#OLAPlayPretend
Chapter 26
Dancer
Hariette scheduled my bachelorette party at the same time with Xaiver's party. Magkalayo rin ang bar na napili nila. Sinadya niya 'yon para hindi makigulo sa amin si Xaiver. She and Knoa made sure of that. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang naging plano nilang magpinsan at hindi ko sigurado kung magtatagumpay ba sila.
Maybe Hariette can still try to make Xaiver submit to her wishes, but Knoa will ultimately fail. Himala na lang kung makinig sa kanya si Xaiver.
"Surprise!" Hariette popped the party popper as we entered the VIP room she rented. Kakagaling lang namin sa go-to spa salon niya to get pampered. We also ate dinner at a very expensive restaurant. Siya lahat ang nagbayad at wala kaming ginastos.
The VIP room was well-decorated according to the theme. I didn't doubt her skills since she could plan and organize big events like her charity ball. I could tell that she went all out.
May mga nakakalat na maliliit na lobo sa lapag. Sa gitna ay nandoon ang lamesa kung saan nakalagay ang cake, mga snacks at inumin. Sa pader sa taas ng malaki at mahabang sofa ay may mga nakasabit na letrang binubuo ang mga salitang "Congratulations, Mrs. Dela Vega!"
"Bongga..." pabulong na komento ni Joseph sa likod ko.
"Do you like it?" Hariette's eyes sparkled as she asked and held my arm.
I smiled and nodded. "Thank you. Ang ganda ng pagkakaayos mo."
Hariette smiled wider. Lumapit siya sa lamesa at itinuro ang two-tier cake. "I baked and decorated the cake!" she proudly said. "Kuya Xavi likes my cakes. Sana magustuhan mo rin."
"Nagba-bake ka pala?" tanong ko.
"It's a hobby," she replied. "I'm not an expert, though. Tuwing may free time lang."
"Thank you ulit... I really appreciate it."
I'm sure Hariette doesn't have a lot of spare time in her hands, pero nagawa niya pa rin isingit ang pagpaplano ng simple bachelorette party ko. She told me it wasn't a hassle dahil tatlo lang naman kami. She just wanted us to have a good time while eating and drinking. Naisip niya raw kasi na baka gusto kong chill lang, and she guessed it right.
"No worries. We're family!" Hariette's smile reached her eyes. "Anyway, you should wear this first!"
Kinuha niya ang customized headband na may nakalagay na "bride to be" sa taas at isinuot sa akin. Mayroon din siyang hinandang sash at ganoon din ang nakalagay. She also clipped a wedding veil on my hair. Tinulungan siya ni Joseph sa paggawa no'n.
We took pictures after they dolled me up. Mas nagtagal si Hariette sa pagpi-picture namin bago siya nagtawag ng staff sa lanas upang kuhanin din kaming tatlo ng litrato.
Pagkatapos ng photo time ay naupo na kami sa sofa. Hariette served a slice of her cake to us. Masarap iyon at tamang-tama lamang ang tamis. Hindi rin dry ang tinapay sa loob.
"Grabe! I can't believe ikakasal na talaga si Kuya Xavi! Three days na lang," Hariette said as she sipped on a cocktail. "Are you ready? Mas una ang lipad ninyo papuntang Amanpulo, 'di ba?"
Tumango ako. "Bukas ng gabi ang punta ko kasama si Mama."
"What about Kuya Xavi? Hindi siya sabay sa 'yo?"
"May tatapusin pa sila ni Joseph. They will come a day before the wedding."
"I can't believe Kuya's still going to work when he's getting married. You should've talked to him and adjusted his schedule, Joseph!" sabay sisi ni Hariette kay Joseph na tahimik lamang habang umiinom.
"Ha? Bakit ko naman gagawin 'yon? Ayaw ko pang mawalan ng trabaho!" agad niyang pagtanggol sa sarili. "Hindi ko nga alam kung safe ba ako sa pagsama ko sa inyo. Baka wala na akong trabaho bukas. O baka hindi ninyo na rin ako makita kahit kailan!"
Joseph was already on his fourth glass, while Hariette and I were still taking our time with the first drink served on us. Napansin kong medyo namumula na ang mga pisngi niya. Mukhang problemado na siya. He was ranting earlier about having too much workload. Gusto na kasing tapusin lahat ni Xaiver ang mga pending niya para wala nang poproblemahin sa pag-alis namin para sa honeymoon. Mabuti na lang at marami akong katulong sa pag-aayos ng kasal kaya walang naging problema.
Hariette laughed at that. "If he ever fires you, I can always hire you in my company. Huwag kang matakot."
Hindi ko alam kung binibiro ba siya ni Hariette, but she sounded so supportive about the thought of going against Xaiver.
"Huhuhu! Salamat, Hariette! Bakit hindi ka kasing bait ng pinsan mo?" Nagkunwaring umiiyak si Joseph at yumakap kay Hariette.
Mas lalo namang natawa si Hariette. Tinapik niya ang likod ni Joseph. "Don't worry. I'll make sure that your sentiments will reach my brother."
Natuhan agad si Joseph. Kahit na halatang binibiro lang siya ni Hariette sa gagawing pagsumbong, he instantly snapped from being tipsy.
"Joke lang! Ikaw naman, hindi ka mabiro! Parang sinabi mong gusto mo na ako mamatay!"
Natawa na rin ako dahil talagang masarap inisin si Joseph. You'd surely get the response and reaction you want every time you would tease him. Basta siguraduhin mo lang na gagamitin mo ang pangalan ni Xaiver para talagang matakot siya.
"Hay... I really thought Kuya Xavi didn't have any plans to settle down. We're happy that you were able to knock some sense into him." Hariette sighed in relief. A small smile lingered on her lips while staring at her glass. "How I wish Kuya Art is still here to witness this... I'm sure he'll be the happiest at Kuya Xavi's wedding."
Kuya Art...
Medyo hindi ako sanay na nababanggit siya. I was slightly taken aback to hear Hariette talk about him. Kahit si Joseph ay natahimik.
Art or Carter Dela Vega is the forgotten eldest son of the Dela Vegas and Xaiver's older brother. He died years ago. Hindi ko alam kung ilang taon na si Xaiver nang lumisan sa mundong ito ang kapatid. But since then, the Dela Vegas lived as if he didn't exist. Ang akala ng karamihan ay only child lang si Xaiver.
Well, technically, since Carter died a long time ago, parang ganoon na rin. Xaiver was the only son left of Mira and Lucio Dela Vega. Siya lang ang humaharap at ipinapakilala sa lahat. Kahit minsan ay hindi ko rin nadinig na binanggit siya ni Xaiver. The only time I heard him mention his brother was the time he explained about his close friend, Macy. It was as if Carter never existed.
"Oh my God! Sorry for spoiling the mood," Hariette laughed as she apologized. "Cheers?"
Inangat niya ang cocktail. Ngumiti na lamang ako at ibinangga ang baso sa kanya. Nakisali rin sa amin si Joseph.
We were in the middle of drinking and chatting about the wedding when the door suddenly opened. Natigil kaming lahat sa pag-uusap.
A tall, well-built man entered the VIP room. Naka-mask siya na takip ang buong mukha. Nakasuot siya ng hapit at manipis na itim na t-shirt at maong na pantalon.
Nadinig ko ang pigil na pagtili ni Joseph sa tabi ko habang napakunot naman ang noo ko. His figure looked very familiar, but I doubted my senses. Imposibleng siya ang iniisip ko. He would never do this. Napakaimposible!
"Wait. What is this?" tanong ni Hariette at akmang tatayo na.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. So this isn't a part of the event?
Pagkalingon ko ulit sa lalaking kakapasok lamang, nagsimula na akong mag-panic nang makita siyang hinuhubad ang sinturon. He walked toward me while his body slightly moved to the rhythm of the sensual music blasting through the speakers.
I froze on my seat. Hindi ako makagalaw kahit na gustong-gusto ko na umalis at lumayo sa lalaki. He threw his belt on the floor. Hindi ko na nasundan ng tingin dahil titig na titig ako sa pinong galaw niya habang sumasayaw.
"Excuse me?" Hariette started to panic. Akmang tatayo na siya upang pumagitna sa amin ng lalaki, pero agad din siyang natigil.
The man slowly tried to take his top off. Nakahawak na siya sa dulo ng damit. I swallowed hard when I got a glimpse of his torso. He then leaned forward to move closer, trying to take my eyes off his body.
Ang hirap nga lang. His body was still dancing to the beat. Hindi ko maiwasang panoorin siya hanggang sa matauhan ako. When his lips tried to reach for my cheek, mabilis ko siyang itinulak palayo.
"Huwag po! Ikakasal na ako!" wala sa sariling sigaw ko at mariing napapikit kasabay ng pagtulak.
I could only imagine Xaiver's wrath once he learned about this. Is this a challenge to test my loyalty?
"I know, baby. I know..." Xaiver's voice rang in my ears. Tumaas ang mga balahibo ko. "You are marrying me."
I quickly opened my eyes in surprise. Sobrang lapit ng mukha sa akin ni Xaiver. Sinuyod ko ng tingin ang kanyang buong katawan. Hawak ng kanyang kamay ang maskara na gamit kanina.
Kinagat ko ang aking labi. "Bakit ka nandito?" mahina kong tanong. Medyo nakaramdam ako ng hiya dahil sa sobrang lapit namin sa isa't isa.
Hindi pa nakakasagot si Xaiver nang sumingit si Hariette.
"Kuya Xavi! I told you hindi ka invited!" reklamo niya sa pinsan. "Why are you not at your bachelor party? Where's Kuya Knoa?"
"I'm not here as a guest." Umayos ng tayo si Xaiver upang harapin ang pinsan. "I'm a hired dancer for this party."
Mahinang napamura si Joseph sa gilid. Hariette's jaw dropped in disbelief. Kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala sa narinig sa kanya.
"Dancer? Who hired you?" tanong ni Hariette nang makabawi.
"Her future husband," simpleng sagot ni Xaiver saka umayos ng tayo. "Anyway, my time's up already. I'm gonna take her with me."
Hinila ako ni Xaiver patayo. I willingly let myself come with him. Kinuha niya ang bag kong nakalapag sa sofa. Hindi na ako nakapagpaalam nang maayos kina Hariette at Joseph nang dire-diretso kaming lumabas ng VIP room.
Two bouncers immediately escorted us out of the bar para mas madali. Xaiver didn't let go of my hand until we reached his car parked just right in front of the establishment. Ni hindi man lang pinaparada sa kanya nang maayos 'yon.
"Did you have dinner already?" Xaiver asked once we were settled inside his car.
"Uhm, oo... Nag-dinner na kami bago pumunta sa bar," sagot ko habang pinapanood siyang i-start ang makina ng sasakyan. "Ikaw?"
Although I could see improvements every time he would drive us at night, I was still worried about him. Madalas gusto kong kuhanin sa kanya ang manibela, but practicing would also do him well. Mas magiging kumportable siya kapag gano'n.
"Not yet," he replied.
Nawala ang atensyon ko sa pagmamaneho niya habang nagmamaneobra. I looked at him straight, concerned that he had not eaten yet.
"I'll eat after driving you home. May madadaanan naman akong restaurants," dagdag niya.
"Restaurants?" ulit ko sabay tingin sa paligid.
I realized we were just near his subdivision. Halos isang oras mahigit pa papunta sa amin. Kapag traffic, umaabot ng tatlong oras dahil sa malalang traffic congestion dito sa bansana hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nabibigyan ng solusyon. Puwede namang kumain muna siya sa kanila. I wouldn't mind waiting for him. I could even cook for him para hindi siya laging sa restaurant kumakain.
"Hindi ka ba ipinaghahanda ng kasambahay mo ng hapunan?" tanong ko.
"I only hire them to clean my house. They don't leave there. Pumupunta lang sila kapag maglilinis."
Kung sabagay... Noong nagagawi ako sa bahay niya, I only saw housemaids cleaning around the house and a gardener maintaining the beauty of his yard.
"Hindi ka nagluluto sa bahay?"
"It's just a waste of time and resources. It's more convenient for me to eat out since I'm living alone," he explained.
I sighed. Tama naman, pero iba pa rin ang sustansyang nakukuha sa mga lutong bahay kaysa sa restaurants and fast foods. Kapag nalaman siguro ni Mama na ganoon ang diet ni Xaiver, she would surely cook for him kaya bakit hindi na lang ako ang gumawa no'n?"
"Let's just go to your house. Doon ka na kumain. Ipagluluto kita," sabi ko.
Bumagal ang takbo ni Xaiver saka sumulyap sa akin. "You will?"
"Oo," agad kong sagot para makapag-focus siya ulit sa pagmamaneho.
"Okay... If that's what you want," he said and quickly turned on his signal light to make a turn.
Tunog siyang napipilitan, but his lips kept twitching to hide a smile. Ako rin ay napanguso para pigilan din ang sariling mangiti.
Naalala ko ang pagiging macho dancer niya kanina. Sino'ng mag-aakala na gagawin niya 'yon para lang magkaroon ng excuse na pumasok sa loob? He could've just gate crashed, but he made so much effort and even fooled me for a moment.
"Why are you smiling? What are you thinking?" Xaiver asked when he noticed.
"Naisip ko lang 'yung kanina... 'Di mo naman sinabi na may sideline ka pala bilang dancer," sabi ko, nagpipigil ng tawa.
"Ano'ng nangyari kanina? I don't remember anything," he said, sounding clueless.
Xaiver tried to play pretend to escape embarrassment. I wasn't sure if I should keep teasing him about it and push his buttons or just go along with his act.
"Okay. Walang nangyari kanina," sabi ko habang natatawa pa rin. "Pero... madalas ka siguro sa mag-party sa clubs noon. Or maybe even up to now. Parang sanay kang sumayaw."
When he danced earlier, kahit pakonti-konting galaw lang 'yon, it didn't look awkward and stiff. He knows how to move along the beat.
Hindi naman siya nakakatawang sumayaw, pero natatawa pa rin ako. I guess it was unusual for me to see him like that. He was always serious and uptight. Iyon ang bagay na akala kong hinding-hindi niya gagawin.
"I only partied back in college. When I started working at DVH, I focused on my job and didn't have time to party. Mas lalo akong nawalan ng oras nang ako na ang may hawak ng buong kompanya," pag-amin niya. "Although, sometimes, kapag inaaya ako nina Hari at Knoa, I do join their drinking sessions when free."
Xaiver, the party boy... Parang ang hirap i-imagine. I wondered what clothes he used to wear on a night out. Naka-shirt at jeans lang din kaya siya gaya ngayon? But he was just cosplaying a macho dancer... Tingin ko ay hindi.
Siguro din ay lagi siyang nakakakuha ng atensyon. How many women did fall for him when they saw him on the dance floor? How many tried to get his attention?
Mas lalo tuloy akong hindi makapaniwalang hindi pa siya nagkaka-girlfriend, lalo na't madalas pala siyang mag-party sa clubs. O baka naman hindi siya talaga nagkaroon ng opisyal na relasyon sa kahit na sinong babae. Maybe he only had fuck buddies or something along the line. Parang imposible kasi na walang ganap sa sex life niya.
As much as possible, I didn't want to associate bad things with him, but a man of a caliber like him couldn't be single all his life.
"Good evening, Sir, Ma'am Chantal!" Xaiver's security guard immediately greeted us once we got out of the car.
"Good evening po," nakangiting bati ko pabalik.
Pagkatango nito sa akin ay nilingon niya si Xaiver. "Sir, may bisita ho kayo. Kanina pa po dumating. Ang sabi ko po hindi ko alam kung anong oras kayo dadating pero sabi niya maghihintay na lang po siya."
"Bisita?" ulit ni Xaiver, nakakunot na ang noo. "I'm not expecting any visitors today."
"Sir, kasama niya po si Mrs. Dela Vega dumating kanina. Nauna nga lang pong umalis kaya pinapasok na po namin ang bisita," paliwanag ng security guard. Siguro ay medyo kinabahan na sa tono ni Xaiver.
"My mother?"
Tumango ang guard. "Opo."
Mas lalong lumalim ang mga linya sa noo ni Xaiver. "Let's go," aya niya sa akin saka hinawakan ang kamay ko.
Xaiver led me inside his house. Magkahawak kami ng kamay hanggang sa makapasok sa loob. Ang mga mata ko ay agad dumako sa babaeng nakatalikod sa sala. She was sitting on the sofa, facing the huge television. Hindi nakabukas 'yon kaya nang madinig ang pagbukas ng pintuan ay agad siyang tumayo.
The woman wore a white, knee-length spaghetti strap dress. Her wavy hair was tied in a loose half ponytail. Gamit niya ang isang Chanel ribbon hair tie para doon. Her style was simply elegant. Her aura reminded me of Zoe Bautista, but she looked more genuine and natural. Parang mas nalalapit siya sa personalidad ni Hariette.
"Xavi!" she excitedly cheered once she saw Xaiver. Ang medyo matinis niyang boses nang sumigaw sa sobrang kasiyahan ay binalot ang sala.
Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng hawak sa akin ni Xaiver. Before I could turn to him, my eyes focused on the woman rushing toward him. She broke her modest demeanor and threw herself to him.
Napabitiw si Xaiver sa kamay ko upang saluhin siya at hindi sila mawala sa balanse. Bahagya rin akong napaatras at natulala habang pinapanood silang magkayakap.
"I missed you!" she sincerely said and closed her eyes while wrapping her arms tightly around Xaiver. I could feel her intense longing at kung gaano siya kasaya ngayong nagkita na ulit sila.
It was then my eyes widened when I realized something. Napaawang din nang konti ang aking mga labi.
Is she...
"Macy..." Xaiver whispered her name softly. "You're back."