6 - Bracelet

I stared blankly out of the floor-to-ceiling window of my condo, the city lights below flickering in the night. Sipping on a glass of red wine, I found myself unable to settle down for sleep. Zendria wasn't coming home tonight; she had decided to stay over at Andrei's place. Ang landi!

I chuckled to myself, shaking my head at Zendria's antics. She was always the adventurous one, unapologetic about her choices in life and love. Part of me envied her carefree spirit, while another part couldn't help but worry about her.

The wine tasted bitter on my tongue, matching the swirl of emotions inside me. Thoughts of Thaddeus lingered despite my attempts to push them away. His unexpected visit earlier had stirred up memories I thought were long buried. His new role as a captain added another layer of complexity to the situation. Could I trust him again? Did I even want to?

Setting the glass down on the window sill, I walked over to the plush sofa and sank into it, staring at the dimly lit room. The silence of the night enveloped me, offering a moment of solitude to sort through my thoughts.

I reached for my phone and scrolled through old messages, stopping at a thread with Thaddeus. Memories flooded back — the laughter, the fights, the moments of undeniable chemistry. We had been through so much together, and yet, here we were, uncertain and distant.

I was busy studying inside my room for the upcoming finals, when my phone beep.

@Thaddeusdvera: Hindi tayo tindahan, pero pagmamahal ko sa’yo, ‘di mababayaran.

I chuckled at his antics! Ang corny!

@CaliDevin: Ang corny ha. Better luck next time, Mr. Dela Vera. Mag-aral ka, aagawin ko sa’yo pagiging top one mo!

Binaba ko ang cellphone ko pero kaagad ding tumunog iyon. Kaya muli kong kinuha iyon at binasa ang chat niya.

@Thaddeusdvera: e kung puso ko ang agawin mo?

Napatawa ako ng malakas. Hindi talaga siya nauubusan ng kalokohan? Matagal na niyang nakuha ang puso ko. Ayoko lang aminin. Because I have a lot in my plates, right now.

@CaliDevin: e kung thadthadin kaya kita?

@Thaddeusdvera: willing naman akong magpathadthad, kung hindi rin naman ako magiging buo kapag wala ka sa tabi ko ☹

Natatawa ako sa mga pick-up lines niya. At the same time kinikilig. Oo, mahal ko na ata siya. At may plano akong sagutin na siya sa araw ng birthday niya.

@CaliDevin: shut up and study!

@Thaddeusdvera: study with me, Cali.

@CaliDevin: Ayoko nga. Naka-distract ka.

@Thaddeusdvera: gwapo ba?

@CaliDevin: Oo.

@CaliDevin: Gwapong gawing basahan.

@Thaddeusdvera: harsh naman ng bebe ko ☹

Hindi ko na pinansin ang pangungulit ni Thaddeus at nag-aral nalang.

Napabalik tanaw ako nang tumunog ang cellphone ko at nakita kong may chat si Thaddeus.

@Thaddeusdvera: Hindi ka pa ba pagod?

Napataas naman ang kilay ko sa tanong niya. Malamang, pagod na. But I can’t sleep because of our conversation earlier by the beach.

@CaliDevin: I am. Nagpapaantok nalang.

@Thaddeusdvera: Dapat bakit kasi ang isasagot mo baby!

@CaliDevin: Ow.

Natawa ako. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na mag-pipick-up line siya! Masyado na kaming matanda para doon.

@Thaddeusdvera: wala na. Nakakatampo na.

Rinig na rinig ko ang boses ni Thaddeus na parang nagtatampo at nai-imagine ko pa ang pagnguso niya, kaya napakagat ako ng labi.

@CaliDevin: Just sleep, Thad. I’m going to bed now.

@Thaddeusdvera: Good night, Cali.

I smiled before putting the phone inside of my pocket. Tumayo narin ako para hugasan ang wine glass na pinaggamitan ko para matulog.

Paggising ko ay chat kaagad ni Thaddeus ang natanggap ko. Doon ko lang naisipan na i-stalk ang socials niya. There’s a lot of photos in his i*******m. Mostly, to the places he’d been to. I’m proud of him. He’s been to Miami, California, Hongkong, Taiwan, France, Spain, London, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, China and so many more. Na parang dati lang ay pangarap niya lang makapunta sa mga lugar na ‘yan. May mga picture pa siya na kasama sila Eros, Rafael, at Yasmir. I’m happy to see Yasmir is now a doctor. Si Eros naman ay mataas narin ang position sa Sierra Group, while Rafael is now a president in one of their business.

Pero may nahagip akong picture ng isang babaeng nakatalikod. That was five years ago. In Barcelona. She’s wearing a floral flowy dress. Nakakulot ang mahabang buhok at may red ribbon na nakatali sa buhok. Bigla akong kinabahan.

That was me. I was in Barcelona last five years ago with Mel, at tandang-tanda ko ang suot ko nang araw na iyon dahil naligaw si Mel sa Barcelona at nahirapan akong hanapin siya pero may nahagip na palang lalaki. Hindi ko makalimutan iyon.

Napatingin pa ako sa caption niya.

Thaddeusdvera She’s my muse, my cheerleader, my everything.

Bigla kong nabitawan ang cellphone ko. If… If he saw me five years ago… Then why? Bakit hindi niya ako nagawang lapitan ng panahong iyon?

Kaagad ko ding kinuha ang phone ko nang tumunog iyon at nakita kong tumatawag si Mel. I was about to answer her call but I saw his new post. It was me from last night. Nakatagilid ako kaya kita ang kalahating mukha ko, pero tulad ng naunang picture, naka-blurred iyon. Binasa ko naman ang caption at nakalagay, Finally, I’m home.

I bite my lips when I read that. Home. I am his home.

I was about to exit the app to call Mel back but I saw our friends’ comment on his post.

YasmirSierra Sana All.

ErosSierra ‘Yun oh! Nakauwi na din.

RafaelSierra ‘Di nga? Baka fake news ‘to.

ZendriaFortella Pupusta ako. 1M kapag nagkabalikan sila this week.

DustinRivera 5M.

ErosSierra Ang baba naman. 10M. By next month, sila na ulit.

RafaelSierra 50M by the end of the month.

CaliDevin Eh kung i-invest niyo nalang sa company ko? Matutuwa pa ako.

YasmirSierra HAHAHAHAHA

AndreiMonroe Thaddeus already invested to your company, Cali. Huwag kang gahaman.

Napailing nalang ako sa kabaliwan nila. Tatayo na sana ako para maghanda sa pagpasok nang muling tumunog ang cellphone ko.

Thaddeusdvera tagged you in a photo.

At nakita kong tinag niya ako sa picture na kinomentan namin ng mga kaibigan namin. Napanguso ako. Anong kaguluhan ‘to? Kaibigan lang usapan namin ah! Bakit may pa ganito?!

I busied myself for the past few days. At lagi akong kinukulit ni Thaddeus. He's back to his self. The jolly and papansin na Thaddeus. Ang Thaddeus na kilala ko noong mga highschool palang kami.

I got irritated and annoyed sometimes, pero may part din saakin na gusto ko siyang nakikita.

“Sige na, Cali! Dinner date lang naman, kakain lang naman, wala namang masama doon.” Sabi niya na parang batang nanggugulo sa loob ng opisina ko.

Hindi ko nga alam kung paano ito nakapasok sa loob ng kompanya ko pero noong tinanong ko siya, sinabi ba naman sa security guards na boyfriend ko daw siya. Kinompirma pa nga ni Monica!

“Dinner date? Tapos gusto mo sa penthouse ng kaibigan mo. Anong gusto mong isipin ko? Kakain lang? Baka ibang kain 'yan, Thaddeus! Manahimik ka!” Singhal ko sa kanya.

Natawa naman si Monica na nasa loob ng opisina ko dahil may pinapapirma siyang papeles. She's half-pinay kaya medyo naiintindihan niya kami.

Most of our employees are Filipinos. Marami-rami ding mga Pinoy dito sa Florida. Pero sa cruise ships ay halo-halo na ang nationality. Especially sa restaurants because we're in need of chefs that specialize in their own cuisines.

“No! Well, unless you want to be eaten.” He teased. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin lalo na si Monica na nagtatago ng tawa.

"Can you both take this somewhere else? I have a company to run," I said, exasperated.

Thaddeus leaned against my desk; his grin infuriatingly charming. “Iba ata nasa isip ng baby Cali ko. Gusto atang magpakain.”

“Thaddeus!” I shouted at him, my frustration reaching a peak. This time, Monica couldn't hold back her laughter any longer. Damn it. This time hindi na mapigilan ni Monica ang matawa. Tangina. Sa harap pa talaga ng secretary ko ang panglalanding ginagawa ni Thaddeus saakin.

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my irritation. "Alright, alright. I'll behave," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender.

"Good," I snapped. "Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do."

Thaddeus nodded, still smiling. "Sure thing. But don't forget, seven o'clock. I'll pick you up."

As he left the office, I let out a sigh of relief. Monica, still chuckling, handed me the papers to sign. "He really knows how to push your buttons, doesn't he?"

I rolled my eyes. "You have no idea. I can't believe you sided with him."

Monica shrugged. "He seems sincere. And you could use a break, Cali. Just enjoy the dinner. Who knows, it might be good for you."

I sighed, knowing she had a point. "We'll see," I muttered, focusing on the papers.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, my thoughts constantly drifting back to Thaddeus and his relentless teasing. Despite my irritation, there was a small part of me that was curious about this dinner date. Could he really have changed?

Sumapit ang hapon ay bumalik si Thad sa loob ng office ko, dala ang bag niya. Napataas ako ng kilay sa ginawa niya.

“Ang boring sa penthouse e.” Pagdadahilan niya, pero hindi ko na siya kinausap pa as Dad set up a zoom meeting. Habang nakikipag-usap kay daddy at sa iibang miyembro ng board of directors ay palipat-lipat ang tingin ko kay Thad at sa monitor ng screen ko.

He's doing his work inside my office. Doon ko lang narealized na ang dami niyang alam saakin ngayon, pero wala akong kaalam-alam na sa buhay niya. Kung ano ang narating niya sa sampung taong nagkahiwalay kami.

We're heading home. Sabi ko sa kanya maliligo at magbibihis muna ako bago umakyat sa penthouse, but he insist on going with me. Hindi na ako nakaangal dahil nauna na siyang nakapasok sa loob ng unit ko nang buksan ko iyon.

"You... Haven't unbox it yet." Sabi niya nang napatingin sa sala kung saan naroon ang mga regalong binigay niya at mga bulaklak na nalanta na.

"I'm too busy to do unboxing, Thad." Tamad kong sagot sa kanya.

Lumapit siya sa lamesa na pinaglagyan ko ng bulaklak at lahat ng iyon ay dry na. Naglagas narin ang mga iilang bulaklak pero may iba din naman na nasa tamang ayos pa nila dahil hindi ko naman iyon ginagalaw.

"Matatagalan ako. You can go up first, I'll follow." Sabi ko sa kanya.

Napatingin naman siya kaagad saakin at napanguso. How can someone be looked so manly but so cute when pouting? Pwede ba 'yon?

"No, I'll stay. Baka hindi ka tumuloy." Sabi niya pa at napaupo sa sofa ko na para bang pagmamay-ari niya iyon. He sits comfortably! He even grabbed the remote control to watch some movies or what.

"Do your thing, Cali. I'll be right here." He gently said and a sweet smile plastered on his face.

Pumasok na ako sa loob at naligo. Nang matapos ay natunganga ako sa harap ng walk-in-closet ko. Still undecided what to wear.

Teka nga, Calliope! Bakit ka nagpapaganda?! Simple dinner lang naman iyon! I growled and picked the simplest dress I have.

I chose a stunning red flowy dress that hugged my waist snugly and flared out gracefully at the bottom. Its V-neckline elegantly displayed my neckline, while the sleeveless design showcased my shoulders. The dress fell just below the knee, and I paired it with comfortable two-inch red heels that perfectly complemented the outfit.

For my makeup, I opted for a light and natural look, focusing on enhancing my features. I chose a shade of red lipstick that matched the dress, adding a touch of glamour. I styled my hair in a relaxed and chic messy braid, giving it a casual yet sophisticated appearance. To accessorize, I kept it simple with understated jewelry that added a hint of sparkle without overpowering the look.

Nang matapos ako ay lumabas ako at nakita ko si Thaddeus na malalim ang titig sa kesame habang nakasandal sa sofa. Ni hindi nga ata narinig ang tunog ng pagbukas at pagsara ng pintuan dahil hindi man lang siya gumalaw.

What is he thinking?

"Thaddeus." Tawag ko sa kanya. Kaagad naman siyang napatayo at humarap saakin pero nakita ko ang paglaglag ng kanyang panga nang makita ako.

I rolled my eyes at his exaggerated reaction. I mean, my outfit was simple, so what's with the theatrics?

He coughed lightly to regain his composure, a smile tugging at his lips. "You look stunning," he complimented sincerely, his eyes lingering on me.

Feeling a slight blush rise to my cheeks, I shrugged nonchalantly. "Maganda naman talaga ako," I quipped, though secretly pleased by his compliment.

"Always," he responded with a chuckle, his gaze filled with both amusement and genuine admiration.

Lumapit naman siya saakin at nilahad ang palad niya sa harapan ko. Tinitigan ko iyon at napataas ng kilay.

"Shall we?" He asked. A bright smile plastered on his facing as he lend his hand on me. I gracefully accepted it and walked out of my unit.

We've reached the elevator and when it opens, he pressed the 36th. A floor to his friend's penthouse.

When we arrived, I was amazed by the elegance of the penthouse. It was incredibly spacious. The interior and furniture were all designed with a neat and modern aesthetic. The whole place exuded a sense of sophistication and style.

As we walked, I noticed the table in the middle of his living area beside the floor-to-ceiling window. It was beautifully decorated with a candle and roses, creating a romantic centerpiece. Beside them were several smaller candles, the fake kind that flicker like real ones. Everything was neatly organized, contributing to a cozy and elegant ambiance.

My attention was drawn to a small box placed on the table. It wasn't very large, but its presence seemed significant, as if it held something important.

"What's in the box?" I wondered silently; my curiosity piqued.

Thaddeus led me to the table, gently guiding me to sit in the chair opposite him. He was ever the gentleman, his touch light but steady. Once I was seated, he took his place across from me, his eyes never leaving mine.

As I settled into the comfortable chair, I took a moment to admire the view from the floor-to-ceiling window beside us. The cityscape was breathtaking, with countless tall buildings glittering against the night sky. The lights from the buildings reflected on the glass, creating a mesmerizing dance of colors. It felt like we were on top of the world, surrounded by a sea of stars.

He gestured towards the small box on the table. "I have something for you," he said softly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

I looked at the box, feeling a surge of curiosity. "What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Open it and see," he encouraged, his smile widening. I'm doubting if I will accept his present or not. But we're friends, right? There's nothing wrong accepting a gift from a friend, right?

I carefully lifted the lid of the box, my hands trembling slightly with excitement. Inside, nestled on a bed of velvet, was a delicate bracelet adorned with tiny, sparkling gems. It was exquisitely crafted, each gem catching the light and creating a dazzling effect.

Hindi ko alam, pero bigla akong nalungkot. Before, Thaddeus will shower me something that isn't expensive. Mga simpleng bagay lang pero pinapasaya na ako. Mga bagay na wala ako. I can buy whatever I want with the money I earn. Eventually, I can buy things like this. But I know Thaddeus efforted much. And I somehow realized that, he can afford everything now. To give me more than I deserved.

"Hindi mo nagustuhan?" He asked, I smiled bitterly. "No," napasimangot kaagad siya sa sinabi ko. "No, I mean, it's stunning. I... I didn't expect you to buy me expensive gifts, Thaddeus. You don't need to, actually." Mas lalong lumukot ang mukha niya nang sabihin ko iyon.

Thaddeus is different now. He has money. He even invested in my company to the tune of a hundred million pesos. I don't know where he got that money, considering I know he came from a very poor background. He was a scholar at our old school, Smith International School, one of the scholars sponsored by the Sierra Group. And I don't think being a captain earns that much money. I don't even know if he's telling the truth about this penthouse being owned by his friend... or maybe it's actually his.

I have so many questions about him, but I can't bring myself to ask. I don't want to pry into his private life since there's nothing between us, and we're just friends now.

"I will spoil you with everything I have, Cali. I don't care if you come from a wealthy family, but I didn't work hard for nothing. It was all because of you. Because you deserve everything. You deserve the world, and if I stayed the same, then I thought... I wouldn't be good enough to deserve you," he said in a low, raspy voice.

I gasped but immediately composed myself. I bit the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from making an expression.

Did he really... work hard... for me?

I turned to face him, my eyes searching his for any sign of deceit. But all I saw was sincerity, and it both scared and confused me. "Thaddeus, you don't have to—"

"Yes, I do," he interrupted gently. "I have to, because you mean that much to me."

I didn't know what to say. His words were like a balm to my soul, but they also brought up feelings I'd tried to bury long ago. "You don't understand. Our lives are different now. I've moved on, and I thought you had too."

He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Moving on doesn't mean forgetting. It doesn't mean those feelings just disappear. I've worked hard to be the man who can stand by your side, not behind you. To be someone you can be proud of."