One year later.
I've just arrived sa SG for another 2 day symposium. I am sent by my new company to attend this event for business expansion. The company is seeking out new opportunities to invest on small time players and help it grow in exchange of expanding the company as well. And this symposium is a great opportunity to start up. Since I became the new Franchising Director, I was assigned to attend this event.
Napailing ako nang makarating ako sa hotel na tutuluyan ko for 4days. Hindi ko mapigilang matawa sa sarili when I realized that it is the same hotel we stayed in a year ago. Only this time, I came alone.
It has been a year. Somehow, I gotten by. But I had to admit I am still remembering vividly our time in the past. Ours was so much treasured that it is very difficult for me to forget it. There are still nights that I think of him. There are still moments na nagtatalo ang utak at puso ko, to unblock him and get him back. There are moments na tila ako namamalikta as if I'm seeing him nearby. But I keep on telling myself that he may have been moved on from me. Besides, I never heard from him since I left.
Iwinasiwas ko ang alalahanin sa utak and get on inside the hotel. Lumapit ako sa receptionist. State my name and asked to checked in. The receptionist looked into the system and there was a slight confusion in her eyes.
"Is everything ok?" aniko nang mapansin ang pagtataka sa mukha ng receptionists.
"If I may just asked, are you with someone else?"
"No. I am alone," I replied.
"You have been booked in a double suite room. It says here the booking is for 2 people," the receptionist said.
Napaisip ako. But then I thought, the company must've been thinking if they will be sending 2 people so probably that's the reason. I just shrugged it off.
"It's ok I guess, but can you just replaced the 2 beds with one large bed if that won't be a trouble," I requested. I felt nostalgic upon telling the receptionist that. It's like Dejavu. But ipinaling ko na lang ang alaala.
"That can be arranged," the receptionist replied eagerly. "We'll check you in then, but can you give us 15mins to prepare the room for you?"
"No worries," I gave her a big smile.
I waited at the lobby until they called my name. They gave me the keycard and headed on my hotel suite. Natawa pa kong lalo sa sarili ko when I remembered well the room number I am checked in. It is the same exact room. Talk about fate. Mukhang ipapaalala sakin ang nakaraan na isang taon ko nang pinipilit kalimutan. As I get in the room, all memories flashed back. I scanned the room it was somewhat different but I remembered all to well what happened in this four corners.
Pumasok ako sa kwarto, napasalampak ako sa higaan. I closed my eyes and rubbed the sheet. It maybe a different set of bed sheets but it seems that I can still feel his warmth embrace on that night a year ago. It is so much painful to remember that I can't help but to feel nostalgic and sad. Inabot ko ang unan. This time, hindi ko pinigil ang sarili ko to had the biggest urged to miss him and remember what had happened between us in the past. Nayakap ko ang unan nang napakahigpit and let out a soft sob. Until I drifted off to sleep.
The room was dark when I opened my eyes. Napainat ako. Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako ng matagal. The memories burst into me like wildfire. I struggle so hard to forget all of it, but with just a day bumalik ulit lahat. I remembered it all. The feelings, the moments. Tila ako naliliyo. Napaangat ako. Nakaramdam ako ng gutom. I hadn't eaten all day. And I still have my airport clothes on. Lumabas ako ng kwarto to get my luggage na naiwan ko sa living area. Medyo madilim na rin sa labas kaya't medyo kinapa ko na lang ang daan towards the switch. When I opened all lights, napatili ako sa pagkagulat.
There he was sitting on the couch! Nakadekwatro and looking at me as if lurking in the dark. For a year na hindi ko siya nakita, he became more handsome. His hair had grown a little longer and there seemed to be a slight growing mustache in his face. His eyes have been darker and intensely looking at me. His tie was loosen and his top button polo shirt is open. He had his coat on.
"W-what are you doing here?" I asked stammering. Hindi ko alam anong mararamdaman ko. I felt excitement upon seeing him. I felt confused. I felt doubts. I felt pain. Everything was rushing in to the point na naisip kong baka nagha-hallucinate na lang ako.
He just looked at me and stood up. "You sleep so well. I couldn't dare myself to wake you up. Ilang oras na kong naghihintay sayong magising ka. You see this is not the way I planned to meet you again," he said as he started walking towards me. "What I imagine is you will be surprised to hear that you still had the same booking as before and that I will be waiting inside this suite for you to come in. But, bukod sa may last minute meeting akong need attendan, my flight got delayed, and the airport service messed it up that I had to stay longer at the airport. So when I got here you are already checked in." He stopped an inched away from me.
"W-what?" I got really confused. Sinubukan kong salubungin ang tingin niya but I am shaking so badly that I can't find the courage to look at him.
To my surprised he pulled me closer almost lifting me up and reached for my lips and kissed me intensely. Since my emotions is somewhat betraying me at this time and that I missed him badly, I didn't find the strength to stop him. Instead I wrapped my thighs around his waist. My arms around his neck and caress his hair that his kisses became so deep. He lifted me up towards the sofa and I felt landing my back on the soft couch while he dropped on top of me. We move forward to kissing intensely and deeply. I felt him taking off his jacket as his lips continually nipping and biting my lips. He rushed to unbutton my blouse as well and eventually exposed my bossom. Like a hungry hyena, he devour his lips onto it.
"I'm sorry but I can't stop now," he said in between wild breathes. "We will talk later."
I didn't bother to stop him. I let my self loose all my inhibitions as if I've waited for this in over a year. And now that it is happening again, I wouldn't dare to stop. Everything went so fast and wild and hot that with a final thrust I felt his liquid inside of me.
There was moment of silence after. We stayed cuddling at the sofa after that intense moment. We are now both naked. Nakayakap siya sakin habang nakahilig ako sa dibdib niya. Tumingala ako to look at him. Tila malalim din and iniisip niya.
"Can we talk now?" aniko. What happened took out all my inhibitions. I didn't stammer.
Yumuko siya to look at me but he didn't loosen his embrace. He kissed me on my forehead.
"I missed you so much," he said.
I gave out a sarcastic gasped. "As much as I missed you too, I need to know what happened."
"Where do you want me to start?"
"From the time I left," I said.
"You may have left physically but I didn't let you go. I know where you are. Pinuntahan kita. But then, I can't stand hurting you even more. So I bid my time. I had to fix everything first. It took me 8 months to finalize our divorce. She really don't want to let go at first pero nung umalis ka, she probably realized na hindi na rin ako babalik sa kaniya. She even know that I am following you. Alam niyang pinupuntahan kita once in awhile. The process was so messy but I got it done. I got worried for the kids but they must've liked you so much that they really understood. Kung alam mo lang how worried my Rion was when he knew na inaaway ka ng mommy niya. He fought for you as well," he shared.
"Pinupuntahan mo ko?" I asked. That stucked to me first.
Tumango tango siya. He was smiling widely. "I didn't know you were so workaholic. There is this one time na halos dumaan na ko sa harap mo yet hindi mo pa rin ako nakita. You're boss was one of my friend. He knows I had a thing for you when he saw me looking at you over his office."
"What?"
I remembered a time na tila nagkakagulo sa opisina because a friend of our boss is visiting and he was devilishly good looking daw. Siya ba yun? I got curious but since I am too busy mending my broken heart that I didn't bother to look.
"Then, I asked for his help to make this happen. Dy'ah really think there will be a 2 day symposium going on here?"
Napaangat ako. Nanlaki ang mata and pushed him. But he just hugged me tighter as he chuckled.
"You mean, this is just your plan?"
"I don't know how to take you back. You look as if you'd moved on. Natakot ako na baka ireject mo na ko ng tuluyan. I had to do something. I know I need to do so much effort. And I can only think of this. Our moments here are the only thing that I felt I am yours before. That's why I need to take you back here."
Nahampas ko ang dibdib niya. He let out a soft laugh. And pulled me tighter.
"So akala mo ganun ganun lang ok na tayo ulit?"
"Well, we are both naked now and cuddling. So I think you still love me," he said laughing.
"But that doesn't compensate all the pain you brought me. I struggled for a year. Yun pala paikot-ikot kalang sakin. Siguro yung mga time na akala ko naghahallucinate ako eh totoo palang nakikita kita." I realize it now. There are moments na iniisip kong namamalikmata lang ako, siguro nga siya talaga yun.
"I have to make sure you won't forget me. So I had to check on you once in a while."
"But how are your kids? Are they ok somehow?" Somehow I honestly care for his children. Importante sakin ang mga bagay na importante sa kaniya.
"Well, they live with me now. Their mom got back with her lover. Siguro when she figure out that I am not getting back at her. The guy wants her as bad as I hate her so ayun sumama na lang siya ulit dun," he said as if nagkukwento lang ng maliit na bagay. "The kids didn't care at all that their mom was leaving. Siguro they had it when she first left. Or because they want you now as their new mom," he is smiling so wide.
"Let's not jump into that conclusion. Baka sinasabi mo lang yan. Besides, you can't replace your own mother somehow, she'll want her children back."
"Hindi ko naman ipagdadamot sa kaniya, if my kids wants to see them, I will let them. But for now, they are actually looking for you."
"Liar!"
"I'll prove you." Bahagya siyang humiwalay sakin. Reached out for his phone on the center table. He dialed a number and video call his son.
"Daddy!" he's children excitedly called in.
"Hi Kiddos! I need your help. Your new mommy needs convincing that you want her back as well. Can you help me?"
"Are you together now?" Rain excitedly asked.
"She's with me now."
"Mommy 2!" Her daughter, Riley, shriek in excitement. "When are you coming back?"
"Mommy 2?" I asked laughing. It is a joyous feeling. He showed me in the cam with just my face on. "I'll be home soon. Just wait for me."
"We missed you so much. Dad said he'll come and get you because you went to your mom's house. Can we visit you tomorrow?" ani ni Rion.
"Hey! We talked about this. I told you I'll bring her to our house soon. Don't be too excited. We gotta go now. We'll be home in 5days. Don't call me if it's not that important, understood?" He said to his children. It was half meant somehow.
They said their I love you's even to me and drop the call. Then he faced me again.
"See, you are now their Mommy 2," he said. "And they're asking for a second sister."
Natawa ako sa tinuran niya. I have never been happier. I reached for him and gave him a kiss. Now without hesitations and inhibitions and worries. Somehow, I can wholeheartedly claim that he is mine.
"What happens now then?"
"You have to come with me. And be my wife. Or you can come back to my office and be my assistant again. I miss you around the office. Wala na ko inspirasyon."
"I am in higher position now. I don't want to be just your assistant."
"But you'll gonna be my wife. That's higher to any position there is. That's like a queen of my kingdom. Mas mataas pa sa position mo ngayon."
Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. "That's how you propose? That's lousy. Kapag di mo inayos yan, magpakasal ka mag-isa mo," biro ko.
"I don't believe in proposals but I can adjust. Pero pwede bang kasal na lang muna agad saka na proposal. Antagal pa nun eh. We can get married here tomorrow if its ok with you," he said pouting. Isinubsob pa niya ang ulo niya sa ulo ko. Squeezing me on tighter hug.
"Nagmamadali? I want our lives to be perfect. I waited for you. Please make it right for me," aniko with purest sincerity.
Tumingin siya sakin and I looked at him also. He smiled and reached for my lips and gave me a soft kiss.
"I never stopped loving you. Thank you for coming back," I said wholeheartedly.
"Thank you for waiting for me. I knew then that I need to make you love me without hesitations. I knew I love you from the very first day I met you. The night I confess my indecent proposal, that's the very first step I know I am meeting my soulmate. I may have married someone else but I have never felt something as special as I did for you. I love you so much," He kiss me intensely again.
He pulled me in tighter. He rolled up on top of me and started another round of intense and very steamy love confessions.
I know mistresses are just second best. But it doesn't mean they don't get their happy endings. Sometimes, we're just been a little lazy that we got delayed in meeting our true destiny. But it is never too late to have your happily ever after...