The Mafia Boss' Heart

CHAPTER 21

NICOLO and Haze arrived in Tagaytay. Ipinarada ni Nicolo ang kotse sa parking lot ng isang restaurant. “Let’s eat first before we check in.”

Tumango si Haze.

Natawa si Nicolo nang marinig niya ang pagtunog ng tiyan ni Haze.

Haze glared at Nicolo.

Ngumiti si Nicolo. “Let’s go and fill up your hungry stomach.”

Bumaba silang dalawa ng kotse at pumasok sa loob ng restaurant. Sinalubong naman sila ng isang waiter at dinala sila sa bakanteng lamesa.

Ibinigay ng waiter ang menu kay Nicolo. Ipinasa naman ni Nicolo ang menu kay Haze. “You order.”

Tumango si Haze. “Two meat and one vegetable?” she asked.

“Good for me. And beverage.” Wika ni Nicolo.

“What kind?” tanong ni Haze.

“Ikaw na ang bahala,” sabi ni Nicolo.

Natawa ng mahina si Haze dahil sa accent ni Nicolo.

Tumikhim naman si Nicolo. “That’s why I don’t like to speak Tagalog.” Aniya.

Haze giggled and ordered food. “Chicken sisig, Pork Adobo, Chapseuy, and egg fried rice.”

Hindi napigilan ni Nicolo ang matawa nang marinig niya ang huling inorder ni Haze. “Really? Fried rice?” he asked to be sure.

“Yeah, what’s wrong?” Haze asked and looked at the waiter. “Coke for beverages. Thank you.”

“Pakihintay na lang po, Ma’am, Sir.”

Tumango si Nicolo at Haze.

Nang makaalis ang waiter, nagkatinginan si Nicolo at Haze. Nicolo smiled.

“What?” tanong naman ni Haze. Kinuha niya ang pitsel saka naglagay ng tubig sa baso.

Nicolo looked directly into Haze’s eyes. “You’re beautiful.”

Muntikang maibuga ni Haze ang iniinom na tubig dahil kay Nicolo. Napaubo siya at mabilis niyang ibinaba ang hawak na baso. She was about to grab some tissue when Nicolo handed her tissues. Pinunasan niya ang bibig saka tumikhim.

Nicolo had an amused look in his eyes when Haze couldn’t look at him. “Haze.”

“Hmm?” Tumingin si Haze kay Nicolo.

A small smile appeared on Nicolo’s lips. “Smile.”

Automatikong gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ni Haze.

“There. More beautiful.” Aniya.

Nawala ang ngiti sa labi ni Haze saka tinignan ng masama si Nicolo. “Niloloko mo ba ako?”

Nicolo chuckled and shook his head. “No. I’m telling the truth. You’re beautiful inside and outside.”

Haze quickly crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“What I mean is that you have a good heart. I’m not talking about your body.” Sabi ni Nicolo saka siya nag-iwas ng tingin. He could still clearly remember what happened that day.

Haze suddenly throws her handkerchief to Nicolo. “I told you to forget about it.” Inis niyang saad sa binata.

Natawa ng mahina si Nicolo saka umiling. “Forget it? And I don’t think you should blame me for that, Ms. Manzano. I didn’t know that you would walk into the kitchen with only a towel wrapped around your body.”

“I didn’t know you were in the kitchen,” Haze argued.

“You gave me your spare key,” Nicolo argued back.

Haze closed her eyes. Hindi na siya nakipag-argumento. It was a week ago. She just finished bathing and went to the kitchen because she forgot her phone there. Kampante siyang pumunta sa kusina ng nakatapis lamang ng tuwalya. Hindi naman niya akalain na nandoon pala si Nicolo at nagkakape sa kusina niya. That day, she felt so awkward and embarrassed that she didn’t talk to Nicolo for the whole day.

Nang dumating ang order ni Haze at Nicolo, nagsimula na silang kumain.

“Tomorrow, we will meet our company’s client. After we check-in, we should rest.” Sabi ni Nicolo at nagsubo ng pagkain.

Haze nodded while munching her food.

Napatingin si Nicolo sa cellphone nang tumunog ito. It was Alonzo. Ibinaba niya ang hawak na kutsara saka sinagot ang tawag ni Alonzo. “What is it?”

“Young Master, I have sent some of our men to protect you secretly. Five snipers would protect you from afar and some will protect you in close distance.” Saad ni Alonzo.

Napabuntong hininga si Nicolo. It’s useless if he scolds Alonzo. Alonzo really took the order from his father and Alonzo wouldn’t listen to him. “Fine. Just tell them not to get close to me.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“I’ll beat you up when I get back.” Banta ni Nicolo.

“As long as it will make you happy, Young Master.” Kalmadong saad naman ni Alonzo.

Nicolo clicked his tongue and ended the call. Napailing siya saka uminom ng tubig.

“You looked upset.” Said Haze when he saw Nicolo’s expression after he took the call.

“Don’t mind me.” Malumanay na sabi ni Nicolo. Then he called his father. He was pissed when his father didn’t answer his call. “You really wouldn’t answer me, old man.”

Inilapag ni Nicolo ang cellphone saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Nang matapos sila sa pagkain, nagbayad na sila at nag-check in sa hotel.

“We will live in the same hotel room.” Biglang sabi ni Nicolo nang makarating sila sa tapat ng isang pinto sa hotel na pinuntahan nila.

Lumaki ang mata ni Haze. “Ano? No! Ayoko! Why would I live in the same room with you?!”

Tumawa si Nicolo. “I’m just kidding you. Namula ka na.” He patted Haze’s head.

Hindi nakapagpigil si Haze dahil sa inis. Umigkas ang kamao niya patungo kay Nicolo pero sinalo ng binata ang kamao niya. Tumatawa lang naman si Nicolo. Nang mahawakan ni Nicolo ang kamao niya, naramdaman niya na parang may dumaloy na kuryente sa ugat niya kaya mabilis niyang binawi ang kaniyang kamay. Inayos niya ang suot na salamin.

“Here’s your key room.” Ibinigay ni Nicolo ang susi kay Haze pagkatapos niyang buksan ang pinto na nasa harapan nila. “This is your room.” Binuksan niya ang pinto saka hinila ang travelling bag ni Haze papasok sa loob.

“Where’s your room?” Haze asked.

“Beside your room. On the right side, I won’t lock the door. If you need anything, just call me or come to me.”

Tumango si Haze.

Nicolo left and Haze was left alone in her room. Naramdaman niya ang pagod sa biyahe nila at ramdam niya ang pananakit ng paa niya. Umupo siya sa sofa at hindi niya namalayan na nakatulog siya.

Nang magising si Haze, nasa kama na siya. “Nicolo…” sambit niya nang maisip niyang si Nicolo ang nagdala sa kaniya sa kama. She looked at her wristwatch and was surprise to see that it was already six-twenty in the evening. Napahaba pala ang tulog niya.

Bumangon siya saka pumasok sa banyo. She wanted to refresh so she took a shower. After showering, she picked a shirt and pajama in her bag. Pagkatapos niyang magsuot ng damit, pumunta siya sa kusina habang pinupunasan ang kaniyang buhok gamit ang tuwalya.

“Nicolo?” Bahagya siyang nagulat nang makita ni Nicolo sa may kusina ng kaniyang hotel room.

Nicolo looked at her and smiled. “You’re awake. I have ordered food. Come on. Let’s eat. It’s already seven in the evening.”

Tumango si Haze saka isinampay ang tuwalya sa may upuan bago siya umupo. Tinignan niya ang mga pagkain na nakahain sa lamesa. “Looks delicious.”

Ngumiti si Nicolo. “I still don’t know about the other Filipino dishes so I ordered the food you usually order when we were eating outside.”

Ngumiti si Haze. “Let’s eat.”

Habang kumakain sila, nagtanong si Nicolo kay Haze. “Have you like someone?”

Napaubo si Haze kaya mabilis na hinagod ni Nicolo ang likuran ng dalaga. Haze pushed Nicolo’s hand but not in way that Nicolo would feel offended. “I’m fine.” Aniya. “Medyo nabigla lang ako sa tanong mo.”

“So, have you liked someone before? Or do you like someone?” Nicolo asked again.

Umiling si Haze. “I never thought of liking anyone.” Aniya.

Natigilan si Nicolo. “Even now?” he asked.

Napakamot ng batok si Haze. “Paano ko ba ipapaliwanag?” Aniya. Uminom siya ng tubig. “Alam mo na hindi ko nakilala ang tatay ko? Hindi ko kilala kung sino siya.” Malungkot na ngumiti si Haze. “At wala akong balak na kilalanin siya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang kwento tungkol sa relasyon nila ni Nanay. Kahit kailan hindi nagkwento si Nanay tungkol sa tatay ko.”

Nicolo was listening attentively.

Haze continued. “As I grew up, I thought of not getting married for the rest of my life.”

“Why?”

Haze smiled. “Because when you get married, you will lose your freedom. I enjoyed being single.”

“I know you have another reason why you don’t want to get married,” Nicolo said. “I can sense the hesitation in your voice.”

Tumango si Haze. “I don’t want to get married because I’m afraid that I might marry a jerk person. I have seen a lot of relationships. Many couples broke up because of cheating and problems. At number one na problema ng mga asawang babae ay hindi pera kundi ang mga asawa nila. Kung hindi lasenggo, babaero, o di kaya naman ay sugarol. Maraming bisyo. At isa pa, magaling ang mga lalaking mambola.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Nicolo. “Not all men are like that.”

Tipid na ngumiti si Haze. “I know. Not all men are jerk.”

Nicolo sighed. I think this is not yet my chance.