#CTG44 Chapter 44

Pagdating ko sa apartment ay mabilis akong nagsaing. I really wasn't the best cook, but I knew that I needed to try because I didn't want Iñigo to worry about this, too. He's working as legal intern in PAO and after work, pumupunta naman siya sa review para sa BAR. I needed to cook para pag-uwi niya, kakain na lang siya.

I cooked nilaga and after that, inasikaso ko naman iyong sa trabaho ko. Iñigo would be home at around 11pm. Kakain lang kami sandali tapos maya-maya ay matutulog na rin dahil may pasok na naman kinabukasan.

I was so focused on reading a case when I heard the door being turned. My eyes automatically waited for Iñigo to get inside. And when he got in, he smiled at me kahit na halatang pagod na siya sa itsura niya. He was carrying his backpack that was full of review materials. He looked so worn out.

Tumayo agad ako.

"You look like hell," I said.

He laughed. "Daming ginawa sa office tapos ayaw paawat ni Justice kanina sa review," sabi niya. "Payakap nga."

I rolled my eyes, but he, nonetheless, bridged the distance between us and wrapped me inside his arms. I felt him resting against my body.

"Nagluto na ko," I said.

"Nilaga?"

"Yes. And then patis with calamansi."

"Ang sweet naman ni Queen Elsa," he said and I pushed him away. Natawa na naman siya.

I told him to change clothes first habang iniinit ko iyong pagkain namin. Paglabas niya ng CR, his hair's damp and he's wearing his boxers and white shirt. Diretso na naman siyang lumakad papunta sa akin at niyakap ako habang naka-talikod ako.

"Cha," pagtawag niya.

"What?"

"Nakuha ko na 'yung sweldo ko. Finally."

"Good for you," I said kasi nagrereklamo siya dahil after 3 months pa bago niya nakuha iyong sweldo niya. Kitang-kita ko na sobrang hiyang-hiya siya sa akin dahil binibigyan ko siya ng pera na sinasabi kong allowance niya. I was just teasing him. I knew that if he had money, he'd never ask from me.

"Date tayo sa Sunday?"

"Birthday nila Gracey," I reminded him because we already promised na pupunta kami roon.

"Shit, oo nga pala. Ano ireregalo natin 'dun sa kambal na 'yun?"

"Nakita kong nagpost si Gracey sa facebook na instead na regalo sa kanya, magdonate na lang 'dun sa charity na pinost niya," I said. Sometimes, I feel like Gracey's some fallen angel. She's really nice. Wala akong makitang masama sa kanya.

"Okay," Iñigo said.

While eating, I couldn't help but watch Iñigo dahil sobrang dami niyang kinakain na para bang ginutom siya sa office nila. Minsan, hindi ako maka-tiis kaya nagpapa-deliver ako ng pagkain sa office nila para sa kanya and I'd just text him to get the food from the delivery guy. Alam ko kasing sobrang dami niyang ginagawa sa office nila kumpara sa load niya sa dati niyang trabaho.

"Ako na maghuhugas mamaya," Iñigo said after we finished eating.

"Ako na," I said. "Tulog ka na."

"May tatapusin pa ko."

"Bukas na."

"Papagalitan ako."

"Gusto mong ako magalit?"

He laughed. "Grabe, under agad ako kahit 'di man lang kita girlfriend," sabi niya. I rolled my eyes. "Fine... Gigising na lang ako nang maaga."

Napa-iling na lang ako. Halos five hours lang ang tulog niya kada araw. I really wished November would come sooner para hindi niya na kailangang magreview sa gabi dahil kailangan niya naman ng pahinga.

I won in our argument kung sino ang maghuhugas ng plato. Iñigo made sure that the apartment was secure. I said goodnight bago ako pumasok sa kwarto. It had been a long day. Gusto ko na ring magpahinga.

In the middle of trying to fall asleep, napa-kunot ang noo ko nang maka-rinig ako ng pagbagsak ng kung ano. I stood up and opened the door and frowned when I saw Iñigo sitting on the floor habang nasa coffee table iyong laptop niya at seryosong-seryoso siya sa binabasa niya.

I was just watching him... unsure of whether to admire him or to be pissed dahil ang kulit niya.

I decided to just let him be pero biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang biglang tumulo iyong dugo mula sa ilong ni Iñigo. He quickly reached for the tissue and wiped his nose and fixed it like he was already used to it happening.

That's it.

Mabilis akong lumabas at malakas na isinara iyong pinto kaya gulat na napa-tingin siya sa akin.

"I told you to sleep already," I said, pissed.

"Di ako maka-tulog. 'Di pa ako pagod," he said, obviously lying.

"I can't believe I'll be the one telling you this, but you need to slow down," I seriously said because he's already abusing himself. Sobrang dami niyang ginagawa sa office dahil alam niya na hindi maganda iyong recommendation na binigay sa kanya nung dati niyang work kaya dapat niyang patunayan iyong sarili niya... Gising na siya ng 5am palagi dahil siya ang nagluluto ng breakfast tapos sabay kaming aalis ng 7am para pumasok sa 8am work namin. Tapos pupunta pa siyas a review at 11pm na makaka-uwi.

He smiled a little. "Saka na kapag lawyer na rin ako kagaya mo."

"Sleep. Please."

"Cha..." malambing niyang sabi. "Kailangan ko talagang tapusin 'to kasi kailangan 'to bukas. Kapag 'di ko natapos 'to, walang mape-present sa hearing."

I pressed my lips. I wanted to help him, but I knew that I couldn't because the files were confidential.

"Okay," I said. Pumasok ako sa kwarto at kinuha rin iyong laptop ko. I sat on the opposite side of the coffee table and began working, too.

Nakita ko na naka-tingin sa akin si Iñigo, naka-ngiti.

"What?" I asked as I stopped typing.

He was just looking at me.

Seconds passed, but he didn't stop.

"Parang... parang sasabog 'yung puso ko kapag naka-tingin ako sa 'yo," seryosong sabi niya habang naka-tingin sa akin at may maliit na ngiti sa labi niya. "Mahal na mahal talaga kita, Cha... Kahit 'di kita girlfriend, basta dapat alam mo na mahal na mahal kita."

My lips parted at his sudden declaration.

It was as if I could hear my heart beating.

"T-Thank you," I said, unable to form a coherent thought.

"You're welcome," natatawang sagot niya.

* * *

When I woke up the next day, nagulat ako dahil nasa kama na ako at paglabas ko, naka-handa na iyong breakfast pero hindi ko nakita si Iñigo. He left a note saying na maaga siyang pupunta sa PAO dahil mag-aayos na siya nung sa case niya. Dahil sa sobrang dami ng pending, pinabayaan na siya na siya ang magrepresent sa court. Sobrang kinakabahan siya. We'd done that in school, but of course, the actual thing is always way different.

My hands automatically composed an email and sent it to the HR saying that I'd be taking a sick leave.

Iñigo mentioned in passing na sa Manila MTC siya magaappear as counsel. Pagdating ko roon ay nakita ko na naka-sched na iyong sa hearing niya. I immediately saw him at the end of the hall, briefing his client.

I felt so proud.

I didn't like taking pictures, but I wasn't able to stop myself.

I didn't know if I'd tell him na nandito ako dahil baka mas lalo siyang kabahan. Tahimik na lang akong naupo sa likod at pinanood siya. He's good. Na-practice na siya sa dati niyang trabaho.

Kung makapagsabi siya sa akin na kinabahan siya... Tapos ganito naman pala siya kagaling sa actual.

The prosecutor was okay, but Iñigo came prepared. 'Di na nga natutulog 'yan sa kakaisip kung paano idedefend iyong kaso ng client niya.

Nang matapos iyong hearing ay kinausap niya iyong client niya. I patiently waited until he was done. Sobrang naka-kunot ang noo niya nang makita niya ako.

"Cha?" gulat na tanong niya. "Bakit ka nandito?"

"Ikaw may-ari ng MTC?"

Natawa siya. "Pilosopo talaga nito," he said. "Pero bakit nga nandito ka?"

"Wanted to watch your first hearing."

"Naks... Ang supportive naman ni housemate."

I rolled my eyes. "Let's have lunch."

"Okay... pero 'di ka pumasok?"

"Sick leave."

"Grabe... 'Di mo pa ako mahal niyan, pero nagli-leave ka na para sa 'kin?"

"Titigil ka o aalis ako?"

He quickly draped his arm on my shoulders and I felt him kissing the top of my head. "Di na po. Sorry na. San tayo kakain? 'Di pa kita nalilibre sa sweldo ko."

We went to a Ramen place and then after, I drove Iñigo to his office dahil may iba pa siyang hawak na kaso. Uuwi na dapat ako pero nang magtext siya na wala siyang review ngayon ay bigla akong napa-punta sa grocery. I bought steak and potatoes and thought that I'd make him a nice dinner.

Armed with Youtube videos and prayers, I began making us steak and mashed potatoes.

I was so busy with cooking that I didn't hear the door opening. Halos mapa-talon lang ako nang mapansin ko na naka-tayo na pala si Iñigo at pinapanood ako habang inaayos ko iyong sa mashed potato.

"Para sa 'kin ba 'yan?" he asked grinning.

"Para sa kapitbahay natin."

He laughed again. "Ang generous mo namang kapitbahay," he said, and then took a step forward and then kissed my forehead. "Amoy steak ka, Cha. Ligo muna tayo?"

"After."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "M-Maliligo... tayo? As in kasama ako?"

I rolled my eyes again. "Yes. So, please 'wag kang makulit at baka magbago ang isip ko."

"Roger, Queen Elsa," he said, and then acted like he was zipping his mouth.

Thankfully, natapos ako sa ginagawa ko. I arranged the table beautifully... I only said beautifully because I made an effort of buying candles and nice plates kaysa sa normal na plastic plate na kinakainan namin palagi. I even bought us wine glass and a bottle of an okay wine.

Maybe when we're both successful, we could afford a nice bottle of wine. But for now, this was more than okay.

"Okay na," I said.

"Pwede na akong magsalita?"

"Pwede ba kitang pigilan?"

"Oo naman. Malakas ka sa 'kin, e."

"Kumain na nga tayo."

Iñigo laughed as he took his seat. We talked while eating. I asked him about his first experience in trial and he seemed like an excited kid. It seemed like he's really enjoying litigation.

"Pero baka lumipat na rin talaga ako sa prosec kapag naka-pasa ako," he said.

"Why?"

"Parang mas gusto kong kwestyunin iyong suspect kaysa ipagtanggol," he replied. "I mean, alam ko naman na innocent until proven guilty, pero minsan alam mo 'yun? 'Di mo maiwasan na isipin na guilty 'yung client mo kasi minsan obvious na nagsisinungaling sila..." He paused. "Grabe, nahawa na ako sa konsensya mo."

I rolled my eyes. Ako pa ang sinisi.

"Basta lilipat ako sa prosec then I'll work my way up hanggang maging head ako ng Office of the Prosection," he said, smiling. "Promise wala akong gagawin kung hindi magtrabaho nang maayos. Basta 'wag mo akong lalayasan."

"Paano kita lalayasan e sa akin naka-pangalan 'yung lease ng apartment?"

Tumawa siya. "Ito naman!" he said and then got up and got something from his bag. When he return, he slid over a thick envelope. "Sweldo ko."

"Sa 'yo 'yan," I said, sliding it back to him.

"Para sa 'yo talaga 'yan," he replied. "Regalo ko."

"Ayoko."

"Sige na? Iyong sa utang ko, sa susunod na sweldo. Iyan, basta gusto ko sa 'yo 'yan."

"Ayoko nga."

"Ano? Bigay na lang natin sa kapitbahay?"

We stared at each other.

"Alam ko na kung ano ang gagawin," he said.

"What?"

"Bili tayo ng mas malaking kama. Malapit na 'yung birthday ko. Patulugin mo naman ako sa tabi mo. Sumasakit na 'yung likod ko sa sofa."

"Ang demanding mo."

"Tsk. Pinapayagan mo nga akong maligo kasama mo, tapos pagtulog lang, ang damot mo?"

I rolled my eyes. "Fine."

His eyes widened. "Seriously? Bibili na tayo ng mas malaking kama?"

I nodded. "Okay na? Wala ka ng request, mahal na hari?"

He laughed and then stood up. "Tara, ligo na tayo, Queen Elsa," he said, pulling me up with him and dragging me under the shower.