A Kiss to Life

Chapter 12: Pakakasalan

“I heard what you did at Kairus's unit earlier,” Dad said. It’s dinner time and these are his first words to me.

“He snitched on me again?” I asked instead, grinning and shaking my head.

“His fiance told your Tita Jordyn and your Tita called your mom,” Dad answered.

Oh, that girl?

I turned to my mother.

“Your Tita said that their neighbors complained to the building’s management because it was still so early when you made a scene on their floor,” Mom said.

“I just didn’t like what he did. He’s not in the right position to do that,” I said and continued eating.

“Your Tita also said you punched and slapped Kairus,” Mom added. Dad’s brows arched automatically and I heard how Mason choked from his food. Elias was just eating.

“You did that?”

“You punched him, Ate?”

Dad and Mason asked in chorus. I shrugged and said, “I was so mad I can think of anything but doing that.”

“Wow! I’m so proud of you,” Mason said, clapping his hands.

Mom immediately stopped him. “Mason!”

“Mom, it’s about time Ate fight for herself,” Mason told our mother before he turned to me. “You should have told me that you were planning to do that, I would have driven you to his place,” he added. “Oh, how satisfying to have witnessed that.”

“Mason Elliot, stop feeding you Ate’s mind with violence!” Mom scolded him before turning to Dad. “Say something Aydan!”

Dad shrugged and said, “I’m glad you learned to stand your ground against him. I am very proud.”

“Aydan?” Mom but dad just shrugged again.

“It’s about time, Amara, for our daughter to fight back. Remember how Kairus and that fiance of his hurt our daughter. But not even once did she say something against them. And now that she found her happiness, Kairus would think that he can meddle with it?” Dad said and that immediately warms my heart. “We raised our children to be kind and compassionate individuals, but we never taught them to just let people ruin their happiness.”

“But violence is not the way of talking it out!” Mom fired.

“Sometimes, it is,” Dad answered, “Emotional damages doesn’t help immediately. Physical does. For once, let our daughter be a badass,” he added and that made mom’s mouth parted.

Mason laughed about it and I remained silent. I never thought I would hear that from him.

"Noah!" I called the second Noah answered his phone.

"May problema ba?" He asked worriedly. I can even hear his movement over the phone.

"Pick me up from here please?" I pleaded. "I'm so tired and sleepy. I don't think I can still drive," I told him.

It's already past 9 pm and I'm still in the hospital. Naiwan na naman kaming lima dahil isinama naman kami ni Dr. Martinez sa operation na ginawa niya. He let us watch and like what Dr. de La Costa did, he made us write a write-up about it. At ngayon, nandito ako sa loob ng sasakyan ko. Mag-isa habang kaaalis lang ng mga kasama ko.

His movement stopped and I heard him sighed. "Bilin ng daddy mo na hindi kita pwedeng sunduin?"

"Why not?"

"He's… he's afraid we'd go somewhere else," he answered shyly. For sure, he's rubbing the back of his neck saying that.

"Dad said that? Does he think I still have the energy to go somewhere else after duty? I'm so tired I just want to sleep already!" I told him.

"Baby, don't be mad, please? I just don't want to disobey your father," he said.

"But I'm so tired. I can't drive anymore," I said and started crying.

It has been a week since our relationship got revealed. And like what dad said, Noah was removed from me and assigned to drive my youngest brother. And it has also been a week since I started driving for myself. I now understand why dad insisted on giving me a driver before, because he was telling the truth when he said medical school is exhausting.

"Why are you crying?" He asked, alarmed and worried.

"Because, I'm so tired!" I repeated. "I'm so sleepy my eyelids are already heavy. I can't move my legs, too, because I have been standing and walking the whole day. I'm so tired, baby." I said and cried more.

"Huwag ka nang umiyak. Kakausapin ko ang daddy mo na payagan akong sunduin ka," he said.

I didn't answer but I heard his door open then closed. I also heard his footsteps climbing our stairs until it stopped. A knock followed then a door being opened.

"Good evening, Sir. Pasensya na po sa istorbo pero pwede ko po bang sunduin si Mari ngayon? Tumawag po kasi siya para mag pasundo. Hindi niya na raw kayang mag drive dahil sa pagod," he heard him talked to my dad.

"Where is she?" I heard dad ask.

"Nasa ospital pa po, Sir."

"I'll call her," dad said but Noah stopped him and said I'm still on the line in his phone. "Anak?" Dad spoke from the line after.

"Daddy," I cried.

"Why are you crying?" He asked, worried.

"Daddy, please send Noah to pick me up here. I was left alone in the parking lot and I don't have the energy to drive anymore! I'm so tired and sleepy," I told him, sobbing between each word.

I heard dad take a deep breath before saying, "Stay inside your car and lock all doors. Do not open any lights, okay? I'm sending Noah there now."

I sobbed and answered, "Okay."

"Good. Take a rest while you're waiting for him," he added and I answered 'I will'.

"Baby?" It was Noah that was in the line now.

"Hmm?" I responded, still sobbing.

"I'm on my way to get you now. Are you okay?"

"I’m okay. Please come fast," I begged.

"I'll be there in 10 minutes. Is that okay?"

"Yes," I answered again, calming a bit.

"Good. Don't cut the line, okay? Let's talk while I'm on my way," he said and I nodded as if he could see me.

"What are you riding to get here?" I asked, curious how he'll get here.

"My bike," he answered.

"Your bike?"

"Motorcycle, baby," he answered.

"You… you drive one?" I was surprised.

"Yes. Orrin taught me," he answered.

"Orrin?"

"Yes, Orrin."

"Oh, God! He taught you motocross?" I blurted. My sobbing has stopped already but my voice is still hoarse.

"Hmm… Medyo," he answered.

"Noah! How can you talk to me when you’re driving a bike?” I asked, freaking out.

“I have an intercom, baby.”

“Jesus Christ!” all I could say.

"I'm sorry. I'll explain later," he said.

I didn't say anything and just rested my head on the headrest of my chair. I felt so drained today. I recline my chair so I can be comfortable while resting.

"Mari?" I heard Noah called but my eyes are already giving up to even answer him. Crying made my eyelids heavier.

I fell asleep. I just woke up when my car door opened on my side. I was so sleepy that I didn't realize it was Noah who opened it.

"Hey…" I greeted, I tried to sit up but I felt like my body was too heavy to do.

Noah helped me. "You shouldn't be sleeping in your car , Amaris. This is so dangerous!" He scolded.

And since I'm still lightheaded, I didn't understand what he meant by that. "Huh?"

"You could be suffocated!"

"Ugh. Right. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sleep, I was just really tired," I apologize although I am not sure why I need to do that.

Noah took a deep sighed and opened the car door widely. He then scooped me out of the driver's seat.

"No! I don't want to sit here!" I protested when he put me on the backseat.

"You can lay here while we're traveling home," he said but I stubbornly shook my head.

I raised both of my arms to his shoulder, signaling him to carry me. "I'll sit beside you."

"You won't be comfortable there," he said.

"I don't care! I want to be there beside you," I insisted but he was just staring at me, brows creased. “Please, baby?” I pleaded.

"Ang kulit mo talaga," he said but carried me anyway. He put me on the shotgun seat, reclined it, and put my seatbelt on for me. While I was just watching him do that.

I reached for his shoulder and pulled him to me. "I missed you," I said, burying my face on his neck. Noah smelled good as always.

He pulled away after a few seconds. His arms are on my either side and he's just a few inches away. "Sleep. I'll wake you up when we arrive home."

I pouted and said, "Don't you miss me?"

Noah chuckled. He leaned on to me to give me a short kiss. "I miss you always but I'm a bit annoyed now."

"Why?"

"Because you made me worried again, Mismam," he said. "I was calling for your name over and over but you weren't answering. I can't hear anything but the noises of the cars passing by. I was worried sick thinking something had happened to you here, while waiting for me," he added.

"I'm sorry, but I just feel asleep," I explained.

He sighed and nodded. "I know."

"Then, why are you still annoyed?"

"Because I thought I lost you," he admitted.

"You will not lose me, Noah."

"I know, I'm sorry. I just can't help but alway worry about losing you. It scared me every time."

"Baby…" I pulled him back to me. "I love you so much."

"I love you more," he replied, kissing my forehead.

That was the last memory I have that night because the next time I opened my eyes, I was already in my room and it’s morning. I’m still wearing my clothes from yesterday but my face was cleaned. I cannot see any traces of make up on my face.

Thankfully, it is already the weekend. I can finally have a full rest now.

I stood from my bed after a few seconds–or minute of just staring at my ceiling. I headed straight to my bathroom and took a long shower. I was so refreshed after that.

[Tulog ka pa?] Noah’s text message. That was sent earlier at 7:30, it’s 9 am now.

[Good morning!] I replied. I went out of my room and headed down stairs. My parents are probably at the hospital by now since it’s still Saturday and they still have to go to work. Mason and Elias are probably out as well–either they are playing basketball at our subdivision’s covered court or they are cycling around.

“Good morning, nay!” I greeted the head of our househelps.

“Good morning, anak. Mag aalmusal ka na ba?” she asked.

“Opo, nay. Saan po sila Mason at Elias?”

“Ay, naku! Ayun at lumabas dala-dala ang bike nila,” she said as she started putting food in front of me. “Anong gusto mo, gatas o juice?”

“Juice na lang po. Orange juice,” I answered and she immediately gave me one. “Kumain na po ba kayo?”

“Ay, oo, kanina pa,” she answered. “May kailangan ka pa ba?”

I shook my head. “Wala na po. Okay na po ‘to, malapi a rin naman mag lunch,” I said. I started eating and nanay continued what she was doing.

[Kagigising mo lang?] Noah replied.

[Nope. Kanina pang 8.]

[Bakit ngayon ka lang nag reply pala?]

[I took a shower.]

[Ng isang oras?]

[Yeah. I missed my shower last night. Why didn’t you wake me up when we arrived home, anyway?] I asked as I ate.

[Ang sarap ng tulog mo, e. Nakakaawa naman kung gigisingin pa kita.]

[How did I get to my room, then?]

[Binuhat kita pero hanggang sa tapat ng kwarto mo lang. Ang daddy mo na ang nag pasok sa’yo sa loob. Hinintay nila tayo ng mommy mo.]

[I see.] It’s probably mom who removed my make-up. [Where are you now?]

[Garahe niyo. Nag lilinis ng sasakyan.] he replied.

“Nay, tapos na po ako,” I informed her and stood with my plate and brought it to the sink.

“Iwan mo na ‘yan d’yan. Ako na ang bahala,” nanay said.

I did what I was told and headed out of our house after. I went to our garage to see Noah.

“Noah,” I called him. He was just standing there, a water hose in his one hand and his phone in the others. And… he’s topless.

[Nag almusal ka na ba?] my phone beeps from that message from him.

“I just finished,” I answered. I stepped closer to him.

“Madulas ka,” he said and stopped me from walking to him. He went to me instead. “May sabon ang sahig, baka madulas ka,” he added and held me on my elbow, guiding me away from the wet part of the ground.

“May gagawin ka pa ba mamaya?” I asked him, trying to look at his eyes but my eyes kept sliding down his body.

And he must have noticed that he put both of his hands on the both sides of his hips, making his muscles more visible. I rolled my eyes and he chuckled immediately.

He pinched my chin and said, “Mata mo, mismam.”

I snorted and crossed my arms to my chest. “May gagawin ka nga mamaya?” I repeated because he seemed so entertained that I couldn't keep my eyes away from his body.

“Wala naman. Bakit, may lakad ka ba?” he answered.

I nodded and grinned. “Yes, I have.”

“Ipag-drive kita? Saan ba?” he asked innocently.

“Mall,” I answered shortly, still grinning.

“May bibilin ka? Baka pwedeng ako na lang ang bumili para makapag pahinga ka,” he said and started watering the floor to remove the soap in it.

“I don’t have anything to buy,” I said, and he turned to me with creased brows.

“Bakit ka pala pupunta ng mall kung wala ka naman kailangang bilin?” He asked and it annoyed me how he could be this dense!

I sighed exasperatedly and said, “Jesus, Noah! I am asking you out on a date!”

“Date?”

I rolled my eyes. “You know what, wag na lang. Mag aaral na lang ako,” I said and turned my back but he was fast to stop me. He held me on my waist and pulled me back to face him.

“Joke lang naman, mismam,” ani niya. “Alam ko naman ang ibig mong sabihin, gusto lang kitang asarin muna,” dagdag niya pa.

“Ah, talaga ba?” I spat and slapped his chest.

Oh, bakit ang tigas?

Noah laughed and held my hand. “Inuunahan mo na naman ako ng diskarte, e. Kailan mo ba ako hahayaang mag first move?”

“Ang bagal mo, e,” I teased.

“Humanda ka talaga pag may napatunayan na ako,” he said and it was my turn to chuckled.

“Bakit, anong gagawin mo?” I provoked him.

“Pakakasalan na agad kita,” he said and kissed the back of my hand.