Miss HOT and Mr. COLD

CHAPTER 14: I Still Love Him

I already told mom and dad about my half-a-million donation to Mama's charity event. And I was right, they're not mad but proud of me instead dahil nagma-mature na daw ako.

I also told them na I accepted tita Maia's offer about me as their model. At first nagalit si mommy dahil they're not in good terms daw but when I explained na napasubo lang ako dahil sa pang-aasar ni Thamara, napangiti si mommy and said, "Give that girl a good fabulous fight".

I don't know kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ko. Ang cool kasi ni mommy eh. Hahaha!

And si daddy? Ayun, tahimik lang na nakangiti habang pinapanood ang reaksyon ni mommy. I find it cute. *giggles*

"Mom, Dad? Punta muna po ako kila mama?" sabi ko sa kanila

"At Fortalejo's?" tanong ni mommy habang nakayakap kay dad

"Yes mom. Alis na muna po ako. I love you both!" then I kissed their cheeks

Nagpahatid na ako kay Mang Ben sa mansion ng mga Fortalejo. Hindi naman traffic kaya sandali lang ang naging byahe.

(FORTALEJO's RESIDENCE)

Pagkarating namin, pinahintay ko lang si Mang Ben sa labas at binigyan ng P1k para pang miryenda niya.

Pumasok ako hanggang garden kung nasaan si mama na naabutan kong gumagawa ng kwintas at kung anu-ano pang mga jewelries. Ooh... Bagong business siguro, amazing! Lumapit na ako sa kanya at bumati.

"Mama!!!" kaya napalingon siya sa akin

"Anak." nakangiti niyang sagot

"Tara na po ba?" tanong ko sa kanya pagka-upo ko

"Wait lang hija, tatapusin ko lang itong ginagawa ko." bumalik na siya sa ginagawa niya

"Ano po ba iyan ma?" curiosity plastered on my face

"I'm making my own designed jewelries hija. New business ko with your tita Maia." ooh. So I'm right

Tumango-tango nalang ako at hinintay ko lang siya.

"I heard you were asked to be the Saavedra's model?" habang hindi nakatingin sa akin

"Yes ma. I accepted it kasi hindi naman po ako ganun ka-busy sa work sa office."

"That's great! I want to see your face on their magazine's cover." ngumiti siya sa akin bago bumalik sa ginagawa

"Thanks ma."

After ni mama gumawa ng jewelries niya, lumabas na kami at pumunta na sa foundation kung saan kami pumunta last time. I just want to see the children's smile. It's refreshing and fulfilling. *smile*

Pagkarating namin, iniwan ako ni mama kasama ang mga bata dahil kakausapin niya ang tumatayong head ng foundation para sa mga pangangailangan pa ng mga bata.

Naglaro kami ng Trip to Jerusalem, Piko at nagkaroon kami ng story telling. I don't know how to play the Piko game kasi hindi naman ako lumabas ng condo noon, puro barbie at gadgets lang ang alam ko laruin that's why I'm so happy right now.

Sa sobrang pag-eenjoy namin ng mga bata hindi namin namalayan na hapon na pala. Tinawag na ni Mam Nina (Siya ang head dito) ang mga bata para magmeryenda. Masaya ko silang pinanood.

"Anak I want to ask you something." napatingin ako sa nagsalita which is mama na nasa tabi ko pala

"Ano po yun ma?" nakangiti kong tanong

"Hanggang ngayon ba gusto mo parin ang anak ko?"

"The word like is an understatement of what I feel for Zim. Love is the right word ma." I answered her with smile on my face but then she looked worried

"Hija, I already talked to my son and he said that there's no chance for him to back-out from their marriage because he already started to like Thamara. I asked him na baka napipilitan lang siya, that we will understand if he calls it off, but he insisted to push it through. *my eyes started to water* I'm sorry hija to tell you this but he wants you to stop. *my tears fall-off* You know how much I like you for my son but it's his decision and I can't do a thing. I'm sorry." malungkot na sabi ni mama

"So... he likes her already. *tumango-tango ako* You know how rude and harsh Zim's to me but still nandito parin ako. He told me to stay away yet I chose to stay because I'm hoping that one day he'll love me just how much I love him too. I still love him ma and it hurts." now my tears are running endlessly

"Oh Apathie dear..." niyakap ako ni mama habang hinahaplos ang likuran ko pero bumitiw agad ako sa yakap niya at saka ngumiti

"I think I should go home na po. I'm tired yet I had fun. Thank you ma." worry and pity plastered on her face

I kissed her cheek and hugged her tight like it's the last time, then I left with tears on my beautiful face.

Pagka-sakay ko sa kotse, doon na ako nagsimulang umiyak ng malakas. Para akong bata na naagawan ng candy, at yung candy na yun ay hindi na maibabalik sa akin. Masakit sa puso lalo na sa pride ko na gusto niya na rin ang impaktang si Thamara.

Now, I will try my very best to forget him and get rid of this feeling that longs for him.

I love him but he likes her already so I think it's the start of their story because what they feel for each other is mutual, unlike ours that is one-sided. I can't be an antagonist because I never imagined myself as a witch, a snake, other woman or even a mistress. Maybe this is the right time for me... to stop my illusion about; Me and Fortalejo, Together.