CHAPTER 6

“ARE YOU here, man?” Pukaw ni Iuhence sa kanya ng natulala na naman si Red sa kawalan.  Nasa Sizzle bar sila at nag-iinoman. Pagkatapos ng reception, dito sila tumuloy na magkakaibigan.

Napakurap-kurap siya ng marinig ang boses ni Iuhence at tumingin sa mga kaibigan na walang imik na nakamasid sa kanya.

He cleared his throat. “Huh? What are you talking about?”

Lander gave him an arched look. “Pinag-uusapan namin kung uuwi na ba tayo bukas o hindi. But it seems to us that you are too preoccupied to listen.”

“Oh, sorry.” He leaned on his seat. “I’m staying.”

Iuhence smiled teasingly. “This has something to do with the woman in the reception earlier, am I right?”

"What girl?" Sabad ni Lander.

"A girl?" Si Ream.

"Who?" Si Reigo.

"What the hell man? Who's this girl?" Tanong ulit ni Ream ng hindi siya sumagot.

“She's just my neighbor and I just said hi to her.” Wika niya.

"You said hi to her?" Reigo exhaled. "Why do I smell something fishy?"

Tumawa si Iuhence. "Kasi malansa naman talaga iyang si Red, eh."

Nagtawanan ang mga kaibigan niya sa sinabi ni Iuhence.

“My decision to stay has nothing to do with her. My father called. He wants me to stay and learn how to manage a resort.” Aniya.

“Oh.” Iuhence sounds disappointed. “I thought this has something to do with her. She's pretty.”

He glared at Iuhence. "Shut up."

Iuhence chuckled. "You got it bad, man. Hindi na ako magkokomento pa."

He rolled his eyes at his friends then drank from his martini glass.

“Man, don’t force yourself.” Sabad ni Reigo. “If you don’t like business, then don’t force it. Its photography that you love doing, go for it.”

“I don’t have a freaking choice. I’m the only son remember?” He said. “And anyway, I’m not forcing myself, I really like to learn but I’m getting bored.”

Ream sighed. “If you really like to learn then you won’t get bored.”

Napipilan siya sa sinabi ni Ream. Tama naman kasi ito. He loves photography that’s why he doesn’t get bored even if it’s what he does every freaking day. "Maybe business is not my thing." Aniya sa sarili.

"Maybe?" Reigo chuckled. "It’s not maybe because business is really not for you. Huwag mong pilitin ang sarili mo. There’s a reason why you are a photographer and that reason is that you suck at business."

"I know." He took a sip on his martini. "It’s just that, I’d been doing what I want since I can remember. Alam ko naman na hindi sangayon ang nga magulang ko na maging photographer ako e, but they let me anyway. They let me because they want me to be happy and now it’s time for me to pay up."

Iuhence tsked. "If you’re doing this because you think it’s time to pay up, then you're going to ruin your father's company."

He heave a deep sighed. "I know that too. That’s why I’m really trying my best to learn. I don’t want to disappoint them."

Lander smiled and raised his glass of rum. "Let’s cheers to that."

Red raised his glass and dryly says, "Yeah. Cheers to me."

LOCKETT feels drain when she wakes up the next morning. Siguro dahil hindi siya nakatulog ng maayos kagabi dahil sa kakaisip sa lalaking yun. She can’t stop thinking about their deal. Pinagdarasal niya na sana umuwi na ito at ng hindi na niya ito makita pang muli.

Tinatamad siyang bumangon at naligo. Kahit mabigat ang katawan niya, kailangan niyang pumasok.

After taking a bath, she put on a denim jeans and a simple black blouse.

Pagkababa niya mula sa penthouse, sinalubong siya ni Sandy sa lobby ng Hotel.

"Miss Lockett, good morning." Sandy said with a smile. "I’m happy to tell you that the newlyweds sent a thank you card."

A smile made way to her lips. "That’s nice. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin ‘non, nasiyahan sila sa serbisyo na’tin."

"Yeah. And someone is waiting for you in your office. He said it’s important."

Napakunot ang nuo niya. "He? Sino?"

"Sabi niya alam mo raw ang pangalan niya." 

Bigla siyang kinabahan.  Is it him? "Okay. Pupuntahan ko nalang siya sa office."

Lakad-takbo ang ginawa niya patungong opisina niya. And when she opened the door to her office, bumulaga sa kanya ang lalaking napakasarap ipakain sa pating.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" Paasik na tanong niya pagkatapos isara ang pintuan ng opisina.

The man looked at her direction. "I have a very important matter to discuss with you."

She glared at him. "I know why you’re here. Can’t you just fvck off?!"

He looked stunned when he heard her curse. "Wow... What a very nasty mouth you got."

"Whatever." Naglakad siya patungo sa swivel chair niya at padaskol na umupo roon. "Ano ba talaga ang kailangan mo?"

He stared at her for a second, like he is looking for something in her face. "You look pale. You okay?"

Natigilan siya. Napansin ba nito ang eye bags niya na itinago niya gamit ang concealer?

Umupo siya ng tuwid at tinaasaan ito ng kilay. "Okay lang ako. Why do you care?"

He shrugged. Alam niyang hindi ito naniwala na okay lang siya. Halata naman sa mukha nito pero hindi na ito nagtanong pa.

"So," he drawls, "Naalala mo na ba ang pangalan ko?"

Biglang tinambol ng kaba ang dibdib niya. "O-Oo." Pagsisinungaling niya.

Tumaas ang gilid ng labi nito na parang may sinusupil na ngiti. "Talaga? Bakit parang hindi ako naniniwala sayo?"

Hindi siya umimik. Please brain, make me remember! Please, huwag mo akong biguin! Please! Please!

"Okay," Sumandal ito sa likod ng upuan at ngumiti sa kanya. "Anong pangalan ko? I want you to tell me my complete name."

She took a deep long breath. "Ahm... I ahm, it’s ... " Kahit talaga halukayin niya ang utak niya, hindi talaga niya maalala. She exhaled a long breath. "Fine!" Naasar na wika niya. "I don’t remember. I tried, pero hindi ko talaga maalala. But it doesn’t give you the right to kiss me!"

He didn’t move nor say anything. Matiim lang siya nitong tinitigan at tumayo kapagkuwan.

Her heart hammered inside her chest when he started taking steps towards her. Ikinuyom niya ang kamao ng tumigil ito sa harapan niya ilang dangkal ang layo sa kanya.

Lockett waited for his next move.

Her lips slightly parted when he extended his arms at her.

"Hi, my name is Red Santillana." The man said.

Kinakabahan at naiilang na tinanggap niya ang pakikipagkamay niya. His hand feels warm, unlike her cold hand.

"Nice to meet you." Aniya sa mahinang boses. "I’m Lockett Mendoza."

Biglang napasinghap si Lockett ng bigla nalang siyang hinila ng binata palapit rito at inilapit ang mukha nito sa mukha niya. Her lips parted in shock. Her heart is wildly beating inside her chest. Her hands felt cold and sweaty. She was anticipating his next move when he leaned in and kissed her fully in the lips.

Nanigas sa kinauupuan niya si Lockett. Hindi siya nakagalaw habang nararamdaman niya ang mga labi ng binata sa mga labi niya. Her mind went black. She can feel her lips tingling.

Red pulled away after a minute then his tantalizing liquid brown eyes looked deep into hers. "My name is Red, always remember that, Lockett. Because the next time you call me Mister, I’m going to kiss you again, torridly."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa sinabi nito.

Pinakawalan nito ang kamay niya at tumayo ito ng tuwid. "I'll be going now." He smiled at her like nothing happened. "See yah later, Lockett."

Hindi siya makapagsalita. Nakasunod lang ang tingin niya sa binata hanggang sa makalabas ito ng opisina niya. Then her hand moved to touch her lips. She can still feel Red's lips on them. That kiss made her breathing hitched and it made her heart beat go insanely wild.

What’s wrong with me? Simpling halik lang naman yun! That should not affect me, dammit! Wala namang halaga ang halik na iyon sa lalaking ‘yon.

Marahas niyang ipinilig ang ulo para mawala ang ala-ala ng halik na iyon sa isip niya. That’s their second kiss? Bakit sa bawat pag halik nito sa kanya, hindi iyon nawawala sa sistema niya? Naguguluhang huminga siya ng malalim at kinalma ang puso niya na napakabilis pa rin ng tibok.

May mali talaga sa’kin. She can feel it.

KINAGABIHAN, nasa dalampasigan si Lockett at nakatingin sa karagatan ng mag ring ang cell phone niya.

Kinuha NIYA ang ang cell phone mula sa bulsa ng denim short na suot niya at tiningnan kung sino ang tumatawag. Nang makita niya na ang mommy niya iyon, umirap siya sa hangin at sinagot ang tawag. Ano na naman kaya ang kailangan nito sa kanya?

"Good evening, mom. You need anything?" Tanong niya ng sagutin ang tawag.

Her mother laughed on the other line. "Ikaw talagang bata ka, alam na alam mo kung may kailangan ako sayo."

She rolled her eyes. "Oo naman. Ina ko kayo e." May sarkasmo sa boses niya pero mukhang hindi nito iyon napansin.

"My dear, I just want to ask if when are you going home. Magiisang buwan ka na riyan sa isla." Wika ng ina niya sa malungkot sa boses.

"Bakit namam ho ako uuwi, mommy? I’m not in a vacation, I’m working."

"Well, maybe you should go home because your father and I will be celebrating our fortieth wedding anniversary and we are planning to throw a party. We want you to be here, my dear."

"Okay," She said, "I'll be there."

"Great!" Her mom giggled. "Anyway, don’t forget to bring your boyfriend, okay?"

She frowned. "What boyfriend?"

"My dear, don’t play with me. It’s the perfect time for us to meet your boyfriend. Don’t forget to bring Creed Santillana with you. I’m looking forward to it."

Napanganga siya sa narinig. Oh god! Anong gagawin ko ngayon? I can always tell mom that he's busy.

"Mom, busy ho si Creed ngayon." Pagsisinungaling niya. It feels stranger saying the name of her made-up boyfriend.

"My dear kung seryuso siya sayo at mahal ka niya, he will make time for you." Her mom let out a short laughed. "Chao, my dear, maghahanap pa ako ng susuotin kung damit."

Hindi na nito hinintay ang sagot siya, pinatay nito ang tawag. Huminga siya ng malalim at ibinalik ang cell phone sa bulsa ng denim short na suot. Patay siya ngayon. Ano na ang gagawin niya? Siguradong hindi titigil ang mommy niya sa pangungulit sa kanya na isama ang gawa-gawa niyang boyfriend. At kapag umattend siya sa anniversary ng mga ito na walang karay-karay, siguradong iba-blind date na naman siya ng mommy niya.

What to do? What to do? Argh! Maloloka siya sa pag-iisip kung anong gagawin niya. Matutulog nalang siya.

She turns around and was about to return to the Hotel when she saw Red standing meter away from her. Kanina pa ba ito? Narinig ba nito ang usapan nila ng mommy niya?

She stilled. Ano na naman kaya ang kailangan nito sa kanya?

"Hey." Nakangiting wika nito.

"Hey." Aniya at nilampasan ito, pero bago siya makalayo rito, pinigilan siya nito sa kamay.

"Are you avoiding me?"

Nilingon niya ang binata at tumawa ng pagak. "Bakit ko naman gagawin yun? Sino ka para iwasan kita? Why would I waste my time with you?"

Red smirked. "Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you're attracted to me. I mean, you did let me kiss you earlier."

Napakasarap suntukin ng nakangisi nitong mukha. Kung hindi lang ito guest ng hotel, baka kanina pa niya ito kinarate.

Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "May gusto ako sayo?" Tumawa siya ng malakas. Iyong tawang nakakainsulto. "Wow, ang lakas din naman ng bilib mo sa sarili mo. I don’t even like you so why the hell would I be attracted to you?"

Red shrugged, he still has that stupid smirked on his lips. "It’s just a hunch and I was just teasing you, no need to insult me, princess. Don’t take it seriously."

Tiningnan niya ito ng masama. "Lahat ba para sayo biro? Kasi hindi ka nakakatawa." Inagaw niya ang kamay niya na hawak nito at naglakad palayo rito.

SINUNDAN ng tingin ni Red ang papalayong bulto ng dalaga. Mukhang galit talaga ito sa kanya. Wala namang masama sa sinabi niya, ah.

He was just teasing her. Gawa-gawa lang naman niya ang mga bagay na sinabi niya rito. He was just kidding but looks like she doesn’t like it. Halata naman sa klase ng pagkakatitig nito sa kanya. She looked at him like she wanted to kill him right there and then. If only she could…

He sighed then started walking towards the hotel.

In his way to De Luxe Hotel, may nadaanan siyang maliit na flower stand. Nilapitan niya ang flower stand at tinuro ang isang bouquet ng tulips. “I want that one.”

Nginitian siya ng tindera at kinuha ang tinuro niyang bulaklak.

Pagkabigay nito sa kanya ng bulaklak, nakita niyang may isiniksik itong maliit na papel sa loob ng bouquet. Kinuha niya iyon at ibinalik dito. “I don’t need this. I’m going to give this personally.”

“Ganoon po ba, Sir?”

“Yes.” Binayaran niya ang bulaklak at mabilis na naglakad patungo sa De Luxe Hotel.

Pagkapasok sa hotel, agad siyang dumeretso sa top floor kung saan naroon ang pent house na tinitirhan ni Lockett. Hindi na niya kailangan pang magtanong sa receptionist kung saan ang silid ni Lockett, alam niya dahil sabi ng Daddy niya, ang mga manager ng Hotel ay sa penthouse ng hotel nakatira, lalong-lalo na kung nasa resort ang hotel na iyon. And Lockett is the manager of De Luxe hotel.

Nang makarating sa labas ng penthouse ni Lockett, kumatok siya at huminga ng malalim.

I’m just doing this because I owe her an apology for being a jerk. Kombensi niya sa sarili habang hinihintay na pagbuksan siya ni Lockett.

When the penthouse door opened, he smiled.

Nalukot ang mukha ng dalaga ng makita siya. Talagang bad trip ito sa kanya. Bakit naman kasi hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili na tuksuhin ito kapag magkasama silang dalawa.

“Hey, flowers for you.” Aniya sabay abot ng bulaklak rito. “Look, I’m sorr—”

“Hindi ko matatanggap ang bulaklak na iyan dahil may boyfriend na ako.” Putol nito sa iba pa niyang sasabihin.

Bahagyang umawang ang labi niya sa gulat. Ano ba sa tingin nito ang dahil kung bakit binibigyan niya ito ng bulaklak? At teka lang … May boyfriend na ito? Bakit mukhang hindi niya gusto ang isiping may boyfriend na ito. Weird. Sino naman kaya yon?

Well, whoever he is, Red is sure that her boyfriend is no good for her. Men these days are like sharks, they’ll bite and bite until there are no remains of you and they will leave you like nothing happened. And he’s not an exemption to that.

“Ows?” Nginitian niya ito ng nakakaloko. “Sino naman ang papatol sa’yo?”

Naningkit ang mga mata nito sa inis. Red wanted to laugh but he stopped himself. Her angry face made his day. Ewan ba niya, mas gumaganda ito kapag nagagalit. At nakakatawa pa ang itsura nito.

Lockett glared at him. “For your information, may pumatol sa’kin. My boyfriend’s name is Creed Santillana. He is perfect, unlike you who is a jerk. Kaya itapon mo iyang bulaklak mo. Tsupi!”

He froze at what he heard, and then a second later, a smirk crept into his lips. Now this is interesting. Who would have thought? “Hmm.” Inisang hakbang niya ang pagitan nilang dalawa. “Ngayon ko lang nalaman na may girlfriend na pala ako.”

Napakurap-kurap ito. “A-Ano?”

Pinaglandas niya ang daliri sa gilid ng pisngi nito at inilapit ang bibig sa tainga nito. “Well, princess, my name is Creed Santillana. But I prefer Red for short. Only my family and my best friend call me Creed, pero mukhang pati pala ang girlfriend ko, yan ang tawag sa’kin.”