The Politician: Nicholas Ybarra

Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

The night did not end without Yana flexing the senator on her Instagram account. She posted first some of their captured moments outdoors yesterday with a caption, 'Hey there, handsome @thesenatorybarra'.

Later on, she followed it up with another post with a caption, 'Safe in my man's arms.'. Naka-tag ang post na iyon kay Nicholas. It was a stolen photo of them while hugging each other in the garden earlier.

Si Empress ang kumuha ng litrato noong inabutan sila nitong magkayakap. Susunduin sana sila ng kapatid niya para mag-tsaa nang madatnan sila sa ganoong posisyon. Mabuti na lang at dala nito ang phone at may mga ilaw sa hardin kaya naman malinaw ang pagkakakuha nito sa picture.

Sumabog nang husto ang notification ni Yana dahil sa dalawang posts na iyon. Papatulog na sana siya nang biglang nag-ring ang kaniyang phone.

She got it from the nightstand and immediately answered when she saw Jane's name on the screen.

"Yes, hello? Napatawag ka, bestie?"

"Anong 'napatawag ka' d'yan? Ano 'yong post mo? Bakit may pagano'n? Akala ko ba—"

"Akala ko rin, bestie," Yana chuckled. "Seems like you're right. The more you hate, the more you love.

Saglit na natahimik si Jane sa kabilang linya bago ito tumikhim.

"Yung totoo, Ylyana Cervantes? Did you really fall for the senator?" seryoso at naniniguradong tanong nito sa kaniya.

"Jane . . . I'm happy, okay? He's not hard to love. He cares for me. I feel safe when he's around . . ."

"You're not answering me directly . . . And I can sense a 'but' in your statement."

"It's complicated right now. But Nicholas is very special to me."

"Okay. I hope kung ano man 'yang complications na 'yan ay maayos agad. Happy ako para sa inyo dahil happy ka sa kaniya. All I want is your true happiness. Nag-worry lang naman ako kasi nga you hate him so much before and now you're together."

"He's not as bad as I thought naman pala. He's a good man. I'm in good hands. I appreciate your concern, though. Thank you, bestie."

"Wala 'yon . . . Congratulations sa inyo ni Senator."

Saglit pa silang nagkumustahan bago ibinaba ni Yana ang tawag.

She sighed as she lay down on her bed. She could not tell Jane the truth. She was afraid to be judged. She felt ashamed.

***

MABILIS na lumipas ang mga araw at linggo. Kapwa abala sa kaniya-kaniyang trabaho sina Nicholas at Yana. Sa umaga ay simpleng palitan ng pagbati lang ang kanilang nagagawa. Sa gabi na lang sila nakakapag-usap nang mahaba gamit ang voice or video call.

Katulad na lang ngayon. Friday ng gabi at abala si Yana sa pag-aayos ng mga damit sa kaniyang closet habang kausap ang senador sa Facetime. Naka-loud speaker ang phone niya para magkarinigan sila kahit medyo malayo iyon mula sa kaniya. Pinapanood siya nitong magtiklop ng damit.

"I didn't know that you know how to fold clothes . . ." Nicholas said.

Napaingos si Yana sa naging komento ng kasintahan.

"Do I really look like a pampered princess? Marunong din naman akong gumawa ng mga gawaing bahay."

Nicholas chuckled.

"I was about to say spoiled brat but pampered princess seems a better term," he playfully said.

Yana gasped in disbelief. Itinigil niya ang pagtitiklop ng damit at itinuro ang screen ng phone niya kung nasaan ang mukha ng senador.