When The Rain Stops

Chapter 22 - I Like You

Chapter 22 - I Like You

“W-what are you talking about Archer…. Don’t joke about things like that.”

“I’m serious, Rain Amira.”

“Don’t play with me, Archer. And don’t ask me questions like that.” Tumingin ako sa mga mata niya para iparating na seryoso akong patigilin siya sa kanyang sinasabi.

He then looked away and stared at the sun whose half is already hidden by the horizon.

“You told me to go where my dream is, right?” tila’y malalim ang iniisip nito habang nakatingin sa dagat.

“So you’ve decided now which school you’re going? Is it where Karylle going to enroll too?” I asked.

“I’m staying.” Tipid niyang sagot.

Maybe because Karylle’s already here from Italy. Nice. Good for them.

“Oh. I see.” I smiled sadly which I did not intend to. I wanted to be happy because he will stay, but I never expected it to be… like that, with his girl.

“You are my dream, Rain Amira.” He uttered which made me look at him, puzzled at what he said.

“You told me to go where my dream is. You are now my dream. If you’re staying at Laurent, then I’ll stay. I don’t have a dream school or whatever you call it. I want to stay.” He added which made me speechless.

Then what is Karylle in his life?

“What ar—“

“Do you want me to stay?” he turned to me now waiting for my answer.

Yes

 “I’d rather not give you an answer to that question, Archer.”

We stayed silent for a while until the sky is already dark. I would’ve gone home by now, but no one’s waiting for me to go home at my unit either.

The lamps and other lights were turned on. And the stars started to reveal themselves in the sky. The moon illuminated itself on the clear sea water, looking serene as ever.

Archer haven’t uttered a word as he still watch the scene before us.

I lay my back on the sand and gaze at the stars above. The sky is so clear to reveal countless stars decorating it, like little diamonds hanging on the dark veil of the night.

I raised my hand to reach the stars as if I can really touch them. It feels like they are smiling at me with their twinkling effect, and like crazy I plastered a smile as well in return.

“What will you do after your graduation?” Archer suddenly asked looking at me.

“Boards, license, RN. Work.”

“Work, where?”

“Laurent?” I chose Laurent’s nursing school because their medical centers are high quality as well. I have laid out my plans for the future already so I know where I am headed to.

And falling in love is not included.

“Aren’t you going back to your province?”

“I’ll try, but I know I will grow more at Laurent. You know that it’s one of the best hospitals, Archer. So why not grab the opportunity? Well, if I would be given that opportunity tho.”

That’s why I am studying very hard to at least maintain my name on the scholar list. I know that when I will apply at Laurent, they will be looking my education background.

“You’re good. Though sometimes you’re stupid.” He snickered.

I threw a handful of sand at his back and he just laughed.

“You will be hired there, Rain…..” he encouragingly said.

“Even though you are not as smart as me.” He then added and laughed.

Okay na sana e. Mayabang lang!

“How cocky, Archer!”

I wish we could just be like this forever, free and happy. I’d rather not confirm how he feels towards me, as long as we are happy and comfortable like this.

“It’s getting cold. We should go inside now.”

He lends his hand and helped me up before taking my things and walked towards the receiving area.

Pagkarating namin sa bulwagan ay naroon sa isang maliit na stage ang isang banda na kumakanta habang ang mga guests naman ay masayang umiinom, kumakain at nanonood. They turn this area into dining when night comes, para dito makakain ang mga guests habang tanaw parin ang dagat.

We walked in and the manager in the area greeted us.

“Good evening Mr. Saavedra, and milady.”

“Good evening, Harold. I heard earlier that Dad is here?”

“Yes Sir. There he is.”

Napabaling ang aming tingin sa papalapit na grupo ng mga matatanda at naka beach attire ang mga ito.

“My son, you’re finally here.” Ngiting saad ng lalaking nasa pinakaharap ng grupo, hindi pa ito masyadong katandaan ang itsura at kapansin-pansin na kahit nabahiran na ng kaonting mga wrinkles ay may itsura din ito nung kabataan pa niya gaya ng kanyang anak .

“Oh you’re finally with a lady now.” Bumaling ang tingin sakin ng kanyang ama.

“I’m Ardent Saavedra hija, Kean’s father.” Inilahad nito ang kanyang kamay at masuyo ko rin itong tinanggap saka nagpakilala.

“Rain Amira Dovante, sir.”

“Ah Dovante, is Hilda Clay Dovante your mother?”

“Yes sir.”

“I see. You look like her when she’s like your age. Your mother, I and my wife were all good friends during college, also with Martha and his husband Inigo. Good ol’ days.” He stated as if reminiscing their youthful days.

“And don’t call me ‘sir’, you can call me tito”

I just smiled at him in return before he turned to Archer.

“Is she….” He asked him

“Yes Dad.” Tipid lamang nitong sagot ngunit hindi ko makuha ang ibig sabihin ng kanyang ama.

Tumawa ito ng konti at nanatili ang ngiti sa kanyang labi bago nagpatuloy.

“Your mother would be happy to hear this. I can’t wait to tell her! Finally.” Parang excited na sambit nito.

Tell her what?

He then turned to the people behind him who were just watching us earlier, exchanging conversations.

“My son is getting married!” anunsyo nito sa grupo na sa tingin ko ay mga business partners nito o mga kaibigan, ngumiti ang mga ito at pumalakpak.

I was shocked at his announcement. Archer? Getting married? With who? He’s engaged with someone right now?

“Dad, stop. I’m not.” Pigil nito sa kanyang ama.

“Oh son, you will be. Soon!” ani ng matanda saka tumawa at sumunod din ang mga nasa likuran nito.

“Do you guys want to join us for dinner?” aya nito

“Maybe next time, Dad. Entertain the guests for now. We’ll have it somewhere else.” Tumango lamang ang matanda saka ako iginiya ni Archer palabas ng bulwagan at tumungo sa hotel building.

Crews and staffs greeted him as we walked to the front desk.

“Could you please ask Madam Regina to come here right now? ASAP” utos nito sa front desk officer na siya namang tumawag agad sa telepono.

“What are we doing here? I have to go home.”

“We’re having dinner.”

“Huh?”

“You have to change first and we’re going to have a dinner.”

“No need. I’ll have my dinner at home. And besides medyo basa pa ako.”

“Sir, you asked for me?” ani ng babaeng may katandaan na.

“Yes. Can you find some clothes for her?”

Tinignan ako ng matanda na parang ina-assess ang aking katawan. I unconsciously covered my displayed abdomen since I am only wearing a ruffled off-shoulder bikini top.

“Is that 32a?” she asked staring at my chest which I instinctively covered.

Oo na, alam ko namang maliit ‘to hindi naman ako nagrereklamo o naghahangad ng mas malaki. Para sakin nga mas okay kaya ‘to, mas malaya kong gawin ang gusto ko makakatakbo o makakadapa ako ng maayos at di nasasaktan, at isa pa, kahit anong damit pwedeng suotin kapag ganitong size lang. Ano ba.

“Um..” I hesitantly nodded, and I heard this as*hole Archer snickered, stifling a laugh.

Wth?

Tinignan ko siya  ng masama at saka naman ito tumikhim at pinigilan ang kanyang ngiti.

“Do you have a problem with my chest, Archer Kean?” I raised my eyebrow at him. Kung makajudge kasi.

I have a small body frame so my chest size still looks larger and visible, and not flat. You just have to wear the right bra size to emphasize your breasts.

“Nothing. “Aniya saka bumaling sa matanda.

“Can you get her with her sizes?”

“Yes sir I’ll check the underwear sections” Sagot ng matanda

“Definitely not on the adult sections, Manang.” He snickered.

I elbowed his abdomen to stop him. Walang hiya rin e.

“Just kidding, baby. Sorry.” Aniya saka ako pinatakan ng halik sa gilid ng aking ulo habang ipinalibot ang kanyang kaliwang braso sa aking bewang.

“Will it be in your private room, Sir?”

“Yes please. Thank you.” the woman excused herself and I immediately pulled away from Archer.

“What the hell are you doing?! And don’t call me baby, coz I’m not your girl.” tinignan ko lamang siya ng masama at nakangiti parin ito sakin.

“You are, actually.” Aniya lamang saka hinawakan ang likod ko at iginiya palapit sa elevator.

“Where are we going? I’m going home.”

“In my room, where else?”

“Archer, I’m not coming with you.”

“Yes, you are.”

I don’t know how he manage to take me here in his room, but as soon as we walked in I asked him questions I needed to be answered.

“Why are you doing this, Archer?”

“I like you, Rain Amira, if that’s not yet obvious. Now, there’s the bathroom and go wash up.” I gently pushed me towards a door and I just stared at it, still thinking what he just told me.

He likes me…

What?

“Don’t make me drag you inside the shower and help you wash up, Rain. Coz, I’ll really do it.” I tensed at his threat so I immediately opened the door and I heard his laugh before closing it.

I don’t know what to do with the answer I got. I’m…happy, but scared. I never expected this, falling in love was never included in my plans when I came here to chase my dreams.

But it makes me happy… if I get hurt, will this happiness be enough to say that the pain will be worth it?

Should I give it a try?

But… what if I fail to reach my dreams because of this.

I don’t know. But…

I might as well give it a try?

I let the water wash away my worries. I don’t know if I’m making the right choices, but I just want to enjoy the moment right now and go with the flow. If it hurts me, then maybe I will just move on then and go on with my life, at least I would be able to say that I was happy, and that the pain is worth it.