Plot Twist

13

"May assignment ako sayo." ngiti niya sa akin

Nagtaas kilay ako sa kanya para dugtungan niya ang sasabihin niya.

"Gawa ka ng bucket list." pagtutuloy niya

"I'm busy, Ian. Hindi ko magagawa yan." I protested

"Hindi ko naman sinabing ikaw lang ang gagawa, ako din naman gagawa." sabi pa niya, "We will do one of your bucket list and one of mine at the same time." he further explain

"Pero -" bago ko pa matapos ang sasabihin ko ay nagsalita na siya ulit.

"No buts." striktong sabi niya, "But for now can you do me a favor?" he stood up, dusted off his shorts, and put his phone above the picnic basket.

He offers his hand, I take it and stand up. His phone is already playing a song.

"Is this part of your bucket list?" I asked laughing

"You can say that," he replied, he put my hands on his neck then his hands on my waist and he swayed slowly together with the rhythm of the song

All of my life it seemed
That something had been missing
I didn't know what to do
Days would pass me by
Each as lonely as the other
Until I met you
You opened the door
And let the sunshine in
My life will never be the same again

I felt awkward at first, there's this gap between us and as the song goes on, Ian slowly closes the gap between us. I rested my head on his broad chest, slowly breathed, and found peace.

As his arms wrapped around me, I felt a sense of warmth that made me forget all about the chilly breeze that was blowing. It was as if I was cocooned in a safe and cozy haven, protected from the harshness of the outside world. His embrace was so comforting that I could feel my worries melting away, replaced by a sense of peace and security.

Ian started to sing the chorus part, and I was surprised to hear that he could sing. He has a very lovely voice.

Now that I have you
Everything just seems so right
Now that I have you I'm alive
You are the song that I'll be
Singing my whole life through
I'm living in a brighter world
Now that I have you

I hear his heartbeat, seems like it adds rhythm to our background music.

We stayed like that hanggang sa matapao ang kanta. Unti unti siyang lumayo sa akin at tumingin ng diretso sa mata ko. "I hope I made you happy tonight."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya at unti unting tumango. Nag init ang mukha ko at nahiya na makita niya na yun kaya tumalikod ako agad sa kanya.

He immediately pulls my wrist before I can completely turn my back, "Ayan ka na naman, tumatalikod ka kapag kinikilig ka." he said

"Hindi ako kinikilig, huh." pagdedeny ko

"Yeah, sabi ko nga." pero alam ko ay hindi siya naniniwala, "I want you to feel that I see you and I am here to make you feel that." dagdag pa niya

"Let's go? It's getting late." he started to pack the food and the other stuff

Inuna niya munang dalhin ang mga gamit sa sasakyan bago siya bumalik para alalayan ako papunta sa sasakyan. Siya ulit ang nagbukas ng pinto para sa akin pati na din ang paglalagay ng seatbelt.

"Let's roll the window down," he suggested

Tumango, humarap sa may bintana upang abangan ang pagbaba ng bintana. Mas lalong lumamig ang hangin, kaya mas gininaw ako, maya maya lang ay may naglapag ng jacket sa may hita ko. Kinuha ko iyon at isinuot.

Naging matagal ang byahe namin pabalik dahil sa traffic. Hindi pa kami nakakalayo ay tumunog ang phone ko.

It is Alex who is calling.

"Tita, dito ka po ba uuwi?" tanong niya pagkasagot ko ng tawag

"No, sa condo ako uuwi. Why?" sagot ko naman sa kanya

"We will visit Lolo tomorrow po, want to join po?" pagiimbita niya sa akin

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago sagutin ang tanong niya. "I can't Alex, busy ako tomorrow."

"Ganun po ba? Sige po sabihin ko po kay Lola. Take care, Tita." malungkot niyang paalam sa akin

"Sorry if I eavesdrop. Bakit ayaw mong sumama?" tanong naman ni Ian

"Because I am busy tomorrow." pagkumbisi ko sa kanya at sa sarili ko

His forehead furrowed slightly as he raised one of his eyebrows, a subtle yet noticeable expression of surprise or skepticism. His eyes remained fixed on the road. "Hindi naman buong araw ka mag stay sa cemetery."

"Okay, fine. I don't have the strength to face Papa. Pakiramdam ko kasi iniwan niya ako bigla." I said

"Kailan mo siya haharapin? I am sure na bago ka niya iniwan, you are ready enougha and look at you, you're one of the best CEO." he assure me, "If you want I can accompany you."

Inisip ko pa rin kung sasama ako o hindi, pero bago pa man ako magdesisyon ay nagsalita na si Ian ulit.

"I am sure na sasaya ang Papa mo kapag dumalaw ka. He is proud of you." dagdag pa niya

Nang makarating kami sa condo ay nagulat ako ng magpark siya at binaba ang mga gamit. "What are you doing?" I asked

"Uuwi na din." he said

Mas lalo akong naguluhan, "Ah yeah, I forgot to tell you," then he laughed, "I also live here, penthouse."

"So we're neighbors?" I asked

"Yeah, fortunately." he replied

Sabay kaming sumakay sa elevator. Hinatid niya ako hanggang sa pinto ng condo ko.

"I wish I make you happy tonight." he said

I slowly nod at him and smile, "Thank you."

He smiles back and waits for me to get inside my unit before he goes to his own unit.

Right after I closed the door, I went straight to my room and washed up. Before I went to bed I checked my social media for a while, then a notification popped up. I clicked it and saw Ian's post on Instagram, it was me, sitting while looking at the scenery in front of us.