Up Where We Belong

Chapter 10

Agreement

"How are you feeling now?"

I turned to Gab standing beside me. He was looking peacefully at the sunset from afar. Mataas ang lugar na dinalhan niya sa akin kaya naman masasaksihan ang paglubog ng araw. It felt like I could touch the heaven from where we stood. Sumasabog ng kahel na kulay ang kalangitan.

Matapos ang nangyari acting-an namin sa school nang nakaraan ay tahimik niya akong inuwi sa bahay. Ngayon, heto't magkasama kamit ulit dahil nadatnan ko ulit siyang naghihintay sa labas ng office kahit wala naman kaming pinag-usapan na magkikita kami ulit. Ilang araw din niya akong sinusundo at hinahatid pauwi.

He's persistent kahit hindi ko naman siya kinikibo. Sumasama nalang ako dahil wala naman akong kotse. Hanggang ngayon ay pinapaayos pa rin.

I let out a small smile. "I'm feeling alright. Thank you."

"I can act." He turned his gaze to me. "Where's my talent fee?" he joked.

He did act well as my boyfriend. Pero ngayon lang ito ulit nagbuhat ng sariling bangko matapos ang mga nangyari.

Pinukol ko siya ng masamang tingin.

"No need for that. You need to pay me anyway for always spoiling my mood," sabi ko sabay angat ng isang kilay ko.

He sighed and pushed his hands on the railing, never leaving his eyes on me. "You're grumpy again."

I crossed my arms and showed him a wide smile. "Happy?"

He laughed. "No. You look creepy rather."

Nalaglag ang balikat ko. I pushed my hands on the railing, too, and looked up at the sky.

"Ganoon na ba talaga ako kapangit?"

"I was referring to your smile. It wasn't genuine," he said. Tuluyan na siyang humarap sa akin. "But you are beautiful, Tiffany," banayad niyang sabi.

I smiled bitterly. It wasn't my first time getting praise from someone. I often heard from people that I am a big catch...beauty and brain. But hearing a compliment from Gab felt different.

"Bolero. Ang sabihin mo may kailangan ka sa akin kaya ka nandoon palagi sa school. Parang inaraw-araw mo na ah."

Ang ibang mga taong nakakakita sa amin ay nag-aakalang nililigawan niya ako. Ang iba naman napasobra dahil iniisip nila na boyfriend ko na si Gab.

Napakamot siya sa kanyang ulo. "Actually, yes."

"Sabi na nga, eh," I muttered as my eyes marveled at the beautiful red and orange hues of the sunset.

He shook his head a little. "Forget it. It's not a good time to talk about this. The last time, you walked out of the cafe, leaving me alone" nakangiwing sabi niya. "I just raised that topic again because you wanted to buy the hacienda. Hindi ko mabebenta iyon kapag hindi ako nakasal bago ang kaarawan ko."

"Is the buyer you talked with last time still interested in buying it?"

Umiling ito. "He's not buying it anymore. His wife doesn't think it's the best area for her housing project. I'm slowly accepting the idea that it would fall into the hands of charity. But since you really wanted to buy it then maybe you can help me find a wife?" Bumuntong-hininga ito. "But it's just too stupid, I know. Just forget I ever said it," bawi nito. Para siyang nakikipagtalo sa sarili niya.

"Let's get married then," mariing sambit ko.

I bit my lower lip and looked straight into his eyes. He's my answer, right? I believe he is.