This is the last chapter, but there will still be an epilogue. Tweet your feels under the hashtag #ArcticHeartNinaWP
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Chapter 30
Season
"Pasensya na po sa abala, Tito, Tita..." nahihiya kong paghingi ng paumanhin sa mga magulang ni Jace.
Tita Lyrae laughed and immediately went to my side. Marahan niyang hinawakan ang aking braso. Kita ko sa kanyang hitsura na tuwang-tuwa siya kung ano mang nangyayari ngayon.
"It's beyond okay, Zarina!" Tita Lyrae enthusiastically said. "I'm sure it wouldn't be long 'til you finally move over here with us."
My eyes slightly widened with her unexpected response.
Jace invited me to just spend a night here in their house. Kahit na nahihiya ako na pumarito lalo na dahil paniguradong alam na nila ang tungkol sa aking ina ay pinilit pa rin ako ni Jace. I didn't argue with him anymore because I think coming home tonight would just lead to more complications. Hindi ko rin kasi alam ang gagawin ko kung sakaling umuwi ako at maabutan ko si mommy. Paniguradong magkakasagutan na naman kaming dalawa.
I just texted my father that I'd be staying at the house of Sys. Nagreply naman siya agad na naiintindihan niya ang aking desisyon na rito muna manatili ngayong gabi.
"Mom!"
Nilingon ko si Jace na nangingiti naman kahit na medyo naiirita.
Tito Josh laughed. "You're wrong, my beautiful wife..." he directed his stare at Tita Lyrae. "Zarina will not move here. For sure, our son had already planned a house for them to live after their wedding."
Pakiramdam ko ay sobrang pula na ng aking pisngi dahil ramdam na ramdam ko ang pag-init nito. Sinulyapan ko naman si Jace na napatingin na rin sa akin. Agad ko rin siyang iniwasan ng tingin dahil sa sobrang hiya.
I can't believe that his parents can just casually talk about their son's marriage. Para bang wala lang sa kanila ang ideyang magpakasal ang kanilang anak.
"Dad, stop it..." sabi naman ni Jace kay Tito Josh. "Nahihiya po si Zarina."
Tito Josh turned to me because of that. He chuckled seeing my expression. I probably looked like a flushed tomato right now.
"It's okay, Za..." he said and laughed again. "The moment my son brought you here, I saw the way he looked at you, and I realized that he won't approve it if you're not the once he's going to wait for at the altar."
I bit my lower lip. I didn't even know what to say. Parang isang maling ideya ang desisyon na rito sa kanila magpalipas ng gabi. Kung alam ko lang na magiging ganito ang usapan ay hindi na sana ako pumayag pa.
"You're being so unfair, dad..." pagsingit naman ni Liana na kanina pa nakaupo sa couch at nakikinig sa amin. "Si Jace ay hinahayaan mo nang magpakasal, samantalang ako'y kahit boyfriend ay ayaw mong mapaunlakan."
"Shut up, Liana. There's no man worthy of you yet," mariing sabi ni Tito Josh. "You should look for man like your twin."
"Like I can take being with someone like Jace who doesn't even talk. Baka magtitigan lang kami habang buhay." Humalukipkip siya at saka umirap.
Hindi ko na mapigilan ang matawa habang inaalala ang narinig ko noon sa bar. I thought she had a relationship before with a friend of Dylan? I wondered if it was a secret relationship. Ayaw ko naman siyang tanungin dahil hindi naman kami ganoon kalapit na dalawa.
"If you don't want someone like your twin, then find someone like me!" Tito Josh confidently said.
"Oh, please, dad. You're too corny and cringey. Maiinis lang ako," sabi ni Liana at saka tumayo na. "I'm going to my room now. Ayaw ko nang makipagbiruan pa. Good night!"
Dire-diretso ang kanyang lakad patungo sa hagdanan at paakyat sa kanyang kwarto. Hindi ko na mapigilan ang pagtawa ko lalo na nang sinimulang pagalitan ni Tita Lyrae si Tito Josh na parang bata.
I stopped laughing when Jace stood beside me and wrapped his arm on my shoulder.
"Mom, Dad, we're going to take a rest as well..." paalam ni Jace sa kanyang mga magulang.
Sabay namang lumingon sa amin sina Tito Josh at Tita Lyrae para ngumiti bago muling hinarap ang isa't isa para maipagpatuloy ang pagkukulitan.
Hawak-hawak ni Jace ang aking kamay habang paakyat kami sa ikalawang palapag ng kanilang bahay.
"This is my room," he stated as he opened the door of his room.
I smiled and let myself in. I was glad that he took the initiative to show me his room. He just showed me his private space and that made me feel extra special. Pakiramdam ko'y mas lalo kaming nalapit sa isa't isa nang dahil dito.
His room has a very manly style and was bigger than my own space. I can tell that this was really his taste. The whole interior of the room was only playing with three colors―black, gray and white.
"Stay here," he told me. "Liana's room is just beside mine. I'm gonna ask her to lend you some clothes you can wear for tonight. I'll be quick."
"Okay..." I smiled at him and just let myself wander around his room.
Lumapit naman ako sa isang pintuan na walang handle. Inikot ko ang tingin ko sa paligid nito at nakita ang isang button. Pinindot ko iyon at agad itong bumukas. I was welcomed by Jace's clothes. It was his walk-in closet! Hindi naman ito ganoong kalakihan at tamang-tama lang para sa kanyang mga damit at sapatos.
I was amazed how organized his walk-in closet was. Sa totoo lang ay mas maayos pa ito kaysa sa akin. He was definitely an example of being prim and proper.
"Za?"
Lalabas na sana ako mula sa walk-in closet nang biglang pumasok si Jace dala-dala ang damit ng kanyang kapatid na ipapahiram sa akin.
"Liana told me that she hasn't worn these clothes, yet..." he said and put the clothes on top of his neckties' drawer. "There are clothes you can wear tonight and also, for tomorrow."
"Hindi naman na kailangan iyong pangbukas. Maaga naman akong uuwi," nahihiya kong sabi.
"Just wear it..." he said. "Liana would like it."
Tumango na lang ako at saka kinuha ang damit na ipinahiram sa akin ng kanyang kakambal. Mabuti na rin siguro 'to para makaligo ako kinabukasan.
"Saan ba ako matutulog?" tanong ko kay Jace. "Para makapagpalit na rin ako ng damit."
He grinned and leaned on the wall. "Here in my room."
My eyes slightly widened. "Ha?"
"You're gonna sleep here in my room with me," he elaborated. "My bathroom's just across the walk-in closet."
"Bakit naman ako rito matutulog?" Nagsimula na namang mag-init ang pakiramdam ng aking pisngi. "With a house this big, I'm pretty sure that you have plenty of guest rooms where I can sleep for tonight."
"Para namang hindi pa tayo nagtatabing matulog sa isang kama, Zarina..." sabi niya at natatawa pa. "Wala naman tayong gagawin. Matutulog lang tayo. You know I respect you so much."
Halos sapuhin ko ang aking noo. "Hindi naman 'yon, Jace. I know you respect me. Nahihiya lang ako sa mga magulang mo. Ano'ng iisipin nila kapag nalaman nilang dito ako natulog sa kwarto mo?"
"That you're soon to be my wife, anyway..." he bluntly said like it wasn't a big deal.
Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa kay Jace dahil alam kong ipipilit niya itong gusto niya. Dumiretso na lang ako sa kanyang banyo upang makapagshower at magpalit ng pantulog na pinahiram sa akin ni Liana. Nang matapos ako ay naabutan ko siya sa kanyang drawing table at seryosong nagd-drawing.
Parang may humaplos sa aking puso habang tinitingnan siyang seryoso sa kanyang ginagawa. He was already drowning with designs to draw at the office, pati ba naman pagkauwi sa bahay ay nagt-trabaho pa rin siya.
I heaved and removed the towel on my head. Inilagay ko 'yon sa aking braso bago ako lumapit sa kanya upang tingnan ang kanyang ginagawa.
I pursed my lips while watching him finish a sketch of a house. Maganda ang pagkakadisenyo niya sa bahay. Hindi ito ganoong kalakihan at tamang-tama lang. The house's exterior was simple but complicated at the same time. Alam mong pinag-isipan talaga ng mabuti. I'm pretty sure that his clients will love it.
"Do you think the house is too small or it's fine already?" Jace suddenly asked me, while his stare was glued on his sketch.
"Jace, it's not small. Malaki na nga ang bahay na 'yan," sagot ko sa kanya.
"Well, do you like it, then?"
Nilingon niya ako at itinuon ko naman ang aking tingin sa kanyang dinisenyong bahay. Ngumiti ako at saka tumango.
"I love it," I said. "I'm sure your client will also love it."
He smiled. "She already does love it because she just told me so..."
Bahagya naman akong napalayo sa kanya. Natawa naman siya nang makita ang aking ekspresyon.
"Don't tell me..." My heart kept on pounding so hard that I can't even speak properly.
Jace averted his gaze from me to his sketch. He leaned his back on the back rest of his chair and suddenly became serious.
"The construction will start in three months once I already finish designing the interiors. But if you want, we can just get an interior designer. Ikaw na ang bahala sa kung ano ang gusto mong mangyari sa loob ng bahay natin," dire-diretso niyang sabi. "There's also a lot for sale here in our subdivision. Pero kung gusto mo ay maghanap pa tayo. Ayos na sa aking nagustuhan mo ang dinisensyo kong bahay kaya ikaw na ang―"
I cupped Jace's cheeks and pulled him closer to me in order to give him a kiss. Sa sobrang saya ko ay gusto ko na lang siyang halikan bilang pasasalamat na rin.
"You don't know how happy I am..." I told him, whispering every word with sincerity. "I love you so much, Jace..."
He was slightly stunned because of the sudden kiss I gave him, ngunit agad din siyang nakabawi bago ngumiti sa akin. Siya naman ang humila sa akin ngayon papalapit at siniil ako ng halik.
After eating breakfast the next morning, I went home while Jace trailed me because I needed to drive my own car. Tahimik ang aming bahay nang makauwi ako. Kinuha ko lang ang aking dress na isusuot mamaya para sa party at sumama na ulit kay Jace pabalik sa kanila.
Tinext ko na lang ulit si daddy na magkita na lang mamaya sa party at agad din naman akong nakatanggap ng reply sa kanya na hinahayaan ako sa aking gustong mangyari.
"We're done!" Tita Lyrae announced when she already finished doing my make-up.
She also did Liana's make-up before mine. Kaya rito ako sa kanila manggagaling patungong party ay dahil gusto akong make-upan ni Tita Lyrae. I can't say no that's why I agreed.
"Mommy, ang bagal ninyo po talaga." Dinig ko na kaagad ang reklamo ni Jath habang pababa kami ng hagdanan.
"Shut up, Jath," sabi naman ni Tito Josh sa kanyang bunsong anak.
My eyes immediately met Jace who was intently looking at me. Kita ko kung paano niya hinagod ng tingin ang aking buong katawan. He tilted his head and pursed his lips. Hindi niya inalis ang kanyang tingin sa akin.
I was wearing a champagne sleeveless chiffon dress. Tita Lyrae tied my hair up into a bun that made my collarbones very defined. I was comfortable wearing my dress, but Jace's stare made me feel awkward.
"My wife is so beautiful as always..." I heard Tito Josh said. "Walang kupas..."
Nilingon ko naman ang mag-asawa at kita kong mabilis na hinalikan ni Tito Josh ang labi ni Tita Lyrae na natawa na lamang sa reaksyon ng asawa.
"Oh my gosh. Here they go again..." Liana rolled her eyes and went to her little brother. "Let's get out of here, Jath. We're the only ones who are single here."
"Excuse me, Ate, I'm not single!" Jath defensively said.
"Whatever, Jath. Tara na!" Kumapit si Liana sa braso ng kapatid at agad na hinila papalabas ng bahay.
Natawa naman ako sa kanilang magkapatid bago muling nilingon si Jace. Napasinghap naman ako nang makita siyang nasa aking harapan na.
"You're showing a lot of skin..." he whispered and came even closer.
I felt his calloused palm touched my naked back that sent shivers down my spine. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko lalo na ng maglaro ang kanyang daliri sa aking likod. I shouldn't have worn a backless dress.
"But it's okay..." he added. "Babantayan na lang kita buong gabi. I'll also make sure that everyone knows you're already mine."
I just rolled my eyes at him, and he chuckled before his hand travelled from my back to my hand. He intertwined our hands like he always does before taking me out of their house.
A lot of reporters flocked at Belle Danse's driveway. I've never seen this much media in a company's party. It made me realize how influencial and popular Jace's family is. Daig pa nila ang mga sikat na artista.
Tumabi ang mga reporters na nakaharang sa daanan upang makadaan ang sasakyan ni Jace. Hinanda na rin nila ang kanilang mga camera na nakatutok sa amin. May mga lumapit na bodyguards sa sasakyan.
"I'll go down first," he said and went out of the car.
He was immediately protected by his bodyguards. Nakita kong ibinigay pa niya ang susi ng kanyang sasakyan sa isa bago umikot patungo sa aking gawi upang pagbuksan ako ng pintuan.
Halos masilaw naman ako nang tumama sa aking mga mata ang flash ng mga camera pagkababa ko ng kanyang sasakyan. I saw Jace's jaw clenched when he saw me uncomfortable because of the flashing lights. He used his hand to shield my eyes while his other hand held my waist tightly.
"Architect Sy, is she your date for tonight?" Dinig kong tanong ng reporters.
Sabay-sabay silang nagbabato ng mga tanong at ilan lang sa mga ito ang klaro sa aking pandinig.
"Is she your girlfriend?" tanong pa ng isa.
"She's my fianceé," Jace simply answered that made the reporters got wilder.
Mas lalo silang nagbato ng mga tanong kaya naman bumilis ang lakad naming papasok ng hotel patungo sa function hall. Ang kamay ni Jace na nakahawak sa aking baiwang ay lumipat sa aking kamay at agad itong pinagsalikop.
"I'm sorry about that..." Jace apologized for the inconvenience.
I turned to look at him and shook my head before I smiled. "It's okay..." I told him.
He smiled back at me and pressed my hand before going inside the function hall filled with business men and women. All eyes were directed on us as soon as we arrived. Marami ang lumapit kay Jace upang batiin siya.
Jace humbly thanked them for congratulating him and attending the party. He didn't stop just thanking them, but he also introduced me as his fianceé.
Napakunot naman ang aking noo nang may maalala.
Did he even propose to me?
"Zarina!"
I was pulled away from Jace by Abrielle. I didn't even know that she was invited as well. She didn't tell me!
Kita kong nilingon ako ni Jace nang mawala ako sa kanyang tabi. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at tinuro si Abrielle na aking kasama kaya hinayaan niya na lang ako lalo na't mas lalong dumami ang nakipag-usap sa kanya.
"Your fiance's a superstar, huh?" mapanuyang tanong sa akin ni Abrielle at kunot noo ko siyang tiningnan. "It's all over social media, Zarina! Apparently, mabilis kumalat ang balita tungkol sa sinabi ni Jace kanina na fianceé ka niya. May video pa nga! Nasa labas pa ata kaya kayo nito ng hotel. Our batchmates are going crazy, Za!"
She even showed me her Twitter account where some of our familiar friends were tweeting about it. Nakita ko rin ang video na sinasabi ni Abrielle.
"You didn't even tell me that you're engaged already!" nagtatampo pa niyang sabi pagkatapos bawiin sa akin ang kanyang cellphone.
"Hindi ko rin alam, Elle!" I said, defensively. "Hindi naman siya nagpropose sa akin."
Pinaningkitan niya ako ng mata at saka humalukipkip. Nilabanan ko naman ang kanyang titig at humalukipkip din.
"By the way, why didn't you tell me that you're also invited?" I asked her.
"Well... Jace invited us but he told me not to tell you," she answered. "Your parents are already here! Nasa iisang table kami. Halika!"
Hindi pa ako nakakasagot ay agad na akong hinila ni Abrielle patungo sa kanilang table na malapit lang sa stage. Nakita ko si daddy na nakaupo roon kasama si Sandro at...
Akala ko'y namamalikmata lang ako pero nang makita ko si Dylan doon ay nanlaki ang aking mga mata. Why is he here?
"Tito, nandito na po si Zarina!" Abrielle announced.
Napalingon naman silang lahat sa akin maliban kay Sandro na kay Abrielle agad dumikit ang mga mata bago ako sinulyapan.
Lumapit ako kay daddy upang humalik sa kanyang pisngi nang mapuna kong wala si mommy.
"Where's mom, dad?" I curiously asked him.
"She's in the powder room," he answered.
I smiled at him before I turned to Dylan who was already looking at me. He smiled and scratched his nape like he was embarrassed.
"I'm sorry, Za..." he suddenly apologized. "I thought you're very much available that's why I wanted to court you. I didn't know that you have a relationship with Jace."
"Uh... Pasensya ka na rin kung hindi ko agad nasabi sa'yo..." paghingi ko rin ng paumanhin.
I knew it... It wouldn't be hard talking to Dylan if ever I proceeded with my plan. He's kind and understanding even though sometimes, he doesn't look like he is.
"It's okay," he said. "Your mom already told me about it, and Jace also personally came to my office in order to talk about you."
Bahagya akong nagulat sa nalaman ngunit agad din akong nakabawi.
Tumango-tango ako. "Pasensya na talaga, Dylan..." sabi ko. "Alam kong may pinaplano ang mga magulang natin para sa ating dalawa pero―"
I stopped talking when he suddenly laughed. Napatitig lang ako sa kanya hanggang sa magsalita siya.
"Well, I also thought that our parents were arranging our marriage but I was wrong when I confronted my mother," he told me that made me confuse. "Our mothers are very close with each other. Actually, kala rin ni mommy ay pu-pwede tayong dalawa pero inunahan na raw siya ng mommy mo na mayroon kang ibang gusto. Hindi ko pa alam ang tungkol dito nang ginusto kong mapalapit sa'yo. I'm really sorry..."
Pakiramdam ko'y umiikot ang aking isipan at hindi ko maintindihan ng mabuti ang kanyang sinasabi. Mom told me that she was already arranging my engagement with Dylan. She was also very vocal that she wanted me to break up with Jace and marry her bet.
Hinarap ko si daddy upang maghanap ng kasagutan para sa aking katanungan at hindi niya naman ako binigo.
"Your mom didn't want me to tell you..." Dad told me. "Kailan ko lang din nalaman ang plano niya."
"What plan, dad?" I probed.
"She just wanted to test Jace," Dad stated. "Kasama ako ng mommy mo nang kinausap siya ni Jace upang sabihin sa kanyang hahawakan niya ang kompanya nila para sa'yo. Your mom stopped Jace from doing that, but Jace remained firm with his decision even when your mother told him that she was just testing him and that he already passed the test."
Dad reached for my hand and smiled. Napatingin naman ako sa kanyang kamay na nakahawak sa akin.
"Za, your mom loves you so much..." he told me.
Binalikan ko ang mga masasakit na salitang sinabi ko kay mommy kagabi at maging ang mga iniisip ko patungkol sa kanya. I suddenly felt so guilty. I wanted to kneel in front of her to ask forgiveness because of what I've said and done.
"Your mother's back, Za..." I heard Abrielle said.
Napaangat naman ako ng tingin kay mommy na napatigil sa paglalakad nang makitang nandito na ako sa kanilang lamesa. I can see her hesitation but she still flashed a smile at me.
I bit my lower lip and didn't waste any time. Agad akong naglakad papalapit sa kanya sinalubong siya ng isang mahigpit na yakap.
"Mommy, I'm sorry..." I apologized while tears were already on the verge of my eyes.
Mom hugged me and tapped my back lightly.
"It's okay, anak..." marahan niyang sabi. "Ayos lang. Makita lang kitang masaya ay ayos na sa akin... Everything's worth it. I was able to see that the man you love is worthy of you. Panatag na ang loob ko."
I buried my face on my mom's shoulder when the hall suddenly became so quiet. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakitang madilim ang buong paligid. I pulled away from my mother's embrace to check what was happening when a spotlight flashed to spot on me.
Taylor Swift's Untouchable played from the speakers, and my heart began pounding along to the beat of the music. It was the song played when Jace and I danced during my debut.
Untouchable like a distant diamond sky...
I dumbfoundedly looked at my mom who was already crying while smiling at me. She held my hand and made me turn around to see Jace Lael Sy walking towards where I stood.
Just like my debut, he was holding a long-stemmed rose. He still looked like an LV or a Gucci model, probably ten times hotter and more handsome than he was before. And he wasn't wearing a stoic expression anymore! He was smiling at me this time.
"Jace..."
Mas lalo lang siyang ngumiti nang tuluyan nang makalapit sa akin. Bumaba ang aking tingin sa hawak niyang rosas at bahagyang napaawang ang aking bibig nang makita kong may nakasabit doon na singsing.
The ring has a very small rose design with a diamond on the center. It was actually the same with the rose necklace he gave me.
"I proudly told the whole country that you're already my fianceé, Za..." he started talking, but my eyes were still focused on the ring. "When I asked you if you want your name to be Zarina Cashe Rivadelo Sy and you agreed, I already considered you as my fianceé."
Napaangat na ako ng tingin sa kanya at nakita siyang seryoso na ngayon habang ako'y kinakausap. His attention was all on me.
"But mom scolded me, telling me that it wasn't enough. I need to propose to you properly, and I want to grab this chance..."
He slowly bended down one knee, while his eyes never lost contact with me.
"In front of your family and mine..." he trailed and started to detach the ring from the rose's stem. "I already decided the moment I feel that I love you... you're the one I'm gonna marry. It may not be soon since I know that we still both have things to settle individually, but I want to assure you and I also want an assurance as well that you'll be the bride I'm gonna wait for at the altar..."
I can't explain how I feel. I didn't know how to find the words that could describe it. Halu-halo ang emosyon na nararamdaman ko. Hindi ko alam kung gusto ko bang ngumiti o umiyak. Isama mo pa ang kaba na hindi nagpapakalma sa puso kong kanina pang napakabilis nang pagtibok.
"Baby, can you promise me forever?" he asked me, and everything about him was screaming sincerity.
Forever's not even long enough, Jace. I can go on even afterlife loving you.
I nodded and smiled at him. "Forever and always..."
His lips twitched to stop himself from smiling and held my hand so delicately. He slowly slid the ring on my finger while everyone around us cheered for our engagement.
He immediately pulled me for an embrace as soon as he got up from kneeling. I let my body rest against him and close my eyes feeling his warmth. His warmth that I never thought I would ever feel because of his arctic heart.
And then I realized... Jace isn't just my winter, but he can be any season.
Whenever he's being stoic and cold, he is my winter; whenever he's angry, he is my summer; whenever he smiles, he is my spring; and whenever he does something that makes me fall deeper, he is my fall.
I hugged my dream tighter and smiled, while my eyes remained closed.
I can finally say that I melted his arctic heart completely.