3

"Ma, where are you? I'm waiting for you for ages," naiiritang wika niya sa ina pagkasagot pa lamang nito sa telepono.

Kanina pa siya naghihintay sa ina na galing sa isang buwang pagbabakasyon sa Paris. Hinayaan na lamang niya itong magliwaliw kasama ang mga kaibigan kaysa sa siya ang kulitin nito sa loob ng isang buwan. Naiirita na kasi siya sa tuwing babanggitin nito ang pagkakaroon ng apo kahit na wala naman siyang seryosong nobyo.

Isang mahinang tawa ang naging sagot ng kanyang ina bago ito nagsalita, "I'm sorry, dear. Sumabay na ko sa Ninang Mhel mo sa pag-uwi. Actually, we're eating in her new franchise of restaurant."

Napaikot na lamang ang kanyang mga mata at napabuntong-hininga. Same old times, ang lakas talaga ng topak ng kanyang nanay, "What will I expect, right? You've been always like that, I wake up so early just to prepare for your homecoming, but this is what I get in return. How could you, mother?," may bahid nang paghihinanakit ang naging boses niya.

"Oww...I'm so sorry, dear. I'm just hoping that you will find your lover there in airport or somewhere around it. You know, my unica hija, you're not getting younger and me also."

"Here we are again, Ma. I told you, I'm still young. I'm just 27 years old for pete's sake. And don't act like a cupid, mother. You're so childish."

"Ayoko lang naman na tumanda kang mag-isa, dear. You know, you have everything already through your hard worked. I want you to settle and be happy."

Para namang may humaplos sa puso niya nang marinig ang sinabi ng ina. She's been always like that, reminding her like she used to do since she was young. Unlike before that her Mom prohibiting her to be in a relationship, now, she was the one who pursuing him to find a man. Mother will always be a mother.

"I know, Mom, don't worry I will give you a grandchildren. Just wait me to find my man."

"I'm excited for that, dear. Don't forget to introduce him to me first, okay?"

"Yes, 'Ma. I will."

"Okay. You got to go and do your things. We're about to start, dear."

Tumango naman siya na parang nakikita siya nito, "Okay, Ma. Bye. I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart."

And with that their conversation ended.

Napabuntong-hininga muna siya bago napagdesisyunang lisanin na ang waiting area ng airport.

Habang naglalakad siya palabas ay may napansin siyang isang pamilyar na lalaki sa hindi kalayuan. He is talking with a man wearing a formal coat with an attached case on his hand.

Ilang minuto pa siyang tumitig sa makisig na likuran ng lalaki bago niya napagdesisyunang ipagpatuloy ang paglalakad. Ngunit bago niya pa maalis ang tingin sa lalaki ay lumingon na ito sa gawi niya. They looked each other for a minute.

And she felt a thunder of lightning all over her body. She feels the intensity of his blue eyes. Tila hinahalukay nito ang pinakamalalim na parte ng kanyang kaluluwa sa paraan ng pagtingin nito. Her heartbeat becomes unstoppable. Malayo man sila sa isa't-isa pero ang puso niya ay parang napakalapit dito at wala pang ilang segundo ay maririnig nito ang pintig ng kanyang puso.

That guy will never erase in her mind. In her heart. In her soul. That guy is the only man who makes her heartbeat unbearable. It was the same guy who stole her heart ten years ago. He is no other than, Leonardo Marasigan.

"WEAR that black masquerade mask in the party, okay?," muling paalala sa kanya ni Vixen, ang VP for Marketing ng Sylvania Company.

Tumango lamang siya dito at patuloy na pinatungan ng powder ang mukha, "Why the hell you did not informed me about this charity party? You know? I'm not prepared," naiiritang wika niya sa lalaki habang nagmamadaling gawing presentable ang sarili.

That guy beside him did not informed her about this party. That's why, she just wore a backless black long gown na nakatago pa sa cabinet ng kanyang opisina.

Pilyo namang ngumiti ito sa kanya at hinipo ang kanyang pisngi, "Your secretary just told me about this a while ago, I'm not fully informed, too. But don't worry, Toni, you are still pretty even with your bare face...or naked."

Malakas naman niyang pinakli ang kamay nito at sinamaan ng tingin, "Don't flirt with me, Mr. Khalid. You're not my type. Act like a professional."

Matagal na niyang alam na may gusto sa kanya ang bise-presidente ng kanyang kumpanya. Ngunit sa lahat ng lalaki na nakilala niya ay ito ang hindi niya pinatulan. She wants to separate her personal life to her career and workplace. And that man is her co-worker, it's a different thing.

ISANG oras din ang naging biyahe nila papunta sa hotel na pagdarausan ng charity party. That event is memorable as it will serve as the bridge for different big companies here in the Philippines to merge and communicate. There will be a bidding, a free bidding for everyone wherein, each company must offer something that will serve as their bidding. And the price that will be earned ay mapupunta sa pagpapatayo ng mga bagong pabahay sa mga mahihirap. And that idea makes her heart warm to offer bigger.

"Anyways, darling, about our offer, this is an unprepared party that's why I just put your name as a bribe," pakli ng kanyang katabi habang naglalakad sila papasok sa loob ng hotel na pagdarausan.

Masama naman siyang napatingin dito, "For real, Vix? You made me as a bribe? How could you?"

"What? That's not a bad thing, baby. You're precious and I'm pretty sure men will do everything just to get you, by hooked or by crooked."

"You're unbelievable, Vix. So, that's the reason why you asked me to wore this mask?"

Nagkibit-balikat naman ang kanyang katabi at inakbayan siya habang iginiya sa isang lamesa malapit sa stage, "Well, sort of. Don't worry, the guy that will buy you will never get the chance to touch you. This will be an act so that there will be a money that we can donate for the charity. I know that you are longing for that kind of idea. Helping the poor."

TAHIMIK na nakatingin si Leo sa kanyang telepono at nagbabakasali na tugunin ng dating nobya ang kanyang mensahe. Ngunit inabot na siya ng ilang minuto sa pagtitig dito pero wala pa ding pamilyar na pangalan ang rumerehistro sa screen.

"Hey Leo! Focus! The bidding will about to start," ani ng kanyang katabi na si Ethon, his business partner and a long time friend of him.

Tumingin naman siya dito bago binulsa ang telepono sa bulsa ng kanyang pantalon, "I know. I'm just waiting for her reply, dude," he honestly said what comes up in his messy mind.

Tumikhim naman ang kaibigan at tinapik ang kanyang balikat, "Stop it, Leo. Your girl already found other man that can fulfill her needs that you can't. Move on, dude!"

"Paano ako makakamove on agad? Fucking ten years bro, fucking ten years that I wasted my time for a wrong girl. I thought that she's the one for me, the one that I can offer in front of Him, the one that will carry my name, but I was wrong."

Inabutan naman siya nito ng alak bago humalumbaba sa kanyang harapan, "Maybe because there's someone meant for you? Why not try search that woman who fought with you through an eye contact yesterday? She's freaking hot, dude!," anito bago sumimsim sa alak na kinuha pa niya sa waiter na dumaan sa kanilang harapan.

"Who's woman?"

"The one in the airport. You forgot? Nakipagtitigan ka pa nga sa kanya. And if I'm not wrong, it last for about ten minutes."

Ipinagsalikop niya ang kanyang mga kamay bago tinugon ang kaibigan, "Baka napatingin lang 'yun sa gawi natin or maybe she recognized me for someone else. Masyado ka talagang ma-issue."

"Whatever, dude. But still, that girl with a slender body, yummy boobs and hot ass is so freaking beautiful. I think I already saw her face in a business magazine. Why not search for her?"

"Ikaw kaya ang gumawa tutal ikaw naman ang may type dun. Huwag mo na kong idamay sa mga kalokohan mo."

Nagkibit-balikat naman ito, "Why me? You're the one who has a strong connection and you're an attorney, dude."

Hindi na lamang niya pinansin ang kaibigan at tumingin na lamang sa stage kung saan nagsisimula na ang bidding. Iba't-iba ang mga ino-offer ng bawat kumpanya. May mga antique na gamit, rare accessories and jewelries at ang iba naman ay tao. At wala siyang balak mag-aksaya ng pera sa mga ito. He can't find something that will caught his attention.

Naalala na naman niya ang dating nobya na ipinagpalit siya sa isang kano. Ngunit pilit niya iyong iwinaksi at inalala ang babaeng nakadaop ng kanyang mga mata kahapon. Hindi niya maipagkakaila na maganda nga ito, pero hindi sapat ang kagandahan nito para maramdaman niya ang mabilis na tibok ng puso na iyon. He felt electricity drawing in his body. He heated. But still, he don't want to know that woman, masyadong mainit ang daloy ng kanyang dugo, masyadong mapanganib sa kanyang ulirat.

"And for Sylvania Company, they offered for bidding this beautiful young lady behind her mask. Please come here in front, Neitte," masiglang wika ng master of the night sa harapan.

Malakas naman na palakpakan ang dumaungdong sa loob ng bulwagan.

"Dude, put your bet now. She's freaking hot like hell," bulong sa kanya ng kaibigan.

Napako naman ang kanyang tingin sa babaeng nasa gitna ng stage. Nakasuot ito ng isang itim na long gown, it was backless reveling her nakedness behind. The fabric hugged her body perfectly. Her body is breathtaking. And the mask that she wore gives more an intense aura to her, it was so attractive to looked in her eyes and shaded lips. Her wholeness gives a hard time for every man in this area without putting off her mask, paano pa kaya kapag tinanggal na nito ang maskara?

Ngayon lang niya naramdaman ang pagnanasa. He already felt something down there having a hard time. This woman is so tempting.

"Who will start the bidding?," nakangiti pa ding wika ng tagapagsalita.

"10 million!," panimula ng isang may ka-edaran na lalaki.

"Higher than 10 million?"

"20 million."

"30 million."

"35 million."

"40 million."

"Any offer?"

Napatahimik naman ang mga kalalakihan at wala pa ulit nagbabalak na itaas pa ang offer. Malaki naman ang ngiti ng isang binatang lalaki na kung hindi siya nagkakamali ay ka-edaran lamang niya.

Hindi na siya nagdalawang-isip pa at itinaas na ang kamay, "90 million."

Malakas naman na nagsinghapan ang mga tao sa bulwagan sa naging offer niya. Kahit siya, nagulat siya sa lumabas sa kanyang bibig.

"Higher than 90 million?"

Nang wala ng umangal sa mga kapwa niya business men ay pumalakpak na ang master of the night at nginitian siya, "Well, Mr. Marasigan, you won the bidding! Congratulations!"

"Good job, dude. You are back!," nakangiting wika sa kanya ni Ethon habang may pagtapik pa sa kanyang balikat.

Napatingin naman siya sa dalagang pinagkagastusan niya ng 90 million.

Is she worthy, tanong niya sa sarili.

Hindi niya na makilala ang sarili. Ngayon lang siya nagdesisyon ng hindi pinag-iisipan.