Montepalma Series 3: A Paradise Between Our Distance

Chapter 13

“So, where are we going?”

I was whistling while watching the window to have a sight of the beautiful nature here in Marseille. Suddenly I remember whenever we have a family day, we usually go to Marignane. We used to have a rest house there and our backyard is the beautiful beach. I really love the whisper of the waves hitting against the shore.

“I know somewhere we can hang around, though. Let’s go to Marignane,” I said, merrily.

“Alright, just tell me the direction,” he responded. He was giving me a brief glance then focused on the road. “I like your mood today, huh. You seem excited and happy.”

“I haven’t visited there ever since my parents died.”

He fell silent for a couple of seconds. His long fingers are drumming against the wheel. I gave him a sheepish smile before I focused my gaze back outside. Ayaw ko na maging malungkot sa tuwing naalala ko ang mga magulang ko. Gusto ko muna sulitin ito.

The temporary freedom is shall I need to enjoy and explore. When the sun finally sets in the horizon, it is a reminder that I need to go back to my prison. The prison that I loathed the most. I heard the banging from my heart that wanted to go out from my chest. It is so heavy and painful.

I pointed out the road that leads to Marignane. All of a sudden, the waves of memories are slowly hitting my brain. I smiled a little. I remember that every time we’re going to Marignane, my mother will prepare us a turkey sandwich. Para hindi ako nagugutom kasi madalas ay bugnot ako sa byahe.

“Can I ask some questions while I’m driving?” he beamed.

Bigla ako napatingin sa kaniya. Tahimik ko siya pinagmamasdan. Simple lang din naman ang suot niya. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt and a maong pants. Pero kahit napaka simple ng suot niya ngayon ay halata pa rin ang karangyahan sa kaniya. He is really born rich and is provided with a golden spoon and luxury life.

“Go on,” I urged. Kinuha ko iyong water bottle at uminom. “What are your questions, Montepalma?”

“These questions are all about you. I really wanted to know you more.”

“Hmm. Go on, then.”

“Were you born here in France or in the Philippines?” he inquired.

“I was born and raised here in France. However, my father introduced me to the culture of the Philippines and also the language. He was the one that taught me how to speak in Tagalog fluently,” I answered. Sumandal ako sa backrest habang nag-iisip. “Naalala ko kapag may ayaw kaming tao na kasama, mag-uusap lang kami ng tagalog kasi hindi naman nila kami maiintindihan.”

I heard the bark of laughter that echoed from his mouth. Maski ako napangiti sa tuwing naalala ang memorya na iyon.

“I guess that’s what they do also if they are saying something about us…”

I squinted my eyes. “Are you referring to Vivian and Dos?”

“Yeah.” He was nodding his head lazily. “You know… I am really amazed to hear you speak in French. Hindi ko alam kung minsan minumura mo na ako o ano.”

“Ouais, parfois.”

He gave me a serious look. “That’s what I’m talking about, lady.”

Ngumisi ako sa kaniya. Ang sarap din pala pagtripan ang isang ‘to. Kaya nakangisi ako habang nakatingin sa kaniya. Nag-iisip muli kung ano gagawin ko para maasar siya habang nagmamaneho ng sasakyan.

“I just said ‘yeah, sometimes’,” I translated. I crossed my arms across my chest. “Do you want to learn how to speak in French?”

I don’t know if it was my imagination but I saw his eyes twinkle. It looks like it makes him happy when I offer him to speak in French with me. He became giddy and excited about it. And it makes me at ease as well. I’m glad he reacted that way.

“Of course, I want to!” aniya tila sabik na sabik magpaturo sa akin. “I have another question. What was your favorite Filipino dish?”

I pouted while thinking. “I remember I always get excited whenever my father cooks me a Tinola during December. It was too cold here and I really needed some hot broth.”

“Can you ask me what is my favorite?”

“What’s yours?”

His lips curled. “I love sisig and adobo. I specifically love liver adobo.”

“Oh, I haven’t tried that yet. Do you know how to cook?” I questioned.

Napanguso siya habang pinipigilan ngumiti. Until the realization hits me so hard. Kaya dahan-dahan ako tumango tila naiitindihan kung bakit.

“Uhm—”

“You don’t know how to cook,” I interrupted. Halos pinipigilan ko hindi matawa. “I seriously forgot that you’re a spoiled brat.”

He rolled his eyes. “I am not a spoiled brat. I can cook because I live in my condo!”

“Yeah, you cook only fried food.”

Humalakhak ako habang tinitingnan ang ekspresyon niya tila naiinis na naman siya sa akin. His annoyed expression is back again on his facade. Nararamdaman ko na gusto niya ako patumbahin sa sahig for a fight. That’s what we always do… to fight with each other.

Nang makita ko na ang sign na nasa Marignane na kami, binaba ko ang bintana at nilabas ko iyong ulo ko. I could smell the salty breeze that comes from the beach. The old infrastructure houses are welcome in my eyes. Halos yakapin ko ang lupain dahil nandito na muli ako sa lugar kung saan masaya ako palagi.

“Wow! This place looks so exquisite!” he commented.

I laughed. “I told you so! Oh my f*****g goodness! I’m back!”

I let the wind play with my hair. I shut my eyes as I felt the strong wind hit against my skin. The wind was salty and fresh.

Pinasok ko na ang ulo ko at tinanggal ko iyong seatbelt. Parang gusto ko kumain sa isang restaurant ngayon dahil may pera naman kami. Kinalabit ko siya at tinuturo ko kung saan kami kumakain nila Mama at Papa tuwing dinner. Halos magtubig ang lalamunan ko sa tuwing naalala ko kung gaano ko ka paborito ang mga pagkain nila sa menu.

“Huminto ka muna diyan. Kain muna tayo,” I urged. I showed him my tummy while rubbing it. “I’m quite hungry. Hindi kasi tayo nag-agahan, Hansen.”

He was stifling a smile. “Sure. Let me park it first then we’ll eat there together.”

I squealed in happiness. I can’t wait to eat there and to reminisce about my memories with my family when I was still sixteen years old. Papa always treats us in Le Barth restaurant. Lalo na kapag anniversary nila Mama. Kaya gustong-gusto ko ulit kumain dito.

Kasama naman si Hansen.

“Come on, Hansen! You’re too slow!”

I groaned. Bumaba na ako ng kotse pagka parada niya pa lang. Narinig ko siya na tumawa sa akin. Hinintay ko siya bumaba at naglakad siya palapit sa akin. Laking gulat ko nang gumapang ang kamay niya sa bewang ko habang nakatago ang malaki niyang ngisi.

“I’m sorry, baby. Ito na ako kasi nagugutom ka na,” aniya sa malambing na tono.

I glared at him. “Get off me!”

“Uh-huh… my girl is really hungry because she is grumpy again.”

He tousled my hair playfully. Inis ko tinanggal iyong kamay niya. Pumasok na kami sa loob ng restaurant. May bumungad sa amin na waiter.

"Bonjour! Welcome to Le Barth in Marignane!" the waiter greeted us. "Do you have any reservation or walk in only?"

"Walk in only, monsieur," I answered. "Table for two, please."

The waiter nodded his head. "Okay. Follow me. I'll lead you the way to your table."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Hansen. We are grinning with each other. Sinundan namin iyong waiter at napadpad kami sa labas sa likod ng restaurant. Nakikita namin iyong beach. Napansin ko na humahanga si Hansen sa lugar ng Marignane.

"This is your table and also the menu. Just call us if you already choose whatever you want…" Nilapag ng waiter iyong menu at nag bow siya sa amin dalawa.

My lips twitched. "Merci!"

Pinaghila ako ni Hansen ng upuan. Umupo na ako at tiningnan ng mabuti iyong menu. Umupo si Hansen sa harapan ko. He looks so cool and confident. Siguro sanay na sanay na kumain sa mga five star restaurant sa Manila. Nakikita ko lang ang Manila sa picture. Kasi hindi pa ako nakakapunta ro'n. We haven't had the chance to go there.

"You told me you already ate here, right? Order whatever you want. Gusto ko tikman ang mga kinakain mo rito," he said languidly. Binaba niya na iyong menu. "Go on. I have the money."

"Are you sure?" I responded.

He chortled. “I’m one hundred percent sure, Ivory. Order everything you want.”

Ngumisi ako sa kaniya. Inangat ko ang kamay para umorder na. Sakto lang naman ang inorder ko para marami pa kami gawin sa pera na hawak namin na para sa amin dalawa lang. Ang order ko ang madalas ko inoorder kapag nandito. Kaya ngayon tinitikman na ni Hansen.

The waiter was pouring the red wine gently into my flute. Inangat ko iyong flute at pinag-untog namin ang kopita.

Masaya ako na nagagawa ko muli kumain kung saan kami kumakain ng pamilya ko. Hindi rin naman nagtagal ay tapos na kami kumain. Binayaran na ni Hansen iyong bill at lumabas na kami ng restaurant. Busog na busog nga ako. Pakiramdam ko medyo bloated ako.

“That was delicious food I’ve ever tasted,” aniya habang naglalakad kami papunta sa sasakyan. “Are you happy?”

Tumango ako. “Yup! Gusto ko bisitahin iyong rest house namin. Doon ako tumatambay sa bubong habang pinapanood iyong sunset.”

“We still have money left, though.” Lumapit siya sa akin at inakbayan niya ako. “Do you want to drive the car?”

“Really?” my voice went high pitched. “Are you seriously letting me drive the car?”

Nilingon niya ako. “Of course. I want you to do everything that makes you happy, Ivory.”

Inalis niya na ang pagkaka akbay sa akin. Binigay niya sa akin ang susi ng sasakyan. Tumakbo na ako papunta sa sport car na pinahiram sa amin ni Uno. Nakangiti lang siya sa akin habang nakapamulsa.

“Get your ass here, Hansen! Ang bagal mo talaga!” I hissed.

I just heard him laugh at me. Sumakay na kami ng sasakyan. Sinuot ko muna iyong seatbelt at medyo kinakabahan ako. Hindi pa ako nakakapag drive ng sports car sa buong buhay ko. Ordinaryong sasakyan lamang ang pinagmamaneho ko kaya kinakabahan ako ng husto.

“I know you’re nervous. But I know you can do it. I’m here for you,” he encouraged. He was leaning his back against the backseat. “Trust me…”

I released a nervous breath. “O-Okay. I got this!”

“That’s my partner,” he muttered.

Binuhay ko na ang makina ng sasakyan. Ang sarap sa pandinig kung paano nabuhay ang makina ng sports car na pinahiram sa amin dalawa. Nung una ay napaka bagal ng andar ng sasakyan hanggang sa bumibilis na.

“There’s a boutique nearby. We can buy our clothes!”

His lips curled. “Sure. Kuha tayo ng matching t-shirts or whatsoever.”

Nanliit ang mata ko tila tinatantiya ang emosyon niya. Tama ba iyong naririnig ko mula sa kaniya?

“Are you drunk? Are you okay?” Nilagay ko iyong palad ko sa leeg niya. Hindi naman siya mainit ah. “Ginugulat mo ako ngayon, Montepalma. Bakit parang ang bait mo ata?”

I saw his eyebrow arched. Kalmado na ngayon takbo ng sasakyan. Kaya nagagawa ko lingunin siya. Iba talaga ang timpla ngayon ni Hansen. He is too kind and soft to me. I wonder what really happened to him— why is he being so nice to me?

Dahil hindi talaga nawawala sa isang araw na hindi kami nagsasagutan at away. Parang hindi normal kasi kalmado lang siya ngayon at hinahayaan niya ako gawin ang mga gusto ko. I saw him licked his lower lips. My eyes drifted on his rough features. He is too handsome and incredibly hot.

“So? Why are you so nice to me?” I added.

His eyes slowly gaze at me. “I promised myself that I wanted to make you smile. The world has been cruel to you… so I wanted you to experience everything.”

I blinked briefly. My jaw almost dropped on the floor. The crimson red is slowly showing on the tip of his ears. He must be shy admitting those words in front of me. I heard him groan. Iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin habang umiigting ang panga niya.

“Wow…”

“Ang dami kong sinabi ayan lang sasabihin mo,” he grumbled.

Hinampas ko iyong braso niya. “Naninibago ako sa’yo ngayon. Thank you so much for making me happy right now.”

“I’m not yet done. Hindi pa ito ang gagawin ko para sa’yo…”