Montecillo Series - Therese Montecillo ( Completed )

Another Challenge

Therese POV

Its been a month nung huli naming bakasyon sa Isla. He clarified who Sabel was nung tinanong ko siya. He even called me to tell me not to mind her lalo na’t gusto lang nito makaganti sa kanya. I was right, it was his past that keeps haunting him.

Walang araw na di ako nakakatanggap ng bulaklak from him.He always sends one kahit na wala namang okasyon. He said pambawi sa apat na taong di kami nagkasama. I was smiling from ear to ear for the past frew days.

Mommy even told me na kahit si Kuya, nakakahalata na. Yes, Kuya is back. And I guess makakasama na niya si Irish. Although, I doubt he will have her smoothly. Pinaasa kasi niya. Anyway, I am in the office, again, signing different kinds of proposal sa mga school na hawak namin.

Being the main, kami yung nag aaprove if it is feasible o hindi. Napapabayaan ko na din yung pag didisenyo ko sa mga damit. I help once or twice pero di na din masyado. I was swamped in school.

Kinahapunan, when it was time to go home, I heard someone knock on my door. It was my secretary.

“Miss President, may bisita po kayo?” ngingiti ngiti nitong sabi.

“Who?” I asked with sa lifted brow.

“Ay, ayaw po pakilala. Pero lalaki po.” She smiled. Aba, don’t tell me…

Di pa ako natatapos na naiisip ko, bigla nalang itong pumasok na may dalang bulaklak. I leaned back and sighed,

“Gagawin mo nang flower shop tong office ko.”  I said saka umiling. He just smiled saka tuluyan nang pumasok at sionara yung pintuan tapos lumapit sakin.

“Are you not happy to see me?” tanong niya saka ibinigay yung bulaklak sakin na may ngiti.

“Kasi ako, sobra sobra. Kung di lang ako busy sa restaurant ni Mommy, Noon pa ako nakatambay dito.” Napatawa naman ako.

He was planning to start his own business, car supplies and even cars itself. Kaya lang, sinabi nang Mommy niya na wala siyang nakikitang pwede magmana sa restaurant kasi yung Ate niya wants to just ne a full time Mom.

“I never said I did not. And I’m not even complaining na may natatanggap ako. But babe, flower shop na tong office ko.” I said, whining a bit.

“Ayaw mo nun, palagi kang mabango dito?” sumimangot nalang ako.

“Palagi kalang nakikipagtalo sakin.” I said na ikinatawa niya.

“Sorry babe, accept that side of me.” Ngiti nito. Ano ba! Sasali ba to sa pag endorse ng toothpaste. Nakakainis!

“Whatever. Wag kang maingay bjan, matatapos na ako.” I said after kong maipatong yung flower sa isa kong desk.

He just nodded saka ito tumayo at palakad lakad lang sa office. He was looking at the awards won by the school and even the old pictures kung saan nandoon yung mga athletes ng school and their awards.

He smiled. Siguro nakita niya yung picture nilang team when they won award for playing basketball.

Natapos din ako sa mga pipirmahan ko and closed one of the documents. I got ready saka ko siya binalingan ng pansin.

“I’m ready!” I said, he was still looking at the pics.

“Feeling nostalgic?” I said with a smile saka lumapit sa kanya.

“Yeah, I remember the team and the fun times we had nung nag practice kami for this.” He said caressing the frame.

“Siguro mga businessman or di kaya employee na din sila.” I said, watching his eyes gleam.

“Siguro.” Sabi niya saka lumingon sakin.

“But enough of that. I’m here to take you somewhere.” He said amd held my hand.

“Again? Daan nanaman tayo pupunta?” Natatawa kong tanong.

“Don’t worry, malapit lang to. Hindi ako nakapag pa alam sa parents mo eh.” He said as he pulled me.

Nakalabas na kami ng office ko down to the parking lot. Pinasakay na niya ako sa kotse and it was just raining at the exact time na nakapasok na kami sa kotse, bigla kaming napatawa.

“Okay, kasi umuulan, patila muna tayo saglit.” He said as he watch the rain.

“Baka matagalan.” I said. Umiling naman ito.

“We will drive there pero maya na tayo baba pag tumila na ang ulan.” He said. Tumango nalang ako.

I watched the road go by as we drive. Mukhang malayo layo ito compared sa sinabi niyang di naman talaga malayo.

This will be the second time around he would take me out but this will be the first time in a while that he took me out na hindi mag oovernight.

I looked at the restaurant na tinigilan naming. It was near the sea, At tsaka nakikita ko from here yung mejo maraming tao sa loob.

Tumingin ako sa kanya ng nagtataka. He just smiled and held my hand so that he can kiss my palm.

“I know how much you like seafood. Dito, makakapili ka saka papaluto natin. Tara.” He said bago siya bumaba.Natawa nalang ako saka akmang bababa na din nang siya na mismo yung bumukas sa pinto.

“Come on, princess. Nagpareserve na ako.” Natawa ako saka hinawakan ang kamay niya.

“Pinagjhandaan mo ah.” I said saka naglakad na kami papasok.

The smell was indeed great, jusko maglalaway ako sa sarap ng amoy. Saka lang tumunog tiyan ko which made us laugh.

“See, I know you will like it here.” Sabi nya saka umupo kami sa table malapit sa railings. I saw the beautiful scenery nung beach, may kokonting lights na kasi pagabi na. It was amazing. Ang ganda tignan.

Andrew chose for us. He went to buy lobster, alimango saka shrimps. May kasali din itong mais at gulay. I was thinking na nasa ibang bansa kami nun.

He came back and told me na we have to wait for 20 minutes. I nodded saka nagpap[icture sa kanya. He did took a picture of me. Both with mine and his phone.

Nang di niya nakikita, I stole a pic of him. I was smiling kasio ang gwapo pa din kahit naka side view.

Di nagtagal, food was served and I am indeed drooling. Jusko ang lalaki pala nung lobster tsaka crab. Parang magpapakain kami ng limang tao.

“Andrew, marami ata to?” sambit ko ngunit ang mga mata ko ay nakapako sa pagkain.

“You kidding me? Kulang pa nga ata to. Kung alam mo lang nauubos mo.” Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin saka ito tumawa.

“Come on, let’s dig in.” sabi niya. He started though after naming mahugasan kamay namin. We also had plastic gloves.

Gosh, I did not noptice madami na akong nakakain but I wasn’t full yet. I wanted more. Kain lang ako ng kain na hindi ko napansin na he was already taking a video, minsan naman nagpipicture.

“Hey, I am eating. Stop that!” aagawin ko na sana yung cellphone niya nung nilayo niya to.

“My souvenir.” Sinamaan ko ulit ito ng tingin.

“Huwag na huwag mong ipopost yan.” Banta ko.

“Why would I? For my eyes only.” Nag wink pa ito saka tuluyan na ding kumain.

“Sabi ko sayo kulang pa eh, tignan mo, mauubos mo na.” he said saka tinuro yung laman nung tray.

“I don’t know, I’m hungry sobra.” I said saka binaba yung last food na meron ako.

“But I feel so full now.” I said saka uminom ng tubig.

“Panong di ka magiging full eh halos maubos mo din. Told you kulang pa.” I looked at him, embarrassed.

“Hala sorry, kulang na tuloy nakain mo.” He just smiled and shook his head.

“Nope, I am full na din naman. I ate before going to you. Galing ako restaurant and Mommy let me tried her new recipe. Nakita ko lang to last week kaya naisipan kong dalhin ka dito. I know you like seafood.” He said, naiiyak ako pero di ko alam kung bakit.

Ugh, time of the month nanaman ata. I am an emotional wreck nanaman. So I sniffed and hugged him.

“Ikaw, iniispoil mo nanaman ako. Pag ako masanay, ewn ko nalang.” I said while hugging him.

“Well, di naman ako magrereklamo dun.” He said and hugged me back.

“Cmon, past 7 na, baka hanapin ka na sa bahay niyo.” He said and held my hand, guiding me palabas.

We were laughing from the time na nakasakay kami until nahatid niya ako sa bahay. He waited for me to get inside but then someone spoke right behind us.

“So… Masaya ba date niyo?” she asked. Pareho kaming napalingon. Kung galit akong tumingin sa kanya, it was nothing compared to Andrew.

“Sabel, what the hell is this?” sabi niya at tuluyang tumalikod na sakin para harapin siya.

“Well, just want to remind you.. kung sino ka, sino ako at sino siya. Remember Andrew, kung ayaw mong pati siya masaktan.” She said, smirking as she left.

Hindi ko mapigilang tumingin sa kanya na nagtatanong.

“What was that?” I asked him, saka ito lumingon sakin and ushered me inside with him.

“Rest, ako nang bahala don. She’s always like that. Akala niya I’m the same person she knew before.”

“Anong meron, bakit ganun siya?” he smiled small.

“It’s just the past she wantd to dig on, she knew it bothers me pag nahahalungkat yung nangyari. Don’t worry, just don’t mind her. Okay? You rest. Good night.” Saka niya ako hinalikan sa noo at tumalikod na ito paalis.

I watched his car go farther. Di ko naalintana na hinihintay ako ni Kuya Matt sa pinto.

“What was that?” he asked nung nakalapit na ako.

“Nothing you need to worry about, Kuya.” Yun nalang ang nasagot ko.

“I do hope so.” Sinundan niya ako ng tingin as I went upstairs.

Pagkapasok ko sa kwarto ko, I laid on my bed staring at the ceiling again.

“Parati nalang ba kaming ganito?”