=== C H A E L ===
Nasa bahay kami ngayon ni Amara at nanonood ng TV. She's been living with me for a week now.
"Nakatingin ka nanaman."
I smiled and laid my head on her lap. "I'm just enjoying our time together."
"I know when you look at me like that. You want some sexy time again."
"I thought you love sexy time?"
"Tirik pa iyung araw, Chael."
"Bakit may oras ba dapat iyon?"
"Oo naman."
"Fine. Kiss mo na lang ako."
She was about to give me a kiss when I heard the doorbell.
Nagkatinginan kami. I stood up and went to the door to open it. My mother stood outside.
"Mom."
"Can I come in?"
Nilingon ko si Amara na nakatingin sa akin.
I opened the door wider and let my mother in. She immediately looked at Amara.
"I didn't know you were sleeping around again."
Nilapitan ko si Amara at hinapit ang beywang nito. "I'm not sleeping around, Mom. This is my girlfriend, Amara."
"She looks familiar."
"She used to own the flower shop before."
"Talaga ba anak? Wala ka ng mapiling iba? Alam mo ba ang family background ng babaeng iyan? Is she the reason why you didn't push through with the wedding before? Because before, you didn't care whoever it is I marry you with!"
"Yes, she's the reason why I didn't want to get married. Binago niya ang isip ko about marriages, Mom. She made me want to marry for love." I glanced at her sweetly before looking at my Mom. "She has the best personality, Mom. It is the reason I fell for her. I don't care about where she came from. She's the best woman out there for me."
"Saan ka ba nanggaling? Sinong mga magulang mo? Anong ginagawa nila sa buhay?" Tanong nito kay Amara.
I looked at her gauging if she wants to defend herself or should I step in. Amara is no damsel in distress I knew that already. She doesn't need saving always. Sometimes, she just want to be the strong woman that she is.
She looked at me and nodded. After that, she stepped forward and looked at my mother in the eye.
"Hindi po ako galing kung saan lang. May pinag-aralan po ako. Hindi po ako masamang tao lalo na ang nanay ko. Pinaghirapan po namin kung saan man kami nakarating sa buhay." She smiled very sweetly at my mother. "And...I have acres of tulip farms in Amsterdam."
"Are you kidding me?"
Umiling ang dalaga. "I wish I am."
"Even if she doesn't own that kind of vast land in a beautiful country Mom, I love her just the same. Don't give her that look."
I hate to admit it when my mother's materialistic and social climber side comes out. I don't care if it does just not with my beloved Amara.
"What? Do you actually believe her?"
"Yes. I've been to her farm, Mom. Majestic is an understatement. And I'm letting you know now, I won't let you go there."
"Why not?"
"I know you that's why."
"Chael!"
"As much as I'd like you to be here, I want some alone time with my girlfriend. We've been separated for two years. Thanks to you. You can stay in Wallflower under my name if you really want to stay here."
Naglipat-lipat ang tingin sa amin ni Mom. "I can't believe you."
Niyakap ko ito habang ginigiya siya sa may pinto. "I love you Mom. Bigay mo muna sa akin ito okay?"
"Okay." Sabi nito kahit nagtatampo pa rin.
I enclosed Amara in my arms right after I closed the door.
"You didn't have to push her away."
"I know but I want some solo time with you."
"You've been with me for days, Chael."
"I know. It will never be enough, though."
***
I was waiting for Amara by the fireplace dahil naligo ito. I was reviewing the menu of the new restaurant I am opening when she showed up.
She just removed the towel from her hair to comb it. Binaba ko ang tablet at kinuha ang suklay mula rito.
"Come, I'll comb your hair."
I let her sit between my legs as I combed her hair from the tips to the roots.
"Do you like me better with long hair?"
"I like you with any hair, Amara. Ang plus ko lang with your long hair is that I can pull it when we do doggystyle." Hinampas ako nito ng mahina. "What?"
"You and your horny thoughts."
"Have you always kept your hair short? Is this your moving on hair?"
"Gago ka eh. Gusto ko kapag nakita mo ako sobra kang magagandahan sa akin na matutulala ka. Tapos saka ko ihahampas sa iyo itong buhok ko."
"I'm confused if that's kinky or not."
Hinampas ako ulit nito.
"Answer me please."
"I've always kept my hair short since my mother died. Pinahaba ko lang siya kasi I wanted to look different and it's my only option at the time."
"Oh. Sorry I didn't know it was for your late mother."
"Noong bata ako hanggang sa mamatay siya, sinusuklay niya lagi ang buhok ko bago matulog. It keeps me relaxed and it helps her relax too from a long day of working. I felt sad that no one will do it anymore."
"It must have hurt like crazy when she passed."
She nodded. "It did. Unbearable. There were days where I would spend my day just beside her tomb. I only ate takeaways because I didn't freaking know how to cook. I missed my Mom like crazy. Kaming dalawa ang magka-sangga sa buhay nang talikuran kami ng mga kamag-anak namin."
"That's where you got your courageous self."
She nodded. "Eventually, I learned to live life and continue. Until I met Carrie and everything turned 360 degrees after that. I wouldn't have done anything without Willem. I know you are pissed at him with what he did but he might have been protective of me."
"Because he's in love with you."
"He's not. We looked out for each other kaya kami close. Importanteng tao pa rin siya sa buhay ko. He won't kiss me anymore if that's what's bothering you."
"He kissed you?! Oh right, you told me. Hmm...more reasons to punch his face."
She just chuckled. How could she chuckle and be adorable while I am so mad here?
I breathed in deeply and calmed myself down. "If you like, I can comb your hair every night like your mother does."
"She cooks for me too kaya hindi ko alam magluto talaga."
"I can cook for you. You're not picky."
"Siya rin naglalaba-"
"Babe, I love you. But to have a healthy household, we need to divide the chores."
Natawa ito. " I was kidding! I know I can't cook and I can't destroy your kitchen. Ako na lang maghuhugas. Mahilig ako maglaba kaya pwedeng ako gumawa niyon. Ayaw ko rin ng makalat na bahay kaya kahit hindi mo sabihin, maglilinis ako ng bahay."
"I'll do whatever you want me to."
She faced me and looked up to me. "We'll make a happy household. More happy than the families we currently have."
"Let's do that."
"I want lots of kids. Pareho tayong only child. Wala man lang pinsan ang magiging anak natin. Hindi ka naman siguro takot magka-anak no?"
"Of course not. I love kids."
"That's good to know."
She stood up and sat on my lap facing me.
"I love you, Chael."
"I love you too baby."
"We have to go to Amsterdam sooner than later. I need some things and I have to fix some businesses on the farm."
"Whatever you want."
She smiled before kissing me passionately. I stood up and took her to my bedroom.
The things I am willing to give for this to not end.
CHAPTER 36 >>