Chapter 27
Indifferent

"Jace, baka hanapin tayo nina Saddie dahil hindi tayo nakasunod sa kanila," nag-aalala kong sabi kay Jace habang hinihila niya ako patungo sa kabilang hallway.

The dining area's downstairs. We were supposed to eat our dinner with them. I thought we were going down to go outside of the hotel, but when we passed by the grand staircase, I realized that we won't.

"I already told Monique that I'm gonna take you alone for a dinner tonight when she knocked on our suite earlier," he said. "She must have told your friends about it."

"Saan naman tayo magdi-dinner dito?" tanong ko sa kanya. "Nasa baba ang dining room ng hotel."

He looked at me and grinned. "Who says we're gonna eat dinner in the dining room?"

My forehead creased when he gave me a very meaningful look before pulling out a key card on his pocket. I was the one holding our suite's key card so that's not definitely for our room.

I was surprised when he used the key card to open a suite that I didn't book. He placed the card on the power source of the room for the electricity to run.

My jaw literally dropped when I saw a spacious suite. There was no bed, couch nor cabinet inside it but a decorated candle lit dinner at the center. Red and white rose petals were scattered on the floor. The curtains were opened that displayed the mysterious night view of Calle Crisologo, and the moon that's in a waning gibbous phase, shining in the middle of the darkness along with glitter-like stars.

Biting my lower lip from being speechless, my heart pounded so fast and hard the moment I felt something cold on my neck.

I looked down to take a look at it and saw that Jace gave me a gold necklace with a simple but elegant rose pendant. There was a small diamond engraved in the middle of it. Maingat kong hinawakan ang pendant at inangat nang kaonti upang makita ko ito ng mabuti.

"Jace..." Ang pangalan niya na lang ang aking tanging nasabi dahil hindi ko mahanap ang mga salitang dapat at nais kong sabihin sa kanya.

I didn't expect that he would do something like this. I wasn't even aware.

Well, that's one thing about Jace that makes me go even crazier. He does all unexpected things in the most unexpected time. You wouldn't even have a gut that he has something prepared for you.

"Did you like it?" he asked me from behind. "Mom came with me at the jewelry store. She wanted me to buy a heart shaped pendant because she said that it seemed to be your type but... that rose pendant caught my attention."

I gently caressed the pendant, admiring its intricate details.

"When I saw it, I suddenly remembered your debut before. I was your eighteenth dance... your eighteenth rose..." he reminisced. "And when you said yes to me, I also gave you a bouquet of roses. It reminded me of you... of us."

Hindi na mapigilan ng aking mga mata ang pag-iinit ng bawat sulok nito hanggang sa tuluyan nang mamuo ang luha. Even though my vision's already a blur because of the tears, it's amazing how I can still see the pendant so clearly.

"I really hope you like it..."

Slowly, I felt his arms wrapped around my waist. He even rested his chin on my shoulder in order to check the necklace he gave me.

"Since when did you become so romantic, Jace?" I playfully asked him. "Parang kailan lang, wala kang kaalam-alam sa mga ganitong bagay..."

Ibinaba ko ang aking kamay upang hawakan ang kanyang kamay na nasa aking tiyan.

"Falling in love with you makes me do these things that I didn't even imagine I'd do," he said. "I just want to make you feel special and happy... I want to tell you how much I love you not just through words, but also in action. Is it too much, girlfriend?"

Kinagat ko naman ang aking ibabang labi at saka humarap sa kanya. Ang kanyang braso ay nanatiling nakapalupot sa aking baiwang. Nakakulong pa rin ako sa kanyang bisig.

"I love it, Jace..." I told him. "Even just your presence beside me is already fine with me. Paano pa kaya itong surpresang ginawa mo, 'di ba?"

He smiled and rested his forehead on mine. "I'm glad you love it..." he whispered.

Napangiti naman ako at niyakap siya pabalik.

Mahal na mahal kita, Jace. I'm sure that it's only you whom I'm gonna love in this lifetime and even in another. Kahit hindi tayo pagtagpuin sa susunod ay hahanapin kita para aking mahalin. My love is only for you. It is made to be yours.

"How did you prepare all of this?" I asked him while we were already eating our dinner.

Of course, I know that it was planned beforehand. I just don't know when he prepared for it.

"I called the hotel yesterday to book a room," he answered. "Bago rin ako matulog kanina ay bumaba ako para sabihin ang plano ko. I helped them decorating the room. I'm actually glad that they cooperated even if it means removing a lot of things from their suite."

Kahit hindi niya sabihin ay alam kong gumastos siya ng malaking halaga para lang masunod ang gusto niyang mangyari ngayong gabi.

"Have you talked to your mother?" he suddenly asked.

I wiped my lips with a table napkin before looking at him. I shook my head as an answer.

"Hindi pa..." sabi ko.

"You should," he told me. "She's still your mom no matter what."

I pursed my lips, trying to hold myself back from saying things that I shouldn't tell him.

If he only knew how my mother underestimated and insulted him. Will he still be able to say those things?

"I will..." sabi ko na lang. "Pagkauwi natin ay kakausapin ko na siya."

"Good." Jace smiled at me before he continued eating his steak.

Ngumiti na lamang ako at nagpatuloy na lang din sa pagkain kahit na muling lumilipad ang aking isipan patungkol sa aking ina at sa mga Ortiguera. I will start fixing things once I'm already home.

"Anyway..." muli siyang nagsalita kaya naman nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. "Talavera Corporation will be throwing a party this coming Sunday. Your family's invited in the event."

My forehead slightly creased. "That's your mom's company, right?" I asked him.

"Yup," he answered. "It's the company my mother inherited from my grandmother."

"I thought it's already merged with Sarto?" sunod kong tanong dahil madalas kong nababasa ang kompanya ng kanilang pamilya sa mga business magazine.

Their family's that popular when it comes to the business industry. Sarmiento, Sy, Talavera... Magkakaibang apilyido man ito pero umiikot lang ito sa iisang pamilya. That is Jace's family. His mother's Talavera-Sarmiento. He is Sarmiento-Sy. Kahit hindi ganoon katanyag ay mayroon ding sariling business ang pamilya ng kanyang ama.

To be honest, they are very powerful that it's actually intimidating. Our family's not in their level. Not even close. Hindi kami maaaring makipagsabayan sa kanila. They are on the top of the business chain.

"It is." He nodded. "Talavera Corporations still has some stand-alone projects. Same goes with Sarto which is handled by my uncle, Vini Sarmiento. The two companies merged when my grandparents in my mother side got married. Kahit na ganoon ay magkaiba pa rin ang presidente ng kompanya. But we're family, so... It's not really a big deal."

The romantic dinner with Jace made my night very special. Hindi ko alam kung gaano kaming katagal nandoon sa suite. We were taking our time while we eat. Para bang parehas kaming walang pakialam sa paglipas ng oras. Hindi ko na rin naalala ang panonood naming dapat ng dancing fountain. I was contented with watching him talk while sitting in front of me.

He is the view that I love the most to see.

It was already ten in the evening when we returned to our suite. I was surprisingly comfortable with him. Nawala na ang kaba at awkwardness na aking naramdaman kanina.

Kanina pa ako nakahiga rito sa aming kama at nakatingin sa kisame. Jace was inside the bathroom. Nauna na ako sa kanyang maglinis at magbihis para matulog pero hindi ako makatulog. Nang marinig ko naman ang pagbukas ng pintuan sa banyo ay agad na dumako ang aking tingin kay Jace. I was actually thankful that he was fully clothed already.

"Still not sleepy?" he asked me while he ruffled his hair with a towel to dry it.

Ngumiti naman ako at saka umiling. "Hindi ako makatulog."

He hung the towel on the towel rack before making himself comfortable on the other side of the bed. He slid himself inside the comforter and moved closer to hug me.

Hindi ko naman maiwasan ang mapangiti nang makita ko siyang nakapikit ang mata. Kumportableng-kumportable siya habang nakayakap sa akin.

"Jace..." I softly called his name.

"Hmm?" he hummed and moved a bit.

"Thank you for everything..." I sincerely told him. "Thank you for loving me when I'm about to give up my dream of having you in my life."

Unti-unti naman siyang dumilat at agad na nagtama ang aming mga mata. Hindi rin nagtagal ang kanyang pagtitig doon dahil bumaba ang kanyang tingin sa aking labi.

"I know it's not a good idea to do this but..."

Hindi na niya ipinagpatuloy pa ang kanyang sasabihin dahil bahagya na siyang umahon sa pagkakahiga upang mahalikan ang aking labi. His lips brushed against mine, and it felt like I was kissing a cotton candy. His lips was that soft and tasted so sweet.

Ang kanyang mababaw na halik ay unti-unting lumalim. Naramdaman ko ang pag-gapang ng kanyang kamay mula sa aking tagiliran patungo sa aking tiyan. He caressed it gently and softly while our kisses got even deeper. He kissed me like kissing me was his passion. I can feel his burning desire through his warm lips.

"It's really not a good idea..." he whispered when we were both out of breath.

Parehas naming hinahabol ang aming paghinga na aming nakalimutang sabayan dahil sa halik.

Kinagat ko naman ang aking ibabang labi at bahagyang nag-iwas ng tingin sa kanya.

"I'm sorry..." I apologized.

"What are you apologizing for?" His voice was so hoarse that I almost wasn't able to hear it.

"I don't know how to kiss..." Pumikit ako ng mariin sa sobrang hiya nang aminin iyon sa kanya.

"And you think I do?" pabalang niyang tanong sa akin. "Damn, Za... You may be the first girl I ever kissed, but your kisses made me feel like I'm in heaven and I think that's more than enough. Paano pa kung marunong ka? I might fall straight to hell from the heavens."

Napangiti naman ako at naisip kong gusto ko siyang inisin ngayong gabi. "So... magaling akong humalik?"

He closed his eyes tightly. "Yes, you do..."

I chukled and quickly kissed him on his lips before turning on the other side of the bed. Tinabunan ko ang aking sarili ng comforter. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kumuha ng lakas ng loob upang magawa 'yon.

He softly cursed. "Don't make me break my promise to your father and behave, Za."

Humalakhak na lang ako at naramdaman ko naman ang kanyang muling pagkayakap sa akin.

Days passed by so quickly while we were having the time of our lives. Ganoon naman talaga. Kung kailan gusto mong bumagal ang pagtakbo ang oras ay kasalungat ang mangyayari. Bibilis ang pagtakbo ng oras dahil masaya ka at hindi mo ito napagtutuunan ng pansin. I wished so badly for the time to slow down whenever we're happy. Hindi ka na nga madalas maging masaya, hindi ka pa pinagbibigyan na magtagal ito kahit papaano.

"Za, we're gonna go inside first..." Monique told me with a very tired voice, and I just let them do what they wanted.

Nauna na silang pumasok ng bahay at naiwanan naman ako kasama si Jace dito sa labas ng aming bahay. Hawak-hawak ko ang handle ng aking luggage habang pinapanood siyang papasok sa kanyang sasakyan pagkatapos akong tulungan sa pagbaba ng aking gamit.

"I'm gonna go home and take a bath first before I go to the office," he told me his busy schedule for today. "I'm gonna text and update you my whereabouts. You go inside and rest. I know you're tired."

Kanina ay sandali lang akong nakapagmaneho pauwi. Pagkalabas namin ng La Union ay nakipagpalit na siya ulit sa akin para raw makapagpahinga ako. Kung alam ko lang na balak niyang pumunta pa ng opisina ngayon ay hindi ko na siya hinayaang magmaneho.

"Please rest, Jace..." I told him. "If there's anyone tired him from our trip, it's you."

He smiled at me. "I'm fine."

Itinaas niya ang kanyang kamay upang sumenyas na mas lumapit pa ako sa kanya. Agad ko naman sinund ang gusto niyang mangyari. Humakbang ako papalapit sa kanya.

He gently held my head as he placed a kiss on my forehead like what he always does. I thought that was already his good bye kiss, but then, he planted a kiss on my lips as well.

"Pumasok ka na at magpahinga..." sabi niya pagkatapos ng halik.

Lumabi naman ako at tumango. "Mag-ingat ka, please," sabi ko. "Pagkagaling mo sa office ay umuwi ka na kaagad para magpahinga. It's okay with me if you won't visit me tonight. We can see each other tomorrow instead. Pupuntahan kita sa firm mo."

He smiled again and nodded. "That's very promising."

Bumuntong hininga naman siya bago pinaandar ang kanyang sasakyan. Umatras naman ako para maisara niya ang pintuan. Muli siyang ngumiti bago isinarado ang pintuan at pinatakbo na ang sasakyan.

Bago ako pumasok ng bahay ay hinagilap ko muna ang aking cellphone sa shoulder bag upang mapadalhan siya ng mensahe.

To: Jace
I love you, boyfriend.

After I sent the message to him, I kept my phone back inside my shoulder bag.

Our guard helped me with my luggage and followed me inside our house. Nakita ko namang napalingon sa akin si mommy na nakaupo sa aming tanggapan.

"Paki-akyat na lang po sa kwarto ko, Manong," sabi ko sa aming guard.

Agad niya namang sinunod ang aking utos habang ako'y humakang papalapit kay mommy na ngayon ay nakatayo. Humalik ako sa kanyang pisngi at lakig gulat ko nang makita siyang nakangiti.

"Where's Jace?" she asked me.

Napakunot ang aking noo. Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya hinahanap si Jace. Nakakagulat din na mukhang maganda ang kanyang ekspresyon.

"Uhm... Umuwi na po siya para makapagpalit dahil pupunta pa po siya ng opisina," nag-aalangan kong pagsagot.

Mom chuckled heartily. "Oh, that hardworking man!"

I was so confused while seeing my mom acting so indifferent. The last time I remembered, she lef a lot of insulting remarks for Jace that was marked on my mind.

"Umakyat ka na rin sa iyong kwarto at magpahinga," sabi niya sa akin at marahan akong hinawakan sa aking braso. "I'm gonna call you and your friends later. Sabay-sabay tayong kumain ng dinner. I'm gonna cook your favorites."

Iginaya ako ni mommy patungo sa aming staircase habang ako'y naguguluhan pa rin. Why the sudden change of heart? Mayroon bang nangyari habang nasa Ilocos kami?

"Oh! By the way, Zarina..."

Muli akong napalingon kay mommy. Bakas na bakas ang kasiyahan sa kanyang mukha. Natatakot ako sa kasiyahan na kanyang pinakapakita.

"We will attend a party on Sunday. That's two days from now. Jace's father invited us for their company's party. You should prepare yourself for that. Buy a new dress or something. Pamper yourself!" she told me. "Okay, darling?"

I bit my lower lip before I nodded at her.

"Good!" she clapped her hands. "You rest now. I'm gonna start cooking for our dinner."

Mabilis akong tinalikuran ni mommy at masaya siyang tumungo sa aming kusina habang ako'y hindi makagalaw sa aking kinatatayuan dahil sa sobrang pagkalito.

Kinuha kong muli ang aking cellphone sa bag at nakita ang reply galing kay Jace.

From: Jace
I love you more, girlfriend.

I exhaled a deep sigh while I typed a new message for him. Pakiramdam ko ay alam niya kung bakit parang ayos na ang lahat kay mommy.

To: Jace
Mom's acting weird... Do you know what happened when we were away?

I tightly held my phone as I made my way to my room. Hindi ko naman mapigilan ang mapangiti at maging masaya kahit na medyong lito. Either way, I'm happy that my mom's not anti-Jace anymore.