How Long Will I Love You

Kabanata 2

Kabanata 2

"This job is really stressing me out. But it's fine. I'm loving it. I'm loving the challenge."

Hindi ko maiwasan ang pag angatan si Trinity ng kilay habang pinapanood siyang malamig ang tingin sa kanyang frappe habang ang straw ay paulit-ulit na idinuduldol roon. The way she stared at her drink makes me want to think that she wants to murder someone. Kung hindi pa ako sanay sa mataray na ekpresyon ng mukha niya ay iisipin kong mayroon siyang kaaway.

Natawa ako.

"You always love to take challenges, Trina. What's new?" sagot ko.

She lifted her gaze to me. Her pitch black cat-like eyes along with her plucked eyebrows and long eyelashes only defined the sharpness of her eyes. Her aristocrat nose and red painted lips could give anyone the idea that this woman isn't easy to deal with. Bitchesa kung bitchesa. Primadona sa lahat ng babaeng nakilala ko. Puwede silang maging mag-ina ni Tita Kate. They have the same personality. Kabaliktaran ko.

"Hmm, let's just say that I'm happy regarding the success and growth of my company, Zoe. Sinong mag-aakala na makikilala ako sa larangang ito? Kahit ako ay hindi inaasahan ito." she smirked.

Napailing ako, iniangat ang aking frappe at sumimsim rito habang ang paningin ay nasa mukha ng kaibigan, pinagmamasdan ang tuwa sa kanyang mga mata.

Trinity and I are opposite. Sa personalidad o datingan ng pisikal na itsura pa man. I mean, some of our friends labeled her as devil and I'm the angel. Magkaiba ang ugali namin pero nagkasundo kami. She's a short tempered woman while I'm patient. Mahirap siyang pakiusapan at suyuin lalo na kapag hindi niya kasundo ang tao samantalang ako ay nagagawang kausapin ng kahit na sino. Kung mayroon man kaming pagkakatulad, iyon ay parehas kaming mailap sa lalaki.

Hindi siya iyong tipo ng babae na madaling mahihingian ng numero ng isang lalaki. Sometimes, men who dared to meet her were being afraid the moment Trinity set her menacing eyes on them. Nababahag ang buntot oras na matitigan na. I don't really know her reasons why she's not entertaining men. What I only know is mine.

Entertaining men is my least priority... for now. Hindi dahil sa ayokong magkaroon ng nobyo. I just want to be careful when it comes to that matter. Gusto kong ang unang lalaking magiging nobyo ko ay siya na rin makakatuluyan ko hanggang sa huli. Iyong makakasakama ko sa pagbuo ng pamilya hanggang sa tumanda kami.

My ideas about relationship are too primitive, I know. But given the past my father had, I can't help but to set a goal in my mind that it will be a one time relationship for me. Isa lang. Hindi na masusundan. Hanggang sa huli na.

"You always excel in everything you do, Trina. Hindi na ako nagugulat pa. Look at you now, a famous interior designer. Tito Nestor must be really proud of what you have become." I said after I got up from the ocean of my own reverie.

Nagkibit balikat siya.

"He is. He always is. Kahit na alam kong mas gusto niyang patakbuhin ko ang negosyo namin, masaya pa rin siya sa narating ko. I don't know. I just can't find the eagerness to manage our empire. It's not for me."

"If it's not for you, then for who? You are an only child and certainly the heiress of your properties. Walang ibang mamamahala ng mga iyon kung hindi ikaw. Unless you have a choice?"

Nag angat siya ng tingin sa akin. "Choice?"

"Yes. Like a husband that will do the job for you." I smirked.

"Husband!" her eyes widened in annoyance. "Boyfriend nga wala ako, asawa pa kaya."

"And that's because you don't want to entertain those men who are after you."

Her face contorted sarcastically like I have just said something unbelievable.

"Coming from you, huh? Parehas lang naman tayo na hindi binibigyan pansin ang bagay na iyan, Zoe-"

"I have reasons-"

"And that reason is you're afraid to gamble to that kind of s**t because of your father's past. Na nagiingat ka at naninigurado sa lalaking pipiliin mong maging karelasyon." aniya na tila ba saulo na ang mga katagang iyon dahil sa paulit-ulit kong pagdadahilan.

Prente kong isinandal ang likod sa upuan at bumuntong hininga. Itinuon ko ang mga mata ko sa aking inumin ay lampasan iyong tinitigan.

"Gusto ko lang ilihis ang kapalaran ko sa naging kapalaran ni Mommy, Trina. Natatakot akong basta-basta na lang magpapasok ng lalaki sa buhay ko... at kalaunan ay maging kagaya siya ni Daddy." Kinagat ko ang ibabang parte ng labi ko. "Mahal ko si Dad. Hindi ko lang maiwasan mag-isip ng mga bagay na maaaring mangyari sa hinaharap."

Narinig ko ang mabigat na paghinga ni Trinity. My gaze lifted up and found her eyes holding sympathy for me.

"Zoe, hindi porket nangyari sa mga magulang mo ay mangyayari rin sa'yo. You can always choose your own adventure. Your destiny is sitting on your hands. Ikaw ang magpapatakbo niyan, ikaw ang pipili ng magiging kapalaran mo-"

"And I'm controlling my destiny by choosing the right man for me, Trina. Wala naman sigurong masama kung maging maingat ako pagdating sa bagay na ito, hindi ba? I don't want to feel the emotions my mother had felt when Dad cheated on her."

Trinity suddenly laughed. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay sa biglaan niyang pagtawa.

"Paano kung... hindi si Tita Lissie ang naging katulad mo, Zo. Paano kung si Tito Zach?" she sneered.

"What do you mean?"

"Hmm, paano kung ikaw ang maging kabit? Ikaw ang kontrabida at ikaw ang mananakit?"

Kasing bilis ng lipad ng lawin ang pagusbong ng simangot sa aking mukha. Seriously? Ni sa hinagap ay hindi ko naisip na magiging ganoon akong klase ng tao. I'd much rather become the victim than being the mistress.

Not gonna happen.

"You're nonsense." naiiling na sagot ko.

Humalakhak siya. "I'm just kidding. Pinapatawa lang kita-oh, wait."

Dumapo ang mga mata namin parehas sa cellphone niya nasa tabi ng frappe niya pagkatapos nitong tumunog. She grabbed it as her eyes stayed there for a while.

"On the way na 'yong client ko, Zo. I need to go."

Natawa ako. "Workaholic. Sige na. Call me when you're home."

Isinukbit ni Trina ang bag sa balikat niya at tumayo. She wore her wayfarer and then looked at me. Ngumiti siya sa akin.

"Dito ka muna?" tanong niya kalaunan.

"Yes. Will just finish my drink."

Tumango siya, lumapit sa akin bago yumuko at pinatakan ako ng halik sa pisngi.

"Take care, Zo."

"Hmm, likewise."

Tumalikod na siya at naglakad patungo sa entrada ng coffee shop. I watched her pull the double glass door. Saktong paghila niya ay siya namang pagtulak ng isang pamilyar na lalaki sa kabilang pintuan dahilan para magkasabay sila. Trinity and that familiar man accidentally bumped each other's shoulder but they both ignored it and continue walking to their preferred direction like nothing happened.

Hindi na nagawang lubayan ng mga mata ko ang lalaking ngayon ay tuluyan ng nakapasok sa coffee shop. Iniangat niya ang suot na itim na Ray-Ban at ipinatong ito sa ibabaw ng kanyang ulo. His sharp eyes were fixed on the menu board. A scowl instantly formed in my face when I got to see his arrogant and menacing expression. Ang ilan sa mga babaeng nasa loob ng coffee shop ay napapalingon sa kanya.

I can't blame them. Wearing a white button down shirt and a gray fitted slacks made him look so ravishingly handsome. Even the silver watch on his wrist only intesified his fair complexion.

Napairap ako sa naging paraan ng pagpuri ko sa kanya. Bakit ba palagi ko na lang nakikita ang lalaking ito? Kahapon sa Megaworld, nung kinagabihan ay sa bar. Pati ba naman dito?

Huminga ako ng malalim. Tumingin ako sa gilid ko kung saan tanaw ko mula sa glasswall ang linya ng mga sasakyan. It's just three in the afternoon. Hindi pa rush hour kaya hindi gaanong malala ang traffic.

I took a half day when Trinity invited me to have coffee with her before she meets a client. Wala rin naman ako gaanong ginagawa sa office kaya naisip kong timing lang ang imbitasyon niya.

Minsan, naiisip kong nakakabagot rin ang ikot ng buhay ko. Trabaho at bahay lang. Lumalabas man kadalasan sa gabi ay nakakaramdam pa rin ako ng lungkot. Parang may kulang. Parang hindi ako ganoong kasaya. Sa ngayon, hindi ko pa matukoy kung ano ang kulang na iyon.

"Mind if I join you?"

Napabaling ako sa gilid ko nang marinig ko ang baritonong boses na iyon. My brows instantly owned each other when I saw the arrogant man in front beside me, holding a brown tray between his hands. My lips pursed in annoyance but my expression remained stoic.

"There's a lot of vacant chair around. Go and find somewhere else." I said frigidly and looked away.

He chuckled.

Dinampot ko ang frappe sa harapan at sinimsiman ang straw nito, ang mga mata ay nakatuon sa labas. Ngunit hindi pa man nakakailang segundo nang mamataan ko siya sa aking harapan at prenteng naupo sa upuang pinag alisan ni Trinity.

My eyes sharpened, matching his.

"What are you doing?"

He smirked. "Sitting across you. What else?"

I pulled the straw out of my mouth and slammed my frappe against the marmol table without removing my eyes from him. There's a ghost of smirk on his lips that makes me want to wipe it off so bad. Pakiramdam ko ay may kalakip na pangaasar ang ngisi niyang iyon.

"What's funny?" malamig na tanong ko.

While smirking, he suddenly bit the bottom part of his pinkish lips and shook his head. Iniangat niya ang puting tasa na naglalaman ng kape at uminom mula rito. He's drinking his coffee but his were focus on me.

Walang emosyon kong inalis ang tingin sa kanya. Ilang sandali pa at narinig ko ang kalasing ng tasa matapos niya ito ipatong sa ibabaw ng table namin.

"You are prettier when you're smiling."

I glanced at him coldly. His corded arms are crossed over his chest. The white button down he's wearing was fitted on his body that made me see the protruding muscles in his upper extremities.

I shot my brow up.

"As if you already saw me smiling."

The corner of his lips quirked up.

"I did," He must have seen the puzzlement in my face when he chuckled and flicked his tongue over his lips. "Last night. You were texting before that woman accidentally bumped you."

Naalala ko, binabasa ko ang text noon mula kay Daddy at Trinity kaya ako nakangiti nang mga oras na iyon. I didn't know that he's already looking at me that time. Ang akala ko ay iyong pagtatalo lang namin nung babae ang nakita at naabutan niya.

"I bet you were texting your boyfriend that time, right? Tamis ng ngiti, e."

My brows automatically rose.

"Why do you care?"

He sneered. "You didn't answer my question."

"None of your business, Mr. Arrogant." I rolled my eyes.

He chortled. "I have a name, and it's definitely not arrogant."

I know. Your name is Archer but I still prefer to call you arrogant because that's what you are.

"I don't care. You're still arrogant-"

"And handsome." pagputol niya.

Maang ko siyang tiningnan. May anino ng nakakalokong ngisi sa labi niya. My face contorted in disbelief.

"No way." pagtutol ko.

His cruel laughter rang in my ears.

"But you are pretty."

"Cut the crap. I'm not one of those girls you can fool with your flowery words. So save it."

Umawang ang labi niya, ang mga mata ay ilang sandaling hindi kumurap. Tumaas ang kilay ko sa reaksyon niya na iyon na tila ba gulat sa mga salitang lumabas mula sa bibig ko.

"What?" I questioned frigidly.

Tumungo siya. Dinala niya ang kamay niya sa kanyang batok at hinimas ito. He shut his eyes tight and then spit a silent curse. Ilang sandali pa nang mag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. Kunot noo ngunit hindi naman mukhang naiirita.

"I didn't know that telling a woman that she's pretty is a way of fooling around."

Nagkibit balikat ako. "It depends on the man. Basically, that's the case when it comes to you."

Mabilis kong pinasadahan ang itsura niya. This man is certainly one of those men who can stop women on their tracks just by seeing his face and well-formed body. Sa tindig at pangangatawan pa lang ay halata nang siya ang hinahabol ng babae at hindi siya ang naghahabol.

One night stand. Friends with benefits. Hook ups.

Those are the words that's flashing in his hooded eyes whenever I'm looking at them.

"You're judging me." he sulked.

"I am."

"I need justice. You're judging me the wrong way."

Hilaw akong natawa. "Talaga ba? Alright. Hindi ka ganoon. Pero arogante ka pa din."

"Uh-huh. What made you think that I am?"

Kumunot ang noo ko, nakakaramdam na ng iritasyon sa pagpapaka-inosente niya.

"Binunggo mo ako kahapon. You apologized but it's not sincere. You even told me to stay aside so you won't bump into me the next time our paths cross again."

Ngumuso siya, halatang nagpipigil ng ngisi. My eyes sharpened more. Nang mahalata ang pagtulis ng tingin ko sa kanya ay kinagat niya ang labi niya at tuluyan ng pinigil ang tawa mula roon. His chiseled chest heaved up, releasing a deep sigh.

"Fine. I'm sorry, alright? It's my fault. Hindi ako tumitingin sa dinadaanan ko kaya nabangga kita. Satisfied now?" he asked, staring intently in my eyes.

I gave him a half sarcastic smile. "What have been good if you apologized that way yesterday. You're still an arrogant asshat."

He looked away. His jaw clenched hard.

"So hard to tame." he whispered low but enough for me to hear it.

"I'm not," I said that made him look at me. "Ganito lang talaga ako sa mga taong hindi ko makitaan ng sinseridad."

Pagkasabi ko noon ay tumayo na ako sa upuan at isinukbit ang bag sa aking balikat nang hindi siya tinitingnan. Nilampasan ko siya ngunit agad rin napabalik nang maramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa palapulsuhan ko. I glanced at him and he's already standing. Sinundan ko ang kamay niyang nakahawak sa palapulsuhan ko. Tumaas ang kilay ko bago siya tiningnan. Nang makita ang reaksyon ko ay mabilis niyang binitawan ang palapulsuhan ko.

"Where are you going?" his baritone voice played in my ears.

Nakipagsukatan ako ng titig sa kanya sa loob ng ilang segundo bago ko naisipan magsalita.

"Bakit mo tinatanong?"

Tumungo siya, tila ba nawawalan ng pasensya sa pagbabalik tanong ko. Huminga siya ng malalim at muling nagangat ng tingin sa akin.

"Not a good timing but... I want to introduce myself. I'm Archer." he said and extended his long and slender hand to me.

My expression remained lifeless. Dumapo ang mga mata ko kamay niya ngunit hindi ito inabot. Binawi niya ito, walang balak na mapahiya ng matagal at sa halip ay isinuot na lang sa bulsa ng kulay abo na slacks niya.

"And you're Zoe." he added.

My brows knitted in confusement when he mentioned my name.

"You know me..." maang na sabi ko.

He shrugged his broad shoulders. "Everybody knows Zoe Leandra Monterro."

Pasimple akong suminghap.

Damn it. He even knows my full name!

Tumango ako, hindi nagpahalatang nagulat.

"Alright. I'm done here. I have to go."

As soon as I turned my back, words came out of his lips again. Kunot noo ko siyang binalikan ng tingin.

"Can I... Can I have your number?" he asked, a little bit of embarrassment laced within his thick and deep voice.

I see. Bold move from an arrogant stranger, huh?

Bago pa ako muling tumalikod ay binigyan ko siya ng nakakalokong ngisi.

"No." I said firmly and finally turned my back from him.