Pursue Her Heart

CHAPTER 24

PAREHONG tahimik na kumakain si Austin at Mia habang nag-uusap ang kanilang mga magulang. They were in a restaurant, eating lunch together, as their parents talked about their engagement. Ramdam ni Mia ang tingin sa kaniya ni Austin pero pinipigilan niya ang sarili na mapatingin rito.

“Camila, our kids were already together. Don’t worry, we won’t pressure Mia to get married. We only want to ensure that there will be no trouble in the future,” said Katrina, smiling.

Lihim na napailing si Mia. Noon pa man napansin niyang mabait ang ina ni Austin pero… may malaking ‘PERO’. Austin’s mother was a kind woman but scheming. It was proof that Austin’s mother wanted to have a guarantee that she would marry Austin.

“Katrina, bakit kaya hindi na lang natin hayaan ang dalawang bata? We should let them make their decision.” Sabi ni Camila. Sumulyap siya kay Mia at nakatungo lamang ito na kumakain.

Ngumiti si Katrina at itinuon ang atensiyon kay Mia. “Mia, what do you think? Don’t worry, if you marry Austin, I won’t let my son bully you. If he dares to bully you, I will beat him up. Or castrate him if you dare to cheat on you.”

Austin looked down at his crotch. Napailing siya. Ang nanay niya talaga. Parang hindi siya ang anak nito.

Mia smiled inwardly. Pero hindi niya napigilan ang mahinang pagtawa niya.

“You’re laughing at me?”

Napatingin si Mia kay Austin saka umiling. “I’m not.”

Inabot ni Austin ang pisngi ni Mia saka pinisil ito. “Kumain ka ng marami. Ang payat mo.”

Biglang kinurot ni Mia si Austin. “Hindi ako payat. Talagang ganito lang ang katawan ko.” Aniya.

Tumawa lang ng mahina si Austin saka naglagay ng ulam sa pinggan ni Mia.

“Mia?”

Napakurap si Mia saka napatingin sa ina ni Austin. “Sorry po. Ano po ‘yon?” tanong niya nang maalalang may sinasabi sa kaniya ang ina ni Austin.

Ngumiti si Katrina. “I’m happy that you and Austin have a good relationship.”

Napatingin si Mia kay Austin pero agad din siyang nag-iwas ng tingin.

Do we really have a good relationship? Mia asked herself.

After all, they were just pretending. Pero hindi niya alam kung ano ang mangyayari pagkatapos ng pag-uusap na ito.

At that moment, Austin also looked at Mia. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang iniisip ng dalaga. About the engagement, he didn’t mention it to Mia because he didn’t want her to feel pressured.

Mia took a deep breath. After talking with a stranger the other day, she came up with a brave decision. “I will marry Austin,” she said.

It’s time for her to face her own fear. The fear that was buried deep in her heart and mind. She thought nothing would happen if she left in fear. She should be brave enough to face her own difficulties so she will have a bright future.

Johan and Camila were surprised by what Mia said.

“That’s great, hija. I really like you to be my daughter-in-law.” Natutuwang sabi ni Katrina.

Napangiti si Austin nang marinig ang sinabi ni Mia. Tumingin siya sa magulang ni Mia. “Don’t worry, Tita, Tito. I will take care of Camille.”

Hinawakan ni Austin ang kamay ni Mia.

Mia stared at their entwined hands. At the same time, her heart was beating so fast. Hindi niya alam kung kinakabahan ba siya o dahil ito sa nararamdaman niya para kay Austin.

Pagkatapos ng tanghalian, nagkahiwa-hiwalay na sila. Pero ginusto ni Austin na mag-usap silang dalawa ni Mia kaya naman dinala niya ito sa kaniyang kumpanya.

“Anong pag-uusapan natin?” tanong ni Mia.

Tipid na ngumiti si Austin. “About us.”

Napatango si Mia. It’s better if they talk now. “So, what now? Do you really want to marry me? I wanted to ask. Hindi ka kasi nagsalita kanina.”

“Yes,” Austin answered, smiling.

“Why?” tanong ni Mia habang nakatingin kay Austin. Nakaupo siya sa swivel chair ni Austin habang ito ay nakaupo sa visitor’s chair na nasa harapan ng lamesa nito. Nagpalit na sila ng posisyon. Parang siya na ang boss.

Austin didn’t answer and was only looking at Mia. If he tells her now, he might scare Mia. He could feel that Mia was distant from him, and the wall she put up for herself was not yet broken.

Nang hindi sumagot si Austin, napangiti na lamang ng pilit si Mia saka tumango. “Looks like I think too much.”

“Camille, can I ask you something?”

Tumango si Mia.

“You told me before that you didn’t want to get married. But you said earlier that you wanted to marry me.”

Napabuntong hininga si Mia. “I have a reason,” Ngumiti siya ng pilit. “Before, I really didn’t want to get married. That’s why I agreed to pretend with you.”

“And now?”

Umiling si Mia. “Katulad ng sabi ko may rason ako.”

“Pwede ko bang malaman?”

“A trauma,” sabi ni Mia habang nakatingin ng deretso kay Austin. “Pero hindi pa ako handang sabihin sa ‘yo.”

Nakakaintinding tumango si Austin. “Then I will wait for you to say it.”

“Austin?”

“Hmm?”

“Paano kung hindi talaga buo ang desisyon ko sa engagement na ito?” tanong ni Mia.

Bahagyang natigilan si Austin. “Then you should have said that you’re not yet ready. Camille, for what you have said, I’m sure my mother and your mother were already planning a grand wedding.”

Mahinang napabuga ng hangin si Mia. Ipinatong niya ang braso sa lamesa saka ipinatong ang baba sa kaniyang braso. Ipinikit niya ang mata. She was impulsive earlier. With a half-hearted decision, she decided to agree on the engagement.

“Austin, I’m marrying you because of gratitude. Papa Johan was good to me and my mother. He’s also the reason why I can see my mother’s happy smile that I haven’t seen before. I’m sorry, it’s just that this is too sudden.”

“I thought you liked me too.” Sabi ni Austin sa mahinang boses. He was saddened to hear the reason why Mia wanted to marry him. “Gratitude…”

Austin looked at Mia. “Then I will make you marry not because of gratitude,” he said as he stood up and walked towards Mia.

Kinabahan naman si Mia nang makita niya ang anyo ni Austin. He was unhappy and was upset. Napaatras siya nang lumapit sa kaniyang binata at humawak ito sa itaas ng backrest ng swivel chair na kinauupuan niya.

“Austin…”

“Camille, I’m your fiancé. You should start calling me with endearment.” Seryosong sabi ni Austin.

Napahawak si Mia sa balikat ni Austin at sinusubukan niya itong itulak pero para lamang siyang tumutulak ng pader. “Lumayo ka nga. Ang lapit mo.”

Ngumisi si Austin. “Camille, I think you should get used to me being close to you like this. After we get married, we will live under one roof.”

Umiwas ng tingin si Mia pero hinawakan ni Austin ang panga niya saka siya pinaharap rito. Lumaki na lamang ang mata niya nang halikan siya ng binata.

Mia tried to push Austin away, but he held her hands.

Austin lifted Mia from the chair and made her sit on the table. He continued kissing her.

Hindi naman makagalaw si Mia upang itulak si Austin dahil hawak nito ang dalawa niyang kamay.

Austin kissed Mia passionately. Even at first, he was aggressive.

Sinusubukan ni Mia na iiwas ang kaniyang mukha pero hinahabol ni Austin ang kaniyang labi hanggang sa hawakan ng isa nitong kamay ang batok niya. Holding her nape, Austin claimed her lips, and he even entered his tongue inside her mouth.

Napapikit na lamang si Mia dahil sa sensasyon na kaniyang naramdaman sa mga oras na ‘yon. Hanggang sa na-enganyo siyang tumugon sa halik ni Austin. This was not the first time they had kissed, but it felt like it was their first.

“Camille…” Austin called Mia’s name affectionately before continuing to kiss her again.

Kusang pumalibot ang braso ni Mia sa leeg ni Austin.

They kissed as if there were no tomorrow.

Bumaba ang halik ni Austin sa leeg ni Mia.

“Austin…” Napahawak si Mia sa kwelyo ng damit ng binata.

Kapagkuwan biglang tumigil si Austin sa paghalik kay Mia. Ibinaon niya ang mukha sa leeg ni Mia. “I will talk to Mom. I will tell her that our wedding should not be rushed.”

Mia closed her eyes. “Thank you.”

Hindi alam ni Mia kung tama ang naging desisyon niya. She has already given her word to the Esquivel Family, and she’s a kind of person who always values her word. Takot siyang magpakasal dahil sa mga nakita noon na nangyari sa nanay niya. But she wanted to reciprocate the kindness of her stepfather. Nakita niya kasi ang saya sa mga mata ng kaniyang ina na hindi niya nakita noon nang kasama pa nito ang kaniyang tunay na ama.

Mia embraced Austin. Siguro iba naman si Austin sa tunay niyang ama.

She hopes…