CHAPTER25
Date
I woke up in an unfamiliar room with my head slightly hurts. I was covered with a blue blanket, and a manly scent surrounds my nose. I immediately checked my body if I was still wearing the same shirt I wore yesterday. Baka ano na pala ang nangyari sa akin na hindi ko alam kasi medyo nakainom ako.
I deeply sighed when I saw that I am still wearing the same dress I wore yesterday. Inikot ko ang aking mga mata sa kwarto na tinulugan ko. I am not that drunk not to remember what happened last night. I was with Reeve, and he brings me here to his house to talk with each other finally... So, I know that it is his house.
I also know that this is his room cause I can smell his scent. Inayos ko ang aking buhok na paniguradong buhaghag at inayos ang kaniyang kama.
His bedroom screams manliness, just like the way he is. His room is a combination of white, blue, and black. There's a blue colored paneled backdrop behind his headboard to add a splash of color to his room. His ceiling is similar to the typical top that I used to watch on the dramas, white and its interiors were black. He also has a rug mat under his bed to give an accent to his room. Like his room's color is its rug color, the combination of blue, black, and gray.
My eyes roam around to his large bedroom. Mayroong bathroom at walk-in closet. Pero hindi masyadong maraming gamit sa kaniyang kwarto. Just his wooden bed with three small chairs on the bottom of the bed and two bedside tables, his study table, and mini bookshelves are near its window. It was also neat and clean, just like the way he is.
Alam ko naman na matalinong tao si Reeve at mahilig siyang magbasa, but the books on his bookshelves were too many to count.
Nilapitan ko ang mga mini bookshelves niya at napamangha ako na halos lahat ng mga libro niya ay tungkol sa science. I even saw some advanced books about medicines cause my mom has those kinds of books also.
Wow… he reads all of this? He is so passionate about becoming a doctor, huh. We're still college, but he's having his advanced reading about becoming a doctor na.. Kaya pala minsan puyat siyang pumupunta sa paaralan dahil nagbabasa siya nito?
Near his study table, my eyes caught a familiar picture, and I was about to go there when the door suddenly opens at iniluwa nito si Reeve suot ang cardigan shorts at simpleng tee-shirt. He's fresh from a bath cause his hair is a bit damped, and even though we're not that close, I can sense his scent right from where I stand.
He was leaning on the door while his arms were crossed and smiled widely at me.
Damn…. Ba’t ang gwapo niya?
"You're awake now," he said, smiling. My eyes were locked on his face for a second, and I can't seem to move, or it was just me who doesn't want to move, for I was to focus watching his gorgeous face.
“Hey, stop staring… pahalata ka masyado,” he snapped in front of me making me jump on my position. Hindi ko man lang namalayan na nasa harapan ko na siya dahil sa busy ako sa paninitig sa kaniyang mukha.
Alam ko naman na gwapo siya, pero bakit mas lalo pa siyang guma-gwapo sa bawat pagdaan ng araw?
"H-huh?" na uutal kong tugon sa kaniya. I looked away when I felt that my blood was rushing upon my face. The air conditioner was on, but I felt the hot sensation burning on my cheeks. Grabe… Napakatanga mo talaga, Henzy. Ilang ulit ka pa ba niya mahuhuli na nakatingin sa kaniya ng matagal.
He grinned when he saw how my face reddened. Lumapit siya sa akin nang nakangisi at tumayo sa harapan ko. Given our height differences, I need to lookup for me to see his face.
"I know that I'm handsome, love, but please eat your breakfast first, and you can stare at me all day," he whispered huskily on my ear as he leaned closer to me and put some strands of my hair on my ear. I can feel his breath on my neck, and slowly his hands have their way to my waist and softly pull me closer to him, making our bodies touch with each other.
My body froze on his unexpected move.
When his warm body touches me, the beating of my heart goes wildly like there was a wild car racing inside of it. I gulped many times and pray silently that he won't hear how my hearts beat so damn fast. I wanted to let go of his grip on my waist, yet my body won't cooperate with me. Slowly I gave in and just let him do whatever he does.
Embracing the warm hug he gave me, I let myself rest on his chest and slowly encircle my hands freely to his waist. We were silently hugging each other inside of the four corners of this room. When he knows that I am responding to his hug, he embraces me more tightly like he was scared of losing me.
"You still smell so good even if you reek of alcohol," he softly muttered.
Napamulat ako sa gulat ng maalala na hindi pala ako nakaligo at suot ko pa rin ang mga damit ko kagabi. At paniguradong amoy alak pa rin ako ngayon.
Damn.. Henzy saan aabot ang kaharutan mo? Hindi ka pa nga nakakaligo pero nakikipagyakapan ka na sa lalaking ‘to. Tumikhim ako at hihiwalay na sana sa kaniya pero mas idiniin niya pa lalo ang katawan niya sa akin.
“I s-smell bad,” I spoke shyly. Pero imbis na ilayo ang sarili sa akin ay mas lalo niya pang idiniin ang kaniyang katawan at hinigpitan ang yakap.
"I still love your smell," he said as he tightly embraced me.
Ngumuso ako kahit hindi niya ako nakikita, “Bolero ka.”
I heard him chuckled, and his hand was now on my hair, softly caressing it, "Whatever smell you have, it doesn't matter cause I will still loving it."
Hinarap ko siya at bumungad sa akin ang kaniyang mga ngiti na abot hanggang mga mata. "You're just saying that because you're courting me…"
"I am saying that because that's what I feel… I am not sugarcoating words here, miss. I love the way you are," he said, smiling from ear to ear.
Whenever Reeve says a word to me, there goes my heart beating so fast. Kung malakas ang pagtibok ng puso ko kanina mas doble ang lakas ngayon. Siguro kapag e ECG ang puso ko ang resulta ng test na makukuha ko ay tachycardia because I bet my heart now beats more than 100 beats per minute. And the reason? Si Reeve lang naman.
For this moment, he's the reason why my heart keeps on pounding so fast, and I hope someday he will not break this fragile heart of mine. For now, I will let myself go with the flow for a moment.
In the four corners of his room, we were silently hugging each other, and no one dares to break apart. We let this moment go on and enjoy ourselves with each other arms. His warm embrace to me makes me feel special.
My inner self silently screaming in happiness. Happiness… because finally, I let myself free from the chain of my past. I let myself not to be a chain anymore from the painful memories I had.
Our painful past may sometimes define us as the person we are today as it may affect our decisions in life, for we are afraid of risking things, but one thing is for sure, don't let the scars of your past ruined your present.
"Reeve," I called him.
"Hmm?"
"Are you sure about courting me?" I softly asked him.
"I've never been this so sure, Neve."
"Why?" I can't help but asked him. To asked him how and when it started. It still feels surreal that Kzyry Reeve Sandoval would court me. If I was still dreaming, I wouldn't want to wake up to this beautiful dream anymore.
"It comes unexpectedly. When I wake up in the morning, you're the first thing that I think of. When I am eating, taking a bath, and even driving from here to school, your name would always replay in my head. I am always excited to see you, and whenever everytime I see you, my heart will start to beat faster than its normal beat. Wherever I am, whenever I go, you're the one I always think of." He looked at me directly in the eyes as he sincerely said those words to me, "Minsan ko na rin inisip na baka ginayuma mo ako kasi kahit anong gawin ko para maialis ka sa isipan ko ay hindi ko magawa," he added.
I smirked and raise my brow at him, "Hindi ko akalain na gumagana pala ang charisma ko sa'yo," I teased that makes him laughed so profoundly.
"Then how did it happened? How did Henzy Neve Vasquez capture the stone heart of Kyzyr Reeve Sandoval, huh?" I curiously interrogate him and draw traces on his chest.
"I don't know how it happened, but one thing is for sure, I want to own you," he seductively uttered, "but for now, I want to take it slowly, especially to you. I don't want to rush things between us. I want to court you, for I wanted to win your heart. Don't rush your answer, just answer me if you are ready to open your heart again without being scared, okay? Just don't avoid me again"
I nodded willingly. I won't do it anymore.
"You scared me so damn much," he told me. Kinalas ko na ang aking yakap at humarap ng maayos sa kaniya. Slowly, a curve, thin line formed on my lips. I held both of his hands and crossed our fingers.
"I won't. I'm sorry if it scares you… I need the time also to figure out my feelings," I said to him.
"I will wait for no matter how long is that is."
I smiled when I remember what we've talked about last night. I remember how he listens attentively to every bit of my story. And most especially, I surely remember his words before I drown to sleep that he wanted to wait for me 'till I open my heart without being scared, and while he waits for me, he wanted to court me.
Court me… Liligawan niya ako… Just the thought of courting me, both excitements and nervousness crept into my system.
I never thought that this would come for me. That there will be a man who will patiently wait for me. And I hope that he will never get tired of waiting. I hope that he won't eat his words.
From this moment on, I trust him. Alam ko naman ang tunay na nararamdaman ko sa aking sarili. Yes, I like him. Our feelings were mutual, but I won't rush things between us. Just like what he said, he wanted to take it slowly, and so do I.
I like him, but it doesn't mean that I will also confess what I feel towards him. I just wanted to make sure first that there was no fear left inside my heart. I want to give my heart to him wholeheartedly, but before I could do that, I should settle with my own heart first.
After that mini-scene we created in his room, he asks me to go downstairs to eat my breakfast, but I told him that I need to take a bath first because I still smell alcohol.
Since I don't have extra clothes with me, he lends me some. I thought he would lend me his clothes, but I saw a paper bag on his bed when I am done. I opened it and smile when I saw a white off-shoulder dress. Halatang bago pa dahil may tag pa ito na nakakabit sa damit.
"Infairness ang effort ha, e pagkatapos nito ay uuwi lang naman ako sa apartment ko," I whispered to myself.
Hindi ko alam kung paano niya na nalaman ang size ko dahil kasya agad ito sa akin. It was slightly a fitted kind of dress, so the curves of my body were evident. Pagkatapos kong magbihis ay bumaba na ako.
I kinda expected already that his house is big kasi halata naman sa kwarto niya pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilang mamangha ng lumabas ako.
The gleaming lights coming from their ceilings amazes me. The architecture and the designs of this house is somewhat a combination of renaissance and modern period. I would love to admire it more, but the smell of the food caught my attention, so I immediately walk towards the dining.
There I saw Reeve wearing an apron and preparing our food seriously. When he feels my presence, he instantly looked at me, and his lips immediately wear a smile, then he pulled a chair for me.
Wala namang fiesta pero ang inihanda niya ay parang buong barangay ang papakainin niya.
“You cook too much,” sabi ko sa kaniya habang inisa-isang tignan ang mga pagkain sa hapag.
The dishes he made were not familiar to me so, I couldn't figure out what it is because it was my first time seeing it. I forgot that he came from New York before, so probably the dishes he made were dishes from New York? I don't know.
Inalis niya ang apron niya at umupo na katapat ng inuupuan ko. "It's a feast," he said and get my plate.
"Feast? It's not your birthday, right?" nagtataka kong tanong sa kaniya. Literal na marami talaga ang mga niluto niya. I looked around if his parents were here pero wala. Tanging kasambahay lang at si Reeve ang kasama ko. The housemaid eyes me curiously, so I smiled pero nahiya ata at dali-daling umalis. Hindi ko na lang pinansin at tinuon ulit ang pansin kay Reeeve.
I watched him putting food on my plate; I can't help but feel the butterflies on my stomach because of his small yet sweet actions towards me.
I was such a lucky girl to be able to find a man like him.
Hindi ko akalain na makikita ko ang ganitong side ni Reeve. I didn't expect that he has a sweet side too.
"Bakit? Sa birthday lang ba pwede mag celebrate?" nakangisi at taas niyang kilay tanong sa akin.
“Then kung wala naman palang celebration bakit ganito ka rami ang niluto mo?” I asked, “at sinong papakainin mo nito?”dagdag ko pa.
After putting some food on my plates, he gave them to me. He even arranges a spoon and fork for me.
Wow, kung si Reeve lang naman ang mapapangasawa ko ay magiging buhay reyna talaga ako. He just started courting me yet he serves me well.
"It's a celebration," he stated, smiling.
My forehead creased, celebration?
"Celebration?"
"Celebration because finally, I am courting you," he thoughtfully stated as he directly looked at me in the eyes with full of sincerity.
Iniwas ko ang aking tingin sa kaniya at uminom ng tubig to suppress my smile in front of him. No, Henzy… Ayusin mo ang sarili mo. Not because he was showing you a sweet gestures ay kilig-kilig ka na r'yan.
‘Wag kang marupok at kontrolin mo ang sarili mo sa harap niya.
Pinunasan ko ang gilid ng aking mga labi at tumikhim. I composed myself before facing him again.
“Corny mo pala ma in love, no?” sabi ko sa kaniya at sinimulan ng kumain.
"I don't have a problem with that," nakangisi niyang tugon sa akin at kumain na rin.
Nabigla ako sa kaniyang sinabi kaya nabulunan ako sa gulat. Hindi ko akalain na ‘yon ang lalabas sa kaniyang bibig. Tila siya ay nagulat din sa akin at binigyan ako ng tubig.
"Eat slowly walang humahabol sa'yo," he said worriedly.
Paano hindi ako mabubulunan eh nakakabigla naman kasi ang kaniyang sinabi. It was like he was directly stating to me that he was proud of it.
“Nakakagulat naman kasi mga sinasabi mo,” I said what’s on my mind, “alam ko naman na biro mo lang ‘yon pero nakakagulat pa rin kasi di ko aakalain na ang isang kagaya mo ay mag ce-celebrate ng ganito karami kahit na nanliligaw pa lang,” I laughed.
"When it comes to you, I don't do jokes. I mean every word that I said." He stopped eating and clasped his hands as his eyes linger at me again. "Besides, every moment with you is worth celebrating for," he added, which makes me fluttered.
"Lakas ng tama mo, Reeve," I mumbled and eat slowly making sure na hindi na ako mabubulunan.
"Sa’yo lang ako malakas,” he jokingly said.
Hindi ko mapigilan matawa nang malakas. Iba talagaag tama ni kupido kapag na in love ang isang tao, ano? Ang lalaking matigas ang puso ay nabibihag niya at napapalambot ito. At si Kyzyr Reeve ang isang halimbawa no’n.
“Wow… the cold, heartless intimidating guy that I know could say a word like this. Ganito ka ba ma in love?” I teased him.
He raised his eyebrow, “Got a problem with that, miss?”
“No... Naninibago lang ako. Hindi ko akalain na may ganitong side ka pala,” I told him, still laughing.
“I’m the worst when it comes to love. I am not that expressive with my thoughts and feelings, but suddenly, you pressed the doorbell on my closed door and exterminated me in my quiet place.”
I sheepishly smiled at him, “Then, I think I considered myself as a lucky girl for I manage to destroy you in your quiet place, Mr. Sandoval.”
“I’m the lucky one because you managed to dwell in me.”
For now, I am happy. No word can describe how delighted I was feeling right at this moment. Happiness ranges inside me that I don’t care if what will happen next to us. I know that there’s a long way to go for our relationship. We were just starting. We were just building a foundation for each other, but I won’t worry about the future. For now, I will just cherish every moment we spent together.
Dahil minsan sa sobrang pag-alala natin kung ano ang mangyayari sa hinaharap ay nakakalimutan na nating harapin ang nasa kasalukuyan.
After we’re done eating, their housemaids tidy up the dining table. I was in the living room waiting for Reeve kasi ihahatid na niya raw ako pauwi. He’s in his room to get his keys. As much as I want to roam around their house, I can’t do it because my friends kept calling me earlier to go home na raw.
Oo nga pala at hindi nila ako napigilan kagabi sa pag-alis ko. They were probably worried, kasi ang sabi ko lang ay kailangan kong makausap si Reeve. They had no idea that I willingly follow Reeve to his house.
Habang naghihintay ako sa kaniya ay hindi ko mapigilang manginig sa kaba na aking nararamdaman. Iniisip ko kasi na baka makita o makasalamuha ko ang mga magulang niya rito at baka anong sabihin nila sa akin dahil ka babae kong tao pero ako itong pumupunta sa bahay ng lalaki.
Given that Reeve and Christoph were cousins and what I have experienced from Christoph’s parents, my mind instantly thinks that his parents were strict or have the same attitude as my ex-boyfriend's family. I have enough of the family feud conflict.
Ngunit nagtaka ako ng mga kasambahay pa rin nila ang nakikta ko sa loob. There were no traces of his parents. Sa sobrang curious ko ay lumapit ako kay ate na naglilinis ng bintana dito sa salas.
“Ate,” tawag ko sa attensyon niya. Napatalon siya sa gulat sa biglang pagtawag ko sa attensyon niya.
“Susme santisima!” gulat na gulat niyang saad. Hindi ko mapigilang matawa sa kaniyang expression.
“Hala, ma’am… sorry po… sorry po,” agad na paghihingi niya ng paumanhin. She even bowed at me.
“Nako ate… ako dapat nag so-sorry kasi ginulat kita, pasensiya na po.”
“May kailangan po kayo, ma’am?” medyo nahihiya niyang tanong sa akin.
“Ahm… wala naman po. May itatanong lang sana ako.”
“Sige po… ano po ‘yon ma’am?” I am kinda bothered by her formality to me kasi hindi ako sanay na tinatawag na ma’am. Simula kasi no’ng lumipat na kami ng tirahan at iniwan ang dating bahay ay nagbago na rin ang pakikitungo ng aking ina sa mga kasambahay.
They didn’t treat her as a housemaid; instead, he welcomed them as a part of the family. Kaya hindi gumagamit ng formalities ang mga kasambahay sa akin kasi mas bata ako sa kanila. It was me who need to be polite with them and not the other way around. Gumagamit lang sila ng formalites sa aking mga magulang pero sa amin ng kapatid ko hindi. Dahil ‘yon ang utos ni mama at ni papa.
Tinuruan kami na hindi ibig sabihin na kasambahay sila ay utusan namin sila. No, my mother taught us that they are normal people too just like us. Hindi dahil kasambahay sila ay tapak-tapakan na namin. We should respect them just like how we respect those professional.
“Drop the formalities po, pareho lang naman po tayong tao dito. Just call me, Henzy,” nakangiti kong saad sa kaniya. At first, she was hesitant to call my name, but later on she adjusted and just called me by my name.
“Ano po ‘iyong tanong niyo?”
“Where are Reeve’s parents? I noticed that they aren’t here.”
Ngumiti muna ito bago ako sinagot. “Ah… Hindi po sila nakatira dito eh. Nasa ibang bahay po nakatira ang mga magulang ni sir Kyzyr,” sagot nito sa akin.
Ibang bahay? Does this mean that they have two houses here? Eh kanino itong bahay na pinuntahan namin ngayon?”
“Ibang bahay?” takang tanong ko.
“Dalawa po ang bahay nila ni sir Reeve. Itong bahay na ‘to ay bahay ng lolo at lolo niya na nasa ibang bansa po at ‘yong isa po ay doon po nakatira ang mga magulang ni sir,” pagpapaliwanag niya.
Bakit dito si Kyzyr umuwi kung gano’n at hindi sa mga magulang niya?
“Dito ba madalas umuuwi ang sir niyo?”
She nodded as a response. May e tatanong pa sana ako sa kaniya ngunit narinig ko na ang mga hakbang pababa ni Reeve at nagpatuloy naman sa paglilinis si ate.
“Tara na?” Reeve said. Sumunod naman ako sa kaniya papunta sa garahe niya. He even opens the door for me and fasten my seatbelt.
“Ano ba, you don’t have to do this. I can fasten my own seatbelt no?” suway ka sa kaniya na natatawa dahil sinigurado niya talaga na maayos ang pagkakalagay ng seatbelt sa akin.
“Ginawa mo naman ata akong reyna sa ginagawa mo,” wika ko sa kaniya.
“I am happy to serve my queen,” he stated, and winked at me tapos umikot na siya papunta sa driver seat.
Napailing na lamang ako sa kaniyang ginawa. While driving me home ay do’n ko lang nalaman na nasa exclusive village pala ang bahay nila.
And I remember my supposed question to ate kanina kaya sa kaniya ko na lang itatanong.
“Reeve,” I called his attention
“Hmm?” he responded as his eyes were focusing on the road.
“Natanong ko sa isa sa mga kasambahay niyo kanina kung bakit wala ang mga magulang mo ro’n and she said hindi raw sila nakatira do’n because you have two houses and the one we’re staying is your grandparents house,” I started habang nakatingin sa kaniya, “saan ka mas madala umuwi?” tanong ko.
“At my grandparent’s house,” he simply answered.
“Hindi ka umuuwi sa mga magulang mo?”
And by mentioning his parents, I noticed that he holds tightly on the steering wheel. Matagal din bago niya ako sagutin. May mali ba akong natanong? I observed his face to know if he was mad at me, but I didn’t see any reaction.
“Are you mad?” I carefully asked.
Huminga siya ng malalim at tinignan ako. He showed his smile to me and his right hand held my hand. “No, I am not,” he answered.
“Sure?” paninigurado ko ulit.
“Sure na sure,” he responded.
After that ay hindi na ako nagtanong pa sa kaniya. The whole time that he was driving, I drown myself in sightseeing. Hanggang sa hindi ko na namalayan na nandito na pala kami sa tapat ng apartment ko.
“Thank you for sending me home,” I said to him. Akmang papasok na ako sa loob ng gate nang bigla niyang hinila ang palapulsuhan ko at niyapos ako ng mahigpit.
“Magkayakapan lang tayo kanina ah. Adik na adik ka ata sa yakap,” I spoke to him snickering.
“Nakakaadik kasi ang mga yakap mo,” he told me.
Natatawa kong kinalas ang yakap niya sa akin. I need to control myself kasi kung hindi baka buong-araw na kami magkayakapan dito sa harapan ng apartment ko.
“You need to go home na. We still have a lot of academic things to do.”
Bago niya ako binitawan ay naramdaman ko ang labi niya sa aking noo. I badly want to scream right now pero pinipigilan ko lang. Ayaw kong mapahiya na naman sa harapan niya.
“Let’s date this coming weekend.”