Unromantic Romance

Chapter 14

I felt how the cold breeze caressed my skin. I looked at him with my lips parted. Staring at his intense eyes leads me to a seemingly bottomless chasm and if I stare at him for a few more seconds, I'll definitely drown. 

"Pau, anak! Kanina pa kita hinahanap, nandito ka lang pala-"

Dad paused when he saw who's with me in the veranda. I didn't spare time to glance at my father's way but my eyes are all into the guy in front of me, still wondering why he said that. 

Of course, I won't go back to someone I already broke up with. I never did and never will. There is no need to tell me that.

"Regis? Nakauwi ba si Ramil?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Dad. Regis tore his eyes off me and looked at my Dad who's beside me now. 

He coughed a little. "Good evening, po." Bati ni Regis at yumuko ng kaunti. "Papa is not here. I attended the party alone." 

Medyo nagulat pa si Dad na nandito si Regis pero nakabawi naman kaagad. "I didn't expected you to come," ani Dad. "I thought you don't like parties? That's what everyone knows. I think this is the third time?" 

"I came here to represent my family, Sir. " Magalang na sagot ni Regis. 

Dad laughed. "It's Dad's birthday party noong una kitang nakita, Ramil and Lumina brought you. Bata ka pa noon. The second time is the Salvador's unica hija's birthday party and that was last year, I think?" 

I didn't know that he rarely goes to parties. I knew since then that Regis is not into a crowd but when it comes to formal parties thrown by known families here in Ayazo, I thought he attends pero hindi ko alam na ganito kadalas! I mean, third? This is his third party?!

Regis chuckled at kinuha ang wine glass na nakapatong sa fascia board. 

Papa tapped my shoulders. "Hindi ko alam na magkasama pala kayo nitong anak ko. Are you talking about something? Sorry for interrupting." 

I immediately waved my hands in front of me and shook my head. "No, we weren't. Nagkataon lamang na nandito ako nang nagpunta siya dito para siguro... uh... magpahangin." My eyes carefully wandered. I don't want to meet Regis' eyes.

Dad's brows furrowed at my explanation. It is not a defensive explanation though, totoo naman kasi. We just talked for a bit but we weren't hanging out like what my Dad thinks. 

Dad looked around. "Where's Owen? Tapos na ba kayong mag-usap?"

"Yeah. Owen went back to his parents." 

Dad held me close and caressed my shoulder up and down. "Montemayors are here, Pau. Hinahanap ka nila." 

My eyes widened at what my father said. He then chuckled at my reaction and pinched my cheek. 

"Your Lolo is not here." I heaved a deep sigh which deepened my Dad's chuckle. 

"Why are you here alone Regis? Come, ipapakilala kita sa pamilya namin." 

I immediately looked at my Dad, silently pleading him to take his words back. 

Bakit ipapakilala? Part na ba siya ng pamilya?

"Is that okay, sir?"

"Of course. They'll be happy to meet you." 

Binitawan na ako ni Dad at nauna ng pumasok. I need to calm down and face the Montemayors with confidence. I cannot let what Regis said earlier mess me up. Even if he's around when I will be with the Montemayors, I should gather myself and do what I usually do. I should not be bothered by this guy's presence. 

Sumunod kaagad ako kay Dad at kumapit sa braso niya. If I didn't, makakasabay ko si Regis. I don't want that. I am already awkward as it is, ano pa kaya kung magkasabay kaming pumunta sa pwesto kung nasaan ang pamilya ko? My family will wonder why and my cousins will then conclude things. 

"Pauline, where were you-" Mama paused the moment she laid her eyes on the person behind me. Ngumiti siya kay Regis na nasa likod ko and when she looked at me, she raised her brow. Tumikhim ako at umiwas ng tingin.

"I was at the veranda... uhm... nagpapahangin." 

Kloe, my cousin, kissed me in the cheek. "I missed you, Pauline!" Nang lumayo siya ng kaunti ay sinuklian ko siya ng ngiti. 

"I missed you too, Klo." 

"I'll be staying for two days here in Ayazo, we should hang out!" She excitedly said. 

Tita Sari, my Dad's older sister, went to me after Kloe. "You're so beautiful, Pauline. You've grown so much." 

"Thank you, Tita." 

Kloe went to my cousins and said something which made them turn to my way. Kaagad naman silang lumapit sa akin. 

"We were looking for you, Pauline! Saan ka ba nagsususuot?" Jaron asked before hugging me. 

"Sa veranda lang."

"Why are you even there? You should be enjoying the party," Illinois said. 

"Were you with someone perhaps?" Tanong ni Micca. 

"No, of course not-"

"I have Regis with me. Ramil's son," Dad interrupted. My Titas and Titos immediately flocked towards Regis and offered their hand for a handshake. 

Regis was busy entertaining the elders' greeting and was surrounded by them. I can even hear my Dad's laugh from there. 

Nang bumaling ako ulit sa mga pinsan ko, I saw how Micca's mouth formed an 'o'. 

Kloe pointed at Regis. "No way! Are you with that guy?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya sa akin. 

"Nagkataon lamang na nandoon na ako sa veranda nang nagpunta siya-"

"Are you in a relationship with that Cuevas guy?" Tanong ni Micca, hindi rin makapaniwala. I immediately shook my head. 

"Finally, someone tamed the unruly Montemayor!"Jaron exclaimed and laughed hard. 

My brows furrowed at their assumptions. "No! What are you saying Jar-"

"That's great, Pauline. He's good for you." I turned to Illinois' way who's pouring wine on his glass. He lifted the wine glass and shake it a bit for a better taste of wine. 

Bakit ba nila ako pinapangunahan?

"I am not in a relationship with Regis. Stop it," seryosong sabi ko at nagsalin na rin ng wine sa panibagong baso. 

"Then why is Tito Limuel introducing him to the entire family?" Jaron playfully asked. 

I rolled my eyes at him. "Regis' father is Dad's close friend," I answered as a matter of fact. 

Jaron's brows shot up before sipping on his wine.

"Do you still hate him, Pauline? I really cannot understand you," Micca said with squinted eyes. He glanced at Regis' way who's still busy talking with my Titos and Titas. "I mean, he's the epitome of perfection! He's an ideal... perfect for a Montemayor." 

My forehead creased. "So what if he is? Should I be head over heels and beg for his attention?" Sarkastikong tanong ko kay Micca at sumimsim sa wine. 

Micca's mouth fell. "What?" She asked unbelievably. She intertwined her hands and brought it near her face. 

"You said his name is Regis. That name is so kingly!" Micca dreamily said. 

I don't know why but I felt annoyed at Micca. How could she think of Regis dreamily? She have a boyfriend!

Jaron was looking at me while smirking. I wanna punch him in the face and wipe off that smirk. I knew that Jaron has always been like that but he's being extra annoying for me tonight. 

"Are you still trying guys, Pauline? It's been years. Stop it." 

"The term for that is exploring, Kloe." 

Kloe chuckled and covered her mouth. "My bad. Okay, so are you still exploring?" She asked again.

I nodded.

 My cousins know that part of me. I am not hiding it either. 

"Stop playing and settle for good," Illinois seriously said and put back his wine glass on the table near us. He went closer to me and pointed at Regis. "That guy is perfect for you." 

Illinois is the most serious. He takes things seriously. He is the most mature amongst us maybe because he is the oldest and that drives him to be more responsible especially when it comes to us three. 

I scoffed and looked away, clenching my fist. Illinois distanced himself and slid both of his hands in his pocket. "Lolo will like him," Illinois added. 

My nails buried on my palm.  I can almost feel my palm bleeding because of my tight clench. Tinanggal ni Illinois ang glasses niya at pinunasan ito gamit ang dulo ng necktie niya. 

"I don't like him, Elli." Sabi ko ng may diin. 

I don't want people to push me to someone. My cousins should know that. Amongst us, I am uncontrollable. I always set my wings free. I always value free will. 

Jaron went beside me and held my shoulders. "Come'n guys. Don't push Pauline too hard. She said she doesn't like the guy," Jaron playfully said. 

He whispered to me. "Calm your nerves. I'll punch Elli straight in the face later, don't worry." 

I sighed and looked away. The air was so tense. I need to cool down. 

"We cannot tolerate Pauline's actions any longer, Jaron. Hihintayin pa ba nating si Lolo na ang umaksyon? We don't want that," sabat ni Micca sa maingat na tono. 

Micca is the opposite of me. Mahinhin, soft-spoken, and she is the most obedient. Sinusunod niya ang mga sinasabi ni Lolo, almost treating it like a divine's order. 

"She promised she will stop once she finds someone who can tame her, remember? Pauline said wala pa," Jaron said and glanced at Regis for a bit which made me curious why is my cousin stealing glances at Regis. 

Sinuot muli ni Illinois ang salamin niya. "Kailan dadating ang lalaking makakapaamo sa kanya kung ganoon? Will that time ever come? I bet no one can take her madness, judging from her past years of exploring."

I gritted my teeth. "It's not like I will die if I don't find one." I murmured, totally not getting why are they so crazy to put a stop to my actions. I am still 18!

"Who knows? There might be someone, actually." Jaron said with a smirk is plastered on his face bago binitawan ang mga kamay niyang nakakapit sa braso ko. 

"What kind of guy will that be? Pauline deserves the best, Jaron." Kloe said, curious about Jaron's answer. 

Jaron raised his brow at Illinois. My cousins are now attentive at what will be Jaron's answer. 

"Someone mad," Jaron's answer made me turn at him. I saw how Jaron low key glanced at Regis' way who is also stealing glances at our direction despite being busy at entertaining.

 I tore my eyes off Regis in an instant. 

"Someone mad? Ginagago mo ba kami, Jaron?" Pikon na tanong ni Elli. "Give me a good answer. I also care for our cousin, you know. Someone also mad is not a perfect fit for her." 

My forehead creased, not getting what's with Jaron's answer. Of course, that kind of someone will only tolerate my actions more. What is he thinking?

Jaron shakes his head a bit. "Someone mad enough who will pursue her despite knowing how unruly she is. I believe I found that someone now." 

My forehead creased at what my cousin said. My head is filled with questions. 

"Who are you referring to?" Illinois curiously asked.  

Jaron stole a glance at me which didn't escape my vision. He looked back at Elli with a knowing smile. 

"Someone who you all think is perfect. "

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