Chapter 10 - Mikaela & Rake Story

THE NIGHT's about to end pero ang saya nila at energy nila parang hindi pa nawawala. Medyo lasing na sila pero hindi 'yung lasing di kayang umuwi. After the song number and few drinks ay nagpaalam na silang magsosolo. Dinala siya ni Rake sa isang pribadong elevator only to land on one of the hotel's penthouse. Giniya siya nito papunta sa deck kung saan kita ang city lights at mga bituin.

"I want to love you tonight," sabi ni Mikaela kaya napabaling sa kanya si Rake.

"You know we can't. I want to do it the right way sweetheart. I am going to marry you first," sabi nito kaya napangiti siya.

"My honorable man! I am so lucky for having you love," sabi niya at humilig sa balikat nito.

"I am luckier. I love you Mikaela. You just don't know how much."

"Bakit parang kakaiba ang tono mo? What's going on?" Sabi niya at napatitig sa binata.

"I went to base when you were partying last night. I was given an assignment and you were in a way related to it. It's on npa issue."

"You're not an Army bakit sa'yo binigay ang assignment na 'yan?" Tanong nito.

"I knew your uncle and he knew about me liking you a lot. He wants an assurance that you are safe," sabi nito.

"I am safe and I can protect myself. Who ever's behind this ploy will pay a big price! I have to send my parents abroad because they're threatening us," sabi niya at halata ang galit sa tinig.

"I love my freedom but I can't enjoy it because of them. I am always worried. It's been awhile mula ng may mang bully ng ganito sakin. I was starting my business way back."

"It's your father's mistress," sabi ni Rake at hindi na iyon kinabigla ni Mikaela.

"Alam ko na 'yan. I found out about it before I went here. Kaya napapayag ko si dad na mag out of the country dahil dyan. I promised to follow them after my meetings. I saw the the papers. The threats at 'yung dna. The child's not my sibling and she's threatening my father kapag sinabi niyang hindi kanya papatayin kami ni mommy," sabi niya.

"Andrew called me the day you met him. I am sorry his loyalty's mine. Don't worry he depended you, that I should listen to you first, that you're not using me to get that promotion." Nakangiting sabi niya.

"Andrew has the ability to tell when someone's not truthful about his words. I trust him when he told me to listen to you and I can feel how much you care about me."

"I know sweetheart and I trust him too. I am glad he's on your side."

"I want you to tell me your where abouts," dugtong pa nito.

"I am right here beside you and I am not going anywhere unless of course if you ask me to," sabi niya at hinalikan ang binata sa pisngi.

THEY SAY TIME FLIES WHEN YOU'RE WITH THE PERSON YOU LOVE. Mabilis na lumipas ang oras napansin nalang nila umaga na ng imulat nila ang kanilang mga mata. They were sitting next to each other. Nakatulugan pala nila ang panunuod ng mga bituin.

"Good morning sweet babe," bati ni Rake at hinagkan sa labi ang kasintahan.

"Morning handsome," ganting bati ni Mikaela and smiled sweetly.

"Want something to eat?" Tanong nito at hinila siya papunta sa penthouse ng makatayo siya.

"Sure. Will you cook for me?"

"Pwede. May stock naman sa ref we could check something to eat. " he said at lumapit sa kanya upang hagkan siya sa noo.

"You can sleep while I prepare our breakfast," sabi nito pero sinagot niya ng iling.

She wants to watch him cook. She wants her in action. Just like five years ago...

Five years ago...

They started dating after that night. Halos every weekend lumuluwas si Rake just to be with her.

"May sundo ka ba? Bakit parang nagmamadali ka?" tanong ng boss ni Mikaela.

"Opo," tipid na sabi niya at sinukbit na ang bag niya.

Mabuti nalang at casual Friday sila. Dumaan muna siya sa banyo upang magpahid ng lipstick.

She pouted a little at ng makuntento'y lumabas na. Napangiti siya ng makita si Rake na naghihintay sa reception.

"Kanina ka pa?"

"Nope. Kakarating ko lang medyo traffic," sabi nito.

"Are you all set?" tanong nito.

"Yeah," nakangiting sabi niya at pinakita rito ang hand carry bag niya.

Nandoon na ang mga damit and toiletries niya for the weekend. Mag out of town sila nito pero hindi pa nito sinasabi kung saan.

"How's work?" sabi nito at kinuha sa kanya ang hand carry bag niya.

Kinuha rin nito ang maliit na back bag niya. Sinuot nito iyon at hinawakan nito ang kamay niya gamit ang libreng kamay nito.

"Let's grab dinner first. Baka gabihin tayo sa daan," sabi nito kaya tumango lang siya.

Giniya siya nito papunta sa isang restaurant.

"Table for two," sabi nito sa matre d na agad silang tinuro sa bakanteng upuan.

"How's work?" tanong nito at inabot ang kamay niya upang hagkan.

"Good. Tinapos ko ng maaga lahat so I can go out early with you," sagot niya sa tanong nito.

"Ikaw how was your day?" balik tanong niya.

"Good just flew this morning. I traveled around 3. Akala ko nga malalate ako kasi traffic. I am glad I made it on time. You looked pretty as always Mikaela," sabi nito at inabot ang pisngi niya.

"Sweet mouth you got there pretty guy," sabi niya and tried to tease him.

Bahagya itong natawa pero agad rin sumeryoso.

"I think you are amazing only if you'll show more of this side. The funny side you know," sabi nito.

"I will try for you," sabi niya sa binata kaya napangiti ito.

"Good,"sabi nito.

Time flies, the next thing she knew nagkwekwentuhan lang sila tapos pumikit lang siya'y ginigising na siya nito dahil nandoon na daw sila. Nang sulyapan niya ang oras sa sasakyan nito'y pasado ala una na.

"We are here," sabi nito at tinuro resort.

"Stilts?" Tanong niya.

"Welcome home," sabi nito na kinakunot ng noo niya.

"You own the place?" Tanong niya.

"Co owned actually. It's my first major investment with a friend. We bought the land a year after my graduation."

Tumango tango lang siya at inikot ng paningin ang paligid. Napakalawak ng lugar at sa isang banda ay natatanaw niya ang dagat. Maya maya'y giniya na siya ng binata sa isang cottage na tanaw ang dagat.

"This cottage belongs to me. Dito ako tumutuloy kapag nagpupunta ako rito. My house inside the resort is not yet constructed. I am still thinking of the design. I hope you'll help me with that," sabi nito na kinangiti niya.

"Sure," sabi niya sa binata.

"This cottage has only one room. But has a couch. I'll sleep on the couch."

"It's alright we can sleep on the bed. I trust you," nakangiting sabi niya.

"Don't worry you won't do anything with me," dugtong pa niya na sinagot nito ng ngiti.

Kinabig siya nito at hinagkan sa noo.

They took time with the bathroom in turns. Pinauna siya nito. Nang makalabas siya ng banyo'y nakatopless na ito. Naayos na rin nito ang mga dalang gamit nila.

"Nasa closet ang dalawang bag mo," sabi nito na sinagot niya ng tango.

"May blower sa tokador you can use it. Nakabox pa iyon di pa nagagamit. I bought it recently before we came here for you," sabi nito.

"Thank you Rake for being thoughtful," sabi niya at lumapit rito.

Mas matangkad ito sa kanya kaya kinailangan pa niyang tumingkyad para umabot ang labi niya sa pisngi nito.

Sinapo nito ang bewang niya at kinabigla niya ang pagbaling ng mukha nito kaya imbes na sa pisngi'y sa labi nito nag landing ang labi niya.

"Your lips taste sweet, baby.." nakangiting sabi nito.

"Isa pa nga para malasahan ko rin," sabi niya na kinangisi nito.

Hinalikan siya nito at bahagya na siyang binitawan. He really is a perfect gentleman. She knew she's willing to loose it with him. Wala siyang nakakapang pagpipigil ng sarili kung may mangyayari man. She's ready for this. She's ready to be with this guy.

"I'll take my shower. Make yourself at home," sabi nito na kinangiti niya.

Matapos tuyuin ang buhok ay napagdesisyunan niyang lumabas ng cottage. Kumuha siya ng notepad sa bag at nagsulat.

Rake,

Have some sleep. I'll be outside just breathing some fresh air..

Laters, baby...

M

Sinalubong siya ng malamig na hangin at salty scent mula sa dagat. She closed her eyes at lumanghap ng hangin. She has that peaceful feeling around Rake. He's really on his prime at gustong gusto niyang ganoon rin siya. She wants stability and freedom.

"Mikaela!" Halos dumagundong ang boses nito at ang pagbalya nito sa pinto ng cottage.

"Not so loud Rake. Madaling araw palang," sabi niya.

She felt his strong arms around her waist. Naramdaman niya sa pisngi niya ang basang buhok nito. Hinalikan nito ang leeg niya at brought shivers down her spine.

"You got me worried there. Akala ko'y nagpunta ka na sa dagat. Hindi ko kontrolado ang paligid rito. Masyadong maluwang ang paligid and I don't have men who I can manned to find you."

"I am not going anywhere Rake. I am here, right next to you. You won't loose me even if we're miles away. The moment you took my photo was also the time you took my heart."

"You will always be my constant and I will always be your home," dugtong pa niya.

"You're turning me on Mikaela. Do you know how much I want you?"

"I know. I just don't know what's keeping you off," sabi niya.

"I will be gone for training. I am not yet sure if it'll be one or two years. It's for my promotion. It's my top priority as of the moment. You are young I don't want to ruin you. You can still find someone. Someone who can always stay by your side. Sa linya ng trabaho ko I can't make it."

"You're breaking my heart, Rake."

"I am sorry. I want to give you the world, if only I could." Sabi nito kaya napangiti siya.

"You need not to give me the world just be with me. Just say you love me and that you're willing to spend the rest of your life with me," sabi niya na kinailing ng binata.

"I can't I am not yet ready. I am sorry," sabi nito at nakita niya sa mata nito ang kakambal na sakit na nararamdaman niya.

They are both hurting at wala siyang magawa dahil nakapagdesisyon na ito. Kahit ang ganda ng simula nila, kahit sobrang ayos sila para sa isa't isa, kahit natagpuan na nila ang hinahanap nila hindi pa rin iyon sapat dahil iba ang planong nasimulan nito. Planong hindi siya nakasama.

She cried a river in his arms. The next day they pretend nothing happened and spend the day just being theirselves and being happy together.

"I hope this day never ends." Sabi niya.

"You can always visit here. I am giving you an exclusive pass to enjoy the resort."

"Thank you, Rake." sabi niya sa binata.

"You're welcome. I hope you would really. This cottage is ours." Sabi nito at tinuro ang wooden plate na nuon lang niya napansin. Wala iyon nung dumating sila at mukhang kakakabit lang.

Property of Rake De Silva and Mikaela Del Mundo-De Silva...

"I will...," sabi niya at hinalikan ito sa pisngi.

That's the last conversation they had. Nang maihatid siya nito sa condo niya'y wala na siyang narinig mula rito. Kahit ang cellphone nito'y hindi na niya sinubukang tawagan.

It ended as if it never happened and that's okay with her because she agreed to it. She has to move on as if nothing happened but she couldn't.

Nalulungkot pa rin siya kapag naaalala niyang mas pinili nito ang pangarap nito kesa sa kanya gayong pwede naman nitong isabay ang relasyon nila at ang career nito.

She has hopes though na mag kukrus muli ang landas nila. She knew deep down in her heart that they are met for each other. He's her other half. Mamatay at mabuhay man siyang muli'y ito lang ang lalaking mamahalin niya.