Elliana's Point Of View

I woke up without Yvonne by my side. May nakalagay na note at breakfast sa side table ko. I sat on my bed and reached for the letter.

Morning, Love. I left early, I don't want to be caught by your Mom. I sneaked into your kitchen and cook something for breakfast. Sunny side up and fried rice, paired with juice. I adore you, Elliana.

-Yvonne

I picked my phone and dialed her number. So sweet. Pa'no kung nakita siya ng mga kasama namin dito sa bahay?

"Good morning to the most beautiful person I adore. How was your sleep?" salubong nito.

"Just woke up and found your note. I love you, Love, pero hindi ka na sananag-abala pa."

"I want to do it. Wala ring trace, nilinis ko lahat. Baka kapag nakita ako ng mga kasama mo sa bahay ay may mangyaring habulan at sigawan."

Baka hindi lang sigaw ang magawa ni Mama. She'll ask who Yvonne is. Hindi niya rin alam na magkapatid si Yvonne at Yelena kasi hindi niya naman nakikita si Yvonne palagi.

"Thanks, Love. Saan ka ngayon?"

"Sa apartment ni Ate. Susunduin namin mamaya si Mama at Papa, kasama si Isaac. What's your plan for today?"

"I'll go to work. Mahabang pahinga na ang nagawa ko," I answered.

"Okay, then. I'll go have a bath first, Love. See you."

"Bye."

"Love, it's 'see you', not bye," she murmured.

"What? Pareho lang din 'yon," natatawa kong sabi.

"No, Love. May difference 'yon. 'See you' indicates that you are going to see that person again soon while 'bye' means you are going to see that person after a very long time."

"Huh? Saan mo naman napulot 'yan?"

"I don't know. I...don't want to wait for a long time."

"Love, huwag mo ng gawing complicated, okay? I'll see you later or tomorrow. Say hi to Tito and Tita for me, kay Isaac na rin. Love you, Yvonne."

Before she could say anything else, I hang up the phone and put it in my side table as I began savouring the taste of my simple breakfast. Yvonne tends to over think about small things sometimes, and that's normal, right? I mean, we all do.

"Ma, I'm going!" I screamed.

I'm in the last step of the stair. I'm on my casual sexy business attire. Kahit sa trabaho ay dapat maganda ako. Dapat maganda ako all the time. I'm enjoying my body while still young. Hindi na ako makakasuot ng mga sexy na damit kapag naging kulubot na ang balat ko.

"Drink water, not beer. Ayokong hinahatid ka na naman ni Brad dito na halos hindi na makalakad," paalala ni Mama.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Ma."

"Good. Take care."

"Bye," I kissed her cheeks before I ran outside.

"No running, Elliana Ellaine! Ang haba-haba ng heels mo todo takbo ka!"

"Sorry, Ma. Love you, bye!"

Our driver sent me to our company. This is owned by Papa, and since he's about to retire, he's teaching me how to do business. Isa sa mga rason kung bakit wala si Papa sa bahay most of the time. His only break is weekends.

It's not really teaching, more like giving knowledge to me about the company's profile and such. I was forced to take MBA or Master of Business Administration, just like Yelena. Well, hindi ko rin naman alam kung anong kukunin kong kurso that time kaya pumayag nalang ako na Business Ad and kunin.

"I'll be out this afternoon, may meeting ako. The papers is on my table and there's Catherine to assist you," Papa said.

"Hindi ka na po ba babalik dito, Papa?" I asked.

"Yes, I'll be late later, also."

"Okay," I nodded.

Papa left and I was the one who took care of the papers in his table. Isa-isa kong binasa 'yon. It's all about the company's history, transactions, branches, and even the blueprint is here. Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras at lunch na pala. Catherine, Papa's secretary, asked me what food I want so she can order it. Before I can even speak, my phone rang and Yvonne's name popped up, with two heart emoticon and a ring emoticon next to it. I blissfully answered it.

"Hello, my home," I sweetly said.

"Hey, I'm outside. Lunch is with me."

Always the sweetest. It's been a month since we confessed to each other and she never failed to bring food for me whenever I'm at work. Wala pa naman kasi akong masyadong ginagawa kasi mostly sumama lang naman ako kay Papa kapag may meeting siya with investors outside or inside the country. That's what I've been doing for the past months after graduating. Ngayong taon lang na ito napagdesisyunan ni Papa na ibigay sa 'kin ang lahat ng impormasyon tungkol sa kompanya dahil nga sa nalalapit niyang pagbitiw.

"You already cooked breakfast for me kanina," angil ko.

"Yes, I did, but that doesn't mean hindi na kita dadalhan ng lunch. I'll go up or you'll come down?" she asked.

"Nah, I'll be with you. Wait for me."

Ako na ang nagbaba ng tawag. Inayos ko lahat ng gamit ko at nilagay sa tamang lagayan 'yong mga papeles. Instead of pressing the intercom, I went outside and found Catherine on her desk.

"I'll go eat outside, Cath. I'll be back at One," I informed.

"Yes, Ma'am."

Sumakay ako sa elevator. I found my person sitting in the lobby, busy with her phone. May iilang empleyado na nagnanakaw tingin sa kaniya at nagbubulungan rin. I tapped her shoulders and she turned her head to me. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa at napailing.

"Girl captured my heart countless times," she stated.

"Love," nakasimangot kong sabi.

"Can't believe you're mine, but yeah, you deserve me and I deserve you. Alam kong babae tayo pero mas bagay kasi tayo," she chuckled.

"True. Let's go na, sa car mo nalang ako kakain."

"Nope, I know a place. One hour date?" she took my hand.

"Sure, I would love to!"

Our relationship is like private but also public. Hindi namin sinasabi sa lahat kung anong mayro'n kami pero hindi rin namin tinatanggi kapag tinatanong kami. No one knows about us though, except for Yelena, Brad and Dart. Tingin ko ay alam rin ni Yvette.

"One hour peaceful date for my lovely partner."

Yvonne opened the car door for me, even opened an umbrella for me.

"What's with the umbrella?" natatawang tanong ko.

"Protection. Medyo mainit."

"Medyo lang naman, Love, eh."

"Mainit pa rin," pilit niya.

Inilibot ko ang paningin ko kung saan niya ako dinala.

"Love," I uttered, almost a whisper.

She took me to a green park. I'm obsessed with nature. No one knows that little secret of mine.

"I saw some of your pictures in your room, all about nature. So, I was thinking, you might like it if I'll bring you here. Wala masyadong tao."

Dinamba ko agad ito ng yakap. Niyayakap ng tuwa ang puso ko. No one has ever done this to me before. Parang may humahaplos sa puso ko at hindi ko namalayang umiiyak na pala ako.

"I promised myself to make you happy and make everything worthwhile, and this is me, doing it. I'll give you the world. I love you, Love, my person, my partner, my everything."

"I love you so much. Thank you." I tiptoed and gave her a peck.

"Happy monthsary, Elliana. Paninindigan kita."

I closed my eyes as she kisses my forehead. Parang sasabog ang dibdib ko. Gusto kong tumili. Gusto kong isigaw sa mundo kung gaano ako kasaya ngayon.

We picked a spot under a tree and Yvonne's eyes never left me when I was eating. Nakasandal lang ito sa puno at nakamasid sa bawat galaw ko. For others it might be awkward and weird but not for me. She can stare at me all day, I don't mind.

"I'll pick you up later at Five."

Hindi kami nagtagal ni Yvonne doon. As much as I want to spend my whole afternoon with Yvonne, I can't because I still have to get back to work.

"Sina Tita?" tanong ko.

"Ipapakilala kita kay Mama at Papa mamaya."

Fear immediately encircled me. I'm okay with it. Pero hindi ko alam kung matatanggap ba nila kami o hindi.

"Love, we'll be fine. Expected na ni Mama at Papa 'to," she held my hand.

"Love you."

"I love you too."

Yvonne dropped me off at the company's lobby. Habang nagbabasa ay wala sa binabasa ang utak ko. Kinakabahan ako. My hands is sweating. Just thinking that I'll meet her parents but as her girlfriend makes me wanna hide in fear. Hindi ko yata kakayanin kapag sinabi nilang tutol sila sa 'min.

Mabait si Tita at Tito, hindi nakaka-intimidate ang aura nila. Palaging nakangiti rin at mahal ng lahat sa probinsiya nila. Hindi naman siguro magagalit kapag pinakilala na ako ni Yvonne bilang girlfriend niya. Pero pa'no kung tutol? What if ayaw nila sa 'kin para sa anak nila kasi mataray ako? What if ayaw nila sa 'kin kasi toxic ako? What if ayaw nila sa 'kin kasi iyakin ako? Ahhh...nakakabaliw.

"Earth to my girlfriend. Kanina ka pa tulala simula no'ng sinundo kita. Ayos ka lang ba?" Yvonne snapped her fingers in front of me.

"I'm fine."

"We can re-schedule this anytime, Love. I'm not forcing you."

"No, Love. Let's face your parents."

Hindi ba masyadong maaga? Isang buwan pa lang naman kami, at ngayon pa ang monthsary namin!

"We'll be fine," Yvonne kissed the back of my hand.

As soon as we reached Yelena's apartment, I took a heavy sigh to calm myself. Kahit anong pagpapa-kalma ko ay walang nangyayari. My mind is clouded with that if's. Hindi ako nakapag-ayos- wait, 'yong make up ko!!

"Love, wala akong make up! I'm a mess," natataranta kong sabi.

I went through my bag and look for my make up. Before I could put something on my face, Yvonne held my hand and squeezed it.

"Love, you look great. You look good. You're so pretty."

Yvonne brushed my hair with her fingers. Sobrang lapit ng mukha nito sa 'kin at tumitibok na naman ng malakas ang puso ko. Nang matapos ay inalalayan ako ni Yvonne pababa sa kotse. I fixed my business attire and held her hand as we walk. Yvonne knocked on Yelena's door. Yelena welcomed us when she opened the door.

"Hi, Elli!" bati niya.

"Hello. How's the designs?"

"I'm doing great, thanks to your advices. Pasok kayo."

"Si Mama at Papa?" tanong ni Yvonne.

"In the balcony. Meet and greet with parents na pala 'to eh, magugulat nalang ako ikakasal na kayo sa susunod. Congratulations in advance," sagot ni Yelena.

Namula ako sa sinabi ni Yelena. Nag-init ang bawat sulok ng mukha ko at napangiti nalang. Hinila ako ni Yvonne papunta sa balcony. I met Tita's eyes and her eyes widened as she looked at us.

"Ma," bati ni Yvonne.

"Anak, nakauwi ka na pala. Magandang hapon sa 'yo, Elli, hija. Maga-gabi na pala," tawa ni Tita.

"Ma, Pa, I want to introduce to you, my girlfriend, Elliana. She's the ultimate love of my life. We love each other and that means you cannot do anything to separate us," direktang sabi ni Yvonne.

Nawalan ng kulay ang mukha ko dahil sa gulat.

"Ang advance mo, Yvonne. Welcome to the family, Elli."

Tumayo si Tita at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

"Do whatever that makes you happy, Anak," tatawa-tawang sabi ni Tita.

"Welcome to the family, Elliana. Inunahan mo ako, 'hal. Ako dapat ang nauna," ungot ni Tito.

With that, they started arguing in a joking manner.

"See? I told you, Love," Yvonne winked and I just smiled.

"Supurtado namin kayo, mga anak. Pero kailangan munang magtapos ni Yvonne ng pag-aaral, magkaroon ng stable na trabaho, bago ang kasal, okay?" mahinahong sabi ni Tita.

"W-wala pa po sa plano namin 'yan, Tita," naga-alangang sagot ko.

"Wala pa sa plano mo, pero si Yvonne mayro'n na 'yan," sabat ni Tito.

"Pa!" reklamo ni Yvonne.

Tumawa lang si Tito sa naging reaksyon ni Yvonne. They invited me for dinner but Yvonne said we already have plans for tonight. Sinabihan ko na rin si Mama na mal-late ako ng uwi.

"Saan tayo ngayon, Love?" tanong ko.

"Stargazing and a date."

I can't deny the fact that I really love this woman. I wished to be treated right by someone, and God gave her to me. She's a perfect fit for me. And she's mine.

"Keep staring at me like that, Love. I feel like I'm the only one you adore."

"Ikaw lang naman talaga," natatawang sabi ko.

"Ang bilis ng panahon, isang buwan na pala tayo. I didn't even realize it."

"Yeah, and I'm glad I spent half of my summer with you."

Yvonne stopped and I looked around.

"Where are we, Love?"

The ride took only twenty minutes.

"This resort is owned by my block mate's parents. Picnic date under the stars?" she smiled.

"This is too much, Love. Nag-date na tayo kanina. You're spoiling me," hindi makapaniwalang ani ko.

"Pero bitin. I love spoiling the people I love, mahal ko. Come."

Near the beach is a picnic mat, tons of pillows and lights. May mesa at may nakahandang pagkain. Perfect for two.

"Oh, Love, this is so pretty!" I said out of excitement and happiness.

We ate and flirted under the stars. Yvonne never let me feel alone, she made me feel enough. I found myself lying on the picnic mat with Yvonne. We were silent and just staring at how beautiful the sky is with all those stars. Yvonne pulled me closer to her.

"Love?"

"Hm?" I hummed.

"I adore you."

I looked up to her and smiled.

"I love you too."

Yvonne moved and went on top of me. She trailed my face with her eyes, familiarizing every inch of my face. The closeness, the heat of each other's body, the love in between.

"So pretty," she commented.

Yvonne lowered her face on mine. I closed my eyes as I felt her lips touched mine. Yvonne deepened the kiss by touching both sides of my face. Under the moon, we kissed. Under the stars, we had our very first deep kiss.

"Love," she grinned.

I gasped for air.

"I want more," she whispered.

*****