Recuerdo De Amor Island 2: Take You Back - Completed

Chapter 3

LAWRENCE

"Blake!!!!"

Naputol ang pakikinig ko sa kantang Sugar ng Maroon 5 ng tumawag sakin. I remove one if my headset at lumingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng sigaw. It's Riaanne coming towards me. Kababata ko s'ya at alam kong may gusto sya sa'kin noon pa ngunit 'di ko binibigyan ng pansin. She's like a sister to me, nothing else. Damn!! But ngayon ko pa sya nakita? Pinilit kong maging masaya ng lumapit sya.

"What are you doing here? Naligaw ka yata." She asked sabay halik sa pisngi ko.

Ngumiti ako. I can't tell her the truth. Not now.

"I'm not. Nagpasundo kasi ang kaibigan ko, dito s'ya nag aaral kaya hinihintay ko s'ya. Ikaw? Ang alam ko culinary ang course mo ah..bat dito ka?" Pasimple kong tanong. Dinaanan ko ng tingin ang relo ko. 15 minutes pa.

"Ganoon ba. Ako naman nagpagawa ng draft para sa isang subject ko dito sa sa kilala ko pero namataan kita kaya lumapit na ako para batiin ka." Masaya nyang sagot sakin.

"Good for you." Tipid kong sagot. Ayaw kong pahabain pa ang pag uusap namin any moment lalabas na sila Shera. I can see the disappointment in her eyes when she heard me said short words, she's trying to hide it on her smile.

"Yeah! Pa'no mauna na ako. Nice to see you Blake." Paalam nito. Napuna nya siguro na wala akong sasabihin pa.

"Nice to see you too Riaanne. See you around." Sagot ko na rin. Ngumiti lang s'ya at naglakad na.

Nawala sa isip ko na dito pala s'ya nag-aaral. Buti na lang wala pa si Shera. Ayaw ko munang may makakaalam sa pakikipagkaibigan ko kay Shera. It's better this way for a while. Hindi alam ni Shera na dito ako ngayon, I'm waiting her in the parking lot of Engineering department ng UP. I take her schedule at HR of SMI kaya alam ko ang oras ng labasan n'ya.

It's been a month since we first meet. I regret not recognizing her immediately. Siya pala ang batang blond na kalaro ko noong 9 years old ako doon sa storage ng SMI. It was Annual Fair ng SMI when I first saw her so engrossed assembling the giveaways toys of SMI. I approached her at tinulungang buhoin ang kotse. Naisipan naming gumala pagkatapos ng ginawa namin hanggang sa napunta kami sa storage ng mga car parts. Nakalimutan sigurong isarado ng mabuti ng tagabantay kaya naiwang nakabukas ito at malaya kaming nakapasok. Dahil pareho kaming mahilig sa kotse parang paraiso sa'min ang storage. We pretend ourselves as Engineers and assemble a car using parts we can find in the storage. We talked a lot, doon ko nalaman na gusto nyang maging Mechanical Engineer paglaki and I also share to her my ambition too, to become a successful businessman someday. Katunayan nagawa pa naming sabihin noon na sya daw ang bahala sa paggawa ng sasakyan sa SMI habang ako ang bahalang magpatakbo sa kompanya.

A silly thought before but thinking it right now it might possible to happen. She's good on cars. Dad admire her and see himself to her. I even thought dad like her as his daughter more than me. He look at Shera the way she look at my sister. Kaya she have possible position in the PD department someday. Gabi na ng mahanap kami nila daddy noon. Sa sobrang pagkawili namin sa paglalaro di namin namalayan ang oras at nakalimutang may pamilya pala kaming nag-aalala samin sa labas. I saw relief on my parents and Tito Arman worried face when they saw us. That was the first and last time I saw her. Madalang na rin kasi akong pumupunta sa SMI dahil sa mga kaibigan ko ako sumasama tuloy di ko alam na palagi pa rin pala syang pumupunta doon.

But one thing I remember, ang Shera na kilala ko noon ay ibang-iba sa Shera na nakilala ko ngayon maliban sa pagkahilig nito sa kotse. Before, she's so jolly, madaldal, makulit, masayahin at palangiti. Her gray eyes sparkles with joy and her laughters are full of life. Something na wala sa Shera ngayon. Her gray eyes are lifeless parang ang lungkot nito palagi. She's calm but never ko syang nakitang ngumiti. She can put up some emotions except for a smile genuinely.

She also turn into a beautiful lady lalong tumingkad ang ganda nito pagnaayusan sabagay bata pa lang ito mukha na itong prinsesa dahil sa girly dress na suot nito with matching ribbon in her blond hair. Her European beauty is captivating sayang nga lang at pinakulayan nya ang buhok nya. Her blond hair suits her more. She change a lot.

Napaayos ako ng tayo ng makita kong nagsilabasan na ang mga Engineering student. Hinanap ko si Shera sa mga lumabas. Napailing nalang ako sa suot nya, mas astig pa itong pumorma kaysa sakin. T-shirt, knee ripped jeans and vans shoes. She didn't bother to look around. Tuloy-tuloy lang itong naglakad. Halatang wala itong kaclose na istudyante. Kahit sinasabayan ko itong maglakad ni hindi nito napansin. Something is off on her.

"Hi Shera!" Bati ko dito. Gulat itong napahinto at lumingon sakin. She recognized my voice then. I give her my sweetest smile.

"W-what are you doing here?" She stuttered when she asked me. Naglakad na itong muli kaya sumabay uli ako sa kanya.

Nahihiyang napakamot ako ng ulo ko.

"I want to talk to you. We dont have time at the SMI kaya naisipan kong puntahan ka na lang dito."

"For what?" She hissed.

I didn't answer. I gently snatch her bag in her shoulder bago pa ito nagreklamo and grab her hand.

"Come, lets talk somewhere. I'm not comfortable talking here with all the people staring at us." Pabulong kong sabi sabay hatak sa kanya sa parking lot.

She look around us, nakita nya sigurong maraming istudyanteng nakatingin sa'min kaya hindi na ito nagreklamo pa.

She slowly shake her hand off my hold.

"Tsk! Ngayon lang kasi sila nakakita ng new rich kid with his Enzo sa campus." Cynical nitong sabi at patiunang naglakad sa kotse ko. Natawa na lang ako. Nahulaan nya agad kung ano ang kotse ko ha. Ferrari Enzo 2011.

I press the botton "unlock" in my car keys ng sinenyasan n'ya ako na papasok s'ya. Napailing na lang ako ng pumasok na s'ya sa kotse ko without waiting for me. I don't mind masaya akong 'di nya ako pinapahirapan na kombinsiheng isama s'ya. Tahimik at malayo itong nakatingin sa labas ng bintana ng pumasok ako sa kotse. Siguradong may dinadala ito ngayon. Mas lalong malungkot ang mata nya. I start the engine and drive. Hinayaan nya lang ako. I remain silent too. Nang makita ko ang isang fast-food dumaan ako sa drive-thru at nag order saka lang ito lumingon sakin.

"Hindi ba tayo sa loob mag-uusap?" Nagtatakang tanong nya.

"Judging your expression right now. I prefer we go somewhere with less people to talk and to clear your mind. Okay lang ba if I'll choose the place? Siguradong magugustuhan mo doon." I uttered while trying to catch her eyes but she look away.

I heard her sighed.

"Ikaw ang bahala." Mahina nitong sagot. I feel tiredness in her voice and it makes me worried.

Hindi na ito nagreklamo ng ibinigay ko sa kanya ang pagkain namin, drowning herself in her thought at hiniyaan nya akong magdrive. Tulad noon she gave her trust on me again. Ang sarap isiping kinikilala nya akong kaibigang muli. I'm going to take her in my favourite place here in the City, the Salazar Condominium rooftop garden. I park my car in my parking space.

"W-what are doing here?" gulat nitong tanong.

Ngumiti ako.

"Relax, this is the only place in the city not far to unwind. There's a garden in the rooftop, its beautiful and relaxing. You will like it there." Kwento ko sa kanya at lumabas na.

Ganun din ang ginawa nito. I lock my car and take all her things and our food in her hand. Hinayaan nya pa rin ako pero tiningnan nya ako ng matalim.

"I didn't believe you take me here. Pwede namang sa ibang lugar ah. Anu na lang ang sasabihin ng makakita satin." Reklamo nito. She's frowning.

Natawa ako.

"What's wrong taking you here? Besides I don't care whatever they say wala tayong masamang ginagawa. I want to catch things up between us and for me, the best place is in the garden. Sobrang lalim ng iniisip mo at kailangan mong magrelax. Doon siguradong makapag-isip ka ng maayos at pansamantalang makalimutan mo ang iyong problema." Nawala ang kunot noo nito at umiwas ng tingin sakin. I step in elevator sumunod na rin s'ya. I pressed the rooftop botton. "I'm sorry if I didn't recognize you when we first meet. I'm still expecting you in a blond hair and smiling face kaya di kita agad nakilala. I asked my dad so he share some information about you." Pagpatuloy ko.

Inirapan nya ako pero sa halip na maasar napangiti ako ng malapad. Napabuntong hininga ito.

"Fine. But I tell you I'm little hurt that you don't recognize me at all kahit sa pangalan ko man lang. I even wish not to be near you akala ko nga tuloy-tuloy na." Prangka nitong sabi.

I just chuckled.

"I'm sorry hindi kasi ako matandain sa pangalan eh. Ang mukha mo lang pamilyar sakin kaya tinanong kita noon. I try to talk to you kaso di mo naman ako pinapansin at saka sobrang busy natin sa launching ng bagong product ng SMI kaya hinayaan muna kita. Thank you for giving me a chance to talk to you right now." I playfully bump her shoulder with mine.

"Tsk! Wala ako sa mood mag inarte ngayon. Besides ikaw naman ang nag effort at unang nag-approach sakin kaya okay na ako doon." May dumaan na lungkot sa mata nito habang nagsasalita.

Tama lang na bumukas ang elevator at tumambad sa'min ang kabuuan ng rooftop. It's like a secret garden in here. Sinadya itong pinagawa ni Mrs. Salazar sa lahat ng condominiums nila. Horticulture trees, plants and flowers are arranged beautifully in this garden. The landscaping of the whole rooftop is perfect to unwind and relax. Small bahay kubo in the center with four bermuda grass pathways connected to it. Sa gilid ng pathway ibat-ibang uri ng halaman at bulaklak, at horticultured palm trees na ang magandang nakaayos. Presko din ang hangin dito at hindi mainit.

"Wow!!! Ang ganda naman dito." Buong paghanga nyang sabi habang inililibot ang paningin sa kabuuan ng rooftop.

"I told you. Since I live here dito ako madalas tumatambay kung gusto kong mapag-isa."

I guide her to the nipa hut, I leave her things in the table and gently grab her hand sa south na pathway and sit in the Bermuda grass under the palm tree near the edge of the glass railing, overlooking the city. She follow what I did. I open our take-out food at ibinigay ko sa kanya ang parte niya. We eat on silent. I let her relax and be comfortable with me. We watch the sun started to hide.

"This is what I like to do here watching the sun set and witness all buildings and street starting to light it's nice to see how they twinkle like a Christmas lights." Pagbubukas ko uli ng usapan. Sinulyapan ko si Shera tulad ko nakatingin lang din ito sa harapan namin.

"Thank you for taking me here Lawrence. Its beautiful up here and you are right its relaxing. Nagmatured ka na nga. But I can tell you're still the playful Lawrence I know." She uttered, a small smile appear in her lips. Sapat na sakin yun.

"Yeah I'm still the same, naging seryoso lang siguro ng konte." I laughed. "I hope I can tell the same to you but you change a lot from your appearance to your emotions. I cant see the young Shera in you anymore." Puna ko sa kanya.

"Yeah... she's gone years ago. Time changes me I guess." Tipid nitong sagot.

"So we are friends now again?" I want to start being her friends again. Blessing in disguise din ang pagpart time ko sa kompanya nang nakilala ko sya ulit.

"Why not." Inilahad nito ang kamay nya sakin. "Friends?"

Ngumiti ako at inabot ang kamay nya for shake hand.

"Friends!" For now.

We stayed in the rooftop hanggang gumabi. I keep the conversation going kahit tipid lang si Shera sumagot fruitful naman dahil marami akong nalaman sa kanya. I even crack some stupid and silly jokes from time to time to avoid seeing her spacing out or sad. I never asked about her problem. I don't want to meddle on it yet. Hayaan ko munang magtiwala sya skin. Nakilala ko din ng gabing iyon ang pamilya ni Shera. Her mama Jeanette and papita Freda. They are nice at hinayaan nila akong makasama si Shera palagi. Actually, masaya silang nakilala akong muli dahil nakwento ako noong makilala ko si batang Shera.

Madalas kaming magsama ni Shera. I always bring her in the garden. Nagsilbing hang-out namin ito, doon din kami nag-aaral at wala namang problema kina papita basta ipaalam ko si Shera. Swerte namang wala pang mga kaibigan ko ang nakakita samin. I don't mind now if they see us but I already told them I meet the young Shera noon. Di lang nila alam na palagi kaming magkasama.

I'm still working part time in SMI, this time isa akong sales agent ng isang branch namin sa Makati habang balik PD department naman si Shera. Para makabonding ko sya, palagi ko itong sinusundo sa campus nila at tumambay sa garden hanggang gumabi. Ganyan ang routine naming dalawa pagkatapos ng klase namin. I bond with my brothers naman every night of my part time job.

Shera and I became closer every day. Unti-unti ko ng nakikita ang dating Shera pag mag kasama kami. Alam kong may problema pa rin ito but she's good on hiding it and I respect her. Ang ginagawa ko na lang ay ang pasiyahin sya pagmagkasama kami. At habang tumatagal nahuhulog ang loob ko sa kanya. I want something more than a friend. I became sweeter to her and possessive, good thing hinahayaan nya lang ako. Shera never get mad at me. Irap lang ang palagi nitong ginagawa pagnagseselos ako.

I like her no...let me rephrase that I love her. Simula noong naging magkaibigan kami I stop fooling around. Nawalan na ako ng gana sa ibang babae. Simple, being with Shera is enough for me. My system is craving for her. But I'm scared to tell her. We are still young and she already told me her priority is to study. Natatakot akong layuan nya ako. Kaya I keep my love for her on myself for a while.

"This is not the way of your condo Law. Where we going?" Nagtatakang tanong sakin ni Shera. Kinindatan ko ito. Inirapan naman niya ako but I see her cheeks redden. I have an effect on her already.

"We are celebrating for successfully passing our year in college and you, being Deans Lister. Talino eh." Masaya kong sabi. "And also we are going to attend the graduation party ng apat kong bestfriends sa Mon Paradis bar. Napaalam na kita kina tita’s but first, dinner muna tayo. So wala ka ng lusot sakin." Anunsyo ko pa.

Nanlaki ang mata nito.

"Im okay with dinner but meeting your best friends I dont think so." Pailing-iling pa sya.

"They want to meet you. Di daw ako pwedeng pumunta doon kung wala ka. Matagal ka na nilang gustong makilala kaso pare-pareho tayong busy sa finals natin." Pinalungkot ko ang boses ko kunwari nalulungkot ako. But its true they want to meet Shera. They are curious.

"Can I say no?" She sighed. "Fine basta 'wag kalang umalis sa tabi ko. Lagot ka sa'kin pagpinabayaan mo ako mamaya." Binigyan nya ako ng matalim na tingin.

I chuckled and pinch her cheek. "No way I'm going to leave your side. Plenty of predators are on that bar. I need to guard you." Pabiro kong sagot. But deep inside totoo 'yon.

"Sus I don’t care basta wag mo akong iwanan mamaya." Inirapan pa ako.

"Hindi nga." Assurance ko sa kanya.

I stop my car in front of Angela Garden Hotel, isa sa mga pag aari nila Alvin. Dali-dali akong lumabas para pagbuksan ni Shera. Di pa rin ito lumabas sa Enzo ko.

"Why?" Niyuko ko sya.

Tumingala ito sakin at tinaasan ako ng kilay. "Really dito talaga? Ang alam ko may dress code ang restuarant sa loob. Have you seen our dresses?"

Pareho lang kasi kaming nakajeans at T-shirt ngayon. I laughed. "Dont worry... we are the exception. My best friend family own this kaya di nila tayo ipapatapon. And I already have a reservation here. Come my lady!" Inilahag ko ang kamay ko sa kanya. Inirapan nya uli ako sabay hawak sa kamay ko at bumaba na. I give the key to the valet at inakbayan ko si Shera papasok sa loob ng hotel diretso sa restaurant ng hotel.

The waitress guide use to our reserved table. People is giving us uncomfortable stare pero binaliwala na lang namin ito. Hinayaan ako Shera mag order ng pagkain. Kaya I choose her favourite foods, the spaghetti with spicy prawn, roasted chicken and tzatziki sauce because I like them too. Pakiramdam ko ngayon, this is our first date. Ngayon lang kasi kami nagkasama ni Shera in public kahit ilang buwan na kaming magkaibigan. Ang sarap isipin and pretend na sana nga I can count this as a date... sabagay mahal ko naman sya eh. Kaya I'll count this as our first date na lang. I'm teasing Shera while waiting our orders. Irap lang and rolling her eyes ang ganti nya sa'kin but I find it cute.

"Blake?" Nagulat ako ng makita ko kung sino ang may dala ng pagkain namin.

Pabalik balik ang tingin nito sa'min ni Shera. Damn!!! What is she doing here?