THE GOOD SISTER

Chapter 13 - Callout

"Dei......I don't know if we'll see each other again after this. On graduation day, my family will be coming over, and much as I want us to spend time together......"

"Ok lang, no worries. My parents are coming over as well. I understand."

"Pero, pwedeng.........after graduation, could you spend one day with me? I'll be moving back to Miami after the ceremony. I just want to see you one last time."

"One last time. Ang sakit pakinggan. Do you think we'll ever see each other again after that?"

"I don't know. I will move heaven and earth to follow you wherever you go. But I don't know when that will happen. For now, I just want to enjoy this time with you."

"Jay.....please spend the night here."

"Do you think it's a good idea?"

"Please? Last na 'to. I just want to store memories of being with you."

For the first time, she let him into her bedroom. Lying in bed together, bodies close, their limbs intertwined, they talked till the wee hours of the morning, cuddling like they used to. They fell asleep exhausted but happy, appreciative for this little respite from reality.

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Graduation was finally over. Dei would be going back to Manila two days from now, while Richard was also going back to Miami to his family. He wanted to spend the day with her at the beach, to swim together and explore the lighthouse at Grosse Point. They would have dinner later at his place, and hopefully he could convince her to stay the night. He wasn't sure if today was a good idea, it might be more painful for them to separate, but he just wanted to be with her before the distance would prevent them from seeing each other.

She was all smiles when he picked her up, wearing a sunny yellow top with her hair loose. Dei loved the beach, and it was a joy to see her this happy, so different from that night before graduation when she looked so miserable.

Today, the bright spots of color on her cheeks gave her face a radiant glow. She was talking to him animatedly, like a child, she was laughing and carefree.

"Look at you, you're so pretty when you're this happy."

"You make me happy. Thank you for asking me for this day."

"No matter how hard I try to stay away Dei, I just can't. You always reel me in, and I come running back to you."

"This will be the last time though," She said, her face sobering.

"For now. I promise you Dei, I will follow you, wherever you go."

They swam together, played in the water like children. They took numerous photos of each other, held each other close, their touches bolder underneath the water. He dared to untie her bikini top and cupped her breasts, feeling himself harden when he saw her close her eyes and sigh with pleasure. She groped at his crotch, massaging and kneading his hard-on through the material of his board shorts.

They hugged, their close-to-naked bodies pressing against each other, kisses urgent and long. In the lighthouse, he took more photos of her, videos of them kissing. Memory upon memory was stored on their phones, in preparation for their 'drought' in the days to come.

They took a nap in his place and woke up to prepare steaks for dinner, grilled to perfection in his backyard. The delicious steaks, baked potatoes, wine and rhum cake completed their dinner.

"Dei, it's my turn to request. Please spend the night here with me."

"Sige, I'd like that."

They were now seated on the thick carpet of his den, she was nestled in the circle of his arms, her back against his chest. She was quiet and already he felt the sadness coming. The day was ending too soon.

"Hey.......bawal ang sad, remember?"

"Sorry na."

"Bawal din mag-sorry. We've done enough apologizing to each other, Dei."

"I wasted so much time," She said, her voice wavering.

"Let's just believe that it wasn't our time yet, Dei. Ayoko na siya ipilit."

"Is that it, or you got tired already fighting for us?"

"No, never that. I just know now that we will have our time soon. I will be with you again, I just know it."

"Will you have girlfriends after I go?"

"I don't know Dei. Right now I don't see myself being with someone else. Ikaw lang talaga."

"I will wait for you."

"Just promise me one thing, Dei."

"Anything."

"If you fall in love with someone else, don't wait for me."

"That will never happen."

"Just promise me."

"Why? Para pag nangyari sayo, you'll do the same?"

"We don't know what's in store for us in the future, Dei. I just want you to be happy."

"Being with you is what makes me happy. I will wait for you, Jay. Kahit matagal, I'll wait. I know you have things to finish, things that hold you back from returning to me. Kasalanan ko naman kung bakit ganito tayo. So it's only right that I wait for you."

They kissed then, tasting the salt of their tears. Tomorrow was not as rosy without each other, but Dei felt it, he would be coming back to her soon.