Kiss
"Are you excited for tomorrow? Did you pack your things?"
A month has elapsed since my birthday and you don't notice how long something lasts when it's all enunciating fun. Nothing really changed except that I already moved back to our mansion last month. How funny was that?
What can I do? Mia made me do it.
I was in pain and feeling lonely. Dad got scared I might undergo depression because he knew exactly how far my sentiments could go toward Mia. He and Mom were the intimate witness of how good our friendship was. He's actually the one who insisted on me going back home, especially since Third had to leave the country for a week to run on an important matter in the States. Inisip ni Dad na mas lalo lang akong nalulungkot.
Indeed came out favorable for me, of course. I didn't slip the chance because that's would I want. Pero, it's not the reason for it. I would never let myself indulge in the amount of stress I could get. Because I know that everyone is still here. I still have my other friends here. Madami pa silang nag-ca-care sa akin at kasama na roon si Third. I should focus more on being appreciative of how much still I have than thinking or complaining about what I lost. Nothing will change except for my growth.
It took me a month to move on from the things I get used to with Mia around. Going to the mall, shopping back-to-back, buying books together, watching her cook, and all our usual stuff intensified the pain and longing I was feeling. She was my life partner for years and it's plainly hard to move forward from the things I've already habituated from her. I think I can never move on until Third charged that kind of lack I was feeling inside. I just can imagine his patience looking over for my favorite chocolates and specific kind of snacks para ipasalubong sa 'kin pagkabalik niya galing States. I was slowly coping with the problem, having him as my happy and energy machine.
I just can't ever imagine how would be my life protrude like I was living in sad hell if Third didn't come home from abroad and got the chance to meet him. Dahil sa totoo lang ay hindi ko kakayanin ang day na walang bestfriend. Nandiyan si Via at iba pa... down I know, no one can replace Mia. Mabuti na lang.. he came just in time.
Ipinatong ko sa bagong wooded-pink shelf ang kaka-purchase ko lang na book, bago ko excited na hinarap ang boyfriend ko.
We're going to spend the whole month of the Christmas season in New York. And tomorrow night is our flight. I'm extremely excited as it is going to be my first out of the country with Third.
"Super, duper!" I giggled and ran toward him after placing all the newly purchased books on my shelf. Dinamba ko siya ng embrace at kiss sa cheek pagkalapit ko. He instantly hugged me back while playing with my pony.
"Oh how much I owe you things now..." I mumbled.
Looking back, inisa- isa ko ang hindi niya mabilang na love, pag-tuturo at pag-aalaga sa akin.
Hinigpitan ko ang hug ko sa kaniya. "You trained me well on how to drive and then you helped me get my license. You carried my things from the condo to here... Sobrang dami pa naman ng mga 'yon at so heavy pa... I'm sure you get exhausted... And then you always pick me up at school and have dinner afterward. Hindi nga lagi pero madalas naman... Tapos ang ganda-ganda pa at nakakaiyak ng mga presents mo during our monthsaries. You always make me feel so loved and special. And then this..."
I pulled away from the hug to illustrate and emphasize my arms to the whole innovated place of my library. Nagtagal din ang renovation based on what we expect dahil sa iba't ibang kaganapang nangyari sa nagdaan na months.
"You have finally done renovating it despite how hectic your schedule is... You do enjoy it ba, Noah ko? Call me a drama queen pero ayaw kong magsawa ka, ah... Baka kasi one day, maisip mo na nakakapagod pala akong maging girlfriend and-"
"Nakakapagod naman talaga-"
"W-what?" I feel like I'll faint anytime soon.
He laughed mercilessly. "Joke!" May pa-peace sign pa siyang nalalaman, matching with his pa-cute face.
I covered his face. "Yuck, hindi bagay!"
Kahit bagay talaga dahil ang cute niya. Ah, I need help!
He just laughed and I received a bearable pinch on my nose. He then held up my chin while looking at me seriously.
"I would never get tired of you, babe." He closed the topic.
An additional thick coat once again covered my quavery body. I immediately looked up to Third while supporting now the coat he covered me to never slide off my body. May suot na ako para sa first layer but I'm still shivering.
"Take it," he answered my baffled look.
I made a pout dahil wala akong balak na i- refuse ang offer niya. Limited lang ang dala kong coats dahil masiyado nang mabigat sa luggage, at nakakahiya naman sa boyfriend kong tagapagbuhat ko kung dadamihan ko pa. Third didn't want Vilienthal guards to arrive with us anymore after guiding us way in and out of the airport.
"Aren't you cold?" I was so concerned to ask.
He shook his head and gave me an assuring smile. I shrugged off my shoulders. Sanay na siguro siya sa cold.
Third took my hand covered with gloves to clasp into his hand. Humigpit ang hawak ko there at a time na makaramdam ako ng perfect heat. My body felt calm as soon as he took my hand.
"Let's get inside?"
From his gaze, my eyes landed on the airport just in front of us. Not just an accustomed guise but a gigantic one. I'm standing now to the fore of my dream workplace for the second time around. I sighed, still mesmerized as my eyes glistered with different emotions.
AVIA is in the house. In the flesh.
I bit my lower lip to control my excitement. He chuckled nang mapansin niya 'yon.
"Maglupasay ka Avi, okay lang."
Napa- smirk ako sa another Filipino learning niya. Lupasay. The hell he's getting it from!
Umiling ako. "No thanks. Wala akong balak ipahiya ka."
"Don't worry, they didn't know me."
"What? What on earth happened they didn't know you?"
"The subordinates and people... They don't have the slightest idea who's the handsome heir of Yelena and Achelous." I rolled my eyes at the phrase.
He just chuckled and continues, "Except for the boards and high profiles."
Now I see the point of abashment. It's also why naka-private ang account niya sa Instagram and his followers didn't pass on thousands.
Secretly akong nag- smile. Pareho pala kaming ayaw ng turbulence sa personal life, katulad ng pagtanggi niyang magstay- in sa sariling hotel sa homecountry. Alam kong bagay talaga kami.
"Pasok na tayo! I'm feeling cold now." I smiled at him.
I searched the whole place as if I'd never been to AVIA when my feet touch the marble floor, entering the intimidating energy of the setting. Perhaps my eye is looking for a change from the previous look here inside on what I have seen last. I chuckled when I saw a tall Christmas tree from the side. Somethin' changed nga.
"Why are you laughing?" Third suddenly asked.
Umiling ako. "Nothing, may naalala lang ako."
Naglalakad na kami when he asked a question I could as funny answer. "Hmm... Sino pala kasama mo when you visit here before?"
"Ex ko."
I felt him stiffen. "I... thought you don't have exes?"
I smirked. "Wala naman talaga! I was referring to Mia. She's an 'ex-friend'."
He sighed and relaxed his tensed body a while ago. "That's bad, Avi. She's still your friend, at least consider her still. You didn't know the side of the story."
Pinagsasabihan niya ba ako? He can't blame me dahil malaki na talaga now ang tampo ko kay Mia! Oo nga at I was hurt noong umalis siya, pero late ko na na- realize kung gaano ka i-responsible ang ginawa niya... She neglected me just like that! In a way na hindi man lang siya nagparamdam at basta na lang akong iniwan. To those who I know, she's the one I'd never expected to do things like that.
Let go and leave someone hanging.
But he has point. I never really know what Mia's side of the story is. And that hurts. I'm her bestfriend pero wala akong alam, at wala ng chance pang makialam.
"I'm sorry but can we forget about this for now? I want to enjoy..." sabi ko na para bang siya ang nagsimula at nag- insist ng topic.
Instead of denying it, I felt a kiss on the side of my forehead.
"Sure."
We were silently walking when Third halted for a moment. "Fuck, babe."
It doesn't last long when he got to step a foot again and get his phone.
"What?" I asked, starting to get worried.
"I forgot about the hardcopies Mom's asking me to bring here."
"Oh, you should have told me so I could remind you..."
He sighed, fiddling his finger on his phone. Until he made a phone call to his secretary. "I need you to send me the soft copies I requested from the management..."
I gave him some privacy and time by repressing myself for another word for him.
"Where are we going.. exactly?" I asked Third when he finished the call already and got ourselves into an exclusive elevator.
"To the CEO's office."
Napanguso ako. "And yet wala man lang tayong dalang handog?"
Napatawa siya. "Handog? Fiesta ba ang pupuntahan natin?"
"Duh! Hindi ka marunong maki-jamming sa trip ko! Gusto mo laging sayo lang!"
He chuckled. "At anong trip ko, ah? Aside from trying to make up the things I used to confuse about because of your choice of words."
Inirapan ko siya. He only laughed.
"I don't know! You are very hard to read sometimes! Minsan funny, tapos may time na kinakabahan ako sa 'yo 'pag serious ka..."
"Well, cuz, your beloved boyfriend can do both."
"But that's frustrating!"
I bit my lips to stop the words from coming out of my mouth. Why go to this conversation in the nearly first place? It doesn't even give a damn! Masiyado na ba akong complicated?
"Never mind."
He has this playful smirk slowly tugging upward his lips. "Do you have your period?"
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.
He made an 'ooh' teasing sound. "Poor me. I guess it's just your unpredictable mood swings. Buti nalang—"
"Buti ano?" I interrupted, getting out of the mood.
"I'm a man of patience." He winked at me.
I avoided his gaze to secrete a smile.
"Kinikilig ka." Third and his statement.
"There! Diyan ka magaling! Ang magpahiya! Ang yabang yabang... 'no?"
He chortled. "What? I'm just stating the—"
"Right! You're just stating what you see! What's the obvious! Again!" I finished his sentence. "I already memorized your lines!"
He laughed. "Shh... Brace that mouth of yours. Loud voices aren't allowed here." He pulled me out while holding my hand after the elevator opened.
We walked past through the glass hallway. Everything was in the touch of gray, black, and some shades of white that give an intimidating appearance to someone like me who's very fond of light colors. But I love it! The interiors of the place really suit my taste, despite how I hated dark and intimidating colors.
Doubtful and awkward akong nag- smile sa mga workers na bumabati kay Third on their formal suits. So this is the floor where the personnel knew his profile stay.
Hmm... I wonder kung may naging ka-fling ba si Third sa mga babaeng nagwo- work dito. I just can remember stories I demand him telling me. I can see a bunch of sexy and pretty ladies in here. Na-curious tuloy ako.
"Noah, ituro mo nga sa'kin kung sinong mga naging ka- fling mo diyan."
His step halted and immediately cover my mouth with wide eyes open. "What are you saying?" pagalit niyang bulong. "Shut your mouth! They might hear your false accusation."
I giggled. "Hindi sila nakakaintindi ng Filipino."
He stopped for a while and frustratingly sighed. Hinila niya na ulit ako nang malambing para maglakad.
"I don't do flings in office," he softly whispered in my ear.
I just chuckled and shut my mouth.
When I discover something odd.. and unpleasing.
"So what?! You do it outside? Oo nga pala, you're a club addict!" I accusingly stared at him.
"It's all in the past," he whispered on my nape and chuckled.
When we reached the big door in front of us, I clasped my palm into his hand even more tightly when he motioned me to go in first to the CEO's office.
"You go first!" I hissed.
"Mom won't bite you!" Third insisted.
I rolled my eyes. "Who's the son? You—"
"But ladies go first occasionally."
"It's different—"
"Son! Avi! Oh, sweet mercy... You're two here!" A loud squeal interrupted our mini fight between words.
I instantly closed the space between me and Tita, making me finally go first inside the door than Third. I saw him arched a brow while smirking.
"Hello, Tita– I mean M–mama..." I grimaced at the stumble of my words. Not soon enough when I saw how Tita Yelena– I mean Mama, turned her eyes into luster while lips are forming a huge smile.
"Sweet! I hope you are now accustomed to calling me Mama." She laughed a little upon realizing something. "It's more than gratifying to hear it from you compared my son!"
I chuckled and turned our gaze to Third, who's knotting his forehead into deep bewilderment. I heard Tita giggle, doing my attention go back to her.
"Don't mind him, Avi. He's just jealous."
Third puffed a sound. "I'm not. If it's men, I might be."
I puckered my lips.
"Ooh.. Look who's blushing! I suddenly miss young love!"
I bit my inner bottom lip. Looks like inheriting things go directionally between Vilienthal's.
Later on, pinaupo na kami ni Mama sa sofa beside her personal table. Agad na- direct ang eyes ko sa malaking portrait sa back ni Mama kung saan siya nakaupo.
"Am I beautiful there, Avi?" Mama excitedly asked.
I glanced again at the portrait placed on her back. "You are very gorgeous there, Mama. Especially in person." I stated a fact.
She pouted. "But my son told me I look like the ugly version of Maleficent in there!" She then accusingly looked up to Third who's newly made himself sit beside me.
Third sighed. "That was true though. Look at your lips," he pointed his index finger to the portrait kaya napalingon ulit ako.
"You exaggerated yourself in putting up a lip liner to that narrow lip of yours," he chuckled. "Trying so hard to get the lips of Angelina Jolie, Ma?"
"You bastard—"
Third laughed more. "What? I'm a bastard? Who's my real father then? Brad Pitt? Didn't you get divorced?"
"I hate you! You're hurting my feelings!" Tita Yelena made herself look pitiful as if she was maltreated harshly.
I sharply bored my eyes to Third and faintly pinched the side of his stomach. But then, it was a failure dahil wala naman siyang fats. Puro matitigas na abs lang ang na- pinch ko.
"Behave..." I softly hissed para patago siyang pagsabihan.
"What? You like touching my abs now?" Third tugged his lips upward.
I rolled my eyes. What do I do with this naughty man! I do really not get his humor sometimes.
"May I ask you, do you secretly enjoy tho?" I sarcastically ejaculate.
"You don't need to ask that." He flirtatiously winked at me.
I shivered. Kumalat ang heat sa face ko habang unlimited na nag p-play sa utak ko ang way ng pag-wink niya!
Someone cleared a throat.
"The air is getting hot, eh? Do you want me guys to lower the temperature of the AC?" Mama managed to say formally despite her wicked look.
"No, thanks. We'll actually not last long, Ma. I'm just going to get the ticket."
Ticket? I don't know about a thing or two. Does Third have a surprise for me? What are we gonna watch then?
I smiled as waves of excitement granted my body.
Mama grabbed something in the cabinet before closing it. She waved the thing she got in the air. It's the ticket! Two gold tickets in the count. She then teasingly displays the ticket to Third.
"Were you referring to this?"
Third was about to reach the golden tickets when Mama pulled away.
"Nuh-uh, not too quick!"
Third furrowed his forehead and took a chance again to pull the tickets, but then Mama fought back.
"It now belongs to me, and Avi! You're no longer included in here, it's perfect for two!"
Third plastered his bored look. "What are you saying, Ma? That's purposely for the two of us. I'm the one who paid that."
"After insulting me in front of Avi? No! Take my revenge, I'll just transfer the money to your account."
"What? I didn't insult you—"
Mama playfully directed her palm into his son's face. "Wind up that face! You can do nothing..."
She sweetly turned to me. "I'll just facetime you Avi for the details. We're gonna be in New York Fashion Week! Do you want that? Are you excited?"
My eyes... literally went wide. Of course, I am!
I was smiling from ear to ear nang makalabas kami sa office ni Mama, hanggang sa makarating sa private parking area dito sa AVIA. Hinarap ko ang nakabusangot kong boyfriend, who's freshly came back from the comfort room.
"Ano kaya ang magandang suotin ko? Do you have an idea?"
"Huwag ka na kayang tumuloy? Mom has a lot of friends. She just can choose someone to replace you-"
"What?.. W-why?" I almost uttered the last word breathlessly.
Nagpapaawa siyang lumingon to me. Oh my poor baby.
"Where is the essence of our trip if I'm not the one who are you with?"
Napangiti ako sa kacute-an niya. I grabbed both sides of his cheek after kissing his proud nose. "Isang araw lang naman 'yon... Ang damot mo naman kung hindi mo ako ipapahiram kay Mama ng sandali. And... I really want to come with her. Aren't you happy that I'm happy?"
He placed his hands on mine on his cheeks after putting it down. "But I'm the one who should you be with. That's the plan."
I smirked. "Who's failure is that? Kung hindi mo naman ba kasi inaasar si Mama." He just sighed.
"When did you start calling her Mama?" he suddenly asked.
"Ayaw mo?"
"Of course I want! It made me giddy," he laughed.
"Tanong tanong ka pa. Kinilig ka naman pala."
"So... How did it happen?"
I creased my forehead. "Why are you so interested to know?"
He shrugged. "I'm just curious. That's the last thing you want to do."
"Through video calls. Medyo naging close kami dahil sa chit chats."
"That's good. I told you, mabait si Mama. You don't need to be afraid of her."
"I'm not afraid!" I defended. "It's just that... I'm intimidated by her presence. She's Mrs. Yelena, the owner of AVIA..." Humarap ako sa kaniya. "And your mother..."
"The difference is?" He smirked.
I sighed. "It's like, I totally don't want to do something she never wants. I always internalize the things I should do and show her, cause I don't want to offend her and be disappointed by me. I was looking up to her..."
"And so she is to you... babe, I tell you. Kulang na lang maglupasay din si Mama sa floor after announcing that we're official. She'd always tell stories about you to her friends... How talented you are, how beautiful and kind you are... That she's so proud her son is your lover. She was beyond pleased, Avi, so don't try working on anything. You don't have to worry about things, okay? You two are just so both real fans of each other."
Kinikilig akong nag- pout to him. He pinched my hand. "I'm not telling you this to make you feel better. I'm telling it to you as it was all true."
I guess I get too overwhelmed by different extreme emotions. I didn't think twice... I don't know, but I was suddenly staring at his lips after watching his eyes. I get hypnotized to kiss him.
He didn't expect it coming and so did I realize what I just did. We both looked into each other's eyes while holding our lips.
I was thinking if I should say sorry, same as what other girls do in most situations. But then, I grasped that it would do nothing. We are in a relationship and kissing is expected, right?
I have no words... except from...
"I like me better when I'm with you."