Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter One - Not Yet

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU FINALLY GET THE MAN YOU WANT? Obviously, you become exclusively in a relationship. You go on dates. You go on trips together. And eventually, you come to a conversation about moving in with each other or getting married.

In Stacey's case, Renante only showed up in front of her gate with his bags.

"I want to live with you," desididong wika nito nang pagbuksan ni Stacey ng gate.

Stacey held her breath, eyed on his shiny black car before returning her gaze upon him.

Kahit malamlam ang ilaw mula sa kalapit na poste, malinaw na malinaw pa rin sa kanya kung gaano kagwapo si Renante. She pulled a hesitant smile before turning her back on him.

"Sa loob na natin pag-usapan 'yan," aniya bago nalapitan ang gate.

Nang makapasok ang kotse ni Renante, sinamahan siya nito pabalik sa gate. Tinulungan siya nitong isara ang mga iyon. They pushed the gates until its two doors met in the middle.

And so did they. Nagkatitigan sila saglit bago siya ang unang nagbawi ng tingin. Ni-lock ni Stacey ang gate.

"Bakit naman bigla-bigla? You haven't even asked me. You haven't even given me a heads up."

Pabalik na sila sa kotse.

"It's the spur of the moment," Renante answered casually.

"Baliw ka!" natatawang panlalaki ng mga mata nito sa nobyo.

Nobyo... ang sarap namang pakinggan niyon. She still could not believe that this man with jet-black hair brushed up carelessly with his fingers; this man with a piercing gaze who wore a pair of tight faded jeans and white polo shirt is all hers.

Stacey smiled as Renante popped the car trunk open. Lumantad ang naglalakihang bag at maleta ng mga gamit nito.

"Is that all?" pamewang niya nang tabihan ito.

Renante glanced at her then back to his things. "That's all of it. 'Yong iba, nasa loob ng kotse."

Mula sa bintana sa likuran ng kotse nito, ang naaninagan lang ni Stacey ay tatlong backpack, isang document bag, at isang laptop bag.

"You did not bring too much."

"I don't have that much," labas nito sa isang maleta.

"Let me help you," she presented and held one of those big sports bags.

Pinagtulungan nilang ipasok sa kanyang bahay ang mga gamit ni Renante. Nang matapos, magkatabi nilang pinagmasdan ang mga iyon sa sahig habang nakaupo sa sofa. Her boyfriend outstretched his arm over the top of the sofa's backrest sitting with his legs widely parted. Stacey, on the other hand, was cuddled under his arm. Komportableng nakadantay ang kanyang ulo sa balikat nito, habang yakap niya ang isang binti na nakataas sa upuan.

"You can tell me to get my own place," anito.

"Nah. I lowkey like to be with you in this house, Renante," she wore a satisfied smile and soft gaze. "Nahihiya lang akong yayain ka."

"Don't tell me the reason is, dahil babae ka? Kasi, hindi ako maniniwala."

She chuckled lowly. "Matagal mo na akong kilala. Alam ko, hindi ito ang ineexpect mo sa akin. You're expecting me to be very vocal and brave about the things that I want but, surprise, nahihiya rin ako. Walang kinalaman dito 'yong babae ako at lalaki ka kaya ikaw dapat ang mag-initiate na mag-live in tayo. It's just that..." Stacey smiled small as she shrugged.

"Just as I thought. You're just shy. I am not really surprised at all. It took you years to admit it to me that you want me," may himig ng panunukso sa boses nito.