The Other Half

CHAPTER 22

ALLIE

Nagising ako because of the sunlight na pumapasok sa glass door papunta sa balcony. I opened my eyes and I saw Rodel beside me. Tulog na tulog siya and half of his naked body ay covered ng blanket.

I smiled. Totoo ang lahat. It's not just a dream. It was real – the lovemaking Rodel and I did and yung idea na mahal ako ni Rodel like what he's telling me before we fell asleep last night.

I ran my fingers through his messy hair and I kissed his forehead. What if hindi ko nakilala si Rodel? What if natuloy kong inumin yung poison bago dumating ang bangka ni Tito David? What if I survived my suicide attempt pero gigising ako at malalaman kong hindi si Rodel ang nagsave sa akin? So many absurd possibilities. Ayoko nang malaman kung ano ang magiging sagot sa mga 'What ifs' ko.

Rodel is what's important. When he came into my life, it's the most beautiful thing that has ever happened. I didn't know what love's supposed to mean then, and how it's being done and Rodel showed me that I am capable of loving and being loved back. I don't care if Rodel's a guy. I don't care if this is something the world doesn't recognize as 'acceptable'. I don't care what people would think, or say, anyway.

Rodel is my treasure. He's a treasure that I wouldn't trade for anything in this world. He's the one that completes me; the other half that makes me whole.

I looked at the time. It's just past 7 AM. I got up and nagsuot ako ng boxer shorts and then I checked the door. Baka kasi biglang pumasok si Mama Macel at dalhan kami ng breakfast. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag when I saw na nakalock naman pala ang pinto.

Bumalik ako sa kama kung saan ay tulog na tulog pa rin si Rodel. Hindi ko napigil ang sarili ko. I kissed his face, paulit-ulit, kung saan saang parts, at niyakap ko siya nang mahigpit.

Because of what I did, nagising siya and he smiled at me kahit hindi pa niya totally naididilat ang mga mata. What a beautiful sight his smile is on a fine morning like this.

"Good morning, my love." I said.

Instead of saying it back, pumatong sa akin si Rodel at tinadtad ng halik ang buong mukha ko.

"Rodel, wait. Teka lang! Nakikita tayo ni Luke." I said when he started to kiss my neck.

Nagulat siya at biglang tinakpan ng blanket ang private parts niya. "Sinong Luke? May ibang tao dito?" he asked, while looking around the room.

Tumawa ako nang malakas. "Si Luke, Rodel. The big brown bear that you gave me last Christmas."

He seemed confused. "Ha? Eh bakit Luke? Saan nanggaling yun?"

"I gave him a name. It's your last name in English. Luke. He's our baby, you know? And the poor boy saw everything we did last night, unfortunately."

"Diyan ka nagkakamali." Muling pumatong sa akin si Rodel at ngumiti. "Hindi niya nakita ang lahat. Tignan mo siya."

I looked down on the carpet where Luke was. Nahulog kasi siya dahil sa sobrang wild namin ng Daddy Rodel niya sa kama last night. And Rodel's right. May nakatakip sa mata ni Luke. Kinuha ko iyon at tinignan. And to my surprise, it's my own white Hanes underwear!

Tawa nang tawa si Rodel. "Nang hubarin ko 'yan sa'yo, inihagis ko. Akalain mong mapupunta pala sa mukha niya."

Because of that, natawa na din ako.

"Poor boy. Well at least, it's a relief na hindi mabaho ang briefs ko."

Inagaw sa akin ni Rodel ang puti kong briefs at inamoy. He closed his eyes as he sniffed it. "Oo nga. Grabe, nakaka-adik, Allie. Ang sarap. Hmmmm."