Nagising na ako bago pa man kami dumating sa venue. I wanted to call my girlfriend but she might be having dinner with her family and I didn't want to disrupt their meal so I waited until we reached the ISYC hotel before contacting her.
"Nand'yan na kayo?" Ingrid asked.
"Oo. Kumain ka na?"
"Yes, masarap ang food namin, lahat ng favorite mo," she kidded.
I groaned. "Nagutom tuloy ako."
"Don't worry, Mommy said that she'll cook all your favorite food when you come home this Sunday."
"Thank Tita in advance for me."
"I already did," my girlfriend replied. "You know what to do, right? You go directly to the registration booths, show them your school ID, and they'll check it against their master list. After that you will be handed a leather envelope with your primer, rulebook, and keycard."
"Yes. But this year, they're issuing us an ISYC ID that we have to wear around our neck at all times."
"They are?"
"Yes, and the ID is as big as my palm and it has our photo."
"Aw, I'm keeping your ISYC ID. I want our children to see just how good-looking their Dad is that he shines even in instant photos."
I chuckled before I heaved a heavy breath. "Sana nandito ka. I think I will enjoy this experience more kung kasama kita."
"O, h'wag na at baka mag-moment na naman ako nang wala sa oras. Katatapos lang naming kumain baka magkaroon pa ako ng indigestion."
I laughed.
"Kasama mo si Lara?"
"Hindi, nasa likuran s'ya. Nauna kasi akong bumaba."
"Ahh..."
"Ang cute mong magselos."
"Hindi kaya ako nagseselos..."
"'Yung totoo?"
"Nagseselos..." she replied and I could imagine her pouting. "But Mom said that mature love understands that is why I am trying to be understanding."
"Ang swerte ko talaga sa girlfriend ko."
"Aba, oo naman. Anyway, I took one of your shirts from your closet and dressed one of my pillows with it. Mommy saw what I did though and I was so embarrassed."
"Bakit mo naman kasi isinuot 'yung damit ko sa unan mo?"
"Para kayakap kita..."she pensively replied. "Kaya may bago na akong boyfriend, si Aleph Gabriel Santiago, the unan version."
We both laughed then sighed at the same time.
"Masyado naman yata akong in love sa'yo," Ingrid said. "Parang kaunti na lang maloloka na ako kasi wala ka rito sa bahay. Paano na lang kung mag-asawa na tayo, baka hindi na ako magtrabaho dahil sasama-sama na lang ako sa'yo kahit saan ka magpunta."
I laughed again. "Mag-work-from-home na lang tayo para palagi tayong magkasama."
"Mabuti 'yan baka manganak ako taun-taon—" she stopped talking.
"O, bakit?"
"Hindi naman masyadong halatang gusto ko nang magka-baby sa'yo, 'no? Parang nasa bucket list ko yata 'yun, pang number 2."
"Anong pang-number 1?"
"Maging asawa mo muna."
"Good, I'll fulfill your bucket list in that order."
