Kaori

Mas naging busy pa lalo sa mga sumunod na araw. He's out of the country again. Umuwi ng Italy. He said he'll be back before graduation. Mabilis na lumipas ang mga araw at natapos ang finals namin. Masaya ako sa naging resulta. All thanks to my man. He helped me with everything. Siya ang naging teacher ko para maintindihan ko ang lahat ng nasa pointers ko. Ang galing niya. Teaching really suits him. Nagagalit pa kapag hinaharot ko siya kahit alam kong gustong-gusto niya naman.

Tangina. Gagraduate na ako. Bachelors degree. May degree na. Magm-masteral ako. Dalawang taon para sa masters. Syempre magpapahinga muna ako. Magt-trabaho muna ng ilang taon bago kumuha ng masters kapag kaya na.

"Kailangan nandito ang mga magulang 'di ba? Para samahan tayo sa pag-akyat?"

Magkakasama kaming magkaka-klase. Nakasuot ng toga dahil pictorial. Sa wakas ay mapapalitan ko na ang profile picture ko sa Ig, Facebook at Twitter. Makakapag-post na rin ako ng may sense. Aesthetic kasi lahat ng accounts ko at once in a blue moon lang may update.

"Ayos lang ba kung wala? I don't think my parents can come," tanong ko.

"One time lang ito, Kaori! Panigurado ay pupuntahan ka ng mga magulang mo. Nasa Japan sila 'di ba? Isang araw lang naman 'yon."

No. They don't understand. Palaging may mahahalagang lakad ang parents ko. We even barely see each other inside the house. May usapan rin kami. Hindi nila ako hahayaang mamuhay dito kung walang kapalit. And it's scaring me. Malapit na.

"Hindi ko alam. Kakausapin ko nalang siguro si Sir," humugot ako ng malalim na hininga.

Pag-uwi sa bahay ay tinawagan ko agad si mommy. A few rings and she answered the call.

"Yes, Kaori? Magpapasunod ka na ba?"

Natawa ako sa salubong nito. Dang everytime. Iyon ang palaging salubong ni mommy sa tuwing tatawag ako. She's just too excited for me to come home. My mom is a soft-spoken lovely mother. Hindi na talaga ako nagtataka kung bakit palaging galit si dad kapag may ibang lalaki na lumalapit kay mom. She's gorgeous and fabulous and just...perfect. Despite being the only heiress of our family's heirloom.

And my dad, on the other hand, is a strict but good hearted man. Never controlling. Oh, and he's a man with principles. His love language is giving things just like Hussein. Hussein's love language is physical touch, loves giving presents, and cuddles. A certified addict of cuddles.

"Mom, I called to ask if you could come to my graduation. It's okay if you and dad can't. Alam kong busy rin kayo."

"What?! Of course we will! Hindi ka namin hahayaang umakyat ng stage mag-isa ano."

"Makakapunta kayo?" I asked in surprise.

Well, who wouldn't be. Palaging busy ang dalawang 'yon. But yeah, the sweetness between them is just...secret.

"Oo naman. Magb-book na ako ng flight."

"Mom! Hindi pa bukas ang graduation!"

"So? It's better to be earlier. 'Tsaka diyan ako bibili ng susuotin. I can't buy nice dresses here."

Family tradition. Kahit bumili kami ng magagandang damit ay hindi rin masusuot. It's always kimono. Perks of being a full blooded Japanese with family tradition.

"Huwag muna ngayon. Maybe next week or next next week. Hindi tayo kasya dito sa apartment. We only have two rooms here. One for me and Kady's. Saan ko kayo patutulugin?" I bit my lower lip. "We won't fit in my room. Nakakahiya namang patulugin kayo sa maliit na kwarto, my." I teased.

"Kaori, anak, pwede naman kaming mag-hotel nalang."

"Kayo ang bahala, my. Just call me if you've arrived already. Love you."

"We'll surely be there. Love you too, hun."

And with that, I ended the call. I heaved a sigh. Kapag nakapagdesisyon na talaga si mommy sa isang bagay ay hindi na mag-iiba ang isip no'n. If she's determined to come, then that's what she'll do. There's no point stopping her. Dad loves pampering mom so much. At kung anong gusto ni mommy, iyon ang masusunod. Wala naman akong balak na pigilan si mommy, maaga lang talaga siya.

I told Kady that mom and dad is coming to my graduation. She was beyond happy. Sa internet niya lang nakikita ang mukha ng mommy at daddy, excited na raw siyang makita ang mga ito ng malapitan. Same.

"Wish you I could cuddle with you, babe."

Hussein is in the other side of the screen. Topless na nakadapa sa kama. His huge body hugging a pillow underneath while facing the screen. I shake my head and got another bond paper to draw on. Abstract drawing has been a hobby of mine eversince. Some wouldn't understand the real meaning of them. They'll say it's a beautiful art, but the deep meaning of it is not visible. I appreciate those people who loves and finds art beautiful, but kudos to those who understand the art very well.

"Are you okay there? Hindi ka ba nagpapagutom?" mahinahong tanong ko habang nagd-drawing.

Ang bawat tinta na lumalabas sa ballpen ko ay may dalang kahulugan. Katulad ng mga manunulat na inilalabas ang kanilang saloobin gamit ang pagsusulat. Palaging magulo ang isip ko, palaging may tanong, hindi mapakali. Living in earth is chaotic...or is it just me?

"Look at me, baby."

Nagtaas ako ng tingin sa screen ng laptop ko. "Hm?"

"Did I mention how pretty you are?" he smiled.

"Today? Yes. Like a lot of times already. Hindi ka ba nagsasawa?"

"No. Why are you still up? It's past your bedtime already, my queen."

I rolled my eyes. "Practice lang kami bukas. Nga pala, mom and dad will be here for my graduation. Ipapakilala kita."

Nagkagulo ang camera nito. His phone dropped and his ceiling welcomed me.

"Hussein? Love, are you okay?"

Mayamaya pa ay umangat ang camera nito at sinalubong ako ng gwapo niyang mukha. Itinabi ko muna ang art materials ko at dinala ang laptop sa kama. I sat on my bed and my laptop was placed on my lap.

"Do you think they'll agree with our relationship? I'm way older than you are. And yes, I'm worried as fuck. I don't want you to leave me, 'lright? I love you too much. I'd be damned if...if...no." Hussein sounded devastated with the sudden hit of idea.

Natawa nalang ako sa inaakto nito. My boyfriend is so adorable. He is always serious but also an overthinker. Kapag natatahimik ay asahan mong may malalim na iniisip. I don't want to disturb him whenever he's like that, but my butt could never. I want him to share his thoughts with me too. I want that. And he does when I ask him. Pinag-uusapan namin ang mga bagay-bagay na 'yon hanggang sa magkaroon na siya ng peace of mind. Oh, how much I love deep talking with him. Para kaming may sariling mundo. Mundo kung saan kami lang ang nagkakaintindihan.

"I'm pretty sure they'll love you as much as I do. But beware with my dad, he's strict." I warned him.

Dad takes good care of me and mom. Dadaan muna sa kaniya lahat bago kami. Dad's been a good role model to me. So as my mommy.

"I'll prepare a grand celebration for you and your parents' arrival."

"No need for that. Just a simple dinner with them will be okay. Nauumay na si mommy sa mga malalaking handaan."

"Okay, I'll take note of that. What does your mom and dad want for dinner? I'll personally cook it for them."

"Do you know how to use chopsticks?" I asked.

"No, sweetheart. Why?"

"Well, paborito ni mommy at daddy ang mga pagkaing kinakain gamit ang chopstick."

"Is it illegal to use spoon and fork while eating with them?" horror flashed his face.

"Sira, hindi. Any food will do."

"Japanese food to be exact, right? Noted, my love. I love you."

"I love you too, my big boy."

"Yeah, always your big boy."

"Can't wait to hug you and kiss you and cuddle with you again."

"I can fly to Philippines right now if you want, love. I'll return here tomorrow night. How's that?" he smirked.

Tangina. Ginawang probinsya ang Pinas at Italy.

"Magtigil ka nga."

Hussein is rich. May-ari kasi ng private plane kaya kung makapagsalita ay parang probinsya lang ang pupuntahan.

"I love you, baby. We'll have an after party after dinner with your mom and dad, okay? Can't wait to take you out on a date again."

I miss you.

"Sounds like a plan has been set. I love you."

"Don't end the call. I want to see you sleep."

"Okay, big boy. Wish has been granted."

"Thank you, baby. I love you."

Nakakailan ka na, mahal ko.

I placed the laptop on my study table. Hussein watched me as I crawl down to the bed and settled myself.

"Do you want me to sing a song for you?"

"No thanks. Baka hindi ako makatulog," iling ko.

Hussein do sing for me. And I adore his soft voice. Pero ang tigas ng boses kapag si Arthur o ibang tao ang kausap. Bipolar yata ang boyfriend ko.

"Love," he groaned.

"Alright. Go and sing for me."

He cussed and said yes, hitting the wind. Napaka talaga. Tuwang-tuwa ang baby boy ko. Bakit tuwang-tuwa ang baby boy ko na 'yan?

Surprisingly, he sang a song entitled Every Woman In The World. Pumikit ako at hinayaan ang sarili na kainin ng kadiliman.

I hate being attached to someone. I, too, am afraid of being left behind. Kaya sana si Hussein na talaga. Hindi naman masamang umasa sa idea na baka talaga siya na. He wouldn't treat me like this if he isn't, right? Magtitiwala ako na siya na nga. Ewan. Bahala na.

Hindi ko siya binibigyan ng karapatan na iwanan ako. Akin lang ang boyfriend ko at hindi magbabago 'yon.

Pero bakit may ibang plano ang tadhana para sa 'min?

*****