Kabanata 6

Pretensions

I didn't know how we remained calm and composed. Palabas kaming magkahawak kamay at pinagtitinginan sa lobby. He didn't have time to call for the valet that we used the lift to go to the parking lot.

Mabilis ang parehong galaw namin, pero hindi niya nakalimutang pagbuksan ako ng pintuan sa sasakyan. When he slid inside, he immediately pulled me closer for another round of hungry kisses. Para namang inasahan ko na iyon dahil agad akong nagbigay sa kanyang mga halik.

His hands were all over me. I was pushed behind my back, at walang kahirap-hirap niyang binaba ang backrest ng upuan ko at inatras pa iyon habang naghahalikan kaming dalawa! We were in the middle of getting lost from the kisses and his touches when we both heard our phones ringing!

Ipinagpatuloy niya ang halikan at tila wala siyang narinig na tumutunog. Kaya lang, nasulyapan ko naman ang cellphone ko at medyo kinabahan ng nakita na si Mama ang tumatawag. She doesn't call me very much. Lalo pa ngayong alam niyang may date kami ni Royce!

"Royce, Mama's calling," I whispered in between kisses but he didn't say anything.

Instead, his kisses moved from my lips down my neck.

"Royce," I whispered again, kahit medyo na-carried away pa sa halikan.

I'm just really bothered, dahil sa pangalawang tawag ni Mama, ingay ng phone ni Royce, at sa dumaan sa harap ng sasakyan naming kilala pa namang reporter.

"Someone is outside," I whispered.

"My car is heavily tinted," he whispered huskily.

"May tumatawag sa'yo. At si Mama rin, tumatawag sakin! It's her third call."

Inabot ko ang cellphone ko. Nakadagan pa siya sa akin nang nagkatinginan kami at nagpasya akong sagutin iyon. It's horrifying to think that it may be an emergency. Aurora Veronica Rockwell will never call me unless there's something important.

"Mama."

Umayos si Royce at tinulungan niya pa akong ayusin ang backrest ng upuan. We're both still a bit flustered from what we've done but I need to sound fine.

"Sky! Where are you?"

"Uh, n-nasa date with Royce, Mama-"

"Totoo ba 'tong kumakalat na naghalikan daw kayo ni Royce sa restaurant? May iilang blurry pictures na kumakalat ngayon. It was sent by a dear friend. I don't know about the other news sources but I'm pretty sure it will be published anytime soon!"

Napahilot ako sa sentido at napapikit. Dumilat lang nang narinig naman si Royce.

"Good evening, Sir," pormal na ngayon ang tono niya.

Pagkatapos ng ilang sandaling katahimikan niya at pakikinig sa katawagan, nagkatinginan na kaming dalawa. I knew then who's calling him.

Papa was pleased about it. At ganoon din ang sinabi ni Mama sa akin na makakatulong daw ang nangyari na matabunan ang spekulasyon na pinapakasal lang ako ni Papa kay Royce dahil gusto niyang maituwid ako. I can't believe it. They then ordered us to come home so we can talk more about it.

Tahimik kami ni Royce habang nagmamaneho siya patungo sa village. I have nothing to say and my mind is haywired. Before the calls from my parents, I kind of thought that we were both too carried away to think about our actions. Ngayong tumawag sila, sumasagi sa isipan ko kung sinadya lang ba ni Royce iyon para paluguran si Papa o totoong mga halik iyon.

I suddenly thought about that one night with him. I still don't know if he's telling the truth or not but I want to believe him. Na pinili niya ako sa gabing iyon dahil nagustuhan niya ako, hindi dahil anak ako ni Brandon Rockwell, at na alam niyang ipapakasal din naman ako ni Papa sa kanya.

"That was surprising, Royce," si Papa na sinalubong kami.

"It was spur of the moment, Sir," sagot ni Royce sabay tingin sa akin.

"Nakuwento nga raw na naroon si Zane," si Mama naman. "Is he still pursuing you, hija? Thank God Royce is there to rescue you. At ngayon, dahil sa nangyari, at least he'll realize that he should stop pursuing you already! You're getting married!"

Hindi ako nakasagot. Natatawang lumapit si Papa kay Royce habang hinahawakan ang balikat nito.

"You really work smart, huh?" he said as he gave another hearty laugh.

Iginiya niya si Royce palayo rito habang patuloy ang paminsan-minsang tawa. I turned to Mama but this time she's busy with another call from her amiga.

Sa huli, nagpasya na akong umalis na lang doon at magpuntang kuwarto. Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong nakahilata sa kama mula nang dumating at naligo. Marami ang gumulo sa isipan ko pero hindi man lang isa doon si Zane.

"Miss Schuyler, uuwi na raw po si Mr. Solarez."

Napaahon ako sa kinahihigaan. Kanina ko pa hinihintay iyon dahil nasisiguro kong nakipagmeeting pa si Papa kay Royce pagkatapos ng nangyari. Then I realized what I am excited about. I don't think anything has changed. It's not that I want things to change but isn't it obvious? Royce did it to please Papa. Para mawala lalo ang usap-usapan tungkol sa amin, para sulusyunan ang problema ng pamilya.

And besides, it's not like that kiss was a big deal to me. Oh please, I've kissed men and I can certainly do it with no strings attached. After all, it's just a kiss.

"Pakisabi na lang po na tulog na ako," sambit ko kahit na taliwas iyon sa plano kaninang bababa at ihahatid siya sa garahe.

The next day came by easily. At sa katahimikan sa mansiyon tuwing mag-isa ako, hindi mo maiisip na may engrandeng kasal na magaganap paglipas ng ilang araw.

Our wedding will be held in a small chapel in one of our country club. Marami pa iyong gustong mangyari si Mama pero sa huli, pumayag na rin siya roon. I wanted it to be simple and private, as much as possible. Lalo na dahil hindi naman talaga maganda ang nature ng kasalan pero puputi muna ang uwak bago papayag si Papa roon. He wanted this grand to show that I am finally tamed and no longer the drug addict and alcoholic socialite Rockwell princess.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na parang wala na lang sa akin ang kaisipang iyon. Or maybe, it hasn't really sunk in my mind. I am getting married to someone I barely know.

A year ago I was in a yacht party, enjoying the best of this good life.

Narinig ko ang usual protocol ng househelps tuwing dadating si Mama at Papa. Only this time, I heard that a visitor is with their convoy. Sumilip agad ako sa bintana para makita kung sino iyon at nakumpirma agad nang nakita ang nakasunod na sasakyan!

Mabilis akong tumakbo patungo sa kuwarto. I've been lazy the whole day that I didn't think much about my hair or make up. I flawlessly did a no-make up make up look and sprayed on some luxurious perfume to top it all.

Lazily, I walked towards the stairs trying to pretend that I didn't know that they have arrived. Wala na si Mama at Papa roon, hula ko'y nagbihis muna sa kuwarto ngunit naroon si Royce. I acted shocked to see him on our living area. Tumayo naman siya nang nagkatinginan kami.

"I have a meeting with your Dad," sabi ko na para bang binibigyan ng kahulugan ang pagbisita niya.

"For sure," medyo pumait ang sagot ko.

As if I hoped that he was here for me.

"He has approved my leave for our coming wedding. Kaya ngayon na kami mag-uusap tungkol sa gagawing meeting bukas."

Natigilan ako at napatingin sa kanya.

"I want us to visit the venue tomorrow. That will also serve as our third date before the wedding."

A bit shocked but trying not to look like it, I shrugged.

"Alright. I'm bored to death here so maybe a change of scene won't be that bad."

Tumango si Royce. "At kung magugustuhan mo, puwedeng doon ka na lang muna habang naghihintay sa kasal. I will come home though for some things then I'll be there the day before our wedding. If you'd like. Since you're bored here."

"I'll see."

Isa pa, malapit na nga ang kasal kaya dapat na rin akong doon na manatili habang naghihintay sa lahat.

We were then called for dinner. As usual, politics and the wedding are the topics for our dinner. At kalaunan, nang natapos na, magsisimula naman ang meeting ni Papa, Mama, at ni Royce. They have also invited another guest na kadarating lang kaya alam kong medyo mahaba at seryoso ang magiging meeting nila.

Papunta sila sa study nang bumaling si Royce sa akin.

"Matutulog ka na?" he asked.

"Yeah. Later."

He nodded. "I'll say my good night in advance, then," he said.

His eyes dropped on my lips then on my cheek. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at sa huli, suminghap siya.

"Good night, Sky. See you tomorrow," before he turned and stalked my parents.

Kinabukasan, nagawa na ni Mama ang mga kailangang bilin sa designers at sa stylist ng wedding. Aniya'y inimbitahan niya na rin ang photographer at videographer sa Tagaytay para kuhanan kami mamaya. I sighed when I realized that I am so stupid to think that this is a pure date.

Bukod sa ichi-check namin ang wedding venue, magkakaroon pa pala ng photoshoot!

Maaga kaming tumulak. Royce insisted to drive us even when Mama tried to talk it out to him that he can use our driver later, kapag uuwi na.

"Hindi na po, Madame. The driver must stay for Schuyler. Baka magbago ang isip niya at magustuhan niyang umuwi."

"Naku, she should just stay. We're only counting the days before the wedding so it's better if she just relax and forget about the stress of traveling!" si Mama sabay ngiti. "Pero sige, naiintindihan ko ang gusto mong mangyari, Royce."

Pinaalalahanan muli ako ni Mama na siya na ang bahala sa lahat sa preparasyon. Huwag daw ako ma-stress. As if I am thinking about the wedding preparations. Hindi na ako nakipagtalo at tumango na lang sa bawat sinabi niya.

The drive was long that I couldn't stop myself from sleeping. Hindi rin naman ako ginising ni Royce pagkatapos kong ilagay ang playlist ko at agad na nakaidlip.

Mataas na ang sikat ng araw nang nagising ako. He glanced my way and cleared his throat.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

Umiling ako at natanaw na palapit na kami. Naka convoy sa amin ang iilang bodyguard na nasa loob ng SUV, kasama ang driver na pinadala ni Mama para sana sa amin.

We have a special presidential suites in the country club. Doon kami tumutuloy kapag naroon at doon din ang tuloy namin ngayon. Dire-diretso ang lakad ko sa lobby habang isa-isa na yumuko ang mga empleyado namin. Royce lagged behind me because the photographers and videographers called for him.

I freshened up for a while in my suite. Kalaunan ay naisip kong hindi naman din yata siya susunod dito. Bukod sa hindi naman talaga siya magpapalipas ng gabi dito gaya ko, abala pa rin siya sa pakikipag-usap sa photographers and videographers.

I was right. Lumabas ako sa suite at dumiretso sa restaurant. Kausap niya pa ang mga ito at nakaupo na ngayon sa isang long table.

Nilingon niya ako at tumayo siya para igiya ako sa upuan katabi ng kanya. I exchanged pleasantries with the team and we discussed what their plans are when I sat and waited for breakfast.

"Mr. Solarez wanted to capture natural moments, Miss Rockwell, so we will just accompany you on your activities for today," sabi ng lider ng team.

Napabaling ako kay Royce, hindi inasahan na iyon ang d-in-iscuss niya sa mga ito. I don't think that will work. We're both just pretending so capturing our "natural" moments might give us away. Hindi ko naman iyon maisatinig dahil nasa harap namin sila.

"Okay. I'd like that," I said half-heartedly.

Hindi ko rin naman kasi maatim na magpose ng sweet moments with Royce. Masyado rin iyong pretentious.

"So please, go on with your day comfortably po. Don't mind us."

Nagtawanan ang team. I nodded and smiled a bit.

Nagulat ako nang nagsitayuan sila pagkatapos noon. I called them back again for breakfast pero sinabi nilang tapos na sila. Tumayo rin si Royce at iginiya ako sa mas open space na table for two.

Doon ko natanto na sa breakfast namin magsisimula ang photoshoot at videoshoot. At first, I find it awkward because they couldn't manage to look invisible as we ate and talk about things. Pero kalaunan, nang hindi na ako nakatiis at medyo malayo naman sila, napatanong na ako.

"Why did you ask them to take our candid pictures? Those pictures would give us away!"

"I wanted a date today, Sky. Hindi ang photoshoot na ito. So this would benefit us and your mother's wishes. Don't you like that?"

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. He leaned closer and glanced at the team before whispering.

"And anyway, it didn't occur to me that you wanted a heavily planned pre-wedding shoot. Gusto mo bang bawiin ko?" he smirked. "Want a picture of us kissing?"

My eyes narrowed. Ang antipatikong ito! I leaned closer and smiled at him. His smirk became wider and he licked his lips as I leaned closer to him.

"After last night, I think we have enough photos of us kissing. Thanks to you, by the way. You put on such a good show."

Naningkit din ang mga mata niya at tinagilid ang ulo, parang hinuhulaan kung ano ang iniisip ko. "Why? Was your declaration just for show?"

I chuckled, shocked at his question and also weirded out. Kasi... anong deklarasyon? Alin doon? Wala akong maalala.

Or wait... was it my... 'I like him'?

Natigilan ako at nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. Pareho kaming tensiyonado pero bakit parang may pagdududa pa rin ako.

"So you only said all those things to get rid of your ex, huh?" he smirked, this time.

Napakurap-kurap ako, nahihirapan sa tanong na iyon. Sa huli ay ngumiti ako. What will he gain if I tell him that it was true? And was it really true? Pareho rin ba ang tinutukoy namin? His words are vague. But that's alright because after all of our interactions, liking him isn't really very evident.

"If I tell you yes, would you cry?"

Napawi ang ngiti niya at nagtaas ang isang kilay. "You're right. Let's just make out and stop talking," he said and kissed me softly.

Narinig namin ang mabilis na click ng camera sa nakapalibot and I was sure that they've captured it very well.