang mabilis na t***k ng aking puso. Ipinatong ko ang kanang kamay ko sa buhok ko, hinaplos ito ng bahagya. Bakit ang katagang ‘yon ang lumabas sa aking bibig?
Minsan talaga pahamak ‘tong bibig ko na ‘to! Hmp!
- Writer
