Alone with the Cold Weather (Guerra Entre Familias Series #2)

CHAPTER 4

Pagkatapos ng classes namin nang araw na iyon ay nakita naming hinihintay na kami nina Hugo at Azi sa labas ng classroom namin.

"Sa tingin mo, tapos na kaya mag-training si Danna?" tanong sa'kin ni Andria habang nilalagay ang mga gamit namin sa bag namin.

"I don't know. Puntahan muna natin bago tayo lumabas ng school."

Nang makalabas kami ng classroom ay sinabi namin sa dalawa na pupuntahan muna namin si Danna sa gymnasium. Pumayag naman sila.

Pagpunta namin do'n ay naabutan naming umiinom si Danna ng energy drink niya at nagpupunas ng pawis. Kasama niya 'yong ibang players. Nang makita niya kami ay lumapit siya sa'min.

"Kamusta?"

"Classes are already dismissed. Tapos na ba kayo mag-training?"

She glanced at her watch. "Mamaya pa kami matatapos. Do you girls have plans?" Napatingin siya sa mga kasama namin. "Hi, Azi!"

Azi smiled. "Hi!" Tinapik niya sa balikat si Hugo. "This is Hugo."

Danna shook hands with him. "Hi, I'm Danna. Nice to meet you."

"We're planning to hang out with them now that classes are dismissed," I told her.

She nodded and smiled. "You guys can go without me."

"Are you sure?" nag-aalangan kong tanong sa kanya.

"Yeah, it's fine. Update niyo na lang ako sa mga ginagawa niyo sa klase. Okay na 'yon sa'kin."

Andria and I looked at each other. "Uh... Okay," sabi ni Andria.

Wala kaming nagawa kundi umalis nang hindi kasama si Danna. She's always busy. Gusto rin naman niya ang ginagawa niya kaya wala talaga kaming magagawa. That's her life anyway.

"Kamusta ang quiz niyo?" tanong ni Hugo nang nasa isang cafe na kami sa mall. Katabi ko siya at katapat naman namin ang magkatabing sina Andria at Azi.

"Okay naman ang naging scores namin," sabi ni Andria.

"Thank you nga pala ulit sa pagturo sa'min," sabi ko naman bago uminom sa drink ko.

"Anytime."

"Basta kapag may problema kayo huwag kayo mahiyang humingi sa'min ng tulong," sabi naman ni Azi. Muntik ko nang maibuga ang iniinom nang bigla niyang inakbayan si Andria.

And she just smiled at him!

Like I mean, omg! Hindi ba siya nakakahalata na nagpaparamdam si Azi?

"Are you okay?" tanong sa'kin ni Hugo. I just nodded at him.

"Where do you guys want to go next?" si Azi.

"I can't think of anything right now," Andria said and looked at me. "Ikaw, Francine?"

Napaisip ako hanggang sa may naalala. It's about the designs I did recently. "Do you wanna go shopping? I suddenly remembered something I need to buy."

"Yeah, I can go with you," she answered before looking at the boys. "Ayos lang ba 'yon sa inyo?"

"Oo naman."

"Sama kami."

We went to the store I always go to whenever I ran out of fashion supplies. I bit my lower lip and looked at the boys with us when we were already inside. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng hiya. "What if we just go somewhere else?"

"Bakit naman?" si Hugo. "You said you needed something here."

"May ipapagawa ba sa inyo sa school regarding fabric?" si Azi.

"Wala naman," si Andria. "Francine is an aspiring fashion designer. Lagi siyang pumupunta dito kapag bumibili ng mga gagamitin niya sa designs niya."

"Talaga?" si Dylan. "Ilan na ang nagawa mo?"

Saglit akong napaisip. "I lost count. Do you guys wanna see it?" I said and looked at Hugo.

He's got that serious look on me. "Kung ayos lang."

I nodded. "Uhm, okay. I'll just buy some stuff here first."

"Sure."

Magkasama sina Andria at Azi na tumitingin sa mga nandoon habang kasama ko naman si Hugo. Medyo nahihiya pa din ako kaya inabala ko nalang ang sarili ko sa pagtingin ng pictures ng designs ko sa aking phone habang naghahanap ng ka-match na tela.

May lumapit sa'min na sales lady, mukhang bago pa lang dito kasi ngayon ko lang siya nakita. "Good day, ma'am! Ano pong hanap niyo?"

"I'm looking for a fabric with this kind of color." Ipinakita ko sa kanya 'yong picture ng mga designs ko at dinescribe pa nang maigi ang gusto ko.

"Sige po, ma'am. Wait lang po." Pagkaalis niya ay nagpatuloy pa rin ako sa paghahanap at pagtingin sa mga tela na naroon.

"There's no snow here in the Philippines..." I looked at Hugo when he suddenly said that. I noticed him scanning his eyes through the fabrics while his hands are inside his pockets. Sumunod ako sa kanya nang magsimula siyang maglakad habang abala pa rin sa pagmamasid. "...Yet your designs speak of winter..."

He didn't add anything else to what he said. He didn't ask but I feel like I have to explain my side. Because it's really weird to think that I designed something that doesn't fit the weather that the country I'm in now has. I don't even know if I can get out of here. It's embarrassing to think about the reason why my designs are like that but...

"I.. just remembered something when I sketched that. That's all."

He looked at me with no smile etched on his face. Hindi ko tuloy naiwasang titigan siya. Never in my whole life, I've seen those features like him. Brown eyes along with blonde hair? That is so rare. Even close to being impossible. I can easily tell the difference between natural and not. And his is natural.

Medyo nag-aalangan akong kausapin siya because he kinda looks intimidating. He sounds calm when he speaks, but he looks angry. He looks cold. Noong kasama namin siya kanina sa school ay hindi ko masyadong napansin na ganon pala talaga ang resting expression niya.

He suddenly raised an eyebrow, still sporting that look. "Bakit?"

I pouted. "Are you mad?" 'Yon na lang nasabi ko.

My goodness, Franchescalyn! Ano ka ba? You already had this conclusion inside your brain tapos nagtanong ka pa kung galit siya? Stupid girl!

"Bakit naman ako magagalit sa'yo?"

I bit my lower lip. "H-Hindi ko alam."

He stared into my eyes and smiled. Lalo akong natigilan dahil do'n. From that cold and annoyed look to that sweet and heartwarming smile. My goodness! This guy is something!

"I'm not mad at you, Francine. And I don't have any reason to be."

I smiled at him as well. "T-That's good to hear, then." Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa nasa likod niya nang mapagtanto ang nakita. My head slightly looking up. "I think I finally found what I want."

Napatingin siya sa mga telang nasa likod niya dahil sa sinabi ko. "Yeah, I guess you just did."

Lumapit ako at sinubukang abutin 'yong tela sa pamamagitan ng pagtingkayad. Pero kahit ano namang gawin ko, hindi ko pa rin maabot.

"Let me get it for you," aniya at walang kahirap-hirap na kinuha ang telang kanina ko pa hinahanap.

"Thank you."

That looked heavy. Hindi na niya binigay sa'kin dahil agad na siyang naglakad palayo dala-dala 'yon. Sumunod naman ulit ako. Nang mahanap namin 'yong babae ay sinabi ko na ang sukat na kailangan ko para magupit niya 'yon. Nang makita kami nina Azi at Andria na nandoon na ay sinamahan na rin nila kami.

Nang mabayaran ko na 'yon ay tinanong ako ni Hugo. "May kailangan ka pa bang bilhin dito?"

Umiling ako. "Wala na." 'Yon lang naman ang tela na kulang ko.

Nang makarating kami sa bahay ko ay agad na akong dumiretso sa hobby room ko. Sumunod naman sila sa'kin.

"This is where I do my passion," sabi ko. Nakatayo sa tabi ko si Andria habang ang dalawa namang lalaki ay abala sa pagtingin sa mga gamit ko na sadyang nakakalat.

Azi glanced at me. "You're a natural, Francine."

I smiled at him. "Thanks."

Andria went to Azi and they started talking to each other again. Hugo observed the dolls wearing some of the designs I made. I intentionally displayed them because they inspire me and also make me never forget my childhood. He never gave a word the moment we all entered the room. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung ano ang iniisip niya.

I bit my lower lip and went near him. "Are you okay?"

It seems to me that something is bothering him. He looked at my neck and I noticed how his face became more cold and dark. A little more intense than his usual expression.

He sighed and looked away. "Yeah, I'm fine."

I nodded slowly and didn't bother to dig deeper. Kasi pakiramdam ko kung gagawin ko 'yon, baka totoong magalit na siya sa'kin. Well, I just had a feeling based on his aura right now.

When Saturday came, Joaquin picked me up at my place. I wore my lavender halter top and high-waisted jeans with my pair of black sneakers. I put my brown hair in a high ponytail and had some light makeup on. Nagtagal pa ako sa pagpili ng bag hanggang sa nag-settle na lang ako sa aking LV clutch bag.

Pagkalabas ko ay naabutan ko si Joaquin na nakasandal sa kotse niya. May kasamang driver. He smiled at me. "Good morning."

I smiled back at him. "Good morning. Sorry for keeping you waiting."

"No worries. It's fine." Then he opened the door of the car for me. Pinauna niya ako bago siya sumunod at tumabi sa'kin.

We went to BGC and decided to eat in a restaurant first before going anywhere else. We sat at a table near the window.

"How does it feel to run a business at such a young age?" curious kong tanong sa kanya pagka-order namin ng pagkain.

He's mostly known to be the youngest Monreal boy in their family. Tapos marami na agad siyang achievements sa business world. Balita ko marami rin siyang trabaho. It's amazing how he can handle all of those along with his personal life and education.

"It's hard, actually. Pero masaya rin naman ako."

"Have you dated anyone before me?" natanong ko rin kasi parang alam niya talaga ang ginagawa niya.

"Wala. Ikaw pa lang nade-date ko," inosente niyang sabi. "Ikaw?"

"First time ko lang din ngayon."

He smiled. "It's an honor to be your first date."

I didn't help but smile back at him. "It's an honor to be your first as well."

Saglit lang kaming natigil sa pag-uusap nang dumating na ang pagkain namin.

"Let's cherish our first-ever date, then?" he said while holding his glass.

My smiles widened. "Yup." I also took my glass and clinked it with his. Pagkatapos no'n ay nagsimula na kaming kumain.

"Hey, Monreal!"

Napatingin kami sa bagong dating na grupo ng mga lalaki nang may magsalita sa kanila. Tumayo si Joaquin sa kinauupuan at masaya silang binati. Mukhang kaibigan niya ata sila.

"What's up?" aniya sa mga ito.

"We're planning to eat here then we saw you. We thought it's best if we say hi,"aniya pa bago ako tinignan. "Mukhang may kasama ka." Inasar nila si Joaquin. Medyo nakaramdam ako ng hiya for some reason, pero hindi ko 'yon pinahalata.

Joaquin glanced and smiled at me. "This is Francine. She's my date." I stood up right after he introduced me to them.

The guy he was talking with smiled at me. "Hello there."

"Hi!" The other guys greeted me too. "Nice to meet you."

I smiled back at them. "Nice meeting you too."

"We should get going now. See you!"

Pagkaalis nila ay umupo na ulit kami at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"Are you okay, Francine?" he carefully asked and held my hand after a minute of silence between us. Napansin niya ata na medyo hindi ako naging komportable.

I nodded and smiled at him. "Yeah, I'm okay."

"Sorry about that."

"You didn't do anything wrong. No need to apologize." Ilang segundo pa bago ulit ako nagsalita. "Where are we headed after eating here?"

"Do you wanna watch a movie?"

"Yeah, sure."

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay lumabas na kami ng restaurant. Nang makarating kami sa isang movie theater ay nagulat ako nang makita ko do'n si Azi. At hindi lang siya!

"Francine," sabi ni Azi nang makita ako.

"Hi," sabi ko.

He looked at Joaquin when he noticed that we're together. "Joaquin," sabi pa niya bago nakipag-fist bump sa kasama ko. Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa kasama ni Azi.

"Hugo," si Joaquin. Without a word, Hugo nodded at him and also did the same gesture Azi did.

Oh, I suddenly remembered. Kaklase nina Azi at Hugo si Elliyah Monreal. Then these boys are of the same age.

"What are you guys doing here?" tanong pa ni Azi.

"We're on a date," sabi ko.

"Oh," he said and smirked.

"How about you two?"

"Katatapos lang namin manood ng movie."

Tinignan ko ulit si Hugo at naabutan ko ang tingin niya sa'kin. I smiled at him but he didn't.

"Aalis na kami. May pupuntahan pa," sabi pa ni Azi bago ngumiti sa'min. "Enjoy your date."

"Thanks."

"Bye!"

Hindi lang sila ang naka-interact namin habang nagde-date kami. Marami kaming kakilala na nandoon din sa BGC nang araw na 'yon kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung kakalat ang mga balita patungkol sa'min ni Joaquin. Hindi man na ako magtataka, pero makakaramdam pa rin ng kaba dahil do'n.

We watched a movie then we went shopping. We even went to the park and museum before going to another restaurant. Nang malapit nang gumabi ay hinatid na niya ako sa bahay. I went out of his car the moment it stopped. Lumabas din siya.

"Did you have fun?" tanong niya.

"Of course I did."

"Now I wanna know your answer, Francine." Natigilan ako nang sabihin niya 'yon. "May pag-asa ba ako sa'yo?" he seriously said.

Even though we were kinda bothered by some people earlier while we were dating, I admit that I still had fun with him. Our date was great. I felt his sincerity. I felt his care. He was comfortable to be with. He was sweet to me. He's a gentleman. But.. I felt something was missing.

"I'm sorry.. but my answer is no, Joaquin. I realized that I like you but only as a friend. I'm sorry. You're a good guy and you deserve someone better."

I know he knew what I meant but he still had the strength to smile at me. Despite the rejection. "No worries. I get it." He patted my head gently. "Thank you for being honest, Francine."

Hindi ko naiwasang magtaka dahil sa naging reaction niya. "You're not mad?"

"I'm hurt. But I'm not angry at you."

"Why?" I thought that when being rejected by someone you like, the pain you're feeling is already accompanied by anger. Well, I guess it's a different case for him.

"You told the truth to me sooner. It's heartbreaking but it would be more painful if you lied and made the situation worse. Saka ako makakaramdam ng galit kapag nagkaganon."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita dahil sa pagkamangha. Oo nga naman, may point rin naman siya.

I smiled at him. "Thank you, Joaquin. Goodbye."

"Thank you too. But we don't need to say goodbye to each other."

"Bakit?"

"Pareho tayo ng mundong ginagalawan. Our paths may meet again. At least now we both know how we will treat each other if ever that happens." He caressed my hair, smiling. "Friends?"

I nodded at him, very happy that we were still on good terms. "Friends."