This chapter is freshly typed (lol fresh). If you could still remember walang Last Chapter ang book one dati, yung last chaper ko ay ‘yung chapter 30 na mismo. So I typed a new chapter to keep the three books balanced. Happy reading, stay gorgeous and exquisite!

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Chapter 22

Piece Of Me, Piece Of You

"Yael..." Tawag ko sa kanya. Diretso lamang ang tingin niya sa daan habang nagmamaneho. Alas nueve na ng gabi, kakagaling ko lamang sa duty.

"Hmm?" He gave me a quick glance, raising both of his brows.

"Are you not a music lover type of a person?" I asked. I'm just curious.

"Ayos lang. I do listen to the songs of the bands that I like... Does that makes me a music lover?" Gumuhit ang isang ngisi sa kanyang labi at muli akong sinulyapan.

Halos matunaw ako sa kinauupuan ko nang masilayan ko ang ekspresyon niyang iyon... He looks extra handsome tonight. He's on his grey sweatshorts and a casual black tee.

Tapos ang kanyang buhok ay medyo magulo dahil kakabangon niya lang yata sa kama ay ako kaagad ang sinundo niya.

"I don't know," I replied and giggle is lingering in my voice. "Anong mga banda ang pinapakinggan mo?" Tanong ko. I'm quite positive that the eagerness and excitement was there in my voice.

I just want to know what his favorite bands are, I love taking every inch of him that he's willing to give me. Everything gets interesting to me when he's involved.

His eyes are fixed on the road again. Ngumuso siya bago sumagot.

"I like listening to Coldplay, Kodaline, The Maine, and John Mayer- John is not a band, though."

My eyes shined as a wide smile plasters on my lips. "You have a good taste in music..."

"Old you mean?" A throaty laugh escaped his lips.

"Nooo! I sometimes listen to their songs, too pero mas gusto ko talaga ang mga kanta ni Taylor Swift."

Natawa siya. "That explains why you have a shirt with a 'Taylor Swift' print on it."

Napaawang ang aking bibig. "Napansin mo 'yon?" Isang beses ko lang yatang naisuot iyon simula nang lumipat ako sa condo ni Colton.

He nodded. "Hmm... I do notice everything about you."

Natigilan ako doon sabay kagat nang madiin sa aking pang-ibabang labi. Hindi ako nakapagsalita, I got tongue tied because of his sudden attack.

His words could paralyzed me anytime. Hindi ba niya alam iyon?

"Bakit mo nga pala naitanong?" Pambasag niya sa panandaliang katahimikan.

"Kasi napansin kong hindi ka nagsisindi ng radyo sa tuwing inihahatid-sundo mo ako." Sabi ko at tumingin sa bintana, watching the city lights coming from the buildings. Ang presko talaga sa mata sa tuwing bumabiyahe ng gabi dito sa Clark.

"Yeah. I usually get distracted kapag nagmamaneho ako tapos nakasindi ang radyo... But if you want to turn it on, it's okay. I don't mind."

"H'wag na. I don't want you to get distracted while you're driving..."

Nangunot ang noo ko nang marinig ko ang mababa niyang bahagyang pagtawa. Ikiniling ko ang ulo ko sa gawi niya at nakompirma kong tumawa nga siya dahil ngayon ay may ngising naglalaro sa kanyang mga labi.

"Just the mere presence of you sitting there on my passenger seat distracts me already... Your presence is my main distraction now, Beatrix so I don't mind you turning the radio on."

His words are enough to wake my heart and make it roar inside my chest. Si Yael lang ang may kayang gumawa nito sa'kin. Every syllable coming out from his mouth can dig deep into my soul- ganyan kalakas ang epekto niya sa'kin.

I swallowed before turning the radio on. I didn't want him to hear my roaring heart...

Sakto naman na nagplay ang kanta ni Lauv na I like Me Better grin formed on my lips because I do like me better when I'm with Yael.

He brings out the best and worst in me and his company feels like a home... Parang hindi ko na yata kayang tanggalin sa sistema ko ang mga ganitong pagkakataon na magkasama kami, nag-uusap, o malapit sa isa't-isa.

Just the thought of being away with Yael makes me feel dull because he is the sunlight of my universe and without him, everything is black.

"Yael, can we drop by at a café near HAU?" I asked out of nowhere. He shared a piece of him and I want to return the favor. I'm going to show him a piece of me, too.

"Near HAU? Isn't it the cafés there are in New Point?"

"No, there's a café near HAU... I'll show you when we get there." Nakangiti kong sabi sa kanya.

--

"Ayan! Right there!" Sabi ko at itinuro ang Frapello na katabi ng isang drugstore. This café is underrated, wala gaano ang pumapansin which is saddening because people are missing a lot. They make the best frappé here.

"Oh, it's quite hard to notice that there's actually a café there." Ani Yael na nakikisilip sa bintana ng passenger's seat. Ilang sandali pa ay muli na niyang pinaandar ang sa sasakyan.

"We can't park here, baka ma tow away ang sasakyan... Hanap muna tayo ng parking." Aniya at tumango naman ako.

There's designated parking lot beside the 7-Eleven at doon na lang kami nag park ni Yael tapos ay tumawid na lang kami ng kalasada para mapuntahan namin ang Frapello. Malapit lang naman ito sa pinagparkingan namin.

Yael held my hand while we're walking to the pedestrian habang ang isa niyang kamay naman ay nasa loob ng kanyang bulsa. Sinikap kong h'wag ngumiti na parang baliw dahil sa paghawak niya sa aking kamay.

"That's was your Alma mater, right?" Ani Yael nang makalipat na kami ng daan at ngunit hawak niya pa rin ang aking kamay. Nakasipat siya sa building ng St. Martha.

Tumango ako. "Diyan sa building na 'yan nandiya ang mga nagdo-dorm." Sabi ko.

"Your university is huge... Ang dami nitong sakop." Komento niya.

Nakangiti akong tumango. "Yep. Malaki nga. And aside from the university itself, we also have the best engineers and accountants here."

Ikiniling niya ang ulo sa akin at nginisian ako. "I can tell... Your brother topped the board exam for the Aeronautical Engineering, ako ang pumangalawa."

I gasped at his revalation. "Really? I-Ikaw 'yung sumunod sa pangalan ni Colton? Grabe! Tingnan mo naman ang pagkakataon..."

I was still astonished. This is really mindblowing. It's as if God has been dropping hints but I am too stupid to notice.

And oh my God! Pangalawa si Yael sa board.

"Gano'n kami naging malapit ni Colton, napag-usapan namin iyon nang maging co-pilot ko siya sa isang flight. Your brother is really a nice and clever guy."

Nginitian ko nang matamis si Yael. "I know... And congratulations, Yael. The younger version of me is so proud of you."

Natawa lang siya. "Thank you, silly." Aniya at pinisil ang kamay ko na hawak-hawak niya.

"Angeles City is really the home of clever and handsome pilots, huh? Nandito kasi kayo ni Colton."

Sinipat niya ang Frapello. "Tama na ang bola, Beatrix. We should get inside." He crinkled his nose at me and my heart instantly jumped. Damn! Why do you have to be this gorgeous, Yael?

Pumasok na kaming dalawa ni Yael. He's the one who slid the door open tapos ay pinauna niya ako papasok. As usual ay walang tao.

We were greeted by the same barrista... Tatlo sila dito usually. Iyong dalawa ay madalas maupo sa may gilid na table.

The café is less spacious compared to the other cafés out there but the place is homey and not suffocating. It has six wooden tables and chairs inside.
Iyong kisame naman ay gawa rin sa mga woods. This is really the perfect place to go on a rainy days or if your mind is craving for a peaceful place.

"Good evening! Hindi mo yata kasama ngayon ang best friend mo?"
Bungad sa akin ni kuya barrista.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng lungkot. Dito kami madalas magpunta ni Jess noon kapag gusto naming uminom ng frappé. We don't go to Starbucks anymore, sa Frapello na kami.

I have lots of memories with Jess here... Iyong sa tuwing nagre-review kami. Nagkokopyahan ng assignment, you name it. And now it saddens me to think that all of those are just memories, even her. She's only part of my memories now.

I felt Yael squeezed my hand. "I'm her company tonight." Siya na ang sumagot.

I automatically forced a smile to kuya barrista.

"Anong gusto mo?" Tanong ko kay Yael habang nakatingala sa menu. Isa lang naman din ang pipiliin ko at iyon pa rin.

"Ikaw, ano ba 'yung sa'yo?"

"Mocha Locco..." Kaagad kong sabi. Iyon ang madalas naming orderin ni Jess. Nag-iiba naman kami minsan pero ito talaga ang madalas naming ulit-ulitin.

"Gano'n na rin 'yung akin..." Sabi niya at hinarap si kuya barrista.

"Two Mocha Locco, please."

"Ilang oz. po sir?"

Ikiniling ni Yael ang ulo sa'kin. "Kaya mong ubusin 'yung 16 oz.?"

Mabilis akong umiling. "12 lang, Yael. Magpa-palpitate ako..."

Tumango siya at muling humarap kay Kuya. "Dalawang 12 oz." Aniya kay kuya barrista tapos ay dinukot niya ang wallet niya sa kanyang side pocket.

“Yael, ako na…” Pigil ko sa kanya ngunit hindi niya ako pinakinggan. Iniabot niya ang 200 peso bill kay kuya. Napanguso na lang ako.

“Gusto niyo pong tubig, sir?” He always ask that.

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

He opened tha freezer tapos ay inilabas niya ang isang tubig na nakalagay sa babasaging bote. Si Yael ang kumuha no’n at nang iniabot niya ang dalawang baso sa amin ngunit ako na ang kumuha.

Umupo kami sa may table na malapit sa may counter.

“Dapat ikaw ang ililibre ko…” Sabi ko sa kanya.

Ngumisi lang siya habang binubuksan ang cap ng bote. “Don’t think about it… Mura lang naman pala dito? 88 pesos for 12 oz.?”

Ngumiti ako at tumango. “True! Pero masarap. Alam mo ‘yung Mocha Locco? Lasang Hershey's na dark chocolate…” Pagkikwento ko.

“I’m gonna find that out later…” aniya at inibutan ako ng basong sinalinan niya ng ice cold water.

“Thank you.” sabi ko at sumimsim doon sa baso. Pagkatapos kong sumimsim at naibaba ang baso sa mesa ay tinakpan ko ang aking ilong dahil bigla akong napa hatsing.

“Excuse me…” I said before letting out an awkward laugh. Ang buong mukha ko ay namula pa dahil sa hiya kay Yael. Why do I have to sneeze in front of him?

“Sinisipon ka ba? Are you cold? I have a jacket inside the car. Kukunin ko,” aniya at akmang tatayo na ngunit bago pa siya makatayo ay pinigilan ko na siya.

“No! Ano ka ba, Yael? Hindi ako sinisipon… That’s just how our body reacts when there’s a foreign thing in our bronchi.” I explained. ‘Tong si Yael talaga.

His brows creased. “Huh?”

“Pansinin mo, kapag naglilinis ka tapos nakasinghap ka ng alikabok ‘di ba nag s-sneeze tayo? Iyon ‘yung way ng katawan natin para ilabas ‘yung foreign thing na nainhale natin tapos napunta sa bronchi. Kaya kahit wala tayong sipon minsan nag s-sneeze tayo.”

Noong una ay seryoso siyang nakikinig sa’kin ngunit ‘di nagtagal ay bigla siyang napangisi.

“Bakit?” Kinunotan ko siya ng noo. Aba, hindi yata naniniwala sa’kin ang loko.

“Nothing. I just think it’s sexy when you explain to me using science.”

Umawang ang aking bibig ngunit bago pa man ako makasagot ay nagsalita na si kuya barrista.

“Sir, heto na po ang order niyo.” Kaagad na tumayo si Yael mula sa kanyang kinauupuan at kinuha ang order namin. Iniabot niya sa’kin ‘yung isa.

I eyed him while taking a sip of his frappé. Nilasahan niya iyon sa kanyang dila at tiningnan ako.

“Yeah, you’re right. It does tastes like hershey’s dark chocolate.”

Ngumiti ako ng malapad. “You like it?”

“I do.” He replied before taking another sip.

“Wow. Sana pala frappé na lang ako para like mo rin ako.” Pabulong kong sabi. I saw him grin while sipping his frappé, tapos ay tiningnan niya ako sa mga mata. Shit! Sana hindi niya narinig.

My face is turning red wala pa man. Sana talaga hindi niya narinig. Nakakahiya talaga ako kahit na kailan!

“I do like you… better than this frappé.”

Bahagya akong nasamid sa sinabi niya, ngunit mabilis naman akong nakarecover.

“So, nurse, how do you explain that in science?” He teased dahil sa biglaan kong pagkasamid. I just rolled my eyes at him and a delicious laugh rose from his throat.

We stayed there until 10, kasi magsasara na ang Frapello sa oras na iyon… We talked about my college life, my moments with Jess and I just love how good he is at listening. I love his company… I won’t trade this over any luxurious thing in this world. Because having him near me is luxurious already.

--

“I think I should go back… Kailangan mo nang magpahinga. Wala ka pang tulog.” Sabi ni Yael.

We’re here at the balcony of Colton’s condo unit. We’re having a great view of Clark International Airport up here. We’re watching the airplanes land and take off while the cold night breeze is hitting our skin and my our hairs.

Sinipat ko si Yael. His elbows are resting on the top of the barrels, naka lean siya nang kaunti habang tinatanaw ang airport. The night breeze is slightly dancing with his hair… Medyo humahaba na rin kasi ang buhok niya at natatakpan na ang kanyang noo.

Watching the moonlight shines on him makes me feel emotional… He’s just so beautiful and his mere presence is enough to make me feel overwhelmed. Kahit h’wag siyang magsalita. Basta nandiyan lang siya ay ayos na ako.

“Why didn’t I get the chance to meet you sooner?” I said out of nowhere. Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya na kailangan ko ng magpahinga, having him is enough to relieve all my stress.

He tilted his head to face me and I met his soft brown eyes… I love how deep and fierce they were, like they’re always ready to go to war for you.

“Sana nakilala na kita noon pa… para hindi na ako nagpahalik sa iba, para hindi ko na hinayaan ang iba na isayaw ako. If I knew that I would meet you, I’ve saved all my firsts for you.”

Sana hindi ko na ibinigay ang first kiss ko sa iba, sana hindi ko na hinayaan ang iba na isayaw ako. Sana sa kanya ko na lang ibinigay ang lahat ng iyon.

“I don’t mind about the past, Trix. We’re in the present now and I don’t want you kissing or dancing with any other guys… Dapat ako lang. Me and me alone.”

Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko sabay tango. “No other guys, just Yael.” I promised.

One corner of his lips lifted. “Good…”Aniya at inilahad ang kamay sa akin.

I looked at him and his hand quizzically.

“Dance with me…”

My eyes shined. “Gladly.” Sabi ko at tinanggap ang kamay niya tapos ay ginamit ko ang libre kong kamay upang ilabas ang phone.

“Dapat may music.” Nginisian ko siya.

Binasa niya ang kanyang labi. “Alright. Your pick.”

Ngumuso ako habang nags-scroll sa spotify. Napunta ako sa Best of 00s at pumuli doon. I can feel him watching me while using my free hand to pick a song for him.

Napangisi ako nang makita ko ang If I Ain’t Got You ni Alicia Keys. I tapped the track before placing my phone on the round table behind me.

Nang harapin ko siya ay inilagay niya ang magkabila kong kamay sa kanyang balikat at ang kanyang mga kamay naman ay pumunta sa aking magkabilang bewang, pulling me closer to him.

His touch made my heart skipped a beat… Hindi yata ako magpapa-palpitate sa kape, sa kanya naman.

“That doesn’t sound like a Taylor Swift song…” Komento niya.

“Because it’s not.” Nakangisi kong sabi.

Some people live for the fortune

Some people live just for the fame

Some people live for the power, yeah

Some people live just to play the game

Some people think that the physical things define what's within

And I've been there before, and that life's a bore

So full of the superficial

Nakatiim ang kanyang bagang habang nakangising nakatingin sa akin. I wrapped my arms around his nape before looking him dearly in the eyes.

“Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all. If it ain't you, baby. If I ain't got you baby...” I sang the lyrics to him sincerly and that and that made him smile widely, showing the tiny dimple on the side of his lips.

“Some people want diamond rings,some just want everything but everything means nothing if I ain't got you...” I sang playing the hairs at the back of his head. I think the lyrics are just so perfect because Yael taught me on how to be contented.

Noon ay madalas akong magsawa sa mga bagay-bagay pati sa mga nagugustuhan ko but Yael taught me on how to be consistent. I also used to have obssesion over new luxury things such as watches, shoes, bags, but when Yael came, all those things didn’t matter anymore.

Siya na lang ang gusto ko ngayon. Wala nang iba.

His thumb caressed my waist as he leans on my face. “You have a beautiful singing voice...” He whispered before kissing my temple. His lips stayed there as we continued dancing.

Napapingit ako at napangiti. I bit my bottom lip as I welcome the fuzzy and warm feeling to invade my insides.

I love this. I love every inch of this moment. I love us.

Us dancing under the moonlight as the airplanes in the sky full of stars pass us by.