"Hanggang anong oras ka ngayon?" my wife asked.
She placed a plate in front of me.
"Kasi para 'tsaka ko na lang lutuin 'yung sinigang kapag pauwi ka na."
I couldn't help but smile. Three years ago, she didn't even know how to fry an egg. And I wasn't even sure how and when Gianna Renée de Santiago – Yu blossomed into the perfect wife any husband would be proud of.
"Talaga naman si Mrs. Yu. 'Yan ang problema rito, eh, masyado mo akong inaalagaan. Ayaw ko na tuloy umalis sa tabi mo," I teased before rising to my feet to give her a hug.
"Dapat lang, ang swerte mo kaya sa akin," she playfully said.
"Baka late na akong makakauwi, Lalabs. May neophytes kami ngayon sa frat. Alam mo naman, kailangang nand'un ako sa presentation nila."
Narinig kong nagbuntong-hininga s'ya at hinigpitan ko ang pagkakayakap ko sa kanya.
"Mrs. Yu, hindi ba may usapan tayo? Kapag may neophytes talaga late akong nakakauwi—"
"At kailan ba kayo walang neophytes? Kinarir n'yo na ang pag-re-recruit, eh. Pagkatapos ng batch n'yo ng neos, may bago na naman. Kailan ka ba hindi late na nakakauwi? Kailan? Sige nga."
"Lalabs, h'wag nang magtampo..."
"Redley, pakiramdam ko mag-isa lang ako rito, eh. Parati kang wala. Parati kang busy. Minsan tulog na ako kapag umuuwi ka. Minsan kahit gising pa ako ay hindi man lang tayo nakakapag-usap dahil pagod ka na at tutulugan mo na lang ako. Para tayong hindi mag-asawa. Pakiramdam ko tuloy housemate lang kita."
"Lalabs naman..."
I cupped her face with both my hands. "This will be over soon. Kaunting pasensya na lang please..."
"Soon? How do you define soon? Pareho ba tayo ng definition ng soon? Baka 'yung soon sa akin, buwan lang ang binibilang, 'yung sa'yo pala dekada."
I laughed despite myself.
"It's not funny, Redley. Kailan ba hihinto 'yang mga activities ninyo sa frat?" she asked; she sounded tired. "Kailan ba talaga matatapos 'yan?"
I bent down to kiss the top of her head before tilting her face up to hold her gaze. "Okay, ganito, I'll quit."
She looked dubiously at me.
"Totoo. I will give up my post as the fraternity's Lord Chancellor. Hihinto ako if that's what you want—"
"If that's what I want?"
"Yes."
"Bakit sa akin nakasalalay 'yang desisyon mong bumaba bilang LC? Ikaw, tatanungin kita, what is it that you want?"
Umupo ako bago ko s'ya marahang hinila para kumalong sa akin.
"Lalabs..."
"Ayokong kumalong. I would rather stand here like this. Dinadaan mo na lang ako parati sa gan'yan."
"Lalabs..."
"Ano?"
I firmly guided her to sit on my lap.
"Lalabs, pag-awayan talaga natin 'to? Ang liit na problema nito. Nadadaan 'to sa pag-uusap."
"Ilang beses na natin 'tong pinag-usapan pero gan'un pa rin. Parati ka pa ring na-li-late ng uwi, parati ka pa ring busy, at minsan pati 'yung date nights natin nakakalimutan mo. Gaano katagal na ba nating pinag-usapan 'to pero wala namang nangyayari. Minsan gusto ko na ngang kumuha ng boarder para naman may kasama naman ako rito. Ano 'to, text-text na lang?"
"Si Mrs. Yu naman. Ako pa rin naman ang katabi mo sa pagtulog. Ako pa rin naman ang nakikita mo pagkagising mo. Ako pa rin 'yung nagbibigay sa'yo ng good morning kisses..." I kissed her on the lips.
"'Tsaka good morning hug..." I wrapped my arms around her.
"Red...na-mi-miss na kita..." she said with such heartbreaking sincerity that my heart twitched inside my chest. "Sobra na kitang miss. Magkasama nga tayo sa iisang bahay pero parang..."
She sighed again. "I miss us, Red..."
"Sorry na. Babawi ako. Ayaw ko lang namang ipahiya sina Daddy at ang mga Kuya by quitting. Gusto kong tapusin 'yung term ko nang maayos. Naiintindihan mo naman 'yun, 'di ba, Mrs. Yu?"
She nodded sighing.
"O, one more sem at ga-graduate na tayo. Pagka-graduate natin ay tapos na rin 'yung tungkulin ko sa frat. Solong-solo mo na ako n'un, Mrs. Yu. Gabi-gabi na kitang papagurin."
"Tingin mo talaga landi lang ang habol ko sa'yo?"
"Hindi 'yan totoo at alam mo 'yan. Alam mong na-mi-miss rin kita. Alam mong nahihirapan din akong balansehin 'to pero 'eto ako subok nang subok dahil gusto kong maging proud ka sa akin."
"Mukha ba akong hindi proud sa'yo? Kahit siguro magtinda ka lang ng balot ay magiging proud ako sa'yo, Redley."
"Kapag ako nagtinda ng balot, mag-aaway na naman tayo, dahil panggabi 'yun kaya wala kang makakatabi sa pagtulog."
"Redley, you're not taking me seriously!" she exclaimed.
I kissed her on the chin.
"Seryosong-seryoso po ako sa inyo, Mrs. Yu. Sobra. And everything that I'm doing is for you, para sa atin at para sa mabubuo nating pamilya. So please, habaan mo naman ang pasensya mo."
"Potek, sa lagay na 'to ay hindi pa talaga mahaba ang pasensya ko? Eh, kung naging lubid nga lang itong pasensya ko ay mula QC hanggang Cebu ang haba nito."
"Mas habaan mo pang kaunti..."
My wife heaved a heavy breath.
"I really don't mind kung once a week, every weekend, o kahit thrice a week pa 'yang activities mo with your frat. Pero, 'yung araw-araw naman. Kulang na lang d'un ka na tumira sa tambayan n'yo, eh. Dapat ko na bang pagselosan 'yung tambayan na 'yun?"
I chuckled.
"Seryoso ako, Redley."
I chucked her under the chin. "Alam ko at babawi ako, I promise."
She rolled her eyes at me.
"Lalabs, sorry na. 75th anniversary kasi ng frat kaya napakarami naming activities. 'Tapos ang thrust ko pa sa term na ito ay muling paramihin ang members kaya naman ang dami naming recruits. 'Yan tuloy, nagkakasabay-sabay..."
I kissed her tenderly on the neck.
"Sige na...bati na tayo. Tama na simangot..."
She remained quiet.
"Hindi ko type 'yung tambayan namin, 'tsaka loyal ako sa'yo, kaya please, h'wag mo na 'yung pagselosan..."
She scoffed. "Fine."
"Fine lang?"
"Anong gusto mo finer than fine?"
"Halata ko pa ring may tampo ka, eh."
"Hindi na ako nagtatampo."
"Promise?"
"Oo. Hihintayin na lang kita uli mamayang gabi at sisimulan ko na muna 'yung isa sa mga pangarap kong maggantsilyo ng kumot. Sana naman ay makakauwi ka na bago ko pa man 'yun matapos, 'di ba?"
I burst out laughing. "Lalabs, I really dig your sense of humor."
"Salamat. Pero, h'wag mo nang hintaying mag-beast mode pa ako, ha, Mr. Yu. Kasi kahit nagpapatawa ako at mahilig akong tumawa, may mga pagkakataong gusto na kitang bigwasan."
"H'wag naman po..."
"H'wag naman po ka d'yan. So, magdadala ako ng kotse kasi hindi na naman tayo sabay uuwi?"
"Or you can ride with me then just take a cab later."
"I would rather bring my car."
"Okay. That's settled then. Halika na, kain na."
She got off my lap.
"Lalabs..."
"Hindi ako galit. Hindi rin ako nagtatampo. I am way past that. Pabayaan mo lang akong mag-inarte, deserve ko."
I pushed to my feet to pull her into my embrace.
"Ngayong Monday, gusto mo bang puntahan natin sina Dylan, Faith, at Darielle? Giliw na giliw ka kasi d'un sa inaanak natin. Gusto ko sana this Sunday tayo pupunta kaya lang may gagawin kami sa frat—"
"May lakad ka Sunday?" she asked, her voice sharp.
"Oo. 'Di ba, sinabi ko na naman 'yun sa'yo last week pa?"
"Wala kang sinabi!"
I stared in confusion at her. Alam kong sinabi ko...
"Okay...sorry kung hindi ko nasabi—"
She pushed me off her and then marched towards the stairs.
"Lalabs, saan ka pupunta? Bakit ka aakyat? Hindi ba tayo mag-aagahan?"
"May pagkain d'yan. Kumain ka na. Iwan mo na lang 'yung mga pinggan, ako na ang magliligpit mamaya tulad ng ginagawa ko parati!" I heard say before she closed the bedroom door with a loud thud.
Shit na 'yan, ano na naman?
I followed her to our bedroom and was surprised to find her sitting on the bed crying.
"Lalabs, what's wrong?"
"Bwisit ka, hindi mo alam...?"
"Ang alin? Bigla ka na lang nag-walk-out, ni hindi ko nga alam kung anong kasalanan ko—"
She angrily rose to her feet.
"'Yun ang problema rito, Redley! Parati mong hindi alam kung anong kasalanan mo! Parating ako ang wala sa lugar kasi sa tingin mo ay wala ka namang ginawang mali! Shit ka, ako na lang parati ang umiintindi!"
"I'm sorry, okay? Pero, ano ba 'yun? Ano bang kasalanan ko?"
"This Sunday is our fucking wedding anniversary!" she shouted. "It's our third wedding anniversary, Redley! 'Tapos may plano ka kasama ang mga brods mo?!"
I stood rooted on the spot as she stomped out of our bedroom slamming the door shut behind her.
"Fuck!" I cursed loudly before taking my phone out of my pocket to check my calendar.
I frowned. Anong pinagsasabi n'un—
I hadn't even finished my thoughts when the bedroom door was kicked open.
"Ikaw ang bumaba! Bakit ako ang bababa?!" she angrily asked.
"Ha?"
"Get out of my bedroom!"
"Teka—"
"Out!"
"Wait, Green, let's talk—"
"Umalis ka!" she yelled.
"Okay, I'll give you time to cool down...bababa ako, okay? 'Tapos mag-usap tayo kapag malamig na ang ulo mo."
She glared furiously at me and I let myself out quietly closing the door behind me.
Diyos ko, itong si Gianna, hindi mo malaman kung naglilihi o ano—wait, is she pregnant? the thought crossed my mind as I went down the stairs.
I sat down on the sofa.
But we've been really careful kasi pareho naming alam na hindi pa namin kaya ang responsibilidad—what the hell is my wife doing? Bakit may dala-dalang bag 'to? Wait, nag-a-alsa-balutan ba s'ya? Fuck...
"Green naman..."
Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko at sinalubong ko s'ya sa hagdan bago hinawakan 'yung trolley bag na dala-dala n'ya.
"Sorry na..."
"Oo na. D'yan ka lang naman magaling, sa pagsabi ng sorry. May masteral ka nga yata sa pag-so-sorry, eh. Tabi."
I swallowed a sigh.
"Tumabi ka dahil ayokong mahulog sa hagdan!"
I let the handle of her trolley go then stepped aside to let her pass.
Sinundan ko s'yang bumaba.
"Green, sabi ko nga, 'di ba, I will resign para nasa'yo na lahat ng oras ko—"
"Wow, utang na loob ko pa pala sa'yo ngayon kapag nilaanan mo ako ng oras? Utang na loob ko kapag nag-resign ka d'yan sa frat mo? Utang na loob ko na hindi mo tutuparin 'yung pangarap mong maging Lord Chancellor?"
"Wala akong sinabing gan'yan, don't be unfair."
"Unfair? Ako? Unfair ako kasi nalilipasan ako ng gutom sa kahihintay sa'yo only to receive a text message from you that I should eat ahead because you're in some frat event! Unfair ako kasi nag-aral akong magluto, maglaba, mamalantsa, maglinis at magpakabihasa sa lahat ng gawaing bahay dahil gusto kong maging mabuting asawa sa'yo pero ang ending pala ay para rin lang naman akong single dahil parati akong mag-isa! Sana hindi na lang ako nag-aksaya ng oras, 'di ba?! Unfair ako kasi ang napapansin mo lang ay 'yung babaeng galit dahil hindi ka na n'ya nakakasama at hindi mo nakikita 'yung asawang naghihintay sa'yo at nag-aalala tuwing dis-oras ng gabi ka na nakakauwi! Oo nga, ang unfair ko!"
"Lalabs, that's totally not what I meant..."
She started sobbing.
"Lalabs...sorry...h'wag ka nang umiyak..."
"Iniiwan mo akong mag-isa rito pagkatapos mo akong sanayin na nand'yan ka palagi sa tabi ko. Bigla kang nagkaroon ng ibang mundo matapos mong iparamdam sa akin na dapat ikaw lang ang mundo ko. 'Tapos magtataka ka kung bakit ako nasasaktan?"
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "Ikaw ang unfair, Red, hindi ako..."
"Oo...ako 'yung unfair and I am sorry. Sorry..."
I heaved a sigh. "Ginagawa ko lang naman 'to para sa'yo, Green, eh."
"Ano?" she asked. "Para sa akin? Paanong para sa akin when this is making me miserable?"
"I just want you to be proud of me, okay? Gusto ko lang na kahit papaano ay may naikukuwento ka sa mga kaibigan mo tuwing napag-uusapan n'yo ang mga asawa o boyfriends n'yo."
I averted my face because I didn't want her to see the self-doubt reflected in my eyes.
"Truth is, I have always felt bad for you because we married early and I feel that I should be someone who's outstanding para naman hindi na sila nagtataka pa kung bakit ka nag-asawa nang maaga."
"Mag-ta-tatlong taon na tayong kasal, gan'yan pa rin ang iniisip mo? Oo, natsismis ako sa Cebu kasi nag-asawa ako nang maaga. Pinagpiyestahan ng mga kapitbahay, teachers, classmates, at schoolmates ko 'yung buhay ko noon kasi kararating ko lang ng Diliman ay nakapag-asawa na ako kaagad! And what was more gossip-worthy for them was the fact na hindi 'yung kilala nilang boyfriend ko ang napangasawa ko—"
"Kaya nga, Lalabs, kaya nga I am trying to make it up to you by making you proud of me."
"Shit, Redley, I am way past that. I did not mind that I was the subject of those malicious rumors almost three years ago and I do not mind now. Hindi mo pa rin ba ako kilala? Mukha ba akong hindi proud sa'yo? Mukha ba akong hindi proud na ikaw ang asawa ko? Lintek na 'yan, kulang pa ba 'yung buong araw kong suot-suot 'yung shirt na may tatak ng mukha mo n'ung Valentine's Day?!" she demanded, the tone of her voice rising with each word.
I tried to keep a straight face but failed.
"Sorry..." I mumbled clearing my throat before looking away.
"'Tapos ngayon ngingisi-ngisi ka d'yan?!" my wife irately asked.
I knew that it wasn't the right thing to do but I suddenly laughed.
Green glowered at me.
"Hindi ikaw ang pinagtatawanan ko, I swear..." I said with as much earnestness as I could. "Naalala ko lang...shit, sorry, Lalabs..."
I fell about laughing.
It was meant as a prank and I had thought that she'd refuse. But, although she initially hesitated, my wife agreed to wear the shirt. We had a grand time receiving odd looks from strangers.
I looked at my wife – she was frowning but I saw the mirth that started to dance in those lovely brown eyes.
"Redley!" She stomped her foot. "This is not the time to laugh!"
"I know...I'm sorry. Sorry na po, Mrs. Yu..."
"Ayoko nang maging Mrs. Yu!" she snapped.
I pulled her to my chest before burying my face into the curve of her neck.
"Mrs. Yu naman..."
"Redley, hindi ka gan'un ka-sexy, h'wag mo akong dinadaan sa lambing..." she grumbled.
"Matapos mong angkinin nang buong-buo ang pagkalalaki at katikasan ko ay sasabihin mo talagang hindi ako sexy?"
"Angkinin ang pagkalalaki at katikasan mo? Eh, 'di wow..."
I let my hand crawl inside her blouse. "Mrs. Yu naman, eh, palagi ka na lang galit. Mabuti pa 'tong mga 'to kalmado lang."
"Ano ba—"
"Bakit parang lumaki 'tong mga 'to?" I asked pulling her blouse up.
"Malulukot 'yung damit ko!"
"Ako naman ang namamalantsa, h'wag ka nang magreklamo."
"Redley, tama na, ha, naiinis ako sa'yo lalo..."
"Why do you always get goosebumps every time I touch you?" I asked cupping her breasts.
"Ma-li-late na ako..."
"Wala pang fifteen minutes 'to. 'Tsaka hindi na ako mag-aagahan, magpakain ka naman."
She tried to glare at me but ended up laughing. "What the hell is wrong with you? At anong magpakain ang pinagsasabi mo? Anong akala mo sa akin breakfast meal?"
"You're my breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Mrs. Yu. Ang kaisa-isang putaheng kahit kailan ay hinding-hindi ko pagsasawaan..." I whispered into her ear before I unzipped her pants.
"Ma-li-late na tayo..." she protested half-heartedly.
"Mabilis lang. Kilala mo naman ako, satisfaction guaranteed ka parati sa akin."
She laughed some more until I opened my mouth over hers swallowing her laughter, protests, sighs, and whimpers. I lifted her off the floor carrying her to the sofa where I put her down. I then directed her hands to the buckle of my belt.
She unzipped me before we hurriedly took each other's clothes off.
"Umupo ka..."
"Parang alam ko na ang iniisip mo, Mr. Yu..."
"Dirty minds think alike..." I said.
"Kailangan na nating palitan 'tong sofa na ito, nakakahiya sa mga bisita kasi—"
"Shh...I love this sofa, its height from the floor is just right..." I said kneeling between her legs which she spread wide to welcome me.
I teased her with my shaft using its precum to add moisture to her already-sopping sex.
"Redley..." She groaned. "Don't make me wait..."
Gently, she grabbed my manhood while holding my gaze. I leaned forward to kiss her hotly on the lips before flexing my hips.
We both moaned as our fleshes meld.
"Ang sarap mo..." I whispered. "Shit, bakit ang sarap-sarap mo..."
"Stop talking dirty, Redley..." she said arching her back off the couch as I started slowly driving into her.
She started to whimper and I deepened my thrusts.
"Harder...?"
She nodded. "Yes, please..."
I always knew when she was about to cum because she'd get that look on her face – a look that I've always loved to prolong.
I stopped moving before I circled my hips.
"Redley..." she gasped swathing her arms around my neck.
She moaned her release into my ear as I continued to pump into her long after I had reached my climax.
I licked my way from the base of her neck to the corner of her mouth before hungrily kissing her.
"I love you..." I said when we parted for air. "And nothing is going to change that."
"I love you, too. And I am so sorry if I'm always a brat."
"But you're my brat..."
"That I am..."
"Pero, Mrs. Yu, alam mo ba kung kailan tayo ikinasal?"
She instantly scowled. "Malamang."
"Eh, bakit ka nagalit sa akin?"
"Kasi nga nakalimutan mo."
"Hindi naman this Sunday na ang wedding anniversary natin, Lalabs. Next, next Sunday pa kaya."
"Hindi, ah."
"Oo. 'Yun pa ba ang makakalimutan ko?"
"Bakit anong petsa ba ngayon?"
I pointed at our digital calendar.
"Ay, shit, oo nga..."
"Mag-sorry ka sa akin..."
She undulated her hip – a move I knew so well. "Lalabs, sorry na..."
I grinned. "Bitin ka ba?"
"Hindi."
"Kulang pa?"
"Ang tanong, kaya mo pa ba?"
"Sus, ako pa?" I asked.
She laughed hard.
But it wasn't long before that laughter turned into delicious gasps as I languidly drove in and out of her until she screamed my name.
==============
Author's Note:
This is the second book of Lovefools. This book is already published and shipped. Wala na kaming pending nito, ha, sa pagkakaalam ko (unless kaka-order mo lang ngayong buwan na ito). If you have not received your copy yet, paki-inform ako. Salamat.
P.S.
R18 ito, hindi pa-tweetums katulad n'ung book 1 n'ya. Fair warning lang baka magulantang kayo nang wala sa oras.