"Let's finish this thing, and after this, we can continue living our lives separately." malamig kong sabi kay Trevor habang inaayos ang collar ng suit nya sa likuran. Nasa backstage na kami at hinihintay na lang ang cue ng staff sa paglabas namin sa stage.
"Anything you want," he said in a low voice.
My hands stiffened as I felt my heart sank. I badly want to be away with him, but I didn't expect his prompt answer. His cold and straight surrender.
"2 minutes," pagsenyas sa'min ng staff.
I fix my dress and hair. I let out a heavy breath to lessen the tension inside my body. Nilingon ko si Trevor sa tabi ko, kaswal lang siyang nakatayo, hindi ko man lang siya nakitaan ng kaba. Pero sabagay, sanay na siya sa ganito.
Nang makaexit ng naunang pair ay kami naman ang sumunod na naglakad, tumigil muna kami sa gitna para magpose. Mabusisi ang pagsusuri na ginagawa ng mga judges, wala silang pinapalampas na anggulo sa pagsusuri sa design. Habang naglalakad kami ay nagsasalita ang host, nagbibigay ng background tungkol sa design, kay Trevor at tungkol sa'kin.
"Ms. Victoria Mendez is the head designer of a famous fashion firm in London. She recently replaced her father in their own company, she is now the new CEO of it. And also we have here, Mr. Trevor Carson, a model and businessman. He was already featured on some luxury brands such as Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabanna, Giorgio Armani, and many more. He's also a CEO in a multi-millionaire company, one of the richest and successful companies in Asia. Wow, I'm astounded! We have 2 CEO's here."
Pagkarating namin sa unahan ng stage ay tumigil kami at muling nagpose. Ang mga judges ay kanya kanyang sulat sa mga papel na nasa harapan nila habang pabalik balik ng tingin sa'min. Halos kasunod lang namin sina Samuel na medyo nagkaaberya pa dahil nagkaroon ng konting sira ang ginawa nyang dress, buti na lang at hindi halata sa camera. Matagal kaming nakatigil sa backstage hanggang sa tawagin na kaming lahat ng host para iannounce ang mananalo. Nagkaroon din ng online voting para sa most popular award, designer and model tandem. And guess what, Samuel and her model won.
"We are down for the main event. We will proceed first on the female category," the drum roll kick in. "The winner on the female category is...... Kyle Cordova and Sabrina Gray!!"
Malakas na palakpakan ang sumalubong sa nanalo habang papunta sila sa gitna para kunin ang award. I saw Samuel's face fell down, I wanted to run and hug him but I can't.
"We're not done yet. Now, we're down on the male category," drum roll again. "This year's winner are..... Victoria Mendez and Trevor Carson!!"
Oh my gosh. Did I hear it right!? Oh my freaking gosh.
"Let's go?" Trevor held my hand and accompany me as we reached the center. I'm still lost in my senses because of shock.
"We fucking won." I whispered in amusement.
He moved closer on my side. "Yes, you are." I smell his mint flavored breath.
"Congratulations!!" the host greeted us while handling a trophy and check.
Nang matapos ang announcement ay picture taking naman ang nangyari. Marami rin ang lumapit sa'kin, binabati ako at ang design ko. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. I'm starting to believe that there's always a rainbow after the rain. All of your struggles will pay it's own debt, and this debt is getting all the things that you wished and prayed for. And for me, all the struggles are worth it..... another dream came true.
"I'm the proudest boyfriend here." Samuel gave me a tight hug.
"Thank you so much," I kissed him on the cheeks. "Congratulations to you also, you did great.
Most popular, huh?"
"Stop teasing me. We both know it's because of my model." he pinched my nose.
"No! I think they voted for you because you're too cute." I giggled.
"Really? You wanna do that here? Can't it wait until we got home?" his eyes narrowed while staring at me like a skittish kid.
"Can I talk to her for a while?" Trevor is standing in front of us casually, hand in his pocket.
"See you later," Samuel kissed my forehead before leaving, and again, he didn't even looked back.
Naglakad kami papunta sa gilid ng stage para magkarinigan ng maayos.
"Ahm, thank you again.... for doing this work with me." I spoke first then I looked away.
"I'm so proud of you," he said softly. "I always did."
"Trevor," I said in a weak voice. Hindi ko magawang tumingin ng diretso sa kanya.
Why is he acting this way? Nakalimutan na ba nya ang nangyari kahapon?
"All of this.... following you and waiting for you is not an issue at all. If it's the only way to show what I feel for you, I would gladly wait until the rest of my life. But seeing you getting hurt whenever I showed up around, I don't think my guts would accept that anymore. You're worth it.... but knowing what you've gone through because of what you feel for me.... it needs to stop." his voice quivered.
"I d-dont understand." I baffled.
"You will understand," he flashed a smile. Trevor leaned to kiss my forehead. Firm and long kiss that feels like goodbye. "Ricordati di me, amore."
Tumalikod na siya pero mabilis kong ginagap ang kamay nya. "Hindi ko maintindihan, Trevor."
He stare at me, a gloomy and longing stare that made my eyes watered. Hindi ko maintindihan, pero ayokong bitawan ang kamay nya.... gusto kong manatili lang siya sa harapan ko. Gusto kong mawala na siya sa buhay ko pero bakit parang labag sa loob ko? Nagtatalo ang utak at kung ano mang nasa dibdib ko. Yes, I am deeply mad at him. But half of me wants to stop him, and the other half wants to let go of his hand.
"Be happy." he loosen his hand..... and he swiftly walked away.
I followed his figure until he slowly vanished in the pool of crowd. Again, that was the last time I ever saw his face. I tried to ask September about him, gusto ko lang alamin kung anong nangyari sa kanya pagkatapos ng event. But even her, she have no idea what happened or what's new about him. I tried to checked his ig one time but I didn't see anything new. Karamihan ay picture lang ng mga paligid o bagay.
Until one day, after a couple of months, I saw his face in front of a newspaper. It's on the headline.... their company is suffering a great loss, the slowly descending shocked the whole business field. Ito siguro ang dahilan kung bakit bigla na lang siyang nawala. This kind of problem needs to be fixed privately and critically, one wrong move, and it's gone.
Without a second thought, I checked my schedule. And luckily, wala kaming masyadong projects ngayon sa fashion firm. At dito sa kumpanya, kaya na ni Allison na harapin ang ibang meetings ko kaya wala na akong poproblemahin.
Holding the card that Sean, his friend, gave me. I entered the elevator of this building, going up to his condo unit. I flew all the way here in Italy but I have no idea what I'm doing, all I know is.... I wanted to be with him, help him in any way that I can. Concern? Maybe yes. I just don't want him to be alone.
A single knock on the door, and it immediately open. Surprisingly, Aki appeared from the inside.
"Aki,"
"Woah! From all of the people, you're the least person that I expected to showed up here." he urged in hilarity.
"Well, that makes the both of us." pabiro kong sagot.
"Come inside, suit yourself," pormal nyang sabi, nang makapasok ako sa loob ay isinara na din nya ang pinto. "Pabalik na siguro 'yon, kagabi pang hindi umuuwi dito eh."
"Who?" I raised a brow.
"Tss, kuya."
"Oh, okay."
"Imposible namang ako ang pinuntahan mo dito, nakakatouch naman," he chuckled while sitting at the table near me. "Tsaka address nya 'to, bisita lang ako."
"How is he?" I asked in a low voice.
"Hindi ko alam. Kaya nga pumunta ako dito para malaman yan at para makatulong, pero hanggang ngayon wala pa rin akong nagagawa rito. Kapag naman kinulit ko, mura lang ang inaabot ko kaya nananahimik na lang ako." napakamot siya sa batok nya.
"Ano bang nangyari? Bakit umabot sa ganoon?"
"Sa kanya mismo nanggaling, napabayaan daw nya ang kumpanya. Hindi ko alam 'yon dahil buong akala ko, namamanage nya ng maayos ang oras nya, dahil ganoon na ang ginagawa nya simula pa noon."
"Then?"
"Pero nagulo lahat nung mas pinili nya ang pagmomodel. Wala akong problema dun dahil suportado ko siya, pero doon na halos napunta ang atensyon nya." I could hear the frustration on his voice.
"Ano pa bang gusto nya sa buhay? Bakit ba kasi pinursue pa nya ang modeling? Di'ba nagmemed school naman siya?" naiinis kong tanong.
"Dahil mo."
"W-what?"
"Halos kalahati ng buhay ni kuya, sa'yo na nya nilaan. Sa pagsunod sa'yo para masiguradong nasa maayos ka, ipinaglaban ka para magkaroon ng hustisya ang nangyari sa'yo noon, kinalaban nya lahat para sa'yo, Ria. Tapos eto, eto ang napala nya. Hindi mo alam kung anong mga isinakripisyo nya para mapatunayan ang sarili nya sa'yo. Gusto kong magalit sa'yo, pero hindi ko magawa. Hindi dahil sa kaibigan kita o kaibigan ka ni Harriet. Kasi, alam mo 'yon? Alam ko rin kung san ka nanggagaling eh, alam kong big deal ang nagawa nyang pagsisinungaling, pero sana.... kahit saglit, binuksan mo ang isip mo para pakinggan siya. Alam kong hindi naging madali sa'yo ang lahat, pero ganoon rin kay kuya. Hindi ko siya ipinagtatanggol dahil kapatid ko siya, sinasabi ko 'to sa'yo dahil alam kong hindi siya masamang tao at hindi nya sinasadyang saktan ka, at alam kong alam mo rin 'yon."
"I'm sorry, Aki." my chest gripped in soreness. "I should have atleast.... listen."
"Hindi mo rin naman kailangang malaman, alam kong ayaw nyang malaman mo pa. Pero kilala mo naman ako, ayokong may nasasaktan sa paligid ko lalo na't alam kong may pwede akong gawin." he smiled.
We both remain silent when we heard the knock on the door. Aki is looking at me blankly, I don't know what he's thinking, or maybe he's having a second doubt if it's a good idea to open that door and let his brother in. He knew that seeing us in the same place is not a good sight, accurately because of the bad blood between us.
"Pagkabukas ko ng pinto, bahala na kayo. Ayokong makita ang drama sa pagitan nyong dalawa." he shrugged mockingly. "Katatapos ko lang sa ganyan."
"Thanks," I said quietly.
The cold mist of wind that's entering the open window added the cold and tension that I'm feeling inside my spine. Narinig ko na ang pagsara ng pinto kaya maingat akong tumayo, habang naririnig ko ang papalapit na hakbang nya ay mas lalo akong kinakabahan. Paano bang hindi ako kakabahan ng ganito? Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin talaga malinaw sa'kin ang dahilan kung anong ginagawa ko dito.
"Hey," I called him dahil dire diretso siya sa pagliko paakyat ng hagdan. Nasa gilid ang living room kaya hindi na nahagip ng tingin nya.
Kasabay ng pagharap nya ay ang tuluyang panghihina ng tuhod ko, kahit kelan, wala pa ring nagbago sa nagagawa nyang epekto sa'kin. His lips parted, but he remained calm and in posture. He's still on a formal suit, holding a suitcase beside him. Ilang buwan pa lang ang nakakaraan, pero parang marami ng nagbago sa kanya. Not just the way he wear those specs, or how his hair is fixed in a pushed back, I've never saw him done that before. But the way he looked at me, from head to toe.... it was cold, homespun.... and impassive.
"Why are you here?" he put his hand inside his pocket.
"A-are you okay?"
"Who cares?" he responded in a casual tone.
"Basically, you're not okay." nagkibit balikat ako. "What can I do? I'll help."
"Hindi mo pa rin sinasagot ang tanong ko." ibinaba nya ang suitcase sa sahig. "Bakit ka nandito?"
"Shit," tamad akong sumandal sa likuran ng sofa. "Honestly, hindi ko alam. Hindi ko talaga alam."
"Go back to London. Baka marami ka pang trabaho, at baka hinihintay ka na ng boyfriend mo."
"Come on, don't push me away. Bago ko pa nga nalakasan ang loob ko para pumunta dito tapos itataboy mo lang ako? That's unfair." I protested.
"I don't need your help. Besides, my brother is here, tinutulungan na nya ako."
I rolled my eyes. "Liar."
"What did you just say?"
"He told me that he's not helping you, kasi ayaw mo daw. You know your brother, he's not good in keeping details."
Natigilan siya. "W-what else did he said?"
"Nothing," I looked away. "So, I'm not leaving. Stop pushing me away."
"Now you know." he smirked. "What it feels to be pushed away."
"Uungkatin mo talaga yan? As in ngayon talaga?" mataray kong sagot.
"Saan ka magsstay?" tanong nya.
"Ahm, actually, puro fully booked ang hotel na malapit dito kaya naghahanap pa ako online."
"Gamit mo?"
Tumingin ako sa tabi ng isang vase kung saan nakasandal ang maleta ko. Sinundan nya ito ng tingin at mabilis na tinungo iyon para buhatin ang maleta ko, walang lingon siyang umakyat ng hagdan.
"Sa guest room ka na lang, baka maligaw ka pa." pahabol nyang sabi bago siya lumiko at mawala sa paningin ko.
Sinundan ko siya sa taas, naglilibot ako ng tingin ng mapansin kong dalawa lang ang kwarto.
"Pano si Aki?" sumilip ako sa bukas na pinto kung nasan si Trevor.
"Hindi na 'yon uuwi dito. Alam nyang nandito ka, at alam mo naman ang takbo ng utak non." umiling siya.
"Yeah, after all.... he's still Aki."
Nakaupo ako sa kama habang nakatulala sa pinto. Ano ng gagawin ko ngayon? Maghihintay sa kung ano man ang pwede kong itulong? Naalala ko pa rin ang nangyari nung nagpaalam ako kay Samuel na pupunta ako dito, inaasahan ko na magugulat siya o magagalit, pero wala man lang akong narinig na kahit anong pagkontra. Tinanong lang nya kung bakit ako pupunta at kung kailan ang balik ko, then yun, tinulungan pa nya ako sa pag iimpake. Samuel never doubted me even tho he knew about everything that happened between me and Trevor before. He trust me, more than I ever expected.
Kinuha ko ang phone sa bulsa ko at agad hinanap ang pangalan ng taong alam kong pinaka malalapitan ko pagdating sa ganitong sitwasyon.
"September!!" I yelled the moment she answered the face time.
"Woah! Hang on there! What's with the yelling and pronouncing my first name completely!?" she raised a brow.
Inilagay ko sa back cam ang camera para ipakita ang kabuuan ng kwarto. "Guess where am I,"
"New unit? Such a manly design," she looked closer to the screen.
"I'm in Italy," napalunok ako. "Trevor's unit, actually."
"Ohh," she shrugged calmly.
"Uh-huh," tumawa ako.
Narinig kong tila may nagpatak na bagay sa kabilang linya at gumulo rin ang screen kaya chineck ko kung buhay pa ba ang tawag o namatay na. Halos mapamura ako sa gulat ng muling lumitaw ang mukha nya sa screen.
"W-wait, what!? Oh my gosh! Y-you clearly said it, right!? You're with Trevor? How the hell did that happen!?" she exclaimed hysterically.
"I don't know what kind of spirit entered my body to came up with this idea. But when I heard what happened about their company, naisip kong gusto ko siyang tulungan. You know, kahit naman pagbali-baliktarin ko ang mundo, hindi na siya mawawala sa buhay ko."
"You never stop caring for him. You're mad, but you still care.... and you will always do."
"Mali ba 'tong ginagawa ko?" I mindly asked.
"On what aspect? I mean, if you really want to help, I don't see anything wrong with that. But if it's about something else.... better think wisely. Knowing you, you don't like the idea of hurting people that you love."
"Of course, I just want to help. Ano bang iniisip mo?" I laughed awkwardly.
"Your feelings for him, I guess?" she mouthed.
"No! I don't have feelings for him, Sept." depensa ko. "It's been a long time."
"Time can heal, but it can't forget. It's you who can do that, not the time. I witnessed it all, and you know it's uncomparable. You could probably deny it to everyone.... but not to yourself."
"What do you want me to do? My mind is in a mess right now."
"What you really want, Ria. What your heart desires. Don't hold back just because you're scared or you don't want to hurt or disappoint other people, it's normal to fuck up things. It's normal to make mistakes, as long as it makes your heart the happiest, it will be worth it. You're the baddest but softest person that I met, and I love you for that. All I wanted now, is for you, to choose yourself this time." she smiled.
"But this is what I want. I already have all the things that I want. I'm happy." I responded in a serious tone.
"Then, be happier."
Nagpapalit ako ng pambahay ng marinig ko ang boses ni Trevor sa labas ng kwarto, tinatawag lang ang pangalan ko.
"What?" naiinis kong bungad sa kanya pagkabukas ko ng pinto.
Ilang segundo pa siyang tumitig sa'kin. "Dinner," he said simply and walked away.
Isinara ko ang pinto at nanalamin para maglagay ng konting lipgloss sa labi. Doon ko lang naalala na may facial mask pa pala ako sa mukha, yun siguro ang dahilan kung bakit nakatitig siya sa'kin kanina.
Pababa pa lang ako ng hagdan pero naaamoy ko na ang pagkain, mukhang masarap, saan kaya siya umorder?
"Kumain ka ng marami," salubong nya sa'kin habang may bitbit na plato, inilapag nya 'yon sa lamesa at hinila ang isang upuan para makaupo ako.
"Thanks," I gave him a puzzled look. "Mukhang masarap. San ka umorder?"
"I cooked all of that,"
"Kailan ka pa natutong magluto ng mga ganito? Bacon lang ang alam mo dati," I teased.
"I'm living alone, so I needed to learn." tinanggal na nya ang apron at umupo sa harapan ko. "Just let me know if you want anything else, ipagluluto kita."
"It's okay, I'm on a diet. Tsaka ang dami na nito, hindi rin natin 'to mauubos." pagtanggi ko.
"Kailan ang alis mo?" tanong nya kaya natigilan ako sa pagsubo ng salad.
"Kadarating ko pa lang, pinapaalis mo na agad ako." I laughed sarcastically.
"I'm not. I just want to know, so I won't be surprise if I woke up one day and you're not here anymore." he met my gaze. "Like the old days."
"I'm sorry," ibinaba ko ang hawak kong tinidor. "I'm sorry for leaving that night.... in New Jersey."
"Huwag na lang nating pag usapan."
"Why?" naguguluhan kong tanong.
"Huwag na, Ria."
Natahimik ako ng marinig ang pagtawag nya sa pangalan ko. Sanay akong marinig ang tawag na 'yon galing sa ibang tao pero nung sa kanya ko narinig, bigla akong nawala sa mood.
"Tapos na ako. Ikaw? Ako na lang ang magliligpit dito." walang imik akong tumayo at dinampot ang ginamit kong plato, dumiretso ako sa kitchen. Hindi ko alam kung may isinagot ba siya sa sinabi ko, gusto ko lang na makaalis sa harap nya.
Tumigil ako sa tapat ng lababo at itinuon ang kamay ko sa harapan. Nakatungo lang ako habang tulalang nakatitig sa sahig. Nakakainis, bakit ba big deal sa'kin ang pagtawag nya sa pangalan ko? Bakit umiinit ng ganito ang mukha ko at naiiyak pa? Tangina, bakit ko pa ba binanggit ang tungkol sa New Jersey? Pero sa kabilang banda, gusto ko lang naman na maging normal kami sa isa't isa, hindi ako pwedeng manatili dito nang basta lang, kailangan ko rin siyang pakisamahan ng maayos.
"What's wrong?"
Agad akong napatayo ng diretso ng marinig ang boses nya sa likuran. Mabilis kong pinahid ang basa kong pisngi at binuksan ang gripo para hindi nya marinig ang pagsinghot ko.
"N-nothing. M-may nakita lang ako sa sahig." nauutal kong sagot.
"Okay," then he left.
I stare at the empty corner where he left. Before, he would always ask me several times just to make sure if I'm telling the truth or not. But why am I being surprise? I was the one who wanted us to be like this, I have no rights to complain, this is what I want. Yes, it really is. And its better to stay that way.
"Sigurado kang gusto mong sumama sa'kin? Marami akong aasikasuhin, hindi kita maiintindi." nagdadalawang isip pa siya kung bubuksan ang pinto sa harap namin.
"Hindi ko naman kailangan ng pag iintindi mo. Hindi ako kinder, kaya ko ang sarili ko." hinawi ko siya sa daan at ako na ang nagbukas ng pinto.
Narinig ko ang buntong hininga nya bago lumabas at ilock ang pinto.
"I have a meeting this morning with the board of directors." sabi nya habang nauunang maglakad sa'kin. "Then I will visit one of our ongoing construction in the afternoon."
"So, the main company is originally located here?" tanong ko.
"Oo,"
"Well. I think I can help you on that meeting." I smirked kaya tumigil siya sa paglalakad at nilingon ako.
"You're going to wait in my office." he strictly uttered.
"Hell, no." I crossed my arms. "You're not the only CEO here who manages a substantial, massive and time consuming company. I know how to play cards on a meeting, Mr. Carson. Been there, done that."
"Fine, you can assist me. But you won't talk unless I said so." he surrendered.
"Hmm? Let's see," I mocked.
"So, you're telling us that we should wait longer? It's been a month, Mr. Carson. We've given you enough time to fix this but until now, we couldn't see any progress."
Bumalot sa buong board room ang boses ng matandang lalaki na kausap ni Trevor. Narinig ko kanina na isa siya sa mga matataas ang pwesto sa kumpanya. Tahimik lang akong nakaupo sa tabi ni Trevor, sinisiyasat ang pinag uusapan nila.
"Look, sir. Everything will be fixed, I assured you that. I just need more time." magalang at pormal na saad ni Trevor.
"What if you failed?" mapaghamong sagot ng matandang lalaki.
"I'm pulling out my shares. I'll let my other brothers take over."
"That's the deal, then." strikto nitong sagot. "We'll give you a month."
Tinapik ko ang kamay ni Trevor sa ilalim ng lamesa kaya marahan siyang napatingin sa'kin.
"You can't do that." I whispered emphatically. "It would leave you nothing."
"I know." he whispered back without looking at me.
"Can I speak?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"No." madiin nyang sagot.
"Excuse me, everyone." I stood up confidently. "I am so sorry to interrupt this meeting, but can I say something?"
"And, who are you?" tanong ng matandang lalaki.
"Oh, I'm sorry, that was rude of me," I smiled a little. "I'm Victoria Mendez."
"Are you somehow connected to the Mendez chains of hotels and resto?" his eyes narrowed.
"I'm the CEO, sir. My dad just stepped out years ago."
"Pleasure to have you here." he smiled formally. "So, what do you want to say, Ms. Mendez?"
"Maybe, some of the people here knows what happened to our company months ago. We descend badly, but those people around us believed and give us a chance to fix what's needed to be fixed. I'm saying, that risking Mr. Carson's shares doesn't need to be included here. He already manages this company for a couple of years on his own. He proved himself and I'm pretty sure that all of the people here witnessed that."
Tumatango tango ang matandang lalaki, ganoon na rin ang mga katabi nito. Ang iba ay nagbubulungan.
"Sit down," Trevor tried to pulled my hand to make me get back to my sit.
Hindi ko siya pinansin, imbis ay hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa kamay nya bago muling magsalita.
"All of you here can do anything to help. The problem can be fix easily if the people work altogether. There's no high mountain if you enjoyed hiking it with those people who's willingly want to reach the top, right? There's a lot of rich and powerful men and women in this room, maybe a little help, just a little one.... can make this problem less difficult." mahigpit pa rin ang hawak ko sa kamay ni Trevor, mukhang dun ako nakakuha ng lakas ng loob para sabihin ang mga bagay na 'yon.
Nanatiling tahimik ang nasa harapan ko kaya nakaramdam ako ng kaba. Lahat sila ay nakatitig sa'kin at mukhang sinusuri ang buong pagkatao ko.
"I will call my secretary to set up a meeting with some of our clients that cancelled. I try to convince them to continue their bargain to us, a little talk and settlement would do that." tumayo ito at nag offer ng handshake kay Trevor.
Bakas ang gulat sa mukha nya pero pormal nya itong kinamayan pabalik.
"I'm going to focus on the ongoing construction." tumayo rin ang isa pang babae sa harapan namin.
Sunod sunod na nagsalita ang iba pang nasa harapan namin. Lahat sila ay nag offer ng tulong, naging malinaw at maayos ang naging pagtatapos ng meeting.
"Good job, boss," nakangiting sabi ng secretary ni Trevor na nasa gilid nya. Kaming tatlo na lang ang naiwan dito sa loob ng board room.
"Good job sa katabi ko," nagkibit balikat ito.
"Told yah," I said proudly. "I'm good at talking to people."
"What's my schedule for this afternoon?" ibinaling nito ang tingin sa secretary.
"Ahm, since there is someone who would look on the construction. You can call it a day, sir."
My brows furrowed when Trevor tilt his head to stare at me. "Wanna explore Italy?"
"You should rest," kumunot ang noo ko.
"I'm not tired. Actually, I can stay awake until tomorrow if needed." he shrugged.
"Uhh, okay?"
"We'll go now, Ressa. Don't call me if it's not important." bilin ni Trevor bago ako hilahin palabas.
"Can you calm down? My dress is wrinkling," reklamo ko pagkasakay ng kotse.
"We need to hurry, baka magbago pa ang isip ng secretary ko." he chuckled and quickly start the car.
Napailing na lang ako at tahimik na isinandal ang ulo sa bintana, hindi nagtagal ay narinig kong may tinatawagan si Trevor.
"Ciao," he greeted in the other line. "Yes, prepare that now. We're on our way."
"Who's that?" tanong ko pagkababa nya ng tawag.
"You'll see." he smirked.
"Where are we going?" pangungulit ko.
"To the most exquisite part of Italy."
Tumigil ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang malawak na field. Agad kong natanaw ang isang helicopter sa gitna, may ilang tao na abala sa pag aasikaso sa gilid nito.
"Don't tell me?" I uttered.
"Let's go," hindi ko namalayang nasa labas na siya at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.
"Wait, where the hell are we going?" I frowned while stepping out the car. "I'm telling you, I promised to myself that I would never ride that thing again."
"Break your promise, then." then he pulled my hand and started to walk.
"Slow the fuck down, my heels were digging on this grasses."
"You go ahead," he pointed me the helicopter. "I forgot something in the car."
"No." I raised my brow while crossing my arms. "I won't ride that shit! The last time I went inside that, I almost passed out."
"It's just a 1 and half hour ride. You're not going to die." pagmamatigas nya. "Come one, I'm telling you, you're not gonna regret it."
"Noooo!!" I marched with a heavy feet while following him back to the car. Nagmumukha na akong spoiled brat dito na ayaw sumakay ng helicopter.
He stopped walking and tilt his head to meet my stare. "You only have two options. You'll ride that in a peaceful way? Or I'll carry you with my bare hands just to put you inside?"
"That's bullshit," I rolled my eyes.
"No, it's not." he said simply.
"Don't you dare!"
"I guess you chose the second option," sagot nya habang simpleng humahakbang papalapit sa'kin.
"No-- Oh my gosh!!" bago pa akong muling makatutol ay binuhat na nya ako palikod kaya tanging likod nya lang ang nakikita ko.
"Stop moving! We're gonna slip on the grass. You don't want to ruin your dress, don't you?" pag awat nya habang maingat ang pagkakahawak sa'kin. Ramdam kong nasa dulo ng dress ko ang braso nya, hinaharangan para hindi iyon bumaba.
"You know what? Fuck you! Fuck that helicopter! Fuck that grass! Oh my gosh, put me down!!" sumisigaw na ako dahil sa inis pero naririnig ko lang ay ang pagtawa nya. Hindi ko nga alam kung saan papunta 'to, kanina pang naglalakad, at kanina pa akong nahihilo dito sa pwesto ko.
"Careful, there is a huge step." he said sofly while gently putting me down. Bitbit na lang rin nya ang heels ko dahil hinubad nya 'yon sa paa ko kanina habang buhat nya ako.
Naramdaman kong sa isang matigas na bakal ako tumapak, iyon na pala ang baitang pasakay sa helicopter.
"I don't want to die." I yelled after I stepped inside. Narinig kong natawa ang ilang lalaki na nasa labas.
"You're with me. You're not going to die, just sit properly. I'll be right back." he smirked before disappearing from the outside.
"Excuse? Do you know where are we gonna go?" lumapit ako sa lalaking nakaupo sa harapan.
"D-don't understand..... Italian o-only." he shook his head.
"What the hell?" I harshly get back to my sit, magkasalubong ang kilay habang nakatingin sa labas.
"Wear this," Trevor flashed in front of me while handling a pair of sneakers.
I stared at him confusingly. "Why do you always have an extra shoes in your car?"
"Emergency purposes," sumakay na rin siya at tumabi sa'kin.
"Emergency purposes daw," I uttered. "Pero kasize ko?"
"Wear the shoes. Now." he simply looked away.
Tumawa ako ng mahina kaya lalong bumakas ang asar sa mukha nya. Nang maisuot ko na ang sapatos ay narinig kong may sinabi siya sa lalaking nasa unahan, Italian ang pag uusap nila kaya hindi ko maintindihan. Nakita kong tumingin muna sa'kin ang lalaki at nakangiting umiling bago paandarin ang helicopter.
Nakapikit lang ako habang nakasandal, magkasaklob rin ang mga kamay ko. Dahan dahan kong iminulat ang isa kong mata para tingnan ang paligid. Kulay asul pa din ang nakikita ko sa labas, nasa ere pa din kami.
"Bakit parang hindi gumagalaw 'tong helicopter?" mahina kong sabi habang nakapikit pa rin.
"Pinabagalan ko sadya ang pagpapalipad. Ayokong mamatay ka." narinig ko ang pang aasar sa boses ni Trevor kaya agad akong mumulat at umupo ng diretso.
"Dapat ba akong magpasalamat?" I smiled sarcastically.
"It's my pleasure." he smirked.
"Huwag ka ng mag english, ayokong maintindihan pa nung lalaki ang pinag uusapan natin. Nakakahiya."
"Nahihiya kang marinig nya ang kaartehan mo?" Trevor throw a light beam on me that made my butterflies inside rumbled.
"Shut up, asshole." I moved away to him at inabala na lang ang sarili ko sa pagsilip sa bintana.
Hindi ko namalayang nakatulog na pala ako. Nagising lang ako dahil sa tumatapik sa kamay ko. Pagmulat ko ay bumungad sa'kin si Trevor, nakatitig siya habang nakangiti ng makahulugan. Mabilis akong umupo ng maayos at sumilip sa labas para makaiwas sa mga tingin nya.
My jaw almost dropped when I saw the aesthetic scenery outside. Walang imik ko siyang nilampasan para bumaba ng helicopter, nang makalabas ako ay doon ko lang nakita ang kabuuan ng paligid. Sa isang field rin kami lumanding at tanaw na agad sa di kalayuan ang mga vintage establishments, I held my breath as I mesmerize the unique view, this kind of view never fails to amaze me and make my heart exhilarated.
Sinilip ko ang oras sa phone ko. It's almost 6 pm pero marami pa ring tao sa paligid, nag uumpisa na ring bumukas ang mga street lights na lalong nagdagdag ng magandang ambiance sa buong kapaligiran.
"Welcome to Venice," Trevor held my hand while standing beside me.
"So," I looked at him. "What's the first stop?"
He gave me a sweet smile. "You wanna go somewhere next to your heart?"
Tanging ngiti lang ang isinagot ko sa kanya bago kami mag umpisang maglakad papunta sa direksyon kung saan naroon ang mga tao.... at hindi pa rin namin binibitawan ang kamay ng isa't isa.
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- just like old days.