Love Me in Brooklyn

Chapter 41 - Nervous

"Yeah...It's in here, in my wallet..."

"I gave that to you the day I told you I'm leaving. Gusto mo pa ngang sumama, 'di ba? Ang sabi mo may bente ka naman sa bulsa mo at maliit ka lang kaya kakasya ka sa eroplano. You were so adorable."

Napanganga ako habang pinapakinggan siya. Then I felt angry that Ron had to betray me like this. Sobrang nasaktan ako na pinaniwala niya ako sa isang kasinungalingan.

"I almost gave up on you because I thought he was RJ. He made me feel like I owe it to him to prioritize our friendship over you. Kung alam ko lang, 'di na sana ako lumayo sa'yo noon."

Niyakap ko siya nang mahigpit at halos maiyak habang inaalala kung gaano ako nahirapan mamili sa kanila ni Ron dahil buong pagaakala ko ay magkaibang tao sila Russell at RJ. I should have known they are the same. Both are always quiet and reserved. Iyon pa nga lang ay isang malaking hint na.

"That was you...My first boyfriend..."

"Still yours, my Savannah. Always yours."

I was emotional. It took everything on me not to cry right now. Kung hindi lang ako nandito para ma-meet ang mom niya, baka kanina pa ako humagulgol sa iyak.

"Kailan mo pa nalaman na ako ang kababata mo?"

The corner of his lips turned upwards. "Remember when I called you late at night and I asked you about your whole name? I even asked you why you like chocolates and milk so much. I kept asking weird things because I wanted to confirm my theory. Sobrang saya ko nung nakumpirma kong ikaw nga ang batang nakakalaro ko noon."

"Ang tagal na pala! Bakit hindi mo agad sinabi sa'kin?!"

He gave me a shy smile. "I was waiting for the right time. Kaso nalaman ko ang ginawa ni Ron kaya hindi ko na napigilan pa. I knew I had to tell you now otherwise, you'd continue to believe his lies."

I sighed and hugged him again. "Ghad, you're RJ! Grabe! I went here for you! My mission was to make you love me in Brooklyn, and you did!"

"Yeah, I did," pagsangayon niya habang hinahalikan ang pisngi ko.

"Russell---" Napabalikwas ako nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan at tumambad si Mrs. Janet. Agad akong tumayo sa gulat.

Russ chuckled but he did not stand up. Nanatili siyang nakaupo. "Yes Ma?"

"Dinner's ready."

"We'll be there. I was just showing Sab our picture from the daycare center."

Tumingin ang Mama niya sa photo album na nasa kama. Then to my surprise, she smiled.

Talaga bang ang strict na direktor ng school na inakala kong robot din katulad ni Russell ay ngumingiti ngayon?! OMG!

"He has always been in love with you, Savannah. Noong nagpunta kami dito sa America, ilang linggo 'yang umiiyak dahil baka daw ma-miss mo siya. Tuwing birthday niya, ang hiling niya ay bumisita kami sa Laudervale para magkita daw kayo ulit."

Napanganga ako at nilingon si Russ. I swear I saw him blush for the first time!!! Yumuko siya at tumawa lang upang itago ang namumulang mga pisngi niya.

"Hanggang sa magbinata siya, napapangiti ko lang siya tuwing ikaw ang nababanggit ko. Other than that, he always maintained his customary poker look, even when he's talking to his mother."

Napangiti ako dahil noong una ko siyang nakilala ay ganoon nga talaga siya. Parang bored na bored sa mundo.

"I'm happy you're here, Savannah. You changed my son to be a better man. I like this new version of him."