Promise To A Stardust (Published Under Flutter Fic)
Kabanata 20
Kabanata 20
"BALIW ka ba?" I grunted when I saw the presentation. "Ano 'to, board meeting?"
"No." He smiled cheekily. "As a businessman, I believe, to make a company stronger, para ipagkatiwala ng mga investors sa 'yo at sa kompanya mo ang pera nila, you have to make a good point and get their trust."
"By... a PowerPoint?"
"Yep," he said proudly. "I made this not because I wanted to make you my business partner but to try and pursue you to be my lifetime partner."
My brows shot up with his remark, humalukipkip ako at tinitigan siya.
"Ipapaalala ko lang sa 'yo, Mr. Alcantara, pinayagan lang kitang baguhin ang isip ko! Tapos ano? Wala pa nga, ikaw, lifetime partner na kaaagad?
"Advance kasi ako mag-isip, babes,"
"Babes?!" I hissed. The asshole grinned and brushed his slicked-back hair.
"Before investing to a business, you won't just think about the present, bago ka kumuha ng tao you have to think of the future your company will have. So, nanliligaw pa lang ako advance na ako mag-isip, nando'n na ako sa imagination na mag-asawa na tayo."
Nahilot ko ang sentido ko sa kunsomisyon!
"Childish," I hissed.
He chuckled, nagtaka pa ako nang may hawak pa pala siyang plastic na hindi ko napansin kanina at inilapag sa lamesa sa harapan ko.
"Ano 'yan?"
"Dapat ang manunuod may pagkain para 'di ma-bored. Pa-midnight snack ko sa mahal ko." He winked.
"Gago ka ba?" I groaned.
Humagikhik na naman siya na parang walang pakialam at inilabas ang laman ng plastic. My soul almost left my body when I saw the foods he brought! Ensaymada, spanish bread at Chuckie na dalawa!
"What the..."
"Sorry, babe, tinakbo ko lang 'yan do'n sa mga tinitinda do'n sa may katabi ng resto, kinatok ko lang 'yong may-ari para bumili. He-he!" He laughed awkwardly, scratching his head.
"So..." He cleared his throat and straightened his back, standing again. Humugot siya ng hininga at pumikit bago napailing. "Damn, I'm never nervous during my presentations, ngayon lang."
"Kaya mo 'yan," malamyang sabi ko. "Tutal naman nagmukha ka ng gago sagarin mo na."
Ngumuso siya.
"Thanks for the motivation, Reev, sobrang nakatulong," he said with sarcasm and amusement.
Umiling na lang ako at kinuha ang chuckie bago tinusok ang straw at inilahad ang kamay ko.
"Proceed," prenteng sabi ko.
Napahawak siya sa dibdib, bumuntonghininga at nag-sign of the cross pa.
"Kaya ko 'to," he chanted. Tinitigan ko lang siya.
"Uh, so, good evening, my Reev," bati niya. "I'm Caspian Alcantara and I'm about to present my research entitled: Advantages of having "ME" as a boyfriend." He started.
Pinigil ko ang tawa nang lumitaw ang pangalan niya sa ibaba.
Advantages of having "ME" as a boyfriend
Presented by: Prince Caspian Alcantara, et al.
"Et al?!" Natawa ako. "Sino?"
"Ah, 'yong mga ibang katauhan ko lang, Reev. 'Yong driver, 'yong naglalako ng isda, 'yong plumber–"
"My God! Go on. Puro advantages 'yan, how 'bout the cons?"
"Uhm..." He smiled a little. "Wala naman, Reev kasi masyado na akong perfect–"
"Labas, Alcantara," I spat.
"H-huh? Uhm, joke! Nasa dulo na, Reev. Recite ko na lang," aniya.
I nodded and sipped on my drink. Inilipat niya ang slide kung nasaan ang personal details niya along with his name, age, birth date and place, even his properties!
"Tapos, uh, motto ko..." He cleared his throat and read it out loud. "Sariling wika ay mahalin, pati ako idamay mo na rin."
Nabuga ko ang iniinom at 'di na napigilan ang tawa. Binato ko siya ng unan pero nakaiwas siya, natatawa.
"Babe, baka naman..."
"Tarantado!" Naubo ako. "Next slide!"
Inilipat naman niya slide at muntik na naman akong mabilaukan nang tumambad sa akin ang picture niyang topless. He was only wearing boxers with spatula in his hand, nakangisi sa camera at nakahawak sa baywang.
"Remember that photo, babe?" He grinned.
"A-anong... bakit ganyan naman 'yong picture?!"
"You took that one! Katatapos lang natin mag-loving-loving–"
"Proceed!" I groaned. Humalakhak siya at nilipat ang slides.
I get better every year.
May picture niya do'n mula infant siya hanggang sa medyo malaki na siya.
"Bakit may nakahubad, Alcantara?!" I hissed.
"Baby pa ako niyan, Reev! Grabe 'to, bata pa lang ako pinagnanasaan mo na ako!"
"Jusko!" I massaged my head.
"Tapos ito, Reev, o." Turo niya isang litrato. He was young yet very, very handsome. Nakasuot siya ng palda roon at iritang nakatitig sa camera.
"Yan 'yong picture ko no'ng bago akong tuli," kaswal na imporma niya.
I gasped, nag-init ang pisngi ko. Siya nama'y tuwang-tuwa sa kagaguhan niya.
The next slides played. Napalabi ako. It was like a timeline, the evolution of his looks were really stunning. Kung guwapo na siya simula fetus pa lang ay mas nagiging gwapo siya sa paglipas ng panahon.
Pros of dating me:
1. Looks
"As you can see, babe, sobrang gwapo nitong manliligaw mo. Walang tapon," aniya at ngumisi pa. His stubborn jaw made him look more manly and I was annoyed because he's truly handsome. 'Di ko maisusumbat 'yon sa kanya.
2. Attitude
"I am good, uhm... Magaling ako magluto, magaling akong mag-alaga." He nodded, convincing himself.
"Yeah?" Tumikwas ang kilay ko.
"Uhm, siguro?" He chuckled. "Parang?"
"Hindi rin." Ngumuso ako. "I won't accept that point, mabait? Oo sige, pagbigyan."
3. Sense of humor
"Cute ako mag-joke?" He said, convincing more of himself.
Kinuha ko naman ang ensaymada at kinagat bago nagkibit-balikat.
"Sa bagay, mukha ka namang joke," I lamented.
"Babe!" He whined. "Inaaway mo ako–"
"Shh, next!"
4. Height
"Uhm, you see I'm taller than you," aniya.
"Iniinsulto mo ba ako?" Nanliit ang mata ko. He gasped, marahas na umiiling.
"No, babe! Of course not!" He exclaimed. "Ano lang kasi, 'di ba s'yempre, matangkad ako tapos sakto lang 'yong iyo kaya maraming advantage."
I waited for him.
"Una, cute," he enumerated. "Kapag inaakbayan kita, sakop ko kaagad balikat mo."
"Is that a good thing?" Nanliit ang mata ko.
"Uhm, kasi... hindi ako mahihirapang painitin ka?"
Mas tumaas ang kilay ko.
"Kapag malamig kasi! Tapos kunwari kita balikat mo, 'di ba? Tapos, mabilis kitang mabuhat tapos kakargahin!"
"Ewan ko sa 'yo, Caspian."
5. I can be anything.
"Ayon ang main asset sa 'kin, babe. I am not just a hotelier..." Nilipat niya ang slide at napangiwi ako nang lumabas ang mga pictures.
It was him beside the tricycle. May puting bimpo pa sa balikat at may nakasabit na lagayan ng panukli niya sa baywang.
"I'm a tricycle driver, second job,"
"Talaga bang namamasada ka r'yan?" I asked, pointing his photo, nakaputing shirt siya roon at kupas na pantalon.
"Hmm, nakalinya ako r'yan sa mga namamasada." He grinned. "Masaya pala 'no, Reev? Marami ding sumakay sa 'kin, e."
Nanliit ang mata ko, natutop naman niya ang bibig at tumikhim.
"Sa traysikel!" he clarified.
"Baka naman nagpapa-cute lang sa 'yo? Hindi ka naman magaling mag-drive, kapag nadadaan nga tayo sa mabato at bako para tatalsik ako palabas ng traysikel!" Ngiwi ko.
"Talaga?" Nanlaki ang mata niya. "Nauntog ka ba? May bukol?" Lumapit siya para sipatin ang ulo ko pero pinalo ko ang braso niya.
"Do'n ka, balik!" He obediently went back.
"Bakit mo naman naisipang mag driver, huh?" I asked.
"Hmm, I was desperate. Saka sabi no'ng mga barkada ko ro'n sa may terminal, kapag driver, sweet lover."
Natawa na naman ako.
"At nagpauto ka naman?"
He scratched his eyebrow. Naniwala nga ata talaga!
"'Di ba, babe, sweet lover naman ako?" He asked.
"Next na, next!" I chuckled and shook my head.
Santisima, Alcantara, sumasakit ang ulo ko!
"Next job is Uber driver." A photo of him beside his Bugatti was shown.
"Oo, tapos ginawa mong Waze si Warrion?" I hissed. Ngumisi siya at napahawak sa batok.
"Mali nga sinasabing direksyon, e. Fake 'yon, in-uninstall ko na, Reev," he informed and showed me the next.
"Tapos, proxy ni Wave saka fisherman." Nakangisi siya sa camera habang may tulak na kariton ng isda na may lamang timba.
"E, bilasa naman 'yong isdang tinda mo,"
"Di kaya, bagong huli ko 'yon, nagising akong three, Reev! Kasi nanghuli ako sa dagat. Natakot nga ko, Reev, e, ang lakas ng alon. Sabi ko baka mahulog ako tapos 'di na kita maliligawan." He pouted.
Diyos ko ang arte!
I hid a smile.
"Oh, sige na nga, next." The next slide played at napangiti akong lalo pagkakita sa picture niya kasama si Caspian, my dog.
"And I'm a petsitter-slash-pet lover."
Nasa kandungan niya no'n si Caspian at dinidilaan ang mukha niya kaya natawa ako.
"And lastly, babysitter!" Lumipat ang slide at hindi ko alam kung bakit nawala ang ngiti ko dahil sa kabog ng dibdib at tuwa nang makita ang picture nila ni Sirius.
I couldn't help but point out their resemblance again, lalo na sa shade at lalim ng mga mata. Nakangisi roon si Cas sa camera at nakasimangot si Sirius.
Another photo came and it was their faces with a silly dog filter. Tapos ay mayroon ding nakahalik si Cas sa pisngi ni Riu habang may kagat itong tinapay and lastly, a photo of us, three, smiling happily in the camera.
"That's cute," I commented, my heart felt warm. "Saan mo dinadala si Riu kapag inaalagaan mo siya?"
"Minsan sa inyo lang, tapos minsan sinasama ko sa opisina."
"Really?" My eyes widened. "Hindi naman ba nakakaabala?"
"It's Riu, he's never a bother." He smiled sweetly.
"Wala naman bang nagrereklamo?" I asked.
"Why would they?" He said. "I'll fire anyone who'll say my star is a bother."
My heart swelled.
"Salamat," I said sincerely.
"No worries, that's Riu and you. I'll willingly do anything for the both of you."
I sipped on my drink and crossed my legs, napakurap siya. I am wearing only satin lingerie under the white, silk robe. I saw his eyes stray at my exposed leg as he gulped miserably. He looked away when I cleared my throat.
"And... uhm, for the critics review." He showed me a bunch of fake statements at nasapo ko ang noo nang mabasa ang mga statement ng mga pinsan niya.
Critics Review
Final Rating: 10000/10
"He is a model potential, he can honestly replace me in my model career."
-Wave Nievarez
"Kuya is more handsome than me, inaamin ko."
-Warrion Alcantara
"He's perfect. So flawless."
-Vioxx Miranda
"Puta, nakakabakla ang kagwapuhan."
-Lucian Castanier
I bursted out laughing. Nag-init ang pisngi ko at napapalakpak sa kalokohan ni Alcantara.
While I was laughing, he was just watching, admiration and amusement dancing in his eyes. Natahimik lang ako nang mapansing iba na ang tunog ng tawa ko at medyo nakakahiya na kaya ngumuso siya at hinawi ang buhok.
UNLI
It was written in big, bold letters.
"Unli?" I asked.
"Hmm, if I will be your boyfriend, unli lahat."
"Like?"
"Unli food, unli kiss, unli hug, and unli cuddle and you know what's more interesting, babes?" He asked.
"What?"
"Unli sex," he beamed. Nahanap kaagad ng kamay ko ang isang unan at binato siya. Tumama iyon sa mukha niya pero 'di niya ininda ang sakit at tuwang-tuwa siya.
"Bastos!" I scoffed.
"Asus! Ang babe ko naman parang bago–" I glared at him. He swallowed his words and then sighed.
"Okay, serious na. I love doing a lot of things, mostly if it's for you. I love cooking you food, I love fetching you, I love cuddling and kissing you... I love stargazing with you."
Nanghina ako nang lumapit siya at lumuhod sa harapan ko, ginagagap ang kamay ko.
"And most of all, I love you," he poured his heart into those words.
"H-how about the cons, Cas?" I murmured.
"Cons?" He swallowed. "Honestly, I have a lot of cons than pros, Reev. I messed up so badly. A lot of times."
Sumugat ang hapdi sa dibdib ko.
"I-I'm stupid, I'm a fool."
He let me see every broken piece of him as he looked me in the eye.
"I have a lot of insecurities. I lack trust that's why we fell apart and lost our angel."
He lowered his head in shame.
"I'm territorial, I'm possessive." He sighed. "I-I'm always jealous. Kahit ako, hiyang-hiyang sa sarili ko. Ang kapal ng mukha kong magmakaawa pa ng tiyansa sa 'yo kung mismo akong... disappointed sa sarili ko."
"Cas..."
His shoulders moved. Natulala lang ako nang humigpit ang hawak niya sa palad ko.
"I turned into everything I promised you I wouldn't. I broke our promises to the stars. I wasn't there when you and our son needed me the most. A-ano'ng klaseng lalaki 'yan?"
I felt his tears on my skin. Nangilid na ng tuluyan ang luha ko.
"I don't deserve such an amazing woman as you. I don't deserve you and our son p-pero makapal nga talaga ang mukha ko, Reev, k-kasi gusto ko pa ring sumubok na baka p'wede pa? Kahit alam kong sing-impossible ng pagbibilang ng bituin ang mapatawad mo 'ko, susubok ako.
"I-I will be a better man for you. I will do better. Sorry, kung napabayaan ko kayo. Sorry kung iniwan ko kayo. K-kasalanan ko ang lahat, Reev. If only I was there. I'm sorry. I let you and Castor down, I'm sorry."
When he cried and embraced me by the stomach, I let him. Patuloy ding nahuhulog ang luha ko habang hinahaplos ang buhok niya.
"'Di ako sigurado, Cas, m-may sugat pa, eh. 'Di pa humihilom."
"A-ayos lang, hayaan mo lang akong bumawi," bulong niya. "I'm sorry for our loss, Reev. I'm s-sorry for what happened. I promise you, justice is close. I assure you."
We stayed there for a while. I waited for him to calm down. Nang nahimasmasan siya saka lang siya nagdesisyong umuwi, nag-so-sorry na naistorbo niya ang pahinga ko.
Akala ko nga'y 'di ko siya makikita kaagad kinabukasan kaya laking gulat kong pagkatapos kong maligo'y naabutan ko siyang nagluluto ng agahan!
"Good morning, mahal," bati niya.
"Paano ka nakapasok? My door is locked, Alcantara!" I hissed. He chuckled, inilapag ang fried rice, itlog at hotdog sa lamesa bago ilahad sa akin ang upuan.
"I picked the lock," kaswal niyang sabi.
"What..."
"I was calling you outside then on the phone. No'ng di ka sumagot, nag-alala ako na baka may nangyari kaya pumasok kaso, naliligo ka lang pala kaya 'di mo ako binubuksan."
Nailing ako at naupo sa inilalahad niya.
"Anong next raket mo, akyat-bahay gang?" I asked. Natawa siya bigla at napaisip.
Ang gago mukhang kino-consider nga!
"P'wede rin, tapos bahay mo lang aakyatin ko." He smiled sheepishly.
Nilagyan niya ng pagkain ang plato ko pero nawala ang atensyon do'n nang umilaw ang phone ko isang mensahe mula sa unknown number.
I excused myself, dinala ko ang baso ng gatas at sumimsim habang binubuksan.
From: Unknown
Look who we got, Polaris?
Nanlamig ako nang mapanuod ang maikling video na kasunod no'n.
It's Riu.
He was crying, his tiny hands strapped in the chair with his eyes blindfolded, crying and screaming.
"M-Mimi! P-Papa! Help!" He cried violently. "T-takot ako, Mimi!"
My tears fell, nang tumunog ang telepono ko ay walang pagdadalawang isip na sinagot ko ang tawag at narinig ang umiiyak at nanginginig na boses ni Dad.
"Lars! I'm so sorry! They ambushed us! They killed everyone! I-I did my best to keep him safe but I failed! I'm so sorry, Lars!" He cried.
"Dad–"
"K-kinuha nila sa akin ang anak mo!" He exclaimed. I froze, ramdam ko ang pagkawala ng lakas ko't nabitawan ang hawak na baso. Kasabay ng pagtama nito sa semento ay ang pagkabasag ng puso ko.
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