40: it's great
#DWTDWP

RYU

Pinanuod ko siya habang maganang kumakain ng mga prutas. She had it cut into tiny cubes so that she can eat it like she's eating popcorn. Her eyes were focused on the screen where a gore movie was playing.

Like seriously?

"Oh, good morning Rocket!" bati niya nang mapansin ako.

"Morning. What are you watching this early?"

"Overlord," sagot niya. "It's a sweet film."

I smirked. To her, so much violence is equal to sweet. How the hell I survived being with her?

Tiningnan ko siya habang nag-eenjoy sa palabas. Her eyes showed signs how much she cried last night, in fact it was the only remnants of her breaking down.

"Hey Rocket, what's for breakfast?" tanong niya.

See? She's over it. Or maybe not really.

"Are you fine?" tanong.

"Yup."

"You sure?" paninigurado ko.

She nodded. "Of course. I'm better now. You know what, I realized you have a point last night."

She did?

Inilapag niya ang bowl naglalaman ng mga prutas at ini-pause ang palabas. "I kept bottling them and resorted to sex and violence. I had sex with a lot of guys before, well not that much but they're quite few of them. So, I have a resolution."

I didn't expect her to be this strong. Kailangan lang niyang iiyak ang lahat and then she'll do better.

Or so I thought.

"I will no longer have sex with other guys, just you."

I choked on nothing.

What the actual hell?! Is she serious?

"And I will try my best not to shoot people in the face whenever they pissed me off. Keyword, Try. I will try. Now, what's for breakfast again?" she asked with that wide eye, innocent look.

I'm doomed.

***

Pi

"Anong pasalubong ang gusto mo pagbalik ko?" I asked Rocket as he watched me pack my things. I did his things first and a delicious lunch was his way of saying thank you.

"None," matipid niyang sagot.

"C'mon I'll be gone for a week, tell me, do you want anything?"

He shook his head and focused on his phone, scrolling at god knows what.

"Ah, okay I get it you want me to come back in one piece? Got it--"

"Stop assuming. I don't care if you get drown, rolled over by a bus or hit by a meteorite," he replied.

I giggled at how pissed he was pero saglit lamang dahil ibinalik niya sa kanyang cellphone ang tingin.

Not cool.

But whatever. Kung ayaw niya, edi wag. Maybe I'll make a list later for things I want to buy for Cooler, the love of my life.

Nagpatuloy ako sa pag-eempake and it was quite a while since he's scrolling on his cellphone. Ano ba kasi ang ginagawa niya, nag-oonline shopping?!

I set aside my things and walked towards his side and found him browsing through pictures of a girl.

What?

It was a gorgeous girl with curls one will be envy of. Truth be told, gusto kong maging natural na kulot but sad to say I wasn't lucky. Parehas na unat ang buhok ng mga magulang ko so here's my natural straight hair na kung minsan pa ay sinusukuan ng curling iron.

"Who is she?" tanong ko.

He flinched in surprise, maybe he's too focused on looking at the pictures kaya hindi niya napansin ang paglapit ko.

Pinatay niya ang screen ng kanyang cellphone at mabilis na tinago iyon sa kanyang bulsa. "None of your business," sagot niya. "Tapusin mo na ang ginagawa mo at nang makaalis na tayo."

I just pouted and get back to what I'm doing.

***

RYU

"Will you please stop eating that? It stinks," sabi ko at saglit siyang sinulyapan bago ibinalik sa daan ang tingin. It made me think she actually dragged me in this so called weekend getaway para mayroon siyang taga-luto, taga-linis at taga-drive. I didn't even know the way here since I was out of my consciousness on the way dahil sa ginawa niya.

She pouted like a kid at ibinaba ang tingin sa hawak na malaking pack na cornick. "But... I want this!"

"Mangangamoy bawang ang sasakyan!"

She stomped her foot but later, she had that grim expression on her face. "Oh wait, so what? This is my car, wala akong pakialam kung mangamoy."

At hindi na siya nagdalawang-isip na buksan iyon at nagsimulang kumain. She looked so happy eating it, at naglaro pa! She started throwing some on air at sinalo iyon gamit ang kanyang nakabukang bibig.

She sometimes choke but she would just laugh as she drinks. What the hell, I'm in the same car with a psychopath with a kid's mentality. Hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtampal sa noo ko.

But it's actually good to know she's no longer that crying titless two nights ago. That night she cried hard, she slept well unlike her previous sleep where she used to have nightmares.

"Oh, malapit na tayo sa port Rocket!" wika niya. She licked her fingers and smiled at me. "Daddy and John will be here in two hours. And you, si Zero na ang bahalang magdala sa'yo pauwi."

That Zero guy.

Uh.

"No thanks, I can manage---"

"There! Stop on the side!" Hininto ko ang sasakyan at biglang bumukas ang pinto sa gilid ko.

And that Zero guy leaned inside, to much of my annoyance.

"You ready to go?" tanong niya kay titless at pinigilan ko naman ang sarili na sikuhin siya.

"Get lost dude," wika ko at lumabas ng sasakyan. He moved on the side at binuksan ko naman ang likurang pinto upang kunin ang bag ko. Titless get out of the car too at kinuha ang kanyang gamit.

Her dog Zero was quick to do it for her.

"What's that smell?" tanong nito.

"Nothing," titless answered and walked towards me. "Thanks Rocket for your time! I'll be gone for..." She started counting on her fingers. "7-8 days so try not to miss me that much okay?"

"I don't care," sagot ko at nag-iwas ng tingin. I can feel her dog's cold gazes at me.

Bigla na lamang niyang ipinulupot ang mga braso sa leeg ko. "And send my regards to Cooler," she said. Inilapit niya ang mukha sa kanya, trying to give me a quick kiss but she stopped halfway.

Napakurap siya at tumitig sa labi ko. She licked her lower lip and I saw how she swallowed hard.

"I... I'll miss you Rocket..."

I just bite my lower lip, unsure how to react. She sighed before moving slowly to kiss me but before our lips locked, I pulled away.

"Your breath stinks!" bulalas ko. What the heck, don't tell me sinimot niya talaga ang kinakain niya kanina?!

Napasimangot siya at binato ako ng masamang tingin. Huminga siya sa kanyang palad at inamoy din iyon. She made a grunting noise, "Uh, ang baho nga but hey, garlic flavor is the best!"

Still stinks though.

Tumikhim ang aso niyang si Zero sa tabi.

"Pi, let's go?"

Titless smiled widely and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "Bye Rocket!"

Then she turned her back and walked towards the port with Zero, hips swaying in a gracious way.

With Titless away, I'll have a peaceful week.

This is a blessing.

I'll get to do things I should do since I am a busy man.

Lol!

Great. This is great.

#

ShinichiLaaaabs✒️