A Six-Word Story II

Chapter 29

Chapter 29: "Life is funny isn't it? Just when you think you've got it all figured out, just when you finally begin to plan something, get excited about it and you feel like you know what the direction you're heading in, the paths change, the signs change, the wind blows the other way, North is suddenly South, and East is West, and you're lost."

I felt relieved when he didn't meet up with Phem like he planned to. He stayed with me the whole day. The following days passed by normally. We were okay. Though there were times when I was not on my best mood but he remained patient with me, and tried to understand even if I myself couldn't understand 'me' anymore. 

Like today, I just suddenly called him and told him to come home. But he said he was in the middle of an important meeting. Thus, I lost it and said things that I shouldn't have. I told him that he probably didn't love me enough and that was when he flew off the handle. We ended up fighting.

And now, I'm crying because of our fight. I knew it was my fault. I acted irrationally. Para akong timang na kumakain ng ice cream sa island counter habang umiiyak. Natigilan lang ako ng makita ko si Jeck. He was holding a bouquet of white roses. Lalo akong napaiyak.

He walked towards me then wrapped his arms around me. "I'm sorry," he said.

Maang na napatingin ako sa kanya. "But it was my fault," I said above whisper.

He just gave me an understanding smile and pecked my lips. "Stop crying, babe," he said as he wiped my tears. 

"Wait. What about your meeting?"

"I cancelled it. Hindi kita matiis."

Napaawang ang mga labi ko. Guilt attacked me. "But you said it was important."

"It's okay." Hinaplos niya ang mukha ko at dinampian ako ng halik sa labi. 

Inabot niya sa akin ang bouquet of white roses. Napangiti ako ng may tunog kasabay ng pagtulo ng luha ko. Isinubsob ko ang mukha sa dibdib niya at umiyak. 

"I love you," he muttered.

That wasn't the last time I did that. Nasundan pa ng ilang beses iyon. Pero hindi na niya pinatulan ang sumpong ko. Basta uuwi na lang siya at may dala pang pagkain para sa akin. Nagi-guilty ako pero hindi ko mapigilan ang sarili ko. 

"Babe, can I go now? I'll be back after an hour or two."

Nalukot ang mukha ko. "No."

He sighed. "Babe, Mr. David is leaving tomorrow. I need to meet him today." Hindi ako kumibo pero nanatiling hindi maipinta ang mukha ko. He breathed out. "Why don't you just come with me?"

Nag-dalawang isip pa ako bago pumayag sa huli. Inabot ng isa't kalahating oras ang meeting niya kaya inip na inip ako. The next day, he didn't go to the office because I asked him to stay with me. Sa bahay na lang tuloy niya ginawa ang kanyang trabaho.

"You're crazy," said Maki.

Bumisita kasi siya at nagtaka ng makita si Jeck. Naikwento ko sa kanya ang pinag-gagagawa ko. He looked at me like I had holes in the head. 

I pursed my lips. "He can do his work at home."

"What's happening to you?" Hindi ako kumibo. "Ganyan ba talaga kapag malapit na yung birthday?"

Inirapan ko lang siya at tinawag si Jeck. "Babe, I want ginataan," ungot ko.

"Where can I buy that?" 

"Gusto ko luto mo."

His lips parted. "I don't know how to cook that. I'll just ask tita Ambet-"