Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The dreams I never thought of having and coming true happened in one heated night...or is it still a dream?
I woke up with the familiar scent of the guest room, kaagad akong umikot, humawak sa aking tabi pero nagtaka lang nang wala akong makapa kung hindi ang malambot na unan.
Where was North?
I quickly opened my eyes, binalot ng dilim ng kwarto ang paningin ko kaya dali-dali akong umikot at kinapa ang side lamp sa tabi ko.
A few moments later, the room lit. Kaagad kong inikot ang mata sa tabi ko at nakitang wala akong kasama kaya dali-dali akong napaupo pero napapikit at muling nahulog ng higa sa kama nang maramdaman ang sakit sa pagitan ng hita.
Is it just a dream? But...I'm sore!
I reminisce what happened earlier, I remembered taking him here because he's drunk and then I kissed him...he pulled me back and kissed me too tapos ay...
Something happened to us! I knew it! We made love!
Sumulyap ako sa orasan at nakitang alas-sais na ng umaga, sinilip ko ang kumot para sulyapan ang damit na suot at natantong suot ko ang damit kagabi.
He fixed me, then?
I felt the loud pound inside my chest thinking about it. It still feels new, I felt him bare and when we did that, I know something is happening. He likes me too, I am sure.
North has feelings with me too! Impossible naman kasing gano'n tapos wala siyang pakialam sa akin? Right? He likes me too, for sure!
But then, a thought flashed inside my head. Ang sabi'y may girlfriend siya pero...bakit niya ako hinalikan? Why did he do that? He'd fallen for me, for sure or perhaps...hindi naman talaga sila ni Mia?
I am almost limping when I got out of the bed, pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang kama sa guest room at muling bumalik sa akin ang ala-ala ng tagpong 'yon na pinagsaluhan namin ni North kagabi.
I wasn't drunk kaya sigurado akong tama ang naaalala ko.
I took a bath after struggling for the pain in between my thighs, I wore a comfy dress and combed my hair before going down the dining room.
I saw my parents in there, ang Kuya Zoren ay nakapikit pa habang nakaupo, sa kanyang harapan ay ang kape at pagkain.
"Oh, Rylee, anak. Ang aga mo nagising, ah?" Mom smiled when she saw me.
Ngumiti ako pabalik at tumango, "good morning, Mom, Dad...Kuya." Baling ko kay Kuya Zoren na nagmulat ng mata at tumitig sa akin.
I didn't know why but I was easily nervous with his gaze, mabilis akong lumapit para humalik kay Mom at Dad bago naupo sa tabi ni Kuya.
"Milk, anak?" ani Dad na ibinababa ang dyaryo na hawak, sumusulyap sa akin.
"Coffee na lang po, Dy. Thank you." Sagot ko at tumango siya bago tinawag ang isa sa house help para mag-utos.
"Good morning, Kuya!" I greeted my brother na kanina pa pala nakatingin sa akin.
He eyed me seriously, as if looking for something kaya tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng tingin, bumaling kay Mommy na nanunuod lang din sa amin.
"Hi, My. Si...Si North po?" I asked her with a smile.
"Oh, umalis kaninang five, I think?" she answered me, "hindi ko naabutan, eh, no'ng pinatawag ko sa maids para sa agahan ang sabi sa akin ay umalis daw kaninang umaga."
"Bakit daw po?" tanong kong muli kahit pakiramdam ko'y medyo bumigat ang pakiramdam ko.
"Hindi ko alam, Ry. Baka may emergency?" she shrugged kaya napatango ako at sumulyap sa plato.
"Why did you ask?" I almost smashed the plate in shock when my brother spoke, I tilted my head to look at him and caught the curious look on his face.
"Y-yes?" I asked.
"Why are you asking where North is?" tanong niya, I've sensed something on his voice kaya sumagot kaagad ako, inaayos ang tono para hindi halata ang kabang nararamdaman.
"Because I am curious, Kuya," I answered. "Masama bang magtanong?" I smiled after saying that and he eyed me seriously, making my heart pound harder.
"Zoren, loosen up, why are you questioning your sister like that?" Dad asked, sipping on his coffee, staring at my brother na kumunot ang noo pero umiling.
"Nothing, Dad," he answered.
"Just answer her, Zoren." Mom said, "isa pa, tumulong si Rylee sa pag-asikaso sa inyo at lasing na lasing kayong dalawa. She took care of your friend."
Bumaling na sa akin si Kuya ng tuluyan, mas lumalim ang gatla sa noo habang pinagmamasdan ako.
"You took care of him?" he asked kaya tumango ako, kinakabahang kumuha ng ulam sa gitna para kumain.
"Yes, masama ba?" I asked, "he's your friend, Kuya. Kaya inasikaso ko."
I heard his loud sigh after what I've said but he didn't say anything, hinayaan na niya ako kaya nininerbyos akong kumain, iniisip ang mga mangyayari pagkatapos nito.
I stayed in our house the same day, thinking about the move I am going to do. Will I talk to North? Or should I just let this be? Wala akong gagawin?
I didn't contact Andrea or even Adrian to tell them this, kinimkim ko lang, lalo na't magulo rin ang isip ko sa nangyayari.
I took my phone, tried contacting North but to no avail, he wasn't answering. Muli akong sumubok, halos tatlong beses ata kaya napahugot ako ng hininga nang sinagot na niya 'yon.
"Finally..." I sighed in contentment, "you answered, North!"
"Who's this?" I was stunned when instead of hearing his voice, I heard someone else's.
"Who's this?" I asked.
"It's Mia," hearing that name made me shiver, napapikit ako ng mariin at humigpit ang hawak sa phone.
She answered the phone! Does this mean...
"Where's North?" tanong ko, pinipigil ang emosyon.
"Oh, he's in the bathroom." She answered, "I'll tell him you called, can I know who this is?"
"Wala...wala ba akong caller ID diyan?" I asked and she stopped for a while, as if checking something and answered me.
"Sorry, nothing. It's just a number. I don't think North's saving numbers kapag hindi importante." She said, I heard a hint of her, smiling. "Can I know who this is, then? Para masabi ko sa kanya?"
"No thanks," I answered and before she could even say something, I turned the call off, throwing my phone on the bed.
"Arrghh!" I groaned in frustration, ibinaon ko ang mukha ko sa kama at sumipa, inilalabas ang frustration na nararamdaman.
What is that, huh? May relasyon ba talaga sila? Is it just a rumor or the truth? But something special happened to us last night!
The way he kissed, touched and held me is not what a man who doesn't like you will do.
Does he really like matured girls? But I am too, I think. Should I work harder to be like that? I shouldn't demand, right?
Pero muli na namang sumagi sa utak ko ang babaeng iyon at pakiramdam ko'y bigla akong nanliit. If it's true they have a relationship then I basically became a damn mistress! What the hell?!
The next day, I decided to visit my brother on his office but of course, that's just my disguise. I have other agendas kaya ang Kuya ay stress nang makita akong pumapasok sa opisina niya.
"What is it this time, Rylee Adisson?" he asked me boredly, lifting his leg on the table so he could rest his back on the swivel, crossing his arms on his chest to watch me.
"I'm just visiting you, Kuya, is it wrong?" I smiled sweetly at him but he looked suspicious, as always.
"Is there something going on here, Ry?" he raised his brow, sinusuklay ng daliri ang buhok. "You went here for two days now in just one week."
"Na-miss nga kasi kita, Kuya." I smiled, "masama bang bumisita sa 'yo?"
Nanliit ang mata niya, nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumayo sa swivel at inangat ang kamay niya, tinatawag ako kaya marahan akong lumapit sa kanya.
"Why?"
"Sit there," he pointed his swivel kaya nagtataka akong tumitig sa kanya.
"Bakit ako uupo?"
"Just..." he sighed, halos panliitan ako ng mata. "Just sit, Rylee."
I was scared of his serious tone kaya nag-aalangang naupo ako sa swivel niya, siya nama'y tumayo sa may gilid ng lamesa, sumandal doon bago humalukipkip, pinagmamasdan ako.
"Why so serious?" I tried lifting the mood by asking it playfully, smiling at him. "H'wag sisimangot, Kuya, nagma-matured ka. Sayang naman ang ka-gwapuhan natin diyan, 'di ba?"
"Stop it," he pointed me. "Hindi ako papadala diyan sa lambing mo, Rylee. I know you, something is off, right? What is it, huh? Si North?"
"Kuya..." I trailed off, sighing. "This is nothing."
"I told you to stop liking him, haven't I?" he asked, sa lamig ng mata niya ay nakita ko sa kanya si Dad na parang pinapagalitan ako.
"Mapipigilan ba ang feelings, Kuya?" I asked him, "no, right? I like him—no—I love North, Kuya Zoren. You can't possibly tell me to stop loving him because I couldn't! It's not an easy thing to do."
"He isn't good for you, Rylee." He pointed out.
"How can you say that?" nagsalubong ang kilay ko, "he's your friend, Kuya! You should be the one liking him for me kasi kaibigan mo siya—"
"That is why I don't like you for him, Rylee Addison!" his voice bombarded the room. "Kaibigan ko siya kaya alam kong hindi siya babagay sa 'yo! You will only get hurt!"
"Why so?" suminghap ako, "paano mo nasabing masasaktan ako, huh? Kuya? We haven't even been a relationship, paano mo 'yan nasasabi?"
"He likes Mia, Rylee!" he exclaimed, "don't you get it, huh? You are out of the picture. Mia and him, they've been friends for years! You can't possibly go and ruin them—"
"I've been loving him for years, Kuya!" laban ko. "And...and North, I know he loves me too! I can feel it!"
"Then you're fooling yourself, Rylee." He insisted, "he didn't like you that way, he told me that! He only looks at you as his little sister and nothing else so stop hurting yourself and quit it. Find a boyfriend, find someone else! Just not him, masasaktan ka lang!"
"You can't dictate me, Kuya." I sighed, brushing my hair frustratedly before standing, pinapantayan ang mata niya. "This is my feelings and kahit gusto ko mang pigilan kagaya ng sinasabi mo, hindi ko kaya."
Nilagpasan ko siya pagkaraan at nakita ko ang pagsunod niya sa akin ng tingin.
"Rylee!" he called and I shook my head, hindi na siya nilingon at diretso na palabas sa kanyang opisina.
Padabog kong binuksan ang pintuan niya para makalabas pero pag-angat ko ng tingin ay nakita ko ang pamilyar na mukha ni North, may hawak siyang folder at mukhang nagulat din nang makita ako na lumabas sa opisina ni Kuya.
"Rylee," he said my name like I am important when he saw me and my heart almost got out of my chest pero tumikhim ako at lumapit sa kanya, tumitig sa itim at seryoso niyang mga mata.
"Let's talk," I said casually and walk past him, silently pinching myself to ease the nervousness I've been feeling.
Nakalabas ako ng building ng kompanya nila, humuhugot ng hininga habang inaayos ang buhok ko.
"Let's go," a voice from behind stopped me at kaagad akong napaayos ng tayo ng makita si North, inaayos ang suot na coat, pormal na pormal at sumulyap sa akin. "Let's talk somewhere else."
Hindi na ako nakasagot dahil namulsa na siya, tahimik na naglakad pauna sa akin kaya tahimik akong sumunod, mahigpit ang hawak sa bag ko, naaalala pa rin ang nangyari no'ng nakaraan sa amin.
When we reached the parking lot, I saw a car lit from somewhere at no'ng naglakad siya patungo roon ay sumunod ako. My chest pounded when he opened the car door for me, nagsalubong pa ang mata naming dalawa bago ako pumasok sa loob, tahimik na inaayos ang seatbelt ko.
I smelled his manly perfume when he went inside and started the engine and a few moments later, he's driving somewhere.
A soft song played on the radio, nakikita ko ang tahimik niyang pagsulyap sa pwesto ko pero hindi ko siya nilingon at malalim lang na may iniisip.
Nakarating kami sa isang hindi kalayuang mall, he went out of the car and opened the door for me kaya tumango ako at maliit na ngumiti.
"Thank you," I muttered and he nodded, walang sinabing kung ano.
Nauna ako sa paglalakad habang nakasunod siya at hindi ako sanay sa ganitong katahimikan naming dalawa, I find it better when he's ignoring me around and I am pursuing him kaya nakakapanibagong ganito kaming dalawa.
"Saan tayo?" baling ko sa kanya na nahuli kong kanina pa pala ako sinusundan ng tingin habang naglalakad.
Nakita kong medyo naglakad siya papunta sa tabi ko at sinalubong ang mga mata ko, "where do you like to talk?"
"Kahit doon na lang sa open area sa labas," I said and he agreed. He licked his lower lip while we're walking and despite the uncertainty I've been feeling, I was at ease because he came here with me.
I sat near the mall's fountain, may shade sa parteng iyon kaya hindi ako natatamaan ng init, may mga mini food stalls sa paligid, may maliit din palaruan sa center kung saan may mga batang naglalaro kaya nakangiting pinanuod ko lang sila.
"Here," North then gave me a buko juice he bought from one of the mini stores here kaya tinanggap ko iyon at ininom.
I felt his warmth and comforting presence when he sat beside me, nahuli ko siyang sumusulyap sa akin habang ginagawa iyon kaya nilingon ko na at doon siya bumaling sa hawak, uminom din pagkaraan bago tumikhim.
"About that night," he started off and my heart started pounding harshly. "I'm sorry."
Tila tumigil ang puso ko sa narinig, kaagad ko siyang nilingon at nagsalita, "why...why are you sorry? Ayaw mo ba 'yong nangyari?"
He looks bothered for some reason when he heard that, his mouth parted a bit to say something but he bit it afterwards, shaking his head.
"It's not that, Rylee. We made a mistake." He said, glancing at me, his intense black eyes sending me different emotions. "I was drunk and took advantage of you—"
"I liked it too, North." I confessed, "and I kissed you first...tapos hinila mo ako pabalik and that happened."
"Then that is my fault, Rylee." He said, cocking his head to the side, stretching it. "I could've controlled myself. We shouldn't have done that."
"Ginusto ko rin naman, 'di ba?" I looked at him at hindi ko maintindihan ang emosyon na gustong iparating ng mga mata niya. "I liked it too, North."
"But I should have controlled myself. That was wrong. You're Zoren's sister and I should've stopped myself, ako ang mas matanda kaya dapat ako ang nagpigil." He closed his eyes tightly.
"What am I? A minor?" iritado ko siyang tinignan. "I am twenty-five for pete's sake, North! I have my own mind and I liked what we did too."
Lumalim ang paghinga niya, mukhang frustrated din kagaya ko.
"And ano naman kung kaibigan mo si Kuya? Parehas lang kayo, bawal ako sa 'yo kasi kaibigan ka niya and this is a mistake for you because you're my brother's friend?" I gritted my teeth in annoyance, "come on, I'm not a kid, North. I know what I am doing!"
"What happened between us..." he opened his eyes to stare at me intently, "it's wrong, Ry. Hindi dapat nangyari. Alright, you're not a kid anymore but still...mali 'yon, I was fucking drunk and—"
"So pinagsisisihan mo na gano'n?" irita kong sabi at tumitig siya sa akin ng seryoso, tila binabasa ang mata ko kaya mariin ko rin siyang ginantihan ng titig.
"Yes," he said in finality and it was like a slap to me but I assumed it would happen, I knew it. I knew this will come.
"Let's forget about it, then." Sagot ko at nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata niya, "let's pretend nothing happened and do what we used to do before, right?"
"Rylee..." he called.
"I'm in love with you, North. You know that right?" I inquired desperately.
"It's wrong, you shouldn't love me, Ry." He puffed a deep sigh, "you should find someone else—"
"But I only want you." Inilipat ko ang tingin sa kanya, "okay, let's forget this happened. This mistake you're saying but I won't stop pursuing you, North."
"Rylee, this is insane." He licked his lower lip, clenching his jaw. "This won't end good—"
"I know," sagot ko, "bakit? Dahil kayo na ni Mia?"
"Mia?" he froze, glancing at me, looking confused. "Bakit siya nasama rito?"
"You're together, right?" malamig kong tanong at mas mukhang naguluhan lang siya roon.
"Where did you hear that?" mas mukhang nalito siya, "we weren't—"
"I'll be gone for nearly two months for my shows," I told him. "Please expect we'll be back to what we used to when I got back."
"Rylee, forget about me, okay? Go on with your life." He insisted, "hindi na mauulit 'yong nangyari. It was a mistake—"
"Then if it was for you, I'll always remind you that mistake we made, North." Tumayo na ako sa harapan niya at ngumiti, saglit na dumukwang para hagkan siya sa labi at nang makita ang gulat niyang mata ay mahinang tumawa.
"I'll be back, baby. I'll take you from the woman of yours." I said before turning my back on him, walking away confidently kahit sa loob-loob ay sasabog na ako.
It was hard being away but for work and myself, I did my best to survive. Magazines abroad talked to me and offered to feature me kaya kasama ko si Andrea at Adrian ay nagtrabaho kami roon.
I am lucky despite this heartbreak, I guess? Because I have real friends with me.
"Ry, this is Liam Garcia. Your partner for today's shoot." A introduced a handsome model kaya ngumiti ako at inilahad ang kamay sa kanya.
"Hi, Liam. I'm Rylee." Pakilala ko at ngumiti siya, mabilis na tinanggap ang kamay ko.
"It's an honor working with you," he said and I felt comfortable with his genuine smile.
It was tiring, mabuti na lang ay magaang katrabaho si Liam. He's funny and sweet too kaya nakapalagayan ko ng loob. Kapag wala kaming shoot ay gumagala ako kasama si Adrian at Drea paikot sa Europe para kumuha ng litrato at magsaya. Minsan naman ay nagkukulong ako sa kwarto, nag-i-stalk sa mga gawain ni North sa Pilipinas at dahil hindi naman siya active sa social media, umaasa ako sa mga business articles kung saan napi-feature sila ni Kuya Zoren.
Luckily, the two are well-known in business world, for our families' one of the most-praised real state company in the country at silang dalawa ang nagpapatakbo nito.
Nga lang, it was one of the hardest weeks and months of my life. May mga article na nagsilabasan tungkol sa date ni North and it was none other than Mia kaya halos masakal ko na si Andrea sa irita sa nabasa.
I should do something to clear everything. I want North by myself and I know he likes me too. I can feel it deep within me.
Pagkauwi naming Pilipinas ay kaagad akong sinalubong ni Mommy, ibinabalitang may dinner party kaming iho-host dahil na-awardan ang kompanya namin ng APEA, Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards as for my mother and it was such an honor.
Kasama ang mga investors ng kompanya para sa intimate dinner party na iyon.
In my shining silver gown and iron-pressed hair, I made sure I will look beautiful for tonight's evening since I am sure of North's appearance for tonight.
Kasabay ko ang Kuya sa pagpasok sa hall at kaagad kaming sinalubong ng pagbati, my brother is praised for his hard work kaya proud na proud ako sa kanya kahit 'di pa kami masyadong nagpapansinan dahil sa nangyari no'ng nakaraang buwan.
My eyes landed on the tables and my lip twitched when I saw North on his sexy silver coat and slacks, his hair is slick-back, looking handsome and fresh.
Oh, we're the same, huh?
Naglakad kami palapit doon pero tinawag si Kuya kaya saglit niya akong iniwan. I walked towards him at nang magtapat kaming dalawa ay kaagad akong napangiti.
"Hi, North." I greeted with a sweet smile and he stared at me intently, cocking his head and raise his brow. His black eyes darkened.
"You had fun with your boy abroad, hmm?" I noticed the sarcasm on his voice kaya medyo natawa ako.
"Liam's a friend, he's a model too." I said sweetly, lifting my hand so I could touch his shoulder at may pinagpagan doon. "Ikaw naman, North ko, masyado kang seloso."
"Hell, I'm not." I saw his jaw clenched, looking away.
"Oh?" I lifted my hand, touching his chin he would look at me. "Bakit ka tunog galit?"
"I'm not, Rylee." Seryoso niyang sagot, sinasalubong ang mata ko. "I felt at peace when you weren't around. Walang makulit."
"Why are you so mean?" sumimangot na ako, "hindi mo ba ako na-miss? Wala akong halos two months, oh?"
"No, I didn't." He answered, slowly pulling back. "Take a seat and be a good girl."
"I'm a good one," sabat ko. "And I'm not a kid, North."
"Alright," he answered, shaking his head. "I have to talk to them, umupo ka riyan and please, don't be a brat today, Rylee. Nandito ang parents mo."
"And so? Boto naman ata sila sa 'yo." Sagot ko na nakangiti at nanliit lang ang mata niya, mukhang naaasar na sa pinagsasabi ko pero suminghap ako ipinaghila ako ng upuan, humahawak sa siko ko para ipaupo.
"Sit here and be quiet. You want us to be like before? Then behave." He said kaya ngumuso ako, kinawayan ang waiter na palapit, kukuha sana ng wine pero 'di ko pa naaabot ay tinapik n ani North ang kamay ko.
"What?" reklamo ko at kinunutan niya lang ako ng noo, bumabaling sa waiter.
"No liquor for the lady, give her some water." He commanded at halos mapasipa na ako sa inis nang umalis ang waiter para gawin ang gusto niya.
"North?!" I whined and his lip twitched.
"Just water for you, lady." He said, fixing his coat. "Your parents are here, behave."
North Dominic Alvarado...you're really something and I don't think I can let you go this fast, not without giving a fight.
When he left para makisalamuha sa mga kausap ni Kuya, nahulog na ang balikat ko. Nahuli ko pa ang tingin ni Kuya sa amin kanina no'ng nag-uusap kami pero tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay at inilingan niya ako.
You can't stop me, Kuya. I will love North no matter what.
Ang tubig ang pinagtripan ko nang dumating iyon, I saw investors flocking from one place to another, greeting our families for the awards and new success and I was just watching them.
"Aren't you tired of pestering North?" mula sa pamilya ko ay napunta ang tingin ko sa tabi ko at nagulat nang makita si Mia na paupo sa tabi ko.
"What do you need?" diretsang sabi ko nang maupo siya sa tabi ko.
She's wearing a red gown, her hair's in an elegant bun, matapang ang make-up at ngumiti sa akin.
"Nothing, I just want to tell you to stop messing with North." She said, glancing at North's place. "You're too young for him, isa pa, he likes matured woman. Same age as his, not some brat like you."
"Excuse me?" my brows furrowed.
"I'm sorry, am I rude?" she chuckled, lifting her hand to call a waiter. "What I wanted to tell you is for your own good to, Rylee. Alam kong dati mo pa gustong-gusto si North."
"And so?" iritado kong sabat.
"So...I want you to quit it because he doesn't feel the same way." Aniya, kinukuha ang wine na abot ng waiter, sumimsim at tumitig sa akin. "He told he didn't like you, Rylee. You're just a little sister for him."
"That isn't true," I retorted, the grip on my gown tightened in irritation. "North likes me, okay? I know it."
"He didn't, Ry." She explained, "I heard he likes me...not the likes of you. No offense?"
Tumiim ang bagang ko, I wanted to scream at her out of annoyance but I wasn't like that. I'd never do a petty fight with the likes of her.
"North and I, we liked each other since college. Palagi kaming magkasama, 'di ba? That's the thing, he likes me kaya niya ginagawa 'yon."
"Can you please go, Mia?" malamig kong sabi. "Stop saying nonsense lies."
"We'll be together soon," she pointed out and that's when it dawned to me.
They weren't together! It wasn't true!
"So, you two weren't together, eh?" lumakas ang loob ko at mas tumapang ang tingin sa kanya, kitang-kita kung paanong lumalim ang paghinga niya.
"He likes me, Rylee." Laban niya.
"Yeah?" I laughed with sarcasm, "if he really likes you then why aren't you two together, huh? simula College magkasama na kayo, 'di ba? Then why did he not court you?"
"Because he's..." she wasn't good at lying kaya kitang-kita ko ang pagtitiim niya ng bagang. "He was shy to ask me out! We're good friends before and he didn't want to taint that! He's taking his time."
My brows shot up.
"So, friendly advice, Rylee. Leave him alone. I care for you kaya ko 'to sinasabi, you're like a little sister for me too...since kapatid ka ni Zoren." Doon na ako muling nairita.
"Shut up." I said in a hard, annoyed voice.
"Please take my advice," she tapped my shoulder upon standing. "You're too young for him and you're still immature. North doesn't like you that way so please, please stop giving him a hard time. He's tired of you."
I was fuming mad when she left, I wasn't really not that annoyed with Mia since she wasn't a threat before but right now, I don't know what to think. I was annoyed at her for saying those things to me, saying something on North's behalf.
At kung papalarin nga naman, the Saldoval's—my family, Alvarado's, North's and the Santiago's, Mia's family are in one table and I was irritated.
Mia, having the guts to tell me those things looked sweet while talking to North's parents. Katabi niya si North habang ako'y katabi ang Kuya na tahimik lang din at mukhang nagmamasid lang.
I saw North glancing at me pero kumunot lang ang noo ko sa kanya at uminom ng tubig, naiiritang katabi niya si Mia.
"Hey, careful, North." Mia said sweetly while fixing something on North's suit and my brows almost met in annoyance.
"Wow, bagay na bagay talaga kayong dalawa." Natigil ako sa pagtusok ng pagkain sa plato nang marinig ang boses ng Mommy ni Mia na sinabi iyon.
"Mommy naman..." Mia chuckled softly kaya ngumuso ako.
"Ilang taon na pala kayong magkaibigan, ano?" Mommy then asked them kaya mas nagsalubong ang kilay ko.
Is that betrayal, Mom? Ako ang anak mo, oh!
"Oh, opo, Tita." She said gently, "we've been friends for like...a long time and I really know North."
Tumikhim ang Kuya sa tabi ko at nang nilingon ko siya ay tahimik siyang uminom ng wine.
"Are you planning to take it to the next level?" Mia's Mom asked and when she chuckled sweetly, looking shy ay muli kong naalala ang sinabi niya kanina.
"You see, North has flings before but I haven't seen him date a woman!" Napasulyap na ako sa Mommy ni North, Tita Lyka, when she said that.
"Mom..." North called at nagkatawanan sila sa table habang ako'y matalim ang tingin kay North na nakatitig na rin sa akin.
"Tama nga at bagay na bagay sila nitong Mia ko," Mia's Mom said sweetly, touching Mia at natawa naman ang huli at umiling.
"Mom, nakakahiya naman kay North, ano ka ba..." Mia trailed off.
"Why not? You're single and North too! Tutal naman at matagal na kayong magkaibigan, bakit hindi na lang kayo?" she asked and the grip on my fork tightened, lumunok ako at sumubok mag-focus pero napupuno lang ako ng iritasyon at selos sa naririnig.
"Tita," North chuckled a bit. "That's too early for that."
"Anong early? Nasa 30s na kayo ni Mia ko, ano?" She smiled, "kaya bagay na bagay talaga kayo nitong anak ko—"
"I have something to say." I cut her off kaya napuno ng katahimikan ang buong lamesa, napabaling sa akin na biglang nagsalita.
"Anak?" Mom called kaya tumikhim ako at sumulyap sa kanila.
"I have a confession to make," sabi ko at naramdaman ko ang tensyon sa lamesa. Mia's forehead creased, si North naman ay nanatiling nakatitig sa akin, nagtataka ang mga mata.
"Rylee," Kuya called and touched my elbow, sensing something. "This is nothing. Continue." Ani Kuya na tumawa pa ng bahagya pero umiling ako at uminom ng tubig.
"No, I really have something important to say." I stated.
"What is it, anak?" Mom asked me gently and I heaved a deep sigh, glancing at Mia and then to North and spoke.
"I'm pregnant," I told them seriously, "and...North's the father."
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