When The Rain Stops

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

“Young Saavedra, nice to see you again.” Lumapit saamin ang dalawang lalake na sa wari ko ay kaedad ng kanyang ama. May hawak ang mga ito na wine glass na may lamang pulang likido.

“Mr. Fajardo, Mr. Torreya” nakangiting kinamayan ni Archer ang mga ito.

“How are you hijo? And who’s this lady with you?” tanong ng tinawag ni Archer na Mr. Torreya

“This is Amira Dovante sir, my girlfriend.”

Girlfriend? What? Kailan pa ako pumayag?!

Agad akong napatingin kay Archer sa kanyang sinabi at malawak lamang itong nakangiti sakin.

“Miss Dovante, nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you rin po” kinamayan ko silang dalawa at nginitian.

Mamaya ka sakin Archer. Ano yun? Nagka instant boyfriend ako ng hindi ko nalalaman?

“So someone finally caught your heart young Saavedra. How many ladies have been introduced to you and now, it seems that you’re ready to get married after grad.” natutuwang saad ni Mr. Fajardo.

“Not yet, Sir. I’m still going to med school.” Sagot ni Archer saka muling inilagay ang kamay sa aking beywang.

“I see. So you’re not really taking over your business yet.”

“Dad can still manage it sir so I don’t think I have to do it now.”

“You’re right. Your Dad is still a good in this business. So enjoy your youthful years for now, hijo.”

“Yes sir. And please excuse us we still have to check on some guests. Enjoy yourselves sir.”

“Yes, yes hijo go ahead. Borromeo was looking for you earlier, you might see him around.”

We checked on some guests and Archer tried to entertain their queries and accommodate them.

“Kean. Happy Birthday hijo.” Aniya ng isang babae na siguro kaedad ni Mommy, bumeso ito kay Archer at napansin kong may dalaga na katabi ang babae.

“Thank you Mrs. Lamren.”

“Remember my daughter Anika?” pakilala niya sa dalagang katabi, she looks like a model with that turtle neck black sleeveless gown. Her hair is blonde but I noticed that it is not a natural blonde, tho it suits her.

“Of course Mrs. Lamren. Hello good evening.” Akala ko ay gagawin rin ni Archer ang pagbeso na ginawa sa matanda ngunit nilahad lamang nito ang kamay sa dalaga.

“Happy Birthday” ngiting saad ng dalaga saka tumingin sakin.

“You’re with ….?” Tanong ni Mrs. Lamren

“Rain Amira my girlfriend Ma’am.”

“Oh. So you got yourself a girlfriend already.” Nanghihinayang na saad nito, kung huhulaan ko ay siguro binubugaw rin nito ang anak kay Archer gaya ng ibang guests na pinuntahan rin namin kanina.

Nag-usap na ang mga ito ngunit hindi ko na pinakinggan lalo na nang sumali rin ang ilang mga matatanda, nagpasya ako na kumuha muna ng maiinom o makakain sa table na nasa tabi kung saan nakalagay ang lahat ng mga inumin at pagkain para kung nagutom ka man o nauhaw ay libre ka lang na makakakuha at may mga bakanteng table din na nakapwesto rito sa hall.

“I’ll just get some water.” Bulong ko kay Archer na busy sa pakikipag-usap sa isang matandang lalake.

He tightened his grip on my while still looking at the man talking to him.

“I’ll be back” nakakunot noo niya akong tinignan

“Be fast.” Aniya lamang saka bumaling agad sa kausap.

Dumiretso ako sa table at kumuha ng tubig. There are lots of foods served on the table. May mga heavy foods at light foods, mayroon ding desserts. Parang bigla akong naguton kaya kumuha ako ng cupcake na naroon saka tinikman. It’s a vanilla cupcake and it’s delicious, I suddenly want to know the recipe of this. I took a marshmallow and dipped it on the chocolate fountain beside it. I also tried putting some melted chocolate on the vanilla cupcake I was holding. I giggled at the taste. Hindi siya masyadong matamis, sakto lang at masarap. I repeatedly dipped the cupcakes and marshmallows and ate them like a kid. Wala naman akong balak bumalik doon kay Archer ma-iistorbo ko lang sila sa mga pinag-uusapan nila, dito nalang ako may pagkain pa habang hindi pa nagpapakita sila Hannah.

“Enjoying yourself baby?” gulat akong napatingin kay Archer na nasa aking likuran.

“Hmm it’s yummy.” I showed him the marshmallow and cupcake with melted chocolate.

“Taste it.” isinubo ko sa kanya ang marshmallow kahit umiling pa ito kanina.

He looked at me with his creased eyebrows while chewing the food. He then took a tissue and wiped something at the side of my lips.

“Chocolate.”

“T-thanks.” Uwiwas ako ng tingin at nahagip ng aking mata ang mga inumin sa dulo ng table at may kulay pink rin doon. Ang ganda, masarap rin siguro yun, siguro strawberry juice?

Lumapit ako roon at sumunod naman si Archer. I took the glass and stared at it before drinking.

“No.” pigil ni Archer saking kamay. Ang damot.

“What? Wag kang madamot, Archer.”

“Do you know what that is?”

“Of course! Strawberry juice, right? Ang cute nga e kulay pink.” Ang cute kaya ngayon lang ako nakakita nito, tapos naiilawan pa siya ng ilaw dito sa table.

“No it’s not. Smell it.” inamoy ko nga at iba ang amoy at hindi purong strawberry ang amoy.

“Now tell me what is it?”

“Lagpas expiration na ata itong juice Archer, iba na ang amoy.”

He looked at me with disbelief and tried to stifle a laugh.

“Why? Dali na sabihin mo sa kanila o, hindi na pwede ito.”

“God. You’re adorable, baby.” Aniya saka mahinang natawa saka kinuha ang basong hawak ko.

“What?” bakit pa binalik e hindi na maganda yung amoy nun, iba.

“That’s a liquor, baby. You haven’t had one before?” iginiya niya ako papunta sa table ng mga juice.

“Alak yon?” ang ganda naman para maging alak.

“Yeah. So have you tasted one before?” nilahad niya ang isang baso ng pineapple juice at doon ako uminom.

“Hmm. No. Does it taste good? Ang pangit naman ng amoy kanina.”

“You don’t have to try one. And don’t take drinks from strangers especially from men if you are not sure if it is a liquor or not. Okay?”

“Why?” bumuntong hininga ito bago sumagot, baka sabihin na naman nito na ang dami kong tanong.

“You’re innocence can get you into trouble, baby.” Illing nito sakin pero hindi ko makuha ang ibig nitong sabihin.

“Huh?”

“Listen. If it happens that you go to some parties either a formal or not, always check what is offered to you, especially if I am not around, entiendes?”

Tignan mo ‘to, nagawa pa akong i-spanish, may alam naman ako kahit konti sa lengguwahe na ‘yon.

“Si.” Tinanong lang naman kasi niya kung naintindihan ko ba. He raised an eyebrow at my response as if asking if I can speak spanish or know how to.

“hablo un poco…?” I added as an answer at her questioning eyebrow. He just smiled at my response and I giggled not sure if I used the words correctly, it’s because I did not listen to my tutor before.

“How cute.” He patted my hair carefully not to ruin the bun.

“By the way Archer, I’m not your girlfriend.”

“Well to inform you, yes you are.”

“Are you forcing me?”

“Nope. But the moment you agreed to be my date tonight you already agreed to be my girlfriend, baby. No turning back.”

“No. I did not sign up for this.”

“uh-huh?” he held my waists as he neared himself, using his charm again to tame me, I groaned at what his doing, he knows how to shut me up. Dang this man.

“M-move Archer.”

“Bro!” lumapit sa amin si Vince kasama si Hannah suot ang isang off-shoulder na pulang damit na mayroong itim na naka pattern sa saya nito.

“Amira. You look gorgeous Little Amy.” Nakangiting saad ni Vince

“Shut up, Vincent.”

“Amy ang ganda mo. Saan mo nakuha ang damit mo? Bagay na bagay sayo sis!” lumapit sakin si Hannah at inikot pa ako nito. I just laughed at her reaction.

“Ikaw rin naman e, bagay sayo ang pula. Ang seductive! May plano ka ngayong gabi?” asar ko saka ako tumingin saglit kay Vince.

“B-baliw hindi no.”

“Namumula ka babe.” Humawak si Vince sa beywang ni Hannah saka tinignan ito ng nakakaloko.

“S-stop calling me that Vincent. And hands-off, sinamahan lang kita dito para bumawi sa pagpapasakay mo sakin.”

“Is that so? Hmm. Pinasakay nga kita.” Makahulugan nitong saad.

“Oo! At hindi na mauulit yun, kasi lahat ng tulong mo may kapalit.”

“Are you sure it’s not gonna happen again? Ayaw mo ng sumakay ulit?” pilyo itong ngumiti kay Hannah na siyang lalong nagpamula rito nang mapagtanto ang pinagsasabi ni Vince.

I wanted to laugh at them, they both look cute. I just really hope Vince is not messing with my friend. Mapapatay ko talaga yan.

“Go away Hermoso.” Itinulak ni Hannah si Vince para maalis nito ang kamay mula sa kanyang beywang. Napahalakhak lamang si Vince sa naging reaksyon ni Hannah.

“Archie!” napatingin kaming lahat sa babaeng lumingkis sa braso ni Archer at may malawak na ngiti ito sa labing pulang-pula na dulot ng makapal na lipstick.

Karylle…

It looks awkward now that two ladies are clinging to Archer’s arm so I decided to let go. I can’t blame him, he is his friend I don’t know of what sort.

“Mommy and Tito wants to see you.” she’s wearing a bright red tube gown with a long slit on one side, her light brown hair was curled dangling on her back, red lipstick highlighted her lips, and her collarbones and breasts are prominent with her dress.

Aren’t those too heavy? Well as for mine, I’m fine with it.

“Do you… want to come?” he’s hesitant to ask me because he knows that I don’t want to see them—any of them even that koala clinging on his arms.

I don’t want to hate Karylle but I can’t help it, I’m having a bad vibe towards her. It’s like there’s something off about her and I feel like her sweet smiles to people are just facades to hide something.

“No. You can go. I’ll stay with Vince and Hannah.”

“Hi sis. You should come as well.”

“No, thanks.”

“Alright then, let’s go Archie. Mom and Tito have been asking which med school you’re going.”

Archie? You even got little nickname for him huh?

“I’ll be back.” Archie said before she went with Karylle.