MONTEBELLO'S MAID FOR MARRIAGE

CHAPTER 4

Claire’s Point of View

“Good morning, rise and shine!” I shouted happily, well I am just here sa window ng kuwarto ko and I saw Jax opening his window too. I smiled at him when he looked at me, ang ngiti that will asar sa kaniya. He smiled back, not sweet. Pareho lang ng smile ko, annoying.

I rolled my eyes and started to get ready. Today is Valentine’s Day. Ngayon ko na gagawin ang plan ko and I am sure, I will really give him the best surprise.

“Yeah, best gift for you, Jax. Just wait for it,” I murmured and started to take a bath, wore my uniform, made myself presentable, and went downstairs right straight to the kusina. I saw Mom and Dad there.

“Good morning! Happy Valentine’s Day, mom and dad!” I greeted them before sitting down.

“Good morning din ‘nak and Happy Valentine’s Day!” They greeted me back and I smiled.

“Siya nga pala anak, later may date kami ng Mommy mo. Sa weekend may family bonding din tayo, don’t worry,” sabi ni Dad and I don’t have any say about it. Minsan lang din naman sila makapag-date nang maayos ni Mom, at least we will have a bonding on weekend.

“Okay po,” I responded and we started to eat breakfast. After that situation where Jax and I fought last time, I don’t talk much with Mom. Maybe she’s still mad at what happened? I don’t know. Maybe, I deserve it at some point because we promised back then that we will never fight again like that but we broke it, multiple times.

After ko eating breakfast, I just made sure all of my things were prepared and even myself before nag-goodbye kina Mom at Dad.

“Papasok na po ako, enjoy your date later!” I said and kissed their cheeks before entering the backseat of the car. While on the way to the school, napatingin ako sa bag ko to make sure ulit na nandito ang ilalagay ko sa locker ni Jax. I felt at ease when I saw the box, it really looks romantic and like the one who will put this is his secret admirer. I know he will never have a chance to resist this chocolate. Yeah, just chocolate and an apology letter.

Pagkarating pa lang sa school, I saw Lisa and Risa already. We’re giggling because of our beautiful and sweet plan.

“So, what time you’ll put that sweet surprise into his locker?” Risa asked.

“Well, after arranging the booth. Sakto lang na katatapos ng training niya sa swimming. They are always leaving their lockers open, I noticed that. So, ang perfect ng plan natin. No question needed.” I answered.

“I can’t wait! You’ll also have recorded reaction of him, I’ll handle that.” I smiled at Lisa when she said that. Well, we don’t have classes today since we will be celebrating the event of Valentine’s Day. ‘Yon lang at bawal hindi naka-uniform, I hate it! They are so strict with this.

Jax’s Point of View

Nakapagpalit na ako ng swimwear dahil may training kami ngayon dahil nalalapit na ang laban. I am thinking deeply because I rarely saw her smile like that and especially, ngayon pa na Valentine’s Day. I can feel it, may parang plano siya. Pero ano naman plano ng babaeng ‘yon? Hindi gumanti agad, sure ako na may iba siyang gagawin at pakiramdam ko ito ang tamang araw para sa kaniya.

“Hey, Jax! Parang ang lalim naman ng iniisip mo bro?” sabi ni Felix na kababalik lang din sa locker room namin dito sa may swimming area.

“Alam ko na iniisip niyan, si Claire,” saad din ni Rey at napailing na lang ako. Umupo ako at tumabi sila sa akin.

“Tama ako ano?” dagdag pa ni Rey.

“Yep. I can sense na parang ngayong araw siya gaganti sa akin sa ginawa ko last time. You remember that, noong nakwento ko ang tungkol sa bato?”

“Of course it's so funny! Kakaiba talaga kayong dalawa. Iyong close friends ang parents n’yo pero kayo hindi and you both are really enemies,” sagot ni Felix.

“Well, for sure another lame revenge na naman ang gagawin niya. Kung may surpresa man siya sa akin, ako rin may surprise sa kaniya. It’s sweet, magiging matamis ang ngiti ko kapag nakita ko siyang natataranta mamaya. Huwag n’yo kalimutan ang plano ah?”

“Yes, makakaasa ka sa amin Jax. Kasama mo na yata kami sa paghiganti mo kay Claire lagi,” tugon ni Rey at sumang-ayon din si Felix. I smirked because I know I’ll make her scream again like she’s inside the horror house or movie that she’s always scared of.

Hindi rin nagtagal ay nagsimula na ang training namin. Dahil may event today, naisipan ni coach na sa umaga na ang training namin. Mostly uwian ang oras pero medyo alanganin ngayong araw. Hanggang sa matapos ang training, iniwan lang namin bukas ang locker habang nag-shower para makapagpalit ulit ng school uniform.

Claire’s Point of View

“This is it! Wala ng tao at paniguradong nag-sho-shower na sila. Tapos na ang training,” I said and looked at the twins before I slowly walked towards the locker room.

There are names in their lockers so I knew which one was Jax's. I opened it slowly then put the small paper bag with a box of chocolates and a short letter there. I closed the locker but screamed when I saw their coach looking at me.

“AHHHHH!”

“Hmm, Miss Guerrero, why are you here?” he asked and I swallowed my own saliva. I am thinking about ano ang isasagot ko to make a palusot.

“Ahm… I just put Jax’s favourite chocolate. Ah, it’s my gift for him ngayong araw to apologize to what happened last time between us. Nahihiya po ako i-give personally so I thought maybe ilagay ko na lang ito sa locker niya,” I answered and super kinakabahan ako at baka mahalatang nagsisinungaling ako. Praying he will let it slide immediately para makaalis na ako bago pa ako makita ni Jax.

“Alright, that’s good. Mabuti na ring magkasundo kayo pero sa susunod ‘wag mo na ulit gagawin na basta-basta ka na papasok dito,” I felt ease again when coach responded to me like that. Now, I don’t need to worry. Ngumiti lang ako bago umalis si coach bilang response din and I also plan to leave but huli na ang lahat dahil nakabalik na sila Jax.

“Claire? What are you doing here?”

“Nothing.”

“Really? I know you, it’s not nothing. Mga bro, mauna na kayo. I’ll handle my enemy for now.”

“Sige bro, doon lang kami sa tambayan natin.” Umalis na sina Rey at Felix after that.

“So, bakit ka nandito? Aminin mo na at sigurado akong may binabalak ka ngayon.”

“You’ll just know it. Bye!” I answered plainly. He’s looking at me suspiciously. I rolled my eyes again and tried to walk away but he didn’t let me.

“What? Let me go. Kailangan ko na pumunta sa booth namin.” Hindi niya pa rin ako pinapakawalan at binuksan ang locker niya. He saw the paper bag and he smirked at me.

“Wow, a surprise gift? Let’s see what this is.” Napangiwi naman ako kaunti and tried to remain calm. I looked at Lisa and Risa, they looked at me like yari na talaga ako ngayon. Bakit ba kasi ngayon pa ako nakita ni coach! Nakaalis na sana ako kanina.

“My favourite chocolate and an apology letter? What’s happening right now? Hahahahaha! Let me read your letter for me. Dear Jax, I am sorry for what I did last time. Pagod na rin ako na lagi tayong enemies. Can we just stop the nonsense things we are doing and just ignore each other since ‘di naman natin like ang isa’t is making friends like our parents. I’m sorry ulit. Really, you’re sorry?”

“Yep. I am. I know it’s too sudden or suspicious man for you pero I am sincere with that. Nahihiya lang talaga ako to give it personally,” I answered but of course it’s just a lie.

“Well, I also have something for you. Let’s open it nang sabay, what do you think?” Act cool, Claire. I think ‘di gumagana ang mga lies ko now sa kaniya. Let’s just go with the flow.

“Really? Ano ang ibibigay mo sa akin?” I asked him to get a paper bag also from his bag then gave it to me. I felt something not right but still kinuha ko ito and may box din sa loob. May letter din siya.

“Dear Claire, I am sorry for what I did last time. I realize lately na ang childish ng ginagawa natin sa isa’t isa. Can we stop being enemies and just ignore each other since we can’t be friends like our parents? I apologize again. I hope you’ll like my gift.”

I know he is not sincere. Oh well, whatever this is, kailangan ko mag-act pa rin na okay lang ang lahat. Maybe he felt the same right now.

“Thank you for this gift pero mamaya ko na lang sana bubuksan. I really need to go back to our booth eh,” sabi ko but he denied. Pinaupo niya ako bago siya naupo sa tabi ko.

“Let’s open it already, together. As a sign also that we are cutting our enemy era and welcoming our just ignore each other phase. Para makapunta ka na rin sa booth mo,” sabi niya at ngumiti siya. Naninibago ako in his actions but I guess it’s more fun to see his reaction live other than recorded video.

“Okay, in a count of three. Let’s open our box.” Sumang-ayon naman siya and he insisted on count so I let him do it.

“Okay, in a count of three, two, one, open!” We opened the box together and both of us screamed.

“AHHHHH!”

“COCKROACHES! FLYING COCKROACHES!”

“NO! NO! NO! LEAVE, SPIDER! LEAVE! NO! AHHHH!”

“WHERE’S THE BROOM! I NEED BROOM! NO, NO, DON’T COME TO ME YOU FREAKING FLYING COCKROACHES!”

“JUST STAY THERE, YOU SPIDER! DON’T COME TO ME!”

We are both screaming nonstop and don’t know what we should do. Natataranta na lang kami!

“What’s with that nonstop scream, Claire Alistair Guerrero and Jax Montebello?!” We both stopped screaming, looked at each other then to coach.

“There are cockroaches! Flying around!”

“There’s a spider!”

“What the—”

“AHHHHHH!” Jax and I screamed again and it startled the swimming coach who’s now also spraying the insect spray to kill it. He also gets his shoes to kill it and we are all catching our breath.

“Now, we all know walang ganiyan dito at nagkaroon dahil sa inyong dalawa.” Marami na ang nakakita sa nangyari kanina dahils sa walang tigil naming sigaw.

“Pero—”

“Stop. Huwag n’yo na i-deny! Mga batang ito, susmaryosep! Pumili kayo ngayon, isumbong namin kayo sa parents n’yo o buong oras ng event kayo nasa jail booth as your punishment?”

“Coach—”

“Stop, Jax. That’s your only option, pareho kayo ni Claire.”

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa at alam naming wala kaming choice ngayon.

“Jail booth,” we both answered. This is a different level of stress, gosh! The facilitator of the jail booth arrested us and put us in one small cell. I just looked outside and saw Risa and Lisa who can’t do anything. I also saw Felix and Rey na napapakamot na lang sa ulo nila seeing us.

“It’s your fault,” I said to Jax.

“Wow! Is it my fault? Ako lang talaga?”

“Yes! Ikaw lang talaga! Sabi ko na kasing huwag muna eh! Iyan tuloy!”

“Nagsalita ang babaeng naglagay ng buhay na ipis sa favourite chocolates ko!”

“Wow! Who’s talking? The irritating guy na naglagay ng spider sa box. Wala man lang chocolates sa loob, how cheap?”

“Kapag hindi kayo tumigil na dalawa, ipapaalam namin sa parents n’yo ang mga ginagawa ninyo lagi sa school. All of it. Do you want that, Claire and Jax?” Napatahimik naman kami sa sinabi ngayon ng Principal na nalaman ang naganap sa amin for sure, bentang-benta na kami. Umiling kami pareho as sign na we don’t want it to happen.

“Good. Behave kung gusto ninyong mas maaga kayo makalabas diyan at makapag-enjoy pa sa event.” We don’t have any choice but to tolerate each other’s presence.

Well, this is not only and will never be the only time we take revenge on each other. No one knows when we will stop because until our graduation and in the future, we will stay enemies for no reason.