Melody of Broken Strings (Completed)

Chapter 13

13

Yssa's POV

I woke up at around five in the afternoon. I felt a little disoriented as I opened my eyes. My eyes widened in surprise when I realized how close our faces were. His hands snaked around my waist like he's not giving me a chance to escape from him. He was still sleeping soundly so I got the chance to look and marvel at his handsome face.

His eyebrows are thick. He has a pointed nose, a chiseled jaw and thin pinkish lips that looks inviting. I struggled to move my hands only to stop when he tightened his hug.

I swallowed hard as I watched how his Adam's apple move with his every breath. Hindi ko namalayan, kusang kumilos ang kamay ko upang abutin ang kanyang mukha. His face is so smooth, like that of a lady. Makinis, pino at tila mahihiya ang mga pimples na tumubo dito.

Pinaglandas ko ang kamay ko sa kanyang mukha. I traced his eyebrows with the tip of my finger. And then I moved it down to his nose and pointed it on his lips. I sighed.

We were drunk when he kissed me before. I wonder, how does his lips taste when he's sober?

I felt my breathing hitched when he suddenly sucked on my finger. I flinched from the sudden connection that immediately sent chills to my spine. Hinuli niya ang kamay ko at hinawakan nang mahigpit. Nakapikit pa rin siya nang bigla siyang magsalita.

"If you want a kiss, just tell me. I would gladly give it to you."

I saw him smirk at halos isumpa ko ang sarili ko dahil doon. Nakakahiya, did he just caught me lusting over him?

"Shut up, Jordan. Bumangon ka na, may trabaho ka pa!"

Sigaw ko sa kanya para pagtakpan ang sarili ko. I still couldn't believe what I did. It was, definitely not normal.

"Hmm, mamaya na. I still want to sleep. I want to snuggle with you."

Fudge! Kailangan na naming bumangon. Kasi kung hindi, baka kung saan pa kami umabot. I'm feeling something unusual. And it has to do with him, him and his warmth that awakes something sensual within me.

"Jordan, come on. Let's get up now. You have to work."

"Oo na, oo na. Magtatrabaho na. Alagaan mo ang mga anak natin ah!"

Agad ko siyang binatukan. Sinasapian ba to at kung ano-anong kalokohan ang sinasabi nito ngayon?

"Crazy! Ano'ng anak ang pinagsasabi mo dyan?"

"Nagpapractice lang para sa future, Belle. Malay mo, tayo pala ang magkatuluyan."

Shucks! Biglang nag-init ang mukha ko sa sinabi niya. This guy sure knows how to compliment a girl, and leave her bewildered.

Mahina pa siyang natawa ng makita ang reaction kaya mabilis ko siyang hinampas hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang bumangon.

Muli niyang isinuot ang uniform niya at naghanda na para umalis. Sayang, ayoko pa sana siyang umalis pero kailangan. And besides, I have to go home to my parents.

"Drive safe, Jordan."

"I don't wanna go." I laughed at him because he was pouting. He looked so cute while making a face. As much as I don't want to let him go, he have to. Hindi sa aming dalawa umiikot ang mundo. We have other things to do other than spending time with each other and cuddling. Cuddling doesn't pay bills, work does.

"Ano ka ba? Umabsent ka na nga kanina sa school, ngayon naman ayaw mo'ng magtrabaho?"

"Gusto ko sana, ikaw ang trabahuhin ko."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya.

"Buang!" Hinampas ko ulit siya dahil namumula na naman ako. He just laughed at me again and pinched my cheek.

"Kidding. I have to go. Ingat ka din sa pagdadrive ha. I'll call you later, bye!"

He kissed me on the cheek before heading outside. Napako ako sa kinatatayuan ko habang hawak-hawak ang bahagi ng pisngi ko kung saan dumampi ang labi niya. My heart was beating frantically.

I think I'm under a spell and he's the antidote, too.

After a while, I pushed myself to stop daydreaming and started preparing. I took a shower and got dressed. Since sa bahay lang naman ako pupunta, I just wore a baby pink T-shirt and paired it with maong jeans. Nagsuot lang ako ng flat sandals at nagspray ng pabango.

Tinungo ko ang kotse ko at maingat na nagdrive pauwi sa bahay namin. The ride was short since our subdivision is near. Automatic na bumukas ang aming gate at ipinasok ko ang kotse ko sa loob. Bumungad sa akin ang dalawang palapag na bahay namin. Malaki ito at pakwadrado ang hugis. Sa labas ay mayroong porch at sa dulo niyon ay mayroong swing kung saan madalas na nakatambay si Mommy.

Pagpasok ko ay agad na tumunog ang chimes na nakasabit sa pintuan. Dumiretso ako sa loob at tinawag si Mommy. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa bahay namin. Wala pa ring ipinagbago. Ang malapad na living room kung saan naroon ang isang fifty-five inches na flat screen TV. Sa harap niyon ay mayroong mahabang couch na kulay chocolate brown. At sa gitna ay naroon ang center table na gawa sa salamin.

Sa mataas na ceiling ay makikita ang magarang chandelier na binili pa nila Mommy sa Europe. May mahabang staircase patungo sa second floor ng bahay kung saan naroon ang mga kwarto. The house is actually big for a small family like us. Sa ika-lawang palapag ay mayroong apat na kwarto. Ang isa ay para sa akin, ang isa ay ang Master's Bedroom kung saan natutulog ang mga magulang ko at may dalawang guest rooms. Mayroon ding common CR na makikita sa dulo ng hallway namin.

Sa ibaba naman ay mayroon ding tatlong kwarto. Ang isa ay para sa mga katulong, dalawang guest rooms at mayroon ding common CR para sa mga bisita. Ang dining room namin sadya ring malapad. May mahabang mesa na hugis parihaba at napapalibutan ng labindalawang upuan. Lahat ng kagamitan ay naghuhumiyaw ng kayamanan, pero kahit kailan hindi ko iyon nagustohan. Simple lang ang gusto ko sa buhay. Ang makatagpo ng mga totoong tao na lalapitan ka dahil sa katauhan mo at hindi dahil sa kayamanan mo. Ang yaman, madaling kitain. Pero ang tunay na mga kaibigan, mahirap hanapin.

"Mommy, I'm home!"

Mula sa ika-lawang palapag ay tinalunton ng aking ina ang daan pababa. My mom, Amaryllis Young is a sophisticated woman. She looks like an aristocrat as she slowly walked down the stairs. At fifty, she still looks gorgeous and looks just half her age. She's still a fashionista despite her age. She's wearing a cream colored body hugging dress that ends above her knee. Her hair is nicely done. Para siyang barbie, at kung ipagtatabi kami, mapagkakamalan lang kaming magkapatid.

Agad niya akong niyakap ng makababa siya.

"Baby! Mabuti naman at naisipan mo'ng dumalaw. Miss ka na namin!"

"Na-miss ko na rin po kayo, Mom! By the way, where's Daddy?"

I may not admit it, but I'm a Daddy's girl. I grew up looking up to them. I never felt left out, or abandoned. My parents always made time for me. Despite of their busy schedules, they always made me feel that I am their priority. That's why our bond is really strong.

"He'll be home in a while. For now, why don't we have a little talk. I missed you!"

She hugged me once again before we proceeded outside. She sat on the swing while I sat on the wooden bench beside it. It was already dark outside, but the stars and the moon illuminates the night. The serenity of the place is enchanting.

Ah, This is home!

I smiled as I realized how I badly missed our home.

"Kamusta ka na, anak?"

"I'm not fine, Mom. My ex-boyfriend cheated on me and now I'm jobless."

She immediately went to me and comforted me. I was actually surprised that I wasn't tearing up. It was the most horrible and painful thing that I have experienced, but it seems to me now, that the pain has somehow lessened.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry darling!"

"Mom, it's okay. Maybe we're not just meant to be. Maybe God sent him into my life to teach me a lesson, and now his mission is finished so God removed him from my life."

"You're so grown up now, baby. You have really matured. I'm glad you're taking the break-up well."

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na naishare ko sa kanya ang mga bagay na nagpapabigat sa damdamin ko. Mommy always listened to me. At kahit hindi niya sinasabi, alam kong nasasaktan din siya at nagagalit para sa akin. Of course, walang magulang na gugustuhing masaktan ang kanilang anak.

Makalipas ang ilang sandali ay dumating na rin si Dad. Alastair Young, a well-known business tycoon. He owns a lot of businesses which includes selling of multi-million sports cars, to chain of Hotels and Restaurant all over the world. Agad ko siyang sinugod ng yakap, I really missed him.

"Dad, I missed you!"

"I missed you too, young lady. Mabuti naman at dinalaw mo kami."

"I have a proposal to make, Dad. Maybe we can talk about it, over dinner?"

My dad chuckled as I sounded like a business woman trying to woe a client.

We walked inside. Napapagitnaan nila ako. Dad's right hand rested on my shoulder while Mom's left hand was on my waist. God, how I miss my parents. They were like sunshine on my darkest days.

Dumiretso kami sa hapag-kainan. Nakahanda na doon ang mga pagkain. Napailing na lang ako sa dami nang pagpipilian sa harapan naman. My parents always loved the lavish preparation of foods, "just in case" someone pays them a visit.

We started eating while I was listening to my parents. My dad was talking about how his day went and my Mom would look at him lovingly. What a sight! Makakahanap rin kaya ako ng pag-ibig na katulad ng sa kanila? Sana nga.

Maya-maya pa ay nalipat sa akin ang attention ni Daddy.

"So baby, what is it want to talk about?"

"Uh, Dad. I resigned from my work yesterday. And I was kinda thinking that I want to work in our company. Maybe I can do freelance Auditing. I think it will really be of big help to me in the future. Alam mo naman na gusto ko'ng magtayo nga Auditing Firm someday, di ba?"

"Hmm, I like that 'nak. You actually don't need to ask permission since the company is ours, and soon, ikaw na rin naman ang mamahala 'nun. So I think it's fair para naman someday, hindi ka na mangapa pa. So instead of being a freelance auditor, maybe you could also start helping with our management?"

Gusto kong mag-alangan kasi hindi ako sure kung makakaya ko. It's a huge responsibility. Pero naisip ko, sa akin mapupunta lahat ng pinaghirapan ng Daddy ko. The least I could do is to show interest and learn how to manage our businesses.

"Yes, Dad. I think you're right. And since wala rin naman akong trabaho, might as well train myself to handle our businesses. I know it will be hard, but you'll be there right?"

"Of course, honey. I will be there to guide and assist you."

I sighed in relief. A big world awaits for me. But with Dad's help, I know I can do it.

"Thank you, Dad. So I'll start on monday? I wanna take this week off. I just felt a need for relaxation before indulging myself to work."

"Do whatever pleases you, my princess."

If there's one man who will never break my heart, that's my Dad.

Umakyat ako sa kwarto ko pagkatapos naming mag-usap. I felt light, like somehow the weight has been lifted. Ngayon, may trabaho na rin ulit ako at mayroon nang bagong pagkaka-abalahan.

I changed into my pajamas and a sleeveless top. I removed my bra and sat on my bed. I can't contain the happiness building inside of me. I'm so glad everything went well.

Habang nagpapa-antok, I grabbed my phone and called Jordan to tell him the good news. Naka-dalawang ring pa lamang nang sagutin niya ang tawag ko.

"Guess what?" I heard my high pitched voice echoing inside the room. Excitement enveloped my heart.

Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtawa niya sa kabilang linya bago sumagot.

"Good news ba yan?"

"You bet!" Halata sa boses ko kung gaano ako ka saya at excited.

"Well then, congratulations beautiful! Pakain ka naman!"

I love how he knew everything. I didn't even have to say anything cause he'd just guess it right. He's so supportive and appreciative. I'm so lucky to be his friend.

"Sure! Saan mo gusto?"

"Kahit saan, basta ikaw ang kasama ko."

Argh! Gusto kong tumili pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. Baka naman isipin niyang kinikilig ako sa mga banat niya no.

"Bolero! Huwag mo nga akong binobola, baka mamaya niyan maniwala ako!"

"At sino namang may sabi sa'yo na binobola lang kita?" Seryosong sagot niya.

Bigla tuloy ako'ng nasamid ng sarili kong laway kaya napaubo ako. f**k, naluluha pa ako sa kakaubo! Agad ako'ng lumapit sa mini fridge na nandito sa kwarto ko at kumuha ng tubig para inumin.

"Hey, okay ka lang?"

"What the f**k, Jordan! You're not serious, are you?"

Mahabang katahamikan ang namayani.

"Belle, I'll let you believe what you wanted to believe for now. But that doesn't mean I'm not serious."

Fudge! So he's really serious? I was speechless for a moment.

"Matulog ka na, Belle. Don't mind me. Huwag mo nang masyadong isipin ang mga sinasabi ko. Goodnight, beautiful!"

"Goodnight."

Handsome.

I wanted to tell him that but I didn't dare. Baka kung ano'ng isipin niya. Katulad ko ngayon, lunod na naman ang isip ko. Maraming gumugulo, maraming sumisiksik. Kung sana ganoon lang ka dali ang makalimot.

Hinayaan ko lang ang sarili kong isipin ang lahat. Binalikan ko sa isip ko ang lahat ng pinagdaanan ko nitong nakaraan. Natawa pa ako nang marealize ko na pwede na palang pang pelikula ang lovelife ko.

Unti-unti ko nang natanggap ang mga nangyari. Masakit, oo, pero naniniwala akong may rason ang lahat. Siguro, sinusubok ako ng Panginoon, sapagkat alam niyang malakas ako at malalampasan ko ito.

Tama nga si Jordan, sa pagtanggap nagsisimula ang lahat. Kasi kapag tanggap mo na ang isang bagay, gumagaan ang iyong kalooban. Masakit pa rin, pero hindi na ganoon ka tindi. At ang sugat sa puso ko ay unti-unti na ring naghihilom. Napatawad ko na ba sila? Hindi pa, pero darating tayo diyan. Ayokong magtanim ng sama ng loob sa kahit sino kahit na gaano pa ka tindi ang naging kasalanan nila sa akin.

I smiled as I drifted off to sleep. Truly, God works in mysterious ways.

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To be continued...