PATCHOULI
Tumingala ako sa langit at nakita ang mga bituin. We were outside their house, in their garden specifically. Nagulat pa ang Mommy niya nang makita ako and then I told them that I surprised him. Agad na kaming pinabayaan ni Tita Adina.
" It's done!" sabi ni Titus Maxim kaya napalingon ako. He was done setting up the tent that I brought. May nakalatag na ring blanket with all the foods that I brought for this impromptu camping.
Ngumiti ako at lumapit sa kaniya. He patted the side next to him kaya naupo ako roon.
" You good?" tanong niya. Tumango-tango ako habang tinatago ang aking ngisi.
" You really want to go camping, huh?" aniya at may nakakaloko ng ngiti.
I rolled my eyes. " No. Nakakatamad kayang maglakad."
" Then why this?"
" Because I remember you inviting me for a hike and camp. Diba sabi ko sa'yo, I prefer camping inside my room?"
He smirked. " Sus, gusto mo talagang magcamping kasama ako eh!" he teased and poked my cheeks.
Bahagyang lumobo ang aking mukha at sinamaan siya ng tingin. " Ang arte mo kasi ano? May nalalaman ka pang titigil na sa panliligaw!"
Nawala ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi. He became serious once again. I pursed my lips and pouted a little bit. Minsan nakakatakot siya kapag nagseseryoso.
" I'm sorry, I was a coward. I thought that you and Wolfe got back together. I saw the both of you--
"Huh?" nagsalubong ang aking kilay.
He sighed. " In Siargao. I was there when you kissed him." iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin.
" That's why I tried my best to stay away because I realized you were really happy with Wolfe. "
" You don't know what I feel.." sabi ko.
He laughed lowly. " I know because you weren't also clear. You promised me one thing, that you won't go back to him. Binali mo iyon. You kissed him kaya nagkaroon ako ng ideya na baka napatawad monna siya at nakikipagbalikan ka sa kaniya. I am not selfish. Kaya kitang bitawan agad kasi nakikita ko namang hindi ka masaya sa akin."
I bit my lower lip so hard that it might bleed. Hearing him say these words, I realized how good Titus Maxim was. How he prioritize my feelings and how he kept his feelings for para lang hindi ako lumayo sa kaniya.
" I love you, Titus Maxim." I whispered to him. Nakita kong ngumiti siya. His deep dimples were showing and it suited his playful face.
" Hindi ako sanay na marinig kang ganyan..." he said. He huffed a big breath. " Kinikilig ako."
I giggled and slap his shoulders. Pagkatapos ay niyakap ko ang kaniyang baywang.
" I'm sorry, it took me this long."
" It's nothing. I could wait. I'll always wait for you even if you get back with Wolfe. I'd still wait for you."
I scowled. " Pero tama talagang maghintay ka kasi gago ka. Palagi mo akong inaaway at iniinis! Dapat paghintayin pa pala kita!"
" Patchouli Sloane, hindi naman yata tama 'yan!" namilog ang kaniyang mata. He cage my face with his hands and made mw face him. I giggled playfully when he kissed my nose.
" Sakin ka lang ha?" parang bata niyang tanong.
" Okay."
" Okay, what?"
" Okay, I'm yours and you're mine. Deal?"
" I like the sound of that." he winked and then he kissed me.
