Stonehearts 7: Ruby

Thirty Nine

"Bakit tayo pupunta sa school? Mag-i-inquire ka? Mag-ma-masters ka ba?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko kay Bryce habang nagmamaneho siya.

He chuckled, capturing my hand in his and placing soft kisses at the back of it. "Hang-on, hon. Malalaman mo mamaya."

The mysterious way he said made me feel all jittery and excited. I tried my best to stop bugging him on our drive, kahit na nangangati ang dila kong magtanong.

"How does it feel working again? Hindi ka naman nahihirapan sa long hours?" He asked, throwing a side glane at me.

"It's good to be back. Na-miss ko silang lahat doon."

"Paano ako? Hindi mo na-mi-miss?" He jibed.

I chuckled then kissed his palm. "Paano kita ma-mi-miss, eh, hindi mo ako binibigyan ng chance ma-miss ka?"

His laughters echoed with mine, "Okay, fair enough."

It's been more than a year and by far, it's the best more than a year of my life. A day after that supper at Aya and Ferris' place, Bryce returned to his house beside mine, para mas malapit siya sa'kin. He would sleep there at night, but other than that, wala na. After four months, he told me that he would want to fall asleep with me and wake up the next morning still with me in my arms. When I asked him what he has in my mind, he raised his idea of a house renovation.

A month after, 'yong dalawang bahay naging iisa.

Now, we live together, with Chihiro, in our huge estate.

Bumalik din ako sa kumpanya nila Kuya Cael. I was happy and not too shocked when I learned that he and Ate Era just got married. We heard bits and pieces of their history, but no one really knew what happened, but we're glad they finally rekindled the old flame within them. Natatawa nga ako na parang noon lang, nagpapatulong pa ako kay Ate Era mamili ng damit para sa 'date' namin ni Bryce.

"Alam mo, ngayon ko lang naalala itanong. Bakit Chihiro pinangalan mo kay Chihiro?" Tanong ko.

Sandali siyang natahimik bago lumawak ang tingin niya. "Why do you think?" She fired right back.

I thought real hard, then it hit me making me gape at him. "You're serious?"

"Spirited Away is your favorite Studio Ghibli movie. And you're my favorite girl, it's fitting than I name our dog Chihiro."

"But she wasn't our dog back then yet."

He again pressed a kiss on my knuckles. "You're right, but I always hoped she will be. At nangyari naman."

I was out of words. Time and time again, marami akong na-di-discover na mga bagay-bagay na ginawa niya para sa'kin, para sa'min, ng mga panahong nasa U.S. pa ako. And time and time again, I always finde myself falling deeper to his abyss of love and affection.

Agad kami nagtungo sa luma naming building ng nakarating kami sa school. Hindi ko alam kung anong pakulo niya o ano nanamang pakana ito subalit hindi na ako nagtanong pang muli. Besides, I trust him more than life itself, he won't do anything to hurt me. He's been proving that to me ever since the day he ripped his heart out for me.

"May kukunin lang ako sa loob." Paalam niya ng natunton namin ang opisina ng mga Prof. Tinanguan ko lang siya saka niya ako sandaling hinalikan at iniwang naghihintay sa labas.

When he returned, he handed me a piece of paper folded in the middle. Shooting him a quizzical look, I flipped it to open.

"To whom it may concern,