CHAPTER 7
1402 Words
CHAPTER 7
“Kanina ka pa dyan ngumingisi, ‘di ka na nakakatuwa.” I glared at him.
"You really impressed me there. I didn’t expect you to react that way." He said, looking proud.
“Hindi ko na kasi kaya, parang pinaparamdam nila na kasalanan ko na single ako.” Inabot ko ang San Mig Apple at ininom ito.
“Take it easy, Sophia.” Sabi niya sa malalim niyang boses habang kinukuha sa akin ang bote. Eh, hindi naman ako lasing, nakakadalawa pa lang ako nito. And sinadya ko na ito ang i-order dahil alam kong 3% lang ang alcohol content.
Kinuha ko ulit sa kamay niya ang alak. “Hindi naman ako lasing, huwag kang mag-alala.”
Ang kaninang pangisingisi ay napalitan na ng pagkaseryoso. “I’m concerned about how it’s affecting you. Let's take a breather and enjoy the evening in a healthier way. I want to make sure you feel good and have a great time."
“Mr. Jaxon Asher, wala ka dapat na ipag-alala. Okay ako.” Nag thumbs pa ako sa kanya.
“It’s just… I care about you.”
Ano raw? Tumawa ako na ipinagtaka niya. “Ikaw ha, wala naman sa paligid si Ronald pero feel na feel mo yung pagpapanggap. Baka kiligin na ako nyan.” Mahirap na baka maniwala ako tapos hindi naman totoo.
“Sabi ko na nga ba nagpapanggap lang kayo, eh.” Nanlamig ako sa kinatatayuan ko ng makita si Ronald sa harap namin. Sumunod sa kanya ang dalawa niyang kaibigan.
I nervously clung my hands to Jaxon's arms. “P-pinagsasabi mo?” Nilingon ko si Jaxon na wala man lang bahid na takot o nerbyos dahil nahuli kami. “May sinabi ba akong nagpapanggap tayo, babe?”
Imbes na sumagot ay nakikipagsukatan pa siya ng titig kay Ronald. Pinisil ko pa yung braso niya pero ‘di man lang ako pinansin.
“What do you want from her?” he asked, his voice deep and authoritative, radiating a sense of seriousness. “As far as I know, you don’t have the right to disturb her anymore. She deserves peace, and I won’t allow anyone to disrupt her life.”
Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya, seryoso ba siya o ginagawa niya lang ‘to dahil ito ang naisip niyang paraan para umalis na sila.
A smirk flashes across Ronald’s face, revealing a hint of mischief in his eyes. He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as if to guard his confidence against any scrutiny.
"Do you really think you can keep me away from her?" he challenged, his tone laced with arrogance. "You may want to reconsider who you're dealing with."
The atmosphere shifted, thick with unspoken tension. His demeanor suggested that he was not easily intimidated, and deep down, I could sense he was eager to escalate the situation. Ayokong magsuntukan sila dito at gumawa ng eksena, imbes na maganda ang pasok ng bagong taon ito pa ang nangyayari.
I stepped in. Once and for all, I’m going to end this here. “Pwede ba Ronald, huwag mo nang ipilit ang sarili mo sa akin. Ilang beses ko nang pina-intindi na kaibigan lang ang tingin ko sayo at hindi na hihigit pa doon. I appreciate your gesture. However, there’s no chance for us. I have to be clear that my feelings don't align with what you’re hoping for. It’s important to me that we both respect this boundary and move forward.”
***
“Okay ka lang?” May inabot siya sa akin na smoothie at umupo sa side ko.
Hindi na kami nagtagal doon sa bar at bumalik na lang sa Villa, it’s 15 minutes before New Year. Tanaw sa swimming pool ang imahe ng buwan, ilang sandali lang ay mapupuno na ng makukulay na ilaw ang kalangitan. As we silently sit on a rattan lying bed beach chair, I can’t stop thinking about what happened earlier.
“Okay ako, Jax. Thanks to you.” I sincerely smiled.
He taps my head and flashes a smile too. Unti-unti na kaming nakakarinig ng paputok sa paligid. Tumingala ako at ipinikit ang aking mga mata, Lord, happy new year. Panibagong taon at paniguradong may mga bago na namang pagsubok akong kahaharapin. But I know that everything happens for a reason at hindi mo ako pababayaan. I know you’re in control of everything, and I believe that in your time, my season will finally come.
Nang imulat ko ang aking mga mata at nagawi ang tingin kay Jaxon ay seryoso lang siyang nakatingin sa akin. Then may kinuha siya sa bulsa niya at ipinakita ang isang maliit na kahon.
“Happy New Year, Sophia.”
“B-bakit mo ko binibigyan ng regalo?” I asked, confused.
“Tanggapin mo na.” Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at nilagay sa palad ko.
“Eh, paano yan? Wala akong maireregalo sayo.” Sa pagtulong niya sa akin kanina, deserve niya rin ng regalo.
“You don’t have to, makita lang kitang masaya sapat na sa akin ‘yon.”
Woah! May dala rin siyang pasabog, hindi nagpatinag sa fireworks. I avoid his gaze, ayoko siyang tignan ng matagal. Ayokong isipin na may something dahil wala naman, baka na carried-away lang sa nangyari kanina.
“I’m sorry.”
Mabilis akong napalingon sa kanya. “Huh?” Bakit siya nag-so-sorry? Nang makita ko ang kanyang seryosong ekspresyon sa kanyang mukha, nabahala ako. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?” tanong ko.
“For my actions towards Ronald earlier. I know I don’t have the right, but still, I acted that way.”
Akala ko pa naman kung ano na; kinabahan ako ng slight 'don.
Nahampas ko ang braso niya ng mahina at marahan na tumawa. “Ano ka ba?! I should be thankful dahil sinagip mo na naman ako.”
“I—if you don’t mind me asking, what’s the reason behind this? I mean, with that guy and the constant questions and pressure you’re receiving regarding your love life?”
I sighed, tucking my hair at the back of my ear. I’m clearly struggling to find the right words. “It’s a long story.” Nasabi ko na lang.
His right hand suddenly reached for mine. “Don’t worry, Sophia. I am willing to listen; I have time.”
I tried to stop myself from smiling but I failed. Shucks! Halata ka na, Sophia! Umupo ako ng tuwid, buti na lang at inalis na niya ang kamay niya sa pagkakahawak sa kamay ko.
“It’s just so overwhelming.” Pagsisimula ko. “Everyone seems to think they have a right to know my business. The constant questions feel like a never-ending pressure.”
He leaned forward, intrigued yet concerned. "That must be exhausting for you. Have you considered telling them to back off?"
I chuckled softly, a hint of sarcasm in my tone. “Ginawa ko na, diba? Nakita mo naman siguro kanina,” pertaining to the scene with my batchmates and the past happenings—the family reunion and those three "marites" at the office. “But it’s easier said than done, Jaxon. You know how people are—hindi man sila nagre-react, but they don't take no for an answer. Minsan pa nga, kapag pinagtatanggol ko ang sarili ko, sinasabihan pa ako ng mama ko na OA.” I scoffed.
“Maybe it’s time to shut their mouths?” he suggested, which made my brow twitch.
“W-what do you mean?”
“Let’s continue this fake relationship,” he stated, a playful smile dancing on his lips.
I stared at him, disbelief and confusion swirling in my mind. “You’re serious? You think pretending will solve my problems?”
He nodded, his expression turning more earnest. “Think about it, Sophia. If we act like we're together, they’ll have no reason to pry into your personal life. Besides, it might take some of the pressure off you.”
I weighed his suggestion carefully. Part of me wanted to reject the idea outright, but another part sensed the logic behind it. “And what about our friends? Y-yung mga kakilala mo, kapamilya… Yung pamilya ko, what will they think?”
“Who cares? It’s our lives, right?” He leaned closer, his gaze steady. “We can set the terms. It can be just an act; no strings attached.”
- Writer
