SHAWN AXCEL'S POV
"Bitiwan mo'ko sabi eh! Where are you going to take me, huh?! Review namin ngayon kaya kailangan ko nang bumalik."
I didn't just drag her away from there for nothing. Of course, we're going to talk first and clear everything between us. Hindi clear na kakalimutan namin ang lahat pero gusto ko lang magkalinawan kami para wala nang away. My conscience is eating me right now so I should do something to fix this mess. Hindi na naman ako makakatulog mamayang gabi nito.
"Please, don't be mad at me. Mag-usap muna tayo bago kita paaalisin. Be calm first and don't yell at me. Baka isipin nilang inaaway kita kahit hindi naman."
She rolled her eyes on me, crossing her arms over her chest."Sabihin mo nga, plano niyo ba 'to ni Katria? Are you guys fooling me around? May mga importante pa akong gagawin tapos nagdi-ditch ako para lang sa mga problema niyo?"
"I-I didn't know about that. Ni wala nga akong idea na pupunta ka sa court, akala ko pa naman pinuntahan mo ako. And then I found out that you're there for my brother." I look heavenwards to avoid getting pissed.
"So, you don't know that she and your brother had an argument?" nagtataka niyang tanong.
Kumunot naman ang noo ko."Uh...ngayon ko lang nalaman no'ng nasa court kami, sinabi ni Kuya. But wait, you're there to confront him because of that?"
"Malamang! That Katria was being so emotional. Tinext pa ako kaya alam kong hindi niya ako lulubayan. I never thought that it will be the outcome. Bati na sila agad, gano'n lang?! Such a waste of time."
"Hindi naman talaga galit si Kuya, nagtatampo lang. Katria lied on that part. At saka madali lang siyang magpatawad lalo na sa mga mahal niya, hindi pa kami nagso-sorry pinapatawad niya na kami. I'll be the one to apologize for what she did but let's not talk about them," I pleaded.
Natigilan siya at mabilis na napatingin sa'kin."Pwede bang 'wag ngayon, Shael? I still have a lot of things to think. Ayokong dumagdag ka pa, 'yong problema natin. Today's your semi-finals, right? Why don't you just focus on it before we'll settle what's ours."
"Okay, I'll try. But can you promise me that we'll see each other after class? Let's have a dinner date. Do you agree?" nangungusap kong tanong.
She let out a sigh for the nth time but eventually nodded."Ano pa nga ba? Kahit naman anong gawin ko ipipilit mo pa rin ang sarili mo. You should also attend your examination. Baka bumagsak ka pa tapos ako na naman ang sisihin mo."
"So what if I really did? Sasaluhin mo ba ako?"
She winced at me like I was saying a joke."Mag-isa ka! Bahala ka na nga d'yan!"
She left me dumbfounded, as usual. Bakit ba gano'n palagi ang trato niya sa'kin? I thought she likes me too. Is that her way of showing her feelings? It's kinda weird yet cool.
Kailan kaya darating 'yong araw na magiging sweet siya sa'kin?
Bumalik ako sa court para magpaalam sa kanila na papasok muna ako. Actually, I'm exempted today because I said so. Hindi naman sa hindi ako ready, ayoko lang na mag-exam tapos siya lang naman ang nasa isip ko. I might end up getting a failing grade. But now that she said it, I'll definitely take my exams. Ayoko siyang biguin kahit pa na hindi niya alam ang bawat galaw ko.
"Ano, 'tol? Anong nangyari sa usapan niyo ni Ms. Model?" bungad sa'kin ni Jake.
I smirked and dribbled the ball that I stole from Cohen's hand."No one could resist my charm so it's expected that she'll agree to have a dinner date with me. Basta raw pumasok ako at mag-take ng exams."
"Eh, gago ka pala! Why are you still here? Pinagyayabang mo ba sa'min 'yang dinner date na pinagsasasabi mo? Baka nga hindi ka siputin no'n." Palagi namang panira ng moment si Cohen kahit kailan.
"Dude, hindi naman tayo magkapareho. I maybe boastful but just 45%, the rest is yours. Syempre, sinabi ko 'yon para magpaalam sa inyo. The cassanova will turn to a good boy." Hinagis ko ang bola pabalik sa kanila at tumalikod na para maglakad paalis.
"Malaman ko lang talaga na pinaglalaruan mo lang si Zeriel, kakatayin talaga kita!" pahabol pa ni Katria na ikinatawa ko lang.
Of course I won't do that to her. Unang beses 'to sa buhay ko na nagkagusto ako sa isang babae tapos sasayangin ko lang ang chance? I'm not that stupid to do that.
I missed the examinations of my three subjects so I only have four remaining examinations to take. The Income Taxation, Auditing, Intermediate Spreadsheets, and Finance and Economics. My classmates were shocked after seeing me like they didn't expect me to show up. Nagbigay kaya ako excuse letter kaninang umaga tapos binasa ko sa harapan nilang lahat. I'm amazing, right?
It takes 45 minutes for each subject to finish since it's not just a normal day. Kapag talaga exam, usually hindi aabot ng isang oras ang pagta-take namin sa kada subject kaya maaga kaming nakakauwi. As for me, I finished for almost 30 minutes because taking BSAT's semi-finals is no joke. I need to think wisely before deciding to answer it. Dapat flat one ang makuha kong grades every subject para hindi maglalayong nasa top 1 or 2 lang ako.
"Akala ko ba may pa-special exam ka dahil sa walang kwenta mong dahilan." Miles throwed me a boredly look.
I shrugged my shoulders and faced them when we get out of the room."Change of mind, I guess?"
"Mabuti naman at humabol ka kahit na naka-miss ka ng tatlong subject. What pushes you to attend the exam?" Rynier asked.
"Wag na 'wag mong babanggitin sa'min ang pangalan niya, Shael. It's not her, right?" Puno ng pagkairita ang mukha ni Miko nang sabihin niya 'yon.
"Wala naman talaga akong ibang rason kundi siya. She's always the reason in everything I do. She agreed to have a dinner date with me so the feelings is growing between us."
I hope so. Gagawin ko ang lahat para lang mapalambot ang puso niya. Even if it's hard or it will take days and weeks, still I'm willing to do everything. I'll continue pursuing her until I finally get her sweet yes.
Nagpapalit-palit kami ng room hanggang sa matapos ang lahat ng subject namin. Because of my excitement, I want to fastforward the time to the part that we're already on our date. Kating-kati na akong matapos ang lahat ng 'to para sumipot na sa date namin kahit na mamayang gabi pa naman 'yon.
"Can I have a little piece of your advice? Bro, kailangan ko talaga para mamaya eh. Its a different date from all of my dates." Hinila ko pa si Rynier sa kabilang sulok para lang itanong 'to sa kanya.
He put his hand on my shoulder."Bro, magpakatotoo ka lang. You don't have to be formal because I know that you're not that type of guy. 'Wag ka lang maging bastos sa harapan niya kung ayaw mong masapak ka sa restaurant na maraming tao. Aminin mo sa kanya lahat ng gusto mong sabihin. Don't lie to her. Alam ng mga babae kung kailan nagsisinungaling ang mga lalaki kaya mag-isip ka muna bago magsalita."
"Thank, bro. Maaasahan ka talaga kahit kailan." I gave him a bump fist before leaving our building.
Mabilis akong nakarating sa parking lot kaya hinintay ko na lang siyang dumating. It's still 3:50 so she might arrive at exactly 4:00 o'clock. I played the car key on my hand while waiting for her. Nag-iisip din ako ng pwedeng strategy na gagamitin ko mamaya kaso wala akong maisip na matino. Takte! Puro kalokohan lang kase ang nasa isip ko palagi.
I even think of going to her building and fetch her but I said that I'll wait until she's here. Natigil lang ako sa pag-iisip nang tuluyan ko siyang makitang kakalabas lang ng gate. Her eyes suddenly narrowed on me and she doesn't look like surprised. Inaasahan niya na sigurong nandito na ako pagdating niya.
"Should we go now?" agad kong tanong nang makalapit siya.
Kumunot naman ang noo niya at dumeretso sa kotseng katabi ng akin."Sabog ka ba? You said it's dinner date. Mukha bang gabi ngayon?"
Shit naman oh! Akala ko pa naman aalis na kami ngayon din.
"Uh...Uuwi ka ba sa inyo or sa condo ka lang? Para naman masundo kita kung saka-sakali."
Hinagis niya ang bag niya sa passenger seat bago ako binalingan ng tingin."No. Hindi ako uuwi sa bahay na 'yon. I'll stay in my condo so that we'll go together later. Ayoko ng sinusundo ako."
Magsasalita pa sana ako nang pinaandar niya na ang sasakyan niya at nagmaneho paalis. Hinayaan ko na lang dahil mag-uusap naman kami mamaya at sisiguraduhin kong matagal-tagal 'yon. I get inside my car and drove it faster to my condo. The thought of seeing her suddenly faded when I didn't notice her car on the garage. It's impossible that she haven't arrived because she already left before I did.
Baka naman may pinuntahan lang muna. I shouldn't overthink. Makakasama ko rin naman siya mamaya eh.
I throwed my backpack in the couch as I opened my walk-in closet. My clothes here are just few compared to those I left in the mansion. Syempre, hindi naman ako naglayas para dalhin dito lahat ng gamit ko. I have so many tuxedos here but I'm hesitating what to wear. Nakakahiya naman kung aabalahin ko pa si Kat, eh alam ko namang nasa date rin sila ng kapatid ko.
Tutal may wifi naman dito, nagsearch lang ako sa youtube kung anong magandang style na ipares para sa isang special occasion. Hindi okasyon ang pupuntahan ko pero special naman 'yon para sa'kin.
When the clock strikes 7:00 pm, I get myself ready and entered my car. I just realized that we haven't talk about the time when were going to see each other. Kinuha ko ang phone ko sa bulsa ng pants ko at dinial ang number niya. Seconds after, she answered the call but didn't talk.
"Hey, Zeriel. Where are you? Am I gonna fetch you or we'll just see each other in some place? Saan mo gustong mag-dinner date tayo? Akala ko ba sabay tayo, ba't wala ka sa condo mo?"
It was because of my excitement that I couldn't even ask her one by one. Paniguradong nalilito na siya kung anong uunahin niyang sagutin.
[Pwede ka namang huminga, 'no? Let's meet at Mandarin Sky Seafood Restaurant. Mauna ka na ro'n dahil nandito ka ako sa bahay ni Alina]
"Don't make yourself more gorgeous, Zeriel. They might drool over you. Just be simple, okay na 'yon." I fixed my wrist watch while glancing at the clock on the wall, setting the time.
[I don't have to do what you'd said, Shael. Kahit naman naka-pajama at jacket lang ako, pag-aagawan pa rin ako ng lahat. Swerte na lang sa makakasama ko]
The side of my lips rose up after hearing her boastful tone."So? Am I lucky this night? First date namin ng crush ko ngayon kaya mukhang magiging memorable ang gabing 'to."
[Shut up! Kung ayaw mong hindi kita siputin sa date na sinasabi mo]
She ended up the call but instead of getting pissed, I laughed because of her attitude. I never felt nervous that she won't arrive to our said place, maybe because I'm complacent that she also wants to know our real score. Ngayong gabi namin pag-uusapan ang lahat ng hindi namin pinagkakaunawaan.
Nang makarating ako sa restaurant na sinabi niya gamit ang GPS ko ay naghintay muna ako saglit sa labas at nagbabakasakaking magkasabay kami. But then I just decided to get in first to serve a table for us. Nasa pintuan pa nga lang ako pero nanghingi na sa'kin ng $20 para sa entrance. Akala mo naman gold ang mga gamit sa loob at pinagbayad pa ako.
But since I'm a kind and a handsome specie, I smilingly gave him the money. Good thing I have a cash with me, mukha pa namang hindi siya tatanggap ng card.
"Private table for two, please. If you'll encounter a girl named Zeriel, guide her to my table," I instructed the waiter.
I tip tapped my fingers above the table while waiting for her to arrive. To distract myself, I picked the menu in the middle to search for some foods to eat. Halos pumuti ang mata ko pagkatapos kong makita ang presyo ng mga pagkain. These are two times expensive to the foods that I paid last time when I'm with my other date.
Why are they selling this so expensive foods? Mukha lang namang normal ang itsura nito sa picture.
"I'm here. Akala ko nag-order ka na ng pagkain pero tubig lang ang nakikita ko sa table natin. Are we going to talk without eating?"
Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang hawak kong menu at napalingon sa kanya. Shes just wearing a Blue Polka Puff Sleeve Belted Jumpsuit that fits her body so good. I could say that I'm really lucky tonight because we're both wearing terno in terms of colors.
I blinked twice and gulped secretly to act normal."Uh...S-Sorry for my improper behavior. What do you want to eat? I'll order any foods you choose."
"Okay. Chinese Mitten Crab, Matsutake, and Morel Mushroom. For the dessert, Sugar Coated Haws on a Stick, Egg Tarts, and Chinese Fried Dough. I prefer Blueberry flavored wine for the drink. How's that?" she asked, confirming if it's okay with me.
Wala nang atrasan 'to. It's our first date and I think this will be worth it. Bahala na kung ilang milyon ang mabayaran ko sa dinner na 'to.
I snapped my fingers in the air to get the waiter's attention."Get her order. I'll pay you after we eat."
"Okay, sir. Just wait for a couple of minutes."
Nilaro ko ang kamay ko sa ibabaw ng mesa habang tinititigan siya."Is it comfortable? Hindi ka ba naiinitan, naiilang, o ano? You can tell me."
Shit! Ba't ba wala akong masabing matino? I should've written a script before I came here. Nauutal talaga ang peste kong dila kapag siya na ang kaharap ko.
"I'm okay. Ikaw ba? Are you sure that you can pay my orders? This place can definitely eat all your money. Lugi ka sa'kin," nakibit balikat siya habang pinagmamasdan ang manicure niya.
"Basta ikaw, okay lang. Do you know how much I wanted to have a date with you? And now my wish is granted. Wala na akong pakialam kung maubos man ang pera ko ngayon. I can be a substitute in our company to earn money. No sweat," balewalang sagot ko.
She raised her eyebrow at me but she doesn't look like pissed."Bahala ka, sabi mo eh. Ano bang gusto mong itanong sa'kin? You can freely ask since the foods haven't arrived yet."
"Can you still give me a chance? Kahit ganito ka pa rin makitungo sa'kin basta bigyan mo lang ako ng pagkakataon. I won't force you to do such things or to change your attitude when you're with me. What I'm asking for is just a chance, Zeriel. Only one. Kapag may hindi ka nagustuhan sa ginawa ko, ititigil ko o babaguhin ko basta sabihin mo lang. J-Just...let me prove myself to you," I sincerely said.
Gusto kong i-congrats ang sarili ko dahil nasabi ko 'yon sa kanya nang walang pangamba. I said it straight to her eyes with pleading eyes. Hindi naman sa nagpapaawa ako sa kanya pero kung 'yon din naman pala ang kailangan kong gawin para bigyan niya ako ng pagkakataon, gagawin ko.
I would willingly risk for her.
"Here's your order, Maam, Sir." Nilapag ng waiter isa-isa ang mga pagkaing inorder niya.
Napapikit na lang ako nang mariin habang nakasandal sa upuan ko. Paepal siya, kaasar! Bad timing.
"Next time, if you see that your costumers are talking don't interrupt. Okay? Maghintay ka muna sa tabi o 'di kaya'y bumalik ka na lang kapag hindi na sila nag-uusap," pagbibigay ko ng tip sa kanya.
I saw how he parted his lips because of shock, don't know what to say.
"You can go now. 'Wag mo na lang pansinin 'tong kasama ko, kanina pa kase nagugutom," singit naman ni Zeriel kaya tumango na lang 'yong waiter at saka umalis.
I sat properly while still crossing my arms over my chest."Why did you talk to him like that? I thought you hate guys? Kinikilabutan tuloy ako kapag nagiging mabait ka bigla."
"Hindi ako mabait kaya kumain ka na. Ginawa ko lang 'yon para pagtakpan ang pagiging timang mo. I'm with you so whenever you do such an embarrassing thing, I'll be included. Ipapahiya mo pa akong gago ka," she rolled her eyes on me and started eating.
The foods that she ordered may be expensive but it taste so delicious. Mabuti naman para hindi masayang ang isang milyon ko sa gabing 'to. Though, I'm not a millionaire but I can ask money from Kuya Daron if ever that the money in my credit card aren't enough. Ngayong gabi lang naman ako hihiram eh.
"Kaya ba nating ubusin 'to lahat? I mean....aren't you on a diet?" I asked curiously.
She stopped chewing for a bit and nodded."Ngayon lang naman kaya hindi na rin masama. Besides, I can still exercise everyday until Sunday comes for my photoshoot. This won't affect my dietary routine so there's nothing to worry about."
Nagpatuloy kami sa pagkain ng inorder niya at nang maubos na namin ang seafoods ay doon naman kami sa desserts with wine. I poured half of a wine on her cocktail and so as mine.
"So, what's your answer? Siguro naman napag-isipan mo nang mabuti habang kumakain ka. Or you want me to give you time to think of it?"
She played her hands on her wine, still thinking."Aren't you going to ask me why I really hate guys? Those things that made me change like this? My past life?"
Her past life. I badly want to ask that but she may not be ready to talk about it. Baka isipin niyang pinipilit ko siyang mag-open up sa'kin kahit na hindi naman. That's why I'm giving her some time so there's no pressure.
"Hindi ako nagmamadali, Zeriel. You can tell me your story for some other time. At sisiguraduhin kong hindi ka masasaktan kapag nag-open up kana tungkol sa mga bagay na nakakasakit sa'yo. I can wait for the time when you're ready to cope up. 'Yong walang sakit na bahid ang mga tono mo habang nagku-kwento ka sa'kin," I gave her an assuring smile, a smile that no one had ever seen but her.
Hindi ko alam kung namamalikmata lang ba ako pero nakita ko siyang ngumiti ng konti. Iba siya sa pakiramdam. Her smile...is kinda different from all the smiles that I've ever seen. Maybe because she never shows her real smile to anyone, it might be in the camera nor in the crowd. She's always mysterious and always wears her maldita look.
But now...I can say that it's no longer fake. I just saw it.
"Kumain ka na lang, pwede?" She tried to act normal her reaction was different than earlier.
Tinaas ko naman ang cocktail ko at inilapit sa kanya."Toast tayo? C'mon let's enjoy the night. Sayang ang bayad ko kung magpapanggap ka lang na masaya."
After we toasted, we continued eating the dessert while talking at the same time. Kinwento ko pa sa kanya na pursigido talaga akong tapusin ang pagsasagot sa exams ko kanina kase 'yong inspiration ko ang nag-utos. She didn't blush but I saw her chuckled softly.
Masaya akong nakikita siyang masaya.
"Tama na 'yan, magsasara na sila. If you want to drink that wine, bring it to your condo. Babayaran ko na lang dahil ayokong lasing kitang iuwi. They might think that I took advantage of you. Ayokong sirain ang reputasyon na pinangangalagaan mo."
She stared at me for a minute and slowly nodded. Again, I snapped my fingers in the air to call the waiter. Agad naman siyang lumapit sa'kin dala ang isang manipis na notebook.
"How much am I going to pay you? Isama mo na rin 'tong bottle ng wine na malapit nang maubos. I know that you're not selling this but I'll pay it how much you wanted," desidido kong sabi kahit na sa kaloob-looban ko ay nanginginig na ako.
The fudge! Kuya would definitely kill me if he found out that I paid half million just for this dinner date. Hindi naman pwedeng utangin ko kase nasa restaurant kami.
"Uhm...Chinese Mitten Crab is 18, 500, Matsutake is 17, 250, and Morel Mushroom is 16, 800. For the dessert, Sugar Coated Haws on a Stick is 16, 975, Egg Tarts is 15, 560, and Chinese Fried Dough is 9, 700. The wine costs 10, 590 and since you're going to buy it, I will increase 8, 500. So, the total of your bill for tonight will be 113, 875. We're accepting cash or credit card, Sir."
"Bago ko bayaran, pwede bang mahimatay muna kahit saglit lang?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.
He stopped himself from laughing at me."Mukhang swerte po kayo sa ka-date niyo ngayon kaya sigurado naman akong worth it ang ibabayad niyo."
Tama naman siya. All of this is for Zeriel so why bother worry about the money?
"Here's my credit card. I'll pay all of it."
Inalalayan ko siya papunta sa sasakyan ko dahil alam kong hindi niya kayang mag-drive. Yes, she's not that drunk but she's fucking tipsy. Baka ma-disgrasya siya sa daan at makulong pa ako. Sasabihin pang inabuso ko siya.
"M-My car. I-I can't leave it here," mahina niyang sambit.
I come closer to her to put the seatbelt on."Don't worry about it. May tatawagan akong magdadala ng kotse mo sa garahe ng condominium. For now, just rest while I'm driving you home."
"Is this the part where you're going to take advantage of me?" bigla niyang tanong kaya bigla kong naapakan ang break kahit na kaka-drive ko pa lang.
I looked at her with disbelief."W-What?! Really? Naisip mo talagang may gagawin ako sa'yong labag sa kagustuham mo? I'm just a cassanova but I do respect girls. Kahit pa na pilitin mo akong maghubad sa harapan nila, hindi ko gagawin. Say what you want to say, think what you want to think but I would never ever do that to you."
Pinaandar ko na ulit ang sasakyan ko papunta sa condominium namin. Since we're just neighbors, I carried her until we reached inside her condo. Hindi naman pwedeng iwan ko siyang ganito na lang kaya tinawagan ko na naman si Katria para mang-istorbo. I couldn't just leave her like this.
"Bakit nagvi-video ka? Scandal 'to, ano ba?! Do you want to go in jail?" Kat hissed at me when I played the video in the side table of Zeriel's room.
Napakamot naman ako sa batok ko."Kat, baka isipin niya na namang pinagsamantalahan ko siya habang tulog siya. Mabuti na 'yong may proweba tayo. Besides, you're going to stop the video when you're going to change her clothes. At least, I have some proof to show her tomorrow that I'm not the one who dressed her up."
"Hindi bagay sa'yo ang maging gentleman pero mabuti naman at nag-iisip ka. You can go out now. I'm going to change her clothes."
Pagkalabas ko sa condo ni Zeriel ay pumasok naman ako sa condo ko para magbihis. Then, I saw Kuya Daron sitting on the couch. Nakakahiya nga dahil hindi lang si Kat ang naistorbo ko kundi pati rin siya. Of course, he's not going to let his girlfriend come here without an accompany. At mas lalong hindi siya papayag kung hindi rin naman siya 'yon.
"How's your date with her?" he asked out of a sudden.
I smirked as I sat on the sofa in front of him."It was unexpected, Kuya. Mukhang okay naman siya sa date namin. We both have closure to each other."
"Mabuti naman kung gano'n. You finally got her. Sana naman hindi mo sayangin ang pagtitiwalang binigay niya sa'yo."
"I would never. Ngayon pa na sa tingin ko hulog na ako sa kanya," I whispered the last sentence as I stood up to hide my face.
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