Chapter 12

"Oh, wow," I said as Chester stepped out of his car. I gave him two thumbs up. I saw him blush, so I grinned to myself. I consider myself as a Chester enthusiast and as such, marami akong bagay na alam sa kanya and one of the things I know about him ay he usually just has two settings—one is the hospital uniform and one is his casual attire aka denim pants, black shirt, and some sneakers. But tonight? Mukhang nagkaroon bigla ng third setting!

"You clean up really well," I added. "Approved," sabi ko pa as I gave him my thumbs up again.

"Dala ko 'yung wine," he told me.

I nodded as I opened my phone and went to the camera. "Let's take a photo muna," sabi ko kasi kapag pumasok na kami sa loob ng bahay, I was certain that my parents would have hundred questions for him. And I just knew that Rhys would invite him to drink and they'll have the 'talk.'

"Hindi selfie," I said kasi tumayo na siya sa tabi ko, being the trained boyfriend that he was. I propped my phone on the hood of his car and naka-video iyon.

"Video?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'll just screen shot iyong mga gusto kong poses," I told him as I stood right in front of him. I placed my hands on his shoulders and his hands automatically went to the sides of my waist. He was wearing a light gray pants, black long sleeves na naka-open iyong first three buttons and naka-fold up to the middle of his arms iyong sleeves, and black leather loafers. His hair was also styled! I felt like I died for a second nung bumaba siya sa car niya. I was wearing a black satin mini dress. It was a 'formal' dinner because Mama invited his chef friend to prepare our dinner. I was pretty sure nagpapa-impress lang siya sa boyfriend ko.

"Ano'ng gagawin ko?" he asked.

"Nothing," I replied as I smiled at him.

We probably looked like two fools dancing with no music, but this moment felt like magic. Isinandal ko iyong ulo ko sa chest niya. I felt his head resting on top of mine.

Napatigil kami when Rhys' car pulled over. I frowned when he rolled his eyes nang makita kami.

"Be nice," I told him.

"Wala naman akong ginagawa," he replied as he gave Chester a nod. Magkakilala na kasi sila—I mean, not close, but also there's no need for an introduction. Feel ko kaya kilala ni Rhys kasi may crush siya kay Cha before kaya marami siyang alam. I remember him telling me before to get him donuts nung BAR niya—ibibigay pala kay Cha. Galing kaya sa allowance ko 'yon!

Nauna pumasok si Rhys sa loob ng house. Tumingin ako kay Chester. He looked... calm. Mas mukhang ako pa iyong kinakabahan kahit na alam ko na mabait naman iyong parents ko and they already told me that they approve—not that it's needed naman, but of course it's nice to know.

"Ready?" I asked, but instead of answering, he gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I frowned, but he knew that arte ko lang 'yon.

* * *

Chester was in the garden having coffee with Rhys. Napatingin ako kay Mama nung lumapit siya sa akin.

"Can you tell him that I'm sorry?"

"For what?" I asked.

"I accidentally asked him about his dad," Mama replied. I just gave her a small nod. The dinner was going great up until Mama asked Chester about his dad. It was so obvious how his mood suddenly changed, but he gave a short and polite reply, still. He just said that he's doing fine, but didn't really elaborate after that. Mukhang aware naman iyong parents ko sa situation nila sa bahay. I mean, the world is a small place (nasa iisang social circle lang iyong parents namin, so chismis travels fast) (and it was confirmed din nung dito sa house nagcelebrate ng Christmas iyong Dad nila and si Cha). That was... a rather awkward time.

"I'll tell him," I said.

Mama nodded. "Matagal pa yata sila ni Rhys. I'll head to my room," Mama added before siya umalis.

I helped Manang clean while waiting for 'the talk' to end. At first, it was just a distraction hanggang sa nag-enjoy na ako bigla na maglinis talaga. I was in the middle of drying the plates nung mapatingin ako sa likuran ko. For some reason, alam ko na si Chester iyon. Weird talaga na alam ko na kung ano iyong tunog ng steps niya.

"Tapos na kayo?" I asked. He nodded. "Si Rhys?"

"Umuwi na."

"Di man lang nagsabi," I said, frowning, habang tinutuyo ko pa rin ng towel iyong plates. "Uuwi ka na rin?"

"In a while," he replied tapos ay kumuha siya ng towel din and nagstart magpunas ng plato. Napakunot iyong noo ko. "Para mas mabilis matapos," he added. "Lakad tayo sa labas."

I was sucking in my cheek para hindi masyado halata na kinikilig ako sa ginagawa namin. I mean, doing my favorite chore with my favorite person? This was the moment!

Gusto ko pa sana tagalan para mas matagal iyong moment, but Chester was working double time. Ang bilis tuloy namin matapos sa ginagawa namin.

"Nabusog ka ba?" I asked while we were walking outside na. It was already 11PM. The dinner ended at around 10 tapos nagusap sila ni Rhys and naghugas kami ng plates.

Tumango siya. "Meron talaga kayong chef sa bahay?"

Agad akong umiling. "Wala! Now lang 'yun kasi invited ka," I said. "But the steak was good, noh?" I asked and he nodded in affirmation. Ang bilis niya kaya maubos iyong food. Pansin ko mabilis talaga siya kumain. Buti nga hindi siya nagcho-choke, e.

"Chester," I called again. Tumingin siya sa akin sandali. "Mama told me to say sorry."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "For what?"

"Your dad."

His lips were pressed into a thin line again. Hindi na ulit ako nagsalita kasi halata naman na ayaw niyang pagusapan. But this seemed like it was really bothering him... I hope he talks to someone about this—kahit hindi na ako basta may kausap lang siya. Mahirap if bottled up lang lahat ng iniisip niya about that.

"How was the moving in?" I asked to change the topic. It was a nice night. I was walking under the night sky with the love of my life. I just introduced him to my family as my boyfriend. Tonight's a great night.

"Tapos na," he replied.

"What? Ang bilis naman!" sabi ko. I wanted to help him, but my sched wouldn't allow me. Sick season din kasi ng mga bata ngayon, so ang dami talaga ginagawa. Meron din akong isang patient na wala lagi iyong parents and she's always looking for me, so I always go to her room para tumambay if may time.

"Konti lang gamit ko," he replied with a small shrug.

"But ang laki ng kinuha mo na place," sabi ko kasi when we went there, it was actually a decent one bedroom place. The main bedroom was fine, but the living room area was big. And for some reason, ang laki-laki ng CR like hindi ata naplano nang maayos nung contractor.

"Sabi ni Cha marami ka raw gamit."

"So, pinaguusapan niyo akong magkapatid?"

"Pinaguusapan niyo rin kami ni Iñigo," he quickly replied.

I faked a gasp. "How dare you," I said. "We talk about other things!"

"Like?"

"High school stuff," I said. "Marami kaming kahihiyan nung high school," I added. My lips parted when I saw him rolling his eyes at me. Natawa ako bigla. "Are you seriously jealous kay Iñigo? That guy is literally head over heels sa kapatid mo."

He shrugged again, not even denying na nagseselos siya kay Iñigo. Kumapit ako sa arms niya and gave him a quick peck on his cheek.

"I love you the most," I said. "If lulubog na iyong barko and iisa lang iyong life vest, sa 'yo ko ibibigay."

"May life vest ka na?" he asked.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Uh... wala," sabi ko.

"Bakit mo ibibigay sa akin kung wala ka?"

"I... don't know," I replied, suddenly confused at the turn of events. I was trying to make him feel kilig na uunahin ko siya kaysa kay Iñigo, but for some reason, biglang sa akin niya na ibibigay iyong life vest? Bakit parang ako na iyong kinilig?

"Hayaan nating malunod si Iñigo," sabi ni Chester.

"Magagalit si Cha."

He shrugged. "Ganon talaga."

"Bad doctor."

"I told you—I'm a selfish person. I'll always save you first."

"Okay... but like... 'wag naman nating patayin si Iñigo," I said kasi I literally promised his dad that I'd take care of him, so... I'd never let him die like what Chester was suggesting.

Gosh, bakit ba namin pinaguusapan 'to?

"Okay," he said like it was already a done deal. "Sa Tuesday na ako lilipat."

"May duty ako nun," I replied, frowning.

"Hanggang anong oras?"

"12MN?" I said. "Ikaw?"

"7PM," he replied. "Gusto mo ba pumunta pagkatapos ng shift mo?"

"Of course," sabi ko sa kanya. "May parking ba 'dun?"

"Meron, pero isa lang," he replied. "Sunduin na lang kita."

"Sure ka?" I asked kasi syempre anong oras na nun.

"I don't mind," he said.

"Okay. I'll text you na lang kapag tapos na talaga ako para hindi ka na maghihintay."

We walked for a while pa tapos ay bumalik na kami. When he got inside his car, I felt sad... like I wanted to spend more time together. Although lagi naman kami magka-text or lagi din siya nagsesend ng random photos niya, syempre iba iyong magkasama kami talaga.

Kailan ba iyong okay na para magmove in? But ayoko rin naman sabihin sa kanya. Feel ko talaga matatakot sa akin si Chester sa pagka-futuristic ko.

"Drive safely," I said although alam ko naman na safe siya magdrive.

"Pasok ka na," he replied. I sighed. Kumunot ang noo niya. "Bakit?" he asked.

"Miss na kita agad," sabi ko.

Mukhang nagulat siya sa akin kasi hindi niya napigilan iyong smile niya. Kinilig na naman sa akin! But he was quick na tanggalin iyong smile tapos pa-cool na naman siya.

"Nandito pa ako sa harap mo."

"I know, but miss na kita agad."

"Ano'ng gagawin ko?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Nothing."

"Di naman ako pwede matulog d'yan sa inyo," he said. I remained silent. I plead the fifth. "I know you don't like lying, so I won't suggest you to pretend na may duty ka pero sasama ka talaga sa akin."

"Akala ko hindi ka pa naka-move in?"

"Hindi pa maayos, pero kung okay lang sa 'yo matulog sa mattress na nasa sahig—"

"Okay lang," I said, cutting him off. "Wait here, okay? I'll just change clothes and bring some stuff," I added before I hurriedly went back to the house.

Good thing tulog na iyong parents ko, so hindi ko kailangan magsinungaling like Chester said. May duty din naman ako bukas, so... Anyway, I quickly removed all my makeup and changed into cotton shorts and shirt. I also brought my duffel bag and nilagay ko roon iyong pajamas ko and iyong susuotin ko for tomorrow's duty pati iyong toiletries ko.

"Ready ka na matulog," Chester commented nung nakita niya na nagpalit na ako ng damit. Magpapalit pa ulit ako after nito kasi ayoko matulog ng nakasuot ng damit na ginamit ko sa labas.

"Bakit? May iba ba tayong gagawin?" I asked, teasing him, because we'd never actually gone further than making out. I mean, it's fine—the makeout's great... but like... when kaya?

"Netflix," he said.

"And chill?"

But instead of answering, he unlocked the door. Natatawa na naiiling ako as I got in and wore my seatbelt. Napatingin ako sa rearview mirror. Nakatingin din pala siya doon. Our gazes met.

"What?" I asked because he wouldn't say anything, but also wouldn't break the gaze.

"Nothing," he said as he placed his hands on the steering wheel. "I don't know how I got so lucky," he added as he began to drive and as he also took my breath away. 

**
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