Together Under The Stars

A smile slipped on my lips as I saw a new message on my inbox.

Donny: Got to work early because I am going to spend the night with my baby.

Hindi ko napigilang kiligin nang mabasa ko ang mensahe niya. Even we're just hiding our love, I am still thankful to God. Kahit pa hindi niya maipagsigawan sa buong mundo na ako ang babaeng mahal niya, masaya pa rin ako dahil hindi siya nagkulang ng oras sa akin. He is always with me. On every journey I'll take, he is always there to support me. Kahit nga ata pasukin ko ang pinakapeligrosong parte ng mundo, sasamahan niya ako.

I leaned on my seat. It's already five in the morning, and I haven't get any sleep yet. I lost track of time. Masyado akong nasiyahan sa pag-aaral.

Mikael: Katatapos ko lang mag-aral sa Oblicon, baby. My freshman self is so nervous for the opening of classes.

I am Mikael Daniels, a freshman student of University of the Philippines. I choose the program Bachelor of Science in Accountancy because I want to be a Lawyer someday. I guess, this program will be the best pre-law. Kaya nga nagpapakahirap akong mag-memorize ng provisions sa Obligation and Contracts. Para sa pangarap at para sa bayan.

Donny: Inaral mo na ata ang buong libro, mahal.

Napasimangot ako sa naging reply niya. Mabilis kong pinindot ang video call para makausap siya. I am glad that he instantly answered it.

My Donato welcomed me with a wide smile.

"Hey..." His smile widened. "I am alone in the dressing room. Luckily."

I pouted on the camera. Dimmed na ang lights sa sala ng condo ko at tanging side table lamp lang ang ginagamit ko sa pag-aaral.

"Good morning, love!" I greeted him. "Diba, three in the afternoon pa ang shoot mo today? Why so early?"

Donny did not respond quickly. Nanatili lang siyang nakatingin sa akin sa camera. He was smiling and it is driving me crazy.

"Hoy! Tulala ka riyan..." sabi ko sa kanya.

He looked away. Smile didn't escape his lips. Mas lalo lang iyong lumawak. Pinatong niya ang kanyang cellphone sa patungan sa kanyang harapan. He get his blue pillow-- the one I gave to him as my gift on our third anniversary.

"You're beautiful, Mikael," he suddenly complimented. "Can't wait to see you today."

Umiling ako. Mabuti na lang at medyo madilim dito. Hindi niya makikita ang mapula kong pisngi.

Jusko, five years na kami pero simpleng puri niya lang kinikilig at nag-bu-blush pa rin ako. Stop this!

"Hindi mo pa po sinasagot ang tanong ko, Donato," pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

Umiling siya. Nilapit niya ang kanyang mukha sa screen.

Jusko, sis! I want to pinch his cheeks and kiss his forehead. Ang aga aga, wala pa akong tulog tapos magpapakilig siya. Hustisiya naman, oh! Baka hindi na talaga ako makatulog nito.

"Secret, Mikael..." he sexily said my name. "Sleep ka muna for awhile. Tama na kakaaral, Love. Kaya ko namang mag-provide para sa ating dalawa in the future."

Umiling ako at nagpangalumbaba. Pinatong ko sa phone stand ang cellphone ko.

"Baka hindi ako maging Abogado kapag naging tamad ako sa pagbabasa at pag-aaral."

Donny pouted his lips. Mas lalo niya pang nilapit ang kanyang mukha sa camera.

"Mahal pa rin naman kita kahit hindi mo matupad ang pangarap mo," sabi niya. "I'll always stay by your side. Kahit pa mahirap ka na. Kahit pa anong mangyari sa'yo, sa ating dalawa."

Tinago ko ang aking mukha sa aking palad. Umiling ako at sinigaw ko ang pangalan niya.

"DONATO!" sigaw ko. " Tama na nga. Matutulog na ako."

Donny's laugh invade my silent life.

"Sige na, sige na," tumatawang sabi niya. "The production team is on the way, baka makita nila tayo. Good bye, Baby. Rest well. I love you. Ikaw lang."

Hindi na ako nakasagot pa sa kanya. He ended the call and I received a message from him.

Donny: Please, don't stress yourself on that subject. We'll study that together. Get some rest, please, baby. I love you. See you later.

Nagising ang buong sistema ko. Iba talaga magpakilig ang Donato ko. Grabe, hindi na ata talaga ako makakatulog nito.

Kahit pa gising na gising ang buong diwa ko, pinilit ko pa ring matulog. Sa sobrang himbing ng tulog ko ay ala sais na ako ng hapon nagising. Narinig ko ang kalampag ng mga gamit sa kusina ko.

Napangiti ako bago ako pumasok sa banyo. I knew what's happening on the kitchen. He is trying his best to cook again.

Naligo ako at nag-ayos ng sarili. I don't know, I just feel like dressing up tonight. It feels like something's good is going to happen.

I was wearing a blue sleeveless dress and a white block sandals when I went outside my room. I straightly went to the kitchen. Napatawa na lang ako sa nadatnan ko.

Donny was wearing a pair of black suit. He is facing the stove with his irritated face. Masyadong magulo ang mga gamit sa kusina kaya natatawa ko siyang nilapitan.

"Trying hard," tumatawang sabi ko. Napatingin siya sa akin. Gusot ang kanyang mukha na mas lalong nagpatawa sa akin.

"Tagal ko nang sumusubok magluto pero hindi ko magawa," sabi niya habang nakanguso.

Tinago ko ang aking ngiti sa pamamagitan ng pagkagat ng aking pang-ibabang labi. Lumapit ako sa kaguluhan at nilinis ang mga kalat.

"Bakit ba kasing kailangan mo pang matuto?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Donny stayed silent for awhile. He was watching me while cleaning his mess.

"Kasi your ideal guy is someone who loves cooking," he boringly stated.

Kusang uminit ang aking pisngi. Hindi agad ako nakasagot sa kanya. Kaya naman sa halip na sumagot ay wala akong ibang nagawa kundi ang tumahimik na.

I cleaned the mess while he is watching. Nang matapos ako ay pumunta kaming dalawa sa sala ng condo. I really don't know why we are all dressed up tonight. Naka-dress ako at naka-suit siya.

I was about to sit on the couch when Donny held my waist. Inigaya niya ako patungo sa pintuan kaya agad akong kinabahan. Someone might see us on this kind of position! Baka mamaya ay merong media nakasunod sa kanya. Kapag nakita nila kaming ganito ay siguradong magigimbal ang buong bayan.

"What are you doing..." Hindi ko na nagawa pang tapusin ang sasabihin ko. He walks fastly towards the elevator.

Mabuti na lamang at walang tao sa elevator. Kaming dalawa lamang ang nandoon. Pero nangangamba pa rin ako na baka may sumakay sa mga susunod na floor.

"Stop it, Donny..." mahinang ani ko sa kanya. Pilit kong tinatanggal ang kapit niya sa aking baywang.

"Let's have a date, Mikael," seryoso at mahinang sabi niya na agad ko namang tinanggihan.

"Nababaliw ka na ba?" sabi ko sa kanya. "Kapag nakita tayo ng publiko, hindi magiging maganda ang dulot niyon sa'yo!"

I frustratedly massaged my forehead. Ngunit si Donny ay hindi nababahala sa kalagayan naming dalawa. Nilapit ko ang aking kamay sa keys ng elevator ngunit mabilis niyang pinigilan iyon. He pressed the button so the elevator went up to the rooftop.

Taka akong napatingin sa kanya. He was just relaxed while I am being frustrated beside him. Parang wala bang naghihintay na media sa amin paglabas namin sa elavator na ito.

"Just trust me, 'kay?" he suddenly said. He looked at me with his sincere eyes that is why the frustration in my heart eased.

"I will trust you, babe," I said.

Ang kanyang kamay na nasa aking baywang ay dumaosdos patungo sa aking kamay. He held my hand tightly. Para bang ayaw na niyang kumawala.

We both stayed silent. Not until the elevator opened. My mouth shut open when I saw that the rooftop was lighted by hundreds of candles. There is a table at the center of the rooftop. A soft music plays as our background music. Rose petals' were scattered on the floor. I looked up the sky and I can clearly see the bright stars, shining for us, shining for me.

"Can I date you, Miss Daniels?" Donny caught my attention. Hindi ko namalayang nakatayo na kaming dalawa sa gitna ng rooftop.

I smiled at him. My tears are at the verge of my eyes, ready to fall because of too much happiness I am feeling.

"Let's have a date tonight, Pangilinan," I stated using my weak voice.

He sweetly smiled at me. He offered his hand infront of me.

"Can I have this dance?" he asked me.

I smiled, and willingly accepted his hand. Ngayong ko lang napagtanto na instrumental pala ng kanta ng Ben&Ben na Upuan ang tumutugtog. This one's the different version. Soft and mellow.

We both swayed. Kasabay ng indayog ng musika ay ang kakaibang ritmo ng aming mga paa. My heart feels full. Iba ito sa mga gabing kasama ko siya. This one is very different. Pakiramdam ko, kahit anong hamon ang ibato ng mundo, kakayanin ko dahil nandyan siya. Sa pagmamahal niya ako kumakapit.

"I am willing to quit showbiz to have a normal life with you, Mikael," he suddenly stated his plans.

Nawala ang ngiti sa aking labi.

"You love what you're doing..." I said. "You can't quiz showbiz."

Donny nodded. His right hand cupped my face.

"That's why I already arranged a press conference for tomorrow," he said. Confusion was written all over my face as I listen to his statement. "I am going to announce my relationship to the whole world."

Kusang sumilay ang isang ngiti sa aking labi. It made me happy. Ewan ko ba, kahit pa alam kong may negatibong epekto iyon ay naging masaya at kontento pa rin ako.

I embraced him and he did the same.

"I love you, Love," I weakly uttered.

Donny kissed my hair. He softly embraced me. I feel safe and secure between his arms.

"You're the love of my life, Mikael," he confessed under the stars.