In the Midst of the War

Kabanata 26

KABANATA 26.

Siblings.

ALAS-DIES nang magpasya ang mga kaibigan kong umuwi. They are already tipsy. I offered to drive them to their condo but they declined. They can drive pa naman daw kaya I let them go. Umalis na rin ang mga kabanda ni Vale ilang minuto pagkatapos umalis ng mga kaibigan ko.

Me and Vale the one that were left kaya no choice kami, kami na ang naglinis ng kalat na ginawa ng mga kaibigan naming. To be honest, I’m a bit tipsy too. Pinainom nang pinainom kasi ako ng gagong si Alonzo tutal daw ay bente na ako.

Si Vale naman hindi masyadong uminom dahil magd-drive pa raw siya pauwi.

“Babe?”

“Hmm?” humarap ako sakaniya. He’s already holding his acoustic guitar.

“Seryoso ka ba?” natatawang tanong ko sakaniya. When he said that he’ll sing the whole album to me, I thought he was just kidding.

“Oo nga kasi. Gusto ko marinig mo muna ng live bago mo marinig ang studio version,” ungot niya. Natatawa kong ibinaba ang hawak kong dustpan at lumapit sakaniya.

Inakay niya ako papunta sa terrace at naupo kami sa rattan couch na andoon. Kinuha ko ang isang throw pillow at inilagay ito sa lap ko at saka ako lumingon sakaniya.

“Ilang kanta nga pala ang nasa album niyo?” I asked.

“Twelve. Pero sampu lang ang ni-release digital. Ang dalawa ay available lang sa physical album,” my mouth formed an ‘o’ because of what he said.

“So I have to buy an album para mapakinggan ko pa ‘yong dalawang kanta?” I asked jokingly. Kumunot ang noo niya at may kinuha sa likod niya.

“You don’t have to. I’ll give you one, for free,” nakangising saad niya. Hindi ko rin napigilan ang ngiti ko nang makita ko ang album nila. kinuha ko iyon mula sa kamay niya at pinagmasdan.

The album has the color of aurora. Wala na itong plastic kaya binuksan ko. Inside is the CD and some photo cards of the band. Wow, so they also have freebies, huh?

Nakangiti akong lumingon ulit sakaniya.

“I’ll take care of it,” his lips solely formed a smile because of what I said.

“Should I sing for you now?” he grinned boyishly. I laughed at him and nodded after.

Nagsimula siyang mag-strum ng gitara at ako naman ay nakinig lang. Paminsan-minsan pa niya akong kinikindatan na tinatawanan ko lang. ako ata ang pinagpa-practisan nito para sa fan service. Napailing ako. matapos ang pangatlong kanta ay pinahinto ko na siya.

I told him that we’ll just listen to the songs together. He agreed, but only if I cuddle with him on the couch. Hindi na ako nagdalawang isip na lumapit sakaniya at yakapin siya. He let out a chuckle before kissing the top of my head.

We stayed like that for a couple of minutes. Just staring at the stars and lights from the neighborhood building. I don’t know if we’re being touchy recently but I can feel that we’re intimate most of the time.

Not the intimate that requires too much touching. We’re intimate in a matter that we just cuddle and be silent but it felt like we’ve done so many things. I don’t know, every time we’re in this position, I felt light and complete.

I’m actually surprised that Vale isn’t giving any hints that we want something more than cuddling. I mean, we’ve been together for almost five months and nothing going on more than kissing and cuddling.

Not that I’m suggesting anything, I’m happy just by cuddling. But what about him? But he will say something if he wants to take this to another level, right? Besides, we’re still new and fragile. Right.