Condition
Iminuwestra ko ang sofa. Draven nodded and walked silently. Kahit ang paghakbang niya, halos dama ko. Ang bawat galaw ay pansin ng mga mata ko.
I can smell the expensive masculine fragrance he's wearing. I've never been meticulous with men around me but this man who just came in like a tamed beast gave me butterflies in the stomach. Talagang kuhang kuha niya ang mga gusto ko sa lalake. O sadyang noon pa man, siya na ang naging basehan ko sa mga lalakeng nagugustuhan ko.
"Kumuha ka ng makakain at maiinom niya, Arthur," I said carefully.
Arthur nodded and bowed his head a bit before closing the door. Nakita ko si Draven, nakatuko ang mga kamay sa nakabukaka niyang mahahabang binti at nakasalikop ang mga daliri sa isa't isa.
Humakbang ako papalapit. His eyes watched me carefully. Inukupa ko ang harapang sofa habang napapagitnaan kami ng bilugang babasaging mesa.
"So you want to buy our entire hotel?" deritso kong tanong nang wala siyang maisip na iba pa kaya gusto ko siyang makausap nang masinsinan.
He nodded. "Yes..." he said in a low tone, halos namamaos ang pagbulong.
And even his voice sounded manly too. Not that he doesn't sound manly from the past but he's a teenage boy. Kakaibang kakaiba siya ngayon. Kung itatabi siya sa Draven na kilala ko noon, baka maisip ko pang ibang tao sila.
His vibe is the same. Calm yet mysterious. Ramdam ko iyon sa paninitig niya, na kahit anong gusto kong basahin kung ano man ang tumatakbo sa isipan niya, talagang blangko. Hindi ko alam kung natutuwa ba siya ngayon, galit, o blangko lang.
"The land isn't for sale, Engineer," I said in a cold tone, trying to match his vibe.
"That's why I'm gonna double the price," he insisted.
Napangisi ako roon. His eyes drifted on my lips. He licked his lowerlip and looked at me again in the eyes with no trace of emotion.
"That's not how it works. Hindi naman lahat madadaan sa pera," I said.
"That's the only memory we had with our mother that's why I want it back," marahan niyang bigkas.
I'm shock that he's not getting aggressive with the talk. And fuck it, Ashtraia, I can't believe you find it very hot!
Humalukipkip ako at ipinatong ang hita sa isa kong hita. I leaned against the headboard of the sofa as I eyed him carefully just to calm my senses down.
"Itong hotel lang din ang magiging memorya ko kay Lola kung sakaling nawala siya," and I can't believe I'm using Lola's excuse now huh?
"Why? Is she... dead?" his thick brows knitted as if he's confused or curious.
"Hindi pa naman..."
His expression calmed down. He nodded.
"The Hotel has a sentimental value. Kahit pa triplehin mo ang offer, we won't sell this so easily. You're gonna demolish not just an important asset but also a valuable property. The project manager of this hotel is none other than Lola's only daughter..."
"Is she... dead?" he confirmed.
"Hindi pa," I leered at him. "Kailangan bang may mamatay muna ang may-ari para ituring na importanteng bagay ang pagmamay-ari niya?"
He shook his head carefully. "No..."
I gritted my teeth. Naiirita sa sarili kung bakit natuturn-on ako sa simpleng mga galaw niya. Sa sobra niyang kalma! I can't believe this!
"But the land is important to us. I promised to my mother I'll... take it back... once I'm successful," mataman niya akong tinitigan.
Successful. Naalala ko noon kung gaano niya ka gustong magkolehiyo kahit kapos sila. Kung paano siya iginapang ng kanyang kapatid. Is this the reason why the two were eager to fight for their rights with the land?
"Hindi lang namin agad nabawi dahil wala kaming pera noon," he added in his baritone voice calmly.
I swallowed. Tumango ako ngunit nag-iiwas ng tingin sa kanya. The calmness of his voice, na kahit alam niyang kagalit galit ang sitwasyon, ay kalmado pa rin siya. And that's why I tried to find him calmness with the men I met. Na kahit galit, kaya paring maging marahan at kalmado.
"Kahit may pera kayo noon, hindi pa rin ibebenta ni Lola ang hotel."
I saw how he started thinking thoroughly about it. Naging tahimik siya ng ilang minuto habang pinaglalaruan ang mga daliri, yumuyuko at magkakasalubong ang kilay, titingnan ang sapatos at muling aahon ang tingin para tingnan ako.
"Then what's your condition?" he asked after a long pause.
Kumurap ako at hinaplos ang aking nakataling buhok.
"I have nothing to offer but the cancellation of your proposals. I will not sign it. The Hotel is important to our family. It's important to my Lola. And as a Ferrarin, it's important to me too..."
"I'll shoulder the project once you agree to demolish the hotel out of our land. Kahit ako na ang magbayad sa lahat ng gastusin at ilipat siya sa ibang lupa."
"The hotel is here because this is the best place in Caraga region to attract some customers so easily. Maganda ang tanawin. Kalmado ang paligid at medyo malapit sa airport. Mas madali siyang makikita ng mga bakasyunista o turista."
His jaw clenched but his expression remained calm. Kontrolado ang kanyang galit. Hinubad niya ang coat kaya bumaba ang tingin ko sa muscles ng kanyang biceps na umuukit sa nipis niyang puting shirt.
"This is not about business. I want the land back because it holds a sentimental value," aniya.
Nanatili ang titig ko sa dibdib niyang sumisilip. His necklace's silver lace was loose around his neck. My mind flashed back to our hot kisses from the past. Doon ako madalas sa leeg niya kumakapit...
I wonder if he entered into a relationship after his friend Alice? O baka naman sila pa rin? Are they uh engaged by now? Is he married. My eyes drifted on his fingers. I checked if he's wearing some ring but his thick and long fingers are empty.
"I'll find another place here in Caraga Region so I could propose another deal. Your grandmother might consider it. I just want the land back," ramdam ko ang desperasyon sa kanyang tinig kaya muli ko siyang binalikan ng tingin sa mga mata.
"Hindi papayag si Lola sa kondisyon mo kahit kausapin mo siya," sabi ko pagkatapos mahimasmasan sa iniisip.
"She might like my proposal. I promise I will build it just like how it's built. I'll shoulder everything too," ulit niya sa pangako kanina.
I sighed. Bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Arthur kaya tumahimik kaming dalawa. He placed the snack he brought on the table and eyed us both curiously. Tiningnan ko ang slice ng dalawang cheese cake. Inilapag niya sa harap ni Draven ang black coffee at orange juice naman ang sa akin.
"May gusto ka pa po, Ma'am?" mahinahing tanong ni Arthur sa akin.
I shook my head while I noticed how Draven glanced at Arthur to look at him. Tumikhim ako at kinuha ang bago ng juice sabay simsim doon.
Arthur nodded and stood. Nagpaalam siya sa amin bago tuluyang umalis. May katahimikang pumagitna. Ginalaw niya ang kape at bahagya ring sumimsim. Inilapag ko ang baso ng juice at ibinalik sa pagkakahilig ang likod sa headboard ng sofa.
"I'll tell this to Lola and schedule your talk with her. Pero katulad ng sinabi ko, baka hindi rin siya pumayag."
"I'll try..." he said hopefully.
He'll try. Naalala ko noon na puno siya lagi ng pag-asa. Siya ang rason kaya unti-unti ko ring inisip kung ano ba ang pangarap ko dahil sa determinasyon niya. He's a good role model. Sa lahat ng mga lalake noon na nakilala ko, siya ang hindi bulakbol at priority ang pag-aaral.
Hindi man iyon nakita ni Lola sa kanya noon kaya ganoon kadali kung tanggalin ang scholarship, ngunit saksi ako sa mga pagsisikap niya noon.
"Talagang dinadamay mo ako," reklamo ni Lola kinagabihan nang makauwi ako at sinabi agad ang gusto ni Draven.
"I didn't, Lola. Binalaan ko siya na wala siyang mahihita sa'yo kahit kausapin ka niya but he's persistent. He wants the land back. He wants to buy it and double or triple the price," seryoso kong sabi habang hinihiwa ang aking pagkain.
Nasa malalim pa siyang pag-iisip nang dinagdagan ko agad.
"Kaya nagschedule na ako ng meeting niyo bukas. At dito sa mansyon. Para makapag-usap kayo ng masinsinan."
Lola's expression twisted.
"I am busy tomorrow. May zumba session ako with the other oldies," she reasoned out.
"Lola he's a busy man. Re-schedule your zumba session. Hindi ka naman siguro rarayumahin bukas," giit ko at sumimsim sa aking juice.
"You are so desperate to favor that boy," iling niya.
"I am busy too. Gusto ko nang matapos 'yang hinihingi niya para hindi na kami magkita! Kung alam mo lang kung paano ko agad tinapos kanina ang meeting noong bumisita siya sa mismong office ko," pagmamayabang ko.
"Because he turned you on so much and you can't stand being with him in one place?"
Nalaglag ang panga ko. Ang bastos ng matandang ito!
Umismid lamang ako ngunit hindi ko kayang itanggi. Hindi ko rin kayang sabihin na hindi. Our dinner went smoothly. Ngunit parang mastress siya sa agarang meeting na inihanda ko.
Hindi ako pumasok sa Hotel kinabukasan para lamang sumali sa kanilang meeting at dinala ko rin si Arthur para mukhang pormal na usapan ang magaganap.
He's still formal just like how he presented himself yesterday. Ngunit iba lamang ang kulay ng kanyang coat na itim na ngayon ganoon din ang slacks.
Iginiya ko siya sa sala. Lola isn't done yet. Kakatapos ko lang maligo at bihis na bihis na rin. I wore a white tube top and black pencil skirt. Hanggang tuhod ko iyon. I just wore my hair in a high ponytail and let some strands fall on each side. Sapat lamang na hindi matabunan ang suot kong silver hoop earrings.
Inilapag ng katulong ang meryenda habang tahimik kaming nakaupo. I caught him looked at me from time to time but I didn't mind it coz he also caught me glancing back at him.
Dumating si Lola. Her dramatic entrance with her nurse confused me. Nakakapaglakad pa naman siya nang maayos ngunit naka wheelchair siya ngayon. It made her looked old and weak but in a fancy way because of her luxurious clothes.
Draven watched her in awe. Halos gusto kong suminghap nang mapagtantong... nagpapaawa siya. Is she pulling some stunts to win the land successfully?! Kahit si Arthur, kung tingnan si Lola ay nagtataka na rin.
The nurse smiled at us after placing Lola beside us. Nasa bawat gilid siya ng magkaharap na sofa'ng inuupuan namin ni Draven.
"You are the youngest son of Roselia and Damian, right?" Lola started in a stern voice.
Draven nodded. "Yes, Donya."
Pekeng umubo si Lola. Hinagod ng nurse ang kanyang likod at binigay ang nakahandang inhaler. Ibinigay iyon sa kanya na agaran niyang hinithit. I bowed my head a bit and pursed my lips. Magzuzumba pa siya dapat kahapon ah? And I'm not even aware she has an ashtma!
"I will not sell the land if that's what you want to talk about, hijo," she said in a weak voice after puffing her inhaler.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Draven. His determination to get back the land gleamed in his eyes. Baka lumuwa pa ng pekeng dugo si Lola para lang kaawaan siya ngayon.
"That's why I want to propose some deals, Donya. I want to demolish the hotel—"
Hinaplos ni Lola ang kanyang dibdib at parang inaatake pa ata sa puso. Napatayo ako sa gulat. Muli niyang inilagay ang inhaler sa bibig niya at unti-unting kumalma. Kung hindi ko lang alam kung gaano pa siya kalakas kahit may edad na, iisipin ko na talagang halos nasa bingit na siya ng kamatayan!
"I'm fine, hija... take a seat again..." senyas niya sa akin.
Muli akong umupo. Binalingan niya si Draven.
"What did you say again, hijo?" Lola asked calmly.
Draven's lips was still parted. Tila nagulat din sa atake ni Lola sa puso. Binasa niya ang labi at maingat ulit na nagsalita.
"Gusto ko sanang ilipat ang hotel sa ibang lupain," at mukhang nakaisip agad siya ng ipapalit sa demolish na gusto niya.
"Will you transport my entire hotel without damaging it? Is that even possible?" ani Lola.
Draven shook his head. "Ipapa..." tumikhim siya. "Ipapademolish ko—"
And Lola pulled another heart attack. Halos hingal kung habulin ang paghinga habang hinihithit ulit ang kanyang inhaler. Draven licked his lip. He looked more stress now compared to our talk yesterday.
"Oh no... no, hijo... I won't let you demolish the hotel. That's my daughter's project. That's the reason why I don't want to sell the land because you're gonna demolish it. Maraming mawawalan ng trabaho," ani Lola nang makabawi na sa heart attack.
Draven looked at me. I raised my brow and gave him a I-told-you-so look. Siguro naman gets niya na hindi niya basta bastang makukumbinsi si Lola sa gusto niya.
"The land is the only memory I had with my deceased mother, Donya. Ipinangako ko sa kanya na babawiin ko ang lupa kung may sapat na akong pera para bilhin ito sa inyo," aniya sa determinado ngunit kalmado pa ring tinig.
Tumikhim ako at seryosong hinaplos ang aking buhok. His calmess is really his asset. Parang kahit anong galit sa kanya ay hindi siya mababali.
"Well it's not for sale, hijo. I am not selling it. The land is also important to me because of the Hotel. Kung gusto mong bawiin ang lupain, para mo na ring kinuha sa akin ang Hotel," ani Lola.
"Then... at least give me the land back. I don't mind the hotel in our land. Kahit ipangalan niyo lang ulit kay Mama ang titulo ng lupa, Donya," he bargained.
My heart ached for a particular reason. He's willing to pull himself low just to get the land back. Nilingon ko si Lola ng marahan. She gave me a sneaky smirk as though she had caught my unexpected softening toward Draven.
"I'll accept any condition to get it back if you don't want to sell it," ani Draven.
"Hmm. A condition..." Lola's sudden glance at me made it more suspicious. Tumikhim ako at seryosong nakinig.