Precious

SHE DOESN'T intend to use his kindness but she couldn't help but don't ignore his sincerity. There is something on his sweet mouth that fluttered her. The heartbeat of her heart can justify it. 

After the delightful brunch, she slept for about two hours on his bed, while he was on the phone. When she waked up, Paulite is nowhere to be found. Hinayaan niya na dahil kailangan niya pang maligo at maghanda para mamaya.

She wore her violet robe that has Swizz caption on the back. By quarter to twelve, she was on the Lobby. Hindi naman siya ang klase ng walang pakialam kay Paulite, nag-iwan siya ng sticky note na nagsasabing thank you and see you later.

"They arranged a different style this time. The Project Manager and Mr. Neil loved your performance, they come up with Yacht intimate shoot. You and selected models will participate. Anyway, I received an email from Majesty. She wanted you to attend the Odil audition by next week.

"Alright. Thanks, Miya."

Tinulungan siya nitong magtanggal ng robe at lumapit na. It took them two hours to finish the shoot until she heard a loud cracking noise of Jet Ski from nowhere. Suzanne and her minions are not selected on the Yacht Shoot. They are just six including four foreign African models and Chloe from Haute Agency New York.

"I like the beach, and the beaches here in the Philippines are really great. Maybe I will come back here next time," Chloe said, her back is resting on the railing.

"You should come back and explore more different hidden paradise here," she thrilled. Lumingon sa humintong dalawang Jet Ski na lulan ni Paulite at Oswold.

"Tapos na kayo?" tanong ni Paulite. His bronze wet skin is shining from the kissed of the sun. And that malicious smirked on his face couldn't tame her racing heart. Sa gilid nito si Oswold na kumikinang ang mata marahil dahil sa magandang si Chloe na gaya niyang naka-bikini.

She nodded her head, her eyes surveyed his tattoo on the bottom of his nape. She found them sexy.

"Ipapasyal sana kita sa buong Isla." Maangas nitong pinatong sa manibela ang braso at ngumiti.

Gusto niyang sumama. Beach is her happiness and this man is the most entertaining entity that existed in this mankind, but she already agreed with Neil after the shoot. Miya discussed something with her about the collaboration of Majesty and Foxman. It instantly chilled down her spine. Majesty is getting huge annually, that all of her interpretation with Fashion is empowering, challenging, historical, and controversial. The coolest and rare that no one could ever imagine doing. Foxman is a simple guy but his ideas are the same with Majesty in terms of capturing pictures. If they collide, it will be a major cat throw for all the model who will get into the show. She won't waste that opportunity.

Malungkot siyang umiling dito. Namanhid ang mga kamay niya nang maramdaman ang totoong emosyon sa kabila ng mga ngiti nito. Ibinigay nito sa kanya ang spare key card sa kanya.

"I understand. I will wait you, J."

Habang minamasdan niya ang papalayong si Paulite ay hindi niya maiwasang makunsensiya. May kung anong bigat sa kanyang dibdib na dapat ay wala. Huminga siya nang malalim matapos ay inaya na si Chloe na pumasok sa loob. Neil and the other team are talking about the raw photos. He had a bottle of Heineken on his hand when he glanced at them. "Jessica and Chloe!" Lumapit ito sa kanila at hinalikan sila sa pisngi. "They are the real deal. Imagine I was just enjoying the shoot because we had all the great models but this two exceeded my expectation. They made the intimate as if it was a piece of cake," sabi nito sa kausap nitong Project Manager.

She was very overwhelmed. Tumingin siya kay Chloe at ngumiti.

The topic went through, until Neil called their attention. Dinala sila nito sa upper deck upang makausap. Nagpalit na sila ng damit at kasalukuyang nagkakatuwaan dahil sa biro nito. He is actually goofy and cool just like Chloe. Hindi siya nahirapang makisali sa takbo ng usapan. Casual topic lang hanggang sa mapunta kay Chloe ang usapan. Mataas ang pangalan nito pagdating sa larangan ng pagmomodelo sa New York, pero hindi niya nakitaan ng yabang ang babae.

She is very sweet and down to earth.

Patalon-talon ang topic nila mula kay Chloe at Neil, hanggang sa mabuksan ang kuwento tungkol sa paghanga ni Neil kay Majesty.

"I never knew that I will meet an Alexander Mcqueen version here in Asia. She's very beautiful and talented," Neil said.

Chloe shifted on her seat. "Actually I bought her newest release bag. If you are going to convert it into a dollar, it was like eight hundred. Expensive but the style and the type of fabric used are worth it. I loved it. I hope she would open a branch in New York."

Ngumiti siya nang matandaang siya ang may bitbit noon sa Fashion show. At nagpapasalamat siya sa taos pusong pagmamahal ng babae sa kanya dahil lahat ng nahawakan niya ay binibigyan siya nito. She had a separate closet for Majesty's gifts for her.

"I met the stylist of the top lingerie line in the Paris. They were curious with Majesty. In the social media, she is exploding. I am excited to work with her. I hope you both would get into the Fashion Show."

"I will definitely work hard on the casting," Chloe said.

"Hold on... Jessica, you are an Angel, right?"

Ngumiti siya kay Neil, pinipigilan ang sariling sabihin ang tungkol sa pagkakaibigan nila ni Majesty. Hangga't maaari ay gusto niyang maging professional sa lahat ng bagay. Na hindi madali ang lahat. May tamang proseso at magdadaan siya roon. "Yes. But not all Angels can get through her separate show. Majesty is huge. We all know that. I will be honored if I pass on the casting too."

Siniko siya ni Chloe. "Hey! That's not my girl. Keep the spirit high."

"It's on Monday, right? Majesty will kill herself if she wastes the both of you. I assure you that. Please, excuse me, ladies." Si Neil na tumayo upang lapitan ang dumating na lalaki.

Lubog na ang araw nang bumalik sila sa dalampasigan.

Agad siyang nilapitan ni Miya. "Tumawag si Mrs. Hetch, kapag dumating ka raw ay tawagan mo siya."

Napapitik siya sa kawalan. Naging abala siya at nakalimot. Pumunta sila sa malapit na lounge upang saglit na tawagan ang kanyang kaibigan. It's a video call and she was super entertained by Aquishia's newest song she'd heard from the Nutcracker movie. Maging si Miya ay nakisali sa masayang tawanan hanggang sa mapadaan si Chloe.

"Sweet, they'll throw a Banging Bonfire Party later. I will see you around."

"Sure. See you, Chloe." Kumaway siya rito bago binalingan si Jyra. "She's an haute model from New York."

"I think I saw her on the Red Carpet in Paris. She is nice. I like her for my brother."

"Excuse, Miss. Pero nakita niyo po ba ang blind item kay Mr. Frank. Hindi si Miss Chloe ang nakita ko," sabad ni Miya.

Tumawa tuloy si Jyra. "My brother is a heartbreaker. I don't doubt that, Miya." Mula sa video ay sumulpot si Malik habang nakikipaharutan sa anak nito.

"Ang guwapo naman kasi talaga ni Sir Frank. Parang si Sir. Paulite at Sir Malik. Walang duda, kung bakit kasama sila sa Bausch Men's Magazine hanggang ngayon."

"Paulite? Do you mean Cristobal? Pao?" Jyra queried.

"Yes, Miss. Umaaligid 'yon kay Miss Jessica. Aray!"

May sasabihin sana siya kaso ang mga nag-aakusang titig ni Jyra at bihirang ngiti ni Malik ay nakakaasar. "Pao is there?" usisa ni Jyra.

She bit her lower lip and looked away. She was guilty. A mouse caught in the act of stealing a cheese. She can't escape from the hot seat.

"Yes, Miss." Si Miya na ang sumagot.

"I know you are smart, Jess. You can't be easily fooled by notorious playboy," Jyra said. Sa tabi nito si Malik na niyayakap na ang asawa upang patigilin sa sinasabi nito.

"Don't worry, sis. Akong bahala sa napasok kong gulo."

Kinabahan siya sa paraan nang paninitig ng kanyang kaibigan. Lalo nang may ibulong si Malik upang tuluyan itong pakalmahin.

"We will talk, Jess. Take care there," malamig na sabi ni Jyra. Namatay ang tawag.

Nanlamig ang kanyang sikmura matapos noon. Aware siya sa kung anong depekto mayroon sa pagkatao ni Paulite, pero hindi maikakaila noon ang pagiging sinsero nito sa lahat ng sabihin sa kanya. His eyes can prove it too. But her friend had a point.

After the brief review from her schedule, Miya pulled her on the Night Party.

Ang ingay. Hindi sana siya pupunta kung hindi lang dahil sa puwersa nito at pangako niya kay Chloe. Lahat ng mga modelo at staff ay naroroon, nagkakatuwaan at nagsasayawan. Maingay ang music. Ang Bonfire ay napakalaki at nagbibigay sigla sa lahat.

She go along at first, but later on she settle on the side while a glass of juice on her hand. Pinatong niya iyon sa gilid at kinuha ang key card na binigay ni Paulite. Bakit hindi siya pumunta rito? O baka nasa paligid lang siya at may kahalikan ng ibang babae? Agad siyang luminga. Tumayo habang bitbit ang baso ng juice. Nakita niya si Oswold. Nakikihalubilo sa grupo nila Suzanne. Chloe is with the African model. Tinawag siya nito kaya lumapit siya. Ilang saglit na kilalanan hanggang sa magkaayaan ng picture. Naghilaan din sa gitna ng bonfire para sumayaw.

She was drown with it. Forgetting about someone who's waiting for her. Neil joined their group. They dance 'til their feet sore. Hinihingal siyang naupo at nilingon ang grupo ni Oswold. He is really not here, ha? Tumayo siya at pinagpag ang maruming likuran. Nagpaalam siya kay Chloe at Neil na matutulog na. Ganoon din kay Miya na ngayon ay halatang lasing na.

Apparently she was tipsy. Mahirap palang nalalasing si Miya. Makulit kasi ito at madaldal. Walang bukambibig kung hindi ang ikuwento si Paulite na palaging nakabantay sa lahat ng ginagawa niya. She even tagged him as her mysterious stalker.

"Do you remember when you received your first wings? You got an interview live on the Time Square Owl City? He was there. He paid big for the VIP seat just to watch you."

Was it possible in ten men there is one person who will end up obsessed with me? She stared at the number seven button from the elevator. She didn't press it because she is tired and exhausted to see him. But in the back of her mind, there is a small voice saying he is waiting for you. Huminga siya nang malalim. "It's late. Malamang tulog na 'yon." Patamad siyang lumabas noong bumukas ang pinto. Ang bigat ng dibdib niya bawat hakbang niya palapit sa kanyang unit. Patuloy na pumapailanlang sa kanyang pangdinig ang boses ni Paulite na hihintayin siya nito.

Pumikit siya nang mariin at umikot. Nakukunsensiya siyang baka hinihintay talaga siya nito. "What if he didn't meant that?" She is getting frustrated. Inilang hakbang niya ang pinto ng elevator at binalya ang up button. Bumukas ang pinto at agad siyang sumakay.

Naiinis siya ngayon sa kanyang sarili, kung bakit kasi tinanggap pa niya ang key card. Pinapabatid talaga niyang tutuparin niya ang pagpunta sa unit nito.

Ang lakas ng kalabog ng dibdib niya pagkalabas ng elevator. Nag-iisip na siya ng sasabihin. Magiging masungit ba siya? Maggagalit-galitan? Lasing kunyare? She bit her lower lip and tap the keycard on the door lock. The sound of unlocked notification boomed her heart. Kusang bumukas ang pinto kaya kahit madilim ay hindi niya agad napansin. Kinakabahan siya kung didiretso ba sa kuwarto nito? O hihintayin sa sala?

She was about to reach the switch until a light from the side glistened one by one on the living room. The golden beautiful artificial rose illuminated the whole place. It's so dramatically beautiful that it triggered her emotion. Tears escaped from her eyes at the sight of the man who's sitting on the middle with a cake in his hand.

"Happy birthday to you," he sang. He looked so serious, passionate, and sincere as he walked slowly.

Ilang oras ba itong naghintay? Nainip ito tiyak sa paghihintay sa kanya, pero imbes na magalit at minainam pa rin nitong awitan siya.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, J," he greeted. His eyes motioned her to blow the candle. Tumango siya. Natigilan sa dapat ay pag-ihip sa kandila dahil sa pigil nito. "Make a wish first, J," utos nito.

Nangingiti niyang ipinikit ang kanyang mata. Hiniling sa maykapal na nawa, lahat ng pinapakita ng lalaki sa kanya ay totoo at walang bahid ng pangloloko. Dahil habang tumatagal ay palalim nang palalim ang paghanga niya rito. Kaunting suyo pa ay baka bumigay na siya.

Dinilat niya ang kanyang mata at hinipan ang mga kandila. Inilapag ni Paulite ang cake sa sofa at niyakap siya ng buong higpit. "Happy birthday," ulit nito.

"Thank you, Lite. How did you know that today is my birthday?"

"Kapag mahal moa ng isang tao. Aalamin moa ng tungkol sa kanya. Lahat." Niyakap siya nito ng buong higpit at pagmamahal.

Lalo siyang naiyak. Nakukunsensiyang kung bakit hindi niya ito pinuntahan agad. "Thank you, Lite. Thank you for letting me know that... at least, I am special. For you, witness by this intimate surprise, I am important. Thank you so much."

She never celebrated her birthday. For what? No one appreciates her existence. Her family doesn't care about her. They didn't bother themselves to say happy birthday Jessica. Generally, all of the parents when they had kids they are very excited to celebrate their first born daughter or son's birthday. But she hadn't experienced one.

Blaire always celebrated her birthday. When she reached seven, all of their classmates go to their mansion to celebrate her fairytale birthday. When she requested to celebrate abroad, it happened. She received a lot of expensive gifts from her friends. Everyone loved her while she was just on the corner. Watching them from afar. Envying her little sister.

She lied with Jyra and Lawrence about her birthday was on November one. Para walang magsasaya. Dahil walang dahilan para magsaya sa araw ng kanyang kaarawan.

She swallowed those bitter nightmare and felt his hands on her back.

"What is your wish, J?"

Wished? Hmm. "That this moment won't stop... because right now, I fee; completely human. For the first time, I felt I am me. That I was born because I am precious too." Kinagat niya ang kanyang ibabang labi upang pigilan ang humikbi.

Humigpit ang yakap sa kanya nito. "You are my precious jewel, J."

His voice was too soft that it can warm her heart and brought her mind into peace. Gumagaan ang pakiramdam niya, tila lahat ng problema sa reyalidad ay hindi mahalaga.

Unti-unti itong humiwalay sa kanya at lumuhod sa harap niya. May kinuha ito sa bulsa nito at inilahad sa kanya ang maliit na kahon. "Alam kong ilang araw mo pa lang akong kilala. It's too soon, but how long do I have to prove myself, J?" Binuksan nito ang kahon upang ilantad ang kumikinang na sing-sing sa kanya. "Will you marry me, Jessica Jones Smith?"

Sapo ang bibig ay nawala ang amats niya sa katawan. Ang bilis ng pintig ng puso niya, hindi makapaniwala sa kanyang nakikita. Paulite had gone through his feelings. He is really in love with her.

"Are you sure about this, Lite? Hindi ka na puwedeng mangbabae pa. Kapag natali ka na sa akin ay bawal ka ng mag-club. No more beers but me and your future family. Kaibigan mo si Malik. You see him, right?"

"I can be left everything behind me, except you, baby... please accept my ring! Please?"

I am dreaming? Parang ang isang gaya ni Paulite na mahihibang sa kanya ay hindi makatotohanan. Ang lahat ng ito at kathang isip lamang. "You are not real," she said.

Bumakas ang takot sa mga mata nito. Takot na bakit ayaw niyang paniwalaan ang lahat ng paghihirap nito at sinasabi nito ay totoo na galing sa puso nito. That this is all true. His feelings are profound. And all he ever wanted is her existence in his life.

Hinawakan siya nito sa kamay. Nananatili sa ganoong posisyon. "J, are you saying no?"

Hinila niya ito upang patayuin, pero umiling ito at nanatili sa ganoong posisyon. Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso niya. Naglalaban ang kanyang puso at isip tungkol sa desisyon na hindi niya mapangalanan. Gusto niya si Paulite sa simula palang. Katulad siya ng mga babaeng may gusto rito na handang ibigay ang kanilang puso sa lalaki kahit pa hindi nito hilingin. Kahit tatlong araw palang silang nagkakakilala ay hulog na hulog na agad siya rito. Pero ito ba ay kayang alagaan ang kanyang puso? Si Paulite na ba ang pupuno sa kanyang uhaw pagkatao?

Unti-unti siyang lumuhhod upang titigan ito sa mga mata. Gusto niyang ipakita rito na ang isasagot niya ay galing sa kanyang puso. Kung totoo ito sa kagustuhang makasama siya habang buhay ay ganoon din siya. "My answer is yes. Yes, Lite. I am accepting your proposal."

He immediately stood up to hug her and groaned inwardly. "Wala ng bawian. Sa akin ka na, ha."

Tumawa siya. "Oo. Sayong-sayo na ako, Lite."

He slid the ring on her ring finger and smiled while looking at it. He even took a selfie on that while his tongue was out. He posted it on his Instagram with a mysterious caption. He never looked for the feedback, he just carried her on the couch.

"I will prepare a private plane for us going to Australia. I will introduce you to my grandad and father tomorrow."

Kumawala siya sa yakap nito upang tingnan ito mula sa kanyang balikat. Kumurap-kurap siya, biglang nag-alala kung paano niya ipapaliwanag ang lahat ng ito kay Lawrence at Jyra. "Lite? Hindi kasi alam nila Jyra ang tungkol sa atin. Alam mo naman na mabilis ang pangyayari, kaya will take everything slow. Okay lang?"

Inayos nito ang posisyon niya upang magkaharap sila ng maayos. "Kung ano ang gusto mo, gagawin ko. Bukod lang sa pagtanggi dahil akin ka na, J."

Nginiwian niya ito. "Ang totoo gusto ko munang mag-stay dito dahil sasali ako sa surfing competition. Busy ka ba? Gawin sana natin 'yung sinasabi mong extreme." Namula siya nang tumaas ang kilay nito.

May naglalarong pilyong ngiti sa labi. "Gagawin natin lahat ng extreme na hindi mo pa nagagawa, J."