Song: Photograph- Ed Sheeran

Hotel Room

I went to the nearest restaurant in Sagrada Familia. Pumwesto ako sa mga lamesa sa labas. With this, I will be able to admire the surroundings more. Tiningnan ko ang menu. The price isn't bad at all. Kakasya na sa budget ko.

I called the waiter when I finally decided what I want to eat for brunch. Thank god for my Spanish classes before, that made me communicate better with the waiter.

"Eso es todo?"

"Sí." I said when he finished taking my order. The waiter smiled at me before he takes the menu from me.

I patiently waited for my food to arrive. Kinuha ko naman ang aking cellphone at tsaka tiningnan kung may mensahe ba si Mommy o si Daddy doon. Pero imbes na mensahe nila ang matanggap ko, mensahe mula kay Benjamin ang nakuha ko.

My forehead creased. I opened his message.

The first message that he sent me was a picture. He sent me a picture of the store.

Benjamin:

Finally here. Thanks again.

This was the first message he sent me after three years of losing connection. That made me laugh.

Me:

No worries. Next time, learn how to use the google maps.

Mabilis niyang nai-seen iyong message ko. I waited for him to reply.

Benjamin:

I'll surely take note of that, princess. 😏

Hay naku! Nagmature nga hindi naman nagbago sa kakangisi. I think that's normal for him already. Wala na ata akong magagawa tungkol doon.
Hindi na ako nakapagreply pa sa message niya dahil dumating na iyong order ko.

"Gracias." I said at the waiter when he placed my food in front of me.

After that, I started eating. I ordered two different kinds of dishes. Dalawa na iyon pero parang hindi parin ako nabusog. Tahimik akong umiinom ng tubig nang magulat ako nang may umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa gilid ko.

Akala ko noong una ay kung sino na. Gumaan naman kahit paano iyong pakiramdam ko nang makita kong si Benjamin lang pala ito. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Joining the princess for lunch," he smirked then raised his hand to call the waiter. "Discuple!"

"I mean, why are you at my table? Marami pang bakanteng table dito oh!" tinuro ko ang mga table na wala pang nakaupo.

Ngumisi lang siya at di sumagot. The waiter went straight to our table. Nakahanda na agad iyong notepad niya para sa pagkuha ng order ni Benjamin. I weirdly watch Benjamin as he order his food.

"Puedo tener una paella por favor?" my mouth parted when he spoke in straight Spanish. He smirked at me when he saw me a bit amazed with him.

"Eso es todo, señor?"

"Sí. Gracias." The waiter nodded his head then he went straight inside the restaurant to give them Benjamin's order.

"You can speak Spanish?" I asked.

"A little. Why? You seem really surprised."

"Nothing. I don't think you're the type of guy who knows another language."

He scoffs. "There's still a lot of things you don't know about me, princess."

Umirap naman ako. I don't really get why he keeps on calling me princess gayong may sarili naman akong pangalan!

"Why do you always call me princess?" I asked out of curiosity.

The smile on his face fades. "It's because you act like a princess all the time. Always prim and proper. Except when you get angry. You don't look like a princess when you're angry."

"Is that why you always ruin my mood?"

"Maybe. It's irritating when you always act prim and proper," kumunot ang noo ko. Nagpakawala naman siya ng malalim na hininga. "I mean, you can act like a normal person as long as you're comfortable with it. Or you can act like a crazy person... I don't care."

"I'm comfortable with the way I act." I said defensively.

"Doesn't seem like it," my mouth parted. Is this an insult or what?

My parents raised me to act like this. At such a young age, I was already exposed in front of a lot of people. Kaya sinigurado ng magulang ko na maayos ang bawat galaw ko.

"What do you mean?"

"You act like you were trained to do it. Aren't princesses trained to act prim and proper?"

Hindi ako nakasagot ng dahil doon. Hindi ko rin naman masisisi sila Mommy sa paraan ng pagpapalaki nila sa akin. They are known in the business world. If people find out that my parents have a reckless child, it will ruin them.

Nang hindi ako sumagot ay binago niya naman ang usapan. "What are you doing here in Barcelona, by the way?"

"I'm here for work. I'm... trying to get some inspirations because we have a new project to come up with."

"I see. How's your company?" my forehead creased a little. Why does he sound so interested?

"Better." I answered. He nods his head. "Oh! And thank you for helping me. I gained some of the board members' trust when they saw how I improved with my leadership."

He smiled a little because of that. Nginitian ko rin siya pabalik. "That's nice to hear."

Dumating naman ang inorder niya. He smiled and thanked the waiter again.

He offered me his food. "You want some?"

"No. I'm good."

I gulped. Why does it feel so weird? I didn't know maturity will suit him so much! This is very surprising.

"Okay..." aniya at tsaka nagsimula na sa pagkain. I tried finishing my food, too.

"Matagal ka na dito?" tanong ko.

"I've been here for two weeks now. I'm planning to extend since I heard there's an event coming up."

"A party?"

"More like an event for business. I needed to be there since my father couldn't make it."

"Oh..." Ngumuso ako at tsaka tumango.

Rumors about him being really hands on with their company turns out to be true. Akalain mo na handa siyang magpunta dito sa Barcelona para lang makaattend noong party na iyon para lang irepresent si Tito Francisco.

"How long will you stay here?" he asked after a moment of silence.

"For about a month."

"For a month?! Isn't that... quite long?"
Tumawa ako. Lahat na ata ng mga nagtanong sa akin ganito rin ang sinabi.

"I have a class to attend to. I'm planning to learn more about Architecture and I want to visit some of the famous architectures here in Barcelona. I don't think a week is enough to do all that."

Benjamin nodded his head in satisfaction. "Buti at hinayaan ka nila Tito Bernard."

"Why not? This will also benefit the company naman."

"Sabagay. I heard you've been designing some of your projects. Some of your designs were even passed to us."

"Really?!"

Bakit hindi ko alam? And who gave them those? Sa pagkakaalam ko, napupunta ang mga designs ko na hindi naapprove sa isa pang kompanya na kasosyo nila Daddy. Is he talking about that company?

"Yeah. We are already finalizing the project that involves one of your designs. Our board members loves it very much."

That made me smile. Benjamin smiled in return. "Oh. I am very glad to hear that."

Nanatili kaming tahimik habang tinatapos ang aming pagkain. Napansin ko namang ibinaling niya ang kanyang tingin sa akin kaya napabaling rin ako sakanya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Did you know that I used one of my apps to look for you?" aniya. Kumunot naman ang noo ko. He scoffs. "That's why I have my phone for a reason, right? I used the find my friends app or whatever the hell it is."

My mouth parted. And why would he look for me? Wala naman siyang kailangan sa akin?

"Why would you even use that?" I asked him. Instead of answering me ay may kinuha siya sa ilalim ng lamesa namin. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin.

"This is for helping me find that goddamn store." Sabi niya sabay iniabot sa akin ang isang paper bag. He bought this from the store that he's been looking for.

My eyes widened. Agad naman akong napailing nang iniabot niya sa akin iyon.

"Uh... no. I can't..."

"Come on. Ayokong magkautang na loob kaya tanggapin mo na."

"Really. It's okay... I don't need..."

"Please." Natigilan ako nang biglang magseryoso ang boses niya.

I always find it hard to accept people's gifts for me. Lalo na 'yung ganito. 'Yung bibigyan nila ako nang walang dahilan.

"And also... belated happy birthday." He smiled a little. My mouth parted.

Napasandal nalang ako bigla sa aking upuan nang maramdaman ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko. The hell is this?! Why is my heart beating this fast?

"O-Oh..." 'yun lang ang natatangi kong nasabi. Tinitigan ko naman iyong paper bag na ibinibigay niya pero hindi ko parin tinatanggap iyon.

Benjamin sighed heavily until he reached for my hand. Sapilitan niyang pinakuha sa akin ito.

"You don't have to feel bad for accepting people's gifts." Sabi niya. I think he got irritated with the way I act. Well, it's not my fault that I was raised like this! Hindi ako sanay tumanggap ng utang na loob!

"But i-it's your money and I-I don't want people-"

"I don't really mind, Kelsey. Just accept it. Wala namang mangyayaring masama sa'yo kung tatanggapin mo 'to diba?" tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

Sa halip na alisin na ang tingin kay Benjamin ay nanatili ito sakanya. Why do I feel like this towards him all of a sudden? I used to hate him. Like freaking hate him! Tapos ngayon... nakalimutan ko na ata 'yung galit ko sakanya noon!

Oh damn!

"Have you tried the gelato here?" he asked.

"No."

He nods like he's planning something. Nagulat nalang ako bigla nang nilabas niya ang kanyang wallet at tsaka naglapag ng pera sa lamesa.

"Come on." Aya niya sa akin.

"What-Wait. I can-"

Hindi ko na naituloy pa ang paglabas ko ng aking pera dahil hinila na niya ako palayo doon. And the guy even paid for my lunch! The hell with him?

"You know... I can pay for my lunch." Sabi ko nang binitawan niya ang palapulsuan ko.

Tiningnan ko naman ang mga hawak niyang paper bag. It seemed like he bought a lot. Para bang wala siyang pakialam kung nawalgasan siya ng pera.

Is he going to give these all to Brittany? O baka naman may girlfriend siya na gusto niyang bigyan ng mga ito? I bet. He's been rumoured to a lot of girls. Hindi na ako magugulat kung mayroon nga.

But suddenly the thought of Benjamin giving all of these to his girlfriend makes me sick to my stomach. Hindi ko ba alam kung bakit. I am starting to act like a weird person ever since I bumped into this man!

"Geez! Don't worry about it. Ganyan ka nalang ba makonsensya sa tuwing may magbabayad para sa'yo?" napaiwas nalang ako ng tingin. He sounds really irritated.

Lumunok ako. Gusto ko sanang sumagot pabalik kaso ayoko namang mag-away pa kami dahil lang sa maliit na bagay. We're both matured now. It's better to just stay quiet.

Tahimik akong sumunod sakanya. I crossed my arms over my chest while following him. Tiningnan ko naman ang buong paligid. This is the part of Barcelona where there is a lot of people roaming around. Nandidito rin kasi iyong mga stores na maraming mapagbibilhan, e.

We stopped in front of a gelato store. Marami ang bumibili rito at mukhang patok na patok talaga ito dito sa Barcelona.

"Buenas tardes." Benjamin smiled at the server. Ganoon rin ang ginawa nito at tsaka binaling ang tingin sa akin at ngumiti.

I bowed my head a little and smiled. Tiningnan ko naman iyong iba't ibang flavors ng gelato na mayroon sila dito.

"So, what do you like?" tanong ni Benjamin sa akin habang sinusubukang dumukot ng pera mula sa kanyang wallet. Mabilis ko namang hinawakan ang kanyang kamay upang pigilan siya sa gagawin.

He turns to me quickly. "I got these." I smiled reassuringly at him.

Siya na nga ang nagbayad sa lunch ko kanina, syempre hindi ko siya hahayaang magbayad pa nito para sa akin.

Kinuha ko ang wallet ko sa aking bag at tsaka siya tiningnan muli. "So, what do you like?"

His mouth parted until it turns into a smirk. Ibinaling niya ang tingin sa iba't ibang klase ng gelato na nasa harap namin. Nang makapili na siya ay agad ko namang sinabi sa server iyong order namin.

"Qué puedo conseguir para usted, señora?" the server asked.

"Uhm... puedo tener un pistachio de sicilan y una mantequilla de almendra y miel por favor?" I smiled at him when I finished telling him our order.

"Ya viene." Then he proceeded to make our gelato.

Benjamin bumped me using his shoulder. I turn to him.

"I didn't know you also speak Spanish." He said. I scoff.

"I learned it from my Spanish class in college." He nods his head.

Mamaya maya pa ay dumating na iyong gelato na inorder namin.

"Aquí está su orden, señora." Sabi ng server sabay iniabot ang aming order. Benjamin got mine for a while, while I'm trying to get the right amount of money inside my wallet.

Nang makakuha ay mabilis kong iniabot ito sa server. "Muchas gracias."

The server smiled at us at tsaka kami lumabas na ng store na iyon. Benjamin handed me mine.

"Thanks."

When I tasted it, I was very surprised with how amazing it taste!

"You like it?" he asked. Hindi naman ako nakasagot agad dahil busy ako sa pagkain nung gelato. He laughs when he saw me trying to finish eating so I can answer him.

Tumango ako. Napaatras naman ako nang may biglang tumulong gelato. Why am I so messy whenever I eat dairies?

Pinalis ko ang tumulong gelato sa bag ko. I was taken a back when Benjamin wiped the remnants of gelato on the side of my lips. Mabilis kong inangat ang tingin sakanya. With a surprised expression, my mouth parted.

Kahit siya ay mukhang nagulat rin sa ginawa. Sa halip na alisin na ang hinalalaki sa gilid ng aking labi ay nanatili iyon doon. I saw his eyes went down to my lips and then back to my eyes again.

I gulped. We stared at each other for another second. Mukha namang parehas kaming natauhan nang may biglang nagsalita sa gilid namin.

"Discuple," anito sabay dumaan sa gitna namin.

I shyly tore my eyes away from Benjamin. He cleared his throat at tsaka sinubukang ipagpatuloy ang pagkain ng gelato.

"You're so messy." Aniya sabay naglakad palayo sa akin.

Napahawak ako bigla sa aking dibdib nang maramdaman ko na naman na bumibilis ang pintig ng aking puso. What the freaking hell is happening to me?

"Have you been to Park Güell?" he asked, obviously trying to remove the awkward air. Umiling naman ako. "It was one of Gaudi's work, right?"

"Yeah. That's why I'm really looking forward to visiting it."

"Do you wanna go now?" tumaas ang kilay ko nang tinanong niya iyon.

"You're going to join me?" medyo hindi ko makapaniwalang tinanong. Kumunot ang noo niya. Did I sound like I didn't want him to come?

"Why not?"

Nagkibit ako ng balikat. "I mean... don't you have other things to do? Aren't you... busy?"

Tumitig siya sa akin upang mag-isip. Nang hindi makayanan ang paninitig niya ay mabilis kong iniwas ang tingin sakanya.

"I have to meet up with a friend later. Pero mamaya pa iyon. I'm just trying to kill my time."

"Oh..."

"So, do you wanna go now?"

"Do you know how to go there?"

He smirked. "Of course. I have my google maps, right?"

I chuckled and bit my lip. I nod my head. "Okay, then..."

We took the bus gaya ng sabi sa google maps. It was a thirty minutes ride. We chose to take the bus instead of taking the metro since mas marami pang dadayuhin kung metro pa ang gagamitin namin. We will also walk up to ten minutes from AlfonsX just to get to Park Güell. And Benjamin told me that he's not a big fan of walking.

Wala akong nagawa sa huli kaya sinunod ko nalang ang sinabi niya na magbus nalang kami.

Nang makababa kami ng bus ay agad akong napatigil sa nakita. My sudden stop made Benjamin bump into me again. Napahawak pa siya sa magkabilang balikat ko para iwasang matumba ako.

"Oh, geez. I'm sorry."

Hindi na naging alintala pa sa akin ang paghawak niya sa balikat ko―kahit na bumilis na naman ang pintig ng puso ko―dahil mas namamangha ako ngayon sa nakikita ko.

"This is so amazing." I whispered under my breath. Ramdam ko ang paninitig ni Benjamin sa akin habang tinitingnan ko ang tanawin.

"Easy... baka maiyak ka dyan." Kumunot ang noo ko at tsaka siya nilingon. There's a ghost smile on his lips and I know he's trying to tease me. I hit him playfully on his arm.

"Let's go." Aya niya at tsaka naman ako sumunod sakanya.

Buti nalang at nakapagbook pa kami ng ticket online habang nasa byahe dahil sobrang haba na ng pila ngayon doon sa ticket booth. A lot of people really want to visit the place and to also admire one of Guadi's work.

When we went inside, I quickly grab my cellphone inside my bag to take pictures of everything that I find interesting. Mamaya maya pa ay may tinuro sa akin si Benjamin. Noong una ay akala ko kung ano na iyon 'yun pala ay upuan lang.

"Hindi pa nga tayo nakakapaglibot ng matagal, uupo ka na agad?" natatawa kong tinanong.

"There's a lot of people. Nakakatamad sumingit."

Umiling ako at naupo sa tabi niya. We were sitting in front of the lucky gecko. Nakita ko namang sinuot muli ni Benjamin ang kanyang sunglasses. He looks breathtaking with it.

Wait what?! What did I just say?

Nang marealize ko kung ano ang nasabi ko sa isip ay mabilis kong iniwas ang tingin sakanya. Gosh! Tatlong taon lang hindi nagkita, ganito na agad ang mga iniisip ko tungkol sakanya? I must be really out of my mind.

Inilabas kong muli ang aking sketchpad. Napabaling naman muli si Benjamin ng tingin sa akin habang ginagawa ko iyon.

"Are you going to draw again?" he asked. Tumango ako at itinuon ang pansin sa harap.

I started sketching the lucky gecko.

"Okay. Then I'll just have to roam around by myself."

Inangat ko ang tingin sakanya at tsaka tumango. Yes, he should. He should go away from me dahil baka kung ano pa ang maramdaman ko kapag lumapit pa siya sa akin. He needs to go away for a minute para naman makapag-isip isip ako.

I couldn't think straight when he's this near. I'm acting weird when he's near. He shouldn't be near me. This is bad.

Pinagpatuloy ko ang ginagawa kahit na tumayo na siya at naglibot na ng mag-isa. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya patungo dahil mas binibigyan ko ng pansin iyong larawan na gusto kong iguhit.

When I raised my gaze for the final touches, I saw Benjamin in front of me. Nakatapat sa akin iyong cellphone niya. Pero nang mapansing nakatingin na ako sakanya ay mabilis niyang ibinaling sa ibang direksyon ang kanyang camera. He keeps on taking pictures of the park.

Napalunok ako. Hindi ako feelingera kaya hindi ko sasabihin na ako 'yung sinusubukan niyang kuhanan ng litrato. At tsaka, sino ba naman ako para kuhanan niya ng picture diba?

Nang tumabi siyang muli sa akin ay saktong kakatapos ko lang sa pag-guhit. He stared at my work for a while then he brought his eyes back to mine again.

"That's amazing." He complimented. I smiled a little.

"Thanks."

I inserted my sketchpad inside my bag again. Hinawakan ko ang strap ng aking shoulder bag at tsaka siya nilingon muli.

"Is the mosaic museum open now?" I asked.

"Yes. Marami nang tao doon."

I nod my head. "Pumasok ka na?"

"Not yet."

"Do you want to come?"

Bumuka ang bibig niya nang dahil sa tanong ko. Para bang hindi niya iyon inaasahan. He struggled to find the right words.

"O-Okay..." aniya sabay tumayo na. Sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa mosaic museum na iyon.

There's a lot of people roaming around inside and it's a struggle to admire some works since there are people getting in the way. Maganda sana kung kakaunti lang ang tao dahil mas may oras kang i-admire ng mas maigi ang lahat.

Hindi kagaya ngayon na sobrang rami at tila ba nag-uunahan pa sa pagsilip. I sighed. Humarap akong muli kay Benjamin na inililibot rin ang tingin sa buong paligid. Nang mapansing pabalik na ako sakanya ay mas itinuon na niya ang atensyon sa akin.

"Did you see it?" he asked.

"No," I frowned. "Ang daming tao, e."

"We should've come here when there's few people."

I pursed my lips. We? Bakit? Sa lahat ba ng pupuntahan ko, sasama siya?

"I mean... you should've come here again when there's few people." He corrected. He must've realized that he used the wrong noun.

Nang matapos kami sa paglilibot sa Park Güell ay bumalik na kami sa Sagrada Familia. Dito kasi siya may kikitain habang malapit naman dito iyong hotel na pinagtutuluyan ko.

Kahit na nakapunta na dito kanina ay hindi ko parin maiwasan na mamangha sa paligid. This is very astonishing. Parang hindi magsasawa ang mga mata ko sa kakatingin dito.

"Have you taken a picture with the Sagrada Familia?" tanong sa akin ni Benjamin.

"No." sagot ko.

"Give me your phone. Let me take a picture of you." he sounded like he's very willing to do that. My jaw dropped.

"Uh... Hindi na. Ayos lang naman sa akin." tipid akong ngumiti sakanya.

"No. It's better if you have remembrance in front of this church." he initiated again.

I smiled reassuringly at him. "Thank you. But really, it's fine..."

He pressed his lips into a thin line then he nods his head. "Okay."

I sighed heavily at inilibot muli ang tingin sa paligid. So, saan naman kaya ako pupunta ngayon? Should I go to La Rambla to buy something for my parents? Hindi pa naman mag-gagabi at hindi pa naman ako masyadong pagod.

"So... I guess... I have to go now." sabi ko.

Tiningnan naman ako muli ni Benjamin. He must've notice that I'm playing so much with the paper bag's strap kaya nagawi ang tingin niya doon. Tinigil ko ang ginagawa. Is this a sign of nervousness?

"Oh, right. Thank you for today." Aniya sabay ngumiti sa akin. I returned the gesture.

"Thanks for joining me today, Benjamin."

"No problem."

I sighed heavily before I nod my head at him. I smiled at him for the last time before I decided to walk away.

I don't know why the thought of not seeing him again made me sad. Ngayon nalang ulit kami nagkita pagkatapos ng tatlong taon. Barcelona is such a big city to make our paths cross again. Imposible nang mangyari pa ulit iyon.

Hindi ko na dapat iniisip pa 'yon. This is nothing. I'm just glad that I saw him again. He's a family friend kaya medyo masaya naman ako na may nakasama akong kakilala sa isang araw na paglilibot ko rito sa Barcelona.

As I've planned, I went straight to La Rambla. Maraming pamimilian doon and I decided to check every store out. May mga nakita akong bagay na alam kong magugustohan nila Mommy. I even bought something for Jeya and Troy.

Ang iba naman ay para sa mga kasambahay at driver. I think they also deserve to have a souvenir in Barcelona even though they haven't been here. Kung marami lang sana akong pera edi sana pati sila dinala ko rito.

I want them to also experience how it feels like to travel. They're exhausted from working all day inside the house. Siguro naman hindi na masama kung makakapagbakasyon sila paminsan-minsan.

Dahil malapit lang rin dito ang Palau Güell sunod ko iyong pinuntahan. This is one of the most amazing spots I've been to. The interiors are breathtaking and I couldn't stop myself from roaming around. I was very much amazed with everything.

I also went to visit the Centre d'Art Santa Monica. Buti at kakaonti ang taong nagpupunta kaya nakakuha agad ako ng ticket. I don't know how much I've spent today but this is the first time I didn't give a damn about my money.

Masyado ko lang talaga sigurong ineenjoy ang bawat pinupuntahan ko na hindi na alintala pa sa akin kung magkano na ang nagagastos ko. Maraming restaurant ang nakapalibot sa La Rambla kaya sinulit ko na ang pagkakataon at kumain na roon.

After that, I took a taxi to take me back to my hotel. A bell boy greeted me when I entered.

"Buenas noches, señora!"

"Buenas noches." I greeted back. The bell boy even asked me if I needed help with the paper bags but I told him that I can manage. Iniwan niya rin naman ako pagkatapos noon.

Nang pumasok ako sa elevator ay ramdam na ramdam ko ang kapaguran. I closed my eyes while waiting for the elevator to stop at the right floor.

Tamad kong tinahak ang daan patungo sa hotel room ko. May taong nakapwesto roon sa tapat ng kwarto ko. I bet he's the person staying in front of my hotel room.

Ngumuso ako. He's wearing the same clothes as Benjamin. White polo and jeans. Kasing tangkad at kasing kisig rin. Maybe I'm just hallucinating. This is definitely because I'm exhausted. O di kaya baka masyado lang talaga akong nalungkot dahil huling pagkikita na namin ulit iyong kanina.

Binagsak ko ang mga dalang paper bags sa gilid ng pinto at tsaka hinanap sa loob ng aking bag ang aking key card. I groaned when I couldn't find it. Akala ko noong una ay nawala ko na ito. But then I remember that I put it inside my wallet a while ago.

Nang makuha ko na ang key card ay narinig ko namang may tumatawa sa likuran ko. Tumaas ang kilay ko at tsaka unti-unting nilingon kung sino iyon.

"Alam mo... konti nalang talaga, iisipin ko nang sinusundan mo ako, e."

My jaw dropped with the sight of Benjamin in front of me. Nakangisi na siya sa akin nang lumingon ako.

What? He also stays in the same hotel as me? And surprisingly, his room is just right in front of mine! What is this?! Is this a joke?!