Hoax (VBoys Series #1)

021

EUNICE

"That's the question." Jaiden said.

Nanatili akong nakanganga at nakatitig sa kaniya. I couldn't even move. My mind went blank and all I felt were butterflies in my stomach. His question was ringing repeatedly in my ear, at hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin 'yon na-a-absorb.

Is he... proposing?

Siguro'y dahil sa katahimikan ko kaya na-frustrate si Jaiden. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked away, resting his elbow beside the window. He played with his lower lip using his fingers, having no intention of looking at me.

"You can say no. Sa'yo pa rin naman 'yang singing." he said, almost whispering.

That's not what I wanted to do. I didn't want to say "no". Maybe I just didn't expect him to say that kaya ako natahimik, but as soon as I recovered, I felt different. Elated. Something I've never felt for years.

Inalis ko ang sariling seat belt, but instead of getting out, I leaned closer to Jaiden. Hinawakan ko ang kaliwang pisngi niya at hinarap siya sa'kin before giving him a kiss on the lips. Noong una ay nagulat pa siya, but soon after, I felt his arm on my waist. I broke the kiss after a few seconds, looking into his eyes.

"I think they were right," I whispered, slightly panting. "I think I love you..."

He creased his forehead. "Who were right?"

Agad ko siyang sinimangutan, going back to my seat. "Tsismoso. 'Yon pa talaga ang napansin mo, ah? Hindi man lang 'yung confession ko?"

"Kidding," Jaiden chuckled, looking down on my hand. "Are we... engaged now?"

"I think so," I answered honestly. It actually felt great to say that. The feeling of being with him was nostalgic, just like before.

Jaiden bit his lower lip, raising his gaze at me. "Did you miss me?"

"Oo," pag-amin ko, meeting his eyes. "Did you?"

"More than words can tell," he whispered, holding the side of my head so he could pull me closer to him. I felt him kiss my temple. "I love you... Damn, I've been wanting to say that."

I laughed at his last line. Nilayo ko ang aking mukha mula sa kaniya para matitigan ko siya. As I admired his being with no awkwardness whatsoever, I couldn't help but smile.

I really missed him.

Kinabukasan ay balik ulit ako sa trabaho. Since my shift was late that day, dumaan muna ako sa site. Besides, I wanted to see Jaiden and visit him as... his fiancée. God, that sounds so good.

"Morning, Doktora! Ganda ng ngiti natin, ah?" bati sa'kin ni Gio.

"Good morning, Gio," I answered back, smiling. Nang tignan ko ang paligid ng site ay saka ko lang napansing halos lahat ng tao ay kumakain. Mukhang may handaan dito. "Anong mayroon? May birthday?"

"Hindi ko rin alam. Si Engineer ang may pakana niyan, bigla na lang nagpakain. Wala naman kaming reklamo. Pagkain, eh." Gio shrugged, taking a bite of his burger.

Natatawa akong umiling. I walked towards the almost-finished-clinic where everyone was. My eyes roamed to find a certain someone, at nang mahagip ng mga mata ko ang hinahanap ay agad akong napangiti, walking towards him from behind.

"Psst," sitsit ko kay Jaiden, dahilan kaya agad siyang humarap sa'kin. He was wearing a burgundy dress shirt and slacks, his hair looking fresh and soft.