(Yours Series # 5) Always Yours (COMPLETED)

Chapter 19

I stood there, waiting for the rain to fall on me, pero napatingin ako sa itaas nang may makita akong payong. I turned around and my lips parted when I saw Chester holding an umbrella over my head.

"Did you follow me?" I asked.

He nodded. "Gabi na. Delikado," he replied. "Nakasunod lang naman ako. Hindi kita lalapitan, pero uulan na."

I bit my lower lip. Why was he so nice? Sobrang nakaka-guilty tuloy magalit sa kanya o kahit mainis man lang.

"May dala kang payong?"

Umiling siya. "Bumili ako kanina sa gilid nung parang uulan na," he replied. "Ang mahal nga, e. Two hundred na 'tong payong na 'to?" he asked as he showed me the umbrella na parang bata na nagsusumbong.

I didn't know why I was crying again. Palagi na lang akong umiiyak. I wanted to be back to the normal me... pero parang medyo malabo ngayon kasi ang dami ng nangyari. But I wanted to be strong again kasi gusto kong makatulong sa mga tao sa paligid ko. And how can I do that if I, myself, needed help?

"I'm sorry," I said.

"I'm sorry din," he replied. "Feel bad as long as you like."

"I want to feel fine naman, Chester, but I really can't right now."

He nodded. "I understand," sabi niya. "Just tell me if you're venting or if you need advice."

I nodded. "Okay..." I said as I wiped the tears that were falling. "I'm sorry because I can't seem to stop crying," I added.

Chester didn't say a word, instead, he handed me a handkerchief. "Malinis ba 'to?"

He rolled his eyes. "Di ko iaabot sa 'yo kung hindi."

Natawa ako nang kaunti. "Fine. Ang sungit," I said as I wiped the hanky on the side of my eyes.

Chester and I walked with him holding the umbrella over our heads. The umbrella wasn't big enough for the both of us and I noticed that Chester's shoulder was already dripping dahil halos kalahati lang ng katawan niya iyong napapayungan because he was, as usual, putting me first.

"Chester," I called.

"Hmm?" he replied.

"I love you, you know that, right?"

"I know," he said. "I love you, too."

I smiled. "Are you serious when you told me that you're okay with adoption?"

He nodded. "Yes. Why? Are we adopting?"

I shrugged. "I don't know... but are we planning on starting a family na?" tanong ko sa kanya kasi we needed to be on the same page first before anything else.

"Up to you," he said. "I'll follow your lead."

"But I want to know what you want."

Masyado yata talagang malayo iyong nakalad ko because we were still far from the apartment. The rain didn't seem like it would stop from falling anytime soon. Basa na kaming dalawa—lalo na si Chester—pero wala akong naririnig na reklamo mula sa kanya.

"I want to get married first before starting a family," he said.

"Really?"

He nodded. "Rhys made me promise."

I rolled my eyes. "You do know that it's not binding, right?"

He nodded again. "Yes, but as a respect, I want to honor it," sabi niya. "I will propose. Magugulat ka na lang."

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling because it was so cute to imagine Chester buying me an engagement ring and him planning a proposal. I was sure na kahit laruan na singsing ang ibigay niya sa akin o kahit na sintas ng sapatos, the answer will be a resounding yes.

"Ikaw?" he asked.

"I want to marry you," I told him. "But..."

"But what?"

"I want to get pregnant first," I said. "I want to know first if I can give you a child... After that, I'll decide if I want to get married. Kasi... kasi unfair naman sa 'yo kung magpapakasal tayo tapos..." I added, unable to finish the thought.

We continued walking pero hanggang sa makarating kami sa apartment, wala akong narinig mula sa kanya. Tahimik lang siya hanggang makapasok kami sa loob.

"Chester," I said. "Are you mad?"

Tumingin siya sa akin. "Pwede ba akong magsalita?"

I bit my lower lip as I felt my eyes stinging. "Please don't be mad..."

"Bawal din akong magalit?"

"Chester—"

"No, because from what I heard, kung hindi ka pwedeng mabuntis, hindi rin tayo pwedeng magpakasal?" he asked and disappointment was dripping on his voice. "Paano kung hindi nga pwede, Gracey? Hindi na rin tayo pwede, ganon? Ang unfair naman non. Sinabi ko naman sa 'yo na kahit ano, okay lang sa 'kin."

"Chester naman—"

"Paano kung ako naman 'yung 'di pwede magkaanak? Ganito rin ba gagawin mo?"

Mabilis akong umiling. "No, of course not!"

Tumingin lang siya sa akin. "Then why the double standard when it comes to you?" he asked, staring right into my eyes. "I thought you of all people would know na hindi lang naman sa panganganak pwedeng maging nanay—sa ospital pa lang ang dami dun na baby na iniiwan pagka-panganak. Anong klaseng nanay kapag ganon?" diretso niyang sabi. "You will be a great mother to any kid, Gracey. I thought you should know that," he added before he walked out and went to our room.  

**
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