SUNDAY morning and as usual routine of my family, we're on our way to Nasugbu, Batangas for our family bonding. Yet, it's a bit different right now because of Seve. He's with us right now to bond with my family.
About last night conversation, Mom and Dad are okay with him even my siblings. Halatang halata naman na gustong gusto na nila akong maikasal. They keep insisting about that thing. Ni hindi pa nga ako handa lalo na't hindi pa ako marunong mag alaga ng bata.
“It's beautiful....” I heard February commented once we reach the place.
I roam my eyes at the beach. Yeah, my sister is right. It's refreshing and I felt relax again.
We walk towards the beach and look at the blue water. This place is really beautiful and I fell in love in this place.
It's already eight in the morning at hindi pa gaanong kainit. Kaya nilibot kaagad namin ang lugar. Seve is silent while walking with us. It's just February who keeps talking and talking about anything.
“Your family is nice, baby...”
Kasalukuyan kaming pabalik sa hotel habang nakasunod kami sa dalawa kong kapatid ng bigla itong magsalita.
He even pulled my waist closer to him and encircle his right hand on my hips.
I smiled. “...your nervous last night, aren't you?” I tease him. He just nod.
“Yeah! I thought your parents will reject me.” Napailing ako.
“Now you know kung gaano sila kasabik na mag asawa ako't magkaanak. They been pressuring me since I reach twenty eight.” Napailing ulit ako.
“What's your reason then. Why don't you want to get married?” He ask me.
“..not ready for that thing.” I told him. He just nod at me.
After we go back to our suite, the food are ready. So we decided to eat and as usual, walang katapusang kwentuhan na naman.
Since before, malimit lamang talaga akong magsalita. I never tell story to anyone especially to my parents nor even to my sisters. Anything. I just kept it to myself and hide everything.
“Let's ride a jetski later, ate. Dad, Mom can we?” February suddenly insisted.
Nagkatinginan lamang kami doon.
“I'm okay with it. Go, ask your Mom if she's approve. Marunong ka ba, sweety?” Dad ask February.
I silently laugh as her lips pouted.
“No, dad. Ate January is the driver then.” She said bubbly. “Then ate and her suitor on the other vehicle. Pwede ba 'yon Mom, Dad?” She said.
Walang nagawa si Dad kundi umiling. Mom just nodded her head.
“Keep safe ha, February.” Mom told her.
Umaliwalas naman ang mukha ng maingay kong kapatid.
“Anyway honey, I just receive a text message from your Auntie Rian. She's inviting us to come on Thursday evening for Aaliyah's debut. Seve, Iho you may come also..” Mom is referring to us.
“I have work Mom. Kayo nalang kaya.” It's weekdays so probably I have work.
Lumukot naman ang mukha ni Mom. Auntie Rian is my mom's youngest sister.
“Anak awat naman sa trabaho mo kahit isang linggo lang. You're Tita Rian will be mad at you.”
“Ate why are so workaholic kase?” I glare at January.
I keep silent as I continue eating my food.
After we ate, we bought a ticket for the jetski. It's really my first time to ride on it.
Madalas ay sa isang mini yacht lang ako sumasakay together with the family kapag nag a–outing.
“Do you how to drive the jetski, baby?” I ask him.
“Hmm, honestly no.” He answered kaya napatigil ako.
“Seriously, Seve!”
“Why? I think hindi naman mahirap magdrive ng jetski.” He insist.
“Kahit na. What if we fell to the water? Ayoko pang mamatay, Seve..” He laugh at me.
“Patay agad? Trust me, we will enjoy this.” Sabi niya.
The staff orient us for the proper used of jetski. We wear the life jacket as we began to ride.
“Behave February. And January, please umayos ka.” I told them before they ride on their motor boat.
Knowing my sisters, napakakulit. Mukhang high blood yata ang aabutin ko sa kanila.
“Yes, ate.”
“Go ahead, we'll follow.” Sabi ko sa kanila.
Still, kahit gaano pa kasira ang mga ulo ng kapatid ko, mom thought me how to be a ate for them. How to be a good ate for my sisters.
“You ready?” Seve ask me as he finally wear his life jacket.
“Uh, yes!” I answered.
“Put your both hands on my waist... it will be fun.”
Napatili ako ng paandarin nito ang motorboat patungo sa kapatid ko. I hugged him tighter.
“..this is amazing baby. I swear.” He commented.
I roam my eyes at the surrounding and I suddenly saw the beauty of the ocean.
“Hold on, baby....” He told me as he drive the motor boat fast.
Napahawak ako sa matigas na tiyan nito.
Hindi ko namalayang ngumingiti na pala ako habang inienjoy ang ginagawa namin. It's really my first time to ride with a jetski. Tapos kasama ko pa si Seve.
We tour around the blue ocean. I heard also my sisters shouting. Kahit dito ay ang ingay ingay pa rin.
“Wanna try to drive, baby?” I smiled at him.
“Yes, can I?”
“Sure!” Tsaka nito hininto ang jetski sa may pampang.
“Are you going with me? I don't know how to drive this one.” I know how to drive a car pero iba naman ito sa sasakyan.
“Uhuh! Let's go.” He put his both hands on my waist.
“Don't play around, Seve. I swear, kung ayaw mong mahulog tayo pareho.” Banta ko dito na ikinatawa na lamang niya.
Napatili muli ako ng simulan kong paandarin ang jetski.
Napamangha nalang ako habang patuloy na nagdadrive. Honestly, hindi siya ganong kahirap na maniobrahin.
I was smiling from ear to ear as we continue touring around. God's creation is really beautiful.
After 2 hours of enjoying, tumigil na kami. I had fun, indeed. Nakakatuwa pala 'yon.
“Let's swim.” Alok ko kay Seve.
He's buying some snacks at the mini groceries store. He even bought some beer for his drink. Ice tea is probably fine with me.
Bumalik kami sa isang cottage doon. My sisters are inside our room.
“Tomorrow is my parents anniversary. You'll come with me.” He started as he put our snacks on the table.
“After my work, I think.” I open my phone and took a picture of the sea.
“No.” Aniya kaya napatingin ako dito.
“I have things to do in my office. Anong oras ba ang start? Tsaka I'm not the center of attention, Seve.” Knowing his dad, he's familiar to anybody.
And I think maraming dadalo doon.
“I'll pick you at 3pm.” Nagkamot nalang ito ng kanyang ulo.
“What's the color of the theme?” I ask him.
“Nothing. Just wear anything except revealing clothes.” Tapos inirapan ako nito.
How dare he is.
I get some chips on the table and roam my eyes at the place.
“Ayaw mo magswimming?” Tanong ko sa kanya.
“Maybe later. Let's stay for awhile.” He lean closer to me.
I shrug my shoulder as I look at the blue ocean.
“...your names are similar huh! Sino bang nakaisip?” He ask me while drinking his beer.
“Why? Bawal ba?” I joke at him.
“It's not like that...” I shook my head.
“Wala na yatang maisip si Mom at si Dad na pangalan namin.” Natatawang sabi ko.
“Well, it sounds so nice...but I like your name.” He whisper.
“Tumigil ka!” Giit ko. But he just laugh at me as he kiss my cheeks.
AFTER our short bonding in Nasugbu, I actually go back to the city for my work. Inihatid ako ni Seve pagkatapos ay dumiretso na ito sa bahay nila.
“Good morning Ma'am. Your schedule for today is you have meeting with Ms. Fairy at exactly twelve o'clock.” Aly speak as I go out in the elevator.
“Thank you, Aly. Can you make me some brown coffee please.”
Tuloy tuloy akong pumasok sa opisina ko at inilagay sa gilid ang aking bag. I open my laptop to start my work right now.
I continue making the design I left last Saturday. I have to finish it before the weekdays end.
“Here's your coffee, Ma'am.” Aly said as she handed me the coffee she make.
“What is it, Aly?” I ask her. Hindi pa kasi ito umaalis sa opisina ko at pinagmamasdan lamang ako.
“Uh, someone's looking for you, Ma'am. He's in the lobby and he doesn't make any appointment to you.” I lift my gaze at her.
“What's her name?”
“He's a guy, Ma'am.” Pagtatama niya sa akin. “Mr. Mateo Lazarus.” She added.
“Send him out. Tell him that I'm busy.” I told her coldly as I continue to focus on my work.
“Yes Ma'am.” Then she walk away.
Inalis ko iyon sa aking utak at nagpatuloy lamang sa aking ginagawa.
Ano namang gagawin niya dito? Psh! Crazy bastard. Is he going to beg again?
9 years ago, I beg him not to leave. But what did he do? He never listen to me that day. So, time right now is to show to him the same way I felt before.
He really believed that love for him never fade? Silly!
Eleven o'clock in the morning, I began to fix myself for a meeting with Fairy, one of my cousin on Father's side. We will meet on the restaurant we used to dine in.
“I'm leaving now, Aly. If someone look for me, tell them that I'm busy. I'll come back tomorrow.”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
I went straight to the elevator. My employees greeted me.
As the elevator go down to the ground floor, my eye automatically locked at the guy who's standing at the waiting area.
“Good morning, Ma'am.” My employees at the front table greeted.
“December...”
I look at my watch and it's already eleven fifteen.
I walk straightly towards the parking where my car is.
“December...” He follow me.
I keep walking hanggang makalabas ako ng lobby.
“December, let's talk...” Now, he's holding my arms. Napatingin ako doon at tinitigan ito.
“Mr. Lazarus, I'm a busy person. I have a meeting right now. So, please!” I remain my voice calmly.
“Let's talk, December.” He insist. I close my eyes and keep my temper neutral.
“Mr. Lazarus...” He never let me to finish my words as he suddenly grab me and kiss me.
I was stunned as he let go of me.
“Happy?” I sarcastically ask him as I wipe my lips.
“...December, I still love you...” He reach for my arms. Mabilis ko namang iniwas iyon.
“Won't you remember the day you left me, Mr. Lazarus? You're the one who broke our relationship not me.”
“That's why I'm here! That's why I'm going to fix our relationship. December....” I step backwards to distance from him.
“It will never happen, Mr. Lazarus! I'm telling you. I will never let myself hurt me again...so please, respect my decision.” I wipe my lips for the second time around as I left him.
Dire diretso akong sumakay sa aking sasakyan at pinaharurot iyon palayo sa lugar na iyon.
As the red light turn on, I stop my car. I reach for my wipes and alcohol to wipe my lips.
I thought Mateo was changed. I smile bitterly as I imagine how fool he was awhile ago.
He was our top 2 in the board exam while I'm on the top 4. I thought he was smart and intelligent when it comes in decision making. I'm probably wrong. Very wrong!
“Hey, couz...” Nasa bukana palang ako ng pinto ng salubungin na ako ng pinsan ko.
I kiss her cheeks as headed to our seat.
“What was that face for?” She ask. I reach for her juice and drink it.
“...mainit ang ulo, Faye. That freaking Mateo is here!” I told her that makes her eyes widened.
Faye is my first cousin and she probably knew about Mateo. Sa kadahilanan ay ito mismo ang nagpakilala sa akin noon. She was there, from the beginning 'til the end. Silly!
“Woah, really? Nagkausap ba kayo? Ano ba comeback is real na ba yan, couz?” I rolled my eyes.
“Of course not!”
“Why? You fell in love with Seve?” She added. I laugh at her.
“Let's order first. Nagugutom na ako.” I demanded to her.
I'm a year older than her but she already have a child. Kakakasal lang nito last last year with Rhinox eldest brother.
We grow together 'til I reach seven at our Grandparents house. But, we separate as I reach eight years old. Dahil kinuha ito ni Tito Felipe sa Bohol.
“How's life my dear cousin? Ano, wala ka pa talagang plano na mag asawa? I think, mauuna yata sayo si January.” She said as we finish ordering our foods.
“I'm good. Normal ba talagang ipressure ka sa pag aasawa when you reach thirties?” I sarcastically told her that make her laugh.
“Oh my god, Cous! Syempre naman especially you're the eldest daughter of Tito Ferdinand. Seriously, you fulfilled their dreams for you. Mag asawa ka na, promise ang sarap sa feeling.” She said.
“Crap that topic, Faye. Let's talk about the property in bohol.”
We're having to buy a place there for our vacation purposes. The first time we went there, I was fell in love the nature and surrounding. It's really beautiful.
Work ang pinunta ko dito, hindi para pag usapan ang pag aasawa ko.