Chapter 40

I didn't really expect that Yves is the kind of guy who's cold at first but eventually, he'll be sweet and affectionate. Kapag kaming dalawa lang, lagi lang siyang nasa tabi ko at yumayakap sa akin. Hihintayin ko siya sa condo hanggang sa makauwi siya. At pagdating niya, sasalubong naman sa akin ang napakahigpit na yakap.

I haven't really thought that he's like this.

But when we're in front of many people especially when we're at the university – he's not almost paying attention to me. That's always the main reason why I'm getting upset. I understand though. Pinipilit ko ang sariling intindihin ang sitwasyon naming dalawa.

Katulad din ngayong pauwi na kami at nasa floor na namin – hindi na kami nagpapansinan. He doesn't really want Tita Lauren to see us together.. even Lexy.

Nang nasa tapat na kami ng aming unit, tinawag naman niya ako. He just smiled a bit and waved his hand. I smiled back at him.

"Pumasok ka na," sabi ko.

“Hihintayin kong makapasok ka..”

His unit is just almost in front of mine. Naalala ko naman ang pag-iinarte ko sa kaniya kaninang madaling araw.

“Pumasok ka na. Papasok na rin ako after you," dagdag niya pa.

I smiled again as I nodded. I'm shocked when I didn't fully open the door yet but my mother already showed up from inside.

"Saan ka nanggaling, Alindra?”

Umawang naman ang bibig ko dahil doon. I immediately looked around to see Yves but he's already inside his unit now. I'm supposed to introduce him to Mom.

“S-Sa beach po. I was with my boyfriend," I told her. I don't really want to lie as much as possible 'cause eventually, she'll just know the truth.

There's no point anymore if I lie to her.

Tumaas naman ang kilay niya nang masarado nang tuluyan ang pinto. "Boyfriend? I thought you already broke up with Rylan, hija?”

She calmly sat down on the couch after that. I saw that she's drinking a coffee.

“Hindi siya si Rylan, Mom." Napabuntong-hininga naman ako at umiwas ng tingin. Nakuha ko naman ang buong atensyon ni Mom sa sinabi ko.

"Who is he then? Is he a model? Businessman? Actor? An athlete?”

Napalunok ako. I became nervous suddenly because of her non-stop question as if she's interviewing me. I didn't know that this will make me nervous. I thought introducing Yves to her will just be easy for me. Lalo na kaninang nagalit pa si Yves nang malaman niyang sinabi ko kay Mom na kasama ko siya – mahirap pala.

“He's a professor," kinakabahang sagot ko naman.

“Professor? Mahirap ang situation niyo, darling. But well, at least he's a professional. I'm interested to meet him.."

Napalingon naman kaagad ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Nilapitan ko pa siya. "You're.. interested to see him? You're not mad?”

She elegantly laughed after what I said. "No. Why would I be? I've been into that situation already. I somewhat understand you..”

“You had a relationship with a professor before, too?"

Umiling naman siya pagkatapos sumimsim sa kaniyang kape. She looks so comfortable while sitting on my couch. "No but I experienced entering a very forbidden relationship.."

"Forbidden?" kunot-noo kong tanong at tumabi sa kaniya. "You haven't told me about that yet huh?”

I saw how her smile immediately faded. Matagal din siyang hindi naka-imik. "Let's not talk about it anymore. Gusto kong makilala ang sinasabi mong boyfriend mo. I know he's also handsome and rich. Hindi mo naman siya magugustuhan kung hindi.."

Kinabahan naman ulit ako nang tumawa pa siya. Naisip ko naman kaagad si Yves. I know that he'll be mad at me again 'cause I didn't even consult him about this. Ayaw niya pa nga munang ipaalam kay Mom ang tungkol sa amin.

"I want to meet him tomorrow. We'll have our lunch together. Make sure to free your schedule.."

Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Tomorrow? Kaagad, Mom?"

"Yes, why not? Ayaw mo ba?" Umiling naman ako. "Ngayon nga sana but your Dad and I still have meetings to attend to. By the way, I have to go. I can't be late. Don't forget about tomorrow huh? Call your boyfriend now. Inform him.."

I'm just staring blankly at the door while she's kissing me and after that, she finally left. And now that she's gone in my condo, I don't know what to do. Lalo na ngayong gusto niyang makilala si Yves. It's not a problem for me, anyway. As much as possible, I don't want to hide anything from my parents especially kay Mom. Last time, when Rylan and I had a relationship – si Mom ang unang nakaalam. Pangalawa naman si Rachel.

I really don't want my relationship with Yves to be secret to my family. We're already hiding from the people around the university. I can't afford to hide him from my family anymore. Ayaw ko nang problemahin pa ang relasyon namin sa parents ko. I'm just thinking about him and his decision. He was mad last time. I'm sure that he'll be mad again when he knows about this.

I don't know how to tell this to him kaya nang maggabi ay pumunta kaagad ako sa unit niya para subukang sabihin ang tungkol doon.

“Walang nakakita sa 'yo pagpasok mo rito? Your Tita might see you here," salubong kaagad niya sa akin.

I smiled a bit and shook my head. "She won't. Don't worry."

I saw that he's reading a book while sitting on his couch – facing the glass wall. He's also wearing his eyeglasses. He became more attractive when he licked his lips while looking at his book. Nakasuot naman siya ng fitted na white shirt at black shorts.

"Hindi mo man lang ba ako yayakapin?”

Napatingin naman siya sa akin at sa suot ko. I smirked when I realized that I'm only wearing a robe. He cleared his throat as he walked and came near me to give me a hug. Pakiramdam ko naman, namula ako nang maramdaman nang saglit ang labi niya sa pisngi ko.

"So what brings you here?” tanong niya habang hawak ang kamay ko. Nakaupo na siya ngayon sa armrest ng kaniyang sofa. Nakatayo naman ako.

"Aside from the fact that I'm missing you already.. I also want to tell you that my Mom just visited me a while ago. Sabi niya, gusto ka raw niyang makilala..”

I caught his full attention after that. "At pumayag ka?"

Tumango naman ako at dumungaw sa kaniyang glass wall. "Yeah. Anong magagawa ko? She's really interested about meeting you. Especially when I told her that you're a professor. Bukas ka na kaagad niya gustong makita."

Natahimik naman siya. I'm just looking at the heavy traffic outside while I'm waiting for his response. I'm very sure that he'll disagree about this. Hindi ko lang maintindihan ang talagang rason niya. Hindi naman din niya ipinaliwanag sa akin.

"Alindra, I don't know if I'm available---"

“Then when will you be available?" I cut his words off and sighed. "My mother is really interested about meeting you. She's busy! Mabuti nga at may time pa siya bukas para lang makita at makilala ka!"

"Come on, ayaw kong magtago pa sa kanila. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ayaw mong ma-meet si Mom," I added.

Napakurap naman siya nang ilang beses at umiwas ng tingin sa akin. "I'll check my schedule for tomorrow. Baka bukas na rin ang start ng rehearsal para sa event. Ikaw rin, you need to practice.."

Napahinga naman ako nang malalim at nilapitan siya. He's really testing my patience now.

"If you don't want to meet my Mom then don't! I don't care anymore! Ang dami mong reasons! You should've just told me na ayaw mo siyang ma-meet!" naiinis kong sabi sa kaniya.

I turned my back at him and now ready to open the door to leave but he grabbed me suddenly.

"Bukas.. pupunta ako. I promise. Just tell me the address. I'll go there right away."

Yves was right when he said that 'cause he really went to the restaurant that Mom texted me. Maaga kaming dalawa ni Yves at hinihintay na lang si Mom. We're both wearing a semi-formal attire now.

"Are you nervous?" I asked him while he's holding my hand on the table. I can feel that he's a bit tensed while looking around.

Tumango lang siya at hindi umimik. I tried to call Mom but she's not answering my calls. I sighed and looked at Yves again. He's still looking around and continuously checking his phone.

My mother is 15 minutes late already. It's almost lunch time and she's not here yet.

Maya-maya naman, nag-ring ang phone ni Yves. He looked at me and he asked for permission  before he answered the call. I don't really hear what he's saying because he's a bit far away from me. Nakikita ko lang na tumatango siya sa kausap.

The phone call lasted for a few minutes but Mom isn't still here. Tumingin naman kaagad si Yves sa akin pagkatapos ng tawag.

"George called me. Kailangan daw nila ako ro'n. I told you, ngayon na ang rehearsal for the event next month.."

My brow raised after he mentioned that professor. "Rehearsal? How about me? You'll leave me here? Hahanapin ka ni Mom! Oh God, we already talked about this last night! Just at least wait for my Mom to arrive before you leave!"

Bumuntong-hininga naman siya. "I'm sorry but you have to call and tell her about this. Kailangan mo ring sumama sa akin. Ikaw ang kakanta, hindi ba?"

I pursed my lips when I remembered about it. Oo nga pala. I volunteered myself last time. But I'm not really determined to be a singer that time! I just volunteered myself because I was mad at him! And freaking jealous!

But now, I'm doomed.

I sighed as I have no other choice but to tell this to my Mom. She finally answered my call after many attempts.

"Mom, where are you? Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay. Ngayon kailangan na namin pumunta ng university..”

"I'm sorry, darling. Nagkaproblema ang ka-meeting namin ng Daddy mo. Don't wait for me. I can't go there anymore. Eat with your boyfriend first before you leave. Take care," sabi naman niya at nagmamadaling binaba ang phone.

"Let's go. Hindi na rin daw makakarating si Mom.."

"Gusto mo bang kumain muna?" tanong naman niya.

Umiling naman ako. "I'll just eat later sa cafeteria. Baka ma-late pa tayo..."

Tumango naman siya at inalalayan ako habang palabas kami ng restaurant. I just didn't mind the stares of the people around us while we're making our way to the exit. They might be thinking that we fought earlier because of the way I spoke.

The restaurant is just almost near our university kaya kaagad kaming nakarating.

"I can walk from here. They might see us arrive together," bulong ko kay Yves habang tinatanggal ang kapit sa kaniya.

"Are you sure?" Tumango naman ako.

Inumpisahan ko nang maglakad. Si Yves naman ay pinapasok na ang kaniyang motor sa parking lot.

Nagulat naman ako nang makasalubong ko si Miss George. I know that she's looking for Yves. She's only wearing a white polo blouse that she paired with a trouser but I can say that she's really beautiful despite her smart casual outfit. But it doesn't erase the fact that she's flirting with Yves and I hate her because of that!

"Ikaw 'yong singer na kinuha ni Marcus, right?" she sweetly smiled after that. Tumango naman ako. "You arrived late. You can now go sa Music Room. I'll just wait Marcus here.."

Ngumiti pa ulit siya. She's more annoying than that Regina girl. Kahit ayaw kong sabay silang pumunta sa Music Room – wala akong nagawa kundi sumunod sa sinabi niya. I'll just remind myself to choke her after this semester.

When I finally got inside the room, almost all of the members of Drama club is here. May iilang bago sa paningin ko.

"Hey, Alindra! Part ka rin pala ng play?" Amber immediately greeted me when she saw me. Nakita kong may inaayos sila sa tabi ng maliit na platform.

"Uh, no. I'll just sing for the event. Dito ako pinapunta ni Miss George. Dito rin ba ang rehearsal niyo?"

I just waved my hand and smiled a little when I saw some familiar faces.

"Nako, hindi! Hihiramin lang namin sandali 'yong speaker at guitar. Kailangan kasi namin sa play. Later, pupunta na rin kami sa auditorium para doon na mag-practice.."

Tumango lang ako sa sinabi niya dahil dumating na si Yves.. pero kasama niya si Miss George. My smile faded when I saw that she's holding Yves' arms while they're walking. Kaagad namang napatingin si Yves sa akin nang makapasok sila nang tuluyan. I immediately looked away and pretended to be busy by checking the piano beside me.

"Alindra, you may now start practicing your song. Kayo ni Sir Marcus mo," nakangiting sabi pa rin ni Miss George nang lingunin ko siya.

I noticed that she's apparently the organizer here. Gusto ko na lang umirap sa kawalan.

Lumapit naman si Yves sa akin nang hindi siya nakatingin. Nagpaalam naman sa akin sina Amber na lilipat na sila sa auditorium. I just smiled and nodded. Wala na akong gana makipagkwentuhan because of some reasons. Seeing Yves and Miss George together makes my heart ache and I can't do anything about it!

If I'll be mad at Yves right now, I'm sure Miss George will eventually find out the truth! And I know, Yves doesn't want that to happen!

"Yves.. uh, Sir Yves, please play the piano for me."

Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin lalo na nang nasa harapan na namin si Miss George at nanonood. Tatlo kaming nandito sa room. She should just leave us here. We're good here, anyway. Mas lalamig pa kung wala siya.

"Marcus, just make it fast huh? Mag-de-decorate pa ang ibang students sa auditorium later. We'll help them. Sir Jameson and Sir Psalm are also on their ways. Si Miss Peterson din daw pupunta by 2 PM..”

I rolled my eyes sideward when I heard that. Yves saw that and he smirked. Inirapan ko rin siya. Sa ilalim naman ng piano habang nakatayo ako at nakaupo naman siya – sinusubukan niyang hawakan ang kamay ko.

"Yes, George," nangingiting sabi niya pero hindi nakatingin dito.

My brow raised after that and shoved my hand. First name basis huh?

"Why are you laughing, Marcus?"

"Nothing.."

Kinabahan naman ako nang mas lalo pang lumapit sa amin si Miss George. Yves is just holding my hand but I'm moving it away from him para hindi niya na mahawakan pa. Pasimple ko naman siyang pinanlakihan ng mata.

Tinigilan naman niya 'yon at nag-ready na para tumugtog ng piano. I prepared myself, too. We both agreed that I'll sing Can't Help Falling In Love again just like what I sang last time. According to him, my voice sounds like an angel's voice with that song kaya ayon ang gusto niyang kantahin ko.

I started singing beside him. Nabigla naman ako nang maraming pumasok sa room including Sir Psalm and Sir Jameson and also a professor that I don't know. Some students also came in. Mula rito, kitang-kita ko ang ngisi ni Sir Psalm nang mapansin si Yves sa tabi ko.

"Just take it easy," Yves whispered beside me. Napansin niya sigurong nanginig ako sandali dahil sa pagkabigla.

I saw that Miss George's arms crossed after that. The professors are just smiling while watching us. Kita ko rin sa gilid ng mata ko si Yves na nakangiti pero hindi naman nakatingin sa akin.

Right after our rehearsal, they immediately clapped and approached us. Halos mapunit naman ang labi ko kangingiti dahil doon. But my smile faded quickly when I saw that Miss George kissed Yves' cheek while they're on the corner. My eyes widened because of that.

"Okay ka lang, hija? Namumutla ka. Para kang nakakita ng multo," a senior professor told me and looked at where I'm looking. Kaagad naman akong umiwas ng tingin sa kanila para na hindi 'yon mapansin ng iba.

"I'm fine po. Don't worry." I faked a smile.

Naririnig ko pang inaasar ng co-professors nila sina Yves at Miss George. They obviously saw it also just like me. The only difference is that, they were happy when they saw that while I was hurt. I suddenly want to pull Miss George's hair after that! If we're not only in the university, I will never respect her!

Napansin ko namang sabay na lumingon si Yves at Miss George sa akin habang pinapalibutan pa rin sila ng mga tao. Miss George is just smiling and blushing. While Yves.. I don't know his reaction while looking at me. He looks confused and sad at the same time.

"Nako, bagay na bagay ang dalawa, ano?" tumatawang sabi pa ng matandang professor. I awkwardly smiled after that.

"I-I'm just gonna go to the comfort room.."

I left them there while they're still having fun because of what happened. It seems like they already forgot that they're preparing for the event and it's freaking annoying! I'm his lover and not that freaking George! Hindi siya! Ako!

I should only be the one who can kiss him! Hug him! Everything! Ako lang dapat!

Mabilis naman akong nakalabas ng comfort room pagkatapos kong pakalmahin ang sarili. But I was shocked when I bumped into Miss George. She's already smirking when she noticed me.

"Miss George.."

Tumaas naman ang kilay niya. "Why did you leave when we were having fun? Ang KJ mo naman, Alindra Rivera. Nagseselos ka ba?"

I immediately shook my head and smirked after that. "Of course not, Miss. Why would I be jealous, anyway? You just kissed Sir Yves. Wala namang problema ro'n."

"Oh! I wasn't talking about that! Ikaw naman!" natatawang sabi niya. She's just purely acting, I know. "What I meant was.. did you become jealous when their attentions diverted? You know.. kumanta ka at dapat ikaw ang pinapansin. Pero dahil hinalikan ko si Marcus – which he enjoyed, by the way – nalipat sa amin ang atensyon nila.."

She smiled again after that and even chuckled. I'm confused of what she's trying to say. Ang gulo ng babaeng 'to!

"He enjoyed your kiss?" I asked her and smirked even more. "Ang babaw niya naman kung gano'n.."

Hindi naman siya nakasagot dahil sa sinabi ko. She looks so offended after that that made her mouth wide open.

"Excuse me, Miss George. Baka hinahanap na ako ni Sir Yves," I told her and started to walk away.

Pero hindi pa ako nakakaalis nang tuluyan nang magsalita pa ulit siya, "if I were you, hindi ako magpapahalata sa ibang tao. You're so obvious, do you know that? From the stares that you're giving him, the looks when you're jealous while he's with me, your smiles, everything! Halatang-halata ka na, Alindra!"

After that, I don't know if I'm still going to smirk or just be nervous about it. I also don't know if she's just testing me or she really knows about us already.

"But don't worry, hindi ko kayo isusumbong. Pagseselosin na lang kita hanggang ikaw na mismo ang magpakita sa kanila na may namamagitan sa inyong dalawa..."

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