Stonehearts 10: Tourmaline

Six

"SAAN ka pupunta?" Biglaang tanong niya nang kinuha ko ang bag ko mula sa sofa kung saan niya iniwan kanina. 

I looked at him confused. "Sa BnB ko. Over staying na ako rito sa bahay mo."

He thinned his lips before speaking, "Look, stay here. Ikaw na rin nagsabi na halos wala ka ng pera. I'm not going to charge you anyway."

Umiling ako, "I don't want to impose."

"You're not imposing anything. If you're thinking that you don't want to stay here because I'm here, you don't have to worry. I don't."

"Saan ka nag-st-stay?"

"I have another property near my friend's business. Doon talaga ako."

I thought for a second while looking at him. He poured himself another glass of orange juice and drank it before speaking again, "It's none negotiable, gorgeous. You're my wife and I take care of what's mine."

What he said send shivers down my spine and I felt a litter of goosebumps covering me. "I-I'm not yours. Akala ko ba the paperwork not registered yet?"

"That I'm still to find out. That's my agenda for today, to talk to my guy. So for the meantime, stay here. I'm sure you also want to know if you're really Mrs. Ricafrente or not."

I fisted my clammy palms. Somehow, it felt warm and safe being with him, to be under his care. He's like this mini-fort I used to hide into when I was young, a safe haven. 

"Are you sure?" I croaked.

He grinned at me, "Sure as I can be, gorgeous."

"But I still have to go to my BnB. Lahat ng gamit ko nandoon pa. Or what's left of my clothes anyway." I said with a shrug.

He shook his head but his smile is still plastered on his lips, "C'mon, get ready. I'll be at the car waiting. I'll help you gather your things."

He dunked another of his orange juice before his phone rang. Sumimangot siya nang nakita niya kung sino ang tumatawag pero, "Excuse me, I have to answer this." He said and went on his way out of his house.

Binalot ako ng katahimikan. Saka ko napag-isip-isip lahat ng nangyayari sa buhay ko. 'Yong dapat na kasal ko, 'yong paglayas ko, 'yong pagpapakalasing ko, hanggang sa nandito ako ngayon sa bahay ng hindi ko kilalang lubos na tao.

Lumapit ako sa pinto bago ako nagdalawang-isip buksan iyon. Sapagkat sa oras na lumabas na ako, sumama sa kanya, at pumayag na tulungan ako, alam kong malaki ang chansang hahanap-hanapin ko siya. Dahil sa oras ng wala akong kaakibat at wala akong matakbuhan, siya lamang ang nahanap ko.

Huminga akong malalim at binuksan ang pinto. I found him pacing beside his car while barking orders angrily at whoever's on the phone. "The system was more efficient when Arcie's handling it. I need you to fix this or else I'll call Ray to have you replaced!"

I paused midway when our eyes met. I saw how his emotions visibly relaxed. "Fix it." Then he dropped the line. "Sorry, gorgeous. Work calls." Tugon niya sabay suklay ng buhok niya gamit ang mga daliri niya. Then he shook his head and smiled. "Let's go? Lead me to your BnB."

He opened the door and waited for me to get inside his Mercedes. Siya rin ang nag-suot ng seatbelt para sa akin bago siya naglakad-takbo papunta sa driver's seat.

"Uhh, dito pala 'yong BnB ko." Mahinang sambit ko sabay pakita sa kanya ng address. Mukhang kabisado niya ata ang buong Baguio dahil tumango lang siya bago niya pinaandar ang sasakyan.