BEHIND the SCENES (DarLentina version)

Chapter 45: The promise ring

"I wish the whole world heard you. You're so brave, love. I'm really proud of you. Don't ever think na may kulang sa'yo kagaya ng sinabi ni dad. Mali s'ya, Narda. You are enough... more than enough actually." Niyakap n'ya ito mula sa likod at isinandal ang ulo sa balikat nito. She feels really safe kapag ganito s'ya kalapit kay Narda.

"Thank you for making me feel that I am enough, Regina. Sa totoo lang,  nakakapanghina s'ya... nakakapanliit ng pagkatao. I wanted to cry but I won't let him see it. Ayokong isipin n'yang mahina ako, though mahina naman talaga ako, but I really want him to see na kaya kitang ipaglaban at ipagtanggol, na kaya kitang pangatawanan. I want to be brave for you, love." Hinawakan nito ang braso n'yang nakayakap dito.

"Sobrang brave mo, love. I am so lucky to have you. I don't know why I deserve this kind of treatment from you. You're doing too much for me kaya pakiramdam ko prinsesa mo talaga ako. I don't know if I can reciprocate everything that you're doing for me but if I can, I surely will. Hindi mo lang ito laban, Narda. I am with you. Laban natin 'to. Always remember that."

"Thank you, love. Ang layo pa natin sa ending nito. Ang haba pa ng lalakbayin natin just to get his approval. Manghina man ako, don't ever think na susukuan kita. You are worth fighting for, Regina."

Naririnig n'ya ang mga buntong-hininga nito and it really pained her to know na nasasaktan si Narda ng ganito ng dahil sa kanya. She can feel her frustrations and nanlulumo s'ya sapagkat sa tingin n'ya ay wala manlang s'yang magagawa para rito.

"What do I need to do to make her feel better?" Tanong n'ya sa sarili habang tahimik na nakayakap dito. "I really wanted to assure her na hindi s'ya nag-iisa. That i'm with her every step of the way. Until we get that approval and acceptance that we need from people especially from dad."

Then she remembered something.

"Can I ask you a little favor, boss?"

Kunot-noong humarap ito sa kanya. "What is it, Regina?"

"Can you excuse me for today? Can we skip work and just go somewhere else? I know this sounds unprofessional pero pwede mo naman akong pagbigyan, 'di ba?" She looked at her with her cutest pleading eyes.

"Hmmm... You're doing that paawa thing again, love. You're so cute. Alam na alam mo talaga kung paano ako pa-oo-hin." She grinned at her and it make her laugh.

"That sounds like a yes to me. Is it?"

Mas lumapad ang ngiti n'ya ng tumango ito.

"Yey! Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."

Hinila n'ya ito sa kamay pero natatawang pinigilan s'ya nito. "Wait. Wait. Kausapin ko muna secretary ko before we leave. Chill, you pretty thing. Masyado ka pong excited."

She pout as she sat on the chair next to her table. "Magtatagal ka?"

Napailing ito. "Give me atleast 30 minutes. Ipapatawag ko lang s'ya."

May kumatok sa pinto at saktong pumasok ang utility dala ang meryendang pinahanda ni Narda para sana sa kanilang tatlo ng daddy n'ya.

Bumilog ang mata n'ya ng makita ang cookies and cream flavored ice cream and chocolate cake na dala nito. Nakita ni Narda ang mukha n'ya at natawa ito.

"You're such a baby. Bet you like the meryenda. Kain ka na muna while I talk to my secretary."

She silently sat on the couch situated inches away from her table as she started eating ice cream listening to whatever Narda is saying as she give instructions to her secretary with random business stuffs that she can hardly relate to.

Panaka-naka itong sumusulyap sa dako n'ya and just as a tease that she is, she thought of something naughty to get her attention.

"Ops!" Sinadya n'yang ihulog ang kutsara sa lapag at dahan-dahan n'yang pinulot ito. Making sure that Narda's gaze follow her every move. She showed her a little bit of extra cleavage as she bow down lower. She winked at her when she saw her swallow.