#NewClassicRTMC

Chapter 29
Pursue

My cheeks flushed. The ice in my heart slowly melted, making it swell.

The sound of the harsh waves and the loud whispers of the wind hushed abruptly. It was like the time stopped for the both of us. Even with all the beautiful surroundings around me that I missed, my eyes were all on him. I couldn't look away.

Nanginig ang aking mga labi habang nangangapa ako ng mga salita na dapat sabihin. His sudden appearance messed up with my mind so much. His words made my pulse race fast, disrupting its rhythm. Hindi ako makapag-isip nang maayos.

"What do you think?" Ike asked, his tone was calm and his eyes were deceiving. "Can we start all over again?"

Napalunok ako. "Ni-niloloko mo ba ako?"

Deep lines appeared on his forehead as he made face. His dark expression told me that he didn't like what he heard.

"Are you making fun of my song?"

He frowned even more. "Is that what you think of me?" His jaw clenched because I offended him. "You think I'll make fun of the song you wrote for me?"

Halos malaglag ang aking panga. Mas bumilis ang pagtibok ng aking puso.

Right, Aleena... You basically confessed what you're feeling for him by writing and singing that song. But I didn't want to blame myself for doing so. I did that to pour those overwhelming feelings out and finally move on from it. I never expected that Ike would be back here in Roxas. I thought that once I left Manila, we would be living our separately lives from then on.

Ike ruined my plans. He's the one to blame. From making me fall for him and following me back home, it's all on him.

Bakit pa kasi siya bumalik dito?

"Song I wrote for you?" Para akong baliw na pinipilit ang sariling tumawa. "Paano mo naman nasabi na para sa 'yo ang kantang sinulat ko? It's just a song."

I tried to save face by denying that I wrote the song for him. I tried to act tough by laughing it off. However, his reaction was the opposite of what I expected.

The dark clouds over his head magically disappeared like the sun emerged from behind as he let out a huge grin. His face lit up.

I tried not to be affected by his sudden change of emotion. Kanina lang ay parang nagagalit siya pero biglang nangingiti-ngiti na. His mood swings was worse than a woman on her period. Mas lalo lamang akong naguluhan. I really couldn't understand him that I found it dangerous.

"I'm not yet over about the fact that you worked on that song with Isaiah but I can let it pass for now..." he smirked and licked his lower lips. "I'll try my best to take part in your shenanigans."

My eyes went wide and round when I realized that he was really making fun of me. He was clearly enjoying having this conversation with me.

I knew it! I shouldn't have let my heart get swayed!

"Ewan ko sa 'yo!" Iyon na lamang ang sinabi ko at saka tumayong dala-dala ang aking gitara.

Nagmamadali akong ibinalik iyon sa loob ng lalagyanan nito. Nahirapan nga lang ako sa pagpasok dahil sa hindi malamang kaba lalo na nang naupo si Ike sa duyan. Nakanguso siya habang pinapanood ang pagkataranta ko.

"Baka magasgasan mo 'yong gitara," paalala niya na hindi nakatulong sa aking nararamdaman.

He was watching me with a very amused stare. Aliw na aliw siya talaga sa akin. Mas lalo akong nakaramdam ng iritasyon.

I did my best to ignore him. I kept calm and took it easy, but it seemed like he was really testing my patience.

"You're wearing the bracelet again."

Natigil ako sa pagzi-zipper ng guitar case. Nilingon ko siya. With a gentle smile on his face, his eyes were glued on my wrist. Nag-angat lang siya ng tingin sa akin nang bumaling ako sa kanya.

Gusto kong tanggalin ang bracelet ngunit hindi ko magawa. I didn't want to lose it. Kahit gusto kong makamove-on ay gusto kong mag-iwan pa rin ng bagay na magpapaalala sa akin ng lahat.

What if he won't give it back to me?

Nang maisip 'yon, kaysa magsalita ay iniwas ko na lang ulit ang aking tingin. Binuhat ko ang aking gitara at walang salitang nagmartsa palayo sa kanya.

"Are we really going to do everything again?" he asked, following me. "Are you going to try and push me away again?"

Mas lalo kong binilisan ang aking paglalakad. Halos tumakbo na ako upang makalayo lamang sa kanya.

"Slow down. You might trip," he reminded me.

Hindi ko pa rin siya pinansin. I maintained my speed to disobey him. I didn't go home straight as I feared that he might follow me there. Dumiretso ako sa opisina kung saang maaari kong makita si Gian.

Since he wasn't inside his office at the restaurant, I figured he'd be in his father's office. Hindi naman ako nabigo dahil kita kong nakaupo siya sa malaking lamesa roon habang may binabasang mga papel.

He didn't notice my arrival since he was focused on work. I placed my guitar on top of the couch before I marched on the way to his table.

"Nandito si Ike," bungad ko sa kanya nang makalapit at ibinagsak ang aking dalawang kamay sa lamesa.

"H-ha?"

Gian was inattentive. He didn't hear what I just said.

"What did you say?" he asked me once he tore his eyes away from those papers.

Napabuntonghininga ako at umupo sa upuan sa harap ng kanyang lamesa.

"Nandito si Ike," ulit ko.

"Oh, that..." he said like he wasn't interested. "I assisted him when he checked in this morning. He booked the premium villa again."

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata at muling napaduwang sa lamesa. "Alam mong nandito siya pero hindi mo sinabi sa akin?"

Kumunot ang kanyang noo. "Kailangan ko pa bang sabihin sa 'yo 'yon?"

My shoulders fell dejectedly. I realized that I had not told him what happened back in Manila. He didn't know I have feelings for Ike that I have yet to move on from.

"I'm sorry, Aleena. I really need to catch up with work. Madaming iniwan na backlogs sa akin si daddy. I feel like he purposely did this to challenge me," he said and I saw his eyes burning in determination to prove his worth.

Muli akong napahinga nang malalim. "Hanggang kailan siya rito?" tahimik kong tanong at kumalma na.

I was guilty for disturbing him while he was busy at work, pero hindi ako mapakali. I had questions I knew he could answer.

"Hmm... Indefinite," he simply answered while he started scanning the papers in front of him once again.

"Indefinite?" Napataas ang aking boses.

He nonchalantly nodded. "He said he'll stay here for as long as he likes."

"At hindi mo siya pinigilan?"

Muling siyang natigilan sa pagbabasa upang mag-angat ng tingin sa akin. "Why would I do that?" tanong niya. "His one night stay at the premium villa could already give us a fortune. Pabor sa negosyo ang pagtira niya roon habang nandito siya sa Roxas."

But what about me?

Gusto kong itanong sa kanya iyon ngunit alam kong masyado na iyong makasarili. I didn't want to waste more of his time so I just quietly left the office. Pagkalabas ko ay bumungad sa akin si Ike na naghihintay sa pasilyo.

His hands were both inside his pockets while he was resting his back against the wall. His eyes quickly darted on me. Our gazes met, and the only thing I could do was to accept my fate, sigh, and walk away.

"Are you going home now?" Ike asked as he followed me right away. "I'll walk you home."

I didn't say yes nor refuse his offer. I didn't answer at all. Tahimik lang akong nagpatuloy sa paglalakad habang siya ay nakasunod lamang sa akin. Nawala na sa aking isipan na mayroon akong dalang bisikleta kanina. Nakalayo na kami sa resort nang maalala ko.

Fortunately, Ike didn't annoy me. He just quietly followed me from behind. I guessed he read the room that I wasn't in the mood for fun and games.

Halos sampung minuto rin kaming naglakad pauwi sa bahay. Nang makalagpas ako sa bakod at makatapak sa aming bakuran ay hinarap ko siya. Agad siyang tumigil at nanatili sa kalsada.

"Salamat," tipid kong sabi bago ko siya muling tinalikuran.

Dire-diretso na akong pumasok sa bahay. Pasimple akong sumilip sa may bintana upang tingnan kung paalis na siya.

For a few seconds, Ike remained standing outside while his eyes were fixed on the door. His playful stare was gone. It was replaced by solemnity.

Parang pinipiga ang aking puso habang pinapanood siya sa labas. Halos isang minuto rin ang nakalipas bago siya nagpasyang maglakad pabalik sa resort. Nang mawala siya ay roon lamang ako nakahinga nang maluwag.

The heavy feeling pulled me into my room and tucked me in my bed. Kahit hindi pa tuluyang nagpapaalam ang araw ay nakatulog na ako. Hindi na rin ako ginising ni Auntie Divina upang kumain ng hapunan dahil madaling araw na nang magising ako.

Auntie Divina was already up, cooking our breakfast, when I went out to drink water in the kitchen. Ilang buwan na ang nakalipas simula nang maranasan ko ang ganito ngunit parang walang nagbago.

"Oh, gising ka na pala," puna ni Auntie Divina nang lingunin ako habang kumukuha ng tubig. "Hindi na kita ginising kagabi dahil parang pagod na pagod ka. Saan ka ba nagpunta kahapon?"

"Sa resort lang po..." sagot ko bago ininom ang tubig.

"Ganoon ba? Hindi kita nakita. Ang daming trabaho kahapon," sabi ni auntie. "Maaga nga akong papasok ngayon dahil may mga hindi ako natapos."

Tumango-tango ako. "Madami nga rin pong ginagawa si Gian kahapon no'ng binisita ko," sabi ko. "Madami po bang nakacheck-in ngayon?"

"Hindi naman dahil hindi peak season pero mayroong nagbook pa ng dalawang premium villa. Next week ang dating at medyo maraming request na kailangan naming asikasuhin. Parang may surprise ata na mangyayari. Ewan ko."

Bahagya akong natawa kahit na medyo naaawa dahil abalang-abala siya. Kaya nga lang ay alam kong talagang gusto niya ang ginagawa niya. Even if I'd ask her to stop working, I know she wouldn't quit.

"Nga pala, sinabi sa akin ni Gian na papuntahin ka sa restaurant mamaya para kumanta gaya ng dati," biglang sabi ni Auntie Divina.

I pursed my lips. "Titingnan ko pa po."

"Hay, nako! Wala ka namang ginagawa rito sa bahay. Alam kong may pera ka na ngayong naipundar pero mas maganda pa rin ang patuloy na kumakayod," pangaral niya sa akin. "Hindi mo alam kung ano ang puwedeng mangyari. Baka isang araw, pagkagising mo, wala nang natira sa ipon mo."

Auntie Divina went on and on with her life advices and lessons. Hindi na ako makatanggi. Kaya naman pagkatapos kong magkulong sa bahay ng buong araw at maghanap ng pagkakaabalahan ay naglakad na ako papunta sa resort. I went straight to the restaurant. Medyo natigilan nga lang ako nang makitang madami-madami ang kumakain kahit na hindi naman peak season.

"Aleena!"

Natigilan ako sa pagmamasid sa buong restaurant nang sinalubong ako ni Bambi. Nakangiti ko siyang binati.

"Ako na ang magdala niyan. Kumain ka na ba?" sabi niya at kinuha sa akin ang gitara. "Sabi ni Gian kung hindi ka pa kumakain ng dinner ay magdinner ka muna bago kumanta."

Umiling ako at sinundan siya papunta sa solo table malapit sa stage. "Hindi na. Kumain na ako sa bahay bago pumunta rito."

"Oh, sige. Kung handa ka nang kumanta ay umakyat ka na sa stage." Maingat niyang inilapag ang gitara sa ibabaw ng lamesa. "Tubig or juice ba, ayaw mo?"

"Hmm... Tubig na lang siguro."

"Sige. Kuhanan kita saglit."

Muli akong ngumiti sa kanya bago inilabas ang gitara sa lalagyanan nito. Medyo nakaramdam nga lang ako ng pagkailang dahil pakiramdam ko ay mayroong nakatingin sa akin.

When I finally looked up to check, I wasn't wrong with my gut feeling. Most of the people dining at the restaurant were looking at me. I even caught some guys shamelessly taking pictures of me on their phones.

My forehead creased. I felt disrespected a bit. Ngunit bago ko pa masita iyong kumukuha sa akin ng litrato ay mayroon nang humarang sa aking paningin.

Wearing his ballcap, Ike sat in front of me and placed his plate on my table. Bawas na ang kanyang pinagkainan at mukhang kanina pa nagsimulang kumain.

"It seems like these people here can recognize you," he said, his voice was quiet like he was whispering.

Muling napakunot ang aking noo at saka sinilip ulit ang tatlong lalaki na kumukuha ng litrato ko kanina. Nakangiti silang kumaway sa akin na parang kinikilig nang tingnan ko.

I thought they had bad intentions at first, but Ike must be right. I also saw some women taking pictures like them. I didn't expect that the tourists would be able to recognize me. Parang iyong mga foreigner lang ang walang pakialam sa akin. But I guessed Road to Record really did bring me fame.

"See?"

Nang ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay Ike ay nagpatuloy na siya sa pagkain.

"Kung ganoon ay dapat lumipat ka ng lamesa. Hindi malabong makilala ka rin nila," sabi ko sa kanya.

Ike just smiled and continued to eat like that didn't bother him at all.

Napairap ako sa kawalan at nagdesisyong kumanta na upang makauwi na ako. I couldn't stay in one table with Ike for so long. Maiinis lamang ako ulit kung magtatagal pa ako.

Walang oras akong inaksaya at mabilis kong inayos ang set-up ng aking gitara sa entablado. And like the audience were anticipating my performance, the moment I faced them from the stage, they started clapping their hands and cheering for me. Awtomatikong sumilay ang ngiti sa aking labi.

I already experienced performing in an arena, but personally, nothing beats the feeling of having an intimate performance with only a few people watching me. Through this way, I'm closer to my audience. I can see their faces clearer which makes it easier for me to communicate with them.

"Good evening," I formally greeted them, and they cheered for me once more. "I'm Aleena."

"Ang ganda mo, Aleena," the man who was taking a picture of me shouted.

Natawa ang ibang mga turista. Nag-init ang aking pisngi sa hiya.

"Thank you," sabi ko sa maliit na boses. "Uhm, I'm going to sing two songs for tonight—"

"Summer of 19!"

Ike cut off my speech. I glared at him because he was getting attention from other people. I was nervous that he might get recognized. Kapag nakita kaming magkasama rito at tapos na ang Road to Record ay baka kung ano na ang isipin ng iba. I didn't want to have another issue, especially that I finally decided to close my doors on showbiz.

"Can I request you to sing Summer of 19?" Like my piercing glare didn't have any effect on him, he continued speaking and gathering people's interest. "I really like that song. Can you sing it for me again, please?"

Mariin kong kinagat ang aking ibabang labi habang diretsong nakatitig sa kanya. I was silently cursing him inside my head for teasing me. While on the other hand, he leaned on the table with a huge grin and let his chin rest on the back of his palm.

Kailan pa siya naging ganito? He's not like this before.

"Iba ang balak kong kantahin ngayon. Sa susunod na lang," sabi ko na lang at para hindi na siya makasagot pa ay sinimulan ko na ang pagtugtog sa aking gitara.

Fortunately, the people stopped paying attention to him once I started singing. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag dahil hindi na nanggulo pa si Ike. I finished singing two songs in peace. Pagkatapos ko ay agad ko ring inayos ang gamit at binalak umalis ng restaurant dahil baka kung ano pa ang masabi niya.

However, some people delayed my time and asked if they could take pictures with me. Hindi ko magawang tumanggi kahit na kating-kati na ako umalis. I didn't want to appear rude nor snob. Madami akong pinaunlakan na magpakuha ng litrato kasama ako. Halos sampung minuto rin ang itinagal ko bago tuluyang nakaalis.

Ike was already outside, waiting for me. He was standing beside the tall coconut tree with his arms crossed. When he saw me, he put his arms down and stood straight.

"Uuwi ka na ba?" maingat niyang tanong sa akin habang nakangiti. "I'll drive you home."

My eyes narrowed when I saw him getting car keys from his pocket.

"May sasakyan ka?"

Kailan pa siya nagkaroon ng sasakyan dito sa Palawan? Parang kagabi lang ay naglakad lang kaming dalawa nang inihatid niya ako pauwi. Pagkatapos ngayon ay may pasasakyan na siya.

"Well, uhm, yes..." He reluctantly answered like he was hiding something from me. "I figured I should get a car here so that I can drive around easily. Kung may gusto ka ring puntahan, I can accompany you."

Napaawang ang aking mga labi. Mukhang talagang binabalak niyang magtagal dito. Walang check out date ang kanyang premium villa at mayroon pa siyang sasakyan!

As I felt like my bottled up feelings were about to burst, I quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him far away from the restaurant. Dinala ko siya sa lugar kung saan ko siya kinumpronta noon. Ilang beses pa akong tumingin sa paligid upang makasigurado na walang ibang tao bago ko siya binitiwan at hinarap.

"Ano ba ang ginagawa mo, Ike?" iritado kong tanong sa kanya nang sumabog na ang aking nararamdaman. "Bakit pumunta ka pa rito at mukhang balak mo pang magtagal?"

Lumalim ang kanyang tingin sa akin nang siya ay magseryoso. I didn't let myself get intimated, though.

"You should've just stayed there in Manila. Tapos na ang Road to Record. Malinis akong umalis ng showbiz," sabi ko. "If you think you can make me reconsider my decisions, you won't. Kaya puwede ba? Bago pa malaman ng buong sambayanan na nandito ka ay bumalik ka na ng Manila."

Tinagilid niya ang kanyang ulo habang tahimik na nakikinig lamang sa aking mga sinasabi.

"Paano kung maisyu tayong dalawa, ha?"

He chuckled without humor. "You really think I still care about that?"

I was speechless. The words were stuck in my throat all jumbled down. Hindi ko na maalala ang aking sunod na sasabihin.

"Ikaw na ang mismong nagsabi..." He took a step closer while I took a step back in surprise. "Tapos na ang Road to Record. I'm not your mentor anymore. I won't care even if there are a hundred of articles about us get published. But if you don't want that; if you're uncomfortable with that, I can negotiate and control the media for you. I'll do whatever pleases you except leaving you here."

I swallowed my nervousness. My eyes never left his. He got all my attention. I found it hard to admire his beauty while trying to decipher all his words simultaneously.

"Now, you're asking me why I'm here?"

Wala sa sarili akong umiling. Binabawi ko na ang aking tanong.

The corners of his lips lifted into a smile. It gave me chills. My pulse went into overdrive.

"I thought we could start all over again and take it slow, but your pretty clueless mind seems to be overthinking and twisting my intentions," he said, and I wasn't really sure if he was trying to explain his side or insult me. "Let me tell you this, Aleena. I'll say it loud and clear."

Muli siyang humakbang palapit sa akin. Sinubukan kong lumayo ngunit agad akong nahuli ng kanyang kamay.

I almost lost my balance. I draped my arms over his shoulders tightly like my life depended on him, while his arms also snaked around my waist to pull me closer.

His face was so close to mine that I could see my reflection in his eyes clearly. It was so hypnotizing. The tension in my body was released as I relaxed, like I was submitting myself to him.

"I'm here because I'm going to pursue you once more."

Nanuyo ang aking lalamunan. Hindi ko magawang kumontra sa mga sinasabi niya. Ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay pakinggan siya nang mabuti.

"I'm going to pursue you, not as your mentor, but as a man who fell in love with you," he stated in plain words like he was making sure that I wouldn't get the wrong ideas again. "You can try to deny your feelings for me, but I won't deny mine anymore."

His grip on my waist radiated heat to my body. My heart hammered against my chest.

"I'm done hiding my feelings, Aleena. I've had enough." The desperation in his voice pricked my heart with pain. "But if you wish to still hide yours, I'm going to find it whatever it takes."