When it Rains (Completed)

CHAPTER 38

Last night, something happened. I might have or haven't lost my phobia, but one thing's for sure, I feel safe when I'm with him. He truly made me feel that everything was possible.

Sinulit na namin ang mga huling araw namin sa mansion nila. We'll be back in the city in the next few days. He still needs to do his duties in the company, while I have to enroll for the next semester.

It's a sunny day, but I'd like to do nothing at the moment. He's in the living room having an emergency meeting with his colleagues. While I was enjoying being alone on the balcony, I received a call from Tita Alice. "Hi Tita."

"Kamusta ka na jan, nak? May nangyari ba sa'yo jan? Isang linggo ka ng wala dito sa bahay. Medyo nag-aalala lang ako sa kalagyan mo jan," sabi niya sa kanilang linya.

"Okay naman po ako. Nag-eenjoy naman po ako."

"Si Johen, nasaan? Gusto ko siya makausap."

For a second, kinabahan ako bigla. Hinanap ni Tita si Johen. Nag-isip kaagad ako ng maisabi, baka mabisto pa ako.

"A-Ah, may binili lang saglit sa labas. Babalik rin naman siya kaagad."

"Ah, sige-sige, nak. 'Wag ka mahiyang tumawag if may nangyari sa'yo ha."

"Okay po," sabi ko saka natapos ang tawag.

Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. Nakalimutan ko saglit na si Johen pala ang alam nilang kasama ko ngayon.

Nagulat naman ako ng may biglang yumakap sa akin mula sa likuran. "Who's that?" he asked, referring to whom I had called.

"Tita Alice, kinakamusta ako at hinanap pa si Johen. I made an excuse, alangan naman sabihin ko ang totoo."

For a moment, I realized how hard it is to hide a relationship. Napakahirap magtago, at mas mahirap kung malaman pa nila ang tinatago namin.

"Pat, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Are you okay with this set-up? You know, hiding what's really going on between us. Baka magsawa ka sa 'kin."

Hinarap niya ako, sabay lapat ng dalawang kamay niya sa magkabilang pisngi ko. "Hinding-hindi ako magsasawa sa'yo. Hindi ako basta-bastang bumibitaw, at ang magsawa? That's too shallow to be a reason to let go of you. Lagi mong tatandaan, I'll never get tired of you. Okay?"

"So you'd rather keep everything private?"

"If you want to. But if you want to tell everyone, okay lang din sa akin. Well, I don't really care if we keep it private or not. Whatever choice you decide, I'm here to support you. But I'm not forcing you to make decisions dahil concern ka sa akin. Lagot ka sa akin."

"You're sitting in a high position at your company. Doesn't your reputation matter to you?"

"You're the one that matters to me the most now. If they catch us, I don't care. Wala na silang magagawa, ikaw ang gusto ko at wala ng iba."

He hugged me afterwards. He really loves me more than I thought. But, I don't really want him to sacrifice everything just for me. I won't let that happen.

When afternoon came, we decided to stay in different rooms to prepare for our dinner tonight. Mukhang pakulo ulit ata siya, kaya pumayag ako. I even offered to help him prepare, but he insisted on doing it all by himself.

He also told me not to sneak in, or he'd be mad at me. I wanted to, but I decided to keep my ass in the room.

Dahil wala naman akong ibang magawa, tinignan ko muna na ang closet. I was surprised at the clothes hanging inside. May price tags ba ang iba. The tags blew my mind, but I just tried to ignore them.

What caught my attention was the cream tux and pants. It's not my usual color to wear, but I wanted to try it on on me. I haven't seen myself in cream for a long time, not even in suits. I typically wear black suits.

It was already 1 hour past 6 in the evening when I received a text from him. He told me to go to the backyard. I was wearing the tux already, hoping he'd like it. Nag-ayos rin ako konti.

Why do I have to do this? Hays.

I went downstairs alone and straight to the back door. What surprised me was the petals of red and pink roses on the ground leading to the table where he was waiting.

I rolled my eyes, but I could feel how my cheeks were turning warm amidst the cold air of the starry night.

I walked on the path of petals and walked into the gazebo, which I'm pretty sure has never stood there before. "Don't tell me you built alone—"

"You look amazing."

I looked down at my clothes once more. I realized he was wearing the same tux too. "Ikaw rin. You look...amazing."

He offered me a seat, which I accepted before he took his. "Do you like it?" he asked.

"Well, to be honest, not bad. You know, I didn't take architecture for nothing. It could've been better, but I like it—I mean I love it. I appreciate your hardwork."

He was taken aback by what I'd just said. "Woah, didn't see that coming, but thanks. An unbiased and biased comment at the same time."

Napatawa na lang ako. "Sabi ko naman sa'yo kanina, tulungan kita. Ayaw mo naman."

"I wanted to prepare everything for you all by myself. Minsan lang naman 'to."

"You planned this trip for us. Gusto ko namang bumawi kahit papano."

"I don't expect anything in return. All I really want is to make you happy. That's it."

I smiled. He doesn't want anything in return, but ironically, that makes me think of something to give back. How funny it is. Ayaw ko rin namang siya lang nag-eeffort sa'ming dalawa.

He took off the cloche from the table and put it on the cart on his side, revealing the food he must've cooked for us tonight. "Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter, hope you'll like it."

The steam from the steak instantly gave off the delicious scent that made me take a slice out of it. "Wow, it tastes so good," me, just after taking a bite.

I had my best hour with him that night—just the two of us in his backyard gazebo under the moonlight. It's something I never dreamed of, but here I am, sitting at the same table with the one I adored so much.

In the middle of conversation, I was taking a sip from my wine glass when he took something from under the table, or might have been from his pocket, and put it on the table. It was a small royal blue box. I was quite nervous—I knew what might be inside of it, yet I didn't want to assume.

"Open it," he said.

I was hesitant, but I reached out with my hand and nervously opened the box.

Inside of it was a droplet-shaped gem pendant attached to a silver chain necklace. I was genuinely surprised at him, giving him this kind of gift.

"Wanna wear it?"

I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. "This is too much, Patrick."

"That's for you. Birthday gift ko na sana 'yan sa'yo since next week will be your birthday, kaso 'di ako makapag-antay eh."

He stood and grabbed the necklace from the box. There, he put it on me and hung it on my neck. I couldn't get my eyes off the pendant—it's too pretty to ignore.

"Thank you—"

He quickly took his chance and grabbed my chin as he reached for his lips on mine. "I could only accept a kiss as a thank you."

He went back to his seat, and surprisingly, a call from his phone got our attention. He was about to ignore it, but his face went serious as he looked into his phone.

"I don't have any intention of ruining your night. Good evening," a familiar voice came from somewhere behind me.

I turned and I saw Miss Alanis, standing just a couple of meters away from us. I looked back at him and he seemed pissed off. I don't even know what's going on.

"Wait for me," he said before he stood and walked away from the gazebo to approach her.

They seemed so serious while they were talking. Maybe it's about their company, or it might be something else.

What could be possibly the reason for Miss Alanis' presence at this hour?