Unspoken Attraction

The sun was just about to set and the soft flow highlighted the whitewashed walls with terracotta roofs. Ainara loved their home and it was one of the reasons why she took Architecture instead of a business degree. Tanaw niya ang lahat mula sa kanyang pribadong balkonahe. 

The lush gardens and centuries-old acacia trees were still there and she remembers her old tire swing. Naroon pa rin ang bougainvillea na walang sawang mamulaklak. Her favorite color became fuchsia because of it.  

She noticed the cobblestone path that would lead guests through a candlelit courtyard. May string lights na nagsasalimbayan doon at mistulang mga alitaptap. Romance was in the air, but how come knowing her mother is remarrying does not make her happy? Gusto rin naman niyang sumaya ang kanyang ina. It’s just that Jaime is— she had no words. Mabait naman sa kanya ito kahit noon pa kaya hindi rin niya maintindihan ang sarili kung bakit inaayawan niya ito para kanyang ina. 

Ang malamyos na kundiman ay pumailanlang. Nag-eensayo ang quartet na pinili ng kanyang ina para tumugtog ngayong gabi at mag-entertain sa kanila. 

It looked perfect— too perfect almost. The round tables in ivory linens each adorned with low arrangements of white orchids and eucalyptus and golden anthuriums. Noon pa man ay mahilig na sa orchids ang kanyang ina kaya hindi s’ya nagtatakang ‘yon ang pinili nitong tablepiece. 

Hindi nagtagal at isa-isang nagdatingan ang mga bisita. She knew some of them. And then some, she’s never met before. Baka kakilala ni Jaime. The host started to talk and welcome everyone. And through it all, she had a champagne flute on her hand. Si Santino ay nasa parehong mesa pero busy sa kanyang nobyang si Julie. 

“Sorry, I’m late,” halos pabulong ‘yon pero kilalang kilala niya kung sino ang nagmamay-ari. 

Ainara swallowed as she felt his hot breath against her nape. She was unsure whether to turn and greet her boss… her soon-to-be stepbrother. 

“That’s understandable. The jetlag could be vicious,” sagot niya rito na hindi humaharap. Kunwari ay busy s’ya sa pakikinig sa sinasabi ng host, pero ang totoo ay wala s’yang naiintindihan.

When the appetizers were served, doon lang umayos ng upo si Ainara. Why did they have to sit together? Pwede namang sa ibang table ilagay si Andres. 

“Look, honey. Our kids are all seated together. Aren’t they adorable?” It was her mother who spoke.

Jaime gave Ainara a kind smile. “How was the flight, Ai? You must be exhausted. I asked your mother to move the date so you can rest pero hindi s’ya pumayag. She wanted the engagement party to happen exactly how she planned it.”

Pinigilan niya ang mapabuntong hininga. “Yep— that’s Mama.”

Nang tawagin ito ng isang kaibigan ay nag-excuse sa kanila kaya naiwan sila sa mesa. They ate in silence and soon, people started dancing. Ainara decided to take a walk until she reached a quiet spot in the garden. Naupo s’ya sa isang bakanteng bench doon saka sumimsim ng champagne. 

“You have to slow down with that,” he said. 

Napapikit si Ainara. Nandito na naman si Andres at sinundan s’ya. 

“What are you doing? Why are you following me? Don’t you have business to attend to?” 

Tinaasan s’ya nito ng isang kilay. “We’re at a party and I have no intention of working tonight. I’d rather talk to you.”

Ainara rolled her eyes. “Masakit ang lalamunan ko. I don’t want to talk.”

“Your voice doesn’t seem hoarse.” Akmang sasalatin pa ni Andres ang noo niya kaya napaatras ang katawan niya. “You’re lying.”

“Kung ayaw mong maniwala, wala akong magagawa.” She was about to take another sip but Andres took the glass flute from her. “Hey!” 

Andres put it down on the far side of the bench. “Sasakit lalo ang lalamunan mo kapag uminom ka pa ng champagne. It’s sweet.”

“I like sweet.”

Naupo si Andres sa tabi niya. Pabalagbag kaya para s’yang na-trap sa pagitan ng mga hita nito. 

“If you like sweet… then try me.” 

Kay lapit ng mga labi ni Andres sa kanyang gilid ng tainga. She felt the sparks and if he doesn’t step away from her soon, the fire in her will start to burn. 

“Andres, we can’t—“ She felt so weak saying that, but she hoped that he won’t notice it. 

“We can’t… but you want to.” He continued to flirt with her. 

This time, his finger traced the middle of her back down to her waist. Low cut ang suot niyang damit at manipis ang taling naka-crisscross sa likod. She felt so exposed in front of him and yet she’s dressed. 

“There’s something between us, Pilar. Don’t deny it.”

Hindi naman niya itinatanggi ‘yon. And if circumstances were different, baka i-entertain niya si Andres pagkatapos niyang umalis sa company nito. 

“We should not start something that is bound to end, Andres. We can’t date each other. By law—”

“They are not married yet,” giit ni Andres. 

“At kapag kinasal na sila, titigil na tayo?” 

“Hindi natin kailangang tumigil kung walang nakakaalam.” He took a few strands of her hair, saka pinaikot nito sa daliri. “I think we have something rare.”

Napailing si Ainara. “You have no intentions of getting married, Andres— but I do. I want to settle down and have a family someday.”

Andres stopped what he was doing and let go of her hair. “Change is constant.”

“Does that mean you’ll reconsider marriage?” Hindi nakasagot si Andres. “And let’s say you finally consider it, you still can’t marry me because—“ 

The next few words were caught in her throat. Hindi niya namalayan na malapit na ang mukha ni Andres sa kanya. She can feel his breath fanning her face. 

Are they finally going to kiss? 

Hindi pa kasal ang mga magulang nila. May oras pa—

Ainara closed her eyes and silently gave permission for Andres to kiss her lips, but before he was able to do that—

“Ate!” 

Saved by her baby brother. Narinig niya ang mahinang mura ni Andres dahil na-interrupt sila.

“What are you guys doing here? Mama’s looking for you. Come on!” 

Ang mga mata ni Santino ay puno ng duda sa tagpong inabutan. He’s maybe younger than them but he is not dumb. He knows about the birds and the bees. 

And right now, her sister is that delicate flower caught in a crossfire.