Ma'am eto na po
"Thank you, Manang," I told Manang when she placed the tray in the table.. She smiled at me.
"May alam ka po bang naging boyfriend ni Zaila, Manang?" Tanong ko sa kanya. Patuloy pa rin bumabagabag sa isipan ko na baka kilala nga ni Daron si Zaila.
The amusement in the voice of my sister when she called a few days ago is really evident. I know she's smiling the whole time after I said that I know Daron. Why would she be amused?
Alam kong di na masyadong marami ang mga naging project ni Daron sa agency. Pero kahit ganoon, alam kong sikat pa din siya tulad ng dati. Of course, Zaila would know him through magazines! I'm sure he's interested with him. But why would she be amused if I know him? She called to ask that!
"Bakit niyo po natanong, Ma'am?" Manang curiously asked. Di ko naman masisisi si Manang kung wala siyang alam. Walang dinadala na lalaki si Zaila sa mansion. I never heard her introduce one to Dad.
"Wala lang po. May gusto lang po akong kumpirmahin," I didn't lie. That's true.
"Hindi naman po siya nagdadala ng lalaki dito, diba?" Umiling si Manang.
"Hindi niya dinadala dito. Takot yung di magustuhan ng Daddy niya," Manang told me.
"Pero nakikita ko siya minsan na may kasamang lalaki. Mukha ngang mga modelo, Ma'am,"
"Yung nakita ko sa magazine, Ma'am" Napabangon ako sa kama sa sinabi ni Manang. What magazine? Isa lang ang magazine na alam kong palagi niyang pinapakita sa akin.
"Yung tinanong ko kung ano ang pangalan, Ma'am!" She exclaimed when she remembered it. Napapikit nalang ako. Wala ng ibang tinutukoy si Manang.
"Yung sinabi kong nakita ko sa TV! Siya yung partner mo! Nakita ko siyang kasama si Ma'am Zaila!," There! Nasabi din ni Manang. Di malabong magkakilala nga sila pareho sila ng mundong ginagalawan.
"Marami pa din po naman akong nakitang kasama ni Ma'am Zaila, Ma'am. May iba ding nakita ko na sa TV," I nodded at Manang when I opened my eyes.
"Salamat po, Manang," I told her.
"Tawagin niyo nalang po ako kung ipapababa niyo na yung tray," She said then she turned to the direction of the door.
"Mag- aral ka na po, Ma'am," She reminded me.
"Ako nalang po ang magdadala ng tray sa baba," Manang stopped at what I said.
"Sigurado ka?" I nodded and she smiled. Tapos, umalis na siya.
It took long bago ko nasimulang kumain. What could possibly be the reason of the hilarity in Zaila's voice? Bakit sila nakita ni Manang na magkasama? Kung alam niyang kapatid ako ni Zaila, bakit di man lang niya sinabing kilala niya si Zaila?
The mixed vegetable salad and the Baked Chicken Seekh are appetizing. Pero kahit ganoon, di ko na naubos yung pagkain dahil sa dami ng nasa isip ko. "They could be friends, "I tried to convince myself. Pero ano ang rason niya para di niya sabihing magkaibigan sila?
I'm done with what I usually do. Nakapag-aral na ako, nagbasa, at gumawa ng kung anu- ano, di pa din nawala ang pagtatalo sa utak ko. Kaya naman, pagbaba ko ng sasakyan ni Daron, I asked him.
"Kilala mo ba si Zaila?"
"Your sister?" He asked. Obviously!
"Sino pa ba?" May iba ka pa bang Zaila na kilala? I'm striving not to raise my voice pero di ko na talaga napigilan noong nakita kong natigilan siya sa pagbanggit ko kay Zaila.
"Yes, you shared things about he-" I cut him off.
"Before. Before, I told you those things," He went nearer to me and held my hands. He stared directly to my eyes before answering.
"No" He seriously said. Kung di ko lang nalaman yung sinabi ni Manang, maniniwala na ako sa kanya. But no, I know he's lying.
"Why?" Umiling na lamang ako and he went near me to give me a short kiss. This is the advantage he gives me. He doesn't force me to say things I am not ready to voice out.
Usap- usapan sa buong school ang papalapit na finals. Di naman ako nababahala kasi alam ko na handa ako. Pero dahil gusto kong mawala ang kasinungalingan niya, inubos ko lahat ng free time ko sa pag-aaral. I didn't rest to avid cogitating of what he said.
My mind is occupied because of my studies. Pero kahit kayang- kaya kong huwag isali ang relasyon namin sa isip ko habang nag-aaral, di ko pa din mapigilan. This is not actually bad kasi natapos ko naman lahat ng dapat pag-aralan. I just have to review. I perceived that to study before time succoured. Baka di pa ako matapos kung sakali, kakaisip sa mga sinabi niya.
My Dad? Bakit di niya pinakialaman ang relasyon namin ni Daron? Does he like Daron for me? He didn't call me to go to his office just like before when he wants me to confirm an information or ask permission.
I opened the windows of my room to have a view of the sunset. Ang mga kulay sa kalangitan naghalong muli ang nagbibigay sa isip ko ng kapayapaan. The light of the sun hit our garden. The view of the sunflowers down there relaxed my mind. I have loved sunflowers as much as I've loved the sunset. Maybe not just sunflowers but all yellow flowers. I admire the connotation behind those yellow flowers. Yellow flowers are said to be primarily associated with spreading of merriment. It is also the ideal color for friendship. With their bright hue, yellow flowers can be used to better someone's day and increase the positive energy in a room. Exactly what I just need.
"Ma'am, aalis po kayo?" Manang inquired me.
"Sa garden lang po,"
I decided to go down since di na masyadong mainit. Sakto lang kasi papalubog na ang araw. I sat in our wooden bench with wood wings of an angel as a design. I reminded myself of my goals in life so that I wouldn't take the wrong path. If ever someone asks me to stop modeling, I will. I want to make my goals clear and be successful someday. Unfortunately, becoming a celebrity is not one of the things I wanted to achieve.
My opinion of being successful is not when you finally become rich and stable in life. It all depends on you. You are the only person who can call yourself successful because you are the one who knows what you desire to attain. If you feel like you've reached your life aims, then you can call yourself successful.
**********
"Where are you taking me?"
"Shhhhh. Just wait. Di masikip?" I shook my head kasi di naman talaga masikip. Para nga lang nakakahilo yung kadiliman.
"This is a beach! This is sand for sure. Diba?" The wind feels like sea breeze. I can't be mistaken. This is a beach! I just confirmed it when I stepped into the sand.
He carried me in his arms at halos mapatili na ako dahil nung nilapag niya ako, gumagalaw yung inaapakan ko. Naalala ko na dumaan kami sa hagdanan kanina. This must be a boat or yacht.
"We're in a yacht, right?" He just chuckled. He called for this yesterday. Tapos di man lang niya ipapakita. Makikita ko din naman to mamaya, so what's with the delay?
"Sunset na?" Di na kasi masyadong mainit.
"Oo," He answered like it was okay for me! He knows I love the sunset!
"What? Can I take this off? I want to see!"
"No," He said with finality.
"What? Why?" I asked him.
"Kasi di pa naman sunset," Uhhhhhh! The nerve of this man.
"I hate you!" I declared.
Now, he's laughing! He pulled me closer and locked me in his arms. He buried his face on my neck.
"You said before that you love me," He said still with humor in the tone.
"That was before," I confidently said.
"Really?"He whispered in my ear. His breathing tickled me. He planted a soft kiss on my lips. I nodded as a reply to his query. I have to act like I'm not affected.
"Damn...Okay, I'll give it to you. You're a good actress," He said.
He held my hand and brought me with him. He stayed at my back and locked me in his arms. "I will get this now," He whispered. I just nodded even if I badly want to see the scenery in front of me.
The moment I opened my eyes, I forgot all my doubts about him. I realized that I should trust his actions and decisions. Just like how is he giving me the chance to decide of telling him or not, I will give him the time to choose between revealing the truth or not.
The light from the sun made the navy blue water more vivid. I can't help but notice how the clouds are shaped. Together with the soaring birds, they made the blue skies even more captivating. The coconut trees I can see from an island also stood high. They seem to be declaring mightiness and territory.
"I have always loved the sunset," I unconsciously said. Sa lahat ng papuri ko sa mga nakikita ko, lahat yun nanatili sa isip ko.
"I know," He said.
We stayed in that position until the moon replaced the sun. Ngayon, natuon naman ang pansin ko sa islang puno ng dilaw na ilaw. Sa gitna ng kadiliman, yan lang talaga ang makikita mo. I turned to Daron to see some reaction. We're going there, right?
But, he just looked away.
We arrived at the island and the yellow lights are closer. Hanging in the coconut trees, it is leading a path to I don't know where. Daron offered his hand and bowed a bit making me laugh. He laughed too, because he realized that his actions were making him look like a prince. I accepted his hand and he followed me from behind.
"This is your island, right?" He didn't answer but I am sure this is one of their properties.
"It's very astounding," I honestly told him. The yellow lights illuminated the area making the view clear. I also wanted to see the fascinating view of the island in daylight. I'm sure that it would look even more stupefying.
"We're staying here for the night," He suddenly said.
"But, I'll show you this one first. Come here," I followed him to where he is heading.
I got stunned by the sight of a pool in front of the beach. With wooden looking floor around and white benches with white umbrellas. I'm standing right there, staggering because of the scenery. Someone never apologized to me in this manner. My parents could even barely celebrate with me every milestone.
Above an elegant looking table are the words 'I'm sorry' in shining yellow. I was confused at first on why is he saying sorry. Does he know that I'm doubting him? His decisions?
I faced Daron to provide answers to all the queries inside my head.
"Why are you apologizing?"
He gave me a kiss first and he rested his forehead on mine.
"For everything. I'm sorry for making you confused. I'm sorry for making you doubt me. I'm sorry for all my lacking. I'm sorry if-,"
"Shhhhh. It's okay," I honestly told him.
"Just like how you're giving me the chance of time to choose when I'm ready to say it. I will do the same. I respect your decisions. You don't have to be sorry for all of that,"
"I love you,"
"I love you," I replied.
"So let's eat?" He pulled a chair for me and I sat there, still admiring the view.
"When did you prepare all of this? You seem to be so busy," I told him. I can't imagine him doing all of this because I have never seen him arrange some things for surprise.
"Ikaw din naman, ah. Busy ka. That's why you didn't notice me making some calls for this," He answered.
"Di naman tayo palaging magkasama. How will I notice? You're as good as me in acting,"
"Nah. You're better," He said denying that he is as good as me in acting. But, he didn't deny that he could act well.
"Sinong nagluto?" I asked him. I wanted to know if he knows how to cook or not.
"Ako," He proudly said.
"I don't believe you," I said after taking a bite on the steak. If ever what he said is true, he is really good at it. I haven't seen him cook because we usually go out, not eat inside a house if we're together. Kapag nasa mansion naman nila, Mommy niya ang nagluluto.
"Didn't you know that my parents thought I want to become a chef? Akala nila di ako magdodoctor," My mouth dropped at that. Marunong naman akong magluto but only the simple ones.
"I'm not like you who only knows how to fry egg, cook rice and all the simple-"
"Shut up," He chuckled, successfully annoying me.
**********************
#ForeverYours #ForeignGirlsSeries1 #ZaRon
Thank you for reading :)
-Pinkish_3007