DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

36

Hello, thank you for waiting patiently. Attached above is the family tree of the De Leons. Para hindi rin confusing sa chapter na ito. Happy reading, enjoy!

Belated happy birthday to iykykiy and viellaziemarquez

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Chapter 36
''Boyfriend''

''Happy Birthday, Axel.'' ngumiti ako kahit medyo pagod.

''Thank you, Vernaise!'' Yinakap niya ako bago tinanggap ang inabot kong regalo.

I unknowingly glanced at Javier when Axel did that. Umiwas lamang ito ng tingin sa gawi ko at tahimik na uminom. Hindi nalang din ako lumingon pa ulit.

''Alak talaga?'' tumawa si Axel nang makita nang maigi iyon. Napakamot pa siya sa batok. ''Pakiramdam ko tuloy sinasabi mong lasingero ako. Pero dahil ikaw naman nagbigay, okay lang! Gustong-gusto ko 'tong regalo mo, Vernaise.''

I smiled sheepishly. ''I don't know what to get you. I feel like you already have everything.''

''Girlfriend ang kailangan niyan, Vernaise!'' may sumigaw mula sa table kung na saan sila Javier.

''Tumigil ka, gago!'' si Erik.

Hindi ko kilala ang sumigaw pero mukhang kaibigan naman nila. Hindi ko na lamang pinansin at muling ngumiti kay Axel. He smiled apologetically at me. Kahit wala namang dapat ipaghingi ng paumanhin.

''Pasensya na sa mga kaibigan ko.''

''Okay lang, walang problema.''

I waved at him. Nagpaalam akong babalik saglit sa mesa kung na saan naman si Solenn. Tumango siya at sinabing tutungo rin sa amin para makikipag-kwentuhan mamaya.

Hindi kami sumiksik kung na saan sila dahil masyado silang marami doon. Solenn asked the staff to put another set of table and chairs so we can be alone. I wasn't in the mood to socialize so that was very helpful.

Solenn was staring at me intently. Kanina niya pa ako tinitigan nang mabuti simula nang bumaba kami ni Javier sa kwarto. Actually, nauna ako sa kanya. Bumaba lamang siya pagkalipas ng ilang minuto. Hapon naman kami dumating ni Javier. Pero gabi na nang makababa. Medyo na-late tuloy kami kahit maaga naman nakadating sa resort.

It's because I cried so hard while Javier held me in his hand. Tinahan niya ako hanggang sa kumalma. Hindi kami nag-usap muli tungkol sa kung ano.

''Sobrang mugto ng mata mo. May nangyari ba?'' Hindi na napigilang tanong ni Solenn. ''Nag-away kayo ni Javier?''

I sighed heavily, shaking my head. ''Hindi. There's just a misunderstanding.''

''Kaya pala parang wala sa sarili at mukhang galit. Pero kasalanan niya noh?''

''Hmm, how did you come up with that conclusion?''

''Well, I've seen him got mad once. And if he's mad, he is really mad. He's too proud to talk and come near to that person again. Hinding-hindi siya ang unang lalapit. Unless you beg for his forgiveness, you'd be no one to him.'' pagkuwento niya habang umiiling-iling. ''But don't worry, hindi naman si Javier basta-bastang nagagalit. Alam mo namang mabait siya diba? He's rational and too calm that sometimes it scares me. Mapagtimpi yan pero kapag napuno at nagalit, tahimik. Pareho sila ni Lolo Francisco, nakakatakot lalo na kapag tahimik!''

I've had the same impression of Javier before. Well, I still have a bit now. But I don't think that he's totally like that.

''Then, what makes you think he's the one at fault?'' I still asked, even though I knew no one was at fault.