#MultiverseInterlude04

"You don't have to save me," I said as I opened the door and let him in.

I just want to treat him to a glass of water to sober up. Wala naman kasi akong alam sa pagpapatuloy ng bisita; because our maids will always serve our visitors on behalf of us which kind of disturb me.

I went to the kitchen and got two glasses of water from the cabinet and fetched some water from the dispenser. It has two options, cold and warm, but I've chosen the cold one for the faster effect.

And after that, I went back to the living room where he was sitting waiting for me. I place the other glass of water in front of him as I began drinking mine while looking at his sleepy eyes.

His stares are too deep and it is making my heart beat fast.

How many times did I fall for him on this day?

I mean, binibilang pa ba iyon?

Umiling ako at nilagok ang natirang tubig sa baso at tsaka nilapag iyon sa lamesa. Hindi niya pa rin ginalaw ang baso at nanatali pa rin ang kanyang nakakaakit na matang nakatitig sa 'kin.

"What are you looking at? Inumin mo na yung tubig para mahimasan ka," bumuntong hininga ako at isinandal ang aking likod sa sofa.

"Okay," I nodded as I looked at him getting the glass of water on the table.

I gulped as I saw how hot he was while drinking the water. His Adam's apple is showing at his every gulp of the water. My mouth is agape a little as my heart slowly melts.

"Enjoying the view?" Napakurap ako at umiling; avoiding his gaze as twinkled my eyes.

I heard him laugh making me look at him. And there he was biting his lower lip, shaking his head, brushing his hair while he continued laughing over it and now he was seriously looking at me.

"You should leave Mr. Martinez, I'm sure your house is in the same building where my home was built." Walang emosyong sabi ko at napahikab dahil sa antok at pagod.

God, I'm so tired!

Gusto ko ng mahiga sa aking kama pero diring-diri pa ako sa sarili ko ngayon. I have to take a bath and clean myself, do my skincare and some ka-artehan stuffs that I always do every night.

"Apparently, my house is under renovation and I'm currently staying at a friend's compound." Ka-agad nag angat ako ng kilay sa kanya at nagsalita. 

"Oh, tapos? Anong pinaparating mo sa 'kin ha? Are you saying that you're going to stay here at my place?"

"Yeah,"

"That would never happen! Ipapahatid kita sa assistant ko 'dun sa bahay ng kaibigan mo!" Inis na sabi ko at naparolyo sa aking mata.

"Why are you so mad? I was just asking, and if you decline my offer eh it's not a problem naman but I would be happy if you won't and let me stay here instead, but looks like I finally have my answer."

Oh? Sayang naman.

Was I too defensive and sensitive to him?

And why the hell did I suddenly feel disappointed with what he said?

Tangina. Hindi dapat ako nagpapadala sa mga salitang nakakapaghumaling. Sumuko na ako sa kanya, matagal na panahon na iyon at mananatili lang din sa nakaraan ang nararamdaman kong iyon.

I should start planning backup plans tomorrow. He might betray me and I must betray him first.

"How far is your friend's house?" Na g-guilty kong tanong sa kanya at ipinagkrus ang aking kamay.

Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi ma guilty sa pag-akto ko sa kanya eh nagtatanong lang naman pala siya diba? And I can see sadness and his face.

Lumambot na naman ang puso ko para sa kanya at nagbalak na dito na lang siya sa 'kin.

"About 30 minutes away, I can manage to drive naman pero it's the best way that there's someone with me for a safer ride back home,"

"In short hindi mo kayang magmanehong mag isa?" I asked out and he lightly nod his head. "Fine, you stay here tonight. Follow me,"

Huling salita ko at naglakad patungog itaas. Sumunod naman siya at napangisi ako ng lihim.

Binuksan ko ang guest room para sa kanya. The bed here is big that can fit two person. Mayroon rin itong sariling banyo, bath-tub and shower, mgkaiba rin ang toilet, in short they're separated.

It has toiletries and new towels. The bed and pillow sheets are also new and clean. A maid will come here and clean the room every week.

On the other hand, you can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the city lights through the balcony, especially when it's night.

Binuksan ko ang balkonahe at napabuntong hininga nang bigla ko na lang maalala ang mga sandalling pinagsamahan naming sa kwartong 'to.

Obviously it used to be our room together when we both decided to live in. Marami na kaming nagawang alaala sa buong bahay na 'to.

But apparently, I renovated the whole interior so It wouldn't remind me of anything we shared back in the past. Bawat sulok ng bahay na ito ay pinaiba ko, mapa-kama man o mga damit ay iniba ko na rin.

I also avoid eating foods that we used to eat before. Especially my favorite food which is ramen.

"This is nice..." he suddenly appeared in my presence and I looked at him. "It is,"

"Hope you enjoy your stay in here, just call this number if you need anything, and don't you ever knock on my door." Bilin ko at inabot ang card na mayrooong contact number ni Kayla.

"Nah, I'm good here. Mukhang nandito na nga ang lahat ng kailangan ko dito, pwedeng-pwede for a long stay." Agad tumaas ang kilay ko at iritang kinausap muli siya.

"Wala kang aasahan diyan sa sinasabi mo. I'm not letting a stranger to stay for long, one night is enough for you to stay here." Sabi ko at tinapik ang kanyang balikat at nilagpasan siya.

Nang makarating ako sa aking silid ka-agad ako nag hubad ng damit at binabad ang sarili sa bath-tub na may halong mainit na tubig. Nagtagal ako ng isang oras 'dun at mabilis na ginawa ang ka-artehan ko at nagbihis, at sa huli ay binagsak ko ang sarili sa aking malambot na kama at nilunod ang sarili sa malambing na tulog.

I woke up with a deep sleep. Magaan ang pakiramdam ko sa ngayon kaya maaliwalas akong gumalaw at inayos ang sarili. Kinuha ko ang aking laptop na nasa side table, binuksan ko ang pintuan ng balkonahe ko at nilapag sa mesa ang laptop ko at tsaka naupo.

Whenever I feel light inside my chest and peace of mind. I always start my day by writing some ideas, which can be thoughts or maybe journaling.

I hope this kind of feeling will forever continue with no limitations.

Nakakalimot ako sa lahat ng bagay eh at ang sarap sa pakiramdam na gumising kang masaya na para bang wala kang problemang inaatupag.

I opened my notion app and began writing what comes to my mind.

I tapped my fingers on the table as if I were playing with my piano while thinking of the next words I'm about to add.

It took me 20 seconds before I could even add up.

How do you say... goodbye?

To a love that took its time?

To a love that I thought would... be forever mine?

I don't know where these words suddenly came up. I'm just following what my heart has told me.

Sa pagtugis ng ating huling sandali.

Sandali akong natigilan sa pag t-type at napatitig sa bagong salitang nabuo. Umirap ako sa sarili at nagpatuloy sa pagsusulat.

Even if you know to me that I can't just slash the strings between us that easily, I'm still going to graze it even if it's hard to because at the same time... I will end up hurting myself again.

I don't want to go back to my phase where I can't help myself.

Natigilan ako sa pag t-type ng may biglang kumatok sa pintuan. Mariin kong pinikit ang aking mata at inis na naglakad patungo sa pinto at binuksan iyon. I saw my brother Nero who is now standing in front of me.

AVRLBNZ