Almost Enough (Could Trilogy #2)

Almost #23

ALMOST ENOUGH #23

Sharyn’s POV

I was skeptical at first, but I decided to go with the flow. Hindi naman kasi ako sinasama ni Kuya kapag pupunta siya ng ibang bansa para sa mga business trip. I handle the domestic side, and I never really liked our overseas affairs because I have to live on planes, just like him. Dagdag trabaho at mas wala akong oras na mag-aral noon. Siguro kapag naging lawyer na ako ay ayon na lang ang gagawin ko.

This time it was different. Si daddy na rin kasi ang nag-utos. Wala pa akong pakialam nang una dahil ayoko talagang sumama hanggang sa ayon, nasa loob na nga ako ng plane papunta sa Vietnam. Doon na ako napaisip, wala naman kaming business partner sa Vietnam—and then, there he is!

Hunter walked into the first-class suite where I was staying, grinning. Kaya pala iniwan ako ni Kuya dito at nag-paalam na sa business class muna dahil may kakausapin pa daw.

Napairap ako ngunit unti-unti ring sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko.

“I thought you were busy,” ani ko nang umupo siya sa tabi ko.

“I’m busy arranging the travel for you,” sagot niya.

“Duh!” Hindi napigilang sabi ko para maitago ang kilig. But it was always obvious. “Sana sinabi mo na lang na gagala tayo para nakapag-dala ako nang pang-OOTD.”

“I handled it already,” he winked. “Si Tita at Yaya ang nag-ayos ng damit mo. May pinadala sila sa akin bukod sa mga dinala mo and sorry about lying.”

"As long as it’s a white lie, then forgiven,” I squinted my eyes as I stared at him. “But if it’s really lying, no.”

“Of course.” He pinched my cheeks. “It’s nice to see you, love.” Mabilis na hinalikan niya ang labi ko. “I really missed you. Can you give me a hug?”

Umusog ako palapit sa kaniya para mayakap niya ako. He didn’t let go until he felt that I could no longer breathe because of how tight it was. Well, I couldn’t blame him. We haven’t seen each other for a month because of what happened to him.

Time flies. Pasko na naman ngayon. It felt like we’ve been missing a lot of days together just because we’re keeping it a secret. Medyo naiinggit na ako sa ibang tao na malayang nakakapag-date. But this is our love story. I couldn’t ask for more—as long as Hunter’s safe.

“I love you,” I told him.

“I love you, Latisha.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m really sorry dahil sobrang late na ng birthday surprise ko. This was supposed to be your birthday gift kaso medyo may problema noong buwan na ‘yon so I couldn’t risk us traveling together.”

“I understand.” Ngumiti ako. “Masaya naman ako noong birthday ko. I celebrated it with my friends and you were there… hindi mo nga lang ako malapitan.” I stuck my tongue out, teasing him.

“Yeah.” He pouted. “But I want to make it up to you, my love. Ikaw na lang lagi ang nag-su-surprise sa mga kaibigan mo, sa akin, sa birthday ko—so you deserve to experience it.”

“Fine.” I laughed a little. “Hindi na ako aangal… so what do you have for me?”

“You’ll see.” He winked.

“And why Vietnam?” curious na tanong ko.

He shrugged. “Honestly, I want to try their food. I figured out you’ve been to other Asian countries before, except Vietnam. It’s a first for both of us.”

“That’s a fair point.” I smiled.

“We should travel often,” he suggested. “Outside the country.”