Gael Belmonte's Runaway Bride - Vanessa

Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

"YOUR birthday?" sambit ni Audrey. Aminado siyang hindi niya alam kung kailan ang birthday ni Gael. "The oven is not yet clean so I'm not sure I can make you one."
"Let me clean it for you then."
"No. There's no need, Gael. Please. Why are you making this..." Hard? And why are you making yourself seem... I don't know, loveable? You're being cute now. And sweet somehow, in your arrogant way, you devil. "Go back to Manila. I'm not coming back with you anyway. You are wasting your time.
Hindi umimik si Gael, sa halip ay sumandal lang ito sa sasakyan. Oras na para umalis siya kaya pinihit na niya ang susi sa ignition para lang pumugak-pugak iyon. Oh, please don't do this to me, you old thing! 'Wag mo akong ipahiya. I know I got you for peanuts, but please? Please?
"Car trouble?" tanong ni Gael, nakasandal pa rin ito sa sasakyan at nakahalukipkip. Man, he's gorgeous.
"Nah. This thing just needs a little TLC." Please, start up! Please? Ipapa-change oil kita bukas na bukas din, kailangan mo lang umandar ngayon. As in ngayon na. Please? Muli ay binuhay ni Audrey ang makina ng sasakyan na muli ay pumugak-pugak, hindi nakumbinsi sa kanyang pakiusap.
"TLC, huh?" Si Gael.
Napabuntong-hininga si Audrey. "This car is crap, actually. Useless piece of junk. I got it for less than a hundred grand, this old thing."
"Why are you doing this to yourself?"
"Hey, everyone's got to start somewhere, right?" Pinagaan ni Audrey ang tinig. Naroon na si Gael, hindi na niya ito matatakasan pa. Nakita na rin nitong bulok ang sasakyang gamit niya. Bumaba siya ng sasakyan at inilabas ang cell phone. "I wish Ryan back home. Sabi niya sa akin 'wag akong maghakot ngayon dahil wala siya pero nahihiya na ako sa dami ng naitulong niya. I should've listened to him."
"Ryan? Ryan Castellejos?" tanong ni Gael. Nakilala na ni Gael si Ryan at sa katunayan ay isa ang lalaki sa mga abay nila. Ngunit hindi dumalo si Ryan sapagkat alam na nito ang kanyang binabalak. Sa lahat ng kaibigan, tanging kay Ryan lang niya sinabi ang tungkol sa planong pagtakas sa kasal.
"Yes. I'm staying with him."
"Oh, please no. No. Just no. You're staying with another man—"
"Please, Gael! It's not like that. I'm not sleeping in his house. I'm sleeping in their barn, okay?"
Kumunot ang noo nito. "You're sleeping in a barn?"
"Yeah. So what?"
Natutop nito ang noo. "Why are you doing this to me, Audrey? Honestly, why are you doing this? I can give you everything you want. Everything."
Everything? Can you be faithful? No? So that's not everything, is it? "I just need to ask him to fix the car. He can fix engines."
Ibinaba ni Gael ang cell phone na hawak niya. Pumalatak ito at napapailing. "You've got tools?"
"I have baking tools and equipment."
"Cute." Nagtungo si Gael sa SUV at kinuha ang isang toolbox. Binuksan nito ang hood ng pickup truck ni Audrey.
She could not help but ask. "Do you know what you're doing?"
"I always know what I'm doing. Do you?" Nakakunot ang noo ni Gael, nakayuko sa hood, at nakatingin sa kanya. She wished he would stop looking so masculine for one second. May inilabas itong gamit at may kung anong tornilyong pinihit, saka inilahad ang kamay sa pickup truck. "Start her up."
Sumakay si Audrey sa sasakyan at pinihit ang susi. Nabuhay ang makina. Isinara na ni Gael ang hood.
"Thank you."
"What about my cake then?"
"I told you, the oven isn't clean yet. I'll see you when I see you." Pinasibad na ni Audrey ang sasakyan bagaman may kung anong panghihinayang siyang nakapa sa dibdib. It was stupid, she knew. It was just physical attraction. Hindi iyon magiging sapat na pundasyon para sa pag-aasawa.
Napabuntong-hininga siya at tumuloy na sa kabilang farm. Mayroon pang mga gumagawa sa kamalig; naglilinis ng oven at nagkakabit ng bintana. Sa loob ng nakaraang isang linggo ay napakaraming tauhan ang nagtulong-tulong upang mapaganda iyon, salamat sa effort ni Ryan. Now, the barn looked very homey.
Mataas ang hagdan paakyat ng loft at sa itaas ay naroon ang kanyang silid. May pintura na ang cabinet na dati ay imbakan. Mayroong malapad na kama. Isang kutsong may katamtamang kapal ang gamit niya, wala na ang makapal na first-class mattress. She did not mind. Wala siyang planong magbabad sa kama sapagkat tiyak na magiging abala siya sa mga susunod na araw.
May upuan sa silid, isang life-size mirror, isang maliit na office table, maliit na bookshelf, at electric fan. Sariwa ang hangin sa farm, malamig din sa gabi kaya hindi niya kailangan ng aircon. Dahil bukas ang loft ay nagpakabit siya ng curtain rod. Napakahaba niyon dahil malapad ang loft. Makapal ang kurtinang ikinabit niya, para hindi makita ang kanyang silid ng mga darating na bisita. Nais niyang doon din kausapin ang mga magpapagawa ng cake.
Sa ibaba ng kamalig ay simpleng sala set lang ang binili ni Audrey. Napakalaki pa ng espasyo sa ibaba ng kamalig na balak niyang punan ng mga gamit kapag may pambili na siya. Halos nasaid niya ang perang ibinigay ng kanyang ina. Ang natira, kasama ang kaunting naipon ay pambili ng baking supplies. For now she had the basics, including a huge refrigerator. Ang sabi ni Ryan, gusto raw nitong magsosyo sila sa isang café sa bayan. Gayunman, marahil sa susunod na buwan na nila iyon pag-uusapan.
"Careful," ani Audrey sa nagbubuhat ng mga karton ng baking equipment. Malaki ang espasyo sa kusina at wala rin iyong dibisyon mula sa sala. Walang hanggan ang eskaparateng maaari niyang paglagyan ng gamit. Nasasabik siyang isalansan doon ang lahat ng kanyang dala. Bukas pa raw darating ang kawaksing inirekomenda sa kanya ni Ryan. Magmumula ang babae sa malayong probinsiya.
"So this is the place. I like it."
Agad napalingon si Audrey nang marinig ang tinig ni Gael. There he was, standing by the door. Sumandal ito patagilid sa hamba ng malaking pintuan, nakatingin sa loob.
"What are you doing here?"
"Checking out the place. Do you mind?"
"Will you stay?"
"I'm expecting an invitation. After all, I drove for five hours. I'm actually famished. Oh, look at that. The oven is spick and span. You can make my cake."
"I don't think you can afford my cakes, Gael. Please, leave. Marami pa akong gagawin. Don't expect an invitation either, but I think my father will let you stay in the house he threw me out of when I didn't marry you."
Mukhang nabigla si Gael. Hindi nagawang salubungin ni Audrey ang mga mata ng lalaki. Handa na siyang muling magmando sa mga tao kung saan ilalagay ang mga laman ng kahon nang magsalita si Gael.
"That's why you're here."
"Hindi ko inasahan na papayagan pa rin niya akong tumuloy sa bahay namin pagkatapos ng nangyari, kung 'yan ang inaalala mo. I have this all figured out, you don't have to look at me with pity. I hate it when you do that." Naging prangka na si Audrey.
"Pity? I don't pity you. Annoyed, with you maybe. You could've come to me."
"Right. Leave the farm and head straight for the enemy."
"Enemy?"
"Gael, please. Sinabi ko na sa 'yo, wala akong panahon sa ganito."
"What about my cake?"
"Shut up about the cake already, okay?"
"You left me on our wedding day, and tomorrow is my birthday. Is it really too much to make me a cake that I will pay for anyway?"
"You can't afford my cakes."
"Try me."
Bigla ay parang kiniliti si Audrey ngunit pinigil niya ang mapabungisngis. "Fine. I'll make you a cake. Pick it up tomorrow, around three in the afternoon."
"You're the baker." Ngumiti si Gael at tumalikod na. In her heart, Audrey wished he stayed a little bit longer. It did not make any sense but she wanted him there. For a while. Maybe to talk about things the normal way... Puwede kaya silang mag-usap nang walang motibo, walang patamaan? She would like to try to have a conversation like that with Gael. After all, he was a very interesting man.

"YOU'VE been dipping your finger in the frosting, Ryan. It's distracting!" Tinampal ni Audrey ang kamay ng kaibigan na kanina pa sumasawsaw sa cream cheese frosting ng ginagawang cake para kay Gael.
Ang lakas ng tawa ng lalaki. "You said I can have a taste."
Umismid si Audrey bagaman ngumiti rin agad at muling hinarap ang cake. "Looks good? I've got to make this one perfect!"
"It's just a birthday cake."
"Kay Gael ito, alam mo 'yan."
"What was he doing here anyway?"
Napabuntong-hininga si Audrey. Hindi rin niya alam. Marahil, iniisip ng lalaki na maaaring makumbinsi siya nitong bumalik sa Maynila at matuloy ang kanilang kasal. Ganoon naman ang lalaki sa mundo niya, hindi ba? Maliban kay Ryan at sa ama ng kaibigan, walang naniniwala sa kanya. Puwes, nasabi na niya kay Gael ang laman ng kanyang isip. Hindi na niya ito tatangkain pang pigilan kung nais nitong magsayang ng oras.
"I guess he thinks he can convince me to leave this place."
"Can he?"
Napatingin si Audrey kay Ryan. Seryoso ang anyo ng kaibigan. Umiling siya. "Of course not. Nakausap na ba ni Papa ang daddy mo?"
"Yes. I heard he received a call from your father. He was accusing us of enabling you."
"I'm sorry, Ryan. Hindi ko gustong mangyari 'yon. I knew this was going to happen. I told you it was going to happen—"
"No worries. Dad doesn't do business with him or the Belmontes anymore."
"Kung may problema, 'wag kang mahihiyang sabihin sa akin."
"I told you everything's going to be fine. Are you done? Can I lick the spoon now?"
Natawa si Audrey at inabot na kay Ryan ang spatula. Sinipat niya ang relo. Alas-dos ng hapon. Mabilis niyang nilagyan ng kulay-green na icing ang cake para magmukha iyong damo, saka maingat na ipinatong ang cake na hugis-aso na kaninang umaga pa niya natapos gawin. It was edible. Iyon mismo ang groom cake na para kay Gael sana. Ang wedding cake nila, sa huling sandali ay ipinaubaya niya sa isang kilalang cake expert. Nagdahilan siyang hindi niya iyon kayang gawin dahil siya ang bride.
Eksaktong alas-tres ng hapon ay tapos na ang cake. Iyon ang puntong nag-aagawan sila ni Ryan sa spatula. Naisip ng kaibigan na pahiran siya ng frosting sa pisngi upang pakawalan niya ang spatula.
"Good afternoon."
Napatingin si Audrey sa pintuan. There was Gael, looking so fresh and rugged in his blue jeans. Muli, nahiling niyang sana ay nakapag-ayos man lang siya. May suot pa siyang hairnet at apron na puno ng iba't ibang kulay na icing.
"Is that my cake? I'm impressed," ani Gael na bahagya lang tinanguan si Ryan.
"Happy birthday," ani Audrey, pinunasan ng apron ang pisnging may bahid ng frosting. Napansin niyang may dalang malaking paper bag si Gael. "What's that?"
"Food." Binalingan nito si Ryan. "You can stay. It's my birthday, after all."
Audrey was too polite to tell Gael to go. Naramdaman niyang nailang si Ryan. Kailanman ay hindi nagkomento ng negatibo ang kanyang kaibigan tungkol kay Gael ngunit si Ryan ang tipo ng taong hindi nangangailangan ng maraming salita upang maipakita ang damdamin tungkol sa iba. It was obvious that he did not like Gael at all. Madaling makita kung bakit. Magkataliwas ang katangian ng dalawang lalaki sa lahat ng aspeto.
While Gael can be arrogant and domineering, Ryan was gentle and calm, always ready to give way. And while Gael changed women like he changed clothes, Ryan was shy with the ladies. Wala pang nabalitaan si Audrey na naging nobya ang kaibigan. At kung si Gael ay kilala sa high society, si Ryan naman ay masaya sa tahimik na buhay. Ryan preferred to stay in the sidelined, Gael shone like a diamond wherever he was and whatever he did.
"I'll get some plates," ani Audrey.
"Happy birthday," narinig niyang bati ni Ryan kay Gael. "I believe I have some things to do back home. Audrey? Are you going to be okay?"
Please don't leave! I don't know how to handle this man! "Yes. Yes, Ryan. But you can stay. Dito ka na mag-merienda. I'm sure Gael brought enough food for three."
Tumingin si Ryan kay Gael at sa huli ay umiling. "See you."
Umalis na ang kaibigan at naiwan sila ni Gael na nagtungo sa pintuang nilabasan ni Ryan at isinara ang pinto. "He's your friend?"
"Obviously. Sana hindi mo pinaalis para tatlo tayo."
"Hindi ko ugaling mamilit ng lalaking ayaw."
"Pero ugali mong mamilit ng babaeng ayaw?"
"Right." Mukhang hindi apektado si Gael, saka ito pumuwesto sa malaking mesa kung saan nakapatong ang cake. "It's a sin to cut this cake."
Agad na napangiti si Audrey. "You really like it?"
"I love it. This looks exactly like Captain, my dog. You should make cakes."
And there was the devil again, being cute and charming with that gorgeous smile of his. Was it any wonder the girls wanted him bad? Naalala niya si Shanice ngunit piniling huwag na lang iyon pagtuunan ng pansin. Hindi natuloy ang kanilang kasal, walang problema at hindi niya bibigyan ang sarili ng problema sa pag-iisip.
"What did you bring?" Si Audrey na ang naglabas ng laman ng paper bag. Bukod sa pasta ay mayroon ding roast beef at salad. "Where did you get these?" Hindi marunong magluto ng mga ganoong putahe ang kawaksi sa kanilang farm. "Doon ka ba tumuloy sa farm?"
"Yes. I made them"
"Stop joking around."
"I wasn't joking."
Napakunot-noo si Audrey. Pinagmasdan niya ang pagkain na nakalagay sa magagandang lalagyan. Parang isang propesyonal ang nagluto niyon. Tinikman niya ang pasta, perpekto ang pagka-al dénte niyon. The oil-based sauce was spectacular. Nagdudang napatingin uli siya kay Gael. Tinikman niya ang roast beef. Puwede iyong ilaban sa roast beef niya. The salad dressing? It was perfection.
"Who made these, Gael? I'm serious."
"I did." Tumawa ito. "You're not the only one who can cook around here, you know."
"I don't believe you one bit! I bet you asked a chef to come! All right, what's in this pasta? Tell me. If you really made it, you'd know."
"Garlic, olive oil, oregano, basil, anchovies, parmesan cheese. I added some chorizo and chilli flakes for flavor. There you go."
"No kidding. You can cook, too? Is there anything you can't do?"
"Get married, apparently."
Natawa si Audrey. "I bet there are a lot of women out there who want to marry you. I bet you I can even name one."
"I only want you."
Nabura ang ngiti ni Audrey. Bigla siyang nailang. Natural, nababatid niya kung bakit nais ni Gael na pakasalan pa rin siya. It had everything to do with business. Kung sasabihin kaya niya ritong pineke ng kanyang ama ang lahat ng impormasyon tungkol sa kanilang kompanya, magtitiyaga pa kaya ang lalaking suyuin siya o puntahan man lang? Nasa dulo ng kanyang dila ang mga salita, ngunit hindi niya magawang sabihin. Mayroon pa ring bagay na kailangang manatili sa loob ng pamilya Esparza, kabilang na roon ang problemang pinansiyal. Isang balita tungkol doon ay maaaring mag-collapse ang kompanya. Higit sa lahat, maaaring malagay sa alanganin ang kanyang ama. Though she sometimes wished the old man would change, she still would not be able to bring him down, or give him further problems. Paano pa ang posibilidad na baka ito ay makulong?
"Gael, can I be honest with you? Hindi ako magpapakasal sa 'yo kahit ano'ng gawin mo. Masaya ako sa bagong buhay na ito. Mahirap siguro pero sa totoo lang, walang masyadong ipinagkaiba sa dating buhay ko. Kung iniisip mong makukumbinsi mo akong bumalik, 'wag ka nang magsayang ng panahon. It's never going to happen."
"Can I be honest with you, Audrey?"
"S-sure."
"I'm not someone who gives up quickly. Now, let's cut this cake."
"Oh, wait! Do you need a candle? Oh, let me get some candles." Noon pa man, nakakapanabik na para kay Audrey ang candle blowing. Sabihin nang para siyang bata ngunit ano ang silbi ng isang cake kung hindi mahihipan ng may kaarawan ang kandila? What about wishes? Who knows, they might just come true. Binuksan niya ang drawer saka pilyang napangiti. "What a dilemma, I only have twenty-nine candles. I need twenty-one more."
"You naughty girl."
Tumawa nang malakas si Audrey. "How old are you again? Fifty-six?"
"Thirty-two."
"Great." Itinusok ni Audrey ang tatlong malalaki at dalawang maliliit na kandila sa cake. Nagsimula siyang kumanta habang pumapalakpak. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Gael, happy birthday to you... Hey! Uh-uh-uh!" awat niya nang akmang hihipan na nito ang kandila. "Close your eyes and make a wish."
Bumuntong-hininga si Gael. "I already made a wish."
"But you need to do it while your eyes are closed!" Lihim na napangisi si Audrey. This was so much fun! Halatang naiilang si Gael. He can be such a killjoy.
"Why?"
"Because that's the way it goes!"
"Seriously, woman..." Muli ay umakto si Gael na hihipan na ang kandila ngunit itinakip ni Audrey ang kamay sa mga iyon. "What?"
"Make a wish with your eyes closed, Gael. I'm serious. It'll be a waste of cake if you don't."
Tumawa nang malakas si Gael, pumikit, bagaman hindi nakaligtas kay Audrey ang biglang pamumula ng mga pisngi nito. The man was actually embarrassed by this, it was so cute. Mayamaya ay nagmulat ito ng mga mata. "Can I blow my candles now?"
"Did you really make a wish?"
"I did make a wish. I wished the baker would let me blow my friggin' candles. Now, can I do it already? Or do you want me to find a four-leaf clover first?"
Napahalakhak si Audrey. "Without further ado, birthday boy, blow your candles."
Gael did. Pumalakpak nang malakas si Audrey. Lumingon sa kanya ang lalaki, saka sinabi. "I can't remember if I ever did that before. I don't think I ever had a birthday cake with candles..." Nagkibit-balikat ito. "I guess that's not really our thing."
"Really? No birthday candles and birthday wishes? At all?"
"No."
"So this is your first birthday wish? I wonder what it was!"
"This."
Hinaplos ni Gael ang kanyang pisngi, saka hinagkan ang kanyang mga labi.