Always and Forever (Allyse Sequel)

KABANATA 28 - The CEO's Greetings

"You know what I think?"

"Ano?" Sumisinglot ako dahil kagagaling ko lang sa muntik iyak. Tinatahan ako ni Shane sa kabilang linya.

"We will go back home in the Philippines by the end of this month..."

"And?" Tanong ko na parang bata habang pinupunasan ang sariling luha.

"Doon kayo magbakasyon nila Tita Flora at Tito Eric. Puwede rin naman siguro diba? Para maiwasan mo na yung taong iyon." He told me and sounded like it was a matter of fact.

Napaisip tuloy ako. Oo, I've always wanted to see the beauty of Ilocos Norte dahil hindi ko naman talaga nakita talaga noon.

"Baby? What do you think?"

Pero makakauwi lang sila Shane by the end of the month. And Allister's wedding will be on the third week of April. Siguro kaya ito.

"What about the wedding?" Tanong ko. Nagbuntong-hininga siya.

"You do really care for him, don't you?" Seryoso niyang tanong. Agad akong nataranta.

"Babe, that's not what-"

"I know. I know, baby. Hush, alright? I'm sorry." Napakagat ako sa aking labi. "Hindi ko nga dapat sinuggest yun. May event ka pa palang dapat puntahan."

Nanghinayang ako sa sinabi niya. No, I want to see him! Malapit na ang uwi nila.

"Babe, what's your address in Ilocos?" Tanong ko.

"Why?" Tanong niya pabalik. I rolled my eyes.

"Babe, naman. Ano ba ang pinag-uusapan natin?" Tanong ko.

"Ah eh. Okay, isesend ko sayo yung address namin... So are you telling me that you-"

"Oo. Magbabakasyon ako doon and I'll try to convince mama and papa to go with me. I'll try to brainwash them dahil sa mga pinagsasabi nila. They have to meet you. They have to know that I do belong to someone else. And that's you, Shane. Hindi kay Allister." Wika ko.

"Hmmm. That's why I love you so much, Allyse." Pabulong niyang sabi. Bahagya akong tumawa.

"Now, I can't wait to go to Ilocos." Tawa ko.

"Ako rin. Gabi na, baby. You have to sleep. Good night." Aniya. Isiniksik ko na ang sarili ko sa mga unan at comforter ko.

"Good night, babe. I miss you." Nakapikit kong sabi.

"I miss you more. Sana mapaginipan mo ako." Ramdam ko ang ngiti niya.

"I hope so."

"Babe?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you sing for me, please?" Pabulong kong tanong.

"Sure baby."

Ilang sandali pa bago siya nagsimulang kumanta.

All through the night, I'll be awake and I'll be with you.
All through the night, this precious time, when time is new.
All, all through the night today, knowing that we feel the same, without saying, the same without saying

Ipinikit ko lalo ang aking mga mata at nagpakalunod sa banayad at malalim na boses ni Shane. Nakaloudspeaker ang phone ko.

We have no past we won't reach back,
Keep with me forward all through the night
and once we start a meter clicks,
and it goes running all through the night.
Until it ends, there is no end.

►►►

Napasinghap ako sa aking paggising dahil sa malakas na tila-ok ng manok. Pambihira naman o! Nag-inat ako at humikab bago umupo para masilayan ang sikat ng araw.