Atticus POV

I guess doing it for the second time makes me nervous. I had the same feeling about the situation I was in the first time. We had fun, everyone did the same for us, and we are making beautiful memories each day while we are here. I respect her like I always do and never invade her privacy.

Some nights were hard to control, but I did well. I'm reminding myself over and over again that I don't want to use her because of the situation we are in. Hindi niya ako maalala, at ayaw kong pagsamantalahan ang kahinaan na iyon sa kanya.

"Are you going to be okay after this?" si Xavion sa kabilang linya.

"Let me remind you, bro. Philip is secretive, and up until now, he's hiding something from all of us. He knows how we do our jobs if needed. Kilala niya kung ano tayo at nag-iingat siya. And him meeting Gaige in Japan for quite a while after she didn't show up at your wedding has something to do with why her memory. Kaya huwag ka munang makampante sa kapatid mo, Art."

I took a deep breath while listening to Xavion in the line. I feel like I will erupt soon, and if only Philip is in front of me, I might punch him. At hindi ako magdadalawang isip na gawin ito.

How could he do this to me? He knew I was looking for Gaige, and I told him about my problems.

Isang beses lang iyon na lumabas sa bibig ko dahil desperado na ako sa sarili sa paghahanap ko sa kanya.

That fucking bastard knew, and he chose to shut the hell up because of his greed!

"I will be back next week, Xav. Sa ngayon ay nagbabago na ang isip ni Gaige at gusto niyang maalala ang lahat sa amin. . . I think it's the only hope I could hold onto as of the moment."

"Then, that's good. She's probably having visions or recollections of you. Pamilyar ka sa kanya at siguro ang mga iilang alaala ay pilit na bumabalik sa isip niya. Just take it easy, Art, everything will flow according to nature. Trust your love with her. Dahil kung mahal ka niya ay hindi makakalimutan iyan ng puso kahit pa nakalimutan na ito ng isip."

I shake my head when I heard him. Bahagya ang ginawa kong pag-ngiti sa sarili dahil nakikita ko ang sarili ko ngayon kay Xavion.

"Now I understand how you feel, Xav."

"Damn, bro. Iba naman iyon. Iba ang puso ko sa puso mo. Kaya huwag mo akong itulad sa' yo," kantyaw na tugon niya sa kabilang linya.

"Yeah, yeah, I believe it," I smirked again and just shook my head. Sandaling natahimik kaming pareho at rinig ko lang din ang tahimik na pag-tawa niya sa kabilang linya.

"By the way. Your mother was asking me who's with you there? May kasama ka raw na babae," ulit na tawa niya.

Dammit, Mama. Tahimik na mura ng isip ko.

I'm sure she found it out by the gossip around. Ina ko nga naman siya. Of course, she will know. Galing siya rito, at dito siya lumaki. Kahit na wala na ang mga magulang niya ay maraming mga chismosang tao na nakadikit pa din sa kanya.

"And what did you say to her?"

"Well, I told her that the person Atiicus spending time with down the resort was no other than her soon-to-be daughter-in-law," bahagyang tawa ulit niya.

"Bastard. Talagang tinuluyan mo nang inisin si Mama ano?"

"That will do her good. Pinababayaan ka na kasi ni Tita, at mas maganda ito para mapakialaman natin ang isang anak niya."

I shake my head and face down. The hell, Xavion. May utak nga naman ang isang ito.

Mama doesn't seem to care much about me because she knows I'm doing well. Only Papa was a little strict towards me when it came to dating. Although he doesn't tell me about the standard he wants for a daughter-in-law, I can tell that he wants a decent one from a respectable family.

Iba naman si Mama, dahil may tiwala siya sa usapang puso pagdating sa akin. Kay Philip lang siya nababahala masyado dahil napabayaan niya ito.

"You will thank me, Atticus, and you are welcome, bro. I will add it up to my list, okay?" pilyong tuno ng boses niya.

"Bastard, you reaper," mahinang mura ko at natawa lang din ako.

"Anyway, I better go. I will see you when you get back."

I turn off the line and lift a stare at the dark sky. Luckily, the stars are bright, and it shines beautifully from where I stand.

Imbes na sa maliit na bahay ni Mama kami ay napagdesesyonan ko na lumipat kami ni Gaige kaninang umaga dahil sa mga tao.

I don't mind it. I love the people there, but I want to spend quality alone with Gaige. And the best for us is to separate for a little bit from them.

She got drunk the other night and that was a surprise for me. Unang beses ko yata iyon na namataan siyang lasing at panay lang din ang tawa niya. Gusto nga siya ng lahat dahil mabilis niyang nakuha ang puso nila.

After that, she came up good the next day and acted more comfortable toward me.

"Nandito ka lang pala. Heto, tsa-a mo."

"Thank you, darling." Bago ko ito tinangap ay humalik muna ako sa noo niya at hinayaan niya ako.

"You're welcome."

Tumabi na siya sa akin at pareho na kami ngayon na nakatitig sa dagat.

"Are you okay with this?" I asked and looked at her.

"Oo, naman. Lahat naman ng ginagawa mo, Atticus ay gusto ko," ngiti niya.

"That's good." Sabay inom sa tsa-a ko. Ibinaba ko muna ang tsa-a na hawak at pareho kaming natahimik ngayon. Hinawakan ko na ang kamay niya. Mainit ang palad niya katulad ng palad ko. Pero malamig ang sa kabila.

"You know the funny thing about you? Is your hand." Haplos ko nito at hinalikan ko na ito.

She looks at me, looking contented and happy.

"And why is that? Dahil ba malamig ang isa at ang isa ay hindi?"

I nodded. "Oo. . . Madalas ito ang reklamo mo noon sa Japan." I smile wickedly and put her cold hand inside my side pocket.

"See that? It fits perfectly."

We both looked at it, and she smiled. Our hands fit perfectly inside, and I feel the wiggles she made with her fingers.

She laughs a little bit, trying to tease me using her fingers. I felt warmth, and my heart is complete. If only I could steal one good damn kiss, it would be over.

"Ang sarap sa pakiramdam. Ang init kasi ng kamay mo at gustong-gusto ito ng isang kamay ko," pilyang titig niya sa akin. Halos maglapit na ang mukha namin dahil magkadikit kami sa isa't-isa.

I purposely grab her body against me and she let me. Hindi namin inalis ang kamay sa ilalim ng bulsa ko at mahigpit ang hawak ko nito.

Her scent lingers in my nostril and gives me an intimate feeling. And that I wish I could taste her.

We went quiet and listened to how our heartbeats. I kissed her forehead and just hugged her instead.

"Atticus. . ." In her sweet voice and I look down at her face. She tilted slightly and shut her eyes like she was waiting for me to kiss her.

Napaigting ang panga ko at halos mabingi na ang puso ko sa sandaling ito.

Now, what the hell does she want me to do? I am not blind to this because I want to devour her lips if she asks me directly.

"P-puwede mo ba'ng halikan ako? G-gusto ko lang matikman ang halik mo," saad niya habang nakapikit ang mga mata. 

.

C.M. LOUDEN