Resilient Hope

Chapter 8

Astrid is already packing her bags with clothes and toiletries for their one-week vacation. As she and Aillard had discussed when he was still in the hospital, he invited her to visit one of his rest houses in Tagaytay.

"Are you ready? Have you packed everything you need?" her mother asked.

She turned to her and gave a big smile. "Yes, mom. Just a little more and I'll be done."

"Let me help you." Her mother approached and assisted her with the packing.

Gad! She's so excited to the point that she didn't get enough sleep last night. Ganun siya ka-excited na pumunta sa rest house na pagmamay-ari mismo ni Aillard. Ito ang unang beses na makakasama niya si Aillard sa isang short vacation.

Isang linggo na din ang lumipas simula nang makalabas siya ng ospital, pinalipas muna nila ang isang linggo para tuluyan siyang makabawi ng lakas. At sa isang linggo na iyon ay hindi nawala sa tabi niya ang lalaki.

Astrid didn't expect that dahil buong akala niya ay kapag nalaman nito na maayos na ang pakiramdam niya at naka-uwi na siya, hindi na ito babalik at magpapakita pa sa kanya pero nagkamali siya.

For that entire week, Aillard never leaves Astrid alone. He takes sole responsibility for her care, even preparing all her meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Despite her mother's presence, it is Aillard who tends to her. During that week, they also finalize their plans.

Astrid's mother, and even Aillard himself, disagree with the plan, worried that something bad might happen to her again. However, Astrid is determined to continue the short vacation. She wants to get to know Aillard better and confirm something important. She needs this trip, and so does he.

"Take care of yourselves and have a good trip," her mother says, helping them load their bags into the car. "Take care of my daughter, Aillard, okay? You know Astrid can be quite a handful, so watch her closely. Don't leave her alone." Her mother winks at her as she says this.

"I will, Tita Avalon. Hindi ko pababayaan si Astrid."

Hinarap niya ang ina at nginitian ito. Lumapit ito sa kaniya at binigyan siya ng isang munting halik sa noo bago sila niyakap ni Aillard.

Astrid watches her mother tapping Aillard's back before letting go. Her mother even whispered something to him, but she didn't hear it, as if her mother didn't want her to hear what she whispered. When her mom and Aillard parted, it was her turn to face him.

"Mag-ingat kayong dalawa," her mother says. After a second, her mother's face turned serious. "You two, enjoy your one-week vacation there, and Astrid, reminder please, don't come back here with a little angel in your tummy. Marriage first before baby, okay? Understood?"

Astrid's face reddened. "Mom! Ano ba 'yang sinasabi mo!"

While she was extremely embarrassed and blushing deeply, the man beside her just laughed and fully agreed with her mother's words. She discreetly elbowed Aillard's stomach to stop him, which she immediately regretted as she felt how hard his stomach was.

Astrid glanced at Aillard, noting the seriousness in his voice. "Yes, I'm sure," she replied with determination. "We've come this far; there's no turning back now."

Aillard nodded, his gaze focused on the road ahead. The tension in the car was palpable, but Astrid tried to keep her mind occupied. She couldn't help but steal a glance at Aillard every now and then, her thoughts drifting back to his well-defined abs.

"Focus, Astrid," she muttered to herself, trying to shake off the distraction. The mission ahead was too important for her to be sidetracked.

As they drove on, the cityscape gradually gave way to the open countryside. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape. Astrid felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. This journey was a crucial step in their plan, and she knew that every decision they made could have significant consequences.

Aillard broke the silence again, his tone softer this time. "I just want to make sure you understand the risks. This isn't going to be easy."

"I know," Astrid said, her voice steady. "But I trust you. We've prepared for this, and I believe in what we're doing."

Aillard gave her a reassuring smile. "Alright, then. Let's do this together."

They continued driving, the weight of their mission hanging over them like a dark cloud. But despite the uncertainty, there was also a sense of purpose that drove them forward, a shared resolve that neither of them would back down from the challenges ahead.

Astrid glanced at the gorgeous man by her side. "I am 100 percent sure about this. Why? Nagbago na naman ba ang isip ko? You don't want to go on?"

Astrid got this feeling na para bang nagdadalawang-isip ang lalaki na ituloy ang gusto niya pero hindi lang ito makatanggi sa kanya dahil na plano na niya ng mabuti ang lahat.

Aillard sighed. "I want to. I'm just worried about your health. Dapat ay nagpapahinga ka pa lang."

She rolled her eyes. "Aillard, I've been resting since I came out from the hospital and that was one week ago. So, please, let’s have this vacation."

"Fine. Fine," Aillard surrendered to her.

Astrid grinned triumphantly. She had won.

She shifted her attention to the passersby. Each time Astrid glanced at Aillard, she wondered if her decision to be with a man she had known for only a month was the right one. Aillard had fallen silent after their brief conversation and looked visibly fatigued.

This was precisely why she wanted to persist. Astrid hoped to give Aillard a reprieve from whatever was troubling him, whether he articulated it to her or not. Perhaps it was work-related or family-related...

Nina and Trinity were aware of her plans; they also proposed a location, but none of their suggestions captured her attention. Astrid eschewed spas, pools, luxury hotels, or crowded places. All she desired was a tranquil setting, prompting Aillard to propose his rest house in Tagaytay, far removed from malls and luxury accommodations.

In Tagaytay, Astrid spent her time sleeping and dreaming. She envisioned watching the sunrise and relaxing on the seashore, with Aillard embracing her from behind. In her dream, both were filled with happiness and contentment.

"Hey... Astrid, we're here..." Astrid woke up to a gentle tap on her cheek.

Slowly opening her eyes, Astrid was met with Aillard’s pleasant face. She swallowed, noticing his gaze briefly linger on her lips. To ease the rising tension, she bit her lower lip.

"Ahm..." Unsure of what to say, she gathered courage and gently pushed his chest away, quickly exiting the car. Aillard followed, shaking his head as he went to the back of the vehicle to retrieve their belongings.

Gosh! Why did her body heat up every time they were close? She hadn’t been like this before, but since that incident with Aillard, she noticed something changing within herself.

Astrid gazed at the man before her. He seemed nearly perfect. She understood that nobody truly was flawless, but in her eyes, Aillard came close. He exuded gentleness, kindness, and seemed like husband material. Napakaswerte ng mapapangasawa nitong lalaki, napakaswerte niya na nakilala niya ito.

"What?" Aillard inquired.

Astrid shook her head and walked away without responding. Hindi niya napansin na masyado na pala siyang nakatingin sa lalaki.

"Baby, where are you going?" she heard Aillard call from behind.

Without looking at him, she replied, "To your house."

"That's the wrong way," Aillard said, a grin spreading across his face.

His remark caught her off guard. Astrid stopped in her tracks, a palm to her forehead in disbelief at her own foolishness.

Slowly, she turned back to the man, whose grin had stretched ear to ear, his lips almost splitting with the size of it as he briskly walked back to his position.

She rolled her eyes at the sight of his infectious grin plastered across his face.

"I know that's the wrong way," she announced.

Really, Astrid? May mas itatanggi pa ba ang dahilan mo?

"Please lead the way," she added as she pointed in the direction.

"Yeah..." sabi niya, saka siya naunang maglakad habang bitbit ang kanilang gamit. Hindi niya pinabuhat kahit na maliit lang ang kanyang bag kaya tahimik niyang sinundan hanggang sa makarating sila sa harap ng isang napakalaking bahay.

Ang bahay na nasa harapan niya ay simple lang pero ubod ng ganda. Maliwanag ang kulay ng pintura nito at ang pinakagusto niya ay ang dami ng mga puno sa paligid. Ang buong lugar ay lubos na nakakarelax.

Inabot sa kanya ni Aillard ang susi ng bahay. Siya ang nagbukas ng pinto nito na ginawa niya nang may kasiyahan. Pinalaki niya ang pagbukas ng pinto para makapasok nang maayos si Aillard. Nilagay ni Aillard ang kanilang mga bag sa sofa.

"Manang Celia has already prepared our dinner. I'll just warm it up before we eat," Ani Aillard informed her as he made his way towards the kitchen to heat the food.

As he disappeared from view, she glanced around the four corners of the house. Astrid had already grown fond of the entire place. The house, constructed not of brick but of wood, resembled a modern version of a kubo. It also featured a second floor, though from the outside, it appeared deceptively small.

"Hey," Aillard greeted her as he approached.

"Hey, you!" she exclaimed in an excited tone.

Aillard chuckled at her enthusiasm. "Let me give you a tour."

Her smile widened. "Hell, yes!" she exclaimed, raising both hands.

Aillard chuckled at her mischief. Astrid's cheeks flushed red like a tomato as Aillard held her waist to support and guide her up the wooden stairs. Her heart raced so fast it felt like it might leap out of her ribcage.

"This house has one master bedroom, which is mine, and two guest rooms," he began as they ascended to the second floor. "This door leads to my room, and the door next to it will be your room."

"We're not sharing a room?" she blurted out suddenly.

"What?" he asked in surprise, then smiled mischievously at her. "You didn't say you wanted to share a room. We could arrange that."

Astrid's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "What?! Of course not!"

Astrid couldn't believe what he had just said as she looked at Aillard before moving away.

"I've changed my mind. Let's sleep together," Aillard stated.

Oh, my goodness!

"Shut up, Aillard," she muttered before entering her room. "We're not even in a relationship to sleep together," she whispered to herself.

Astrid was immediately captivated as she stepped into the room, amazed by its spaciousness. The walls were adorned with soft, pastel colors that she found incredibly aesthetic. Her gaze wandered until it settled on a young man leaning casually against the doorway, smiling at her.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"No," she replied, her tone serious.

A look of sadness and shock crossed Aillard's face. "I-I thought you would like it-"

But she didn't let him finish and quickly interjected, "because I love it! This room is awesome! It's even bigger than my room back home."

It seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at his words. "Thank God you liked it. I really fixed up this room for you."

She looked at him in surprise. "You did that?"

Did he intend to bring me here from the beginning?

"Yes."

Upon hearing his answer, she quickly closed the distance between them and embraced him tightly.

"Thank you. Thank you for everything, Aillard," she whispered.

Aillard returned her hug. "It's my pleasure, baby. Masaya ako na ginagawa ko ito para sa'yo."

"You're spoiling me..."

He gently pressed his forehead against hers, a smile playing on his lips. "Yes, and I enjoy spoiling you..."

His smile had the power to steal her breath away. Astrid cherished the thought of seeing that smile on Aillard's face every day, without ever growing weary of it.

"Hmm..."

Bumaba ang tingin niya nang bumitaw si Aillard sa kanya at hinawakan ang kamay niya. Ramdam niya ang kuryente nang magkasalubong ang kanilang mga kamay. Bigla siyang napuno ng paruparong nagliparan sa kanyang tiyan.

"Kumain na tayo baka lumamig pa yung pagkain," ani Aillard sa kanya.

Hawak ang kamay, bumaba silang dalawa sa hagdan patungo sa kusina. Naroon ang panghihinayang sa puso ni Astrid nang bitiwan ni Aillard ang kanyang kamay para ipaghila ang upuan para sa kanya.

She wanted to hold that hand longer…

"Salamat," aniya at ngumiti.

He nodded at her and sweetly smile. He watched as she served the food on the table. He didn't want her to help, so she simply let him do as he pleased. The man himself arranged the food on his plate.

After they finished eating, she offered to wash the dishes. At first, he refused, but her insistence eventually convinced him.

"Can we watch a movie tonight?" she asked Aillard while drying the dishes.

He remained silent, watching her, not having moved since earlier. When he didn't respond, she glanced at him and raised an eyebrow.

"Can we watch a movie tonight?" she repeated, since he didn't seem to have heard her earlier.

He stared at her, gently running his fingers across his lower lip.

Damn. He looks incredibly attractive.

"Sure," he replied.

Astrid beamed. "Yes!" she exclaimed eagerly.

Binilisan niya ang pagpupunas ng mga pinggan. Pagkatapos niya rito, hinatak niya ang lalaki patungo sa ikalawang palapag ng bahay kung saan naroroon ang kanyang silid. Binitiwan niya ito upang kunin ang CD na laging dala-dala niya.

Ngumiti si Astrid nang makita si Aillard na nakahiga nang kumportable sa kanyang kama... na naghihintay sa kanya.

Pagkatapos ay inayos ni Astrid ang telebisyon at ang CD bago siya tumakbo at umupo sa kanyang kama malapit kay Aillard. Hindi nawala ang ngiti sa kanyang labi habang naghihintay na mag-umpisa ang pelikula.

Nililingon ni Astrid ang binata nang makita niyang nag-uumpisa na ito. Kitang-kita niya kung paano kumunot ang noo ng lalaki habang nagtatagal ang palabas.

"Is that Fast and Furious?" Aillard asked her.

Her smile broadened. "The Fate of the Furious."

It was one of her cherzshed movies starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.

Astrid turned her attention back to the screen, engrossed in the film. Since childhood, she and her father had bonded over the Fast and Furious series. She admired actors like Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Michelle Rodriguez, Dwayne Johnson, and many others. Astrid was never one for romance movies; action films held her fascination.

"Seriously?" Aillard queried.

She glanced at him. "What? Don't tell me you expected me to prefer romance films like other girls?"

The man scratched his head and grinned at her. "Yeah. I thought you might want to watch Fifty Shades of Grey with me, or Fifty Shades Darker, or even Fifty Shades Freed."

Fifty Shades of Grey...

Fifty Shades Darker...

Fifty Shades Freed…

Oh, my gosh! Each of these, as he mentioned, are erotic romantic drama films. This guy is unbelievable.

Umawang ang labi niya sa sinabi nito. Nang makabawi siya, agad niyang pinalo ng unan na nakuha mula sa gilid ang lalaki. Pulang-pula ang mukha niya sa sobrang hiya na nararamdaman niya sa mga oras na iyon.

"Damn you, Aillard! Stop laughing!" aniya habang patuloy na pinapalo ito ng unan. "You're unbelievable!" bulong niya.

Nang hindi ito tumigil, siya na mismo ang huminto sa kakahampas dito. Umayos siya ng upo at nanood na lang ng tahimik sa tabi nito. Hindi niya nililingon ang lalaki kahit isang beses. She's not mad at him, gusto lang niya ito inisin. Sa ilang linggo nilang magkasama ni Aillard, may natutunan siya tungkol sa kanya — ayaw na ayaw ni Aillard ang silent treatment mula sa kanya.

Half an hour had passed since Astrid began ignoring Aillard. She could tell he was growing annoyed by the silent treatment she was giving him. She lay there as if lounging on a chaise, playing with her fingers, then moments later, he moved behind her and embraced her.

"Come on, Astrid... please don't do this to me," he pleaded, tightening his embrace around her.

Silence greeted him.

"Please, Astrid... I'm so sorry. I won't joke again,pansinin mo lang ako. I'm begging you," he implored, his words coming in rapid succession. He looked remorseful.

Hinarap niya si Aillard at masuyong hinaplos ang pisngi nito. "I'm not mad kaya hindi mo kailangan magmakaawa sa’kin. Gusto lang naman kita inisin kaya hindi kita pinapansin."

Aillard sighed. "Don't do that again. Alam ko na alam mo na hindi ko gusto ang ideya na hindi mo ako pinapansin. You see Astrid I'm not a selfish person but when it comes to you I want to be selfish. Gusto ko ipagdamot ka sa lahat, gusto ko na akin lang ang buong atensyon mo. Pero ayoko ng ganun lalo na at nakilala kita na ganyan, ayoko na baguhin ka dahil lang sa gusto ko."

Astrid offered no response, yet she embraced him tightly. He had a way about her, his words causing her heart to race. His sweetness could easily bring a smile from ear to ear. And through simple gestures, he could make her fall for him like no one else could.

Before releasing her, Aillard asked her something that puzzled her greatly, but she merely shrugged. Perhaps he simply wanted to know a trivial detail about her.

Hanggang sa unti-unting dalawin ng antok si Astrid, hindi ito bumitaw sa pagkakayakap sa kanya ni Aillard, animo'y takot na mawala siya sa bisig nito. Gusto rin niya ang init na ibinibigay ng yakap nito kaya hindi na siya nagreklamo pa. Hindi rin niya alam kung natapos na ba nila ang pelikula at kung saan natulog ang lalaki bago siya dalawin ng antok.

Antok na antok si Astrid at kahit gustuhin niyang idilat ang kanyang mga mata, hindi niya magawang labanan ang antok. Sa halip na tingnan kung sino ang naglagay ng kumot sa kanya, tumagilid na lamang siya at niyakap ang malambot na unan sa tabi niya, ipinagpatuloy ang kanyang pagtulog. Bukas na lang niya iisipin ang mga bagay na iyon.