Pursue Her Heart

CHAPTER 16

“MERRY CHRISTMAS, PEOPLE!” Alexander, Austin’s father, shouted in glee as he popped the confetti.

Hinampas naman ni Katrina ang braso ng asawa. “Isip bata ka na naman.”

“Love you,” Alexander responded to his wife, kissing her on the cheek.

Natawa na lang si Mia nang makita niyang namula si Tita Katrina. Even at this age, Alexander could still manage to make his wife blush.

It was already Christmas. And Austin’s family was in their house. Dumayo ang mga ito sa kanila. Malapit namang magkaibigan ang magulang ni Mia at Austin kaya hindi na nagtaka si Mia. Masaya nga dahil marami sila. Kulang nga lang ng isa.

Austin was still on a business trip.

Bahagyang nalungkot si Mia dahil wala si Austin.

Habang kumakain sila, tahimik lang si Mia at nakikinig sa usapan ng mga nakatatanda. Kapagkuwan nabaling ang atensiyon ni Katrina kay Mia.

“Hija, did Austin call you?”

Umiling si Mia. “Hindi naman po.”

Nawala ang ngiti ni Katrina. “I’m going to call him now. It’s Christmas. He should greet you. How dare he ignore you on an occasion like this?”

“Tita, baka po abala siya.” Pagpigil ni Mia.

“Kahit na, hija. He should prioritize you,” seryosong saad ni Katrina na sinang-ayunan naman ng asawa nito.

Bago pa man mapigilan ni Mia ang ina ni Austin, tinatawagan na nito ang anak. But it seems that Tita Katrina couldn’t contact her son.

“I can’t contact him,” said Katrina to her husband.

“Baka nakapatay ang cellphone niya. O busy talaga. Kilala mo naman ang anak natin. Kapag abala ‘yon, nakapatay ang cellphone at ayaw ng distorbo.”

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Katrina at halata ang inis sa mukha nito. “No, I won’t tolerate him. It’s Christmas. It’s for family, but he chose to work. I will give him a lesson when he gets back.”

Napangiwi na lamang si Alexander at pinagdadasal na sana maging maayos ang kalagayan ng anak niya kapag bumalik ito. Katrina looked really pissed right now.

Mia held Katrina’s hand. “Tita, calm down. Baka po may importanteng ginagawa si Austin.” Aniya.

Ngumiti si Katrina. She gently pinched Mia’s cheek. “You’re really sweet, hija. Compared to my son. I’ll listen to you.”

Ngumiti na rin si Katrina.

“You can call him later,” said Camila.

Tumango si Johan. “He was on a business trip. Baka may party na pinuntahan.”

Katrina snorted. “I will really punch my son when he gets back so he can learn his lesson.”

Good luck, Austin. Mia thought.

Nagpatuloy sila sa pagkain.

Hanggang sa muling napunta kay Mia ang usapan.

“Mia, when will you and Austin get married?” Katrina asked all of a sudden.

Napaubo si Mia. Napatingin siya sa ina ni Austin, kapagkuwan natuon ang atensiyon niya sa kaniyang ina. She was asking for help from her mother.

Ngumiti si Camila. She knew how her daughter avoiding that word ‘marriage’. “Katrina, how about just letting the kids date more? Saka na natin pag-usapan ang kasal kapag nakatapos na si Mia sa pag-aaral niya.”

“I’m just worried.”

“Saan po kayo nag-aalala?” tanong naman ni Mia.

“I’m worried that one day you’ll be taken away. My son was like a wood. Minsan walang pakiramdam at minsan hindi nagsasalita kapag ibang tao ang kaharap niya. But don’t worry, hija, mabait naman ang anak kong ‘yon.”

Nagtaka si Mia. Mukhang magkaiba yata sila ng opinyon ng ina ni Austin tungkol sa binata. That’s not how she met Austin. When they were together, Austin was talkative. And she finds it annoying sometimes.

Pinigilan na lamang ni Mia ang matawa. So, that’s how Austin interacts with other people.

It was already twelve-thirty in the morning when they finished eating. The parents went to their room while Mia and Charles were left in the kitchen.

Magkatulong na naghugas ng pinggan ang magkapatid at nang matapos sila, pinauna na ni Mia na patulugin si Charles.

After tidying the kitchen, she switched off the lights and was about to ascend the stairs when her phone rang.

Bahagyang nagulat si Mia nang makitang si Austin ang tumatawag. Sinagot niya ang tawag nito.

“Merry Christmas, Camille.” Matamis na bati ni Austin.

Bumilis ang pagtibok ng puso ni Mia saka hindi napigilan ang sarili na mapangiti. “Merry Christmas too.”

“Come out.”

Nawala ang ngiti ni Mia. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

“Lumabas ka. Nandito ako sa labas ng bahay niyo.”

Mabilis na pumihit paharap si Mia sa pinto at naglakad patungong main door. Binuksan niya ito at nakita niya si Austin sa may gate nila.

Austin waved his hand.

Mia smiled. Lumabas siya ng bahay saka tinungo ang gate. Binuksan niya ito. “You’re here.”

Ramdam ni Mia na sobrang bilis ng t***k ng kaniyang puso.

Austin smiled and handed the bouquet to Mia. “For you.”

“Salamat.”

“And these are your expensive chocolate-chip cookies.” Austin showed the paper bag in his hand.

Mia’s face lit up. Kinuha niya ang hawak ni Austin na paper bag at binuksan. May design pang cupcakes ang paper bags. Kaagad siyang kumuha ng isang cookies saka kumagat. She closed her eyes and the deliciousness exploded in her mouth.

“It tastes good.”

Napatitig naman si Austin kay Mia. Mia looked beautiful. Well, lagi naman itong maganda. Kapagkuwan napatingin siya sa labi nito.

Austin gulped.

Mia’s lips were alluring, and he was tempted to kiss them.

Hindi namalayan ni Austin na unti-unti na pala niyang inilalapit ang mukha sa dalaga.

Natigilan naman si Mia at napatigil sa pagkain ng cookies nang makitang sobrang lapit ng mukha ni Austin sa kaniya. Pakiramdam niya, nanigas siya sa kinatatayuan at hindi makagalaw.

“Camille.”

“Hmm?”

“You’re beautiful.” And with that, Austin filled the gap between them. His lips pressed against Mia’s lips.

Lumaki ang mata ni Mia pero hindi siya makagalaw upang itulak ang binata. Sa sobrang bilis ng t***k ng kaniyang puso, pakiramdam niya ‘yon na lamang ang naririnig sa mga oras na ‘yon.

Austin closed his eyes and couldn’t get enough, so he moved his lips.

Mas lalo pang lumaki ang mata ni Mia nang maramdaman niya ang paggalaw ng labi ni Austin. Humawak ang isang kamay ng binata sa beywang ni Mia habang isang kamay nito ay napahawak sa likod ng ulo ni Mia para palalimin ang halik.

Mia was drowned by Austin’s kiss. She closed her eyes and felt the urge to respond. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mayroon sa labi ni Austin at naengganyo siyang humalik rito. Umangat ang kamay niya at napahawak sa leeg ng binata. Until her hand tangled in Austin’s hair.

They were already kissing fervently.

Her taste was intoxicating, a blend of sweetness and spice that sent shivers down his spine.

Habang si Mia naman ay kinuha na ang pagkakataon upang i-take advantage ang sitwasyon. This was a rare opportunity for her. To kiss her crush.

Unbeknownst to them, their kissing scene was seen by their parents, who were watching from the window of their own room.

When their lips parted, it was with reluctance.

Austin smiled and kissed Mia on her forehead. “It’s sweet.”

Biglang nakaramdam ng hiya si Mia saka gamit ang kamay tinakpan niya ang kaniyang mukha na ikinatawa naman ni Austin.

“Don’t be shy.”

Umiling si Mia. She couldn’t believe that her first was taken away by her crush. She distanced herself from Austin. Hindi siya makatingin ng deretso sa binata.

“Camille.”

“Ano?”

“Ang lamig dito sa labas.”

Napatingin si Mia kay Austin. He was wearing a shirt and khaki pants. “Let’s go inside.”

Ngumiti si Austin saka sumunod kay Mia.

“Kumain ka na ba?” tanong ni Mia.

Umiling si Austin. “I just came from the airport. And I rush to see you.”

“Bakit naman?”

“Gusto na kitang makita. I haven’t seen you for more than a month. I miss you.” Ani Austin habang nakatingin ng deretso sa mata ng dalaga.

Mia suppressed her smile and remained calm. Tumango na lamang siya saka pinaghanda si Austin ng pagkain. “Kumain ka. May kukunin lang ako.”

Austin looked at the food prepared for him by Mia. “I heard my parents were here.”

“Yeah, they were already upstairs and resting.”

Mia went to her room and took her gift for Austin. Pagbalik niya sa kusina, ibinigay niya sa binata ang regalo niya para rito.

“What’s this?”

“It’s my gift to you.”

Agad na kinuha ni Austin ang box. Bubuksan na niya sana ito pero pinigilan siya ni Mia.

“Bakit?”

“Buksan mo na lang ‘yan kapag wala ako. Don’t open it in front of me.”

Ngumiti si Austin saka tumango. “Alright. I’ll listen to you.” Nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain.

Habang si Mia naman ay pasikretong kumuha ng larawan kay Austin. Finally, she has a closed-up picture of him.