"Thank you for my birthday party. I really enjoyed celebrating it with you, my office mates and your kasambahays. I was shocked that you know my birthday. How did you know?"
Niyakap niya ako sa likuran at ipinatong ang baba niya sa balikat ko. "It doesn't matter how I know, hmm?"
Tumango ako at tumingin sa malayo. "Naisip ko na bumalik sa tinitirhan ko pagkatapos kitang makausap. Mamimiss ko rito sainyo lalo na at meron si Myrna na tumutulong pero gusto ko talagang bumalik sa apartment ko."
"Why? We're okay right or do you have problems with me or in these house? You can just tell me about it and I'll do it in a heartbeat."
"Wala naman akong problema kaya lang nasa iisa tayong bubong."
Pinaharap niya ako sakanya saka marahan na sinuklay ang buhok ko. "What are you trying to say?"
"Ahm, kasi... Hindi pa tayo kasal? Diba masama iyon sa paningin ng iba baka may sasabihin sila, maapektuhan iyong pangalan mo dahil sa akin. Ayoko noon."
"That doesn't matter to me but I respect your decision. Ihahatid kita bukas na bukas."
"You're not angry?" I blinked twice. "I mean... Kasi baka gusto mo na nasa iisa tayong bubong pero ayaw ko hindi ka ba magagalit?"
"Not that I know of, Miss Euphoria. I rather respect your decision than forcing you to stay with me in one roof. I am not that cruel."
"Thank you!" I smiled and hug him. He hugged me back naman.
"You're always welcome."
I tsked and patted his both shoulder. "You know what? You're making it hard for me to go back to my place but still, my decision is final."
"Of course." He then again combed my hair with his fingers. "Let's sleep?"
Tumango ako at sumunod sa kuwarto niya, isa lang naman kasi ang kuwarto rito sa taas, pero hindi nga siya humiga sa mismong kama niya, sa sofa pa humiga. One point kay senator Finn. May respeto sa katawan ay este sa babae pala.
Kinabukasan ay Sabado at hinatid nga ako sa apartment ko. Bago ako pumasok ay nagsalita siya. "You need help? I can help."
I smiled. "No need po, tsaka kaya ko na iyon linisan mag-isa. You want coffee?"
His eyes widen then he pointed the door. "You mean you're inviting me inside?"
Nakakatuwa pala talaga siya kapag nagugulat. "Hmm." Tumango ako at binuksan ang pinto para sakanya.
"But... I am guy and you're a lady inside your apartment. Wala tayong kasama, Miss Euphoria!"
"Ikaw naman, may tiwala ako sa iyo. Wala ka namang gagawin diba?"
He looked into my eyes. "I'm not doing anything to my baby unless you want to, why not?"
I rolled my eyes at him and he just laughed at me! This guy!
I made his coffee and since he isn't fond of too much sweets kaya hindi na ako naglagay. Napansin ko iyon kapag kumakain, mahilig siya sa gulay and meat.
"Thank you." He said before sipping in it. "You are really alone in here?" Aniya at inikot ang tingin.
I nodded. "Yeah. As you can see wala masyadong gamit kasi ayoko gumastos ng para dito lang, iyong hindi ko gaano kailangan ay hindi ko na bibilhin. Kaya naman gaya ng ref pero ayaw ko gumastos, sayang lang. Ipunin ko nalang para sa future."
"That's good. You don't have to tire yourself though."
"But I want to, I don't like depending on someone." Especially ayoko na magaya sa mom ko na nagdepend sa dad ko na may asawa na pala.
I was busy in those half day planting seeds of flowers I brought from grocery and cleaning my apartment.
Gusto ko ibahin iyong design ng apartment ko including the paint, pero mamaya na iyon. At nakapagpaalam naman ako sa may-ari na kung pwede ko palitan iyong pintor kasi luma na na puti. Sabi ko hindi ako magastos pero nakakahiya naman kapag may bibisita.
I was eating my bread when someone knock on my door. I thought it was my delivery, iyong pang-paint ko sana sa buong apartment ko kaso iba naman, si Finn pala.
"What are you doing here? Akala ko busy ka?" Umalis kasi siya pagkatapos uminom ng kape at sinabing may meeting.
Bitbit niya iyong pintor sa magkabilang kamay at nasa balikat ang eco bag na hindi ko alam kung anong laman.
"Ano iyan?" Turo ko doon sa nasa may balikat niya. "At saka bakit mo hawak ang order ko? Asan iyong delivery rider?"
Binuksan ko nang malawak ang pinto para makapasok siya at agad namang ginawa. Inilagay ang pintor sa floor tsaka ako hinarap. "He's gone, pinaalis ko na. Don't worry about it because I paid. What's that for?" Tanong niya na nakatutok ang mga mata sa perang iniaabot ko sakanya pero hindi naman tinatanggap.
"Bayad ko sa'yo. Tanggapin mo na..." Alok ko ngunit umiling siya at itinago ang mga kamay sa likuran, senyales na ayaw niyang tanggapin. "Ayaw mo?" Tumango siya, ako nama'y napabuntong-hininga at ngumiti. "Salamat nalang kung ganoon. Itre-treat nalang kita sa lunch."
That's when he lifted the bag he was holding. My forehead creased. "I ordered food for us already. I noticed the paints so let me help you later, whether you like or not. I would still help."
I can't help but to roll my eyes at him. "Why do you always make effort, Finn? Hindi naman kailangan ng tulong mo kasi kaya ko pa naman iyan atsaka hindi ka ba busy?"
He's removing the tupperwares inside the bag, I'm facing his side. I can see his long eye lashes, pointed nose, natural light red lips, and his perfect jawline. My eyes went down to his clothes... He's wearing khaki polo and white short, and sneakers. A casual.
"I'll be busy tomorrow 'till Sunday, I watched news and saw that Baguio, Benguet, La-union, Panggasinan, and others are seriously affected from typhoon "Tiongo" that's why I need to visit and give them foods and I was thinking of giving some of clothes I bought from ukay."
Parang may kung anong humaplos sa aking puso sa mga sinabi niya. "After I fixed my apartment, can I help in the packings? Hindi naman siguro tapos agad di ba?"
He smiled. "You want to help?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
"Sure. Later then we'll go home. Siguro ay nakakalahati na nila Myrna iyong pag-aayos ng mga relief goods doon."
"I watched news before and after you won as one of the senators. Someone says palihim ka tumutulong at iyong iba naiinterview na kaya sinasabing tumutulong ka kapag may sakuna..."
His cheeks turned red. I smirked to tease him because he blushed yet I'm proud. "Gusto ko palihim kasi gusto ko isipin ng mga tao na galing iyon sa puso ko at hindi lang sa nagpapakitang tao ako. Hindi ako nangangarap na makita ako sa telebisyon habang nagbibigay ng mga kailangan ng tao at sinasabi doong galing iyon sa akin, gusto ko gawin iyon sa likuran ng camera. Pero meron pala talaga iyong mga taong sa sobrang tuwa ay pinopost sa social medias. Mayroong mga taong ayaw sa akin pero hindi na iyon mahalaga kasi mayroon at mayroon talagang ayaw sa atin. Hindi naman lahat ng tao ay gusto tayo."
I smiled, because of too much happiness I patted his shoulder. His eyes widen. "What's that for?"
"For being a good senator. Akala ko masama ka noon." Nag-peace sign ako. "Kasi naman ang cold mo but I was wrong because from the very start you always have a heart. Thank you for being such a good guy and good senator, Mr. Finn."
Night came and we drove to his home. Before we helped in packing, we all eat. Including the helpers inside his house and drivers.
We laughed, we shared stories and mostly we're talking about senator whose not packing with us because he's busy dealing with the trucks outside his mansion. Nakikipag-usap narin sa drivers at halos limang trucks ang bi-byahe kinabukasan. Iyong mga clothes din ay mayroon sa mga trucks.
Pagkatapos ay nakitulong pa si senator sa pagbuhat ng mga relief goods. Madami namang kasama magbuhat pero talagang gustong tumulong, kita ko ang determinasyon niya and I feel proud.
Lumapit ako sakanya at inabot ang tubig niya. Alas onse na nang hapon ay malapirt nang matapos ang paglagay ng mga relief goods sa mga trucks. He was also shocked when I suddenly wiped his sweat over his forehead. I saw his lips lifted to the other side before drinking his water. He said thank you and I said he's welcome.
"Ayyy!!" Tili ni Myrna at ang mga kasambahay ang naririnig. "Ang sweet niyo tingnan, bagay na bagay!"
Kinabukasan ay bumyahe na ang mga trucks papunta sa ibat-ibang lugar na naapektuhan ng bagyong Tiongo. Nagpaalam naman si Finn na hindi siya uuwi ng tatlong araw. Gusto kong sumama pero hindi ako pinayagan.
I pouted while looking outside my room's window. I hate the fact that I'm alone, sad, and missing him already. Why do I have to feel this way? I like him, do I?
Speaking of which, my phone vibrated.
It was a text message from him, Finn, saying:
Good morning my soon to be Mrs. Dmitrov! I was out of Manila right now I swear to be back as soon as possible, 'kay? Don't be sad. I'll miss you and your pout. Make sure to eat your breakfast, hmm?
I stared myself at the mirror and for a moment I realized that I am doomed.