Nakasakay ako ngayon sa isang tricycle papunta sa Austria's Hotel. It's been 4 months since I ran away from home. I missed my life in the province, I missed my family, too. Kamusta na kaya sila? I hope that they are doing fine. Babalik rin naman ako doon pag nagbago na ang isip nila.
My phone vibrated. Binuksan ko ito, Etienne sent me a message.
From: Baby Abunjing bunjing
Good morning, Abunjing bunjing!
To: Baby Abunjing bunjing
Good morning to you too, Abunjing bunjing!
I replied.
Hinatid ako ni Etienne sa apartment ko kagabi pagkatapos naming kumain. Ayaw niya akong patulugin do'n sa condo niya kasi daw he respects me. Sabi ko naman na hindi kami mag a-ano, hanggang tabi at yakap lang pero ayaw niya talaga. He said it was disrespectful to me as a woman. Kaya ayon, nauwi ako sa apartment kahit gusto ko pa siya makasama.
Huminto na 'yung sinakyan kong tricycle sa harap ng Hotel kaya nagbayad na ako't nagpasalamat bago bumaba.
“Good morning, Ma'am!” The guard greeted.
“Good morning, Sir!” I greeted him back and I smiled at him.
I respect all kinds of employment. It can be Janitors, Guards, or any, they deserve to be respected. As long as the job is proper and it's not unlawful, I will gladly give my respect to them.
I don't understand how people underestimate their jobs when in fact they have the toughest chore just to keep things in order, nevertheless, they earn the lowest salary. And even if I want to help, I can't do anything about it. I don't have enough power, but I can only pay them by giving my respect because they deserve to be respected.
Nang makarating ako sa aking lamesa, I saw a bouquet of sunflowers above my table. Kinuha ko ito at tiningnan mabuti, ang ganda! There's a card attached to it. It's my first time receiving flowers from him. My lips are all smiles.
I love you.
-Love, Etienne.
Three words and my heart danced in euphoria.
In the back of it, there's the name of the shop, ‘Sweet Paradise’
Nilagay ko sa lamesa ang aking pouch sa ibabaw ng table. Hawak ang bulaklak, binuksan ko ang pinto at sinilip ko siya. Lumingon siya at ngumiti nang makita ako.
“You like it?” he asked referring to the flowers that I'm holding. I enthusiastically nodded.
Lumapit ako sa kaniya at hinalikan siya ng mabilis sa labi. Nag ngitian kaming dalawa, parang mga tanga. It's just love has the power to make a person a fool.
“Thank you, Etienne. I love you.” I said still smiling.
“My pleasure, love. I love you too, so much,” he answered back and pulled my waist and hug it.
I noticed that this is his favorite position of ours. Ako ang nakatayo habang siya ay nakaupo at nakayap sa tiyan ko. Mangangalay naman tuhod ko nito. Pabayaan nalang, kakain nalang ako ng prutas, maraming prutas na pangpatibay ng tuhod.
“You want coffee?” I asked while I comb his hair using my other hand as I'm still holding the bouquet in my other hand.
“Yes, please.”
“Tanggalin mo na,” I said pertaining to his arms that are encircled in my waist. I put the flowers on his table, i-uuwi ko 'to sa apartment ko mamaya.
“Ayoko,” he tightens his hug more. Hala, ang clingy mo, Sancho Etienne! Pero okay lang, gusto ko rin naman. It's weird but every time he is clingy, I can feel that he is really in love with me.
“Paano ako magtitimpla ng kape?” He only shrugged off his shoulder as an answer. Ang kulit.
Sa huli, nagtimpla ako ng kape na nakayap siya sa likod ko. Nakasubsob ang mukha niya sa leeg ko, inaamoy-amoy niya ito paminsan-minsan. Nagpabango naman ako ng Fiona kanina kaya keri lang.
“Ikaw na magdala nitong kape mo sa table mo, Etienne.”
I can feel his head nod but still hugged me from the back and said, “Later.”
Patience, Athena. 'Di ba nafe-feel mo na mahal ka niya pag clingy siya sa'yo? Dream come true mo 'yan! Mag bunyi ka!
“Mag trabaho na tayo, Sancho Etienne. Pag ikaw hindi pa bumitaw d'yan, makikita mo.” I threatened him.
He remove his arms from my waist and he turned to me face him. He holds my hands.
“Maya na tayo magtrabaho, hmm?” pangungumbinsi niya sa'kin. Bad infuence na amo, mabuti nalang mabait ako na empleado.
“Magtrabaho na tayo. Ikaw na ang magdala ng kape mo. Ba-bye.” Tinanggal ko ang nakahawak niyang kamay at mabilis na naglakad palabas ng kwarto. Kinuha ko ang bulaklak sa kanyang table at lumabas sa office at dumiretso sa aking table para simulan ang trabaho.
Our morning ended with our usual routine. Lumabas siya nang office nang oras na para sa tanghalian.
Holding hands kaming sumakay ng Elevator hanggang sa maabot namin ang first floor kung saan ang dining area.
The stares of some of the employees and guests are on us. I walk confidently, like I'm not affected, ginaya ko si Sancho. Although deep inside, I'm nervous. In our first month of a relationship, hindi kami gan'to kasi nahihiya ako, ngayon kasi mapilit si Sancho.
Since we admitted that we love each other, he is always proud to show everyone about our relationship. It's like our confession is an assurance for him to not restrain his feelings and actions.
I meet him because I ran away from home and if it is the only way for us to meet... I would run away from home, again and again.