Up Where We Belong

Chapter 16

Wedding

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting in your room now?"

Nakalitaw ang ulo ni Gab sa maliit na singaw ng pinto ng bahay. Pinagkrus ko ang mga kamay habang hinihintay siyang papasukin ako sa loob. Lihim akong napatawa nang maaninag ang gulat sa mukha niya. Hindi nito inaasahan ang pagdating ko. Paano kasi'y alas dose na ng gabi at naparito ako sa bahay ng mga Ramirez para kausapin siya.

"What's wrong about coming here at this hour?" I asked, motioning to get inside but he blocked my way. "Looking at you, I think you were still up when I came. May ginagawa ka?"

"We shouldn't be seeing each other right now. Don't you believe in the saying that the bride must not show her face at all to the groom before the wedding?"

"Oh, come on. Ikaw pa talaga nagasabi niyan, Attorney? That's an outdated tradition," komento ko.

He smiled. "I was just kidding. I know you're not buying that."

"Exactly. Now, let me in," I said and advanced but he still obstructed me from entering. " Why?"

He sighed. Ilang sandali pa siyang nakatitig lamang sa akin bago ako tuluyang pinapasok.

Now, what?

What am I exactly doing here in the middle of the night when the world is now asleep?

"You want coffee?" he asked after closing the door.

Umiling ako. Mas lalong hindi ako makakatulog pag ganoon.

"Milk, then."

He immediately prepared it for me. I just watched him walking around the kitchen with only his shorts and black sando on.

Umupo ako sa high chair at humalumbaba sa counter habang pinapanood siya. He turned to me and smiled while stirring the milk.

Am I seeing abs through his body fit shirt? Ngayon ko lang napansin dahil ngayon ko lang nakita siyang nakapambahay.

Obviously, he's working out recently.

Oh, goodness. Ano namang pakialam ko?

"I'm sorry. That's all I have here," sabi nito at nilapag ang tasa sa harap ko. Umupo din ito sa high chair na nasa tabi ko. "Hindi ako nakapag-grocery."

Hinarap ko siya. Ang isang siko ko ay nakatukod sa counter habang sinisimsim ang gatas. He sure can make good milk.

Lihim akong napatawa. May criteria ba sa pagtimpla ng gatas?

"It's all right. Pasensya na. Nadisturbo yata kita," I said apologetically.

"Hindi naman. I was working on something," kaswal niyang sabi. He pulled his hair a little. "Work-related."

"Wow."

May kasalan bukas, nagtatrabaho pa rin siya ngayon?

Fine. It's not actually a wedding he's really looking forward to in a romantic sense but then he could put aside his work for a while and allow himself to feel excited about this marriage. Or does he feel remorse about living with me for a year?

We're putting up with each other.

"Are you bothered about anything?" he asked. His voice is soft and gentle. "Hm?"

I shook my head. "Nothing. I just can't sleep," sagot ko.

"So, you're bothered."

I took a deep breath.

"We got this together. Imagine having this house and the hacienda after this setup."

"I know. Don't worry. I'm fine. I just want someone to talk with tonight. Inaantok ka na ba?" tanong ko para magkumpirma.