Faking it
2178 Words
Miguel POV
I woke up with a slight headache. Magmamadaling araw na din kami natapos uminom kasama ng mga Montecillo and their guards.
Tama nga sabi nila, iba makisama sina boss sa mga empleyado nila. They are family, hindi iba. Kahit kagabi sa pagkain, though nasa ibang table ay kasabay pa din nilang kumain.
No wonder they are still being blessed kahit na madami na silang negosyo. Kasama ko sa room si Joey, the other pilot. Mas lasing siya sa akin kagabi nung makauwi kami.
Ang unang pinabalik dito ay si Matt. Who got drank the third time he had another fill and it was only a light beer. Di daw kasi sanay. He was almost going to reveal his sister’s secret kaya agad agad namang dinaluhan siya ni Tiff.
I smiled at that thought, she did feel something for me and I guess he knows. I got up from the bed and slowly made my way to the bathroom. Naghilamos lang ako and brushed my teeth.
Paglabas ko doon ay hinanap ko naman ang phone ko. I had 5 missed calls and 10 messages. Halos lahat galing kay Kisses. Isa lang doon galing sa kapatid ko reminding me of the meeting.
Nagset ako ng alarm the day before and also replied to her na sinet ko na sa calendar ko. She even sent a picture of them and his brother na nagbabantay kay Mom. I smiled.
Nagtipa ako ng reply saka sinend. I kept my phone sa bulsa not even going to read or respond to her messages yet. It’s nice to at least take a breather.
Lumabas na ako ng kwarto na ginamit namin saka naglakad lag muna. I am glad na yung villa nila ay malapit sa dagat so doon ko binalak maglakad lakad.
Nang malapit na ako ay nakita ko siyang naglalakad sa may dalampasigan, getting something from the shore. Then kalaunan ay umupo siya sa ilalim ng puno. I guess she was collecting seashells.
Pinagmasdan ko lang siya saka lumapit ako nang makaupo na siya. I sat beside her and I think she knew it was me. She didn’t mind though, she just kept on looking at the shells on her hand.
“Good morning!” binati ko siya.
She looked at me and smiled. She was breath taking kahit sa umaga, she didn’t have make up on but she was still beautiful.
“Good Morning! Had a good sleep?” I smiled, this was new.
“Okay lang, I was drunk last night.”
“Yeah. I saw how the other men assisted you guys back to your rooms.” She chuckled.
“Why you awake so early? 6 palang.”
“Pag nasa ganitong lugar talaga, I often wake up early. I love the beach and collecting these beautiful shells.” Pinakita niya sakin yung mga pinulot niya and smiled.
“I love seeing you smile, you should smile more often.” I told her as I stare at her face.
Namula siya sa sinabi ko and quickly diverted her gaze. Napangiti ako. She then handed me one shell.
“What’s this?”
“A gift.”
‘Why thank you.”
“You know, I love it when you speak English, ang sarap pakinggan the way you say things. The british accent, I like,” she said to me smiling,
“Shall I speak only English to you then?” she just shrugged.
“I mean, okay lang naman kahit magtagalog ka. You sound like you are a native already.”
We both laughed at that. Saglit namayani ang katahimikan sa amin before I had to break it.
“How are you and.. Tristan?” sandali siyang natigilan before she could answer me.
“Can we not speak about him when we’re together?” I looked at her and nodded.
“So what are we now? Friends?” she softly laughed.
“Friends don’t just go around and kiss their friend.” I smiled and nodded once more.
“You're going to graduate soon, 2 months max?” she nodded.
“Yeah, and maybe by then I can get out of this situation I am in.”
“What do you mean?” she looked at me sadly.
“Remember when you dragged me to a secluded area?” I just looked at her.
“Apparently, someone saw us.” She said looking at her front.
“Who?” I asked with furrowed brows. She looked at me then back to where she was looking at.
“Tristan…”
“Is that why you are with him?”
“I don’t want to ruin you nor take you away from the person who have known you earlier than me.”
“What made you say that?” she looked at me then to her shells.
“You are my teacher, plus the fact that engage ka na.”
“Look, listen Tiff—“
“Ayokong masira ka o ng relasyon mo sa kanya.”
“Tiff, stop.” I grabbed her shoulders and make her look at me. She was already teary eyed.
“I don’t love Kisses. Naging kami nga noon because I was being a jerk thinking madali lang akong makakawala. I didn’t propose to her, she did, in front of her friends and family. Matagal ko nang sinabi sa kanya na di ako magpapakasal.”
She furrowed her brows as she looked at me.
“Then why can’t you break it off with her?”
“I tried, but she’s too stubborn. Ngayong gagraguate ka na, there is no reason for me to hold back. I don’t think there is a reason for you to still be with him.”
“But, you still can’t be with me kasi nasa kaya ka pa.”
“I can find ways to get away from her, I just want to know that you will be beside me.”
She looked at me and closed her eyes as I caress her cheeks. I kissed her forehead and the tip of her nose before my lips landed to her own.
I kissed her gently, savoring her sweet taste. Kapwa namin nadarama yung hampas ng hangin at ang amoy ng dagat. I break the kiss and stared at her. She opened her eyes and smiled sweetly.
“How are we going to do this?” she whispered.
“Let’s fake it until you graduate.” I replied. Gently caressing her cheeks habang ang noo ko ay nakapatong sa kanya.”
She smiled and nodded, holding the hands cupping her cheeks. She stared up at me and gave a peck on the lips.
“I really wanted to do that.” She whispered.
I chuckled and instead gave her another full kiss. Di ata kami matatapos kundi lang tumikhim ang isang tao sa likod namin. We stopped thinking it was someone else. Buti nalang, it was just Matt.
“Nakakabara sa view, magsitayo kayo jan at baka makita kayo ni dad.” Humihikab na sabi ni Matt.
I gently let go of her and stood up, inalalayan ko din siyang tumayo bago kaming tatlo naglakad sa loob ng villa nila. Nasa hapag na pala sila.
“O, san kayo galing na tatlo?” their dad asked.
“Nakita ko lang yung dalawa naglalakad sa dalampasigan, I was walking there too.”
Sabay na kaming tatlo nagsiupo and started eating. The party is to be held tonight kaya mamayang hapon ay may dadating daw na mga stylist dito sa villa.
Habang aattend sila ng party, ibinigay sa amin ni Mr. Montecillo ang gabing ito to go out. I didn’t have plans to party tonight.
I was gonna end up texting her maybe. She looked at me nung sinabi ng daddy niya na we are free to go out at biglang kumapit sa akin si Sheryl, the stewardess sa flight ko. I simply took her hands off of me but still talked to her.
She wanted to go out and wants me to come with them but I declined. I just reasoned out na ayoko muna uminom since nalasing na ako kagabi.
At the corner of my eye, I can see her smile. Maya maya ay may sinabi itong si Matt.
“Dad, lahat tayo dadalo and with partners, but what about Tiffany? Wala si Tristan.” I grimaced, mabuti nga wala yun eh.
“Right, pero sino naman magiging escort niya don?” their dad asked.
Mrs. Montecillo looked around and her eyes stopped at me. She smiled and whispered to her husband. Silang dalawa na ngayon nakatingin sakin.
“Uhm, Miguel, any plans for tonight?” I shook my head no.
“Mind if we ask you to be Tiffany’s partner tonight?” mejo natigilan ako but eventually nodded.
“I couldn’t say no to my boss.” I said and chuckled.
They smiled then Tiffay turned to me with furrowed brows.
“What? Your dad asked me.” I just shrugged. Ngumisi naman itong si Matt.
But I can tell that her mother knows just by the way she looks at me. She was smiling ear to ear. And I can hear the whispers my co-workers are saying.
“Sayang. Di na tuloy natin siya makakasama.” Sheryl said. I smiled as I drunk my juice.
--
Tiffany POV
We spent the whole day bathing at the beach, while the others were only sitting or lounging sa mga chairs under those umbrellas.
I love soaking myself in the water lalo sa beach. I could always remember our times sa rest house. I swam her and there and minsan naman nakikipaghabulan and harutan kina Janelle, Ate Therese and Ate Irish.
Yung mga bata bantay naman ng mga yaya. I can see from where we are na nakatutuk sakin si Miguel. He was wearing his sunnies para di mahalata. They were talking with Dad and my Kuya’s.
Dumating yung lunch and kami pa din magkatabi. Sa likod namin ay may takip kung kaya’t he was freely holding my free hand under the table.
I was smiling while I was eating. Seems like coming to Palawan was not bad at all. Madami akong nakain kasi parang pagod ako kakalangoy sa beach. After lunch, may 2 hours pa kami before we have to prepare for tonight’s event.
Wala siyang dalang suit but the stylist we have hired told us na nagpaparent din sila, so we rented one for Miguel since he’s gonna be my partner.
We continued to swim but now kasali na sila. I simply just went near to him habang lumalangoy ako. Pag walang nakakakita ay pinapalibutan ng kanyang mga bisig ang aking bewang sa ilalim ng dagat.
It’s a thrill na para kaming mga nagtatagong high school sa ginagawa namin, but lke he said hanggang maka graduate lang ako.
Dumating ang oras na kailangan na naming maghanda. I went inside the villa and dumiretso nang maligo. Paglabas ko ng kwarto ay sinuklay ko lang muna ang buhok ko.
Matapos ako ay siyang pagkatok sa aking pinto. The make up artist was there along with hairdresser. I told them na light make up lang since ang kulay ng gown ko ay sky blue.
They did their magic on me and indeed light lang na make up ang ginawa. I saw my reflection and I was satisfied with my make up and hair. Simpleng lugay lang ito na may pacurl sa harap. Mejo naka updo yung half ng hair ko.
Nang lumabas sila ay siyang pagsuot ko ng gown ko. I twirled and looked at myself. Mom came in and looked at me from head to toe.
“My gosh, is this my bunso?” I smiled looking at her.
“Do I look good, Mommy?” I asked.
“ Good? Honey, you look amazing. I’m sure your date will drool.”
“Mommy!” I chuckled.
“Come on, nag aantay na din sila sa baba. Ang gwapo ng escort mo. He’s like your dad nung kabatan niya.”
“Mom, dad’s not that old.”
‘He seems not pero his age is. But no worries, as long as he is healthy. Come.”
Sabay na kami ni Mom na bumaba, ako pala yung panghuli na minake upon kaya ako din huli nakapaghanda.
Once we were at the ground, I immediately scanned for him but he was not there. Tumabi lang muna ako but I can feel eyes on me.
I sighed and puffed my cheeks. Nagsimula na silang pumunta sa loob ng sasakyan pero wala pa siya. Nasaan na kaya siya? Nang mag isa nalang ako nakatunghay sa kanila from the mian door. I heard someone from my back.
Napatingin ako and my eyes widen as I saw him. Napanganga ako sa kagwapuhan niya. He was wearing a 3 piece Armani suite and his hair cleanly gelled up.
Ilang beses ako nagpakurapkurap bago niya ialay ang kanyang bisig sakin.
“Let’s go, partner?” he smiled. I can truly smell his scent.
I think this is gonna be a good night.
- Writer
