CHAPTER 12

Pinahanap niya lang sa akin ang singsing, sa pang-aasar ko, masyado siyang nairita nang husto. Hinalughog ko ang lost and found pero wala kaya lumabas ako ulit.

I was so surprised when I saw the employees were whispering those things and staring at something.

"What's happening in here?" naunahan ako ng pinsan sa pagtatanong, si Kuya Ekron iyon.

"Engineer, may tangang nakahulog ng singsing at bangle," Minerva said and showed it up.

Tumikhim ako at nilahad ang aking palad. Binigay naman nang walang imik at lumabas na ako dahil hinihintay niya ako sa basement. I went to my car and gave it to her. 

"Burara," komento ko. 

Napalitan ng iritasyon ang kanyang ekspresyon at hinablot pero inagaw kong muli. 

"Ano ba?!" sigaw niya. 

I smirked and put in my pocket. "Kailan debut mo?" tanong ko. 

"Akin na, hindi ko sasabihin sa 'yo..." halos dapaan niya ang gear stick at ang mukha'y nasa hita ko na. "Akin na." 

I mocked and looked at her. She looked at me slowly as she bit her lips. Umahon na siya at hindi lumingon sa bintana niya. Nang masara niya iyon, agad akong tumingin sa salamin, I saw my brother with some office mates and friends out there. 

"You're acting so cool, Ivo, nakakainis ka." 

I looked at her and smirked, "They're just thinking that we're making out in a car-" 

Hinila niya ang buhok ko at nanggigigil na sinabunutan. Ang lakas niya. 

"Gusto mong mapanot ako?" tumawa ako. 

Lumabas ako para ubusin ang sinindiang sigarilyo, inayos ko ang buhok at sinara ang pintuan habang kunot ang noo ni Kuya. 

"Your condo is near, Ivo," aniya at binuksan ang McLaren niya. 

I cooly rested my forearms on top of my Bugatti to face him. 

"Pinagpatuloy niyo pa talaga nang masara niya? You know that we're here, we've seen your car, shaking." 

Tumawa ako at binuga ang usok. Tumawa pa ang mga kaibigan niyang naglalagay ng gamit sa mga sasakyan nila.

"Not a big deal, we're just making out, she closed the mirror and she won't allow me to feel pain," I laughed. 

He groaned in frustration as I saw him entered his car, pumasok na rin ako at binuhay ang makina. 

"Anong sinabi ng Kuya mo?" tanong niya at nag-aayos sa sarili. 

"Wala," I gripped my hands on the steering wheel and drove. 

"I saw him irritated." 

Sumulyap ako sa kanya at tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko. Bangayan ang ayos namin pagkahatid ko sa kanya sa kanila. 

I pulled her towards me and hugged her so tight. I buried my face on her neck. 

"I'm gonna miss you." 

Hindi ko alam ang nararamdaman ko ngayong nagdaang araw, I always wanted to see her always. Iniisip ko minsan kung epekto lang ito ng kung ano pero hindi. May parang hindi ko maintindihan sa akin. If I am dreaming, I don't want to wake up anymore, but this is not a dream, it's just a vague things I feel that I can't seem to understand.

She looked up at me, I stared at her with soulful eyes. I closed it and kissed her softly.

"Tulog ka rito, gusto mo?" she loosened up my ties. 

Umiling ako at tumawa nang yumakap ako, hinigpitan ko pa para hindi niya ako masaktan.

"'Wag na," bulong ko.

"Bakit? Nahihiya ka, dahil nandyan na ang mga magulang ko?" her hot breath feels by my neck.

I chuckled and tightened my embrace, "No, I don't want to take advantage of you because you are still baby..."

Umangal ako sa mariin niyang pagkahawak sa likod ko.

"Don't you dare trying to hold me out of you, sasampalin kita," she chuckled.

Nagkakahiga na nga kami, e, bakit ba bawal pa, kung gano'n at bakit pinipigilan ko ang sarili ko? Damn you, Ivo, your conservancy is not allowed anymore, mapapangasawa mo na ang isa sa mga babaeng hinahangaan ng lahat nang lalaki.

"Mommy mo..." sabi ko nang makitang bumukas ang gate.

Nang pakawalan ko siya, agad akong sinampal at tumawa ako. I followed her and mumbled at Tita Betty.

"Dito ka na kumain, hijo..." ani Tito Eugene sa veranda nila.

Hindi na rin ako nakatanggi at pinauba kong naglakad si Zuri sa papasok.

"We're planning to build a first-class hight rise hotel, pero hindi ko alam kung sa anong kumpanya ang papasukin ko, MZAD is nice, but I wanna try yours, ZHBI," Tito Eugene said while we were entering the patio.

"Ayos lang naman po, Tito, kung sa MZAD, Kuya Achilles as the Chairman will surely nail it, since we are still starting our own here," umupo ako at nakitang binaba ni Zuri ang hand bag niya tyaka umupo sa couch. 

The conversation continued with a snack they served. Sumusulyap lang sa akin si Zuri. I was chewing the last bite of cookie when Tita Betty gazed at Zuri's hands. She was about to say something but she pursed her lips. 

Naiwan kaming dalawa sa sala matapos ang kwentuhan at tawanan. Lumipat ako sa kanyang inuupuan at agad na sumandal sa kanyang leeg at nakayakap ako sa kanya. 

"I'm tired. I want to sleep." 

She sighed heavily and caressed my hair. "Puro ka kasi payag. Sana nakatulog ka na ngayon," aniya. 

I chuckled and shifted my weight, I slid a bit so I could adjust myself to rest my feet on the center table and my nape was on the back rest of the couch. 

"Hindi naman ako pwedeng maging bastos na tatanggihan na lang ang offer. They are your parents, my future parents, too." 

"Gusto kong kumain ng Carbonara..."

I looked at her, "Ngayon?"

Umiling siya at ngumiti, "'Wag na, alam kong magluluto ka," sabi niya at sumimangot ako.

Umayos ako agad ng upo nang pumasok si Tito Eugene at Kenji kasama ng mga kaibigan niya, ang isa'y mayroong bola.

"Just rest, hijo, 'wag mo silang pansinin," agap ni Tito.

I smiled sheepishly, "I was about to go home, Tito, I can't be with you on dinner," marahan kong sabi.

He laughed heartily, "Galing ako sa mansyon niyo, sinadya kong sabihin sa Daddy mo na dito ka na kakain. If you are bothered resting with these rowdy people, you can go upstairs, but there were also the rowdy couple, Jada and Aron."

Natawa ako at tumango. Tumayo ako at naglahad ng kamay kay Kenji.

"Nice to see you, Engineer," aniya.

Ngumiti pa ako at tumingin sa pamilyar na common friend. Si Baxter Dela Merced at Ambrose Villareal. The brothers of my sisters in law.

"Ivo, sa taas na," Zuri said.

Tumingin ako sa kanya, "I'm fine with them, kapatid ng dalawa kong Ate ang dalawa riyan."

"You'll not gonna be fine with them," mariin niyang sabi.

Suminghap ang mga 'yon at nakataas ang kilay kong nakatitig sa kanya. Matalino ako at natanto ko agad na ayaw niyang makihalo ako. They are nice, though, but when it comes to drinking, they are devil.

Sumunod ako sa kanya habang binubulsa ang neck tie, she put down her hand bag.

"Magpapalit ka ba?" tanong niya.

"Cold shower lang sana, anong oras kayo kumakain sa gabi?"

"Usually, nine or ten, gano'n," she got a new towel in the cabinet. 

I took a cold shower. Tapi ang tuwalya bago lumabas ng banyo niya, she was busy on those things, o nag-aaba-abalahan dahil isang tela lang ang bumabalot sa akin?

"Uh, paabot ng underwear ko..." malambing kong sabi sa likuran niya.

I saw her stiffened, I let the waters run through my chest and got what she gave, a black underwear. Bago iyon, pati ang mga damit.

"Did you shopped for me?" tanong ko at sinuot.

"Oo, kaninang free time ko," aniya at humarap sa akin.

Sinuot ko nang mabilisan ang itim na shorts at grey t-shirt, it looks so fit, especially on my biceps that it hugged its hugeness.

"Bakit?" I asked stupidly while pushing back my hair.

She looked at me ridiculously. "For you to have clothes here."

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ko. "I get it but look, when I will go home, I will bring these," tumawa ako lalo na nang tumawa rin siya at naupo sa tabi ko. I readied myself to her next step at tama nga, kiniliti niya ako.

"Ikaw, kung magsalita ka, punong-puno ng logic."

I was barking a laughters and even laid down.

"Kasi... wait lang, iuuwi ko ang mga 'to, ano pang damit ko rito, kung gano'n?"

She groaned and slapped my abdomen. Hinila ko siya at tumagilid nang bahagya para magkaharap kami.

"Sleepy?" she asked.

Tumango ako.

"Are you going to give the piece of island to the company?"

"Tapos na. My secretary's working on it," sabay pikit ng mata.

"Your brother melted you huh?" she mocked.

I chuckled, "They could easily handle me instead of my sisters in law and Mom."

I wrapped her around my arms and felt her moved.

"Galit ka sa kanila?"

Marahil natanto niya ang sinabi ni Kuya kanina. I still have a bit anger on what they did.

Hindi ako umimik hanggang sa nakatulog ako nang hindi inaasahan. I removed the blanket when I was awakened and went out 'cause she's not here. 

Dishevelled hair, folded hem of my shirt, and barefoot, I went down and saw them on their sala. 

"Even if you're in that kind of aura, you are still good looking, huh?" Victoria mocked on where she is, she even high fived with Ate Jada. 

I squatted in front of Kyle and he kissed my cheek. 

"Miss you," ngumiti ako. 

Tinignan ko ang relo ko sa palapulsuhan at 7:38 na ng gabi. I yawned a bit and saw Cloe on the couch. 

I shut my thighs when I noticed her eyes. Pilihim akong tumawa at iniwan doon ang pamangkin. Nakitabi ako kay Zuri at tinignan ang sinusulat niya.

"Ako na," sabi ko at kinuha ang sinusulatan. 

"Ilang taon ka na, Ivo?" Kenji asked. 

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at tinigil ang pagsusulat, "Twenty five." 

I saw Zuri's protesting stares. But I remained looking at her brother. 

"May mga babae ka?" 

"Wala." 

He laughed, "A bachelor like you? It's impossible, baka nga kapag ikasal na kayo ng kapatid ko..."

"Kuya..." Zuri interrupted him but he still continued finishing his sentence. 

"...mambababae ka pa, ha?" 

Tumawa ako at umiling. "If you are devoted to someone, you will stay devoted til your death."

I continued writing and answering the questions on the paper and when it's already done, her friends were about to get it when I took it immediately.

"Kokopya lang kami." Victoria pleaded like a crazy girl. 

Iniwas ko at tumawa, I curled my toes and rested both feet on the sofa. 

"I did research about you, Ivo," Cloe said proudly. 

I sighed and nodded languidly. Zuri was stopping them through eyes as they could never stop from doing things to know more about me. 

"You've taken many women in these magazines, huh? May mga ex ka pa ritong Hollywood. Nagselos si Zuri sa isang babae..." Cloe brought out the magazines that obviously, those are new. 

My eyes darted at Kenji, "Alin diyan, Cloe? Marami akong babae riyan," pang iinis ko. 

Suminghap ang buong barkada niya at natawa ang mga magulang niya, Zuri slapped my shoulders and I smirked. 

"May nalaman ako, Ivo," Kenji's serious.

"About Beatrix Lopez? I have the right to choose who I want to marry, Kenji," I said in a dismissive tone. 

I have the right to refuse someone just to marry her. Pinangako ako sa mga Lopez, mga magulang ko rin ang babawi sa pangakong iyon, at tungkol sa pagpapakasal, she won't sign any contract lke prenup, that's why I was forced to have a money at a very young age to sustain the person that I want to spend my lifetime.

The days went on as I had those meetings in my office after sending Zuri at school. I am attending some parties but to just greet and that's all. Sa party na dinaluhan ko, nakita ko sila Daddy roon. Parating pa lang sila, Mom was elegantly walking while Dad's on his tux.

Na kahit sa pag-upo nila sa harap, nakitaan ko sila ng pagiging disiplinado.

"Kailan lang nang tumatakas tayo," bulong ni Ryan sa amin.

We had reminisce with those moments of our lives when we were young and now, we are constantly gathers in these things.

"I heard that your son is marrying the luxurious girl, Veronica, your son might become poor, huh, tell him not to become a stupid man..." napalakas ang boses ng babae.

The woman on Mom's side looked at me as she simply leaned and covered her mouth a bit.

"My youngest son knows what he really wants, Rina, his brothers raised him up, too, with such a knowledge about the business world," Dad said directly to her.

Mom looked at me in the middle of Dad's words, malungkot ko siyang nginitian kung nasaan ako. I could see her fears in her eyes.

"Rina, tama ka kung hindi niya pipiliin ang tamang babae, gagaya siya kay Kuya Alejandro na nagpakatanga noong una," makahulugan na sabi ni Tita Delaiah said and they laughed.

"She's got the point, Ephraim," a man said loudly. "No one will blame your sister Delaiah because of what happened to her and to your brother Alejandro." 

Pinilit kong hindi pakinggan ang kanilang usapan pero naririnig ko pa rin. They just stopped when Cloe noticed me holding her phone.

"Ivo, she's asking you if you are still here," aniya.

Doon lang ako natauhan nang tumatunog pala ang cellphone ko sa bulsa. I reached for it and answered.

"Hold on..." tumayo ako at binulsa iyon at kinuha ang ibibigay ko sa mga magulang ni Jayden.

I walked in front as I gave my gifts. Isang Gucci para kay Tita at Montblac na cufflinks para kay Tito.

"I just went here Tito, Tita to give it to you personally, happy anniversary po ulit," ngumiti ako.

Tita's face was a bit anxious, like she's up to something that I might heard their talks. 

"Thank you, hijo, on our next meeting, I will wear these," si Tito at tinapik ang balikat ko. 

Tumango na ako at humarap sa isang high end photographer para sa isang lifestyle magazine. 

"How old are you, Engineer?" 

Sasagot na sana ako nang sumabat ang isa sa entourage niya.

"He's an architect."

"Hm." I mocked, "I am twe twenty five, both engineer and architect," then I passed all of them with head held high.

Isang tingin bilang pagpapaalam sa magulang ko, tumango sila, I didn't bothered myself to even glanced at Tita Delaiah. I saw my batch mates in La Salle before, those who bullied me, wearing the same suit while smiling at me widely.

"We know that you're a very busy person but can we have some catch up, sa reunion ng batch natin," Henry Sebastian said.

"I'll find time for that," sabi ko.

"Uh... I was planning to create make a project regarding to the newest construction site in Taguig, and my Tito wants ZHBI."

"I've already had a meeting with your Tito Maru in States before I went home, I will pass on MZAD, sila ang mangunguna, I have a project with the Altavas and on Isabela for the Home of Hope," sabi ko sa napakapormal na tono.

Henry wandered me from head to toe as I put my phone in my ears and started walking with my men. She's craving for a red velvet cake and ice cream. 

I was passing the city lights and driving to the nearest convenient store. 

I was really out of place while roaming around and looking for the cookies and cream flavoured ice cream. I got the two cones and saw a container of the same flavor. I found some red velvet cake. Kumuha ako ng medium sized box at dineretso sa counter. 

"Nasa harap na 'ko ng condo mo," sabi ko nang binabayaran ang binili. 

"I'm going down now." 

"Which floor where you in?" tanong ko at tinanaw ang building niya. 

"Twenty sixth..." 

Nilingon ko ang counter at may nananadya pang empleyado na mag-ayos na mga aisle para lang matitigan ako. 

"Uh... why am I doubting that you know whish floor I am living?" 

I barked a laughters when I heard her sweet voice again. 

"I'm not," napapaos kong sabi at natanaw na siya sa looby ng condo niya. 

I waived a bit and raised up my phone to hung up it now. I inserted my phone in my pocket and got the large paperbag of those things I bought. 

Sinalubong niya ako at sinubukang kunin pero iniwas ko.

When I saw her, it reminds me of how people around us are judging her. Kung gano'n man siya, anong magagawa nila kung siya ang gusto ko? They could easily judge her not knowing the real personality of her.  

Zuri Aniyah. From head to toe, it shouts the elegance of a trained woman. I could see the bravery in her the way she praised by everyone because of her beauty. Not just a beauty but she's like a modern goddess that every man would die hard to have her. But not every man are willing to give her whims, her life as a fashion one. 

I was involved with so many sophisticated women but she is quite similar to them. But in her own style, it was alluring.… and her attitude makes me falling faster than the pace on ticking of the clock... but there are judgements. 

Barely had a chance to feel my heart beating so loud in my chest when I turned to her as we entered in the elevator and looked at her fingers that brushes mine, like she knows what I feel.

Her gentle caressed on the back of my hand make me damn shivers as the loud beats on my chest keeps banging. Nag-angat ako ng tingin at ngumiti sa kanya kasabay ng pagtunog ng elevator.

"Do you also feel the same I feel?" I asked in a very silent tone.

Her lips curved for a small smile.

"Yeah... I love you, Ephraim Junior."