Play Pretend

Chapter 27

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 27
Lucky

"Bakit ngayon ka lang? I've been waiting for you..." marahang tanong ni Macy, nakayakap pa rin kay Xaiver.

I felt so awkward and out of place. I felt the urge to walk away and gave them privacy, pero bakit ko gagawin 'yon? At sa kung ano mang dahilan, ayaw kong iwan si Xaiver mag-isa kasama si Macy. Tingin ko ay hindi ako magiging kumportable.

"Why didn't you tell me ngayon ang dating mo? I thought you'd come home next week?" pabalik na tanong ni Xaiver. His voice was soft and tender. Para siyang nanay na kinakausap ang anak habang pinapatulog.

Bumitiw si Macy at bahagyang inilayo ang sarili kay Xaiver. She smiled sweetly and replied, "Your wedding's in three days. How can I miss it, right?"

Napaawang ang mga labi ko nang banggitin niya ang tungkol sa kasal, lalo na nang nagtama ang aming mga mata. She tilted her head on one side. She looked slightly curious na para bang kinikilala niya ako.

"Are you..." Macy trailed off and turned to Xaiver.

Mabilis na lumapit sa akin si Xaiver. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya at nakita ang kanyang suot na ngiti.

I couldn't help noticing how he let his guard down so fast in front of Macy. Ganoon na siguro talaga siya kakumportable sa kanya. He didn't have to hide anything.

"Macy, this is my fiancée, Chantal," pakilala ni Xaiver sa akin.

"Ikaw nga..." malamyang sabi ni Macy ngunit nakangiti pa rin. "I saw your pictures on Facebook. You look really pretty in person."

I was slightly stunned by that revelation. She saw me on Facebook?

Nang makita ang aking reaksyon ay mahina siyang tumawa at tinakpan sandali ang bibig. "Sorry... I hope you don't mind me stalking you on social media when I was in the States. Gusto ko kasing makita ang mapapangasawa ni Xavi nang malaman kong ikakasal na siya."

"Ayos lang..." tipid kong sabi at ngumiti.

It was harmless. Wala naman siyang dapat ipaghingi ng pasensya.

I didn't want to have prejudice against her, but there was no way for me to confirm if she was being genuine or sincere. Baka mamaya, pagkatalikod ni Xaiver, iba na ang ugaling ipakita niya sa akin. Maybe she's not really as nice as it seemed. Nadala na ako.

"Anyway, have you eaten dinner yet?" tanong ni Xaiver sa kanya.

"Hmm, not yet. I was hoping na sabay tayo, pero mukhang kumain na kayo ni Chantal?"

"No. Hindi pa ako kumakain. Ipagluluto ako ni Chantal. You should stay and eat dinner here," aya ni Xaiver.

"Can I?" pag-aalangan ni Macy. " I don't wanna ruin anything...."

"I just picked her up from her bachelorette party," paliwanag ni Xaiver saka ako nilingon. "Is it okay if she stays here for dinner?"

Nagulat ako nang ipinasa niya sa akin ang desisyon. I didn't know what to say at first, pero alanganamang hindi ako pumayag. Xaiver already invited her and this is his house. Nakakahiya rin kung ayaw ko. Walang dahilan para gawin ko 'yon.

Naisip ko rin na baka magandang pagkakataon na rin 'yon para makilala ko siya. I didn't want to stick to my prejudice about her. If she's a close friend of Xaiver, mas magandang makilala ko siya upang hindi ko mapag-isipan ng masama.

"Walang problema. I can cook for us," sabi ko na lang.

"Thanks, baby," Xaiver whispered and smiled.

The endearment slightly caught me off guard. He said it so naturally. His smile was in its purest form. For a moment, I felt like staring at a different person.