bahala na | ✓

113

Jushi opened the door of his apartment that's only next to me. We both run towards his room and jumped in the bed.

I giggled when he held my head gently and let it rest on his chest. He held my hand and put it on his lips, planting a soft kiss.

"I love you." He whispered.

"You have a cut on your lips, Shi. I told you to come back to me not bruised." I said and looked up at him.

He snorted. "Love, he was so fast kaya nasuntok agad ako. Malay ko bang si The Flash 'yang ex mo," he answered and chuckled.

Parang tuwang-tuwa pa siya.

"Harap ka nga sa 'kin, love." He said and I obliged.

He softly touched my neck where my bruise is visible. Hindi pa rin gumagaling. Or I should say hindi na talaga mawawala 'yon. Marka na siguro 'yon ni Zae sa 'kin.

"Does it hurt?" He asked, almost in a whisper.

"Hindi na," I answered.

"Hindi na." He echoed.

I nodded. I smiled at him, telling him it was okay. That it's already healed. But my smile faded when I saw a tear escape his eyes.

"Why?" I whispered.

"I'm sorry. . ." He whispered back.

I looked at him confused. "Huh?"

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you." He cried. "Sorry. I'm sorry, love."

Paulit-ulit siyang nagso-sorry kahit sabihin kong okay na 'yon, na tapos na 'yon ay hindi pa rin siya tumitigil kaiiyak.

"Okay na 'yon, Shi. Ang mahalaga, nakauwi na ako sa 'yo, hindi ba?" I said.

He nodded. He held my hand and placed it on his cheeks.

"I promised to your Dad." He said after a long silence.

"Hmm?" I looked up at him.

We're lying down and my head is on his chest, hearing his heartbeat.

"I promised him that I'll be with you every day. . . every second and every minute." He said. "That's why I bought this unit for me to be with you."

"Uhuh."

"And I'll court you."

He smiled at me and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes when his lips stayed on my forehead for seconds.

"You don't have to," I whispered.

"Hmm? Hindi na ba ako?" He asked. Pain in his voice.

"Anong hindi na ikaw?" Tanong ko. "Ikaw naman palagi, ah?"

"Anong ako palagi? E, naging kayo nga ni Zae." He said making me laugh.

"That's already past!" I said. "Pero, truth nga, ikaw naman palagi wala ng iba. Nagmahal man ako ng iba, bumalik naman ako sa 'yo, 'di ba? Kaya ikaw palagi, Shi. Walang iba."

Tumingin ako sa kan'ya at nakita siyang namumula na. Natawa ako nang malakas dahil tinatago n'ya 'yung mukha n'ya sa buhok ko, e halata namang namumula siya dahil sa tainga n'ya.

"That's why you don't have to court me already, kasi doon din naman tayo tutungo." Sabi ko, medyo natatawa. "Kaya sinasagot na kita."