Her Unveiled Love

Kabanata 17: Mahal Kita

[Via's POV]

"You should let Shine wear whatever she wants." Hinabol ako ni Krae nang makalabas ako ng dressing room.

Kita ko ang pagkamuhi sa mga mata ni Shine bago ako lumabas. Her anger is building up. Lahat ng mga ginawa ko ay nagdudulot sa kanya ng galit, bagay na hinding-hindi niya maintindihan.

"I let her wear whatever she wants, Krae... just not on important... occassions." Paliwanag ko sa mahinahon na boses.

"You'll be a strict mother, that's for sure." Biro niya at hindi ko maiwasang mapatigil sa paglalakad. Parang tumalon ang puso ko dahil sa biglaang kaba na naramdaman. It seems like I feel threatened because of his joke.

"I'm happy to see the two of you." Lumingon ako sa nagsalita at nakita si Tita Mavis na kagagaling lang sa garden at may hawak na abaniko.

She effortlessly look intimidating in her red sheath dress with short cap sleeves. Her bright dark hair cascaded down her shoulders. Everything about her screams power especially with her dark red lipstick that compliments her fearless personality.

"Tita," bahagya akong yumuko bilang pagbati sa kanya.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Paralejo. It's a pleasure to finally meeting you." Habang nakayuko ay napatitig ako sa mga itim na sapatos ni Krae nang humakbang siya paabante.

"I've seen you in pictures but I never thought you'd be this handsome, hijo. Oh, and your eyes! You're really perfect for my niece."  Inangat ko ang aking tingin at hindi ako lubusang natuwa nang makita kung gaano kasaya si Tita Mavis nang tanggapin niya ang kamay ni Krae.

"I still have a lot to prove po, Tita," he answered as he gave me a quick glance.

"Oh, yes! Quennelle's standards can be so high. Madami pa namang manliligaw yan pero ni isa ay walang sinagot. Baka sayo pa lang niya makita ang hindi niya mahanap sa ibang lalaki."

Kung hindi ko lang kaharap si Tita Mavis ay kanina pa ako umirap lalo na sa tono ng boses niya.

Gosh, she has no idea why I rejected my suitors. I don't want to be in a relationship. I don't want to be committed to anyone!

"Papunta na po ba kayo sa main house, Tita?" I asked, trying to divert her attention.

"I'll still wait for Shine. Maayos na ba ang susuotin niya?"

"Yes, Tita. I gave her my second option for tonight."

"Which is?" She glanced at the dressing room with a raising eyebrow.

"Just a black jumpsuit with red edges." Agad na napangiti si Tita sa sagot ko.

"There could be no room for mistakes if it's you, Quennelle. Now, how about mauna na kayong dalawa roon? Maaga pa naman, so have the entire place to yourselves. You can tour your fiancé around." My face spontaneously flinched because of that term again.

"Sure... Tita." napapalunok kong sagot bago tumalikod na at nilampasan si Krae na nagpaalam din kay Tita.

"I bet your cousin could've feel hurt."

"For what?" Diretso lang ang lakad ko at tumayo pa ang driver sa labas nang makita kami pero sinenyasan ko siya na hayaan kaming maglakad.

"For wearing clothes owned by you. Damit na pang-second option mo lang." Napakunot ang noo ko sa kanyang eksplanasyon.

"You don't know anything about her including what she feels." May diing sabat ko habang nakatitig nang diretso sa daan.

"And you know her?" I couldn't contain the mockery in his tone, so I face him with an angered expression.

"Of course, I do! I take care all of them, I tutor them, and I hone them to be the best they could ever be." I justified and I stared intently into his eyes, ensuring that he understood every damn word I said.

Seryoso niya rin akong tinitigan sa mata. We looked at each other for a moment until he surrendered and looked away. He let out a sigh as he slid his hands inside his pockets.

"Understood," he agreed like a soldier. Hindi ko maiwasang mapataas ang kilay at sulok ng aking labi dahil sa kanyang inakto.

"Good."

.

Tahimik lang kaming naglakad papunta sa main house. Malayo ang main house, usually ay sumasakay talaga kami ng kotse dahil nasa pinakagitna ito ng village.

Walking is not really a hassle here, hindi naman gaano kainit at sobrang mahangin. It's not exhausting if nasanay ka.

"Tell me about yourself." Kung matatagalan nga kami, might as well get to know him.

"What do you want to know?"

Kumibit-balikat ako bago sumagot nang nakayuko. "Anything you can share."

"Well... I was really homeschooled as far as I can recall. The house is the only place I'm comfortable with. Kung lalabas man ay para magbakasyon sa ibang bansa. I had no friends until I run off one day towards the nearest park in our subdivision. I met kids there, I made friends." Nagsimula siyang magkwento sa akin nang walang hesitasyon.

"Wala palagi ang parents ko sa bahay kaya naman halos araw-araw akong pumupunta sa parke para puntahan ang mga kaibigan ko. I learned to play skateboard because of them, I also used to vandal some walls and kicked some asses... it was fun."

"So you became part of those teenagers I see on the streets? Baka kulang na lang sabihin mo ay nagpa-tattoo ka at natuto ring manigarilyo." Tinawanan niya lang ang bintang ko sa kanya.

"Amazing, nahulaan mo!" Tumingin ako sa kanya at tinaasan siya ng kilay. He's joking right? Abot-mata ang kanyang ngiti habang nakatitig sa akin.

"Don't joke around. You're not funny." Irap ko sa kanya.

"I have a tattoo on my lower-back and I also smoke, hindi nga lang araw-araw."

I couldn't believe his confession. He looks perfect to me! You know, the formal and traditional kind-of-guy. He's smart, rich, neat, hygienic, and obviously handsome.

Natatawa akong napailing at binilisan ang paglalakad. Now, I'm starting to see him as a kid who just like to have fun and all.

"Hey, wait up!"

Hindi ako makapaniwala. Ito ba ang gustong ipakasal sa akin ng pamilya ko? He has charisma and such things but I'm too good for him. He doesn't deserve me. I never planned to get married at ngayon, gusto nila akong ipagkasundo sa lalaking basagulero, may bisyo, and worse of all... may tattoo!

Everyone in the family is forbidden to have one. We are a Japanese descendant and having a tattoo indicates that you're in the Yakuza or any form of illegal organization.

"Kung gusto mo... kaya ko ring tigilan ang paninigarilyo o pakikipagkita sa mga kaibigan ko. Hell, I could even get the tattoo removed, Via. Just... don't walk away."

Napatawa ako lalo na nang hawakan niya ako sa pulpusuhan. Bakas ang pagmamakaawa sa kanyang boses at sa higpit ng pagkakahawak niya sa akin, ramdam ko ang kanyang takot.

"Why are you desperate, Krae? Ganoon na ba kalugi ang kompanya niyo?" Kunot-noo ko siyang hinarap sabay wakli ng kanyang kamay.

"What?" Natigilan siya at mukhang hindi inasahan ang mga salitang binitawan ko. "You... what..." bakas ang pagkagulo sa kanyang mukha.

He took a step backward and messed his hair in frustration. "You think we need money? Via, kaya kitang pakasalan at buhayin nang hindi humihingi ni piso sa pamilya mo."

"Then why?"

"We both know you're intelligent, Via. Maybe too intelligent that you're so insensitive. Mahal kita! Ayan, kung 'di mo pa naiintindihan."