With each passing day, Warayne and I have been more comfortable with each other. There are still some awkward moments when he is throwing me some innuendos but it wasn't that bad. It was kind of funny actually. I can also say that we are more in love with each other.
He surprised me on my birthday in my building with a buffet of desserts na pati ang mga employees ko ay kinuntsaba niya pa para lang doon. I didn't know that he has that kind of surprise for me at hindi man lang ako nakahalata.
We are still doing the couple's workout thrice a week and we have our own routine naman in between those days that has no couple's workout and we still go to gym together at the same time.
At ngayong December, Unang beses naming na magkakalayo ng matagal dahil may plano silang pamilya na magbakasyon abroad. Kahit alam niya na hindi ako pwede sa mga overnight ay niyaya niya pa rin ako na sumama sa kanila pero hindi naman niya ako pinilit pagkatapos niya akong sabihan ng isang beses.
Meroon na rin ako na plano para sa darating na holidays. Me and my sisters will have our usual Christmas party for the kids at Children's village and will have a simple family gathering on Christmas Eve to New Year.
"What are you searching?" Warayne asked when he noticed how busy I am on my phone searching for something in the internet.
We are on our way to Aston Hotel for a dinner with his parents before they go abroad for their holiday vacation. He said this dinner is his parent's idea but I doubt it. Alam ko na may palihim siyang agenda pero hindi naman ako magrereklamo dahil gusto ko rin naman na lalo pang maka-close ang kanyang magulang.
Maganda naman ang naging first meeting ko sa kanila noon. Nagtagal pa ako ng kaunti sa kanilang bahay pagbaba namin ni Warayne galing sa kanilang rooftop dahil nakipag-kuwentuhan pa sa akin ang kanyang magulang.
They even told me to call them Tito and Tita kahit hindi pa namin sinabi ni Warayne sa kanila sa gabing iyon ang nangyaring pagsagot ko sa kanilang anak. They seem to like me and I am happy that they do because their opinion and vote is important for me.
"Blondies.... Sachertorte..."
"Wait, wait. Did I just hear you say blondies?" He asked.
I looked at him who is seriously driving his Jaguar. Bahagya pang nakakunot ang noo niya dahil hindi kami umabot sa signal at natigil kami sa stoplight.
"That green car is so slow." Inis niya pang sabi sabay tingin sa akin at buntong hininga.
I smiled at him and lightly massaged his right shoulder.
"I'm looking for desserts that are famous in the country you are going para uwian mo naman ako ng pasalubong. I just saw blondies, it's like brownies but the color is blonde-ish. So, there."
"Ahhh... I thought it's a woman."
I slapped his shoulder once. "Try to go home with a blondie on your side and I will end you, War." Banta ko sa kalmado kong boses.
Hindi naman ako masyadong nag-aalala na mambababae siya, it's his choice at wala na akong control doon. At hindi maiiba ang desisyon ko na iwan at hiwalayan siya kapag nangyari ang bagay na iyon. Iisipin ko na hindi ko naman iyon kawalan kahit masasaktan ako ng sobra.
He laughed at my jealousy. "Oh, I like it when you are getting jealous. Maybe that would be the key for you to be all touchy to me. You know you have all the rights." He winked at me.
Napangiti nalang ako sa kanyang kalokohan at nailing ng kaunti. He likes me to get touchy to him and he always tease me with his kissy face. Isang araw ay babawian ko siya sa pang-aasar niya, tignan ko lang kung ano ang kanyang gagawin.
He poked my side when I did not respond. "You are the only blondie that I want."
"I'm not blonde." Walang tono kong sagot.
"Kind of. Close to. Debatable. Same thing for me."
Nakita ko kaagad sa malayong gilid ng restaurant ang iilang security nila Warayne pagpasok pa lang namin sa loob. Ang kanyang magulang naman ay nakaupo sa bandang gitna sa likurang bahagi.
Nang makalapit ay agad akong hinagkan ni Tita Helen then gave me a cheek to cheek kiss. Nagmano naman ako at bumati kay Tito Leon na malapad na nakangiti sa akin.
Hinanap ko rin sa kanila si Charity, ang nag-iisang kapatid ni Warayne, pero ang sabi ay may event daw itong dinaluhan kaya hindi makakasama sa dinner na ito. I once called her Ate pero ayaw ni Warayne, he said 'Charity' is okay kaya nasanay na ako na pangalan nalang ang tawag ko sa kanyang kapatid kahit alam ko na mas matanda siya sa akin.
May lungkot sa aking mga mata at bahagya pang bumalag ang aking labi pagtingin ko kay Warayne na nasa aking gilid.
I'm sad because her sister is not here. Naghanda pa naman ako ng mga topic na puwede naming mapag-usapan na alam kong makaka-relate siya dahil gusto ko siyang makasundo. Pero mukhang ayaw niya talaga sa akin. Minsan tuloy naiisip ko na hingin ang tulong ni Ate Serene because I know they are friends pero I want to get in her good side on my own effort.
He got what I felt just by looking at me because his hand suddenly held my hand under the table giving it a little squeeze showing comfort. Alam niya na gusto kong makasundo ang kapatid niya kahit ilang beses niya pang sabihin that his mind won't change whatever his sister's opinion is with me.
It's so light to talk to his parents, parang nagkaroon ako ng isang Nanay at Tatay sa kanila. I'm not someone who shares a lot and just say anything but his parents are very comfortable to talk to.
"Are you sure, hija? You know, nagpa-reserve din kami ng room for you baka kasi magbago ang isip mo." Si Tita Helen.
I smiled slightly. I'm thankful that they already consider me as one of them para isama pa ako sa kanilang family vacation abroad. It's a tempting offer but I can wait for when the time is right.
"Why not in my room?" Warayne whispered on my ear.
Pinigilan ko ang aking ngiti and bit my lip dahil baka kung ano ang isipin ng kanyang magulang na nasa aming harapan. I want to kick his foot under the table pero baka ibang paa ang masipa ko kaya hindi ko nalang itinuloy at umarte na parang hindi ko naintindihan ang kanyang sinabi.
He always makes me flush from his innuendos pero none of it has been done in reality. Noo at kamay ko pa lang ang nahahalikan niya wala ng iba.
Halos isang buwan silang mawawala at pagkatapos na ng bagong taon sila uuwi pabalik dito sa Pilipinas. I will surely miss him dahil nasanay ako na araw-araw siyang nakikita at nakakasama. Unang beses din namin na magcelebrate ng pasko as boyfriend and girlfriend pero unfortunately, we have other plans.
I told him to the just rest at huwag na mag-gym kasabay ko sa araw ng kanilang alis kahit na gabi pa naman ang kanilang flight. Inasar niya pa ako na nagsisimula na raw akong magmukmok dahil mami-niss ko siya.
Digmaan:
Come on, Angel. Don't be like that. I know you'll miss me but let me see you before we go.
Hindi ko napigilan ang mapa-irap. Kakatapos ko lang mag-shower sa gym at hindi pa rin niya ako tinitigalan hanggang ngayon. We already had our dinner last night as our goodbye pero gusto pa rin niya akong puntahan ngayon. Gumising pa siya ng umaga para lang tawagan ako bago ako magpunta ng gym at kulitin but I didn't budge sa kakulitan niya. It's great na nakikinig pa rin siya sa akin and stayed put sa kanilang bahay.
I called him instead of texting him on my way out of the gym and he answered immediately. Napailing nalang ako thinking that he is waiting for my call kanina pa.
"Kapayapaan."
I giggled. "I'm on my way home. Are you sure you already packed the right things? You might forget something."
"You mean someone?"
"Someone?" I asked confused.
"Yes, you."
Someone whispered on my ear as I was about to open the door of my car. Bahagya pa akong napasigaw at muntik ko pang mabitawan ang aking cellphone sa gulat.
"War!" Inis kong sabi sabay palo pa sa kanyang braso.
Nakangiti lang siya sa akin kahit na nakakunot ang aking noo sa kanya sa inis dahil sa pag gulat niya sa akin. Hinagod ko pa ng tingin ang kayang suot dahil parang nakaporma siya at mukhang may lakad na pupuntahan.
"Can I hit you in the face..... with my lips?"
Natawa ako ng bahagya pero pinagbigyan ko naman siya. I leaned my head forward to his lips and tipped my toes to reach him and angled my forehead on his lips. Saktong tumama lang iyon sa kanyang labi saka ko na inalis kaagad.
He smiled and reached for my body giving me a tight hug. Hinalikan pa niya ang gilid ng aking ulo bago niya ako pinakawalan.
"Breakfast?"
Hindi kaagad ako nakasagot dahil may trabaho pa ako at may early meeting ako ngayong araw na naka-schedule. Kung aalis pa kami ngayon, I need to cancel on the last minute pero importante iyon.
"Please...." Pakiusap niya.
I sighed in defeat. Kailan ba nanalo sa laban namin na ito ang kapayapaan sa digmaan?
I really do want to spend some more time with him. Kahit ayaw ko na siyang makita ngayon dahil baka malungkot lang ako lalo, sa isip ko naman, kanina ko pa siya gustong puntahan sa kanila. Naunahan niya lang ako.
He drove my Audi going to somewhere I didn't bother to ask where. Ang alam ko lang we will have our breakfast.
"How about your car? Babalikan natin? Di hamak na mas mahal iyon kaysa rito sa aking Audi."
"I brought someone with me, I'll just call him paghatid ko sa'yo sa Westwinds." Sabi niya sabay sulyap sa akin. "Both our cars are expensive."
Hindi na ako nakipagtalo sa kanya. Mas may alam siya sa kotse kaysa sa akin and that is not an important subject to be discussed today. At kahit hindi na niya i-elaborate ang sinabi niyang kasama ay alam kong isa iyon sa kanilang security.
While in the car, I called Lloyd to be my substitute on my meeting today. He knows the topic at alam ko na puwede ko naman na ipagkatiwala sa kanya ang aking kumpanya.
I told him about my little rendezvous with Warayne and that this is unexpected. Pumayag naman siya pagkatapos niyang makausap si Warayne sa aking cellphone. Sunod ko naman na tinawagan si Christine para ipaalam ang tungkol sa meeting at sa pagdating ko ng late sa opisina. Lastly, I dialed Ate Serene's number. She might get worried na wala pa ako sa condo hanggang ngayon.
"Hi, Ate. Good morning!" Masaya kong bati.
"What time is it? You woke me up." Antok niyang sagot.
I looked at the clock that is displayed on my car. "It's almost 8. You are going to be late at work Ate or are you not feeling well?"
"I'm fine. Where are you and why are you calling me this early?"
"Uh..." I glanced at Warayne and he held out his hand to me so I gave him my phone.
"Morning, Serene." He answered.
He laughed after a long pause. "Noted. But you already know that I always treat your baby sister right."
My eyes didn't stray away from him as he paused again to listen to my Ate. I can't hear whatever she is saying on the other line but it doesn't look like she is cursing or shouting at Warayne.
"Uh.... Surely, that is not off my books but that's a question for another day." He answered seriously then smiled glancing at me.
"Is she mad?" I asked when he handed me back my phone.
"No, but she threatened me." Natatawa niyang sabi.
"Oh, no. I think we should go home now." Pag-alala ko.
"Relax, Angel. She's not mad, she is just being protective of you." He comforts.
After a few more minutes of drive, he parked my car in front of a cafe. From outside, it's already designed with Christmas stuffs. Lights, garland, and all.
Pagpasok naman namin sa loob ay may iilan pang cute Santa decorations na nakalagay sa mga shelves. I can already feel the Christmas spirit in here lalo na sa mga ngiti ng mga staff sa amin.
"Here."
Warayne's hand is at the small of my back and guides me to the corner na parang isang maliit na study room, wala lang pintuan but it's quite like it. I looked back at him when I saw what is on the table with an opposite chair near the window of the small square space.
"Merry Christmas, Angel." Ngiti niya.
"Aww.. Thanks, Warayne." Sabi ko sabay yakap sa kanyang baywang. I pressed my cheek on his chest and breathed in his scent. "Merry Christmas..."
I released him from my hug when I heard someone coming. She just asked Warayne if he wants our breakfast to be served right now and he answered yes.
Umupo ako sa upuan but he stayed standing. I looked at the tower of Ferrero that is on the table, it's like a Christmas tree.
Napangiti ako sa malaking pink na ribbon sa itaas. Hinagod ko iyon pababa hanggang sa makita ang isang maliit na card.
"Specially for my Angel." Basa ko sabay tingin sa kanya.
Nakita ko ang pagbaba niya sa kanyang cellphone at inilagay niya ito sa kanyang bulsa. Lumapit siya sa akin at hinalikan ako sa tuktok ng aking ulo saka siya umupo sa upuan kaharap ko na itinabi ng kaunti ang tower para hindi ito nakaharang sa aming dalawa.
"Why Angel?" I asked in curiosity.
I haven't asked him about his endearment to me but he said I looked like an Angel when he first saw me. I wonder if it really just because of that. Wala naman akong tawag sa kanya 'cause I like calling him by his name. Warayne, War, Digmaan. It all has its own charm and effect.
"Because....." He was cut off by the server.
Inilapag ng server sa aming lamesa ang dalawang tasa ng kape at isang malaking pinggan na may waffles, pancakes, eggs, bacons, at kung anu-ano pang pagkain na pang almusal.
Agad akong pumikit at pinakinggan ang kanyang pagdarasal. Pagkatapos niyon ay inabot niya sa akin ang utensils na kanyang pinunasan.
"So...?" I urged.
"Hmmm.... You look like an angel sent from the heaven."
I looked at him perplexed. Me? An angel? That's it?
"Really? Is it because of my hair?" Hawak ko sa aking medyo basa pang buhok.
He lightly laughed. "You look so innocent, like an angel. Hindi ka makabasag pinggan. If my Mom is like Mama Mary, you are like an Angel. My angel." Sabi niya na seryosong nakatingin sa akin.
He cut the waffle and put some in his mouth. Pagkatapos niyang malunok iyon ay ako naman ang kanyang sinubuan na titig na titig pa rin sa kanya.
"I was so content with my life. I have a complete, happy family. I own a company. I am handsome and rich." One corner of his mouth lightly raised when he said handsome and rich.
Napangiti rin tuloy ako. Hindi talaga mawawala ang maganda niyang humor. Alam ko na siningit lang niya iyon para mapangiti ako pero totoo naman. He has a pretty face and he is very rich.
One of the best thing I love about Warayne is him being filial and not because he is rich or just plain handsome. All my reasons are not superficial. Ano pa nga ba ang kulang sa kanya? Ang hirap na nga niyang bigyan ng regalo dahil lahat nasa kanya na. He is truly blessed.
"And one day I asked God. What could be better than this?" He continued then leaned in from the table and held both my hands, looking at me straight in the eyes. "Then I met you."
I couldn't make a follow up on what he has said. I was left speechless. He makes me feel so loved and I am lucky to have him. He gives me everything that I do and don't need without even asking.
I held his hand tighter acknowledging what he had said to me. His actions are more than enough for me to feel his love towards me, it's enough to make me fly. But matched with his words? I can already reach the heaven.
After our shared breakfast, hindi na rin kami nagtagal pa sa cafe dahil may trabaho pa ako at may flight pa siya na kailangang habulin.
Habang nasa aking sasakyan pabalik sa Westwinds ay iniabot niya sa akin ang kanyang phone at pinatawag ang kanyang security.
"Hello, Sir John?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I am at Westwinds if ever Mr. Saavedra is looking for me." He answered like he already know the next thing that I will say.
"Oh, wow. Okay, I'll tell him. We are on our way there. Thanks, bye."
His security is very efficient. I guess ganoon talaga dapat sila, na one step ahead. Sinabi ko ang sinabi sa akin ng kanyang kasamang security and he just nodded his head.
Ipinahatid ko nalang sa valet ang aking Audi sa aking parking space sa basement para makapagpaalam ako ng maayos kay Warayne sa lobby. Pagtapak pa lang namin sa may pintuan ay nakita ko na sa may glass partition ang malungkot naming mga mukha.
We are going to be apart for almost a month, and I will miss him so bad. But it's okay din para naman magkaroon kami ng some alone time na hindi namin masyadong nagagawa dahil araw-araw kaming nagkikita.
Isa pa, spending time with our families is a top priority. We both know how important family is to us, nawalan man ako ng magulang but I still have my sisters, Lolo Joaquin, my Kuyas, and pamangkins. I'll make some quality time with all of them this coming holiday season.
"Don't forget my sweets." Malungkot kong sabi kahit excited na ako sa pasalubong niya na matamis para sa akin.
Napangiti siya sa aking bilin. "Ubusin mo muna 'tong mga Ferrero na 'to."
Bitbit niya ang tower na Ferrero pero ibang sweets na ang nasa aking utak. He put it on the couch and held my hand, twining them together.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too. Send me some pictures, okay?" Ngiti ko.
He sighed and cupped my cheek with his free hand while the other is still holding my hand. He just looked at my face like he is memorizing every detail of it and after a few moments, he kissed me on the forehead and let it linger for a few seconds before moving his face away.
Unti-unti niyang binitawan ang aking kamay at ngumiti saka na tumalikod paalis.
"Warayne!" I called.
Napalingon siya at bumalik sa aking harapan ng walang tanong o alinlangan.
I hugged his torso tight and closed my eyes to feel the moment. I don't really care if there are people watching, being in love with this person made me brave.
"Bye, take care and enjoy your vacation." I said when I pulled away from our hug.
He just smiled at me and brushed my bangs before turning his back on me again. Bago pa siya makalabas ng tuluyan, I called him again.
"War!!"
He turned his head to look at me and gave me a questioning look. Hindi siya lumapit at nagtitigan lang kaming dalawa hanggang sa hindi na niya natiis at siya na ulit ang kusang lumapit sa akin.
"Don't make me put you in my suitcase." Agad niyang sabi nang makalapit.
"I love you." I softly said.
"Angel..." He hugged me that instant and kissed my temple like thousand times before letting me go. "I love you more."
I put one Ferrero in his pocket and let him leave in peace. Paglabas niya pa sa lobby bago sumakay sa naghihintay niyang Jaguar sa labas ay muli niya pa akong sinulyapan.
Nakatayo lang ako na nakatitig sa kanya hanggang sa mawala na siya at ang kanyang kotse sa aking paningin.
Binitbit ko ang bigay niyang Ferrero at inilapag sa aking kama saka ko siya tinawagan kaagad at mabilis naman niya iyong sinagot.
"Kapayapaan calling."
"Digmaan answered." I somberly answered. "I miss you already."
I am so dramatic dahil nasanay ako sa araw-araw namin. I know that there would be a lot of times like this for us in the future where we will be apart for days, weeks, or even months because of his work or vacations that I am not included. Though I already prepared myself for it, nakakalungkot pa rin pala talaga kapag nandiyan na.
But one thing to look forward to is our time with our family. I am excited to spend time with each of them and also with my friend. I am going to make the most out of this holiday and enjoy me-time to the fullest until he returned.