I had the urgency to take deep breaths (Like, really a lot!) as soon as I stepped out of the restaurant. Na-stress nang bongga ang kagandahan ko kay Glynice. My gosh, hindi ko kinaya si ate! I know it's hard to let go and move on, pero si ate hindi lang basta nahirapan, kinarir niya pa!
Oo na, first and only love niya na si Marco. I get that. But that doesn't mean that she has to waste her life clinging on to the past. Sabi nga ni pareng Ted Mosby, "You can't cling to the past. Because no matter how tightly you hold on, it's already gone."
And what they had was already gone, I suppose. Kailangan atang ma-learn ni ategirl that if the person you love doesn't want you anymore, let him go. Kung may chance pa, go fight for it. Pero kung wala na, geez, don't misuse your time fighting for a losing battle. Sana inilaan niya na lang 'yung time niya sa pag-curl ng hair niya because I love her curls the last time I saw her. Malay naman natin, some guy out there will love her curls, too, and he will love her more than just that, the way she deserves to be loved.
Sayang nga lang kanina, hindi siya naka-curls, she wore her hair straight down. Mukha nga akong tanga kaninang todo hanap kay ategirl kasi malay ko ba naman sa face niya. Napa-facepalm pa ako kasi sugod ako ng sugod, hindi ko naman pala alam ang itsura ng susugurin ko. Sakit sa eyebrows!
And then my eyes found her on one corner and I automatically recognized her as the girl who was at Marco's condo unit the last time. Nainis ako lalo when I realized that. Bwisit siya, ang lakas ng loob puntahan 'yung bahay ng boyfriend ko. If I should've known sooner, eh, 'di sana mas maaga ko siyang namalditahan! Jusmiyo, hindi 'yung umabot pa kami sa ganitong may display ng whisky prowess niya pa. May nalalaman pa siyang kadramahan, as if I care.
I sighed as I rolled my eyes. That's the problem with Glynice, she thinks I'll let Marco go just because she told me about their history and her pain. Did she think she's gonna mess with my head if she tells me that? Mukha bang ganoon ako kababaw para makabog agad? Ako pa ba? Geez, she got her chance, it didn't work out the way they wanted to. Theirs was over.
Nako nag-iinit na naman ang ulo ko, huh! I am a good person (Claimed it!) pero hindi ko talaga napigilan 'yung sarili ko kanina at binanatan ko siya. (Iba ata talaga ang epekto ng whisky.) Jusme! Eh, sorry siya! Mahal na mahal ko 'yung boyfriend ko. Parehas naming mahal si Marco. Ang lamang ko? Marco is with me. He is on my side. And as long as he is with me and he wants to be with me, mamalditahan ko talaga 'yang si Glynice kapag kinanti ako ulit.
Ano ba kasi ang hindi clear sa pagsabi ni Marco sa kanya that she had to let go of what they had? "Had" na nga eh! Ka-stress, hindi marunong mag-recognize ng tense. Kahit siguro hindi na-disclose 'yung reason before, the message was clear. He wants her to go on with her life, without him. Just like the way he did.
Jusmiyo, nag-aral sa states pero simpleng statement, hindi na-gets! I had always had high regards for those who studied abroad kasi iba ang quality ng education doon, but Glynice De Vera changed the game. Kajirits itong si ategirl!
Nakasimangot tuloy ako habang naglalakad papuntang taxi lane sa may Greenbelt 4 (pero pinilit kong ngumiti kasi nasa vicinity ako ng chapel). Quota na ata ako sa inis ngayong araw kaya hindi na din ako pinahirapan sa pagkuha ng cab. At sa sobrang inis ko, hindi ko na kinuha 'yung sukli ko sa taxi fare.
I was already sulking at my bed seconds later. Bwisit na bwisit talaga ako! Bwisit ako sa mga taong hindi maka-move on. Okay lang naman 'yung masaktan, mag-bitter, um-emote ganyan, pero jusmiyo give yourself some dignity. Mag-set ka naman ng expiration date ng lahat ng negatrons mo sa buhay.
My phone started ringing, disrupting my musings, and I swiped the screen without looking at it. "Oh?"
He chuckled at parang gusto ko siyang tuktukan kasi ang adorbs niya. Kaya may hindi maka-move on, eh!
"Ang sungit naman ng baby ko. Hindi mo ba ako na-miss?"
Pinilit kong sumimangot kahit nangingiti na ako. There goes that soul soothing effect again. "Hindi."
"Aray. Ang sakit naman. Miss na miss pa naman kita."
"Ganoon talaga. Nasaan ka na?" I asked taking my travelling bag with me. I glanced at the wall clock and I saw that it's almost 11 PM. Nakabalik na siguro 'to ng Manila kasi sabi ko kanina sa kanya tawagan ako para alam ko kung kailan ako pupunta sa condo niya. Ayaw ko naman kasing mag-isa doon.
"Dito sa labas ng dorm mo. Hindi ko na kinaya ang pagka-miss ko sa iyo, Baby, kaya sinusundo na kita."
I smiled as I went out of my room. "Ah ganoon ba?" I answered as I locked the door.
"Oo, eh," he answered as I run down the stairs. Hindi naman ako excited.
"Ah okay," I said as I went out of our gate. I saw him smiling broadly at me and I thought my frantic heart just went into serenity.
I smiled at myself. Things are alright. Definitely alright.
"Hi there pretty lady," he greeted with a huge smile putting his phone onto his pocket and I rolled my eyes at him though what I really wanted to do was throw myself at him for a tight hug. From that nerve-racking confrontation I had, I just wanted to melt in his arms. He then laughed as he took my bag, putting his other arm around my shoulder.
"Bakit ngayon ka lang?" I asked habang naglalakad kami. Oo na, kanina pa kasi talaga ako nabibwisit dahil wala siya.
"Pasensya na po. Nahirapan akong lusutan 'yung client namin."
"Hmmm."
"Bakit ang bigat nitong bag mo? Whole weekend lang naman tayo sa Bolinao, Baby."
"Nagrereklamo ka?"
"Ah, hindi, hindi. Sabi ko nga okay lang na mabigat 'tong bag mo, eh."
I gave in to my suppressed laughter as I put my arms in his waist. Kinurot ko siya sa tagiliran. "I love you," I whispered in his ear and he giggled like a teenage boy which made me smile extensively.
***
"Do you have ice cr─" I was not able to finish my question because as soon as he closed his unit's door, he pulled me to him, his lips covering my mouth in an instant. I smiled and was about to kiss him back when he suddenly stopped at tinitigan ako, kunot na kunot 'yung noo niya. "Uhhh, why?"
"Uminom ka ba? Lasang whisky ka."
"Uhmm, ata?" I answered naively. Hindi naman kasi talaga intentional 'yung pag-inom ko, napilitan lang ako tsaka isang glass lang 'yun. So hindi ako uminom, napainom lang ako. There's a difference.
"Anong ata? Hindi ka sure kung uminom ka?"
"Well, technically I ─"
"Sinong kasama mo?" he asked cutting me off. He's still wearing the frown. Ayaw niya kasi akong umiinom kapag hindi niya alam kung sino ang kasama ko. Well, 'yung best friends ko lang naman ang "allowed" na kasama ko sa pag-inom.
I looked at him and sighed heavily. For two seconds, I thought of just giving him an alibi pero naisip kong walang magandang idudulot ang dishonesty so push na sa info na ito. Para naman ma-inform din siya sa ganap. "Glynice," I answered and he froze for a while as I saw recognition on his face.
"You know her?"
I nodded. "She introduced herself to me."
"W-why? And why were you... Why were you with her?" he asked in full confusion. I shrugged and moved to sit on the sofa. Ayaw kong ma-stress lalo kasi quota na ako kanina pa.
"Bet niya ata akong maging friend. Pero one-sided lang syempre dahil hindi ko naman siya bet kaibiganin," I replied resting my feet on the coffee table. "Hindi niya deserve."
"Baby," he said fighting the urge to laugh as he sat beside me. Sumandal ako sa balikat niya and he immediately put his arms around me. I felt how uneasy he was so I intertwined my fingers with his, holding his hand tightly to make him feel that we don't need to be bothered. Or sarili ko ang mas kino-convince ko?
"Pagsabihan mo 'yang old flame mo, ha! Pati ako idadamay niya sa kadramahan ng buhay niya," I told him to make the air lighter kasi ramdam ko na ang anxious vibe sa paligid.
He looked at me frowning. "Anong sinabi niya sa'yo?"
"Nako, eh, 'di 'yung mga kaeklatan na history niyo daw. How you two were in love, why you are not together, your dating escapades in the US, ganyan."
"Bab ─"
"It's fine. I'm fine," I said with a smile. "Lahat naman tayo may past, so keri na. We both loved other people before we found each other. Although at first I was hurt kasi nag-iinarte lang akong may mga ganoong ganap ka before. But the past shouldn't hurt me because what's important is now and what we'll have in the future, right? Sabi mo nga dati, as long as they stay in the past, wala tayong problema."
He heaved a sigh of relief (I believe so). "She'll be fine on her own."
"Ano ka ba? 'Yang si old flame mo, mukhang hindi pa nakaka-move on kasi ang bitter niya pa. How long has it been already? 'Wag lang talagang e-epal 'yan kundi makikipagsabunutan talaga ako."
He laughed as he cupped my face with his hands and kissed me soundly on the lips. "Hindi mo naman kailangang makipagsabunutan, Baby. I told you, you don't have to fight anybody because I'll always be yours."
"Nako, stop. Kinikilig ako," I said with an intense cheek blush as I pushed him away but he hugged me tighter instead. "Are you really done with her? I mean, no chance na kayong dalawa? Hindi ko na kailangang kabahan?"
He loosened the hug so he could look at me. "I have always told everybody how I would pursue Glynice when the right time comes kasi alam mo naman na siguro 'yung situation namin before. It was really a case of bad timing," he started and I felt a dash of pain again. "But when I saw you, I recognized the fact that I won't be able to do that anymore because I am damn sure I wanted to be with you."
He smiled at me and I felt my heart and my soul soared to the clouds again. "Baby, from the moment I laid my eyes on you, I already knew that I'll always choose you. It will always be you," he said and my tears fell down.
Pinitik ko 'yung ilong niya. "Tumigil ka na, pinapaiyak mo na naman ako, eh," I told him as I wiped my tears away.
"Ikaw lang naman ang ayaw pang gawing official 'to, eh."
"Anong hindi? We are official! Anong tawag mo dito sa ganap natin for almost nine months now? Kilala ka na nga ng pamilya ko, botong-boto pa sila sa'yo, and so is your family tapos─"
"That's not what I meant, Baby. Calm down," he retorted with a loud laugh as he cupped my face.
"Eh ano?!"
"The other one. The one I've been asking you since May," he answered with a wink and my world just stopped spinning for a few seconds. "Baby? Are you okay?" he asked and I just stared blankly at him. Open-mouth talaga.
Maglabas ka ng singsing, sasagot ako ng YES now na! I thought as I blinked nonstop at him.
"Ouch!" I exclaimed when I felt something painful on my cheeks. It was only when I saw him grinning when I realized that he pinched my cheeks hardly again. Paborito niya talaga akong kurutin sa pisngi, kasi chubby cheeks daw ako. Nakakainis!
"Sabi ko nga, I'll wait 'til you're finally ready," he said smiling and I smiled back.
Ready naman na ako. Kaso gusto ko may singsing! Nakakainis ka naman, eh! I almost shouted.
I sighed before pinching his nose. I let out a soft laugh pampa-alis ng awkward vibes. "And then I looked up at the sun and I could see, oh, the way that gravity pulls on you and me," I sang to him instead and he beamed.
"And then I looked up at the sky and saw the sun, and the way that gravity pushes on everyone," he sang back and we both laughed.
"Bagay sa atin, ano? The reason why some people didn't make it to the present is because of this... us," I told him as I put my arms around his nape. "I love you, Marco Iñigo."
I looked at him and I saw a better version of us after letting the ones we loved so much in the past go.
"I love you so much, Dana Sanae," he said before kissing me full on the mouth. He pulled me to guide me sit on his lap and I obliged as we continued kissing. "Whisky tastes good in your lips," he said breathily as he kissed me again and I smiled against his lips as I lovingly returned his kisses.
***
"Hello? Aldrin? Si Dhae to. Andyan na ba kayo sa baba? Nasa CR lang si Marco," dere-derecho kong sagot sa phone para hindi na sayang sa oras. Dadaanan kasi nila kami kasi isang sasakyan nalang daw ang gagamitin namin papuntang Bolinao. Gusto kasi nilang mag-out of town trip bago bumalik si Brent sa New York next week.
"Dhae, uy! Oo, andito na kami. Matagal pa ba siya? May importante kasi akong sasabihin," he replied at hindi ko alam kung bakit ako kinabahan.
"Wait lang. Don't put down the phone, ha," I told him as I went to the bathroom door. Tinakpan ko 'yung speaker ng phone before I called out for Marco. "Love, nasa line si Aldrin. May sasabihin daw na importante sa iyo. Bilisan mo diyan."
He came out three seconds later and I handed him his phone. "Bakit daw?" He asked and I shrugged my shoulders before I went back to the room to get my things. He came in seconds later with a frown.
"Oh, bakit?" I asked as I went near him para ayusin sa pagkakakunot 'yung noo niya. Ayaw ko kasing sumisimangot siya kasi nai-stress ako.
"We have a problem," he said.
"Ano 'yan?"
I saw him hesitate for a while before he sighed. "Glynice is with them," he replied at natigilan ako. "Baby, look, I absolutely have no idea that she's coming. Ang alam ko tayong walo lang talaga."
"Uhmm..." I said looking away. Hindi ko din kasi alam ang sasabihin ko. Nakakaloka! Bakit kasama siya?!
"I told them I'd ask you if we'll still go," he said holding my hands.
I obliged myself to smile. "Uhmm... Bakit naman tayo hindi tutuloy? Ano ka ba, bakit magalit 'yung mga kaibigan mo."
"They'll understand. Let's just go somewhere else. I don't want you getting slighted."
For a while, I really thought of just giving in to that 'let's just go somewhere else' because I started to feel bad. Kaso naisip ko si Brent, baka magtampo siya sa bestfriend niya at hindi naman ako ganoon ka-selfish so I blinked my eyes to drive those bad thoughts away. Hinampas ko si Marco sa balikat. "Ano ka ba! Okay lang ako. Keri ko yan. Ayoko namang maging rason ng pang-i-Indian mo sa mga kaibigan mo. Baka isumpa ako ng mga yan."
"Are you sure, Baby? Look, you don't have to force yourself into thi─"
"Okay lang nga. Kaloka 'to," I told him laughing though I was not a hundred percent sure anymore. Mas praning pa ata 'to sa'kin, eh.
He smiled at me. "Gusto mo mag-commute nalang tayo? Magdadala sana ako ng sasakyan para sa ating dalawa pero doubtful ako, at tsaka baka hindi ko kayanin mag-drive."
"Okay lang. Sumabay na tayo sa kanila. Basta 'wag kang lalapit diyan sa old flame mo, ha? Three meters away!"
He nodded and laughed as he held my hand. "Please 'wag natin pag-awayan si Glynice. I know how paranoid you are. She doesn't deserve our worries so we shouldn't be giving her a chance to do so, okay?"
"Okay," I replied convincing myself.
I watched him take our things and I took a deep breath. All is well.
Bumaba na din kami minutes later. Medyo malamig kasi alas tres palang ng madaling araw kaya kumapit ako sa braso ni Marco. Dapat aakbayan niya ako kaso tatlong bag 'yung dala niya so hindi namin magawan ng paraan. Ayaw niya kasi akong magbuhat kasi mabigat daw. Muntik na namin 'yun pag-awayan kanina kasi ayaw niya talaga akong tumulong sa pagbubuhat. Nakakaloka!
We saw the huge van parked a few meters away from us and Marco looked at me asking me for a go signal so I nodded before we went near them. We were only a meter away noong biglang bumukas 'yung pinto, revealing Brent na prenteng nakaupo sa may second row ng seats. Siya lang ang nakaupo doon so for sure, doon din kami designated na maupo.
"Pare," he greeted with an edgy smile and I understood why. Bumaba siya and helped us with our things. "Hi, Dhae."
"Hi, good morning!" I greeted with a smile.
Dumiretso sina Marco at Brent sa likod para ilagay 'yung mga gamit namin at sumunod ako kasi ayaw kong maiwan doon kahit rinig na rinig 'yung ingay sa loob ng sasakyan.
Magkahawak kami ng kamay ni Marco na sumakay. Oo na, sobrang clingy na namin. "Hi," bati namin sa kanilang lahat.
"Dhae! Ganda mo sa madaling araw, ah!" Matt told me with a huge grin at sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Marco. "Pare, hi! Kalma lang."
"Hi Matt and Al!" I said bago ako umayos ng upo. Humarap ako sa kanila to greet them one by one kasi I'm friendly like that. "Hi Rae," bati ko sa girlfriend ni Aldrin who leaned closer to kiss me on the cheek. Sila kasing tatlo 'yung nasa likod namin. "Owen, Kriska, hello," I greeted with a smile and the two looked at each other before giving me a nervous smile.
"Hi, Dhae," Kriska tensely said before taking a glance at the girl beside her. "This is Glynice, my cousin. Gly, si Dhae, girlfriend ni Marco."
I nodded at Glynice with a small smile but she just looked perplexedly at me. I even saw her raise an eyebrow. Ay gagang 'to, mamalditahan pa ako, parang hindi ko nailampaso 'to kagabi, ha! Sige na, pagbigyan na natin sa pag-attitude si ategirl na bitter. Baka 'yan nalang ang ikinaliligaya niya sa buhay. Akala niya naman, makakabog niya ako. Jusko! Tumalikod nalang ako and shrugged, deadma nalang. Keber ko ba sa kanya.
"Ah, ano. Daan muna tayong coffee? Nag-breakfast ba kayo?" Brent called out to everyone, maybe trying to lighten the mood. "Mang Rudy, daan po muna tayong Starbucks."
I took out my phone from my pocket para mag-text kina Papa na paalis na kaming Manila. Ganoon kasi sila, kailangan updated sila sa mga ganap. As usual, pinagpaalam ako ni Marco at tiwalang-tiwala naman ang mga magulang ko sa kanya kaya pinayagan ako agad. Binilinan pa nga na 'wag daw akong mawawala sa paningin niya kasi baka daw may mangyaring hindi maganda sa akin kapag nalingat siya. OA din talaga itong tatay ko. I was already texting when I felt Marco hug me. I looked up at him and he smiled.
"Sus, pa-cute ka na naman diyan," I told him in a hushed voice and he laughed.
"Baka kasi giniginaw ka," he answered with a wink and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Naka-pullover na ako, Love. Naka-jeans pa ako."
"Naka-slippers ka kaya. Ginawin pa naman 'yang paa mo," he kept on at natawa nalang ako. Ayaw pakabog ni kuya!
And then my phone started ringing at medyo napakunot ako ng noo kasi international 'yung incoming call.
"Hello?"alanganin kong sagot.
"Hello. Dhae, anak, si Mommy Irene mo 'to," came the answer and I blushed profusely as I glanced at Marco who was chatting with Brent.
"A-ay, hello po, 'M-my. Good morning po," I replied stuttering as I held Marco's hand tightly.
My gosh, nakakaloka na talaga ito! Kasi naman last Sunday while we are having lunch at their house, itong mudrabels ni Marco insisted on me calling her Mommy. I'm a part of the family naman na daw so might as well... Gosh, seriously! Pati si Tito Mar, um-agree. Nalaglag ko 'yung kubyertos na hawak ko that time kasi jusko swear, hindi ko talaga kinaya. Muntik na akong mag-split doon sa pagkaloka ko. Oo nga, Marco had been asking me about marriage and I haven't said yes yet but this one is like a sort of formality already. For me kasi, you should only call them that kapag kasal na talaga kayo. Si Ate Belle nga, Tita at Tito pa rin ang tawag sa mga magulang ko kahit ikakasal na sila ni Kuya sa December. Pero ito... bloody hell talaga! Itong magaling kong boyfriend naman, supportive! Supportive sa magulang niya dahil ginatungan niya pa. Ayun tuloy, kahit nahihiya ako to the highest level, eh, sige na, gorabels na kasi feel na feel ko din naman!
"I was trying to reach Marco but he's not answering. Are you already on your way to Pangasinan now, anak?"
"Ay, opo. Kakaalis lang din po namin. Ayun po pala, kausap niya kasi sina Brent, 'My, tsaka nasa may pocket ng pants niya 'yung phone niya kaya po hindi na ata napansin 'yung tawag niyo."
"Si Mommy ba 'yan?" Marco asked me in a whisper and I nodded at him. He went back to his conversation with his friends after.
"Oh, okay. You guys take care."
"Opo. Kumusta po kayo diyan sa Jerusalem? Nag-eenjoy naman po ba kayo? 'Yung pasalubong po namin," I kidded and she laughed.
"It's really good in here kahit medyo mainit. And yes, anak, we are enjoying ourselves here. Kayo din, have fun in Pangasinan, ha? Send us pictures."
"Sige po. Send us pictures, too."
"I think our tour guide is already here. Mag-ingat kayo diyan. Sabi din ng Daddy niyo, kapag daw nasa dagat na, 'wag daw kayo sa masyadong malalim. Tell my son to take care of you. We love you."
I smiled as I glanced at Marco who was still talking to the other guys. "Opo. Ingat po kayo and have fun. We love you, too."
"Anong sabi ni Mommy?" my boyfriend asked as soon as I put down my phone. Parang inabangan niya talaga.
"Tinatawagan ka daw, hindi mo sinasagot. Ayun, ako ang chinika."
He nodded. "Magtatampo sana akong mukhang mas nag-eenjoy si Mommy na kausapin ka but listening to the two women I love most talk really feels good. Are they having fun in their trip?"
Pasimple akong yumuko kasi kinilig ako doon. "Yeps! Dumating na 'yung guide nila so she had to cut the call. Ay nga pala, bilin ni M-mommy na ano, we send them pictures daw. Tapos si D-daddy, sabi 'wag daw tayo sa malalim na part ng dagat," I said and he grinned widely. Again. Ganyan siya kapag tinatawag kong ganoon 'yung parents niya. Naiilang na nga ako, tuwang-tuwa pa siya. Tuktukan ko kaya 'to?!
"Naks naman, Dhae! Mommy at Daddy na tawag mo kina Tita Ai at Tito Mar? Hanep!" Matt started taunting and everyone followed as the whole van is filled with different kilig screeches. Bigla tuloy akong nahiya kaya sumubsob ako sa balikat ni Marco to hide my super red face.
"My parents wanted her to call them that, so..." Marco answered with a laugh as he put his arms around me.
"Wow, are you taking the game to the next level na?" I heard Rae asked cheerfully.
"Great! Susunod na ba kayo kina Brent?" Kriska probed in full excitement at mas lalo akong napayakap kay Marco sa hiya.
"I hope so," Marco answered and I bit his shoulder kasi nakakainis siya.
"Oh, Brent, alam mo na. Iabot mo nalang kay Marco 'yung garter sa kasal mo," Aldrin remarked and the guys laughed again. Marco just kept hugging me.
"Sige, ako na bahala. Sasabihan ko na din si Marié," pakikisakay ni Brent sa pang-aasar. Jusmiyo, nakakahiya. "Matt, pare, dapat tayo ang nagtabi, eh! Tayo ang walang partners," Brent announced as I saw him point out at our seating positions. Magkayakap kami ni Marco, si Rae nakasandal kay Aldrin, and then Kriska was hugging Owen, too.
Thank you, Brent for that topic diversion. You are a saver!
"Ikaw kasi, dapat pinapunta mo muna si Marié dito. Iniwan mo kasi sa New York," Aldrin replied and they both laughed. Kami ni Marco napailing nalang.
"She's in Dublin now. Nanganak 'yung ate niya. Doon ko nalang din siya dadaanan para sabay kaming bumalik ng New York next week," Brent retorted with a smile and I smiled, too. Kinikilig kasi ako sa kanila ni Marié.
I already sort of met her kasi nag-skype convo kami the last time na nag-dinner kami nina Brent. I'm so looking forward to meeting her on February because geez, I love her already! Sobrang bait niya kasi tsaka ang warm ng personality niya. Tsaka aliw na aliw ako sa pagmumura niya kasi Irish people curse in an appealing way. And we both fancy The Script and Snow Patrol kasi nga naman, she's from Dublin and they love their own talents. Plus the sexy Irish accent, god damn it! Pinagtawanan nga ako nung dalawa kasi tuwang-tuwa talaga ako sa accent. Well, Marco knows that I dig for British and Irish accents so keribels na!
"Gee, such a rich kid treating Dublin and Manila like neighboring towns, huh," Rae commented and we all laughed.
"Things you do for love. Parang itong si Glynice lang din. US at Pilipinas naman sa kanya makalapit lang sa mahal niya," Matt remarked and we all went into discomfited silence. Marco held me tighter and I gripped his arm firmly, too. "Oh, sorry. Awkward," he said pero wala nang nagsalita.
Deadmadels! Yumakap nalang ako kay Marco (and I secretly wished Glynice sees us dahil gusto ko lang siyang gantihan sa pagmamaldita niya sa akin kanina) para matulog kasi maaga pa. Baka before lunch pa kami makarating sa Bolinao, sakto sa hotel check-in time. Isa pa pala 'yan. Ang alam ko kasi isang villa 'yung kinuha nila para daw kasya kaming lahat at may bonding moments na rin. Pero sana hindi na tuloy kasi ayokong kasama sa room 'yang si Glynice. Dito na nga lang sa sasakyan, naiirita na ako. Ano pa kaya kapag sa room na mismo? Baka gapangin niya si Marco. Hindi ko pa nga nagagapang 'tong jowa ko, eh. Baka unahan ako!
Marco may have felt how I became uncomfortable because he tilted my head to give me a kiss on the forehead. I smiled as I hugged him tight.
This is gonna be a loooooong weekend. Figuratively. I thought as I dozed off.