"Okay, kumpleto na tayo. We could go down now to the entrance and wait for our van and don't forget your things." Mrs. Ramirez instructed us.
Isang maliit na travelling bag lang ulit ang dala ko dahil ilang araw lang naman kami doon. Binuhat na namin ang kanya-kanyang naming gamit at sumakay na ng elevator. Nasa sampung katao lamang kami at isang van lang ang gagamitin namin.
"Let me help you with your things." Akmang bubuhatin ni Eng. Alfredo ang bag ko ng tumanggi ako.
"Thank you, pero kaya ko naman."
He didn't insisted anymore hanggang sa makarating na kami sa may labasan. Mrs. Ramirez will be with us at busy ito ngayong may katawagan sa cellphone niya.
Since bibiyahe naman kami ay nagsuot lamang ako ng simpleng wide leg jeans at puting adidas shirt, then I tucked it in. Maging ang mga kasamahan ko ay nagsuot lamang ng komportableng damit.
We were waiting patiently while Eng. Alfredo was just right behind me. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang isipin ang mga pinagsasabi ni Ina tungkol sa kanya. She isn't wrong but I don't want to entertain it.
"Okay...Listen!" Mrs. Ramirez walked towards us urgently, and she was almost panicking too.
Kaagad na naalerto ang team sa kanya.
"Last minute changes. Sir Gaston will be with us for three whole days."
Kaagad na namilog ang mga mata ko. I fidgeted my fingers and I heard some of the members of the team groaned.
I heard Eng. Alfredo sighed heavily beside me. "Then, I guess we need to work harder." Then he chuckled.
"And sa Villa niya tayo titira sa loob ng tatlong araw. Don't worry, isa-isa tayo ng kwarto, we'll have privacy."
"Ma'am baka naman patii sa pagtulog magtratrabaho tayo niyan." Eng. Romero joked and the team laughed.
Well it's not impossible.
Mrs. Ramirez joined and laughed too. "Don't worry, Sir Gaston is kind and considerate. Hindi naman tayo aabot sa puntong yan."
They continued talking more hanggang sa dumating na nga ang sasakyan namin. Inaayos na namin ang mga gamit namin sa likod ng mapagtanto namin na kulang ang espasyo sa likod para sa mga gamit namin.
So some of the members of the team carried their own things inside the van and stayed seated. But that is when other problems arrive.
"Ma'am hindi po ata tayo kasya."
I looked inside and it was already packed. Kami na lang ni Eng. Alfredo ang natitira sa labas. I looked at Mrs. Ramirez who was on the phone again.
"Hello, yes. Pwede po bang kumuha pa ng isang sasakyan?" I looked at her as she relayed our problem.
"Kay Sir Gaston na lang? Oh...I mean it's fine Jess. Thank you." Then she ended the call and had another call.
Kaagad akong nanlamig sa narinig kong usapan. I saw Eng. Alfredo looked for a seat inside at dali-dali na rin akong sumunod.
"Here. Eng. Ada." He tapped the little space beside him. Pero wala akong choice.
I got in and squeezed myself. And it was uncomfortable. And I'll be staying like this for almost two to three hours.
But it's fine, this is better than...the other available options.
"Are you fine?" Eng. Alfredo can't help but ask me. My face probably looks so uncomfortable.
"Yes, I'm good." Pilit kong salita.
Maya-maya pa ay tiningnan kami ni Mrs. Ramirez sa loob. I avoided her gaze when her vision found mine.
"Ada, Sir Gaston is willing to accommodate us if ever. Pababa na rin siya at nasa labas na ang sasakyan niya."
"No, Ma'am. I'm fine here." Kaagad kong sagot.
"But you looked uncomfortable." She looked at me weirdly.
Then I felt Eng. Alfredo nudged me. "Kay Sir Gaston ka na lang. Eng. Ada. You looked uncomfortable." He suggested.
"Eng. Ada go on. Tatlong oras rin ang biyahe natin. " Sunod-sunod ng udyok ng mga kasamahan ko.
I sighed heavily. Wala akong choice. Umalis ako sa kinauupuan ko at tuluyang lumabas. The driver helped me get my bag from the back and gave it back to me. Wala na akong nagawa.
I looked at the van as they closed it. Napalunok ako ng malalim. I felt like this was the end of me.
"Okay. Magkita na lang tayo sa Villa, Ada." I was shocked when Mrs. Ramirez tapped my arm then went inside the passenger seat.
Akala ko dalawa kami sa sasakyan ni Sir Gaston?!
My mouth was hung open as I watched her get in.
"Ada, Sir Gaston is willing to accommodate us if ever. Pababa na rin siya at nasa labas na ang sasakyan niya."
Mrs. Ramirez said 'us' isn't she?! Kaya paanong ako lang ang naiwan dito ngayon?
I watched the van vanished from my point of view at nanatili lang akong nakatunganga. I gasped and I almost cursed.
Ayoko ko siyang makasama sa loob ng tatlong oras! Sa masikip na kotse. Ayoko!
I fidgeted my fingers. Maybe I could back out? No. Of course not, sayang ang sweldo. Or maybe I can commute? It's possible.
I gathered my things in my hand. Magtatawag na lamang ako ng taxi at magpapahatid sa terminal, I could do that. And from there, hahanap na lang ako ng biyahe papuntang Tagaytay.
I just had my first step when I heard a familiar cold voice, called my name. Napatigil ako at naramdaman ko na lamang ang pagtayo ng balahibo ko sa buong katawan.
I swallowed hard then slowly looked at my back. Halos mapasinghap ulit ako ng makita siyang palapit sa akin.
He is wearing his old maong pants and white dress shirt. Nakatuck in rin siya kagaya ko at naka sunglass. I was in awe as I watched him walk towards me full of confidence and authority.
My feets are rooted in place and I can't move an inch.
"Let's go. I don't wanna be late." Nabigla na lamang ako ng agawin na niya ang maliit kong travelling bag sa pagkakahawak ko at binunat ito.
He walked out with my bag and I couldn't even move my feet! I felt like everything happened so fast and I couldn't even process things properly.
Nang mapansin niya sigurong hindi pa ako nakasunod sa kanya ay muli niya akong nilingon.
"I don't have all the time in the world, Miss Estrellia." Then he turned his back again.
Dali-dali akong sumunod kahit na labag pa iyon sa kalooban ko. My feet feel so heavy as I try to walk as fast as possible.
He then put my bag at the back of his car then opened the passenger seat.
"Get in." He simply commanded.
No. I wanted to sit in the back.
And just like he knew what I'm thinking. "Get inside, I'm not your fucking driver."
Ramdam ko ang kawalan niya ng pasensya sa akin.
At nakaramdam rin ako kahihiyan sa katawan sa sinabi niya. Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang lumapit sa kanya ng tuluyan at umupo sa passenger seat.
My heart was so heavy with all my decisions.
And of course, who said that he is my driver? I don't even wanna be with him. He is really good at assuming and judging things early.
I looked at the interior of his car and I already know that it is expensive. He gets in and I completely pin my vision outside. I also fixed my seatbelt at baka may masabi ulit siya.
"You didn't forget any?" I heard him ask.
"W-wala na po, Sir." I stuttered and my vision remained outside.
I cleared my throat. And I never knew how uncomfortable I was. I was seated like a robot who is restricted from moving too much. I even find it awkward to feel relaxed in his car. Mas mabuti pa ang pakiramdam ko sa masikip na van.
Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa aking seatbelt ng umandar na ang sasakyan. My eyes were glued outside at takot na akong balingan siya ng tingin o maski sa harapan.
Medyo traffic pa at medyo natagalan kami. Akala ko tuloy-tuloy na kami pero lumiko siya sa isang drive thru. And then he started stating his orders. I had my breakfast pero nag tinapay lang ako. My plan was to actually order food on the way but I didn't expect this situation at all.
I badly wanted to order my own food too.
We just waited for a moment at nakuha namin kaagad ang inorder niya. Slowly, while he is getting his orders. I relaxed my back properly, ramdam ko ang hapdi sa leeg ko sa ilang minuto na pagtitig sa labas.
I slowly adjusted my head to the front and I could feel my nerves relaxing. I breathed in deeply as I relaxed my body on his car's expensive seat.
Linagay niya ang ilang supot niyang orders niya sa likod, pagkatapos ay umalis na kami ng tuluyan.
"If you want some snacks, you can grab some." Napabaling ako sa kanya g tuluyan.
I looked at him but his eyes were on the road. "Hindi po ako gutom, Sir."
His hold on the steering wheel tighten kaya tuluyan ko ulit iniwas ang tingin sa kanya.
Pareho kaming tahimik na siyang pinag papasalamat ko. I'd rather hear silence than him talking. My eyes were on the road at kahit papaano naman mas naging komportable na ako. It's just that I never throw him a glance.
Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa backpack ko ng maalala ang pupuntahan namin, and how ironic that I am with him too. My chest suddenly felt heavy with the sudden memories.
We were there before when we were still studying in college, and now that we are both professionals, I find it as a bittersweet reunion. If that's what you may call it.
I breathed in heavily and closed my eyes. But its all fine now, wala akong nakakapang pagsisisi sa akin at sa mga nagawa ko noon.
I closed my eyes, urging myself to sleep. Inayos ko ang pagkakaupo at tuluyang pinikit ang mga mata ko. Sana, paggising ko nasa Tagaytay na kami.
"Miss Estrellia, Miss Estrellia wake up."
I heard some noises and someone was calling my name. I slowly opened my eyes and the first thing that I saw was his jet black eyes.
Bigla akong nagising at magpapanic na sana pero biglang pumasok sa isipan ko na magkasama pala kami.
I rubbed my eyes and looked at the surroundings. The tall trees and the green surroundings welcomed my sight.
And still, the scenery amazed me so much. Para ka talagang nasa ibang bansa.
"They are waiting for us, get up now." Napabalikwas ulit ako ng marinig ang malamig niyang boses.
I removed my seatbelt and gathered my things. Pagkatapos ay bumaba na ako.
Ramdam ko ang pananakit ng dibdib ko sa lugar. We are in front of a huge villa, and then on our left side is his Tito's villa. I remember it so well that it hurts.
Parang kailan lang ng nangyari ang mga iyon. It feels like yesterday. Then I looked at him and how much he changed.
Realization hit me again, taon na rin pala ang lumipas.
Huminga ako ng malalim. I looked at the villa at mukhang kasya nga kami dito. And Mrs. Ramirez said that we will have our own room too. The members might be inside waiting for us.
He got my small travelling bag and he carried it again on his hands. Wala na akong nagawa kung hindi ang sumunod sa kanya habang hawak-hawak niya ang kanya at ang akin. Tinungo niya ang malaking pintuan nito na gawa sa matibay na kahoy.
He then opened it with a passcode at tumuloy na siya sa loob. I consciously tailed him with enough space between us.
I looked inside and I was in awe with the interior. The flooring was wood and so was most of the furniture. And the ceiling was filled with intricate wood designs too. It looks so vintage and classic, parang sa mga pelikula ko lang nakikita ang mga ganitong bahay.
This is indeed a villa. A villa for rich people.
Pero walang tao. Where are they?
I looked at him as he placed our things near the sofa.
The whole villa was dead silent! Don't tell me?!
"The one villa only has nine rooms, kulang ng isa. You'll be staying with me." He casually informed me.
My eyes widened. Impossible!
"Ha?!" Kaagad akong napatampal ng bibig ng bigla akong sumigaw.
He looked at me with his brows furrowed. "Is there a problem, Miss Estrellia?"
Of course there is! This is what I've been thinking these past few days and it was worse than I thought 'cause we are the only two people in here!
I'm sure the rooms are huge, pwede akong makitulog na lang kay Mrs. Ramirez o sa mga babaeng kasamahan namin!
"S-sir, I can sleep with Mrs. Ramirez, for---"
"I chose my villa because I know they wanted to have their own rooms, their own privacy. And Mrs. Ramirez personally requested me cause the team requested to do so." He lectured me as he crossed his arms to his chest.
I bit my lip.
"Why? Do you have a problem with that, Ms. Estrellia?" He looked at me like he was challenging me.
I composed myself and let out a heavy sigh. "Wala po, Sir." I plainly responded.
This shouldn't be an issue for me. Maybe I am overthinking things again. He is here as a professional, as my boss, kaya dapat ganoon rin ako.
"Then good. Let's go, your room would be on the second floor."