Chapter 4

Araw ng linggo kinabukasan. Hindi kailangan ni Nick pumasok sa trabaho. He was up before Sunny and took the opportunity to get ready and prepare breakfast. He made his way downstairs, trying to focus on the conversation he was planning to have with her.

Sana lamang ay pumayag si Sunny sa alok niya dahil sinisigurado niyang hindi ito magsisisi kapag pumayag ito.

As he worked in the kitchen, the smell of bacon and eggs started to fill the house. He tried to clear his mind and think about the best way to start.

Ilang sandali pa at nagising na rin si Sunny. She looked more relaxed and had a hint of a smile on her face. Nick set the table, and they sat down to eat. The conversation started casually, but he could tell it was time to address what had been on his mind. Ayaw niya ito mabigla, pero ayaw niya rin patagalin pa dahil ito na ang chance niya.

“Sunny,” panimula ni Nick. "There’s something I want to discuss with you. Alam ko Marami kang pinagdadaanan ngayon, at gusto ko tulungan ko. Gusto ko manatili sa tabi mo para samahan ka."

Her eyes met his, and he saw that she was curious. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

Kailan man ay hindi kinabahan si Nick dahil lang sa isang babae. Ngayon lang, kay Sunny lang. Ang akala niya ay tatanda na siyang mag-isa dahil lahat ng babae ay inaayawan niya. Pero hindi pala, kay Sunny lang siya naging ganito.

“I know it’s probably too soon, and you might ?nd this a bit out of the blue."

her brows furrowed slightly as she took a sip of her coffee.

“Go on, Nick. Nakikinig ako."

“I’m thinking of offering you a chance to start over with everything you could ever want or need. I’m talking about marrying you and ensuring you’re set for life, financially and emotionally. Kaya kita mahalin ng higit pa sa inaakala mo. Pakasalan mo lang ako, Sunny... Hayaan mong patunayan ko ang sarili ko..."

Sunny's eyes widened in surprise, and Nick could see her processing his offer. He held his breath, waiting for her reaction.

“Sunny, marry me,” pagpapatuloy ni Nick. "Sisiguraduhin ko na magbabayad si Efren, ang ate mo, at ang mga magulang mo sa ginawa nila sayo. Secure ang future mo sa akin. We can build a happy family."

She was silent for a moment, clearly torn. Her gaze dropped to her plate, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her napkin.

“Nick—” she started, but her voice trailed off. Nakikita ni Nick ang pag-aalinlangan sa mga mata ni Sunny.

Muling hinawakan ni Nick ang mga kamay ni Sunny at hinaplos iyon. "Hindi mo kailangan magdesisyon ngayon. Pwede mo pag-isipan. Take your time. But know that I’m here, ready to support you in any way I can.”

Sunny looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. The silence stretched between them as she considered what he had proposed.

"Kakahiwalay lang namin ni Efren, Nick. I appreciated your offer, pero hindi ko pa masasagot ang tanong mo."

Umiling si Nick at ngumiti. "No, it's okay. Maghihintay ako. Pero huwag mo ako itulak. Hayaan mo ako manatili sayo."

Hindi naman masisisi ni Nick si Sunny. Limang taon itong kasal kay Efren kaya alam niyang hindi ito ganon kadali makakalimot.

"Are you asking me to my rebound?" Mahinang natawa si Sunny, pati si Nick ay natawa rin.

"I'm okay with anything you can offer."

"Pero bakit?" Hindi pa rin naiintindihihan ni Sunny kung bakit siya. "Napakaraming babae diyan, Nick. Maganda, mayaman, galing sa angkan na kilala. Samantalang ako, heto lang ako... Hindi kita kayang tapatan—"

Inilagay ni Nick ang hintuturo sa labi ni Sunny. "Maraming babae, oo. Pero hindi ko sila gusto. Hindi mo kailangan tapatan ang kaya kong ibigay sayo. Sapat na sa akin ang pagmamahal mo."

Inilapit ni Nick ang mukha niya kay Sunny at idinampi ang mga labi. Napapikit naman si Sunny at hinayaan lang si Nick sa ginagawa.

Kinagat ni Nick ang labi nito, kung kaya naman bahagyang bumukas ang labi ni Sunny. Ipinasok ni Nick ang dila sa bibig ni Sunny at nagsimulang maglagkbay ang mga kamay sa dibdib ni Sunny.

"Are we doing this in the kitchen?" natatawang sabi ni Sunny.

Napangisi naman si Nick. "Do you want it here?"

"I... I haven't tried it doing this in the kitchen," namumulang pag-amin ni Sunny.

"Then, I'll let you try. And I will make sure you won't forget."