Note: Sorry natagalan ulit sa update. Super busy na sa work. :(( 

CHAPTER 20

- ☎ -

I think I'm in love.

I know it's too soon. I know I must be crying my heart out over a recently ended relationship. But I'm not. Instead, I have these butterflies in my stomach whenever I see him. He makes my heart melt and my knees turn to jelly. When we're together, I'm like a teenager with my first crush.

He's the best thing that ever happened to me. He's my best friend. He's that one person in the world who knows everything about the real me—not the side of me I show to everyone else.

No one's perfect... but for me he is.

I've written all these advice about love in this blog but it's like I threw all that out of the window. I guess I'm backtracking right now. Maybe when you're in love, you just know. All thoughts are thrown out the window and all those barriers you put up to defend yourself are dashed to bits.

Now I know why there are a lot of broken hearts out there. At first, I scoffed at all those comments. But now, I understand. When you are in love, you give your all. You hold nothing back and pray that he will really be the one and that this relationship will be the one that lasts forever.

Dear readers, I am in love. I know that now. It's taken me by surprise and I am terrified. But I want to be courageous. And like you, I pray every single day that this love is my forever and that this guy is that knight-in-battle-weathered armor that I've been waiting for.

- ☎ -

My fingers hovered over the keyboard while I read through my short article and thought of what to type next.

Sobrang saya nung mga nakaraang tatlong araw at feeling ko never kong maipapakita yung mga nararamdaman ko sa mga simpleng salita lamang. Habang nag-iisip, uminom muna ako ng inorder kong cold Chai Tea Latte at tumingin sa paligid.

Nandito ako ngayon sa coffee shop na kung saan ako pinilit kumanta ni Reeve dati. Pero ngayon, mag-isa lang ako. Umalis kasi siya kaninang umaga at madami daw siyang aasikasuhin. Okay lang naman sakin yun kasi naaintindihan ko naman. Sobrang saya nga ng mga nakaraang araw pero may isang bagay pa din akong di nakakalimutan: na magkaiba talaga kami ni Reeve ng mundong ginagalawan.

Hindi man to yung mala-telenovela na langit siya at lupa ako. Hindi lang kami pareho ng status sa alta-sociedad. At sa social circles na aming ginagalawan, napakalaking bagay nun.

Besides, I also welcomed the opportunity to be alone and write while Reeve is busy. Ang tagal ko na ding di man lang nabuksan tong laptop ko. Eh pano ba naman, kung saan-saan na kami napunta sa Las Vegas. Naikot na ata naming lahat at ang dami ko nang natanggal sa bucket list ko.

Prinint pa nga yun ni Reeve para daw may checklist kami. Sa tatlong araw sobrang dami na naming nagawa. Konti na nga lang ata yung natitira eh at mahaba pa ang bakasyon naming dito sa Las Vegas.

Inexplain ko naman na din kay Reeve na pang habangbuhay naman yung 100-item bucket list ko at na hindi naman naming kailangang tapusin lahat ngayon. But he was the type of person with a live each day as if it was your last mentality.

At rest day ko naman ngayon. Sobrang sumakit din ang katawan ko sa napakadami naming adventures. At yung puso ko, parang sasabog na sa kilig. As I've written in my article, Reeve is perfect for me in every way. But he could be really possessive and jealous too!

Dati nagreply lang ako sa text ni Ryan, sumimangot nanaman sya ng todo at nilagay ako sa silent treatment. Nakakaloka lang. Eh di hindi ko din siya pinansin. But he did apologize for his temper and everything was okay.

I put down my Chai Tea Latte and faced my laptop again. Mukhang okay naman na yung maikli kong article so clinic ko na yung post. Tapos sinara ko na yung laptop ko. Mamaya na ako magchecheck ng comments pag madami na.

Then, I checked my purchases on the seat beside me. Isang tambak ng paperbag ito. Mga pasalubong ko kina Ellie, MC at Aubrey. PM na nga ng PM sa FB ang mga walanghiya para lang isend ang mga request nila!

Sana lang magustuhan nila tong mga binili ko. Ang gusto ni MC gwapong Amerikano daw ang ipasalubong ko sa kanya. Ano yun ilalagay ko sa maleta at ililipad pabalik sa Pinas? Kaya Chanel na bag na lang.

Para kay Ellie, boots. At para kay Aubrey, bag din.

Sakto lang at nagring yung phone ko.

"Hello?"

"Andreia! Kamusta ka naman diyan? Miss na miss ka na namin!" It was Aubrey's shrill voice on the other line.

"Miss na miss ko na din kayo! Di bale, konti na lang pauwi na din ako. At nabili ko na yung mga request niyong pasalubong!"

"Yaaaaaay!" Sobrang lakas ng tili niya at nilayo ko muna yung phone. Natawa din ako kasi parang kilig na kilig pa sya nung tumawa.

"Sina Ellie at MC, asan?"

"Di ko alam e. Di pa kame magkakasama. Uy, nga pala, nakita ko mga post mo. Yung mga picture niyo ni Reeve! Grabe! Ang ganda! Sobrang bagay na bagay kayo!"

Di ko na napigilan. Kinilig na din ako. Sino ba namang hindi? Sobrang idyllic ng mga nakaraang araw at feeling ko isang panaginip lang ang lahat. Kung panaginip nga ito, ayoko na lang magising. Pero ilang beses ko nang kinurot ang sarili ko at masakit naman. Di din ako nagising. So alam ko nang totoo to. And for once in my whole life, reality is better than my dreams.

"Ewan ko ba. Naguguluhan na din ako sa mga pangyayari. Basta masaya. Ineenjoy ko na lang muna," sagot ko.

"Ano bang nangyari? Sinabi ba niya sayo na mahal ka niya or something? Gusto ka ba niya maging girlfriend?"

Natigilan ako sa tanong ni Aubrey.

"Errr. Ang eksaktong tanong ni Reeve eh pano kung gusto daw niyang more than friends kami. Tapos sabi din nya na nacoconfuse daw siya sa mga nararamdaman niya pero ififigure out daw namin to together."

"Ohhh. Pero pano na? Mahal mo na ba yang bestfriend mo?"

Napalunok na lang ako. Yung L word eh isang masyadong mabigat na salita. Napakadaming kakabit nitong komplikasyon at kung anu-ano pa.

"Hindi ko alam..." sagot ko.

"Tingin mo ba mahal ka din ni Reeve?"

"Hindi ko din alam." Kung medyo hesitant ako sa una kong sagot, etong pangalawa sure ako. Di ko talaga alam kung ano bang nararamdaman ni Reeve para sakin. He acts like someone smitten; like the perfect boyfriend. But he never said anything else except asking me the 'what if' question.

"Di naman sa nambabasag ako ng trip no... Pero sobrang hirap main-love sa best friend, Drei. Pano kung naguluhan lang pala kayo sa feelings niyo sa isa't isa kasi ang tagal niyong di nagkita at masyado kayong excited. Pano kung hanggang friends lang kayo talaga? Eh lumampas na kayo dun sa friendship line. Tingin mo ba makakabalik pa kayo sa dati?"

I sighed. "Alam mo, yan nga din yung iniisip ko. Pano na lang by the end of two weeks? Pano na kami nun? LDR ba ang peg?"

Nagulat ako nung tumawa si Aubrey. "Alam mo, Drei, matagal nang LDR ang peg niyong dalawa. Wala yung label or yung expectation pero yung kung pano kayo magtawagan sa isa't isa, yung mga gifts at surprise tuwing birthdays, para na kayong long-distance couple."

Sabagay. Oo nga naman. Eh pano naman ngayon by the end of two weeks? Ganun pa din ba kami? O iba na? Talaga bang magbabago na lahat?

"Sa totoo lang di ko talaga alam kung anong mangyayari. Kahit nga yung mga nangyayari na minsan hindi ko pa din maintindihan. Pero ayokong madaliin yung mga bagay. I'll just let everything fall into place."

"Tama. Antayin mo na lang muna. Kung tama nga ang pagkakakilala ko kay Reeve, he's someone who doesn't make decisions rashly. Lahat yan pinag-iisipan niya. Tsaka siguro din naghihintay siya ng more cues from you. Isipin mo din yung side niya. Alam niyang best friend ka niya at ayaw din nun na mawala ka. Kung takot ka, takot din siya sa mga nangyayari ngayon at sa mga nararamdaman niya."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Tama si Aubrey. Tama lahat ng iniisip ko.

"Thanks, Aubrey. Sana lang talaga maging okay lahat. Alam ko bata pa ko... But Reeve is the kind of guy I'd want to spend the rest of my life with."

"Ayieeeeee!" sigaw ng aking kaibigan. Nilayo ko ulit yung phone ko sa tenga ko habang umiiling.

"Sige, Aubrey. Uwi na ko sa hotel. See you soon!"

"Okay! Bye!"

- ☎ -

About an hour later, andun na ko sa kwarto ko. Kanina pa lumubog yung araw at hinihintay ko na lang magtext si Reeve kung magdidinner ba kami. Di pa sya nagrereply eh. Siguro sobrang busy nanaman.

Habang hinihintay ko siya, umupo muna ko sa may couch sa window at binasa yung mga dala kong libro. Kapag nagbabasa kasi ako hindi ko na namamalayan yung oras. Kaya kong maghintay kahit gaano katagal basta may dala akong libro.

After a few minutes, nagtext na si Reeve.

Message from Reeve: Drei, wear the red dress. We're having dinner at one of the Casinos. See you in the lobby at 8 pm.

Casino?

Napalunok na lang ako. Knowing Reeve, hindi ito yung mga ordinaryong casino lang. Yung mga malalaki ang pupuntahan namin. Yung tipong ang dala ng mga tao pag pumupunta dun eh daan daan libong dolyar para lang makapaglaro.

But I doubt that we'll be playing tonight. I think na sa Casino kami pupunta kasi andun yung mga pinakamahal na restaurants, clubs at kung anu-ano pa.

Binasa ko ulit yung text ni Reeve. At talagang specific pa yung gusto niyang suotin ko ah? Yung red dress na sinasabi niya ay isa sa mga binili niya para sakin nung araw ng shopping spree namin.

Sobrang ganda nung dress kahit na pulang pula yung kulay niya. Halter ung neckline tapos yung likod nya backless. Then, yung skirt eh hanggang tuhod ko lang. It was nice and it was a dress that can be used for parties or kahit something formal—depende na lang sa accessories na ilalagay.

Dali-dali akong naligo. 7:30 na kasi eh. In 15 minutes, tapos na ko magshower at nagsimula nang iblow-dry yung buhok ko. After 10 more minutes, tapos na ko sa make-up ko. Simple lang naman. Konting powder, blush on, eyeliner, grey eyeshadow para sa smoky eyes, at red na lipstick to match the dress.

Then, I put on the red dress and matched it with another pair of shoes that Reeve bought me. Yung shoes naman na to, stilettos. Tapos may straps siya na mahaba na nakaikot sa may ankles ko.

And about my hair? I just left it to curl loose. But I took one of my jewel-studded clips given to me by my mom and parted my hair sideways

At exactly 8 PM, pababa na ko sa lobby.

The moment that the elevator doors opened, I immediately saw Reeve from across the spacious lobby. This time, he was wearing a suit. And he was so gorgeous that he took my breath away.

He looked every inch the billionaire he was. Yes, I saw him wearing a tux nung wedding. And he looked like he was plucked out of a James Bond movie.

Pero eto, yung nakasuit siya, iba eh. I can't compare. Reeve na Reeve pa din but this was the other side of him that didn't match mine. Eto yung side na magkaiba talaga kami ng mundo. He was the son of a billionaire and the only heir to one of the world's biggest empires.

Naemphasize ng suit yung tangkad niya at yung width ng broad shoulders niya. He exuded so much aura of charisma, wealth and power that he attracted so much stares from everyone who passed by. Lahat ng mga babae gusto kong sabunutan o ipanglampaso yung mukha nila ng sahig.

But Reeve didn't seem to notice them. They smiled at him but he didn't smile back and kept a blank expression instead. He just kept glancing at his watch.

Nangiti na lang ako. Take that blow to your ego, bitches.

I walked towards him and he must've sensed my presence. He turned around and the moment he saw me, a huge smile lit his face.

"Hey," bati ko.

He moved forward and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"You're about three minutes late," he teased. Hinampas ko naman siya sa balikat and rolled my eyes. Reeve also threw back his head and laughed.

"You look beautiful, Andreia," he whispered in my ear. Sa sobrang lapit niya, naamoy ko ung cologne niya na sobrang bango. This was officially my favourite scent in the world. Nalampasan na nito yung amoy ng bagong lutong burger.

"Not as beautiful as those women that were flirting with you," sagot ko.

Reeve smiled and placed his hands on my wait to pull me closer. "But I don't see any of them. I only see you."

At those words, something inside me melted.

"Aren't you even going to compliment me?" tanong ni Reeve nung matagal akong hindi nagsalita habang nagpipigil ng kilig.

I rolled my eyes. Minsan ang kapal din talaga ng mukha ng lokong to eh.

"Well, you don't look bad and you clean up really well," I teased.

Reeve's blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "That's the only thing you can say?"

Naalala ko yung sinabi ni Aubrey about cues. Well, here goes. Goodluck na lang sa akin.

I lifted my hands and placed them on the lapels of his suit. Then, I tugged him down so he was forced to bend his body. Bakit ba kasi ang tangkad eh. When he bent low, we were now eye to eye.

I looked straight into his beautiful blue eyes. "You look rather dashing, Reeve," I told him.

And he threw back his head and laughed. Napatingin ulit yung mga babaeng kanina pa sya tinitignan. Na kung pwede lang makatunaw ang tingin, kanina pa siguro minomop ng mga janitor si Reeve mula sa sahig.

The all frowned when they saw how he was holding me and how he was laughing with me when he couldn't even smile at them. I turned towards them and smirked.

Look all you want, bitches. But he's mine. All mine.

********************************

Sana nagustuhan niyo! And please don't forget to VOTE and COMMENT! Sobrang sarap basahin at nakakainspire yung mga kilig na comments niyo. Haha. Kung kinikilig kayo basahin to, ako kinikilig din isulat. <3

Thanks ulit guys! Reeveted forever. <3