Love in Seasons

Chapter 7

The next morning, the team ate their breakfast and later proceeded to the airport.
Lumipas nang napakabilis ang panahon. Natapos ang lay-out nang anniversary special ng Mystique at sinimulan nang ipublish. Almost ready na ang lahat para sa event. Maraming sponsors ang nakuha nang team.
"Chai, are you ready my friend?" Erin asked her.
"Yes, I am. Ikaw buntis, handa ka nang manganak?" tanong ni Chai.
"Yeah, so excited to finally meet my baby." tugon ni Erin.
"Ako, hindi ko alam kung excited ako sa event para makita ang tatlong lalaking gumugulo sa isipan ko ngayon..." sambit ni Chai.
"Tatlo lang ba talaga, hindi ba apat?" pagbibiro ni Erin.
"At sino naman yung pang-apat?" taka ni Chai.
Tok tok.
"Yeah come in." sambit ni Erin.
"Oh Chai, you're here din pala. Erin, the IT system you asked me to procure, ok na." report ni Liam.
"That one." Erin whisper to Chai.
"Ha" hindi maintindihan ni Chai ang ibig tukuyin ng kaibigan.
"What?" nalilitong tugon ni Liam.
"That's good Liam." nangiting tugon ni Erin.
"So want to join me for lunch ladies?" tanong ni Liam.
"You two go, darating ang asawa ko and we will eat together." sabi ni Erin, sabay tulak kay Chai.
"Ok." sabi ni Chai.
"Saan tayo kakain?" tanong ni Liam.
"Ikaw, kahit saan." sagot ni Chai.
"Walang kahit saan. Ano ngang gusto mo?" tanong ni Liam.
"Hmmm... ramen?" sagot ni Chai.
"Ok. Tara." tugon ni Liam.
Tahimik silang dalawa habang kumakain ng lunch. Chai broke the silence.
"Bes, kailan ka na nga ikakasal?" tanong nito.
Napatitig si Liam dito.
"Why do you ask?" balik nito sa kaniya.
"Wala lang. Sa palagay mo ba 'yung gf mo ngayon siya na 'yung makakatuluyan mo?" tanong nito.
"Siguro. I'm not sure. Not yet ready for that." tipid na sagot ni Liam.
"Ang vague mo talaga kahit kailan. Kailan ka pa magiging ready? by 40s?" sarcastic na tugon ni Chai.
"Huwag mo nang problemahin yun. Ang problemahin mo yung lovelife mo. Kailan ka ba magkakaroon?" sambit ni Liam.
Tumahimik si Chai.
"Sorry na-offend ba kita?" dugtong ni Liam.
"Pinag-iisipan ko yan. Sa dami nang na-meet ko ngayong taon, isa na kaya doon yung forever ko?" sambit ni Chai in a serious tone.
"E sino ba doon ang gusto mo?" tanong ni Liam.
"Di ko sure. Lahat sila ok e. Ito 'yung ayoko eh, sinabi ko naman kay God na kung bibigyan ako, siya na 'yun. Ayoko na kasing mamili at malito." sagot ni Chai.
"Hindi puwede 'yun ikaw ang magdesisyon kung sino ang gusto mo." sabi ni Liam.
"Sabi ko nga diba, kaya nga pinag-iisipan..." sambit ni Chai.
"Good." sagot ni Liam.
"Baka sa event masagot na, darating sila..." sabi ni Chai.
"What? Darating yung mga manliligaw mo, sabay sabay?" gulat na tanong ni Liam.
"Hindi ko sure kung nanliligaw sila. No one really expressed that intention vividly. But I usually speak to them every now and then. Mga nakatrabaho namin yun sa photoshoot and interviews, except kay Doc na na-meet mo rin sa Korea." sabi ni Chai.
"Ah yung koreano..." matipid na sagot ni Liam.
"Lahat kasi sila may kani-kaniyang good qualities and all of them are good looking." sabi ni Chai.
"Ikaw na. 'Yan na yun. Kaya i-grab mo na." sabi ni Liam.
"Ok. Guaranteed naman kapag may pinili ako sa kasalan na ang uwi. Hindi kagaya nang iba dyan." sabi ni Chai.
"O, ako na naman. Gusto mo ako na lang pakasalan mo..." sambit ni Liam sabay titig kay Chai.
Inismiran naman ito ni Chai.
"Liam, puro ka pa-ganyan, bestfriend mo ako, kung gusto mo ako, sana noon ka pa umamin. Huwag ka ngang pa-ride saka tapang tapang mong magsalita nang ganyan e may jowa ka naman. Huwag mo nga akong gawing third party! Huli mo na yan ah kapag sinabi mo pa uli yan, F.O. na tayo." pagtataray ni Chai sa kausap.
Natawa si Liam sa sinabi ni Chai.
"Joke lang kasi. Galit yarn?" tugon nito.
Few weeks passed by and the day of the event came.
"... to officially welcome us all in this grandiose event, let us all welcome, the woman of the hour, our cover girl in our special edition Mystique, our very own, Charisse Dela Paz..." pakilala ng emcee.
"Thank you everyone for gracing our event. It took us almost a year to prepare for this special day and we are very glad that you made it here. Our special issue took you to Winter, Spring and Fall, while our theme tonight brought summer here in our venue. When I was preparing for my speech tonight, I thought of this hugot prose: "Apat lang ang season natin. Kung ihahalintulad ko ang isang dekada ng buhay ko sa panahon, halos tatlong season nang kasawian lang ang naranasan ko... Isang season na lang ang natitira... Kumakabog na naman ang dibdib ko... Natatakot ako... magmamahal na naman ba ako? Tama na kaya ito o for the fourth time, maaabo na ang pulbos kong puso?" Yes, the changing seasons are like our changing perspective in life and in love. No matter what season we are into, may we always choose something or someone that can make us brave and happy. Life is short to live in regrets. So as the adage says, "live, laugh and love. Again, enjoy the night with us and enjoy summer!" sambit ni Chai.
Pagbaba niya ng stage, siya namang salubong sa kaniya ni Patrick at Tomohori and both reaching our for her hand.
"Hi guys! I'm glad you both made it here." sambit ni Chai.
Nakatingin naman sa kaniya sa malayo si Liam.
"Congratulations, your event is a success" bati ni Patrick.
"All your photos are beautifully taken." papuri din ni Tomohori.
"Thank you guys! Oh by the way, Patrick, this is Tomohori, our photographer in the US for the Autumn shoot, while Tom, this is Patrick, the artist we covered in Europe for the Winter shoot." pakilala ni Chai sa bawat isa.
"Nice to meet you." sambit nang dalawa sa isa't isa and shake hands.
"Care for a drink?" sabay na sambit nang dalawa at offer kay Chai.
Napatingin si Chai kay Patrick at kay Tomohiro, not knowing kung kaninong paanyaya ang tatanggapin.
"Chai, Erin wants to see you. Excuse us guys." sambit ni Liam at hawak kay Chai.
"Oh sure." sambit nang dalawa.
Lumakad papalayo si Liam at Chai.
"Why is Erin looking for me at this hour?" pagtataka ni Chai.
"Joke lang yun, nilayo lang kita sa mga mokong na yun." sambit ni Liam.
"Why would you do that?" tanong ni Chai.
"Kasi nalilito ka na kung sino ang pipiliin mo." sambit ni Liam.
"I really need to be with both of them to gauge, sino ba ang mas gusto ko. Those two are part of my options to forever." sabi ni Chai. 
Napatitig si Liam sa kaniya.
"Seriously?" sambit nito.
"Seriously, yes." seryosong tugon ni Chai.
"So, may I be excused as I need to really decide whom shall I choose among them" tugon ni Chai, alis sa pagkakahawak ni Liam sa braso niya at paglalakad pabalik sa dalawang lalaking kausap niya lang kanina.
Hearing that Liam went to the exit doors.
Habang pabalik, natanawan ni Chai na may kausap na modelo si Tomohori and he seems to enjoy the conversation with the girl. On the other hand, Patrick is swiftly approaching her dala dala ang mga gamit nito.
"Where are you going Pat?" tanong ni Chai.
"Well, I'm not a party person. Chai, I need to go to the airport and catch my flight to Thailand." sambit nito.
"Right now?" gulat na sambit ni Chai.
"Yeah. I'm sorry. So I'll just message you in what's app once I get there." tugon ni Patrick at beso kay Chai para magpaalam.
Chai was dumbfounded. Tomohori never looked for her until the end of the event and just disappeared together with the model.
When the event ended, she headed straight to her home feeling disappointed.
While opening her door, she felt that someone was approaching her. She felt a bit nervous and trying to reach out for the peppermint spray in her handbag.
"Chai, this is me, Min Jeong." sambit ng lalaki
Gulat na napalingon si Chai.
"Is that really you?" sambit niya.
Nagulat siya nang makita niyang may hawak ito na bungkos ng tulips at saka siya sinabuyan nito ng cherry blossoms petals.
"We missed walking along the cherry blossoms tree in Seokcho so I save some petals for you." sabi ni Min Jeong.
"You're so sweet." banggit ni Chai at yakap kay Min Jeong.
"Where are you staying?" tanong ni Chai.
"In a hotel nearby. Will you be free this weekend? Can you accompany me to Boracay? Please invite some of your friends." invite ni Min Jeong sa kaniya.
"Hmm, I'll check my schedule and free it up for you." sambit ni Chai.
After the short sweet nothing and chit chatting, Min Jeong went back to his hotel while Chai washed up and slept.
Around 3am, her phone rang nonchalantly.
"Hello?" pupungas pungas na sambit ni Chai.
"Ma'am, kayo po ba si Chai Dela Paz?" tanong nang isang lalaki sa kabilang linya.
"Yes. Who is this?" tanong niya habang pinipilit na buksan ang kaniyang mga mata para makita kung sino ang tumatawag.
"Ma'am, gamit ko po ang phone ni Sir Liam. Kayo po kasi yung nasa emergency contacts niya. Andito po sya sa Arcades Bar, medyo lasing na po kasi silang lahat ng mga barkada niya. Pero siya po kasi sobrang bagsak na talaga... baka puwede nyo po siyang sunduin dito?" sambit ng bar tender sa kabilang linya.
"Oh ok, I will be there in a few minutes. Thank you and goodbye." sambit ni Chai.
Napabalikwas ito sa kama para mag ayos at magbihis at dali daling tinungo ang kotse niya.
Pagdating sa bar, nakita niyang nakayukyok sa table si Liam habang nagtatawanan ang mga kainuman nito.
"Kaibigan ba talaga kayo ni Liam? Talagang pinabayaan nyo lang siyang mag lasing?" inis na sambit ni Chai.
"Siya may gusto niyan, dinamayan lang namin siya... ikaw na yung girlfriend niya?" tanong nang isa sa mga kainuman nito.
"I am the best friend and for heaven's sake, you all go home, wala na kayong lahat sa wisyo!" tugon ni Chai.
Iniakbay niya sa kaniya si Liam at nagpatulong siya sa bar tender na akayin din ito sa kabila. Kinuha niya ang susi ng kotse ni Liam, cellphone at wallet. Nang makarating sa kotse niya, isinakay niya ito sa likod para makahiga. Wala na talaga sa ulirat si Liam.
Nang makarating sila sa bahay nila Liam, kinuha niya ang cellphone nito, binuksan gamit ang alam niyang passcode at tinawagan ang mama nito.
"Hi tita, this is Chai. I am outside your house; Liam is here but already sleeping... pwede po ba siyang ipa assist sa mga maids nyo?" banggit ni Chai.
Maya-maya pa ay lumabas na ang mama ni liam kasama ang mga maids na naka bath robe.
"Oh, hija, I am so sorry." sambit nito.
"It's ok tita. Here's his wallet, phone and the car key. Naiwan sa bar ang kotse niya. Bukas pag ok na siya pwede na lang niyang balikan doon, ibinilin ko na lang po sa bar tender." sambit ni Chai.
She went home after na maipasok na sa bahay si Liam.
The next day, Chai called in sick sa office. She wanted more sleep. But then she heard her doorbell rang.
"What are you doing here? Wala ka na bang amats?" tanong ni Chai sa kausap.
"I'm good." sagot ni Liam at pasok sa bahay niya.
She prepared coffee and french toast for the two of them.
"I'm really sorry last night and thank you sa pag-uwi sa akin sa bahay..." naiilang na sambit ni Liam.
"Last night?! Kaninang madaling araw lang yun! Nakakaloka ka talaga! Ano bang pumasok sa kokote mo at mula sa event na inuman na e pumunta ka pa uli sa iba pang inuman?!" frustrated na tanong ni Chai.
Tahimk lang si Liam na nakikinig.
"Ok so you'll keep mum about it?" naiiritang pagpapatuloy ni Chai.
Liam sip his coffee.
"Marami lang akong realization lately. Like, I feel like I already want to get married..." tugon ni Liam.
Napatitig dito si Chai.
"Well that's nice..." maiksi niyang tugon.
"Marami lang akong iniisip lately..." pagpapatuloy ni Liam.
"Ok... hindi lang ako sanay kasi na hindi mo sinasabi kung anong problema mo..." sambit ni Chai.
"Don't mind me, you have done enough for me... eh ikaw nakapili ka na sa mga manliligaw mo?" tanong ni Liam.
"Well, I plan to ax the two gentlemen you met last night sa event." casual na sambit ni Chai.
"O, bakit naman?" gulat na tugon ni Liam.
"I just saw last night why it wouldn't work with any of them." sambit ni Chai.
"Mukhang playboy pareho yun..." dugtong ni Liam sabay kain ng french toast.
"Well, Tom is. While Pat, I guess he's the kind of man who wouldn't settle..." sambit ni Chai.
"May natira pa, yung korean." sabi ni Liam.
"Oh! Now, you're talking. He's here last night!!!" excited na kwento ni Chai.
"What?" gulat na tugon ni Liam.
"He is inviting me to Boracay and any of my friends. Bakit di ka na lang sumama with your gf? What do you think?" tanong ni Chai.
Hindi muli umimik si Liam and just sip his coffee.
Nilambing naman ito ni Chai, touching his shoulders.
"Sige na bes... please?" sambit nito.
    "I'll have to ask her first." tugon ni Liam.
    "Wow that's exciting! Double date!" sambit ni Chai.
    Nangiti si Liam at nagpatuloy sa pagkain ng breakfast.
    "Pasok ako ngayon half day lang, ikaw di ka na talaga papasok? Parang ikaw yung may hang over ah?" tanong ni Liam.
    "Actually, Tom message me and wants to meet up, so alam mo na, mananakit muna ako ng tao ngayong araw." sambit ni Chai.
    "Sige ligwakin mo na yan." sagot ni Liam at kaway kay Chai bago tuluyang umalis.
     2pm. UCC BGC. Chai is sipping her coffee. Suddenly someone approached her from behind and hugged her. Nabigla siya at napalingon.
     "Tom!" Sambit nya.
   He walked towards the chair in front of Chai and sat.
     "You've been too busy last night that I opted to go ahead." Tom said.
    "Yeah, with one of our models, don't you?" Chai answered.
     "Oh, Trina? We just chit chatted and went." He casually said.
     "Well, I don't actually care who you went with and what you did. That's why I ask to meet you today..." Chai reverted.
      "What are you trying to say? Are you jealous?" Tom asked.
      "No. I'm not. I just want you to stop. Whatever your intentions with me are, just stop. It won't go anywhere." She said,
    "Why? I thought we're doing fine?" Gulat nitong tanong.
    "You thought we're on the same page, but no we're not. We have different goals, different plans, completely different lives and I am not willing to yield to you, no because I don't feel the same towards you." Sagot ni Chai.
      Natahimik si Tomohori. 
     "So everything didn't mean a thing to you, huh?" He said.
    "I appreciated everything. But it's not happening the way you want to... Thanks for everything anyway." Chai answered.
    They looked at each other and decided to separate ways after finishing their coffee.
    Cellphone ringing while Chai is driving.
    "Hello?"
    "Hi, wondering if you want to meet up for dinner?" Min Jeong asked.
    "Oh, Min Jeongah, sure, where do you want me to fetch you? I'm actually outside now, driving." she said.
    "Oh sorry, I'll send you my hotel address," he said.
    "Sure. No worries, I did not report to work. See you later." Chai said.
    "Thanks." Min Jeong said.
    Chai felt happy and smiled. She decided to went home para magbihis at magrelax nang kaunti.
    A message popped up on her whatsapp. It's a photo from Patrick on his adventure in Thailand.
    Napabuntong hininga siya and just responded with a smiley. She is thinking on how to also end things with this guy or if it is ok to keep him as her friend. She locked her phone and took a bath.
    Liam is sitting at a cafe near their office, while waiting and staring at the engagement ring he is holding, the cafe doors swing open and he sees Dolly, Chai's secretary standing.
    Pagkatapos maligo at habang naka-bath robe, tinignan ni Chai ang mga alahas niya para magdesisyon kung alin ang susuotin niya sa kanilang dinner date ni Min Jeong. She never felt this excited since the last time that she was in a relationship.
    She wore a blue knee length lace dress with silver belt, silver purse and silver stilettos. She has her hair in an sophisticated updo style that complimented further her beautiful face.
    "Meet me at the hotel's lobby." message ni Min Jeong sa kaniyang kakaotalk.
    When she arrived at the Shagri-la BGC, she had her car parked valet and walked her way towards the entrance. She was surprised to see Min Jeong in his black coat and pants, white long sleeves inside and black necktie. Yes, imagine him ala-kdrama actor na poging pogi in their corporate attire and holding a bouquet of tulips.
    When his eyes met Chai's, Chai smiled nonchalantly towards him. Slowly, Min Jeong walked her way smiling.
    "For you." he said sabay abot ng bouquet.
    "Thank you." Nakangiting tugon ni Chai.
    "Shall we?" tanong ni Min Jeong at offer ng kaniyang shoulders so Chai can cling on it.
    Nahihiyang ini-ankla ni Chai ang kaniyang kamay sa braso ni Min Jeong. For the first time in such a long time, she once again felt these weird skimpy beats and kilig all at once. Never have she ever imagined living in a real-life Korean drama.