Play Pretend

Chapter 33

Mukhang hindi first time ni Xaiver na makapunta sa tutuluyan namin. He didn't even have to look at the map. Dire-diretso lang ang lakad namin papasok sa isang building. Pagkatapos ay sumakay kami sa elevator saka bumaba sa sixth floor.

Nag-iisa lang ang pintuan pagkalabas namin sa sixth floor. Wala ring mahabang hallway kagaya ng ine-expect ko. It looked like a foyer. And when Xaiver finally revealed our lodging, I found it really similar to penthouse apartments in hotels and condominiums, lalo na't nasa pinakataas na palapag ang apartment.

It has a high ceiling and an unusual structure. The interior seemed very personalized. Hindi iyon katulad ng ibang airbnb na more on classic ang style ng interior. The apartment we'd be living in has a very specific target market.

Kumpara sa itsura nito sa labas, nasa modern side ang loob. The furniture and appliances screamed luxury. Agad akong nakaramdam ng matinding kuryosidad kung magkano nagastos niya sa tinutuluyan namin.

"You like it?" Xaiver asked when he noticed I was stuck in one place while surveying the apartment. "You can go to the terrace if you want to enjoy the view outside."

Hinarap ko si Xaiver. Nakaturo siya sa sliding glass door, covered with sheer curtains, kung nasaan ang terrace. Hindi ko pa man masyadong makita dahil sa kurtinang nakaharang, ngunit sigurado akong malaki 'yon. I could see the silhouette of the outdoor living and dining area.

"Dito ba talaga tayo titira ng isang buwan?" naninigurado kong tanong kay Xaiver.

"Yes."

Napaawang ang bibig ko. I still had not seen the rest of the rooms, and I had no idea how big the apartment was, but I wouldn't be surprised if the rate would go beyond 20 thousand per night.

Kahit na napakayaman ng mga Dela Vega, I couldn't help but feel like we were overspending for our honeymoon. Sigurado naman akong may mga maayos din na Airbnbs na mura. May downside pa rin pala talaga ang hayaan si Xaiver na magdesisyon. He couldn't care less about throwing his money away.

"Magkano 'to per night?" sunod kong tanong.

"The what?"

"Itong apartment."

"Oh, this..." Nilibot ni Xaiver ng tingin ang sala bago ako hinarap. "I didn't pay for anything."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. Why does it sound so suspicious?

"It's a gift," dagdag niya pa.

"Galing kanino?"

"My father."

"Kay... P-Papa?" I tried my best not to stutter, but I still did.

Tumango siya at hindi napigilang sumilay ang ngiti.

"Hmm so siya pala ang nagbayad ng tinutuluyan natin ngayon..." sabi ko na lang para hindi mahiya. "Magkano kaya nagastos niya?"

"Seventy-two million."

"Seventy-two million?!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko kasabay nang pagsitayuan ng aking mga balahibo. "Para sa isang buwan na pagtira natin dito? Seventy-two million?"

Xaiver's eyes narrowed a little before he realized something. He chuckled and massaged the bridge of his nose. "Baby, this is not for rent..." he said, then smiled meaningfully. "This is our very own property here in Barcelona."

I was more bewildered by that fact. Muntik na akong masamid sa hangin dahil sa pagkabigla.

"Matagal na 'tong binili ni Daddy rito sa Spain. They have golden visas. He and my mom lived here for a year after getting married. They fell in love with the country and the city when they visited once," kuwento niya. "They want us to experience the same thing. Hindi ko naman talaga plano na dito ang honeymoon natin, but... Dad made a lot of points. Now, he transferred the property to our names as his wedding gift. It's ours now, baby."