Dear, Joey

17

Weekend when Mom and Jullie go home with Tito Henry, hinatid nya ang dalawa. I don't have a say about it and I'm civil to Tito Henry. Naging busy ako the whole weeks while suddenly Kuya and Tegan have problems with their businesses, so they must go back to Manila. I give voice mails to Dad dahil hindi ko sya ma-tyempuhan na naka on ang phone nya.  

Nilugay ko ang mahaba kung buhok na kulot sa ibaba. I put my black heels before standing up and face the whole-body mirror. I turn around looking at my bare back and my low V-line seeing my cleavage a bit. It’s a chiffon knee length white dress, it's flowy and fairy like, pair with a small shoulder bag. I'm ready to go.  I have really a tan skin but it's suit on me, hindi masyadong kaputian. Ayuko rin naman ng masyadong maputi katulad ng kay Jullienne. Dun kami nagkakaiba at mas madaling malaman kung sino kami. 

May knock on my door smiling brightly at me. 

"Andyan na po ang sundo nyo Joey"

Tumango lang ako at inipit ang buhok sa likod ng tinga ko bago lumabas. 

Natatawa na lang ako kay Mom na mas excited pa sa akin habang nagtatampo naman si Jullie dahil gustong sumama sa akin but it's a formal party so she can't. Kaya andun sya sa living room kasama si Tito Henry. I face him and saw still watching me. 

"Take care of her Franco" magiliw na sabi ni Mom making me groan. 

"Mom I'm not going to a prom" I said making Franco laugh a bit and nod to Mom. 

"I'll take her home safe Mrs. Del Lucia" tumango lang si Mom. 

"Sige na baka maiyak ako" biro nya making me roll my eyes. Franco amusedly watch me and my mom. Nagpaalam kami kay Tito Henry na nakangiti lang na tumango. Jullie just glance at me and turn around again, sulking. 

"I'm sorry about my mom, it's just new to her that I go to a formal party" I said while walking we were walking to the car. 

"You’re an introvert, aren't you?" he asked holding my elbow to guide me to passenger seat. 

"I am not really, I just don't like wearing high heels on formal party because I'll tell you, I'm not fond of standing, it's kind of boring also" ginawi ko making him laugh. He closes the door on my side and go to the driver seat. 

"Then why are you with me?" he asked fixing his seatbelt. 

"I promised you, aren't I? Tsaka nakakahiya ng tumanggi sa yo I always decline you because of my busy work so I owe you this one, buti na lang at nakasingit" I said while smiling at him. 

He stares at me for like 3 minutes before quietly nod and smile. 

"You won't get bored this time because I will not be letting you"

"Be my clown then" I teased makes him laugh. I just smile and sigh. 

We talk mostly on the car. Naka base sya talaga sa Manila but his client is here so he stayed for awhile and of course his business as well.

We arrive on the venue with a lot of cameras and photographers. I felt uncomfortable all of a sudden and Franco notice it. Hindi ko alam na may pa red carpet ang event na to.

He holds my waist securely, giving by a reassure grip on my side. Makes my shoulder a bit down. Relax on his hold.

"Just smile." bulong nya.

Napapatingalang tumango ako at pilit na ngumiti sa camera.

They ask me questions about my twin sister and mostly involving with Franco, but we just remain silent the whole time until we walk out of that scene.

Napabuntong hininga ako ng malakas ng makalagpas kami making him laugh at me. I just smile at him.

Hindi nagtagal ang pagka relax ko ng makita ang loob, different personalities and elites are gathering around. I even saw the daughter of the former governor in our province. My Dad is known, even Kuya Lenuel and Jullienne but not me. Parang pinagsisisihan ko ng pumunta ako dito ah.

"Don't worry, I'm here with you." and the angel appears when Franco smile makes me nod, grateful to his presence.

Humalo kami sa karamihan. May mga pinakilala si Franco sa akin at may mga nagpakilala ng personal. I enjoy it somehow; meeting people is new but exhausting.

We watch the main event which the latest plan of the big stablishment in the province. Kasama ang mga investors at kilalang tao sa lipunan for the upcoming event.

I lost Franco for a moment because he has meeting on his client in one room, so I waited him in our table, drinking juice and eating pastries.

"Hello" said the soft voice.

A beautiful woman with her long dress with a high slit smile on me. High cheek bone, bow lips, pointed nose and almond eyes. May ganitong ganda, Wow. Tapos coca cola body pa sya at mas matangkad sa akin. Magkasing tangkad sila ni Franco. Hanggang mata lang ako ni Franco kahit na nga may heels ako.

"Hi" I simple smile.

"I'm Brandey, you must be Jullieanna?" she said offering her hand. Kung saan nya nakuha ang pangalan ko, hindi ko alam.

"Yes, I'm not famous though. Why did you know my name? Sorry, it's just weird you know my name. Iisipin ko kasi nyan stalker ka" I awkwardly laugh making her watch me. Hindi nya nakuha joke ko. fine.

Napapatikhim na nilahad ko ang upuan sa tabi ko ng bitawan ko ang kamay nya.

"You can seat." hila ko sa upuan sa tabi ko.

"I just wanted to meet you, paalis na rin ako. Just give me my regards to Jullienne."

"You know my twin?" tayo ko making her nod and smile at me.

"Yes, we're in the same circle"

"You’re an actress then? Wow, anong screen name mo? I don't watch TV often, but I watch movies, baka may movie ka, I'll watch it." She fondly laughs at me.

"I'm not though, kakilala ko lang ang kakambal mo. I noticed that you’re with Mr. Del Cano, boyfriend?" She teased. 

Nag init ang pisngi ko.

"His not my boyfriend. Nanliligaw pa lang." I said trying to lower my voice. She has this question look on her face. I smile cutely at her.

"Then where is he?" linga nya.

"He has a meeting with his client"

"At pinaghihintay ka nya?" napatikhim ako ng biglang nag iba ng kaunti ang tuno ng boses nya like she's annoyed about it.

"Hindi naman, biglaan lang yung meeting. Ilang minuto pa lang silang na uusap."

"Kung ako ang maghihintay, iiwan ko sya agad. The ungentleman man should found himself in a garbage bin than to be with a nice lady. Wag mo na lang kaya syang hintayin, you can ride with me."

Oh Wow, what with this woman? May galit ba sya kay Franco?

"Naku hindi na nakakahiya naman, tsaka kasama ko sya dito eh. Okay lang naman sa akin. Hindi naman sya magtatagal."

"You like him that much?" taas nya ng kilay sa akin.

Napangiwi ako sa sinabi nya. Franco is a nice man, so I like him but not the kind of like in a man alright.

"His fine." she frowns with my answer, I just awkwardly laugh.

"He’s my friend eh." ngiwi ko. Parang dun lang sya naliwanagan at natatawang luminga sa paligid.

"Wow, your so kind I like you na." she said.

"Ahh, Thanks?" lito kung sabi.

May kinuha sya sa pouch nya at binigay sa akin.

"Here, that's my calling card. Let's be friends, Okay?" abot nya ulit ng kamay sa akin.

Napapangiting tumango ako at kinuha ulit ang kamay nya. We shake hands.

"Let's take a picture!" she then got her phone and go near me. Awkward na nag piece sign ako habang sya ang laki ng ngiti. We pose another and another picture until I couldn't count any of it.

"I'll see you soon then" kaway nya. Tumango lang ako watching her go.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. Hindi naman talaga bago sa akin ang makisalamuha but sanay kasi akung mga ordinaryong tao ang nakikilala ko at minsan lang ang matataas na tayo, masyadong alam mo yun classy at parang palaging brand new ang suot. Ugghh, feeling ko palagi akung may culture shock. I'm weird, aren't I?

Napapailing na nilagay ko ang calling card sa bag ko. I've waited Franco for other minutes before I saw him.

Agad syang lumapit sa akin.

"I'm sorry about this Joey" agad nyang salubong.

Tumayo aki at ngumiti. Kunti na lang ang mga bisitang nasa venue at nag uwian na ang iba.

"Ayos lang. Ready to go?" tango ko.

His apologizing all the way home while I secretly pissed off with his words and actions kahit na okay naman talaga sa akin na maghintay. That's his work anyway. It's important.

Kaya pag uwi ay pilit na lang ang ngiti ko sa kanya while watching him go.

Ng mawala sya sa paningin ko ay dun lang bumagsak ang balikat ko at lulugo-lugong pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

"Enjoyed the party?"

"What the hell!" I shouted startled to death by the deep voice. Papasok pa lang ako sa front door at sinasara ang pinto, madilim sa bulwagan at akala ko tulog na ang lahat. Ang dim light lang sa living room ang ilaw ko.

I gasp and blow an air when I saw Tegan standing near at the kitchen door.

"Don't do that!" inis kung asik sa kanya habang ni-lock ang pinto.

"Do what?"

"Giving me a frighten. Why are here anyway? Akala ko may problema kayo ni Kuya Lenuel sa Manila?" inis kung tanong. Really, I'm tired at sinabayan pa ng pagsulpot nya.

I don't want to see him right now. Nasa utak ko pa rin yung pag uusap namin ni Enrique and I don't know why.

Lumakad ako papuntang hagdan. My feet are hurting because of the high heels. Kaya sandals at flat lang ang gusto kung suotin eh.

"We solve it right away. How's the party?" sunod nya sa akin.

"Fine" walang gana kung sabi habang paakyat but he suddenly catches my hand wanted to stop me.

"Tegan! It's mid night. I'm tired." asik ko na may halong irita at inis.

I stop when I saw him staring at my face without any reaction and he didn't let go of me, his hold even tightened a bit.

His wearing a white shirt na lukot na at jugging pants, parang ilang beses nyang hinawi ang buhok nya dahil magulo. He looks like fresh out of the bed.

I sigh heavily.

"Can we sleep already? Ano bang problema?" ungot ko, nauubusan ng pasensya.

"I'm asking you if you enjoy the party?" the f**k! What's with him?! Ugghh.

"Yes! Okay na?!" irita kung sagot tugging my hand on his hold facing him.

"I don't know why your eager to know it, palagi ka namang nasa party, I am tired Tegan and I think you too. Bukas na lang tayo mag usap. I don't have time with you." hilot ko sa noo ko. I wait him to talk but he just silent the whole time.

Napapairap na lang sa kawalan na tinalikuran ko sya at pa galit na umakyat pataas. What's with him?

Napahinto ako sa pagsara ng pinto ng makita kung magulo ang kama ko. Inis na napabuntong hininga na lang ako at nagmadaling maglinis ng katawan.

Naabutan ko syang naka upo sa sahig sa gilid ng kama ko. He looks at me, but I just proceed to go to my bed and fix my pillow. I glance at him crawling on the other side.

Di ko sya pinansin at humiga patalikod. Closing my eyes but I slowly open my eyes again when a warm body envelope me on the back. Carefully and light.

"Sorry" he whispered making me sigh, sleepily.

I stay still for a minute before I move and face him. 

Ang gulo ng buhok nya, his lips are red, and he looks pale more than usual, but his eyes look so sad that I felt bad for him. What's with this man?

"Ang kulit kasi." irap ko making his lips move up a bit.

Umusog sya palapit while I just let him slide his arm under me and cage me on his arm and chest. Where under the comforter and comfortably tangle with each other?

I smack his butt hugging his waist.

"Wag makulit ulit." paalala ko na parang kumakausap sa bata, I heard him smile on top of my head. I caress his back tapping it lightly.

I just sigh, closing my eyes hearing his fast heartbeat but makes me calm.