TRYST (COMPLETE UNREVISED VERSION)

Eight

Leila Presley

Bumuntong hininga ako habang nakatanaw sa floor to ceiling windows nitong kwarto ko.

Isa.

Dalawa.

Tatlong mahabang buntong hininga.

Another year older, I guess?

This time, bittersweet na ang memories ko, now that I am 27 years old.

Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako o malulungkot habang naaalala yung birthday ko last year.

Sa Switzerland.

With a nameless man, whom I only call Rip.

Seated in front of a bonfire.

Talking about everything and nothing at the same time.

Curled up under the sheets.

With nothing but heat and unwavering passion.

It seems like a dream, yet I can still feel him.

Whispering.

Nuzzling.

Biting.

My hands cuffed.

His hands cuffed.

Those endless nights, yet it feels like just seconds now.

I only call him Rip.

Mr.Ripley.

The talented Mr. Ripley.

Shit, wag ngayon.

I scoffed and closed my eyes.

Such bittersweet memories.

I am actually still sober during this miraculous day.

Aba syempre miraculous, biniyayaan kaya ng napakagandang anak sina Claudia at Kristos Elizalde.

We just landed our biggest account so far.

Sabine Vignoble.

I can't believe our team got it.

Imperia Leon--this is the conglomerate that owns Sabine Vignoble, where a few of the rarest wines in the world can be found is actually a breath away pag na pull off namin ang launching ng wine na ito dito sa Pilipinas.

The company is like the Spanish version of Spectrum--which is owned by the devil himself, Grayson Maxwell. I worked with Spectrum a few years back for their energy drink, Eros and I had a brief encounter with the the owner himself in Siargao.

And let me tell you, his competitors were right about naming him the devil, since he's devilishly handsome.

Grrr

Too bad, he is already taken and smitten by none other than the only heiress to the Wyatt empire, Thea Elise Wyatt-Maxwell, na nakausap ko din dati sa Siargao--she is actually the one who provided the mock ups at kung pagsasamahin sila ni Jules, it'll be a dream team for advertising.

At ang cute ng baby nila!

Uggh eh di sila na mga leche.

"Huy, bakit di ka pa umiinom??" Eduardo was already slurring at alas otso palang ah. Ibang klase talaga to.

"Hey.." I kissed his cheek at narinig ko ang pagdigwa niya, hindi sa alak kundi sa kiss ko.

"Gaga, kung hindi lang birthday mo ngayon. Anong drama naman to? Tara na doon sa sala may pa senti senti ka pang nalalaman." Hinila niya ako palabas ng kwarto.

---

The days and weeks went by, at finally launching na ng Sabine Vignoble, I am so proud of our team!

Andre finally had the guts to ask Jules for coffee..at ang babaita napaka pakipot halatang crush na crush niya naman si Andre.

Syempre kailangan kong magtaray tarayan para ma push na sila, playing the 'don't risk our team' card.

But then again, shining moment yata ng aking guardian angel na si Jules, dahil not only one, but two hot men are after her.

Imperia Leon's CEO, Vincent Alexander Guttierez has the hots for her, and she's too innocent to notice.

Kinwento niya pa nga sakin kung paano sila unang nagkakilala and her reaction was priceless ng akala niya i pupull out ni sir Vince yung account dahil natapunan niya ng alak yung date nito.

Their chemistry is actually off the charts kahit nung una kaming nagkakilala during our first and final debriefing with him.

Hindi pa kami nagkakausap kung anong update sa kanila dahil ngarag kaming lahat para sa launching mamaya.

I brought everyone gifts,actually I made Jules' bandage dress last week, for tonight's event when I really couldn't sleep, kahit konting pasalamat na lang din dahil kinupkop niya ako. 

I never told anyone this guilty pleasure of mine, dahil hindi ako confident, yes, graduate ako ng fashion and design but I never really had the chance to apply it.

After my birthday tryst last year, I bought a sewing machine and set it up on the closet that was meant for my babies--my leather bags.

I also explored the streets of Divisoria and found Ylaya Street truly rewarding. Meron na akong contact doon and they can send me new fabric designs para ipa deliver na lang nila. At ang mura pa.

Siguro isa sa mga magandang memories ng nangyari last year ay yung nagkaroon ako ng inspirasyong i pursue ang first dream ko--to be a true designer. To actually drape cut and sew fabrics and not just sketch designs.

Kaya if I have time, I sew clothes at nakakatuwa pag nagtatanong si E kung saan ko nabili yung mga tinahi ko.

It feels good to be praised kahit secretly lang.

At itong suot ko ngayon, ako din gumawa.

I smiled at the full length mirror and adjusted my cleavage.

Well done.

Ang ganda ko kainis.

Pinasadahan ko ulit ng tingin yung suot kong asparagus colored lacey midi dress with a not so deep v line.

True, my taste in dresses have evolved, actually sa lahat ng bagay madami ng nagbago sakin eversince I got my independence. Looking at the old Leslie and comparing it to the new me, I'd say I am happier in general.

Hindi naman sa parang nakawala ako sa hawla, I still have my limitations.

I am just simply living my life.

Henric may have deprived me of what I am experiencing now, pero I think it was meant to happen.

Henric nanaman.

Jesus Christ alam ko namang moving on is bullshit, pero may mga tao talagang parang LSS.

I smiled bitterly--yeah, I will not deny na bitter pa din ako--pero para sa sarili, hindi para saming dalawa.

Nope, his ugly memory will not ruin this night.

Tumalikod na ko sa salamin at naglakad na papunta sa kwarto ni Jules.

"Oh my god, hindi ka pa nakapag bihis?" Hinagilap ng mga mata ko yung tinahi ko para sakanya."Asan yung dress? Nagustuhan mo ba?"Nakangiti kong tanong.

I am actually excited.

"Les..about it.." mahina niyang sabi. She's acting weird and pansin kong balisa siya at parang may sakit na hindi ko maintindihan.

"Jules okay ka lang? Ang putla mo!" kinapa ko yung noo at leeg niya.

"Yah, but the dress nasira. I mean..shit." Nahihirapan niyang tanong and I couldn't care less about the dress.

Hindi ganito si Jules eh, at sigurado akong something is really wrong.

"Ano bang nangyari? May sakit ka ba? You are shaking a bit!" Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya, and she's too drowned in her thoughts, na parang may gusto siyang sabihin pero nahihirapan siya.

"Huy!" I snapped my fingers at her. "Kanina pa ako dada ng dada friend, what's wrong? Parang lutang ka?"

She cleared her throat and bit her lip.

"Les, I need to tell you and E something..but, it can wait after the event."

"O--kay? Weird much? Asan nga yung dress?"

"Uhh.." Nag isip siya saglit "..diba may jumpsuit ka?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Yung romper?"I gaped at her.

Seryoso ba itong babaeng ito? Eh hindi nga nagsusuot ng dress yun pa kayang mas mahalay na tinahi ko?

"Ayoko kasi nung dress?" Sabi niya pa.

"Sigurado ka jules? Wag mo akong niloloko ha.." Hinila ko na siya papasok sa kwarto, careful din dahil baka makita niya yung secret closet kung saan nakalagay yung Michley LSS ko.

I opened my wardrobe and looked for the romper.

"Eto oh, nako Julianne ha wag mo ako pinagloloko ha. Never pa nga kita nakita mag dress tapos ito ang gusto mong suotin." Nagdadalawang pakong inabot sakanya yung kulay olive na wrap around romper.

"I'm serious Les. Ayoko talaga mag dress. Okay na to." She sounds not convincing so I played along, gusto kong matawa dahil naiimagine ko ang mukha niya pag nakita niya ang kabuuan nung dress.

Ako pa din non gumawa at alam kong sakto yun sa kanya dahil medyo malaman siya sakin.

"Backless to?" Nakit ako ang panlalaki ng mga mata niya.

My innocent Jules.

Tumalikod ako dahil tawang tawa na talaga ako kaya pumunta muna ako sa drawer dahil alam kong di babagay ang bra doon.

"Here, alisin mo na yang bra mo mag n****e tape ka na lang. Ginusto mo yan eh." Inabot ko sakanya ang isang pack ng n****e tape.

Kung pwede lang picturan ang pagpula ng mukha niya ngayon.

I can hear the regret running through her beautiful brain.

Feeling ko nga nagmumura pa siya sa imagination niya.

I wonder how long she will play along, alam ko namang di niya isusuot tong romper eh.

Naglakad ako papunta sa shoe rack at namili ng babagay sa doon.

"Eto, bagay diyan sa romper." inabot ko sakanya ang isang pares ng red stilletos.

Kung natatawa ako sa reactions ni Jules kanina, parang gusto kong pagtawanan ngayon ang sarili ko dahil seryoso pala talaga siya, at ngayon nga ay bihis na bihis na din siya.

Ang ang gandang bruha.

Dinaig nanaman ang cleavage ko dapat pala binabaan ko pa yung Vline nitong suot ko.

"Tang ina Julianne, akin na lang yang boobs mo! HUhuhu" I stood up beside her while looking at the two of us at the full length mirror. "Unfair talaga, wagmo na ibalik yan sakin na romper ang luwag na niyan sa dibdib ko." I teased her kasi parang nagdadalawang isip nanamna siya kung huhubarin niya yun at magapaplit ng shirt at pants, which there's no way I'll let her do.

"Masyado bang revealing? Ang sagwa ba?" Her naivety awes me sometimes.

"Yes and no." I smiled at her.

She's too innocent to know how hot and aluuring she looks right now, at wala pa yang make up ha.

"Les..wag na lang kaya akong sumama?"

I sighed at explained to her the fact that although she doesn't need to dress to impress, sometimes, it is empowering to know how much attention and impression you can get especially when you are wearing the right number. Lalo na sa larangan ng advertising, everything is visual first--vanity at its raw form.

Hindi naman sa attention seeker ako by telling her this, it's just that I noticed na minsan kailangan niyang mag step out sa comfort zone niya. She's a young, smart and capable woman who's been living her life in a shell, she owes it to herself to live at least a little.

"Don't tell me iiyak ka sa speech ko ha? Wag ngayon Jules hindi waterproof ang mascara ko.." Tinulak ko siya ng pabiro dahil hindi siya umiimik, her eyes are saying otherwise though, like an understanding.

"Thank you Les. Hayaan mo I'll tell you..& whatever it is na kating kati ka ng itanong. Patapusin lang natin tong event." mahina niyang sabi tapos niyakap niya ako ng mahigpit.

35 - Ito pa lang ang bilang ng beses na niyakap ako ng guardian angel ko, kasama na diyan yung pag birthday ko, pag lasing siya, pag umiiyak ko dahil sa gagong yun.

I hugged her back.

"You don't have to Jules..alam ko kung ano man yung nangyari sayo I know it was traumatic enough to build up those thick walls around you. Hindi naman ako insensitive..super sensitive nga lang to the point of sobrang arte na..hahaha"

Humiwalay siya sakin at hinarap ako.

"I owe you this much. Plus I think I need to start letting it out kahit konti lang for now. Advise na din ng therapist ko."

"Therapist?" Tumaas kilay ko don.. "Fine. You got me. Alam mong hindi ako makakaresist sa plot twist.Akin ang tequila bukas. Dito lang tayo sa pad mag inuman ng malabas mo lahat ng gusto mong ilabas." determinado kong sagot.

Actually ngayon pa lang, excited na nag aalala ako sa kung ano mang ikekwento niya.

"Oh my god Les, I can picture your brain premadetating scenarios for tomorrow." Tinawanan niya ako dahil hindi ko madedeny ang lantaran kong pag imagine ng magiging tagpo bukas.

"Na excite lang ako. Tara, make up-an na kita ng makaalis na tayo."

Syempre habang minemake upan ko siya, nag iisip pa din ako kung mas okay ba na sabihin niya yun samin ni Eduardo o hindi. Sure kasi ako na kung ano man yon? It will somehow break my heart for her.

Something so tragic that I am not sure I want to know made her this way.

Sana lang okay na siya ngayon dahil mag seshare na siya, hindi yung mag seshare siya dahil may pinagdadaanan siya.

Pero whatever it is, I am here for her.

This time, I'll be her guardian angel.

---

"Excuse me. Ms. Sandoval." Sabay sabay kaming napalingon ng marinig namin ang pamilyar na boses ni Vincent.

Maliban samin, he preferrs to be called Mr. Guttierez, kaso nakajam namin siya one time sa Central dahil close friend niya pala si Craig, yung boyfriend ni E.

I bit my lip in excitement.

Nung nasa central kasi kami napaka intense ng pheromones nina Andre, Jules at Vincent.

At kanina lang habang umiinom kami ng pampakalma (Tequila ofcourse,)Jules just told me how the CEO of Imperia Leon makes her feel things down her lady business.

Diba! Dalaga na ang bestfriend ko malapit ng maglandi.

Hindi nakaligtas sakin ang possesive gesture ni Vincent habang palapit dahil nakatitig lang siya kay Jules. Siguro nakita niya kaming kasama si Andre kaya parang atat na ata siyang solohin ang bestfriend ko.

I am actually happy for her, finally nagkakaroon na ng kulay ang buhay niya, although I am still thinking about what she's gonna reveal to us bukas.

Sana lang itong si Mr. Guttierez ay hindi paasa or pa fall katulad ng iba. Nasesense ko naman na hindi lang basta basta ang turing niya kay Jules, and as her friend hindi ko siya papangunahan, pero magkamali lang talag itong gwapong to, sasamain siya sakin.

"Yes Mr. Gutierrez?" Sabi ni Jules, ay ang poise nakalimutan. She sounded like she was caught doing something bad, maybe because she's too aware of their attraction towards each other.

"I need a word with you in private. Please." Iniabot ni Mr. Guttierez yung kamay niya kay Jules.

"Oh..ah.." Tiningnan naman ako ng gaga at tinanguan ko na lang ito, para kasing nagpapaalam. "Excuse me guys." She waved at us and came near him pero hindi niya kinuha ang kamay nito.

Nice.

Napangiti ako sa ginawa niya, atleast she has the control in whatever it is that is going on between them.

It's like she's unravelling before me, and I actually feel that it is a good thing, a good change from the aloof woman that I know.

"Let's go."

Pero parang bumawi si Vincent dahil linagay niya yung kamay sa likod ni Jules at tiningnan ng nakakaloko si Andre.

Holy s**t, he is good.

He even smirked ng walang nagawa si Andre kundi tignan lang sila habang palayo.

Oh my, did I just sold my bestfriend out?

Wag naman.

............