Falling for That Badboy

Chapter 19

ILANG BESES akong napailing habang naglalakad sa hallway patungo sa building namin. Totoo nga ang mga sabi sabi. Ang daling kumalat ng balita.

I can clearly hear from those girls the talk about me and Luke. Mukhang kalat na sa buong campus na kami nang dalawa...ulit. It has been three days since we decided to be together again. And look now, kalat na agad sa loob ng campus. Though, hindi naman nila alam na may nakaraan kami.

Now, i'm thinking kung magiging peaceful pa ba ang buhay ko habang nandito ako sa school nito ngayong alam na nang lahat na kami na ni Luke.

Marami pa namang fangirls dito si Luke.

“Leige!!! Hey! Wait for me!!”mabilis akong napalingon nang marinig ko ang matinis at masakit sa tengang boses ni Daisy. Nasa may gate pa lamang ito, habang mabilis na mabilis ang pagtakbo.

Huminto ako sa paglalakad, habang tinatanaw si Daisy. I'm sure this girl have a news.

Humahangos pa si Daisy nang makalapit sa akin, dagli 'kong kinuha mula sa bag ko ang baon 'kong mineral water at pinainom siya. Ang aga aga haggard na agad siya.

Pwede naman kasing maglakad na lang, tumakbo pa!

Matapos uminom, ay umiling-iling ito. “Grabe kayo! Ang taas ng ratings nyo ah!”sabi pa nito.

Napakunot-noo naman ako. “Ratings? What?”

“Yes. Three days pa lang simula nang maging kayo, pero kalat na kalat na yong balita dito sa loob at maging labas ng campus! Instant celebrity na nga kayo e!”ani pa nito.

Napuno ng pagkagulat ang sistema ko.

“Ano? Teka—panu ba 'to kumalat?”i asked, then i glared at her. “Don't tell me ikaw ang nagpakalat nang tungkol dun!”hinuha ko naman.

Mas mabilis pa sa alas kwatro na umiling ito. “Hindi noh! Hindi naman ako ganun ka-tsismosa, lalo na kung tungkol sayo”pag-alma naman nito.

Natahimik naman ako 'nun. Alam 'kong nagsasabi ng totoo si Daisy, dahil hindi naman nito ugali na ikalat ang mga bagay tungkol sa kanya. She's my true friend.

Kaya, naguguluhan ako kung bakit ang bilis kumalat ng balita. Hindi naman powerful ang pamilya namin para maging talk of the town. Kaya nam—wait.

I remembered when i met Luke's Butler. Butler john is driving a billion worth car, and he even called Luke a Master? Does it imply something?

“Ano na namang iniisip mo?”napansin siguro ni Daisy ang pananahimik ko, kaya agad niyang tinapik ang balikat ko.

Nabaling naman sa kanya ang atensyon ko. “Wala. Uhm, anong oras na ba?”pagtatanong ko naman.

Sinilip nito ang relo niya, bago muling tumingin sakin. “7:20 am na. 8:30 pa ang first class mo diba?”sabi naman nito sa akin.

I nodded. “Nakalimutan ko na kailangan ko palang pumunta sa Student Council Office ngayon, pumunta ka na sa klase mo , punta lang akong office”i said, then i quickly run. Hindi ko hinintay pa ang sagot niya.

Mabuti na lang at hindi ganun kalayo ang pinanggalingan ko patungo sa Office, kaya hindi naman ako gaanong napagod.

When i entered the office, i stunned when i saw Luke and Ms. Laxamana hugging each other. I frowned because of what i am seeing, they're hugging. Are they that close?

I was about to go out to leave them, cause i think they're having a serious talk when Ms. Laxamana's eyes glued to me. Her eyes widened, kaya naman napalingon na din sa kinaroroonan ko si Luke.

Unlike Ms. Laxamana, Luke smiled before walking closer to me.

Nang makalapit, agad niya akong hinalikan sa noo na talagang nagpakilig na naman sa akin. Tatlong araw na pero grabe pa din ang epekto niya sa akin!

“I'm glad that you're here, Love”mas naramdaman ko ang pag init ng pisngi ko nang marinig ko ang endearment na pinili niyang itawag sa akin. Love. Sound's music to my ears!

Mayuming ngiti lang naman ang ibinigay ko kay Luke, “H-hey. Kanina ka pa nandito? Teka—”tinignan ko naman si Ms. Laxamana, “May pinag-uusapan po ba kayong importante? Baka nakakaistorbo na po ako, Maam.”pagtatanong ko naman.

Ms. Laxamana smiled at me and motioned me to walk towards her, so i did. Naglakad ako palapit kay Ms. Laxamana, habang ramdam ko ang pagsunod ni Luke sa akin.

Naupo ako sa upuan na nasa harapan ng table ni Ms. Laxamana.

Ms. Laxamana smiled at me, “I'm happy to know na nagkabalikan na kayo”she said, and that made me frown.

I quickly raised my head to see Luke's reaction, and he just did a smile at me. Napahinga muna ako ng malalim bago tinignan ulit si Ms. Laxamana, “May alam din po kayo sa nakaraan ko?”

She nodded. “Yes”

“P-paano po?”i asked. “It means, bago pa man ako maging President ng Student Council kilala niyo na po ako”takang tanong ko ulit. Naguguluhan ako. Kung alam niya ang nakaraan ko, then maybe she's a part of it!

Kaya ba pinagtutulakan niya ako na patinuin si Luke? She said that she believe in me, na kaya 'kong patinuin si Luke before.

She laugh, softly that caught my attention. “Panu ko hindi makilala ang girlfriend at pinakamamahal ng anak ko, hindi ba?”she said.

As her words load on my mind, my mouth quickly opened wide same as my eyes. Ohgollyfish! Sh...She's...

OMG! Ms. Laxamana is Luke's... W-what?

“I'm Luke's mother, Ryleige.”then she smiled.

Shemay! So, all this time? Nakakaharap at nakakausap ko na ang Mommy ni Luke without me knowing it! Geez!

Napanganga na lang ako sa mga nalaman ko. Hindi ako makapaniwala! Luke and Ms. Laxamana ar—teka...

I look at Luke, “Ms. Laxamana is you're Mom?”i asked.

He nodded. “Yes”

I gulped. “Kung mommy mo siya, bakit parang galit ka sa kanya 'nung nabanggit ko ang pangalan niya sayo?” tanong ko. I'm getting more curious.

I remembered, when i talk to him at the Park, when i mentioned him her name, he was angry. He told me that i should keep my mouth shut and stop mentioning her name.

I can feel something fishy about it.

“Luke...”i called out to him, when i noticed that he is silent and a touch of guilt is invading his emotions. “Answer me. Why are you angry at her?”

I waited for him to reply, pero wala. Wala siyang sinagot.

“Ryleige, Luke told me that triggering your memory is not good.”I heard Ms. Laxamana said, kaya naman nabalik sa kanya ang atensyon ko.

Nakatingin siya sakin habang may lungkot ang mga mata niya, at may tipid na ngiti sa labi niya. “Don't worry, once you'll remember everything you can feel free to reproach me. Or, you can ask me and i'll promise that i will tell you everything”Ms. Laxamana said.

Mas lalong napuno ng pagtataka ang utak ko. Hindi ko sila maintindihan. Wala akong naiintindihan. Our situation is getting more complicated.

It's getting more complicated whenever a lot of people from my past keeps on appearing.

Nakaramdam ako na may humalik sa noo ko, habang pilit na hinahawakan ang mga kamay ko. I knew that it was Luke.“Love, we want to tell you everything, but were afraid that you might be in danger once we tell you.”mahinahon ang boses na sabi ni Luke. “I promised to myself that i won't hurt you this time, kaya ayokong sabihin sayo. Katulad nang lagi 'mong sinasabi, let time recover everything”he said.

And that made me feel calm. He's right. Luke was right. If they'll tell me, it may trigger my brain that may lead to more serious problem.

Shet! Curiosity is killing me, but i can't let curiosity consume me!

I sighed consecutively, “Fine.”i said, then i look at Ms. Laxamana, “I'm sorry Ms. Laxa—”

Ms. Laxamana interrupted me.

“It's Tita. Tita Ingrid Laxamana”Ms. Laxa—i mean, Tita Ingrid said.

Suddenly, i felt my heart swell in happiness. “Thank you, T-tita Ingrid.”i said, while i know that i am blushing because of what i called to her. Shems! Bakit parang ang bilis nabago ng mood ko at ng atmosphere namin?

Kanina ang bigat bigat, ngayon biglang naging ganito.

“So, enough with that.”Tita Ingrid said. “Bakit ka pala nagpunta dito? May mga files ka 'bang kukunin? Or...”pabitin naman nito, bago kami tinignan ni Luke nang mapang-asar. “nami-miss mo lang talaga ang anak ko at hinanap mo siya? Alin dun sa dalawa ang dahilan mo?”Tita asked, teasingly.

I can't help but to chuckle, and was about to answer when Luke mumbled something.

“I hope i'm the reason why you're here, Love”mahina pero sapat na para marinig ko.

I chuckled as i look at Luke who's now staring at me again, “Actually, i am here to check something...”i said, and i saw how his face fell in sadness. I smiled more with that. “Pero wag kang mag-alala, tungkol naman sayo ang iche-check ko”i said.

What i have said made him frown. “You'll check something about me? What is it?”he asked. Then he lowered himself, that's why our face our facing each other. “You don't have to get tired of checking my files, you can simply ask me”he said.

And since he volunteered, edi sa kanya na lang ako magtatanong. Primary source na tapos hindi pa ako mahihirapang magkalkal ng documents.

I was about to ask Luke, when i remember that Tita Ingrid is still here. Napakagat-labi naman ako dahil naisip 'kong personal ang itatanong ko kay Luke at talaga namang family related, tapos nasa harap namin ang Mom nito. Parang nakakahiya. Baka kung anong isipin ni Tita sakin dahil sa itatanong ko.

“Ryleige, do you want me to leave the two of you alone, here?”I heard Tita Ingrid's voice asked that.

Dali-dali 'ko itong nilingon para sabihin ditong hindi na kailangan, nang biglang mas naunang magsalita si Luke kesa sa akin.

“Maybe, that idea of yours Mom is correct. Mukhang, mayroon siyang gustong itanong sakin na hindi pwedeng marinig ng iba”anito, ibinaling ko sa kanya ang atensyon ko at tinaasan ng kilay. Nang makita niya ang itsura ko, napakurap ito. “What? Bat ganyan ka makatingin?”inosenteng tanong naman nito.

Napahilamos na lang ako sa mukha ko, nang makita 'kong niligpit ni Ms. Laxaman—i mean Tita Ingrid ang mga paper files na nasa table niya.

Shocks! Nakakahiya! Office 'to ni Tita Ingrid pero ito pa talaga ang aalis? Gosh! Hindi naman sana aalis si Tita kung hindi nagsalita ang pasaway nitong anak.

With that, i glared at Luke whose now gulping multiple times. And keep on mouthing the word, ‘peace’

I roll my eyes at him and cross my arms. Mabuti na lang at nakaalis na si Tita Ingrid kaya hindi niya makikita ang pagiging sadista 'kong girlfriend. Girlfriend. Wow. That sound's ecstatic.

Nakaramdam ako na may mga braso na pumatong sa balikat ko, at dahil dalawa na lang naman kami dito sa loob ng SC Office, wala nang iba ang may gawa 'nun kundi si Luke.

“I know you're mad. Sorry, i was wrong”he mumbled. “I'm sorry...i'm sorry”he keeps on telling that again and again and again.

Hayst. What a clingy and under boyfriend! Tch. Pasalamat siya, ang bilis ng t***k ng puso ko pag ganyan siya, kung hindi...

Agad ko naman siyang hinarap, kitang-kita ko ang gwapo niyang mukha. Muli itong lumuhod upang magharap ang aming mga mukha, at mas maging malapit sa isa't isa.

Kitang-kita ko ang ilang beses na pagtitig ng mga mata niya sa bandang labi ko kasunod ang mga malalim na paglunok. At dahil may pagka-marupok din naman ako, hindi ko din mapigilan ang mga mata ko sa pagtitig sa mga labi niya, hanggang sa napansin 'kong unti-unti nang nagkakalapit ang mga labi namin.

Nararamdaman ko na naman ang napakabilis na t***k ng puso ko, at ang pangangatal ng mga kamay ko. Shet! He's going to kiss me! Kyaaaaaah!

Ayan naaa.

Konti na lang...

Nakita 'ko ang pagpikit nang mga mata ni Luke, habang palapit nang palapit ang mga labi niya sa labi ko. Akmang pipikit na din ako, nang maalala ko ang bagay na gusto 'kong alamin mula sa kanya.

Mabilis akong napadilat, at halos gahibla na lang ang layo niya mula sa mukha ko, kaya naman bigla 'kong ini-uron ang ulo ko at agad na kumuha nang isang folder sa mesa ni Tita Ingrid at ipinantakip sa mga labi ko.

Kaya, ang ending folder ang nahalikan ni Luke.

I tried to hid my smile, when Luke opened his eyes and realized what happened. He quickly move away his lips from the folder, and look at me while pouting.

“You ruined the situation!”mukhang batang maktol naman nito. Here he goes again. Ang childish side niya. What the hell! The gangster s***h Badboy Luke Andre Ignacio is always being a childish when he's with me. That's awesome...note the sarcasm please.

“No kiss, until my question is done”i said, and smiled at him.

He frowned. “That's unfair. Lugi ako. Dapat, one kiss per question ang usapan”pag-angal naman nito.

I glared at him. “Unfair ako? Osige, hindi na ako magtatanong sayo. Maghahanap na lang ako sa mga files na meron ako para wala ka ding kiss!”pananakot ko naman—at hindi ko akalaing kakagatin niya.

“Fine, fine!”sabi pa niya na mukhang napipilitan, “You can ask me. Sasagutin ko yan kapag hindi nyan mati-trigger ang memorya mo.” ani pa nito.

Ang lalaki nga naman, pag inlove!

I nod. “Okay. Don't worry wala naman 'tong kinalaman sa nakaraan ko.”i said.

He just nodded.

So i breathe heavily, then stared at his eyes.

“Bakt napakabilis na nalaman ng mga school mates natin 'yong tungkol sa tin. And according to Daisy, kahit sa labas ng campus pinag-uusapan tayo.”i said. “Hindi naman tayo sikat e—maybe you, because you are a star in this campus but outside the school? That's gross!”i said.

Luke just stared at me, then he let a slight smile and tap my head.

“You're right. It's gross. Hindi ko din alam kung paano kumalat agad, but knowing the students of this School, i'm sure sila ang nagkwento ng tungkol sa atin sa labas. And...i have something to tell you”he said. Itinuon ko naman sa kanya ang atensyon ko.

“What is it?”

He take a deep breath, “I think, there's another reason why the news about us came out faster”

“What is it?”i asked.

He held my hand, then he comb my hair. “I'm not just a simple student”he said.

“Alam 'ko, gangster ka nga e”ani ko pa.

Mabilis naman siyang umiling. “Hindi yon, i mean—s**t! Panu ko ba sasabihin...”

“Just go direct to the point”

“Fine”he sighed, then he look at me in the eyes. “Naaalala mo si Butler John?”

I nodded.

“He's my butler since i was a kid. He taught me how to be a gentleman and respectable person. He taught me to be respected and authoritative at all times. He trained me to be a leader someday”he said.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He pointed himself. “I am the heir to Ignacio Empire who owns a lot of companies and hotels in the world”i said.

“What? Y-you're an heir?”i asked, still shock.

He nods. “Yes”

“Kung tagapagmana ka? Then, ibig sabihin makapangyarihan at kilala ang pamilya mo—niyo?”

“Yes. Kaya naman, i am apologizing if the rumors about us spread rapidly ”he said.

Napailing naman ako, “Hindi mo naman kailangang mag-sorry sakin e, that is your family's legacy. Tsaka, ayos lang. It's fine if the news about us will spread, i won't mind it na lang. Though, it's sometimes uncomfortable pero keri pa naman”i said, and smiled at him.

He blows a deep breath. “Thank you, for understanding me”he mumbled.

I put my hand in his cheeks, and stared lovingly at him. “We'll, that's one of the reason for a stronger relationship so...we should apply that on us”i said.

I am expecting him to smile or answer me, but i got shock on what he do next.

My eyes widened.

His lips landed on mine... Shocks!