章節 21: The Grand Finale

<p>"Ready?" Matt asked as he stood beside Via. They were waiting for their queue for the Grand Finale. It's the last day of the show and it was a beautiful 7-days performance. They did enjoy it especially him. <br/><br/>"I've done this 6 times already. Ofcourse I am used to it now!" ani Via. <br/><br/>Matt smiled, held Via's hand and led her towards the stage as the narrator called their names. They were greeted with a standing audience, and an elated cast and crew of the show. It was all a success! The whole cast stood up the stage, waved at the audience and, all at the same time, gave their last bow. Then the curtains closed. Everyone was happy and congratulating each other or hugging each other. <br/><br/>Via was busy congratulating everyone who worked hard that made this show a success. Naging maingay pang lalo ang proyektong ito when she acted as the main lead. For 7days pinag-usapan how the prestigious director became the main lead. Everyone got so interested that for 7days the theater was always sold out. Sa sobrang successful ng project, everyone was given a bonus. Kahit pa charity ito, the producers were happy. Everyone involve benefitted.<br/><br/>Pababa na sila ng backstage when reporters came over. Nag-uunahan sa pag-interview sa mas lalo pang sumikat na si Via. Ikinabigla iyon ni Via. Hindi niya ito expected. <br/><br/>"Everybody settle down. Isa-isa lang," awat ni Monique sa mga nagkakagulong reporters. <br/><br/>"Via, gusto lang namin marinig ang opinion mo sa issueng you cheated on your boyfriend SJ Krain!" sigaw ng isang reporter. Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Via. Napatingin siya sa kasunod na si Matt at sa nauunang si Monique. Pare-pareho silang nagulat sa tanong na yun.<br/><br/>"Totoo bang may relasyon kayo ni Aguimatt Aragon kaya't nakipaghiwalay siya sayo?" sigaw pa ulit ng isang reporter. <br/><br/>"W-what?" she muttered. Biglang namental block si Via. Nagulumihanan sa mga tanong na ipinupukol sa kaniya. <br/><br/>"At totoo bang kaya hindi tumuloy si Samantha sa proyektong ito dahil nag-away kayong magpinsan at mas pinili mo si Matt Aragon?"<br/><br/>Hindi alam ni Via kung san nag simula ang lahat ng issueng ito. Ngayon niya lang narinig ang lahat. That's why she doesn't know how to respond. She knew this is a make or break moment. One wrong move and her career is dead. And hindi lang siya ang maapektuhan. She looked again at Matt. His expression was more of pissed than confused. Nakatingin ito ng tuwid sa kaniya. The cameras kept flashing at them. This time, hinaharangan na sila ng mga guards and the whole crew. The reporters were rampaging, pilit na makakuha ng scoop. <br/><br/>She took a deep breath. Hindi niya talaga alam anong isasagot. She just looked at everyone with a worried confused expression. When all hope fails, dumating ang fairy godmother niya in the form of Luisa Aragon. <br/><br/>"Via and Matt denies nor admits these issues," ani Luisa in a firm voice. "We will respond in the right time and that is not today. We have just watched a successful play. Hayaan niyo muna kaming magcelebrate," Luisa said in a tone na tila naman naglalambing. <br/><br/>The reporters laughed at it but insisted on getting a scoop. But then Luisa, urges her guards na alalayan na sila palabas. Via just gave Luisa a grateful look as Luisa assured her with a smile that it'll gonna be fine. Inalalayan siya ni Matt palayo sa mga nagkakagulong reporters. They headed straight out of the building. Hindi na nila nagawang magpalit ng suot nilang costume. Nakasunod pa rin sa kanila ang mga reporter. But Matt, hurriedly assisted her in a van na pag-aari nila Luisa and they immediately leave. <br/><br/>She was shaking. Hindi niya yun napansin kanina because Matt was holding her hard. Her brain could explode sa dami ng pumapasok sa isip niya. <br/><br/>'What did you do, SJ?' tiim-bagang na bulong niya sa utak. <br/><br/>SJ was supposed to do the rest of the play as planned. But since Matt insisted na ito pa rin ang gaganap hanggang matapos ang Linggo, hindi naman na ito nagpumilit. He even said he needs to go back to London as well dahil may nakahang na trabaho pa ito dun. Akala niya ok na ito when he left. But what happened after that, wala na siyang alam. <br/><br/>Lumingon siya kay Matt. "Do you have a phone? I left mine sa office," she said in a very weak tone. She felt like crying. Hinuhulasan na siya ng lakas ng loob. <br/><br/>Matt took a phone from storage box sa loob ng van. "This is an emergency spare. You can use that," ani Matt. <br/><br/>Nanginginig ang kamay na inabot ni Via ang telepono. She started looking in internet kung ano yung issue na nangyayari in her name. She saw an article from London Weekly. Nakalitanya doon ang detalyeng interview ni SJ regarding sa pagka-broken hearted nito. It said that SJ went here in the Philippines para sundan sana si Via and he found out that Via was cheating with Matt. SJ tried to win her back but Via chose to stay. Nabanggit din sa article na SJ sought the help of Samantha since their cousins and Via's best friend from the Philippines para magkaayos sila. But Via was stubborn and accused her cousin that she's flirting with SJ. Samantha was taken out of the project out of spite and SJ comforted Samantha as a way of gratitude. <br/><br/>Via felt rage, frustration and so much hate for SJ and Sam. Tinanggap niya ang lahat ng katarantaduhan at panggagamit na ginawa sa kaniya ni SJ. Hindi niya sinira ang pangalan nito sa kabila ng mga rasong walang kasing babaw. Inintindi niya ito bilang kaibigan. Tapos ito ang sasaksak sa kaniya sa likod. She overly exposed her back at them para magawang sirain siya ng ganun kadali. Napapikit siya. Clenched her fist and hindi na niya napigil, she cried her heart out. <br/><br/>Matt didn't utter a word. She just let her cry...<br/><br/>****<br/><br/>Via didn't know how long has she been crying. Pero tila mauubusan na siya ng tubig sa katawan sa dami ng niluha niya. Her eyes were so swollen and her nose was all red . Halos paningkit na rin ang mata niya kakaiyak. Matt, stayed beside her. Nakaparada na sila sa tila harbor dock. Sa labas ng van, tanaw nila ang mga nakaparadang yacht.<br/><br/>Inabot ni Matt ang isang boteng tubig ng mineral water mula sa driver nila. He twist its cap to open. Saka inabot sa kaniya. Pahikbi-hikbing nilingon niya iyon. <br/><br/>"You have to drink now. Madedehydrate ka na sa dami ng iyak mo," Matt said more of nag-uutos rather than nakikiusap. <br/><br/>Umiiyak man, inabot pa rin ni Via ang bote ng tubig. Ramdam niyang nauunahaw na rin siya. She tooked the bottle and drank it. Medyo kumalma siya when she finished drinking. It's as if narecharge ang body fluid niya. <br/><br/>"I'm sorry," she said ng humihikbi. "For being overly dramatic. I was just raging bad inside. Hindi ko mailabas, so I cried," aniya wiping out her tears. <br/><br/>Matt didn't reply. Hinayaan lang siya nito. He waited for her na matapos sa pagpupunas ng luha. Via made a one very deep breathing, tumingala as if forcing her tears na wag na tumulo. She closed her eyes, umiling-iling, then looked at Matt. <br/><br/>"Where are we?" she asked out of nowhere. Napalingon din siya sa paligid. They were still inside the van, pero wala na ang driver nila. Hindi niya napansing umalis ito. Probably to give her privacy. <br/><br/>"Are you feeling better now?" tanong ni Matt. He is confused sa biglang inakto ng dalaga. <br/><br/>Umiling-iling si Via. Napayuko ngunit pinipigil ang luha. Hindi niya kayang itago kay Matt ang totoong nararamdaman niya sa mga oras na iyon. She badly need someone to comfort her. To tell her that everything will be fine. <br/><br/>Matt opened the van's door. Napaangat ng tingin si Via. He stepped out of the car, then held his hands towards hers. <br/><br/>"Commo'n. I know a place that will help you feel better." <br/><br/>Inabot niya ang palad ni Matt and stepped out of the car. They were still in their costumes. She's wearing a princess gown and Matt has still his prince-overalls on. Para silang mga real life prince and princess sa isang fairy tale. <br/><br/>They walked towards a dock and tumuloy sa isang nakaparadang yate. Inalalayan siya ni Matt sa paglakad sa bridge papasok sa yate. It was a huge yacht. 2 levels. It has large cabins and a very luxurious space.<br/><br/>"You can go upstairs. May aayusin lang ako," ani Matt. Napalingon siya sa likod ni Matt. Natanaw niya ang driver nila kanina. Tila tutulungan nito si Matt sa pag-aayos ng yate. Sumunod siya kay Matt. She walked towards a stairs patungo sa pinaka-rooftop. It was a huge lounge area. At sa pinakagitna was the captain's control cabin. She was amused of how luxurious the yacht was. She maybe exposed in all elegant materials but she can't help but to admire how wealthy Matt is. <br/><br/>'He's richer more than I thought he is,' aniya sa sarili. <br/><br/>Umupo siya sa lounge couch and waited for Matt. Medyo madilim sa yate since the engine hasn't started yet. Ilang saglit lang dumating na din si Matt. <br/><br/>"You okay?" Matt asked. Tumango lang siya. <br/><br/>He headed towards the control cabin and somehow operated the engine. <br/><br/>"Are we sailing?" she asked.<br/><br/>Hindi sumagot si Matt. He just looked at her and nagmaniobra na sa pagpapa-andar ng yacht. Via calmly seats sa lounge sofa. Ilang saglit lang and they were sailing. She felt the midnight breeze as Matt manages the steering wheel. Sinandal niya ang ulo sa headrest and looked up the starry sky. It made her feel at ease and somewhat calm. Tila nalimutan niya ang masakit na bagay na kanina lang ay nagpapagalit sa kaniya. <br/><br/>For about 30minutes, naramdaman niyang tila bumabagal sila. Hindi naman sila nalayo sa lupa. For she can still see from afar the twinkling city lights. Pagkuwa'y the yacht stop. Napalingon siya kay Matt. She saw na parang may kinalikot pa si Matt before he stop working on sa control cabin and walked away from it. Lumakad ito towards the stairs and sandali itong nawala. When he got back, may bitbit na itong bote ng wine and a 2 goblets. Umupo ito sa tabi niya. <br/><br/>"This should be a good spot," anito as he opened the wine bottle and poured some on the 2 glasses. "You can scream here and take out your rage. No one will hear you," Matt said as he handed her the wine and he sip on his glass. <br/><br/>Napatitig siya kay Matt and let out a weak smile. It's kind of platonic but very sweet. Matt knows how to take care of her. Not too cheesy but so warm and a little caress. Inabot niya ang alak. Matt clinked on his glass and they drink at the same time. She drank hers bottoms up. Matt poured another glass. <br/><br/>"This is an expensive yacht. I have never been to one before," ani Via. Just making conversations.<br/><br/>"This is a gift from JV. He gave each one of us for helping him with Alli," kwento ni Matt as if normal lang na nireregaluhan ng kaibigan. <br/><br/>Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Via sarcastically. Sinasampal siya ng katotohanan that Matt is not really ordinary. He's way richer than all of the people she knows. And his friends are beyond billions para regaluhan sila nito ng ganito ka-luxurious na yate!<br/><br/>"I just realize how poor my friends were," ani Via. "I hope the wives of Warrior Five liked me so much to consider me a friend," she somewhat joked. Matt smiled tila na-gets nito ang gusto niyang tukuyin. <br/><br/>"You're right though," sabi pa ni Via. "This is a perfect spot for taking out rage." She reached again for the glass of wine and drink one more bottoms up. Nakakadalawang baso na siya. "Pour me more," utos niya as she finished the glass. Tila gusto niyang lunurin ang sarili sa alak. <br/><br/>Matt hesitated but poured her another glass. This time kinuntian niya lang since Via is drinking it all throughout. <br/><br/>"I met SJ when he was just a breakout model sa Paris Fashion Week. I directed his first runway," she said out of nowhere. Medyo nagkakaepekto na yung wine sa kaniya. She is not an alcohol drinker. 2 glasses would make her feel a little less tipsy. "He was this promising, handsome model that would make a girl swoon over. He's not that jerk in the beginning. He's so nice to people and he takes care of me. I gave him a lead role in one of my films. And that started everything..." tuloy-tuloy na kwento niya. <br/><br/>"Are you inlove with him?" diretsang tanong ni Matt. Hindi niya gustong marinig ang kwento ng love story nito sa british actor. But he wants to be sure kung kaya ba umiiyak si Via ngayon dahil may pagmamahal ito sa aktor and that jerk is hurting her. <br/><br/>Via pouted. "I think I was but it was more of petty admiration than real affection. I broke up with him but showbizness is way too complicated. People will talk eventhough how petty the scoop was. I guess, I just let him used me a lot for the sake of keeping his career."<br/><br/>"Why do you let him use you?"<br/><br/>Tumingin si Via ng tuwid kay Matt. "That's how I am, Matt. I am passionate for others. Ganyan ako pinalaki ng Sta. Clarita. You know how much it hurts seeing your friends leave the orphanage because may nag-adopt na sa kanila? It was really heart breaking but you have to force yourself to be happy because that will make your friend so much happier. I've seen a lot of my friends left Sta. Clarita and honestly, I never heard from most of them since then." <br/><br/>Napatitig lang sa kaniya si Matt. He finally realized that Via was his ideal girl. She may be pretty on the outside but more beautiful on the inside. His affection towards her was more than just a typical relationship. He really wants to marry her. <br/><br/>"It's too much, Vi. You openly let people hurt you," he said. He wanted to protect her to all these pain. As long as he's here, hindi niya hahayaang gagamitin pa ng iba ang weakness na iyon ng dalaga. As for SJ, he'll deal with him later. <br/><br/>Napabuntong hininga si Via. She took the wine drank it again and stood up. Lumapit ito sa edge ng yate. She looked at the twinkling lights from the city afar. <br/><br/>"Heyyyyyyyy!!!! We're herrrrrreee!!!" She screamed and waved na tila may tumatawag. Tumayo din si Matt at lumapit sa kaniya. Bahagya niyang nilingon ito and smiled. "May kasama ako rito!!!!! This is a really big scoop! Come and get it!!!!" sigaw niya as if urging reporters na pag-usapan pa sila. She laughed at it and Matt was looking at her smiling. <br/><br/>She stopped. Took a deep breath then looked at Matt. Sinalubong naman ni Matt ang tingin niya. Matt felt that Via's stares was different. Bigla itong nagseryoso. Her eyes travelled from straight to his then unti-unting bumaba to look at his lips. He understood what that stare could possibly meant. Pinigil niyang mapalunok but he felt his heart skipped a beat. <br/><br/>"V-vi?" he uttered sounding like he's urging her. He looked straight at Via's face full of admiration. If Via crosses the line, sigurado siyang hindi na niya mapipigilan ang sarili. <br/><br/>"I am wondering..." ani Via in soft utter still looking at his lips. "...how will people react if that made up rumors were tru---" <br/><br/>Hindi na natapos ni Via ang sasabihin niya. Hindi na nakapagpigil si Matt. Matt wrapped his arms around Via's waist, pulled her up and locked his lips to hers in an intense kiss. Mariin ang paglapat ng labi niya kay Via and he hugged her tighter. Feeling all her body warmth to his. He insisted his tounge on Via's. His kiss meant affection and lust all in one. He does not hesitate na iparamdam iyon ngayon sa dalaga. <br/><br/>Via was surprise with Matt's action but didn't stop him. Infact, pinulupot pa niya ang braso sa leeg nito and pulled him closed to a tight embrace. Naging mas madiin ang paghalik sa kaniya ni Matt. She felt the lust with affection on it. She let out a soft moan na tila nagpabaliw pa sa katinuan ni Matt. He hugged her tighter that almost lift her on the ground. It took awhile before Matt slowly released his lips. But then hindi ito lumayo sa kanya. He still hugging her tighter. His eyes were close but his forehead was glued on hers. Ramdam niya ang hingal ng hininga nito sa mukha niya. She was as well catching her breath. <br/><br/>"If you won't stop me, I won't be able to control myself," pabulong na turan ni Matt. He opened his eyes and looked at her. His tight hug remains. <br/><br/>Sinalubong niya ang tingin nito and without hesitation, she replied... "I want you, Matt. I want you now."<br/><br/>Matt didn't hesitate. He pulled her tighter, reached for her lips and kiss her again. This time, he's not stopping...</p>