"You hear them? What can you say?"
Kumurap-kurap ako. Inosente siyang tinanong, "Why, Shawn? Nag-proposed ka na ba?" He isn't serious, right? This is not my expectation. I've watched many emotional proposals and I wanted it even if simple. Can't he do it for me? Does he even think about it?
Nilingon ko ang kanyang magulang. "I mean, I'm still young and... I still want to explore the world so." Tumawa ako kahit walang nakakatawa pero agad ding tumigil sa pagkapahiya. "Excuse me."
Tumayo ako at dumiretso sa aking kuwarto. Pagkasara ng pinto ay sinapo ko ang aking dibdib. Ang bilis ng pintig ng puso ko. Lumapit ako sa kama at sumampa roon. I didn't turn him down, it is just that. Damn it! Who am I fooling? I am expecting more than that. Frustrated, I shook my head, covered my face, and stayed like that until the door open.
Iniluwa noon ang kunot noong si Shawn. He squatted in front of me. "Are you, okay?" Worried is etched on his face.
"I'm sorry. It's not what you think, Shawn. Nagulat lang ako at... at... mahal kita. Alam mo 'yan, pero gusto ko munang i-enjoy ang bagong relasyon natin."
"Hush. I know. Don't pressure yourself. Sorry din." Tumayo siya at tumabi upang mayakap niya ako.
Humilig ako sa kanyang dibdib at kumalma. Iniisip ang pakiramdam kapag nag-asawa na. Would it means I cannot go mingle with my cousin? No more shopping? What 'bout my favorite designer? I like watching there Fashion Week and buy their best beautiful creation and wore it to party or occasion of our family. Will marriage make my whole world completely change?
Until-unti akong humiwalay upang maharap siya.
He is serious.
"Kapag nag-propose ka, sure namang yes ang sagot ko. Pero, Shawn... hihigpitan mo ba ako sa mga gusto ko? Like shopping? Spa? Joining my cousin's party?" Napatakip ako ng bibig. "Oh my gosh! I haven't learned cooking. Shawn, give me a year to learn. I swear, I will study hard for our future."
Shawn barked a laugh.
Kunot noo ko siyang pinanood. Anong nakakatawa?
Sapo ang tiyan. Sinisikap na pigilan ang tawa. Pinahid ang gilid ng mata. He is happy. That's the emotion I can read on his face. He looked me straight in the eye, put his both hand on my shoulder. "I worked hard to provide your needs. Cooking, hmm... I can do that for us, in time surely you'll be going to learn that. I will teach you, baby."
His lips claimed mine and I give in. Always giving in with his slight attack. No resistance. A complete submissive. Napahiga ako at umibabaw siya. Pinapatakan ng halik ang aking labi.
"Next time, don't scare me like that." He gave me a quick kiss. "About your hobbies, I won't hold any against to that. As long as you are happy, I won't say no."
His hands caressed my stomach. It felt good that I slightly closed my eyes.
"Are you going to sleep here or you're going with me?"
I bit my lower lip. "I'm going with you."
A naughty smirk drew on her lips.
I think I made a bad decision. But then I stopped him from pulling me. "I bought something for your parents. Did Mommy gave it with them?"
"Paakyat ako... parang?"
He helped to get up and tidy me. But it's not easy, his touch was there again. I don't know if he is doing it in purpose but freaking the hell out me, it's working as if my system would boil each time he touched me. Shawn is a curse on my skin.
Pagbaba namin ay naabutan nalang namin ang mag-asawa na seryosong nag-scan sa tablet. Jyra glanced our way. "Umalis na sila."
"I think this place is perfect," Malik said. He showed the screen with my cousin. She smiled lovingly with full devotion.
I suddenly reflected myself with her. Would I be nice too? Wait, how to be nice? Am I nice?
Shawn squeezed my hands. When I looked at him, I saw him watching me. "Let's go?"
Tumango ako, saglit na nagpaalam sa mag-asawa.
Sa sasakyan ay hindi binibitawan ni Shawn ang aking kamay. His hand is very big, that my long and petite hands and fingers looked tiny for it.
"Can I come to your work tomorrow, Shawn?"
"Why do you like going there?" he asked playfully.
"I wanted to know more about you. Your life. Hobby. Everything."
He smiled at that. But for me, there is something weird on it again, something like a devilish plan. Anyway, whatever it is. I like it, though. That night we sleep peacefully and wake up early. I told him that I will cook for us but he said he will teach me. We made scrambled egg, fried hotdog, and beacon. He said we'll start on the easy dishes. He taught me some tricks to avoid it get burn.
Nagpresinta akong maghuhugas para makaligo na siya. At nang dumiretso na ako sa bathroom ng masters bedroom. Doon daw siya sa guest room maliligo. Noong una gusto pa niyang sabay kami, pero mahuhuli lang siya sa trabaho kapag pumayag ako. Alam ko naman kung saan iyon patungo.
We brought my clothes and mixed it in his walk-in closet. I picked my formal outfit as he reminded me that we will be going to the office.
"Not this one. It's showing your skin." Siya ang pumili ng medyo conservative.
Nagbihis na ko. Paglabas ko'y naabutan ko siya na seryoso sa pagbutones ng kanyang inner. Mula sa salamin ay tinitigan niya ako. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit seryoso pa rin? Siya naman ang pumili ng suot ko.
"Don't you have any decent clothes?"
"All my clothes are decent, Shawn."
Tuluyan niya akong hinarap. Ang mata ay tumutusok sa aking cleavage. Huminga siya nang malalim at hindi na nagsalita pa. Para hindi siya magalit, naglagay ako ng accessory at pinatungan ng boyfriend coat.
Pagbaba namin sa parking ay nagulat ako ng patunugin niya ang pulang Porsche Cayman. He had other car aside from Dodge Challenger?
I cleared my throat when he opened the door for me. I slid in and watched his quick movement. This part of him is new to me. Buti nalang ay sumama ako. Sa biyahe ay sinawa ko ang aking sarili sa ibat-ibang establisyimento. Hindi ko alam ang daang tinatahak namin. Did he take the shortcut?
"We had a board meeting. Iiwan kita saglit sa office ko," aniya.
I nodded and stayed silent too. On the parking and riding the elevator, we are still silent. It made me nervous because he is not talking me. But then I remember that anyone, especially the people in high position are tight lip when they were in their office. Is he the same?
Wiggling my butt to feel his hand that was resting in the small at my back, it was there since on the parking. And when we get out of the elevator it crept up on my waist, pulling me slowly closer with him.
Ibat-ibang empleyado ang bumati sa amin. Mapababae o lalaki, iyon nga lang ramdam ko ang paglagkit ng titig ng lalaki sa akin. At kung nakakapatay lang ang titig ay patay na ako kanina pa dahil sa mga kababaihan.
"Good morning, Sir, Shawn," a petite woman with her fake curled hair greeted him.
Shawn politely respond.
Then the woman proceeded, "They are already inside, Sir. Shall I bring you a coffee or tea?"
My mood is pleasant when I entered here, but this woman is getting on my nerve. Hindi ba niya ako nakikita? Naliliitan ba siya sa akin? Take note, ang patay ng kulay ng suot niya. She is young I bet twenty six but her outfit made her thirty.
Huminto ako sa paglalakad dahil huminto rin si Shawn. Instead of answering the woman's inquiry he gently squeezed my hand. "I'll be quick, you can stay in my office. Iris will lead you the way."
I was about to nod but he pulled me and kissed my lips. He then faced the woman and patted her shoulder. "Ikaw ng bahala sa fiancée ko, Iris. She likes lemonade. Just give me a bottle of water. Thank you."
Pagkaalis ni Shawn ay alanganing ngumiti sa akin si Iris.
"This way, Miss... Uh!"
"Duchess Serene Agonzillio," sabi ko.
Bumilog ang mata niya. "Miss Agonzillio? Anak po kayo ni Sir. Agonzillio?"
Patamad akong tumango.
Her mood became hype and weary. Pinagbuksan pa ako ng pinto sa office ni Shawn at pinaupo sa couch. "Aside from Lemonade, anything, Ma'am?"
Wow! She addressed me something high now. "I don't think you had lemonade here. Tea is enough."
She became cheerful when she nodded and left me.
Nangingiti akong tumayo at sinuri ang buong opisina ni Shawn. It was a little small from mine. Just like his living room, the interior here is sleek and minimalist. Perfect for my impression with him. I let my finger trace the edge of his table. Huminto ako sa swivel chair at tinitigan ang larawan sa picture frame.
It's my picture taken in Mr. McCloy's Fashion Week. How did he have that?
Naupo ako sa couch upang tingnan ang text message.
Unknown number: Your life will be expired after seven days.
"Some random retarded got my number," I murmured as I deleted the message. I got annoyed when it send a follow-up message.
Unknown number: I'm going to kill you.
Is this real? Kinabahan ako bigla. Binura ko ang message at naalalang hindi pa kami nagpapalit ng cell phone ni Shawn.
"Good morning, Ma'am. Here's your tea," Iris came with a very wonderful mood.
"Thank you, Iris." I grabbed the mug and waited for her to get out.
When she's gone. I stared on the mug and analyzed who could be the messenger? Is this person referring to me or Shawn? Nervous, I started checking out the inbox. As I expected, there were many random numbers. And most of them are woman. Nakilala ko ang ilan gaya nila Fred at Collin, pero mas maraming number lang at walang reply ni Shawn. Huminto ako sa message ni Bridgette. Ang huling mensahe niya ay noong buwan ng hunyo. Nasa Australia na ako noon!
Bridgette: Thanks for the company, Shawn. I just hope you can visit every day.
Walang reply doon si Shawn kaya nag-scroll up ako. Sa timbre ng mensahe ng psychotic na babae na 'to. Parang may pinagsamahan talaga sila ni Shawn. Huminto ako sa message niya na may reply si Shawn. Two and half years ago pa ito.
Bridgette: I'm with Vika. Would you like to come over here?
Shawn: Really? What's with you guys?
Bridgette: Fun. Tara. Narito si Malik.
Shawn: Send me the location.
Vika is my cousin. I know the whole story. Frank spilled the beans, though his point of view only. And we didn't know who that woman who claimed Vika is and why Jyra let go her alter ego. Dad prohibited us to ask. My cousins respected that too.
Reviewing back the news about Vika, I saw her many times with Malik. Does that woman really in a relationship with my cousin's husband? Then, why would Bridgette use Malik and Vika to invite Shawn over there?
I returned on the list of messages and stopped when I saw the name, Winona. Is this coincident or different person? Curiosity led me to open the exchange conversation. Its two years ago, at si Shawn pa ang naunang nag-message.
Shawn: Pasensiya na sa gulo. Walang mayroon sa amin ni Bridgette. Ikaw ang gusto ko.
Shawn: Can we talk? At least answer my call. Please?
Years and a half he texted again but this time I got weird feelings.
Shawn: Jyra, anong wrong number? May problema ba? Nasaan ka?
Shawn: I know that we had several arguments but as a friend. Tell me if there is a problem?
Shawn: I was told that you visit the Candella Main Office?
Sa gulat ko ng bumukas ang pinto ay napatayo ako.
Shawn loosened his bow-tie and unbutton the first three of the button of his inner shirt. Lumapit siya sa akin at humalik sa aking pisngi. "Got bored?"
Tumango ako nang may mapagtanto. "Your all-time crush is my cousin?"
Nabitin ang pagsimsim niya sa tsaa na binigay sa akin.
"Don't worry. I just got bored and intrigued on your inbox. No hard feelings at all. I just found it cute because you once fell in love with my cousin." I shouldn't talk about this instead of the weird message, but I don't know what I wanted to prove for this.
Ibinaba niya ang mug sa mesa upang mahila niya ako paupo sa couch. Tinitigan niya ako ng maigi. Ang kamay niya ay nasa tuhod ko. Ang isa naman ay nasa backrest ng upuan.
"Listen, everything on the past is already buried miles-miles away below the ground. All I want and love is you, Serene."
"I'm telling the truth. No hard feelings for this, because I believe you. I love you too, Shawn." That relieved me then, but what about the death threat? Should I take it seriously? What if it is just a prank? Or his stalker?
He nodded and told me his plans for today 'til the fourth day. And all of those days, he will bring me with him. Mas pabor sa akin iyon, bukod sa alam kong safe siya ay mas matagal ko siyang makakasama. Except on the fifth and sixth days because that's the preparation and wedding day of my cousin.
I mentally noted everything that I noticed with Shawn. When he is at work, he took everything seriously. Far from the goofy and naughty of him — he is a boss. The head of his department, though his major boss was Malik. But I wondered why everyone called him the engineer, except, with Iris his secretary.
"I just graduated last year for my Civil Engineering course," he explained.
Wow! I can't believe that he simultaneously embrace the work and schooling.
By five in the afternoon after his work, we decided to visit the Owl City the Bay. This is the place where he saved me.
"Dito ako palagi tumatambay."
"Why?"
"Tahimik," simpleng sagot niya.
Tinanaw ko ang kahabaan ng dalampasigan. Talagang inadya ng maykapal na malapit sa bench kung saan siya nakaupo natapat kung saan gusto kong magpakamatay.
Naniniwala ako sa destiny noon, pero ng dahil sa ginawa sa akin ni Drew. Nasira ang paniniwala ko roon. Pero kung babalikan ang mga nangyari at natutunan ko sa aking karanasan, si Destiny pa rin pala ang may plano ng lahat.
Gaya ng mga prisensa sa mga kuwento. May nakalaan sa kanilang tamang prinsipe. Hindi nga lang lahat napupunta sa magandang paraan, mayroon dumadaan sa mabigat at mahirap na paraan.
"God abides that you will like this spot for you to meet me."
Nangiti ako ng tumama sa aking paa ang alon. Ang lamig noon. I am enjoying it until Shawn lifted me like a newlywed. My hands automatically curled around his nape. His pitch-black expressive eyes bore into me.
"I only asked for a loving and kind lady, but he gave me more than what I ask. God gave me you," he rasped.
Mariin ko siyang tinitigan. He had gone through a lot of pain. He worked so hard for him to achieve what he has now. He is selfless. He saved anyone without waiting for a payment. He is such a sweet person. A loving friend and a son. A loving boyfriend.
It's time for me to return his enormous love. I will protect you, Shawn.