Hardest to Lose (Villaraza Series #4)

33 | Pretty Woman

33 | Pretty Woman

__________________

We were definitely not in the same subject.

“Iñara, nandito ka lang pala. Kanina ka pa hinahanap ni Mikaela!”

Startled, I stood up and awkwardly smiled. “I’m really sorry. Where is she, by the way?”

After she told me that it was fine, umalis na kami sa parte ng grounds na iyon. One last glance at the building where the office was, walang pag-aalangan na ipinagpatuloy ko ang paglalakad.

Pagkarating namin sa classroom kung saan ako aayusan, hindi na kami nag-aksaya pa ng oras. Maraming sinabi si Mikaela na hindi ko nasundan. Everyone was busy doing what they were ought to. Isang beses din ay kinailangang itigil ang pag-aayos sa akin dahil pinuntahan ako ng ilang co-officer ko. Halos isang oras na ganoon kaya ganundin katagal na payapa kahit paano ang isip ko.

“Wow.”

I smiled at my reflection before I turned to Mikaela. “You’re a really good makeup artist.”

“Hindi. Maganda ka lang talaga. Kaunti lang nilagay ko sa’yo kasi hindi mo naman talaga kailangan pang mag-makeup.”

Pabiro ko siyang inirapan.

She really did great with my makeup. I wanted a natural look and she delivered. Tamang-tama sa fitted maroon dress ko na may puffy sleeves.

“Okay na ‘yang hair mo. Huwag na nating pakialaman,” Mikaela said when I pointed out my hair. “Hindi naman gano’n kahaba hair mo kaya okay lang.” Hinawakan niya ang brush at mabagal na sinuklay ang aking buhok. “Ano nga palang sabi ni Markus? Gusto niya pang mag-attend sa ball?”

Kabado kong isinipit ang takas na buhok sa likod ng aking tainga. “Hindi na raw, e. Didiretso na raw kami sa hotel.”

“Ay, gano’n? Ang dami pa namang gustong maisayaw niya.”

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa.

“Are we in the same subject?”

Napahawak ako sa mukha nang bumalik iyon sa utak ko. What could he be thinking now? Did I get caught? How should I deal with this?

He knew what I was feeling that moment. And he was aware that I fucked up. Kapag hindi ako nakabawi, who knows what he would do.

Ang gaga ko rin kasi!

After I left, he didn’t come after me which was favorable on my part. Until now, I wasn’t sure what to do and say to him. If he came after me, it would have been my disaster.

I should pull myself together. Mamaya ay magkikita kami. I couldn’t let him see through me!

“Iñara! May naghahanap sa’yo! Adelle ang pangalan!”

Gulat na napaayos ako sa pagkakaupo. Shit. Oo nga pala. I was meeting her tonight. I almost forgot!

Sinulyapan ko ang relo. We still had plenty of time to talk. Tumayo ako at inayos ang sarili saka nagpaalam sa mga kasama ko.

I hoped everything would go smoothly.

Pagkalabas ko ay hindi ako nahirapang hanapin si Adelle. Tahimik siyang nakatayo habang nakakrus ang mga braso. May mangilan-ngilang napapatingin sa kanya dahil hindi siya pamilyar. But if they found her pretty, I wouldn’t disagree, too.

When she felt the weight of my stare, she looked up and her eyes blazed in excitement.

“Kanina ka pa?” I asked as I made my way to her.

She smiled sweetly. “Hindi naman.” She paused and surveyed my entirety. “You look stunning.”

“Thanks.”

Dahil medyo matao at alam kong pag-uusapan namin ang mga nangyari noon, pumunta kami sa tabi ng isang puno. Hindi naman iyon masyadong tago at naaabot pa naman ng liwanag pero sapat na para maging pribado para sa amin.

“First of all,” she fixed her gaze to mine, “I’m really, really sorry for being a bitch.”

She looked nervous. It was rare seeing her being one because she always appeared fierce and all.

“I have long forgiven you but it’s still nice to hear that,” tugon ko.

She blinked. “Hindi ka galit?”

Mahina akong tumawa. “Galit ako no’ng una. But I’m okay now.”

“Hindi mo ba ‘ko tatanungin kung para saan ako nagso-sorry?”

“Whatever that is, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Pinakatitigan niya ako. I couldn’t pinpoint if she was amazed or disappointed.

I wasn’t really the type to dwell on things, especially those I considered insignificant or without value. Except for that jerk, I always prioritized peace.

Adelle sighed and averted her gaze. “I really liked you back then. If I didn’t just . . .” She cleared her throat and lowered her head a bit. “I regret it so much, Iñara. Kung p’wede ko lang ibalik ang oras . . .”

“Maybe it was meant to be.” Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin. I gave her a soft smile. “Everything is fine as it is. Huwag mo nang isipin pa ‘yon.”

Muli ay bumuntong-hininga siya ngunit ngayon ay puno ng panghihinayang. “Siguro, karma ko rin ‘to sa mga ginawa ko sa’yo. Tama rin na naka-move on ka na at kinalimutan na ‘ko. You’re a good person and a passionate lover, Iñara. You only deserve the best.”

“And I truly hope you learned your lesson.”

“I did. Thanks to you.”

Kimi ang naging sagot kong ngiti.

“Can I kiss you, though, for the last time?”

Napakurap-kurap ako, hindi makapaniwala. “What for?”

She was damn random!

“I don’t know.” She awkwardly smiled. “Maybe for a fond memory? Pero okay lang kung ayaw mo. Consent, you know.”

I laughed. “Okay.”

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. “Are you serious? Won’t Markus be jealous?”

Kumabog ang dibdib ko. “Why are you talking about him?”

“He’s your boyfriend.”

Heto na naman. “Hindi ko siya boyfriend. At wala ‘kong boyfriend.”

“So you’re single and a full-fledged lesbian?”

Tumango ako. Her lips pressed against each other, cautious that they would curve for a smile. I found it oddly cute.

Sinulyapan ko ang pambisig na relo. “If you want to kiss me, do it now—”

I didn’t finish my sentence when she grabbed the back of my neck and kissed me hard on the lips. Shock was an understatement. I thought she would go for a cheek!

When our lips parted, she grinned and licked hers. Napanganga na lang ako, hindi maiguhit sa realidad iyon.

I thought that would be the last shit I would be putting up today.

Boy, I was absolute wrong.

Sabay kaming napalingon nang narinig naming tila may nahulog na bagay. I felt my world collapse when I saw a familiar face of a pretty woman, shocked and confused as I was.

“M-mom . . .”