If I can't find the cure
I'll fix you with my love
And if you say you're okay
I'm gonna heal you anyway
●●●
"I didn't expect that you would come with me without hesitation, Robyne."
Robyne's father, Arthur, commented as both of them were sitting together inside the car. It was already night at papunta na ngayon silang dalawa sa hotel kung saan gaganapin ang isang political party. Both of them were wearing their formal attires. Her father was also the who fetched her at her condo unit.
Robyne just smiled. Honestly, she was excited for that night. Madalas sa tuwing umaattend siya ng mga political parties kasama ang Daddy niya ay lagi siyang nabobored at mas gustong umuwi na lang.
But that night was different. She never felt as excited as before.
Of course.
Because her professor is going to be her date that night.
Ilang minuto naman ay dumating na sila sa hotel. She got out from the car first and Arthur Gonzaga followed. Mas lalo namang napangiti si Robyne nang natatanaw niya ngayon sa entrance ng hotel ang isang pamilyar na lalake. He was wearing a formal black tuxedo while also smiling at her direction.
She ran towards him as she immediately intertwined her arm with his. Medyo nagulat pa ito sa ginawa niya but he smiled again eventually.
"Hi, good evening." She greeted while holding his arm. Andres Emilio, still smiling, looked at her like she was the only person during that night.
"Good evening, Robyne."
She giggled as she looked back at her father who also now looking at them, puzzled.
"Mauna na kami, Dad," Her attention went back to Lio, "Let's go."
Pumasok na silang dalawa sa hotel at dumirecho na sa function room. Every guest invited in the said party was looking at them. Robyne noticed that most of the people inside were politicians or famous figures who are also involved in politics.
"Where's your grandfather?" She asked as she scanned the surroundings. She was still holding Lio's arm.
"He's going to be late. Pinauna niya lang ako." Lio answered as an unfamiliar lady suddenly approached them.
"Good evening, future congressman." The lady said, smiling at Lio. Napahawak naman ng mahigpit si Robyne sa braso nito habang tinaasan ng kilay ang babae. The woman who was in her late 20's was obviously trying to flirt with her professor.
"Uhm," Lio scratched his nose awkwardly, "Good evening, Ms. Santos."
Oh now, she remembered. Leah Santos is the daughter of their governor, Prudencio Santos. Kung tama ang pagkaalala niya, naging sponsor din ang Dad niya sa mga ito.
"Did you come alone?" Leah asked, oblivious that she was with him. Nakaramdam tuloy siya ng pagkaasar dito. Hindi ba nito nakikita na nakahawak siya sa braso ng professor niya?
"He's not," Robyne was the one who answered her instead, "I'm his date." She smiled at her like she won a victory. Napansin naman niya ang pagkunot ng noo nito.
"Ms. Santos, this is Robyne Mercier, my date." Lio then introduced her. The woman couldn't still believe what was happening.
"I-I didn't expect you would be bringing someone as a date, Lio."
Bago pa man magsalita ang professor niya, inunahan ito kaagad ni Robyne, "Someone as beautiful as me?" She replied confidently, trying to tease the woman as well. Mukha naman itong naasar sa sinabi niya.
"R-Robyne," Lio called her name to stop her and it even sounded awkward, "Have a good evening, Ms. Santos." He rather added as two of them left the woman, dumbfounded.
"I don't like her," She commented, "She's obviously flirting with you."
Her professor sighed, "But what you did wasn't necessary."
Napatigil naman si Robyne sa mga yapak niya dahil sa sinabi nito. She crossed her arms while looking at him in disbelief, "So it was fine for you..."
Nasa harapan na sila ng elevator nang bigla bumukas ang pinto nito.
Pumasok naman kaagad silang dalawa sa elevator. They were alone as Lio immediately pushed the rooftop button.
"No." He answered.
"Then what? She even pretended I wasn't there with you - and she really needs to know that I'm more beautiful so she'll know her boundaries. Mas maganda naman talaga ako sa kanya."
"You are."
Robyne felt silent at what he just said.
"Tu es belle." He repeated, telling her she's beautiful in French - while giving her an intense stare.
"Uhm..." Why does she suddenly feel so awkward? She could even feel her cheeks were turning red during that time.
Emilio and her damned words.
For a few minutes, they were both just staring at each other, almost hearing their heart beating together. It was when the elevator suddenly opened again that made them stop. They finally have arrived at the hotel's rooftop.
"Let's sneak out?" Andres Emilio then said and Robyne couldn't help but to smile as she shook her head. She wasn't expecting her professor has his own kind of perks.
"Okay." She replied and held hands as they went out from the lift. As expected, the view of the city lights is spectacular.
Napahinto naman siya ulit nang mapansin niya ang isang picnic blanket na nakalapag sa sahig at isang gitara - the guitar which Lio uses during his gig at the club.
"Why is there a guitar?" She asked confusingly. She didn't know Lio would be a lil bit extra with their sneaking out thing.
"I can't sing at the club during this hour so we'll sing here." He answered as he sat first on the blanket. He then tapped on his side, gesturing her to also sit beside him.
Robyne sat beside him. Kinuha naman kaagad ni Lio ang gitara niya. Then he started to strum his guitar. He was strumming the song 'You're beautiful' by James Blunt. She then got mesmerized by looking at him when he started to sing - closing his eyes while feeling every moment they had during that time.
My life is brilliant
My love is pure
I saw an angel
Of that I'm sure
She smiled at me on the subway
She was with another man
But I won't lose no sleep on that
'Cause I've got a plan
Lio opened his eyes and stared at her, strumming his guitar while singing.
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
I saw your face in a crowded place
And I don't know what to do
'Cause I'll never be with you
Robyne smiled. She couldn't help but to smile while Lio keep repeating those words. But it was a sad smile.
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
I saw your face in a crowded place
And I don't know what to do
'Cause I'll never be with you
You're beautiful
You're beautiful
You're beautiful, it's true
There must be an angel
With a smile on her face
When she thought up that
I should be with you
But it's time to face the truth
I will never be with you
After few seconds, he finally finished the song. Robyne, still smiling, then looked at their front. A cold wind then blows, some strands of her hair flying away from her face. It was a cold night. But nice.
"Am I really beautiful?" She asked while hugging her knees, "Sometimes I wonder if people really appreciate me or not..."
"You are beautiful, Aubrey Robyne." He replied. Napalingon naman si Robyne dito at napansing seryosong nakatingin lang ito sa kanya. She just noticed now that he was wearing his glasses.
She giggled, "Really? Am I still beautiful when you know I have sex with a lot of guys. I party and drink alcohol, I have a lot of vices... even having some sex scandals especially that scandal which I gave my older professor a blow job?"
"Hindi ka ba nahihiya na makita ka ng iba na kasama ako?" She added, teasing. Nobody even wants to become friends with her because of her reputation. Malandi nga kasi siya. A whore. A slut. She even got used to it now.
Bigla naman itong huminga ng malalim.
"Their opinions don't matter to me, Robyne," Her professor answered, "I don't give a damn about them."
"I'm not perfect."
"I'm not either," He replied, "I'm an awkward guy. I hate crowds that's why every time I sing, I don't put my glasses on - 'cause I don't want to see people. Before I go to my lectures, nagprapractice ako ng at least 2 hours the night before because I don't want to get embarrassed in front of my class. I have fear of needles that's why I never undergo lasik surgery for my eyes 'cause it uses needles. I never had a girlfriend because I'm shy. I'm a virgin. I always wanted to be a scientist not a politician nor a lawyer."
Hindi naman inexpect ni Robyne ang sinabi nito. Then she stifled a light laugh and smiled. It was like her professor shared his darkest and deepest secrets with her.
"Now that you know those stuff about me, does it matter, Robyne?" He asked her, now staring at her. Sometimes, she really wonders how his shy and too serious professor mellowed down with her.
Noon, palagi itong naiinis sa kanya dahil sa pagiging makulit niya. She was persisting in bullshitting him especially when she learned he was doing some gigs at the club.
"Beauty is on what's inside, Ms. Mercier. You don't give a damn about what they say because you know yourself that it's not true."
Bigla naman silang natahimik na dalawa matapos ang sinabi ng lalake. But for sure, Robyne felt giddy with his words. It was like she was in high school all over again.
Lio's phone suddenly rang. He immediately shoved his hand into his pocket and got his phone out. It was his grandfather, Samuel Ignacio the third, who was calling him.
"He's probably looking for me now." He mumbled and sighed.
"Do you really want to continue running for this election?" She asked him out of blue. Lio shook his head and gave her a tight smile.
"Do I have a choice?"
"You do. Now, do you still want to run at this hour?"
He shook his head again.
Robyne smiled again and immediately grabbed his phone from him. Ito mismo ang sumagot sa tawag ng lolo nito.
"Lio, where are you--"
Robyne didn't let the old man finish and interrupted, "Hi! Good evening! This is Robyne Mercier, the daughter of Arthur Gonzaga. I'm your grandson's date for tonight."
"W-What--"
"Andres Emilio never really wanted to become a congressman. Since he was a kid, he dreamed to be a scientist. But because he doesn't want you to get disappointed, mas pinili niyang maging lawyer instead. Mr. Rivera, your grandson is really a brilliant man but how can he be happy if he wouldn't be passionate enough with his work today? He sacrificed his passion for you because he wants you to be happy and because he respects you. But now... can he finally be happy for himself by choosing his passion this time? I hope you'll have time and the heart to think about this, Sir. But I know you will 'cause you're a good man just like Lio."
"Thank you." She finally ended the call and gave the phone back to Lio. Mukha naman itong hindi makapaniwala sa ginawa niya.
"Now you don't have to attend this kind of political parties because you won't be running in the election anymore." She jokingly said. Hindi talaga niya alam kung anong magiging reaksyon ng Lolo nito sa sinabi niya but she hopes it would turn out well.
Lio then gave her a warm smile, "You don't really fail to amuse me, Ms. Mercier."
She giggled, "Because you're interested in me as you said, Sir." She playfully winked.
"I like you, Ms. Mercier."
Napatigil naman si Robyne. She looked at him, confusingly. But to be honest, her heart suddenly stopped beating.
Napansin naman niya ang paglapit ng mukha nito sa kanya. Napalunok naman siya.
"A-Are you trying to kiss me?"
"Are you going to stop me?" He said instead as his face was already inches away from her.
She smiled and shook her head. Seconds later, their lips met. It was a slow kiss. Then they parted ways after a minute, their faces still near to each other.
"I like you, Robyne." Lio repeated while looking at her eyes. Robyne just grinned and kissed him again, holding onto each other tightly. She didn't expect that her professor's lips would taste good that it made her think about the heavens.
Now, she's switching her type from bad boys to good boys.
Thanks to Lio.
●●●
I will try my best to finish GBAB before 2019. Maybe not more than 20 chapters lang ito so we're near to the end.
Comment!