Alta Sierra 1: Troilus Sandejas

Ikasampung Kabanata

Ikasampung Kabanata

The talk that I had with Rios calmed my nerves. He explained that as a right hand of the Sandicos, he sometimes represents them to parties, that's when he saw me. At dahil malapit sila ni Markus, dito din siya nakakuha ng mga impormasyon patungkol sa akin. Kaya bago pa man niya ako nakilala bilang Sera ay may ideya na siya sa totoong pagkatao ko.

I had a slight doubt dahil pakiramdam ko ay marami pa rin siyang mga bagay na hindi nasasabi sa akin. But then again, I decided to trust him. Wholly.

"So, you'll be home by weekend?" malambing kong ani habang nakasandal sa kanya sa loob ng Ford Raptor niya.

He said he needs to fix something in Manila and that after that, he'll introduce me to his parents. Ibang kapanatagan sa loob ang naidulot sa akin noon. Knowing that I am someone that he takes seriously, makes me feel so giddy. Ibang level na din kasi kapag umabot na sa puntong may meet and greet na sa parents.

"Alam kong nangako ako na hindi na muna aalis. Pero may mga bagay lang doon na kailangan... ayusin. Pagkatapos ay uuwi na din ako sa'yo..." The tips of his fingers are gently caressing my bare arms since I'm wearing a sleeveless cotton dress.

Ngumuso ako at tumango sa kanya.

"Hindi mo naman tinupad ang pangako mo... Kaya next time, huwag ka na lang mangako, hmmm?" I teased, kahit na hindi naman talaga ako nagdaramdam.

I felt him froze and I almost let out a chuckle. "I'm sorry..." He whispered lowly and it pains me.

Ano ba, Rios? I'm just tripping on you!

He sighed again and I brushed his cheeks. "Why so serious? Nagbibiro lang ako, okay?"

Hinilig ko ang ulo sa kanyang dibdib at kaagad naming pumulupot ang mga braso niya para hilahin ako paupo sa mga hita niya. My heart pounded because of his sudden movement, medyo hindi pa rin sanay na ganito na kami ka-intimate.

"Mahal na mahal kita, Fiorella... Tandaan mo yan..." I felt my heart stopped for a second. This is the first time that he called me by my real name. "I always love your name. Fiorella, my lovely little flower... But I love Sera more... meaning princess."

"Rios..." Nanlabo kaagad ang aking mga mata dahil sa emosyon na nakikita ko mula sa kanya. His mere words could make my heart feel so much happiness and contentment.

"Sera is the princess who fell in love with me... hindi si Fior. Fiorella never even knew my existence... I love them both, but I can have my favorite, yeah?"

"Parehas naman na ako iyon e." pabiro kong sagot.

He just chuckled lowly. "Yeah, it's ironic that I fell inlove with both versions, right? Yun lang, si Sera and na-inlove sa akin at hindi si Fior, kaya..." He slightly pinched my nose at binigyan ako ng isang matunog na halik sa labi, "huwag kang magseselos kung mas mahal ko si Sera, ha?"

"Sira, hindi pa ako baliw para magselos sa sarili ko 'no."

"Oo nga, pero ako baliw na... Baliw na sa'yo." I felt his lips on the side of my head. I nuzzled his neck, natatawa na lang sa ka-kornihan niya.

"Don't you dare tell me that you fell for me even when we were not even introduced!" I exclaimed softly.

"Yeah, right." He heaved a deep sigh. "Ano ba'ng alam mo?" My heart clenched for him. "Ni minsan hindi mo man lang ako tinapunan ng tingin... you were always oblivious of my presence."

Oblivious? His words somehow triggered a vague memory... a moment that I can't even remember for some reasons...

"Ewan ko sa'yo, basta ang alam ko madalas corny ka." I even chuckled and kissed his neck.