Song: Turning Page- Sleeping at Last

Ring

I woke up the next day to Benjamin's very loud alarm. I groaned because I still wanted to sleep but I also know that I have a lot of responsibilities to do today.

Nakapikit parin ang aking mga mata nang maramdaman kong hinaplos ni Benjamin ang aking buhok.

"Good morning," he said in a very husky voice. "Wake up, beautiful."

Umiling ako at mas piniling manatili parin sa kama. Kahit five minutes lang muna.

I heard him chuckled. Inalis niya ang braso sa ilalim ng ulo ko at naghanda na para sa kanyang pagbangon nang pigilan ko siya. I pulled him back to bed and I immediately pulled myself closer to him. I rest my head against his chest and I hugged him tightly.

What a comfortable position this is!

Wala namang nagawa si Benjamin nang dahil doon. Hinayaan niya akong gawin ang gusto at pinaglaruan nalang ang buhok ko habang humahabol pa ako ng ilang oras pang tulog.

"I guess we're going late to work today." He said.

"I don't care. Wala silang magagawa kung ikaw naman ang boss."

Tumawa si Benjamin nang dahil sa sinabi ko. "You're taking advantage of our position in the company, Kelsey."

"Minsan lang naman, e..."

I slept for another thirty minutes until Benjamin told me that he'll prepare breakfast for us. Hinayaan ko siyang bumangon habang ako naman ay hinahanap ko pa ang will para gumayak na para sa trabaho.

I can already smell the food that Benjamin is trying to cook for us. Nang dahil rin doon ay nagkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob para bumangon. My hair is still all over the place but I didn't care. Benjamin's already used to this.

Tamad na tamad pa ako nang bumaba ako ng hagdan. Nilingon ako ni Benjamin nang mapansin niyang pababa na ako. He chuckled a little when he saw my state.

"You can still sleep if you want to." Aniya. Umiling naman ako at nagtungo sakanya.

Without thinking twice, I wrapped my arms around his waist. I pressed my cheek on his bare back. I closed my eyes as if I'm still sleeping on our bed. Hinawakan ni Benjamin ang mga braso kong nakayakap sa baywang niya habang pinagpapatuloy niya ang ginagawang pagluluto.

"I'm just going to prepare our coffee." Pagpapaalam ko. Inalis niya naman ang pagkakahawak sa aking mga braso at hinayaan na akong magtungo sa coffee maker.

I patiently wait until the coffee is ready. Nang matapos ay nagsalin ako ng kape sa aking tasa at tsaka humarap kay Benjamin. Inangat ko ang tasang hawak sa aking bibig at tsaka sumimsim ng kapeng ginawa.

Tiningnan ko ang niluluto niya. I couldn't help but smile when I see that he's cooking something new now. Looks like someone learned a new recipe...

"Since when did you learn how to make an omelet?" I asked with a smirk on my lips.

Bahagya akong nilingon ni Benjamin at tsaka natawa. "I really wanted to cook something new for you."

"So, you researched?"

"Yeah," he answered. Lumingon siya sa akin at tsaka ngumiti. He's giving me his very confident smile. "Anything for my baby."

Tumawa ako nang dahil doon. I bit my lower lip at tsaka nagtungo sa likuran niya. Sinundan niya naman ako ng tingin. I offered him my coffee. He held the coffee in my hand while he sips from it. Banayad ko lang siyang pinapanood.

Pinunasan niya ang kanyang bibig nang matapos siyang uminom.

"May susuotin ka na ba para sa business party?" tanong niya. Agad naman akong umiling.

"Baka bumili nalang ako mamaya."

"I'll join you." He immediately offered.
"Aren't you busy?"

Knowing that he has a lot of things to do... I bet he still has the time to join me buy a dress for the business party.

"Tss. Don't mind them. I'm joining you."

"Why?"

"Priorities."

Ngumuso ako at hindi napigilan ang sarili na mapairap nang dahil sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko inasahang ito pa ang magpapakilig sa akin. Natawa nalang si Benjamin nang dahil sa naging reaksyon ko.

When Benjamin finished cooking, I immediately prepared the dining table. Kumain rin naman agad kami pagkatapos noon. Mabilis kaming nagayos para sa trabaho.

When we reached the building, Benjamin dropped me off to my office before he went to his own. Nakangisi na agad sa akin si Jona nang makita ang matamis na tiningnan namin ni Benjamin bago siya tuluyang lumabas ng opisina ko.

"Naku po! Parang nagliligawan lang ang datingan niyo ah?" ani Jona.

"Tss... ikaw talaga!" umiling ako at nilapag na ang dalang hand bag sa aking lamesa.

May kung anong binabasa si Jona sa iPad na kanyang hawak bago siya naupo sa harap ko para ipaalam sa akin ang lahat ng gagawin ko sa ngayong araw.

Benjamin has a meeting today. And I wonder if he can still join me buy my dress if he's overloaded with works and meetings? But I'll let him decide though. Ayoko namang umalis nalang nang hindi nagpapaalam sakanya. He'll get mad. I know him too well.

Today, I'm going to finalize my work for Gio's hotel. May iba kasi siyang pinabago at ngayon namin pag-uusapan kung sangayon na ba siya sa mga nirevise kong designs. Benjamin knows that his cousin is coming over kaya naman nang dumating si Gio ay nasa opisina ko rin si Benjamin.

I don't know what he's doing here though. Dito pa talaga siya sa opisina ko gumagawa ng trabaho kahit na may sarili naman siyang opisina! He wasn't even listening to what Gio and I are talking about. He's just simply there—on the couch—doing his work quietly.

"The design is very intricate. I love it!" ani Gio.

Napangiti naman ako nang dahil doon. "I'm really happy to hear that."

"You're really good at this huh? No wonder why my cousin is head over heels for you. Beauty and brains. Talented and very successful. I'm really glad you're part of our family."

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Gio sa gawi ni Benjamin nang marinig naming siyang bahagyang tumawa.

"Don't tell me you're in love with my wife before." Sabi niya, medyo seryoso pa. Napailing nalang ako ng di oras nang dahil sa naiisip nitong asawa ko.

"Oh, come on, Benj. Alam mo namang nasa iisang babae lang ang mga mata ko."

Benjamin nodded pleasingly because of Gio's explanation.

"I'll bring my wife at the business party. I bet you two haven't met yet?"

"Yeah. The first time I saw her was at your wedding day."

Ngumisi si Gio. "You're gonna love her."

"I bet."

Pagkatapos noon ay nagpaalam na si Gio. Benjamin finished his work inside my office before he decided that it's time for us to look for my dress.

"Pero may meeting ka raw sabi ni Regina kay Jona kanina?"

"Yeah," he said like the meeting means nothing to him. "Pupwede namang humabol."

"Bibilisan ko nalang pagpili para makahabol ka sa meeting niyo."

Agad siyang umiling. "Baby, you can take your time. Don't worry about me."

Ngumuso ako at hindi na napigilan pa ang sarili na magtungo sakanya. I sat beside him on the couch and I rest my head on his shoulder.

"You are a very, very thoughtful husband, Benjamin."

He used his thumb to brush my chin. "Anything for you, Kelsey."

Ngumiti ako. Napapikit nalang ako nang maramdaman ko ang malambot niyang labi sa aking noo.

Agad rin naman kaming gumayak paalis pagkatapos noon. We went to a family friend's boutique. Dito rin nagpagawa si Mommy noon ng mga gowns na sinusuot ko tuwing business party.

I didn't want them to customize a gown for me anymore since magagahol sa oras. The business party is two days from now. Kung magpapagawa pa, hindi na aabot.

So, Benjamin and I both decided that we'll go for a ready made gown. Tinulungan niya naman akong mamili ng susuotin. He never tore his eyes away from me while I was trying on some dress.

I first tried a mermaid off-shoulder emerald green dress. I checked myself out in the mirror. I tried to assess if this should be the gown that I should buy or not.

Nang hindi makuntento sa sariling desisyon ay humarap ako kay Benjamin upang tanungin ang kanyang opinyon. He checked me out seriously, like he was some fashion stylist.

"You look okay with that." He commented.

My eyes widened a little and my jaw dropped. "Okay?!"

Just okay? 'Yun lang? Oh my god! Does it mean it looks bad on me?

"Yeah?"

"Alright, then. I'm trying on a new dress. I will never consider just an okay from you."

Benj smirked. "You can try a lot of dresses and you'll still look good with it."

Umirap ako at sinarado na ang kurtina upang isuot na ang pangalawang dress na napili ko.

The next dress that I tried is a one shoulder ruffled black mini dress. It has a little slit on the side. When I first came out, I already saw the frown on Benjamin's lips.

"No." He answered immediately.

"Why? It looks good!" reklamo ko.

"I know. But it's too daring. A lot of men will surely fantasize about you in that dress. Change."

"What do you want me to wear then? A freaking curtain?"

"I didn't say anything," He said, defending himself. "Come on, baby, change."

Sumimangot ako at sa huli ay wala ring nagawa.

"Okay, then..." medyo tamad kong sinagot at tsaka pumasok na muli ng fitting room at sinara na ang kurtina.

The last and definitely not the least dress that I've tried is a one shoulder lantern sleeved formal dress. Based on its look, it looks very high fashioned.

I checked myself a lot of times in the mirror—making sure that this looks good on me—before I head out to ask for my husband's opinion.

Nang matapos sa pagtingin sa salamin ay binuksan ko na ang kurtina at tsaka humarap na kay Benjamin. Hindi pa ako tuluyang nakakalabas ay may ngiti na agad sa kanyang labi.

"Wow." He mouthed. "That's it."

I sighed in relief. "Ah! Finally!"

Benjamin stood up to check me out up close. He rests both of his hands on my waist at tsaka mas tiningnan ang itsura ng dress sa akin.

"Why are you so serious about picking the right dress for me? You're like a fashion stylist based on how you act."

He scoffs. "I just wanted my baby to look best on that night."

Hindi ko napigilang bahagyang matawa. Umiling nalang ako at nginisian si Benjamin.

And we ended up buying that dress...

Come business party night, I bet we were already running late for the party. Eto kasing si Benjamin kung ano-ano pa ang inuuna.

Thank goodness I prepared on a separate room. Kung nasa iisang kwarto siguro kami, malamang hindi na kami natapos. Benjamin is already downstairs when I finished preparing myself.

When I went down the stairs, Benjamin's gaze immediately turned to me. His lips curved into a small smile while his eyes roamed around on every curve in my body. Ngumiti ako sakanya.

"Of course, the most beautiful woman in the party." Aniya. I chuckled a little as I walk towards him.

Dali-dali niyang kinuha ang kamay ko at agad na pinagsiklop ito sakanya. He never tore his eyes away from me. He's looking at me as if this is the first time he saw me dress up like this.

"And you look good as always." Sabi ko sakanya dahilan kung bakit mas lumaki ang ngiti niya sa kanyang labi.

He used his other hand to grab my jaw so he can pull me close towards him. He pressed a sweet kiss on my lips. He bit his lower lip and looks at me sexily when we parted from the kiss.

"Let's go?" aya niya. Tumango ako at tsaka sabay na kaming lumabas ng bahay.

Saglit lang ang ibinyahe namin ni Benjamin patungo sa business party. When we reached the venue, Benjamin immediately handed the key to the valet. May mga media na lumapit sa akin kaya dali-dali rin akong dinaluhan ni Benjamin.

He quickly snaked his arms around my waist. There are some media who are asking questions but we choose to ignore them because that's what we talked about last night. We'll let them ask whatever they want to ask but we won't answer.

Benjamin has been through so many speculations in the last two years. And seeing him here with me now will break all those speculations about him dating other girls.

Agad na naglingunan sa gawi namin ang ibang imbitado pagkapasok palang namin sa function hall. Some even has a surprised look on their faces. Hindi siguro makapaniwala na ako na ulit ang kasama ni Benjamin sa business party.

Lumapit sa amin ang isang kaalyado sa kompanya. Malaki ang ngiti sa kanyang labi nang lumapit siya sa amin.

"It's been a while, Kelsey!" bati niya. Kinalas ni Benjamin ang kanyang braso sa aking baywang upang hayaan akong batiin si Mrs. Ocampo.

"Hi! How are you?"

"I'm doing great! Masaya ako na makita ka ulit dito!"

I smiled. Nilingon ko si Benjamin na tahimik lang na nakikinig sa amin. Nakita kong napabaling rin ang tingin sakanya ni Mrs. Ocampo. Ngumisi siya.

"Masaya ako na kasama mo na ulit si Benjamin."

"Ako rin po masaya."

Sumali naman ang ibang kakilala sa usapan namin. Bigla atang nagkaroon ng mini reunion dito. Benjamin never left my side though. Kahit na may kausap na iba, sinisigurado niya paring nakabantay siya sa akin.

"It's amazing that your company kept its status kahit na nawala ka ng dalawang taon! Your husband is really good at this. May pinagdaanan man, nakabawi rin naman agad." Ani ng isang business tycoon.

"I never doubted his abilities. I know he can still do very well in business even without me."

"But it looks like he couldn't stand the thought of not being with you."

Umangat ang kilay ko nang dahil sa sinabi ni Mr. Tan. My forehead creased and I turn to Benjamin. Hinimas niya ang kanyang baba at tsaka nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin.

"What do you mean about that, Mr. Tan?"

"Oh! Hindi kasi siya gaanong umaattend sa meeting noon. His secretary always tells us that he's out of the country. 'Yung pinsan mo lang ang madalas kong makita sa meeting," my mouth parted because of that.

He's out of the country? Saan naman kaya siya nagpupunta?

"Your cousin is really good as well. I wonder if he runs a business?"

"He does actually. But he isn't really hands on with it. Pinapaubaya niya po iyon sa kapatid niya."

"Ohh... no wonder why he sounds really well spoken. Pupwede nga rin sumunod sa yapak ni Benjamin. Akala nga namin siya na ang chairman dahil nga wala madalas itong si Benjamin."

Naghagikhikan sila nang dahil doon. Nilingon ko si Benjamin at kinunotan ng noo. Umiling lang siya sa akin na para bang sinasabi na wala lang iyon at wag ko nang problemahin.

Kapag naman tatanungin ko si Benjamin tungkol dito, hindi niya sasabihin sa akin. Kaya naman ay kinuha ko na rin itong oportunidad para itanong kung saan ba nagpupunta itong si Benjamin.

"Are you going out of the country because of business, Benj?" tanong ko.

Natigil sa pagtawa sila Mr. Tan. Hinawakan niya si Benjamin sa kanyang balikat at tsaka malaki itong nginitian.

"Parang hindi naman. His secretary never mentioned that he's out of the country because of business. He's always out for leisure." Paliwanag ni Mr. Tan.

Tinaasan ko si Benjamin. And how come he has the time to go out of the country for leisure?!

"Kels... it's-"

Magpapaliwanag na sana si Benjamin nang bigla naman siyang pinutol ni Mrs. Ocampo.

"He's always in Amsterdam."

Mas nagulat ako nang dahil doon. Akala ko kung saan saan siya nagpupunta at kung ano ano na ang pinaggagawa. And why is he in Amsterdam?! Is that the reason why he knows where I am?

"You stayed there for two years, right?" tanong ng isang business partner.

"Yes?" Agad ko rin namang sinagot.

"No wonder why he's always there."

Nakita ko ang pagkamot ng ulo ni Benjamin. Hindi niya siguro inakala na ilalaglag siya ng mga ito. Hindi na nga siya makapagsalita upang dipensahan ang sarili dahil tuloy-tuloy sila Mr. Tan at Mrs. Ocampo sa paglalaglag sakanya.

"Pero naiintindihan naman namin siya. Mahirap talagang mapalayo sa taong mahal mo. He needs to regain his strength by seeing you. Alam mo bang nandodoon siya lagi?"

Mabilis akong napailing. "No, I didn't. Nagulat nalang po ako nang dahil sa mga sinabi niyo."

"Benjamin is such a sneaky man," Pang-aasar ni Mr. Tan. "But don't worry, he'll go out of the country again. But this time, it's purely for business."

Yes, I know about that. Benjamin mentioned that to me before. Pero hindi ko parin mapigilan ang sarili na mabigla sa lahat ng sinabi nila Mr. Tan kanina.

Nang matapos kaming mag-usap ay hinarap ko si Benjamin. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at nagkunwaring parang wala lang sakanya ang naging usapan kanina.

"Let's go to our table." Aya niya.

"What was that, Benjamin?" medyo nagtatampo kong tinanong sakanya.

Bumagsak ang balikat niya dahil alam niya sigurong hindi ko tatapusin ang usapang ito hangga't hindi siya nakakapagpaliwanag sa akin.

"I'm sorry. I can't help it." 'yun lang ang natatangi niyang nasabi.

Ngumuso ako. "How did you know that I was in Amsterdam?"

It took him a while to answer. Akala ko naman noong una, naghanap lang siya ng tao para ipahanap ako pero hindi ko inaasahan na siya pa mismo ang magpupunta doon!

"I still need to look out for you kahit na malayo ka sa akin. I just can't let you walk away like that. I need to know where you are."

Tinitigan ko lang siya. May parang tumusok na kung ano sa puso ko. I clenched my jaw to stop my tears. Kayang kaya niya akong pakiusapan na umuwi na ng mga oras na iyon dahil alam niya naman kung nasaan ako. Pero hindi niya ginawa. Hinayaan niya akong gawin ang gusto ko kahit na alam kong masakit ito para sakanya.

He still managed to see the good in everything even after all the pain that I gave him.

Hindi ako nakasagot at tinitigan ko lang siya. He let out a sigh then he stretched his arms towards me, asking me to take a hold of his hand.

"Come on, it doesn't matter. Matagal na 'yun."

Ngumuso ako at tinanggap na ang kamay niya. He held my hand tightly. He smiled a little to assure me that it doesn't really matter to him anymore.

"You're here now. With me. And you're never gonna leave me again."

I reached for his face to press a long kiss on his lips because I can't help this feeling anymore. I just love this man so, so much. More than anything in this world. God gave me someone more than my expectation. He's more than I deserve.

"I love you. So, so much," my voice almost broke. "And I'm really sorry-"

"Stop," he cut me off. He used his thumb to gently caress my cheek. "Don't make me cry, we're in front of a lot of people. Let's enjoy the night, okay?"

Pinilit ko ang sarili na tumango at tsaka siya nginitian. I rest my head on his shoulder while we stride towards our table.

Pagkatapos ng programa ay lumapit sa table namin ang bagong kasal na si Gio kasama ang asawa niya.

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Kelsey!" Pakilala ko. I offered my hand and she gladly accepted it.

Nagpakilala rin siya sa akin. Her voice sounds really sweet. What a very beautiful lady she is. No wonder why Gio is head over heels for her!

While Benjamin and Gio talk about some things, I tried to get to know Gio's wife better. She's actually a graduate of Tourism. But she didn't pursue being a flight attendant due to some circumstances.

Pupwede nga rin siyang maging beauty queen dahil matangkad siya, payat, maganda at halatang matalino!

I suddenly wonder how Gio managed to win her? Sa pagkakaalala ko, lagi siyang nirereject nito ah?

Hmm... sounds very intriguing.

Isang araw bago umalis si Benjamin patungo sa ibang bansa ay tinulungan ko siya sa paggagayak ng kanyang gamit. He'll probably be gone for days or a week. Ilang beses niya rin akong pinipilit na sumama sakanya pero ilang beses ko rin siyang tinanggihan.

"Just come with me." aniya.

Umiling ako at ngumisi habang tinutupi ang mga damit na kakailanganin niya sa pag-alis niya.

"I have work, Benj." Paliwanag ko. He doesn't look convinced, though, dahil pilit niya parin akong pinapasama sakanya.

"Trabaho rin naman ang pagpunta natin doon."

"Sa'yo trabaho, sa akin hindi. Wala akong kinalaman doon. At tsaka, kababalik ko palang sa kompanya. I need to work on a lot of things."

Walang bahid ng excitement ang mukha niya para sa pag-alis niya bukas. He keeps on asking me to come with him. Ayaw na ayaw talagang tinatanggihan ko siya.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya para mas pagaanin ang loob niya.

"Benj, you don't need to worry. I'll be fine here. I'll call you every day so you won't miss me too much." Mapagasar ko siyang nginisian.

"And it will only be a week. Gosh! Dalawang taon nga tayong hindi nag-kita, nakayanan mo naman. Isang linggo pa kaya." Dagdag ko.

Natawa naman ako nang dahil sa naging reaksyon niya. He glared at me at walang gana akong tinulungan para sa pag-iimpake ng mga gamit niya.

Nang matapos kami sa pagtutupi ng mga damit niya ay tumayo siya upang may kuhanin sa kanyang opisina. Habang ako naman ay inayos na ang mga gamit niya sa loob ng maletang dadalhin niya bukas. I organized his clothes para mas maging madali para sakanya ang pagpili ng mga susuotin niyang damit.

When he returned from his office, he sat on our bed and watched me pack his things. Nag matapos ay nilingon ko siya.

"'Yung iba mong gamit, nandoon na sa backpack mo. Tapos 'yung mga susuotin mo, nakaayos na dito. Dito 'yung tshirts at dito naman ang mga polo." Tinuro ko sakanya ang ginawa kong pag-oorganize sa maleta niya.

"Dito naman 'yung... underwear mo." medyo nahihiya kong sinabi. I zipped up the portion of his luggage where his underwear are placed.

Nilingon ko siya at nakitang malamig lang siyang nakatingin sa akin. Don't tell me, nagtatampo parin siya nang dahil sa pagtanggi ko sa pag-sama sakanya? I tried to smile a little at him despite his seriousness.

"Anong oras nga ulit ang alis niyo bukas?" tanong ko.

"Seven." He answered simply.

Tumango ako at tsaka nilingon ang orasan. It's already eleven o'clock. He should be sleeping by now. Maaga siyang aalis dahil hindi naman siya pupwedeng malate sa kanyang flight.

"You should sleep now. Maaga pala ang alis mo bukas. Ako na ang bahala dito." Sabi ko at tsaka tumayo na.

I moved my feet to walk towards the drawer to look for some padlocks nang bigla siyang magsalita dahilan kung bakit ako biglang napatigil sa binabalak na gawin.

"Kelsey..." he called.

Nilingon ko siyang muli. I gave him a questioning look.

"Why? Do you need anything?"

"Yes."

He pursed his lips kinuha niya ang kamay ko at tsaka ako hinila palapit sakanya. He spread his legs a little so he can make me sit in between them. Hindi naman ako nag-reklamo hinayaan na siyang gawin ang gusto.

"What is it?" tanong ko.

There was a long pause before he decided to break the silence that enveloped the room.

"Marry me."

My mouth immediately parted. Unti-unting umangat ang mga kilay ko nang dahil sa gulat. Kasabay rin noon ay ang pagtataka ko sa biglaan niyang pag-aaya sa akin ng kasal.

"But we're already married, Benj." Malambing kong sinabi. I tried to laugh to lighten up the mood but Benjamin remained serious.

"Hindi. Pakasalan mo ako ng totoo ngayon," sabi niya sa isang napakaseryosong tono.

I couldn't hide the surprised look on my face anymore. This is just so sudden! What is he up to?

"Benjamin... I..."

"Marry me... not because of business but because you love me. I'll definitely do that for you. I'm asking you to marry me because I love you and I can't settle with a marriage that we both know started because of business. I want to become the husband that you imagined me to be. I want to start my family with you. I want to have kids with you. It's you that I imagined that I'll be growing old with, so please..." tears started to linger his eyes. "Marry me again, Kelsey."

Nanatiling nakabuka ang bibig ko. Hindi parin nagpproseso sa isip ko ang kanyang sinabi. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at mas itinuon ito sa mga daliri ko. He waited for my answer. Nang wala ni isang salita ang lumabas sa bibig ko ay nag-salita siyang muli.

"Kelsey..." he called.

Inangat kong muli ang tingin sakanya. His eyes are begging me to answer him right now.

I opened my mouth. I smiled at him before I tell him my answer.

"You're the only person that I'm willing to marry over and over again," Benjamin scoffs and a smile quickly curved on his lips. "Is that enough to answer your proposal?"

Tumango siya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. "I love you... thank you so, so much."

Niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit pabalik. Hinalikan niya muna ako sa aking labi bago niya hagilapin ang singsing sa kanyang bulsa.

I watch him as he slid a new ring on my finger. I can't help but smile.

"You really bought a new one huh?"

"Of course." He said then he smiled.