Pursue Her Heart

CHAPTER 10

AUSTIN and Mia tried their best to look like a couple in front of Mia’s parents. Mia thought that Austin’s care and sweetness to her were just an act, but for Austin, his actions towards Mia were genuine.

Habang kumakain sila ng tanghalian, naglagay si Austin ng ulam sa pinggan ni Mia.

Mia looked at Austin.

Nginitian lang naman ni Austin ang dalaga saka gamit ang tinidor, tinusok niya ang isang hiwa ng patatas. Then he offered it to Mia. Inilapit niya ito sa bibig ng dalaga.

Nagulat naman si Mia. “Anong ginagawa mo?” she asked, but no voice came out of her mouth. Tanging pagbuka lamang ng kaniyang bibig ang nangyari pero naintindihan ni Austin ang sinasabi ni Mia.

“Say ‘ah’.”

From the corner of Mia’s eyes, she could see the expression of her parents, especially her mother. Nakangiti ito at mukha pang kinikilig.

Mia didn’t have a choice but to open her mouth and accept the food that Austin was offering. Then she gave Austin a fake smile.

Austin leaned toward Mia. “If you show me that fake smile again, I’ll kiss you,” he threatened, whispering into Mia’s ear.

Mabilis na nawala ang pekeng ngiti ni Mia. Nag-iwas ng tingin si Mia saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

“Austin, how are you and my daughter?” Camila asked. “Ikaw ang gusto kong tanungin. Ayaw kong tanungin si Mia dahil baka iba ang isagot niya sa tanong ko.”

Natawa ng mahina si Austin. Sumulyap muna siya kay Mia bago siya tumingin sa ina ni Mia. “We’re good, Tita. I am already dating Camille.”

Camille’s face brightened. Tumingin siya kay Mia. “You didn’t lie to me this time, Young Lady.”

“Ayaw niyo kasing maniwala,” sabi naman ni Mia saka nagkibit ng balikat.

Habang nag-uusap si Austin at ng magulang ni Mia, tahimik lang naman ang dalaga na kumakain. Sayang lang at wala si Charles. Wala siyang kaaway ngayon. Mabuti sana kung nandito ang kapatid niya para may kausap siya. Parang ang awkward kasi sa kaniya, eh.

“I heard you have a new project, hijo,” said Johan.

Tumango si Austin. “Opo, Tito. This time, we have a contract with the DPWH to construct a bridge.”

Johan nodded. “Congrats. I heard that it was a big project.”

“Thank you, Tito.”

“Then will you become busy these coming days?”

“Yes, Tita.”

Sa narinig ni Mia, natuwa siya dahil sigurado siyang magiging busy si Austin sa mga susunod na araw. Siguradong wala itong panahon para sa kaniya. Finally, she will be free.

“But I will make time for Mia.”

Bumagsak ang balikat ni Mia saka tumingin kay Austin.

Austin smiled.

Akala naman ni Mia, magkakaroon na siya ng oras para sa kaniyang sarili. She missed commuting. Lagi kasing hatid-sundo na siya ni Austin.

Hinawakan ni Austin ang kamay ni Mia na nasa ilalim ng lamesa. “What’s the matter? Why are you frowning?” he asked gently.

Umiling si Mia. “Wala.”

“That’s good, hijo. Keep it up.”

Mia looked at her mother. “Ma, anong keep it up?”

Ngumiti lang naman si Camila.

Nagpatuloy sila sa pagkain at nang matapos silang kumain, naiwan si Mia sa kusina upang maghugas ng pinggan habang si Johan at Austin ay pumunta sa terasa dahil may pag-uusapan raw ang mga ito.

“Anak.”

Napatigil si Mia sa paghuhugas. She looked at her mother. “Ma.”

Camila walked towards her daughter. “May sasabihin ako tungkol sa inyo ni Austin.”

Mia turned off the faucet and looked at her mother. “Ano po ‘yon, Ma?”

“I know that you have a crush on Austin.”

Lumaki ang mata ni Mia na ikinatawa ng kaniyang ina. Hindi niya inaasahan ang sasabihin nito. “Anong…paano niyo po nalaman?”

Hindi nawala ang ngiti ni Camila sa labi. “If you don’t want anyone to know about it, dapat sana itinago mo sa hindi madaling makita.”

Mia facepalmed. Naalala niya ang sketch pad niya kung saan doon siya gumuguhit. Karamihan ng mga guhit niya roon ay larawan ni Austin at may nakasulat pa sa likod ng sketch pad na ‘yon. Sa dami kasi ng iniisip niya, nakalimutan niya ang tungkol doon. Gamit na niya ‘yon simula noong freshmen siya.

Nang-aasar na nginitian ni Camila ang anak. “So, just try, anak.”

Umiling si Mia.

“Subukan mo lang, anak. Kung hindi mo talaga gusto si Austin, then I won’t force you.”

Malalim na napabuntong hininga si Mia. “Ma, sabi ko naman na. Takot akong mag-asawa.”

Camila also sighed deeply. “Anak,” inayos niya ang buhok ni Mia, “hindi naman lahat ng lalaki ay katulad ng Papa mo.”

Hindi sumagot si Mia.

Niyakap ni Camila ang anak. “Trust me, anak. To heal your trauma from the past, you have to accept new people in your life. Hindi lang dapat iikot ang buhay mo sa akin at sa Papa Johan mo, o kaya kay Charles. You have your own life too, Camille. You have your own happiness. Happiness that we cannot give.”

Hindi nagsalita si Mia. Even if her mother encouraged her, there was still fear in her heart. The fear has been evoked since her childhood days.

Nang makaalis ang ina ni Mia sa kusina, nagpatuloy ng paghuhugas si Mia ng pinggan. At nang matapos siya, pumunta siya sa living room. Through the window, she saw Austin and her stepfather talking outside.

Kapagkuwan napatingin sa direksiyon niya si Austin. Biglang napaatras si Mia saka umalis sa salas.

Austin smiled. Mia was sometimes tough and brave, but sometimes, she was timid.

Johan shakes his head, seeing Austin’s action towards Mia. Even a blind man can see it. “You have a motive for my daughter. Don’t deny it. I can see it in your eyes.”

Hindi nagsalita si Austin at ngumiti lamang.

Johan sighed. “Mia was already of legal age. So, I won’t interfere in her love life. Moreover, you and Mia were already arranged by Camila and Katrina to get married.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Johan. I won’t let Mia suffer.”

“Mabuti naman kung ganun. Marami ng pinagdaanan si Mia noong kabataan niya.” Sabi ni Johan. “Isa lang ang hinihiling ko sa ‘yo. If Mia doesn’t want to marry you, please, don’t force her. Just let her go.”

Natigilan si Austin. Indeed, Mia might don’t want to marry him. Nararamdaman niyang umiiwas sa kaniya ang dalaga. Mailap ito sa kaniya. Parang ayaw pa nga siya nitong makita pero nakikisama lamang ito sa kaniya.

Austin was the kind of person who would do everything to get what he wanted. And he wants Mia. Hearing and judging Uncle Johan’s words, Mia might have unpleasant memories from her childhood days.

“Austin, I know your character. I watched you growing up. Pero sana sa pagkakataong ‘to, kung ayaw ni Mia huwag mong pilitin. After all, a loveless marriage or a forced love cannot give you real happiness,” Seryosong saad ni Johan.

Walang masabi si Austin sa mga oras na ‘yon kundi ang tumango. But still, Austin wanted to pursue Mia until she fell for him. And he was determined to make it happen.

It will one day.