Montepalma Series 2: Trapped by His Game

Kabanata 25

“I would like to introduce Daniel, my trainor.”

Nandito kami ngayon ni Baby sa Anytime Fitness para mag exercise kasi napansin ko na tumataba ako. I really need to burn my fats. Nakasuot ako na pink racerback at black leggings.

Nilahad ni Daniel kamay niya. “Nice to meet you. My name is Daniel. How about you?”

“I’m Sianna,” I answered. Tinanggap ko iyong kamay niya at mabilis ko iyon binitawan. “Baby told me that you are Craige’s cousin, right?”

“Yes, tuwing weekends ay nandito si Babylyn.”

“Uhm… I wanted to start with treadmills because my thigh is big,” I said, shyly.

“Sure! Follow me, ladies,” Daniel replied.

Sumunod kami ni Baby sa kaniya habang hawak ko iyong phone at airpods para habang tumatakboa ko sa treadmill ay nakikinig ako ng music. May dalawang babae na tumatakbo sa treadmills at isa roon ay kumaway kay Daniel.

“Baka mag jumping rope ako at plank. Kapag may tanong ka ay lapit ka lang kay Daniel. Mabait naman iyan sobra!” si Baby habang hinihintay si Daniel na ilapag iyong yoga mat. “Sige na, mag treadmill ka na!”

I huffed. “Sure. Kalabitin mo na lang ako.”

Kapag kasi magd-date kami Nik ay mahilig kami kumain kaya tumaba siguro ako pero hindi naman halata. Lahat ng kinakain ko ay napupunta sa legs ko. Sine-set up ko na iyong treadmill at sinuot ko na iyong airpods. Nilagay ko muna sa walking speed at nagpatugtog na ako sa Spotify.

Hindi ako masyadong sanay mag-gym kasi busy ako sa trabaho. Minsan lang ako niyayaya ni Baby sa Anytime Fitness. Naramdaman ko na may humawak sa siko at mabilis ko tinanggal iyong isang airpods ko.

“You need to warm up first, Sianna,” he announced.

Napakurap ako. “G-Gano’n ba? Sorry!”

Siya iyong nagstop ng treadmill at dinala niya ako sa tabi ni Baby. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin kasi pinipigilan niya hindi matawa. Mukha naman akong tanga no’n. Wala talaga ako ideya sa gym.

“Alright, ladies, kopyahin niyo lang kung ano gagawin ko. Masamang biglain iyong muscles kasi magc-cramps iyan kinabukasan,” Daniel explained. “Breathe in… and breathe out.”

Sumeryoso na ako at sinunod ko si Daniel kung paano mag-warm up. Hanggang sa siya na mismo nagsabi na pwede na ako mag treadmills. Sinet ko na agad sa fast walk at binalik ko ulit iyong airpods sa tenga ko.

We worked out for one hour until she decided to tell me that she is hungry. I cannot believe this woman, really. Gusto niya maging fit kami pero nagyaya bigla kumain kami. Kinuha ko sa bag ko iyong towel at pinunasan ko iyong sentinido. Grabe napagod ako but it feels good.

“Shall we eat at Wendy’s?” she asked.

“We shouldn't work out if we are going to eat fast food,” I replied, exasperatedly.

She arched her eyebrows. “May salad ang Wendy’s! And… I want their fries.”

“Bahala ka. Salad lang ako.”

“Hindi ka naman kasi mataba! Your stomach is flat,” she stated. Talagang tiningnan niya pa ang kabuuan ko. “Are you conscious if Nik doesn’t find you sexy anymore?”

I frowned. “What the heck? Can’t you see my thighs? And I don’t care if he doesn’t find me sexy anymore. I do this for myself, Baby.”

“Geez! Calm down!”

Tinawanan niya lang ako at tumungo na ako sa shower room kasi pawis na pawis ako. Dala ko rin iyong bag ko para kunin na lang iyong extrang clothes ko. Habang naliligo ako ay napaisip ako kung hindi na ba ako magiging sexy sa paningin ni Nik?

I wanna strangle my cousin’s neck!

Kapagkwan sumakay na kami sa white BMW ko. Tapos napansin ko na nagtext sa akin si Tristan at Nik. Pero nag focus muna ako mag drive kasi mamaya ko na lang muna sila kausapin kapag nasa Wendy’s na kami.

Nang makahanap kami ng Wendy’s ay pinark ko na sa parking lot iyong BMW ko. Bumaba na kami parehas at napansin ko na sobrang excited niya. Nakasimangot lang ako habang nakasunod sa kaniya.

Siya nag presinta sa sarili niya na umorder kaya ako na ang humanap ng table para sa amin dalawa. Habang wala pa naman si Baby ay nilabas ko na iyong phone ko. I bit the inside of my cheeks when I checked Nik’s messages.

From: Nik

I tried drinking the caramel macchiato, it tasted okay. But it reminds of you because you love caramel macchiato.

From: Nik

I have no meeting at five o’clock. Let’s have a date?

I immediately typed in my reply. Grabe… lamon na naman kami.

To: Nik

Let’s eat healthy food. Nags-start na ako mag gym.

From: Nik

That’s nice, baby. There’s a salad in a fine dining restaurant.

Tiningnan ko naman iyong messages sa akin ni Tristan. Kaya pinalitan ko na iyong pangalan kasi nagpakilala siya sa text.

From: Tristan

The Filipino breakfast is still bomb. Have you eaten your breakfast?

From: Tristan

Hey, this is Tristan. Reply back.

From: Tristan

Can I visit you in your house? Only if you are not busy.

Napanguso ako habang iniisip kung kailan ba ako free. Siguro pwede ko siya invite na magdinner sa amin. Gusto ko talaga bumawi sa kaniya kasi I really sound rude to him. f**k it, Sianna!

To: Tristan

I will inform you when I will invite you to have dinner with us.

Mabilis naman nag beeped iyong phone ko hudyat kanina pa inaabangan ni Tristan iyong reply ko. Kung hindi lang sana nawala si Mom ay hindi ako magiging ganito.

From: Tristan

Sure! Thank you!

Napangiti na lang ako sa reply niya at dumating na si Baby habang may hawak na tray. Dumiretsyo na kami sa salad station at ako ang naglagay kung ano gusto ko sa salad. Mabuti na lang iced water ang binili niya at hindi soda kasi sayang naman kung nag gym pa kami.

“When is the wedding?” I probed.

Kumakain na kami ngayon ng salad. Talagang bumili siya ng medium size ng fries. Tuwang-tuwa siya habang kumakain ng fries sa harapan ko. I was silently munching my food while waiting for her to answer.

“Probably in December,” she answered. She takes a bite of fries. “I will inform you when we will prepare the wedding. I want you to go with me if we will try the food tasting.”

“Uh, sure.”

“How about you? Kailan naman kayo ikakasal ni Nik?”

I almost choked on her remark. I gave her a deadly glare at napailing ako. Mabilis ako napainom ng malamig na tubig. Bigla siya napahagikhik dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. Nakakairita naman iyong ganiyang tanong!

Wala pa naman kami tapos kasal agad?

“Go to hell,” I hissed.

“Tagal niyo nang nagd-date! What’s the update? Spill the tea!”

“We are still dating, Baby.”

Her forehead creased. “Bakit kaya hindi mo siya sagutin? And balita ko umuwi na raw si Tristan. Does he still look handsome?”

“I will surely tell this to Craige…”

Ngayon napawi iyong ngiti niya at hinampas niya ako sa braso. Hindi naman ata pwede na siya lang mang-asar sa akin. Kaya kumain na kami para makauwi na kami agad. Nang maubos na namin ang pagkain ay umalis na kami sa Wendy’s.

Sumapit na ang takipsilim kaya nakasuot ako ng white long satin dress while wearing my Mom’s pearl earrings. Hinayaan kong nakalugay ang buhok ko at simple lang ang make up ko. Hinihintay ko lang iyong message sa akin ni Nik na nandito na siya sa bahay.

I felt my phone vibrate but I got a message from Tristan. Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama habang binabasa iyong message niya sa akin.

From: Tristan

I am currently swimming right now while drinking a beer. I hope you are here with me.

To: Tristan

I will. Next time, Tristan.

Halos mapatili ako nang mag message sa akin si Nik. Hindi ako mapakali dahil alam kong nandito na siya sa bahay dahil nag message na siya sa akin. I have to calm myself, halatang gustong-gusto ko si Nik.

From: Nik

I’m here.

To: Nik

Wait a second. I’m coming.

From: Nik

Hurry up, mon amour. I miss you.

I grabbed my purse with me and went out of my room. My heart is thumping crazily inside my chest. Pinapakalma ko iyong sarili ko dahil naririnig ko na iyong boses ni Nik sa sala habang kausap iyong Dad ko. He shot his intense eyes at my direction and he swallowed hard.

Dad glanced at me. “Oh! There she is! My lovely daughter!”

Ngumiti ako kay Dad at hinalikan ko siya sa pisnge. Nakapamulsa si Nik habang pinapanood niya ako kumilos pero alam kong nakatitig siya sa katawan ko. Tinapik ni Dad iyong balikat ni Dad at mataman na ngumiti.

“You take care of my daughter, hijo…”

Nik cleared his throat. “Her safety is my top priority, Tito. Don’t worry about it.”

“Thank you. Magpapahinga na ako at ikaw na bahala kay Sianna.”

I rolled my eyes. “Dad… matanda na ako. I can take care of myself.”

Humalakhak lang si Nik at naglakad na siya paakyat patungo sa kaniyang kwarto niya. Gumapang ang kamay ni Nik papunta sa bewang ko at hinapit niya ako palapit sa kaniya. Kinagat ko iyong labi ko habang nag-iinit iyong pisnge ko.

“I miss you so damn much,” he whispered.

I also miss him when he is not with me due to work. Gusto ko rin maging hands on sa drugstore sa tabi ng ospital nila pero ayaw niya na ako ma-stress kaya hinahayaan niya na lang ako.

As usual, his Mclaren is parked in front of our house and then he opened the door for me. I gave him a smile because he is always a gentleman to me. He jogged to the driver side and slid inside his car. My heart is pounding loudly inside my chest.

“How are you?” he asked.

“I’m good. How about you?” I replied. Pinanood ko siyang binuhay niya na iyong makina ng sasakyan at umandar na. “I know you are super tired from work and here you are… giving me quality time.”

“Don’t worry about it because I always get rest whenever I’m with you.”

I bite the inside of my cheeks to stifle a smile. Narinig ko siya na mahinang tumawa sa akin at nakatutok ang mata niya sa harapan. Nakasandal lang ako sa backrest habang binubuksan iyong stereo niya.

We get it almost every night

When that moon gets so big and bright

It's a supernatural delight

Everybody was dancin' in the moonlight

I watched him vibing with his favorite music and he was whistling the song. I laughed while my eyes stayed in his direction. He looks happy and enjoying this moment with me inside of his car.

Dancin' in the moonlight

Everybody's feelin' warm and right

It's such a fine and natural sight

Everybody's dancin' in the moonlight

His vibe is so contagious because my shoulder is moving as if I’m dancing. Hanggang sa sinabayan na ni Nik iyong pagkanta kaya pumapalakpak ako para sabayan iyong beat. Ang saya talaga namin dalawa. Para kaming may sariling mundo tuwing magkasama kami.

“My baby is dancing!” he chuckled.

My lips curved up. “That is my favorite music also because of you!”

Everybody here is out of sight

They don't bark and they don't bite

They keep things loose, they keep things light

Everybody was dancin' in the moonlight

Nang matapos na ang kanta ay bigla kaming nanahimik at nagkatinginan sa isa’t-isa. We burst out laughing inside of his car. It was hilarious and I really can’t help but to laugh. Hindi rin naman nagtagal ay nakarating na kami sa fine dining restaurant.

He parked his Mclaren in the parking lot and he was the first one who got out of his car. He really wants to open the door for me which is sweet. Humawak ako sa kamay niya at bumaba na rin sa kotse niya. Bumaba ulit iyong kamay niya sa bewang ko habang naglalakad kami sa loob ng restaurant. I anchored my hands on his arms.

A waiter welcomed us with a bright smile etched on his facade. The people were chattering in the restaurant and a waiter was holding a tray. Wow, what a busy night.

“Good evening, Mr. Montepalma and Miss Rodriguez,” the waiter greeted us. “I will lead you to your table.”

Tumango kami at sinundan namin siya. Gumagala ang paningin ko sa kabuuan ng restaurant. Lahat ng mga kumakain dito ay mga mayayaman base sa kanilang pananamit at pagsasalita. Hanggang sa huminto kami sa reserved na table. Mabilis ako pinaghila ni Nik ng upuan kaya umupo na ako.

Nilapag ng waiter iyong dalawang menu kaya kinuha ko iyon. The interior design of the restaurant is modern and minimalist. Napapahanga ako kasi sobrang bright ng place kaya magaan tingnan.

Nakanguso ako habang namimili kung ano ang kakainin ko. Grabe, natatakam ako kasi mukhang masarap iyong steak pero I’m on diet. Naghihintay lang iyong waiter sa gilid namin hudyat hinihintay iyong order namin.

“I will recommend to you the steak and rib eye but you’re on diet,” he said, slightly teasing me.

“Ang sama mo…” I responded. Tinago ko iyong mukha ko ng menu dahil hindi ko mapigilan hindi mapangiti. “You know that I’m working out and I am on diet but you are tempting me.”

He chortled. “I was just teasing you. They have the best chopped salad here.”

“Gosh… I bet their mashed potato tastes delicious.”

“And you partner it with the steak. Definitely a good dinner for me, isn’t it?”

I fought the urge not to roll my eyes at him. Napansin ko na pabalik-balik ang tingin sa amin ang waiter tila nahihiya sa asaran namin dalawa. Nakaramdam ako ng hiya kaya sinipa ko si Nik sa ilalim ng lamesa. His eyes widened when he realized that I kicked him.

Diet nga ako e!

“Mine would be baked mussels and steak medium rare,” Nik ordered.

I pouted. “Mine is caesar salad and french onion soup please…”

The waiter is taking down our orders and he gave us a nod. He took the menus from us and walked away. Now… it’s just the two of us. I was playing with my fingers while listening to the classic orchestra echoed in the restaurant.

“I wanted to say something to you,” he started. Naging seryoso iyong mukha niya kaya napatuwid ako ng upo. “Do you remember Hansen?”

I nodded my head. “Yeah, he is the brother of Johann. Why? What happened?”

“He got kidnapped. Kaya masyado akong busy kasi hinahanap namin siya. Someone wanted to take revenge on our family and I’m working on it. Sorry, I can’t help it because it is too heavy on my chest. Too many problems and I'm busy in the hospital.”

Nakaramdam ako ng awa sa kaniya dahil halata ngang napapagod siya pero pinapakita niyang okay lang siya kapag nasa harapan ko. Na-guilty tuloy ako kasi hindi ko man lang alam kung ano ang problema niya.

“May balita na ba kayo kung sino dumukot kay Hansen?” I probed.

“No idea…” he answered. He raked his hair in frustration. “And I was pressured and all the blame is on me. Damn it.