Before I Fall in LOVE

Chapter 9: Restless

ZION's POV

My life has became complicated and loud after that kissing scene with Kassie. For the whole week, wala na akong ibang narinig kay Adan kundi may media sa ibaba at gusto nila akong mainterview. Wala tuloy akong choice kundi laging umuwi ng late or takasan ang media.

In addition to that, bulung-bulungan na rin sa opisina ang tungkol dito. May mga nangangahas na magtanong, pero mas marami ang sinasarili na lamang o kaya ay pinagtsi-tsismisan. And I must admit, this is really getting into my nerves already.

I have also consulted Dara's agency and manager, and they instructed me not to do any interviews yet. Well, even I, I don't like this kind of fame. I've been trying to manage a lowkey lifestyle and look what have I done to myself? I drew the public attention upon me just because of that..Kandice Lorenzo! The years of trying to stay away from the prying eyes of the public? Now became senseless. 'Dammit Zion!'

Even my own parents keep bugging me about this, I remember the day when I came to their villa right after the scandal.

"Zi, anak, is it true?" my Mom asked. She looks excited. Her eyes were sparkling with enthusiasm.

I knew my Mom would be excited upon knowing this. She's been pestering me with questions on when am I going to have a girlfriend again. And now that the news of me and Dara has surfaced, she's glowing with excitement.

"What will you do if it's true?" I asked instead. Lalo lang tuloy na-excite ang itsura ni Mama.

"She's a celebrity," biglang sabat naman ni Papa in his monotone voice. Ang hirap tuloy malaman if sang-ayon ba siya o hindi.

"Yes," sagot ko naman kahit hindi siya nagtatanong. He's stating a fact, I know.

"I thought you don't like them," wika na naman nito habang patuloy pa rin sa kanyang pagkain. Not even once he did peek at me. Ganito naman siya lagi, cold. Malayong-malayo sa ugali ni Mama na sweet and warm.

"Ano ka ba, Theodore!" saway naman ni Mama. "Don't jinx it!"

"I am just stating fact here, Helena," sagot naman niya rito. But his tone was different. Hindi niya magawang maging cold kay Mama like how he is treating me.

"Oo na, oo na!" mabilis naman na sagot ni Mama habang winawagayway pa nito ang kamay niya kay Papa.

"Don't mind your Dad. Mas excited pa 'yan sa 'kin when he has watched the news," she almost whispered kahit dinig na rinig naman ni Papa ang sinasabi nito. Sinaway naman siya ni Papa pero tulad kanina ay pinagsawalang-bahala lamang niya. Wala tuloy nagawa si Papa kundi mailing na lang at ipagpatuloy ang pagkain.

"So, son, it's true, right?" excited na tanong na naman nito. At kahit ayokong magsinungaling, I just can't let her elation be short-lived. So I lied.

"Yes," maiksing sagot ko pero sapat na 'yon para umaliwalas ang maganda nitong mukha at mapuno ito ng kagalakan. How can I say no to that?

"You just don't know how happy I am, son. Finally!" masayang saad nito and she even went to my seat and hug me. Naguilty tuloy ako na nagsinungaling ako, but I don't have the heart to disheartened her. Napalingon din ako kay Papa and I was surprised that even him looks happy upon hearing what I said. Dammit!

And now I don't even know how to bring Dara to meet my parents. Katatawag lang ni Mama at kinukulit na naman ako kung kailan ko raw ba dadalhin si Dara doon. Excited na raw siya na makilala ito. I just learnt that my Mom likes her even before because of her splendid acting and elegant attitude. Kaya naman ipinagyabang na niya sa mga amigas daw niya na daughter-in-law niya si Dara Ruiz! Arrgggh! Another headache!