Chapter 28
I was out of words the moment we parted our lips. I couldn't help but just stare at his blue eyes. We were still close, with his hand holding me gently, with his thumb sweetly caressing my cheek.
Is this how an AI felt when a virus suddenly entered its system?
When everything felt so fine, but suddenly everything was unexplainable. I thought I was fine and contented, but this time, I felt like I was asking for happiness, warmth, and home—him.
I could feel how my cheeks flushed, the hammering of my chest, and the way I mustered my strength to keep standing. I've been in different battles before, but I never experienced how my knees felt so weak right now.
I know that this isn't fear, but an overwhelming feeling that I shouldn't be afraid. I never thought that it would be just his lips and his eyes that would make me feel like this.
He leaned his forehead with mine. "Touch down, baby. I landed safely. It's going to be my new favorite landing."
"What do you mean? The kiss?"
Ngumiwi siya. "Of course. Can you not ruin the vibe, please?"
"You idiot, may mga bata."
"Hmm? Nakatalikod ako."
"Pedro."
"Are you still mad at me?"
Umiling ako sa kanya. Hinawakan ko ang mga kamay niya sa pisngi ko at marahan ko iyong tinanggal. Iniwan ko si Pedro at humarap ako sa mga bata na naghahagikhikan at mukhang mga kinikilig sa mga nangyayari.
"Thank you for these flowers. I appreciate it." Ngumiti ang mga bata sa akin.
"I picked them for you, Behati. I just asked them in exchange for candies."
Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang mga bulaklak na hawak ko nang malambing na yumakap mula sa likuran ko si Pedro. He rested his chin on my shoulder and when I looked at him, he was grinning in front of the children.
"Your hero is my girlfriend. Am I great? I have a hero girlfriend. Isn't she beautiful?"
Nag-iritan ang mga inosenteng bata sa sinabi ni Pedro. Sinubukan ko siyang sikuhin pero hindi pa rin siya magpapigil.
"So, boys, go find your pilot girls. They are beautiful."
"I want to be a pilot too!" sigaw ng isang batang babae. Hanggang sa mag kanya-kanya na sila ng taas ng kamay.
"Oh, seems like we're going to have more pilots in the future. I should ask UASA for a referral fee. How many are they?"
"To flirt like you? You're a bad influence. You are encouraging them to be a pilot just to find a woman."
"Woah, it isn't like that. Sa lahat ng nilalambing ikaw ang--"
"What?" natigil siya sa sasabihin niya.
Humiwalay siya sa akin at itinaas niya ang kanyang kamay.
"I am not going to fight with your words, Lt Monzanto. I'll surrender this time. I can offer my body as a tribute." I narrowed my eyes.
"Good, besides you'll never win against me."
"Have I ever tried to compete against you, baby? If I am going to compare it with our usual job with landing and taking off. You already had your successful take off, but I am still on land, not because I fall down, but because I stayed on the ground. Paano pa ako mahuhulog? Hindi na ako nakalipad. Hulog na hulog na, bago pa makalipad, Behati."
Napatitig lang ako sa kanya. He was not trying to prove a point here with the subject of winning or losing. This sly fox just wanted to say those words.
This commander might be annoying with his silly and cheesy words, but I am starting to get used to it. At hindi ko na nagagawang pigilan ang sarili kong reaksyon sa mga salitang binibitawan niya sa akin.
I shook my head. "Let's end this conversation. I forgot something." Tinalikuran ko na siya. I have to hide my flushed face.
Hinawakan niya ang braso ko at iniharap niya ako sa kanya. "Forgot what?"
Saglit kong sinalubong ang mga mata niya ngunit agad rin akong nag-iwas. "Let me go."
"Where are you going? Aren't we having a conversation?"
I took a deep breath. "You've won, Peter."
His brows creased. "Huh?"
"Do I need to voice it out? You know what I mean."
"What is that?" mas lalong kumunot ang noo niya.
Nagsisimula na akong mairita sa kanya. We're thinking it the same, right? He's been asking me that inside the tent. The flowers, the serenade, and those words. Isn't he asking for that confirmation?
Is he an idiot? He couldn't just expect me to give him those usual words of women. I shook my head.
"You've won, Commander Armstrong. You and I," iritado ko nang hinila ang braso ko sa kanya. "You've been insisting it!"
Unti-unting nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang tuluyan nang pumasok sa isipan niya ang ibig kong sabihin. He took two steps backward, gasped, and covered his mouth in surprise.
He shook his head and brushed his hair frustratingly. "You could have said yes, 'I am your girlfriend now.' But you're really giving me an answer in a very unromantic way, Behati. You're really an impossible woman. I am starting to wonder if I recently entered a raffle."
"Shut up."
He chuckled. "We better go. Don't worry, I will not force you to say it." Inilahad niya ang kamay niya sa akin.
Nang abutin ko ang kamay ni Pedro ay isang malakas na tikhim ang umagaw sa atensyon namin. It was Engr. Wright, hands on his waist, and he looked unhappy with our sight.
"How long are you going to make these kids your audiences? You are really just like your father, Peter." Tumawa si Pedro sa sinabi ni Engr. Wrights.
"Hi, kids. Do you know what happened a while ago? That wasn't a kiss. I was just removing a mosquito on her face."
Umawang ang bibig ni Engr. Wright sa sinabi ni Pedro. At napapamura na ako sa aking isipan. He's an idiot.
"We need to go, Engr. Wrights. And to you, my little boys and girls, go home. Thank you so much." Ngumiti ang mga bata at nagtakbuhan na sila palayo sa amin.
Tipid lang sumulyap si Peter kay Engr. Wrights, hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at marahan niya iyong inangat. "I know that you're not part of UASA anymore, but can you keep this as a secret?"
Hindi pa man nagsasalita si Engr. Wrights ay nagsalita na si Peter. "Thank you! We have to go."
I nodded at Engr. Wrights and let Peter pulled me. Naglalakad na kami sa ibinigay na direksyon sa amin nang magsalita na ulit si Peter.
"Do you love the flowers?"
"Yes."
"I picked them for you to show that aside from the humans there are still plants living in this country after that tragedy. You saved so much, Behati."
"Us. Hindi lang ako, Peter. Pero bakit mo pinutol?"
Napangiwi siya sa sinabi ko. "I just picked a few. Don't worry."
Sinundo kami ng isang tauhan ng presidente, may naghihintay na sa aming sasakyan at agad na kaming sumakay doon. Peter and I didn't have a conversation inside the car and it took almost half an hour before we arrived at our destination.
Nang nakarating kami sa inihandang lugar ng presidente, tulad nang inaasahan ko ay marami na muling nakabantay sa paligid niya.
Bahagya pa akong napangisi nang sabay napahakbang paatras ang dalawang sundalong minsang nakasagupa namin ni Pedro. Silang dalawa ang siyang nakasaksi sa unang pag-uusap namin ng presidente.
I raised my head up. Nagawa pang umakbay sa akin ni Pedro at eksaherado pa siyang nagtaas ng tingin na parang nang-aasar pa sa dalawang sundalo.
Naghahanap ba kami ng away ni Peter? Tinanggal ko na ang braso niya sa akin at nanliit ang mga mata ko sa kanya.
"It's been a long time, dear friends." Sumaludo sa amin ang dalawang sundalo at sinundan din sila ng mga kasamahan nila.
Pumasok na kami sa isang bahay na gawa sa kahoy. Though, it wasn't fully furnished I could see clearly that this place would be a great home for a small family in the future.
Sabay tumayo ang tatlong pigura nang makita nila ang pagpasok namin ni Pedro. We both nodded at them to respect.
"Have a seat."
I was about to move a chair for myself when Pedro quickly pulled a chair for me. "Thank you."
"Always," he winked at me. Dahilan kung bakit simpleng humagikhik ang anak ng presidente.
"I hope you'll enjoy the foods." Sabi ng presidente, tipid akong ngumiti sa kanya.
Habang kumakain kami ay nagsisimula nang magtanong ang presidente at ang anak niya Hinahayaan ko lamang si Pedro na sumagot sa kanila. And if it was all about UASA, mas may karapatan siyang sumagot sa kanila.
I was in the middle of slicing a steak when the wife of the president asked me.
"I heard that you are a survivor of Typhoon Haiyon, Lt. Monzanto?"
"Yes, but I did not experience the actual calamity. I was away from my family, but I was there the day after that tragedy. I was a survivor, emotionally."
"So that explains everything. Your experience from the past made you this tough," tumatangong sabi ng presidente.
"I have never expected that I'd meet a great woman like you. Most of the women are known in the corporate world, indoor jobs, and anything that would never put a single dirt in their hands, but look at you, a woman in combat, in the field. . . you are so strong and very beautiful." Nakangiting sabi ng asawa ng presidente.
Sa ilalim ng lamesa ay hinawakan ni Pedro ang aking mga kamay. He's been aware that I am not used to praises.
"He's very lucky for you." Natutuwang sabi ng anak ng presidente.
"Beyond lucky, but isn't she lucky for me too? I am the sexiest astronaut alive," Peter said confidently.
Nabalot ng tawanan ang buong lamesa. I tried to laugh too, but it wasn't really funny at all.
Sexiest astronaut alive? Seriously, Armstrong?
"But to tell you honestly, the moment you stepped out of this country, you are already a hero, and every leader—not every country will admire you. You'll get the eyes of the world—something you really deserved."
"W-Why? But it is not just me. I wasn't alone when I fought those terrorists. I have your military pilots, the allied forces, Peter. . ." I insisted.
"Oh, no, she will not like it." Natatawang sabi ni Peter.
"I am not asking for recognition, Mr. President. I am already satisfied with those few people who witnessed what really happened. Because their words, and the glitter in their eyes when they looked at me are the most priceless things that I can have after that battle. I couldn't ask for more."
Tumatango lang si Peter sa tabi ko. Habang nakangiti na sa akin ang buong pamilya ng presidente.
"Can we have a deal, President?"
"Tell me," pinagsalikop niya ang kanyang mga kamay habang hinihintay ang sasabihin ko.
"Let's agree with this, Mr. President. Can we just divert everything that happened in your country to someone else? You can announce to the world that your country has been saved by a certain soldier."
"What? You wanted to give all your credits to someone else?" Sumabat na si Peter.
"I told you that I am already satisfied with how those people thanked me. I don't need overly attention from those who are just trying to get in trend. And just like what the president has told us, the moment I stepped out of this country, I'd be dealing with the attention of the other countries. I don't think I need more recognition from those people who were not even involved with my deed."
"You really wanted to be a low-profile individual," sabi ng presidente.
I nodded.
"That's ideal for me, Mr. President. I don't need a hundred, thousands, or even millions of mouths to talk about me. I already experienced those genuine smiles and words from your people. I am already happy and satisfied with that." I smiled at them.
"We're glad to meet a woman full of sense, wisdom, and courage. I hope you'll come back here for a better experience."
Natapos ang usapan namin at malaki ang pasalamat ko na pumayag ang presidente sa gusto ko.
Nang makabalik na kami sa kampo pinili namin ni Pedro na maupo muli sa mga bumagsak na parte ng mga eroplano. Dito namin pinagpatuloy ang usapan namin.
"You are really something, Behati. But yes, it's for the better. They don't want you to attract more attention. I want you alone."
Sinulyapan ko lang siya.
"Life isn't a vinegar. Hindi puwedeng sawsaw lang nang sawsaw ang mga tao. That's why I asked for it."
"Vinegar. . ." natatawang sabi niya.
"Yes."
"So, what will we do next?" naramdaman ko na lamang na humawak ang isang kamay niya sa akin.
"What next?" he leaned closer.
"I've been a good boyfriend a while ago. I was just there, supporting you. What will be my prize?"
Tinapik ko ang pisngi niya.
"I have news."
"What is that?"
"Commander Jensen is here, and he's waiting in our camp."
"Who is that?"
"Pedro!"
Nauna siyang tumalon at inilahad niya ang braso niya sa akin.
"Let's go, baby. I'll kiss you in front of him. He needs to back off. The lieutenant is mine."