#ILWTG19 Chapter 19
Yago and I spent almost the entire vacation together. At some point, akala ko magsasawa na siya sa mukha ko. Minsan nauubusan kami ng pag-uusapan, so we'd just end up watching Netflix and cuddle together. We watched finished watching Stranger Things and The 100. I also kind of allowed him to have a 'sleepover' pero natutulog lang talaga kami! Once kasi, nakatulog kami habang nanonood. It just... felt nice to wake up with his arms around me. It was nice to open my eyes and see his face first thing in the morning.
Doon ko na-conclude na walang kapintasan—at least physicall—si Yago. I was yet to find iyong mga pangit na characteristics sinasabi niya sa akin. So far, no red flags naman.
"Look at her, she's so cute!" I said as I adjusted my phone para makita ni Yago si baby Aurelie, or as I'd like to call her, Ellie. "She's so tiny!"
Yago laughed. "Gusto mo na rin ng baby?"
I adjusted the phone para mukha ko ulit ang kita niya. I frowned at him. "Mukha mo. 'Di mo pa nga ako nahahalikan, baby agad lumalabas sa bibig mo?"
He laughed again. "And whose fault is that?"
Ibinaba ko muna si Ellie sa kama ko bago ko inilagay iyong phone sa pinagpatong-patong na libro. Yago's in Seattle for the remaining two weeks of vacation. 'Di naman pala siya sobrang tanga na dinitch iyong flight niya. Since he already knew kung ano iyong sasabihin ko, he already rebooked the flight. Kaya pala niya chine-check iyong details para basahin iyong terms and condition nung flight niya.
"Where's Millie?" he asked.
I shrugged as I adjusted Ellie in my arms. Damn, she's so freaking cute! Mabuti na lang 'di yata siya kamukha ni Millie. Sana paglumaki siya, 'di talaga siya kamukha ng nanay niyang sira ulo.
"I don't know. Nagpunta yata somewhere. I don't care," I said as I cooed Ellie who did a little yawn. Ugh! So cute!
Yago and I talked for an hour bago nagising nang tuluyan si Ellie. I tried to calm her down, but she wouldn't stop crying. Pababa na sana ako para ibigay siya sa nurse niya nang makita ko si Millie. Haggard pa rin si gaga. At least may pakinabang na siya sa buhay ko. As much as I hated her and everything she stood for, I was thankful because she gave birth to Ellie.
"I tried to feed her pero umiiyak pa rin," I said habang binibigay ko si Ellie sa kanya. Millie didn't even look at me habang naglalakad siya papunta sa kwarto nila.
I was left alone with Papa. I arched my brow at him.
"Ano'ng problema nun?"
"Just try to be a little nicer to her, Rory."
"Wala naman akong ginagawa..."
"Rory..."
I sighed. "Fine," I said, remembering how Yago's coming home the next day. Kailangan ko na ring bumalik sa Manila bukas para maglate enrollment. Gusto kasi ni Yago na sabay kaming mag-enroll. Daming arte nung tao na 'yun.
"I'm serious, Rory," Papa said, obviously not letting go of the topic. "I don't know for how long I'm gonna be here... May kapatid ka na... Ayoko na mag-away kayo palagi ni Millie. Kahit para kay Ellie na lang."
I averted my gaze. I knew I always reminded Millie about my father's future passing, but I hated thinking about that. He's the only family I got left. Losing him scares me. I didn't even want to entertain the possibility.
Tumango ako. "I'll try, Pa. I'll really try. I promise."
He smiled. "That's good enough for me."
Millie refused to go out of her room. I was about to say something smart, but I quickly bit my tongue. I should be nicer. Dalawa na si Yago at Papa na nagsasabi sa akin na sana bumait ako kay Millie. Feeling ko ako na talaga iyong dapat mag-adjust kasi dalawa na silang nagsasabi, e. Alam ko rin naman na maldita talaga ako pagdating sa kanya... siya rin naman kasi! Kung anu-ano ang sinasabi sa akin kapag kaming dalawa lang!
Papa and I had a nice dinner. I told him how I'd be leaving for Manila tomorrow. He asked me if I needed anything, pero okay naman na ako. I already had a separate bank account for my needs for law school hanggang sa maka-graduate ako. He's also talking about my inheritance. I quickly dismissed the topic because it felt like he's giving his last words and it made me feel so sad.
Yago's plane wasn't delayed. I saw him pushing his bags, his phone on his ear. I could feel my phone vibrating. But instead of answering the call, I brisk-walked towards him and stood in front of him.
"Hi," I said.
"Hi," he replied, smiling. It seemed like he didn't shake while he was in Seattle so he looked a little scruffy. Medyo mahaba na rin iyong buhok niya. Wala bang barber shop sa Seattle?
"Do you wanna eat first or you wanna go home muna para matulog?" I asked.
Instead of answering, he took a few steps and enveloped me in his arms. "Hi," he said again, this time, I felt him relaxing as he kissed the top of my head. "I missed you."
I laughed. "Kausap lang kita nung isang gabi."
"I know. Iba pa rin kapag personal. I definitely don't like LDR."
Mas lalong lumakas ang tawa ko. I tried to pinch him in the stomach area, but I completely forgot that he's ripped. Damn Yago and his time to go to gym!
"Arte nito. Two weeks lang 'yun," I said as I helped him push the cart. "How's Seattle? Na-surprise ba Mom mo?"
Yago wasn't completely talkative when it came to his mom, but he wasn't that selfish when it came to details din naman. He told me that his mom took a two days leave tapos nagbond lang sila, but then she was needed for her work kaya naman iyong mga ibang araw, kasama niya lang iyong friends niya.
"By the way, Lily told me to say hi for her."
I glared at him. "Ano'ng sinabi mo sa kanya?"
He laughed. "Nothing."
"Ysmael Agosto."
He laughed again. "I just told her that you got jealous."
Sinuntok ko siya sa braso. "Napaka-chismoso mo talaga!" sabi ko pero tinawanan niya lang ako. Tama talaga iyong theory ko na mas chismoso ang mga lalaki kaysa sa mga babae! Sila kaya ni Jax, sobrang chismoso! Akala mo tahimik lang pero minsan kapag naririnig ko silang mag-usap, sobrang weird din ng pinag-uusapan nila!
"They're curious about you!" sagot niya. "They kept on asking who's the great girl who made me commit."
I acted like I was gagging. "Wow, ha? Sobrang achievement ba na magcommit ka?"
He wrapped his arm around my shoulders. "I think it's more of an achievement for me to tame you, Aurora Marie. You're like this wild beast—"
Sinuntok ko ulit siya sa braso. Napaka-sama talaga ng ugali nito! Kung saan-saang hayop ako kinukumpara! Palibasa alam niyang gwapo siya tapos 'sakto' lang ako!
Dumiretso na kami sa condo dahil busog pa si Yago sa pagkain sa plane. He wanted to talk to me, but as soon as I left the couch to get water, he was already dozing off when I returned. I got my phone and took lots of pictures of him. Malapit na pala kasi iyong birthday niya. 'Di ko alam kung ano ibibigay sa kanya kasi kaya niya namang bilhin lahat... so, I decided to make something personal. I decided to make a scrapbook containing pictures of us. Sobrang dami naming pictures kasi kung saan-saan din kami pumupunta.
While Yago was sleeping, I busied myself with cooking. I knew that he's coming back, so I already did grocery. Kinuha ko lang iyong ingredients mula sa unit ko tapos sa unit ako ni Yago nagluto. Feel ko kasi baka kalawangin iyong mga gamit niya kapag 'di nagamit, e. Kahit yata coffeemaker di marunong gumamit 'tong tao na 'to. Paano kaya siya magsu-survive kung wala ako?
I cooked Sinigang for him since sabi niya puro burger daw kinain niya sa Seattle. This fucking unhealthy weirdo. For someone who's fond of going to the gym, he's surely unhealthy.
After I finished eating, naupo ako sa couch. I watched him sleep. He was smiling while sleeping. Ano kayang napapanaginipan nito? He was murmuring something. Naupo ako sa couch at saka inilapit ko iyong tenga ko sa bibig niya para marinig ko iyong sinasabi niya.
"Rory..." he moaned. "Yes... Shit..."
Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Manyak na 'to! Walangya siya! Kaya ba sinabi na na ako ang star of his dreams?! Ganitong panaginip ba ang sinasabi niya?!
My whole face was red from embarrassment and I didn't know whether to hit him with a pillow or to choke him to death, but then, I heard him laughing. His whole face was equally red from laughing. I looked at him with my eyes wide opened.
"Your face!" he said, clutching his stomach because he was laughing so hard. "God, Rory!"
Hindi pa rin ako maka-galaw. Hindi totoo na nananaginip siya?! Gusto niya lang akong patayin sa hiya?! Gago talaga siya! Bakit ba hindi pa ako nasanay?!
Nang maka-recover ako, kinuha ko iyong throw pillow at hinampas siya ng pagka-lakas lakas. Hindi ako tumigil kasi tawa lang siya nang tawa. He tried to shield himself using his arms, but my desire to bring harm was much stronger. Hinampas ko siya nang hinampas. Walang hiya siya! Puro talaga kabastusan!
"Gago ka talaga!"
"I'm sorry, baby!" he said, laughing. "You were watching me sleep. I just had to!"
"Lagi mo na lang akong ginaganito! Bwisit ka talaga!"
Nang mapagod akong hampasin siya, hinila ko naman iyong buhok niya. Too bad for him medyo mahaba na iyong buhok niya kaya mas madali na 'tong hilahin. I pulled his hair whilst shouting at him.
"Gustung-gusto mo talagang namamatay ako sa hiya, ha?!"
He laughed. "Because you turn red easily."
"Ugh! Ang epal mo talaga!"
I was still pulling his hair when suddenly, it was now me who was being pulled. And in one quick pull, I was straddling his lap. I was glaring at him while my teeth were gritted. I wanted to bite him. This fucking asshole! Lagi niya na lang talaga 'tong ginagawa sa 'kin!
"I'm sorry," he said, his arms wrapped around my waist.
I pressed my lips together and raised my middle finger. Hinigpitan niya iyong hawak sa bewang ko. He showed me his charming smile, but my annoyance was much greater. Gusto kong abutin iyong unan tapos isuffocate siya.
"I just missed teasing you," he continued.
"Okay lang na inisin mo ako. Bakit kailangang bastos palagi?!"
He laughed and shrugged. "I don't know. Ganon lagi pumapasok sa isip ko."
Sinabunutan ko ulit siya pero tinawanan lang ako ni gago. "Tuwing may naiisip kang kabastusan, pwedeng sarilinin mo na lang?"
He suddenly grinned. "Trust me—"
I covered his mouth with my hands when I realized what he was about to say. It was my fault; I gave him the opening. Sobrang bilis pa naman maka-isip ng tao na 'to ng innuendo!
"Ugh. Yago! Sobrang sexually frustrated ka na ba?" I asked and he nodded. "Suko ka na?" He shook his head. "Paano kapag ano... paano kapag gusto kong magpakasal muna bago..."
I couldn't even say the word!
Yago peeled my hands from his mouth and steadied me on his lap. He combed his messy hair using his fingers and looked at me.
"I'm cool with waiting."
"Maniwala ako sa 'yo."
"It'll just make me look forward to our honeymoon."
Inirapan ko siya. "Tss. 'Wag ka ngang nagsasalita ng ganyang mga pangako mo. Mamaya 'di matupad lahat 'yan, e."
"Wala ka talagang tiwala sa 'kin, no?"
"Not that I don't trust you. I'd just rather you stop making promises because we don't know what the future holds. That way, there will be no promises that will remain unfulfilled," I told him. My mom promised me that she'd always be with me... but she died. I just hated broken promises.
Yago remained silent for a few seconds before he sighed. He placed his hands on the sides of my waist and intently stared at me.
"Fine, no more promises," he said. "But I wasn't lying when I said that I'm cool with waiting. It's really fine with me, Rory. I won't lie and say that I don't think about it, because honestly? I think about it everyday... but it's all up to you. I won't force you to have sex if you don't want to. That's rape, you know?"
I bit my lower lip. Minsan 'di ko alam kung robot ba 'tong si Yago na naka-program para sabihin lahat ng gusto ko. He's just too open-minded. He's progressive. And I love that about him.
"Sure ka?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"Well, you shouldn't," he said, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Don't feel sorry for not doing what you're not ready for."
I anchored my arms around his neck and buried my face on the crook of his neck. I felt him wrapping his arms around my waist.
"I love you," I whispered. I didn't know if he heard it because I barely heard it myself.
But I felt him tightening his arms around me and replied, "I love you, too."