Amidst The Vying Psyches

Kabanata 39

"I miss you more, hirang. I miss you everyday."

Gumalaw siya para pagpalitin ang posisyon namin. Umupo siya sa couch na kinauupuan ko kanina—dahilan para kasama akong nakaupo sa kandungan niya.

I sniffed his scent. It's been so long since the last time I smelled him... he smells like home.

My heart is at peace... as if it already knew where she belongs. Here. I belong here... in his arms.

"I waited for you... to come home. Kahit abutin man ng ilang taon ang paghihintay ko sa'yo, hindi ako titigil. I kept on waiting because I know you'll come back to me."

I removed my face on his chest and stared at his face. I cupped his cheeks and moved my head until our foreheads touched.

"Nandito na ako. Umuwi na ako, Steven..." I caressed his cheeks. "Umuwi na ako sa'yo."

A teardrop rolled on his cheeks. He was crying. My Steven is crying.

I kissed his chin. I want to comfort him. I want to be the one who would dry his tears.

"I-I'm so happy, hirang..." his hand moved from my waist up to my cheeks and kissed my lips lightly. "Thank you for making me happy."

"Thank you for waiting for me... Thank you for everything, Steven."

He nodded before burying his face on my neck as I heard him sobbed. I knew he was crying out of happiness. It was evident on the way he held my waist—like he was afraid to let go of me again.

"Hindi na ako ulit aalis sa tabi mo," I assured him. "I'll stay by your side always."

Nang kumalma kami parehas ay sabay kaming bumaba sa living room. Mukhang hinihintay nila kami dahil nasa amin nakatutok ang kanilang mga mata nang bumaba kami sa hagdan.

"How's your moment with your wife?" Nang-aasar na tanong ni Josiah na may hawak ng juice.

"Shut up, Josiah."

Sa sagot ni Steven ay tumawa ito nang malakas. Sinundan ito ng pang-aasar ng ibang kamag-anak niya.

"Tita, tito... he's joking lang po. I'm not his wife... yet."

Saktong umupo si Steven sa gitna ng pinsan at tito niya kaya tinapik siya nito sa likod.

"'Yun, oh! Lakas talaga ng pamangkin ko!" They even massaged his shoulder.

Parang nagging teenager din si tita dahil sa lakas ng tili nito. Sobrang supportive talaga niya sa amin, 'yung tipong natutunaw ang puso ko sa tuwa.

"Kailangan invited kami sa wedding niyo, ah! Hindi ako papayag na hindi," masungit na lintaya ni tita.

I giggled. "Of course, tita. Ikaw pa ba?"

"Ah! I really like you anak..." lumingon siya kay Steven. "Huwag na huwag kang maghahanap ng iba, Steven! I'm telling you!"

"Yes, ma..." sagot nito habang nakatitig sa akin. "Siya lang naman ang gusto ko."

Naging tapunan kami ng asaran dahil sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko alam kung may ideya sila na mag-ex kami dahil sobrang sila kung maka-ship sa amin. Ka-level nila ang mga kaibigan namin kung mang-asar.

After that night, we started going out again. It felt like we were back on the courting stage—parang nung senior high. The sparks were back and the tension was there again. It's like we're getting to know each other again. Our behavior and mannerisms changed, except for how we treat each other.

I was falling for him again... harder and deeper this time.

May mga pagkakataon na ihahatid niya ako sa trabaho at susunduin pauwi. Masayang-masaya naman si tita sa tuwing makikita niya kaming magkasama palabas ng workplace ko.