Something That Will Last

30 // A Bucket Full of Wishes

30 // A Bucket Full of Wishes

Hinahalikhalikan ko ang kamay ni Vie habang umiinom siya ng iced coffee. Mukhang okay lang naman sa kanya kasi hindi siya nagrereklamo.

Napapangisi ako tuwing nakikita kong nagpipigil o nagtatago siya ng ngiti. Ang tenga niya pa ay kaunting namumula.

"We're marching tomorrow. What are your plans?" I asked my girlfriend.

"Lunch with family after, I guess," nahihiya niyang sagot.

Since the day I became her boyfriend, Vie got all cute and awkward as if she's afraid to do anything insane. I didn't know why she wasn't aware of this already, but I live for her craziness.

"Do you want to have dinner with my family, then?" I asked, hopeful. "But no pressure! Kung hindi ka pa handa, ayos lang."

May kaba akong nakita sa mata ng girlfriend ko kaya agad akong bumawi.

Sorry I'm calling her my girlfriend one too many times in my head. I felt like it's customary, since I earned it, since I love her.

"Let's just have dinner at my place," I offered. "We'll eat takeouts at the balcony."

Ngumuso siya. "Akala ko magluluto ka na, e."

I chuckled and dipped in a kiss on her knuckles before answering. "Pwede naman. Do you want me to?"

"Well, can you?" mapagbintang niyang tanong. "And stop kissing my hand!"

Nilingon niya ang customers sa café, pero hindi niya rin binabawi ang kamay niya mula sa 'kin. I chuckled. She wants it, too, but just too shy to admit it.

"I can cook. Pero gusto ko ng mahabang oras kasama ka, so let's just order. That okay?"

She nodded. At the end of the day I had to send her home to their own house 'cause tomorrow would be our graduation ceremony. She'd go together with her parents.

Sa kanila na rin kami nag-dinner kasabay ang parents niya. 'Wag ka, kilala na ako rito. Noong una kabado talaga ako! 'Di ko kasi sigurado kung boto pa ba ang parents ni Vie kay good ol' Narcissus.

Dahil real estate brokers ang parents niya, akala ko e mapapabili na 'ko agad ng bahay namin ni Vie makuha ko lang ang loob nila. Pero buti na lang ay mukha pa rin akong katanggap-tanggap na nilalang.

Isa pa, ang laking angat ko naman doon kay Narcissus. Mind scoff.

On the other hand, while it still did not happen in person, my family knew the existence of my Viennica. I already told them because Jess wouldn't shut up about her. I do like hearing my girlfriend's name, it's just that the pitch of my sister's voice is vexing sometimes!

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Magkahawak-kamay kaming naglakad papunta sa sasakyan ko. Another day ended.

"Uu. Uhm, drive safely," she said sheepishly. Napatawa ako.

Hinila ko siya para humalik sa noo. "Mag-beauty rest ka na. Maglalagay ka ng facial mask?"

Tumango siya at ngumuso. "Ikaw, wala kang ritual bago matulog?"

'Di ko alam, pero napahagalpak ako ng tawa dahil sa tanong niya. Umiling lang ako. "Wala. Iisipin ka lang."

Wholesomely.

"Umuwi ka na nga! Kalat mo." She rolled her eyes.

Napangiti ako. Pinisil ko ang kamay niya at malambing na bumulong, "I love you."

She once again rolled her eyes, this time gently and unsurely. "Same same."

Dahil iba pa rin ang ngatog ng tuhod ko sa hitman ni Lolo Gustin ay hanggang noo lang ako nakahalik. Tsaka na lang ako babawi kapag solo ko na siya.