I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK (1)

10

Scent

VIVERLEE ALTHEA

Halos hindi ko napigilan sarili ko. Next thing I knew, nasa waiting lobby/waiting area na ako sa company ng Alferez. I wanna see Sol so badly already, wala namang masama kung bibisita lang naman, 'di ba? I just want to see how he's doing. That's it. 

As I looked at the wall clock of the company, it's already close to 12. Mag lu-lunch break na rin 'yon. Kung by 12:30, wala pa siya dito. . uuwi a-ako. . Uuwi ako. I-I just have to give my man 30 minutes to prove to me that he won't let me down. Matalino 'yon si Solentino. He won't hurt me. Pag uusapan lang naman namin ang schedules, ang some parts of our relationship. . 'Yon lang. 'Yon lang. I just want an assurance from him.

P- Pero from the very start, hindi naman niya alam na bibisita ako. Sa bawat patak ng oras, dinig na dinig ko ang pag tibok ng puso ko. Jesus Christ! Why can't he be here already?! 

Somehow, it felt like I was nearly standing alone. I know for sure na andito si Sol ngayon. . But why does is feel like walang wala siya? I. . I don't wanna doubt him. I want to love him even if it takes a lot of hard trials.

TING*

Agad kong inangat ang tingin ko nang narinig ko ang tunog ng elevator. The door gradually opened, I was expecting a lot of people to go pero it was just a lady I just knew. . Alexa. Suddenly, I jumped from where I sat, "Sol." I called, effortlessly grabbed his attention.

. . . See? He won't hurt me. He'll never hurt me. . 

I saw how Sol's eyes widened nang nakita niya ako. I shouldn't be here, oo alam ko. I should be inside our room's apartment, studying, advance reading, doing more productive things. . But I cannot stand a second without seeing him--- 
Ewan ko, pero ang first thing nagawa ko when he was so close to me, was giving him a hug. I gave a tight hug as I rested my head on his chest.  His classic perfume made me billions-- No, maybe trillions of memories.  That's the scent of the real CEO, Solentino Alferez I know.

"Ba't andito ka, honey??" Halata rin sa boses niya na gulat na gulat siya. 

Binitiwan ko ang yakap before I spoke to him, "I just wanna visit my honey." I uttered softly. 
"Bawal ba?"

"H- hindi naman. . Pero kumain ka na?" 

"I was just about to ask the same thing."

"Then. . Shall I take you out?" 

That's the question I've been dying to hear now a days. Tipong, 'yan nalang talaga ang gusto kong marinig mula sa bibig niya. I just want to go out, have some fun with him. I miss him and our good old days. Pero, he's not fully mine. Aminado akong may kahati rin ako. His school, company, family-- 'yon sila ang kahati ko. I sound so selfish.

"I'm no longer happy with this." Biglang pag salita niya nang inilapag ng waitress ang food namin sa table.

"W- what's wrong?" Frightened on what I was about to hear next. Sa'n ba siya hindi na masaya? Is it about me? Is it about the company?

It almost felt like my heart was about to burst. This isn't the Sol I've known. In some way, it feels like may new personality akong nakilala sa kaniya.

He wiped his face, swallowed his food before he answered me, "Via. . Seriously. ." He eyed me coldly, making me gulp cold air. 
"Ako pa rin ba talaga mahal mo?"

"And you're asking this for?"

"Be honest with me. All those lonely nights. For all those days na walang wala talaga ang presensya ko. Answer me honestly."

I laughed softly, "Can we. . at least enjoy our lunches first bago ko masagot 'yan?"

Sol looked away, and lent out a sign, "Y- you're right. . You're right. I'm sorry." No, Sol. . I should be the one who's sorry. You shouldn't be sorry dahil ginagawa mo lang mga bagay na gusto mo. You love your father's company so dearly. . But because of me being so possessive, maybe I gave you the vibes na hindi na ako masaya sa relationship natin. If ever I made you feel that way. . Please forgive me.

Pinatapos ko lang siyang kumain, pinabayaan ko lang siyang mag order nang mag order dahil alam ko'ng pangkatapos nito'ng araw, alam ko'ng mahihirapan nanaman 'yan kumain dahil sa hectic schedules niya.

***

Two hours later, it was time for us to talk. 

"As promised, I'll be answering your questions, honey." I spoke as I grabbed both of his hands.

***
A/N: Plays emotional bgm*
Sorry sa late update, sadyang na busy lang.