Chapter 16
Chester really did try to attend, but he couldn't find anyone to switch duties with him. He even went out of his way to buy Mama a gift! And specifically told me to greet her on his behalf. I would skip this party, too, since sinabi naman ni Mama na we'd have a separate celebration, but I didn't want Chester to think na he's causing a rift between me and my family.
Instead, I was here in the party... but this felt different than before.
Iba na nga siguro talaga. Because now, I have my own person na. I have someone who I'd rather be with given the chance. I just really like having him around all the time, if possible.
In the middle of the celebration, nabigla ako nung makita ko na nakatingin sa akin si Tito Fred. I was hesitant at first pa, because maybe he's looking at something else... But then he made his way to me.
"Hi, Tito," I greeted as I stood up.
He gave me a small nod. "Can I?" he asked, pertaining to the empty space on the bench I was sitting on. I gave him a small nod din. He sat down. I sat down din because ang rude naman if aalis ako ngayon na pumunta siya rito.
Silence filled the air. Hindi ako nagsalita because I really didn't know where to begin... and I didn't even know what to say. Ayoko na magsalita on behalf of Chester because that's his issue. That's his problem to solve. Nandito lang naman ako para makinig sa kanya. The only time I'd step in is if he asks me to. I wanted to respect his privacy kasi nagsasabi naman siya sa akin kapag gusto niya.
"How's Chester?" he asked.
Agad akong napatingin sa kanya. "He's fine po," I politely replied.
He gave me a small nod again. I didn't know why, but I felt like he had a million questions he wanted to ask... pero hindi niya matanong because he's probably aware sa nararamdaman ni Chester—or the lack of it.
I didn't know if I was waiting for him ba na magipon ng courage to ask me more about his son, but I was surprised, to say the least, when he stood up after a few seconds.
"Tito," I called bago pa man siya makaalis. He looked at me, but he didn't say a word. He's really a man of few words. "Chester's doing really good," I added. I didn't want to divulge more information about Chester, but I just couldn't shake the feeling off na of course he's still his dad... Of course he worries... Maybe... Kasi ganon iyong parents ko sa amin ni Rhys... So, I just wanted to reassure Tito Fred na okay naman si Chester.
I hope I could do this, at the very least.
"I know," he simply said.
"You know?"
"He's my son," he said. "I always try to know what he's up to."
"Oh," I replied, my lips parted. "That's... nice. But wouldn't it be better po if you... ask him yourself?" I asked because him always knowing what Chester's up to sounded like intrusion of privacy... lalo na at alam niya naman na may problem sa pagitan nilang dalawa.
At this point, I was ready for him to be offended since I knew that this wasn't my place to speak naman... but instead, he just gave me a small smile. I didn't know... but that smile felt like he was already contented with the situation between them.
Ayaw ni Chester magcommunicate.
Okay na si Tito Fred na ganito.
I guess... there's nothing left to do na kung pareho naman na silang ganito.
* * *
I left the party at around 9PM. I headed to St. Matthew's instead of going back to the apartment. I was just so tired and I wanted to see Chester.
Pagdating ko roon, dumiretso ako sa wing nila Chester. I didn't even need to look for him because it was like my eyes were already trained to look for him. Nakita ko siya na may kausap na nurse. He looked so serious. I wanted to approach him, but the conversation seemed to be work-related, so I looked for somewhere to sit muna.
I was sitting quietly nang maka-receive ako ng text from Chester. It was an iMessage of a picture ng sapatos niya. He wanted to buy a new one but he didn't have time. I couldn't believe that I was the one who introduced online shopping to him! He was so amazed when the shoes were delivered the same day! So adorbs!
I replied with a selfie.
'Ngayon yan?'
'Yup.'
He read the reply, but I didn't see a typing bubble na... but soon enough, nakita ko na rin siya na naglalakad papunta sa akin. I stood up as I saw him.
"Grabe. Kabisado mo kahit dingding ng St. Matthew's?" I asked as I walked to meet him. Kasi plain background lang naman iyong nasa likod ko and maybe iyong upper portion nung inuupuan ko.
He shrugged. "Tapos na 'yung dinner?" he asked instead.
"I think nandun pa iyong ibang friends ni Mama, but I was tired na."
"Pero dito ka dumiretso?" he asked.
I nodded. "Ayaw mo ba?" I asked but he just rolled his eyes. Ang arte.
"May duty pa ako," he replied.
"I know. Patapos naman na, I'll just wait here," I said. I yawned kasi kahapon pa ako gising. Straight duty ako yesterday to make up for the fact na wala ako ngayon for Mama's birthday. Inaantok na ako, but I wanted to go here talaga instead na dumiretso sa apartment.
"Tara," he said as he reached for my hand and began walking.
When we first started dating, people were so unashamed kapag tinitignan kaming magkasama. I guess nasanay na rin sila because whenever I'd go to Chester's department, he'd always reach for my hand. Siguro nagulat sila na ganoon pala si Chester. Hindi kasi talaga halata if titignan mo lang siya. But with me? He's kinda touchy. Same kami.
"Tulog ka muna," he said as he opened the door to the on call room.
"But hindi ako on-call," I replied, frowning, because I really don't use the on-call room if hindi ako on-call. Baka kasi merong may kailangan tapos wala silang space kasi nakikitulog ako.
"Okay lang 'yan," he said.
"Bad influence," sabi ko sa kanya.
Instead of answering, may kinuha si Chester sa isa sa mga bag nandoon sa loob ng room. He got something tapos ay iniabot niya sa akin.
"Dahil maarte ka," he said as he showed me what looked like new sheets.
My lips parted. "How dare you," I replied.
He shrugged. "What? Maarte ka naman talaga. I don't mind. I like you exactly as you are," he casually said that made my cheeks feel flushed.
"One hour na lang naman duty mo."
"One hour kang matulog," he said as he was removing the sheets dun sa may bed and replacing it for me. Gosh... I really did get lucky. "Gusto kong kumain ng ramen mamaya. Kung busog ka pa, panoorin mo na lang akong kumain."
My lips parted at the audacity of this guy. "Wow."
"Galing ka sa handaan. Tinapay pa lang kinakain ko," parang bata na sabi niya.
"What if gutom din ako?"
"E 'di kumain ka rin."
"Bakit hindi na lang 'yun ang sabihin mo instead of sabihin mo na panoorin kita?"
He shrugged as he was changing the pillow cases din. When he was done, he tapped the bed. "Ready na para tulugan mo."
I wrinkled my nose as I sat on the bed. We were face to face now. "Thank you," I said.
"Kiss bayad," he replied, staring into my eyes as he said so. Grabe! What happened to the Chester before who blushes every time he'd say things like this? I created a monster!
I cupped his face and planted a kiss.
"Okay na?"
"Tatlo," he said. "Isa para sa bed sheet tapos dalawa sa unan."
I pursed my lips at his explanation. "Oh. Okay, then," I replied as I leaned in again and kissed him two times para doon sa kulang ko na dalawa. "Okay na?"
He was looking at me like he was thinking. Then he sighed. "Mamaya na nga lang," he said as he stood up.
My forehead creased. "Weird," I said.
"Gusto kong i-lock 'yung pinto kaso baka may pumasok. Kung ano pa isipin nun. Maraming chismoso dito," he explained.
Natawa ako because he's so right! If i-lock niya iyong pinto and may magtry magbukas tapos malaman na nandito kaming dalawa, oh, the news that would circulate around this hospital!
"I'll take a nap tapos gisingin mo ako mamaya," I said.
He nodded. Akala ko aalis na siya, but lumapit ulit siya. I was still sitting on the bed. My boyfriend's tall, so he crouched in front of me as he kissed me again... only this time, it wasn't a peck anymore. I opened my mouth to kiss him properly. Gosh. I'd never really get tired of kissing him. It's turning into one of my favorite ways to kill time.
It seemed like nahihirapan siya sa pwesto niya, so he sat down again, but our lips didn't part. His hands were cupping my face and he was kissing me like he was trying to rid my body of air. Grabe this guy... He was wrong when he said that he was familiar with the human body because at this moment, it felt like he mastered the human body already!
We were both getting lost in our kisses when I felt his phone vibrate because I was already sitting on his lap.
"Duty calls," I said as our lips parted.
He rested his head on my shoulder. "Okay," he said. "Ten seconds."
I chuckled because I knew what he meant by that. He needed a few moments to 'calm down.' Umalis na ako sa lap niya because I knew that me being there wouldn't help him with his situation. I stood up na lang and tried to brush my hair na ginulo niya while we were making out.
"Chester," I called.
"Hmm?"
"Your dad asked about you."
Napatingin siya sa akin. "Ano'ng sabi mo?"
"That you're doing fine," I said. "Iyon lang ang sinabi ko, promise."
He gave me a small nod. "Okay."
I didn't say anything and just looked at him. I knew that he said that he's fine with being alone and that he knew that he has me... And I hated that I couldn't shake this nagging feeling inside of me wanting to fix the situation.
I knew I shouldn't.
I really shouldn't.
"Chester," I called again.
He looked at me.
I knew what I wanted to say... but I couldn't bring myself to say the words out loud. This guy trusted me enough to tell me things he probably has never told anyone else before. I didn't want to betray that trust by using what he told me to force him to do things he clearly didn't want to.
Instead, I smiled at him.
"Nothing," I said. "Wake me up when your duty's over," I added. He told me that he loves me as I am... I guess I should love him for what he is and what he's not... his family situation included. I should really just make my peace with that.
**
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