Saving Harper

Well what I just said definitely wiped off the smug look on my sister's face but I quickly looked at Xavier. Shit. What did I just do???

I swallowed hard. Feeling ko ang tagal nyang nakatitig saakin because of what I just blurted out. Feeling ko lang yon. Feeling ko din naman gusto ko ng mamatay e pero yun ba yung nangyayari ngayon? Hindi.

Shit, please play along Xavier. I internally prayed. I can't exactly give him any discreet sign to just do it kasi I'm sure nakatingin lang saamin yung pamilya ko. Wala akong ibang mabigay sakanya kung hindi ngiti.

He stood up to face my parents and nakipag kamay sya sa tatay ko. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Javier." He said with a smile. Wait paano nya nalaman na doctor yung tatay ko? Xavier did the same to my mom. Okaaay. Alam nyang parehong doctor yung magulang ko? How?

Teka mamaya nako pwedeng madistract pag upo na ng pamilya ko sa mesa nila which hopefully is far, far, far, from where we are seated so I can explain myself sa assistant ko.

"This is my sister Hilda, and her fiancé, Nick." I gestured to my sister and Nick and kinamayan din sila ni Xavier. Wala pa ding nagbabago kay Nick since I last saw him. Mukha parin syang bored over everything. Di nya alam na sya yung boring. Fuck I'm dying tapusin na natin to.

"Why don't you join us?" My dad said. Oh shit. I don't know for how long I can hold the fake smile on my face.

"Uhhhm—" I started to say. Paano ba tanggihan to? Should I say na paalis na kami?? I really don't want to eat dinner with my family, lalu na if kasama pa yung last-minute fake boyfriend ko.

"Sure." Xavier answered my dad at the same time that I was about to deny the request. Hindi nya alam what he just signed up for by saying yes to dinner with my parents. TANGINA. WHY.

We followed them to their table and Xavier placed his hand sa likod ko para alalayan ako to walk ahead. Hopefully yung electricity na nararamdaman ko sa katawan ko was because of all the panic I was still feeling. And not because hinawakan nya ko.

Shit. I don't know anything about Xavier! And knowing his last name doesn't count! Paano kami mag iimbento?!

My mom asked our waiter to add two places in their table. I was seated next to Xavier and katapat namin si Hilda at Nick while mom and dad sat on both ends.

I whispered "Sorry." kay Xavier habang distracted yung pamilya ko sa pag pili ng oorderin nila.

Bumulong si Xavier sakin. "Wag ka masyadong kabahan Harper. We got this." He assured me and hinimas din nya yung likod ko.

Well I wondered earlier kung mabango sya and now I have the answer. Mabango sya. It was a scent you would want to swim in. Di ko alam kung kakayanin ko tong gabing to.

After ordering, as expected it was Hilda who threw the first question. "So how did you two meet?" She smiled expectantly. Muntik nakong umirap. Can she be genuine for once??? Hindi yung parang chumichismis lang sya. "Work." Xavier simply answered and he draped his right arm sa sandalan ng upuan ko.

Puta. Alam ko na yung susunod na tanong dyan. "Ah really, so what do you do there?" My sister smiled again. Tangina as if interesado sya talaga don. She's just waiting for an opportunity na mapunta lang din sa kanya yung conversation. She's very vain like that.

"I'm an Art Director." He answered. I slowly looked at him while trying to control my face. Is he pretending to be Franco??? But Franco's already a Senior Art Director and heads the whole department, well baka hindi nya alam yon. Lumingon sakin si Xavier and kumindat saakin when he saw me looking at him. Muntik nang tumigil yung mundo ko. The extra feelings were not helping. Di ako pwedeng ma distract dahil kasama namin pamilya ko.

"What exactly is that?" Hilda asked condescendingly. Hindi ko na napigilan yung sarili kong umirap sa kanya. Ano porket di tungkol sa pagdodoktor wala na syang alam? "He designs book covers and graphics. As well as marketing and publicity materials." I simply said.

"Any books you did that I might have seen around?" She asked. "He designs novels not med books." I said flatly.

"Masyado kang masungit, ate. Ganyan din ba sya sayo?" Hilda looked at Xavier ignoring the sour look I gave her. "Di naman. Masungit lang sya pag nag aaway kami. Wait, ikaw yung ate? I thought mas matanda sya babe?" He turned to me and pointed his thumb at Hilda.

Shit. Babe daw. Bakit parang nakikiliti ako don?

I just smiled smugly at Hilda who looked scandalized at what Xavier said. She always hated it pag pinagkakamalan syang mas matanda saakin. I'm glad Xavier knew exactly how to annoy her.

"Ohmygod not because I'm engaged, I'm older!" Nagreklamo sya. As if naman nasusukat yon don.

"No babe, si ate Holly yung iniisip mo." I turned to Xavier. I was still feeling smug dahil sa pagmumukha ng kapatid ko.

"Speaking of Holly, are you going home for her birthday celebration?" My mom turned to me.

"What hindi sya sa ospital magcecelebrate? Baka mag reklamo mga pasyente nya. Or yung mga pasyente nyong lahat?" I pretended to look shocked para asarin lang yung nanay ko.

"Don't be ridiculous Harper. We're all taking the time off for her birthday. As should you. She's turning 30." She smiled, for Xavier's sake. Very fake. Dahil kung wala dito si Xavier, hindi sya talaga ngingiti. "Wow sana all napapansin yung birthday at hindi lang tinetext." I said under my breath to myself before continuing to answer. "Yeah titignan ko. I'm busy."

"You should come home. And bring Xavier. What's your last name? Harper missed telling us when she introduced you." My dad turned to Xavier.

"Arnaiz." He answered my dad.

"So did you take up Fine Arts? Hindi ba yun yung course ng mga art directors?" My dad tried making conversation. Nag tataka ako that he even knows that.

"No, sir. I took up Architecture." He answered. Nagulat ako, I'm not even sure if what he's saying is true. I just acted like I already knew all of this. Mukha naman akong tanga kung hindi ko alam yung mga bagay na to tungkol sa boyfriend ko. "So why aren't you practicing? Are you a licensed Architect?" My dad prodded. I wanted to apologize for how he asked that. Di ko alam what's seriously wrong with this family. It's like licensed professionals are the only superior beings. "Yes I passed the board exam seven years ago. Our family has an architecture firm but I'm still exploring my options, sir. Though I'm also taking my master's degree in Architecture right now." Xavier answered. Nagugulat din ako at how at ease he was telling all of these things.

"Wow you're still able to do that while keeping a regular job?" My mom sounded surprised. Masyado atang nakukulong sa ospital tong mga to. Of course, there are a lot of people who can earn their master's degree while working. Si Jem nga

e.

"Yeah, I'm taking it online. University of Washington." He simply answered.

Gusto kong malalaglag sa upuan sa mga pinagsasasabi nya. Tangina palaki ng palaki yung mga kasinungalingan namin ah. And University of Washington? What the hell??? Di ba pwedeng UST or UP na lang? Kailangan halfway around the world pa? As if my parents are going to do a background check. Siguro yun lang iniisip nya. Pero still, what the hell???

"Wow really? University of Washington? So how does it work?" Nick spoke up. Finally, something interesting for Dr. Nicholas Geronimo. He's as airheaded and self-centered as my sister. Bagay sila.

Xavier started explaining to them. I had no idea what he's saying pero parang alam na alam nya lahat. I wonder why? Shit could everything he's saying right now be true? Pero paano sya magiging art director e assistant ko nga sya diba? Buti nalang dumating na yung pagkain at nalipat nanaman yung topic sa kasal nila Hilda specifically sa food menu dahil may steak din (yeah napapunta talaga ni Hilda yung topic sa kasal nya using steak) and sa entourage line up nya, to her delight and to my relief. Pero kasama parin ako dun sa entourage nya. Feeling ko dahil lang kasama si Holly so napilitan syang isama ako.

"You should bring Xavier to our wedding!" Hilda said nung patapos na kaming kumain. Nag panic nanaman ako. In six months? Baka hindi nako natiis ni Xavier non. As a boss and as a pretend girlfriend.

"Yeah kung kami pa." I joked throwing it out there para lang hindi sila magulat na all of a sudden wala nakong boyfriend. "Grabe ka naman babe, syempre tayo pa non." Xavier smiled sweetly at me which I reluctantly returned. Wala akong karapatang mag attitude sa kanya dahil nag magandang loob na nga syang sakyan yung kahibangan ko to save my face sa pamilya ko.

"Alam mo bang ikaw palang yung pinapakilala nyang boyfriend nya saamin?" Hilda said looking at Xavier. "Aksidente, Hilds." I corrected. Di ko naman alam na nandito din sila. Kung nakita ko lang sila bago nila ko makita I would've covered my head with a sack.

"But I'm glad to meet you hijo. Wala ngang dinadala yang si Harper sa bahay, not even her friends. And we'll be happy to have you there. Pumunta ka din sa birthday ng ate nila next Saturday. Most of the family will be there." My mom smiled at Xavier ignoring my retort. Alam nilang wala akong dinadala sa bahay kasi I wanted to stay away from there whenever possible.

"And our wedding." Hilda reminded again. "Yeah, yeah, ikakasal ka na. I think he already knows that." I rolled my eyes at her. Natawa nalang si Xavier para mag mukhang nagjojoke ako.

"It's going to be in Boracay!" Hilda almost squealed with excitement. "What?! It's going to be in Boracay? I thought you already booked some big church somewhere here in Manila?" Nagulat kong tanong. Yeah this is what I get for not being updated sa ganap ng pamilya ko.

They just fucking invited Xavier to a wedding of someone he just met. In Boracay. I'm going to apologize for a lot of things as soon as we lose my family. Ako pa pala yung mag kakautang na apology dinner.

"Yeah, Nick's mom suddenly wanted a destination wedding. So why not Bora? We already booked Fairways three months ago..." Hilda said. Then she gabbed on about Nick's mom's connections na wala nakong interes marinig. Well shit. Pero di ko naman kailangang dalhin si Xavier don. Pwede ko namang sabihin break na kami. Hell, I can even say na nag break na kami tonight.

"I'll put you in as ate's plus one. I'll give your invitation through her." Napapikit nalang ako sa sinasabi ng kapatid ko. Inakbayan ako ni Xavier and pulled me towards him. "Harper, relax. Hinga." He whispered to me. Kita na nya na stressed nako. His scent calmed me like what white flower usually does for my migraine. Tita much, pero effective. Both white flower and his scent? Definitely yes.

The dinner was finally over. After making sure my family was already out of earshot I turned to Xavier. "Ohmygod I'm so sorry!!!" I quickly said to him. "I'm sorry you had to go through that! I didn't know what I was thinking. Natrigger lang siguro ako nung itsura ng kapatid ko, but it's inexcusable. I thought they were sitting somewhere else di ko naman inisip na iimbitahin nila tayo sa mesa nila. I'm really sorry."

Natawa sya ng slight. "Don't worry about it, Harper. It's fine. I guess bawi nako for calling you a bitch last night?" He asked as if yun yung point ng lahat ng pinagdaanan nya. Well maybe it was what drove him to play along so I can forgive and forget about the bitch incident. Sa ngayon mas ako pa yung nahihiya.

"Definitely. Baka lugi ka pa. They are so stressful. I'm really sorry for all those questions. Usually pag hindi doctor yung kaharap nila wala silang masyadong tanong, I don't know why they have so many questions now and sayo pa." I groaned. "Ok nga lang. I don't mind. Do you ever relax Harper?" He chuckled. "Yeah, pag tulog." I joked. Well, half-joked kasi may katotohanan yun. "Makes sense." I slapped his shoulder playfully sa sinabi nya habang nag simula na kaming mag lakad pabalik sa mall to go to where we parked.

"Funny, we came here so I can get to know you but mukhang ako pa yung nakilala mo." Hirit nya. "So wait..." I trailed. "Everything you said there was true?" I looked at him shocked. Sorry pilig na pigil na yung expressions ko kanina sa harap ng pamilya ko wala nakong lakas para itago yung gulat ko ngayon.

"Yup." He shrugged. "What the fuck? You're an Art Director sa office??? And totoo din na architect ka and yung University of Washington?!" I felt humiliated. "Yup everything I said was true." Natatawa nyang sagot. I stopped walking to survey his face to look for any hint of pagbibiro. There wasn't any. Aliw na aliw lang sya sa mga nakikita nya ngayon saakin.

It suddenly made sense. Kaya nya kilalang-kilala si Franco! And it explained the extra desktop he has on his table kasi he was also doing artworks. And with the way he talks to me, that's why it was so casual kasi hindi lang sya basta-bastang assistant! God Harper you are so clueless!

"Why didn't you say so nung napagkamalan kitang assistant ko???" I groaned and covered my face, hiyang-hiya sa sarili ko kung gaano lang ako ka-assumera dahil lang nakaupo sya don. Natawa sya sakin and gently pulled my hands away from my face.

"Sinabi ko kay Franco tapos tawa sya ng tawa then it gave me an idea na pumasok na din ako as your assistant. Pumayag naman sya. If hindi mo ko magustuhan, I still have a job. Pumayag din naman yung HR. I needed the extra pay kasi hindi mura yung master's ko. So, win-win." He explained and just shrugged.

"So you still want to be my assistant?" Nagulat kong tanong. Why???

"Yeah. You're not exactly hard to work with. Kayang-kaya." Tinaasan nya ko ng dalawang kilay and smiled slyly. "Yeah di ako bitch. Quits na tayo dun." I chuckled.

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"So wait, what's the deal with your family? Bakit hindi ka close sa kanila?" He asked as we started walking again.

"Well as you already know, they're all doctors. They wanted me to be one but nag matigas ako ng ulo dahil ayoko talaga. From there, the relationship went downhill. It became unbearable to stay with them dahil they never failed to mention to anyone who would listen kung bakit hindi ako nagdodoktor at ang tigas ng ulo ko. I moved out bago ako grumaduate ng college and I needed to work to sustain myself. Kaya din napunta ako sa Carte since ok lang sa kanila to take in working students and they pay well. Wait paano mo pala nalaman na doktor silang lahat?" I asked him.

"I researched you." He simply answered.

"Meaning tinanong mo si Franco." Hirit ko and hindi na nya kailangan sagutin yon. Franco was the type to spill every information about me kung itatanong yon sa kanya.

"So bakit hindi nila inexplain saakin kung bakit hindi ka doktor?" He asked.

"I think they don't want to scare you away since they really think you're my boyfriend. Pero malamang it's going to come up eventually pag nakasama mo pa sila ulit." Umirap ako while walking sa parking lot papunta sa kotse ko. Teka Harper, 'ulit'.

"Yeah, sa birthday ng ate mo I might hear it." He answered. Bigla ulit akong humarap sa kanya. "You're going??" I asked. "Bakit? Ikaw hindi ka pupunta?" He chuckled. Sumingkit yung mata nya saakin.

"Yes I'm going, I'll never hear the end of it from my mother pag hindi ako pumunta. But you don't have to go. Baka mas madami ka pang gagawin sa buhay mong mas importante rather than attend my sister's birthday." I told him. Hindi ko na muna mabring up yung wedding kasi ang tagal pa non and I don't want to interfere with any of his plans. And he definitely doesn't need to attend that. "Yeah I'll go din. Curious ako sa pamilya mo e. But only if you want me to go." He bit his lower lip.

Nakatigil na kami sa tapat ng kotse ko. Do I want him there? Parang ayoko kasi baka nakakahiya ako or yung pamilya ko. "Yeah sure, it might make the night bearable." I shrugged. Akala ko ba ayaw mo, Harper?

"Okay then. It's a date." He smiled brightly at me. Wow. Date. Hoy Harper wag kang mag mukhang tanga ngayon. He's just your fake boyfriend. FAKE. At sa pamilya mo lang na once a month mo lang nakikita for 2 hours tops.

I clicked on my alarm and nagulat ako na hindi sya gumagalaw para sumakay. "Could I drop you off somewhere?" I asked ayoko naman maging rude. Actually, I thought nga na gusto nyang bumalik sa office for a car or something. "No, I live nearby. Kaya din dito ako nag reserve para mas madaling umuwi in case hindi mo ko mapatawad. Hinatid lang kita dito sa parking." He smiled sheepishly.

"Wow sweet." I intentionally said that flatly.

"Syempre, anong klaseng boyfriend ako pag di ko hinatid yung girlfriend ko?" Kinindatan nya ko ulit before opening my car door for me. My breathing hitched. WAG MAGFEELING, HARPER! Madami namang mababait na lalake, in case you have forgotten about that since wala kang social life.

"Good night Xavier. Thank you for tonight and I'm so sorry ulit sa pinagdaanan mo." Mukhang hiyang-hiya parin ako sa kanya. Na totoo naman! Buti nalang I don't have to see him tomorrow kasi weekend na. "No big deal Harper. I'm happy to do it for you. Good night and enjoy the weekend. Ingat pauwi." He gave me another smile and sumakay nako sa kotse ko.

My heartbeat was not slowing down na hindi ko nga namalayang bumilis pala. What is happening to me??

I woke up to my ringing doorbell. "Wait!" I called out lazily kasi pangatlong sunod-sunod na to.

I got out of my bedroom and trudged past the living room and kitchen para buksan yung pinto. I opened the door not bothering to look kung sino yon kasi alam ko na and pumunta sa kitchen to try and look if may pagkain ako. "What the hell??? You have a boyfriend?!" Jem's loud voice greeted my whole condo.

"May dala ka bang pagkain?" I asked her while I rummaged through my pantry. Finally, may cereals pa ko. I should do my groceries soon.

"Hoy Harper! Answer me! Sino yung boyfriend mo?" Umaaligid na ngayon si Jem sa kusina ko following me as I got a bowl, spoon, and milk. "Can you brew some coffee?" I asked her.

"Can you answer my questions first??? Di ka mag kakape hangga't di mo ko sinasagot!" She frowned at me.

"Saan mo naman napulot yang balita na yan?" I lazily asked her as I set down my breakfast sa counter.

"Sa cousins' group chat! Wag mo kasi i-mute! Pinagkakalat ng kapatid mong bunso late last night! And that you introduced him to your family kagabi. Wait is it Franco nanaman?" Kahit na sinabi nyang she's going to hold my coffee hostage, she started brewing.

"No it's not Franco." I said then I started eating.

"So there's a boyfriend???" Gulat na gulat si Jem.

"Wala din. Well may fake boyfriend." I answered her. "Bakit fake? Pinilt ka ba nila tita na may ipakilala?" She asked as she poured us both coffee.

"No. I didn't even know that were dining in the same restaurant kung nasaan kami." I told her.

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"So wait, you're out on a date with your fake boyfriend? E di hindi na fake yon!" She said as she set down my coffee and umupo din sya sa stool sa counter next to me.

My doorbell rang again. "Pagbuksan mo na muna yung kakambal mo I'm sure sinabihan mo na din sya kaya pareho kayong nagmamadali papunta dito." I was sure it was Liv. Naging close na din si Jem at Olivia dahil silang dalawa lang yung palagi kong kasama.

"So may boyfriend?" Liv asked Jem as soon as she entered. "Fake daw. Pero kung fake news, di ko pa alam. Ikekwento palang nya, you're just in time." Jem said. I moved to my living room carrying my bowl of cereals and coffee. Akala mo naman wala ako sa sarili kong condo kung mag usap yung dalawa tungkol saakin.

"So ano na?" Liv asked and umupo na din sya. Not long after sumunod si Jem with her coffee.

Sinabi muna ni Jem kay Liv yung sinabi ko earlier habang inuubos ko yung cereals ko. After non, ang impatient na nila. "So hindi si Franco? Sino??" Liv faced me.

"His name is Xavier. And he's my assistant."

Naubo si Jem sa kape nya at what I said. "Gaga ka Harper! Assistant? Seriously??"

"Teka bago ka mang-judge, eto yung nangyari." I narrated to them what happened last night. Di napigilan ni Jem umirap kapag reactions na ni Hilda yung kinekwento ko. Kilala din nya yung kapatid ko. Sinadya ko din i-huli yung part na hindi ko pala sya assistant at kung paano ko din nalaman.

By the time na matapos yung kwento ko, natawa si Liv at Jem saakin. "Puta I can't believe na pinagkamalan mo lang yung kung sino-sino na kapalit agad ng assistant mo without even asking him. Di ka nahiya? Inutus-utusan mo lang agad?" Liv said.

"I know! Hiyang-hiya kaya ako nung nalaman ko! And medyo tanga talaga ako don." I admitted.

"So wait itatanong ko na yung pinaka importanteng tanong. Gwapo ba sya?" Jem giggled.

I paused to think about it. I wasn't really thinking if gwapo si Xavier or hindi. Di naman ako madidistract sa itsura nya kung hindi diba. I paused to think if I should tell them of that fact. Parang if I say it out loud it confirms na guilty nga akong I find him attractive.

Gaga Harper gwapo lang or hindi yung tinatanong. Walang attraction na pinaguusapan dito. Just answer the question!

"Yeah gwapo sya. I think that's why Hilda was interested and binalita pa nya sa inyong lahat." I finally answered them. "OMG!!! Anong pangalan nya ulit? I'm going to search." Jem said nung sinabi kong gwapo. They had to see for themselves. "Xavier Arnaiz." I said. Tumalon din si Olivia sa kabilang couch to join Jem sa pwesto nya.

"Ay naka private sa Facebook. Tignan natin sa Instagram." Jem typed again.

"Ayan! Naka public sa IG. But naka side view sa profile pic di ko makita masyado yung itsura pero grabe yung jawline at ilong ha. And puro artsy shit yung post. Medyo mahilig kang mang date ng mga art directors no?" Jem commented. "Scroll mo lang sa baba may pictures yan!" Liv said pointing to Jem's screen.

"Oh my god! Ang gwapo nga!!" Jem shrieked showing me a picture of Xavier na black and white. Nakatingala sya sa camera. Pinipigilan kong ngumiti kasi ang gwapo nga nya don. I took a mental note to scan his IG pag alis nitong dalawa. She scrolled again.

"Kaya naman pala pinakilala mo syang boyfriend mo." Liv said mag kadikit na yung ulo nila ni Jem while they're both looking at Xavier's Instagram profile.

"Wala naman akong choice sya lang yung kasama ko." I said. Actually it was more like si Xavier yung walang choice.

"Alam mo Harper, wag ka ngang mag deny. Feeling ko naman kung panget yung kasama mo di mo naman ipapakilalang boyfriend mo!" Liv said accusingly. "True!" Jem laughed.

"Saka Harper. Sa totoo lang ganitong-ganito yung mga type mo." Liv said knowingly.

"Di nya idedeny yan." Natatawang sabi ni Jem. "Ohmygod! Pag nakita to ni ate Holly..." She trailed off.

Well fuck. They all knew Holly has this thing for guys that we most like. Na gwapo. Naalala ko ang tagal nilang hindi nagpansinan nung isa naming pinsan kasi Holly caused her break up with her boyfriend back in med school. May inagawan din sya ng boylet na pinsan din namin. Grabe pala mag mahal ng pamilya yung kapatid ko. I scowled.

"Ok lang yan girl. Di mo naman sya dadalhin sa birthday ni ate Holly. Right?" Jem looked up from her phone.

I bit my lower lip. "Mom and dad invited him." Gusto kong masuka. How can I forget how Holly is around guys?

"Shit. Baka magfeeling yang ate mo na birthday gift mo si Xavier sa kanya." Liv made a face. She also knew all the Holly stories-na nanulot yung ate ko ng boyfriend ng kung sino-sino only to discard them pag nag sawa na sya. I honestly don't know how she does it. Aren't doctors supposed to be busy?

"Yeah. Lalu na kasi hindi mo naman talaga sya boyfriend." Jem added.

Nakita nilang nakasimangot nako. Holly will definitely try and mag pacute kay Xavier at alam kong hindi ko mapipigilan pag nagkagusto si Xavier sa kapatid ko.

"Hoy Harper kung gusto mo si Xavier ilayo mo sya sa ate mo. Baka kahit fake boyfriend mawala pa sayo." Olivia's words rang in my ears.

Will it be okay if magkagusto si Xavier kay Holly? Lalu na kasi hindi naman talaga kami so wala akong karapatang pigilan yon?