Episode 26

Take it slow

"How can I only remember this now?"

After I woke up from the short dream I've had earlier, agad kong kinapa ang kwintas na suot-suot ko lagi. It was a heart gemstone necklace that I long believed was from my parents.

Tinitigan ko ito ng mabuti before noticing a letter that completely changed my perception about this necklace.

It was not from my parents. It was from Valentine!

Nakita ko ang maliit na nakaukit na letter "V" sa sulok ng puso sa kwintas ko. How come that I only noticed that now after 5 years?

Agad akong napaisip kung dahil ba no'ng nakilala ko ulit si Val kaya naaalala ko ang lost memories ko? What if he's done a major role in my past?

Base sa pagkakaalala ko ay si Cyrus talaga ang gusto ko noong bata ako pero sa paglipas ng panahon, napalitan 'yun ni Val. My brain is not remembering him but my heart is yearning for him. Is that the real reason?

Umiling ako dahil sasakit lang ang ulo ko kung patuloy ko pang pag-iisipan ang nakaraan. Instead, I just took a quick shower and done some requirements that needs to be passed next week.

The week went by fast like it was just a passing wind. Malapit na ang Midterms kaya mas marami nang kailangang ipasang requirements at sunod-sunod ang quizzes.

"Hya, sa Catholic school ba may hell week din?" tanong ni Sky habang nag-uunat.

Kaming dalawa lang ang magkasama ngayon dahil nagpasama siyang bumili ng regalo para raw sa girlfriend niya na mukhang ilusyon niya na naman.

"Hindi ko alam sa'yo. Puro ka kalokohan," I sneered at him kaya ginaya-gaya niya na naman ang paraan ng pagsasalita ko.

Pagkatapos naming bumili ng stuffed toy sa Blue Magic ay nag-text na si Val na malapit na raw siya. We agreed to meet up in SM North dahil masyado kaming busy ngayong week na parang 'di na namin na-eenjoy ang isa't-isa.

"Ngiting-ngiti sa text ah. Patingin naman para makita ko mga banat ni Val sa'yo. For educational purposes lang," Pang-aasar ni Sky habang hawak ang malaking panda stuffed toy.

Tinawanan ko nalang siya at umiling-iling. Baka makita niya pa kung gaano nagbabago si Valentine 'pag kaharap ako. He was normally and known for his cold attitude towards people, but It wasn't the case for me.

He is a sweet boyfriend.

"Hya, alis na 'ko! Baka 'pag nagkasalubong kami ni Val, bugbugin pa ako. Pupuntahan ko pa bebe ko! Bye!" Pagpapaalam ni Sky the reason why I just rolled my eyes at him. Sa tingin ko talaga ay walang girlfriend itong si Sky at gawa-gawa niya lang 'yan lahat.

I walked towards the parking lot dahil doon namin napagkasunduan ni Val na magkita. He told me that it was okay if he'll just pick me up from the store but I insisted. Mapapagod pa siya eh.

Nang makita ko si Val habang nakasandal sa itim niyang kotse ay agad akong napangiti.

He was wearing a black polo shirt, looking so neat and handsome with his looks. He was surveying the whole parking lot dahil iniikot niya ang tingin niya rito habang nakapamulsa.

I waved my hands when our eyes met and he automatically smiled before standing straight. I smiled at him too.

Napag-usapan na namin noong nakaraan ang tungkol diyan sa naging loko-loko siya dati dahil kay Bri. Babaero kasi si Bri dati na tumino lang nang dumating si Dhara at si Val naman ay tumigil nang... makilala niya ako.

"Val!" I shouted at him before walking fast towards his direction. Nang makalapit na ako ay mabilis ko siyang niyakap ng mahigpit. He immediately embraced me too like we've not seen each other in months even if we've just had dinner yesterday.

"I missed you," bulong niya bago hinalikan ang buhok ko. "Let's eat. Nagpa-reserve ako sa isang restaurant," he said before loosening his hug to look at me. Hindi pa rin ako nagsasalita dahil kahit nakalipas na ang isang linggo, hindi pa rin nagsi-sink-in sa'kin ang lahat.

"Boyfriend na talaga kita?" I asked dahil baka nananaginip lang ako. All of this felt like a dream! Who would have known that your thesis partner can be your relationship partner? Parang hindi talaga kapani-paniwala.

"Silly. You're so cute. I love you." He pinched my nose before kissing my cheeks. Binuksan niya ang pinto sa side ko bago ako pinapasok sa loob ng kotse.

After fixing my seatbelt, sinarado niya na ang pinto at pumasok na sa driver's seat at inumpisahan ang makina. I just stared at him intently while he's doing that. It still feels so surreal.

"Why are you staring like that, Elara? Kinakabahan ako sa'yo. What are you thinking?" He asked habang nagmamani-obra sa parking lot. Napangiti na lang ako when I saw his jaw clenching tightly.

"Val... Parang nung nakaraan lang 'I know' ang unang reply mo sa'kin tapos ngayon 'I love you' na. Totoo ba talaga lahat nang 'to?" I smiled at him before reminiscing the not so good past that we had.

He also smiled and we talked about a lot of things while we're on the car. Kwinento niya ang tungkol sa pag-aaral niya at hobbies niya at ganun din ako. Kumbaga sa stage ng relationship, getting to know each other better palang kami.

Nang makarating na kami sa restaurant na sinasabi niya ay agad naman akong namangha. It was classy with a mix of Italian vibes that is clean and spacious. Even the waiters were dressed neatly and the aroma of the delicious food were all over the place!

"Table reservation for Mrs. De Dios," Valentine said kaya napangunutan naman ako ng noo. Are we going to meet his mother? Tumango ang waiter at agad kaming iginiya sa table na pupuntahan namin.

Nang makaupo na kami sa naka-reserve na table, si Val na ang um-order dahil ayoko namang pumili ng mahal. I was actually saving money because my Tito Randy's hospital bills were quite expensive and even though we're rich enough to afford that, mas maganda na rin ang sigurado.

Nang makaalis na ang waiter ay agad akong bumaling kay Val na nakatitig lang sa'kin ngayon.

"Are we going to meet your mother? Sabi mo kanina ay Mrs. De Dios eh," I glanced towards the entrance of the restaurant pero wala namang pumapasok na babae.

"That's you. Your future surname," he said with his low voice while still staring at me and my reaction. I was quite surprised when he said that pero ngumiti nalang ako dahil hindi ko rin maitatanggi ang kilig. Tricks mo talaga, Valentine!

Pinagpatuloy namin ang pag-uusap tungkol sa kung ano-anong bagay at ngayon ko palang talaga naramdaman ito.

Boyfriend ko na siya. Boyfriend ko na si Valentine Cyrus De Dios.

"Tell me more about yourself. Ako na lang lagi ang nagkekwento," I told him before sipping on the juice that were served earlier. Wala pa kasi ang pagkain kaya nag-uusap muna kami.

"I am your boyfriend. What do you need to know more?" He smirked when he saw that I slightly blushed at what he just said. Tinatanong ko ng maayos pero ganyan ang sinasagot! Parang ewan!

"'Yung maayos kasi like your family, hobbies, past relationships and such." Ang lakas talaga ng loob kong magtanong pa ng past relationships niya eh alam ko namang ako lang din ang magseselos sa huli.

"I think you know everything about me already." Kung iisipin nga ay mukhang marami na akong alam sa kanya but I haven't met his family yet. Kailan niya kaya ako ipapakilala sa kanila?

"Edi ano na lang 'yung mga dinelete mong posts sa Instagram dati? Hindi lang five posts 'yun noon eh!" I accused him so he only smirked at me like he was making fun of my reaction.

"I didn't delete those. In-archive ko lang because I would look like a fucking obsessed stalker kung makikita mo 'yun." I looked at him with furrowed eyebrows before realizing something. "So the pictures were mine?!" I said still shocked.

He slightly laughed before answering. "Of course. Sino pa ba?" That's what he last said before our food arrived. Marami siyang in-order pero alam kong sapat lang naman 'yun para sa'ming dalawa.

"Hala nakalimutan ko!" I looked at my wristwatch and remembered na kaya nga pala ako sumama kay Sky kanina ay may bibilhin ako sa National Book Store. "May bibilhin pa pala ako sa SM!"

I needed to buy some school supplies because I've ran out of yellow pads and ball pens even though I bring laptop at school. Nakakapag-type naman ako ng mabilis but I'm most efficient when I'm taking down notes.

"Sasamahan na lang kita." He gave me a smile at ganun din ako sa kanya. I adored him too much that I pinched his cheek. "Ang bait talaga ng boyfriend ko!" He just glanced at me, looking bored and irritated. 

"Tss," he replied while suppressing a smile on his lips.

After we've ate enough, Valentine payed the bill at dumiretso na agad kami sa SM ulit. Dapat nga ay sa Trinoma na kami bibili pero hassle pa dahil mas malapit lang  ang SM North.

Pagkapasok ko sa National Book Store ay agad ko nang hinanap ang kailangan ko because I know that Valentine is tired already. Siya ba namang pag-drive-in pabalik-balik lalo na at lagi namang traffic sa Pinas, eh. 

"Val, ako na magbubuhat niyan." I insisted to carry the basket full of my materials pero iniwas niya lang 'yun. "Umupo ka na lang dun, ako na ang pipila," sabi niya kaya wala na akong nagawa kung hindi maghintay nalang sa gilid.

I was watching him while he was lining up in the cashier. Hindi siya bagay na papilahin lang doon dahil sa itsura niya. Mukha siyang foreigner na naligaw dahil lutang na lutang ang kagwapuhan niya!

"Ang gwapo nun, oh! Mukhang single, hingin natin number mamaya."

Nagulat naman ako nang may mag-usap na dalawang sa tingin ko ay nasa senior high school palang sa tabi ko. "Parang pang-hot daddy ang datingan. Ilang taon na kaya siya?" singit naman ng isang babae kaya napatingin na 'ko sa gawi nila.

"Sinong gwapo?" I asked curiously kahit alam ko naman kung sinong tinititigan nila. Boyfriend ko 'yun eh! Anong single kayo riyan!

"Ah, ate wala po. 'Yun lang po o 'yung nakapila. Ang gwapo niya po, 'no?"

Kusa namang nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi ng mga kabataang kinausap ko. Papagalitan ko na sana sila nang maaninag ko na papalapit na sa direksyon ko si Valentine habang may hawak na paper bag ng National.

"Hala ate! Papalapit dito! Hala Gwen, magkakajowa na 'ata tayo!" Impit na kilig ng katabi ng babae na sa tingin ko ay nagngangalang Gwen.

Mas lalo pa silang kinilig nang huminto si Val sa harap ko. Hindi na maipinta ang mukha nila sa kilig na para silang bombang sasabog. Sino ba namang hindi kikiligin sa nilalang na 'to?

"Baby, let's go home. I'm tired," salubong sa'kin ni Val before getting my hand kaya tinayo niya ako sa kinauupuan ko. Napatahimik bigla ang dalawang babae, the reason why I smirked. Akin na 'to! Hanap kayo inyo!

"Shet, girlfriend niya pala 'yun. Epic fail," tawa no'ng babae. Napailing nalang ako sa reaksyon nila. Kids nowadays. Naalala ko tuloy si Portia at Sangre noong high school pa lang kami.

Since parehas lang naman kami ng condo na tinitirhan ni Val, hindi na kami nahirapan pang bumyahe ng malayo. He was parking at his reserved spot when I realized that I haven't gone through his condo yet.

"Val, 'di pa pala ako nakakapunta sa condo mo," pagpaparinig ko sa kanya at buti na lang ay na-gets niya agad. "Do you want to go there now? Okay lang naman," he said before locking the car nang makalabas na kami.

Tumango-tango na lang ako bago kami maglakad papunta sa elevator. Hindi katulad noong mga unang sakay ko rito sa elevator sa Darling Heights, medyo nasasanay na ako sa pagsakay. But my boyfriend still held my hand to show me that it is safe. I just smiled.

We arrived at the topmost floor at hindi ko inakalang ang binili niya pala ang isa sa pinakamahal na condo unit. Maybe his family was too rich that they can afford a condo unit that costs hundreds of millions!

"Ba't ang laki ng condo mo? 'Di ba mag-isa ka lang dito?" I asked him with still amusement etched on my face.

"Yup," he said while sliding his key card on his automatic door. Nagbukas naman agad 'yun kaya nakapasok na kami. Kung labas palang ay mangha na ako, lalo naman sa loob!

Its overall motif was black and dark brown, that made the look classy and exquisite. It looked luxurious and expensive just by looking at its large living room. Living room niya palang ay kasing laki na ng buong unit ko!

"Kelan ka pa tumira rito? Parang bago pa lang," I said while still surveying the whole unit. The kitchen and dining room were just around the corner and there were five guest rooms with two master bedrooms.

"Noong lumipat ka rito." 

Napatingin naman ako sa kanya dahil sa sinabi niya. He followed me here? Does that mean that he's stalking me? Pinangunutan ko siya ng noo bago umiling-iling nalang.

We went to the kitchen because he said that he wanted to drink coffee. Nakita ko naman na sakto ay may coffee maker doon kaya ako na ang nagtimpla sa kanya. Mukhang pagod na pagod na eh.

While I was putting the pre-ground coffee in the filter, I felt his big hand embraced me from the back. He leaned his chin on my shoulder bago siniksik ang ulo niya sa leeg ko.

"Clingy ka pala, Val. 'Di halata," pang-aasar ko before putting water in the coffee maker and turning the on switch.

"Sa'yo lang ako ganito. I'm hardly smitten, Elara."

Napangiti n alang ako bago kinalas ang pagkakayakap niya sa'kin mula sa likod. Hinarap ko siya. I just want to hug him tight right now and thank him for accepting me for who I am. Kahit marami pa akong pagkukulang sa buhay.

We looked at each other intently with love in our eyes. Me, looking at his brown orbs, and him, looking directly at my heart and soul. His hands snaked around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

After interlocking with his eyes, he lowered his gaze on my lips before licking his. "Can I kiss you?" Pagpapaalam niya kaya napatawa nalang ako. Tinatanong pa ba 'yun?

Hinawakan ko na lang ang magkabilang pisngi niya before tiptoeing and landing a quick peck on his lips. I giggled when I saw how irritated he was nang ma-realize niya na mabilis lang 'yun.

He lowered his head to kiss me again and I have no reason to object. I love him anyways. He just landed soft kisses on my lips like he's teasing my inner soul. He was holding my waist firmly at sa tingin ko'y kung hindi niya ako hawak ay mapapaupo ako sa panghihina ng tuhod ko.

Hindi ko na kaya ang pang-aasar niyang mabababaw na halik kaya ako na mismo ang humalik sa kanya nang mas malalim. I tasted his lips that was slowly forming into a teasing smile before he pursed it into a thin line. Iniwas ko ang mukha ko at hinampas siya sa braso.

"Epal ka!" I smacked him on his right arm para makaalis sa hawak niya sa'kin. Sino ba naman ang baliw na isasarado ang bibig habang nakikipaghalikan?

He just laughed nang pumunta na ako sa living room. Bahala siya riyan magtimpla ng kape niya!

Sumalampak ako sa sofa at ni-hug ang unan dahil sa inis ko sa kanya. It was perfect! The scene was sweet and dreamy! Sinira niya pa!

Naramdaman ko ang paglapit niya at nakita kong wala na siyang hawak na kape. Maybe he drank it fast para hindi na siya magkakape pagkarating dito.

"Uuwi na 'ko, Val," I said before getting my things at ang mga pinamili namin sa National Book Store kanina. But before I could even get out of the unit, he held my hand tightly so he could pull me and I landed on his lap while sitting!

"Ano ba!" Inis kong sabi sa kanya.

Hindi niya ako sinagot at in-embrace lang ako sa bewang at siniksik ang ulo sa leeg ko. He was sniffing it like it was his favorite perfume.

Lumipas ang ilang minuto at napagod nalang ako kakaangal kaya napasandal nalang din ako sa dibdib niya. Naramdaman ko ang pagngiti niya.

"Still angry?" I just rolled my eyes at him so he caught my cheeks so he could land a kiss on my lips. "Ayoko na! Aalis na 'ko!" I said dahil alam kong bibitinin niya na naman ako sa halik niya.

He didn't let me go nang hinalikan niya ako ng mariin at mapusok. I was shocked when he parted my lips with his tongue and claimed every part of mine. When I recovered from shock, I kissed him back.

His hands were on different places on my body and I put my hands at the back of his neck. How could I ever get used of this situation? Na kung kailan lang naming ma-trip-an ay maghahalikan kami?

He was slowly caressing my thighs while I am still sitting on top of him. He tilted his head to kiss me more.

I moaned a little when he sucked my lower lip. Mas lalo akong pinang-initan when he started kissing my jaw.

"Val..." I called him when he reached my neck. I slanted it sideways to give him more access of it. I was currently panting when I think he left a mark on my collarbone while kissing me. He then stopped.

"Why... Bakit ka huminto?" I sounded too disappointed! Ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko eh! Dapat umalis na 'ko kanina kasi lagi niya namang ginagawa 'to. Kung kelan nag-iinit na 'ko saka siya hihinto.

"I'm sorry. I think I was too fast. Ihahatid na kita sa unit mo," sabi niya while still looking at him.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at basta basta nalang sumandal sa dibdib niya. He was right. Baguhan palang kami. We should take everything slow.

"I don't want to rush you, baby. Alam kong nag-a-adjust ka pa rin na pakisamahan ako. And I was thankful enough that I get to be your boyfriend. I will do everything to respect you and do what you wish to do," He kissed my hair the reason why I smiled.

"Let's take everything slow but remember that I love you, Elara. Ever since." He kissed the top of my nose before hugging me tightly.

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#ACM26

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