#OLAPlayPretend
Chapter 8
Gift
Knoa dramatically clapped as Xaiver and I entered the private lounge room. Nauna na siya roon kasama ni Hariette pagkatapos ng event.
It was already past ten when the auction ended. Nagsiuwian na rin ang halos lahat at natira lamang ang mga magke-claim ng kanilang items na nabili sa auction na hindi gustong ipa-deliver na lang.
Dapat ay sasabay na rin kami ni Xaiver kay Knoa papunta sa lounge, but some businessmen came up to him. Throughout the whole event, doon lamang sila lumapit sa kanya upang batiin sa recent deal na nakuha niya sa States.
"That was a show!" Knoa was all smiles. Pagkatapos pumalakpak ay inakbayan niya si Xaiver nang makalapit. "Para akong nanonood ng TV series. It's a pity that it ended fast."
"False," Hariette chimed in while holding the box of the necklace in her hands. "You don't even know what's out on TV nowadays."
"You're lucky I love you, Hari," sabi na lang ni Knoa at ibinaba ang brasong nakaakbay kay Xaiver.
Hariette stuck a tongue out for Knoa, then faced Xaiver with a smile. It amazed me how she could easily pull off changing mood and expression in a split second. But I remembered that Xaiver once told me na kailangan ay mahusay ka sa ganoong bagay lalo na kung kailangan mong makihalubilo sa maraming tao.
Hindi ko nga lang sigurado kung pati sa kanya ay applicable 'yon. He wasn't the type of person who would go out of character just to please someone. Ang ibang tao ang gumagawa no'n para sa kanya.
"Anyway, Kuya, here's the necklace." Maingat na inabot ni Hariette ang box kay Xaiver. "I have the paper bag. Just thought you might want to check it first."
The box was all-black with s metallic gold lining of the logo. It looked really sleek and elegant. Unang tingin mo pa lang ay alam mong mamahalin na.
"No need. I'll get it with the bag," sabi ni Xaiver at hindi na tiningnan muna ang laman.
"Oh, okay, Kuya," sabi na lang ni Hariette.
Bumalik siya mula sa sofa upang kuhanin ang paper bag. Humarap naman ulit sa amin si Knoa, nakahalukipkip ang mga braso at may mapaglarong ngiti.
"So..." Knoa directed his stare at Xaiver. "To whom will you give the necklace?"
"None of your business," simpleng sagot ni Xaiver, halatang ayaw pumatol sa pang-iinis ni Knoa.
Pasimple kong sinulyapan si Xaiver. I was also curious. Masaya ako na hindi 'yon napunta kay Zoe, pero gusto ko ring malaman kung kanino 'yon mapupunta. I wonder if it's for his mom? Or a woman I don't know of?
"I'm actually curious as well," Hariette took the words from my mouth. Inabot niya ang paper bag kay Xaiver, ngunit nang kukuhanin na ito ng pinsan, mabilis niyang binawi ang kamay. "I honestly thought you're buying it back for me."
Xaiver tilted his head. He looked slightly conflicted for a moment.
"Never mind," bawi agad ni Hariette. She shoved the paper bag on Xaiver's chest. "It was hard for me to let go of this. I don't want it back."
"Wow! Humuhugot!" Knoa reacted with a bark of laughter.
"You ass—"
Bago pa siya tuluyang masinghalan ni Hariette ay nauna na si Xaiver. He gave Knoa a one solid punch in his stomach, then took the paper bag from Hariette.
Ngumuso ako upang magpigil ng tawa. Gusto kong makaramdam ng awa kay Knoa lalo na't mukhang masakit talaga 'yon, pero hindi ko magawa.
"Thanks, Kuya Xavi! That's why you're my fave cousin." Hariette sweetly smiled at Xaiver.
BINABASA MO ANG
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