The Unnoticed (FILIPINO/ COMPLETED)

First Date

HIINATID ako ni Frank sa unit namin ni Susan kaya hindi na nakabalik. Noong una tinataboy ko na siya, pero mapilit siyang sumama hanggang sa matiyak na nasa loob ako ng kuwarto. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung pagsasarhan ko ba siya ng pinto o hihintayin ko siyang umalis.

"I'll see you by Saturday to discuss your contract."

Tumango ako. "Okay. Good night, Frank."

"Good night. Closed the door," he commanded.

Tumango ulit ako. Isasara na ang pinto pero pinigil niya.

"No touch. No hold. No hugs with other boys, Julienne. You hear me?"

Ang mga mata'y seryoso ngunit nakakaptupok na parang apoy. Nanunuyo ang aking lalamunan. "O-oo. Ikaw din." Binigla ko ang sara at napasandal sa pinto upang bigyan ng buhay ang naghuhurumentado kong dibdib.

Did we just? Did we just indirectly tell that we like each other?

Kinabukasan ay makahulugan akong tinitigan ni Jasmin. Ang iba naman ay casual lang, hindi nagtaka sa hindi ko na pagbalik. Lalo si Gatus na ibinibida sa amin ni Jasmin ang nakita niya.

"Daks talaga si Red. Naabutan ko sila ni Arthur na nagbibihis. Hihimatayin ako. Promise!"

Ngumisi ako at umiling nalang. Namataan sila Red at Arthur na abala sa pagkausap sa mga bangkero. Dahil sa sinasabi ni Gatus, hindi ko maiwasang sulyapan ang tinutukoy ni Red.

Malaki ba talaga? Bakit hindi bakat?

Sumagi sa isip ko ang scenario kahapon. Noong umaahon si Frank sa tubig. Napuna ko ang bakat niyang kuwan.

Napakurap-kurap ako. Umatras nang magdaan si Glen habang buhat ang dalawang taong baby nila paakyat sa bangka. Katatapos lang namin mag-agahan at handa na para sa boat riding namin.

"Bakit hindi ka na bumalik kahapon?" parinig ni Jasmin.

Nasa likod ko siya at katabi ko si Susan. Si Gatus ay nasa harapan. Katabi niya si Red. Sa unahan nila si Arthur na siyang punong-abala sa pagkuha ng video namin.

"Sumama ang pakiramdam ko."

"Talaga? Nawala rin si Frank kahapon. Don't tell me, Baks."

"Shhhhh— 'wag kang tamang hinala."

Tinantanan niya ako noong kumilos na ang malaking bangka. Tuwang-tuwa ang anak ni Jasmin na si JR sa view. Lalo sa drone ni Arthur na malayang lumilipad sa himpapawid. Dinala kami ni Manong sa Bat Cave. Inabisuhan kaming huwag mag-iingay kaya sumunod kami. Hanggang sa makalabas diretso sa iba pang magagandang tourist spots.

Tama nga ang hinala ko. Nakita ko sila Sander pero wala na si Frank. Kaninang umaga ay nag-text siya sa akin na flight niya pabalik ng Paris. Ibig sabihin sumadya lang siya rito para makausap ako. Para makita ako!

"The next visitation will be a week or more. Three days and two nights are not enough!" Susan groaned.

We are back in Terminal five, Owl City Main. Fresh from Palawan and our last extreme activity which is a zip line. They were still not satisfied.

Nilapitan ko siya at niyakap. Sobrang saya nilang kasama. Game. Walang atrasan. Palaban!

"I'm going to miss you. Send my regards to Peet," I whispered.

"Sure, Sweet Chic. If not us, I hope you can visit there too."

Malungkot akong ngumiti. Hindi kaya ng budget ko ang pumunta ng Paris. Unless someone will sponsored it. Humiwalay ako sa kanya at bumaling kay Red. Naalala ko ang sinabi ni Frank. Pero magkagayunpaman, ang parteng ito ay exempted. Yakap ito nang pagpapaalam at walang anumang pansariling damdamin.

"Keep in touch, Juls. I will miss you."

"I will miss you too, Red."

Ganoon din ang ginawa ko kay Arthur. Maging kay Jasmin at Gatus hanggang sa tuluyan silang pumasok sa loob. Ang sumunod na dalawang araw ay normal. Balik sa blogging part time. Check sa Casa De Bay. Bibisita sa website ng Lazarde upang balitaan ang progress ng sales. Gym. Yoga.

Just a usual day for me.

When the Saturday sunshine greeted me, I was nervous. Suddenly the supposed normal day became dizzy. I prepared my dress. Everything. But when I am ready to meet him, I felt not satisfied. As if what I am wearing is not right. I should wear something conservative, but then again I am not my old self anymore.

While following the man who assisted me, I clearly remember his type of woman. Bridgette does wear skimpy dresses. Some of my schoolmates he dated did apply dark make-ups. Assessing myself right now, I think I belong.

I entered a privately reserved room. The table was arranged simple yet looking sweet and special. There was this candlelit and arranged flower. Everything felt intimate and beautiful, plus the epic view from outside. Completing the perfect scene with the man who was waiting for me seated casually on his chair. I've seen him on his tux and business attire, but this time with only with his white button-down shirt. The sleeves were rolled on his forearm and the first three of the buttons were unbuttoned.

It was just two days, right? Why he looked hot and boyfriend material today?

Lumapit ako. Hawak ang hininga sa sobrang kaba. Lalo nang mapansin ko ang titig niyang naglalakbay sa aking buong katawan.

Tumayo siya at sinalubong ako. Ang mga tingin ay nakakatukso, nakakatunaw at nakakatupok. "I don't have any records of misbehaving," he whispered, his fingers subtly lingered on my skin before he took my hand. Without cutting our eye contact he kissed my knuckles.

"A-anong ibig mong sabihin?" pabulong kong tanong na halos ako lang yata ang nakarinig. Sumunod sa kanyang paghila palapit sa upuan.

Hinila niya iyon para sa akin. Nang makaupo ako'y saka siya bumalik sa upuan niya. Hinila iyon palapit sa akin bago naupo. Tumitig sa akin.

I hope when this dinner was done I'm still alive!

"I saw your post. You did the zip line."

"Hindi ako sumubok. Nag-video lang. Hindi ko kaya."

"Why? Are you scared?"

Kagat ang aking ibabang labing tumango ako. Takot ako sa heights, pero nalalabanan ko naman noon. Pero kapag sa bundok o mga puno, hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit grabe ang takot ko.

"I think it somehow related to the Landslide," I confessed.

Nagtangis ang bagang niya. Hindi na nagsalita pa kaya naisip kong, ito na siguro ang tamang oras para itanong sa kanya kung paano nakita si Charl ng gabing 'yon.

"Tungkol kay Ch—" I paused when a waiter arrived for our appetizer. Naghintay akong makalabas ito bago nagpatuloy. "Frank, gusto kong malaman kung paano niyo nakita si Charl."

His deep sets of blue eyes never blink. The way he looked me in the eyes were mysterious and sending chill unto my whole body. Did I drop something dangerous? Is he mad at me right now? I just wanted to know. He is the only person who can tell me the story back then.

"Are you sure you wanted to talk with this right now?"

Eager to know. I nodded my head.

Mariin siyang tumitig sa akin. Bago nagpakawala nang malalim na hininga. "He is trying to survive. Actually, he is asking you to me. I told him you were okay. He has to relax and calm down. He told me many things about you. I heard it all. When we arrived at the hospital I was holding his hand. His pulse is not responding. He is—"

He looked away from me.

"I'm sorry," bulong ko.

The next food arrived. We're both not touching them and I was blaming myself for ruining our supposed to date.

"He likes you," he suddenly said.

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

He is looking at the food before he glanced at me. "And he knew that you like—"

"Stop." Hindi ito ang gusto ko marinig!

"He invited you to his birthday because he wanted me to see you. He knew that you like me. He wanted you to be happy. But I didn't listen. Why? Because I am a Jerk. Julienne Reese Imperial. I already noticed you. Your legs. Your body. Your bright smile. You are smart. Kind. Generous. Whose dumbass would resist that?

"I'm a man with a lot of need back then. I jump from a different woman. Kiss them all I want, then after I will ditch them when I have done. But for you, I can't do that. You were something. Someone who's special that I cannot enlist with my shitty story."

"Pero Frank, nagmahal ka. Minahal mo si Bridgette."

"Yeah. That's my young heart." He smiled savagely. "Nakarma na ako, Julienne. Ilang beses na akong sinasabihan ni Charl na tumigil na. Hindi ako sumunod. My mother. She cried many times because of my bad habit. The two important people in my life who care for me. I lost them. I had no one at my back. And you know what's hard when I grew and matured. I learn to appreciate everything very... very late."

He is looking me in the eye while explaining his pain. I could feel it. Through his sad voice, I could imagine how he deals with everything. The hardest moment of his life. When I saw him cry. That means even the hardest steel can bend down if they were exposed to the heat. He could be brave, looking strong, and undefeated, but with this massive sadness and challenge. He lost the strength to stand alone.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nakapatong sa mesa. Piniga iyon. "Kaya nilakasan ko na ang loob ko sa Palawan. Am I late, Julienne?"

Umiling ako. "You are not."

Sumibol ang pag-asa sa kanyang mga mata. Lumapit at hinalikan ang kamay ko. Tumitig sa aking mga mata. Napangiti sa sarili. "Hindi ako sanay manligaw. I hope you don't find me weird the last time. I'm just desperate."

Kinagat ko ang aking ibabang labi upang itago ang ngiti ko. "Kaibigan ko lang si Red."

"What about the guy on your office in Caesar Collection?"

Kumunot ang aking noo. "Isaac? God, Frank. He is just my workmate."

"But you eat with him many times. Lunch. Dinner."

I frowned. "Are you—"

"Yeah right. Think about whatever you want." He took his knife and spoon. He called the Waiter's attention. "Please bring the shrimp and steak," he murmured on the Waiter. Not giving any glance at me.

"Hey, don't cut me off. We are not yet done."

"Julienne, let's eat. I'm starving."

Nakunsensiya ako bigla kaya tumango at tumahimik nalang. Nahihiya ba siyang aminin sa sarili niyang pinaasundan niya ako? Hindi niya malalaman ang ginagawa ko sa Australia kung wala. Wala naman kaming mutual friends doon.

Kukunin ko sana ang plate sa gilid para simulant ng kumain, kaso hinila ni Frank ang upuan ko palapit sa kanya.

"Anong ginagawa mo?"

"You're too far," sagot niya. Parang cotton sa lambot at paggalang ng kanyang tinig.

"Ang lapit ko na kanina sa'yo. Ngayon napakalapit ko na sa'yo."

"Well, I find this scene better."

We ate first. And thanks god, he is formal now. After we ate he discuss the contract.

"Wait— dadalhin mo ako sa Paris?"

"The mother base and production are in there, Julienne. Of course, you should be there."

Malungkot kong tinusok ng fork ang steak. "Mas gusto ko sana rito," bulong ko.

"Are you saying you don't want to be with me?"

"Syempre gusto, Frank. Pangarap ko kaya ang Paris at makasama ka. Pero hindi naman palaging may work doon, hindi ba? May business ako rito. May part time rin ako kay Majesty. Tsaka, may pupuntahan kaming fiesta sa Casa De bay. Nakakahiya kay Dr. Imperial."

Huminga siya nang malalim. Tumitig sa aking mukha, nagtagal sa aking labi. "Fine, seven days. I'll send you back here, Saturday evening. But next time at least a month, hmmm?"

I could felt him leaning closer. His eyes were casting spell on me and suddenly the butterfly on my stomach fly crazily. Just by his hallucinating gaze something within me sprouted and I felt hot. My breathing hitched when his nose glided on mine. Until his lips claimed mine slowly, tempting and teasing. I froze and closed my eyes. Stay unmoved, but he already moved away.

Pagmulat ko ay mapupungay na mga mata niya ang nagpainit ng pisngi ko.

Nakakahiya. 

Nabigla ako nang patakan niya muli ng halik ang aking labi. Ilang beses hanggang sa tagalan niya. I'm still unmoved, afraid to do something that would make him stop. My palm unconsciously rested on his chest, not knowing it was shaking. 

"F—Frank..."

He rested his nose with me. "Julienne?" he asked, his breath fanned my face.

"H-hindi ako sanay humalik."

I felt him smile before he planted more soft kisses on my lips. His palm cupped my face while the other one caressing my bare back skin.  

Oh, boy... something foreign heat exploded inside me. What was he doing with me? 

"I know. That's why I'm teaching you, baby. We'll do it slowly," he whispered.