Chapter 2 - Mikaela & Rake Story

"You can stay at my home. Uuwi na sila tonight parents ko nalang ang mag stay rito. You can occupy one of my guest room," sabi ni Rake kaya napatigil siya sa pakikipagusap sa ina.

"It's settled then. Galingan mo anak," sabi ng mommy niya at bahagyang humagikgik.

"Mommy!" Saway niya sa ina

Dati ay mahigpit ito at madaming bilin pero nung nagturn siya ng 28 last week ay halos ibugaw na siya nito.

"Alright you take care okay. I love you anak," sabi niya at narinig rin niya ang I love you ng ama.

"I love you both. Can you pass the phone to Andrew?" Sabi niya.

"Madame," sabi nito.

"How was the booking?" Tanong niya.

"It's fully booked Monday morning pa ang check out. I am really sorry ma'am," sabi nito.

"It's alright. I can stay with my ma.. I mean with Rake he invited me to stay with him."

"Are you doing it this time ate Mik?" tanong nito kaya nasamid siya.

"Of course not! I better go. Take care of mom and dad okay? Call me if something came up," bilin niya sa tinuturing na little brother.

"Just be careful I don't want you to get hurt. I want you to find the right man," sabi nito na parang mas matanda pa ito sa kanya.

"I know and thank you. I owe you so much already."

"No it's the other way around. You gave me a family I never had. You will always be my soul sister. Thanks for helping me get out of that mess I will serve you and your family forever."

"Don't say that I want you to have your own family too. I want you to grow independently and be happy. Let's discuss about this when I am home."

"I love you ate."

"I love you too little brother."

Disconnected..

"I thought you're an only child?"

"I am. I met him five years ago. He has no where to go. He's from South ulila dahil sa war between military and terrorist. Akala nga ng parents ko npa siya but he's not. His family died because of that war. He hates terrorism. Napadpad siya kung saan saan hanggang mapunta siya sa province ko."

"Pinagaral ko siya ng vacational course ng hrm. He's my personal assistant now tatlong taon ko na rin siyang natuwang sa negosyo ko na nakabase sa amin. He lives with us."

"Hindi ka nabother na magpatira ng stranger sa bahay niyo?"

"He is a good soul. Sa loob ng limang taon na magkakilala kami wala pa akong naging rason para pagdudahan ang katapatan niya sakin at sa pamilya ko."

"I want to meet him," sabi nito na kinangiti lang niya.

"Alright kapag free ka. Just let me know," sabi niya kaya tumango lang ito.

"Do you have any plans for tonight?" tanong nito.

"None. Can I come with you? Diba ihahatid natin ang family mo?"

"Yes after lunch pero uuwi pa tayo sa bahay before we head to airport. Do you wanna watch movie later?"

"Sure. I am free tonight. Bukas ako medyo busy. Magrereport ka ba sa office tomorrow?" Tanong niya.

"Nope. Nakaleave ako. Baka Monday morning na ako magreport," sagot nito.

"But I am working at home. Besides asa loob naman tayo ng base. They can call me anytime kapag may emergency."

She gave an understanding nod na kinangiti nito.

"I'll drive you around tomorrow. Kung nasaan ka'y nadoon ako." Nakangiting sabi nito.

"Thanks, Rake. So this is the feeling of being liked by a high ranking officer," she tried to tease him.

"What's the feeling?"

"Pampered. You can start calling me baby," she said.

"Ayaw mo ng mahal?" Seryosong tanong nito.

"I'll think about it. Favorite endearment ko ang sweetheart. But I find baby really sweet. Pwede rin ang my loves o diba?"

"But you know what?"

"What?"

"Kahit Mikaela lang tawag mo sakin basta sa labi mong nanggaling ang sweet na sa pandinig ko. You really got that spell. I'll always remember how you're using that charming spell on me," sabi niya kaya natigilan ang binata.

Kinuha na ni Rake ang bill nila. Nang makabayad na sila'y humakbang na sila palabas ng restaurant.

"May dala kang sasakyan?"

"Yes," tipid na sabi niya.

"Do you..," sabay nilang sabi.

"Do you want to drive my car?"

"Sure. Nasaan bang kotse mo?" nakangiting sabi nito.

"Nasa right nung white pearl montero sport," nahuhuli sila at nakarinig sila ng pito mula sa tagiliran ng montero.

Natatabingan ng malaking sasakyan ang kotse niya. Paglapit nila roo'y andoon ang tatlong kapatid at bayaw ni Rake. Kahit ang mga kababaihan ay nakamata sa sasakyan. Nagpapapicture na rin ang isang kapatid ni Rake.

"Is this yours?" Tanong ni Rake.

"Oo,"

"You want me to drive this?"

"Oo," nakangiting sabi niya para itong batang nagliwanag ang mukha.

"You're doing me a favor sweetheart," sabi nito na kinangiti niya lalo.

"The pleasure is all mine."

"Sa'yo talaga ito?" Sabi ni Ryan.

"Ano talagang trabaho mo? Sindikato ka ba?" Dugtong pa nito na kinatawa niya.

"Nope. I am restaurant owner. May investment rin ako sa stocks. I do foreign exchange trading and I am a writer," sabi niya na.

"You see I have a lot on my plate. But I am clean," nakangiti ulit na sabi niya.

"How old are you again?" Sabi nito at bahagyang inawat ito ng girlfriend nito.

"I turned 28 last week. How about you?" Tanong niya.

"You're even younger than me. I am 32."

"How to be you, ate?" Tanong ng girlfriend ni Ryan sa pagkakaalam niya'y 25 lang ito.

"I don't know. Just love what you do? Gusto ko kasi talaga dati ng financial and time freedom kaya ako nag start mag invest. I stopped working kasi wala akong sariling oras. I love my me time."

"Timing at swerte rin siguro. And know your priorities. Career kasi at self ang priorities ko dati. It starts when I saw the picture of Rake in Korea. He was sent there for training and he looks really happy."

"Sabi ko sa sarili ko I want to be happy and successful too. Ayun sunod sunod ang swerte. Nakabili ako ng magandang pwesto. Umaani ng maganda yung farm ng parents ko. Malakas kumita sa forex yung stocks ko natutulog lang. Ayun yung restaurant and another branch. 'Yan ang pinakamahal na gamit ko. Sabi ko sa sarili ko last ko na yan. Ang tagal kong inipon pambili ko niyan. It's actually my first car. Nakikigamit lang ako sa sasakyan ng tatay ko dati." Mahabang sabi niya.

Maya maya'y nagaya na sila ng matapos ng mag picturean sa sasakyan.

"Ikaw magdadrive nito kuya?"

"Yes. I asked him too," si Mik ang sumagot.

"Sana ako nalang ang inaya mo," parang batang nakanguso ito.

"Do you want to drive it?"

"Yes of course!" Sabi nito.

"Ryan!" Saway ni mommy Rose.

"It's okay tita," sabi niya.

"Dyan nalang tayo sa sasakyan mo Rake?" Tanong niya kay Rake.

"Are you sure you'll let my brother drive your car?"

"Oo okay lang naman sakin. Hindi naman niya cacarnapin diba?" Tried to joke kaya nagtawanan ang mga ito.

Inabot na niya ang susi kay Ryan.

"Ingatan mo ang baby Z ko ha?" Bilin niya kay Ryan na ngiting ngiti.

"Ride with him," bulong niya kay Darlene ang girlfriend ni Ryan at siyang nagtanong rin sa kanya kung paanong maging siya.

Pinagbukas siya ng pinto ni Rake. Makamasid lang sa kanila ang ama ni Rake at medyo nahihiya pa siya sa ginoo. Tahimik lang sila habang nakasunod sa sports car ng magsalita ang ginoo.

"You really are impressive hija."

"Thanks po sir," magalang na sabi niya.

"Drop the formalities. Call me dad. Mukhang gusto ka ng iuwi ng anak ko," sabi nito na kinangiti niya.

"Thanks po." Tipid na sabi niya.

Inabot ni Rake ang kamay niya habang ang isang kamay nito'y nasa manibela. Bahagya siyang nagulat pero pinabayaaan lang niya. Lalong tumamis ang ngiti niya. Nahuli niya itong nakatingin sa kanya at biglang ngumiti.

"Should we take the mandatory selfie?" Nakangiting tanong nito.

"Laters baby," sabi niya na kinatawa nito.

"Wag kang masyadong masaya Major. Masyadong halatang kinikilig ka," sabi niya kaya nagtawanan naman ang mga kasama nila.

Nakita niyang pinamulahan ng mukha ito at ng makabawi'y nakipag tawanan na rin.

Nagsctex sila upang mapabilis ang byahe. Buti na lamang at malinis. Ang bilis ng takbo nila. Tingin niya'y tinodo ni Ryan ang bilis. Mabilis rin magpatakbo si Rake halos nakasunod lang sila sa kotse niya. Ilang minuto lang ay nasa Floridablanca exit na sila.

Another few minutes at papasok na sila sa Basa Air Base. Hinarang ang sports car sa gate. Ibinaba ni Rake ang side mirror at sinenyasan ang bantay na kasama niya ang sports car.

Nakaready na ang mga gamit nila at isasakay na lamang. Hindi na sila nagpahinga dahil mag aalas tres na nuon. Alas kwatro ang flight nila.

"Naninibago ako sa kotse mo," sabi ni Mik.

"Me too. Too big for my taste but it's fuctional maraming pwedeng isakay. I want a big family. As big as mine. Do you mind?" Sabi nito.

"I don't mind as long as we can provide for them," sabi niya na kinatango nito.

Mabilis lang naman ang byahe nila pabalik. Ang asawa ng ate Ruth ni Rake naman ang nag volunteer mag drive nuon. Napipilitang ibigay ni Ryan ang susi sa bayaw nito.

"Big time ka talaga no? Sabagay big time din si kuya bagay kayo," sabi ni Ryan.

"We're not yet. If we become one then you can call us big time." Sabi ni Rake.

"Wala pa kami nung relationship goals na kagaya niyo ni Darlene. Alam mo ba feeling ko nga ang dami kong namissed out sa buhay ko just because inuna ko ang career ko and I think nasa iisang page kami ng kuya mo that's why we're blending really good." Sabi naman niya.

NANG MAKARATING SILA SA AIRPORT AY NAGPAALAM NA ANG LAHAT SA KANILA. Magkahawak kamay ang magulang ni Rake habang tinatanaw ang mga anak, manugang at apo na papunta na sa departure area.

Palabas na sila sa airport papunta sa parking ng tawagin si Rake ng daddy niya.

"Rake hijo. I will drive your car. Go get some time with your woman. We'll follow you," sabi nito.

"Okay dad," sabi niya at hinawakan na sa kamay si Mikaela.

"I am sorry about that. Pinagkaguluhan nila ang sasakyan mo," sabi nito ng simulan nitong paandarin ang baby Z niya.

"It's alright. Ganyan rin reaksyon ni daddy nung ideliver samin si baby Z. It's my first car and I am so happy when I had him last year," nakangiting sabi niya.

"You really are in your prime," sabi nito.

"Yeah. I love what I've achieved. It's collaboration of luck and hard work. You too. I have to thank you. You really have contributed in my success. You're my inspiration," nakangiting sabi niya.

Pagkatapos nilang kumain ng dinner ay humanap sila ng mapapanuod. They end up choosing none dahil nag aya ng umuwi ang dalawang matandang kasama.

"The night's still young you can stay. Kami nalang muna ang uuwi."

"Nope it's alright we'll go home with you dad," sagot ni Mika.

Pasado alas otso na ng makarating sila sa bahay ni Rake. Ito na ang nagbaba ng hand carry bag niyang naglalaman ng travel clothes niya. She always have that in her trunk. Pang isang linggong travel clothes just in case she has to stay somewhere.

Hinatid siya nito sa uukupahing silid sa itaas.

"Sa katabing silid lang ang silid ko. Just knock when you need anything," sabi nito at tumango lang siya bago.

"Feel at home. I oopen kona ang aircon para di ka mainitan," sabi nito.

"Thanks," sabi niya at nagsimula ng kumuha ng gamit sa bag.

"Maliligo lang ako nanlalagkit na ako," sabi niya.

"Okay may fresh towel and toiletries sa dyan sa walk in closet sa loob ng banyo. Basta if you need anything," bilin nito kaya napahinto siya at lumapit sa binata.

"I am good don't worry okay?" She smiled sweetly at tinalikuran na ang nakatulalang binata.

She knew that look on his face. He's falling for her and she's enjoying every bit of attention she's getting from him.

She took her time taking her back. Masarap ang agos ng malamig na tubig na nagmumula sa shower. She's singing her favorite song while doing the shower.

Too many billion people running around the planet

What is the chance in heaven that you'd find your way to me

Tell me what is this sweet sensation

It's a miracle that happened

Though I search for an explanation

Only one thing it could be

That I was born for you

It was written in the stars

Yes, I was born for you

And the choice was never ours

It's as if the powers of the universe

Conspired to make you mine until the day I die

I bless the day that I was born for you

Too many foolish people try to come between us

None of them seem to matter when I look into your eyes

Now I know why I belong here

In your arms I found the answer

Somehow nothing would seem so wrong here

If they'd only realize that

I was born for you and that you were born for me

And in this random world, this was clearly meant to be

What we have the world could never understand

Or ever take away until the day I die

I bless the day that I was born for you

What we have the world could never understand or ever take away

And as the years go by until the day I die

I bless the day that I was born for you

KINANTA NIYA IYON NG BUONG BUO AT BIGAY NA BIGAY. That song reminds her of Rake. Simula ng makilala niya ito'y ganoon na ang pakiramdam niya para sa binata, na nabuhay siya para rito.

She smiled habang nagbibihis siya. She reached for her phone noon iyon tumunog.

Andrew calling...

"Hey. We're home," sabi niya pagkasagot sa telepono.

"Okay goodnight ate," sabi nito.

"Goodnight too. Tell mom and dad I love them both and you too," sabi niya bago pinatay ang linya.

SHE BEGAN SINGING AGAIN. Paulit ulit lang niyang kinakanta ang Born for you.

Paglabas niya ng banyo'y andoon si Rake at basa na rin ang buhok nito. He looks clean with his white vneck fitted shirt and black walking shorts.

"Do you want ice cream?" Tanong nito na kinangiti niya.