Us Happened

Untold

Kiefer

Tonight is not the first time that she'll sleep beside me but every time she does no words could ever describe the calming and so much contentment it gives me.

Holding her, having her beside me as she doze off gives me too much assurance. It secures me that she'll never go away.

I kissed a side of her temple and put her closer to me.

They said there's no such things as seamless, true that and Mika's flaws made her imperfectly perfect for me. The way her mouth is slightly open as she sleeps, her low snores, the way she cringes her nose then snuggle her cheeks against my chest. Her long legs snaking with mine. Surely, nights like this are over the top.

We've come this far yet I won't ever get tired of going back to where we started. To that no shame photo op with her, to all those denials..

Ngayon naiintindihan ko na why I find myself stuck staring at her oftentimes even before, nakilala siya ng puso ko. Palibhasa siya na ang inaantay nitong, better half.

"It all makes sense now.." I whispered to her.

She decided to stay with me because my fever won't go down, kanina lang nasa condo kami but Mika said it'll be easier and more convenient to stay in our house. So she drove all the way to Cainta. Mom and Dad's not in the house, there's only Thirdy whose probably with Billie, Dani and Manang.

"Hindi din ako makakatulog at lalong hindi ka makakapagpahinga kasi I'll call you every 30 minutes to check your condition." Sabi niya kanina. Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo, aba gustong gusto ko nga eh. Sssh.

"In yun! In yun eh.." Nagulat ako when Mika hissed then slowly drifted back to sleep.

"Ssh. Pagod nga.." Niyakap ko siya ng mas mahigpit.

...

"Paps, lahat ng desisyon mo sinusuportahan ko pero ngayon.. Sigurado ka ba talaga sa papasukin mo?" Pauly asked me.

"Kilala mo ko Pauly, hindi ako papasok sa isang bagay na di ko pinagisipan. Alam ko namang alam niyo matagal na, gusto ko siya." Sagot ko. I'm sure I am risking a lot, para akong tumaya sa lotto meron akong 5% chance na manalo at 95% probability na matatalo but I'm trying.

"Basta Manong, kahit ano pang mangyari. Andito lang kami." Pauly assured me, taping my shoulder and giving me a smile.

"Alam ko yan. Wish me luck!" I exhaled, yung puso ko parang tambol na sa lakas ng kabog. Bumaba ako ng kotse at nagdoorbell, it was her mother who opened it for me.

"Ahh. Good-go.. Magandang tanghali po Ma'am." Bati ko, nakita kong kumunot ang noo niya. Kamukhang kamukha niya si Mika, di mo maikakaila na magnanay sila.

"Ahhh. Ako po si Kiefer Ravena." Nilahad ko ang kamay ko, mukhang nagtataka pa rin ang babae sa harap ko. Tsk! Baka akalain pa nito nagaalok ako ng paninda. Bakit ba kasi ako ng white polo, blue jeans at loafers? Napagkamalan ata akong salesman.

"Okay. Anong sadya mo dito?" Finally she said something.

"Ahm, kasi ano po.. Ah, Ma'am.." Panak ang lunok ko. Shit. Medyo nakakaintimidate din kasi ang Mama niya, parang siya din. Halatang suplada eh.

"Halika, pasok ka muna. Mukhang naiinitan ka jan." Alok niya sakin, bahagya niya ding binuksan ang pinto ng gate para makapasok ako.

"Salamat po." She lead the way. Dinala niya ko sa sala at nakitang may lalaking nanunuod ng basketball doon.

"Good Afternoon po." I greeted.

"Pa, si Kiefer Ravena daw siya. Mukhang may sasabihin, kausapin mo muna. Kuha lang ako ng maiinom." So he's the father. Nyemas lalo akong kinabahan. Tinignan ako ng Papa ni Mika, napalunok ako ramdam ko may tumulong pawis sakin. Intense.