Sorry for the super late update for this one. I was at the hospital for one week. But I'm okay now!
Belated Happy Anniversary, Maxon and Ria! (They had their first anniversary last Sept. 4, 2018) hehehe
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Chapter 23
training
Growing up with parents in the field of business, I'm quite used to the social gatherings that happens every month. Papa started bringing me to those kind of events at the age of 13, and the last was when I was 17.
I can still remember it clearly. Family event iyon ng mga Limjuaco. It's weird though, I never saw Marco that time. 12 years old lang ata siya non kaya hindi ko siya nakilala. I'm guessing he's small and chubby at that age.
Marco's Ahia though, was surely a headturner that time. Ang mga babae sa event ay pinag-uusapan siya. He's one eligible bachelor, after all. Any girl would be lucky to have him. He doesn't look like the type to make you swoon, though. He looks dead serious.
Or maybe not. Hindi ko naman siya kilala noong mga panahon na iyon.
But I remember meeting Celeste & Maximus Limjuaco, Marco's grandparents. Kasama na rin doon si Suzanne at Maximo Limjuaco, his parents.
"President Limjuaco, this is my daughter, Denisse Zaubrielle Arcadia," Papa introduced me.
I forced a smile. The four of them looks so intimidating in a way that you'll freeze right in front of them. Their aura screams authority and power.
"Nice meeting you. You are very beautiful," Suzanne Limjuaco smiled.
Ngumiti ako at nagpa-salamat. She's very pretty as well. She's wearing a navy-blue gown that made her look even more sophisticated.
"Have you met my sons?" Chairman Limjuaco asked me.
He's the father of Maxon Limjuaco and I could totally see the resemblance. Kahit sa Angkong nila, kitang kita pa rin na magka-dugo sila. Sobrang tangkad nila, they towered over us already. Parang iisa lang ang hugis ng mga mata nila.
Umiling ako at ngumiti. "I haven't. But I saw Maxon Limjuaco already."
"Oh. What about Marco?" Suzanne Limjuaco asked.
Umiling lang ulit ako. The two couple looked at each other and smiled. Suzanne Limjuaco is tall, just like my Mom. Nakuha ko ang tangkad ni Mommy but hanggang shoulder lang nila ako, even though I'm already wearing my heels.
Parang model si Suzanne Limjuaco. She's petite, and even though may edad na siya, maganda pa rin ang kutis niya. Her eyes were hooded, making it look chinky. Matangos ang ilong niya at payat rin ang mukha niya. She looks so.. elegant.
Mom held my shoulder. "Maybe later she can introduce herself to Marco."
"Oh no rush! Mahaba pa naman ang event. Just let your daughter enjoy," Chairman Limjuaco said. "Panigurado naman na magkikita ang dalawa. It's a small world, after all."
Ama nodded. She smiled too, but even though she was smiling, she was still stern and scary.
"Is she your first-born?" Ama asked.
Sasagot na sana si Papa when his phone suddenly rang. He looked at us and excused himself, sinundan ko naman siya ng tingin at nakitang lumabas ito sa may veranda.
"Yes. D is the eldest. She has a younger sister named Dane.." Mom told them.
I excused myself to follow Papa. That time, alam ko na ang tungkol sakanila ni Tita Martha. Nakaramdam lang ako na kilala ko kung sino ang tumawag kaya naisipan kong sumunod.
And I was right. I saw Papa on the veranda of the hotel. Dahan-dahan akong lumapit para pakinggan kung sino ang kausap niya.
"When I get home, we'll talk about it Martha.." he said on the phone.
Bumigat ulit ang dibdib ko. He's hiding his relationship well from everyone but me. Alam ko ang lahat tungkol sakanilang dalawa, but I chose to keep quiet because I didn't want our family to fall apart.
I was about to leave and stop listening when he said something over the phone.
"I'll come home to you and Martina once this is all over," he said. "I will figure everything out. Just.. give me time."
Doon ko nalaman na may balak na pala siyang iwan kami. He just brought us to this event because we are the legal family. I was hurt that night, hindi kaagad ako bumalik sa loob pag-tapos marinig ang pag-uusap nila. I didn't know what to say once I'm in front of him and Mommy again. Ayokong magpanggap nanaman kaming masaya sa harapan ng iba.
The rest of the night was blurry already, but I remember meeting a tall kid who was younger than me. He was smoking cigarettes that time and I asked him for some but he declined. Hindi ko na naitanong ang pangalan niya, but I remember that I ranted to him about my current situation. I doubt that he understood everything that I said. Mukha kasi siyang full chinese at hindi nakaka-intindi ng Tagalog.
Pag-tapos nun ay hindi ko na maalala kung ano ang nangyari. I was supposed to meet Marco Limjuaco that night, but my parents suddenly fought about something. They never told me about it and the reason behind, so we just went home without finishing the event.
"D, breakfast.." Mom knocked on my door.
Hindi madali umiwas kay Mommy. She was out yesterday kaya hindi kami nag-kita but now that she's here, hindi ko alam kung pano ako aalis ng bahay. Hindi ako sumagot sa tawag niya at hindi na rin naman siya nangulit.
After taking a bath, agad akong nag-bihis para maka-alis na. Before lunch pa ang meeting namin ni Marco but I'm going to leave early and just wait for him dahil ayokong maiwan dito sa bahay. Dane's in school, and I don't want to talk to Mom now that everything's still messy. I feel guilty for not telling her about what happened.
"Where are you going?"
Napatigil ako sa pag-bukas ng pinto ng biglang mag-salita si Mommy sa likod ko. I actually thought she was busy in the kitchen, pero eto nahuli niya ako habang palabas.
"S-school po," nauutal kong sabi.
I was about to open the door ng bigla siyang mag-salita ulit. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin kaagad kaya siguro naka-halata siya.
"Hindi ka na mag-breakfast? I cooked you something," she told me.
I instantly felt guilty. Binitawan ko ang door knob at humarap sakanya. When our eyes met, agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin dahil hindi ko kinaya. Mabigat sa pakiramdam ang lahat. I know she's aware that I'm acting weird around her, but I could not explain everything to her right now.
"Is there something wrong, D?"
Umiling ako at ngumiti sa gawi niya, kahit na hindi ko siya matignan sa mata. "Wala, Mom. Nag-mamadali lang talaga ako."
Lumakad siya papunta sa coach at ako naman ay tumingin lang sa sahig. I know my actions were already obvious, but what can I do?
"Alright. Go home early okay?" She smiled.
I nodded and rushed to get out of the house. Masyadong mabigat sa dibdib makita siyang ngumiti sakin, knowing too well that we're both hiding secrets from each other.
I immediately called Marco to ask him where he was because I'm one hour early. Hindi ko naman siya mamadaliin pero wala pa akong mapupuntahan, kaya sabihin ko sakanya mag-aantay nalang ako sa school.
"Hello?" He said on the other line. Mukhang maingay ang background niya.
"San ka?"
"Football training," he said. "Why? I thought we'll meet at 10?"
Napapikit ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla ako nakaramdam ng hiya. I could tell him that we should meet right now but that's so... mean! He has other activities to attend to, and even though I could order him around, I think that's quite unfair.
"San training mo? Antay nalang kita matapos," I sighed. Wala naman akong ibang choice kundi antayin siya.
"Really?" His voice sounds amused. Half amused, half shocked.
I frowned, kahit na hindi naman niya nakikita iyon. There was something with his voice that I didn't like. Akala naman niya!
"Hindi kita papanuurin, wag kang feeler. Wala lang ako mapag-antayan. Tinatamad ako mag library," I said defensively.
Sana pala ay nanahimik nalang ako. Natutuwa nga pala siya lalo kapag pinapatulan ko ang mga pang-aasar niya. Narinig kong tumawa siya sa kabilang linya.
"We're here on the field. You can wait near the bench if you want. I can't leave early, coach is here.." he said.
"Sige," I said as I ended the call without saying goodbye. This guy is surely getting comfortable with me! Hindi ko alam kung kailan pa siya nag-simula mang asar nalang bigla bigla.
I thought about going to the council instead of waiting for him to finish his football traning but I realized mas maraming gagawin doon kung ganon.
In the end, I sighed as I slumped in to my seat. Hindi sinasadyang ang ganda ng position ko dahil kitang kita ko si Marco pati na rin ang mga teammates niya. Tatayo na sana ako para lumipat sa ibang upuan kung san hindi ko siya ganon makikita ng biglang mag-tama ang mga mata namin.
Siniko siya ng pinsan niyang si Yuri at napatingin ito sakin. Umirap lang ako sa gawi niya, but he smiled and waved at me. Nasa gitna siya ng field. He wiped off his lips with his shirt and it became redder than the usual. His cheeks were all flustered because of the heat. Pawis na siya pero hindi siya mukhang madungis.
Nag-iwas agad ako ng tingin. Why is he waving at me? Lahat tuloy napatingin! Hindi ko siya pinansin at binuksan nalang ang phone ko at hinanda ang mga kailangan kong gawin for the council.
After a few minutes, I couldn't focus. The committee that was assigned for the bands finally sent me the list of those who will perform. Si Martina, wala pang kahit isang output.
I'm professional regarding this matter. Pero dahil sa ginagawa niya, mukhang gusto niya ipahiya ko siya sa buong council. She was the one who volunteered for this pero wala siyang ginagawa kahit isa. I sighed in frustration. Sa susunod na meeting ay makakatikim talaga siya sakin.
I still can't remove my sweatshirt or hoodies even though it's hot because of her scratches on my arm. Hindi ko manlang siya nabawian.
"Marco, ball!" Rinig kong sigaw ng teammates ni Marco sa field.
By instinct, napatingin ako sa ginagawa nila. They were running on the field at magkalaban ang dalawang mag-pinsan. Marco was wearing a navy-blue soccer shirt with white stripes on the sleeves habang si Yuri naman ay naka-red.
Marco's teammate passed the ball to him. Agad naman niya itong nasalo. Binantayan kaagad siya ng pinsan niya. They were both tall kaya sila lang rin ang kaya mag-agawan. Sinipa ni Marco papalayo sakanya ang bola, causing Yuri to divert his attention.
In a second, nabalik kaagad kay Marco ang bola mula sa pinasahan niya. Now that he's free, he instantly kicked the ball straight to the goal. It was so fast that even Yuri Limjuaco was taken aback.
Lahat ay nag-sigawan sa goal ni Marco. The girls are squealing, tuwang tuwa sa panunuod. I rolled my eyes at them and at Marco, who was enjoying his victory.
"Lul gago!" Yuri said as he punched Marco on the shoulder. "Naka-chamba ka lang!"
Tumawa naman ito at biglang tumingin sakin. I was too startled, kaya hindi rin ako naka-iwas ng tingin. He smiled at me. Akala ko ay mag-iiwas na siya ng tingin, pero hindi! He was still looking at me, as if he wants me to be the first one to look away!
He wiggled his eyebrows at me as if saying he's so proud of his goal. Sarap sapakin!
"Luh? Pacool," I mouthed.
He winked and chuckled on my direction. Inirapan ko nalang siya ulit at binalik ang attention sa ginagawa ko. I can't believe I'm watching him play!
Hindi nag-tagal ay dinismiss na sila ng coach nila after that game. Marco said goodbye to his teammates at agad na nag-lakad papunta sakin. The people were staring, though. Kitang kita ko rin ang pag-laglag ng mga panga ng iba when he stopped in front of me.
"I'll just shower. Dito ka ba magaantay?" He asked.
Amoy na amoy pa rin ang pabango niya. His usual smell of mint and manly scent kahit na pawis siya. Hindi ko alam kung pano niya nagagawa yun. Hindi ko rin sigurado kung siya lang ba ang lalakeng hindi nangangamoy pawis.
"San ba locker room niyo?" I asked.
"Sa may building namin," he answered.
Tinignan ko siyang mabuti. Magulo ang buhok niya but it's neatly sweeped back. May towel na nakasabit sa left shoulder niya. His face is all red up close. Kinagat niya ang labi niya at namula rin ito. The veins on his arms are showing, maybe because he's tired from the training.
Kinuha ko ang mga gamit ko at tumayo. Now, I'm taller than him. "Edi dun nalang ako mag-antay."
He gave me another lop-sided smile. Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay. Kanina pa siya ngiti ng ngiti. He ran his fingers through his hair while he was smiling at me. Nanatili naman na nakataas ang kilay ko habang nakatingin sakanya.
"Really? You'll wait for me?" He was still smiling while he's playing with his bottom lip.
If he honestly thinks his charm would work on me, nagkakamali siya! I don't even find his actions cute, nowhere near appealing!
"Nag-bago na isip ko. Mag-aral ka nalang pala mag-isa mo," tinulak ko siya at saka nag-lakad papalayo sakanya.
He was laughing while he's calling out after me. Hindi ko siya pinansin kahit na nakasunod siya sa likod ko. Ugh! I hate his guts!
I waited for him for another 30 minutes. Nang makalabas siya, agad niya sinalampak ang gym bag niya sa tabi at umupo sa harapan ko. He's still patting his hair with his towel. Nakakapanibago pa rin makita siya ng wala na ang highlights sa buhok. Mas mukha siyang maayos tignan dahil sa pagiging black ng hair niya ngayon.
I quickly placed the worksheet I prepared for him on the table. He groaned. Tinignan ko naman siya ng masama.
"Agad agad? Ayaw mo kumain muna?" Tanong niya sakin.
I almost laughed at the way he complained but I stopped myself. Humalukipkip ako at nag-pigil ng ngiti. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Kanina pa ako nag-aantay. I don't have all the time in the world, Marco."
He sighed at tumango nalang. Wala rin naman siyang choice kundi sundin ako. We were both quiet as he answered his worksheet.
While he was busy answering, naalala kong 4 na meetings nalang ang meron kami. Next next week na ein ang advancement test niya. I also get paid everytime he gets a perfect score on his quizzes. Dapat sa mga natitirang meeting namin ay maturuan ko siya ng mabuti.
"Done," he said.
"Agad?!" Reklamo ko. Wala pang 5 minutes pero nasagutan na niya iyon lahat. I even gave him hard ones!
"Yeah. I wanna eat. Let's eat," he said. His voice sounds hungry and bored. Para siyang bata na hindi maka-focus sa tinuturo ng teacher.
"Fine," I said. "Lilipat lang tayo sa café but we're not yet done studying."
"Okay!" He nodded happily at saka tumayo agad. Nag-simula na kaming mag-lakad and I'm walking faster than him. He followed behind me.
I suddenly remembered what I wanted to ask him. Huminto ako at inantay siya. Tumingin siya sakin and now we're walking on the same phase. He looked so confused.
"Anong event yung kahapon? Sa family niyo?" I asked him out of nowhere. "I'm just curious. Para kasing parati kayong may family event."
"Angkong and Ama's arrival from China," he said. Nilipat niya ang gym bag niya sa kabilang kamay. "Yeah. My family is fond of organizing those kind of parties and social gatherings."
"Why was Martina there? Andon ba si Papa?" Tanong ko. Huli na ng maalala kong hindi niya pala kilala kung sino ang tinutukoy ko.
"Ay, hindi mo pala kilala—" babawiin ko na sana ang sinabi ko but he cut me off.
"Yes, Rommel Arcadia was there. He's your dad, right?"
Dahan dahan akong tumango. "How did you know?"
Malapit lang ang café kung nasan kami kanina kaya konti lang ang nilakad namin. We are finally outside of the place and I could already feel my stomach rumbling.
Napatingin ako kay Marco ulit. How does he know my Dad?
"He's a business partner of the family. I know all of our partners," he shrugged.
I just nodded after he explained. Hindi na rin ako nag-tanong pagtapos nun. It would get personal if I ask more questions kaya nanahimik nalang ako. Mukhang nakaramdam din naman siya kaya hindi na naduktungan pa ang pag-uusap namin tungkol doon.
Pumasok na kami sa loob ng café at umupo sa usual spot namin near the window. He ordered for the two of us and he insisted on paying. Since gipit rin naman ako, hinayaan ko na siyang mag-bayad para sakin.
I gave him another worksheet since he got a perfect score on the other one. Kahit na limang minuto lang niya sinagutan yung kanina, na perfect pa rin niya. I feel like I'm doing a good job in teaching him. Although minsan naiisip ko na magaling na talaga siya.
"We have 4 meetings left. Malapit na rin ang advancement test mo," I told him while he was busy answering. "Wala ka naba ibang itatanong sakin?"
He looked up from answering his paper at saglit na nag-isip. I was expecting a serious question from him, kaya naman nagulat ako ng bigla siyang nag-tanong.
"Can I still see you even if we're done with our study meetings?" He looked at me while asking. Inabot niya ang milkshake sa tabi niya at uminom.
Natigilan ako. Why does he still want to see me after all this? Wala naman ng rason para mag-kita pa kami. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata.
"For what? We're only meeting each other because of our current situation. I'm your tutor and you're my student," sagot ko sakanya. "Para san pa tayo magkikita kapag tapos na to?"
"Because I want to see you," he bluntly answered.
Halos mabilaukan ako sa iniinom kong milkshake. Natawa akong tumingin sakanya and I gave him a look.
"Are you flirting with me right now?"
He played with his pen. Hindi siya nag-iwas ng tingin, and he stared at me with the same intensity. It was too much for me, but I managed to raise an eyebrow at him.
"Why? Will it work on you this time?" He gave me his usual evil smirk.
"You wish!" Nag-iwas ako ng tingin pag-tapos niya sabihin iyon.
I really hate how he can get too straight-forward sometimes. Parang walang preno ang bibig at kung ano ano nalang ang lumalabas.
Nilabas ko ang worksheet na super advanced at kahit ako ay nahirapan at nilagay sa harapan niya yon. Bahala siya sagutan to, hindi ko talaga ituturo sakanya kung pano!
"Sagutan mo yan ng may magawa ka namang ayos sa buhay mo," I said, changing the topic.
Ngumiti lang siya at umiling. He turned his attention back to his worksheet at ako naman ay nag-iwas ng tingin. I really really hate this guy and his nerves. Hindi ko alam kung may pag-asa paba mag-iba ang tingin ko sakanya.