[Xylandria's POV]
"I think it is time for you to have a boyfriend."
"Ayaw naming mamatay nang hindi nagkakaapo."
"You're old enough to settle down."
I rolled my eyes when my parents' words flashed back inside my head. I frowned while stirring my coffee. I really thought they would understand. I'm still 24, I have all the time to chase my dreams.
"Ba't ang tahimik mo? Ba't ka nakasimangot?" Agad na nawala ang simangot ko at panay pigil ko sa sarili na huwag ipakita kay Walter ang pagngisi ko.
"Concern?" Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at umiwas ng tingin. Tumikhim ako at umayos ng upo.
"I just had a petty fight with my parents," sabi ko at hindi siya sumagot kaya agad akong bumusangot.
"I thought you're interested to listen."
"I am. Just talk, i'm listening. I don't want to ask cause you might think i'm nosy." Ngumiti ako nung umandar na naman ang pagkasuplado niya.
"Ayun nga, nag-away kami kasi pinipilit nila akong magka-boyfriend na. What do you think?" I asked him. Alam ko kasing hindi ito magsasalita kung hindi ko hihingin ang opinyon niya.
"They have a point. You have a stable job, you're in the right age. I think it would be better for you to start a family," seryosong payo niya. Bumuntong-hininga ako, akala ko kasi ay sa akin siya kakampi.
"What about you? You're 35 already pero wala ka pa ngang anak."
"And thank God I didn't. I don't want to be a burden to my wife and kids." Napalunok ako at umamo ang mukha.
"Then that's why I shouldn't settle down. What if maaksidente rin ako?" Tumalim ang mga titig niya at umigting ang panga. Bigla akong kinabahan dahil doon, lalo pa na't tumahimik siya bigla. Titig na titig siya sa akin at hindi kumukurap kaya umiwas ako ng tingin at ibinaba ang kamay na nakapatong sa mesa dahil sa panginginig.
Mabilis ang pintig ng puso ko. I should say something or baka mamatay ako rito sa coldness niya. Ugh, wala na kasi akong ibang punto na masabi.
"What makes you think that you'll end up like me?" Thank goodness nagtanong siya, but his voice still sound cold that made me shiver.
"I-i don't know. There are a lot of what if's. Kahit ikaw siguro ay hindi mo naisip na magiging ganyan ka." I pointed out his lost hand.
"I did. I am an olympian. Every single spin in skating, every car racing, every adventures, mount climbing, and cliff diving, there is always risk and possibility that i'll lose everything because of accident. Look at me now. I totally lost everything because I was too busy chasing dreams that I forgot to breathe."
Ramdam ko ang panunuyo ng lalamunan ko dahil sa mapait niyang paratang. Kita ko ang pagsisisi sa kanyang mga mata. Mga matang nagsasabing, "I wish I could turn back time."
Napasinghap siya at umiwas ng tingin pero nakita ko ang pangingilid ng mga luha niya.
"I know what you meant... but I just want you to know that I still don't want to date cause I still haven't fulfilled my dream." Mahinahon ang boses ko. Compared to him, wala pa ni isang pangarap ang natutupad ko.
"What's your dream?"
"Iipon ng maraming pera at pupunta ng France. Mag-eenroll ako sa Modeling Workshop at baka magkaroon ako ng chance na makarampa sa Dior o 'di kaya sa Chanel."
"Does your parents know about that?" Agad akong umiling.
"Then why are you expecting that they'll understand you?" Psh, maldito. Kung magbibigay nga ng advice ay harsh pa.
"Tutol kasi sila sa pagmo-modeling ko. They want me to be practical. Everyone in the family has a stable job, other things is just a waste of time. Taking risk is not acceptable, dapat doon daw ako palagi sa sigurado."
Ramdam ko ang pagbigat ng dibdib ko. When Aisha offered me to participate in a pageant, I declined because I don't want to quarrel anymore with my parents. Walang pageant na hindi kami nag-aaway ng parents ko. Naging model ako noong elementary sa isang shoe company but it was before my grandmother died.
"Y-you want to come with me?" Ramdam ko ang pagkabuhay ng sistema ko. Is this PWD asking me out?
"S-saan?" Ba't nauutal din ako?
"A friend of mine sent me two Eskeé invitation card... front seat."
Eskeé? Yung pinaka-trending na clothing line ngayon? Wow, only the influential ones can get an invitation and not just any invitation, front seat pa.
"Y-you want me to come with you?" Seryoso siyang tumango na ikinalaki ng mga mata ko.
"Now?"
"Yes," napatingin ako sa suot ko. I'm still wearing my business outfit; sheath dress na pinatungan ng single hooded coat. I don't think this is appropriate to wear in a fashion show.
"Pwede bang mag-stop over muna tayo sa malapit na clothing shop? I can't wear something like this," he frustratedly sigh. Naaartehan na siguro 'to sa akin. Paano naman kasi? Last minute niyang sinabi sa akin, edi sana nakapili ako ng mas maayos na damit at hindi ko naman pwede mai-turn down ang ganitong offer. It's freaking Eskeé! Aisha, Belle, and Victoria would be so jealous to hear this.
Meanwhile, Walter Holloway is dressed like a real Don in his black suit jacket.
"You obviously don't need to change. Confidence is all you need to wear." Inihakbang na niya ang kanyang wheelchair kaya napatikom ako ng labi at agad na tumalima.
"Saan na ang sasakyan?" Tanong ko nung hindi ko makita ang sasakyang palagi niyang ginagamit.
"We'll be using our van," turo niya sa isang malaking puting van at kinuha ang susi mula sa kanyang bulsa. Tumunog ang sasakyan at automatic na bumukas ang sliding door sa driver seat at maya-maya pa ay may lumabas na parang hagdan mula sa loob. Hindi na ako nagtanong pa at agad na tinulak siya at pinaharap sa sterring wheel.
Bumaba na ako ng van at umikot papunta sa front seat. Pinanood ko siyang pinindot ang maliit na remote at ang hagdan para sa wheelchair ay tumupi.
"Ba't van?"
"You're seriously asking me that? Do you even have the strength to carry me inside the car? Tss, you're not my nurse."
"What about Joshua?"
"That pig is not someone I like to bring into a fashion show."
"So you like me then?"
BINABASA MO ANG
Teardrops on a Sketch Pad
Romance[COMPLETED] Xylandria Rodriguez, the most gorgeous woman alive who consider things worthy if it possesses beauty. Her ideology took a huge turn after picking up a forgotten sketch pad owned by a world-class athlete, Walter Holloway, who is now stuck...
