CHAPTER 6

TERRON received the video from Shun early in the morning. But even though Shun sent it early as promised, Terron still couldn't make himself open it. The content of the video was his and Eva's interaction. Alam niyang makikita niya sa video ang rason kung bakit palagi siyang tinutukso ng mga kaibigan niya kay Eva. Siguro iyon ang rason kung bakit di niya magawang panooorin 'yon.

With a deep, loud sigh, he closed his laptop and ignored the video he paid for two million.

And while contemplating on what to do, he received a message from Eva—it was a funny reel that made him chuckle while watching it. But his smile disappeared when he received a message from his father.

'Son, unfortunately, I can only buy you two more months. Be sure to settle everything before then. I will send your butler to fetch you by the end of two months. Have fun and leave no regrets.'

Leave no regrets. His father's last words made him smile wryly. How could he leave with no regrets? What an impossibility. Regret would always be present. But what was the use of regretting?

With a small, bitter smile, he replied to his father. 'See you soon, father.'

Terron was about to put his phone down when he saw Eva's name on the screen. Just below his father's.

Maliban sa mga naging kaibigan niya sa Bachelor's Village, tanging si Eva lang ang maituturing niyang may koneksiyon siya.

Their friendship started when he saw Eva dragging a heavy box into the store. He offered a hand. She accepted, and the rest was history. It had been more than a year since then. They had shopped together, have dinner together, chatted and talk over the phone with interesting topics and they had visited some attractions they both wanted to see together.

It was a good year. But there was no party that never ends. In two months, he'll go back to his monotonous life.

His hands acted faster than his brain—he called Eva.

"Napatawag ka, Your Grace." There was no surprised in Eva's voice, she was just genuinely wondering why Terron called. "May pagbabago ba sa lakad natin mamaya?"

"...no."

Hearing Terron's languid voice, Eva knew something must've happened, hence the sudden call. Nag-iisip si Eva kung magtatanong ba siya at kung tama bang magtanong siya ng magsalita ulit si Terron.

"Can I see you?" He asked in the same languid voice.

Natigilan si Eva ng ilang segundo bago sumagot. "Sure. Bitter Sweet café?"

"Okay." Medyo nagkaroon ng sigla ang boses ng binata. "See you in thirty?"

"Sige."

"Thanks. Bye."

"Bye."

Nang matapos ang tawag ay napatingin na lang si Eva sa pinamili nilang panindan kahapon na nagkalat sa sahig. Nasa kalagitnaan siya ng paglalagay niyon sa istante ng tumawag si Terron. Plano niyang ayusin ang mga pinanili nila kahapon ngayon pero biglang nagbago ang isip niya.

Pumasok siya sa kabahayan para maligo at magbihis bago makipagkita kay Terron sa Bitter Sweet café. Dahil malapit lang naman ang café sa kanila, nilakad lang 'yon ni Eva matapos siyang mag-ayos.

"Oh. Hi, Eva!" SM, the café's owner, welcomed her with a sweet smile.

Only heartless people wouldn't be moved by SM's smile. Eva smiled back. "Hi, SM."

Naglakad si Eva patungo sa counter kung saan nasa likod niyon si SM at saka si Jacques na parang prinsepeng nakaupo at sumisimsim ng kape. Kung hindi niya alam na butler ni SM si Jacques, iisipin niyang si SM ang nagta-trabaho para kay Jacques.

"The usual?" SM asked when Eva stopped in front of the counter.

"Yep. Pero maliban sa large Sea Salt Latte, padagdag ako ng isang Caffè Ristretto at limang butter cookies."

With a smile, SM entered her order in the machine. "By the way, Eva, thank you for finding my husband handsome." Mas lumapad ang ngiti ni SM. "Halos araw-araw niyang pinagmamalaki na siya raw ang pinaka-guwapo sa buong BV."

Eve didn't know how to react, so she just chose to be honest. "Well, sila naman talaga ni Cloud ang pinakaguwapo sa BV—kung ako ang tatanungin."

The silent Jacques showed a reaction. He stopped sipping his coffee and looked at Eva. "You also find Cloud handsome?"

"Hindi ba?"

Jacques nodded, looking proud and pleased. "Indeed. That shameless bastard is very handsome. Anyway, it seems like a certain count is going to cry tonight."

Natawa si SM. "Mukha nga. Kapag nalaman niyang hindi siya nag-iisa sa listahan ng 'pinakaguwapo' sa BV, baka magwala 'yon."

Umingos si Jacques. "Subukan lang ng konde na 'yon. I won't buy his favorite rice next month."

SM just messed Jacques' hair and looked at Eva. "Siguradong pupuntahan ka ni Knight para magtanong. If ever, just tell him I said he's the most handsome."

Napangiti si Eva saka tumango. Sa lahat ng mag-asawa sa BV na nakilala niya, para sa kaniya, si SM at Knight ang may pinaka-unique na relasyon. Knight was crazy and SM was calm and collected. Not only that, SM could also handle Knight's crazy antics without even blinking an eye. Just like now.

"Anyway, that would be five hundred and thirty-seven pesos." Imporma ni SM kay Eva sa babayaran nito.

Nagbayad naman kaagad si Eva saka tinanggap ang café pager bago pumili ng lamesa.

Eva chose the most inconspicuous table and sat there to wait for Terron.

Ilang minuto lang siyang naghintay. Tamang-tama lang na pagdating ng order niya, dumating naman si Terron.

"Let me." Terron immediately took the tray with coffee and cookies from Eva's hand. "Where's our table?"

Nauna nang maglakad si Eva patungo sa mesa nila at kaagad namang sumunod si Terron sa dalaga.

Sitting at their table, Eva immediately looked at Terron to observe his expression.

If she was not mistaken, he seemed to be feeling down.

Gustong-gustong magtanong ni Eva kung ano ang nangyari pero sa isiping may mga bagay ang bawat tao na ayaw ng mga itong ipaalam sa iba, hindi niya ibinuka ang bibig para magtanong ng personal na bagay.

"Ayos ka la bang, Your Grace?" Sa halip ay iyon ang tinanong niya.

Sumimsim si Terron ng kape saka nangalumbabang tumingin ng matiim kay Eva ng ilang segundo bago sumagot. "Hmm. I'm feeling better now."

"Buti naman." Inubos ni Eva ang butter cookie na hawak saka sinalubong ang matiim na tingin ni Terron. "What?"

Terron reached out his hand to touch the end of Eva's long, curly hair that was resting over her shoulder. "Hindi nakatali ang buhok mo."

Eva unconsciously touched the hair Terron was holding. "Nakalimutan ko. Nagmamadali kasi ako."

"Nagmamadali ka?" Terron played with Eva's hair with his fingers. "Were in you in a hurry to see me?"

Tumango si Eva. She didn't see the need to lie or pretend. "You sounded off on the phone. Saka hindi mo gawaing tanungin ako kung puwede mo akong makita kaya medyo nag-alala ako."

"Is that so?" Terron continued playing with Eva's hair. "I'm sorry for making you worry."

"Ayos lang." Eva picked up another butter cookie to eat. "May gusto ka bang kainin, Your Grace? My treat."

"I like their ravioli." Terron answered as he inwardly smiled. The first time he heard those words from Eva, he was so against it they argued a bit. But now, he had become accustomed to those words. However, he was still raised as a gentleman who believed in compromise.

Ibinuka ni Terron ang palad sa harapan ni Eva na parang nanghihingi. "Your treat, but I'm ordering."

Eva happily handed Terron the money and let him order his ravioli. Nang makabalik ito sa mesa nila mula sa counter, hinila nito ang kinauupuan kanin palapit sa kaniya hanggang sa magkatabi na ang upuan nila.

"Anong—"

Umupo si Terron sa hinilang upuan saka ihinilig nito ang ulo sa balikat ni Eva. "Don't mind me. Do your thing. I'll just rest for a bit."

Walang nagawa si Eva dahil nakita ng dalaga na pumikit na ang mga mata ni Terron habang nakahilig ang ulo nito sa balikat niya. Hinayaan niya ang binata at nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain ng butter cookies at pag-inom ng Sea Salt Latte. Habang kumakain, tahimik din siyang naglalaro sa cellphone niya.

It was the same brain training game, and she finished level after level while Terron's head rested on her shoulder.

Really therapeutic, sa isip ni Eva habang naglalaro. Walang maingay at walang isturbo. It was a very pleasant morning.

All along, Eva thought Terron had really fallen asleep. But when the pager made a sound, notifying them that their order—the ravioli—was ready, Terron opened his eyes and silently walked toward the counter. At nang makabalik ito sa lamesa, inilapag nito ang order na ravioli saka umupo ulit sa tabi ni Eva. Sa pagkakataong 'yon, hindi na ito humilig sa balikat ni Eva pero nanatili itong tahimik.

It was as if he was keeping quiet not to disturb Eva and her game.

After a while, Eva offered her phone to Terron. "Want to play?"

Tumingin si Terron sa screen ng cellphone ni Eva saka tinanggap ang alok ng dalaga.

Together, the two solved numerous puzzles to pass the time. It was quiet and therapeutic that Eva found herself getting sleepy after some time and soon after, her head fell on Terron's shoulder, and fell asleep.

Terron stopped playing and glanced at his shoulder.

Unaware of the smile that grazed his lips, he carefully guided Eva's head to be more comfortable leaning on his shoulder, then he stopped playing and quietly sipped his coffee while eating ravioli.

It was a comfortable silence until Knight appeared in front of their table.

"Dashwood—"

Terron put his forefinger over his lips to gesture Knight to be quiet.

Knight dryly stared at Terron, then whispered. "How sweet."

Ngumiti lang si Terron saka iminuwestra ang kamay bakanteng upuan bago pabulong na nagsalita para hindi ma-isturbo ang tulog ni Eva. "May kailangan ka?"

"Have you seen the video?" Knight asked in a low voice. "Pinaghirapan namin 'yon."

"Namin?"

"Yep. Me, singkit, Val and my annoying brother-in-law."

Terron blinked at Knight. "Apat kayo?"

"Yeah. Why?" Knight asked when he saw Terron's bewildered expression. "What did singkit say?"

"I paid two million for his effort."

Knight's lips parted. He looked shocked that Terron was sure that something happened that he didn't know.

"Did I miss something?" Terron asked.

Knight murmured. "My brother-in-law is annoying, but very pitiful."

"What?"

Knight chuckled. "Nothing. I just remembered a certain pitiful someone who paid for someone's love life."

"Huh?"

"Nothing, nothing. Anyway, have you seen the video?" Knight asked, still in a low voice.

Umiling si Terron.

"Bakit hindi pa?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Knight.

Terron unconsciously glanced at Eva before responding. "I just don't feel like watching it at the moment."

The humor in Knight's face disappeared as if he hadn't had them in the first place. "Or maybe you're just running away."

Terron's eyes snapped at Knight. "What did you say?"

Knight remained emotionless as he said, "you're afraid to see what the video will show you because you already have an inkling of its content. And since you're leaving, you don't want to start anything you can't take responsibility for. You want to leave with no regrets, but you know yourself that that's impossible. So, you're unconsciously running away."

"Unconsciously... running away?"

"Aren't you?"

Terron became silent.

"If you're going to run away," sumulyap si Knight kay Eva. "Continue what you're doing right now and let her be. That's the best outcome for you and her."

Terron remained silent while looking and listening to Knight.

The Knight Velasquez in front of him now was different from the crazy lunatic he knew. This was the other side of Knight that they seldom see because he's always acting childish and crazy.

"Don't worry." Terron spoke after a short while. "I plan to leave without making a fuss."

"That's good." Like a switch, Knight lost his emotionless expression and became the crazy count Terron knew. "Enjoy your brunch. I'm going to look for my lovely wife." Knight bade goodbye and left their table.

After silence fell once again, Terron thought back to Knight's words and a wry, bitter smile appeared on his lips before sipping his coffee.

A long while after Terron finished his coffee and ravioli, Eva stirred awake. Naghikab ang dalaga.

"Had a good sleep?"

Natigilan si Eva sa tanong na 'yon ni Terron na ginawa niyang unan ang balikat. "Mahimbing ba ang tulog ko?"

"You tell me."

Pinakiramdaman ni Eva ang katawan kapagkuwan ay masayang napangiti. "I can't believe I fell asleep. Salamat sa pagpapahiram ng balikat, Your Grace."

"You're welcome. Want some water?"

"Hmm."

Terron got up to get Eva a glass of water from the self-service water dispenser at the corner of the café. Then he returned to their table and handed a glass of water to Eva. Kaagad naman 'yong tinanggap ni Eva dahil nauuhaw ito.

Pagkatapos uminom ng tubig, nagtanong si Eva kay Terron na umupo na naman sa tabi nito. "Tuloy ba ang lakad natin mamayang hapon?"

Terron looked at Eva. "We can leave now if you want. I already booked a buffet lunch for two."

Sa narinig, kaagad na tumayo si Eva saka hinawakan sa pulsuhan si Terron at hinila ito palabas ng café. "Let's go, Your Grace!"

Mahinang natawa si Terron habang hinahayaan si Eva na hilahin siya palabas ng café. Nang makalabas, luminga-linga si Eva at nang makita ang sasakyan na palaging ginagamit ni Terron, hinila niya patungo roon ang binata.

Nang parehong makasakay ang dalawa, binuhay ni Terron ang makina ng sasakyan at maingat na nagmaneho patungo sa luxury buffet restaurant na kaninang umaga pa binook ni Terron.

"Ano nga pala 'yong attraction na gusto mong puntahan?" Basta lang umu-o si Eva na hindi inaalam kung saan gustong pumunta ni Terron.

"It's a newly opened interactive museum."

"Oh." That piqued Eva's interest. "Anong klaseng interactive museum? May pinuntahan kasi ako dati na picture-picture lang."

Terron chuckled when he heard the disappointment in Eva's voice. "Don't worry. This one will challenge your brain. There are a lot of puzzles, quiz games and a maze."

Eva couldn't hide her excitement. "Mamaya na kaya tayo mag-buffet? Pumunta muna tayo sa museum. Sige na, Your Grace. Please... please, Your Grace..."

Terron had already booked and paid for their buffet lunch, but being at the receiving end of Eva's soft begging, he acquiesced. "Alright."

"Yes!" Napasuntok pa sa hangin si Eva. "Puzzles, quizzes, maze... here I come."

Seeing Eva's excited expression, Terron's smile never left his lips, even after they arrived at the museum's parking lot.

"Pipila na ako para bumili ng ticket!" Excited na imporma ni Eva kay Terron saka nagmamadali itong lumabas ng sasakyan na kaka-park lang.

Napailing nalang ng ulo si Terron saka may kinuha muna sa small compartment bago lumabas ng sasakyan at sinundan si Eva.

Hindi ganun karami ang tao kaya naman hindi ganun kahaba ang pila. Pagkadating ni Eva sa ticket booth, ika-apat siya sa pila.

While anticipating all the fun things she could do inside; she felt a presence behind her.

Instantly, she lost her excitement. Her expression tightened, and her eyes sharpened. She was ready to protect herself when that someone behind her started softly combing her hair with their fingers and used a hair clamp to fix her hair.

Then she heard Terron's familiar voice.

"There. You can solve all the puzzles inside without your hair getting in the way."

Wala sa sariling napahawak si Eva sa hair clamp at umikot paharap kay Terron. Then she dumbly asked, because her brain suddenly went blank. "Bakit may hair clamp ka?"

"Bought a few for you." Terron walked past Eva to buy the ticket himself. "If you lost it again, there are a few hair clamps in my car's compartment. You can use it freely. It's yours."

Hindi umumik si Eva at tumitig lang sa likod ni Terron. Nang mahimasmasan, inilang hakbang ni Eva ang pagitan nilang dalawa saka ipinatong ang baba sa balikat ni Terron mula sa likuran.

Eva was a tall woman and Terron was only two inches taller than her. So, putting her chin on Terron's shoulder from behind was easy and comfortable.

But Terron was feeling the opposite of comfortable. His whole body became tense when he felt Eva's breath against his neck and the indispensable organ in his chest was getting stimulated.

"Thank you, Your Grace." Eva whispered.

Terron silently thanked his grandfather for the self-control training he was forced to take since he was a child until he became an adult. Because of that, he could still stand there like nothing happened, even when his entire body was shouting at him to do bad, indecent things.

"You're welcome." Fuck!

CECELIB | C.C.