EPIPHANY

Audere Est Facere

I nodded. "Magpapaalam lang ako kay Mommy." 

"Hanggang gaano ka-late?" 

Kumunot ang noo ko. "As long as I want," I giggled. "I'm twenty eight already, Carrack. Kahit nga hindi ako umuwi ay okay lang naman. As long as my mother knows where I am."

"Let's go to Tagaytay?" he smirked. 

My eyes widened. "Hindi ka ba pagod? At may pasok ka pa bukas."

He shook his head. May mayabang na ngisi s'ya sa labi. "As long as you're fine with it, I'm good. And weekend is two sleeps away anyway. I'll be fine," he said. "And it's not everyday that we got the chance to be together. Why not grab the opportunity for a unplanned out of town?"

Nag-isip na muna ako bago pumayag. Kung sa bagay, bihira kami magkaroon ng oras para sa ganito. Hindi naman siguro masama ang biglaang lakad. 

After almost two hours of driving, we arrived at a cozy bulalo house in Tagaytay. Carrack lent me his hoodie because it's a little chilly outside. 

"Are we having a feast?" I chuckled after Carrack ordered foods for us. 

Carrack's hearty laugh filled my heart with so much warmth. He's so genuine. And I know that I am already in love with this person. Four months is all I need to confirm my affection. 

Busog na busog ako nang matapos kami sa pagkain. We stayed on the terrace of the restaurant overlooking a beautiful scenery. It's almost eleven in the evening and I am chilling. Medyo manipis ang tela ng blouse ng uniform ko kaya naman hindi na nakapagtataka na nilalamig ako kahit pa may hoodie na nakabalot sa akin. 

"Want me to hug you?" Carrack asked while watching me shiver. We're standing side by side. 

"Aren't you cold yourself?" nangangatog na tanong ko. 

Carrack is on his black slacks, leather shoes and purple button down shirt. Nakatupi pa hanggang siko ang mga manggas ng damit n'ya. Mukhang manipis lang din ang tela ng damit n'ya. 

"I'm good," he chuckled. "Selene and I got this tolerance of low temperature from our Dad. Hindi kami masyadong ginawin."

Napataas ang kilay ko. Napansin ko nga iyon kay Selene. Whenever we're sleeping together, nanginginig na ako sa ginaw, hindi pa s'ya nagkukumot. Kay Carrack naman, sobrang lakas n'ya mag aircon sa sasakyan. 

"Must be good to be like you," I teased. 

I giggled when Carrack rolled his eyes. "Hindi nakakatuwa na maging pawisin," reklamo n'ya. 

Bigla akong napayakap lalo sa sarili ko at nanginig nang umihip ang hangin. 

Carrack titled his head. "Want some hug?"

Ilang sandali na nagkatitigan kami. 

I know that this is Carrack and he's not going to violate me. This man respects me. Kaya nga kahit ang paghawak sa kamay ko o kahit na anong pisikal na paghawak sa akin ay inihihingi n'ya ng permiso. I shouldn't worry. 

Hindi na ako sumagot at ako na ang nagsara ng kaonting distansya sa pagitan namin. I wrapped my arms around his waist. 

"You're so warm," I murmured on his chest. 

Carrack slowly snaked his arms on me. Naramdaman ko rin ang pagpatong n'ya ng baba sa ibabaw ng ulo ko. "You feel so soft."

We stayed like that for some moment until I moved so I can watch the view again. Carrack shifted our position until he's back hugging me. My hands were tucked on the pockets of the hoodie while he is sniffing on my hair.