"When I'm with anybody else it's so hard to be myself and only you can tell. You drive me crazy half the time, the other half I'm only trying to let you know that what I feel is true and I'm only me when I'm with you..."
Devone POV
"Hmm... this is so delicious." Mayor Hernandez commented delightfully. He's referring to the dish we cooked that he is currently feasting on. "What's the name of this dish?" He asked me.
"It's called, uhm, Greek salmon bowls," I answered.
"Hay naku, Mayor." Tita Helen interjected. "Magaling talagang magluto itong pamangkin ko. At hindi lang 'yon masarap pa 'yong luto, di ba?" She added happily.
Mayor Hernandez nodded his head fervently. "I agree." He uttered. "And not only that, she's gorgeous as well." He continued. "Plus, she has a good heart." And smiled widely at me.
"Tama ka, Mayor." Tita Helen seconded.
"Kaya maswerte ang mapapangasawa mo." Papuri ni Mayor Hernandez habang nakangiti sa akin ng malawak.
Narinig ko ang eksaheradang pagtikhim ng katabi ko. It's obvious that Yhael is annoyed with what he hears from Mayor Hernandez and tita Helen. She's already pissed with tita Helen since this afternoon. I put my hand under the table to touch her thigh and lightly patted it. Huminga siya ng malalim at muli na niyang ipinagpatuloy ang pagkain.
"Bakit nga pala hindi ka pa nag-aasawa?" Miss Cristeta asked.
I would like to turn the question back to her. She's retired and all, but she's still single. How ironic, isn't it?
I still managed to smile lightly at her. "You'll just be surprised," I replied. "And just to feed your curiosity, I already have a special someone."
Napansin ko ang pagbuka ng bibig ni tita kaya maagap ko na itong sinundan.
"Tita Helen knows that," I added immediately. "So I'm not available." And smiled politely at them.
The dining room fell into a deafening silence since.
"Hayaan mo na 'yong boarder mo diyan. Kailangan ka na namin doon." Sabi ni tita Helen ng tutulungan ko sana si Yhael sa pagliligpit.
Narinig ko ang pagtawa ng mapakla ni Yhael sa narinig. Alam kong pinipigilan lang niya ang sarili na huwag sagutin ang tita ko. I'm also holding back so I don't insult her.
"She's no longer my boarder, tita." I defended.
"Thanks, love. I love you." May tipid na ngiting sabi ni Yhael saka ako hinalikan sa ulo ng marinig ang sinabi ko. Alam ko ding sinadya niya 'yon iparinig at ipakita kay tita.
"Hmp." Napasimangot na reaksyon ni tita Helen bago lumabas ng dining room.
"Savage." Nakangiting sabi ni Yhael habang tinutulungan ko siyang magligpit. "Legendary."
I laughed softly. "Is that the mobile game you're playing?" Napaisip ako. "The one that says 'you have slain an enemy' or something like that?"
Siya naman ngayon ang natawa ng marahan. "Uhuh." Lumapit siya sa akin at niyakap ako mula sa likod. "Thank you." Malambing niyang sabi.
I turned to face her. "No, you don't have to thank me." And cupped her face. "I'm sorry about earlier. I know that you're hurt." I said with sympathy.
"Wala ka namang kasalanan do'n." She commented.
"Pero ako kasi 'yong nasasaktan para sayo." I told her. "Kung alam lang nila kung sino ka talaga, I don't think they can still do that to you."
She came from a prominent family but she remains humble and placid. She belongs to one of the richest clans in Cebu but here she is, contented even if she has nothing. All for her dreams.
