Song: Fallin' All In You- Shawn Mendes

Date

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko ngayon. Hindi pala ako namamalikmata kanina. Totoo palang si Benjamin iyon.

"Are you following me?" he teased. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

Ang kapal naman ng mukha niya para itanong 'yon. Nagkatapat lang ang hotel room, sinusundan ko na agad siya? Wow naman.

"Me? Following you? Where did you get that idea?" I asked, making him realize that he's being impossible.

"It's because I bumped into you a while ago at Sagrada Familia and now... you're just in front of my hotel room. I can't help but wonder... maybe you were sad about us parting ways kaya eto at pumwesto ka pa talaga sa harap ng hotel room ko."

Natawa ako nang dahil sa sinabi niya. Sinalo na ata ng lalaking 'to ang lahat ng kakapalan ng mukha sa mundo! Even if he meant that as a joke, I hate that he sounds so confident about it.

Oo. Aaminin ko. Medyo naging malungkot ako noong maghihiwalay na kami kanina. And I don't know what the hell is wrong with me at kung bakit ako nalungkot ng oras na 'yon. Siguro kasi iyon ang unang beses na naging mabait siya sa akin.

'Yun ata ang unang beses na pagkikita namin na hindi kami nag-away. Maybe I liked the idea of us taking the situations lightly―'yung tipong hindi kami nag-away―kaya siguro masyado akong naattach sa sitwasyon na 'yon.

Hay naku! 'Yun lang siguro 'yun! Akala ko kung ano na! I thought I'm starting to like him but thank goodness! Buti at narealize ko na hindi naman pala. Masyado lang sigurong natuwa itong puso ko.

I smirked at him. Humalukipkip naman ako. "I'm sorry for ruining your imagination but... just because I'm in front of your hotel room doesn't mean I'm following you."

Benjamin pouted. He nods his head boyishly at me.

"At hindi ko na rin kasalanan kung ito lang 'yung available na room noong nagbook ako!" Dagdag ko.

Benjamin chuckled at my sudden outburst. "Sungit."

Umirap ako at tsaka tinapat na ang key card sa door knob upang makapasok na. Isa isa kong kinuha muli ang mga paper bags na dala ko.

"Mukhang naparami ang bili mo ha? May isa ba para sa akin diyan?" I can hear humor in his voice. Nagpigil muna ako ng ngisi bago ko siya hinarap muli.

"Sorry. Wala, e. You're not important kasi." I smiled teasingly at him. He frowned like a child. My forehead creased at hindi makapaniwala siyang tiningnan.

He's so weird.

"Ouch." He jokingly put his hand over his chest and acted he's hurting. "That hurts."

Umiling ako at hinarap muli ang pinto. Bago pa ako tuluyang makapasok sa loob ng kwarto ay nagsalita siyang muli.

"Good night, Kelsey." I stop in my tracks.

And here goes my heart... it's probably pumping so much blood now since it's beating so fast. I gulped before I turn to him again. I smiled to pretend that what he said didn't affect my whole being.

"Good night, Benjamin." Unti-unti siyang ngumiti nang sinabi ko iyon.

Pagkatapos noon ay pumasok na ako ng tuluyan sa kwarto. Imbes na dumiretso na sa kama... ayun at nanatili ako sa pinto at sumandal doon. Ilang beses kong pinagpapalo ang ulo at paulit-ulit na sinabi na...

"Hindi ko siya gusto... hindi ko siya gusto."

Nagpahinga at naligo muna ako bago matulog. I was busy combing my hair when I received a call from my mother. Mabilis kong kinuha ang aking cellphone at sinagot ito.

"Hey, mom..."

"Kelsey!" she excitedly exclaimed. "How's your vacation?"

"It was really great, Mom. I've been to a lot of places already. Maraming museums na rin po akong napuntahan."

"That's great! Have you eaten yet?"

"Yes. Kumain na po ako bago bumalik dito sa hotel. Kumusta po kayo ni Daddy?"

"We're fine, sweetie. Don't worry about us." Ngumiti ako. "Are you having fun?"

"Yes. Very much. I am very happy to see one of the finest architectures in the world."

"I am happy for you, too, Kels. Masaya kami ng daddy mo para sa'yo."

"Thanks, Mom..."

Saglit na naging tahimik ang kabilang linya. "Balita ko nandyan rin daw si Benjamin sa Barcelona! Baka magkita kayo, anak!"

Hindi agad ako nakasagot. Why are my parents always updated with that guy's life? Are they his stalker? Or maybe they are just very fond of him.

"Uh... actually nagkita na po kami." Sabi ko. Kahit na hindi siya kita, ramdam ko ang pagkagulat niya sa sinabi ko.

"Really?! How was it?"

"Uhm... I roamed around Park Güell with him. He also made me taste one of Barcelona's finest gelatos. And I had... lunch with him."

"Narinig mo ba 'yun, Bernard?!" my mother exclaimed on the other line.

Medyo nagulohan tuloy ako bigla. Why does every time I get involve with Benjamin, they're always this happy? I don't get it.

"Talaga ba, Kelsey? We're glad Benjamin joined you for your tour! We're happy you didn't roam around some parts of Barcelona alone! Masayang masaya kami."

I laughed. "Why do you sound really happy whenever he gets mentioned, Mom? Do you... like him?"

Medyo nandiri naman ako sa naisip ko. The thought of my mother having a crush on Benjamin makes me sick to my stomach. My mother is old to have a crush to younger guys like Benjamin!

"What are you even talking about, Kelsey?" natawa si Mommy nang dahil sa tinanong ko. "We only like him as a person. He's a very fine man. He's also very excellent with his profession and their business. Dapat ang mga katulad niya ang pakakasalan mo."

I choked when she said that. Ilang beses akong naubo nang dahil doon. Inisip tuloy ni Mommy kung ano nang masama ang nangyari sa akin. It's probably morning in the Philippines kaya ganito kahyper si Mommy. Kung ano ano na ang pinagsasabi!

"Are you okay, Kels?"

"O-Of course!" agad kong sinabi.

What's with weddings and why is my mother rushing it? Wala pa sa utak ko iyan! I still want to focus with our business. Tsaka ko na iisipin 'yan kapag buo na ang tiwala sa akin ng mga board members.

"O siya! Baka pagod ka na at gusto mo nang magpahinga. Bukas nalang ulit kami tatawag sa'yo. Good night, Kelsey."

"Good night, Mom."

Doon natapos ang pag-uusap namin. Binaba ko ang aking cellphone sa bedside table at tsaka tinuloy ang pagsusuklay ng buhok.

I jumped a little when I heard my phone beeped. Kinuha ko agad iyon at nakitang may tatlong mensahe ako galing kay Benjamin.

I swiped to read what he sent me.

Unang bumungad sa akin ay ang litrato ko sa Sagrada Familia habang nakatingin sa aking cellphone. Kumunot ang noo ko. He took a photo of me?

At hindi lang basta isa ang kinuha niya, apat na litrato ang meron ako sakanya! But none of these are taken from Park Güell. Hindi nga ako iyong kinukuhanan niya ng litrato kanina. But I wasn't informed that he was already taking a photo of me while we were walking on the streets of Barcelona!

Dalawa ang galing sa Sagrada Familia. Habang ang dalawa pang natitira ay galing doon sa mosaic museum.

Benjamin:

I wasn't entirely sure if it's really okay with you if you don't have a photo in front of Sagrada Familia. So, I took the initiative and took a photo of you using my phone secretly.

No need to thank me. I know my photography skills is spectacular.

A small smile curved on my lips when I finished reading his message. It was nice of him to do that. But really, okay lang naman talaga na wala akong litrato sa harap ng Sagrada Familia. Hindi naman ako kagaya ng iba na mahilig magpalitrato sa harap ng isang tourist spot.

Hindi ko maiwasang matuwa sa ginawa niya. Maybe I judged him way too much before. He is a nice guy after all. I hated him before because of his arrogance. But now I realize, arrogance suits him. Without it, he wouldn't be the Benjamin Donovan that I met at the business party.

His arrogance stoods out best. That was his way of building himself up. After all, he is such a confident man. He was known for his confidence and grace. No wonder why many women gets linked to him every single year.

I started typing my reply to his message.

Me:

Hmm... sneaky.

But really... it's fine if I didn't have a photo in front of Sagrada Familia. Sapat nang nakita ko iyon ng harapan. Thanks for the effort, though.

Benjamin:

No problem. Sleep well, Kelsey.

I bit my lip to hide my smile. Now it finally makes sense why we couldn't get along before. He's annoying, insanely confident, and self-involved. Definitely the kind of person I hate.

But when he acts nice and chill, when the two of us gets along, I suddenly forgot that he's the kind of person I hate. But rather... he becomes the kind of person I want to have more time with. I want to get to know him better.

He isn't bad after all. Ngayon, naniniwala na ako sa kasabihang first impression doesn't last.

Me:

You, too.

I woke up early the next morning. Ngayon kasi ang unang araw na aattend ako sa isa sa mga klase sa IAAC. I still don't know how will I get there kaya nag-search na ako kung paano.

Medyo malayo ang institusyon na iyon sa hotel na pinagtutuluyan ko. When I got the right direction, I immediately went out of the hotel room. I stop in my tracks nang napatitig ako sa tapat ng pinto ni Benjamin.

Is he awake already?

Maybe not. I think he's such a heavy sleeper. Umiling ako at nagpatuloy na sa pag-alis.

As directed by google maps, I have to walk until Passeig de Gràcia station. After that, I'll take the metro and stop at the Bogatell station. From there I have to walk for about five minutes until I finally reach the institution.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang buong institution. The designs are spectacular. Marami na ang mga pumapasok at halata rin sa mukha nila ang pagkamangha sa paligid.

Nang pumasok ako ay agad akong dumiretso sa may help desk upang magtanong. The lady kindly guided me towards the room that I should be in.

"Muchas gracias." I told her when she opened the door for me. Ngumiti siya sa akin at tsaka hinayaan na akong makapasok.

There are a lot of people already inside the room. Ang iba ay maraming dalang gamit habang ang iba, kagaya ko, ay kakaunti lang. I sat next to a blonde woman. I smiled at her and she does the same. Sandali ko siyang nakausap hanggang sa dumating na iyong tao na mag-oorient sa amin.

I spent the whole eight hours learning more about architecture. I learned so much for one day. Inaya pa ako ng ibang kasamahan para kumain ng lunch but I declined. I have other plans for today.

I plan on visiting Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, and Barcelona Cathedral today. Next week ko na siguro susubukang bisitahin ang iba't ibang palasyo rito. Marami pa naman akong oras, e.

I was on my way to the metro station when I received a call from Troy. Mabilis kong sinagot iyon.

"Hey!" bati ko.

"Hello, Kels! How are you?"

"I'm doing great! I'm super enjoying Barcelona! How about you?"

"I'm glad you're enjoying. I'm fine here. I'm just trying to check on you."

That made me smile. "Don't worry about me. Maayos naman ako dito. I can still survive on my own."

Troy chuckled on the other line. "I heard you enrolled in a class."

"Yeah. My class just finished a while ago. I honestly learned a lot of things! Which was so amazing! I can't believe that I'm learning more about architecture in the architecture capital of the world! Isn't that-"

"That's great... I know..."

Ngumuso ako at napakunot ng noo nang dahil sa tono ng pananalita niya. "Wait... why do you sound... sad?"

"Huh?" ramdam ko ang pagmamaangmaangan niya. "I'm not."

"Oh! Don't lie to me, Troy. I've known you for years. I know when you sound sad or not. What's happening?"

He sighed heavily on the other line. I want to know whatever the hell is bugging him. As his best friend, I should be there for him if he feels sad.
"Is it true that Benjamin's also there?" bigla namang nagbago ang tono ng boses niya. He sounds a little... irritated.

"Where did you get that?"

"From Jeya."

Oh! From Benjamin's number one stalker on Facebook! Hindi na ako nagtaka pa.

"Is it true?" dagdag niya.

"Yeah. I actually bumped into him yesterday. He toured me around a little and... that's basically it. Why?"

"Nothing... I was just... curious."

I wasn't entirely convinced with his answer. I think there is something more to that pero pinipili niyang wag sabihin sa akin.

I licked my lips. Sinubukan kong patagalin pa ang usapan pero mukhang masyado nang dry ang mga reply niya kaya nag-paalam na ako.

A minute after my phone call with Troy, I received a message from Jeya.

Jeya:

Ikaw naman... hindi mo man lang dineny na nagkita kayo ni Benjamin. 'Yan tuloy at nagtatampo si baby damulag Troy.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Why are people so confusing these days? Okay naman si Troy kanina nung nakausap ko. Pero noong nabanggit lang si Benjamin, bigla nang nagbago ang mood niya?

Me:

I didn't want to lie, Jeya. Seeing him was an accident. Hindi naman ako nakipagkita purposely.

Jeya:

How was it though? Was it fun?

Me:

It was okay.

Jeya:

Really? It seemed like you enjoyed, e.

Umiling ako nang mabasa ko iyon. Kahit kailan talaga napakalawak ng imagination nitong si Jeya.

Jeya:

I saw his Facebook post kaya. I immediately knew that one people from that park was you! You were sketching something ata at that picture.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang dahil sa sinabi niya. Pati talaga sa Facebook uploads ni Benjamin, updated siya. Ni hindi ko nga nakita iyong post niyang 'yon nung nag-open ako ng Facebook kanina, e.

Me:

I didn't know anything about that picture.

Jeya:

Check mo! Hagip na hagip ka kaya dun sa picture!

Sa sobrang kuryosidad ay bigla akong napabukas ng Facebook ko. Buti nalang at medyo mahaba haba pa ang byahe patungo doon sa una kong destinasyon kaya marami pa akong oras para tingnan iyong tinutukoy ni Jeya.

I went to visit Benjamin's profile. Agad namang bumungad sa akin iyong tinutukoy na litrato ni Jeya.

Benjamin Antonio Donovan: Amazing experience at Park Güell!

And Jeya was right. Hagip nga ako doon sa litrato. Pero napakagaling naman niya para mapansin na ako iyon! No one would even give a damn about the girl wearing a grey plaid pants on that picture! Baka mas pagtuunan pa ng pansin iyong tanawin!

Si Jeya talaga!

I immediately typed my reply to Jeya.

Me:

Akala ko naman kung ano na.

Jeya:

Sus! Nagdate lang kayo, e!

Me:

You can think all you want, Jeya. But it's not a date.

Jeya:

You can deny all you want, Kelsey, but I know it is.

Umirap ako at napagdesisyonang wag nang magreply pa sakanya. Matapos iyon ay dumiretso na ako sa susunod kong destinasyon. I took the metro again as stated in the google maps.

I reached Casa Milà in less than an hour. I did nothing but sketch the place. Sometimes I'll take a photo but most of the time, I'll just sit there and sketch the said place. Sa ganitong paraan kasi, mas naaadmire ko iyong paligid. Ganoon rin ang ginawa ko nang dumayo ako sa Casa Batlló at Barcelona Cathedral.

Barcelona Cathedral was one of the most beautiful churches I've been to next to Sagrada Familia. I mean, lahat ata ng simbahan dito sa Spain ay magaganda. I heard there's also a beautiful church in Madrid.

Medyo nagdidilim na ang langit nang mapagdesisyonan kong bumalik na ng hotel. I haven't had my dinner yet kaya baka sa restaurant nalang sa hotel ako kumain. I heard they're also serving one of the finest dishes here in Barcelona. I can't wait to try.

Nang makarating sa restaurant ay agad akong sinalubong ng isang waitress. Nang sinabi kong mag-isa lang ako ay iginiya niya ako sa isang bakanteng pwesto.

"Solo llámame si vas a ordenar, señora." I nod my head and grabbed the menu.

My eyes widened when I saw the price list. The prices are actually not what I expected. Ginto ata ang binebenta nila dito kaya ganito kamahal.

Maybe I should've grabbed a dinner when I was on my way home. Mali ata itong naging desisyon ko. But it's too late to back out now. Nandidito na ako at nakaupo. Nakakahiya naman kung aalis ako dito bigla.

I raised my hand at the waitress. Agad naman siyang lumapit sa akin.

"Puedo tener una fideuà por favor?"

While I'm patiently waiting for my food to arrive, nagpasya muna ako na magbukas muli ng social media. When I opened my Facebook, isang pre-nuptial pictures ang sumalubong sa akin. My mouth parted when I realized this was Margaux's.

She's getting married? When?

Sa sobrang kuryosidad ko ay tiningnan ko isa-isa ang pre-nuptial photos nila ng kanyang fiancée. She's getting married to a soldier. That's... quite surprising.

Hindi pa ako natatapos sa pagtitingin ng mga litrato nila nang may biglang umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa harap ko. I raised my gaze to see Benjamin with a ghost smile on his lips.

"Good evening." He greeted formally. I smiled a little. Pinatay ko naman ang aking cellphone at tsaka binalik iyon sa bulsa ng aking trench coat.

"What did you get?" he asked. Kinuha niya naman ang menu sa katabing lamesa at tsaka humanap ng pwedeng orderin.

Nakita ko ang pag-nguso niya habang pinapasadahan niya ng tingin ang menu. "Hmm... they're quite pricey." I heard him whispered.

"Hmm?" itinuon niya naman muli ang atensyon sa akin. Doon ko lang rin narealize na hindi ko pa pala nasasagot iyong tanong niya.

"Oh... I got a fideuà." Sabi ko. Hinanap niya naman iyon sa menu.

"It's the cheapest one. Nagtitipid ka?"

I chuckled. "A little."

He nods his head at tsaka nagtawag ng waiter. Agad na lumapit ang waiter sa amin.

"Puedo tener también una fideuà por favor?" tumaas ang kilay ko nang marinig na inorder niya rin iyong order ko.

"Algo más, señor?"

"No. Estoy bien. Gracias." The waiter nods his head before he went back to the kitchen to give Benjamin's order to the cooks.

"Nagtitipid ka rin?" mapang-asar ko siyang tinanong. His lips curved into a smile.

"That was the only dish that caught my attention. Don't judge."

Sabay kaming tumawa matapos iyon.

"Oh! I heard Margaux is getting married. When?" I asked after a moment of silence.

"Right. She's marrying the Captain of the Philippine Army," My lips formed into an "o" shaped because of amusement. "Their wedding is due next week."

"Next week? Why aren't you... going back yet?" I asked out of curiosity.

He scoffs. "I still have a lot of things to do here. I might extend for another two days since I'm going to the business party here."

I nod my head. "How about your parents? Are they back in the Philippines now?"

"Not yet. I told them to wait for me."

I nod my head again. Nang hindi ako sumagot ay may kung ano naman siyang ginalaw sa ilalim ng lamesa.

"Tutal namention mo na rin naman ang kasal ng pinsan ko... baka naman pwede mo akong tulungan?"

My forehead creased. "Saan?"

Mamaya maya pa ay may inilabas siyang dalawang box. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"You think, I should give these as a wedding gift?" aniya sabay inalis iyong nakalagay sa box.

My eyes widened when I realized what it is. Is he freaking serious?

"You're giving them a... starbucks' mug?" medyo hindi ko makapaniwalang tinanong sakanya.

He nods his head. Natawa ako. Is he really going to give a newly weds a starbucks' mug? Unbelievable!

"Yeah." He answered confidently. "I chose two different designs. Which one should I pick?"

Hinarap niya sa akin ang dalawang magkaibang estilo ng mug na may nakalagay na Barcelona sa akin. Lumunok ako.

Confirmed: Benjamin Antonio Donovan is such a weird guy.

"You're not serious, are you?"

Nagkibit siya ng balikat. "Well... I couldn't think of anything to give them. So... I thought of these."

"Uh..." I stuggled to find the right words. Sakto at dumating na ang order namin. Nakapag-isip pa ako ng isasagot habang inilalapag ng waiter iyong order namin.

I couldn't believe him. Siya lang ata itong kakilala ko na maiisipang gawing wedding gift and isang Starbucks' mug.

"Maybe you should give them kitchen supplies. That can-"

"Tss. Margaux can afford those. She's earning too much."

"But you think she can't afford a Starbucks' mug?"

Ngumiwi siya. "Well this one's different. It came from here."

"You think she couldn't afford to go here-"

"She doesn't have time. She's a very busy doctor-"

"But you think she couldn't take a leave-"

"Okay. Enough. You won. Sige, hindi na 'to ang ibibigay ko." Benjamin said. Natawa ako bigla sa pag-suko niya. "What should I give then?"

"I told you a kitchen supplies-"

"But that's so cliché!"

I sighed heavily. "Bahala ka. Ikaw na nga 'tong tinutulungan, e."

Hanggang sa pagtapos at pag-akyat sa sari-sariling kwarto ay hindi kami natapos sa pag-aaway tungkol sa kung ano ang ibibigay niya sa kasal ni Margaux.

"You know what? Baka naman hindi mandatory iyong pagbibigay ng regalo. Just give them cash. It will help the future they're going to build together pa."

"What? No! I wouldn't give them a cash! Jaxon and Margaux are earning too much. Hindi na nila kailangan pa ng pera!"

"Then I don't know. If you really want to give that mug, then so be it."

Suplado siyang umirap sa akin. "Fine. Kaysa sa magwaldas na naman ako ng pera."

Umiling ako at kinuha na ang key card sa loob ng bag ko. Bago ko maisara ng tuluyan ang pinto ay narinig kong nagsalita siya.

"Good night." Tamad niyang sinabi sa akin bago rin tuluyang pumasok sa kwarto niya. He closed his door and he did not even bother to wait for my reply.

I scoff. I don't get why he's so stressed out about his gift. Is there a competition para sa may pinakamagandang regalo? Wala naman di ba? And I don't think Margaux's sentimental.

I think his presence would be enough for her.

I was busy scrolling through my laptop to search for another place to visit tomorrow when I received a message from Benjamin. Kinuha ko ang aking cellphone at binasa ang kanyang mensahe.

Benjamin:

Are you asleep?

Mabilis akong nagtipa ng reply.

Me:

No.

Benjamin:

Please go out of your room.

Kumunot ang noo ko.

Me:

Why?

Benjamin:

Please.

Sumandal ako sa upuan at inisip kung ano pa ba ang kailangan nito. Hindi parin ba siya natitigil sa kakaisip kung ano ang ireregalo niya?

Me:

Fine.

Tumayo ako at tiningnan ang suot sa salamin. I'm wearing a grey v-neck shirt and a white cotton short. Nasa sakanya na 'yun kung bibigyan niya ng malisya ang suot ko pero ako, wala akong problema dito. I'm comfortable wearing this.

Nang binuksan ko ang pinto ng kwarto ko ay nakita kong nasandal na siya sa door frame. He was leaning against it while his arms are crossed. Nang makita ako ay mabilis na bumaba ang tingin niya sa suot ko. Inangat niya naman muli ang tingin sa akin.

"What?" I asked. Doon nalang niya muling inangat ang tingin sa akin. He let out an exaggerated sigh.

"Please be my date on the business party."