Artistry of Love (Abstract Series #3)

Chapter 34

Nang magising ako, maliwanag na sa labas at dinig mula sa kinahihigaan ko ang mga dumadaang sasakyan. My body was still recovering from the sluggish sensation of the morning, so I stood up slowly.

Nakaramdam agad ako ng lamig at nang bumaba ang mga mata ko, napagtanto kong nakahubad pala ako. I chuckled when my thoughts wandered back to last night. I searched around to see where my clothes were. Nakita ko iyong nakapatong sa maliit na couch at nakatupi na. I was certain Trip had folded it when he awoke.

Kinuha ko iyon at sinuot. Today would be a really busy day for me because I am going out and hunting for employment one week after we graduate. Hindi naman pwedeng magkulong na lang ako dito forever.

When I stepped outside our room, I noticed Trip dressed in an apron and frying eggs in a skillet. Seryoso ang mukha niya habang nagluluto. Magulo rin ang buhok niya lalo na't sinabunutan ko 'yan last night.

"Good morning," malumbay kong sabi at umupo sa dining chair.

Ang kaninang seryoso na mukha ni Trip ay nagkaroon ng malapad na ngiti. "Good morning, my love. Kamusta ang tulog mo?" He scooped the eggs onto the plate with the spatula and set them on the table.

Napapikit ako nang hinalikan niya ang temple ko. "You drained me last night, so I rested quite well."

He laughed heartily. "Saan ka nga ulit ngayon, mahal?"

"I already submitted my résumé online, and my interview is scheduled for today. Hindi pa naman sure kung makakapasok ako kaya maghahanap ako ng pwedeng apply-an na iba habang naghihintay ng resulta." I watched Trip as he placed food on my plate. Alam na niya ang portion ng kinakain ko every morning kaya hindi ko na siya kailangan pang sabihan kung gaano kadami ang ilagay sa plato ko.

"Okay po. Pupunta akong review center ngayon kaya hatid na kita ha?" He took off his apron. "May coffee pa ba tayo?"

"I think there was some left in the pantry," tamad kong sagot dahil medyo inaantok pa ako.

He nodded. "Bibili ako mamaya ng additional. May duty kasi ako tonight, love, kaya kailangan ko ng sandamakmak na coffee."

I smiled widely. Sobrang ganda ng umaga kung ganito palagi ang madadatnan ko. Kahit kailan, hindi ko nakitaan ng pagod si Trip. He always goes to the review center during the day to study for the board exam that will take place months from now, and he works as a call center agent at night.

"Okay lang ba sa parents mo na next month na lang tayo magsisimulang magbayad?" I asked him. I was referring to our house. Isa ito sa mga bahay ng parents niya. They even offered to give it to us, but we insisted on paying for it. Since wala pa naman kaming stable job ni Trip, nagsuggest ang parents niya na hulog-hulugan na lang namin.

"They don't mind, love." He smiled encouragingly as he hoovered food for himself. Nang matapos kami sa pagkain, si Trip ang unang pumasok sa banyo para maligo habang naghuhugas naman ako ng plato. At nang tapos na siya, ako naman ang naligo na.

I wore black business attire with one-inch black heels. I also groomed my hair in a more conventional fashion. Si Trip naman ay simpleng shirt at sweatpants ang suot.

"Love?" tawag ko sa kanya habang inaayos ko ang necktie ko.

"Yes po?" he responded immediately, flapping his car keys in his hand.

"Can we stop by the cemetery on our way? Kahit sandali lang? I just want to pay a visit to my father," sabi ko. Huling bisita ko ay noong graduation pero gusto kong pumunta ulit para kausapin siya tungkol sa job interview ko.

"Sure, love."

Katulad nga ng sinabi ko, tumigil kami sa sementeryo. Before we went to my father's grave, Trip bought flowers and candles from one of the stalls.