I don't need someone to save me,
just someone to love me
unconditionally.
Gemma Troy
I stretched my arms after sending the last report that I have created. This week was a bit of a hell. I have attended several meetings since Monday and deadlines of all my reports were due end of the week. Documents to be signed were filed up, atlast, I'm done. Thanks God It's Friday.
I was fixing my things when my cellphone rang. I suppressed my smile before answering the call. "Hello Babe." I said on my most malambing voice.
"Hi Baby, how's your day?" Thirdy said, sadness evident on his voice.
"Eto Babe, I am kinda tired. But don't you worry, I am totally fine." I laughed, para hindi na sya magworry. "Ikaw Babe, kumusta?"
"Eto po, miss na miss ka na. I am sorry, hindi kita masusunod today." He said on his pabebe voice.
"Babe, ang OA ah. Magkasama pa tayo naglunch kanina. And please, don't say sorry na. Naiintindihan naman kita. Meron talagang meetings na beyond the usual hour. Then iba pa yung line ng profession at business nyo." I tried my very best to sound happy, kahit ang totoo, miss ko na din agad sya. This would be the first time that he won't fetch me from work since we became official.
"I'll make bawi na lang tomorrow Baby. Promise yan." Thirdy said on his malambing voice. Namimiss ko na tuloy sya ng sobra. "Mag ingat kayo ni Jho ah. Inform mo na lang ako pag nasa mall na kayo at pag uwi mo ng condo." Ang daming bilin ng boyfriend ko.
"Opo." I laughed after.
"Why are you laughing Baby?" He asked then sighed.
"Andami kasing bilin ng boyfriend ko. Lalo tuloy kitang namiss."
"Uwi na lang kaya ako? Hayaan ko na lang kaya sila ang umattend ng meeting?" Excitement evident on his voice.
"Babe, listen to me. Focus ka muna sa meeting, okay? Oo, aaminin ko, miss na kita. But you know naman na we have responsibilities sa work and company natin, diba?" I said, calmly explaining to him.
"Hmmm sige na nga Baby. This is for our future naman eh." I froze as I heard those words. Our future. Ang sarap pakinggan. "Oh Baby, my meeting will start in 10 minutes. Prepare lang ako."
"Goodluck Babe. I love you." I said, biting my lower lip.
"I love you, too. Babe, can I have a goodluck kiss, please?" He requested, natawa naman ako.
"Okay, close your eyes Babe." I said while giggling.
"Pikit na po." He answered, so I closed my eyes too.
"Mwah, that one is for your right cheek, Babe." I paused for a second, imagining his handsome face. "And this one is for the other cheek. Mwah." I heard him chuckled. "Bow your head a little, Babe, para sa forehead mo. Mwah." Napangiti din ako. "And Mwaaahhhhh, that long kiss is for your soft lips Babe." I chortled as I open my eyes.
"Ahhh thank you very much Babe. I can't wait to see you. I love you so much." I know he was smiling widely.
"I love you most. Byebye." Then I ended the call.
I stared at the glass photo frames on my side table, and I can't help myself but smile. The first frame is our family picture, that was taken when we were in San Francisco bridge for a vacation. The other one is photo of Jho and I, we were lying prone on the fine sands of Boracay. I held the last frame and giggled while remeniscing the moment. It was me and Thirdy, watching the beautiful sunset at the edge of the boat. That was our first kiss.
"Miss na miss?" I rolled my eyes as I heard her voice, aside from Mom, Dad and Kuya, her fingerprint was registered and has access on my automatic door.
"Bakit ka ba nanggugulat Beh?" Jho kissed my cheek as I put down the frame.
"Sinusundo nga kita eh, ayaw pa?" She said and sat down on my lap.
"Uyyy, himala Beh. Bakit may pagkandong ka pa jan? Diba ayaw mo na ng clingy sa bestfriend mo?" I said in between my laughs.
She stood up, crossed arms. "Wala lang Beh. Now, I really understand you na. Nakakaselos pala talaga sa una pag may boyfriend na yung bestfriend mo. Hindi ka na masyadong napapansin, hindi na masyadong priority." She said calmly habang nakapout.
I laughed on her statement. "Beh, sorry na. Alam mo naman na love pa din kita at isa ka pa din sa priority ko kahit may Thirdy na ko." I said as I stood up and gave Jho a thight hug.
"Naiintindihan ko naman Beh. I admire you nga eh, kasi kahit paano, you still give me a beep from time to time. Unlike me, masyado nadala before. I am sorry Beh." She said, her eyes were watery.
"Hey don't cry. Please. Diba I told you naman na walang magbabago. As much as possible, I want us to have beshie time pa din. There's no problem naman with Thirdy eh, he understand it naman." I said then kiss my bestfriend's forehead.
"Yey. Thank you Beh. Promise, kahit nandito na ulit si Nico, magbobonding pa din tayo. Thank you sa palaging pag intindi sa akin ah. You're the best bestfriend and sister in the world talaga." Then Jho kissed my cheek.
"Bolera talaga." I said then messed her hair.
"Syempre. Oh tara na, libre mo pa ko diba?" She said and pulled me to my table to get our things.
"Takaw talaga."
***
"Beh, what do you think? Magugustuhan kaya ni Dani to?" I pointed a polaroid camera. Tomorrow is Dani's thanksgiving party, she ended her freshman year as Dean's lister for two consecutive semester.
"Ofcourse Beh, new release pa nga lang yang Fujifilm Instax SQ6. For sure, isa sya sa unang magkakaroon nyan." Jho explained.
So I bought the camera for Dani. I was happy that I was doing this for my boyfriend's sister. Ang sarap pala sa feeling pag nagiging malapit ka sa mga taong mahal ng mahal mo.
Pagkatapos naming bayaran yung camera, we went immediately to a Chinese Restaurant, gutom na kasi si Jho.
"Thank you Beh, ngayon na lang ulit tayo kakain dito. Namiss ko tong gantong bonding natin." She said while smiling from ear to ear.
"Woshu. Kunyari ka pa, food lang naman namiss mo." I said while laughing. "Ikaw na pumili ng food."
The server immediately attended to our table. "Miss, here's our order. 1 Xiao Long Bao, 1 6pcs Siumai, 2 sets of Hakaw, Modern Shanghai Seafood Fried Rice, Deep Fried Squid with Spicy Salt and Pepper and Soup Noodle with Braised Beef in Brown Sauce." I shook my head while smiling. "And Miss, pitcher of Shanghai Lily, please." Jho added.
The server left our table after she took our order. "Ammm Beh, hindi ka naman gutom noh?" I said while wiggling my eyebrows.
"Beh naman eh. Alam mo namang favorite ko to." Jho said while placing the chopsticks on her hand.
Jho and I had a good dinner, having a short talk while savoring our favorite food. This was the old us, when we were both single. I am happy that we were still enjoying the things that we usually do. Namiss ko to, namiss ko ang bestfriend ko.
***
"Beh, thank you for tonight." I kissed Jho's cheek as I bid goodbye.
"Thank you din Beh. Namiss ko yung bonding natin. Sorry hindi na ko makakababa, need to prepare things pa. Uwi akong Batangas tomorrow morning eh."
"Okay lang Beh. Thank you for bringing me home. Loveyou." I said while unbuckling my seatbelt.
"You're always welcome Beh." Jho said as she pull me for a hug. "Loveyou, too." She whispered.
I got off Jho's car, I waved as she slowly driving. "Drive safely." She gave me a smile and blew a flying kiss.
I immediately go to my unit and send a text message to Thirdy.
To: Babe
Hi Babe. I'm home already. I know you're doing great on your meeting today. I'll just do my evening rituals and I am good to sleep. I miss you Babe. And please know that I love you. Goodnight. 😘
After sending my message to Thirdy, I took a shower, afterwards, I put on my face moisturizer and cream.
I comfortably lay myself on bed and hug my hotdog pillow. Nasanay na akong may katabing matulog. I checked my phone first and there were 3 messages. 1 from Jho, the other 1 from Dani and the last 1, from Thirdy.
I opened first Jho's text message. She just informed me that she got home safe and thanked me for our dinner date earlier. I immediately replied, sending my goodnight message to her.
Then I read Dani's message. She was reminding me about tomorrow's event. I responded to her text, confirming my attendance to her thanksgiving party.
I smiled as I open his message.
From: Babe
Goodnight Baby. Sorry, hindi ako makakauwi ngayon. Hindi pa din tapos ang meeting ko. I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Miss na kita, Baby. I love you.
I quickly composed my message for him.
To: Babe
Get home safely, Babe. Please be here before I wake up. Kidding, I just miss you. I love you most.
I didn't wait for his response. I just said my prayers and closed my eyes to sleep.
***
Nagising akong may mabigat na nakadagan sa katawan ko. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Thirdy peacefully sleeping, his head on my chest and his arm enveloping my tummy, nakadantay pa ang kanyang hita sa akin. Napagod ang boyfriend ko, nakadapa na syang nakatulog and still wearing a tshirt and pants. Malamang hindi na sya nakapagpalit. He's usually topless and just wearing boxer shorts pagnatutulog.
I tried my very best not to move, para hindi sya magising. But I failed as I got a quick kiss on my lips. "Good morning Baby. I am sorry, nabigatan ka ba sa akin? I just hug you lang kasi kanina pagdating ko kaso I dozed off." He said on his bedroom voice.
"Good morning din Babe. It's okay, alam ko namang napagod ka sa meeting kagabi at sa byahe." I said while caressing his hair.
"I bought us food pala Babe. Sorry hindi na ko nakapagluto for us. McDonalds chicken and nuggets, okay lang ba yun sayo Babe?" He said and I excitedly nodded. He was about to get up but I hurried stopped him.
"Ako na magpeprepare ng table Babe. Magpahinga ka muna jan." I kissed his cheek and immediately got up from bed.
Thirdy and I enjoyed our breakfast, having short kwentuhan about his meeting and my beshie time last night, para kaming husband and wife. I smiled at the thought of us being mag-asawa, we were just in few weeks of being together pa lang kasi, pero kung ano ano na agad ang iniisip ko. Masyado ata akong advance mag isip.
After our breakfast, I let Thirdy rest and sleep to have some rest for tonight's event.
***
Thirdy and I entered their house silently. We wanted to surprise them and luckily, no one was in the living room.
"Babe, I guess Mama is in the kitchen." Thirdy whispered and held my hand as we walk to the area. He was right, Mama Mozzy was busy cooking, nakatalikod sya sa amin.
Thirdy let go of my hand and slowly walking towards his mother and hugged him from behind. Ang sweet nyang anak. "Oh Kuya, nandito na pala kayo." Mama Mozzy said and turned to my direction.
"Good afternoon po Mama." I greeted her and kissed her cheek.
"Bea, hija. Ang aga nyo naman." She asked and gave me a warm smile.
"Baka you need help po kasi, kaya naisip namin na magpunta ng maaga." I answered politely.
"That is so thoughtful of you naman Hija. Pero okay naman na ako dito. Upo ka na muna jan Anak." Mama said on her malambing voice.
Thirdy pulled a high chair for me and let me sit. "Babe, dito ka muna huh. Puntahan ko lang sila Manong sa garden, nag iihaw ata sila." I nodded and then he kissed my forehead.
After he left, Mama Mozzy went near me and held my hands. She smiled sweetly before she speak. "Bea, I would like to thank you for making Thirdy happy. Ngayon ko lang sya nakitang ganyan kasaya."
"Pinapasaya nya din naman po ako Mama kaya quits lang." I tried to make a joke para hindi naman kami masyadong seryoso. Mama Mozzy's eyes were watery. She immediately wiped her tears and hugged me.
"Basta Bea, iba ang saya ng anak ko sayo. And I can't thank you enough Hija. Seeing my son with his killer smile again, it's priceless for me. Bata pa sya noong huli kong nakita syang ganyan ngumiti at tumawa." Mama said as she broke our hug. I wanted to asked her what happened but I guess Mama was too emotional. I'll ask her na lang next time.
"Naku Mama, baka magalit pa nga po kayo sa akin kasi masyado akong spoiled kay Thirdy. He cook for our food po then hinahatid ako sa work and sinusundo." I forced to laugh para hindi naman magalit sa akin si Mama.
I was shocked when she lightly punched my arm, tumatawa na sya ngayon. "You deserve it, Anak. Ikaw ang reyna nya eh." Mama Mozzy said and clung to my arm. Ang sarap makipagbonding sa Mom ng boyfriend ko.
"Ang sweet naman." Someone said while hugging me from behind. "Hello Ate Bea, kanina pa kayo dito?" Dani greeted me as she released me from her hug and kissed both of my cheeks.
"No naman baby girl. By the way, Congratulations!" I said and handed her my gift.
"Wow, thank you Ate. Nag abala ka pa." Dani said while smiling from ear to ear.
"Token of appreciation, Dani. Para next year mareach mo ulit ang target mo." I said while messing her hair.
"Thank you talaga Ate. Ammm please help me naman po. Can you go with me sa room ko para mamili ng dress ko later? Please Ate." Dani requested.
"Good idea Dani. Para makapagpahinga muna ang Ate mo." Mama Mozzy said and Dani carefully pulled me to stood up.
We went up stairs and entered her princess type room, everything was pink.
"Ate, what do you think, this black dress with pineapple print or this plain black off shoulder romper?" She asked while showing both of the clothes.
"I'll go for the off shoulder romper Dans. Mas bagay sayo yan." I said as I took a sit on her bed.
"Okay Ate. I'll wear this lang." Dani said and changed her clothes quickly.
"Ang ganda mo naman Dani." Rumampa sya sa harap ko sabay pose. "Bagay na bagay sayo."
"Thank you Ate." She hugged me while smiling sweetly. "Ate I want to open your gift na."
"Sure baby girl. Sana magustuhan mo." Umupo sya sa tabi ko and unwrapped the gift.
"Ate." She murmured and hugged me tightly. "Thank you for this. Ang ganda." She wiped her tear and kissed me on my cheeks.
"I am happy, nagustuhan mo." I said while combing her hair.
***
It was 7 in the evening, at nagsisidatingan na ang mga bisita.
Manong Kiefer introduced me to her phenomenal girlfriend Alyssa Valdez. I was really stunned on her beauty and humility, para syang ordinaryong taong nakikipag usap sa akin. She was very humble knowing that she's a known volleyball superstar here in the Philippines.
"I can't believe it Bea, sobrang bilis ni Thirdy sayo. He's so mabagal kaya." Ate Alyssa said while laughing.
Thirdy scratched his head. "Ate Ly, binubuko mo naman ako eh."
"I don't have any idea po talaga. Yung moves nya, iba. Hinug agad ako Ate Ly." I said while looking at Thirdy.
"Nagpahug ka naman agad, Bea." Manong said while laughing.
"Thank you, Manong." Thirdy butted in.
"Napagtulungan ako ng magkapatid don ah." I said and all of us laughed.
The four of us were having a good time. We were just chit chatting while enjoying Mama Mozzy's own recipes. Ang sarap ng luto nya. We played card games and we were having fun even without alcohol.
In the middle of our session, Dani came to our table with friends on her side. "Hi Kuyas and Ates." It was kinda dark on their side, so hindi ko maaninag ang mga mukha nila.
"I just want to introduce my friends lang po." Paninimula ni Dani. "Friends, meet my Kuyas and their girlfriends. Our eldest, Manong Kiefer with Ate Alyssa. And he is my twinnie, Kuya Thirdy with my Ate Bea. Friends ko nga po pala, Pongs, Syd, Bets and Jules." Napataas ang kilay ko, their names sounds familiar. Oh shit, Coron girls.
"Nice to meet you all po." They said in unison.
"And it's nice to meet you again, Thirdy."