Ideal Men 1: Russo Mancini (On Hold)

13

"Congratulations!" Ani Jill.

Uminom si Icy ng mango shake habang pinapanood sila Russo at ang mga kaibigan nito na humahalakhak sa salas. May suot silang birthday hat at pinalibutan nila ng cake sa gitna.

Binuhat nila ang utensils bago lumapit sa kalalakihan. Walang may birthday pero nandito ang kaibigan para magcelebrate. Noong nalaman nila na nakalabas na si Russo ng hospital balak talaga nila Nico magpa welcome party kaso tinanggihan ng binata. Ngayon na nalaman nila na nakalalakad na ito at official couple na sila ay agad na nagdatingan ang mga kaibigan ng binata pati si Jill ay dumalaw.

Kaniya-kaniya ng bitbit ng regalo ang mga ito. Wala naman magawa ang magkasintahan dahil nasa labas na ang mga ito ng malaman nila. Kulang nalang ay pagawan nila ng tarpaulin ang dalawa.

Napaface palm si Icy ng makita ang nakasulat sa cake. It was get well soon  but the design was a man full of bandages holding single crutches. The cake design definitely fits Russo's situation after he left the hospital. Isa isang tinignan ni Icy ang mga kaibigan ni Russo na nagsi-iwasan ng tingin.

"No other design." Ani Vandal na lumapit sa kaniya.

Mabilis na tumabi si Russo kay Icy para hindi makalapit si Vandal habang napakunot naman ang noo ni Vandal.

"Kuya ko yan baka nakakalimutan mo." Bulong ni Icy ng masaksihan ang nangyari.

Mabilis na umupo si Russo saka awkward na tumawa habang nakatingin kay Vandal. Icy let slide about the cake. Habang hinihiwa niya ang cake may lumalabas na pulang likido sinasabayan pa ng pag-arte ng mga kalalakihan na tila nasasaktan sila.

"Ang puso ko. It's bleeding." Ani Nico na nakahawak sa kaniyang dibdib.

Sumabay ang ilan habang naiiling ang iba. Kasama na si Icy at Jill.

"Don't mind them tesorina."

Nang mahiwa nila ang cake nagsibilisan na kumuha ng platito ang mga ito at nag-agawan pa. Icy can't believe that they're really fighting over a cake. They don't even seem poor to her.

Tumingin si Icy kay Vandal ng tumayo ito at naglakad patungo ng kusina. Napansin ni Icy na hindi kumain si Vandal at sumisimsim lang ng wine. Linapitan niya ang kaniyang kapatid para ilahad ang platito na may pagkain.

Russo was nonchalantly observing how Icy approached Vandal. At that time, he wished her the best. Just looking at how her face lightened when Vandal accepted the food made him happy too. He didn't bother them. Gusto niya bigyan ng oras ang kapatid para sa isa't isa.

"You're strong." saad ni Vandal habang nakatingin kay Icy.

Behind his stoic eyes were lingering emotions that he wanted to show. His life wasn't ideal, but he wanted to feel this moment with her younger and only sister. Vandal remembered her when he first saw her but some things should not be shown or told.

"I mean when Russo was sent to the emergency room and underwent surgery," he said when Icy was looking for an explanation.

"Kailangan natin magpakatatag para sa mga taong mahal natin."

Vandal chuckled and messed her hair. It was too refreshing for her. Natawa nalang si Icy sa kasayahan.

"Don't hesitate to call me when you need help. Russo is a precious friend of mine."

Vandal went back to their friends after their talk. Russo stood after seeing Vandal and went to Icy. She greeted him with a smile and handed him a glass of milk.

"Good for bones." Ika nito.

Russo was hesitant to accept it, but he gave up when Icy gave him a deadly smile.

Kumuha ng big bowl si Icy para paglagyan ng mais con yelo na naisipan nitong gawin ng makagising siya ng maaga.

"Hindi ako magaling magluto. But I'm good at making deserts. Let's share it with them." aniya.

"You're kind tesorina."

"Dati."

The two exchanged laughters. They brought two big bowls of mais con yelo to the living room. Agad na nagsikuha ang kaibigan ni Russo. Icy felt happy when they kept saying that it tasted delicious.

"Sino gumawa?" said Nico.

"My tesorina." Russo proudly said.

They started to tease him, and Russo kept accepting it like a compliment.

"I heard you're bad at cooking, but you have good hands for deserts. It's a win-win." Ani Kurt.

"Salamat?"

"You're welcome."

Naiiling si Icy na tumabi kay Russo na busy sa pakikipagbangayan kay Lexus. When Lexus saw her, he immediately ignored Russo.

"Lexus Gazzelli, an engineer." pagpapakilala nito. "I heard you're an architect, my company is hiring."

Lumingon si Icy sa binata. She mentioned finding work, but she doesn't want to bother him. Alam ni Russo na ayaw magpatulong ni Icy pero hindi niya maiwasan na gawin iyon sa dalaga. Kaya naman nagtanong siya kay Lexus kung mayroong vacant job sa kompanya nito at sakto na hiring sila. He mentioned Icy looking for a job, and Lexus said she can apply, but she must undergo fair and equal treatment. Na gusto rin mangyari ni Russo dahil alam niya na hindi gugustuhin ni Icy na magktrabaho sa ganon na proseso.

"Don't worry, you'll undergo an interview like other applicants."

Icy felt relieved after hearing it. She was once a victim of maltreatment from people who just had powers, not skills. And that memory annoys the hell out of her.

"Sige pero enjoy na muna tayo."

Lexus and Russo agreed. Hinanap ni Icy si Jill, pero hindi niya ito mahagilap.

"Tesorina let's go upstairs." aya ni Russo. "They're noisy." turo nito sa kaniyang mga kaibigan na nag-aagawan ng mikropono.

The two escaped when the men were busy singing. Russo locked the door when they entered the room. He even closed all the windows and opened a dim light. Icy was dumbfounded, but when she saw her eyes, she realized it. The innocent Russo she knew was gone because all she could see was his rough side.

He pushed her onto the bed roughly, and he started to strip himself. Making Icy's eyes widen and her mouth hang open.

"Let's continue what we started last time, tesorina."

-

Happy Sunday!