KELLY WOKE to a hand caressing her hair. Napanguso siya at napangiti na rin nang makita si Caleb na hinahaplos ang buhok niya habang may kausap ito sa cellphone. Narinig niyang si Phoenix iyon.
Ibinaba niya ang paningin sa katawan nang makitang nakatshirt lang siya at panty. Caleb was even the one who put clothes on her because she was too tired and sleepy to do so. Caleb didn't stopped at one so they did it until she felt so sleepy.
Caleb glanced at her at nang makita siyang gising na ay mas lumapit ito sa kanya habang may kausap pa rin ito sa cellphone. Walang tunog siya nitong hinalikan sa labi bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa kausap.
"Alright, " si Caleb sa kabilang linya para sa pagtatapos.
Napaayos siya ng upo nang matapos ang tawag. Agad bumagsak sa hita niya ang comforter nang maupo siya. Napatingin tuloy siya sa sariling katawan. She is now wearing a random shirt which she doesn't even remember wearing. Right, she passed out.
Nag-init ang pisngi niya sa naisip. Ramdam rin niyang may suot siyang underwear.
"You're going na?" tanong niya at pilit pinasigla ang boses. Ayaw naman niyang magdalawang-isip pa si Caleb. He can't stay since there's a lot of things going on that is much important than her. Kelly doesn't want to be selfish so she can't be a distraction.
"Yes. I'll go back using Phoenix's helicopter. Can't use mine since it's probably monitored in my father's old space. "
Tumango ulit siya. So he knew how to fly, huh?
"It won't take long so you don't have to worry. " Caleb assured her.
Ngumiti na lang siya at sumandal sa dibdib nito. His arms automatically wrapped around her waist, tightening their hug.
"I'm sorry that we have to do this.. " May kung ano sa boses nito na hindi niya makuha.
"It's okay. I'm sure you'll do well and come home to me. " Kelly can't help to be emotional eventhough she knew that it isn't the right thing to feel at this moment.
Naaalala niya ang kuwento ni Agape sa kan'ya nang minsan silang magkita. That Agape's husband said his goodbye in a calm way and then.. he didn't went home. Ayaw niyang ganoon. Agape's strong enough to handle it but Kelly isn't. She'll probably die in sadness
"Don't think too much and eat well. I'll visit you again one of these days, " he whispered.
Pinigilan niya ang luha bago umalis sa dibdib nito. "Sige na.. Zumi's waiting. Babalik naman ako bukas sa New York kaya't magiging busy din ako. Baka hindi ko na lang din mamalayan na bumalik ka na, diba?" Kelly kissed his cheek and she saw how Caleb soften. Ginawa pa niya iyon sa kabila.
"I'm really sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you.. " He is still hesitant to go.
Tumawa siya at siya na mismo ang kumalas ng yakap. Bahagya pa niyang tinulak si Caleb, nangingiti parin.
"Come on! My brother often visit this house with his wife! Magagalit iyon kapag nakitang nandito ka!" pananakot pa niya pero hindi man lang ito kumurap.
"Your brother owe me big time so he can't be against of us. " Caleb reasoned out.
"He will never be against but he won't like if he'll see you here in my room, Caleb. He's kind of old school you know. Kaya't sige na.. " pagtulak pa niya.
He sighed before kissing her forehead. Now more longer than his usual forehead kisses.
"I love you. I'll finish this fast. "
Nagsuot lang siya ng roba at hinatid si Caleb sa sasakyan. Her heart fell as she watch Caleb's car slowly getting blurred from her sight. Napabuntung-hininga na lang siya.
Nakayuko si Dana nang pumasok siya sa bahay, nag-iingat siguro na hindi siya mabwesit.
"Dana, I want an organic juice. Doon mo na ilagay breakfast table, " utos niya habang paakyat sa hagdan. Nagulat pa ito sa utos. Noon kasi ay kapag ganito ang mood niya, she would order a wine or any alcoholic beverage.
In her normal stressed days, she'll immediately go for alcohol. Pero ngayon ay hindi. She need to be perfectly sane.
Kelly took a brisk shower before going out of her room. Naroon na ang juice niya na may bagel pa. Ngumiwi siya at handa na sanang pagalitan si Dana sa choice of food nito pero hindi na lang niya ginawa.
"The bagel's very delicious. It really helps my diet.. " Sinabi niya iyon ng sarkastiko para kahit papaano ay maintindihan ni Dana para hindi na maulit pa pero kumislap lang ang mata nito at masayang tumango.
"T-Talaga po, Ma'am? Sige po! Sasabihin ko kay Manang na damihan niya sa sunod na bili niya!" Tumingin pa ito sa kasamang kasambahay, nagyayabang.
She sighed at pilit na lang na ngumiti sa dalaga.
Balak niyang magshopping ngayon. Hindi na siya halos makapamili. Pero kailangan niyang bumili ng bagong maleta dahil tinatamad na siya sa color ng dati niya.
Pero hindi siya makaalis hanggat hindi man lang nagtetext o tawag si Caleb na safe itong nakabalik. Hindi naman siya nabigo at wala pang ilang sandali ay nagtext ito.
Just arrived. Anyway, my secretary will deliver something in your house today. Hope you'll like it.
Nagningning ang mata niya at agad sinabihan sila Dana na kung may dadating galing sa secretary ni Caleb ay dalhin agad sa kwarto niya.
Minadali tuloy niya ang pagbili ng maleta para makauwi na. Hindi na rin siya nakapagshopping pero nakabili siya ng suit para kay Caleb. She'll give it to him once they see each other again!
"Ma'am, nasa kwarto niyo po. " Dana informed her.
Halos takbuhin tuloy niya ang kwarto. Caleb always gave her things she didn't even expect. Talagang pinag-iisipan talaga nito ang mga binibigay sa kanya. She even uses all the pillow cases he gave and the blankets. Pati na rin ang mga night gowns. It's her favorite.
It's a big box. Dali-dali siyang kumuha ng cutter at binuksan iyon.
Natawa siya nang makita ang ilang jar ng coffee. Sugar free iyon katulad ng gusto niyo. Pero sa dami noon ay isang taon yatang supply. Her eyes widened when she saw a glass jar of crystal stones. Familiar siya doon since she used to collect some before. Naging busy lang siya kaya't hindi naparami. She saw some quarts, amethysts, clear quarts, topaz, garnets, citrine, sapphires, emeralds.. and tourmaline? She honestly forgot. How the hell did Caleb purchased this? Some isn't available in Philippines. At kung abroad naman, siguradong matagal. Matagal na bang pinag-iisipan ni Caleb 'to?
"So cute.. " puna niya sa bedroom slippers. Kakulay pa iyon ng palette ng kwarto niya.
Nag-umpisa na siyang mapaluha nang makita ang isang baking recipe book. Nabanggit niya iyon noon kay Caleb na gusto niyang matuto pang magbake. May isang nakahiwalay na box na puro baking tools. Everything looks so cute. Caleb knew that she likes everything fancy than a normal one so all the tools were looking fancy too. She need to take all of that in New York. She'll learn to bake!
Marami pa sa loob ng box. Lahat ay gustong gusto niya. She can't help but to ask how does he knew everything she likes in the short of time. Did he observes her a lot?
Namamaga tuloy ang mata niyang nagising nang tawagin siya ni Dana para sa dinner. Her om looks so worried of her. Napatingin naman sa kanya ang Daddy niya at parang gusto rin magtanong.
"Did you cry, Tita?" Maliit ang boses na tinanong siya ni Lexi. Napatingin tuloy si Liara sa kanya ganoon din si Lexus.
Huli na nang mapagtanto niyang narito ang Kuya niya at ang pamilya nito. Nakalimutan niya.
She suddenly felt embarrassed. Tahimik lang siya at umupo para makaumpisa nang kumain ang mga bata.
Hindi na siya tinanong pa na nagustuhan siya. She didn't really want to be asked how is she if she's feeling down. Mas lalo siyang nagiging emosyonal kapag ganoon.
"Magbabakasyon kayo? Kasama ang mg bata?" Puna ni Mommy nang magsabi si Kuya na magbabakasyon sa Canada. May properties naman doon si Kuya kaya't ayos lang kahit magtagal sila.
"What about the kids, Logan.. Eli, hija? Isasama niyo rin?" Nanlulumong sabi ni Mommy, nalulungkot siguro at malalayo ang mga apo ng matagal.
"We can't leave the kids. " Iyon lang ang sinabi ni Kuya.
"But—
"If you really want a grandchild, ask your daughter, Mom. " Si Kuya pa rin habang naglalagay ng pagkain sa pinggan ng asawa.
Napatingin tuloy ang mommy niya sa kan'ya. A hope is in her eyes. Napainom na lang siya ng tubig at sinamaan ng tingin ang kapatid.
"Don't rush your daughter, Georgina. I'm sure your daughter has plans but probably not yet. Do you have a boyfriend, hija?" singit ni daddy. Napalunok tuloy siya at tumingin sa kapatid, nanghihingi ng tulong. Pero nagbikit-balikat lang ito ay inasikaso lang ang pamilya.
Just like what she said, her family isn't totally conservative. Especially she's of age. But there is just something awkward in telling your parents about relationship. Kahit pa malapit kayo sa isa't isa.
Well, she doesn't want to deny her relationship, too. Denying it means denying Caleb. Her man doesn't deserve that.
"I have someone.. well.. " The only thing she can say. Tumango ang daddy niya at ang mommy ay ngumiti lang.
"You have a boyfriend, Tita?" Liara suddenly asked her.
Kelly nodded.
"I'm so happy for you, Tita! You have a boyfriend na!" energetic nitong ani.
"What about you, Liara? You have one now?" Mommy teased Liara.
Agad sinuway ni Kuya si Mommy. Bawal pa daw iyon.
The dinner ended with her Mom asking her brother and Eli for another grandchild. Bored na bored na ba ang mommy niya at masyadong sabik sa apo?
"Lily messages you a lot pero hindi mo daw pinapansin?" Eli went to her.
Napairap siya. Hindi naman siya galit kay Lily. Kelly swear she won't never reply to Lily's messages! Binabasa naman niya at wala itong sinasabi kundi ang asarin siya noong magkagalit pa sila nila Eli! Lily's replies were all lines she probably said to them years ago! Sino ang hindi maaasar diba?
At kung hindi naman ganoon ang messages nito, then it's all about Lily's bragging having a good time with her boyfriend or something!
"Oh. We don't get along. She's a walking 'stress'. " Kelly answered Eli.
Nanlaki ang mata nito. "Magkagalit pa ba kayo? Hindi naman na diba? Ano bang ginawa niya? I'll talk to her. "
Ngumiwi siya. "You don't have to. You can't fix her personality. "
Tumango si Eli, medyo nag-aalangan pa rin and concern is visible.
"Don't worry! Hindi naman kami nag-aaway!" Medyo binawi niya ang sinabi kanina. Baka kung ano pa isipin ni Eli. Overthinker pa naman iyon. Natawa siya sa sariling naisip.
"Sige. Call me if something happens, okay?"
Kelly smiled at her sister-in-law.
They used to labeled themselves as best friends before. Silang tatlo. Pero sa lahat ng nangyari, hindi niya alam kung ganoon parin. Sure, they are still friends. And I guess, that's alright.
The painful words she said before will never be forgotten. The accusations she blamed to her friend can't be erased. Despite of the forgiveness, of course, that won't change the fact that she said it. And at those moment, she means it.
I'm sorry I didn't reply. I got your suprise! I love everything! Thank you!
She forgot to text Caleb. Nakatulog siya kakaiyak kanina at nang magising naman ay kumain agad. Nakalimutan tuloy niya.
Caleb:
Can I call?
Napakurap siya at nag-isip kung video call ba o ano pero bago pa man gumana ang utak niya ay nakita na niyang tumatawag ito.
Agad niya iyong sinagot at inayos ang angle ng phone dahil video call iyon. In Caleb's background, she saw some flat paintings. Napagtanto niyang sa sala iyon.
"Hi.. " she whispered silently.
"You sound tired. Should I drop this call? You have a flight eatly tomorrow. "
Umiling siya at ngumiti. "I'm fine. How about you? Si Zumi?"
"I'm fine and Zumi's asleep.. " he answered. "I'm sorry. I can't accompany you in your travels. "
"Ayos lang. Just be safe.. "
"This will end soon, I promise. Hinihintay lang namin ang election as we planned. "
"I miss you.. " hindi na niya mapigilang sabihin. Pinigilan niya pero hindi kaya. It was something she wanted to say, kanina pa.. kahapon pa.
Worry was evident in Caleb's face. Napatakip naman siya ng unan sa mukha dahil ayaw niyang makita siya ni Caleb na umiiyak.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Caleb's pained voice echoed in the room.
"I-I'm fine. I just missed you. Normal naman iyon, diba?" Tinanggal niya ang unan na tumatabon sa mukha at tumingin sa screen ng cellphone. "I'll sleep now. I guess you're right. I'm tired. Itutulog ko muna siguro 'to. "
Hoping that maybe.. maybe the sleep can take the longing and worries away.
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This story will end soon. This story won't have that much drama as the next installation would be a heavy one (well, not really). I'll update everyday so I can finish this immediately. I had so much break. I'm so excited to finish this one and then introduce the next story for this series!
And what's your guesses for the next story? Who's story will be soon told?
Note: This is unedited.