Playful Seduction

Chapter 10.

“Congratulations to us!” Masiglang nakipag toast sa akin si Tita Bee. It’s only been a few minutes when we did the ribbon cutting of her own branch of RaiRen in Cauayan Business Center. It’s a bigger space than our initial plan kaya nag adjust kami sa supplies but overall, it’s a success.

Marami ang tao. Marami ang nagpa picture hindi lang sa akin kung hindi sa amin ni Tita Bee. It feels nice knowing na supported ako ng family ko to this point and other people are also very supportive of us. Good business move rin ito because there’s really not much marketing needed dahil local kami ng Isabela, and we are already kind of pretty well known here.

“Cheers!” I cheerfully answered.

We took a sip from our champage glasses and we giggled.

We stood in the corner of the store so we can have our own little time. Si Tito Ram ang busy sa ibang mga tao na either kilala ang family namin or mga family friends din talaga. My parents know about this but hindi ko na sila inobliga na pumunta. It’s enough that they are happy for me and belives in me.

“I think I really need a bigger warehouse kung palagi na kailangan punuin itong store mo.” Mahaba ang pila sa cashier. May mga teenagers na babae, mayroon din na ilang lalaki at may mga couples. The middle-aged ones are looking around, some are talking with Tito Ram.

“Tell Ram about it if you need help. I’m so excited to finally manage my own shop.” Kumikinang ang mag mata ni Tita Bee. She used to be a travel and fashion magazine executive manager and somehow, in line pa rin sa dati nyang trabaho itong naisip nya.

“Oh, I will. I’ll see kung pwede magawan ng paraan sa current location ng office or baka kailangan na talaga lumipat.”

“Alright. Because I know we need to produce more.” Tumatango na sabi nya naman.

We continued the celebration in the Hacienda. We already have three people that we trained to handle the day-to-day process in the store. It’s really Tita Bee’s store, but since it’s my brand, she lets me decide on some stuff, too. But the overall management ay sya na, syempre.

I stayed in Isabela for three days. Natulog lang ako halos, tumambay sa poolside, naligo at nag photoshoot sa Kubli at ninamnam ang sariwang hangin sa paligid. Parehong wala sa Isabela sila Zyrus at Habagat kaya hindi kami nagkita-kita.

Sinundo ako ni Raius sa airport when I went back to Manila. We ate lunch together bago kami dumaan sa grocery for my supplies and then we went straight to my place. Tinulungan nya akong mag-ayos ng mga pinamili ko sa pantry and sa fridge.

“Until what time ka pwede mag stay, Mahal? I missed you so much.” Nang tapos na kami sa mga ginagawa naming dalawa ay naupo na kami sa couch ko. Oras na para maglambing ako sa kanya. I opened the TV and looked for something to watch in Netflix.

“I missed you, too. Nagdala na ako ng damit. Hindi na ako uuwi bago pumasok.” He caressed my hair while we’re hugging.

I love how he seems to cannot keep his hands off of me. But in a gentle way. Sa bewang, sa palapulsuhan, sa siko. Palagi syang naka-alalay. And hinahanap hanap ko na ‘yon kapag hindi magkasama. I can’t explain it in words, pero sobrang saya at kampante ako pag kasama ko sya.

“That’s nice. Namiss din kita katabi matulog.”

Humalakhak si Raius. “Ako rin,”

“Sa susunod na uwi ko sa Isabela, baka isama na kita.”

Nakita ko na parang nawalan ng expression ang mukha ni Raius.

I blinked a few times. “Mahal? What’s wrong?”

He cleared his throat at umiwas ng tingin. “Hindi ba magagalit ang Tito mo?”

Napa awang ang mga labi ko. Oo nga pala. They don’t know that I am seeing someone right now. I became too comfortable with my current situation at hindi ko naisip ang part na ito. Hindi ko pa rin nabanggit kila Mommy at Daddy but I already planned to. Kailangan na sa kanila na muna ako magsabi at sa kanila ko na rin muna maipakilala si Raius.

Hindi ako agad nakapagsalita.

“Ayos lang naman kung hindi mo muna ako maipakilala sa parents mo or sa relatives mo.” His tone is relaxed, pero wala naming sarcasm or tampo akong naramdaman.

“I am actually already planning on bringing you home.” Medyo naguilty ako. But I am sincere! Humahanap lang ako ng tyempo.

Raius gave me a reassuring smile and he gently caressed my cheek. “Okay lang, Mahal. Hindi naman tayo nagmamadali. Ayos lang naman sa akin,”

“I swear, Mahal. I am already planning on doing so. Medyo na sidetracked lang ako but soon, I’ll bring you home para makilala ka na nila Mommy at Daddy.” I softly pulled him closer and hugged him.

He chuckled. “Sige. Pero huwag mo masyado isipin. Baka ma-stressed ka pa kakaisip. Kagaya ng sinabi ko, hindi tayo nagmamadali.”

“Ayoko lang na isipin mo na ang unfair para sayo. I met your side, pero sa akin, hindi pa. Even my friends!” Bigla ko rin naisip na nakilala ko na rin ang mga ka-banda nya. I should really think about this as soon as possible.

Inisip ko na kung kalian nasa bansa si Daddy at hindi rin busy si Mommy. Kaya kailangan ko itaon na may occasion dahil doon lang sigurado na sasama sila pareho.

“Darating rin naman tayo dyan. Diba?”

I nod a few times.

We stayed hugging each other while we continued watching. It feels so nice na ganito lang. Kaya nalungkot ako bigla when he left for his part time that evening. Nakatulala lang ako sa kwarto ko because suddenly, it feels empty.

I know na medyo mabilis ang phasing ng lahat sa amin ni Raius. Officialy ay mag-a-apat na buwan na kami in a few weeks pero kung malalaman ng ibang tao kailan lang kami nagkakilala, they’ll probably be surprised.

It’s all new to me, too. Pero gusto kong magtiwala na this is something good.

Totoo naman ang sinabi ni Raius. Hindi kami nagmamadali. I mean, what would be the reason para magmadali, hindi ba? Maayos pareho ang disposisyon namin sa buhay. I get to manage my business, Raius gets to do what he wants. He may not be well off, but he’s working, too. And may paupahan sya sa taas ng bahay nya. May kinikita rin sya sa gig ng banda nya.

It feels surreal.

That night, I slept with the thought of how good my life is.

“I’m dating someone.”

Aware na aware ako kung paano tumahimik ang paligid when I dropped the bomb. Hindi ako makatingin sa parents ko at kay Tito Ram kaya yumuko lang ako. I was waiting for someone to say something intimidating or what dahil alam ko na malaki ang possibility.

“Do we know him?” Imbes ay iyon ang narinig kong tanong ni Mommy.

My lips pursed before I slowly lifted my face and look at Mommy. Kunot ang kanyang noo, halatang curious pero hindi galit. Lumingon ako kay Daddy at kay Tito Ram na parehong nakatingin lang rin sa akin na parang naghihintay rin ng response ko.

I swallowed. Bigla akong napressure. “Ahm, h-hindi po, Mommy. I met him a few months ago. I’m sorry if ngayon ko pa lang sinabi sa inyo.” I bit my lower lip dahil nagsimula nang bumilis ang t***k ng puso ko.

Only the sound of my dad clearing his throat is what I heard after a few seconds.

I sighed. “I’m sorry kung ngayon ko lang sinabi sa inyo,” I am actually really nervous but a part of me really want to tell them how wonderful of a person Rai is, lalo na as a boyfriend. I always imagined that my parents and my family know him already and we can hangout now even in the main house.

And of course, I am also excited to bring him in Isabela as well!

“Where did you meet the guy?” Si Tito Ram na ang nagtanong.

No one resumed with eating at all. It’s as if my parents and Tito Ram are waiting for their turn to ask questions.

“C-Coffee shop.” I don’t want to elaborate more details dahil magsasabi ako ng totoo and they will just be worried. Baka mas mag focus pa sila na pagalitan ako. And I don’t want to lie, too! It’s just not in my nature.

I grew up not having a reason to lie.

“Coffee shop? So, how did he court you?” Nag high-pitch ang boses ni mommy but not in the usual dangerous level. She’s still calm.

I nod. “O-Opo. He’s a good guy, I swear. I just want you all to meet him so you can know for your self.”

Nagtinginan sila mommy, daddy at Tito Ram. I am not bothered na pagbabawalan nila ako because I know somehow that they are already anticipating this. The process itself kung paano ako nagkaroon ng karelasyon ang medyo tricky.

I wouldn’t want them to think na basta basta ko lang nakilala si Rai at bigla ko na lang naging boyfriend. Although it can actually look like that, alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako napunta sa kung sino lang na hindi ko man lang kinilala.

“Well, then, let’s meet the guy.” Kibit balikat na sabi bigla ni daddy.

“He better be ready to meet us when I come back.” Seryoso rin ang expression na sabi ni Tito Ram as he starts to slice the steak in his plate.

I grinned. “Sure! I am confident that you will like him.”

“I have no doubt in your taste in men, darling. But I can only hope that you really got a good one.” Bahagyang naka ngiti na sabi ni mommy.

Lumapad ang ngiti ko. “Thank you, mommy. I believed I got a good one. I’ll tell him that you guys want to meet him.”

Hindi lang ako sa pagkain nabusog. I believe that the whole situation is perfect. Sa wakas ay nasabi ko na rin sa kanila ang tungkol kay Raius. I am confident na magugustuhan nila ang boyfriend ko. Rai can be a little timid at first but I know, eventually ay magkakasundo rin sila.

I am already planning on how to tell him about it. Ayoko rin naman sya I-pressure sa mangyayari. Tito Ram said that he will be back in about three weeks. My parents also agreed to bring Rai when he comes back. We both still have time to prep Rai if ever he will get nervous.

This is the first time ever that I am doing this. Unlike my friends who already have their fair share of ‘meet the parents’ on their side and on their boyfriend’s side, nangangapa ako. I feel like I have to do this right because first impression lasts.

I concentrated on working. When Rai called to tell me na susunduin nya ako para mag dinner kami sa labas ay gustong gusto ko na sana sabihin sa kanya, but I stopped myself. Mas okay na sa personal na lang, at least we can discuss it better kapag magkasama na kami.

“Ready ka na, mahal? I’ll be there in ten minutes. Medyo traffic lang.” Sabi nya sa kabilang linya. Rinig ko ang tunog ng ibang sasakyan sa background nya, he’s already probably on the road at naka stop sa stoplight kaya nakatawag sya.

I am actually already ready to go, nagreretouch na lang ako ng light make-up ko when he called me. I told him na he can probably fetch me before seven since marami akong ginawa and tamang tama rin na oras iyon for us to eat dinner. May mga collaboration offers ako na hinimay and inaasikaso ko rin ang ibang artists na gusto ko sana I commission para sa new collection ng RaiRen.

“Yes, mahal. Mag-iingat ka, ha? I’ll wait for you at the lobby.” Masiglang sagot ko.

“Sige. See you,”

“See you,”

Nag spray lang ako ng pabango at bumaba na ako sa lobby. Tanging ang guard na lang ang nandoon when I arrived. Binati nya ako at tinanong kung may hinihintay ba ako o sasakay ako ngt taxi. I told him na susunduin ako ni Rai.

Most of the employees who seen Rai knows who he is anyway, lalo na ang mga guards.

I love how we are technically lowkey in social media and among other else but in reality, marami na ang nakaka alam sa relationship naming dalawa. And soon, my family will know him too personally. Napangiti ako dahil inisip ko na naman ang mga pwede namin gawin in the future once na kilala na sya ng parents ko at ni Tito Ram.

I also wonder kung ano ang magiging reaction nila Habby and Zyrus.

Nang marinig ko na ang tunog ng motor ni Raius sa labas ay lumabas na ako. Tinatanggal nya na ang helmet nya when I saw him. We kissed, and then inalalayan nya ako masuot ang helmet ko tapos umalis na rin kami agad.

Malamang na may naisip na syang kakainan naming dalawa dahil hindi na sya nagtanong. He likes surprising me in that way and I love it. We bond over simple things like this.

We reached a restaurant that offers unli steak. Napakurap pa ako ng ilang ulit when I saw it. I heard about it in social media. It’s fairly cheap and I know that the quality of the steaks may not be the best but it’s nice that he thought of bringing me here.

“Hindi man ‘to kasing mahal o pareho ng quality ng mga usual steak na kinakain mo pero mukhang masarap, mahal. Okay lang ba sayo? Gusto ko rin kasi matikman.” He sheepishly said nang matanggal nya na rin ang helmet nya.

Tumawa ako. “Of course! Anywhere with you is perfect. I actually want to try this place anyway. Thanks for bringing me here.” Yinakap ko ang braso nya.

He grinned at me. Halatang nahihiya pa rin sya pero ako na ang nag udyok na maglakad na kami papasok dala ang mga helmet naming dalawa after he parked his motorbike.

We were in the middle of having our dinner when I decided to tell him what I have been meaning to say.

“Mahal, s-sinabi ko na sa parents ko at sa Tito ko ang tungkol sayo.”

I saw him pause, before he stared at me. Linunok nya ang kinakain nya. Agad kong nakita ang worry sa mata nya.

“T-They want to meet you,” Mahinang sabi ko ulit. Tinatantya ko ang reaction nya.

Ang dami kong iniisip. Ayaw nya na ba? Nagulat ba sya? Does he think it’s still too early?

“S-Sure ka ba?”

“What do you mean?”

“N-Na ipapakilala mo na ako,”

I nervously laughed. “What do you mean? Of course, I am sure! We talked about this, right?” My hands started to fidget.

He pressed his lips. “I’m sorry. Kinakabahan lang kasi ako. Naisip ko agad na nakakahiya.”

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. “Bakit naman nakakahiya?”

“A-Alam mo naman na hindi nyo ako kagaya,”

I sighed. “Mahal, kailan ba naging issue sa atin ang ganyan? My parents and my Tito Ram are not like that. Hindi sila ganoon mag-isip.” Ginagap ko ang kamay nya para ma-assure sya.

He slowly nods his head. “S-Sorry. Okay,” Bumuga sya ng hangin. “Kaya ko ‘to.”

Tumawa ako. “Of course, kaya mo! I believe in you. I am sure na makakasundo mo sila.” I said smiling.