The Night When He Changed (Valdemora Series #4)

Chapter 24

Dati naman ay hindi ako nagiging parte ng kanyang kaarawan. Serving the guests and visitors of him is my duty that time. Kaya ang kanyang ideyang naisip ay hindi ako pabor.

I know that he wants to let everyone know about our relationship but not that way. Knowing his mother, I don't think she'll like the idea also.

Nakipagsukatan ako ng tingin sa kanya. His face suddenly went plain. Nawala ang kaninang mapang-asar na mukha nito.

The water didn't gave us so much coldness now. Kahit na lumalagaslas iyon ay tila balewala na lang sa amin.

Pinunasan ko ang mukha. He combed his hair and turned off the shower. Tumahimik ang paligid namin.

"You can find some time to uh, introduce me but not on your birthday please?" I said. Yumuko ito at nadinig ko pa ang pagbuntong hininga.

"I really wanted to introduce you. Bakit hindi? Kasi natatakot kang malaman nila kung anong posisyon mo sa akin bago naging tayo?" kalmado lamang ang kanyang boses nang itanong iyon sa akin.

I avoided my gaze to him. Kahit naman yata ilang beses niyang ipamukha sa akin na hindi siya bumabase sa naging katayuan ko, mananatili pa ring ganoon ang tingin ko sa sarili.

That still can't change the fact that I can't be like him. The rich one. Iisipin ko pa lang na mapapahiya  na sa harap ng kanyang mga bisita ay hindi ko nakakaya.

"Huwag na muna nating pag-usapan 'yan dito. We're both wet. We need to dry ourselves."

Umamba akong bubuksan na iyong crystal na pinto pero marahan niya akong hinigit. Napadikit iyong katawan ko sa kanya na ikinagulat ko.

His eyes are pleading. Walang bahid ng pananakot o kung anong galit man ang naroon.

"Then please, come to my birthday. I will allow myself to not introduce you as my girlfriend but, just let your presence be in there. Is that okay to you?"

I sighed heavily as if it is a hard thing to do. Hindi naman ako mawawala doon dahil syempre, trabaho rin iyon.

I can be the server for his guests, watch him again being greeted by his relatives or some friends, seeing him smiling that makes me wanna do my work again and again.

Ramdam ko na naman na hindi ako nababagay roon. Kung mayroon man, siguro iyong pagiging trabahador ko lang sa kanya.

"Of course, I will be there as your server."

His jaw clenched a bit.

"No, you won't do your work. Be my guest."

I shook my head, not agreeing on his own idea. Napahawak ako sa hawakan ng pinto upang suportahan ang sarili. Iyong uri ng kanyang paghawak sa akin ngayon ay marahan pa rin, kahit na kitang-kita ko ang munting pagkainis niya sa sinabi ko ay hindi man lang nito hinigpitan.

Inalis ko iyon sa braso ko.

"I am sorry but I will work on that day, Cedrick. Hindi naman pwedeng hindi ako gumalaw roon at hayaan na lang ang sariling manood."

"Who is your boss again?" He asked with forehead being creased. Dumako sa kanyang bewang ang mga kamay, sinusubok ako.

"Ikaw."

"Then follow what I say. You will be my guest together with your parents—"

"No. I will work. We will work. You need our assistance on that. At hindi kami tatayo lang doon."

With that, I silently went out of the bathroom, still with my wet self. Napahinga ako ng malalim at inabot ng ilang minuto bago tuluyang naunang pumasok sa kanyang sasakyan.