CHAPTER 7

KAAGAD na pumasok si Eva sa museum pagkatapos nilang makabili ng ticket habang dala-dala ang pamphlet na binigay sa kanila sa ticket booth. Inside the pamphlet was a map of the whole museum and what they could expect inside.

"Anong una nating pupuntahan, Your Grace?" Tanong ni Eva kay Terron sabay pakita rito sa pamphlet na hawak.

Terron looked at the pamphlet and said, "you choose. I'll just follow you."

"Okay." Madaling kausap si Eva. "Subukan natin 'yong crossword puzzle nila." Tinuro nito ang daan patungong crossword puzzle ayon sa mapa. "This way, Your Grace."

Terron obediently followed Eva and, in a minute, they arrived at a large room with different large touchscreen monitors with a crossword puzzle. And every monitor had a theme.

Eva chose geography.

"Solve this geography crossword puzzle to see the hidden painting inside." Basa ni Eva sa instruction na nasa gilid ng bawat malaking monitor. "Hmm...twenty crossword lang naman. Kaya natin 'to."

Terron was intrigued by the geography crossword puzzle in front of them. He tapped the screen and chose the number one question. "The third rock from the sun."

"Earth." Mabilis na sagot ni Eva saka ini-input ang sagot gamit ang touchscreen keyboard.

"Nice." Terron commented when he saw that it was correct. Of course it was. Mula ng makilala niya si Eva, pastime na nito ang maglaro ng mga puzzle games.

"Easy peasy." Eva smirked and read the second question. "A sizable inland body of water."

Terron answered. "I think it's a lake."

Eva entered Terron's answer and clapped when it was correct. "Nice! Okay. Next question. Part of a large body of water that extends into a shoreline generally larger and more deeply indented than a bay."

Nagkatinginan si Eva at Terron, pareho nag-iisip ng sagot. Nang pareho walang maisip, nagdesisyon ang dalawa na sagutan muna ang iba na alam nila.

"The Softest mineral."

"Talc." Sagot ni Eva.

"Pakistani Capital."

"Islamabad." Sagot ni Terron.

"Beach neighborhood of Honolulu."

"Waikiki?" Hindi siguradong sagot ni Eva pero i-ti-nayp pa rin ni Terron iyon sa monitor.

"Oh! It's correct."

"Yey!"

"One of the seven large landmasses on the earth."

"Continent."

Eva was grinning from ear to ear. She would look at Terron from time to time when she couldn't answer a question and she ended up clinging to Terron's arm every time they get a correct answer after thinking hard.

Eva was unaware that she was holding Terron's arm so intimately. She was so focused on answering the crossword puzzle. But unlike Eva, Terron was very aware of Eva's every move and how her body was pressing against his arm.

This is bad.

"Part of a large body of water that extends into a shoreline generally larger and more deeply indented than a bay." Bumalik ang dalawa sa ikatlong tanong na hindi nila nasagutan. "Look, Your Grace. Nasagutan na natin ang kadikit niyang tanong. And based on our answer, the answer to this one starts with letter G and end with F."

"Gulf?" Nanghuhula lang si Terron kaya hindi ng dalawa inaasahan na tama ang sagot nito.

Pumalakpak si Eva. "Your Grace, sayo na ang korona."

Terron just chuckled.

"City northwest of Auckland, New Zealand and the name of the beautiful mountain ranges that threads through it." Kumunot ang nuo ni Eva. Wala siyang ideya rito kaya bumaling siya kay Terron.

She caught him looking at her. "Your Grace?"

Terron blinked, cleared his throat, smiled calmly, and answered. "I think it's Waitakere."

"Oh! Correct! Hmm... A sheltered place along a shoreline where ships can anchor safely." Basa ni Eva saka ito rin ang sumagot. "A harbor."

In less than five minutes, Eva and Terron were able to answer the twenty questions. And soon after they answered the last question, the monitor moved up to reveal a landscape painting of Mount Mayon hidden behind it.

"Ang galing." Eva beamed. "Sagutan pa natin 'yong iba, Your Grace. I want to see all the hidden paintings behind them."

Terron just let Eva dragged him to the next crossword puzzle.

Terron was not fond of solving puzzles, but seeing Eva enjoying herself, he thought it was indeed a good idea to invite her here. Ang dalaga kaagad ang pumasok sa naisip niya ng malaman niyang may bagong interactive museum na magbubukas at solving puzzles ang main theme ng museum.

"Wala na?" Luminga-linga si Eva pagkatapos masagutan ang huling crossword puzzle. "'Yon lang 'yon."

Mahinang natawa si Terron saka hinawakan sa pulsuhan ang dalaga. "Come on, Ev. I think you will like their number slide puzzle."

Nakasimangot na nagpahila naman si Eva. "Nabitin ako do'n."

Terron just chuckled and brought Eva to the number slide puzzle on the wall.

"So, may prize kapag nabuo namin 'to?" Tanong ni Eva sa nakabantay na staff ng museum sa number slide puzzle.

"Yes po, ma'am."

"Ano ang prize?" Usisa ni Eva dahil hanggang 40 ang number slide puzzle.

"Kapag na-solve niyo ho ang number slide puzzle, may mapapanalunan po kayong snack stub sa café namin sa second floor."

Nang marinig ni Eva ang salitan snack stub, kaagad niyang hinila si Terron palapit sa number slide puzzle.

"We better win this, Your Grace."

Seeing the determined look on Eva's face, Terron was amused. "Gusto mo 'yong libreng meryenda nila?"

"Sinong may ayaw sa libre?" Balik na tanong ni Eva. "Kayong magkakaibigan nga na maraming pera, gustong-gusto ng libre e."

Terron couldn't rebuke that, so he just helped Eva solved the number slide puzzle.

In fifteen minutes, they solved it and won a set of snacks in the café on the second floor.

Pangiti-ngiti na ibinulsa ni Eva ang dnack coupon nila bago hinila siya ng dalaga patungo sa ibang puzzle game.

From brain teaser games to leaving an intricate maze by solving riddles and clues, Eva and Terron did it all. Hindi namalayan ng dalawa ang paglipas ng oras habang nag-iikot sila sa loob ng interactive museum.

And throughout the day, Terron's phone was filled with photos of Eva and himself playing around.

It was such a fun day filled with brain burning questions, laughter, deep frowns when they couldn't solve a puzzle and brainstorming so they could leave the maze.

"Pakiramdam ko na-drain ang utak ko sa mga puzzles na sinagutan natin. Lalo na doon sa may maze." Wika ni Eva ng nasa second floor na sila para i-claim ang napanalunang snack stub sa number slide puzzle.

"Hindi halata." Kinuha ni Terron ang snack stub na hawak ni Eva. "Upo ka na. Ako na ang magki-claim sa snack stub natin."

"Sige."

Eva chose the table in the corner, and while waiting for Terron, she took out her second cellphone and read all the e-mails and messages she received.

And then she opened an email informing her that she had won a trip to Dubai.

"Hmm..." she just hummed and return her phone to her bag.

Tamang-tama naman na naglalakad na si Terron patungo sa mesa nila.

"Oh." Eva's lips formed into an 'o' when Terron placed the tray with food on the table. Two kinds of smoothie, four slices of different cakes, two cupcakes and two cookies. "Ang dami naman. Akala ko simpleng snack lang."

"I thought so too." Umupo si Terron sa tabi ni Eva. "Anong gusto mo? Peach smoothie or pineapple smoothie?"

"Peach."

Terron picked up the peach smoothie and placed in on the table, in front of Eva. "Here you go." As for the cakes, Terron arranged them on the table in a way that would be easier for Eva to reach. "Eat up."

"Thanks, Your Grace." Eva was so used to being served by Terron that she just thanked him without thinking about anything else. "Oh! Masarap 'yong smoothie nila. Subukan ko nga 'yong cake."

Eva was busy eating while Terron was just staring at the food in front of him. Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago napansin ni Eva na hindi pa ginagalaw ni Terron ang pagkain nito.

"May problema ba, Your Grace?"

Terron's eyes remained on the food as he said, "I'm leaving in two months."

Eva went back to eating the cake. "Kaya ba hindi maganda ang mood mo?"

"Kinda."

"Ayaw mong umuwi?"

Terron didn't answer until a few moments later. "... I want to stay."

"But you can't," Eva said in a matter-of-fact voice. "Sabi mo noon wala kang ibang choice kung hindi ang umuwi kapag pinauwi ka na. Sa sitwasyon mo ngayon, Your Grace, isa lang ang magagawa mo."

Terron finally looked at Eva. "What?"

"Enjoy your remaining time here." Inubos ni Eva ang slice ng cake na kinakain. "Make your last two months worthwhile. Umalis ka man, at least may maganda kang ala-ala na dadalhin."

Napatitig si Terron sa dalaga. "You won't miss me?"

Nagpatuloy sa pagkain si Eva. "Napaka-imposibleng hindi ko ma-miss ang baggage boy ko."

"Only the baggage boy?" Pabirong usisa ni Terron sa dalaga.

"And my food buddy."

"How about the future duke himself?"

Nginitian lang ni Eva ang binata saka bumalik ito sa pagkain.

"I'll miss you. That's for sure." Kapagkuwan ay sabi ni Terron na ikinatigil ng pagkain ni Eva.

"May cellphone naman." Ani Eva kapagkuwan. "Kapag na-miss mo ako, tawagan mo lang ako. Communication is not a problem these days."

"I might not be able to."

"Hmm?" Tumigil sa pagkain si Eva saka nakataas ang kilay na bumaling sa binata. "Bakit naman? Pati ba pakikipag-usap sa katulad kong hindi maharlikang tao ay pinagbabawal ng pamilya mo?"

"No."

"Then what's the reason?"

"I might... get engaged."

Natigilan si Eva saka ilang segundong nakatitig lang kay Terron bago nakapag-react. "How long would it take before you get engaged, Your Grace?"

"Probably a month or two."

"Then we have a month or two to talk after you leave." Eva chose to be optimistic. "Dalawang buwan din 'yon."

Terron looked away from Eva's optimistic eyes. "I might get greedy and keep contacting you."

"Then... that would be a problem, Your Grace."

"Yeah." Terron leaned against Eva and rested his head on Eva's shoulder. "Anong gagawin ko kapag na-miss kita?"

Honestly, Eva had no answer to that question.

"Ev... I want to stay."

Umangat ang kamay ni Eva para masuyong tapikin ang pisngi ng binata. "We can't always get what we want, Your Grace. Ganun talaga ang buhay. What we can do is make do of what's in front of us and move forward. Life is constantly changing. Malay mo naman, may magbago pa sa buhay mo."

Terron closed his eyes while his head was still resting on Eva's shoulder. How he wished that his life would change. But he couldn't see his life changing with all the responsibilities he had.

"Ev?"

"Hmm?"

"Can I have all your weekends for the next two months?"

"Sure." Walang pag-aalinlangang sagot ni Eva. "May mga gusto ka bang puntahan bago ka umalis?"

"Hmm. Will you accompany me?"

"Oo naman. Malakas kaya sakin ang baggage boy ko."

Mahinang natawa lang si Terron bago iminulat nito ang mga mata at tinitigan ang dalaga na parang minimemorya ang mukha nito.

In two months, he would never see Eva again. Yes. He should make his last two months worthwhile.

Then his eyes unconsciously dropped to Eva's neck. She had tied her hair while they were in the maze, exposing her beautiful neck.

Terron inwardly gulped at the sight.

Wala sa sariling umayos siya ng upo saka pinulot ang pineapple smoothie niya saka sumisimsim niyon para mawala ang pagkauhaw na biglang naramdaman.

"Kakainin mo ba 'yong cake mo?" Kapagkuwan ay tanong ni Eva kay Terron na panay simsim lang ng pineapple smoothie nito.

"Huh?"

Eva looked at Terron dryly. "Nasaang planeta ka, Your Grace?"

Terron smiled guiltily. "You can have my cake."

From looking at Terron dryly to smiling at him sweetly. "Isa ka talagang mabait na mamamayaman, Your Grace."

If you know what is in my mind right now... you will not say that, sa isip ni Terron bago inilabas ang cellphone sa bulsa para hindi kung saan-saan napupunta ang tingin at atensiyon niya.

His attention was indeed captured by what was happening in the group chat: ARF STYLE 🐶.

Shun sent a link to the group chat with a message: Terron Dashwood shining bright like a diamond.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Terron. What the fuck is this?

Intrigued, he clicked the link, and he was brought to a website that says, 'Pay a two-minute subscription to see the video.' Then below that was the two-minute subscription price, which was two hundred and fifty thousand pesos.

Huh?

Mabilis na bumalik si Terron sa group chat nilang magkakaibigan saka ti-nag si Shun.

Terron Dashwood: @Mandu 🔪 what the fuck? Am I in that video?

Shun was quick to reply.

Mandu🔪: Don't worry. I blurred everyone but you since you are the male lead in the video.

Terron Dashwood: 😑

Terron Dashwood: Why can't I access my own video then?

Mandu 🔪: Payment first, bud 😎

"What the fuck...?" Hindi napigilan ni Terron na mapanura.

Kaagad na napabaling si Eva kay Terron ng marinig itong nagmumura. "Anyare?"

Terron couldn't help showing Eva the link and the website Shun created. "Singkit posted a video where I'm the protagonist, but I can't access it. Can you believe that I have to pay to see it?"

Napangiwi si Eva. "Yeah. I believe it."

Sa daming beses na na tumambay ang maiingay na magkakaibigan na 'yon sa tindahan nila, nalaman ni Eva na mandurugas si Shun. Well... for a good reason. At ang mga mayayaman at mga kuripot lang nitong kaibigan ang binubudol-budol nito ayon kay Iuhence na nalaman niyang hari ng mga tsismoso.

Terron loudly sighed and asked Eva with a pitiful expression. "Should I pay to watch it?"

Sa buhay ngayon ni Eva, magpapagulong-gulong siya para sa two hundred and fifty thousand pesos. Pero si Terron, ipambabayad lang para makanood ng ilang minutong video.

"Hindi ba puwedeng i-send nalang ng isa sa mga kaibigan mo sayo ang video pagkatapos nilang bilhin?"

"Nope. Knowing Shun, I'm certain that this video couldn't be downloaded or screen recorded."

Nagkibit-balikat si Eva sabay sabi, "kung gusto mo lang namang makita, puwede namang habang nagpi-play ang video, ipa-video mo sa isang cellphone at i-send sayo."

That made Terron grin. "Brilliant idea, Ev!"

Kaagad na nagsend ng private message si Terron kay Tyron. Ito lang ang maasahan niya sa mga ganitong kaganapan. Isa sa mga matitino si Tyron.

'Bud, have you seen the video? Can you take a video of it and send it to me?'

Tyron replied after a few seconds. 'Wait a sec.'

Another few seconds later: 'Dashwood, sabi ni Shun bawal ko raw gawin 'yon dahil unfair sa iba. Sorry. Oh, and by the way, welcome to the possessive men's club.'

Terron looked at his phone with a dry expression. "The fuck."

"Anyare na naman?" Sagot ni Eva na inuubos ang cupcake na para dapat kay Terron.

Terron showed Tyron's response.

Eva grimaced before opening her palm to Terron. "I'll reply for you. May I?"

Walang pag-aalinlangan na binigay ni Terron ang cellphone nito kay Eva saka pinanood kung anong sasabihin ni Eva kay Zapanta.

'I'm with Eva at the moment. She said she overheard you promising to your wife in the Bitter Sweet café that you will not drink even a drop of beer when you were coughing a few weeks ago, but a day after that, you drank three bottles of beer in their store. So... the video?'

Napatanga si Terron kay Eva na pangiti-ngiti habang tina-type 'yon.

"Hayan," ibinalik ni Eva ang cellphone kay Terron. "Send it now, Your Grace."

Terron obliged while chuckling, and Zapanta's response was faster than lightning.

'Fuck you, Dashwood. I'll send it.'

Eva smirked when Terron showed her Tyron's reply, then she casually picked up Terron's pineapple smoothie and sipped on it.

"That's mine." Gulat na sabi ni Terron ng makitang inuubos ni Eva ang pineapple smoothie niya.

Nagkibit-balikat lang ang dalaga. "Wala ka namang sakit." 'Yon lang ang sinabi nito bago inubos ang pineapple smoothie niya. "Ang sarap ng smoothie nila rito. Parang gusto kong bumalik dito para lang sa smoothie."

Terron could only look at Eva helplessly before looking back at his phone for the video.

Zapanta sent a clear video of a video.

The video looked like a trailer for a cinematic film.

From the drone shots to background music, it's like a beginning of a love story. Kulang na lang ay may pusong magliparan sa screen.

After seeing a couple of drone shots, Terron immediately realized what this video was.

The supermarket!

Doesn't the title of the video Shun sent to me this morning was 'Terron Dashwood shining bright like a diamond in the supermarket'? Fuck!

Before Terron could close the video, he saw a scene just outside the supermarket counter. He was fixing someone's hair. The face and the whole body of the woman had been blurred, but Terron knew it was Eva.

Sa buong buhay niya, si Eva lang ang babaeng inayos at itinali niya ang buhok.

Terron couldn't unsee the look in his eyes when he was fixing Eva's hair, even after closing the video.

That look, that gentle expression and that dotting small smile... he didn't want to admit it and even after seeing it, he still didn't want to.

But deep down, he realized that somehow, along the way, he had unconsciously stopped treating Eva as a friend.

Terron let out a half chuckle, and a half scoffed.

What now?

CECELIB | C.C.

A/N: Does backache comes with age? Susko. Mula ng pumasok ang edad ko sa trenta, panay sakit na ng likod ko. 😩 Kaya kapag hindi ako nakapag-update, kung hindi ako busy, siguradong umatake na naman ang likod ko 🥲