Stranger's Bed

Chapter 12

A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

I composed myself while looking at my reflection in the mirror. Hindi pa din nawawala ang lamig sa aking tiyan. And tears... are ready to fall from my eyes.

Right after that night in Antipolo, I realized that I don't want to lose him in my life. I do like him and wala naman sigurong mawawala kung susubukan kong uli. Iba naman si Jared at Arvin. He always come up with surprises I never thought he could.

Dalawang buwan na kaming lumalabas ni Arvin and I'm usually okay with his status. I am happy that he's one of the most successful bachelor in the country right now.

I have never felt this insecure before. At wala namang ginagawang masama si Arvin. He even praised me in front of those businessmen. But damn, the look on their faces like they're very disappointed that it's me he's dating!

Bilang lang ang mga kaibigan niya and they're all kind. I met his two closest friends one time when Arvin invited them for dinner para ipakilala ako.

At first, I was really afraid that we won't click. But I was really, really wrong. Kyle and Trick are nothing but kind men. Kyle's the playboy and loud one. Agad ko siyang nakasundo dahil makwento siya. He even spilled that Arvin had a crush on me, even before. I didn't know when but I'm already satisfied seeing Arvin Del Mundo, blushing because of me.

Si Trick naman ay tahimik lang but he's very smart and welcoming as well. Siya rin ang may-ari ng firm na pinagtatrabahuhan ko. I smiled at the thought of that night.

C'mon, Ava. Everything is perfect. Why ruin it with some stupid thought that doesn't even matter?

Matapos mag-ayos at mag-banyo ay nagpasya na akong bumalik sa ballroom.

Right, Ava. Arvin never made you feel inferior of him. He's always been the one looking up to you instead. Why worry? Nakangisi kong bulong sa sarili.

Excited kong hinanap si Arvin sa apat na sulok ng ballroom pero iba ang nahagip ng aking paningin. Bumalik ang panlalamig sa aking tiyan.

Matalim ang tingin niya sa akin at halos tumayo lahat ng balahibo ko doon. I've been trying to reach him the past month pero nabalitaan kong galit na galit siya sa akin. Ang sabi sa akin ng isang common friend namin noon ay nakita pa daw nilang nagwala si Jared sa Privè sa sobrang galit nang malaman na nagde-date na kami ni Arvin.

Bago ko pa siya malapitan ay naglakad na siya palayo sa akin. At bago ko pa maihakbang ang paa ko ay may maingat na kamay ang humawak sa aking balikat.

"Looking for me?" Kahit na hindi ko pa siya hinaharap ay alam kong nakangisi siya.

He hugged me from the behind and gave me a bouquet of tulip bulbs. Napangiti ako nang maalala ang araw na nagpunta siya sa orphanage. Noong binigyan niya si George ng chocolate na dapat para sakin at bulalaklak mula sa bouquet na dala niya.

Since then, we always made time to visit together. At si Arvin naman ay parang Santa Claus na kada punta namin doon ay pinupuno ang Montero niya ng mga kailangan sa orphanage.

"I left this in the car dahil nagmamadali ako kanina. Akala ko hindi ko na maaabutan ang pagkapanalo mo. Congratulations, Love."

Hinarap ko siya at hinalikan sa pisngi. "Assuming ka, no. Hindi pa naman sure na mananalo ako bumili ka pa nito. Paano kung hindi ako nanalo?"

Umarte siya na parang nag-iisip. "Then, I'll still give you flowers. You'll always be the winner for me, you know."

Matapos magpaalam kina Josh ay sabay na kaming nagpunta sa sasakyan ni Arvin. "Do you wanna grab something before we go home?"