Lilac Lies

Chapter 10

Saia's Point of View

A year later.

"Ate, please naman, hmm?" Pakiusap sa akin ni Santhi. May kumukulit kasi sa kanya sa insta, that someone dm-ed her for a date. He seems suspicious. "Tulungan mo 'ko."

Sabi ko naman kasi sa kanya, na mag-iingat.

"Behave ka lang dapat kasi," natatawa akong ani. Inaasar ang kapatid bago tulungan. I then sighed, "Fine. If the guy messaged you again, tell me."

Santhiana jumped in relief and hugged me behind, "Thanks!"

Tinapik ko ang braso niya nang makaharap. I chuckled as she went back into her chair to eat. Bata pa rin talaga ang bunso namin.

Muling natawa ng mahina, saka sinabit sa balikat ang bag. "I have to go. Dad, mauuna na ako sa office. May aasikasuhin pa ako."

Ang dad na sumisimsim ng kape at nagbabasa ng diyaryo, ay huminto sandali para tanguan ako, "Ingat, anak."

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit kay mommy. Inilapag sa harap niya ang maliit na red velvet box, "I thought you'd like this, mom."

She loves Cartier. Kaya, kahit wala itong sinagot ay hindi ko alintana. I understand. Patuloy ko pa rin kasing pinalalambot ang puso ng ina para sa 'kin.

"Aalis na po ako," paalam ko.

Tipid ang paglalakad ko palabas ng bahay. I was hoping to get a bit of response from her. Kaso, wala. Sa halip, narinig ko ang pagtawag at pag-usap nina Ate Sarah at mommy sa phone. Bibisita sila ulit next month, kasama ang mga pamangkin. I'm excited to see them again.

Tanaw ko ang ngiti ni mom mula sa tinatayuan. Nasaktan ako ng kaunti, pero titiisin. 'Di bale, baka next time.

Isang buong araw na naman ang naubos sa opisina. Ramdam man ang labis na pagod, marami naman akong natutunan. I am really happy that instead of accelerating into the top clueless, I decided to start small first.

Ngayong nagiging bihasa na sa industriya, mas confident na akong mamuno sa pagdating ng tamang panahon.

After a long day at the office, dumiretso ako ng salon para magpaayos. Inimbitahan kasi si dad na um-attend ng after party matapos maging successful ang pelikula kung sa'n ito naging sponsor.

I looked at the mirror. The make up suits me well. It's light, gaya ng pakiusap ko. I loved how gentle I looked. Bumagay ito sa kulay lilang long dress na suot.

The stylist then clipped a simple lilac hairclip in my hair, making me look more elegant.

"Thank you," I smiled, appreciating her job well-done.

Dad's calling.

"Yes, dad?" I closed my eyes as the stylist did the finishing touches.

"I'm sorry, anak. I wanted to attend the after party, kaya lang hindi talaga kaya ng schedule ko. You sure you're okay?" Pag-aalala nito.

I smiled, "Yes, dad. I need to get used facing people, too. Part of my training."

He sighed, "Hmm. Well, then. Send my congratulations to the team, okay? Ingat ka, anak."

"Okay," I hummed. Ending the call gently.

Habang hinintay ang susundong limo, nakailang ulit akong tumingin sa salamin, pinagmamasdan ang hitsura ko. Lowkey admiring my inherited features.

"You can do this, Saia," encouraging myself. Walking out of the salon with saved confidence.

Alam ko kung anong klase ng party ang pupuntahan. It's for Ax's successful movie premiere. Feeling warm inside, knowing I might see him again. But this time, I know my limits. Hindi na maghahabol dito dahil lang siya ang una ko.

There's no worry bugging me now. The ride went well.

Paparazzi greets me as I walked out of the car. Panay address ng 'miss' para humarap at makunan ng picture. Sandali kong in-expose ang sarili para pagbigyan ang mga ito.

I heard murmurs and whispers about me attending instead of dad as soon as I entered inside the hall. Gently tucked my hair and walked gracefully, stealing gazes at the moment.

"Miss Tallano," bati ni Mr. Fabian Villafuerte, negosyanteng na-meet ko na noon sa Nova City. He also sponsored this movie. "Glad you made it here."

I nodded, taking a glass of champagne from a waiter offering drinks. "Busy si dad, kaya ako muna."

He then chuckled, "I see. You look gorgeous, by the way."

Marahan kong iniangat ang glass, "Thank you."

"Mr. Villafuerte, thank you so much for coming!" Isang pamilyar na boses ang aking narinig. Si director Mamsh.

Bumalik muli ang mga ala-ala sa Palleno. Sa cafe, kung saan nag-krus ang landas namin. The exact day I gate crashed their shoot. Suddenly feeling nostalgia and warmth.

Uminom ako hanggang mangalahati na ang champagne.

"And who's this pretty woman? Date n'yo ba?" Pagtatanong nito, kaya pareho kaming natawa ni Mr. Fabian.

I turned around to face the director, "I'm Mr. Martin's representative for tonight. I'm Saia."

Nagmistula itong yelo nang manigas sa tinatayuan. Sa history na mayroon kami ni direk Mamsh, hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit.

"U-uh... a..." utal nitong ani. Naglahad ako ng kamay pero tinitigan lang niya. Upang hindi kami mapahiya pareho, ako na ang humawak at naglamano. "Ay!"

I giggled, hearing his whimper, seeing him stunned. Marahil hindi makapaniwala sa rebelasyon kung sino ba talaga ako.

"My dad wants to send his congratulations for the success of the movie. I've seen it too, you guys worked well. Daddy's looking forward for our next sponsorships, direk," mahinahon kong sabi.

Pero ito, halatang hindi maikalma ang sarili.

"Thank you for coming, miss Tallano." His voice.

I blinked, stunned recognizing his scent. Nakatalikod pa lang ako rito ngunit ramdam ko na ang panyayanig niya sa sistema. Agad na bumalik ang minsang init na hatid nito sa katawan.

His warm palm touched my waist, sending shivers in my spine.  Nahihilo ako sa presensiya niya.

Marahan niya akong pinaharap. Nagtagpo ang aming mga mata. Lips curved into a smirk. Axarus tangled his fingers, twirling curls at the tip of my hair.

Nanlambot ang aking mga tuhod.

Axarus smiled gently, whispering, "For leaving you confused, my deepest apologies. I have a lot to make up for, Saia."

My whole world stopped.

Wala na akong naririnig o nakikitang ibang tao. Sa kanya lang ako nakatingin. Gulat sa paghingi ng tawad nito. Akala ko, hindi na ako rurupok sa oras na maririnig ulit ang boses nito. Mali ako. The walls I built weren't as strong as I thought.

A tear escaped, falling onto my cheek, "Axarus..."

Ax smiled, gently wiping my tears with his fingers. Maingat siya, he's minding my make up. I couldn't stop tearing up. I don't wanna stop, so that I could feel his fingers against my skin.

"But before I make it up," bulong niya, "Parusa ang mauuna."

"H-ha? Parusa?" Pagtataka ko.

Humigpit ang hawak nito sa aking baywang. I felt his toned muscles as our bodies pressed together. He still smelled good. Ang guwapo pa rin, lalong gumuwapo. Still addicting.

Knowing he's breaking my walls again, Axarus took it as an advantage and nibbled my earlobe before whispering seductingly, "Mhmm. A lilac lied to me months ago at Palleno. And liars must be punished."

Umiwas ako ng tingin. Nagsinungaling nga ako, tungkol sa totoong pagkatao.

"After this party," iniagat niya ang baba ko nang magpantay ang mga paningin, "In my room."