When Love Lasts

04

This is a work of FICTION. All characters are used in FICTITIOUS manner.

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Pagmulat ng mata ko ay cellphone ko agad ang kinuha ko. Hoping that he sent me a message while I'm asleep, but, unfortunately, wala. Pero kahit na wala I still greeted him goodmorning.

Bumaba ako at nakitang nasa dining table sila pero wala pa ring pagkain.

"Hindi pa nakaluto?" I asked them. But they didn't answer me. They are just smiling at me. My siblings are even grinning.

At dahil wala akong makuhang sagot nagtungo ako sa kusina. I saw a man, his back facing me, cooking in our kitchen. Napatingin ako sa table at nandoon naman si Bongbong. Lumapit ako and I already knew who he was by his smell.

Nanatili ako sa likod niya hanggang sa mapansin niya ako. Nang matapos na siya, dun niya lang ako nakita.

"Ginulat mo naman ako, kanina ka pa diyan?" Lumapit siya sa akin at yinakap ako.

"Kailan ka pa dumating?" tanong ko. Papunta na kami sa table.

"Last night lang. I slept in your other room." he smiled. He's reffering to my music room, may kama din ako doon.

"Then why didn't you woke me up? And you didn't sent me any message yesterday." simangot ko.

"Talnaan na kam man. Mano kami a nangriing kanyam di rabii ngem nagpa-ut turog mo." (Tigilan mo nga kami. Ilan kaming sumubok gisingin ka pero ang lalim ng tulog mo.)
sabi ni Imee.

Tumawa sila mommy habang si Greggy ay di maintindihan ang sinabi ni manang.

"Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong i-text ka kahapon para masurprise ka. Ang kuya mo lang sinabihan kong pupunta ako dito." tiningnan ko si Bongbong at panay ang ngisi niya.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain. He cooked all of this. Fried rice, sunny side up, ham and bacon. Tinatawanan namin siya dahil sunog ang iba.

"'Di ba you told us na you're preparing for a project. Tapos na?" I asked.

"Well, nakaplano na ang team ko. Sila ang mag-aayos ng presentation that will happen four days from now. I'm done with my part. I will just check on them from time to time. I trust the appointed leader so I know this will be successful kaya kampante akong iwan sa kanila yon." ngumiti siya. "And besides I want to have fun here. With you."

"Ang tamis naman nitong kape mo Liza." singit ni Bongbong.

After our breakfast dumiretso ako sa taas para maligo. Mamayang hapon pa naman magsisimula ang program.

Tapos na akong maligo and I am now brushing my teeth when the other door opened. Nagulat si Greggy nang makita ako. Mabuti na lang at nakapag-damit na ako kanina.

"Maliligo ka na?" I asked.

"Y-yeah. Your brother didn't told me that your rooms are connected by this bathroom." sabi niya

"Don't worry. I'm almost done. Gusto mo bang mag-ikot-ikot mamaya?"

"Sure. Be my tourguide miss. I'll be quick, wait for me." he said and I stepped out in the bathroom.

I wore a sleeveless top and paired it with a loose pants. Naka sandals ako dahil mainit, as usual.

Bumaba ako at dito ko hihintayin si Greggy. I found Manang Imee and Mommy in the kitchen. Naghihiwa sila ng mga lulutuin para sa lunch.

"Papanam?" Mommy asked.

"Ipasyar ko lang ni Greggy dita plaza Ma" (Ipapasyal ko lang si Greggy sa plaza Ma) sagot ko.