Kabanata 12
"Joven! Long time no see.", bati ko rito at agad na niyakap siya nang mahigpit.
Nagpresinta siyang samahan ako ngayon sa apartment matapos niya mawala nang ilang araw. Sakto rin namang dumating ang crib na binili namin ni Travis nuong nakaraan, nakausap ko si Joven na tulungan akong ayusin 'yon.
"I bought some snacks with me para hindi ka ma-bored. I know you love marshmallows with chocolates." aniya at inangat ang plastic bag na dala.
Agad naman akong natakam nang makita ang dala nitong pagkain. I tried to avoid my sweets intake for the baby, but I guess a little won't hurt. Mukhang natatakam din naman ang anak ko nang maramdaman ko ang pagsipa nito.
"Come in."
Inalis ko ang mga gamit na naka-patong sa sofa para may maupuan kami. Habang wala pa siya kanina, tinanggal ko na sa kahon ang ibang parte ng crib. "Thank goodness you came over, dumating lang kanina itong crib. Natatakot kasi akong ayusin mag-isa lalo na't lumalaki na si baby."
Nilapag niya ang mga pagkaing dala sa lamesa at umupo sa sofa, agad din naman akong tumabi sa kanya. "I have nothing else to do at my penthouse, so I came to visit you.", he said then looked at my tummy, "It's getting big, can I touch it?" he asked, tumango ako.
He was caressing my pregnant belly when he chuckled, "It amazes me how a baby can live inside a woman's body for nine months! Women are truly amazing."
I chuckled, "Amazing nga." I agreed "Ikaw, ano'ng balita sa'yo? You've been very busy."
He raised his brow and put his hand down. "Tons of work as usual. A friend came here from Singapore and I toured her around for a while." he explained.
Tumango ako sabay kunot ng noo nang may naalala, "A friend? Do you mean Nian?"
His lips slowly rose into a smile and licked his lips, "Natatandaan mo pa pala." he chuckled, "Siya nga. She decided to stay here for good."
Pabirong inirapan ko siya, "Bakit ko naman malilimutan? Para kang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa nang dumating ka rito. Any news?"
He shrugged and placed his arm around me, "I'm working on our relationship. I don't know how to sort this out, it's been a long time since I've been in a serious relationship."
"Well you need to sort out you're priorities or the second you turn around, she's gone."
He groaned, "I told her to wait 'till I can figure out what I'm really feeling for her."
Inis na nilingon ko siya at pinalo sa tiyan, "Ano ba tingin mo sa kanya? Call girl? Nakakaloka ka Joven." buntong hininga ko.
"Hey, I was being honest." he reasoned.
"Tignan natin kung hindi ka maghabol sa huli." sagot ko at napa-iling.
He sighed and changed the topic about work. We spent the next hour talking about that, that we already forgot about the crib.
"You're still an interior designer?"
Tumango ako, "I just took a maternity leave because I'm pregnant.", I took a bite of the marshmallows dipped in chocolate syrup, "I actually received an offer to work abroad, I'm still thinking whether I should accept it."
"If it's a good offer, why not? Where are you going exactly?"
"New York." I answered.
He was about to reply when we heard a knock. "Are you expecting someone?" Joven asked.
I shrugged, "Wala naman."
Kumuha muna siya ng tissue para punasan ang kamay bago tumayo, "I'll go check." anito bago tunguyin ang pinto.
I heard the door open, then moments later.. "Travis, what brings you here?"
BOTH OF them were seating far from each other－seating at the far end side of the sofa. Habang ako naman ay nakatayo sa harap nila.
I cleared my throat and forced a smile to Travis, "Gusto mo ba ng maiinom? I only have water and juice." I asked.
"Ako na." ani Joven.
"Ako na." ani Travis.
My mouth gaped not sure what to do. "Uhm.."
"No, ako na." singit ni Joven, nilingon niya si Travis, "Ako na ang kukuha para naman magkausap kayo ni Chel." aniya at tumayo papunta sa kusina.
Nang makaalis si Joven, umupo ako sa tabi ni Travis. "Bakit ka nandito? You should have called me."
"Bakit siya nandito?" balik nito sa aking tanong.
Inirapan ko siya, "Binisita lang ako. At dahil saktong dumating ang crib kanina, humingi na rin ako ng tulong." paliwanag ko.
"Puwede mo naman akong tawagan, bakit siya pa?" Humalukipkip ito.
"Travis I can't call you all the time. Ikakasal ka na nga tapos iistorbo pa ako." buntong hininga ko, "And besides, no one should know anything between us." pabulong kong sabi, sinisiguradong hindi maririnig ni Joven na nasa kusina lang.
"I understand that, but why can't I be your first choice?"
