[Xylandria's POV]
Sumandal siya at humalukipkip. Walang gana niya akong tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa.
"Eat whatever you want."
"Are you kidding me?"
"I'm not... you can obviously see it around you," he rolled his eyes and sighed. Is this really happening? Binasa ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko at nilagay ang bag sa upuan na kaharap ni Walter.
Kinuha ako ang mga pastries na gusto ko at nilagay iyun sa tray. Ang mga waiters naman ay nandoon lang para mag-refill.
Dalawang plates ng eclair at isang plate ng cereal bar ang kinuha ko bago nilapag iyun sa mesa namin.
"Anong gusto mo? Kuhanan kita."
"You know I don't like sweets."
"Nakakahiya na ako lang ang kumakain sa ating dalawa."
"That's why I rent this place for you. The staffs won't mind whatever you do." Napalunok ako nung marinig ang dalawang salita na nagpapapintig ng tenga ko.
"...for you."
For me? Parang hinaplos ang puso ko at ramdam ko ang pag-init ng magkabilang pisngi ko pababa sa aking leeg.
"T-thanks."
Umiwas siya ng tingin at tumingin sa malayo kaya tahimik na lang akong kumain.
This is heaven! Eat all you can and the pastries are not just some ordinary stuff, Sky Autumn serves french pastries. Finest pastries you could ever taste.
"You know what, why don't you call Joshua? Invite him over. Hindi ko mauubos lahat ng ito."
"I'm not telling you to stuff your mouth with all of those things. I just want you to eat for your own satisfaction."
"Edi hindi sulit ang bayad mo kung ganoon?"
"Forget the price." Tumingin ako sa kanya at sinubukang hulihin ang kanyang mga mata pero sobrang tutok nito sa kanyang dino-drawing.
"Why are you doing this anyway?"
"You know I always pay. It's kinda the same thing, but a lot peaceful." Tumango ako. He's got a point. Kung sa kanya ay para wala lang but it means a lot to me. Wala akong kakilala na paparentahan ang buong café or restaurant na walang occasion.
"Can't you just call Joshua?"
"Why does that hedgehog keeps popping in your head?" Napasimangot ako dahil sa pantawag niya kay Joshua. Nung kamakailan ay pig ang tawag niya tas ngayon ay hedgehog naman.
"You're too hard on your nephew."
"It's better that way."
"He might hate you for it. Palagi mo siyang pinapahiya."
"Like I said, it's better that way." Matigas na sabi niya at umiwas ng tingin. Nakaramdam ako ng pag-alala nung makitang pilit niyang pinapatigas ang kanyang mukha. You're soft, Walter, I can see it.
"Why are you still here? I rented the place, you can now seat wherever you want."
"You've asked me that couple times already. Drop that."
"And yet you keep giving me different answers." Napakagat ako ng labi dahil sa seryosong pagtitig niya sa akin. People usually gets intimidated whenever i'm around but in this case, ako ang nai-intimidate sa isang PWD.
"E-exactly. I have lots of reason to stay with you. So shut up okay?"
.
"Andria! Andria!" Lumapit ako kay Manang nung panay tawag niya sa akin.
"Bakit ho?"
"May tumatawag sa iyo sa telepono. Ikaw daw ang hinahanap."
"Sige, Manang, ako na ang bahala rito."
Tumalima si Manang habang ako naman ay nakakunot-noong sinagot ang telepono.
"Hello? This is Xylandria Rodriguez speaking."
"Good morning."
Bigla akong nakaramdam ng lamig nung marinig ang boses ng caller. She sounds like an old woman... a strict one.
"Good morning din. Sino 'to? How can I help?"
"This is Rosalie Montivano."
Napanganga ako nung magpakilala siya. S-si Miss Montivano?! Magkaparehos pala sila ng pangalan ni Mom.
"M-miss Montivano, ba't napatawag ka?" Nauutal na tanong ko. Her voice sends off creepy vibes, i'm pretty sure she doesn't likes me. Those stares that she keeps giving me the day we had a small party in her house is a proof.
"I want to meet you. Available ka ba mamayang hapon?"
"O-opo! Saan niyo po ba gustong makipagkita?"
"Sa isang café salon, kaharap lang ng kalaban nitong café na pangalan ay Sky Autumn. I bet you know where that place is."
"Opo."
"Okay, i'll see you then."
Napatay na ang tawag at ako ay naiwang nakatulala lang. How did she know about Sky Autumn? Is she spying on us? Why does she want to meet with me? I sighed. I think it is something to do with Walter.
.
Kinakabahan ako at wala naman akong ibang choice kung hindi ay harapin siya. Why here of all places? Pwede namang sa Starbucks kung ayaw niyang malaman ni Walter na mag-uusap kami.
"Have a seat," bungad niya sa akin nung agad akong makita. Tumalima ako at tumahimik. I looked around and there are no other customers, just the two of us.
"I rented the entire place para walang disturbo." Tita nga talaga ni Walter ang kaharap ko. Masyadong elegante at marangya.
I couldn't feel myself breathing. It's too quiet and... awkward. I don't know what to say for introductions.
"Mag-order ka na. Feel free to choose whatever you want," sabi niya sa akin nung may lumapit sa aming waiter.
I already have something in mind to eat but I take time to secretly check her out. She's in a business suit with pearl necklace around her neck, making her look even more stunning. Her pink lipstick symbolizes elegance that matches her piercing eyes. Even with my high-class beauty, I can't match her when it comes to sophistication.
"I-i'll have a mousse cake and an iced tea." Tumalima na ang waiter at napalunok ako nung maiwan naman kaming dalawa.
"M-miss Montivano, ano po ang gusto niyong pag-usapan?"
"Xylandria..." tawag niya sa akin sa isang mahinahon at kalmadong boses.
"Napanood ko kayo ni Walter na magkasamang kumanta sa grand hall nung nakaraan." Naghaharumentado ang puso ko. Napanood niya?! Oh gosh, I thought we were alone.
"It was nice and beautiful. The most amazing thing i've watched in a while, the thing that I really noticed about you is not your voice. It's your eyes while you were singing with my nephew." Naguluhan ako sa sinasabi niya. Kahit mahinahon ay mano-notice mo pa rin ang pagkastrikto sa kanyang boses.
"You're in love with my nephew, Xylandria." Lumaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. I didn't expect her to say that... I was caught off-guard.
"T-that can't be right-"
"Well, of course, you would think that's ridiculous. A gorgeous woman like you falling in love with a PWD? Nakakatawa nga naman pero... have you seen yourself when you're with him? Your eyes are telling it all that even the word euphoria can't describe how happy you are when you're with him. You can't admit the fact cause all you can see is the what if's because of his condition."
BINABASA MO ANG
Teardrops on a Sketch Pad
Romansa[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...
