It's You

Chapter Twelve

"John Xavier Chua?!" This is crazy! Maiistress ako nito na pampabawas pa glooming points kay Louise.

"Sorry, I couldn't introduce myself in our last meeting, Miss Euniceline." Pinagentleman n'ya pang sabi.

Ano'ng nakain nito?

"You don't need to do this, bababa na'ko." Hinawakan ko na sana 'yung handle pampabukas ng pinto ng kotse pero nagsalita s'ya.

"Hindi ka pwedeng lumabas,"

"So, after being a pervert, kidnapper na din pala ang bet mo ngayon?" I sighed in unbelief.

"Magiging komplikado kapag lumabas ka. Don't worry, hindi kita gagalawin, I won't even touch you, just, hayaan mo muna ang mga bagay as it is." He had that authoritative voice at inis ko nalang ibinalik ang pagkakaupo sa passenger seat.

Hindi naman sana talaga ako chismosa eh, I don't give a damn sa mga pangyayari sa paligid ko but the pieces just don't match. Kasi as I remember, sinabi sa'kin ni Mom that this elder Chua ay mukhang walang balak na mag-extend ng lahi but I know that he has someone in his heart, wow, HEART, big word, You.

But, really, tapos his aura pa, it's inexplicable, hindi mo alam ang tumatakbo sa isip n'ya, kung si Louise ay makacategorize ko as a good person, itong John Xavier na'to ay wala akong masabi, he is a clear blur.

It's been minutes at nakakabingi lang ang katahimikan and so I spoke. "Turn the radio on, Mr. Chua."

And he did, without talking back.

"My sinusitis is attacking, I don't really like the smell of lemon," me pertaining to the air freshener.

"What fragrance do you prefer then?" Kalma n'yang tanong.

"Natural activated bamboo charcoal," as I said that, he stopped the car at bumaba s'ya. Nasa isang shop naman pala kami banda and I guess bibilhin n'ya 'yung sinabi ko...and he actually did.

Hmmm, obedient huh.

The drive went on, traffic kasi kaya't our time were taken up too much. Maganda naman ang music pero nakakabagot, parang babaho ang hininga ko nito if I just keep my mouth shut. Andaming tanong sa isip ko pero 'diba nga hindi kami close? 

"I apologise for everything that happened between us, Miss Beleazar." He spoke out of the blue at mukhang sincere naman 'yun.

"Oh, please stop the formality, Mr. Chua, it sucks."

"Look who's talking." He smirked. "Call me Xav, then."

"Pasalamat ka't maganda ako at ang mood ko, Xav. Then, call me You... but not yours." I grinned, I always like the idea of having friends but they leave din naman, mang-aagaw daw ako ng boyfriend eh 'yung mga boyfriend naman nila ang lumalapit sa beauty ko. They don't deserve the friendship I could offer them, then, eh wala naman pala silang katiwa-tiwala sa'kin.

So I guess, no bitter feelings na? That's childish.

...

I somehow became comfortable with Xav. He has many sides, daig pa ang rhombicosidodecahedron, alam n'yo 'yun?...hindi? Well, same here.

Naaaaapakaganda lang talaga ng mood ko, hemwe. We then arrived at the LOVE Home for the Aged, may sign board pa nga silang---

'Lolo LOla Vantayan Everyday'.

Wow.

Our company donated money and some sanitary stuff, and so a program will be held today. The caregivers warmly welcomed me while the directress naman is currently walking me to the venue ng program na 'yun.

"Thank you so much for your concern to our beloved elderly, Ms. Beleazar, we really appreciate it." Ani Mrs. Roque which is the directress of this foundation.

"You're much welcome also. I actually grew up not experiencing a grandparents' care and so it's an honor to help." I found myself smiling, wow, nahiya naman sungay ko.

"What a good heart you have, Miss."

Sungay: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Palihim naman akong pumasiklap sa paligid para magmasid kung nasa'n na si Louise dito, base kasi sa news ay dito s'ya naghahatid ng mga tagakalyeng matatanda, but all I see are some trees, exercising rooms, a wide grassy field and much more to mention.

Nakarating na kami sa isang hall kung saan nakatipon ang daan-daang matatanda. I then awkwardly smile.
"They're adorable, You." Xav spoke na nakabuntot lang naman sa'kin the whole time. His face shined while looking at them, wow ha. Mahilig pala s'ya sa mga lola.

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa buong hall pero walang gwapong Louise na tumambad sa'kin!

Huhuhu iiyak na'ko nito eh.

"...welcoming, Miss Euniceline Beleazar!" Pagtawag pa sa'kin ni Mrs. Roque sa stage at pilit ko namang pinasaya ang sarili ko dahil sa mga palakpakan nila.

"Uhh..." Gosh, I lost my appetite kahit hindi naman ako kakain. "Uhm, hello, grannies, I hope you stay safe uhm..." Ano nalang idudugtong ko? Nakakahiya eh! Mental block 'to kasi walang inspiration.

Ilang ulit akong kumisap mata because I can't find the words to say at mas ilang ulit pa'kong kumurap when I found the meaning to be here now. All was in slow motion as he entered the hall, it seemed like my eyes were nailed into his direction and I would love it to happen too. I was too emotional, it was as if I'm foreseeing the groom I would be wedded to.

My then lips moved involuntarily. "I've been longing to see you, I don't know why, maybe because you gave me hope but certainly because you were that hope." Holding the mic, I could only see him.

"And I'm ever happy at this moment to finally see you, 'coz if destiny wouldn't let us meet, I'll surely find a way." My eyes were leaking.

...

Natapos na ang program and I was about to rush to Louise pero may humawak sa braso ko. It was Xav.

"Lalaki ang pinunta mo dito?" His emotions were blank.

"Mamaya ko na ichichika, Xav. I'm in a hurry." Pumiglas ako sa pagkakahawak n'ya sa'kin at dali-daling inapproach si Louise.

"Hello," sumingit ako kahit na may mga kausap pa s'ya.

"Mr. Epifanes, kaila naka niya diba? She's---" Mrs. Roque was about to introduce me to him but I cut her off.

"Euniceline Beleazar," I offered my hand at tinutunaw lang s'ya sa laser bleam kong eyes.

"B-beleazar?"

I smiled and nodded.

"Oh, seems like you really know each other, we'll let you talk then."

Louise smiled at them at umalis nga sila while I just kept on looking and staring at his angelic face.

"Glad to see you again, Ms. B-beleazar."  He showed me a small but meaningful smile, gusto n'ya ata apelyido ko, sana ako rin magustuhan n'ya.

"This," I raised my arm para maipakita sakan'ya ang tattoo sa pulsuhan ko.

"Yes?"

"You wrote this, pero sa palad ko pa 'yun, ipinatattoo ko lang dito sa wrist ko."

Napatango naman s'ya, "I remember."

"I know the meaning but, sana ikaw mismo ang magpaintindi sa'kin." I held his right shoulder and showed my ever kissable lips. I looked at his eyes hypnotically.

"Oh, sige, hali ka." He started walking at sumunod naman ako, hindi ko alam kung sa'n kami papunta but we finally arrived in front of a room door. OMG, I thing my virginity ends here.