"Didn't I say I warned you?"
Nikolai let out a frustrated sigh after Anastazia didn't show herself on their supposed dinner date at the Delta Plaza. She sent an invitation letter yesterday, hoping that the young Roman would come like the last time. She's not the religious type of person but when it comes to Anastazia Roman, she would pray, even to the angels and saints to grant her prayer but maybe prayers aren't enough to summon her presence.
"Nik, una pa lang kasi sinabi ko na sa'yo, off-limits si Anastazia Roman," Pauline reminded her again. They were talking via FaceTime. "You can't make her yours when she has someone else."
"I can," she answered firmly. Alam niya sa sariling kaya niya, desido siyang mapasakaniya ang dalaga. "I'm an Aragon, I can make a Roman mine for all eternity."
Natahimik si Pauline sa kabilang linya habang nakatunghay sa kaniya na nakatingin sa kawalan. Naiintindihan naman niya ang gustong sabihin nito but she already gave a word to Zia's father. She can't retract it anymore at baka sabihan pa siyang walang palabra de honor. Ang hindi niya lang inasahan ay ganito pala kahirap kunin ang atensiyon ni Anastazia Roman.
"She's ignoring me deliberately. But I just know how to shake her."
"How?"
Isang nakakalokong ngiti lanh ang isinagot niya sa pinsan at nagpaalam na. Isang linggo na ang nakakalipas simula nang magkasama sila ni Zia sa simbahan, at aaminin niyang masaya siya ng araw na iyon. Who would've thought that the young Roman would show up to her? Nag-text lang naman siya tungkol sa gagawin niya nang araw na 'yon dahil nakaugalian na niyang mag-jog sa Henessy Park. Her heart leapt when she saw Anastazia walk out of her car—wearing a black, elegant sundress and red stilettos. She even kissed her on the check because of the happiness she felt. The plan actually worked but with a slight modification — magsisimba daw pala ito na wala sa plano niya.
She almost forgot that the cathedral was just beside the park. Noong una, naisip niya na baka magsisimba talaga ito at nataon lang na nag-text siya beforehand; but instead of sulking, she improvised. Naalala niyang alas siez pa magsisimula ang simba kaya inaya niya muna itong mag-jog na ikinainis nito. Of course, who would run around the park wearing stilettos and a dress? Kaya naman hinubad niya ang kaniyang suot na running shoes at ipinasuot dito at siya naman ang nagsuot sa heels nito. Gusto na nga niyang matawa pero pinipigilan niya lang dahil ayaw niyang sungitan siya lalo ng dalaga.
She anticipated a physical reaction but Anastazia just sat on the bench, letting her do her thing. Namawis pa siya nga kaunti dahil ramdam na ramdam niya ang titig nito sa kaniya, naging shaky na nga ang kaniyang mga kamay habang itinali ang sintas ng sapatos niya. She felt she was doing the lace for the first time. At nang matapos na siya ay doon na ito nagsungit, kesyo daw patatakbuhin niya ito na ganoon ang suot.
She never thought Anastazia is a kaleidoscope of splendid personalities, ranging from being grumpy but soft to being defensive but logical to being distant but considerate and to being rude but concerned. Those were just the few she noticed that should make her stop from pursuing the young Roman. But she's determined to unearth more of her, there's something more about Anastazia Roman than meets the eye. And no one can change her mind.
Kaya naman ay lalakad siya ngayon para puntahan ang dalaga, kung hindi ito magpapakita sa pakiusap puwes, siya na ang magpapakita dahil sa anumang dahilan, may parte sa isip niya na hinahanap ito. Simula nang akuhin niya ang responsibilidad na sana'y sa kapatid niya, tumatak na sa isip niyang mapapasakaniya si Anastazia Roman sa alinmang paraan. But she wouldn't resort to violence no matter how hard the situation is—that's a big no.
