Way of Forever

Kabanata 14

Surprise was also evident on Maeve’s as the man in front of her looked at her the same as he quickly looked away like she was just a stranger. He changed…. for the better.

“Come on, Lorenzo, sit with us. Narito ang girlfriend ng kapatid si Maeve.”

Napatigil si Lorenzo sa sana’y pag-upo. His eyes moved unconsciously to the woman besides his brother.

“Girlfriend?”

“Yes! I like her for Levine. Seryoso na talaga ang kapatid sa babaeng ito.” Inabutan ni Louisa ng pagkain ang panganay na anak. Maeve also looked down and focused on eating. Her heart thumped loudly but outside she was calm.

“Nice to meet you, Maeve.” Iniabot ni Lorenzo ang kamay habang nakatitig sa dalaga ng seryoso. Hindi alam ni Maeve kung ano ang iniisip ng binata katulad lang noon.

She smiles lightly and shakes his hand. “Nice to meet you…?

“Lorenzo. Lorenzo Mondragon.” Humigpit ang kapit niya sa kamay ng dalaga.

“Nice to meet you, Lorenzo.”

Inalis agad ni Maeve ang kanyang kamay at umayos ng upo. Levine looked at his brother with a frown. Why does he feels that something is wrong with his brother? Alam ba nito na nagpapanggap lang sila? But why it seems deeper than that?

“How’s work?” tanong ng ama ng magkapatid—Alberto.

“Still work,” maikling sagot ni Lorenzo at naglagay ng maiinom sa baso. He loosened his necktie and rolled up his sleeves bago ito bumaling kay Levine.

“Ikaw? Kamusta ang trabaho. You clearly remember what I told you, right? No flirting inside the company,” malamig na tugon nito at sumulyap ng bahagya sa katabi nitong dalaga.

“Of course. Don’t worry about me, Kuya.”

“Ano ka ba! Hindi na ‘yan makikipag-laro sa ibang babae dahil may girlfriend na siya. And I think hindi naman lolokohin ni Levine si Maeve kung hindi siya seryoso sa babaeng ito,” singit ni Louisa na may matamis na ngiti sa labi. What she cares about now is his son having a partner for real. It's time for them to settle up. Mauuna pa ata ang bunso niya kaysa sa panganay nila.

Biglang nagsalita si Levine, “How about you, kuya? Wala ka pang pinakilala saming girlfriend mo. What about the girl you talked about before? Hindi mo pa din siya nahahanap?” May nai-kwento kasi ang kuya niya regarding this girl who he experienced love when he was in college. Hindi masyado palasalita ang kuya niya at kaunti lang ang nasabi nito but he remembers na ito daw ang pakakasalan niya when destiny decided to meet them again.

“Her? I guess, may nagmamay-ari na sa kanya. But, I think hindi pa naman huli ang lahat ‘di ba?" Gumuhit sa pink nitong labi ang ngisi na para bang may binabalak ito.

“Lorenzo! Hindi kita pinalaking ganyan. If that woman was still into you then, maybe there’s a chance? Huwag kang manira ng relasyon ng iba," asik ng ina nito at mahinang pinalo ang kanyang kamay.

“I’m just kidding,” bawi nito at bumalik sa pagiging blanko ang ekspresyon nito.

Kanina pa pigil ni Maeve ang paghinga sa bawat sambit ni Lorenzo sa babaeng tinutukoy nito. She knew who he was pertaining to.

“Excuse me. Bathroom lang po ako,” paalam niya. Levine grabbed her arms.

"Alam mo ba kung nasaan ang banyo?"

Bago pa makasagot si Maeve ay sumingit na si Lorenzo. “She’s not a kid, Levine. May mga maids naman tayo na pwedeng mag-assist sa kanya.”

Levine looks at his brother then to Maeve before letting her go.

Maya maya pa ay nag-ring ang phone ni Lorenzo at nag-excuse din ito para sagutin ang tawag.

-----

Inside the bathroom.

Napahinga ng malalim si Maeve. Hindi niya inaasahan na makikita niya ang lalaking ‘yon and not just that! He was the brother of her pretend boyfriend, Levine. Sa tagal ng panahon ngayon talaga sila pinagtagpo. In his parent's house and as Levine’s girlfriend?

Naghugas siya ng kamay at binasa ang mukha. Kanina niya pinipigilan ang paghinga dahil sa presensya ng lalaking iyon, si Lorenzo.

Mariing napapikit si Maeve kasabay ng mga alaala ng kahapon. Flashes of memories instantly waved on her mind.

'Wake up, Maeve! Nakaraan na ‘yon at dapat nang ibaon sa limot. Remember, ikaw ang sinayang. You are better now. Don’t let your emotion control you!'

Huminga siya ng malalim at pinakalma ang pusong kanina pa malakas ang t***k. She retouched her make up and smile at the mirror.

Lumabas siya ng banyo ngunit naroon pala si Lorenzo, nakasandal sa pader at nasa bulsa ang kanang kamay habang nakatingala at nakapikit ang mata. Mas lalo ito gumwapo sa tindig nito.

Lorenzo snapped his eyes towards the woman who stepped out inside the bathroom.

“Why are you here?” malamig na tanong niya sa dalaga. She was still the most beautiful woman he had ever meet and see.

Pinag-krus ni Maeve ang braso at tumingin sa mata ni Lorenzo.

“Narinig mo naman siguro ang sinabi ng mommy mo, ‘di ba? I’m your brother’s girlfriend.”

Lorenzo’s lips twitched as his eyes narrowed at the woman in front of him. May kung ano sa puso niya. He was uncomfortable at the thought of her being Levine’s girlfriend.

“Break-up with him. You are no good for Levine, Maeve. Masasaktan lang kayong dalawa," ani nito at lumapit kay Maeve. They are five inches apart, towering the woman’s body.

“Who are you to say that? Malay mo sa simbahan na ang dating namin ni Levine uh—”

‘Di na natapos ni Maeve ang sasabihin ng bigla s’yang higitin ni Lorenzo sa braso.

“Why? Do you really love him?”

Iwinaksi ng malakas ni Maeve ang braso sa pagkakahawak ni Lorenzo. Medyo namula ito dahil sa higpit 'non.

“Bakit ka ba nagagalit? Ano ba kita? Wala tayong relasyon o kahit ano’ng connection sa isa’t-isa maliban lang sa pagiging kapatid ka ng boyfriend ko.”

Lorenzo swallowed a lump as his eyes moved uncontrollably.

“You’re right. Then, suit yourself,” saka ito tumalikod at naglakad paalis.

Lorenzo’s fist was clenched inside his pocket at mabigat ang hakbang na bumalik sa dining table.

Sumunod naman na dumating si Maeve na casual lang ang ekspresyon.

“Akala ko na-flush ka na ng bowl doon. Ang tagal mo,” bulong ni Levine nang makaupo ang dalaga sa tabi nito.

His lips pursed. Bakit doon din lumabas ang kuya niya?

A/N: Sorry for late upload. Kakauwi ko lang?. So magkakaroon kaya ng conflict sa dalawang kapatid? At bakit gano'n ang si Lorenzo kay Maeve?