Play Pretend

Chapter 11

#OLAPlayPretend

Chapter 11
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Kahit na mayroong bumubusina sa aming likuran, he didn't mind it. Hindi umalis si Xaiver sa kanyang pwesto. Nasa gitna pa rin ako ng kanyang mga braso at titig na titig siya sa akin na para bang maaaring mawala ako kung pipikit siya.

"Are you okay?" ulit ni Xaiver sa kanyang tanong nang hindi ako sumagot.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa akin. Napasinghap ako at lumunok bago tumango-tango.

"Y-yes..."

Once he got my word, Xaiver finally calmed down. He nodded his head, then pulled himself away from me. Patuloy pa rin ang pagbusina ng sasakyan sa likod. Mabilis niyang pinaandar ang sasakyan, ngunit hindi siya dumiretso at itinabi na lamang 'yon sa gilid ng daan kung saang hindi siya makakaabala.

Saktong pagkatigil namin ay mayroong kumatok sa bintana. It was a traffic enforcer. Mukhang iritado siya noong una, pero nang ibaba ni Xaiver ang bintana ay napawi ang galit sa mukha ng lalaki. Instead, he smiled and shyly looked at Xaiver.

"Mr. Dela Vega, ano po ang nangyari?" magalang niyang tanong.

Napaawang ang aking bibig. I couldn't believe they recognized him, more so, knew him! His influence was so wide that almost no one could come close. If he chose to run for a position in the national government, I wouldn't be surprised if he would be elected.

Madalas siyang nababalita sa mga telebisyon dahil sa mga achievements niya kaya lagi siyang nakikita ng mga tao. Aside from that, he was also in newspapers at talaga namang matunog ang pangalan ng kanilang angkan. Dito pa naman sa Pilipinas, the famous personalities would always have a high chance of winning the elections. Basta sikat ka, sure na mananalo ka kahit na wala ka naman talagang alam sa pagpapatupad ng mga batas.

"My car acted up a bit. I think it's fine now, but I want to make sure. I wonder if you can actually escort us home?" tanong niya sa enforcer. "Just in case we suddenly stop in the middle of the road again, mayroon kaagad magreresolba ng traffic."

"Nako! Wala pong problema, Mr. Dela Vega. Pwedeng-pwede po kaming mag-ayos ng magko-convoy sa inyo ngayon din."

"Thanks. That would be very much appreciated."

Nasunod ang gustong mangyari ni Xaiver. A police motorbike convoyed us on the way home. Hindi ko alam kung pwede ba 'yon o kung wala kaming nilalabag na batas, but Xaiver was oblivious the whole time. Wala na 'yon sa isip niya. He just wanted us to get home safe, lalo na't medyo balisa pa rin siya.

It was probably the longest ride of my life on the way home. Kabado rin ako buong biyahe. Xaiver's hand were slightly trembling for the first few minutes, pero mukhang naka-recover na rin siya nang magtagal-tagal.

"Thanks sa paghatid. Mag-ingat ka please," nag-aalala kong sabi sa kanya bago bumaba ng sasakyan.

Xaiver's lips parted but he nodded eventually.

Baon-baon ko ang mga nangyari hanggang sa pagtulog ko. It took me long to lure myself to sleep and forget about the unusual happenings. Every time I would close my eyes, I could see Xaiver's hands trembling and the cold sweat trickling down from his temples. I could clearly remember how he stared at me — looking so terrified — as if he would lose me at any moment.

Napabangon ako't hinilamos ang palad sa mukha. I licked my lower lip and got off the bed. Tinungo ko ang tokador at kinuha mula sa pinakailalim na drawer ang necklace na pinatago niya sa akin, pagkatapos ay maingat kong nilagay sa ibabaw bago binuksan.

I stared at the exquisite design of the camellia flower and softly brushed my finger to trace the lines. The diamonds engraved all over made the surface feel rough and ragged. Kahit gaanong kaganda tingnan ay hindi pa rin 'yon perpekto. There were still some flaws once you looked closely... once you got to touch and feel it.