Cherub's POV
So now, a lot of things change. Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari. Nandito kami ngayon ni Ethan sa venue ng graduation. Attending the graduation ceremony. He held my hand as we watch the students climbing in the stage and claiming their diplomas.
It's really nice to have someone who will be your lifetime partner. Yes, maaga pa para sabihin. But knowing him, he keeps his words. Really.
I looked at him and smiled. So handsome, so kind. He smiled back and pinched my left cheek using his right arm. I frowned which is in return, he chuckled. I kinda hate when he does that.
A few minutes later, the name of my classmates are being called one by one. They started climbing and grabbing their diplomas. I smiled as I watched them. The people who bullied me is now graduating. And I am happy for them.
Caelum's name have been called. He energetically climbs into the stage to grab his diploma. We waved it to his parents and Matt. He went down, and after a few minutes, Matt's name had been called too. He stood up and went to the stage. He took it and waved it.
Now, it's Ethan's turn. He has this valedictorian speech to make after this. He is the valedictorian in the school. He took his diploma, looked at me, and waved it. He proudly presented it to me when he came back.
"Mahal, ito na. We finally made it!!"
"Yeah we did." I retorted. "And this is fun."
"Medyo kinakabahan ako sa valedictorian speech ko mamaya." He suddenly said.
"Hmm, kaya mo 'yan Mahal. I am here to support you, hm?" I said, cupping his left cheek with my hand.
"Sweet mo talaga, Cherub."
"I am sweet before. Maybe too sweet now."
After few more minutes, they called my name. I nervously claimed my diploma and looked at the people in front of me. I smiled. I will miss this. I looked at Ethan's direction and waved the diploma I got. This is nice. Finally.
I went back to where Ethan is waiting and hugged him tight. Letting myself be intoxicated with his scent. So attracting.
"Hm, I love you Ethan." I said, looking at him.
"I love you more, Mahal. No words can explain how much I love you."
We went outside for a bit, at bumalik din dahil sa valedictorian speech ni Ethan. I wonder kung bakit hinuli nila 'yon. It was supposed to be on the first part of the event. Tumayo na si Ethan sa harapan naming lahat. From here, I can sense his nervousness. He looked at me and smiled. I smiled in return.
"Good morning teachers, founders, classmates, and my fellow students. We all know the hardships we have been throughout the years. From stepping here during the enrollment days, and for stepping again. For the graduation. To us, our joy and pride comes from different things and people..." He then started his long speech.
As I listened to it, I feel every inch of his dedication. The dedication to inspire others. To be independent, and to be respectful to others.
"Before I end this speech, I just wanna take this opportunity to thank the people who became part of my journey here. Our journey. My mom; my friends, Caelum, Matt and Eric; my classmates; and of course, to my love. They made my journey here a lot more easier. Yes, hardships come. But they stayed. Thank you for that guys. Specially to Cherub-" I suddenly flinched when I heard him shouting my name in front of everyone. "Thank you Mahal sa walang sawang pag-unawa sa akin. Thank you for staying kahit na madaming masasamang nangyari sa'yo."
He ended his speech with a congratulations to our fellow students, and big thank you's to the teachers who became part of our journey here. Gabi na kami nakalabas ng venue dahil sinabay na doon ang maliit na handaan na gawa ng buong student council. It was fun.
•|MEANWHILE|•
Gabi na kami naka-uwi sa bahay. Grabe, nakakapagod naman 'to. Dito ko na sa bahay pinatulog si Matt at Caelum dahil malalim na ang gabi at napagod sila. They are also a bit drunk. Pati si Ethan. Medyo lasing na din.
Kasalukuyan akong nasa living room kung saan ako nagpi-fill up ng isang form. A college entrance form to be exact. As I fill this form up, someone sat beside me. And it was Ethan. He is a bit haggard and parang pamilyadong tao. I smiled at him.
He then wrapped his hands around my waist and buried his face on my neck.
"Mahal?" Tawag n'ya sa akin.
I hummed in response.
"Galit ka ba sa akin? Kanina ka pa kasing tahimik."
Well, it is true. Since nag-start 'yong party, natahimik ako. I don't know why. Hindi naman ako malungkot or what. I just don't know. Dahil siguro sa pagod kaya ako gan'to.
"Mahal, sorry na." Sambit ulit ni Ethan dahilan para maalis ako sa pagkatulala. "Promise, hindi na ako maglalasing. Promise, ikaw lang. Don't be mad at me, mahal please?"
I sighed. "I am not mad, Ethan. I am not mad. Baka, pagod lang ako."
He hummed and tighten his embrace. "I don't want to lose you, Mahal." He's overacting again.
"You will not going to lose me, Ethan. You will never going to lose me again." I assured him.
We stayed in that position for an entire hour. Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala s'ya. Napansin ko ang mga natuyong luha sa pisngi n'ya kaya pinunasan ko ito.
Gumalaw ako ng kaunti at pinahiga s'ya sa dibdib ko. Just like the first time he confessed his feelings to me. Sa wakas, dinantan na din ako ng antok. As I slowly blink my eyes, nakatuon ang atensyon ko sa taong nasa ibabaw ko. Mahimbing na natutulog.
"Mahal. Don't worry, I will not going to leave you anymore. Mahirap malayo sa'yo mahal. I love you, Ethan. Good night." Sambit ko bago tuluyang ipikit ang mata ko.
Unti-unti kong minulat ang mata ko at napansin na magaan na ang dibdib ko. Nasaan na si Ethan? Nagising na naman ata 'yon ng maaga. Tumayo ako dahilan para maka-amoy ako ng mabangong usok galing sa kusina. Pinuntahan ko iyon at nakita ko si Ethan na nag luluto.
Gosh, ang hot ng asawa ko. Lumapit ako sa kanya at binack-hug s'ya.
"Good morning, Mahal." Bati ko sa kanya. "Ang aga mo naman atang nagising."
"Eh mahal, ba't mo ako pinatulog sa dibdib mo? Baka mamaya, mawala ka na naman sa akin. Kagagawan ko pa." Reklamo nito bago pinatay ang stove at umikot para yakapin ako.
"Naku, parang hindi ito nangyari sa atin dati." Biro ko. Tinignan n'ya lang ako. I smiled and kissed his cheeks. "Mahal, maligo kana. Sabay na tayong kumain. Pawis na pawis kana oh."
He then raised his left arm and tried to smell his armpit. Gosh, gusto kong mahimatay ngayon. Ang hot ng asawa ko!!!
"Oo nga, ang baho ko na nga!" Sambit n'ya bigla. "Hindi ka sasama? Sabay na tayo maligo para sabay tayo makakain."
I blinked twice. Anong sabi n'ya? Sabay na kami maligo? Kahit lagpas five months na kami ng asawa ko, hindi pa rin kami sabay naligo. He suddenly chuckled dahilan para maramdaman ko ang pag-init ng pisngi ko.
"Cute mo talaga, Cherub. Kaya gusto kitang tini-tease eh!" Komento nito.
"M-mahal naman!" Sigaw ko. Nag-iinit pa rin ang pisngi ko sa hiya at kilig.
Ginulo n'ya bigla ang buhok ko at tumawa. He then murmured something na narinig ko din naman. Mas lalo akong namula dahil dito.
"Kaya patuloy kitang minamahal eh, ang cute mo talaga." Hearing this, para akong bumalik sa una. 'Yong crush ko palang s'ya.
He kissed me and told me that he will take his bath. Pinayagan ko naman s'ya at pumunta ako sa sala. I texted Keilah to check on her and Kuya Kevin.
Me: Keilah? Kamusta?
Keilah: Hmm, ito okay naman.
Me: Nagka-usap na kayo?
Keilah: He's asking me to meet him later.
Keilah: Natatakot nga ako eh.
Me: Bakit naman?
Keilah: Baka kasi makipag-hiwalay s'ya sa akin. Cherub, ayaw ko na mawala s'ya.
I smiled because of this. I took a screenshot of our conversation and sent it to Kuya Kevin.
Me: Mahal ka pa n'on, Kuya Kevin. I told you.
Kevin: I will say sorry to her. Ayoko din naman na mawala s'ya sa akin. Mahal ko 'yon eh.
Me: That's good to know.
Tumayo ako at tumingin sa bintana na nasa likod ko. It is then I saw a man standing outside the house. Parang kilala ko ito ah. He looked at my direction and smiled. It sent shivers down to my spine. I took a step back habang pinipigilan na sumigaw.
I adverted my gaze on the man who just stepped outside the bathroom. Tumakbo ako papunta sa kanya at nikayap s'ya ng mahigpit.
"Mahal, hindi pa ako nakaka-bihis oh!" Saway n'ya. Eyes closed, I tried to calm myself down. "Something wrong, Cherub?" Tanong n'ya.
I looked at him, and nervously smiled. He kissed my cheeks and pulled me into a kiss.
"Let's talk it over the table, okay? Bihis lang ako."
I let him go at naupo sa lamesa. Nakahanda na ang pagkain namin ng lumabas s'ya. He sat beside me and kissed my forehead.
"What is it?" He asked me.
Bago pa man ako makapag-salita, Ethan's phone and mine rang all of a sudden. Kasabay nito ang isang text na mas lalong nakapag-pakaba sa akin.
Matt: Guys, si Erwin. He escaped the mental facility. He left a note saying he'll look for Cherub.
Matt: Hinahanap na s'ya ng pulis, though risky ang buhay mo Cherub.
After a few minutes, another text came to me. From an unknown number.
Unknown: Cherub, guess who am I? Clue; I am hunting you, and I will be your forever nightmare.