Soft kisses and tickling breaths on my neck woke me up from my deep slumber. Nais ko sanang hintaying matapos ang serye ng mga halik na iyon bago dumilat subalit hindi ito tumigil.
"Mmm..." daing ko habang tumitihiya. Ibinuka ko ang mga mata at tumambad sa akin ang makisig at seryosong mukha ni Lycus.
"Magandang umaga," he greeted using a sexy morning voice. Yumuko ito upang patakan ng masuyong halik ang aking sentido.
Hindi ako sumagot at sa halip ay umusog ng kaunti upang maisubsob ang mukha sa kanyang hubad na dibdib. Naramdaman ko ang marahang paghawak at paghila nito sa aking hita upang maipatong sa kanya.
"Are you okay?" he asked, worry was quite visible on his tone. I languidly nodded on his hard chest.
"Mm-hmm," tugon ko, iyon pa lang ang kayang ilabas ng bibig.
"My love is tired," he said while caressing my leg. "I'm sorry. Sobrang na-miss kita at kagabi ko lang nailabas lahat."
I suddenly remember what happened last night. Damn, he took me so many times that my legs felt like a freaking banana! Halos minalat na nga ako e, hindi ko na tuloy alam kung makakakanta pa ba ako!
"Halata naman," mahina kong sagot. "But how come you were so good last night? Did you gain experience while I was away?"
Tiningala ko siya. I witnessed him looked at me in disbelief. "What are you talking about? Nangako ako na ikaw lamang ang babaeng dadaan sa buhay ko, hindi ba? I wholeheartedly fulfilled that."
"I don't believe you. You're a rockstar, that's freaking impossible."
He pouted, cutely. "I won't force you to believe me, but my conscience is clean."
Posible kaya? Kung oo, paano niya nalagpasan 'yon? He has needs!
We went silent after that. Not until his question broke it.
"Did you throw it away?"
My forehead crinkled. "What?"
"The... necklace I gave you on your birthday back then. Did you disposed it?" paglilinaw niya.
I blinked for a few times. "Yes."
Bago pa man ako umalis ng Pilipinas ay hinagis ko na 'yon sa veranda ng ospital kung saan ako namalagi. Itinapon ko ito kaakibat ng pagnanais na maitapon rin ang lahat ng nararamdaman ko para sa kanya noon.
"I'm sorry. I was just... really mad to the point that I loathed everything affiliated to you."
Nakakapanghinayang man sapagkat unang regalo niya sa akin 'yon ay wala na akong magagawa. Naitapon na e. Hindi naman ako masisisi, sapagkat lungo ako sa galit at pagkamuhi sa kanya.
He smiled a little. "I understand. Besides, that necklace won't matter anymore. Malaya ka na, Fern."
Tama siya. He gave that to me as a reminder that I'll soon be just as free as a Maya bird. And now that I attained that, I could pretty much survive without it, as long as he's with me.
"I want to remain free with you..." I whispered.
He hugged me tighter. "With me by your side, you will always be free, Fern. I assure you that."
Napangiti ako at napapikit, habang nilalanghap ang kanyang amoy. His bare chest is just too comfortable that I could fall asleep over and over again.
"Still sleepy? Matulog ka ulit, I'll cuddle you," saad niya habang ang buhok ko naman ang pinagdidiskitahan ng haplos.
Umiling ako. "Not really. I just want to rest for a few more minutes. I missed your scent."
His chest vibrated, caused by a low chuckle. "God knows how much I missed yours too."
Pagkasabi niya noon ay kaagad siyang yumuko upang pasadahan ng halik ang aking leeg. Tinagilid ko ang aking ulo upang mas malayang makagalugad ang kanyang mga labi.
"Hmm..." daing ko sa sensasyong nadarama nang dahil lang do'n. His effect on me is just really... immense.
"You smell like me right now," he whispered on my neck. "And I am liking it very much."
Inabot ko ang kanyang ulo upang maiangat. Nang matanaw ko ang labi niya ay agad ko itong inihugpong sa akin. The sound of our thirsty kisses instantly filled this entire room of his house. It echoed the intimate needs that we longed for years.
His breath smells so fresh. Nag-toothbrush na kaya siya?
"I know you're tired," he uttered between my lips. "And sore. Kaya tama na, habang nakakapagpigil pa ako."
He gave me a one last deep and long kiss before distancing himself a bit. Inalalayan ako nito nang gaya niya'y sinubukan kong bumangon na.
"Cook our breakfast please," nakanguso kong hiling.
"Of course. What do you want, Fern?"
"Uhm," tugon ko at bahagyang nag-isip. "I think I want some buttered toast, and milk!"
Tumango-tango ito, may multo ng ngiting naglalaro sa mga labi. "Okay, ano pa?"
"Omelet!" I added.
"Uh-huh? What else?"
"Hmm... I think that's it. Wala na po."
"Okay, do you want to stay here and rest while I prepare our breakfast or..."
Kaagad akong umiling at tuluyang bumangon. "No! I want to watch you."
Ngumiti siya at niyakap akong muli, bago kami nakapag-desisyong tumayo na. He managed to find a short from his closet that will fit me. Dahil wala akong extra na underwear ay isinuot ko nalang ang sa kanya na hindi pa nagagamit. I didn't anymore bother to wear a bra, makapal naman ang sweatshirt niya.
Ngayong nakabangon na kami ay nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong ma-eksamina ang kanyang bahay. It was a modern two-storey house, approximately eight hundred square meters, according to him. It's color, starting from the exterior up to the interior is a combination of black, white and gold. Pati nga ang ilang kagamitan ay ganoon rin ang kulay. Most of the windows and doors are made of sturdy looking tempered glass. May swimming pool at garden din!
"This house is extravagant, how much did it cost?" I asked as my hands roamed on this gold gilded staircase.
"I've forgotten," sagot nito at hinawakan ang aking kamay habang binabagtas namin ang daan pababa.
"Good thing you settled in a house, not a condo nor a penthouse?"
For a bachelor like him, kadalasan ay sa mas maliliit na lugar o tirahan ang mga ito naglalagi. Kaya medyo nakapagtataka na sa ganito kalaking bahay siya tumitira.
"I want a family house, so that I can foresee and imagine what our future would look like. At sinabi ko naman sa'yo na gusto kong nakaayos na ang lahat bago ka pa man dumating. You don't deserve a condominium nor a simple penthouse," he answered.
I stopped walking, quite bewildered. He really knows how to make my heart melt. "So... even this house is for me? For us?"
He nodded with a smile visible on his gorgeous face. "Everything I did and will continue to do is all for you, Fern."
That moment, I felt like I became much fuller than before. Accepting him again was probably one of the best decision I made in my whole life. He made mistakes and wrong decisions but, he's still the same man who would always prioritize me, over anything else. I couldn't ask for more.
Nang umagang iyon ay pinanood ko siyang magluto ng agahan naming dalawa. Shortly after, we ate our breakfast in peace, affiliated by light and heart-fluttering conversation.
Our music video trended, as expected by the record label. My revelation about our relationship was such a hot topic! Hindi ako nag-abalang magbasa ng mga feedbacks mula sa kanyang fans pero sabi ng manager ko ay halos positibo naman daw. Hindi naman maalis na may kokontra subalit wala kaming pakielam sa mga 'yon.
Bumisita ako sa Pampanga pagkatapos ng ilang araw. I spent two days there in our mansion with my family. Noong sumapit ang huling araw ko roon ay sumunod si Lycus at sinamahan akong bisitahin ang puntod ni Mommy.
The day before their concert, he invited me on their house in Manila. He said he wants to formally introduce me to his father. So here I am, riding on the passenger seat of his dolomity white Quattroporte, in front of an enormous blue-colored house, trying to calm my nerves. Ganto pala ang kaba kapag unang beses ma-mi-meet ang parents!
"Huwag kang mag-alala, Fern. Magugustuhan ka ni Papa," pagsubok ni Lycus na pakalmahin ako, sabay abot ng aking kamay.
"I know. I just can't help it," mataman kong sagot.
Kahit sino naman siguro kakabahan 'di ba?
"Mahal kita."
Dalawang salita lamang iyon subalit nagawa nitong pakalmahin ang aking sistema. Damn, this man.
"Mahal din kita," sagot ko, unti-unting sumisilay ang ngiti.
Bumaba na kami ng kanyang sasakyan matapos no'n. Dahil sa hawak ni Lycus ang aking kamay habang tinatahak ang daan papasok ng kanilang bahay ay medyo kalmante na ako.
"Ate Maia!" Erelia exclaimed upon seeing us. "Hi Kuya!"
"Good evening, Elia!" bati ko at hinayaan siyang halikan ang aking pisngi. "How are you?"
She beamed. "I'm fine, by the way..." hinila nito ang aking braso upang makahakbang palapit sa isang nakangiti at matangkad na lalaki. "Papa, this is Ate Maia, 'yong kinakabaliwan ni Kuya. Ate, this my father."
Yumuko ako at lumapit upang makapagmano. "Good evening, Sir."
"Tito, Maia. Tito Estefan," he corrected me.
Ngumiti ako at tumango. His father looks so much like him! Mula sa mata, ilong, labi, tindig at maging sa height! No wonder they're that tall. May pinagmanahan.
Matapos makipagkilala ng kaunti ay iginiya kami nito sa hapagkainan kung saan nakahain ang napakaraming pagkain. Aside from Tito Estefan, I also met Tita Alena, his father's wife, and their two other children.
"Salamat sa pagpunta, Iha. I've been dying to meet you. Kahit pa nabusog na ako sa mga kwento ni Elia noon pa," Tito Estefan muttered.
"No problem, Tito. I wanted to meet you too, and your family," nakangiting tugon ko. Pagkatapos ay nabaling ang tingin ko kay Lycus na kasalukuyang naglalagay ng manok sa aking plato.
"Do you want some pesto?" I nodded. He got a hold of the tray and put some pasta on my plate too.
"So lovely," I heard Tita Alena uttered. Napasulyap ako rito at naabutang nakangiting nakatingin sa aming dalawa.
I plastered a smile on my face, quite delighted by her remark. Overall, I enjoyed the whole dinner. Sobrang welcoming nila. Tama nga si Elia noon, mabait ang step-mother nila. So far from Disney's.
It was such a great night.
"Bilisan mo maglakad, Maia! Hindi ako nag-biyahe mula Pampanga para lang makipagsiksikan sa pila no!" singhal sa akin ni Leona habang humahakbang kami papasok ng arena na pagdadausan ng concert ng Enigma.
"What's with the rush? Kasama mo ako, makakapasok ka nang hindi pumipila."
Biglang lumuwang ang kanyang ngiti. "Oo nga pala, hehe. Privileged huh? Paranas naman, Mai!"
"May asawa ka na! And speaking of asawa, where's Zeke?" tanong ko. Mukhang siya lang kasi ang lumuwas ng Manila.
"Iniwan ko! Mahirap makapag-fangirl nang may bantay no!"
Tumawa ako at napailing. Ang babaeng ito talaga.
"Ms. Maia!" tawag sa akin ng kung sino, dahilan upang mapalingon ako.
I saw a group of girls rushing towards our location. Each of them wears a shirt with Enigma prints on it. May banner at balloons din sila sa mga kamay.
"Puwede po bang magpa-picture?" paalam ng isa sa kanila. Ngumiti ako at kaagad na tumango.
"Of course."
They giggled and politely asked Leona to take the pictures. Pumuwesto ang mga dalagita sa aking gilid at gaya ko ay ngumiti sa camera. Le took a total of three shots, bago ibinalik ang camera sa kanila.
"Thank you po! Sobrang ganda niyo, Ms. Maia," one of them complimented.
"Oo nga po! Bagay na bagay po kayo ni Remuel, Miss!"
Napangiti ako. "Thank you. Mas magaganda kayo!"
"Parang hindi naman po. Kung ganiyan kami kaganda e'di sana may Remuel na rin kami. Puwede po bang humingi ng advice? Paano makabingwit ng bokalista?"
Tumawa ako. "You girls are beautiful okay? And a piece of advice, don't ever try to change yourself just for a boy. Because if he's the right one, he'll accept every bit of you, including your flaws and imperfections."
Pagkasabi ko noon ay awang ang labing napatingin lamang ang mga ito sa akin.
"Naiiyak ako bakla, anghel ka po ba?" Sa wakas ay may nagsalita rin, pagkatapos ng ilang sandali.
I laughed and spent a few mintues talking to them before bidding goodbye.
"Sa akin hindi kayo papa-picture?" hirit na tanong pa ni Leona sa mga dalagita. Napailing ako at hinila na lamang siya upang makaalis na kami.
Nang marating ang pinakaloob ng arena ay tinuro ko kay Leona ang mauupuan. Napakarami nang tao.
"Our seats are reserved over there. Hintayin mo na lang ako do'n. I'll just check up on my boyfriend backstage."
She automatically rolled her eyes. "Ugh, if I know, maghahalikan lang kayo sa dressing room! Alam ko na ang mga ganyan no!"
I shook my head and just motioned her to go. Nang maghiwalay kami ay dumiretso na ako sa loob ng backstage. Naabutan ko sina Xandro na kaagad akong binati.
"Gandang gabi, Maia. Nando'n si Rem, kanina ka pa hinihintay," saad nito at tinuro ang isang dressing room.
"Thank you, goodluck on your concert!" sagot ko bago dumiretso roon.
When I entered the room, I saw Lycus trying to mess with his hair. Humakbang ako palapit upang mahagkan siya mula sa likod.
"Hey..." bati nito nang maramdaman ang aking yakap. Kinalas nito ang braso ko at humarap upang makahalik nang mabilis. "Kanina ka pa?"
Umiling ako. "I just got here."
"The concert will start in a few, sinong kasama mo?" tanong nito.
"I'm with Leona. Just like what I said earlier, I want to wish you goodluck that's why I went here," tugon ko at bahagyang inusli ang nguso.
Ngumiti siya at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. Pumikit ako at dinama ang init ng katawan nito na nakabalot sa akin. Ilang minuto ang tinagal nito bago kami nakarinig ng katok sa pintuan.
"Mamaya na landian, Rem! Kumanta ka muna!" Roger shouted. Kahit kailan talaga. Umangat ang isang sulok ng labi ni Lycus at bahagyang napairap.
"Let's go?" aya ko at inilahad ang palad. He took a very deep breath, before gladly accepted that with a smile.
"ENIGMA!"
Nasa may entrance na kami ng main stage, at mula roon ay rinig na rinig ang sigawan ng mga tagahanga nila.
"Go on, pupunta ako sa seat ko kapag naka-puwesto ka na."
Huminto ito sa paghakbang at humarap sa akin. Nagulat ako nang kumislap ang kanyang mga mata, at masuyong tinitigan ako.
"Thank you, Fern. Thank you for coming into my life. Let's stay like this forever," he uttered, which sounded like a whisper because of the deafening cheers of his excited fans.
"I'll always be here, Ly."
I am so sure now that my light won't ever wilt again. And I will always choose to stay with him until his fingers cannot bear to strum a guitar anymore, or until his lips fail to utter a single song any longer.
I'll remain beside him after every performance... onto the very last show. Because I know, that among all his fans, my loud claps and proud cheers will matter the most.