#OLAPlayPretend
Chapter 29
Fool
Tahimik kaming naglakad ni Xaiver palapit kay Macy. He didn't let go of my hand. Ibinaba ni Xaiver ang mga bag namin sa coffee table upang kalabitin si Macy.
"Mace..." he called her, trying to wake her up.
Sa boses ni Xaiver ay agad siyang gumalaw. Her eyelids slowly fluttered as she opened her eyes. Na kay Xaiver agad ang kanyang tingin. Her lips parted slightly at saka unti-unting tumayo.
"Oh, uhm, sorry..." Macy stuttered. Napatingin siya sa kamay namin ni Xaiver na magkahawak bago muling inangat ang mga mata sa akin. "I fell asleep while waiting... K-kararating ninyo lang?"
Tumango si Xaiver. "Why are you here? Is there a problem with your casita? Did you check in already?"
"I-I did... There's no problem with my room. Uhm, I was planning to catch up with you. Akala ko sandali lang kayo kaya naghintay ako..." Macy explained.
So gusto niya palang makipagkwentuhan. Siguro hindi pa sapat ang oras na magkasama silang dalawa noong isang gabi at pati na rin kahapon. Pero bakit naman kailangang ngayong gabi pa? She didn't even inform Xaiver about it.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, but I can't entertain you right now. We have a family dinner. Our parents will officially meet tonight," sabi ni Xaiver.
"I know. Nasabi sa akin ni Tita Mira ang tungkol sa dinner ninyo." Macy forced a smile. "See you tomorrow, Xavi. Uhm, Chantal?"
Ngumiti ako pabalik kay Macy. I didn't want to be rude.
"As much as I want to escort you back to your casita, we must get ready for dinner. I hope you understand," Xaiver told Macy.
"No problem. I'll be on my way now," she said and left.
Nang makaalis na si Macy, pumasok na kaming dalawa ni Xaiver sa villa. Dalawa ang shower sa villa kaya sabay na rin kaming naligo at nag-ayos. I wore a gradient white to light pink tweed dress that Xaiver bought from a designer brand.
Pagkatapos maligo, tiningnan ko ang mukha sa salamin. I sighed in relief to see that my face didn't get burned. Masyado akong nag-enjoy sa paglangoy. I only put a sunblock once and didn't bother doing it again. Buti na lang at hindi nasunog ang mukha ko.
Dahil medyo takot pa, hindi ako masyadong naglagay ng makeup sa mukha. I made sure to apply moisturizer before anything else. Nag-blower din ako ng buhok para mas may volume iyon at hinayaang nakalugay.
"Yes."
Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa salamin nang madinig si Xaiver. Mayroon siyang kausap sa cellphone. He wore a light yellow polo shirt paired with jeans. Agad kong naisip na kaya iyon ang sinuot niya ay dahil isa sa paboritong kulay ni Mama. Wala sa sarili akong ngumiti. Nakakatuwa na talagang nagsusuot na siya ng mga ibang kulay bukod sa puti at itim.
Habang nakatitig sa kanya, nagulat na lamang ako nang biglang magtama ang mga mata namin sa salamin. Bahagya akong ngumuso saka nagpatuloy rin sa pag-aayos ng sarili.
"Our parents are gonna meet tonight. Pagod na rin si Chantal. Let's just meet tomorrow. Sabihin mo na lang kay Hari," dinig ko. "Okay. Bye."
When the call ended, I looked at Xaiver again and asked, "Si Knoa?"
I figured he was talking to his cousin because of his tone. Kapag kausap niya si Knoa ay para bang lagi siyang bad trip.
Xaiver nodded and placed his phone beside him. "He just arrived with Hariette. They want to meet up with us for a drink," he said. "I told them we can't do it tonight. May after party naman bukas after the wedding reception. We can hang out with them then."
Tumango-tango na lang ako. Tinapos ko ang pag-aayos. Xaiver also styled his hair at the same time. Once we were done, sinundo na ulit kami ng shuttle. Dinaanan namin si Mama sa kanyang casita. She was dressed like never before. Noon ko na lang siya ulit nakitang mag-ayos nang todo. If it weren't for her illness, she would still look like she was in her early 20s.
"Nakakahiya at ngayon pa lang kami magkakaharap ng mga magulang mo Xaiver..." My mother finally told him her concern. Noong isang linggo niya pa ata iyon pinoproblema. "Kung kailang bukas na ang kasal ninyo..."
"Huwag po kayong mag-alala, Ma. That's how they also feel right now," Xaiver told her.
I pouted on how Xaiver called her that so naturally. Talagang nasanay na niya ang sarili niya na Mama na rin ang itawag sa kanya. On the other hand, I couldn't even try doing the same thing to his parents. I found it really weird and embarrassing. Susubukan ko pa lang, nagsisimula nang magsitayuan ang aking mga balahibo.
The shuttle drove us to the heart of the resort, where the Clubhouse was. Nandoon ang main restaurant, boutique, galleries at pati na rin ang library — the General Manager told us that last night noong nadaan kami.
Xaiver booked the private dining lounge just a few steps beside the pool. Nilagpasan namin ang main hall kung nasaan ang restaurant ng Clubhouse at dumiretso sa outdoor pool area. Kapit na kapit si Mama sa braso ko habang naglalakad kami papunta sa gazebo. Dama ko rin ang kaba niya, lalo na nang matanaw namin ang mag-asawang Dela Vega.
Kaysa maging kabado rin katulad niya, iba ang naramdaman ko. I bit my lip when I saw Macy sitting with them. Malayo pa lang, I saw her smiling while having a conversation with Mrs. Dela Vega.
Hinawakan agad ni Xaiver sa kamay ko. I turned to him in surprise. He smiled at me as if he was giving me assurance. Hindi naman na 'yon kailangan. I trusted him enough to know that he wasn't the one who invited Macy to this dinner. It was obviously his parents.
"Ma," biglang tawag ni Xaiver kay Mama habang dire-diretso kami sa paglalakad. "I'm sorry for the sudden notice. It seems like my friend will be joining us for dinner."
Hilaw na tumawa si Mama sa kaba. "Ayos lang, ayos lang. Okay na 'yon. Mababawasan ang kaba ko kahit papaano."
"Thank you," Xaiver courtly replied before looking at me again.
Nginitian ko na lamang siya. He held my hand tightly as we reached the gazebo. Nag-angat ng tingin si Tita Mira sa akin. She got up along with Tito Lucio.
"Chantal! It's been a while!" Tita Mira greeted me with a smile. Bumeso siya sa akin bago humiwalay.
Last week ata ang huli naming kita ni Tita Mira noong sinamahan niya ako sa final meeting kasama ng wedding organizer. I couldn't thank her enough for the help and assistance she gave me throughout the whole process. Halos siya na nga ang umasikaso ng lahat ng kailangan. She was also very hands-on with everything, but I think, the huge part of her involvement was the pressure to make certain that her son's wedding would have no problems.
"Chantal..." Si Tito Lucio naman ang humalik sa pisngi ko bilang pagbati. "Excited for tomorrow?"
I smiled shyly. "Medyo kabado po."
"That's normal!" Tita Mira laughed. "Lahat naman ata ng kinakasal, kinakabahan. I bet our son's nervous, too, but his usual stoic face won't let him show that."
"Well, I guess you're right. I also got nervous during our wedding," alala ni Tito Lucio.
"Ma, Pa..." Huminga nang malalim si Xaiver. He stopped his parents from embarrassing him before they went further.
"Okay, okay..." Tita Mira rolled her eyes at her son. "By the way, we invited Macy to join us. She was sitting alone at the restaurant when we arrived. I hope you don't mind, son, Chantal."
"Wala pong problema, Tita," agad kong sagot at napasulyap kay Macy na nakayuko. "Uhm, pakilala ko na rin po si Mama uh..."
Nilingon ko si Mama na halos nagtatago na pala sa likod namin ni Xaiver kaya hindi siya napansin nina Tita Mira at Tito Lucio. I pulled her to my side. Nahihiya siyang humarap at ngumiti habang mahigpit ang kapit sa bestida at sa aking braso.
"Good evening..." mahinang bati niya sa mag-asawa.
Tito Lucio smiled wide and offered his hand to my mother. "Balae," biro niyang tawag. "It's nice meeting you. Pasensya na at ngayon lang kami nakaharap sa 'yo. We should've done this right away."
"Ayos lang. Naiintindihan kong busy kayo," agad na sabi ni Mama.
"Thanks for understanding. I can see you're kind as your daughter," Tito Lucio complimented.
Nahihiyang ngumiti at tumango na lamang sa kanya ni Mama. Nilingon ko si Tita Mira na tahimik lang sa gilid. I found her staring intently at my mother.
"Mira." Hinawakan ni Tito Lucio ang braso niya dahil hindi siya gumagalaw at nagsasalita.
Para bang natauhan si Tita Mira sa ginawa ng asawa. Her eyelids fluttered as she turned to him before looking at my mother again. "I'm... I'm sorry. I spaced out...." She smiled and then stepped forward to give my mother a hug. "It's nice to meet you, uhm... Your name?"
"Maria Lourdes Bersales pero Malou na lang," pakilala ni Mama.
Tita Mira's lips were tightly pressed together while she was still smiling. "Maria Lourdes..." pabulong niyang ulit sa pangalan ni Mama. "Nice meeting you again, M-Malou."
Although I didn't want to point it out, I couldn't help noticing Tita Mira's unusual reaction. Titig na titig pa rin siya kay Mama sa hindi ko malamang dahilan.
"What's wrong, Ma?" Xaiver voiced out the question inside my head. "Is there a problem?"
Bahagyang kumunot na rin ang noo ni Tito Lucio nang mapansin na medyo wala sa sarili ang asawa. "Hon?"
Muling natawa si Tita Mira. She held onto her husband's arm and explained, "Sorry talaga... I was thinking kung nagkakilala na ba kami noon, uhm, did we attend the same uni? Ateneo?"
"U-Uh, hindi..." sagot ni Mama.
"Oh, okay. I guess I was just really mistaken..." Tita Mira chuckled. "Uhm, let's take a seat? Dinner's about to be served. I'm sure we're all starving. Galing pa kayo ni Xaiver sa pamamasyal, 'di ba?"
"Opo, Tita," sabi ko.
"Let's go! You need to eat now para maaga ka makapagpahinga." Hinila ako ni Tita Mira papunta sa lamesa. She told me to sit in front of Macy. Agad namang sumunod sa akin si Xaiver at naupo sa tabi ko habang si Mama ay nasa kabilang gilid niya.
Xaiver both took great care of us. He would get us food every course served on our table. Pansin ko ang panay na titig ni Macy sa amin. I don't think she was trying to hide it. Hindi niya 'yon mapigilan. Si Tita Mira naman ay tahimik lamang na kumakain. The only ones trying to liven up the mood were Tito Lucio and my mother.
The dinner ended with uncertainty if it was a success or not. My mother didn't mind, though. Masaya na siya na nakasundo niya si Tito Lucio at nakita niyang maganda ang pakikisama sa akin ng mga magulang si Xaiver. That was more than enough for her.
"O s'ya! Dito na ako," sabi ni Mama nang ihatid namin siya sa kanyang casita. Bumaba siya sa shuttle ngunit kaysa dumiretso papasok ay hinarap kami ulit. "Magtatabi ba kayong dalawa sa pagtulog ngayong gabi?"
Nagkatinginan kami ni Xaiver. Unti-unting uminit ang pisngi ko. I wondered if he knew about that superstition. Ngumuso ako at hinayaang siya ang sumagot kay Mama.
"Yes—"
"Nako, nako! Huwag kayong magtatabi matulog ngayong gabi. Hindi maganda 'yon, lalo na't ikakasal kayo bukas," babala ni Mama.
Creases appeared on Xaiver's forehead as he listened to the superstition. In this generation, sa tingin ko ay konti na lang ang naniniwala sa pamahiin na 'yon. Malilimutan ko na nga rin sana 'yon nang tuluyan kundi lang binanggit ni Mama. At saka kahit pa magtabi kami ni Xaiver, hindi maaapektuhan ang aming pagsasama. We'd end our marriage anyway. Isa lang ang destinasyon na patutunguhan ng aming relasyon.
Tumigil ako sa paglalakad nang makita si Xaiver na nakaupo sa aming kama. He rested his back on the headboard, and he had his Macbook on his lap. He looked serious while continuously moving his fingers on the touchpad. Dahil sa kuryosidad, bahagyang napataas ang kilay ko habang palapit sa kanya.
"You done?" tanong niya nang mapansin ang paglapit ko. Sinulyapan niya ako bago nagpatuloy sa ginagawa sa laptop.
"Yes, uhm..." Yumuko ako para mas makita ang pinagkakaabalahan niya. "Naghahanap ka ng isla? Bibili ka?"
Para lang siyang nag-o-online shopping kung makahanap ng bibilhin na isla sa internet.
Xaiver nodded. "I have finally acquired The Alley. I want to venture into a new project and develop an island into a private island resort like this one. I'll call it... The Alley Coast," he explained. "The resort will offer amenities like Amanpulo, but we will include more innovations and water activities. I'm still debating whether I should market the resort as a luxury, but I want it to be more open and accessible to the public...."
Punong-puno ako nang pagkamangha habang nakikinig kay Xaiver. He always looked and sounded so passionate whenever he talked about his plans for his career and their family business. I could feel his desire to do more even though he alreasy had a lot on his plate. Parang wala ng importansya sa kanya ang ideya na makapagpahinga at puro trabaho na lamang ang nasa isip.
"Anyway, I don't think I can start my plans until next year. Madami pang kailangang asikasuhin sa The Alley, especially its management. Tatanggalin ang mga kailangang tanggalin. We will also need to establish The Alley as a subsidiary of DVH. Hindi naging maganda ang huling balita tungkol sa kompanya. It was mostly my fault, but it should be an easy fix."
"Ikaw pa rin ang mamamahala sa lahat?" nag-aalalang tanong.
"For now... while the company is still recovering from its lost..." he said before looking at me. "I can appoint you as the president after—"
"Ayoko! Huwag!" Natataranta kong pagpigil sa kanya bago pa niya matapos ang sasabihin. I was scared that once he made up his mind, it would be impossible to sway him to go back on his word. "Doon na lang ako sa DVH. I'm okay with just being a normal employee."
I didn't want to take up such a huge responsibility just because I was going to be his wife. Alam ko kung hanggang saan lang ang kakayahan ko. I wasn't cut out for that. I'd rather be his secretary again than be a president.
Xaiver chuckled as he closed his laptop and placed it on the lamp desk. Naningkit ang mga mata ko't inusod 'yon dahil hindi maayos ang pagkakalapag niya. Almost half of the laptop's body was off the edge. Nakakatakot na baka mahulog. Madami siyang pera pamalit no'n pero paano kung ako ang makasagi?
"Chantal..." mahinahon at namamaos na tawag sa akin ni Xaiver.
Lilingunin ko pa lang siya nang bigla niya akong hinila. I lost my balance and crashed into his body. My head landed on his chest. Hindi ko lang basta narinig kundi naramdaman ko rin ang malakas na paghampas ng puso sa kanyang dibdib. His heat then slowly enveloped my whole body as he wrapped an arm around my waist to support me.
"Are you okay?" he asked with a hoarse voice.
Nakasimangot akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. My lips almost touched his chin. Nakaangat din nang konti ang kanyang ulo upang masilip ako.
"Ikaw kaya ang humila sa akin! Kaya ako nahulog!" sisi ko sa kanya.
Xaiver grinned and brushed away the loose strands of hair from my face. "I caught you, baby..." he said like it was some kind of assurance I needed.
Sumimangot ako lalo. Ang ngisi ay nanatili sa mukha ni Xaiver bago niya ibinalik ang ayos ng ulo ko sa kanyang dibdib. Pagkatapos ay isinama niya ang isa niya pang braso sa pagyakap sa akin.
"Xavi—"
"Shh..." Xaiver renewed how his arms held me. "Let's stay this way for a few more minutes."
His heartbeat slowed down its pace. Unti-unti siyang kumalma. Kasabay no'n ay ang pagkawala ng tensyon sa katawan ko. I felt surprisingly comfortable in an uncomfortable position. I felt peaceful while he cradled me in his arms.
It reminded me of being submerged in the sea... how the salty water wrapped my whole body. Even though it was all over, I still felt free and uninhibited. It felt refreshing despite the fear of suddenly drowning. It soothed my mind and soul. I enjoyed the whole experience — but... why?
Bakit ganoon ang nararamdaman ko?
"Time's up..." Muling bulong ni Xaiver saka ako pinakawalan. Umupo siya at inalalayan din ako paupo sa kama. "Your mother said it's unlucky if we spend the night together. You'll stay here."
My lips parted fleetingly before I burst into laughter. Seeing his serious, worried expression, I couldn't keep a straight face.
"Naniniwala ka talaga roon? That's just an old superstition," I teased him.
Xaiver abruptly stood up. He looked so determined to leave our room. "I'll sleep in the living room," he said, then spun around to walk to the door.
Pinipigilan ko ang sariling matawa. He walked stiffly like a robot, as if he was only forcing himself to go.
Pinanood ko siya hanggang sa makarating siya sa pintuan. Hinawakan niya ang door knob, pero hindi niya agad binuksan ang pintuan. He stood there in silence for a few seconds.
I licked my lips. Tatayo na sana ako para sundan siya, ngunit bigla siyang nagsalita na muling pumigil sa akin.
"These days, I realized something..." bulong niya saka binuksan ang pinto. "I'm slowly turning into a fool."
And without another word or an explanation, Xaiver stepped out of the room and closed the door.