Almost, But Not Quite (COMPLETED)

Epilogue (Part 1)

I stared at his face. I squinted my eyes at him.

"Gusto mong malaman?" I asked, my brow arched.

He nodded. "Yeah. I don't want to spoil our vacation. If there's something I did, I apologize and promise that I won't do it ever again," sabi niya at saka lumapit sa akin. Inabot niya iyong kamay ko. He caressed the top of my hand. I hated it when he does that! Sobrang nakakawala ng inis sa kanya!

I sighed. "Nothing," I said as I wrapped my arms around his waist. I rested my head against his chest and allowed myself to relax. "Sobrang stressed lang ako sa work. Sorry kung sa 'yo ko na naman nabubunton iyong stress ko..." I whispered as I felt him caressing my back.

"It's okay..." I heard him say. "I know how hard you work," he continued, and then planted a kiss on top of my head. "Sleep first. We'll just tour tomorrow when you're well-rested."

Nanatili akong naka-yakap sa kanya hanggang sa buhatin niya na ako papunta sa kwarto ko. Seryoso talaga siya sa hiwalay naming kwarto! Bumabalik na naman iyong stress ko sa kanya!

Tinotoo ko na lang iyong reason ko sa kanya na inaantok ako kaya natulog talaga ako. I woke up after a few hours, feeling a little better. Paglabas ko sa kwarto, agad kong hinanap si Psalm. Nakita ko siya na may inaayos sa lamesa. Lumapit agad ako doon tapos niyakap siya.

"Lumabas ka?" I asked while I was hugging his back.

He nodded. "Yeah. I bought food. Got you Nishin Soba and Yudofu," he said. "Are you hungry?" he asked.

I nodded. "Dapat ginising mo ako."

"You looked really tired. Let's eat," sabi niya.

Naupo kami sa sahig. The place he got us was really nice—minus the two rooms. Parang nasa old era Japan talaga kami. Nung nagpunta kasi kami sa Tokyo dati, hindi ganito iyong tinirhan namin.

"Mama reminded me to remind you that it's her birthday next month," sabi niya.

I nodded. "Alam ko. Naka-bili na nga ako ng regalo sa kanya," I said instead. Sa totoo lang, nahihiya na akong makita sila Tita Anna dahil ang palagi niyang tanong sa akin ay kailan kami ikakasal ng magaling niyang anak! Bakit kaya hindi si Psalm ang tanungin niya? Jusko, naunahan na siya ng mga kapatid niyang magpakasal!

"Just reminding you. Last time kasi nalimutan mo," he said, shrugging. Hindi ko naman nalimutan dati. Nagkataon lang na kinulang iyong staff sa hospital kaya napilitan ako magstay. Tapos after shift ko, naka-tulog ako agad sa quarters kaya 'di ko nasagot iyong mga text and calls.

"Also, Saint's inviting you to Luna's birthday."

I nodded. "Got the gift already," I said, and then reached for the tofu. "Ilan na nga pamangkin mo?" I asked.

"Four," he said tapos hindi naka-tingin sa akin.

"Hmm... May pamilya na mga kapatid mo..." patay-malisya kong sabi. "Pati mga pinsan mo, no?"

This asshole just nodded.

Hanggang sa matapos kaming kumain, hindi ko alam kung 'di nage-gets ni Psalm iyong nais kong iparating o sadyang hindi niya lang talaga ako pinapansin. He volunteered to clean out the trash at magpahinga na raw ako.

"Oh? Bakit?" Anj asked when I called her. "Salubong na naman kilay mo."

"Nakakainis kasi si Psalm!" I fumed. I didn't care if the walls were thin. Maybe a part of me wanted him to hear what I was so mad about! I probably sounded so desperate, but I didn't know what to make of it anymore! He wouldn't propose, he wouldn't touch me! I didn't know what he wanted me to do!