#RTG09 Chapter 09

"Congratulations, Atty. Lyana Isobel Laurel!"

I squinted my eyes dahil sa sigawan ng mga tao sa resto. Agad kong nakita ang pamilya ko pati na iyong ilang mga kakilala namin ni Sean—karamihan ay nakilala ko dahil friendly kasi talaga siya. I swear, if tatakbo siya ng Mayor, feeling ko mananalo talaga siya!

Agad akong napa-hiwalay kay Sean dahil sa dami ng kumausap sa akin. Kaka-alam ko pa lang na pumasa ako kanina. Nagdeactivate kasi ako ng lahat ng account ko pati hindi ako sumasagot sa mga texts at call dahil pakiramdam ko ay dumadagdag pa sila sa anxiety ko...

Nagulat lang ako kanina nang pumunta si Sean sa condo. He was holding a box of pizza and balloons. And I was about to ask him kung ano ang okasyon, nang biglang makita ko kung ano iyong naka-sulat sa balloons...

'You made it, Atty. Laurel!'

Hindi agad nagsink-in iyong nabasa ko. It took me a few seconds before I realized what the fuck just happened... and when I realized that, Sean was already busy sending a video of my reaction to my parents! Ugh! Biglang sobrang close na siya sa pamilya ko! Minsan nga parang siya na iyong anak!

Akala ko ay mapupunit na ang labi ko sa sobrang pagngiti. Mabilis na hinanap ng mga mata ko si Sean.

"Congrats, baby," he said, kissing the side of my head. "Knew you'd make it."

I automatically wrapped my arms around his waist and looked up at him. I smiled even more. This... was undeniably the best day of my life. I just passed the fucking BAR exam and now, Sean's right beside me. I seriously couldn't ask for anything more.

"What if I failed? This party would've felt like a funeral," I said while we were on the corner, trying to eat. Nandito lahat ng kaibigan naming dalawa ni Sean—or really, mostly his friends. He's super friendly.

"Then... this would've been an advance send-off party for next year's exam," he said, smiling at me. And then he kissed my cheek again. "But I was certain you'd pass. I believe in you."

I wanted to spend the whole night beside Sean but I had to talk to the guests. Medyo nahihilo pa ako dahil puyat ako sa pinapanood kong series. But I needed to be an accomodating guest. Nakaka-hiya, e. Si Sean sobrang bait sa mga kaibigan ko. Kailangan ko ring maging mabait sa mga kaibigan niya.

It was already 10pm when everyone left. Sean asked me if I wanted to get a takeout dahil hindi ako masyadong naka-kain sa dami ng bisita, but I reminded him na may pizza pa sa condo... Sayang naman kung hindi maka-kain.

Pagdating namin, I quickly reheated the pizza. Pagbalik ko sa salas, Sean was looking at me, wearing that familiar grin on his face kapag may surprise siya sa akin.

I couldn't say that Sean's materialistic, since kahit mga simpleng bagay tungkol sa akin o kahit sinabi ko once lang, naaalala niya... but boy, he's really fucking generous! Never akong nagrequest ng kahit na ano sa kanya dahil ayoko ng ganon... but this man kept on giving.

I arched my brow. "Ano 'to?" I asked when he handed me an envelope. Nakaka-curious dahil sa ngisi sa mukha niya.

"Your reward," he answered.

I quickly opened the envelope and my eyes widened when I saw that it was a trip for 2 to Paris. Tumingin ako sa kanya nang hindi maka-paniwala.

"Are you for fucking real?!" I shouted. He laughed at my reaction.

"Yeah..."

"This... Ang mahal nito!"

"You deserve it," he said, kissing my lips. "I know you have interviews lined up, so, we have to fix your visa tomorrow and we'll leave three days after."

My face was still a big mask of confusion. I just fucking passed the BAR. I was officially a lawyer—well, after signing the roll... Tapos ngayon pupunta na rin akong Paris?

"Sob, do you hear me?" he asked when seconds passed and I was still just looking at him. "I was asking about your passport."

I bit my lower lip and quickly snaked my arms around his neck. I looked at him, my eyes covered with tears.

"I love you, Sean Denver Cuesta," I whispered, meaning it with every fiber of my being. I love him... I just love him so much... I love everything about him. I love that he didn't give up on me kahit na ilang beses akong nakipagbreak sa kanya habang nagrereview ako dahil sa sobrang stress—pero never siyang pumayag at lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin na nababaliw lang daw ako. I love how he always told me that I was gonna pass and I just needed to do the work.

I love that he loves me.

"I love you, Atty. Laurel," he replied with that gentle smile on his face.

I reached for his face and kissed him. He quickly wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. I felt like I was drowning with the way he was claiming my lips.

"I love you," I repeated. "I love you so much."

Naramdaman ko iyong pagngiti niya. He planted a quick kiss on my lips. "I love you, too, Atty. Laurel."

And then he was kissing me again and I didn't want to stop.

* * *

I'd always known from the get go that Sean was from a rich family. It was one of the things that I had to consider before I went out with him. He's just... too rich. It sounded so complicated. Nang ma-meet ko ang pamilya niya, I promised myself that I'd work hard.

That I'd be something.

I needed to feel good about myself so that I wouldn't feel that Sean's too good for me. He's so good to me... pati pamilya niya ay sobrang bait sa akin... I felt like I needed to be something else...

"Babayaran ko 'yung ginastos mo sa visa ko," I told Sean as we were waiting on the lounge. I was still so shocked when I realized that Sean was paying a lot of money para lang mapa-bilis ang processing ng visa ko. And he paid it without blinking! Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako sanay sa kung gaano siya kayaman.

"I told you, this is my gift."

"Basta."

"Fine," he said, rolling his eyes. He really hated it whenever I'd protest about him spending his money on me. I mean, alam ko naman na mayaman siya... I just hated it whenever I'd hear kung paano 'jackpot' ako dahil boyfriend ko siya. It's not as if si Sean ang nagbabayad ng tuition or rent ko sa condo. Baka tagain sila ni Papa kapag narinig nila 'yon.

"Galit ka?" tanong ko habang naka-yakap sa braso niya.

"No," he replied, almost scoffing, kaya natawa ako.

"Compromise... I won't protest kapag ikaw ang nagbayad ng dinner natin, okay?" I asked.

"Lunch and dinner," he bargained. "Or you know what... You can pay me in blowjobs," mahinang sabi niya sa akin dahil may mga tao sa paligid namin.

Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

"I won't be a member of the mile high club!" I told him with my eyes wide.

He laughed. "Why not?"

"Sean!"

He laughed still. "I think it's gonna be exciting," he whispered in my eyes. "Imagine us fucking in the CR... with the fear of being caught by the other passengers..."

Kinurot ko siya. "You fucking wish."

His face was still pleased with my reaction. "We'll see... It's a long flight, Sob... I assure you at one point, you're going to be horny," confident na sabi niya. Sira ulo talaga 'to!

Sean was being an asshole at ginugulo ako habang naghihintay kami. He said that since Paris is the city of love, we'd have to fuck hard in Paris para naman daw mabigyan namin ng hustisya iyong lugar. Who fucking thinks like that?!

I was fiddling with my phone, answering congratulatory messages from my workmates and schoolmates.

"Shit," I uttered when I received a text from an unknown number.

"What?" Sean asked, his eyes suddenly on me.

"Sean..." I looked at him in utter horror. "It's the HR. From the firm that I really want."

My heart was beating so fast that it felt like it would burst out of my chest. The text mentioned that it was an urgent interview. Gusto kong maka-pasok sa firm na 'yun dahil sikat at mahirap maka-pasok doon. Halos puro by invitation lang iyong mga nakaka-pasok doon dahil puro top-notchers iyong gusto nila... Bihira lang siya tumanggap ng normal na passers kagaya ko.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang biglang tumayo si Sean.

"Let's go," he said, offering his hand to help me stand up.

"Ha?"

"What time is the interview? I'll drive you there."

"But Paris—"

"Paris won't leave, love," he said, picking up his laptop bag.

"Pero 'yung visa... And ticket... Pati hotel..."

"Sob... This is your dream job, right?" he asked and I slowly nodded. First day pa lang ng law school, nang may magsalita sa orientation namin galing sa Gulmatico & Zobel, pinangako ko na sa sarili ko na doon ako magta-trabaho.

"Maybe I can resched..." I said... Sayang kasi talaga iyong ticket... First class pa naman 'yun...

Sean shook his head and cupped my face. "Go to your interview and I'll rebook our ticket, okay?"

I bit my lower lip, but his smile convinced me that it was the right thing to do. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at sabay kaming naglakad palabas sa lounge. Sean was walking quickly while talking to his driver para balikan kami dito sa airport.

"Are you prepared for the interview?" he asked.

"I think so..." sagot ko. I'd been studying that firm for as long as I could remember. I knew that I really wanted to work there and there's no other end game for me. Doon ko lang gustong magtrabaho.

"You just have to answer smartly and be confident," he said.

I looked at him.

I usually doubt myself... but not Sean. He never once doubted me.

"Thank you, Sean..." seryosong sabi ko dahil na-appreciate ko na hindi siya nagdalawang isip na unahin iyong interview ko kahit na sobrang laking effort at hassle na iresched namin iyong bakasyon namin...

He smiled at me and that was enough.

* * *

My knees were shaking when I walked out of the conference room kung saan naganap iyong interview. I wasn't informed na senior partners na pala iyong kakausap sa akin! Mabuti na lang at kabisado ko na iyong sagot ko dahil matagal ko ng pina-practice iyon.

"Hey," Sean said as he saw me approaching. He was leaning against his car before, reading something on his phone. Mabilis niyang itinago iyong cellphone niya nang makita ako. "How was the interview?"

"Okay naman..." sagot ko.

"I'm sure you did well," he assured me.

I looked at him and bit my lower lip. "I was so nervous! I kinda freaked out! Then I stuttered!" sumbong ko sa kanya. Naka-tingin lang siya sa akin habang sinasabi ko lahat. There was no hint of judgment in his eyes—just that he was listening intently to whatever I was saying.

And when I was done, he held my hand.

"I'll cry if they don't call me..."

"Their loss," he said.

"You're just saying that because you love me."

He laughed. "Probably..." he said at hinampas ko siya. "Kidding! It's really their loss, Sob. You're the most hardworking person I know. Their loss if they didn't see that during the interview just because you stuttered."

I was still frowning kaya naman dinala ako ni Sean sa paborito kong resto. Then, we went to the mall and watched a movie. Naglakad-lakad lang kami hanggang sa napagod kami at dumiretso na kami sa condo.

"Where's my towel?" he asked.

"I think it's in the laundry," I replied. "Just get whatever's there."

Habang nasa CR si Sean, kinuha ko iyong pants niya na hinubad niya bago pumunta sa CR. Kumunot ang noo ko nang may makita akong maliit na box roon. Instinctively, I picked it up and opened it...

"I can't find any towel—"

He stopped midway when he saw me holding the fucking ring.

Naka-tingin kami sa isa't-isa.

Ilang segundo ang lumipas, walang nagsasalita.

"Sean..." I began. "What's this?"

His lips were parted. He brushed his hair using his fingers. "Can I wear my pants first, please?" tanong niya dahil naka-boxers lang siya ngayon. Tipid akong tumango. Sean wore his pants, and then looked at me.

Nilahad niya ang palad niya. Inabot ko sa kanya niya.

Fuck.

What the fuck was happening?

"This was supposed to be for Paris," he said, opening the box and looking at the ring inside it. Ni hindi ko pa natitigan iyon nang mabuti dahil nagulat ako nang makita kong singsing iyon...

He looked at me and had that lopsided grin of his.

"We were supposed to be in Paris, strolling at night, and then when we're in front of the Eiffel Tower, I'd get on my knee and ask you to be my wife," sabi niya habang naka-tingin sa mga mata ko. I couldn't find any doubt in his eyes... na para bang siguradong-sigurado siya na ako na iyong gusto niyang pakasalan.

"Well, we're not in Paris, but at least it's still night... and I still want to get on my knee and ask you to be my wife," he asked as he was slowly getting down on his knee, opening the box, and showing me the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen in my fucking life.

"Lyana Isobel Laurel," he began. "I know we've been dating for just over a year... But when you know, you know—"

"Are you sure?" I asked, cutting him off.

We're still young... Never kong naisip na magpapa-kasal ako sa ganitong edad... Wala 'to sa life plan ko.

"Of course," he confidently said. "I love you so much, Isobel. I wanna wake up every day and see you first thing in the morning. I wanna come home to you every night. I wanna call you my wife."

I felt like my heart melted at his words.

God, Sean Denver Cuesta!

"Have you asked my Dad?" I asked him.

He grinned. "I asked him when I went to Vizcaya for the med mission," he said. My lips parted. That was months ago! Matagal niya na pala 'tong plano! "Be my wife? Please?"

I tilted my head back and laughed and cried.

"Yes!" I shouted, and then Sean slid the ring on my finger and then we kissed and cried and thank God we found each other.