The Crown Sinners

52: A True Love From Long Ago

#TCS52: A True Love from Long Ago

"Nyska!" I stood up from fanning the fire outside the house for the food I was cooking when I heard a jolly laugh and energetic voice. I automatically smiled, and ran a little to go at the front of the house, to welcome him home.

"Surprise!" Natigilan ako sa pagsalubong sa kanya nang makita s'yang hawak-hawak ang halos iba't ibang bulaklak sa mga braso. I chuckled heartily because he slowly peeked from the flower with eyes almost gone, and lips stretching so wide. My heartbeat hammered with so much bliss. I hurriedly crossed the distance between us, and hugged him tightly.

Never minding if I destroyed some of the flowers. "'Yung bulaklak, masisira!" reklamo n'ya sa akin, kaya naman pagtawa ko ang halos narinig sa buong lugar. I broke the hug, and helped him with the flowers.

"Ikaw yata ang adik sa bulaklak sa ating dalawa," I commented, smelling the flowers. I heard his soft chuckle and he nodded quickly like a little kid. Araw-araw yata palagi s'yang may pasalubong na bulaklak sa akin, kapag hindi bulaklak mga bato naman na pwedeng gawing bracelet o kung ano-ano pang accessories.

We placed the flowers to the front mini garden I created because he kept bringing flowers. His smile just widened more when I was fixing it delicately, he was just watching me like a little kid who saw someone so precious. I avoided his gaze. Kung dati wala akong hiya kasi may takip ako sa mukha, ngayon naiilang ako kasi wala na akong takip sa mukha.

I let him see my whole face. I let him entered my life. I let myself fall in love with him. And it only gets deeper and deeper each day. I didn't know you could possible fall in love with a person every day. But with Laurentius it was more than possible.

I was making the garden that was already so colourful and beautiful more organized when Laurentius suddenly sniffed, and looked around. Napakunot-noo naman ako sa kanya. Ginaya ko ang ginagawa n'ya at nanlaki na lang ang mga mata ko.

Napatayo ako at nagulat s'ya nang sumabog ang mga bulaklak na nasa kandungan ko at mga hawak ko. "Patay!" I shrieked, and I hurriedly went to the side part outside of our small nipa house, and found a lot of smoke from where I was cooking our supposed to be meal.

Narinig kong sumunod sa akin si Laurentius, at hindi ko man lingunin alam kong nakanganga na 'to sa nadatnan. I rapidly sat down on my feet and tried to touch the hot pot. Muntik na akong mapaso sa pagkataranta, kung hindi lang ako pinigilan ni Laurentius. He held my hand full of worry. His eyes examining if I really did get hurt from it.

"Okay ka lang?!" Natatarantang sabi nito. I cackled at him, and nodded. I patted his head when he slowly sat down beside me. The atmosphere was just full of smoke, but even in disaster, I was happy and contented.

"Okay lang. Sorry." Nakahibi kong sabi. Instead of having a good cooked meal, after a long day of hunting and providing for us, he'd get this. Palpak ko talaga parati. I couldn't help it, my lips just curled downwards sadly.

Napaupo si Laurentius sa lupa, tatawa-tawa. Amused was the sound of his laughter. I pushed his shoulder while pouting. Lalo s'yang natawa sa akin, tapos biglang natumba sa kinauupuan dahil sa ginawa ko.

He tousled my hair, and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes, feeling his soft touch with all my heart. Tapos itinayo n'ya ako at pinaupo sa may parang bench na ginawa n'ya mula sa mga kahoy at trunk ng puno.

"H'wag kang mag-alala, aayusin natin." Malungkot pa rin ang tingin ko, pero inilagay lang ni Laurentius ang magkabilang thumb sa dulo ng labi ko, tapos unti-unti itinaas n'ya 'yun para magmukha akong nakangiti. "Ayan, mas maganda si Nyska, kapag nakangiti."