So It's You: Special Chapter

Propped in front of the countertop table with my laptop, the continues typing on the keyboard was the only distinct sound in the  silent condo.

Jarvis was lounging on the couch while reading one of my newly released books. He's keeping quiet for the time being like a good boy, which I'm thankful for because I know how good he is at being a distraction.

But a behaved Jarvis doesn't usually last long.

"Babe..."

The continues typing on the keyboard did not falter. He had read every book I have ever published and they usually keep him company  whenever I'm busy writing or meeting a deadline. But I know he's starting to get bored. Buong araw na siyang naghihintay matapos ako sa ginagawa ko.

"Dito lang ba tayo sa condo mo buong araw?"

I glanced at him. He had his arms propped on the back of the couch with his chin resting on top while facing me. Sinabihan ko na siya  kanina na magiging busy ako sa pagsusulat. But he insisted on waiting for me.

And despite of myself, seeing that pouty face of his, I couldn't help but smile. He really is a child sometimes. I still find it astonishing that someone as hot as him on the stage with his drums, can be this adorable of a boyfriend.

Jarvis stood up from the couch. He could no longer stay still with his short attention span. Pumunta siya sa likuran ko at marahan akong niyakap sa beywang. He rested his chin against my shoulder while my eyes remained on the laptop screen.

"This is my first day off in a while. Spend it with me."

"I'm spending it with you," I teased him.

Sumulyap ako sa kanyang mukha na nakasimangot.

"Pero babe, mas focus ka pa sa love life ng mga characters mo kesa sa'kin." Humigpit ang yakap niya sa beywang ko. "Mas gwapo naman ako sa kanila."

I had to purse my lips to prevent a smile. How can I argue with that?

Tuluyan kong isinara ang laptop ko bago humarap sa kanya. Nanatili akong nakaupo sa stool habang nakatayo siya sa harapan ko. I had to lift my head up to stare at his face.

Jarvis is indeed hot. Like an American boy hot. Tall, broad shoulder, tousled brown hair and crumpled long sleeves shirt from lounging on  the couch all morning.

He noticed me checking him out. Ngumisi siya sabay sandal ng magkabilang palad sa    granite, trapping me between him and the countertop.

"You're staring long enough. Lalo kang mai-inlove sa'kin niyan," biro niya.

"Silly." I smiled. "I'm already madly in love with you."

Napa-atras siya sabay talikod. "Ah, shit babe." Hindi ko alam kung humahalakhak ba siya dahil pulang-pula ang mukha niya. "Hindi talaga ako mananalo sa'yo."

Lumapad ang ngiti ko nang muli siyang humarap sa'kin. "You know, we don't really have to go outside." I was trying to win over the  conversation. "We can spend quality time here."

He leaned closer with his lips an inch from mine. "Tempting," he whispered with a low voice. "Pero may nakapagsabi sa'kin na ilang  araw ka nang nakakulong dito sa condo. Kailangan mo ng sikat ng  araw."

I pulled my lips up in a frown. "Mainit sa labas."

He reached for the top of my head, patting it. This time I was the one looking like a child. "No more pouting, babe. I'll prepare your things so we can go."

And that is why I ended up outside the condo, squinting with vengeance at the glaring rays of the sun above us. Tinakpan ko ang mga mata ko mula sa sikat ng araw.

Indeed, it's been days since I last stepped out of the condo. Minsan nakakalimutan kong lumabas o mamili ng mga gamit lalo na tuwing naka-focus ako sa pagsusulat o tuwing may hinahabol na company deadline.

I admit, I kinda forget I have a boyfriend during those times. Nakakalimutan ko minsan i-update si Jarvis o mag-open ng phone. Although I always make it a point to communicate to him what's happening, what I'm currently writing or what's taking most of my time.

I'm not a good girlfriend... but his enthusiasm to be with me never fades.

We decided to have a lunch date. Jarvis drove his car while I sat comfortably on the passenger seat specifically adjusted for my preference. While driving, I couldn't help but stare at the veins on his arms holding the steering wheel.

Napansin ito ni Jarvis. His free hand reached for my hand until his long rough fingers intertwined with mine. I'm holding the same hands that hold the stick and hit the drums in front of thousands of people screaming his name.

But I prefer this Jarvis in front of me... because he's mine.

Pinisil niya ang palad kong nakapatong sa hita niya. "Ano'ng iniisip mo?"

"I need to buy a new notebook."

I blurted a random thought instead of admitting that I'm constantly thinking about him. It wasn't a complete lie anyway. There's no such thing as too many notebooks.

"You already have dozens." I caught him smirking while driving.

"They're not enough for my notes," I insisted.

"Okay, okay, Ms. Writer. We'll get you a new one."

We arrived at BGC. Before leaving the car at the parking lot, Jarvis placed a navy blue Nike's cap over my head followed by a black one over his tousled hair. It can't be helped. My boyfriend is the drummer of a famous band.

I headed straight to Fullybooked habang nakasunod si Jarvis. Pagtapat namin sa pinto ng store, humarap ako sa kanya. "I know you're hungry but I'll be quick."

Ngumiti lang siya. "Babe, take your time."

Pumasok kaming dalawa sa loob ng shop. Napansin ko agad ang mga libro from the publishing company I work with Eula. They were all displayed in tall bookshelves and best selling sections. There were also different copies of The Lead magazine displayed behind the glass shelves.

"Look, here's my book!"

Kinuha ko ang isang kopya mula sa best selling section at pinakita ito kay Jarvis. Ngumisi siya nang makita ang reaksyon ko bago marahang hinila pababa ang visor ng cap na suot ko.

"Babe, 'wag kang ngumiti ng ganyan. Baka mahalikan kita dito."

Nag-init ang pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. "Jarvis!" I whispered.

Humalakhak siya sabay akbay sa balikat ko. Humarap siya sa mga taong kasama naming bumibili ng mga libro. "Look at my girlfriend. She's a best selling--"

Tinakpan ko agad ang bibig niya gamit ang aking palad. Patuloy ang kanyang halakhak habang hinihila ko siya sa gilid. Napapatingin na sa'min ang mga tao. Ang iba sa kanila ay nakikilala si Jarvis dahil sa boses at tindig niya.

Hinintay ako ni Jarvis sa labas ng shop habang nagbabayad ako sa counter. Paglabas ko dala ang ilang bagong biling notebook, I noticed a small crowd hanging around Jarvis who recognized him.

They were all gushing about him, asking him who is he with, asking about the band's upcoming album. He happily interacted with them, taking pictures, and chatting with them.

I stepped on the side as I decided to wait for Jarvis. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon ko napapatunayan na hindi lang siya sa'kin. There are thousands of people who admire and love him the same way... or more than I do.

Jarvis caught my glance and immediately approached me. "Babe." Kinuha niya ang paper bag saka mahigpit na hinawakan ang aking kamay.

"It's okay. I'll wait for you here," I told him.

Napatingin sa'min ang mga taong kanina ay kausap niya. Most of them were woman and teenagers. Humarap si Jarvis sa kanila at marahang ngumiti.

"I'm here to spend time with my girlfriend," he told them. "Tagal kong hinintay ang date na 'to." His grin was contagious na maging sila ay napangiti.

Bumaling ang mga nakangiti nilang mukha sa'kin.

"Ms. Kayla, you're so pretty!"

"I love your book! love you!"

"Can Jarvis fight?"

Hindi ko napigilan ang ngiti ko lalo na nang biglang hinarang ni Jarvis ang sarili niya sa pagitan ko at ng grupo. "Hey, hey. She's mine." Pakikipagbiruan niya.

I admit, there are times I still find myself conscious of the attention attached with being Jarvis' girlfriend. But these are tiny sacrifices compared to what Jarvis can do for me.

And I honestly love Jarvis' fans. They're adorable and the sweetest. I remember receiving a lot of gifts from them during my birthday. They even know my favorite coffee and flowers.

Knowing there are people like them who loves Jarvis... gumagaan ang pakiramdam ko dahil alam kong may magmamahal at p-protekta tulad ng pagmamahal ko sa kanya.

Matapos mag-lunch, pabalik na kami sa sasakyan nang tumawag ang manager ng banda. He was asking our whereabouts because it seems like the pictures of us having a date were already posted on social media. He reminded Jarvis to take extra precautions whenever he's with me in public.

It was another thing I was thankful for. Madalas, mas nag-aalala pa ang manager o ang mga members ng banda sa'kin kesa sa mismong drummer nila.

"Ingat ka 'dyan, baka 'di ka na iuwi."

It was Sancho's message earlier kung saan si Jarvis ang nag-reply.

"Nu feeling ng taga-sana-ol?" Followed by an evil laugh emoji.

It was already late afternoon when Jarvis and I decided to head back to the condo. Pero bago ito, dumaan muna kami sa rehearsal studio dahil may kailangan siyang kunin.

It looks like the other members were on their day-off too. Walang tao sa studio compared to the times I visited with the members hanging  around, practicing.

Naghintay ako sa studio habang may hinahanap si Jarvis sa live room. Pinagmasdan ko ang set ng drums sa sulok ng maluwang na kwarto. It's where Jarvis' practices his piece and compositions, sitting side by side with those instruments and playing with a distinct fire in his eyes like he's born to do it.

Lumapit ako sa drum set at isa-isang hinawakan ang mga parte nito. Jarvis had taught me the basic parts of it. Because it's the thing he's passionate about, gusto ko itong matutunan. But I'm only good with words and fails at rhythm.

"Gusto mong subukan?"

Jarvis was leaning against the door frame, watching me with a grin. Lumapit siya sa kinaroonan ko nang hindi naalis ang ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"You know I'm bad at it."

"Nah. I can teach you how."

Marahan niyang hinila ang kamay ko at inupo ako sa stool, pinapaligiran ng parehong mga instrumentong nakapaligid sa kanya tuwing nagp-practice o nagp-perform.

Tumayo siya sa likuran ko. He let me hold the drum sticks while  guiding my hands that are only familiar with typing on the keyboard or holding a pen.

Hinawakan niya ang hita ko hanggang sa matapakan ko ang pedal sa sahig. "This is the bass drum..." Jarvis is so close he's basically whispering the words to my ear. "This one is the snare drum..."

Jarvis lifted my hand holding the stick to tap every drum and cymbal habang isa-isa niyang pinapakilala ang mga ito sa'kin. Their sounds  echoed in the four-walled room.

"Ready?"

Sumulyap ako sa kanyang mukha. His face was so close it's basically against my cheek. With him grinning, the two of us begun playing a  basic drum beat with his hands guiding me. I could feel the vibration from the instruments and from his chest leaning against my back while chuckling heartily.

Of all the instruments inside the studio, the sound of his laugh, his chuckle, it's the best sound I could hear. Nang sandali kaming tumigil, tuluyan akong humarap sa kanya.

Jarvis placed both palms on the side of the stool, watching me.  Wrapping both arms around his neck, I lifted my head up until my lips reached his in a light kiss.

Nabigla siya sa ginawa ko. But it only took a second before he reached for the side of my face with his rough palm. He pushed his lips against mine, parting for entry, deepening the kiss. Pareho kaming hindi makahinga nang maayos, wanting to be closer than what we're doing now.

"Let's hurry back to the condo," he whispered in between kisses.

"Hmm..." was my only response, still breathless.

I could feel him smiling against my lips. "There are CCTVs in this room."

Napa-atras ako sa gulat. My back collided with the snare drum behind  me. "Babe." Agad akong niyakap ni Jarvis na tila nasaktan ako sa nangyari.

Pero ang ngiti ko, hindi ko mapigilan habang nakatitig sa kanyang mukha. So this is what it feels like to be truly in love. And I'm down bad.

I don't know how to match what he can give. I may never be able to do so. But... he always makes me feel that I'm enough. And I wanted to give him the same assurance.

"Jarvis..."

He's still caressing my back, and another hand on top of my head, taking care of me like I'm a child. And maybe I still am. Maybe it's all I've ever wanted. To be taken care of... to be loved the same way I give love.

Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang gilid ng kanyang mukha hanggang sa pareho kaming nakatitig sa isa't-isa.

"You're my best story I want to keep writing forever."

//

Author's Note:

I know you miss them, so do I! I hope you enjoy this special chapter to help ease the heat of the summer!

In case you missed it, Saint Claire is already a series! Sancho and Eula's story "Ever So" is already up on my profile. I hope you can also check it!

See you there! #SoItsYouWP

Your author,
April