I was stunned for a moment. Tiningala ko siya at tinitigan mabuti. From his knotted forehead, his dark eyes, pointed nose down to his perfect jaw. His face is a lot cleaner dahil mukhang natuto na itong magshave! The monkey learns to shave!
I can't believe I'll see him again! Nawalan kami ng communication and I got worried dahil alam ko ang mabigat na pinagdadaanan nito bago siya umalis at nagpakalayo. Now he seems, good. Mukha siyang masaya. I can't help but stare and smile.
"Damn Sam! I miss you." He said with a low voice. He was about to kiss my forehead when someone cleared throat.
"Ehem! Ehem! Eheeem" Sabay kaming napalingon ni Lucas sa secretary ko.
"May ubo ka?" I asked.
"Wa-wala po. A-ano po kasi, ba-baka po kasi bi-biglang bumagyo."
"Bagyo? Sobra naman ata yang bonding niyo ni Kuya Kim. Masyado ka ng updated?"
I heard Lucas chuckled. I felt his hand roaming on my waist kaya bigla ko itong kinurot. He never changed manyakis parin!
"Aw! Babe naman--"
"Huwag mo kong matawag-tawag na babe! Hindi ako baboy! Ikaw na unggoy ka bakit ngayon ka lang nagparamdam?! "
"Ang ingay mo padin! Akala ko pa naman romantic na pagkikita natin this time, makatingin ka kasi kanina wagas."
"Ah ganon? Gusto mo romantic? Eh kung bangasan kita ngayong hayop ka! Matapos mong mag-emote, lalayasan mo ko, tapos di ka magpaparamdam?!"
He scratch his brow. Hindi ko lang mapigilan mastun sa bawat kilos ng lalaking ito. How can he be so..gorgeous? At kung naririto ang asawa ko at nababasa niya ang iniisip ko ngayon malamang umuusok na ilong nun sa selos!
"Kanina unggoy, ngayon buong kahayupan ako na. What the hell Sam! Man-hater ka parin ba?" He asked.
"Hoy! For your information! Kasal na ako. See my ring? This is a proof that I am not a man-hater--"
"Oo na, oo na, ganyan ka lang talaga sumalubong ng crush."
"Crush? Sino nagsabing --" pareho kaming natigilan ni Lucas nang marining namin ang secretary ko na may kausap sa cellphone.
"Hello sir! S-sir! Na-nandito po siya. Malay ko bang ngayon agad. Si-sige po. H-huh? I-ikaw nalang sir! Hello? Hello?"
Mukhang binabaan ito ng kausap.
"Someone got a back-up! Ang possessive ng ugok na iyon." I heard Lucas whispered. Hindi ko ito pinansin at bumaling ako sa secretary ko.
"Hoy! Sino yun?" I asked.
"Si-sino po?"
"Yung kausap mo sa cellphone!"
"Wa-wala po yun. G-girlfriend ko po. Ang demanding lang. "
"Girlfriend tapos sir? Bakla ka ba?"
"Endearment namin yun ma'am! Ang cool diba?" Ngisi nito. I squinted my eyes on him.
"Anong pangalan ng girlfriend mo? Bakit hindi ako aware na may nagkamali sayo?"
Saglit itong natahimik at mukhang nag-isip.
"G-grabe ka naman ma'am! Lu-Luisa ang pangalan niya. Yon! Luisa nga po. "
I was about to talk again when Lucas held my hand intertwining our fingers. Napakunot ang noo ko.
"Yung kamay ko, baka gusto mong bitawan?" I asked.
"Damot nito. Hinihiram lang e'. Let's have dinner first then I'll drive you home, gusto ko makita ang nga bata and your newly born." He said
Bigla akong nakaramdam ng tuwa nang maalala ko ang kambal. They will surely be glad to see their Papa Lucas. Nagpatinaod nalang ako sa paghatak nito. I was about to get inside his car when a car light just flashed. The car just drifted infront of us at mukhang walang pakealam kung saan magpapark.
And I know who's the owner of this car. Sino pa nga ba? Ang magaling kong asawa na mukhang bumili ng bagong sasakyan sa D&C. He has his signature name written on the plate number.
"I believe you're touching my wife." Madiing sabi nito. Kunot ang noo nito at igting ang panga. Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng kamay ni Lucas sa akin. I pinched his hand kaya natawa ito at bumitaw.
"Nandito na pala si Luisa eh!" Lucas exclaimed.
"Luisa?" Tanong ko. Sumilip pa ako sa loob ng sasakyan ni Luigi. Pinagtaasan ko ng kilay ang asawa ko.
"Nasaan si Luisa?" I asked. Mukha naman lalong nag-init ang ulo nito. Aba teka! Siya pa itong galit? Siya itong may Lorena?
"Who the fuck is that goddamn Luisa?!" He hissed.
Oo nga! Who's Luisa? Damn! Oo nga pala! Yung girlfriend ni Stutter. I glanced at my secretary who is keeping his silence. He palmed his face.
"Samantha. Where are you going with that jerk?"
"Magdidinner sana kami. Kaso dumating ka." Lucas answered.
"And?" Luigi asked.
"Didn't know you have some sort of bromance with Stunner. Luisa?" Pang-aasar ni Lucas kay Luigi. Laglag ang panga ko. Siya pala yung Luisa? How can I not noticed it?
"Totoo ba?" Tanong ko na may halong hinanakit. I stared my secetary and Luigi.
"What?! Wait! Hindi ba dapat ako itong galit kasi sumasama ka sa lalaking yan?"
"Ma-ma'am let me explain--" Stutter said but I cut him off. Umiling ako.
"Explain what? How dare you!" I said.
"Ma-ma'am hindi ganun yun! Ka-kasi a-ano--"
"Bakit? All these times? Kayo? " I said dramatically.
"Just what the fuck is going on?!" Luigi shouted. Napahinto ako sa pagdadrama. Yari! Mainit talaga ata ulo ng asawa ko. Hindi mabiro!
"Galit ka na nyan?" I asked. Hinawakan ko ito sa braso at bumaling kay Lucas.
"Sa bahay ka na dumiretso. Let's have dinner. Sumama ka na rin Stutter!" I told them. Hinatak ko naman ang asawa kong masama parin ang tingin kay Lucas na may mapang-asar na ngisi.
"Nawala lang ako, sasama ka na agad sa Lucas na yon?" Luigi started talking while driving.
"Huh? Sinasabi mo dyan?" Sagot ko. Hindi ako pinansin. Inisnab ako! I rest my hand on his arm. Hinimas ko ang braso nito down to his forearm where my name is engraved. Nagpatattoo ulit ito lastweek.
"Are you jealous?" I asked. I kissed his arm. Nakita ko kung paano nagsitaasan ang mga balahibo nito sa braso.
"I'm driving." He said.
"Sungit!" Tawag ko dito.
"Psst!" Tawag ko ulit.
"Luigi..sweetheart." I seductively called him. Hinihimas ko parin ang braso nito. Hindi parin ako pinansin.
"Baby.." I called him again. I bit my lower lip. Ayaw talaga mamansin. Malapit na kami sa bahay at nakita kong nauna ng pumarada ang sasakyan ni Lucas at ng secretary kong kararating lang din.
"Hoy!" Sigaw ko. Bahagya itong nagulat. Ayaw madaan sa lambing edi sisigawan ko. Natawa na ako.
"Wha's so funny?" He asked. Nakikita kong nagpipigil nalang ito ng ngiti.
"Ayaw mo akong pansinin! Sige ka, si Lucas papansinin--" I was cut off when he harshly kissed me. Naging marahan din an paghalik nito habang tumatagal. Napakapit ako sa batok nito and I heartily answered his passionate kiss.
"Damn! I love you. Hear that? Akin ka." He said then kiss me again. I was about to answer his kiss again when we heard someone knocking on the window.
We both saw Lucas knocking.
"Gago talaga--" Luigi said. Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata.
"Fine. I'll try to behave. " he said. Tinanggal na nito ang susi ng sasakyan prepaing to go out but I caught his arm and kiss him again.
"I love you. Ikaw lang." I said. Umiwas ito ng tingin. His ears are turning red.
"Uyyy, kinikilig!" Pang-aasar ko dito. I even chanted it while we are heading outside.
"Stop it." He said. Namumula parin ang tenga.
"Why are your ears red?" Tanong ni Lucas nang makalabas kami. He's looking intently at Luigi na hindi makatingin ng diretso sa amin.
"You wanna know? My wife just--"
"Hep! Pasok na tayo." Singit ko. Ako naman ngayon ang hindi makatingin kay Lucas. It's not that I made something crazy to Luigi inside the car pero pakiramdam ko nag-iinit ang pisngi ko.
Naunang naglakad si Luigi at sinalubong ang mga bata na pareho niyang kinarga.
Lucas whispered.
"Did you give him a blow--"
"Aaaah! Bastos ka talaga! My ears! Oh my gosh! Polluted na naman!" I shrieked and covered my ears. Bwisit talaga itong si Lucas ungas! Napalingon naman sa akin ang asawa ko na kumunot ang noong nakatingin sa amin.
Tatawa-tawa naman itong si Lucas.
"What? I'm about to ask if you gave him a blow in his ears! Ang pula kasi ng tenga niya. Ang dumi ng utak mo!" He said. He even pinched my nose.
"What happened?" My husband asked. Bitbit nito ang dalawang bata na parehong napanganga ng makita si Lucas. Chloe wiggled her legs. She's happy.
"Papa Lucas!!" They both exclaimed.
"Babies! Ang lalaki niyo na! Dati mga babies ko pa kayo. Come here."
The twins wiggled their feet so Luigi can give them to Lucas. Chloe shrieked and pinch both Lucas's cheeks.
"Papa monkey your'e home!" Chloe screamed.
****
"Magkwento ka na." I told Lucas. Nasa mesa na kami at nagdidinner. Katabi ko si Luigi na hawak ang kamay ko sa ilalim ng mesa. The kids were at their room. They already had their dinner na pala.
"Dude, di makakain ng maayos si Sam." Lucas smirked at Luigi.
"Pake mo?" Luigi answered then he pouted. Ang cute lang ng isang ito pag nagseselos.
"I went to US as what I have mentioned you before. I..well..did not really expect everything to be that easy but yeah, I was able to come back here alive so maayos naman ang ipinunta ko doon."
I know he is really not telling everything but I won't push him to tell me. Ang mahalaga ay nakikita kong maayos na siya. He has this glow that I have never seen kahit pa noon na wala kaming ginawa kundi mag-asaran.
Saglit na katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there when that frightful incident happened." Lucas said.
"Paano mo nalaman?" Luigi asked this time.
" It is not that easy to let go such a wonderful family Luigi. Alam mong ilan taon ko rin nakasama sila. I made it to the point na may alam parin ako tungkol sa kanila. Those were the days when you were so blinded or fucked up with your reasons. And I'm sorry, I wasn't there. As much as I wanted to, something happened that just blew away my sanity. Alam ko namang hindi mo siya pababayaan. " He answered Luigi straight in the eyes.
I glanced at Luigi's reaction. He smirked and smiled.
We all glanced at Ylana's nanny. Bitbit nito ang anak ko na humihikbi. Lumapit ito sa akin pero nauna nang tumayo si Luigi para aluin ang anak. That is the only time he let go of my hand. I can't help but smile.
Huminto lang ito sa pag-iyak nang kargahin na ito nito si Ylana. Maya-maya ay tumatawa na ito dahil sa pagbebaby talk ni Luigi.
When we all finished our dinner, I approached my husband who is currently in the playroom with the kids and Stutter. He is still wearing his office suit pero nakatanggal na ang tie at nakaunbutton na ang polo. He looks tired with his sleepy eyes but he magaed to laugh heartily with the kids.
"Mr. Stabber! Can we play? " I heard Vaughny asked.
"Stunner Vaughn, not Stabber." I heard Luigi said.
"Oh right! Mr. Stopper. Let's play xbox!"
"Noooo! Mr. Stunner, let's play my dolls. Huwag yan xbox Vaunghny. That is so boring." Chloe said.
"Dolls are for girls! Buti pa uncle Chuno, he used to play with me. I hope he's here."
Bigla ko tuloy naalala si Chuno. He is making his own career in taekwondo now. He used to stay with Kuya Ashton lately. Dumarami na rin ang competitions nito sa ibang bansa. Minsan nakakamiss ang baby bunso ko na iyon. Dati iyakin pa, ngayon ang dami na ring stalker sa facebook.
Hindi na nakapagsalita ang secretary ko dahil sa pag-aagawan sa kanya ng kambal. Tumingin lang ito kay Luigi asking for help.
"Serves you right for calling me Luisa!" Luigi said while laughing. I saw Ylana eating her fingers again kaya tinanggal ito ni Luigi.
"Sir naman!" Maktol nito.
I entered the room. Lumuhod ako para mapantayan ang mag-ama ko Hinawakan ko ang mga daliri ni Ylana. I felt Luigi kissed my forehead. Humarap ako sa kanya.
"Pwede ba kaming mag-usap ni Lucas?" Paalam ko. Mamaya kasi magselos na naman ang isang ito.
"Pano kung ayaw ko?" He said.
"Kakausapin ko parin.."
"Nagpaalam ka pa." He said. I leaned down to give him a kiss. Nakaupo kasi ito sa carpet at hawak si Ylana.
"Sige. Bababa ako mamaya. " He said. Tumango ako.
Bumaba ako sa garden. I saw Lucas smoking. Nakapamulsa ito at nakatingin sa pool.
"Ungas." Tawag ko dito. Lumingon ito sa akin. He waved his hand as if telling me not to get closer. Umihip ito ng sigarilyo, maya-maya ay pinatay na rin niya.
"You smell like cigarette." I said. Kumuha ito ng mint sa bulsa at nginuya.
"Ang ganda mo parin." He said.
"I know right!" I said.
"It was a big joke." Sumimangot ako. Sasapakin ko sana sa braso nang saluhin nito ang kamay ko.
"It was a big joke not falling for you. " he said. Unti-unti niyang ibinababa ang kamay ko. He sighed then stared at the pool again. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko.
"Lucas..." I said. But it was just a whisper.
He stared and smiled at me. Ginantihan ko rin siya ng ngiti. Hindi ko makakalimutan noong una kaming nagkakilala. Those times when he was there for me. Pareho naming pinag-aralang mahalin ang isa't isa because we both want the best for each of us. Para bang sinabi namin na kundi rin ang mga taong mahal namin, hindi naman pwedeng sa iba kami basta-bastang mapunta.
That is what we are. Siguro iisipin ng iba na parang niloloko lang namin ang mga sarili namin, but I can say we are not. Naramdaman ko, at alam kong ramdam rin ni Lucas na totoo ang naramdaman namin para sa isa't isa.
Iyon nga lang, sadyang may klase ng pag-ibig na kayang higitan ang pag-ibig na pwede mong maramdaman sa iba. There will always be one. That's Luigi for me and Michelle for him.
"I'm happy for you. Mukha ka ng tao. Kasi lagi kang nakangiti--aray!" Hinampas ko sa braso.
Akala ko seryosohan na! Bwisit talaga ang ungas na to!
"So hindi ako tao dati ganon?"
"Ikaw nagsabi niyan! " tawa siya ng tawa habang hinahampas ko siya sa likod. Natawa na rin ako dahil para parin kaming mga bata. Natigil ako sa pagtawa nang titigan na naman niya ako at mukhang seryoso na naman siya.
"I'm happy for you. " He said. He gave me a tight hug.
"Sana maging masaya ka narin. " I said.
"I am. Masaya ako. Hindi pa man completely na masaya, I know I will. Ako pa ba papahuli?" He said
Naghiwalay lang kami ng may sunud-sunod na tumikhim.
"Ehem! Ehem! Ehe--"
"May ubo ka?" I asked Stutter.
"Uwi na po ako. Sa-sabi ni sir Luigi, i-isabay ko na daw si Lucas."
I heard Lucas laughed.
"I better go. Baka umusok na ilong ng asawa mo." Turo nito sa asawa kong hindi na naman maipinta ang mukha.
"Sige. Mag-iingat ka ungas. Magpaalam ka muna sa kambal." Tumango ito at mukhang nang-aasar pa dahil humalik pa sa pisngi ko.
"Damn that jerk!" Luigi hissed nang mawala na sa paningin namin si Lucas.
I put my hands at the back of his head.
"I love you." I said.
"Mahal din kita. Mahal na mahal. I'm so jealous sweetheart. Do something about it."
Pinagdikit ko ang mga noo namin. I showered him kisses. He hugged me with his arms around my waist. Lumalim ang halik na iginawad nito. I felt his hand roaming at my back down to my butt.
" What a scene! May live show pala dito." Napapitlag ako at agad napabitaw kay Luigi nang umalingawngaw ang boses ni Lucas.
"Umuwi ka na nga!" Luigi shouted.
"Oo na! Ito na nga. Parang manonood lang e"' he was waving while walking backwards.
"Bye Sam!" He said. Tumawa pa ito at nagflying kiss. Siraulo talaga. Napailing ako.
"See you soon!" I shouted back. Nakatalikod na ito at naglakad na.
I refused to say goodbye. Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I'll miss you,until we meet again.
"Let's get inside." Luigi whispered while kissing my forehead.
"Okay." I said with a wide smile.
End
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A/N
Happy New Year! Maraming salamat po sa mga naging friends ko! :) I love you all. Thank you po sa walang sawang pagsuporta.
Hope to meet you all someday! May we all celebrate new year safely.
-MJ <3