Drown
"What do you mean?"
"I never have a relationship with Gwyne, Zaccary. Kung nakita mo man kaming masaya noon sa club, it was probably because of the alcohol and my friends funny joke. I remembered she was touchy that's why I keep pushing her away. Not all you see in media is real, Zaccary. The reason why I don't have one." he lean his forehead in mine ngunit lumayo ako.
"Then how can you explain her friends reactions when they saw your picture? At bakit kayo magkasama sa isang jewelry store? You probably bought her a ring!"
He chuckle softly while claiming his territorry. I push him but he captured my hand and kiss it softly I almost melt.
The cold wind blow and it brush his hair forward. Damn. He looks manlier and sexier in my eyes now that his stares are getting more serious and dark.
Uminit ang pisngi ko at nakalimutan panandalian ang sakit at galit na nararamdaman para sa kanya. How could you be easily awed, Zaccary? Damn you!
"Whatever you heard about us, that's not true. She's just initiating that there's us. And I didn't give her a ring or flowers. You know how thirsty of attention that girl is." he said firmly.
"Hmp!"
He groaned again as he pull me back. Hindi na ata siya napapagod sa kakahila sa'kin papunta sa kanya. I wanted distance because he's giving me heart attack! His damn handsome face, his rhum and minty smell, his reddish lips and his bold sexy stares making me feel burning alive from the heat.
"I didn't go to the jewelry store with her. She probably stalk me that's why she found me. But I went there alone to buy a ring but for you. I was supposed to propose to you after I get back home." he said that made me drop my jaw.
"Suppose to what?"
Tumango siya, may multo ng ngiti sa kanyang labi ngayon. "Since Dad did everything to block me from coming home, I earn my little allowance to buy you that. I wanted to propose to you to let you know that you are my priority. I was afraid you will have a wrong idea about me not not giving you right communication even if I told you that I'll always compromise."
"But Bridgette clearly narrate to me how happy you were when you two went out from the store. Baka talaga para 'yon sa kanya!" giit ko.
"I wasn't happy. I was just being nice. And I went home after going from the store. That was our last encounter because I avoided her since then. But she never stop annoying me when I give her a clear signal that she won't have a chance with me because I only want you. She even tried to get my family's approval of her but my grandma doesn't like her that much. Grandma told me she still likes it if you were the one who helps her with her flower and vases than her kahit lagi kang nakakabasag."
Namilog ang mga mata ko sa huling sinabi niya. I remembered that! Iyon pa minsang mamahalin at antique ang nadidisgrasya ko!
He sheepishly grin at me. Ngumuso lang ako at inosenteng napakurap-kurap. "But... but... it was rumored that you are in a relationship. I heard your Mom said na napapalapit na si Gwyne sa inyo. Everyone knew that you two are a thing. Even her friend commented that she's always not in her condo every night."
He sigh and lazily roll his eyes. Kinunot ko ang noo ko at matalim siyang tiningnan. Nag aantay ng sagot at kompirmasyon sa katotohanan.
"Kahit kailan, hindi ko binigyan ng pansin at oras ang babaeng 'yon okay? O kahit na ang ibang babae. I told you it's always you." he said angrily.
"Eh saan siya tuwing gabi? Bakit wala siya sa condo niya?" hindi parin ako kontento sa mga sagot niya. I want more until I'm satisfied with his answers!
His serious face becomes darker and gloomier. Napalunok ako. I feel like he's haunting me and I have no room to hide.
"I don't know what she's up to her life. If you just clearly read my messages and answered my phone calls, you would have known what I am doing while I'm in Manila. But you close your door to me. And I was fool for not noticing that you were slipping away while I was hoping you would understand my busy schedule. Kasalanan ko rin kasi hindi ko sinabi ang mga problema ko. If I have told you, you might at least understand a little. I'm sorry, Zaccary..." he pleaded.
It was a long serious night. Namugto ang mga mata ko sa pag-iyak. My body feel so drained after hearing all the truth from him.
Tumihaya ako sa kama. Kahit anong pilit kong tulog ay hindi maalis sa isip ko ang mga sinabi niya. All along, I thought he abandoned me. I thought he didn't love me enough. I thought he was unfaithful to me. Iyon pala, kasalanan ko ang lahat. I let jealousy ate me. I didn't understand him better. I was foolish for my rush decision. Kasalanan ko ang lahat at sinayang ko ang lahat. Ngayon, paano ko pa maibabalik ang lahat? Now that it all ends to us?
My tears rolled down. Nakatulogan ko iyon kaya tanghali na akong nagising. Kung hindi pa ako niyugyog ni Katherine para ipa remind na pupunta kami sa bahay nila Bridgette ay hindi pa ako magigising.
"What the hell happened to you, girl? You look like that crazy ex-bitch of Alfred when she saw us kissing!"
I glared at her but she only laugh at me. Kaibigan ko ba talaga ito?
Naligo ako at nag ayos. Dumaan din kami ni Katherine, kasama ang asawa niyang si Alfred, na siyang nag maneho sa'min para pumunta sa isang toy store. We also passed by to a new established known fast food restaurant. Bumili kami ng mga pagkain saka tumulak kina Bridgette.
"Tita Katherine! Tita Zaccary!" sabay takbo nang dalawang bata.
"Oh, you're both big na. Gusto niyo pa ba ang ganitong regalo?" sabay angat ni Katherine mula sa likod niya ang dalawang box.
Agad na nag-agawan ang dalawang anak ni Bridgette. Pinakita ko rin ang akin at agad nila itong kinuha matapos ay nag pasalamat. Tumakbo ang mga ito papuntang dining area at excited na nilaro ang mga regalo at binigyan pansin ang binili naming pagkain. Sina Val at Alfred naman ay nanatili di kalayuan sa'min habang nag-uusap ng tungkol sa negosyo.
"Thank you. Sana hindi niyo ini-spoil ang mga bata. Naku! Magtatalo na naman kami ni Val. He doesn't like to spoil our kids kasi." ani Bridgette.
Umupo kami sa sofa sa tapat ng balkonahe nila kung saan kita ang malawak na lupain ng mga Ejada.
"Paminsan-minsan lang naman. Hayaan niyo na ni Val. Hindi ba Zaccary?"
Wala sa sariling tumango lang ako. Nagkatinginan sila. Siguro'y napansin ang pananahimik ko.
"Anong problema, Zach?" tanong ni Bridgette.
Bumuntong-hininga ako. Namuo uli sa mga mata ko ang mga luha. Agad akong dinaluhan ng dalawa at inalo. Sa huli, kwenento ko sa kanila ang napag-usapan namin ni Hex. I want to keep it between us but I need a good advice on what to do.
"I didn't know that was the reason! Sana pala hindi ko nalang sinabi sayo." si Bridgette.
"It's all in the past. Kahit magsisihan pa tayo rito, wala nang saysay." usal ni Katherine.
Mas napahagulgol lang ako ng iyak. Bridgette gave me one roll of tissue. Halos maubos ko ito hanggang sa kumalma ako. They never left me. I think that's friends are for. And I'm so blessed to have two good friends.
"Well, I think it's not too late. You can still make an effort to correct your past Zaccary. Andito kana sa Zaccarrio, ilang metro lang at patak ng gasolina ay abot mo na si Hex. Give your all to make him yours again!" advice ni Katherine.
Even before, she always supports me with the guy I'm in love with ng walang pag-alinlangan. I smile because of that.
"You think so? Do I still deserve him? I left him without saying goodbye. It was me who abandoned him." sabi ko.
"Baka nakakalimutan mo? You were a rising and in-demand stage actress before you went back here. Halos magpatayan nga si Crux Cage at Stefano nang dahil sa'yo e! Isama mo pa 'yong possessive millionaire ex mong si Benz!" ani Bridgette.
"But that's not the bases, Bridgette." giit ko.
Bumuntong-hininga ang dalawa. "You surely deserve her Zach, I know. You love him too much that you scarred your own heart. Now I tell you, stop wasting time and get back to him!" si Katherine.
Tumango ako at pinalis ang mga luha. Nga lang, agad umurong ang sikmura ko nang nasa tapat na ako ng munisipyo ilang araw ang lumipas.
My knees were jellys and my breath is hitching. Gusto kong bumalik sa loob ng sasakyan at ipagpaliban nalang ang pagpunta ko pero sa tuwing parang hanging umiihip ang sinabi nina Katherine at Bridgette ay nagkakalakas loob uli ako.
I exhale whatever is bugging and stopping me. Taas noo akong nag lakad at huminga ng panibagong hangin.
I greeted the security guard. Hindi na ako nag tanong at alam ko naman kung asaan ang opisina niya.
Nasa labas pa lang ako nang makita ako ni Arlene. When she saw me, kumaripas agad siya papasok sa opisina ni Hex na parang nakakita ng multo.
Shit. You can do it, Zaccary. So much for being a jealous and naive girl. You need to be mature now and straighten your goals in life!
Pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. I greeted them and they politely greeted me back. Pag angat ko ng tingin mula sa kausap, bumukas ang pintoan at lumabas roon si Arlene na may ngiti.
"Pasok raw po kayo, Ma'am Zaccary." she said.
I nod and smile while saying my thank you. Hindi tulad noong unang kabado ako dahil nag-aalinlangan, ngayon kabado na dahil alam ko na sa sarili kong ano ang gusto ko. I finally have come to my senses. I would'nt be foolish anymore.
"Good morning..." my voice shook a bit when he welcome me with his serious stares.
Kung makasuyo no'ng nakaraan parang uhaw na uhaw sa'kin ah tapos ngayon?
"Morning." he said formally as he stood up from his swivel chair.
Muntik na akong umatras sa pagtatambolan ng puso ko. Shit. Calm down, Zaccary. Calm down. Si Hex lang 'yan oh.
"Ahh... I just want to ask for some updates regarding with the... ahh.. my land." napalunok ako ng akala ko'y uupo siya sa lamesa katulad nang unang ginawa niya no'ng pumunta ako rito. But he didn't. Instead, he walk lazily towards me, like a sleepy lion walking towards a cave to sleep.
"Hmmm?"
"Ahh... my land... Na.. naayos na ba? I need it to include in my meeting this afternoon with all my employees."
"Ah-huh?" tumaas ang kilay niyang lumalapit sa akin.
Humigpit naman ang hawak ko sa clutch habang umaatras din. Damn. I'm sweating so much. Para akong hinahabol ng nakawalang aso kahit na hindi naman ako tumatakbo. He intimidate me so much. I forget when did I ever feel like this for him.
"Tapos na?" halos mapamura ako ng mangibabaw ang kaba saking boses.
I stop walking backwards when I hit something. Pagkalingon ko, sofa na pala. Pero pag lingon ko pabalik sa harap, sobrang lapit niya na kaya napa-upo ako ng dis oras sa couch.
Akala ko'y lalayo siya pero umupo rin siya sa tabi ko. He even move closer to me! I can die right now. No, I can't! Get your senses back, Zaccary. Si Hex lang 'yan!
"What are you doing?" ngayon ay medyo naka balik na ako sa wisyo.
Tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya saka niya pinasadahan ang suot kong damit. I'm wearing a yellow tube crop top with black blazer and skinny jeans paired with black stilletos.
"What?"
Is there something wrong with my dress? May dumi ba ako sa mukha? Do I smell bad? But I put perfume and took a long bath!
"You come in in my office wearing that?"
Obvious ba?
"What's wrong about it?" napataas ako ng kilay.
Mula sa labi niya ay lumipad ang mga mata ko sa kamay niyang pa simple at dahan-dahan niyang inilagay sa likod ko. His other hand went to my thigh, pulling it closer to his. Para akong papel na hinila niya at ikinulong sa kanyang bisig. Sa sobrang panlalambot ko ay mabilis niyang nagawa ang matagal niyang gustong-gustong gawin sa'kin.
To hold and overpower me in his arms while my senses is drowning in him that I could no longer rise up.
"You look good in it but... I don't like you showing your skin unless we're alone."