The Love I See

Chapter 9

"Nice try, but, you're going."

Sinubukan kasi ni Melissa na di sumama sa Coron. Kung anu-anong dahilan ang sinabi niya kay Collin. Nandyang masama ang pakiramdam niya, wala siyang isusuot, hindi siya mahilig sa beach, may natunguan siyang lakad, at kung anu-ano pa. Ngunit dahil likas na tapat ang dalaga at hindi ito sanay magsinungaling, halatang halata ang kaniyang mga palusot.

"Tell me, Mel, what are you really so afraid of? That you'd see me in such a romantic atmosphere and your crush will become something else? Afraid of falling for me, Melissa?", panunubok ni Collin.

Naku, natumbok mo. Isip ni Melissa. Pero dahil ayaw naman niyang mabuking, nagpormal ng ayos si Mel at hinarap si Collin. "Don't you think that's a little too presumptuous of you? I've never even admitted to having a crush on you. Sure, I texted you before but that was a joke, an answering banter, nothing else. I don't even understand where you get this thought that I like you that way. I mean, sure, you're good looking and the way you treat people is admirable. But that's not enough to make my heart flutter. I, for sure, did not say that it did so I don't understand where you got that impression that I've a crush on you. You know what, yeah, I'll go to Coron. I'll just prove you wrong. I don't have a crush on you, and I'm definitely in no danger of falling in love with my boss. I'm no cliché secretary."

Tila nagulat si Collin dahil napamulagat ito. "That's quite a litany for someone so unaffected by me," puna ni Collin. Pagkatapos ay napangiti ito at sinabing, "Challenge accepted."

"What do you mean?", takang tanong ni Melissa.

"Simple, my dear, little Ms. Liar. I'll make you fall for me."

"That's not what I...", ngunit di na natuloy ni Melissa ang pagtutol dahil lumakad na palayo si Collin.

***

"Anak, kumpleto na ba ang gamit mo? Yung shampoo at sabon, baka di mo naisilid. Nilagay ko yun sa mesa kanina."

Alas kuwatro ng umaga pa lang ngunit paalis na si Melissa para sa flight nila ng 5:30AM. Maaga ang flight nila sabi ni Reagan upang masulit ang araw. Bagamat maigsing oras lang ang flight ay may biya
bibiyahe pa sila ng kulang dalawang oras sa resort na nirentahan nina Collin. Nalaman kasi niyang hindi pala ito sagot ng Gerard Enterprises kung hindi nina Collin mismo.

"Oho, Nay, naitabi ko na po."

"Oh siya, ipag-aabang na kita ng taxi at baka mahirap pang kumuha ng ganitong oras."

Beep beep. Narinig ni Melissa. Di na pinansin ni Melissa ito, at
tumuloy sa pag-ayos ng gamit. Mayamaya ay bumalik sa kuwarto niya ang ina.

"Anak, ang guwapo naman pala ni Collin mo," sabi ni Aling Joy.

"Po? Anong..."

"Hey, Mel. You ready to go?, " biglang pagpapakita ni Collin sa likod ng ina niya.

"What are you doing here? How'd you find out where I live?", tanong ni Melissa

"I came with Mancy and Reagan. Plus, I am your boss so I can get a copy of any of my employees' address. And I'm here to make sure you won't back out of our deal," sagot naman ni Collin.

"What deal?"

"You know... your challenge that I've accepted. About us. You've a very short memory, my dear Ms. Liar. Don't worry, I'll make sure you'll never forget me. After all, no one forgets their first love right?", ani Collin.

"Anak, outing ba talaga yan o ligawan?", biglang pagsingit naman ni Aling Joy. Nakalimutan na halos ni Melissa na nandoon ang ina sa mga pinagsasasabi ni Collin. Hiya ang naramdaman niya.