Unromantic Romance

Chapter 24

"Owen Gomez courted Lily-anne!"

Iyan ang pambungad ni Ayii sa amin ni Jay bago lumapit sa lamesa ko. 

"I thought Lily-anne is in a relationship with Regis?" Tanong ni Jay na sumulyap pa muna sa akin. 

Ayii shook her head twice. "No! It was just a baseless rumor. Si Lily-anne lang ang may gusto pero kaibigan lamang ang turing ni Regis sa kanya."

I don't know why but I felt relieved. Hindi nga siya nagsinungaling na wala talagang namamagitan sa kanilang dalawa. 

"But I can't imagine Owen courting Lily-anne. I mean, Owen is a playboy at hindi naman siya nanliligaw talaga. Magkakilala na ba sila noon pa?" Usisa ni Jay. 

Ayii's face brightened. "Little did we know pero mag-ex sila! May usap-usapan pa nga na noong nag-split silang dalawa, ang daming girls na niyang si Owen eh."

Jay gasped at what Ayii said. I remembered how Lily-anne acted when we were on the field and we are on our way to the Council Room and when Owen came to me to give me an invitation to the party that night. I knew there was something off. Kaya pala. 

"Nakakagulat, ano? Pati nga si Millie ay hindi alam na mag-ex sila, eh pinsan niya si Lily-anne," Ayii added before leaning on my table. 

"So does that mean that Regis is single all this time?" Tanong ni Jay at tinampal ng mahina ang braso ko. Napansin naman iyon ni Ayii pero wala lang naman siyang sinabi. 

"Kahit hindi, girls still flock to him. Parang mga ibon na sinabuyan ng feeds kung makaaligid!"

"But that's odd," I murmured. Napatingin naman silang dalawa sa akin dahil sa sinabi ko. I shot my brows up before leaning on my chair. "Binabakuran ni Lily-anne si Regis noon pa. She even asked me if there are girls close to Regis. If there is, makakatikim sa kanya."

Jay's lips rose a bit. "Oh? Bakit ikaw ang tinanong niya? Alam naman yata ng lahat na hindi mo siya gusto?"

Hindi ko pa rin ba siya gusto? I don't know anymore. Well, that's what most people think. Hindi naman kami close to conclude that we are in good terms now. 

Matagal bago ako nakasagot sa tanong ni Jay, buti na lamang sinalo ni Ayii ang tanong. "The more you hate, the more you notice a person. Kaya siya ang tinanong?"

I shrugged as a response. 

After that one lazy noon at Charlotta Resort's beach, I distanced myself more from Regis. I don't want to have any interaction with him, let alone flirt with him! The heck, if I like a person, ibo-boyfriend ko kaagad! What I said that day was a lie. I can't tell him that I like him so to avoid what he said, I told him that I only flirt. I didn't expected him to take it! 

Him and his surprises always amazes me. Hindi ko pa talaga siya kilala at wala kong plano na kilalanin pa siya ng lubusan. It's dangerous. 

That Saturday afternoon, noong nagpunta siya sa bahay, I gave him my number. I don't know what made me gave in but I did. So far so good, hindi naman siya nagte-text o nagpaparamdam kaya okay lang. But that irritates me somehow. Bakit pa nanghihingi ng numero kung wala rin namang plano magparamdam? 

I am going crazy. 

Days passed, but there's no any significant events. The days were usual, plain, and boring. I used to enjoy every day but as time goes by, I felt that each day is incomplete. 

Days after Regis said that he'll flirt with me, I've gone wilder. I tried several boys. I even kissed strangers and parties a lot. I went all out. I was hoping that I'll totally forget everything he said and his suspicious romantic motives if I enrich my exploring. I made myself busy with guys and making out but after kissing a stranger in The Max bar, Regis suddenly appeared and made me crazy. 

He told me things I've been avoiding to hear. He told me things that brought back memories of our conversation on that beach. Hearing him say those makes me go back to square one. Muling pagpaparamdam niya ulit made me run to a fine fcking zero!

Where did all those night outs and wilder exploring brought me? To Regis! Sa kanya ulit!

He got my number but didn't even text nor call! This is a shitty cycle! Magpapakita siya ng motibo at mawawala at kung saan kailan ako desperada na makalimutan ang lahat ng sinabi niya ay doon siya magpaparamdam ulit at guguluhin na naman ako! 

"Someone wants to talk to you," Ayii said one lazy morning. 

Napatingin ako sa pintuan dahil sa sinabi ni Ayii. Kumunot ang noo ko nang nakita si Nikko Goncha. What does he want? Tapos na kami ah! Wala na akong boyfriend o kahit kalandian man lang ngayon simula noong nagpunta si Regis sa bahay namin kaya palaisipan sa akin na nandito si Nikko ngayon at hinahanap ako. 

I stood up from my seat. Nang dumaan sa hilera ng upuan sa unahan ay tumigil ako sa tapat ng upuan ni Regis. I stared at his desk full of academic books. 

"He's with the Council." 

I snapped from my trance. Kaagad akong lumingon kay Leanne na nasa tabi ko na pala. 

She flashed a smile. 

"I didn't ask," I tried not to sound rude but I did sound like one. 

She chuckled. "Sinabi ko lang. Mukhang hinahanap mo eh," she said, obviously mocking.

Hindi ko na pinansin pa ang sinabi niya at nilagpasan na siya para magtungo kay Nikko na naghihintay sa tapat ng classroom namin. 

"What do you want?" 

Kaagad naman siyang napaayos ng tayo mula sa pagkakahilig. 

"My mom invited you for a dinner," sabi niya sa maingat na tono. 

"I humbly refuse, pakisabi." Diretsong sagot ko at babalik na sana sa loob nang hawakan niya ako sa braso. I glared at his hand on my arm kaya binitawan niya naman ako kaagad. 

"You can't. I already told her." 

Kaagad naman akong nainis. "Stupid. Why would you tell her without asking for my permission first?" 

I know Nikko's mom. She's a member of Mama's social organization but I won't go even if she invited me over. 

He looked at me, problematic. "I know it's stupid. She somehow knew that we were together. She didn't know that you already broke up with me and expected that we still are together. We're friends right? Do me this favor."

I suddenly remembered the night at Owen's. Ganito rin ang rason niya noon.

I scoffed. "I said I won't go."

"Just this once, Le' Pauline." 

My phone beeped for a message. An unknown number flashed on my screen. 

Unknown:

Meet me at at the plaza. 7:00 pm. I'll be waiting. 

The number's not registered but upon reading the message, I figured out who's the person behind this. The message is a bit authoritative and arrogant. I know who owns this digits. 

Why will I meet him there? 

"Fine. Tell your mom that I'll go," sabi ko kay Nikko while my attention is on my phone. 

Nang nag-angat ako ng tingin, ngumiti sa akin si Nikko at hinawakan ang kamay ko. 

"Thank you!" He genuinely said. 

Pag-uwi ko ay kaagad akong nagpaalam kay Mama na may pupuntahan akong dinner kasama ang kaibigan ko. She didn't buy it but she allowed me to go. I decided to wear just a plain black wrap dress with a ribbon belt on the side and paired it with a black flat sandals. I decided to tie my hair into a full volume ponytail before applying make up to my face. 

Kinapa ko ang lipstick kit ko at naglagay sa labi. I gasped when I found out that it's not color red but light pink. Kaagad ko itong tinanggal gamit ang tissue at nag-apply ng red lipstick. 

I stared at the pink lipstick I'm holding. When did I bought this? I can't remember buying it. I didn't even received it as a gift. 

I looked at my wrist watch to check the time. I didn't put too much thought of the pink lipstick at lumabas na ng kwarto. 

"Oh my! You're so beautiful, dear!" Bati ni Tita Elisa sa akin nang nakapasok sa dining room ng bahay nila. 

Naghila si Nikko ng upuan para sa akin. The table is ready at mukhang ako na lamang ang hinihintay. 

"Thank you for inviting me,Tita." I said and glanced secretly at Nikko who only smiled at his mom. 

Tita Elisa chuckled and covered her mouth. She held Nikko's shoulders. "Nikko must be proud to have you as his girlfriend!" Masayang sabi nito. 

Nikko cleared his throat at naghila na ng upuan para sa Mama niya. 

"This is maja blanca! Try this dear, it's my specialty." Tita Elisa said after the desserts are served and gestured Nikko to hand her the dessert she's referring to. 

I nodded, smiling upon eating a spoonful of maja blanca. "It's delicious. Mama will like this."

I saw how Tita Elisa's eyes glimmered with joy and excitement. She shifted on her seat. 

"Really? Magpapadala ako para kay Ysa!"

Tumaas ang kilay ko dahil sa kanyang sinabi. I noticed her exaggerated excitement when I mentioned my Mama. I somehow know the reason why she invited me here for a dinner.

My phone beeped kaya tiningnan ko kung sino ang nag-message sa ilalim ng lamesa. 

Unknown: 

This is Regis. Where are you?

I looked at the time. It's already 8 pm, don't tell me he's still there? That's absurd. He should've figured out that I won't come. 

Nikko glanced at my phone kaya kaagad ko itong pinatay at inilagay sa lamesa. 

Tita Elisa kept on stealing glances at us kaya nang nagsalubong ang mata namin ay ngumiti ako dahilan ng pag-iwas niya ng tingin.

My phone beeped thrice pero hindi na ako nag-abalang buksan at alamin pa. I can check it after dinner. Tita Elisa didn't seem to mind the vibration of my phone though. 

"Thank you for coming over."

"Nikko forced me to come," I said, laughing. I intended it to sound serious but Tita Elisa laughed, taking it as a joke. 

"Nikko sure did," she said while shaking her head. 

"Ihahatid ka na ni Nikko. Alam ba ni Ysa na boyfriend mo ang anak ko?" She said, hopeful. 

I cleared my throat and glared at Nikko. 

"Ihahatid ko si Le', Ma. Pumasok ka na sa loob at malamig ang gabi." Iwas ni Nikko sa tanong ni Tita Elisa. Iminuwestra ni Nikko ang pinto papasok. Nagpaalam muli si Tita Elisa sa akin bago pumasok. 

"Tell your mom the truth, Nikko. You're giving her false hope," I said while Nikko is starting the engine. 

"I will." He said before maneuvering the car. 

The car was silent and I didn't bother to start a conversation. As soon as I turned on the phone, messages came flooding. 

There are Ayii and Jay's but most messages  were from an unknown number... from Regis. 

He called for 5 times and sent me 21 messages. 

Unknown:

I'm waiting.

Unknown:

Where are you, Le' Pauline?

Unknown: 

Did something happen?

Unknown:

Are you working on our assignment, perhaps?

Unknown:

Spare me some of your time. 

Unknown: 

I'll take less than 10 minutes of your time. 

Unknown: 

Are you sick?

Unknown: 

You're always mad at me but are you extra mad at me now?

Unknown: 

Are you with someone?

Unknown:

Why won't you reply?

Akala ko ba hindi niya hilig ang text? Bakit parang nakahiligan na niya ngayon dahil sa dami ng text niya? He only send messages through sss, pero mukhang nakabili na siya ng sim ah?

I giggled while scrolling through his messages. He sounded desperate from his sent messages. I never knew he would flood me with lots of these.

 I discovered something new from you again, The King. 

He's probably home by now. There is no way he's still waiting. Binaba ko ang phone ko at tumingin sa aming dinadaanan. I rolled the window down and the cold wind came rushing to my face, blowing a few strands of hair. 

"It's cold tonight, Le'. Roll the window up," Nikko said. I shrugged and did what he said. 

We are now at the three intersection and the way to our house is to the right. Lumiko naman ang sasakyan ni Nikko papunta sa daan ng bahay namin. I can't help but glance at the path to the plaza. 

Nang palapit na kami sa bahay ay tumunog ang cellphone ko. I lazily checked the message. 

Unknown: 

Your cold treatment beats the cold breeze tonight. I'm freezing yet still waiting. Won't you come?

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang nabasa ang mensahe. It sounded poetic which is so like Regis. 

Does that mean he's still at the plaza? I checked the time and it's already 9:30 pm! If he's still there, then he's been waiting for a couple of hours.

"Turn the car, Nikko!" I roared. 

Nagsalubong naman ang kilay ni Nikko, halatang naguguluhan.

"I said, turn the car around!"

"What are you saying? Malapit na tayo sa inyo-"

"Bring me to the plaza. Turn the car!"

He stopped the car. "Why would you go there this late?"

I opened the car door and was about to go outside nang kaagad niyang niliko ang sasakyan niya pabalik. 

"I don't know what you're up to but I'll bring you to the plaza." Nikko said. I close the car door and leaned on my seat, massaging my temple. 

Nang nakarating sa labasan ng plaza ay kaagad akong lumabas sa sasakyan ni Nikko. My eyes wandered at the whole place. Malilikot ang mga mata ko pero napirmi lamang nang nakita ang pamilyar na anino ng kung sino sa gitna ng plaza. 

Hindi na ako nag-abalang magpaalam pa kay Nikko at halos tumakbo na akong lumapit sa taong kanina pa pala naghihintay dito. 

I stopped when we are only a meter away from each other. Regis is wearing a white button down shirt and a pair of black slacks and a few strands of his hair fell on his forehead. 

I surveyed him from his shoes up to his face. Our eyes then meet. 

Guilt duddenly crept in me.

"Y-you did... wait," I said in a soft and careful manner. "You shouldn't have waited. It's cold and you didn't have a jacket with you."

He didn't reply for a while. He just looked at me intently. His gaze is dark and cold. As dark as the night sky and as cold as the night breeze. There are lamp posts and it didn't give us that much light but it didn't hinder me to see his face. 

"Where were you?" He asked coldly which sent shivers down my spine. 

It's cold out here but I bet that I won't freeze from this but because of Regis' cold voice. 

"I was invited for a dinner." 

Regis looked behind me which made me turn around. I saw Nikko walking towards us but stopped the moment he saw Regis. 

"You were with someone." It wasn't a question but more of a statement.

"I... I..." 

Wala akong masabi! It's true that I'm with someone but it's only dinner. I'm sure he'll think na kaya hindi ko siya sinipot dahil may kasama akong iba! 

But so what? Totoo naman!

"My mom invited Le' for dinner. I didn't know she was bound to meet you," paliwanag ni Nikko. 

There was a deafening silence between us and Nikko decided to break it. 

"Uuwi na ako, Le'. Mukhang nakakadisturbo ako eh. Salamat sa pagpapaunlak sa hiling ni Mama."

I didn't answer. Nikko took it as a cue to go. I then heard footsteps walking away. 

"Did you have a good time?"

"I did. I mean, it's a dinner. Who won't have a good time?"

Regis nodded. "Dinner with someone over me?"

My lips parted. I don't know what to say!

"I was about to take you out for dinner," he said. 

"You should have said so."

"Will you come if I did?" 

I cleared my throat and looked away. 

He sighed. "Everything is fine as long as you're here."

I looked at him guiltily. 

"Why did you asked me to come over here?" I asked while looking around. 

He advanced a few steps towards me and stopped when we are only inches away. I can hear the sound of his breathing. 

He took something out of his pocket and when he opened his palm, it revealed a gold necklace with small chains and a sun-shaped pendant. 

Siya ang nagsuot ng kwintas sa leeg ko which made me uncomfortable because his face is so near. I tilted my head to the other side para hindi masyadong malapit ang mukha namin. Our position looked sensual. It's like he's kissing my neck dahil ang lapit ng labi niya sa leeg ko. If people see us as we are now, I bet they'll think that he's giving me a kiss on the neck!

Nang natapos ay lumayo na ng kaunti ang mukha niya. He held the necklace's pendant and flipped it over.

"Les Rois," he murmured. 

"Leroy... what?" 

He looked at me and stifled a smile. 

"It's French. Les Rois," sabi niya at binitawan na ang kwintas. 

Kumunot ang noo ko nang pinagmasdan ko ang kwintas na nakasabit sa leeg ko. "Why are you giving me this?" Nagtatakang tanong ko sa kanya habang hinihimas ang nakasulat sa likod ng pendant. 

"It's a declaration," he mumbled.

"Declaration of what?"

"A declaration that I am flirting with you and you're flirting with me and that you've been branded as The King's."

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