CHAPTER 12
1102 Words
MIA was in the kitchen and eating chocolate chip cookies when she received a text from Austin. Nagtaka pa siya dahil gabi na.
‘What are you doing?’
A smile formed on Mia’s lips. She took a picture of the cookies and sent it to Austin.
‘Can you give me some?’
Napatingin si Mia sa cookies.
‘Okay.’
‘Alright. Give it to me tomorrow.’
Natawa ng mahina si Mia. Austin was demanding.
‘The cookies I ate at your house before were delicious.’
‘Of course, because I made it.’
“Delicious, ah. He knows how to talk,” Mia said, staring at Austin’s message. ‘Anong ginagawa mo?’ she asked.
‘Thinking of you.’
Mia rolled her eyes.
‘I always think of you, Camille. But you seem to be distant from me.’
Natigilan si Mia. I am distant? She sighed. I am indeed.
Mia was trying to suppress her feelings for Austin. They were just in a fake relationship. Ayaw niyang dumating ‘yong point na mahulog ang loob niya sa binata. She knew that in the future, they would split up.
Pakiramdam ni Mia, piniga ang puso niya sa iisiping maghihiwalay sila ni Austin in the future. For the sake of their mothers, they were pretending to be a couple. And she knew Austin would never like her.
Sino ba naman siya para pagtuunan nito ng pansin?
She’s just a simple girl from a simple family. She was not like the other women who always walked with grace and sophistication.
Napailing na lamang si Mia saka hindi na nagreply. It’s better to ignore Austin’s sweet swords. Austin is a man. Sigurado siyang maraming naghahabol rito. Hindi na siya nagtaka dahil ito pa ang nag-alok ng tungkol sa fake relationship nilang dalawa.
‘Camille.’
Mia typed on her phone to reply, but she erased it and turned off her phone. It’s better if she doesn’t get involved too much with Austin. Tinapos niya ang pagkain ng cookies saka umakyat ng hagdan.
Napadaan siya sa kwarto ng kaniyang magulang at bahagya itong nakabukas. Narinig niya ang mga itong nag-uusap.
Hindi na sana papansinin ni Mia ang mga magulang pero narinig niya ang kaniyang pangalan na nabanggit.
“Mia was afraid of marriage because of what she experienced in her childhood.”
Johan's voice was heard. “If Mia didn’t want to marry Austin, it’s okay. I can compensate the Esquivel Family in another way.”
“But that was a lot of money. The compensation was your hard work.”
Nagtaka si Mia kung ano ang pinag-uusapan ng kaniyang magulang. Why should I marry Austin?
“Pero ayaw ko namang pilitin si Mia. Alam mo naman na ang mga pilit na bagay hindi rin magiging masaya. All I want is Mia’s happiness.”
“But you told me before that it was because of the Esquivel that you reached this kind of life,” said Camila.
“Camila, I don’t want to sacrifice Mia’s happiness,” Johan said, sighing. “If I only knew that this day would come, I would never have agreed with them before.”
Napahawak si Mia sa hamba ng pintuan at patuloy na nakinig.
“Johan, huwag mo na munang isipin ang tungkol doon. I think Mia and Austin are in a good relationship now.”
“Camila, what if Austin and Mia were just pretending to appease you and Austin’s mother?”
Mia stilled. Her stepfather hit the nail on the head.
“Hindi naman siguro. Kausapin ko na lang si Mia.”
“Huwag. I don’t want Mia to think I would use her to repay Esquivel’s kindness.”
Dahan-dahang umatras si Mia saka nagtungo sa sariling kwarto. No wonder Austin mentioned to her about marriage before.
Malalim na napabuntong hininga si Mia. Ayaw niya munang isipin ang tungkol sa mga bagay na ‘yon. Magpapanggap na lamang siya na wala siyang alam. She doesn’t want to get pressured.
Marami na siyang iniisip tungkol sa university lalo na ngayon at nalalapit na naman ang finals nila. Next year were her on-the-job training. Kailangan niyang pagtuunan ang tungkol sa pag-aaral niya kaysa sa ibang bagay. Saka na lamang ang tungkol sa kanila ni Austin. This time, she would only go with the flow of their relationship.
Pretending… alright. She has nothing to say.
NATIGILAN si Mia nang makalabas siya ng gate ng bahay nila at makita si Austin na nakasandal sa hood ng sasakyan nito.
Austin was wearing his formal attire, and he looked handsome in it.
“Morning, Camille.”
Bahagyang natigilan si Mia. Pakiramdam niya kasi ang sweet ng pagkasabi ni Austin sa pangalan niya na ginawang endearment ni Austin. Nahilot niya ang sentido. This was not good for her.
“What’s the matter?” Austin asked, seeing Mia massaging her temple.
Umiling lang naman si Mia.
“Are you sure?” Paniniguro ni Austin.
Mia looked at Austin. “I’m fine.” Aniya.
Biglang naalala ni Mia ang tungkol sa narinig niyang usapan ng kaniyang magulang kagabi. She wanted to ask Austin, but she already knew his answer. By the time Austin offered to have a fake relationship, she knew that Austin was not interested in marriage.
“Let’s go.”
Tumango si Mia saka sumakay sa passenger seat.
Inilahad ni Austin ang kamay kay Mia. “Where’s my cookies?” tanong niya.
Mia rolled her eyes. “Kasasakay ko lang. Cookies na ang tinatanong mo.” Aniya.
“Baka kasi nakalimutan mo.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Esquivel. Hindi pa naman ako makalimutin. At wala akong alzheimers.” Kinuha niya ang transparent na baunan na nasa loob ng bag niya at ibinigay ito kay Austin.
Austin sighed. Isa lang ang sinabi ko. Ang dami na niyang sinabi. Women are really… but…
Napangiti si Austin nang makita niya ang cookies. “Thanks.”
Tumango lang naman si Mia saka ikinabit ang seatbelt.
Austin put the cookies on the dashboard and started the car’s engine.
Habang humaharurot ang kotse, nagsalita si Mia.
“Mr. Esquivel?”
“Hmm?”
“If in the future, you meet the person you like, can you tell me honestly?”
Nagtaka si Austin. Sumulyap siya sa dalaga. “Bakit?”
“So, we can stop our fake relationship.” Napahawak ng mahigpit si Mia sa strap ng kaniyang bag. Deretso ang tingin sa daan.
“And would you do the same?” Austin asked with no emotion in his voice.
“Of course.”
Austin’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. He glanced at Mia. As if I will give you that chance, Camille. Never.
- Writer
