Song: Beautiful- Crush 

Family

Hindi ko magawang alisin ang ngiti sa aking labi. It was good to finally see him again up close. Halata sa itsura niya na hindi niya alam ang susunod na gagawin. He was busy staring at me like he can't believe that I'm here again—finally in front of him again.

I hope he didn't despise me for pushing him away a lot of times. I hope he forgives me for that.

"Uhm," I started after a moment of silence. "Can I help?"

Napakurap siya ng ilang beses nang dahil sa sinabi ko. Hinarap niya ang kanyang niluluto ng bahagya at tsaka binaling muli ang tingin sa akin.

"O-Oh! You should probably just sit there. Malapit nang matapos 'to." aniya.

Tumango ako at nginitian siyang muli. Nagtungo ako sa may dining table at tsaka umupo sa sariling pwesto. I turn to Benjamin again whose still looking at me. Nang magkatinginan kami ay agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. Humarap siya sa kanyang niluluto at tsaka tinuloy ang kanyang ginagawa. I heard him sigh heavily.

I waited for another minute before Benjamin placed the food on top of the table. Dahan-dahan siyang naupo sa kabisera. I waited for him to move so we can start now pero nagmukha siyang estatwa dahil hinihintay niya rin akong gumalaw.

"Shall we eat now?" I said.

Why is he so awkward around me? Para namang hindi kami magkakilala!

"O-Okay!"

Kinuha niya ang pinggan na pinaglalagyan ng kanin at tsaka ako sinalinan sa aking plato. He poured some and I gladly let him do that. Pinapanood ko lang siya habang ginagawa niya iyon.

At least hindi parin siya nagbabago at ginagawa niya parin ang nakasanayan niya.

Tumingin siya sa akin upang itanong kung titigil na ba siya sa paglalagay o hindi. I opened my mouth to say something but I stopped when he spoke.

"You've gotten healthier. It's good to see you like this." Aniya nang mapuna ang itsura ko.

I smiled a little. "Really? Thank you!"

Binaba niya ang plato na pinaglalagyan ng kanin at tsaka ako nilagyan ng ulam na niluto niya. We were insanely quiet so I decided to start a conversation.

"Why are you up early though? You usually wake up at nine when you don't have work." I said.

Bahagya siyang lumingon sa akin habang nilalagyan niya ng kanin ang kanyang plato at tsaka siya ngumisi.

"Naaalala mo pa 'yun?"

Umangat ang kilay ko. Bakit? Sa tingin niya ba ganun-ganun ko nalang kakalimutan ang lahat?

"Why do you look surprised? It's not like I didn't live here with you for years! Do you... expect me to just forget everything?"

Tumitig siya ng sandali sa akin bago siya ngumisi muli. At least there's still something that didn't change about him. And that is... his fondness of smirking so much.

"No," He answered honestly. "The same goes with me."

Ako naman ang napangisi ngayon. Nagsimula ako sa pagkain. Hindi ko naman hinayaan na maging tahimik nalang ang paligid kaya pinagpatuloy ko ang pakikipagusap sakanya.

I'm trying okay? I'm trying to lessen the awkwardness between us!

"So, did you already know that I was here? Or... did your body clock changed and you're waking up early now?"

Benjamin chuckled because of that. I took a sip from my coffee at tsaka siya nilingon. He pursed his lips like he's reminiscing something.

"I came home feeling a little sad yesterday," He said. Natigil ako sa pag-inom ng kape upang itanong kung bakit.

He scoff like he's embarrassed of something. Umiling siya at mas itinuon ang pansin sa pagkain sa harap niya. It's like he's purposely avoiding my gaze because of his embarrassment. Hindi siya sumagot at nanatiling tahimik.

"Why, Benjamin?"

Nang binaggit ko ang kanyang pangalan ay mabilis siyang napaangat ng tingin sa akin. There's a sad look on his face that at first, I thought that there's tears in his eyes but it looks like it's just my imagination.

"Damn. You're really back." his voice almost broke.

Bumuka ang bibig ko nang makita ang pag-pipigil niya ng kanyang luha. He tried to laugh his tears away that's why he avoided my gaze again.

I grabbed his hand and asked him to look at me. Patuloy siya sa pag-iling na para bang sinasabi sa akin na wag ko siyang tingnan habang siya ay emosyonal.

"I'm really, really sorry." I whispered.

"You don't have to," he whispered back. "I understand why you needed to do that. I am not mad or anything. I'm just really glad that you decided to come back to me... after everything we've been through."

Mas hinigpitan ko ang pagkakahawak sa kamay niya. Of course, Benj... First love never dies. No matter where I am and no matter how times flies... it's just impossible to forget you.

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Kaya naman si Benjamin na ang nagsalita.

"Memories of us came flashing through my mind during Gio's wedding. There are a lot of what if's in my head. What if you didn't leave? What if I didn't file that stupid piece of paper? What if... we're still together? What if... we got married again?" Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga.

"I couldn't sleep the night when you left because I know it's over between us. And there is no way that I can ask you to come back because I know, once you've decided, you're really going to push through it.

"I keep on remembering us every day. I keep on thinking of you. I keep on thinking what you're doing. You're just in my head, Kels. And it's really hard to live my life without you." his voice broke and a tear streamed down his face.

Iniwas niya ang kanyang mukha sa akin at tsaka pinalis ang luhang tumulo sa kanyang mga mata. I moved closer to him to grab his face but he stopped.

"No," he scoffs. "I don't want you to see me like this."

I gave him a minute to compose himself before he decided to look at me again and try to pretend that he didn't cry.

"I keep on checking your room ever since the day you left. I keep on hoping that you'll still come back to me. Because after all, this is where you truly belong. Hindi ako tumigil hanggang sa unti-unti na akong nauubusan ng pag-asa na babalik ka pa."

He clenched his jaw to stop himself from getting emotional again. It's heartbreaking to see him crying so much for me. What have I done to him? What kind of stupidity has gotten into me to do such thing?

"Baby, two years is such a long time. I thought that you've finally moved on at ako nalang itong patuloy na umaasa sa atin. I never checked your room again for a couple of months now... until yesterday."

He bit his lip to stop his tears but he can't. The tears that he's been trying to conceal came out and he didn't mind now that I see him crying because he was really focused on what he was about to say.

"Thank God I did check your room yesterday because if I didn't... I wouldn't know you're here. I wouldn't know that you're already sleeping peacefully in your room while keep on thinking when you're coming back. And when I saw you there... sleeping peacefully," suminghap siya. "And I thought that... Wow! My life is back. I've found my reason to live again. Because everything that I needed in this life, decided to come back without me knowing."

He tried to laugh as he wipe away his tears. Mukhang ako naman ang naiiyak ngayon. I pursed my lips and grabbed his cheeks. He let me this time.

"Hey..." Alu ko. I used my thumb to gently rub his cheek. "You don't have to keep on reminisce things anymore. Because we're going to live this life now... together again."

Unti-unti siyang napangiti nang dahil sa sinabi ko. Benjamin crashed me into a hug and I rest my head against his shoulder to feel his warmth against my again. I closed my eyes.

"I'm really, really sorry, Benj." I said in between my tears.

"Shh..." He said while gently rubbing my back to comfort me. "It's okay... What matters now is that you're back and you're never going to leave me again."

We stayed in that position for another minute. When we pulled away from the hug he grabbed my cheek to gently caress it. We stared at each other's eyes to admire one another as if we just see each other for the first time.

Unti-unti siyang lumapit hanggang sa inilapat niya ang kanyang labi sa akin. It felt amazing to feel his lips against mine again. He's the only one who's capable of doing this to me. He's the only one who's allowed to claim my lips like this.

He kissed me slowly and sweetly. They're full of longing and adoration. But all in all, it felt really amazing. Oh, how I missed him.

When we parted from the kiss. I smiled at him. I traced his jaw and look at his beard.

"You should probably shave." I said. He smirked.

"Why? Do you prefer me without this?"

I nod while I continue to trace his jaw. "A little. But I prefer the little stubble more. It suits you."

"Okay... as you wish."

I chuckled and turned to our food again.

"We should probably keep on eating now." Sabi ko at tsaka ngumiti.

"Yeah. The food is getting cold. I exerted so much effort on cooking these."

"I can see that," Benjamin smiled a little. "Maybe we should catch up later."

Nakakatawang isipin na ang bilis naming nagkaayos na para bang walang nangyari noon. Maybe that's what love do. When people are meant to be together, they'll eventually find their way back and accept each other again.

Benjamin keeps on brushing my hair as I lay down with him on the sofa. I didn't realize that I missed doing these things with him until now. These are the things that I keep on looking forward during the days where I get to spend time with Benjamin before.

"Why did you decide to hang up my paintings on the wall?" I asked when my eyes lingered to one of my paintings.

Naramdaman kong nagawi rin ang tingin ni Benjamin doon.

"Every body who visits me here deserves to see your masterpiece. The beauty that you created deserves to be appreciated."

Ngumisi ako.

"That rhymes."

Benjamin chuckled. I shifted a little to look up to him. I waited for him to continue.

"And also... your paintings remind me so much of you."

I pouted. It's really surprising that he thought of hanging these paintings on the wall just to make him remember me. That only explains how much he didn't want to forget me. 

"Did you ever think about signing the papers?" I asked nonchalantly.

Tinigil niya ang paglalaro sa buhok ko at tsaka ako tiningnan ng masama. He gave me a warning look.

"Kelsey!" Ngumiti ako.

"I mean... because if you did, that means we're basically not married anymore. And," nginisian ko siya. "We're probably just in a relationship now."

He tsked. Pabiro siyang umirap sa akin. Binaba niya ang kanyang kamay at tsaka hinawakan ang balikat ko na para bang nakayakap na siya sa akin.

"I didn't sign the papers, Kelsey. And I will never sign that kind of paper," he answered truthfully. "I only let you walk away because I think that will help us learn how to grow without each other even though I know it's impossible and it's against my will."

I raised a brow at him playfully and smirked.

"Well, that took me months before I realize that. It was really hard to accept that I just did let you walk away. I tried to reflect on it and see the good side of it. I'm willing to wait for you even though it will cost me a lot of time. And I never heard that you're dating someone else so... I continued on hoping. Because if I find out that you're dating someone, my hopes will shatter." He added.

"Will you ever do anything if you find out that I'm seeing someone else?"

Inangat niya ang isa niyang kilay at hindi na pinag-isipan pa ang kanyang isasagot.

"I'll probably raise hell."

Tumawa ako. Mas idinikit ko ang katawan sakanya at mas niyakap siya ng mahigpit. I felt him press a kiss on my head. 

"But look at us now. Hindi ka naman babalik kung hindi mo rin napagtanto na ako parin ang gusto mo." he answered confidently.

I hit him playfully. Oh, the ever confident Benjamin Donovan!

"But I'm not wearing our wedding ring, though," wala sa sarili akong napatingin sa aking daliri. "Did you keep it?"

"Yeah."

"Where? I wanna wear it again." Inangat ko ang tingin sakanya at mataman siyang tinginan.

Umiling siya na para bang pinapahiwatig sa akin na ayaw niyang sabihin kung nasaan. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"That doesn't matter anymore. I'm giving you a new one."

My jaw droppped. Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang dahil doon. Agad ko siyang kinontra sa sinabi niya.

"No! You're not! Tsaka, ang mahal na nung binigay mo sa akin noon. I don't want you to waste money."

"Why not? I can afford to buy a new one?" He said like his money means nothing to him.

Niliitan ko siya ng mata at tsaka siya tiningnan ng masama.

"You don't really care about your money, do you?"

He smirked. "As long as I'm spending it for you."

Umiling ako at pabiro siyang inirapan. We stayed in that position until we decided to go to their house and visit his family.

I wore a simple white cami top and I tucked it in inside my navy blue trousers. I was busy checking myself out in the mirror when Benjamin appeared behind my back. I immediately smiled when I saw him.

"At least you did not remove that from your neck." He said referring to the pearl necklace that he gave me.

Napatingin ako doon sa tinutukoy niya. Hinarap ko siya at inayos ang kwelyo ng kanyang suot.

"The thought of removing this never crossed my mind. But I'm sorry for removing the ring on my finger in front of you. That must've hurt you."

He smiled a little at me to assure me that it's fine.

"Stop apologizing, Kels. It's okay. It doesn't matter anymore. I'm keeping you here with me forever."

"I don't mind." I chuckled.

Benjamin pressed a kiss on my forehead before we decided to head outside the house so we can go now on your way to his parents' house.

Wala pang sumasalubong sa amin nang makapasok ang kotse ni Benjamin sa kanilang garahe. When he stops the car, he turns to me and smiled. He grabbed my hand to press a kiss on it without breaking his gaze at me. I can't help but smile back.

"They're going to be so happy to see you back." Aniya.

"I'm happy to see them, too, again."

Ginamit niya ang isa niyang kamay upang abutin ang mukha ko. He used his thumb to gently caress my cheek. This is his favorite thing to do now.

"We should head outside now. They're probably waiting for you to come out of your car." Sabi ko.

Tumango si Benjamin at nauna nang lumabas ng sasakyan niya. Umikot siya upang pagbuksan ako ng pinto. I smiled at him to thank him for the kind gesture.

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at pinagsiklop ito. Pagkatapos noon ay dumiretso na kami papasok ng bahay nila. Benjamin opened the door for me at pinauna niya akong pumasok.

I saw Tita Barbara walking towards the door with a confused look on her face. Siguro nagugulohan kung bakit biglang napabisita muli si Benjamin sakanila.

"Oh, hijo! Hindi mo man lang sinabi na dadating ka. Sana nagpahanda- Oh my goodness! Gracious! Kelsey!" She was saying something while walking towards us at nang makita ako ay natigil siya sa paglalakad at agad na nanlaki ang mga mata.

Nginitian ko siya at tsaka kumaway. Benjamin entered the house and stayed behind me. Nilingon ko siya at nakitang nakangisi siya habang pinapanood ang nakakatuwang ekspresyon ng kanyang ina.

"Hi, Tita. It's been a while!" I said.

Naramdaman ko ang pagbaling ng tingin sa akin ni Benjamin. That made me turn to him, too. Nakakunot ang noo niya sa akin at tsaka ako tinaasan ng kilay.

"Tita?" he asked with an unbelievable look on his face.

My mouth parted. Kumunot rin ang noo ko nang dahil doon.

Oonga, Kelsey! Bakit Tita parin?

"O-Oh!" hinarap kong muli si Tita Barbara at nahihiyang ngintiian. "Hi, M-Mama."

I bit my lip after I said that because I felt shy. I wasn't used on addressing her as "mama" so this is something new to me.

Benjamin leaned down a little to whisper something in my ear.

"Much better."

I scoff and walked towards his mother to give her a hug. Kahit noong nakayakap na ako ay bakas parin sa mukha niya ang pagkabigla. Ramdam ko ang unti-unting pag-angat ng mga kamay niya upang yakapin ako pabalik.

When she realizes what's happening, she quickly tightened the hug.

"Oh god! Kelsey! It's good to see you back!" aniya sa medyo mangiyak-ngiyak na boses.

Pumikit ako at pinigilang lumandas ang mga nangingilid kong luha. Kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap sa akin at tsaka hinawakan ang magkabila kong pisngi. Her eyes are starting to water.

Unti-unti siyang napangiti.

"I missed you!"

Ngumiti rin ako pabalik sakanya. "I missed you, too! I'm sorry for not saying goodbye when I left. And I'm sorry for what I did-"

"Oh, shh... you don't have to think about that. Mas masaya ako na nandidito ka ulit. Masaya ako na magkasama na kayo ulit." Pinigilan niya ang sarili na maiyak nang husto matapos niyang sabihin iyon. Niyakap niya akong muli. Hinagod ko ang kanyang likod habang hinayaan ko siyang umiyak.

We heard footsteps coming down the stairs and his father immediately entered the scene.

"Barbara, I saw Benjamin's car outside. May problem ba-" natigil siya sa sinasabi nang makita ako. Kumalas si Mama Barbara sa akin at tsaka hinarap ang asawa.

"Walang problema, Francisco. Masaya na ulit ang anak mo."

Papa Francisco's lips slowly turned into a smile. Lumapit siya sa amin upang salubungin ako.

"No wonder my son looks radiant today. Welcome back, hija!"

Ngumiti ako at sinalubong siya. I hugged him back tightly.

"We should probably call Brittany and ask her to come here. I'm sure she'll be so happy!" ani Mama Barabra.

Matapos akong yakapin ni Papa Francisco ay lumapit sa akin si Benjamin. He snaked his arms around my waist possessively. Bahagya ko siyang nilingon at nginitian. I rest my head against his chest while we watch his parents talk about asking Brittany to come here.

"Ipasundo mo sa driver ngayon! Naku! Tiyak na magiging masaya talaga iyon!"

Ganoon nga ang pinagawa ni Papa Francisco sa driver. He asked their driver to fetch Brittany at the hospital she works in. When she arrived, nagmamadali niyang binuksan ang pinto. She entered and stop to roam her eyes around.

Tumigil ang mga mata niya sa akin. Her jaw dropped but it quickly turned into a smile.

"Kelsey!" she squealed. Tatakbo na sana siya patungo sa akin nang pigilan siya ni Mama Barbara.

"Brittany, ang bata!" suway nito.

"Oh, shit!" she cursed when she realized that she shouldn't be running especially when she's pregnant. "I'm sorry, baby." She said at her tummy.

Inangat niyang muli ang tingin sa amin at tsaka naglakad nalang patungo sa akin. Hindi na siya nagpaligoy-ligoy pa nang makalapit siya sa akin dahil agad niya akong niyakap ng mahigpit.

"Thank you for coming back. Thank you for bringing my brother back." She whispered in my ear.

Napapikit ako at niyakap na rin siya ng mahigpit. And that night was filled with a lot of catching up, laughter, and joy.

Kinabukasan naman ay napagdesisyonan namin ni Benjamin na pumunta sa kompanya. My cousin is still the one in my position. Hindi niya pa rin kasi alam na nakabalik na ako.

"How's my cousin by the way?" I asked Benjamin while we were on our way to the company.

"He's very flirty." Agad na namilog ang mga mata ko nang dahil doon.

"What? How? Oh my god! Don't tell he's flirting with Jona."

Benjamin chuckled. "Buti nga at hindi. But he tried on pursuing Regina, I just told him to stop. I don't tolerate relationship around my circle."

Ngumuso ako. Gosh! Hindi na talaga nagbago si Marcus!

"But he's good at leading. He knows what he's doing and he also has an amazing skill in architecture just like you. The only difference is, you're much better."

Pabiro akong umirap.

"You're just biased because I'm your wife. But Marcus is also really good in architecture. That's why I didn't think twice of putting him in my position while I'm away."

Nang makarating kami sa opisina ay sinalubong kami ng ibang empleyado. Ang iba ay sinundan pa kami ng tingin at ang iba naman ay may hindi makapaniwalang itsura sa kanilang mga mukha.

At nang makarating kami sa tamang palapag ay dumiretso muna kami sa aking opisina upang bisitahin si Marcus. I was just about to enter when I saw that he's making out with some unknown girl. Agad akong napaatras at humarap kay Benjamin at tinakpan ang aking mga mata.

"Marcus!" Benjamin said.

Hindi ko na alam pa ang sunod na nangyari dahil nakita ko nalang na palabas na iyong babaeng kahalikan ni Marcus. Hinarap ko ang pinsan ko.

"Kelsey!" salubong ni Marcus sa akin. "I didn't know you're back!"

"Ito lang ba ang pinagkakaalabahan mo habang wala kang ginagawang trabaho?" tanong ko.

Napaatras siya ng bahagya at agad na dinepensahan ang sarili.

"What? No! I'm doing my job really well! It's just a... past time." he said defensively.

My mouth parted at my cousin's unbelievable reason. Kahit si Benjamin ay natawa nalang nang dahil sa sinabi nito.

"Nasaan si Jona?" tanong ko.

"Oh. I told her to just stay wherever she wants while I'm a little occupied here."

Nandidiri kong tiningnan ang pinsan ko at umirap. "Nasaan nga?"

"She's probably just somewhere there."

Umiling ako. Hinayaan naman ako ni Benjamin na kausapin ang pinsan ko habang pinapahanap niya si Jona. I really want to see her. Naaalala ko pa ang pagiging emosyonal niya noong paalis ako.

"What made you decide to come back, though? Still in love with him?"

Umirap ako. "Babalik at babalik parin ako dito kahit papano. Masyado mo yatang inenjoy ang posisyon mo dito."

"Of course! You have a lot of beautiful employees in this company. They're quite a good view."

I groaned. He's so frustrating!

"Huling linggo mo na 'to. Sulitin mo na."

Marcus laughed. "Susulitin ko talaga. Kita mo naman kanina..."

I hit my cousin because of his ridiculous behavior. Nang pumasok muli si Benjamin sa opisina ay kasama na niya si Jona. Her eyes widened when she saw me. Mabilis siyang nagtungo sa pwesto ko at tsaka ako niyakap. I feel like she's really glad to see me back.

After that encounter, we went to my parents grave. We stayed there for a while. It's been a long time since they passed away. The pain is still there but I know how to cope up with it now.

It was really such a tiring day but I didn't mind because I enjoyed catching up with people who seems to be really glad to see me back. Kinagabihan bago kami matulog ay nakatanggap si Benjamin ng imbitasyon para sa isang annual business party.

"We're going." I decided. Binaba ni Benjamin ang tingin sa akin.

"What made you decide so easily?"

"I mean, it only happens once or twice in a year. And every time you attend in the last two years, you were always rumored with different girls." I tried to stop myself from rolling my eyes but I can't.

I heard him scoff. "So, you want me to show you off?"

"That's not what I meant! But-"

"Okay, then. We're going."

Ngumuso ako at umiling. Sinabi ko rin sakanya na minessage ako ng Helping Hands Foundation tungkol sa outreach program na gaganapin nila sa susunod na araw. They're asking if I can go because I've been declining their offers in the last two years.

Ang ginagawa ko nalang noon ay nagpapadala ako ng pera para makatulong sa pagbiili ng mga bagay na kailangan nila. Now that I'm back, I'm going. And I'm asking Benjamin to come with me. The kids are really fond of him based on what I've witnessed when we went to Canada for the talk.

And he also seem to like the kids so it wouldn't be a bad idea if I'll bring him along with me.

Nang dumating ang araw para sa outreach program ay maaga kaming nagtungo sa lugar na pag-gaganapan noon. The organizers eventually handed us our shirts when we arrived. Pagkatapos noon ay tumulong kami ni Benjamin para sa pag-aayos ng lugar.

The kids are not here yet. They'll probably arrive at eleven. We still have plenty of time to prepare. I was tasked to arrange all the school supplies that we're going to give the children that will come here.

Habang si Benjamin naman ang tumutulong sa pagbubuhat ng mga lamesa at upuan na kakailanganin mamaya.

Wala sa sarili ko siyang hinanap sa dagat ng tao. Hindi naman naging mahirap iyon sa akin dahil agad ko siyang natagpuan nang dahil sa tangkad niya. I saw him offering help to one of the volunteers who's currently carrying a bag full of give away.

Ngumiti ito sakanya at tsaka sila nagtungo sa lamesa kung saan ipwinepwesto ang mga ipamimigay mamaya. Nang ibaba na niya ang buhat na gamit ay napabaling siya ng tingin sa gawi namin.

A small smile immediately curved on to his lips when he saw me already looking at him. He stands proud and even had the guts to wink at me!

Tumawa ako at umiling nalang. Pinagpatuloy ko ang ginagawa hanggang sa dumating na ang lahat ng mga bata.

A lot of kids are very excited for this event. Some even told me that they've been looking forward to this during their summer vacation.

Nagkaroon ng kaunting programa para sa mga bata at isa ako sa mga nagfacilitate noon. I haven't seen Benjamin ever since the program started. I was quite occupied and I didn't have the time to look around and find him.

Abala ako sa pamimigay ng mga pagkain sa bata nang maramdaman kong may tumabi sa akin. Kumuha siya ng isang styrofoam at tsaka ibinigay iyon sa isang bata.

"Thank you po!" ani ng batang binigyan niya. I turn to look at this person.

My husband turned to me, too, with a smirk on his face. Siguro kahit anong gawin ko, wala na talaga akong magagawa para tanggalin ang ngisi niyang 'yan sa labi niya.

Nagpatuloy siya sa pamimigay ng pagkain sa mga bata. Sometimes I'll catch him smiling at them once he handed them their foods. He even ruffles their hair sometimes! I never thought that Benjamin has a soft spot for kids.

Nang matapos kami sa ginagawa ay nilapitan kami ng isa sa mga kapwa naming volunteers.

"Mr. and Mrs. Donovan, kumuha na rin po kayo ng pagkain niyo! Kami na po ang bahala dito." Aniya.

Ngumiti ako at tumango. "Sige. Salamat!"

Si Benjamin na ang kumuha ng pagkain para sa aming dalawa. Habang ako naman ay humanap ng lamesa na pupwede naming kainan. Nagtungo ako sa lamesa na mayroon pang bakante para sa amin ni Benjamin.

The kids immediately smiled when they saw me joining their table.

"Hi!" I said.

"Ate Kelsey! Tara po! Kain po!"

"Sige. Kinukuha na rin ako ni Kuya Benjamin niyo ng pagkain. Masarap ba 'yan?"

Mabilis silang tumango nang tinanong ko iyon. Ngumiti ako. Nag-angat naman ako ng tingin nang makita ko si Benjamin na paparating na sa lamesa kung nasaan ako. He placed my food on top of the table while he sat in front of me.

He looks like a lost man while sitting in between the kids. He's massive while the kids look like a puppy beside him. I can't help but laugh a little.

I opened my food and I started eating. Habang kumakain kami ay nagtatanong naman ang mga bata tungkol sa aming dalawa ni Benjamin.

"Saan po kayo nagkakilala ni Ate Kelsey, Kuya?" tanong ng isang bata kay Benjamin. He turns his gaze at me.

"Sa isang business party." He answered simply.

"Ano po tingin niyo sakanya noon?" Tinaasan ko ng kilay si Benjamin.

"Ayusin mo." I mouthed. He chuckled.

"Parang prinsesa." He answered simply. I shake my head and rolled my eyes.

"Ako po, nung unang kita ko kay Ate Kelsey, gandang-ganda po ako sakanya!" pag-amin ng isang bata. I smiled at the kid.

Benjamin looks a little surprised. Ngumiti rin siya sa bata at tsaka ibinaling muli ang tingin sa akin.

"Maganda talaga 'yan."

My lips slowly turned into a smile. Oh, he really knows how to make my heart race!

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay nagsimula na kaming ipamigay ang mga school supplies na binili namin para sa mga bata. All of them are really happy with the things that they got. Ang iba ay hindi na napigilan pang mapayakap sa akin nang dahil sa tuwa.

I reached for the last set of school supplies to the last kid in line. He genuinely smiled at me as he reached for his supplies. He thanked me after that.

Nginitian ko rin siya at sinundan siya ng tingin habang patungo siya sa grupo ng kanyang mga kaibigan. Tumayo ako at pinagsiklop ang dalawa kong kamay. Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang mga bata na mukhang masayang-masaya sa mga pinamigay namin ngayon.

I walked towards some of the kids who are happily comparing the ones that they received to their friends. Benjamin is silently following me from behind. Nilingon ko  siya at nakitang pinapanood niya lang ang mga bawat kilos ko.

Hindi ko nalang pinansin pa iyon at mas itinuon nalang ang atensyon sa mga bata. I smiled at them when they turned to me.

"Thank you po!" sabi nila sa akin. Mas lumaki naman ang ngiti ko nang dahil doon.

"You're welcome! Nagustohan niyo ba?" tanong ko. Tumango naman silang lahat.

Seeing this kind of smile from them makes me realize that they don't receive things like this all the time. And it really makes me so happy that they no longer need to worry about their school supplies once their school started.

I ruffled one of the kid's hair and I smiled at him again. I felt Benjamin shifted beside me. I turned to look at him again and the serious look on his face is still there.

Bakit naman kaya biglang nagseryoso 'tong isang 'to? Hindi ba siya masaya para sa mga bata? Mamaya matakot pa ang mga iyon nang dahil na itsura niya ngayon!

I smiled at him a little. He only stared at me seriously.

"Tingnan mo... ang saya nila oh!" sabi ko para naman mawala iyong pagkaseryoso niya. Muli ko namang ibinaling ang aking tingin sa mga bata dahil hindi ko nakayanan ang paninitig ni Benjamin sa akin.

Hindi niya pinansin ang sinabi ko at sa halip ay nagtanong siya sa akin ng bagay na labis na ikinagulat ko.

"Do you want to have kids, Kelsey?" he asked out of nowhere.

"W-What?"

He turns to me seriously while his arms are crossed. He licked his lips before he asked me the same question again. Very seriously this time.

Medyo naghurumentado ang puso ko nang dahil sa tingin na ibinibigay niya sa akin. It's like he really wants my answer now! At mukhang hindi niya ako titigilan hangga't hindi ko sinasabi sakanya ang sagot ko.

Looks like he really wants to ask me this question...

"Why are you..." hindi ko maituloy ang sasabihin nang dahil sa sobrang pagtibok ng puso ko.

Konti nalang talaga at pagpapawisan na ako dito. Why is he asking me this out of nowhere? He's so weird!

"Just answer the question, Kels."

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga. Mukhang hindi talaga siya titigil sa kakatanong sa akin nito.

"I-I... guess?" I answered nervously. I saw him smile a little. Biglang nawala ang pagseseryoso.

"It's good that we're on the same page. I want to start a family with you."

My jaw dropped and my brows immediately rose. He took me a back with that and I can't help but feel awkward towards him while we were on our way home. I always stutter whenever he talks to me.

What he told me a while ago keeps on repeating inside my head. He wants to start a family! He wants to have kids with me! Oh my god! Is he pressuring me?

Kahit oras na para matulog ay hindi ko parin magawang kalimutan ang sinabi niya. Parang 'yun lang, Kelsey, kinakabahan ka na agad diyan! Mag-asawa naman kayo at natural lang na bumuo kayo ng pamilya!

When Benjamin laid beside me, silence immediately enveloped our room. We were both lying beside each other while watching the moon outside. Benjamin shifted from his place to snake his arms around my waist. Mahigpit ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin na para bang ayaw akong pakawalan. He rests his chin on my shoulder.

Nawala lang ang bumabalot na katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa nang magsalita siya.

"You know what? I realized something..." he said, that caused me to turn my gaze at him.

"What is it?"

Ngumisi muna siya bago niya sabihin sa akin ang naiisip niya. Bahagya siyang nag-iwas ng tingin.

"I realized that... I'm the only one in my family that's married, but still doesn't have kids."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. I chuckled a little. Oh, how can he be so cute and adorable at the same time?

"Wala pa namang anak si Gio ah?" I said in my defense.

He scoffs. Doon lang siya nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na tumingin muli sa aking mga mata.

"Well, except for him because he just got married recently. But... look at Aiden and Ana, they already have three kids. Margaux gave birth last year, and Brittany... she's pregnant. Meaning, she'll start a family soon with Kiel. And... here we are, happily married but still doesn't have kids."

I smiled at him. Umayos ako sa pagkakahiga para makaharap ng mas maayos sakanya. Nag-iwas siyang muli ng tingin nang dahil siguro sa hiya.

I chuckled again. I grab him by his cheek to make him turn and look at me in the eyes again.

"Is that the reason why you asked me if I wanted to have kids someday?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean-" he was about to apologize when I cut him off.

"It's okay, love. I understand," I caressed his cheek using my thumb. "And don't worry... the time will come where God will finally give us the blessing that we both want. We just have to wait for it. We don't have to rush things, Benj. God's timing is perfect. Always remember that."

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry for thinking like this."

"You don't have to apologize. You're probably just pressured because you're the only one from your cousins that still doesn't have a family. But I promise you that if that time comes, it will be perfect."

"I hope so." He said and smiled at me.

"I love you," he said. He looks at me with so much passion. He was really serious about his question a while ago! "And I can't wait to start a family with you."

I smiled sweetly at him. Lumapit ako sakanya upang patakan siya ng isang malalim na halik sa kanyang labi.