Fall and Chase (ML, #4)

Kabanata 45

Kabanata 45

Aayawan

The music started to roar. Sumabay sa indak ng musika ang mga tao sa loob ng bar. Tumama ang iba't ibang kulay ng ilaw sa aking mukha. Lalong humigpit ang hawak sa aking bewang. I looked at Conrad, holding me, pulling me on his side while trying to get rid on this ocean of people. Sumabay ako hakbang niya hanggang nakaalis kami at nakapunta na sa aming mesa. Naabutan namin si Marco na may kinakausap na lalaki. Nakatinginan na lamang kami ni Conrad at umupo upang hindi namin sila maistorbo.

Lumapit ang mukha ni Conrad sa akin at nagsalita, "Are Newt and Maggie still on the dance floor?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya at tumango na lamang dahil mas lumakas ang musika. I don't think he could hear me. I felt his hand on my shoulder, claiming me. Lumapit muli ang mukha niya sa aking tainga. "My cousin is enjoying someone's company."

I nodded, grinning. Lumapit ang mukha ko sa kanyang tainga. "I'm sure he is." Conrad looked at my face and gave me a peck on my cheek. "And you are, too." He was beaming and shaking his head. I captured his face. "Aren't you?"

"I am," natatawa niyang sabi.

Pinakawalan ko ang mukha niya. Kinuha ko ang lemon juice sa mesa at uminom. Conrad was drinking his beer. Mabuti na lang medyo humina ang musika sa ibang temang binigay na tugtugin. I saw my sister and Newt dancing on the dance floor. Parang may sariling mundo ang dalawa. I saw how Newt adored my sister so much. I know how satisfied he is, and of course, Maggie. I am happy seeing them together, hindi rin biro ang pinagdaanan nila bago marating ang estado nila ngayon.

"When Maggie's around, Newt is fucking behaving," Conrad said and chuckled. "Newt, a feigning saint."

Ininom ko ang natitirang inumin sa akin. "But he's a good man," I stated.

"He is, sometimes," he joked. "But a beast, always. You don't know." Umiling siya.

"I know. He's like a magnet when it comes to women, I know that."

"It's just a pixel you did know, Nella," Conrad said, then drank and emptied his beer. Kahit na medyo madilim, nakikita ko pa rin ang pulang pisngi niya dahil sa ilang bote na rin ang nainom niya.

"Playboy?" ani ko, trying to figure out what's on Conrad's mind.

"He was," He explained.

I nodded.

"I'm sure he's planning the proposal..."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi ni Conrad. Napatingin ako kay Newt at Maggie. Tinignan ko si Conrad na nakamata sa dalawa.

"Really? 'Di ba bago palang sila sa relasyon? Is it okay—I mean, I can't explain, I'm losing my mind. I know proposal is really, really—amazing, I think. I just don't know." I didn't know why I can't explain it. Maybe I was shocked. But I am happy if that thing happened. "That will be amazing. Lost in words." I added, whispering.

Conrad chuckled. Pinisil niya ang balikat ko "Easy, hindi ikaw 'yon. Newt loves your sister since time he met her. I was too blind to see things clearly. But I know behind those stares I was curious back then, there was something. He worshipped her. Don't you like Newt for Maggie?"

"I like him for my sister! Kung sino man ang mahalin ni Maggie, I will be happy if she's happy." Ngumuso ako. "I think, they are perfect for each other. They look good together." Sumulyap muli ako sa kanilang dalawa. Ngayon nakayakap si Maggie kay Newt dahil sa mabagal na tugtugan. Nakikita ko rin ang pagtingin ng ilang tao sa kanila.