Chapter 20
I stared at his sleeping position with a small smile on my face. Nakatulugan niya na ang mga librong binabasa niya, dahil sa paghihintay sa akin. It took me nearly two hours before I managed to come back here from my unit and he probably got fed up, kaya nagbasa muna siya at nakatulog na dito.
Kinuha ko ang libro at pinatong iyon sa table. I gently caressed his hair, while looking at every inch of his face. Those long thick eyelashes, red kissable lips, perfect nose and jaw...
I bit my lip and kissed his forehead with a smile. Tatayo na sana ako at papasok sa kuwarto nung mahila niya ako pabalik. I almost gasped in surprise.
He opened his eyes slowly and smirked. "Love, if you want to kiss me... you could've just said so. Papayagan naman kita."
My eyes widened in shock and broke free from his hold. Dahan-dahang nagbukas ang mga mata niya at sumilay doon ang asul nitong kulay. He blinked slowly, before he managed to sat straight up.
"P-Pasok ka na sa kuwarto mo..." nanginginig ako at hindi makagalaw ng ayos.
He yawned and stretched his other hand.
"Ayoko pa. Come, let's talk." he looked at me with parted lips and inquisitive eyes. "Are you sleepy? I have beer. Wanna have a drink?"
I twitched my lips.
"What brand?"
He chuckled. "Picky, huh?"
"Hindi naman, I just want to know," sabi ko at umiwas ng tingin.
"It's Smirnoff, is that okay with you?"
Mabilis akong napatingin sa kaniya at tumango. Tatayo pa sana siya kung hindi ko lang siya inunahan.
"I'll get it!" Hindi pa naman ako antok, kaya ayos lang sigurong makipagusap sa kanya habang umiinom.
I prepared some snacks and 5 bottles to suffice our drinking session. Hindi naman siguro kami iinom ng marami kaya ayos lang siguro ang ganitong kakaonti. I don't peg him as a heavy drinker, either... so I think this is enough for the two of us. One bottle is too much na kaya!
"Ruby! Come, drink with us!" he tried to joke and grabbed one bottle to give to our baby.
"Sira!" hinampas ko siya.
He laughed and drank from his bottle. Ruby's sleeping soundly on her bed in her mini-house that I especially made for her. Mukhang wala rin siyang naririnig na ingay mula sa amin.
"You haven't drank anything yet and you're already drunk?" Napailing ako at uminom. "Weak..."
His eyes narrowed. "I'm not drunk."
"Eight plus seven?" I challenged with a smirk.
Nagsimula siyang magbilang sa kamay niya at binaba ang bote sa coffee table. He seemed so immersed in counting. My gosh! Eight plus seven lang, binibilang pa sa kamay?
"Fifteen!" sagot niya.
"Engk!" I laughed. He frowned and counted again. "Just kidding, tama ka."
He made faces at me before he drank again. Natawa ako dahil mukha siyang bata. I definitely did not expect that kind of behavior, coming from him. Well, I guess he hasn't changed at all. Kung ano siya noon, ganoon pa rin siya hanggang ngayon.
I couldn't think of a topic so I continued drinking as usual. Parehas kami nakatitig sa isa't isa na parang may hinihintay lang. My mind's blank and no words come right after in my brain. It's so awkward. We're just staring at each other, not knowing what the other person is thinking of.
"So... what do you want to talk about?" I started.
Tumikhim siya bago napangisi.
"Ano ang gusto mo sa asawa?" he waited for my answer.
My eyes widened for a second before chuckling. His question was so shocking to me that I almost fell out of my position! Tinatanong niya kung anong gusto ko sa asawa! That's like... a very unusual question for me!
"I just want someone who's kind, understanding, with a good mindset. 'Di bale na if he's not gwapo or if 50% lang ang gwapo sa kanya. Brain is sexier than face. Some good looking guys have a fucked up mindset. Basta he doesn't objectify women or his morals are right and not degrading to other people, then I'm fine with him."
For me, I can get any handsome husband but a guy with a good mindset is pretty hard to find. Kaya iyon ang mas pagtutuunan ko ng pansin sa paghahanap. My husband will be the person I'd spend the rest of my life and have kids with kaya dapat lang na maayos rin ang mindset niya. I can't do all the teaching on my own! We married each other, so he should do his part too!
"Same with boyfriends. I'm picky when it comes to that, and if they don't pass my standards then it's good bye for them."
"Alex is fucked up," he pushed his tongue to his cheek before drinking.
"Jaxton isn't," I said. "Namali lang ako ng basa kay Alex. You know, I could get pretty blinded when I'm in love..."
He shook his head and his jaw clenched a bit. "Hindi pa love, 'yon. You're just infatuated. Puppy love."
"Wow? Marunong ka pa sa akin?" Natawa ako at nagbukas ng isang chips. "But, seriously? I thought he was the one for me. Akala ko, aabot kami hanggang college. With Jaxton kase... we broke up because he was going to college, during that time. We realized that we were better off as friends, so I broke up with him."
"Hilig mo rin sa mas matanda sayo, no?" he said that like a bitter taste in his tongue.
I chuckled. "Not really, I mean. I like you now and we're the same age."
A smile played on his lips. He cleared his throat and tried not to smile. Nagkunwari siyang cold na parang wala lang 'yon. His reactions make me laugh. Mukha kase siyang tanga sa ginagawa niya.
"What? Kinilig ka ba?" I teased.
He bit his cheeks before looking at me.
"Bakit hindi?" he replied. "Hinihintay ko na nga lang ang I love you mo..."
"I don't love you!" Nagtapon ako ng unan sa mukha niya.
"Bibigay ka rin," sabi niya at ngumisi sa akin. "Coz, I'm gonna make you fall in love with me, Elisse Amelia. Like mo lang ako, but I'm already deeply in love with you..."
Napa-awang ang labi ko.
"S-Stop playing jokes on me!" I couldn't look because of embarrassment.
"Joke ang alin?" he playfully said. "Na mahal kita? What I'm saying is true. You're just too blind, not to realize my true feelings for you."
Nagkatitigan kami bago ako tumikhim at napatayo.
"I-I'll sleep." I was about to run towards my room when he pulled me back to him.
Lumingon ako sa kaniya. Oh damn it, please tell me I have to continue talking to him after that awkward talk!
"Don't run now, Elisse. Hinayaan kitang tumakbo noon and I won't allow you to do that now." he managed to pull me back into my position earlier.
I gulped. Inalis ko ang hawak niya at umupo sa harap nito. I guess I can't run forever. Masyado na ata akong duwag.
I thought of a new topic to ask. Uminom siya ulit sa bote niya. May naisip akong itanong kaya binaba ko muna ang bote ko sa table at nilagay sa likod ng tainga ko ang buhok na nakaharang sa mukha. I cleared my throat and got his attention again. I sat primly like a lady. Kunwari, hindi ako nagpanic at sinubukang tumakas kanina.
"Since when?" I suddenly remembered when he asked me that question. I was sad and all, because he didn't seem interested in me. Yun pala, gusto niya ako. I felt like a fool. Hindi ko ba talaga napansin iyon?
He looked away. "I don't really know..."
Binalik niya rin ang tingin sa mga mata ko. I see the honesty in his eyes. After Alex, I thought it was easy for people to deceive me... pero sa tingin ko hindi naman ganoon sa kaniya. He won't do that to me. He's Prince...
"But all I know is, I want you to be mine." Walang biro sa mga mata niya. His eyes show nothing but sincerity and I find it easy to trust him with this. "And I will do everything, Elisse. Hindi na ako torpe gaya ng sabi ng mga kaibigan ko. I can tell you now how much I love you and I can go on if you want to..."
My heart started pounding crazily again. I held my hands together and looked down. A thought suddenly came into mind. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nga ba pumasok sa isip ko ang ganoong bagay.
"Okay..."
He arched a brow.
"Okay? I confessed my love and all you said is okay?"
I sighed. "I want you to court me."
He stared at me for a few seconds before smiling. Lumawak ang ngiti niya at hindi maipaliwanag ang saya na nakikita ko. He really looks happy, oh my gosh is this a dream?
"Walang problema..." ngisi niya at bigla akong hinalikan sa labi. "Thank you, my love. Thanks for the chance!"
"Courting doesn't include kissing!" I said and covered my mouth.
Humalakhak siya. "That's okay, baby. When you finally become mine, mas maraming halik pa ang matatanggap mo sa akin. Get used to it."
My cheeks heated. Lalong bumilis ang puso ko. The thought of making out with him was filling my head. Ang dami biglang pumasok sa isip ko na posibilidad and I hate that I'm thinking of those! My gosh, when has my mind became that lustful for him?
"Is it okay for you that I had two boyfriends and you've seen me kissing Cairus, before?" I awkwardly asked. "Hindi ba nagbago tingin mo sa akin, dahil doon?"
Kumunot ang noo niya.
"Why?"
I gulped. "I don't know... remember what Alex said? That I can get any guy and it came out in a wrong way? Tapos nakita mo pa kami ni Cairus... don't you think the same way? That I'm easy-to-get and I let people kiss me easily?"
He sighed and held my face with his only working hand.
"Elisse, you're worth working hard for and even if it takes me ten fucking years to court you, gagawin ko dahil ganoon kita kagusto."
He caressed my face.
"No pressure, hmm? Liligawan kita at hindi kita titigilan, hangga't hindi mo 'ko sinasagot... unless? Ayaw mo na talaga sa akin. I can respect your decision and—"
"I still like you!" I quickly answered. Baka kase bawiin niya bigla at hindi na ako ligawan.
He smiled and kissed my forehead.
"Thanks for the reassurance, baby. I love you."
Damn it! Pwede ko na ba siya sagutin ngayon?
No, Elisse. Give him a hard time. Around two months, maybe? Would that be okay? I don't look easy that way, huh?
Months passed and Prince's arm is slowly healing. He still couldn't play basketball so he watches over their training instead. Naging ganon ang gawain niya nung nagkapasok na at may nakalagay pa rin sa braso bilang suporta.
We were headed to second year and summer just ended. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nasa second year na agad ako, dahil ang bilis lang nung first year namin. I barely even went home in our house, because no one else is there anyway. Nasa European Tour si Mommy and Daddy, habang si Kuya naman nasa ibang bansa rin para sa mga business meeting.
I was alone for the rest of the year, but I had Prince's family to celebrate my birthday with. Binati lang din ako nina Mommy at pinadalhan ng bagong kotse. They also bought me another unit to build my personal closet so I could store some of my extra clothes that don't fit anymore in our mansion and in my condo.
Lia went to another country to grab an opportunity with Kale. It made me sad to see them leave, but it's for their dreams. Plus, Japan is just a flight away. Hindi naman din mahirap pumunta doon kaya pwede naman akong pumunta every weekend.
Hindi ko pa rin nakakausap si Cairus and he wouldn't look at me either. I greeted him during his birthday but he didn't even reply nor saw the message. Alam ko namang hindi siya active roon kaya hindi ko na masyado iniisip. I still want to be his friend, though. I'll just have to wait, till he's finally ready.
"Prince, stop it."
He glanced at me and bit his lip. He had his hand on my thighs, drumming a beat on it. Nasa library kami ngayon dahil malapit na ang midterms exam. I asked Lacey to go with us, since Kale is gone now. Wala na siyang makasama kung hindi ako nalang.
"Hmm?" ngisi niya at nilapit ang mukha sa leeg ko.
Napailing ako at nilayo ang mukha niya. Lacey sighed and continued reading her book. Tumigil siya at tumingin sa aming dalawa.
"If you two want to make out, may club room, hotel and condo naman para doon. Don't do it here." walang emosyon niyang sabi bago nagbasa ulit.
"N-No! We're not!" Mabilis kong tanggi. Prince smirked at the thought. "We're not even together!"
Right. Months has passed and I still haven't given him an answer. We would kiss from time to time but it was just that. Hindi pa rin niya ako girlfriend, ayaw ko pa.
Lacey arched a brow.
"You kiss each other during lunch and vacant."
"He kissed me!" I defended.
Pinatong ni Prince ang baba niya ang sa balikat ko, sabay yakap sa baywang ko. I tried removing his hug, because of the people looking at us. We're in a public place and news might spread that we're already together!
"Talaga? Bakit kung maghalikan kayo parang wala ng bukas? Uhaw na uhaw pa..."
My cheeks heated.
"L-Laticia!" I stammered.
She smirked and closed her book.
"Later, lovebirds. I have to go somewhere." Umalis na siya at kinuha ang mga libro niyang nakakalat. Napasapo ako sa noo. Shit, she saw all that?
"Baby... let's go. Let's get out of here." Prince whispered and chuckled to my ear.
My forehead creased. "Saan?"
He smirked. "Where do you want to go?"
I sighed and started fixing my books. Tiningnan ko ang oras. I suddenly remembered that Mommy and Daddy will come home today and I have to go see them.
"I have to go home. I have something to do."
He frowned and grabbed my bag to help me. Hinahayaan ko nalang siya dahil mag-aaway pa kami kung hindi ko hahayaan. I don't think he should bring my stuff just because he's courting me. Hindi naman ako pilay o nabalian para dalhin niya pa ang gamit ko.
"Hatid nalang kita." he offered and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
I played some music on the way home, while resting my head on the window. Araw-araw, sanay na akong kasama siya palagi at hinahatid-sundo ako sa condo. I've gotten so use to it that he doesn't make me feel awkward anymore. It's like we're together, but we are really not together yet. Ewan, basta I'm taking my time. I just don't want to get into relationships that quickly.
"Nagtatanong sina Drake. Do you want to go with us this January?" he suddenly spoke up and glanced at me.
Tumingin ako sa kaniya. "Hmm? Where?"
"Marvel bought an island recently and built his own mansion there. I haven't been there yet, but it looks like a nice place, based on pictures. Kakauwi niya lang kase kaya gusto niyang magparty doon. Cousins only. Including girlfriends, boyfriends and children. Kaya... naisip kita." he bit his lip and tried not to sound so obvious.
A small smile appeared on my lips. I need a break as well. Masyado na akong tuon sa pag-aaral na nakakalimutan ko nang magpahinga. I guess I could use a holiday.
"Sure... I can go."
Lumawak ang ngiti niya at hinalikan ang kamay ko.
"I love you..."
Pinigilan ko ang pagngiti at tinago ang mukha. I bit my lip and averted my gaze to the window.
"Wag ka masyadong kiligin, hindi pa tayo." he chuckled playfully.
Ngumuso ako at binalik ang tingin sa bintana. He held my hand for the duration of the trip and I couldn't contain my happiness because of his sweet gestures.
Dumating kami sa harap ng mansyon at saka niya lang naisipang bitawan ang kamay ko. I was about to go out of his car and leave when he pulled me back and swiftly kissed my forehead.
"See you tomorrow..." he kissed my forehead, gently caressing my cheek. Sunod niyang hinalikan ang pisngi ko at ilong. He smiled and went for my lips and kissed me softly. I closed my eyes and kissed him back for a second, before he pulled away. I couldn't remember when we started parting ways with those kind of kisses, but I find it really sweet. Sa lahat ng naging boyfriend ko, siya lang ang ganyan sa akin.
"I'll text you," I said and kissed him in the cheek.
Namula ang mukha niya bago ko sinara ang pinto. I chuckled a bit and walked straight to our gate. I heard the sound of his car leaving. Muntikan pa akong tumama sa isang tao dahil dali-dali itong lumabas mula sa mansyon namin. His brows are furrowed and angry. Tumigil siya nung makita akong nakatingin sa kaniya.
"Troy, hey... what are you doing here?" tanong ko dahil hindi naman siya madalas pumunta dito. He's still staying in Australia. It's his last year in college and I haven't heard much from him since my debut. Mula nung naputol ang koneksyon ko kay Cairus ay ganoon na rin para sa kanya. I remembered him telling me that he'll court me too. I figured it was just a joke and he was just messing with me, dahil mukhang iba naman ang gusto niya.
He glanced at the door and clenched his jaw.
"It's nothing," he told me before walking past me.
Nagtaka ako. He used to be so happy-go-lucky and cheerful. Hindi ako sanay na ganoon siya kaseryoso.
I dismissed it instead and went inside our mansion. It's been awhile since I went home. Miss ko na rin sina Mommy. I hope we can celebrate this incoming Christmas together. Wala na kase sila nung birthday ko kaya inaasahan kong kahit sa Christmas makasama ko naman sila.
"Didn't I tell you not to call me when I'm at home?"
My head turned to the garden area. I saw Daddy leaning on the glass wall. He's wearing his usual business attire without his blazer. May kausap siya sa phone at mukhang galit na galit.
"Why did he come here? Hindi mo man lang ba napigilan?" he sounded angry.
Dahan-dahan akong lumapit at nagtago. I tried not to make a sound.
"Are you out of your mind?! Bakit mo inamin? That should have been kept between the two of us! Paano pag nalaman ng asawa mo ang tungkol dito?!" Napalingon si Daddy kaya nagtago pa ako. My forehead creased. My heart started pounding nervously. I couldn't understand. "Pasalamat ka at umalis si Elizia ngayon at ako lang ang tao dito! She would suspect something if she heard all the things he said to me..."
Napahilamos si Daddy sa mukha. My hands started to shake.
Daddy sighed. "Let's talk, later. Baka marinig pa ni Eli ang tungkol dito."
He dropped the call and returned his gaze to the garden. Hindi ako makagalaw at hindi rin makatingin ulit sa kaniya. I'm not stupid and I'm not going to pretend that what I heard is not real. Pero paano? I thought he's in love with Mommy? How could you say you love someone and do such thing?
I swallowed hard and held my chest. Napapakit ako ng mariin at nagbuntong-hininga. I tried to act calmly to think about this. I shouldn't conclude things when I barely knew anything. The best I could do is to pretend. Pretend that everything is okay. Pretend that everything I heard is just a misunderstanding. He loves Mommy and he wouldn't break his promise, right?
"Elisse?"
Nawala ako sa pag-iisip nung makita ako ni Daddy. I stared at him and smiled. Agad ko siyang niyakap at hinalikan sa pisngi.
"Hi, Daddy... I missed you." I tried to act normal. Wala ako narinig. Wala ako nakita.
"Kanina ka pa?" he asked and glanced at our entrance.
Umiling ako.
"Nope. I just came in. Why?" I answered and waited for him to say something.
Napatitig siya sa akin bago binawi nalang ito nang ngiti. He ruffled my hair and kissed the top of my head.
"Nothing. We brought something for you. Do you want to see it?" he drifted the topic to a new one and walked past me.
Pinigilan ko ang bigat na nararamdaman ko at pinilit ang ngiti.
"Yeah! Sure!" I said excitedly and followed after him.
Agad ring nawala ang ngiti ko nung tumalikod si Daddy. I swallowed again and tried to keep my smile.
Please, Daddy... don't mess this up. Please don't ruin our perfect family...