Chapter 43

"Hi baby" bati nya sa akin, he wrapped me in a tight hug and kissed my head. "Date?"

"Why? Nag date tayo kahapon" I smiled playfully, he crinkled his nose.

"Kahapon yun, kailangan ba ng dahilan para mai-date kita?" Pinilig nya ang ulo nya at kunwaring nag isip. "Today marks our sixth monthsary... pero hindi mo pa pala ako sinasagot." Ngumuso ako sa pagbibiro nya. He's so cute.

"Hindi pa ako tapos magpapirma ng clearance" he rolled his eyes "I got you, ako na bahala dyan"

"Paano? Magpapacute ka sa mga profs? No, I can handle this" I heard him chuckle. "Possessive, I like it" napailing nalang ako at pumasok sa faculty para magpapirma.

"Done?" Tanong nya nang makalabas ako sa faculty, after thirty minutes! Buti nalang napirmahan lahat. Tumango ako at humawak sa braso nya habang binabagtas ang hallway.

"Saan naman tayo ngayon? Don't tell me sa alapaap mo naman ako dadalhin riding a helicopter?" He snickered. "Muntik na, gusto mo ba? I can make a call" I rolled my eyes, okay na sa akin yung kakain kami ng isaw at kwek-kwek sa tabi no!

"Actually may mga kasama tayo" aniya, napansin kong ang Cherokee nila ang dala niya at hindi ang veyron nya.

"Ha? Sino? Si Suzette?" Binuksan nya ang pinto at sabay sabay na bumati ang mga bata.

"Hi ate bait!" Napangiti ako at nakipag high five sa kanina. Sumakay na ako at inayos ang seatbelt ko.

Dinala nya kami sa arcade, muntik ko pa syang pitikin dahil balak nyang ipasara ang arcade, napakagastos naman nito sa date!

"I want that teddy bear" turo ko sa stuffed toy na nakadisplay sa may cashier. Kailangan namin ng fifteen thousand tickets para makuha iyon.

"Is that all?" He cockily smiled. "Easy, baby."

One hour and we're collecting tickets! Why is he so good at everything? And he's all smiles, he's so cute!

"Sir, dito nyo nalang po ilagay yung tickets nyo" I scowled, napanguso nalang ako habang pinapanuod syang makipag usap sa babaeng staff.

"Babalik si ate okay? Laro lang kayo"

I cleared my throat to get their attention, masyado nang matagal ang pag uusap nila, nairita na ako.

"Mukhang madami na yan ah, try naman natin dun sa may claw" I entwined our hands together saka ako tumingin kay miss.

"Do you need anything, miss?" She gulped and tried to smile. Fake! "Nothing ma'am, enjoy playing"

I heard him giggled, naglagay sya ng tokens sa machine at naglaro.

"Miss pa-check kung may fifteen thousand na" the cashier blushed, ay grabe naman yung reaksyon ni Ate.

"Ang daming pa-cute no? Nakakaasar" pagpaparinig ko, Coltrane snickered and kissed the back of my hand.

"You're the most adorable baby girl here, don't be jealous" bulong nya sa akin, inirapan ko lang sya at humalukipkip sa tabi nya.

"Sir, fifteen thousand five hundred twenty five po" nakangiting sabi ni Ateng pa-cute! Wow! Wala pang one hour ang dami na nyang naipon!

"I'll get that blue bear for my girl" buti nalang at naka upo ako, my knees trembled when he sweetly looked at me.

"For you, my baby" I hugged the teddy bear tightly, napatingin ako sa kanya at napangiti.

"Thank you" I mouthed. "I love you" he whispered and winked. I bit my lip when he turned his back on me.

Kumain kami sa isang sikat na fast food chain na gustong gusto ng mga bata, ngayon andito na kami sa department store kung saan namimili ang mga bata ng laruan.

"We should buy them books instead" tumango sya.

Bumili nga kami ng mga libro para sa mga bata at ilang school supplies. After buying all the stuff for kids hinatid na namin ang mga bata.

"Wanna watch the sunset?" Agad akong tumango. Of course I wanna watch the sunset, with you.

I'm wrapped around his tight hug while watching the sunset, I want this kind of peace, yung kahit tahimik alam mong pareho kayong masaya.

"Coltrane" mas humigpit ang yakap nya sa akin. "Do you think we'll work?" Naramdaman ko ang pagtango nya.

"We will if we choose to make us work, when we fail then we'll try again" nilingon ko sya at napatingin naman sya sa akin.

"What if we're not meant for each other?" He rolled his eyes. "You're only meant to be together when you're willing to fight for your love until the end, and I'm willing to fight for you." I felt him kiss my head.

"Paano nga kung hindi? Tingin mo magiging magkaibigan tayo?"

"Nope" napataas ang kilay ko at hinarap sya. "W-why? Are you sure about that?"

"You can say we're not meant to be together for now, but when the right time comes you'll find your way back to me." He cupped my face and smiled, a faint one.

"Unless you'll drop me for someone else" nanikip ang dibdib ko sa sinabi nya. "How dare you?"

"Hindi pa kasi tayo nagsisimula, tinutuldukan mo na. I hate the idea of losing you so don't make me think about it, cause I won't and I can't unlove you, Azrielle. Let's not talk about this" umiling sya, fear was evident in his eyes. "I'm scared. The fact that that idea crossed your mind hurts me. Hindi ka pa nga akin, mawawala na agad?"

I sighed heavily, I can't even look at his eyes.

"I'm sorry." I whispered. "Takot lang akong isugal yung pagkakaibigan natin sa bagay na hindi sigurado"

"Sigurado ako, Azrielle. Ikaw lang yung hindi. Alam ko kung anong nakataya dito, pagkakaibigan nating dalawa at ayaw ko iyong ipatalo kaya gagawin ko lahat para lang manalo tayo. Do you think I'd talk to your parents and I'd waste my time to be with you if I'm not sure enough?" Naningkit ang mata nya habang nakatingin sa akin. Napalunok ako at natahimik.

"Look at me" he cupped my face, nag angat ako ng tingin para salubungin ang titig nya.

"If we fight then we'll fix it, if you think we're drifting apart then I'll court you over and over again. As long as we choose to make us work, we will work. Its up to us if we're meant to be, remember that." He planted a soft kiss on my forehead, nag init ang sulok ng mga mata ko kaya yumakap ako sa kanya.

"Wag na tayong mag-away." Bulong nya sa akin habang hinahaplos ang buhok ko.

"Mahal na mahal kita, Azrielle" my heart flipped flopped. Tiningala ko sya, he brushed away my tears.

"Mahal din kita" I answered softly, his eyes glistened. "I love hearing that pero bawiin mo muna, hindi pa kita pinapasagot ngayon" nahihiya nyang sabi. I looked at him puzzledly. Tinurn down ako?

"Hindi ako ready, gusto ko memorable yung araw na o-oo ka sa akin" ngumuso ako. "But every day with you is memorable" pinilig nya ang ulo nya at yumakap.

"Gusto ko yung may element of surprise" ngumuso ako lalo. "Okay, hindi na kita love kupal ka bwiset!" Humalakhak sya at humalik sa pisngi ko.

"Nag away tayo kanina, bukas mo nalang ako sagutin" umirap ako at humiwalay sa yakap nya. "Ayoko na!" Siya naman ang ngumuso ngayon.

He sighed heavily and held my face. May kinuha sya sa bulsa nya, its a green box.

"Ayan ba yung hindi prepared?" He chuckled. "Medyo. But really Azrielle, hindi ako prepared. Pero ayoko namang bawiin mo kasi baka bawiin mo talaga" natatawa nyang sabi, kupal talaga.

"This is my heart, well not really my heart but its a symbol that my heart is yours to keep." Naiiyak ako habang sinusuot nya ang kwintas na may pendant na hugis puso. "And also that's my mark, meaning you're mine now." Hinawakan ko ang pendant at pinagmasdan iyon. Wow, its really beautiful.

"I love you Azrielle, so much." I smiled and kissed his cheeks. "I love you, Coltrane. And thank you for choosing me"