Chapter 19

available po ang full story nito sa wattpad @sinvalore https://my.w.tt/dwxn8bUHWV if ever may wattpad po kayo. pero kung wala, ayos lang kasi I will upload soon all the chapters here

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I paced back and forth, trying to ponder. 'Di pa rin mawala sa isip ko ang naging haka-haka ni Herana tungkol sa pagiging mabait ni Moffet sa akin.

Herana:

Maybe he likes you, Luca. Or maybe he's just really a gentleman.

Maniniwala pa ako kung gentleman si Moffet pero ang ideya na may gusto siya sa akin? Mukhang malabo. Who would like me with my personality?

"Hindi kaya alam niyang ako 'yong nagbibigay sa kanya ng loveletters?" Napatanong ako sa sarili ko.

Kilala ako ni Ethan. There's a big possibility na alam niyang gawa ko ang mga cards na iyon. Maaaring pinapakita ni Moffet 'yong mga bigay ko and then they made conclusions.

Napatutop ako sa bibig ko. That's right! Baka nga kilala na talaga ako ni Moffet dahil sa mga kaibigan niya!

Should I ask him instead rather than making my own conclusions? Nakakahiya! Baka maungkat ang nakaraan ko!

Isang tunog ng cellphone ang bumasag sa imahinasyon ko. I was too far from reality.

Herana:

Relax ka lang, Luca. Just be true to him. That's the least thing you can do.

Kumalma ako sa pamamagitan ng paghinga nang malalim. Baguhan ako sa ganitong larangan. Wala akong kaalam alam.

"Okay. Relax, Luca." I said to myself. As if I would calm down.

I visited Moffet's inbox. Ang huling reply niya ay kung kumain na ba ako. Hindi pa ako nakasagot dahil 'di ko alam kung may teknik ba sa pagsasagot ng ganoong mga tanong.

I replied to his message. Limang minuto na ang lumipas mula nang dumating ang mensahe. Nakakahiya naman kung pinapahintay ko siya.

Ako:

Medj nakakain na ako. Ikaw ba?

'Yong tanong niya kanina kung free ba ako ay dahil baka raw nakakaistorbo siya sa'kin. He wanted to talk to me and know if I was available. Ang sabi ko nama'y ayos lang kung magtext siya dahil wala naman akong pinagkakaabalahan.

I already sent my message. I checked the time and found out it's already 7:51 in the evening.

May dumating na mensahe. Akala ko kay Herana o kay Moffet iyon, kay Ximi pala. Binasa ko naman ito.

Ximi:

You sleeping already?

Napakunot ako ng noo. Why did he ask me if I was already sleeping?

"Oh!" I blurted out. Naalala kong bukas pala ang tv sa baba. Dali dali akong bumaba at nadatnan doon si Ximi na nakaupo sa sofa. Ang isang braso ay nakadipa sa ibabaw noon while his leg was crossed over another. His eyes were sharp. When he noticed my presence, he darted them on me.

"I thought you're dead already." He said in his baritone voice. Sarkastiko iyon pero 'di kaagad malaman dahil seryoso ang tono.

"I was just busy," I explained. I walked towards him and sat next to his seat. "What are you watching?" I glanced at the screen then to his face. He seemed mad while watching tv.

"What's taking you so long to come back here?" Tinignan niya ako nang diretso. Matatalas na mata ang sumalubong sa akin. "Or maybe you don't have any plan to?"

"Why are you mad?" Kinunutan ko siya ng noo. "And what's with that face?"

He's annoyed, I can say. Or there's something that's getting under his skin.

He looked away rather than answering my question. He stood up while I was watching him.

"You better rest now, Luca. Stop wasting your time by texting other people." He said, but it sounded demanding to me.

What? Other people? What was he up to?

Pinanood ko ang likod ni Ximi habang tinatahak niya ang daan papunta sa kanyang kwarto. He has a sexy back, firm and strong. His butt was also good and his height was just perfect.

Matangkad si Ximi. Hanggang dibdib niya lang ako. Ang gusto ko sa kanyang katawan ay ang kanyang dibdib na maputi. Lalo kung nakikita ko ang collarbone nito. It looked sexier than mine.

Napasimangot ako nang padabog niyang sinara ang pinto. Nakapasok na siya sa loob ng kanyang kwarto. He was mad and I didn't know why. Was it because I left him here?

I checked my phone and found out Moffet was calling. My eyes abruptly widened when it registered to my brain. Moffet was calling me!

I cleared my throat. Kalma, Luca. Kalma. Pinaypayan ko ang sarili ko gamit ang kamay saka sinagot ang tawag.

"H-Hello?" I stammered.

"Hey!" His voice was jolly and husky at the same time. "Glad you answered my call."

"Ahm, yeah..." I chuckled a bit. "What are we up to?"

"Nothing," narinig ko ang mumunti niyang bungisngis. "Are you busy tonight?"

I roomed my eyes around. 'Di ko alam anong isasagot ko.

Mariin akong pumikit saka nagmulat muli. "Nope. Why?" I can't help but smile.

"Well, I just wanna know if I'm not a nag to you."

"You're not," I laughed. Was he serious? "But I was about to sleep."

"Really? I'm sorry I don't know."

"It's fine, really."

"Thanks."

Natahimik ang kabilang linya. 'Di rin naman ako nagsalita dahil pinapakiramdaman ko lang siya.

"Ahm, Luca..." he finally spoke, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?" I hummed.

"We're friends, aren't we?"

Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya. 'Di pa ba kami magkaibigan sa lagay na 'to?

"We are." Sabi ko. "Thank you ulit dahil inuwi mo 'ko rito."

"That was nothing. Glad I was the one who took you home. Baka kung mapaano ka pa."

"Oo nga, eh." Agap ko. "Masyado kasing nagmamagaling ang kaibigan mo. Hanggang salita lang pala."

"You mean, Maximilian?"

"Ah! Sino pa ba? But let's no talk about him."

"Alright. Will you be busy tomorrow?"

Muli akong napaisip sa kung anong puwedeng mangyari bukas. Wala pa namang tawag sa akin na may trabaho ulit kami kaya 'di ko alam anong ganap bukas. Maybe I'll just spend it here.

"Not so sure, Moffet. Wala pa namang tawag from my boss."

"You're an event organizer, right?"

"Yup."

"Won't you handle Atifa's wedding? She's your cousin, right?"

"Yup, but I don't know if kami ba ang kukuning planner and organizer."

"I already asked Tam and he told me they haven't find yet. So maybe kayo ang kukunin."

'Di ako sumagot. I was thinking about that matter, too. Basta ang klaro sa akin ay wala pa akong alam sa magiging ganap ng trabaho ko.

"What if hindi?" I asked. Puwede namang makakita sila ng mas magandang opportunity.

"I don't know. Would you like to?"

I kept silent. "Maybe?"

Kung ganoon ang mangyayari, ibig bang sabihin noon ay lagi ko na siyang makikita? Lagi ko siyang makakasama?

He chuckled. "It's better for you to handle it, Luca. It's Atifa's wedding. She'll be happy to succeed with your help."

"Hmm," I smiled. "Okay. I'll talk to her tomorrow."

"Will you visit her?"

"Probably, so I can talk to her better."

"Sounds good. I'll see you then tomorrow?"

"Bakit? Wala ka bang gagawin bukas?"

"Wala naman."

"Ah." Tanging sabi ko. Buhay single nga naman. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Puwede naman kitang sunduin." Pahabol niya.

"H-Huh?" Uminit ang pisngi ko. "'Di na. K-Kaya ko naman."

"Hmm," he hummed, sounding suspicious. "Please?"

I scanned the whole place at sakto namang nahagip ko ng tingin ang wall clock. It read 9:42.

"As in... pupunta ka rito?" Pagkaklaro ko.

Slow lang, Luca?

"Yes, Luca. What time do you think? Eight?"

"Eight?" Nablanko ako. "Masyadong maaga. 'Di ba tulog ka pa sa mga oras na 'yan?"

"No," he chuckled. "I usually get up four or five in the morning."

"For? May work ka?"

"To do my usual morning routine."

"Ahh..." bobo lang, Luca? "Sige ba. Ikaw bahala. Maaga naman din ako gumigising."

"Sounds better. Matutulog ka na ba?"

I checked the wall clock once again and it read 9:47. Ang bilis naman ng oras.

"Yeah, sure."

"Okay. Goodnight, Luca."

My heart palpitated. Parang nabuhusan ng asukal.

"Goodnight, Moffet. Have a sweet dream." I smiled to myself and cut off the other line. Nalulunod sa tuwa ang puso ko. I hope this won't end.

Naglinis muna ako ng sarili. I brushed my teeth before I went to my bed. 'Di pa rin maalis alis sa isip ko si Moffet. He was so nice, and I also thought he was a gentleman. I just wished he won't change and he's real.

Kinaumagahan ay tanghali na akong nagising. Alas diyes na rin naman ako nakatulog kagabi. I was sure I was dreaming. Ganoon pala ang pakiramdam ng may nagugustuhan ka.

Naligo muna ako at nagbihis ng panlakad na damit. Suot ko'y red halter crop top and white skinny jeans na pinarisan ng itim na sapatos. Ipinusod ko rin ang buhok and applied some light make up.

Pagkababa ko ay nadatnan ko si Lola Rita sa sala na nanonood ng palabas. Naglakad kaagad ako papunta sa kanya.

"Good morning, la!" Maligaya kong bati sa matanda.

"Oh, hija? Bakit maaga ka ngayon?" She scanned my whole body. "And you're dressed. May lakad ka ngayon?"

I was about to reply when Ximi showed up. His sharp eyes struck onto mine. Para bang galit iyon.

"Goodmorning!" I greeted him. Saglit siyang tumunganga sa akin bago ako nilagpasan. Bumaling nalang ako kay lola. "Pupunta po ako kina Atifa ngayon, la. Kakausapin ko siya about doon sa kasal niya."

"Are you planning to work it?" Si Ximi ang nagtanong na ngayo'y nakaupo sa tabi ni lola. 'Di ako nakaligtas sa mapanuri niyang mata.

"Yup!" I grinned. "Kaya nga kung may nakuha na siyang team, nakakalungkot naman kung ganoon."

"Wala pa naman daw, hija." Lola Rita butted in. Natuwa ako sa pahayag na iyon. "And I'm sure she wants you to handle it."

"Thanks, la!" I clapped my hands in excitement. Nakakatuwa lang isipin na ako ang magtatrabaho sa kasal ni Atifa and bonus pa iyong nakikita ko si Moffet.

"Anong oras ka ba aalis? Ximi will take you there."

"'Di na, la." Agap ko. Sumulyap ako kay Ximi na ngayo'y magkasalubong ang kilay. "Moffet will fetch me up."

"Moffet?" Pareho nilang bulalas. "You mean ang pinsan ni Tam?"

"Yes, la!" I grinned. 'Di na ako magtataka kung kilala ni lola ang lahat ng tao. "And I think he's on his way."

I turned to Ximi na ngayo'y malalim ang tingin sa akin. Tinaasan ko siya ng dalawang kilay saka ngumisi sa kanya.

"Sige, la. Kakain na ako." Pagpaalam ko. I waved at her and walked out.

Nagluto si Manang Isabela ng ham, fried rice, scrambled and sunny side up eggs. Meron din namang puting kanin at iyon ang pinili ko.

I was in the middle of my breakfast when Ximi came before my eyes. Seryoso ang kanyang mukha. 'Di ko alam kung badtrip ba or what. Nag-away kaya sila ni Pat? 'Di naman kasi maiiwasan iyon sa magkarelasyon.

'Di ko alam kung anong meron sa kanila ni Patricia. I just knew he's still courting him or maybe it's just what I thought. Baka nga sila na, eh. Saka, naibigay na kaya niya ang painting na ginawa niya the last time? It was beautiful. Kung ako pagbibigyan nun, may chance na magustuhan ko ang manliligaw ko in case ganoon ang sitwasyon.

"Bihis na bihis ka." He commented and slid down to his seat.

"Of course. Importanteng lakad ito." Sagot ko at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. I can feel him staring at me.

"Or maybe you want to impress Moffet with that?"

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kanya. Pinagsalubungan ko siya ng kilay.

Ano naman kung ganoon nga? Bakit siya nagagalit?

"There's nothing wrong in dressing up, Maximilian. Hindi ka naman siguro ganito magreact kung bihis na bihis din si Patricia kung nakikipagkita sa'yo?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Do you like Moffet?" Diretso niyang tanong.

I stared at him; he stared back. Nakikipagcompete siya. At sino ako para umatras sa hamon niya?

"Yes." Matapang kong sagot. "So, there's no need for you to conclude that I like you and I got jealous when you chose Patricia over me."

I chinned up; he tilted his head. Bigla naman siyang ngumisi nang sarkastiko.

"You don't even know that man, Luca." He shot.

"And do you think you know Patricia well kaya puwede mo na siyang ligawan?" I fired back.

He looked down, looking defeated.

"Look, Maximilian." I demanded and he did what I just told him to do. "You don't have to know him well first before you can befriend him. Puwede namang habang magkaibigan kayo ay nakikilala mo siya nang husto. And puwede rin bang 'wag kang umasta na parang papa ko." I rolled my eyes and stood up. Nawalan na naman ako ng ganang kumain.

Why did I always fight with him? Saka, bakit ba siya nangingialam sa buhay ko? I can like any man I want to without his permission. Parang timang.

I fixed myself after I lost my appetite. I brushed my teeth and did some retouch. Nagpatirintas na rin ako kay Manang Isabela, iyong nakahati sa dalawa ang buhok tapos nakabraid.

I checked my phone and found out I missed some call from Moffet. Nanghinayang ako roon. Edi sana nakausap ko siya kahit saglit.

I read his messages.

Moffet:

Goodmorning :)

I'm getting ready.

I'm on my way. See you later. ;)

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko. I would have a great life if Moffet's the one for me. Sa tanang buhay ko, ngayon lang ako nagkainteres sa isang tao... sa iisang tao lang ako nagkakainteres. And if heaven won't forbid, Moffet and I will be the endgame.

I typed my reply and immediately sent it to him.

Ako:

Goodmorning! I'm all ready. See you later. :)