Unrequited [HSS #4, Completed]

Chapter 45

Nagising ako na wala na si North sa kama. When I checked the time ay pasado alas-otso na rin pala, maaga nga pala gumising iyon. Sana nga lang ay ginising niya ako so I can prepare breakfast for her.

Tulad ng sinabi niya kagabi no'ng dinner ay dito na siya hanggang 29, pagdating ng 30 ay bibiyahe na ulit siya paalis dahil iyon ang paalam niya sa mga kapatid. Kawawa naman daw kung sila-sila lang sa New Year's Eve at walang magluluto ng handa nila.

As much as I wanted to celebrate our first New Year together, eh, pwede naman sigurong sa susunod na lang. We have plenty of holidays to spend. Hindi naman pwedeng ako ang pumunta sa kanila dahil planned na rin ang stay ko rito.

We just have to compromise for now. It's not a big issue, which we both agreed on. We're lovers, but we don't need to force each other to commit to something if may nauna nang priority.

Pagkatapos kong ayusin ang higaan at makapag-ayos ay bumaba na rin ako at sa kusina dumiretso. Naabutan ko ro'n si North mag-isa.

She stood up when she saw me, a smile plastered on her face. "Good morning."

"Good morning."

Naglakad ako. Balak ko na sana magtimpla ng kape pero pinaupo niya ako habang umiiling. She suddenly kissed my forehead that made my heart swoon with delight. North and her sudden sweetness, mukhang never ako masasanay.

"Let me."

"Hindi, okay lang —"

"Gail, ako na, hmm?" Nginitian niya ako. Wala naman akong nagawa kung hindi tumango.

Pinanood ko lang siya maghanda ng breakfast. Fried rice iyon na maraming bawang and chopped egg and hotdog. Meron din hotdog and fried egg. Nag-abot din siya ng ketchup.

Sa lagay naming dalawa parang dito siya nakatira dahil komportable siyang gumalaw, it's like she owns the kitchen.

"Kumain ka na ba?" tanong ko. Umiling siya. "Why? Kanina ka pa ba gising?"

"Nagpaalam ako na sa'yo sasabay para hindi ka mag-isa kumain. Umalis na si Tito and pumunta sa farm ninyo kasama mga Kuya mo. Lyon went out somewhere dahil may lakad daw." she explained. "And I don't want you to eat alone."

She finished making the coffee and had one for herself as well. She readied the plates. Ako naman ngayon ang nag-asikaso para mapaghain siya.

She was just looking at me when she took a seat and even after I pushed the plate gently close to her. "Bakit ganyan ka tumingin?"

She shrugged. "Just thinking how nice it would be if we lived together."

Naramdaman ko ang pag-iinit ng buong mukha. "G-gusto mo ba?"

"Of course," She clicked her tongue and smiled. "But this is our first relationship. As much as I want us to go to that level, I'd prefer taking our time, that future will eventually happen anyway, right?"

Tinanguhan ko siya. Malabo naman na maghiwalay kami, parang ang weird nang isipin. I was already invested to her than I can imagine. I can live without her — sure — but it won't make me this happy.

Right now, it feels like I was in a different place. She's right here, in my family's house — and North, being right in front me — made this entire moment magical.

She looked so beautiful with her raw expressions — that pretty smile, chocolate eyes, and her cheeks tainted with faint red, the way she tilted her head, or how she subtly brushed her fingers on mine.

I kept being enthralled with the way she tells me about her plans, her thoughts, or how much she adores the way we are, the way she will compliment me — she's the light I never knew could be this bright.