Chapter 36: Talk

A month passed just fine.

"Thank you for today," Ms. Bretella said.

I just nodded before turning my shoes on towards Zian who's now patiently waiting for me.

He smiled upon seeing me approaching me before welcoming me in his arms. "How's my girl today?"

I bit my lower lip to supress a grin. Zian has never failed to make me feel butterflies everyday.

"I am tired, ikaw? What did you do today?" I looked up at him, smiling.

I noticed how his smile faded.

My forehead creased. "Why?"

He smiled again. "I'm fine. Let's eat? As promise, your aiming-to-be-the-best boyfriend will cook for your dinner," he said and planted a soft kiss on my nose.

I stomped my feet twice, feeling kilig. "Let's go at the nearest market first, wala na akong stocks. What will you cook tonight, anyway?" I asked him while we're walking to his car.

When we got back after spending our time in Palawan, as what he promised, he always cooks me dinner every night, minsan wala siya ng weekend, but I do understand it because he's with his family. He even brought his little sister once and we just went to park.

I wasn't really fond of kids, but his cute little sister had me fun.

"Ari taught me something earlier, so that's what I'm going to cook later."

"You should teach me next time, so I won't always depend on you..."

"If that's what my girlfriend wants, fine."

I smiled again. "Stop it, Zian!" I exclaimed as I held my cheeks.

He chuckled. "Ayos lang para naman tipid ka sa blush-on." He winked as he maneuvered the car.

When we're on our way to a mall, I was just staring at him while he's seriously driving, his attention on the road.

I licked my lower lip while thinking how freaking lucky I am to have him.

He's mine... finally.

"Don't stare at me like that, love."

I can't help but to hit him on his arm. "Can you stop it, Zian? Baka mamaya magka-epilepsy na 'ko or diabetes!"

We both laughed.

"Am I being cheesy or worse making you cringe?" he asked, his eyes were still in front.

I shrugged. "It's fine, and don't ask me I haven't been in a relationship before too, just flings or whatever."

He didn't say anything and just extended his free hand. I watched it confusedly.

He arched a brow while waiting for me, so slowly I put my hand on his.

He smirked.

"Nag-sanitize ka?"

My brows furrowed. "Yeah, why?"

He made a u-turn first before kissing my knuckles. "Just wanna make sure before my lips land on this." He squeezed my hand and intertwined it with his before resting it on his thigh.

"Napaka-arte," I said.

"Parang ikaw dati," he answered.

Our hands were intertwined together when we made our way inside the mall to buy stocks for my apartment.

"Sleep over ka naman sa 'kin, Zian," aya ko at nilagay ang caramel popcorn sa cart na tulak-tulak ni Zian. I already gave him a spare key para kapag may balak siyang pumunta, e, mayroon siyang susi.

"Maybe next time," he answered, hiding a smile when he saw my disappointed face.

"And when's that next time?"

"C'mon, I still haven't fully asked your parents for permission and that's not the outcome I was expecting, ikaw kasi, e..."

"Oh, why was I at fault?" I asked while watching him choosing meat on the meat section's freezer.

"You pushed my buttons, but I was glad when you did, couldn't wait any longer," he said and dragged me in the next section again.

My lips parted. "What do you mean by 'couldn't wait any longer'?"

He shrugged and looked at me. "Had a crush on you since then, until now rather..." He then looked away.

I bit my lower lip and stepped forward to hug him sideways. "I had too much butterflies for today, Zirdy Ivan. Can you save it for tomorrow?" I almost begged.

I love it, but really... I don't want to be the happiest 'coz I know there's always sadness in exchange. And I am scared at the thought of it. Kaya hangga't maaari, gusto ko sakto lang kasi kung sakaling masaktan... sakto lang din ang sakit... sana.

"Darling, come on, kulang pa 'tong Yakult."

"Isang dosena na 'to, Keiro Blint, hindi pa ba 'to sapat? Ano ka ba-" She stopped talking when her gaze landed on us. "Oh, hello..."

I frowned when they had to interrupt our moment. "Hi?" I wasn't even surprised seeing Allison and Kent in front of us.

But seeing both Zian and Kent looked at each other as if someone got betrayed.

"Ba't ka nandito?"

"What are you doing here?"

Sabay pa silang nagtanong sa isa't isa.

Allison looked around and stepped backward, trying to hide.

"Ikaw ang ba't nandito?" Kent shot back as he gave us his menacing smile.

"Obviously, sinamahan niya ako," sabat ko.

Pero hindi pa rin nawawala iyong nang-aasar na ngiti ni Kent. Maya-maya ay lumingon siya sa tabi niya. "Oh, sa'n na 'yong..." Nakahinga siya nang maluwag nang nakita si Allison sa likuran niya. "Why are you hiding there, darling? Come on, huwag ka mahiya sila lang 'yan."

I arched a brow.

"Nahihiya siya kasi ang daldal mo," si Zian.

I smirked when Kent glared at Zian.

"Asa pa, mahal ako nitong babaeng 'to kaya ba't niya naman ako ikahihiya, ha? Baka nga si Audrey kinakahiya ka." Kent looked at me and wiggled his eyebrows. Sinaway naman siya ni Allison.

"Shut up," Zian and I said in unison.

"Sorry, gutom lang siguro ang isang 'to," Allison apologized, siniko niya sa tagiliran ang katabi.

I shrugged.

Kent wrapped his arm around Allison's shoulder and put his hand on her head. "Bye, shut ups," he said, grinning before kissing Allison's temple and turned their back at us.

"That asshole," I murmured.

After we arrived at my apartment, I suit myself on the sofa while Zian's busy in my mini kitchen.

"I'll take a bath first before you make me your dinner-"

"Persian!" he warned, glaring at me while holding a wooden spoon.

I laughed. "Fine!" I raised my hands in surrender. "Galit ka kaagad, e." I tiptoed and planted a kiss on his lips.

After I took a bath I entered my room to get changed. I realized that this apartment isn't small like how I described it before, siguro nasabi ko lang iyon kasi hindi naman ako sanay sa ganitong lugar. But I realized this is enough for atleast two persons. There's a one room, mini sala, kitchen and a bathroom.

I was sitting on the sofa after I did a cleaning while waiting for Zian to finish, but seemed like he cooked hundred of dishes that I fell asleep.

"Hey, dinner's ready," he whispered while carressing my cheek. "You slept while your hair's still wet, it isn't good, Persian." He helped me to get up and removed the towel wrapped on my hair.

"You took so long as if you cooked a damn dinosaur," I commented while I felt him drying my hair using the towel.

I hugged him on his waist and rested my forehead against his stomach since he's standing.

"Are you really that tired? I'll take over sa shift mo bukas kung gusto mo."

That made me to look up at him. "No."

He nodded. "Okay, no."

"WHAT's this?" I asked as I pointed one of the dish on the table.

"You have to eat vegetables, so I cooked ampalaya don't worry hindi iyan masyadong bitter, I mixed at least three eggs," he answered and served me on my plate.

I smiled.

"How 'bout this?" I pointed at the another dish.

"Sinigang na baboy."

I nodded while smiling. "Ang dami, mauubos ba natin 'to?"

"Uubusin mo."

"What? Seriously?"

He eyed me. "Malapit ka na sabihang patpatin kaya kumain ka nang maayos. Why, hindi mo ba kakainin?"

I made a face. "Fine, I'll eat whatever's on the table. Can you please lay on this table after we eat?" I pat the table.

He put down his utensils and looked at me. "Why?"

"I want an appetizer."

He glared at me. "Appetizers always serve before the main dish," aniya.

I chuckled. "Okay, ligpitin muna natin 'to. I want my appetizer first."

"What the heck do you mean?" He seemed annoyed.

"It's either you're the appetizer or dessert, you choose."

He frowned and was about to reach for me, pero linayo ko ang mukha. "Can you not ruin our dinner? Kung ano-ano pumapasok diyan sa utak mo." He once glared at me before pointing my plate. "Now, eat."

I was teasing him while we're eating, and being Zian who has a table manners seemed annoyed because I was blabbering during our dinner.

"Dapat hindi ganiyan kapag kumakain, that's being rude."

I bit my lower lip and poked him. "Sorry na nga, e. That won't happen again, please. Dami ko kayang nakain, 'no! Buti na lang masarap."

He rolled his eyes at me. "Fine. Rest before you sleep, kakakain mo pa lang."

"Will you stay?"

"I'll go home after you sleep."

I frowned. "Dito ka na lang kasi gabi na nga, 'di ba?"

"No, we can't sleep together, Persian."

"Why? As if it's a sin."

"Yeah, it is. We're not married so we can't sleep together."

"Bakit kasal lang ba p'wede magtabi sa pagtulog? E, iyong magkaibigan nga, e."

"That's a different thing. Magkaibigan lang, no malice."

I glared at him. "Fine, let's sleep together as a friend then!"

And that made him to burst into laughter. "You silly girl." He pulled me for a hug before flicking his finger on my ear. "Stubborn."

"Bring me on my bed," I commanded and snaked my arms on his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist.

"Ba't ka naghuhubad?" natatarantang tanong niya nang nakita akong hinuhubad ang damit.

"I sleep topless ever since I live here, wala kayang AC."

"Let's buy one," he said and merely glanced at me when only my brassiere left as a cover of my chest.

"No, thanks."

"Anyway, I have something to tell you." He's just standing in front of me and looked somewhere.

"If you have something to tell me, you should tell me in the eye."

He didn't say a thing and looked at me... as in he's just looking at me exactly in the eye. "About your parents."

I rested my head on my pillow. "Hmm?"

"Can you cover your body using that duvet? I'm distracted, hindi tayo makakapag-usap nang maayos."

Sinunod ko na lang siya at hindi na nakipag-away.

"Can you at least meet them? Just tell them your whereabouts."

"Why? I don't have to do that. I can't see the reason why I have to tell them."

"I understand you, okay? But at least give them the assurance."

I shook my head.

Umupo na siya sa dulo ng kama and rested his hand on my knee. "Hindi ba kayo p'wede magkaayos? So, you can start a new without thinking too much of the past. Let it go and then leave it all behind without regrets."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Inutusan ka ba nila?"

He sighed. "Just asked a favor, but they didn't force me, swear. I was the one who promised them to talk to you."

"Do you think it's for the best?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Okay, then. I'll only listen to you."

Zian gave me my parents' calling card, so we can meet some other time. When weekends came, I called and told them to meet in a restaurant.

I was waiting impatiently inside the resto when I saw Mommy and Daddy entered and looked around.

I raised a hand to get their attention, and when I did they quickly walked towards me.

"Audrey!" Daddy called and immediately pulled me for a hug. "God knows how worried we were for you! How are you, sweetie?" As if I didn't hear Daddy's remarks and just looked at mom behind him who's now tearing up.

"Audrey..." she whispered and was about to touch me when I avoided and pushed Daddy a bit to free from his hug.

"Just take a seat, I won't take too long."

They obeyed like a puppy.

"But at least let's have a lunch," si Mommy.

I shrugged and let them do whatever they want.

"I am here to update you with my life because my boyfriend told me to do so." I then crossed my arms.

They looked shock after hearing what I have said. "Boyfriend?" si Mommy bago paalisin ang waiter.

"Zian Reistre?" si Daddy naman.

I nodded at him.

Daddy didn't look shock at all and just smiled at me. "You chose a good and deserving guy. He assured me to take care of you, and I trust him."

My lips parted. "You know?" That guy, really...

He nodded. "He asked me before he brought you in Palawan... though, your mom didn't know about it." He glanced at mom beside him who's still in shock.

I looked away and just focused on Daddy.

"Where are you staying now?"

I wonder why were they not asking about that night? Sure, I ruined the party.

"I rented an apartment nearby."

"How 'bout your needs?" Mommy asked.

"I have a job."

A moment of silence as if they don't believe what I was saying.

"I'll get straight to the point. I ran away that night 'coz I don't wanna engage with anybody. I couldn't take it anymore, so I decided to live and start on my own."

I looked at Mommy. "But I don't have any regrets, thanks to you for making me feel unloved and unwanted, Mommy."

"Audrey," Daddy called.

I ignored him and continued. "All my life... I don't remember you asking how am I feeling. It's always been Fiona you're concerned of."

She bowed her head. "P'wede pa namang... bumawi, 'di ba?"

My lips parted, and even I was shocked I wiped the tears formed in my eyes. "If you'll just do that because your conscience is eating you up. No, thanks."

"No... I am sincerely sorry, please... come home?"

I chuckled in disbelief and fanned myself. "Why? Did Fiona disappoint you more than I did? Kaya papansinin mo ako ngayon kung kailan hindi ko na hiniling pa na mapansin?"

Again, we fell in silence until the food were served. Nang hindi sinasadya natabig ng waiter iyong baso ni Mommy na nasa harap ko ay nabasag iyon.

Mommy got wet. She scolded the waitress and even threatened that she'd file a case. Good thing, Daddy's there to stop him from making a scene.

I was offended.

'Coz I know, I am waitress myself.

"It's okay, she didn't mean it. Let me help you," I assured the girl and stole her the towel to wipe the table while she's picking up the broken pieces of glass.

Mommy observed what I was doing. "What are you doing, Audrey?"

I got back on my seat. "Are you always like that, mom? Hindi niya sinasadya, pero kung makareact ka parang ninakawan ka ng yaman."

"Sorry?"

"I was offended." I crossed my arms. "Your daughter herself is working as a waitress, and seeing you treating the poor girl like that... I've felt like been thrown out."

Once again, their jaw dropped.

Of course, who wouldn't expect that the spoiled-brat became a waitress?

"Huh? Where?"

I shrugged. "You shouldn't know."

"Audrey, are you fine?" Daddy asked me with a worried face.

"Of course."

"Wala ka bang balak umuwi? How 'bout... your studies?"

"I'll enroll in college, don't worry. Maybe, a week before the class starts."

"But you have to take some process since you left while the class was still on-going."

"A summer class will do. Did you pull some strings like you always do?" I asked Dad. I know he's just doing it for my sake.

"Audrey," Mommy warned.

I shrugged. "It's fine. Ano pa ba concern niyo maliban sa studies ko?"

"Will you come home to take your summer class? And when the class starts? You can't be a working student, sweetie, just let me provide, please?"

Daddy convinced me until I agreed. "Fine, but when the class starts. I still can manage even I take summer class. And maybe... I don't know if I want to come home, it depends."

"Okay, I'll respect you, but please call me?"

"Depends on what?" Mommy intervened.

I shrugged. "I don't know. You can visit me in my workplace or apartment if you want too."

It made Daddy smile and Mommy lips part. We talked about some things, and somehow... a percent of rage got out from my system.

"Introduce your boyfriend when you go home, Audrey," pahabol pa ni Mommy.

I looked back and let out a small smile. "Soon."

Me:

Where are you? Done talking with them, can you pick me up?

Zian:

Sure, will be there in a minute.

Minutes later, a car parked in front of me. "Hop in."

I got inside and quickly kissed Zian's cheek. "We're done."

He's now wearing a black polo long-sleeve, nakatupi iyon hanggang siko. "How was it?" He handed me a bottled water and wiped my forehead using his handkerchief.

"It's good. I'm hungry wanna eat home-made pancake."

He chuckled. "Let's make a pancake then. At your apartment?"

"Your house."

"Okay, if that's what my boss wants." He then roared the engine into life.

I sighed and intertwined his free hand with mine. While on our way, his phone light up in front and showed a text from someone.

Lorraine:

Nakarating na kami kahapon. Lunch tomorrow? Libre ko.

"What the hell was this, Zian?" I harshly swayed my hand from holding his and picked the phone. "Magkikita kayo?"

He looked at me, scared. "This isn't what you're thinking okay? Ngayon lang siya nagtext simula noong last month. Swear."

I glared at him. "Make this sure, Zian. Don't you ever lie to me," I warned and gave his phone back.

Lumayo ako sa kaniya at tumingin na lang sa labas ng bintana. Maya-maya ay kinukulit niya ako kaya humarap ulit ako sa kaniya. "Ano ba!"

"This was nothing, okay? We're just friends, I promise." He bit his lower lip and shut his eyes before looking at me again. "Don't get mad, please?" He pulled me for a hug and kissed me on the lips. "She's no harm."