44
PRIS
After eating lunch, Dominique thanked Mrs. San Victores and Olivia for the delicious meal. Nag-apologize pa ito for not being able to stay longer because they had to be somewhere else Pris didn’t know about.
“I’ll drive,” Dominique said before Pris could get in her car. “Don’t worry. I can manage,” dugtong nito nang matigilan si Pris. Binigay nya ang susi ng kotse nya saka ito sumakay sa harap ng manibela.
Pris got on the passenger's seat still giving Dominique an astonished look. Hindi na kasi ulit nagdrive ang dalaga after the accident. Pinagmasdan ito ni Pris. Mukha naman itong relaxed.
Dominique smiled when she saw her staring. “This is not my first time driving since the accident. The first time was when you got sick and Vanessa called me for help. I had to get there immediately. Hindi ko na inistorbo ang driver. I felt brave because I have to get to you. And now that you are here with me, I’ll be okay. You’ve always been my strength, Pris. Kahit nung nasa Sagada ako.”
“Sagada?” Naguluhang tanong ni Pris.
Natawa si Dominique. “I know we haven’t met then. At wala ka rin sa Sagada nung nandun ako. But somehow, you ended up in my last memory. Before I fell asleep, the last thing I saw was your brown eyes. You gave me hope that everything will be alright.”
“R-Really?”
Dominique nodded and reached for her then kissed her lips. “When I woke up in the hospital and started to realize there’s something wrong, it was you who calmed me down. I think I fell in love with you again at first sight. I woke up seeing your gorgeous face and eyes.”
Medyo kinilig si Pris. “You find me gorgeous?”
“Because you really are.” Dominique was staring into her eyes intently. “I want you to be just mine.”
“I’m yours.” She assured her. “If you fell in love with me at first sight why did you push me away? Sana pala may physical intimacy na ako noon pa,” kunwari nagtampo nyang sabi.
“Syempre hindi pwedeng bumigay ako agad sayo. I had to make sure you’re not a pervert,” tumatawang sabi ni Dominique. “Halika na nga.”
“Saan ba tayo pupunta?”
“Tagaytay.”
Natigilan si Pris. “You’re one brave woman, Dominique. Hindi mo na pwedeng bawiin ang marriage proposal mo. Dahil akin ka na habam-buhay.”
Dominique laughed as she started driving. They reached Tagaytay after two hours. Pris looked at Dominique curiously when she turned to a familiar road that would lead them to the wood and glass house.
“You are about to meet the new owner,” Dominique said.
“What? Bakit nung ako ayaw nya? Kasasabi lang sakin ni Annabelle kagabi na hindi sya interesado,” medyo inis nyang sabi.
“Maybe the new owner thought you’re just a pervert and a fraud,” Dominique teased. “Nalaman nya sigurong gusto mo lang syang makilala dahil maganda sya.”
Lalong sumimangot si Pris. “Ang judgemental nya. I’m sure hindi sya ganun kaganda. Baka sya pa ang maakit sa kagandahan ko.” Tumawa lang si Dominique. “Hindi nya makukuha ang katawan ko kung hilingin nyang maging kapalit ng bahay.”
Iiling-iling lang ang natatawa pa ring si Dominique habang nagpa-park ng kotse sa driveway ng bahay. Pagbaba sa kotse, dire-diretsong pumasok ang dalawa sa loob. Hindi na pinansin ni Pris na may susi ng pinto si Dominique dahil inis pa din sya sa kung sinumang bagong may-ari ng bahay. “Ang arte. Makikipag-usap din naman pala,” she thought grumpily.
Napansin ni Pris na may bagong sleek black grand piano sa living room at may mga abstract paintings din na nakasabit na wala pa nung last time na pumunta sila dito. Naisip nyang mahilig din sa music and arts ang bagong may-ari.
Umupo muna si Pris sa mahabang sofa. “Nasaan sya?” Tanong nya.
Ipinatong ni Dominique ang beige Coach satchel bag nito sa mesa ng sofa set saka tumabi ito sa kanya. “Mamaya mo na sya hanapin. I want to snuggle.” Naglalambing nitong sabi.
Humiga silang magkayakap sa sofa. Nakatitig sa kanya si Dominique. May kiliting dumaloy sa katawan ni Pris when Dominique touched her cleft chin and traced it with her fingers. Napalunok sya nang marahan nitong kinagat ang cleft chin nya at saka nito pinasok ang kamay sa loob ng t-shirt nya sabay hinaplos ang pilat nya sa tiyan. Nag-init ang katawan nya. “Stop that, my love. Baka hindi ako makapagpigil.”
“I won’t stop you. You can do whatever you want,” Dominique whispered sexily and kissed her lips. “Make love to me. Right here, right now.” Dominique’s hand started touching her back up and down inside her shirt.
“B-Baka maabutan tayo ng may-ari,” Pris said but she could feel herself succumbing to temptation.
“She wouldn’t mind.” Playful smile was on Dominique’s lips. She temporarily left the sofa and undressed in front of Pris. Isa-isa nitong tinanggal ang mga suot nito until she’s totally naked. Dominique straddled Pris and kissed her.
“Damn, she’s hot,” Pris thought and responded to Dominique’s demanding kisses. She forgot about the house and its owner. She concentrated on the alluring beauty infront of her. They passionately made love on the sofa then went skinny dipping in the pool after.
Umahon sila nang lumubog ang araw at kasabay niyon ang lalong pagbaba ng temperatura. Naunang naligo si Dominique at nagpalit ng damit pambahay. Magpe-prepare daw ito ng dinner. Napangiti sya nang may nakahanda ng damit pambahay nya sa kama. Natuto na sa kanya si Dominique at ito na ang nagdala ng pamalit nya. She took the time taking a bath.
Sinundan nya ito sa kusina. “What are we having?” Tanong nya rito. “Tulungan na kita.”
“No need. Ako na ang bahala,” ngumiting sabi nito. “Why don’t you take a nap on the sofa. You look sleepy. I’ll wake you up when dinner’s ready.”
Hindi na tumutol pa si Pris dahil inaantok din talaga sya. Maaga kasi syang gumising para sa parade kanina. Nagpatugtog sya ng music sa cellphone at mabilis na nakatulog. Nagising sya nang maramdaman ang marahang halik ni Dominique sa mga labi nya.
“Dinner’s ready,” Dominique said. She’s smiling at her seductively. When Pris’ eyes came into focus, Dominique was lying beside her naked.
“Shit.” Pris was immediately turned on and kissed Dominique. “She’ll be the death of me,” she thought as Dominique’s body shuddered when she reached her climax.
They remained on the sofa snuggling until the heat died down. “I want you so much, Pris. And I love you too. Hindi ko kakayanin pag nawala ka sakin.”
“I love you. I’m gonna be your sex slave forever,” biro nya na ikinatawa nito.
Nagbihis sila saka nagtungo sa dining. Agad na natakam si Pris nang makita ang hinandang pagkain ni Dominique. Ceasar salad, spaghettini with shrimp and aligue sauce, and their favorite chicken wings fried to perfection. Her stomach immediately growled.
“Akala ko ba mami-meet natin yung judgemental na may-ari ngayon?” Napakunot ang noo ni Pris nang maalala ang dahilan nang pagpunta nila dito. Dinner na pero wala rin. Wala syang balak hintayin pa yun dahil nagugutom na talaga sya.
“Kanina pa sya nandito,” Dominique mysteriously said.
“Ha?” Naguluhan si Pris. Hinanap ng mga mata nya sa paligid at baka hindi lang nya napansin. Silang dalawa lamang ang naroon at ang katahimikan. Naramdaman din nya ang lamig na nanuot sa kanyang long sleeved sweater. Nanlaki ang mga mata nya nang may maisip. “Don’t tell me...” Dominique smiled encouragingly. “...she’s a ghost? Namatay ang bagong may-ari?”
“What?” Si Dominique naman ang naguluhan. “What are you talking about?”
“Sabi mo nandito na sya. Eh walang ibang tao dito kundi tayo lang. Wait, nakakakita ka ng multo?” Pris suddenly realized. Did her third eye opened because of the accident? She wondered.
“Pris, seriously?! Multo talaga ang naisip mo?” Dominique rolled her eyes. “Kung hindi lang talaga kita mahal kanina pa kita sinaktan.”
“What did I do? Sya naman itong magulong kausap,” sabi si Pris sa sarili habang binubuksan naman ni Dominique ang satchel bag na nakapatong sa upuang katabi nito. Inilabas nito mula roon ang isang malaking brown envelope.
“This is my surprise for you,” Dominique said. “It’s supposed to be my gift for our first year anniversary but we both know what happened kaya hindi ko naibigay sayo. I’ve known about this before I broke up with you. I didn’t know what to do with it so I kept it. Until I realized that even if I forgot about us, I still want you to have it in the end because I really love you. I want US to have it, for our future,” titig na titig sa mga mata nyang sabi ni Dominique.
Kinuha nya ang envelope at binuksan. Inilabas nya ang mga papeles sa loob at binasa ang mga iyon. Hindi makapaniwala si Pris sa nakitang Deed of Sale at Land title na nakapangalan sa kanya at kay Dominique.
“I still don’t remember but Annabelle told me about it when you took me to their restaurant. She offered it to me when she and Rica decided to sell the house because they knew I love it, so I bought it for us. I probably wanted us to have our own home. And I still want that. Naghahanap lang ako ng tamang pagkakataon para sabihin sayo,” pagtutuloy na sabi ni Dominique dahil speechless pa rin si Pris sa nalaman.
“So, you’re the beautiful and judgemental owner?” Pris said still in disbelief.
Dominique laughed. “Yes.”
Tumayo si Pris at masuyong hinalikan ang mga labi nito. Napakaswerte nya talaga sa babaing ito. Lahat ng sakit at paghihirap na naramdaman ay ininda nya dahil mahal nya ito. She’s glad she chose to hold on to her and not give up, because Dominique was worth the wait. “I love you, Dominique.”
“I love you too.”
Masaya nilang pinag-usapan kung anong maaari nilang ilagay na mga decorations. Dominique bought the grand piano for her. She wanted Pris to play music and sing for her whenever they’d be here. Bumili na rin ang dalaga ng mga damit nila para may magamit sila kapag bigla nilang maisip na pumunta rito. The house would be their weekend sanctuary. They could also have parties with their families and friends here. Pris could imagine them cooking barbeque and having fun at the pool. They also planned to convert one of the rooms to be Dominique’s studio so she could paint and they’d put lots of books in the mini library.
“Kelan mo sakin sasabihin ang tungkol sa investment nyo sa kumpanya?” Dominique asked while sitting on the long sofa beside Pris, who kept yawning but fighting the urge to sleep.
It was 7:30AM Monday morning and they were still in Tagaytay. Dominique called Betty she wasn’t coming to work. Tinamad kasing umuwi si Pris nang maaga kanina. Kinurot sya ni Dominique nang aminin nyang she wanted to stay and catch the live coverage of Miss Universe 2018. Mamaya na lang sila babalik ng Manila.
“You are not supposed to know about it,” Pris said. “Lalo na nung mga panahong iyon. Ayokong isipin mo na kaya ko ginawa yun ay para bilhin ang pagmamahal mo.”
“A certain someone named Daniel accidentally told me about it,” natatawang sabi ni Dominique pero sumeryoso din ito agad. “Thank you for being so selfless. I’m glad Daniel and my father told me about it. Kasi nung nalaman ko yun, naging malinaw ang lahat. Na ikaw ang para sakin. Dahil ang gusto ko sa magiging partner ko, ay nagkakaintindihan kami. I want me and my partner to be in sync. That we have the same visions and dreams.”
“Your happiness is my priority, my love,” seryosong sabi ni Pris at hinagkan ang mga labi nito. “Gagawin ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko para sayo.”
“You are not a drug lord, are you?” Dominique asked with mock seriousness.
“No. I’m more of an arm dealer. Bunganga pa lang ni Kristine, armalite na.”
“You’re mean!” Natatawang sabi ni Dominique.
“But what if I am?” Pris asked.
“We need to keep it a secret. You can’t go to prison. You won’t have physical intimacy in there,” Dominique answered and they both laughed.
Nagkatinginan sila nang may nagdoorbell. Tumayo si Dominique para pagbuksan kung sino ang dumating. Natawa na lang sila nang sunod-sunod na pumasok sina Daniel, Julia, Kristine at Jessica.
“Nag-start na ba?” Daniel excitedly sat himself on a sofa. His eyes were fixed on the TV. “What’s for breakfast?”
“Pupunta-punta kayo dito nang wala man lang dala?” Pandidilatan rito ni Pris. “What are you all doing here anyway?”
“We decided to be unproductive today,” Jessica said and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Umupo ito sa tabi nya. “Congratulations on your engagement. That’s a very nice ring by the way.”
“Thank you, Jess.”
“Are you sure you want to marry Pris?” Kristine asked Dominique, who nodded smiling. “Congratulations.” Nagyakap ang dalawa. Julia and Daniel congratulated them both.
Nagkasya muna silang lahat na kumain ng bread dahil nagstart na ang Miss Universe. Nakakatikim ng paminsan-minsang kurot si Pris sa tagiliran mula kay Dominique whenever she complimented how hot Catriona was.
Pris got amused when Dominique became Catriona’s fan. “Love, Catriona’s amazing! She’s beautiful and smart. If she didn’t win, that pageant is rigged,” Dominique said after Catriona gave her answer for the final question during Top 3.
“I agree,” Jessica said nodding.
Natatawa na lang si Pris sa mga ito. Mas kinakabahan ang mga ito kesa kay Catriona, na mukhang cool lang at nag-e-enjoy sa moment. Muntik nang mabasag ang eardrums ni Pris when everyone around her gave an ear splitting squeals when Catriona was crowned as Miss Universe 2018. Pris shook her head when everyone was teary-eyed including Dominique.
Olivia called her that Studio 11 Magazine would feature Catriona and she’d handle the photo shoot. She regretted telling her friends about it because they made her promised to introduce them to Catriona in person. She had to say yes because Dominique threatened to take back the marriage proposal if she didn’t.
Everyone complained about being famished. They had an early lunch at Annabelle and Rica’s restaurant. They celebrated Catriona Gray’s victory on taking back the crown.
“Here.” Nakangiting inilagay ni Dominique ang nabalatan ng mga prawns sa plato ni Pris.
“Thanks, Love,” Pris said.
Pinagmasdan nya ang kasintahan habang tinatanggal nito ang shell ng isang malaking prawn para sa kanya. Hindi sya makapaniwalang unti-unti ng nagkakatotoo ang noo’y puro pangarap at panaginip lang.