Play Pretend

Chapter 9

Mission

Namumugto ang mga mata ko sa puyat dahil sa kakaisip. Mabuti na lang at walang pasok kinabukasan. Kaya nga lang ay hindi pa rin nawala sa isipan ko ang mga nangyari noong gabing ‘yon hanggang sa mag Lunes.

Habang nag-aayos, nahagip ng tingin ko ang box ng necklace na nakalapag sa ibabaw ng tukador. My shoulders fell as I heavily sighed. Maingat kong inangat ang box at inilapag nang maayos sa harapan ko. Dahan-dahan ko rin ‘yong binuksan para makita ang necklace sa loob.

The necklace was the most expensive item inside our house. Hindi pala. Kahit isali ko ang bahay namin mismo, ang kwintas pa rin ang pinakamahal.

Muli akong napabuntonghininga. Mabilis ko ‘yong isinara at tinago sa pinakailalim ng drawer na mayroong lock para walang kahit sino ang pwedeng makabukas, lalo na’t papasok ako sa trabaho at buong araw wala sa bahay.

Nagpatuloy na lamang ako sa pag-aayos ng sarili hanggang sa oras na para sunduin ako ni Xaiver. He would always arrive on time, so I had to be ready before he even got here. Kaya naman nang madinig ko ang busina mula sa labas ay agad akong nagmadali.

Just like the other night after I set things straight with him, hindi na niya ako hinintay at pinagbuksan ng pintuan. However, I was a little caught off guard when I saw a fancy coupe waiting for me instead of his SUV.

Nag-aalangan akong naglakad papalapit dahil baka hindi naman talaga ‘yon ang sundo ko. Nang malapit na ay bumaba ang bintana at mas lalo akong nagulat nang makita ko si Xaiver sa driver’s seat.

He’s driving?!

It was a rare occasion for him to drive. Sa loob ng tatlong taon naming magkasama, parang hindi pa lalagpas sa mga daliri ko sa isang kamay kung ilang beses ko siyang nakitang magmaneho. Lagi siyang may kasamang driver na naghahatid-sundo sa kanya sa mga lakad niya.

“Get in.” Xaiver’s cold baritone blocked the warmth from the sunlight as he caught me idling, watching him on the driver’s seat.

It only took those two words to pull me back into reality, though. Nagkumahog akong kumilos para makapasok na sa sasakyan. I was just about to open the door at the back seat when Xaiver called my attention again.

“Dito ka sa harap,” sabi niya.

Natigil ako nang ilang segundo bago ako tumuloy sa harapan. It was very unusual and awkward to be in the front seat while he was driving. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi tamang pinagmamaneho niya ako. I should be the one driving kung hindi available ang driver niya.

“Good morning,” bati ko upang maganda kahit papaano ang simula ng araw namin.

Bad mood Xaiver means bad day at work and no one wants that.

“Mornin,” tipid niyang balik, nakakunot pa rin ang noo.

Sungit.

Napanguso ako at isinuot ang seatbelt. Looks like I failed right from the start.

Habang naghahanap ako kung saan pwedeng ituon ang aking atensyon, nahagip ng tingin ko ang cup holder sa gitna naming dalawa. May nakalagay roon na dalawang cup ng iced coffee at brown paper bag. Ang isa ay mukhang hindi pa nagagalaw dahil wala pang bawas.

Nang mapansin niya sigurong nakita ko ang kape, Xaiver cleared his throat and moved to change his position a little. “I bought you coffee. It's an iced latte. I asked them to make sure it’s not bitter,” sabi niya habang diretso ang tingin sa daan. “Bumili rin ako ng pastry. I hope you like four cheese flatbread.”

“Para sa akin ‘to?” gulat kong tanong.

“I just said I bought these for you,” diin niya.

I swallowed hard. Bakit parang labag pa sa loob niya ang bilhan ako? Hindi ko naman siya inutusan.

“I met with Knoa earlier this morning,” sabay kwento niya. “Sa coffee shop kami nagkita. I still owe you a coffee, so I decided to buy you one.”

Inalala ko ang oras. Kakasundo niya lang sa akin, and he would always pick me up at six thirty in the morning. Sobrang aga naman nilang nagkita ng pinsan niya kung gano’n. Bakit hindi na lang bumisita si Knoa sa office gaya ng ginagawa niya lagi?

Dahil hindi ko pa rin kinukuha ang kape at tinapay na binili niya, napansin ko ang paglingon niya sa akin, lalo na nang tumigil kami sa may stoplight.

“You don’t like it?” simpleng tanong niya, ngunit tunog nananakot.

Muli akong napalunok. “Uhm, gusto ko. Thank you,” nag-aalangan kong sabi. “Pero uminom na kasi ako ng kape at kumain na rin ng umagahan. I can’t drink coffee again. Baka sikmurain ako. Mamaya na lang siguro after lunch.”

“Matabang na ‘to after lunch,” sabi niya at ibinalik ang tingin sa daan nang mag-green na ang ilaw. “I’m gonna buy you a new one later.”

“Huwag na! Okay lang sa akin ang matabang,” pagrarason ko. “May sugar din naman sa pantry, lalagyan ko na lang.”

“Hindi na malamig kapag gano’n.”

“Lalagyan ko yelo.”

“Then it’ll be bland again.”

“Uh, lalagyan ko ulit ng asukal.”

“That’s a lot of sugar. You’ll get diabetes by then.”

Napakunot na ang noo ko. “That’s a misconception.”

“Still,” pilit niya.

Kinagat ko ang aking labi. Wala na akong masabi dahil mukhang wala siyang balak magpatalo. Since when did he become childishly stubborn?

“Ibibili kita mamaya,” Xaiver firmly said. “I’ll come with you to the coffee shop.”

He ended our small and petty argument with the finality in his tone. Mas nag-focus na siya sa pagmamaneho hanggang sa nakarating kami sa DVH at umakyat diretso sa opisina.

Dama ko ang matalim na titig ni Xaiver sa hawak kong iced coffee at paper bag. Ang gusto niya ay iwanan o itapon ko na lang ‘yon, ngunit nanghihinayang ako. Magkano rin ‘yon. Siguradong pwede mo nang pambili ng ulam sa isang araw ang halaga.

I didn’t bother myself with his stare. Nauna na akong naglakad sa kanya papunta sa lamesa ko.

Mukhang kakadating lang din ni Joseph nang maabutan ko siyang nag-aayos ng bag. Madalas ay thirty minutes before office hours ang dating niya. He was used to being early at work because of Xaiver. It was a habit we both developed as his secretary.

“Good morning, Joseph!” nakangiting bati ko sa kanya.

Agad niya akong nilingon at ngumiti pabalik. “Good morning! Wow! May baon kang breakfast?” tanong niya nang mapansin ang dala ko.

“Hindi…” sagot ko nang biglang naisip na baka gusto niya. “Gusto mo ba? Sayang at walang kakain.”

Umaliwalas ang mukha ni Joseph. “Sure! Bababa saka ako sa coffee shop para din sana bumili,” natatawa niyang sabi at inabot ang kape at tinapay. “Na-late kasi ako ng gising. Kala ko mala-late ako. ‘Di na ‘ko nakakain ng breakfast.”

Like he was stressed out from waking up later than usual, Joseph took a sip on the iced coffee when he almost spat everything out. Nasamid siya at kung hindi agad nalunok ang kape ay baka naibuga niya na ‘yon sa akin.

“G-good…” Naubo siya ulit. Joseph’s eyes shook as he stared at the man behind me. “Good morning, Sir.”

“Mornin.” Mas malamig ang bati na ginawa ni Xaiver sa kanya kaysa sa akin kanina.

Nilingon ko si Xaiver sa likod. His sharp stare pierced Joseph. Kung ako ang tinititigan niya nang ganoon ay baka kanina pa ako bumagsak sa sahig dahil sa panlalambot ng mga tuhod.

“Is it good?” Bumaba ang mga mata ni Xaiver nang sulyapan niya ang kape. “The coffee?”

Napanood ko kung paano tingnan ni Joseph ang iced coffee at tinapay na hawak bago nanlaki ang mga mata. Suminghap siya at kaagad na nilapag ang mga ito sa ibabaw ng lamesa ko.

“Pwe! Hindi masarap! Ang tabang!” Ngumiwi pa si Joseph saka ako nilingon. “Ayoko na pala no’n, Chantal. Sa ‘yo na lang ulit.”

“Ha?” I frowned. “Kahit ‘yong tinapay ayaw mo?”

Umiling siya. “Hindi masarap.”

“Hindi mo pa nga natitik—”

“Hindi talaga masarap. Parang may amag na,” mariin niyang sabi at medyo pinanlakihan pa ako ng mata.

Mas lalong napakunot ang noo ko.

“I’ll go inside the office now,” anunsyo ni Xaiver saka ako nilingon. “Come in after ten minutes. We have to talk about the meeting with Entrepreneur this afternoon.”

Tumango ako. “Okay…”

Xaiver walked straight into his office after getting a reply. Naiwan naman akong nakatayo sa harapan ng lamesa ni Joseph nang bigla na rin siyang lumapit sa akin pagpasok ni Xaiver sa loob ng opisina.

“Gaga ka! Bakit ‘di mo sinabi sa aking binili ni Sir Xaiver ‘yon?” tanong sa akin ni Joseph na tunog kabado pa.

“Importante pa ba ‘yon?” nagtataka kong tanong. “Binigay naman na niya sa akin.”

“Kahit na! Paano kung patayin niya ‘ko?”

Tinagilid ko ang aking ulo. “Ang OA mo riyan, Joseph. Bakit ka naman niya papatayin?”

“Wala, wala…” Joseph sighed in frustration. Umiling na lamang siya at tumayo nang maayos. “Bababa muna ako at bibili ng breakfast ko,” sabi niya. “Ikaw, pumasok ka na sa loob ng opisina niya.”

Dala-dala ang kanyang wallet at cellphone ay umalis na si Joseph ng office para bumaba. Hinayaan ko na siya at inabala na ang sarili.

Syempre ay hindi muna ako tumungo sa opisina ni Xaiver. Inayos ko muna ang gamit ko sa lamesa at kumuha ng notebook at ballpen. Sinama ko na rin ang iPad na gamit-gamit ko sa trabaho at tumbler dahil baka uhawin ako sa meeting naming dalawa.

“Come in.”

Once I got Xaiver’s permission after knocking, agad na akong pumasok sa opisina. I found him sitting on the sofa where we usually held our meeting kapag kaming dalawa lang. Lumapit ako roon agad para makapagsimula na kami.

The Entrepreneur team arrived last night. Gusto nila ay magkaroon muna ng maikling meeting para handang-handa sa interview at photoshoot. They would also give the list of questions to Xaiver para ma-discuss at mapaghandaan din ang sagot. Kung may gusto mang ipatanggal si Xaiver na tanong, like something too personal, they said they would comply.

Mabuti na lang din at walang importanteng meeting si Xaiver, although he had a pile of paperworks. Naisingit namin ang interview sa schedule niya.

“Let’s start,” tipid niyang sabi.

Xaiver was in his element as we had a discussion. He was stern and professional — a side of him that I was used to. We quickly made progress with our small meeting. At dahil wala naman talaga kaming masyadong agenda, agad din ‘yong natapos. Halos isang oras lang din ang itinagal.

“I’ll send a reminder to the Entrepreneur team about the meeting this afternoon,” I said while we were about to conclude our meeting.

“Good. Make sure they won’t be late.”

Muli akong tumango at tumayo para sana lumabas na at bumalik sa lamesa ko. However, as soon as I stood up, Mrs. Dela Vega barged inside the office. Mukhang medyo galit siya kaya napaatras ako.

“Mom.” Xaiver slowly got up to greet his mother.

“Good m-morning po, Mrs. Dela Vega.” Nanginig ang labi ko sa pag-aalangan.

Mrs. Dela Vega turned to me. “Good morning, Chantal,” she firmly greeted back. “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting something important. I wonder if you can step out of the office for a moment and give me some time with my son?”

I was amazed how even though she seemed angry, she still managed to show class.

“No problem po, Mrs. Dela Vega. Paalis na rin po—”

Before I could finish my words and give them privacy, Xaiver suddenly tugged my arm to stop me from leaving. His hold was firm without hurting me, but it was enough to tell me his demand that I stay.

I was slightly startled.

Mrs. Dela Vega was caught off guard. She even glanced at Xaiver’s grip on my arm.

“You’ll stay here,” pirming sabi ni Xaiver sa akin bago marahang binitiwan ang braso ko para harapin nang mabuti ang ina. “What is it, Mom?”

Nang ibinalik ni Xaiver ang atensyon sa kanya ng ina, the fire in Mrs. Dela Vega’s eyes rekindled. Mukhang wala na siyang pakialam sa presensya ko at diretso nang nagsalita.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Xavi. You know exactly what I’m here for,” mariing sabi ni Mrs. Dela Vega. “I’ve been calling you yesterday. I even went to your house but you weren’t there. Are you really ignoring your mother? Are you hiding from me?”

Bumuntonghininga si Xaiver at hinilot ang sintido. “Mom, please… It’s only nine in the morning. I still have a long day ahead of me. Hindi po ba pwedeng mamaya na lang?”

“No,” Mrs. Dela Vega sternly said and put her handbag down. “Kung hindi ako pupunta rito, alam kong hindi mo ako kikitain o kakausapin. I won’t leave here until we're done talking about your attitude at Hariette’s charity ball.”

Napaawang ang bibig ko. Mukhang alam ko na ang gustong sabihin ni Mrs. Dela Vega at tama nga siguro ang naisip ko na magkukwento si Zoe sa kanya tungkol sa nangyari noong gabing ‘yon.

“You humiliated Zoe in front of all those respected people in the industry! Ano na lang ang sasabihin nila sa kanya? You should’ve just let her have that necklace!”

“Is that what she told you? That I humiliated her?” iritadong tanong ni Xaiver. I could tell that he was about to lose his patience.

“She doesn’t have to tell me that,” sabi ni Mrs. Dela Vega para ipagtanggol si Zoe. “She called me, crying, son! Nakakaawa. I know she felt even more humiliated and embarrassed because she likes you.”

“Mom, it’s an auction,” paliwanag ni Xaiver. “It’s normal to lose a bid. No one’s gonna ridicule her for that. But if she really wants that necklace, she should’ve topped my bidding.”

“Kaya nga sinasabi kong dapat ay hinayaan mo na lang. It’s obvious that you competed with her on purpose.” Mrs. Dela Vega heaved a sigh. “How about this… Just give her the necklace, son.”

“It’s with Hariette. I gave it back to her.”

“I know you’re lying. You’re my son.” Walang takas si Xaiver sa kanyang ina. “Give her the necklace, and I promise I won’t set you up on a blind date temporarily. Wala ka rin namang pag gagamitan o pagbibigyan no’n.”

“It’s a gift for someone,” Xaiver admitted.

I felt like I stopped breathing for a fleeting moment when he said that. Naalala ko ang sinabi niya noong nasa sasakyan kami pauwi. He said it was originally for someone who didn’t want to receive gifts from him.

Nanliit ang mga mata ni Mrs. Dela Vega. Humupa ang galit sa kanyang mga mata. She looked rather interested and curious.

“And who is she?” tanong niya sa anak. Punong-puno ng kuryosidad ang kanyang mukha. “Are you telling me that you finally like someone?”

“Saka ko na sasabihin sa inyo kapag ayos na ang lahat,” simpleng sabi ni Xaiver. “I want to move on my own. I know you’ll only try to meddle and pull strings once you’re involved.”

“Xaiver! Is that how you see your mother?”

“Yes.” Xaiver didn’t bother filtering out his answer. “So, please, Mom, just let me be for now. I promise I’ll tell you once the time is right.”

Looking so convinced and relieved, Mrs. Dela Vega carefully picked up her Hermes bag. Umayos siya ng tayo at saka nagtaas ng noo.

“Well, then, I’ll go ahead now. I still have a facial appointment at dumaan lang talaga ako rito,” bigla niyang paalam bago ako nilingon at binawi na ang mga sinabi kanina. “Chantal, can I have a moment with you? I’m just gonna discuss something work related.”

“Uh…” Nilingon ko si Xaiver at kita kong nakataas ang kanyang kilay habang may multong ngiti. “S-sure po, Ma’am.”

“Great! Let’s talk outside!” sabi niya sabay hawak sa aking braso upang isama na ako sa paglabas niya.

I couldn’t help but point out their similarities. Pareho silang mahilig manghatak ng anak niya at lagi naman akong walang nagagawa kung hindi ang sumunod sa kanila at magpatianod.

Mrs. Dela Vega led me to the pantry kung saang walang tao. Like we were on a secret mission, she even looked around before closing and locking the door.

“Chantal, I’ll just be quick dahil baka makahalata si Xaiver,” sabi ni Mrs. Dela Vega.

Ngumuso ako. I wanted to tell her that the way she asked for me was already suspicious, but I didn’t want to let her down. Nakisama na lang ako sa kanya at tumango.

“Okay… I’m sure my son is not bluffing, but he’s good at hiding things from me,” simula niya. She sounded like she was racking her brain for a perfect plan. “I can’t pay our men or a detective to follow him. He’ll find out right away kaya ikaw na lang ang pakikiusapan ko.”

“Po?”

“Didiretsuhin ko na…” Muli siyang tumingin sa kaliwa’t kanan kahit kaming dalawa lang naman ang nasa loob ng pantry. Hindi pa siya nakuntento at lumapit pa sa akin upang bumulong. “I want you to find the woman who caught my son’s attention. I want everything about her. Her name, her family background, and all that stuff. I’m sure you understand what I want to happen.”

My eyes widened at her requests. She then quickly pulled herself away and crossed her arms.

“I don’t think he will suspect anything dahil lagi ka naman talaga niyang kasama. Even a little clue will do kung hindi mo kaya. It’ll be easy to search for her once I have a lead,” dagdag pa ni Mrs. Dela Vega.

“Pero baka magalit po si Xaiver…”

“Don’t worry. Ako ang bahala sa ‘yo. He won’t fire you if ever you get caught,” she assured me, then pursed her lips as she fell into a deep thought. “I have a feeling that he already gave that woman the necklace kaya alamin mo kung nakanino ‘yon, okay?”

Nanlamig ako sa narinig at napalunok.

But the necklace is with me…