Chapter 46

Nagising ako na gumagalaw ang hinihigaan ko. I opened my eyes and realized that it's already morning. I'm also shocked when I realized that Yves is carrying me.

Nasa dalampasigan pa rin kami at siguro ay pauwi na. I can now remember their house that is made of stone. I became excited because of that.

Nandoon kaya si Lola?

"Good morning," Yves greeted me with a wide smile on his lips. His face is so bright when he stopped from walking for a while and leaned closer to give me a quick kiss on my lips.

"M-Morning.."

Pakiramdam ko naman ay namula ako lalo na nang maalala ang nangyari kagabi kaya umiwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya. His smile seems to tease me dahil sa lawak nito at halos mapunit na ang labi niya.

I remembered how he aggressively kissed me after many minutes of being gentle. I felt his warmth again.. his sensitivity. Pakiramdam ko ay namanhid ang buong katawan ko sa mga halik niya kagabi. I suddenly craved for his kisses again but then, I don't know why I feel awkwardness now.

"Bakit ka namumula?"

Tumingin naman ako kay Yves na kanina pa pala nakatingin sa akin. Umiwas naman kaagad ako ng tingin. "H-Hindi ah. What are you saying?"

He smirked mischievously and because of that, I feel like my face is now like a tomato!

"'Wag mo nang isipin 'yon. Umidlip ka muna ulit. I know that you're tired," sabi pa niya habang nakangisi pa rin. I realized that we're now inside their house.

Tumayo naman kaagad ako matapos niyang ihiga sa kama. "Iiwan mo ako? Where are you going?"

"Mangingisda lang ako saglit," he answered and kissed me on my forehead. "Paggising mo, may pupuntahan tayo.."

Wala na akong nagawa nang inihiga niya ako at kumutan. I watched him walk outside. After that, I roamed my eyes at the corners of the room. Tandang-tanda ko pa ang kwartong 'to. I also occupied this room a few years ago. Nothing has changed except from the mirror almost beside the door.

Lumipat sandali ang tingin ko sa bintana at bigla naman akong inantok. While looking at the window, memories from what happened last night came across my mind. I have nothing to regret about. I'm happy that I did it with Yves.

Sa taong pinakamamahal ko.

After remembering our memories together, I closed my eyes with a smile on my lips.

. . .

I didn't wait for Yves to wake me up anymore. I went outside the room and went to the kitchen but I didn't see him there. Paglabas ko ng kanilang bahay ay siya naman ang bumungad sa akin habang hawak ang isang malaking tuna. I smiled when I remembered that he also did it before. He also caught a tuna when I was here and sold it at the market.. but with Regina.

I saw that he's topless while walking and some other women are looking at him. Even an old woman is staring at his body!

Kumunot naman ang noo ko at lumapit sa kaniya para halikan siya. It's not just a quick kiss but a passionate one. I saw that Yves  was shocked when I stopped kissing him. Narinig ko rin ang ilang pagsinghap ng mga nakakita.

"May asawa na pala si Yves Marcus! Sayang!"

"Mestiza ang babae!"

I smirked after that and gave Yves another kiss. Siya na mismo ang nag-aya sa akin papasok.

"Bakit mo ginawa 'yon?" tanong niya, nangingiti.

I shrugged. "They're looking at your topless body. They're fantasizing about you. Ayaw ko no'n. I should only be the one to stare at you.."

Mas lalo naman siyang ngumiti. He even closed the door after he put the fish on the kitchen.

"You're being possessive huh?"

"Well, I should be," I told him and smirked.

Lumapit naman siya sa akin at pinagdikit ang mga ilong namin. I thought he'll kiss me on my lips but he planted a kiss on my forehead instead.

"Magluluto lang ako para makakain na tayo.."

Tumango naman ako at sinundan siya ng tingin papuntang kusina. Papasok na sana ulit ako sa kwarto nang tawagin niya ako.

"Yes?"

"Dito ka lang," sabi niya sa akin habang sinisimulan na ang ginagawa.

I followed what he told me and sat down on the chair in front of him. "Ano namang gagawin ko rito?"

He smiled. "Just sit there. Panoorin mo lang ako.."

I smiled and nodded after that. I watched him as he wore his apron. Inikot ko naman ang mata sa paligid.

"Where's your Lola? Hindi ko siya nakikita," sabi ko naman sa kaniya.

"We'll visit her after this.."

He didn't add so I didn't ask further anymore. I just watched him while cooking the fish. I don't know the dish that he'll cook for me, actually.

"I'm sure that your parents are now looking for you. Hindi ka pa ba uuwi? Baka magalit din ang pamilya mo kay Mohan---"

Tumaas naman ang kilay ko. "Why? Pinapauwi mo na ako? You don't want me here anymore?"

"No. Nag-aalala lang ako, Alindra. Baka mas lalo pang magalit sa 'yo ang pamilya mo.. madadamay rin ang mga El Vierro," he explained but I just rolled my eyes.

"I don't care! I'll stay here!" sabi ko naman sa kaniya. "Dito na lang ako! I don't want to go back anymore! Kapag bumalik ako, mas lalo nila tayong paghihiwalayin!"

Hinarap naman niya ako nang kunot ang noo. "To be honest with you, I'm really happy that you're here and we're together. But I don't want to be selfish. Kung ang pagsasama natin ang dahilan kung bakit kagagalitan ka ng Mommy mo, kaya kong magtiis na hindi muna kita makasama.."

I stood up and faced him, angrily. "Are you saying that we shouldn't be together huh? Eh bakit hindi ka na lang kasi pumunta sa Manila at harapin ang pamilya ko para matapos na 'tong pagtatago natin?! I came here with the help of Mohan because he doesn't also want us to get married to each other 'cause he has a girlfriend! Tumakas ako sa parents ko 'cause I want to be with you, don't you get it?!"

"And I'm freaking sure that they're now looking for me especially my mother! But I don't care! I don't care as long as I'm with you! Hindi ko na iniisip kung magagalit ba sila sa akin o kung ano mang gawin nila! Gusto lang kitang makasama!"

Umupo ako at tumalikod sa kaniya. I sighed harshly and crossed my arms. I hate that we still need to argue about this!

"Alindra, inaalala lang kita.."

I rolled my eyes. "I'll stay here for the mean time and that's final. Kung ayaw mo, edi iwan mo ako!"

"Hey," malambing niyang tawag sa akin. "I won't leave you here, of course. Sige na, payag na ako. Sa pasukan, kailangan mo nang bumalik sa inyo."

Tumaas naman ang kilay ko lalo na nang halikan niya ang kamay ko. He really knows how to make me calm huh?

"Papayag din naman pala," I whispered and rolled my eyes again.

He chuckled. "I love you.."

Nainis naman ako nang hindi na niya ako nilambing pa at nagpatuloy na lang sa ginagawa kanina. He's not paying attention or even glancing at me at all 'cause he's now busy! Kahit sa paghalo at pagtikim niya sa niluluto, hindi man lang niya ako pinapansin!

I stood up and sighed. Papasok na lang ako sa kwarto.

"Where are you going?"

I lazily looked at him and rolled my eyes sideward. "Sa room. Hindi mo naman ako pinapansin.."

Tumawa naman siya at tinanggal ang kaniyang suot na apron bago lumapit sa akin.

"Ang nobya ko, napakamatampuhin," sabi niyang naglalambing sa akin. He even held my waist as he kissed me quickly on my cheeks. Hindi naman ako nakaharap sa kaniya.

Naiinis ako!

"Nobya? You mean girlfriend?" I twitched my lips because of his choice of words.

Tumango naman siya. "Oo, girlfriend. Gusto mo bang asawa kaagad?"

Mas lalo pa akong umiwas ng tingin sa sinabi niya. Namumula na naman siguro ang pisngi ko! Freak!

"Sige na, kumain na tayo. Lunch is ready," nakangiti niyang sabi nang tiningnan ko siya sandali.

There's something in his smile that I haven't seen before. It's like he's at his happiest now. Napangiti na lang ako at biglang nawala ang inis ko lalo na nang ipaghanda niya ako. Inalalayan niya pa ako habang paupo.

I smiled widely while watching him. I really didn't expect that he would be like this. Akala ko suplado lang siya. Masungit. Nakakairita. But it turns out, I was wrong. I realized that Yves Marcus Antonio is a loving, sweet, caring and an understanding boyfriend and I have nothing to wish more. I just want us to be together.

Happy and free.

Always together.

"Hey, umiiyak ka?"

Nagulat naman ako sa biglang pagtanong ni Yves. Hindi ko namalayang tumulo na ang luha ko.

Umiling naman kaagad ako. "N-No. Uh, napuwing lang ako.."

"Really? Come on, tell me. What's wrong? Hmm?" Lumapit pa siya sa akin.

I took a deep breath and looked up to prevent my tears from falling. "I just.. missed you. Maybe, I had a selective amnesia that's why I only forgot about you? Pero bakit ikaw pa? Ikaw lang? I have a lot of memories.. bakit ikaw pa ang nakalimutan ko?"

"Siguro dahil ako ang huli mong nakasama bago ka maaksidente.."

Tumango naman ako. "M-Maybe. Naalala kong nadulas ako sa mga bato at tumama ro'n ang ulo ko. After that, I passed out. I already forgot you. Ilang taon ka ring wala sa isipan ko, Yves.."

"Naalala mo na ba talaga ang lahat?" tanong niya na nagpakunot sa noo ko.

"What do you mean? May hindi pa ba ako naalala?"

Malungkot naman siyang ngumiti sa akin at umiling. Parang may gusto pa siyang sabihin pero hindi niya lang masabi.

I wiped my tears and sat down straight.

"Tigilan na natin ang drama. Let's just eat," I even laughed to lighten up the mood.

Tumango lang siya sa sinabi ko at umupo sa harapan ko.

Right after we ate, we immediately left the house and went to the hospital. I don't know why we're here especially this is already very far from Puricia Grittonia. Malapit na 'to sa sentro ng Fuego at Grittonia.

"Sinong bibisitahin natin---"

I didn't finish my words anymore when Yves opened the door and I saw his grandmother lying on the bed. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita siyang mapayat na. There are also few equipments beside her.

"She's here for almost one month already. Inatake ulit siya sa puso. Kritikal ang lagay niya noong nakaraan. Mabuti ngayon at unti-unti na siyang nakaka-recover," Yves told me. "You can check her, Alindra.."

Lumapit naman ako sa kaniya. My heart seems to tear apart while looking at her. I remembered the time that I stayed in their house. She was so nice to me. She didn't even let me pay for my stay. Wala akong narinig sa kaniya. Except when she told me that I should avoid Yves before.

Mabait na mabait ang Lola ni Yves kaya ngayong inatake na naman ulit siya sa puso at mapayat na siya – nalulungkot ako.

"Stay here. Kakausapin ko lang ang doktor ni Lola.."

Tumango naman ako. "Bumalik ka kaagad ah?"

He just nodded and smiled at me. Napabuntong-hininga naman ako nang umalis siya at nilipat ko ang tingin kay Lola.

I'm about to prepare fruits for her when I heard her spoke, "s-sandali.."

Nagulat naman ako nang lingunin ko si Lola at gising na siya. Magsasalita pa sana ako pero nagsalita pa ulit siya.

"Bumalik ka na." Mahina siyang ngumiti.

Tumango naman ako. "O-Opo, Lola. Kumusta ang pakiramdam niyo?"

"Nalaman ko kay Marcus na naaksidente ka at nawalan ka ng alaala," sabi niya sa akin at biglang hinawakan ang kamay ko. "N-Ngayon na alam kong bumalik na ang alaala mo, hija.. hayaan mong humingi ako ng tawad sa 'yo. No'ng kinausap kita bago ka naaksidente, nagkamali ako. Sinabi ko sa 'yong nabuntis ng apo ko si Regina kahit wala namang kasiguraduhan. Pagkatapos din ng araw na 'yon, nalaman kong isang dayuhan pala ang nakabuntis sa kaniya."

Lumapit naman ako lalo sa kaniya nang tumulo ang luha niya. "Lola, it's fine. 'Wag na po kayong umiyak--"

"Alam kong espesyal ang apo ko para sa 'yo, hija. Alam kong mahal mo siya. Patawarin mo ako at ginamit ko 'yon para palayuin ka sa kaniya. Hindi ko naisip na magiging dahilan 'yon ng aksidente mo. Ginusto ko lang protektahan ang apo ko kay Minerva Rivera dahil baka may gawin siya sa apo ko at hindi nga ako nagkamali---"

"Lola, gising na po pala kayo," Yves cut his Lola's words off.

Hindi ko naman pinansin si Yves at hinarap ang kaniyang Lola. "Ano po 'yong sinasabi niyo?"

"Lola, kumain na muna kayo.."

"Lola?" I asked her again.

I saw that they both looked at each other and after that, Lola just shook her head. I just sighed. Are they hiding something from me?

"Let's go, Alindra. Pakakainin muna ng nurse si Lola," sabi ni Yves at hinawakan ang siko ko.

Kumunot ang noo ko at tiningnan si Lola na inaasikaso na ang nurse. "W-Wait. Hindi ba pwedeng tayo na lang ang magpakain sa kaniya?"

"Hayaan na lang nating gawin ng nurse ang trabaho niya. Pagkatapos ni Lola kumain, kailangan na rin niyang magpahinga kaagad. Come on.."

Tumingin ulit ako kay Lola at tumango naman siya habang kumakain. Wala na akong nagawa nang alalayan ako ni Yves palabas ng room.

"Ipapasyal kita. Where do you wanna go? I'm sure you missed here," sabi niya habang naglalakad kami sa hallway.

Binaliwala ko ang sinabi niya at hinarap siya. "May hindi ka ba sinasabi sa akin?"

His forehead creased after that. Tumigil pa kami sa paglalakad. "What do you mean?"

Bumuntong-hininga naman ako at inunahan na siyang lumabas sa hospital.

"I know you're hiding something from me," I said and looked at him wearily. "Tell me.. ano 'yon?"

"Alindra, wala akong tinatago sa 'yo," malambing naman niyang sabi sa akin. He even intertwined our hands together and smiled at me.

"Are you sure? Eh bakit parang pinipigilan mo si Lola sa sasabihin niya sa akin?"

"It's not like that. She just needs to eat immediately dahil iinom pa siya ng gamot at magpapahinga. You know that she's not fully recovered yet.."

I sighed. "Alright. Sorry.. I thought, may tinatago ka sa akin because of that. But nevermind, sabi mo ipapasyal mo ako, right? Saan tayo pupunta?"

Ngumiti naman siya at tumango. "I heard, may bagong tayong simbahan malapit lang dito. We'll check it.."

I smiled after he told me that. Honestly, it's all fine with me wherever place we go as long as we'll be happy together. Ayos lang sa akin kahit saang lugar niya ako dalhin basta kasama siya at masaya siya, masaya na rin ako.

"Did you like my gift for you?" Yves asked after few minutes of being quiet.

"What gift?"

I don't remember that he gave me a gift.

"The thick book that my friend, Symon gave you.."

Nanlaki naman ang mata ko nang maalala 'yon. "Book? Pero wala namang nakalagay---"

Umiling naman siya at ngumiti. "Hindi mo pa nakita.."

"H-Huh? Ang alin?"

Umiling lang ulit siya at naunang maglakad nang kaunti sa akin.

"Unfortunately, hindi pa tayo pwedeng pumasok sa loob ng simbahan dahil may ginagawa pa raw pala sa loob," sabi naman niya. I realized that we're now in front of the church that he was saying a while ago.

Halos malapit nga lang ito sa hospital pero malayo naman sa dalampasigan. I don't clearly see what's inside the church because of some woods almost near the gates but I can say that the exterior design is good and modern. It's so different from the churches in other places. Those churches are mostly made from bricks or stones.

"I think, they're still fixing---"

Napahinto naman ako sa pagsasalita nang lingunin ko si Yves at nakitang may hawak siyang flower. My mouth opened a bit while watching him put the white flower on my ear.

"W-Where did you get this?"

He just smiled at me as we walked together beside the church. The wind is not too hot and also not cold. It's just right to make my skin feel numb. Hinihipan din nito ang humahaba nang buhok ni Yves. Because of that, he became more attractive in my eyes.

I beamed while looking at him.

"You look so beautiful, Alindra," nakangiti pa ring sabi niya. He even touched my face lightly. "Kapag tuluyan nang natapos ang simbahan na 'to, dito kita pakakasalan. Mahihintay mo ba?"

I smirked. "Oh come on, of course. Maghihintay ako. Mukhang malapit naman nang matapos 'to.."

We both looked at each other after that and smiled. Hinawakan niya naman ang kamay ko at umikot kami sa paligid ng simbahan.

Namalayan ko na lang na nasa dalampasigan kami nang umupo siya sa malaking bato paharap sa dagat.

"Dito ako mismo naghihintay sa 'yo noon," sabi niya habang nakatingin sa dagat. Kumunot naman ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. "I thought.. you just left this place before for no reason. Ang hindi ko alam, sinabi pala ni Lola sa 'yo na.. nabuntis ko si Regina. Kahit hindi mo sabihin sa akin, alam kong ayon ang nagtulak sa 'yo para umalis sa lugar na 'to."

He looked at me and tiredly smiled. "I've waited you for years and now that you're finally here with me, I won't ever let you go again. Tandaan mong mahal na mahal kita, Alindra.."

My tears fell when I heard those words from him. My feelings are now unexplainable because of him especially when he pulled me closer to him for a hug.

I hugged him back. I realized that I've really changed because of him.. because of my love for him. I don't know what happened to me. I'm doing things that I don't really supposed to do. I disobeyed my parents and even my grandmother. I sacrificed almost everything just to be with him.

Talagang hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari. My feelings just changed fastly like a whirlwind that I'm not really aware of what happened these past few months. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong nagbago simula nang makilala ko si Yves.

But I'm sure that I've changed for the better and just like what he told me, I won't also let him go even the strongest wind will ever blow.

... ... ...