JEVA's eyes were half closed reaching the alarm clock. Today is the day that they will be going to Siargao.
Kinusot niya ang kanyang mga mata at itinukod ang kanyang siko sa kama para bumangon na pero agad siyang napahiga ulit dahil may mabigat na nakadagan sa kanyang tiyan. It was Champ's leg.
Ano bang tingin sa kanya ng lalaki? Isang bolster? O mas kilalang hotdog pillow?
Yes! They're now sleeping together in the master's bedroom pero yung mga gamit nila ay nasa kani-kanila pang mga room.
They've been sleeping together since that night. When they were about to eat her horrible cooking.
Flashbacks...
Champ is looking intently to his wife, examining her whole face, her chinky brown eyes, small nose, rosy pouty lips, and rosy bubble cheeks (such a baby) while remembering her talking to another guy happily.
He wholeheartedly trusts his wife because she's been loyal to him ever since. Sa loob ng halos dalawang taon ay wala siyang naririnig na may karelasyon ito o kung anuman kahit na pinagsabihan niya ito na okay lang sa kanya na makipagdate ito sa ibang lalaki.
Now, he's starting to get mad at himself because of what he said. Because, anytime he'll lose the girl knowing that they both don't love each other, yet.
He may trust his wife but he couldn't trust other men who have the intention to pursue his wife.
"You've been staring at me." - she pointed out when she noticed that Champ had been staring at her. "Does it mean, nafafall ka na sakin?" - she teased him.
"Dream on." - he rolled his eyes. Honestly, he also doesn't know. He doesn't know if he's already falling for her or he is just enjoying her company.
Jeva scoffed. "Wow naman. Para namang lugi ka sa akin. Maganda naman ako, sexy at masarap..." - she licked her lips. Napangiwi si Champ sa kanya. But deep inside he's panicking. He's heart went crazy, it's beating so fast that he's losing air.
Then he suddenly burst. "What the heck, Jeva Leyn?! What do you mean 'masarap'? Bakit natikman mo na ba ang sarili mo? Paano mo nasabing masarap? May nagsabi ba sayo na masarap ka? Wag mo sabihing nakaexperience ka na?! Sino?! Sabihin mo para maupakan ko!"
"Ha? What are you talking about?" - maang niyang tanong sa lalaki. "Ano bang masama sa masarap ako---"
"JEVA LEYN!" - there's his warning tone again.
"Masarap akong magluto. Duh! Patapusin mo kasi muna ako magsalita."- she reasoned out. "But pwede rin naman, na..." - she bit her lips. "Masarap nga talaga ako."
"Jeva Leyn!" - his eyes glow in anger.
Jeva chuckled as she raised her hands in defeat. Champ just rolled his eyes on her.
"Leyn, sweetheart, aren't you tired?" - he asked her out of the blue.
Jeva creased her brows. "Tired to what?"
"To us."
It really worries him. What if the girl gets tired of him and could happen to find another man and then, annul their marriage?
While Jeva was shocked because of his out of the world question. Hindi niya alam kung anong pinaghuhugutan ng lalaki. But she's more worried if he's tired of her because she knows she will never be tired of him.
"Of course not, why would I?." - she honestly answered. She wouldn't be tired over someone she wanted to be with until she lost her breath.
"Dahil wala naman akong ginawa para sayo. I mean, I've done nothing good for this marriage." - Champ said as he creased his brows.
"Ahh wala ba?" - she mocked. "Mahalin mo nalang ako para may ambag ka sa marriage na to." - she joked but her joke was half meant. She wanted him to love her too.
Champ hummed. "I think we should make this marriage work."
Jeva was surprised with his words. Hindi niya maisip na lalabas ito mula sa bibig ng lalaki.
Champ was a bit troubled because of Jeva's reaction. Ayaw ba niya? Hindi ba niya gusto? Ito na nga ba ang kinakatakutan niya? Does she has another man already? Was it the man in the waiting shed?
"Of course. I would love that." - sagot ni Jeva ng maibalik na siya sa katinuan.
Champ's eyes widened in shock because of her answer. "Are you sure?"
"Of course." - Sino namang hindi magiging sure? Eh, chance to na to para mapaibig ang aking irog. She cringed because of her thought. She's not Mari para maging makata.
She smirked at him. "Hindi ko naman ipagkakait sayo ang chance na mahalin ako, mahawakan at matikman---"
Pinitik ni Champ ang kanyang noo. "Aray ha?"
Champ rolled his eyes. "Maybe we should start by sleeping together."
Napaubo naman si Jeva dahil sa gulat pero nang makabawi ay ngumisi sya sa lalaki. "Hindi ko naman alam na may pagnanasa ka pala talaga sakin. At gusto mo pa akong makasama sa pagtulog. Bakit? Gagawin na ba natin yun?" - biro niya sa lalaki.
"Anong yun?" - painosenteng tanong na lalaki.
"You, know..." - she flipped her hair. "Sex or should I say making lo---"
"Let's eat, Jeva Leyn and stop talking nonsense." - pabirong napalabi naman si Jeva bago ngumisi ulit.
While Champ is scolding himself. Bakit niya pa kasi tinanong? Alam naman niya ang ibig sabihin ng babae. Natawa si Jeva ng mapansing namumula ang kanyang batok at tenga.
End of the flashback...
JEVA IS smiling while looking at her husband. She leaned forward to level her face on him.
"Sweetheart wake up." - marahang tinapik ang mukha ng lalaki.
Champ just moaned in answer.
Tinapik ulit ni Jeva ang kanyang mukha. "Malalate tayo, wake up na." - malambing nyang bulong sa lalaki.
Umikot si Champ kaya ngayon ang likod na nito ang kaharap niya. Dinaganan niya ang lalaki at inalog ang balikat nito.
"Wakey wakey naaaa." - malambing nya bulong habang patuloy na inaalog ang balikat ni Champ. Habang ang lalaki naman ay parang patay na natutulog.
Jeva clenched her jaw. "Ayaw mong gumising, ha?"
She kicked Champ off their bed at lumikha ito ng malakas na tunog.
Agad namang nagising si Champ at hawak-hawak ang kanyang balakang.
"What the fuck!!" - he groaned.
"Oh? Bat nandyan ka sa baba na tulog?" - Jeva sarcastically asked him. Habang sinisilip siya sa baba ng kama. "Tsks! Ayaw mo pala akong katabing matulog, bakit mo pa sinuggest? Pangatlong beses mo na yan."
Champ glared at her. "Nanaginip ako na sinisipa mo raw ako."
"Hala! Ang sama ko naman sa panaginip mo. Ang bait ko kaya." - she pouted her lips but deep inside her she wanted to laugh so hard. Dahil hindi naman ito panaginip ng lalaki.
And it was true that it was Champ's third time falling off the bed.
Noong una kasi para itong naamnesia, nagulat ito na katabi ang babae umatras ng napakaexagge kaya dumiretso sa pagkahulog mula sa kama.
Ang pangalawang beses naman ay dahil sa sobrang likot niyang matulog kaya nahulog sa kama.
"Tsks! Ang sakit ng likod ko." - Champ stood up while stretching his back then he gave Jeva a death glare. "But, I know I wasn't dreaming."
"Ha? Hindi ah. Panaginip mo lang yun. Promise." - she looked away and bit her lips.
"Don't play innocent, Jeva Leyn." - he said between his gritted teeth. Naiinis siya sa babae dahil sa pagsipa nito sa kanya.
"Eh, kasi naman..." - she pouted. "Ang hirap kong gisingin eh. Buti nga ikaw yung ginising ko hindi yung alaga mo." - she smirked as she looked between his thigh.
"Argggh!! May plano ka ba talagang patayin ako?"
Yes! Patayin sa sarap. Hmm.. yummy! Sabi ng kanyang malanding utak.
"Hindi ka na naawa sa akin una akala ko nafood poison ata ako nung isang gabi tapos ngayon hinulog mo ako sa kama? Sigurado ka ba talaga na gusto mong mag work ang marriage natin o gusto mo lang akong higantihan dahil hindi mo makakasama ang labanos na yun?!"
Jeva's whole face wrinkled. Ano na naman ang problema ng lalaking to? At umabot na naman siya sa Mars?
"Sino labanos ba yun? Ikaw ba? Eh, mas maputi ka pa ata sakin, eh." - Champ really has a fair skin. Para itong bampira sa sobrang puti. Nahiya naman ang kulay niya.
Her skin is also fair but rosy hindi katulad ng lalaki na parang wala ng dugo sa katawan.
Champ tsked at her.
"Alam mo, baby..." she mocked at him using the endearment he called her on their first meeting. Lumuhod siya sa kama at pagapang na lumapit sa lalaki. "Ikaw lang naman sapat na. Hindi kita ka kayang patayin. Pero ikaw ata ang may planong patayin ako..." - sabi niya at akmang hahawakan ang bagay sa gitna ng mga hita ni Champ pero agad namang nakalayo ang lalaki sya kanya.
"JEVA LEYN!!!!" - he shouted at her.
She covered her ears while laughing. "Hala! Akala mo naman virgin." - she teased him.
"Jeva Leyn, get out!!!"
"Bat mo ako papalabasin, kwarto ko rin naman to ah?! Wag mong sabihing virgin ka pa ---"
"Get out!"
"Pwede, pa isa, kooya?" - she teased him more by licking her lips.
"Get out, now!"
"Oo na, oo na! Lalabas na!" - natatawang sabi niya habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay.
HAWAK-HAWAK ni Jeva ang kanyang tiyan habang tumatawa. Di nga? Virgin pa ang lalaking yun? Natatawa siya sa iniisip niya. Pero nawala ang tawa niya ng maalala ang tunay na rason kung bakit siya inakusahan ng asawa na food poison niya ito.
She sighed as she entered her room to get changed and grab her things. I should've told him that I can't cook. Nagmamagaling pa kasi ako. Nakokonsensya siya sa nagawa niya.
Natatakam na tumingin si Champ sa mga ulam na niluto ng asawa. These are sweet & sour fish and sinigang na bangus. Naglipat siya ng sabaw sa isang maliit na bowl at humigop ng sabaw.
Agad nyang naibuga ang sabaw. "Fuck! Akala ko ba sinigang ito? Bakit matamis?" - sobrang tamis ng sabaw at sa tingin niya magkakadiabetes siya dahil dito.
"Ha? Matamis ba?"
"Ano yan joke? Hindi mo tinikman nung nagluluto ka?" - mabilis na umiling si Jeva.
"Pag nagluluto ako ng pasta hindi ko naman tinitikman." - she pouted.
He tsks. " Hindi ito pasta, sweetheart."
Ginamit ni Champ ang kutsara para tikman ang sweet and sour fish. Mabilis niyang dinura ito.
"Ano? Hindi rin masarap?" - Jeva's worried eyes looked at him while she crossed her fingers.
"Bakit maalat to? Sigurado kabang hindi mo napagpalit ang ingredients ng mga nito?"
"So, kasalanan ko? Hindi naman ako marunong magluto ng ulam except fried chicken. Wala naman tayong fried chicken kaya yan nalang ang niluto ko." - she pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. "Kasalanan mo yan dahil ako yung pinaluto mo. Sana kasi dinala mo na lang ako sa restaurant."
"Bakit kasalanan ko? Gusto ko lang namang---" naputol ang sasabihin ni Champ ng maalala niya ang sinabi ni Alvin sa kanya. Jeva's cooking in viands are disaster. Bakit niya ba yun nakalimutan?
But since his wife put all her efforts to cook the foods he forced himself to eat them and he can't bear to see her lonely eyes because he doesn't like the dishes. Kahit na pinipilit na agawin ito ni Jeva at itapon na lang daw.
Napatigil siya sa pag-alala sa nangyari ng may kumatok sa pinto. "Sweetheart, let's go." - sabi nito mula sa labas.
"Yeah, coming." - Agad naman siyang lumabas hila-hila ang kanyang maleta.
Nagulat naman ang lalaki ng makita ang dalawang maletang hila-hila niya. "Bakit ang dami mong dala?"
"Syempre, dapat marami akong extra clothes, no? Swimwears like, bikini, retro bikini, bandeau, one piece, monokini---"
"Ano bang tingin mo sa sarili mo? Model ng H&M? Bakit puro swimwear ang dala mo?" -hindi alam ni Champ nagiging masaya ba sya sa mga dalang damit ng babae o mababahala.
"Wow! Bakit? H&M models lang ba ang pwedeng magbikini?" - she mocked at him.
"That's not what I mean--"
"At ano ba sa tingin mo ang susuotin ko doon? Pajamas? Beach yun, sweetheart." - she sarcastically said and rolled her eyes. "At tsaka, hanggang tingin lang naman yung mga titingin, sayo lang naman ako."
Champ was choked by his own saliva. "Cállate! Stop talking nonsense." - Shut up. Jeva scowled when Champ shut her up.
Habang si Champ naman ang nagdedeliryo na ang kanyang puso't isipan dahil sa pinagsasabi ng asawa.
"Whatever. Vamonos." Let's go. Champ grab his and his wife's suitcases. Kaya naman ang tanging bitbit lang ni Jeva ay ang kanyang maliit na backpack.
"¡Estoy tan emocionada de ver a Siargao!" I'm so excited to see Siargao. She claps her hands and giggles as she jumps and hops in front of Champ.
Champ shook his head. Natawa siya sa pagkaisip bata ng asawa.
"Deja de hacer eso, por favor. You might fall." Stop doing that, please. Saway nya sa asawa.
Jeva blushed. Success! She only wanted to hear him speaking in Spanish because it makes him sound so sexy.
"Okay lang, alam ko namang you'll catch me." - she grinned.
Of course, I'll surely catch you. Because I don't want to see you in another man's arms. He said to himself.
"I can't catch you. See..." -he gestured his both hands holding their suitcases. "Busy ang mga kamay ko."
Jeva pouted while the man smiled inwardly.
Mang Kanor helped them put their suitcases on the trunk. He is also the one who will send them to the airport.
As soon as they arrived in the airport, Jeron Luther Lucena approaches them. Kilalang-kilala nito ang kaibigan kahit pa nakasuot ito ng black hoodie and a face mask at mas lalo niyang nakilala dahil sa babaeng kasama nito.
The girl who captures his attention the first time they meet.
"Yow, bud!" - bati ni Jeron sa kaibigan.
Champ nods and give him a fist bump. "Woah? I felt so special, may ari pa ng Luther Lucena's Airport ang sumalubong sa amin." - Champ jested.
"Don't be so full of yourself. I'm here for the lady." - Jeron smirked and glanced at Jeva who gave him a smile.
Champ covered her mouth. "Don't smile at him." - he whispered at her then he glared at his friend. "Back off, Lucena."
Jeron mocked him and looked back at Jeva. "If this guy doesn't treat you well, come to me."
Parang umakyat lahat ng dugo ni Champ sa kanyang ulo. Alam kasi nitong may crush ang asawa sa kaibigan niya tapos ganito pa ang sinasabi. Bigla siyang nakaramdam ng takot na baka ipagpalit siya ng asawa sa lalaking ito.
"Don't you dare." - Champ said in a warning tone as he grab Jeva's shoulder.
Hindi alam ni Jeva kung para sa kanya ba ito o para sa kaibigan nito. It's like telling her not to dare go to Jeron and telling his friend not to take her away from him.
Jeron gave him a mocking smile and then shrugged his shoulder. "Anyways, your plane is ready." - he informed Champ. Mabilis namang tumango ang huli at hinila paalis ang asawa matapos magpaalam sa kaibigan.
Jeva creased her brows. "You have a private plane?"
"It was my grandparents'." - simpleng sabi ng lalaki. Jeva's lips formed O, kaya naman pala hindi sila nagbook ng flight dahil may private plane naman pala ang mga Kim.
She hummed. Perks of being rich. She said to herself, as if they're not rich.
"Sana all, mayaman."- she joked.
Champ rolled his eyes. "As if you are not rich."
"I am not rich. My parents are." - she humbly said.
Champ scorned. "As if I don't know that you secretly built a Pharmacy." - she jaw dropped and immediately threw her eyes on him.
"How did you know that?"
He raised his "Of course, I knew you're my wife. Akala mo ba hindi ko alam na nagpapahatid ka kay Mang Kanor sa Haven Delights Cafe pero kapag umaalis na si Mang Kanor ay pumupunta ka sa pharmacy mo?" - she lowered her head as if she's a child who was scolded by her mom.
At first, she was really at Kyza's café to help her friend pero naisipan niyang sayang naman ang pinag-aralan niya ng four years kung hindi niya gagamitin kaya nagtayo siya ng pharmacy gamit ang kanyang perang naipon mula sa pagpapart-time job at ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay may part-time job parin siya.
She had a lot of part-time jobs since she was on highschool. She was a freelance model but she's not doing sexy photoshoots, drummer slash guitarist slash singer on a bar, waitress, and the money she gained from racing.
"You could've at least told me." - Champ said as they entered the plane. "I could've helped you."
She shook her head. "That's why I didn't tell. I wanted to have something from my own sweat."
Champ silently adored his wife. This is one of the traits he like on her. If she wanted something, she will work for it. Isa siya sa mga taong anak mayaman pero hindi umaasa sa yaman ng mga magulang. She wanted someone from her own hard work. She even doesn't like fancy things.
She's really an epitome of a simple and humble human being. Minus her unfiltered mouth. Napakawalang-hiya nitong magsalita ng kung anu-ano lalo na sa harap ng lalaki.
"Next time, tell me." - Champ said. "I wanted you to rely on me in everything that you wanted to do. After all, I am your husband. I will help you and will give you anything to want." - he sincerely said. Gusto niya kasing maramdaman na kailangan din sya ng babae. He wanted his wife to rely on him. Only to him.
"Okay. If you say so." - she grinned at him. "Pero pano kung ang gusto ko ay..." - pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang lalaki agad nalang itong lumayo sa kanya at pinagkrus ang dalawang kamay sa harap nito.
"Wow? Virgin?" - she raised her brow on him.
Champ rolled his eyes and cleared his throat as he fix himself and sit properly. He closed his eyes and put the earphones on his ears para hindi niya na marinig ang kalaswaan ng bibig ng asawa. Honestly, he doesn't find it gross. Hindi siya nadiscourage sa bibig ng asawa niya, he only doesn't want to hear her saying nasty things on him because it's giving him heat. Nag-iinit ang buong katawan niya. He felt turned on.
He doesn't want to confirm that he is really a virgin man. Afterall, he is a one-woman-man.
Noong unang beses siyang mainlove ay dun pa sa babaeng minsan lang niyang nakita. He still wanted to see her, to thank her for his kindness. But, he is sure to himself na kung magkita man niya ang babaeng yun, ay hinding-hindi niya ipagpapalit ang kanyang asawa rito.
He is really attached to his wife that doesn't even know the word let go. Makakapatay sya kung mawawala ang babae sa kanya.
FOR THE WHOLE hour ride nakabusangot lang si Jeva. Hindi kasi siya kinausap ng asawa at nagpapanggap na tulog.
Ngayon ay nasa labas na sila ng airport at nagbabangayan kung ako ang kanilang sasakyan.
"Magtataxi nga tayo!" - Champ insisted.
"Tricycle nga! Mas mura yon at tsaka, walang taxi dito, ulol!" - she shouted at him.
"What?! Bakit walang taxi dito?!"
"Ang OA mo, ha? Kung gusto mo talagang mag taxi sige mag taxi ka! Basta ako, magta-tricycle ako!" - she stomped her feet and walk away from her husband.
Champ wailed but still followed his wife riding a tricycle.
They are going to Jecha resort. Hindi nya alam na may ganitong resort pala sa Siargao. Wala naman ito sa brochure ng Siargao. What a weird name.
Nakabusangot si Champ habang nakasakay sa tricycle. Alam niyang sasakit ang likod niya dahil dito. Fuck! Ang sikip! Buti nalang may suot niyang mask at hindi makikita ng asawa niya ang mukha niyang hindi na maguhit ng kahit sinong artist dahil sa sobrang lukot nito.
Unti-unting nawala ang lukot ng kanyang mukha ng makitang masaya ang asawa na para bang isang paslit na unang beses na nakasakay ng carousel.
"Abot na ta, ma'am, sir." Nandito na po tayo, ma'am, sir. - the tricycle driver informed them.
"Salamat po, kuya." - Jeva greeted the driver while Champ rolled his eyes and stretched his back.
Jeva handed the driver a payment.
"Ma'am, sobrang laki naman po nito ma'am." - matigas ang bawat pagbigkas nito ng mga salitang tagalog.
"Okay lang po, kuya. Sobrang pangit po ng dinaanan natin ang bigat pa ng gamit namin. Okay na po yan." -she insisted. The driver thanked her again before leaving.
"Ang laki naman ng binayad mo. Hindi naman worth it sobrang sakit ng likod ko." - reklamo ni Champ.
"Hoy!! Pasalamat ko na yun sa kanya. Alam ko bang ayaw niya sana tayong ihatid dahil sobrang pangit ng daan papunta dito?! Sino ba kasi ang may ari ng resort na ito at hindi man lang pinaayos ang daan papunta rito?! Mamaya siya sa akin. Pagsasabihan ko siya." - reklamo din ni Jeva while gritting her teeth.
"Magpasalamat ka na lang rin na hindi ka naglakad papunta dito." - she tssed pero walang pakialam sa kanya si Champ dahil nakafocus ito sa masakit niyang katawan.
Champ groaned, rubbing his back. "That ride was a devil."