The Mafia Don's Affection

CHAPTER 15

“JOSEPH, are you upset?” tanong ni Iris habang nakatingin kay Joseph. Seryoso kasi ang mukha nito. Wala namang siyang maalala na ginawa niya para magalit ito.

“No.” Seryoso ang mukha na sagot ni Joseph saka iniabot ang baso na may lamang tubig kay Iris.

“Then why are you pulling a long face?” tanong ni Iris at uminom ng tubig.

Joseph exhaled and looked at Iris. “I’m upset because I don’t even know why I am upset.”

Naguluhan si Iris. “Ah? You don’t know why you are upset, and you’re upset because of that?”

Muling napabuga ng hangin si Joseph saka umiling. “I don’t know. Don’t mind me.”

“Is it because of me?” tanong ni Iris.

Umupo si Joseph sa gilid ng kama at humarap siya kay Iris na nakasandal sa headboard ng kama. Umiling siya. “Of course not, I’m not upset with you.” He said in frustration and combed his fingers on his hair. Ipinatong niya ang dalawang siko sa magkabila niyang tuhod.

Iris stared at Joseph. He seemed really upset.

“Honestly, I don’t have the right to feel upset, but I couldn’t help it.” Ani Joseph. Umayos siya ng upo saka tumingin kay Iris. “You made me worried.”

“I made you worried?” But we have nothing to do with each other.

Walang alam ni Iris sa itutugon sa sinabi ni Joseph kaya naman hindi na lamang siya nagsalita. Pinaglaruan na lamang niya ang mga daliri. It was her mannerism when she did not know what to say.

Tumayo si Joseph. “I’ll be in my office. I have to read some business emails. Take a rest.” Wika niya saka lumabas ng kwarto.

Iris stayed with Joseph until she was fully recovered. Kahit naman kaya na niya ang sarili niya hindi siya hinayaan ni Joseph na umalis. Now, they were eating breakfast together. Medyo nakaramdam pa siya ng pagka-asiwa dahil sa tinitignan siya ng mga kasambahay na nagagawi sa may dining hall.

“Don’t worry about that. You’re beautiful so they’re looking at you.” Sabi ni Joseph.

Iris looked at Joseph flatly.

Joseph chuckled. “I’m telling the truth.”

Napabuga ng hangin si Iris. “I’m conscious. Hindi na ako pupunta sa bahay — I mean dito sa mansyon mo sa susunod.” Aniya.

Napailing naman si Joseph. “You’re not used to getting attention, so you’re conscious of their stare. Don’t worry, I’ll tell them not to look at you later.”

Umiling naman si Iris. “No need. Aalis naman na ako mamaya.”

Bahagyang natigilan si Joseph at napatigil siya sa pagsubo. Ibinaba niya ang hawak na kutsara. Then he looked at Iris. “Why not stay here?”

Natawa si Iris saka sumubo. “Why would I stay here? I’m not even your wife.”

“Then marry me.” Seryosong saad ni Joseph.

Napaubo si Iris dahil sa sinabi ni Joseph. “W-what?” she stuttered. Mabilis siyang uminom siya ng tubig para mawala ang bara sa lalamunan niya.

“Marry me.”

Umiling si Iris. Though Joseph looked serious… he can’t be serious, right? “Marriage is not a joke. Don’t joke at me like that.” Aniya. Napatikhim siya dahil ramdam niya ang mabilis na pagtibok ng kaniyang puso.

“I’m not joking. I’m serious.” Sabi ni Joseph saka nginitian ang dalaga. “Do I look like I’m kidding?” He sighed a little. “Looks like I have to work hard to earn your trust.”

“What are you saying?” Nagtaka si Iris sa sinasabi ni Joseph.

“Iris, I like you so much.”

Sunod-sunod na napaubo si Iris.

“Are you okay?”

Itinaas ni Iris ang kamay nang akmang hahagurin ni Joseph ang likod niya.

“I’m fine…” Umubo si Iris saka tumikhim para tanggalin ang nakabara sa kaniyang lalamunan. Uminom siya ng tubig saka napatitig sa sariling pagkain. Ramdam niya ang pag-iinit ng kaniyang pisngi. Hindi siya makatingin ng deretso kay Joseph.

“Iris…” hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Iris.

Napaigtad ang dalaga kaya naman agad na binitawan ni Joseph ang kamay ni Iris dahil baka hindi ito komportable.

“I’m serious. I really like you a lot.” Saad ni Joseph sa seryosong boses.

Iris stared at Joseph. “I…” Hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin niya. Her heart was beating so fast, and she didn’t know why. Hindi naman siya nakakaramdam ng kaba o takot. Basta mabilis ang pagtibok ng kaniyang puso.

Joseph smiled, seeing Iris in dazed. “You don’t have to answer. I will wait for you.”

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Iris. “Hindi mo ako masyadong kilala. Why do you like me?”

“Does it need that I need to know you before I like you? Well, if that’s the case for you, then we will get to know each other.”

Iris pouted. “I’m in an awkward situation right now, Joseph. You confessed and I haven’t said anything. But you sounded like you would be confident that I would like you back.”

“Well, I’m likable.” Confident na saad ni Joseph.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Iris. “Bakit parang ang lakas ng hangin dito?” parinig niya.

Joseph laughed. “Still awkward?”

Iris sighed. “I’m finished.” Aniya. Uminom siya ng tubig. “Alis na ako. Thank you for your hospitality and for taking care of me these past two days."

Tumayo si Joseph. “Ihahatid na kita.”

“No need. I already gave you too much trouble.” Sabi naman ni Iris.

Nagseryoso si Joseph. “Iris, it’s no trouble at all. I have to see myself that you will go to work safely.”

Iris could only sigh. Nakikita niyang desidido si Joseph na ihatid siya kaya naman hinayaan na lamang niya nito. Nang makalabas sila ng mansyon ni Joseph, sumakay sila sa itim na van kasama ang mga bodyguard nito. Magkatabi sila ni Joseph at tahimik lamang siya. Dahil nasa tabi siya ng bintana ng sasakyan, nakatingin lamang siya sa labas.

“Are you okay? Ang tahimik mo.” Sabi ni Joseph pero hindi siya pinansin ni Iris.

“Iris.” Hinawakan niya ang balikat nito.

Napaigtad si Iris kaya naman agad na inilayo ni Joseph ang sariling kamay. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Sorry. Nagulat lang ako.”

Ngumiti si Joseph. “It’s okay.” Aniya. “What are you thinking?”

Umiling si Iris. “Nothing.” Sagot niya.

“Iris.”

“Hmm?”

“I told you, you could rely on me.”

Nagbaba ng tingin si Iris. “But… it’s hard to trust someone nowadays.”

“Bakit naman?” tanong ni Joseph. Ngunit sumasang-ayon naman siya sa sinabi ni Iris. Mahirap na talagang magtiwala sa ibang tao lalo na sa panahon ngayon kaya naiintindihan niya ito.

Malalim na bumuntong hininga si Iris. “You told me I could rely on you. But let me ask you. Anong kapalit?”

“Kapalit?”

Tumango si Iris. “I know there is no free bread in this world. Everything has its price. Don’t be offended. It’s just that it is the reality I grew up with.” Sabi niya.

“I’m not offended.” Joseph smiled to assure Iris that he was not upset. “You’re right. There is no free bread in this world. But I’m serious when I tell you I like you, and you can rely on me. If you’re worried that I might ask something you can’t give, don’t worry, I won’t do that. The only thing you could give me in return is to take care of yourself and always smile genuinely.” Wika ni Joseph. “A fake smile doesn’t suit a beautiful lady like you.”

“That’s it?” Nagulat na tanong ni Iris sa gusto ni Joseph na kapalit ng mga ginagawa nito para sa kaniya.

Tumango si Joseph. “That’s it. Take care of yourself, Iris.”

“Really?”

“Really. If you’re thinking that I might ask for your body in return for the things I did and will do for you in the future, don’t worry. I won’t take it for granted. I won’t ruin your reputation. I will respect you.” Sabi ni Joseph saka ngumiti. “Rest assured.”

Iris saw the sincerity in Joseph’s eyes. Gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi niya saka tumango.

Maya maya pa ay nakarating na sila sa Research School kung saan nagtatrabaho si Iris.

“We’ve arrived.” Wika ni Joseph saka binuksan ang pinto ng van para kay Iris.

“Thank you.”

Joseph nodded and handed Iris her bag.

Iris quickly walked towards the gate and glanced at Joseph. Joseph waved at her. Tumikhim siya saka tuluyan ng pumasok.

Natatawa na lamang si Joseph. What an adorable lady. He thought.

PAGDATING ni Iris sa laboratory, naroon na si Rose at kasalukuyang nagwawalis. Nagulat pa si Rose nang makita siya.

“Iris?” naniniguro nitong tanong.

Ngumiti si Iris. “Hi.”

“You…” tinignan ni Rose ang kaibigan mula ulo hanggang paa. “Ayos ka lang, Iris? Absent ka kahapon. I called you, but your phone cannot be reached. Pinuntahan rin kita sa apartment mo pero wala ka. Where have you been?”

Ibinaba muna ni Iris ang bag bago niya sinagot ang isa-isa ang mga tanong ng kaibigan. “I’m fine. My phone was damaged. Hindi pa ako nakakabili ng bago. And ahmm, nasa bahay ako ng isang kaibigan. I had a fever, so I didn’t come to work yesterday.”

Napatango si Rose. “So, okay ka na ba?”

Tumango si Iris. “Okay na ako.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Rose. “Your friend…is he or she?”

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Iris saka ngumiti.

“Ah…” Napatango si Rose saka nakakalokong ngumiti. “I get it. It’s a he.” Aniya. “Since when?”

“When what?” tanong ni Iris.

“I know he is not just a friend to you. Kilala kita, Iris. Hindi ka basta-basta nagtitiwala sa mga taong nakapaligid sa ‘yo lalo na kung lalaki. So, is he your boyfriend?” tanong ni Rose habang nakangiti ng mapang-asar.

Napaangat naman ng tingin si Austin na kanina pa tahimik na nagpupunas sa lamesa nang marinig niya ang huling tanong ni Rose.

Miss Iris stayed at Don Joseph's house for two days and during those two days, he and his twin brother didn’t show themselves to Miss Iris. Rose's question caught his attention.

“No.” Mabilis na sagot ni Iris. But he confessed to me.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Rose. “I don’t believe you.” Hindi naniniwalang sabi niya at nagpatuloy siya sa pagwawalis.

Napabuga naman ng hangin si Iris. I don’t believe in myself either.