Paris
I think I like Ezzio. I'm even convinced it's more than that.
After what happened at the gazebo, I spent another sleepless night at home. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nararamdaman. Now that I was aware of my own feelings, for some reason, it felt wrong. Pakiramdam ko, mali 'to. It wasn't supposed to be this way, anyway. At higit sa lahat, takot. Natatakot ako.
"How was the game?" tanong ni Venny kinabukasan. Kumakain kami ng breakfast. Kaming dalawa lang ang nagdadaldalan dahil nasa kusina pa si mommy habang si Mico naman ay tahimik na kumakain.
The question made me feel uneasy. I realized, anything that reminds me of Ezzio seem to make me feel just that. I pursed my lips and nodded.
"Ayos naman. Panalo si King," maikling sagot ko. I didn't want to elaborate. She grinned.
"I heard it finished early. Pero ginabi ka pa rin ng uwi,"
Paris"Mommy?"I called as I knocked on her door. My lips were quivering and my face, tear-stained. It didn't take long for her to open up. Inaayos niya pa ang roba niya at bahagyang napatigil nang makita akong umiiyak.The look on her face turned from a look of shock to something that showed genuine concern."Bella,"she said softly as she held me by the arm. Hindi ako nakasagot. Mukhang wala naman siyang inaasahan. Inakay niya na lang ako patungo sa kama niya. She hugged me tight once we sat there. My tears fell nonstop on her shoulder."I hate myself,"I whispered, unable to stop my sobs. Naramdaman ko ang pag-iling ni mama habang hinahaplos ang likod ko nang marahan."No. Don't say that,"she said."You're just scared and I don't blame you. Maybe because I know that somehow, it's my fault."I couldn't gi
Paris"So? Howisit?"I nervously asked before biting my lip. It's a weekend. Napag-usapan naming magsama-sama rito sa bahay dahil saktong hindi naman kami busy lahat. Nakaupo sila sa hapag habang ako naman ay nakatayo lang, hinihintay ang reaksyon nila sa niluto kong soufflé. Nakasuot pa ako ng apron.Kuya Max was the first one to react. He even smashed his hand on the table in an exaggerated way. Pabiro siyang gulat na tumingin sa'kin."Sarap nito, Par! Pwede mo na 'to gamitin pang gayuma!""Oo nga! It's about time na rin, 'no! Ang tanda mo na, wala ka pa ring jowa!"dagdag naman ni Venny. I glared at her for that."Nahiya ako sa'yo, ah!"sabi ko dahil hello? Parehas lang naman kami. Wala rin siyang jowa dahil masyado raw siyang busy sa career niya kaya fling-fling lang daw muna.I
Paris"Your client is Ezzio Martinez?"I asked Venny the moment her meeting with Ezzio ended. Itinukod ko pa ang dalawang kamay sa mesa habang nakatayo. Siya naman ay abala sa pagkulikot sa cellphone niya.I stood in front of her as her brows furrowed without even giving me a single glance."Uhm... yeah?"she said, as if it was no big deal. Napasinghap ako. I know I was only stating the obvious but hearing it from her seemed to have taken me by surprise, still."Bakit hindi mo man lang sinabi sa'kin?!"Hindi ko na mapigilang itaas ang boses. Kasi naman! Halos hindi ako nakagalaw nang makita ko si Ezzio kanina! Kung hindi pa ako tinapik ni Marky
ParisI took a deep breath as I stood in front of the tall building.This.This is the whole universe telling me that it's neverevertoo late to try.A small smile crept on my lips.OPLAN: LIGAWAN SI MARTINEZ, now in action!This time, napangiti na 'ko nang malapad. I looked at the business card again just to make sure.'Voyager Trading Company'.Ngayon ko lang nalaman ang pangalan ng kumpanya nina Ezzio. Back in college, I never really got to ask him about their business. I never asked him about what his dad does, how their company works. Trades consist a lot of trading styles so I wasn't sure. Pero mas mabuti nga 'yon nang may mapag-usapan kami ni Ezzio kung sakaling mapapayag ko siyang sumama sa akin para mananghalian. Yep. I went here to ask him out for lunch!Of course, he turned me down last night. Kagabi pa lang, humindi na siya sa sinabi ko. Lal
ParisI stopped asking Ezzio for lunch, eventually. Bukod sa napaka time-consuming ng paghihintay sa kanya, naisip ko rin na mukhang isang malaking abala lang 'yon. It's too much of a distraction. And it was somewhat annoying. Of course, I didn't want to be labelled as'the annoying courter'.Baka mas ma-bad shot lang ako kay Ezzio. Yeah. This was really happening. Talagang lubos ko nang sineseryoso ang panliligaw sa kanya. It sounded so unnatural and desperate, but at this point, I didn't care.Anyways, that was pretty much it. Tumigil ako sa pangungulit kay Ezzio roon sa labas ng opisina niya. Sa halip ay napagdesisyonan kong hatiran na lang siya ng pagkain dahil mas mainam 'yon. And so, whenever it was lunchtime, I went to their company just to drop off the food. Iniiwan ko lang kay Arianne ang pagkain, pagkatapos ay siya na ang bahalang nagbibigay sa boss niya. I'd been doing that for about a week now. Today was no diffe
ParisMay girlfriend si Ezzio.Girlfriend.I can't believe I was so all over him for over a week without having any clue that he's taken!Matapos niyang sabihin sa akin 'yon ay natahimik ako dahil sa gulat. I didn't know what to say or how to react. Masyado kasing biglaan ang pagkasabi niya no'n. Mabuti na lang at eksaktong dumating si Venny! Kung hindi ay baka nagmukha na akong tanga roon sa harap niya. I don't know. I would be lying if I say I didn't see it coming. Alam ko naman na sa simula pa na posible 'yon. Kaya lang, mas pinaniwala ko ang sarili ko na hindi. I thought after what I did to him years ago, he'd completely shut other women out and relationships won't ever be his thing. I guess I was wrong.Ang kapal ko rin talaga. Matapos nang nagawa ko, umasa pa rin akong may nararamdaman pa siya sa akin, kahit kaunti. I didn't think I was irreplaceable. I just... thought I had a slight chance of being with him.
Paris"May kailangan ka?"bungad ni Venny sa akin nang sagutin ang video call. Umirap ako at humagikhik naman siya."I need your help with something,"I simply replied. Narinig ko pa siyang dumaing ng kaunti, tila naiinis."Why the need for a video call?""Because..."I trailed off before shifting the camera to the two night-out outfits laid on my bed. One was a nude see-through top with a black bralette and a leather skirt. The other was a simple spaghetti strap dress. They both screamed different vibes. Kaya medyo lito ako kung alin sa dalawa ang susuotin."Oh,"I heard Venny say. Ilang segundo pa ang lumipas bago siya nagsalita."Go for the see-through."Tumango ako kahit 'di niya naman kita. Ibinalik ko sa front cam ang tawag at magpapaalam na sana ngu
Paris"I don't need your help,"sabi ko, inaalis ang pag alalay niya sa'kin nang makababa kami ng kotse.Matapos nang pagd-drama ko kanina ay napagtanto ko kung gaanong nakakahiya 'yon. And when he realized I couldn't tell him anything more, he finally decided to take me to... wherever. I had no idea. Heto kami ngayon at kararating lang sa kung saan. Surprisingly though, I seemed to not care at all.I winced and held my temple again as I felt my head pounding. All I wanted to do was to crash on a bed and go to sleep."Yes, youdo,"rinig kong sagot ni Ezzio. Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad nang pagewang-gewang.Where the heck are we?I figured we were on a parking lot, judging by the cars parked here. Pero ang tanong, saan ba kami patungo?"Shit!"sigaw ko nang matalisod sa pave
Ezzio "Cut it out, Z! We're running late!"reklamo ni Ray, kunot noong nakatingin sa wristwatch. I didn't listen. Sa halip ay nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalaro ng bola. Dalawang linggo pa lang matapos kaming napasok sa team ng Wolves pero kahit ganoon ay nakasanayan na naming tumambay sa field tuwing lunchbreak kasama ang mga seniors. I smirked at Ray while doing my freestyle. Sinasadya kong hindi tapusin dahil alam kong inis na siya. Lunch was over and most people in the field had already left for their next class. "Tss. Tangina naman, o!" Napatawa na ako nang marinig siyang magmura. I took that as a sign to stop. Hinawakan ko ang bola pero agad din 'yong hinagis sa direksyon niya. His reflex was fast so he caught it without batting an eye. I shrugged and run my fingers through my hair. "Five minutes na lang, late na tayo,"aniya nang nagsimula kaming maglak
Paris"So you're the girl my son's been talking about!"Napakurap ako, halos namamala ang lalamunan dahil sa kaba. We were at their house now, standing in their living room. Kakapasok pa lang namin pero agad na kaming sinalubong ng mommy niya. She looked excited when I saw her come out somewhere to greet us. Malapad ang mga ngiting iginawad niya. I couldn't help but watch her in awe while she was walking.It was my first time seeing Ezzio's mother. She looked gorgeous in her white chiffon dress. It contrasted her morena skin. Her hair was up in a bun, which emphasized her high cheekbones and almond eyes. I could tell she was already in her late 40's or early 50's. But boy, did she looked younger.
ParisThere was a long pause. Tila hindi pumapasok sa utak ko yung sinabi niya. I even thought about asking him to repeat it just in case I didn't hear it right but who was I kidding? It was just a damn excuse. I heard it the first time. Narinig ko. Narinig ko naman ng malinaw.A heavy sigh escaped from my lips, not knowing what to say. Nakatingin pa rin ako sa magandang tanawin sa harapan ngunit parang nawala na ang epekto no'n sa'kin. I couldn't appreciate it anymore. My thoughts and attention were now directed to something else.I felt Ezzio's hold on my waist tighten, like he was afraid of what I was about to say, or do. Did he thought I would lash out?My lips parted, preparing myself to speak."That's..."I could barely continue. The emotions inside me were starting to get overwhelming and my mind has become too chaotic. Kasi parang ang bilis naman yata? We spent the rest of the day happy and no
Paris"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"I asked. Because I honestly didn't know how I should take it.Ezzio shrugged. Inilapag niya ang phone sa mesa."I guess I'll find out later."Napakunot ang noo ko. Later?"He wants us to talk over lunch,"he said, probably reading the confused expression on my face. My mouth formed a small 'o'. Saka lang ako tuluyang lumapit para lagyan ng kubyertos ang pinggan niya, kasama na rin ang akin."Baka na-miss ka lang niya kaya siya bumalik,"biro ko. I hadn't met his dad yet, but I could tell he wasn't the affectionate type.Ezzio laughed a little."Come here,"he uttered, reaching his hand to me. I looked at him suspiciously when he pulled me close. Ipinulupot niya ang mga braso sa baywang ko habang humawak naman ako sa batok niya, dahilan sa mas pagkakalapit n
Paris"Paris!"I heard Sam exclaim when she barged into the restroom."There you are."Her voice was laced with relief. Umurong ang mga luha ko. I turned around to face her."Nag-alala ako sa'yo. Ang tagal mo kasing bumalik."She smiled apologetically. Sigurado ay iniisip niya na ang OA niya dahil doon. But little did she know, she was right to worry about me. Because after the little chit-chat I had with Charlotte, I was far from okay. However, I didn't want to worry Samantha. So I gathered up my strength to give her the fakest smile I had ever done in my entire life."I'm
Paris"What do you think?"I asked and twirled around to make him see more of the gown. It was a simple black V-neck chiffon. Third try ko na 'to at isinama ko si Ezzio para hingin ang opinyon niya.He was sitting on the small couch in front of me, his arms crossed while eyeing me carefully. I watched his lips form a twisted smile as his eyes traveled up and down my body."Beautiful,"he whispered while I rolled my eyes."Paulit-ulit naman 'yang sinasabi mo, e!"reklamo ko."I want anhonestopinion, Ezzio. Or else we're stuck here and we're not going anywhere."
ParisI left.Of course, I left! Ni hindi ko na nga hinayaan pang makapagsalita si Ezzio o sino man sa kanilang dalawa. I was too furious and hurt. 'Yung parang hindi ko kakayaning patagalin pa ng kahit isang segundo ang pagtitig sa mukha noong Martinez na 'yon!And so, I stormed out of the room. Went straight to the parking lot. Drove back to El Gusto. And pretended like nothing ever happened.Nagulat pa si Marky nang makita ako. Akala niya raw kasi ay matatagalan ako sa pagbalik. I just smiled at him and asked about how the couple of hours went. Talagang nakaya ko pang magtanong tungkol sa deliveries at orders!I decided to work in the baking room because
Paris"Here we are,"Ezzio uttered under his breath when he stopped the car in front of El Gusto. It was 8 in the morning. Unfortunately, my car needed some fixing so my boyfriend volunteered to take me to work.My cheeks heated up at the thought.My boyfriend.Sinikap kong h'wag mapangiti. Simula nang naging kami, tila ang laki pa rin ng epekto sa'kin sa tuwing naiisip ko na boyfriend ko na nga talaga siya. Tila hindi pa ako sanay. A part of me still couldn't believe it and I had been having quite a hard time adjusting, too. This was the first real and serious relationship I had ever had. I was anxious I might screw it up."Hey."Once again, I heard Ezzio's voice. Agad akong napalingon sa kanya. Nakita kong hindi na siya nakahawak sa manibela. Sa halip ay nakabaling na ang buong atensyon niya sa akin. I recognized the look of concern on his face."Thinkin
Paris"He said that?!"I winced at how loud Venny's voice was. She even slammed both her hands on the dining table. We were at her place. Niyaya niya kasi akong magdinner. Good thing she wasn't busy. Patapos na raw siya sa pag-aayos sa bahay ni Z at sa susunod pa magsisimula ang iba niyang projects. Meanwhile, I wasn't that busy, too. Kinuha ko na rin 'to bilang oportunidad para sabihin kay Venny ang mga sinabi ni Ezzio sa'kin. At heto na nga't halatang hindi siya makapaniwala."So..."she leaned forward with her eyes fixed on me."He's courting you now?"Hearing the words from her still urged a part of me to be surprised; the same thing I felt that night. Tumango ako, hindi alam kung ano ang idadagdag. Venny opened her mouth but took a few seconds to finally speak."Magre-retire na raw si Rapunzel. Nahiya na siya sa'yo."Halos maihagis ko