Love Operation: Don't Become The Villainess

CHAPTER 19: I'VE BEEN THINKING...

"Can't you just come with us?"

My lips formed into a cheeky smile, "You know I can't."

Sabay kaming napalingon kay Tita Mira nang marinig namin siyang malalim na napabuntunghininga, "I had no idea my son was this clingy~" napahawak pa siya sa dibdib na tila aatakahin sa puso, "So different from the Ivan I know... parang hindi ikaw, Ivan--" napatigil siya nang may napagtanto.

Kaagad siyang napalingon kay Ivan, cupping his cheeks in between her hands, "Or is this really you? Ivan, ikaw ba talaga 'to? Are you my son--"

"Mom," simangot nito, giving her mother a cold and sharp gaze which was unfamiliar to me but somehow made Tita Mira relax.

"There's my son!" natutuwang saad nito, stepping backwards.

Nalilito ko silang pinagmasdan. I slightly nudged Ivan on his shoulder, subtly glaring at him, "Don't look at your mother like that," bulong ko.

But he only ended up pouting, "But that's what she likes and finds comfortable about me."

"Huh?" was all I could utter out of pure confusion.

"My dear lovely sweetie, Catherine," nalipat ang atensyon ko kay Tita nang tawagin niya ako. Nabigla ako nang hinila niya ako para sa isang mahigpit na yakap.

"Thank you, dear," nagtataka kong ibinalik ang yakap niya. What was she thanking me for?

Nang maghiwalay kami ay bineso-beso niya ako bago ako malawak na nginitian, "We have to go now. Don't worry, the two of you will see each other again in no time!" she giggled.

"A-ah," I cleared my throat out of embarassment, "Yes, Tita. Ingat po kayo."

"Yes, we will, we will," she nodded. Binalingan niya ang anak sa likod ko, "I'll wait for you inside the terminal. Bilisan mo, huwag na masyadong magpatagal."

"Yes, Mom," he responded. Matapos magpaalam sa akin muli ni Tita ay nagpakawala ako ng hininga.

"Mag-ingat ka rin doon--"

"Are you okay, Cath?"

I stopped, unable to finish my words. Napakunot ako ng noo nang makita ang nag-aalalang tingin niya sa akin.

"Yes, I'm fine," I answered. Did I not look well?

He reached for my left hand, his face moving closer to mine, "Is it because I'm leaving? I can talk to my parents that I can go later--"

"N-no," kaagad kong tanggi, "I-It's not that. I'll miss you, Ivan but don't worry, I'm fine."

"But I'm not fine," seryosong saad niya.

I met his gaze and we stared at each other's eyes for a while. Those familiar blue eyes made me hold my breath. His eyes were so beautiful, it made me forget all my problems in a short while.

"I want to stay here with you, Cath. I'm not fine. In all honesty, I don't feel nice," biglaang pag-amin niya, "I feel like I shouldn't leave. Kung aalis ako, pakiramdam ko'y mas mapapalayo lang ako sa'yo. Natatakot ako na kapag masyado ka nang nakalayo, hindi na kita muling maaabot at iiwan mo ako. Our relationship just begun and we already have to part ways like this," he placed my hand on his chest where I could feel his heart beating loudly, "I really don't want to leave, Catherine. Hindi ko alam pero... pakiramdam ko...," he seemed like he was struggling to find the right words, "Hindi ko alam... natatakot lang akong mawala ka sa'kin."

Nalulungkot ko siyang tinignan. My eyes started to water, remembering Agen, the truth of this world and who I really am.

"Ivan, mahal kita," I forced a smile, "Hindi ako mawawala, hindi kita iiwan. Pangako ko 'yan. Magtiwala ka lang sa akin tulad ng tiwala na meron ako sa'yo. Kahit gaano pa tayo kalayo mula sa isa't-isa, tandaan mo na kung saan ka man, naroroon din ako, naroroon din ang puso ko."

Mas humigpit ang pagkahawak niya sa kamay kong nasa dibdib niya, "Okay. I promise too that I'll always choose you no matter what, and that I trust you."

"I'll always choose you too, no matter what," ulit ko, "And I trust you."

"I trust you with all my being, Cath."

"So do I," I declared, "So don't overthink too much, alright?" mas pinalambot ko ang tono ng aking boses, "No matter how far apart we are from each other, we'll always come back to one another. Besides, may internet na rin naman," ngumiti akong tunay.

"Pero hindi ka nga nagrereply kaagad," nguso niya, ang mukha namin ay ilang dipa na lang ang layo mula sa isa't-isa, "Pinapakaba mo ako."

Bahagya akong natawa, "Pero nagrereply pa rin ako. Tulad nga ng sinabi ko, huwag ka masyadong mag-isip. But fine, I'll reply as early as I can."

He stared intently into my eyes, "I'd love that."

Napapikit ako nang hinalikan niya ang noo ko bago siya lumayo.

"Sige na, kanina pa naghihintay si Tita Mira," I said.

"Hayaan mo siya," ungos nito dahilan para mahampas ko siya sa braso. He playfully flinched but I just rolled my eyes at him.

"I'll see you later, Cath," muli niyang pinisil ang aking kamay bago ito pinakawalan.

I sighed, "I'll see you later too."

"Don't be too sad okay?"

Nang-aasar ko siyang tinignan, "I should be the one to tell you that."

Kumusot ang mukha niya, "Ayaw ko na talaga tuloy umalis--"

"MONTAGUE IVAN!!! THE PLANE IS ABOUT TO LEAVE!!!"

I pressed my lips together when Tita Mira's voice resounded in this part of the airport.

I had no idea she was this loud. But I kind of like how I'm seeing new sides to his family. Dalawa lang sila Tita Mira at Ivan ang sinamahan ko ngayon. We rode their car on the way here and is currently waiting for me outside para ihatid ako pauwi pagkatapos namin dito. Ivan said they brought bodyguards with them but I don't know where they are.

"Dun ka na nga," natatawa kong tulak sa kaniya kahit na kinakabahan. Ayaw kong magalit sa akin si Tita.

"Okay, okay," nagpahabol pa siya ng isang halik sa pisngi bago patakbong pumasok sa terminal.

But just before he entered the terminal, he looked back one last time, waving his hand before mouthing, "I love you!"

I smiled at him, waving back, "I love you too."

Ingat ka.