"Well, I've always want a brother.

"
Nagpatuloy sila sa pagkukwentuhan tungkol doon hanggang sa napuna ni Ate Reanne ang
binabasa ko.
Napatuwid ako sa pagkakaupo nang pinili niyang punahin iyon.
"Iyong play na sinalihan mo?" she asked.
I nodded. "Malapit na kasi at ang last part, 'di ko pa masyado kabisado."
"That's taking up too much of your time. Malapit na exams n'yo, 'di ba?"
Ngumuso ako at pinanatili ang mga mata sa aking mga papel. Nang naramdaman ni Ate
ang pag-ayaw kong
pag-usapan iyon ay iniwan niya na kami ni Amer sa library. And I don't think I'll
ever like that afternoon
when all he talks about is Vincent and his greatness.
Nakakarindi. Lalo na noong dumating na sina Mommy at Daddy galing trabaho. Mommy
started talking to
Amer patungong dining table. Nakasunod lamang ako sa dalawa.
"Naku, Tita! A ang grade namin sa P.E. dahil sa performance namin! That's our exam,
you know!"
"That's great! Sana naman ay hindi P.E. ang pinakamataas na marka ni Eury..." sabay
tingin sa akin.
Naupo ako sa aking upuan. Umupo si Amer sa tabi ko. Nagkasya sa parihabang lamesa
kaming anim, kasama
si Vincent, Dad, at ang dalawa kong kapatid.
I can feel Amer's usual glance at Vincent who's sitting beside Ate Lyanna.
"Naku, I assure you, Tita. Maganda rin ang marka niya sa ibang subjects!" si Amer
sabay tingin sa akin.
As if that will help. Mediocre grades won't get to my parents. They want those A or
A plus plus. There is no
roomfor good grades. They want it with flying colors.
"'Tsaka malapit na rin iyong Romeo and Juliet namin, Tita. Ako 'yong director noon
at si Eury ang gaganap na
Juliet!" si Amer.
P 6-5
"When is it again, Eury?" si Ate Lyanna sa isang pormal na boses.
Nakita kong pareho sila ni Ate Reanne na nakatitig sa akin. Only Ate Reanne's a bit
smiling while Ate
Lyanna's too serious.
"Next week Monday."
"Ayos lang sana kung sa Calculus at Statistics niya inubos ang oras niya, Amer.
Pero mas mahaba yata ang
oras niya sa arts," si Daddy.
Amer's used to this. For the past years, he's witnessed the disappoinment of my
parents. Never failing to
make me feel it everytime I'mtalked about.
"Ganoon talaga 'yon, Tito! Ako nga, hilig ko rin ang arts, e. Designing, modeling,
make ups, theater arts! And
Eury is so good in theater arts. Her face is always in demand sa mga lead roles! At
syempre, nasabi niya na
po ba sa inyo? She's offered a shoot fromCandy Magazine!"
"The magazine for teenagers?"
Sinipat ko si Daddy. Hindi ba nasabi ko na iyon?
"Oh she didn't mention? Nakapasok siya, Tito. I talked it out to my Tita and then
she was convinced. She said
Eury is such a beautiful girl! Readers will dig her so much!"
"It is alright to like the arts but at least, sana maganda rin ang marka niya sa
ibang subjects. Last year our
attentions were called because of her Chemistry and Trigonometry grade. May tutor
na iyon, bumagsak pa."
Ngayon ba talaga tamang pag-usapan ang ganito?
"Well, she's tutored. I'msure she won't fail. At h'wag po kayong mag-alala, Tito.
Tutulungan ko rin siya."
"I hope she's not entertaining boys, Amer. Hindi na nga maayos ang grado, baka pa
magbulakbol. Anyway,
were you already introduced? This is Vincent, my intern..." si Daddy sabay tingin
kay Vince.
After that almost five minutes of insults, the topic's changed.
"Nasabi na sa akin ni Eury at Ate Reanne, Tito. But we weren't formally introduced.
I'mAmer, Architect..."
pormal na sinabi ni Amer.
"This is Amer, Eury's friend. He's the son of Amer Samaniego, the owner of
Samaniego Woodcrafts."
Tumango si Vincent.
"Amer, he's an Architect. His designs are great. Unique, unlike most of the
architects of his age. Madalas na
designs niya ay para sa mga building. And I tell you, your parents will love his
designs!"
"Talaga po, Tito?"
Nagkatinginan kami ni Amer. He looks at me as if accusing me of lying. Whatever
now.
P 6-6
"Lyanna can learn so much fromhim. Though, my daughter is leaning on a different
specialization. Interior
design ang gusto niya at mabuti iyon para sa firm. Si Eury sana iyong gusto kong
mag-aral ng arkitektura na
ganito kaso lang..." Dad did not continue that. He laughed instead.
Tumawa rin si Ate Reanne. "You can't really teach someone your art, Dad. She wants
to enter showbizso her
hobbies are leaning on that. And not with angles and designs."
"Hindi po ba masyado pang maaga para roon? She's just sixteen, she can't probably
be interested with
Architecture," Vincent said.
"I was fourteen when I realized I wanted to be an Architect, Vince. Plus, I think
spatial intelligence comes
out naturally. That's something you can't learn," si Ate Lyanna.
Now, the attention is back to me again. Huminga ako ng malalimat nilingon si Amer
na ngayon ay umiinom
ng juice. Tila hindi makasabay sa lahat ng nasabi tungkol sa akin.
"Hah! Enough of that talk, I don't need Eury's interest for architecture anymore.
Tutal ay mahilig na si Lyanna
roon at si Vince ay magaling dito. At least my firmcould live even without me."
"But, Ephraim, it is not okay that you're daughter is into showbusiness. There is
nothing in there but vanity.
Nothing but popularity and hypocrisy in disguise of false arts! Ang sining, Eury,
ay pinaghihirapan, anak. It is
not earned through looks and popularity."
Damn it!
"But I'mdoing my best, Mom. Hindi ba, Amer? Sa Romeo and Juliet nga, nagmememorize
ako ng mga
dialogue ni Juliet."
"At sino ang gaganap na Romeo?" si Daddy.
Damn! Hindi ba nila alamiyon? Dalawang buwan na akong nag eensayo sa play na ito,
ah?
"Si Zander, po," sambit ko. "Remember him? He's the one who starred at the College
deparment's Sound of
Music. He's a talent of a TV station na!"
"Tss. Boys who are interested with showbizare shallow and vain," si Daddy. "Always
remember that, Eury.
Tingnan mo itong si Vincent. If you strive for academics, kahit na wala kang
pamilya at hindi ka mayaman,
you'd always succeed."
Nilingon ko si Vincent. His stern and serious look as he listens to my father makes
me want to vomit. Hindi
lang alamni Dad na sunod-sunuran iyan sa kanya dahil wala namang pera at walang
ibang koneksyon kundi
siya. Walang gagawin iyang si Vincent kundi paluguran ang aking ama. And for all I
know, he just wants my
Dad's firm! That's why he wants to be here!?
Nilingon ko si Ate Lyanna, ang kanyang katabi. Ate Reanne said Vincent has a
girlfriend? Hindi kaya si Ate
Lyanna iyon? Ate Lyanna is silent and a bit reserved compared to Ate Reanne. Hindi
kaya?
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa aking kutsara.
P 6-7
"How's the designs, Vincent? Manu-manu mong ginawa?" tanong ni Daddy.
"I have a copy of it in my laptop po. Pero mas tapos na iyong drawing ko."
Tumawa si Daddy. "I told you, tanggapin mo na ang alok ko ng bagong laptop. Your
laptop is old and very
slow. Hindi na kaya ng softwares kaya hindi mo maayos ang gawa mo."
"Hindi na, po. I'msaving for a good laptop. Right now, I can still deal with the
old one. 'Tsaka hindi pa
naman po ako napapagod sa mano-manong pagdidisenyo. Nalilibang ako sa library ng
bahay na ito kaya mas
nagugustuhan kong magdisenyo roon."
Dad gave another hearty laugh. Nilingon si Amer at tinuro ito. "That's the type of
employees your Dad has to
have!" Bumaling muli kay Vincent. "Natapos mo ba?"
"Matatapos ko iyon ngayong gabi. Ilang linggo ko rin iyong ginawa," si Vincent.
"Wow, you're right, Tito," si Amer.
Pinili ni Amer na ibahin ang usapan. Kinamusta ang trabaho ni Dad upang mapag-
usapan ang mga disenyo at
mawala roon sa akin.
Nanatili ang mga mata ko kay Vincent. The waves of anger within me escalated to a
devastating tides. My
mind is haywired with so many things. Each time he laughs and looks at my father or
mother, I get angry by
the minute.
I kissed Amer goodbye after the dinner. Nag-aabang na sa labas ang kanilang SUV. He
looked at me with
such concern in his eyes. Alamko. Matagal niya nang narealize iyon.
Ngumiti ako at nagkibit ng balikat.
"The black sheep just happens to be me," paliwanag ko.
Umiling siya. "Amore, h'wag mo masyadong dibdibin. I understand you, completely.
You've never heard my
father's insults when he realized I amgay."
Napangiti ako roon. Hindi ko alamkung bakit. Ngumiti rin siya pero nag-aalala parin
ang mga mata.
I waved at himsweetly as the SUV advanced. Nagdilimang aking mukha nang tinalikuran
ang malaking gate
para makabalik sa library at makuha ang naiwang gamit doon.
My family, with Vincent is on our backyard garden. Kwentuhan at tawanan. Maging si
Ate Lyanna ay
nariringgan ko ng tawa kahit na hindi naman ito madalas nagsasalita.
Tumigil ako sa paanan ng hagdanan at pinagmasdan sila. Vincent is holding a glass
of whiskey. My father is,
too. Tinapik ni Daddy ang balikat ni Vincent at may binulong dito. Nagtawanan ulit
sila.
"Ano 'yan?" si Mommy at humalo na sa kanila.
I let out a long sigh before climbing the stairs. Dumiretso ako sa library at sa
sofa'y hinagilap ang mga gamit.
P 6-8
Sa lamesa kung saan madalas kong nakikitang nagdodrawing si Vince ay nakita ko ang
iilang mga papel. Ang
dulo'y nililipad ng hangin dulot ng centralized aircon. For the first time, I got
curious with his works.
Unti-unti akong lumapit doon. Tiningnan iyon at nakita ko ang disenyo ng isang
skyscraper. Detailed fromtop
to bottom. It is a massive spiraling-looking skyscraper.
Kumunot ang noo ko at tiningnan ang likod nito. Its other angle looks spiraling on
the other side. Nakita ko
ang isang note sa ibaba, written in hard all caps and with the same strokes...
"Illusion."
Tumitig ako roon. I'mnot good at these things. In fact, I don't have any idea how
this happened but the fact
that it says illusion bothered me.
Muli kong tiningnan ang nasa likod at isa pang mas detalyadong kuha ng building ang
naroon. The building
looks spiraling but it is only an illusion. Uminit ang pisngi ko, walang
maintindihan sa lahat, galit ang
naghahari sa sistema.
This man is stealing my parent's attention. This man wants our empire. He wants it
for his own. He's poor
and his ambition is to successfully impress my Daddy!
I turned the shredder on. Walang pag-aalinlangan kong tinupi at pinakain ang papel
na may disenyo roon.
I feel numb as I let the shredder cut everything into little pieces. Huling papel
na nang bumukas ang pintuan
ng library. Napatalon ako, tila natauhan sa ginawa ko.
Si Vincent ay nasa pintuan. Tiningnan muna niya ang shredder, tapos ang lamesa,
bago ako. I was so freaking
guilty. Lumandas ang takot sa aking sistema ngunit agad ko ring nawaksi. Why would
I be scared? He should
be scared, right?
"Anong ginawa mo?" unang tanong at tumaas agad ang boses niya.
His face darkened with anger. I was scared he'd hurt me for a moment. Kinain ng
malalaking hakbang ang
distansya namin. Bumaling siya sa shredder at hinawakan ang mga piraso ng papel.
He turned to me, his face coloured with anger. He's torn between disbelief and
outrage.
"Anong ginawa mo?" he probed in calmer.
Hindi ko alamna mas nakakatakot palang marinig ang diin ng mas mahinahong tanong
kesa sa sigaw.
Gusto kong umamin pero hindi na iyon kailangan. He saw what I did. There is no need
to explain it.
Ipinakita niya sa akin ng mga piraso ng papel. Umiigting ang mga panga sa galit at
namumula ang mga mata.
"Care to explain to me?" mariin niyang sinabi.
"That's what you get!" nanginig ang boses ko.
P 6-9
I did not realize that I'mon the verge of tears until I said it. Umurong ako dahil
ang bawat hakbang niya
palapit sa akin ay nakakatakot.
"Alammo bang inaasahan ito ng Daddy mo na maipasa sa kanya bukas? I made this for
weeks and you just..."
he groaned.
"That's what you get, you user!" I screamed.
Stunned, he looked at me with dimmed eyes.
"I know that you're trying to win Daddy because you want our firm! You are
poisoning your way to the top!"
sigaw ko.
Kunot-noo niya akong tiningnan. Mabilis ang hininga, hindi humuhupa ang galit.
"Bagay lang 'yan sa'yo! Your designs are cheap and ugly! You're trying too much to
fit but you won't!"
"What the hell are-"
"Shut up! H'wag kang magmaang maangan! You know my Mommy and Daddy are fond of you!
That's why
your using it to your advantage! Sorry ka na lang!" Tinuro ko siya. "I know that
you're a two-faced user!
Gagawin ko ang lahat, tandaan mo, mawala ka lang dito sa bahay na 'to! Mawala sa'yo
ang lahat!"
Namilog ang mga mata ko nang isang kurap ay nakain na ang distansya sa pagitan
namin. Mahigpit niyang
hinawakan ang braso ko at inangat iyon sapat para masaktan ako sa rahas.
"Why don't you tell your parents that? Hindi iyong ang trabaho ko ang pinag-iinitan
mo, huh?"
Nangilid ang luha sa aking mga mata. Sa takot at sa kaba.
"Aray..." I cried when I realized that he's holding me so tight and firmthat it
hurts.
Ang matalimniyang mga mata ay bumaba sa aking braso. Nakita ko ang pamumula niyon
dahil sa hawak niya.
Binitiwan niya agad ako.
Bumuhos ang luha ko at nag-ugat sa aking pwesto. My heart thumped so fast that I
thought my chest will burst.
Tinakpan ko ng aking mga palad ang aking mukha habang patuloy akong umiyak. I heard
himmutter a curse
under his breath.
???????? YUNGMGANAUNANGNAGCOMMENT SAKEN MGAKABIT LANGHANGGANGGIRLFRIENDLANG. AKO
ANGLEGAL..! GAGO HAHHAHAHAHHAA.
P 6-10
Kabanata 5
384K 14.8K 9K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 5
Pain
Takot na takot ako noon. Paulit-ulit kong inimagine kung paano ako makakalusot
dahil paniguradong
pagnalaman ni Mommy at Daddy ang ginawa ko'y pagagalitan nila ako ng husto.
That night, while I was in my room, I couldn't sleep. Panay ang pakikinig ko kung
may kakatok ba sa kwarto.
Galit na Daddy o Mommy. Ngunit hindi dumating. Nakatulugan ko na lamang ang lahat
ng iyon.
Kinaumagahan ay bumaba ako para mag-almusal. Panibagong araw sa eskwela though I
don't feel like going
to school. I don't feel like eating breakfast. I don't feel like seeing my parents
or sisters.
Kumpleto kami sa hapagkainan. Tahimik nang naupo ako sa aking silya. Si Daddy ay
may kausap sa
cellphone at medyo natataranta ang boses niya. Mommy is looking at her iPad,
reading something.
Kumuha na ako ng pagkain sa pinggan. My two sisters are eating normally. Ilang
saglit ay uminomng tubig si
Ate Lyanna at nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. The coldness of her stare made me
realize that she probably know
what happened.
Binaba ni Daddy ang cellphone. Tumikhimat bumaling kay Mommy na ngayon ay ibinigay
agad sa aking ama
ang atensyon.
"Paano na ito, Ephraim?"
"Nanghingi na ako ng palugit," Dad said in a defeated tone.
Bumaling ako sa aking pagkain. Unti-unting nginunguya ang ulamhabang nakikinig sa
usapan.
"Kawawa naman si Vincent. Ginawa niya ang isang disenyo buong magdamag kaya ayon sa
library, tulog pa
hanggang ngayon."
Umiling si Daddy. "Oo nga. Kaya nga sinabi kong tanggapin niya na ang alok kong
laptop."
"Ano raw ba ang dahilan kung bakit nashred ang gawa ni Vince, Dad?" si Ate Reanne.
Nanigas ako sa tanong ni Ate. Hindi ko nagalaw ang kubyertos habang nag-aantay sa
sasabihin ni Dad. Pero
siguro naman, kung alamnilang kasalanan ko, ginising na nila ako kagabi pa lang at
sinisi na sa lahat.
"Aksidente lang daw. Ayos lang. Makakapag-antay naman daw ang kliyente," si Daddy
pagkatapos ay
sumimsimsa kanyang kape.
P 7-1
Dahan-dahan kong ibinuga ang aking hiningang kanina pa pinigilan. Napakurap-kurap
ako nang medyo
gumaan ang pakiramdam. Hindi niya nabanggit ang ginawa ko.
"Kumusta na iyong kaso na hawak mo? Hindi ba ngayon ang hatol noon?" Dad asked Mom.
Tahimik akong nagpatuloy sa pag kain. Mabuti na lang at iniba ang usapan. But then
I also realized how it's
so easy to get away froma problemas big as that. Why isn't my Dad angry at him?
Noong nilagay ko sa
shredder ang gawa niya, I can imagine himbeing scolded and thrown out of our
house... forever. Why is he
still allowed here? At ayos lang talaga kay Daddy na biguin siya nito?
"Oo. Ngayon na ang hatol noon. The suspect is guilty of rape," matamang sinabi ni
Mommy.
For months, she had been busy with this case. Madalas niyang hinahandle na kaso ay
iyong related sa
Violence Against Women. Though I hear her talk about it and Ate Reanne all the
time, I can't seemto find any
interest about it.
"Paano nangyari, Mommy?" putol ni Ate Reanne.
"Hija, the rule of law is not the rule of men. If the victim's allegation of rape
is backed with medico legal and
complete story, that is enough to make the suspect guilty."
"But you said it was probably consented? She's a minor but they're in a
relationship! Matagal na nilang
ginagawa iyon, 'tsaka lang naging rape noong nabuking?"
"Even so... If the victimcalled rape, and with enough evidences, it will be... rape
in the end."
Konti lang ang kinain ko at nagpaalamna ako sa kay Mommy at Daddy para maihatid na
ng aming driver.
Dire-diretso ang lakad ko palabas ng bahay nang bigla akong tinawag ng malamig na
boses ni Ate Lyanna.
"Eury," she called.
My heart jumped. I feel so guilty. Kinalma ko muna ang sarili ko bago ko tuluyang
binalingan si Ate Lyanna.
She straightened her glasses before speaking.
"I know what you did."
If only I can make my heart follow my expressions, paniguradong kalmado na ito
ngayon. But I amsuch a
good actress, I can look calmand composed while my heart is panicking.
"What do you mean, Ate?"
Tinigilid ni Ate ang kanyang ulo. "About Vincent's shredded designs."
Nagtagis ang aking bagang. What? Did he tell her? Si Dad lang ang walang alam? O
baka naman hindi niya
pa pinapaalam? Sekreto nila ni Ate?
"I heard you cry inside the library. I know what happened," she explained.
P 7-2
"Dapat lang iyon sa kanya. For all we know, Ate, he's just trying to win Dad's
firm! Alamniyang gustonggusto
siya ni Mommy at Daddy kaya pinagsasamantalahan niya iyon-"
"My Gosh, Eury? Can you hear yourself?" may diin na bulong iyon ni Ate.
Naitikomko ang bibig ko. Kita ang galit sa kanyang mga mata ngayon.
"Ano ba ang problema mo, ha? You act like you're so jealous of him."
"I amjust trying to save Momand Dad. We don't know where he came from! What his
motives are. Ilang
linggo pa siya rito, tingin mo kilala mo na siya agad? Plus-"
"You are not making sense. This is all just because you're jealous!" paratang niya.
"Totoo naman ang sinasabi ko, Ate-"
"Kung nagseselos ka dahil puno ng puri ang mga magulang natin sa kanya, sana nag-
aral ka ng mabuti. Sana
hindi mo inuna iyang mga modeling at pag-aartista mo! Hindi iyong naninira ka ng
tao!"
Anger boiled within me. I can't believe that my sister, who's supposed to realize
what I think, couldn't
understand.
"Bakit, Ate? Do you know how it feels to be hated by our own parents?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" gulantang niyang tanong na parang guni-guni
ko lang ang lahat ng ito.
"Do you know what it's like to see that they are both proud with you and Ate
Reanne, not with me?
Nararamdaman mo ba iyon?"
Hindi ko na napigilan ang panginginig ng boses ko. The strong facade I tried to
plaster on my face isn't
effective.
"My God! Iyan lang ba ang problema mo?"
Lang.
Natigil ang mga luha ko. I can't cry in disbelief.
Ganoon ba ako kababaw para problemahin iyon?
"Isipin mong mabuti, Eury! We are lucky that we're born like this. We're lucky that
we can eat three times a
day. Lucky that we have our own house or a car to take us to our schools! Ang iba
riyan, Eury, walang
makain. Walang mga magulang. Walang bahay. Walang wala. Kaya iyan lang, problema na
para sa'yo?"
Maybe it is too much to ask. Maybe, Ate Lyanna is right. I should be happy with
what I have. I should be
grateful with everything. At least, hindi ako gaya ng iba. At least, nakakakain
naman ako ng tama araw-araw.
Maybe, I should learn to appreciate what I have. Not think about what I don't.
P 7-3
"That's an eighty! Congrats, Eury!" si Amer nang ibinigay sa amin ang aming mga
marka para sa Calculus.
Nangiti ako habang niyugyog ng kaibigan. Ilang saglit kong tinitigan ang aking mga
marka habang nakangiti at
niyakap agad siya.
Sabay kaming tumalon. Tiningnan ko ulit ang aking marka. He pointed at the bulletin
board.
"May titingnan lang ako, ha? Dito ka muna," he said.
Tumango ako at nanatili ang mga mata sa aking nakuhang marka.
Nakihalo si Amer doon sa mga estudyanteng dinumog ang bulletin board. Naroon kasi
ang listahan ng mga
may pinakamataas na marka sa Calculus. I don't have to look just to see if
I'mthere. Wala ako roon. I've
never been included in that.
"Hi!" bati ng isang lalaki.
Binaba ko ang aking marka at binalingan na ang lalaking palapit. A short man in his
late twenties came. Naka
shades at polo shirt siya. He smiled. Naglahad agad siya ng kamay nang may tamang
distansya na kami.
"I'mDante. I work at CMA. Alammo ba iyon?"
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Sorry, hindi po."
"That's the modeling agency where Eissen Philips, Joyce Arevalo, and Lav Roque came
from. Pwede mong
isearch sa internet."
Binigay niya agad sa akin ang kanyang calling card.
"I'ma talent scout. Bawat school, hinihingan ko ng mga listahan ng may potential.
Since, you're on the top
list, I amoffering you this opportunity."
Namilog ang mga mata ko. This is a big company, then? Kung dito galing ang mga
nasabi niyang pangalan!
"We have a go-see schedule. If you're wondering why we're reaching out to schools,
madalas kasi ng mga
magaganda at magagaling talaga, hindi masyadong interesado maghanap ng agency.
Iyong masipag maghanap
ay iyong nangangailangan talaga at medyo tagilid pa," he laughed at that.
Ngumuso ako at muling tiningnan ang calling card. Naroon ang go-see schedules. Nasa
isang residential
building ito sa Mandaluyong.
"Ngayon, kung gusto mong sumali. You can contact us. Pwede ka ring pumunta sa mga
go-see namin. May
offer ka na ba?"
"May magazine shoot po ako sa sunod na linggo," I said.
"Which magazine?"
"Candy po."
P 7-4
"That's great! But I'msure that won't do you much. An agency is what you should
have. Kahit tanungin mo pa
ang mga batikang modelo. Lahat dumaan sa mga agency."
Tumango ako. Alamko iyon. Hindi lang sumagi sa isip ko dahil wala naman akong
alamna agency.
"Well, then. I won't be long," ngumiti ito at naglahad muli ng kamay.
Tinanggap ko ito at nginitian siya pabalik.
"Thank you. I'll think about it..." sabi ko kahit na lumilipad na ang isipan sa
unlimited possibilities na
maaaring gawin sa akin nito.
Nagmamadali ako pauwi sa bahay sa araw na iyon. Excited sa natanggap na marka at
medyo proud sa sarili.
"Nandyan na po ba si Daddy?" tanong ko sa kasambahay na nasa sala.
"Oo, Eury. Nasa opisina..." sagot nito.
Hindi ako dumiretso sa library, kung nasaan ang tutor ko. Kailangan kay Daddy ako
dumiretso para makita
niya itong marka ko.
Dumagungdong ang puso ko nang palapit na sa pintuan ng opisina. Mabilis ang hininga
nang pinihit ko ang
door handle at binuksan iyon.
Isang malaking hininga ang hinigop ko at nangingiting labi nang sabay akong
nilingon ni Daddy at ni Vincent.
Vincent is standing in front of Dad's large office table. Daddy is on his swivel
chair, looking at a silver
colored laptop.
"Eury, ano 'yon?" tanong ni Daddy.
Napatingin ako kay Vincent. His eyes were as cold as eyes, and his lips pursed in a
hard line. Sinundan niya
ako ng tingin habang hinihingal na nilapitan ang lamesa ni Daddy.
"Dad, look at my grade in Calculus!" sabi ko sabay pakita.
Ang titig ni Vincent sa akin ay mariin. Sa gilid ng aking mga mata, ramdamna
ramdamko ang panunuot ng
kanyang tiitg. But I didn't mind that. I don't give a damn about him.
"Eighty? Huh!"
Dad's shoulders jumped a bit. Humilig siya sa kanyang swivel chair at nakangisi
akong tiningnan. I smiled
back at him. He's finally happy with my grade!
I realized that I should be happy with whatever affection my parents can give me. I
should settle for it. Dahil
hindi lahat ng tao'y kasing swerte ang estado ng buhay.
"You're proud of that?" he asked.
P 7-5
Ang malapad kong ngiti ay unti-unting bumaba at naging hilaw.
"Eury, you're seriously proud of a grade that's... eighty?" seryosong tanong ni
Daddy.
Suminghap ako at unti-unting kinuha ang papel kung nasaan ang marka ko. Nanginginig
ako. Hindi ko alam
kung bakit. Binaba ko ito sa aking palda at muling tiningnan si Daddy.
Umiiling siya at nakangiti. He's full of disappointment and ridicule.
"I thought it's a ninety-five, hija. You're so happy that I thought you finally
reached even ninety-five. Eighty
lang pala. Aimhighed. That's ridiculously low. I can't believe you are already
proud of that..."
Uminit ang pisngi ko. Ramdamko ang titig ng pangatlong tao sa akin sa silid na ito.
"Architect,-" I cut himoff immediately.
What is that? Pity?
"But my previous grade is seventy-five, Dad! Limang puntos po ang itinaas ko? I
should be happy, right? That
should make me happy, right? Because I improved!"
"Tama, hija." Dad nodded dramatically. "Bakit nga ba ako mag-eexpect ng mas mataas
pa riyan? Sige na, go
to the library and listen to your tutor. Vincent and I are busy with this project
here..."
Marami pa sanang sasabihin si Daddy pero tinalikuran ko na siya sa kahihiyan at sa
nagbabadyang tutulong
luha.
Maybe I have cried about this for so many times. Na hindi na iba ito. Na kaya ko na
itong harapin. Diretso
ang lakad ko patungo sa library. Punishing myself for being so dumb. For being so
weak in academics. For
being too interested with the arts and vanity. For thinking that beauty is my only
talent. No! There is no talent.
There is only hardwork. And with hardwork, I can be good at anything!
Walang bakas ng luha pagkapasok ko sa library. Binati ako ng aking tutor na medyo
mas seryoso ngayon.
"Medyo natagalan ka na naman. Practice?" she asked.
"Yup and I went to Dad's office. What's for today?" I asked settling in my usual
chair.
Muntikan na akong mapatalon nang may nakitang ibang anyo sa lamesa kung nasaan
madalas si Vincent. A
woman in her early twenties, with long and straight hair, is sitting on Vincent's
chair. Nakita niyang
nakatingin ako sa kanya kaya ngumiti ito. Her lips that's obviously smeared with
red lipstick shined.
Napahagod ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. She's fair and tall. Almost as tall
as my sisters and almost
as slender as them. Naka corporate attire. Dark pencil cut skirt, red undershirt,
and dark coat. Sa harap niya'y
may isang kulay itimat malaking laptop na "Acer".
"Good afternoon! You must be Eury?" she asked.
"Uh, yeah," sabi ko.
P 7-6
"Eury, si Vanessa, girlfriend ni Vincent. She's also an architect," si Miss Almacen
sa isang seryosong boses.
Vanessa smiled at me sweetly. Marahan akong tumango, ilang sandaling natigilan bago
bumaling kay Miss
Almacen. My tutor blocked my vision. Hindi ako nakapagpatuloy sa paninitig sa
girlfriend ni Vincent!
"Where's you Calculus homework? Kailangan na nating mag double time, Eury. Malapit
na ang quarter exam
ninyo!"
Hindi agad ako nakabawi. Medyo naghang pa ang utak sa nakitang girlfriend ni
Vincent.
"Eurydyce! Are you listening?" medyo mas istrikta pa si Miss Almacen ngayon.
"O-Opo..."
Binuklat ko agad ang aking notebook at nilapag sa aking lamesa. Dumating na ang
aming kasambahay na
madalas magdala ng pagkain para sa amin ni Miss Almacen. But then I'mtoo
preoccupied with something
that I can't get myself to listen to Miss Almacen's discussion.
Kahit na tinabunan na ni Miss Almacen ng whiteboard ang vision ko sa girlfriend ni
Vincent ay nagawa ko
paring sumilip. I caught her reading a book.
Napakurap-kurap ako at binalik muli ang atensyon sa whiteboard. Bumukas muli ang
pintuan, hindi ko kita
ang pumasok pero nang narinig ko ang boses ni Vanessa ay alamko na agad.
"Kumusta? Tinanggap ba ni Architect?" she asked.
Muli akong sumilip. Hinampas ni Miss Almacen ang desk ko dahilan kung bakit binalik
ko rin agad ang mata
ko sa whiteboard. Kanina'y nakita kong tumayo si Vanessa at nangingiting sinalubong
si Vincent.
"Oo. Salamat sa laptop."
"Sabi ko naman sa'yo na pwede kang manghiramng laptop ko kung nahihirapan ka,"
anito.
"Kaya ko naman kasing wala," Vincent said with amusement.
"Yabang mo talaga!"
Bumukas muli ang pintuan. Abala na naman si Miss Almacen sa pagsusulat ng kung ano
sa whiteboard kaya
nagkaroon ako ng chance na sumilip muli. Nakita ko si Ate Lyanna na dumating. She's
all smiles to the both
of them. Made me a bit uncomfortable and irritable than usual.
"Nagpahanda ako ng meryenda ninyo, huh? 'Tsaka dito na rin kayo magdinner. We eat
our dinner at around
seven o'clock, kapag narito na si Mommy. Kaya if you're used to eating earlier, I
suggest you eat the snacks
first," si Ate Lyanna.
"Eury," si Miss Almacen na ngayon ay tunog disappointed na sa kawalang gana ko.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kanya. Now, she looks more stressed than me. Naupo siya,
tila sawa na sa
pagsaway sa akin.
P 7-7
"Sige! Sanay din akong alas sais pa lang nagdidinner na," si Vanessa.
"Kaya nga. Pati si Vincent, 'di ba? So inexpect ko na ganoon din ang nakasanayan
mo. Don't worry, our maids
will serve snacks," si Ate Lyanna.
Tumawa si Vincent. "Hindi ka na dapat nag-abala pa, Lyanna."
"That's okay, Vince. Nakakahiya naman. First time ito ni Vanessa rito."
Miss Almacen's voice made me snap out of my blank reverie.
"Break muna, Eury. I know you're bothered with the noise. Why don't you change your
clothes first? Balik ka
rito pagkatapos para mas makapag focus ka na."
Tumango ako at kinuha na ang bag. Tumayo at muling binalingan ang ngayong tahimik
nang grupo ng tatlo. Ate
Lyanna seems very fond of Vanessa. Nakita ko pang nakatingin sila sa laptop nito
habang nakangiti.
"Wow, that looks so nice! You're into interiors, too?"
Diretso akong naglakad patungo sa pintuan at lumabas na. Pagkasarado ko ng pinto ay
nadatnan ko ang
pakanta-kanta naming kasambahay. May dalang tray kung nasaan ang hinandang mga
waffles at juice para sa
mga panauhin.
The dark matter inside of me awakened. I smirked for a split second before holding
the end of the tray.
"Manang, kina Vincent at sa kanyang girlfriend po ba ito?" tanong ko.
"Oo, Miss Eury. Bakit po?"
I smiled at her sweetly.
"Ako na po. Ibibigay ko po ito sa kanila pagkapasok."
Kitang-kita ko ang pag-aalinlangan ng isa sa mas bata naming kasambahay. Ngunit sa
huli ay napapayag ko
rin. Tumango siya at binitiwan ang tray. The weight of it is all on me now.
"Sige na po. Ako na ang bahala..."
Tumango siya at umalis na rin. Hinintay kong tuluyan siyang makaalis bago
nagmamadaling bumaba. Dala pa
ang bag sa kabilang balikat.
Diretso ang lakad ko palabas. Sa labas ay kulay kahel na ang langit. Nagsusumigaw
ng papalubog na araw.
I opened our gates. The guard looked at me. I smiled at him.
"Manong, para sa asong kalye po!" I said and then quickly went to the bushes.
Nilapag ko ang tray sa gutter. I squatted and started calling the dogs.
P 7-8
Ilang sandali ang lumipas ay wala pang mga aso. Nakapangalumbaba ako habang
tinitingnan ang nilalangaw
nang mga waffle sa aking tabi.
"Ma'am, baka po pagalitan ka ni Architect pag nanatili ka riyan sa labas," si
Manong guard nang nakitang
kanina pa ako roon.
Saktong nakita ko iyong mga asong tinutukoy ko. Agad kong kinuha ang mga platito ng
waffle at inilahad sa
kanila. Isang kagat at dinala na nila ang pagkain palayo. Pati din iyong isa.
Nilapag kong muli ang platito sa tray at nagmamadali nang pumasok sa loob. Ngumiti
ako kay Manong at
nilagpasan na siya.
I went to the kitchen to put the tray back when I heard the clinking of the pitcher
on our ref. Narinig ko rin ang
pagpapaliwanag ng isa pang kasambahay.
"Pero ibinigay ko talaga kay Gelai iyong para sa inyo ni Miss Vanessa, Vincent," si
Aling Rosa sa isang nagaalalang
tinig.
"Ayos lang po, Aling Rosa. Kukuha lang po ako ng tubig para makainomkami. Hindi
naman po ako gutom."
Sinarado ni Vincent ang pintuan ng ref bago ko pa nailagay sa nook ang tray.
Natigil si Aling Rosa sa
pagsasalita nang nakita akong ganoon ang ayos. Vincent's eyes bore into the tray
I'mholding.
"E-Eury? Pagkain ninyo ba iyan ni Miss Almacen?" tanong ni Aling Rosa.
Mataman kong tiningnan si Vincent. His annoyance is dripping even when he's trying
to act casual and
unaffected. He laughed a bit and then he started pouring water in the glass.
"Ayos lang, Aling Rosa," ulit ni Vincent.
"Magbibihis lang po ako," sabi ko at nagmamadali nang bumalik sa kwarto.
Humilata ako sa aking kama at hinilamos ang kamay sa aking mukha habang iniisip
muli ang huling ginawa. I
know he realized what I did. At dapat wala akong pakealamdoon! Holy crap, Eury!
Ugh!
Sana kainin na lang ako ng lupa ngayon! Well, if it's any consolation, siya lang
naman ang may alam. At 'tsaka
lang mapagtatanto ni Aling Rosa ang ginawa ko kung iisipin niyang mabuti iyon!
That's it!
Lumabas ako ng kwarto at bumalik na sa library. Arogante kong hinawi ang buhok ko
at binalingan ang
corner kung nasaan kanina nakaupo ang girlfriend ni Vincent. Nagulat ako na wala na
roon.
"Tagal mo namang makabalik!" si Miss Almacen.
"Sorry po. Naligo pa kasi ako," paliwanag ko at muling binalingan ang corner.
"Well, that's fine. At least now, it's not as noisy. Let's continue?"
P 7-9
Tumango ako at medyo kumunot ang noo. I started solving her problems on the board.
Pagkatapos ng
tatlumpong minuto ay tinawag niya na ang pagtatapos ng aming session.
Ginapangan agad ako ng kaba nang napagtantong dinner na. Sabi ni Ate Lyanna,
invited si Vincent at si
Vanessa sa aming dinner! Pwede kayang 'di na ako bumaba?
Kakaisip ko lang noon nang inakyat ako ni Aling Rosa sa library upang tawagin para
sa hapunan. The look on
her face told me that she's realized what I did.
"Tawag ka. Ng Daddy mo..." aniya sa medyo mariing boses.
Tumango ako. "Opo, Aling Rosa. Bababa na po ako..." marahan kong sinabi at sumunod
na sa matanda.
The first time I heard the lot laugh, I rolled my eyes secretly. Parang kulog ang
tawa ni Daddy sa kwento ni
Vanessa at ni Vincent.
"So she's a CumLaude, too! That explains the brilliance!" si Daddy.
Nakita ko ang pagbaling ng mga mata ni Vincent sa akin nang dumating ako at naupo
sa aking upuan. Just like
that, I can sit here and pretend that I'ma ghost. Pero sa totoo lang, mas gusto
kong parang hangin na lang ako.
Dahil sa oras na mapansin ako, alamko na ang mangyayari.
"Lyanna here is also a candidate for Magna CumLaude! Reanne is a Summa, for sure!"
si Daddy.
"Whoa! Pamilya pala ito ng mga genius!" Vanessa noted.
Not. Obviously. Are you dumb? Oh yeah, I'minvisible. Ghost.
"Well, Eury is trying her best to keep up with us," si Ate Reanne.
At least she noticed me. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa girlfriend ni Vincent. Nakita
kong napatingin siya sa akin.
I smiled fakely at her. Pinuno ko ng pagkain ang bibig ko.
"Naku, hija. She's interested with theater arts and modeling," si Mommy.
"Oh! That's great, Judge! Bagay po sa kanya dahil ang ganda po niya! If she's
lucky, she might have the
chance to enter showbusiness!"
I did not react on that. Ngumiti lamang muli ako.
"Ang pangit naman kung puro ganda na lang. At isa pa, showbusiness is far frombeing
a profession. That's
for the lazy."
And it starts now... Huminga ako ng malalimat nagpatuloy na lang sa pagkain.
"Kung sa bagay po. Most of the actresses now don't have any talent. They cannot
sing and dance. Ganda lang
ang pinagmamayabang," si Vanessa.
Napa angat ako ng tingin sa babae. She smiled at me awkwardly. Now, I don't regret
what I did with her
P 7-10
snacks! Damn her!
Isang sipa ang natanggap ko sa ilalimng mesa. Natigil ang paninitig ko sa
girlfriend ni Vincent. Nakita kong
tumaas ang kilay ni Ate Lyanna sa akin bago nagsalita.
"By the way, Vanessa, I'mso glad that you had the time to help Vincent out with
their project," si Ate Lyanna,
nililihis ang usapan.
"I can always help him. He's just too proud to ask. Mabuti na lang at tinawagan ako
ni Tito Ephraim."
Tumawa si Daddy. "I know he'd be too proud to ask for your help. Ni ayaw nga niyang
tanggapin ang alok ko
ng laptop kahit na kailangan niya at tama lang na bigyan ko siya noon."
"Bibili na po ako ng bago, Architect. Siguro sa makalawa."
"Sigurado na 'yan?"
Nagtawanan sila. Nakisali pa ang dalawa kong kapatid sa tawanan. Ako lang yata ang
hindi natawa.
Nahagip ni Daddy ang ekspresyon ko. Napawi ang ngiti niya at umiling agad.
"By the way, Tria, alammo ba itong si Eury? Kanina'y nagmamadaling ipakita ang
marka niya sa Calculus.
Akala ko'y tumuntong na ng ninety. Hanggang eighty parin. Naku!" Daddy shook his
head and laughed.
Natawa rin si Mommy, pati ang dalawa kong kapatid. I saw Vanessa's faint smile.
Naestatwa ako at napangiti. Pinasadahan ko ng aking mga daliri ang aking buhok.
"Reanne cried when she got an eighty nine for Calculus way back!" si Ate Lyanna.
"God, I hate that subject!" si Ate Reanne.
Nagtawanan ulit sila.
"Calculus!? That's so easy!" si Vanessa.
Sumubo ako ng pagkain pero hanggang bibig lang iyon. Hindi ko na malunok.
"It is but I hate my teacher. Hindi nagtuturo pero ang daming quizzes!" si Ate
Reanne.
"I can teach you that, Eury. Kung sana'y hindi lang ako laging busy sa trabaho!"
Vanessa said in a concerned
tone.
I smiled fakely.
"Ayos na si... Miss Almacen."
"Well it only makes sense, Ephraim. Tumaas ang marka niya ng limang puntos," si
Mommy.
Pinipigilan na nilang mas matawa pa ngayon.
P 7-11
Binaba ko ang aking kubyertos at uminomna lamang ng tubig. Muli kong pinasadahan ng
mga daliri ang aking
buhok.
Hinintay kong matapos ang lahat na kumain. Nang tumayo si Daddy ay tumayo na rin
ako at umalis na roon.
Nagmamadali kong tinakbo ang hagdanan. Bawat hakbang ko'y bumubuhos ang mga luha na
kanina ko pa
itinatago at pinipilit na isiksik sa gilid ng aking mga mata.
I opened the library's door to get all my remaining things. Gamit ang likod ng
aking palapulsuhan ay
pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha. But the tears came fast and without mercy. The
pain literally attacked my
heart without stopping. Muli kong pinunasan gamit ang aking mga daliri.
The door opened. Bago ako tumalikod at nagkunwaring nagliligpit ay nakita kong si
Vincent ang umakyat.
"What are you up to again? No shredding this time," he said in a serious tone.
Mabilis paring umagos ang luha ko. Hindi ko pinalis para hindi niya malamang
umiiyak ako. Nagpatuloy lang
ako sa pagliligpit ng gamit. Inisa-isa ang mga ballpen papasok sa bag.
Natahimik. Hindi na nasundan ang panunuya.
Ang mga luha sa aking pisngi ay naroon parin. Palihimko itong pinalis bago
nagpatuloy sa pagliligpit.
"Sinabi ko kay Architect na bata ka pa at maaaring hindi mo pa alamkung ano ang
gusto mong gawin. Your
parents are uptight and proud-"
Isang beses kong marahas na pinalis ang aking mga luha. Binalingan siya at pinutol
ang sinabi.
"Wala kang pakealamdoon!"
I saw the shock in his eyes. Nagulat din ako dahil medyo malapit na pala siya sa
akin.
"Don't act as if you care. You obviously don't!"
Kitang kita ko agad ang iritasyon sa kanyang mga mata. "Look, I clearly didn't tell
your parents that you
shredded my works. Pati ang ginawa mo kanina, hindi ko sinabi sa kanila. If that
isn't caring for you-"
"E 'di sabihin mo!? Sino ba kasing nagsabi sa'yo na ilihimmo 'yon!? Magsumbong ka!"
sigaw ko.
Pumikit siya ng mariin. Tila unti-unting nauubusan ng pasensya sa akin.
Lahat naman yata nauubusan ng pasensya.
"I'mtrying my best to understand you. Ang hirap mong-"
The tears pooled in my eyes. My anger and hatred for him... for everyone... for
everything deepened.
Bakit pa ako narito?
P 7-12
Inisip ko muli ang kapirasong wisdomna sinabi ni Ate Lyanna sa akin kanina. Na okay
lang. Na walang wala
itong sakit na dinaranas ko sa ibang walang makain. Na kailangan, maging masaya ako
kahit na ganito ang
nangyayari. That my pain is irrelevant compared to others. That my pain is nothing
compared to the pain of
other people.
"Oo! Mahirap akong pakisamahan! Lahat naman nahihirapan sa akin kaya h'wag ka nang
sumubok! Hindi ko
kailangan niyan!"
Mabilis akong naglakad pero dalawang hakbang ay hinarangan niya ako. Matalimko
siyang tiningala. He
towered over me. His scent annihilating my thoughts. His eyes seeing through me
like I'mnothing but a
feather in this universe. He cocked his head to one side, tila naghahamon sa
gagawin ko.
Tinulak ko siya ng buong lakas at agad na akong tumakbo sa pintuan para makaalis na
roon.
Iminlove with the dota player..... Well news flashmiss notall ppl doesn't think
it'seasy. Isa pa, Walang nagtatanong. Omg!!
P 7-13
Kabanata 6
333K 14K 6.8K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 6
Hate
Katatapos lang ng huling schedule ng play namin. It's already eight in the evening.
Wala ni isang minuto kong
hindi inisip na baka mapadpad si Mommy at Daddy sa auditorium.
Tuwing nasa entablado ako, hindi ko magawang magconcentrate ng mabuti. Panay ang
suyod ko sa audience
para lang mahanap ang aking mga magulang. At kapag naman nasa backstage ay
nagtatanong na ako sa mga
kaibigan kung nakita ba nila ang kahit isa sa dalawa. Sa huli, kahit kapatid ko na
lang.
My friends went to their families. Nagsipuntahan sa kanilang mga pamilyang piniling
manood sa huling
schedule dahil abala sa mga trabaho. Huli kong nadatnan si Amer na ngayon ay
niyakap ng mahigpit ng
kanyang ama.
Bumagsak ang aking mga balikat. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at nakitang may isang
text galing sa aking
driver.
Manong:
Eury, matagal pa ba iyan? Baka mapagalitan ka na naman ni Architect.
Huminga ako ng malalim. Muling tingin ko sa harap ay nakita ko ang isang classmate
na may dalang bouquet.
Nahihiyang lumapit at tipid na ngumingiti sa akin. Behind himare a bunch of boys,
including Mike, and some
of his team.
"Congratulations, Eury," my classmate greeted.
Nagulat ako dahil tahimik naman ito. Madalas ay inaasar ng mga kaklase kong lalaki.
Inayos nito ang eye
glasses nang natanggap ko na ang bouquet.
"Thank you."
Pero bago niya pa madugtungan ang sasabihin ay nilapitan na ako ni Mike. Mike
sneered at my classmate.
Agad namang umatras ang classmate ko dahil masyadong agresibo si Mike.
"Congrats! Ang galing mo," Mike said.
How can this kind of attention be easily given by these people. They are not even
my family. They are my
friends, acquaintances, classmates, and schoolmates. My parents, my whole family,
can't even watch me for a
couple of minutes. Or even just pretend that they are interested with anything that
I do.
P 8-1
In the end, nakapasok ako sa aming SUV, mag-isa. Tanging ang driver lang ang
sumundo sa akin. Kinawayan
ko ang iilang kaibigang naghatid sa akin sa parking lot bago tumulak ang aming
sasakyan.
Nang nakawala sa karamihan ay tahimik akong tumingin sa panggabing mga ilaw sa
labas. Kandong ang
bouquet ng bulaklak na ibinigay sa akin, suot ang make up na ginamit ko sa
entablado.
"Manong, hindi pa ba nakakauwi si Mommy at Daddy?"
Tinanong ko iyon para bigyan ng rason ang aking mga magulang. That maybe they were
busy. They couldn't
make it.
"Nasa bahay n'yo na, Eury," sagot ni Manong. "Nang tumulak ako kanina'y
naghahapunan na ang mga iyon."
"Ganoon po ba..."
The hurt I'mfeeling in my heart is wearing me out. Pilit akong naghanap pa ng pu-
pwedeng dahilan para
magkaroon lang ng ibang rason bukod sa kawalang pakealam.
Nang nakarating kami sa bahay ay agad kong gustong magtungo sa dining area. Ngunit
bago ako nakapunta
roon ay nakita ko silang nagtatawanan sa lamesang nasa hardin.
Maraming tao. Siguro'y isang teamng firmni Daddy ang naroon at nagkakatuwaan. They
were done eating.
Nag-iinuman na ang mga iyon at naroon pa pati si Mommy at ang dalawa kong kapatid.
Some of the men's eyes went to me. May narinig akong nagsabi kay Daddy na nandito
na ako. Nilingon ako ni
Daddy pagkalapit at hinalikan ko na siya sa pisngi.
He scanned me first. Saw the bouquet on my hands and then his brows furrowed.
"Where have you been? Bakit ganitong oras ka nang umuwi? At sino ang nagbigay sa'yo
ng mga bulaklak?"
Nawala ang usap-usapan dahil sa mga tanong ni Daddy. Iginala ko ang aking mga mata
sa mga naroon. It is
indeed a teamof Engineers and Architects. Kasali roon si Vincent. Nagtama ang mga
mata namin. He's
looking at me intently as my father proceeded with his questions.
"Ngayon po iyong play namin. The final show is until eight in the evening kaya
natagalan ako," sagot ko.
Dad shook his head in an obvious irritation. Parang may gumuho sa kalooblooban ko
nang nasaksihan iyon.
"Anak, magbihis at kumain ka na," si Mommy.
Tumango ako at muling naghintay sa sasabihin ni Daddy ngunit nagpatuloy lamang siya
sa sinasabi sa team.
"I will only take this project because the client is my good friend. After this, I
will definitely go back here
and guide all of you. Is that okay?" si Daddy.
Nagtanguan ang kanyang team. "Architect, natatakot talaga kami na kami lang. Sana
si Vincent ay sa grupo
lang."
P 8-2
Umiling agad si Daddy pagkatapos uminomsa kanyang beer. "No, I need to bring
Vincent. It was his design
that got approved after all. H'wag kayong mag-alala. Kaya n'yo 'yan. Pipili ba ako
ng grupong hindi
makakaya ito?" si Daddy sabay tawa.
"Excited na ako, Daddy! This will be good for the vacation!" si Ate Reanne sabay
palakpak.
Napakurap-kurap ako. Nilingon ko si Mommy na nakangiting nakatingin kay Daddy.
"Bakit po, My?" tanong ko.
"We are leaving for Batangas after your finals. May project ang Daddy mo roon," si
Mommy.
Namilog ang mga mata ko. Nacontact ko na iyong nag offer sa akin ng isang Go-See. I
said yes and it will be
immediately after our finals!
"P-Po? Kaya lang may Go-See po ako niyan."
Kumunot ang noo ni Mommy sabay tingin kay Daddy na parang wala akong sinabi.
"Your daughters are pleased, Ephraim. Mabuti at pumayag na isang linggo roon. I
honestly thought it will be
just one or two days?" si Mommy na parang 'di ako narinig.
"Syempre at wala namang nakatira roon kaya pinaunlakan naman..."
Nagsimula na akong umurong. Tinalikuran ko sila at nagsimulang maglakad pabalik ng
looban ng bahay para
makaakyat at makapunta na sa kwarto.
"I've never been to Batangas!" si Ate Lyanna.
"Me too," si Ate Reanne naman.
Muli kong nilingon ang labasan. Nakahawak na ako ngayon sa barandilya ng hagdanan.
So that means, I won't be going to that Go-See this semestral break, huh? Huminga
ako ng malalimat tuluyan
nang umakyat.
Naligo at nagbihis ako. Nagdadalawang isip na bumaba at makihalubilo ngunit
alamkong kailangan kong
kumain.
Bumaba ako at dumiretso sa hapag. Kapag naroon ay kita parin naman ang labas dahil
malaki ang aming
sliding door patungong hardin. I can hear Dad's hearty laugh. I can hear their
reminiscing of previous
projects. Naririnig ko rin ang asaran nila.
"Oh, nagkulang pa tayo sa beer. Nasaan na ba iyong si..."
"Ako na po ang kukuha, Architect," narinig kong sinabi ni Vincent.
Tumuwid ako sa pagkakaupo at pumormal sa pagkain ng hapunan. Agad nag-iwas ng
tingin nang nakitang
papasok na si Vincent sa aming sala at papaliko na sa harap ko patungong kusina.
P 8-3
"Vince, wait lang. Samahan na kita," a girl fromDad's teamwent with him.
"Okay lang. Kaya ko na," pormal na sinabi ni Vincent.
The girl laughed sweetly. "Tutulungan parin kita. Sige na..."
Sabay silang naglakad. The girl started talking to Vincent. Nakita ko ring bumaling
si Vincent sa akin habang
nagsasalita ang babae. Matalimko siyang tiningnan. A ghost of a smirk is plastered
on his lips. Hindi ko nga
lang alamkung dahil ba sa sinasabi ng babae o pinagtatawanan niya ako rito.
Is it because I'malone? And it is obvious that he realized that my Father cares
less about me compared to my
two sisters.
Nang nawala sila para sa kusina ay uminomna ako ng tubig at tumayo. Sumunod ako
roon para tingnan kung
ano ang ginagawa nila.
Without sound, my footsteps were little. Lalo na nang nakalapit ako sa hamba ng
pintuan patungong kitchen.
"Vince, I'mgonna miss you," malambing na sinabi noong babae.
The beer bottles clinked. Narinig ko rin ang pagbukas at sarado ng aming
refrigerator. Ngumuso ako at
kumunot ang noo sa mga pinagsasabi noong kasama ni Vincent.
"Hindi naman kami magtatagal doon, Ella." Vince chuckled a bit as if he finds her
confession funny.
"Hindi magtatagal!? It's going to be a week, Vince!" mas marahas na wika noong
babaeng arkitekto.
Natutop ko ang aking labi.
Parang bumuhos sa akin ang sobrang daming ideya. I thought he's in a relationship
with Vanessa? Why is this
conversation suggesting otherwise? Or is he two timing?
Nagkamali ba si Daddy sa pag-iisip na isa siyang mabuting tao?
"Mabilis lamang iyon. Come on, Ella. I thought you're going to help me with these?"
Vince chuckled, tila
naglalaro lamang.
"I'mgonna miss you so bad. Your lips, your body, your...." the girl said in a sweet
voice.
Hindi na nakapagsalita si Vincent. The images of themkissing stopped my rational
thoughts. I stepped out of
the shadows and I appeared before them.
Naabutan kong seryosong nakatingin si Vincent sa babaeng arkitekto at ito nama'y
halos may pagsusumamo sa
mga mata. Sabay silang lumingon sa akin nang nakitang biglang sumulpot.
I fisted firmly. Trying to get my strenth fromthem.
"What are you doing?" mariin kong tinanong.
P 8-4
Isang kilay ang tumaas sa kay Vincent. The girl looked at me with both shock and
question.
Bumaba ang mga mata ko sa kamay ng babaeng nakahawak sa braso ni Vincent. Ang isa'y
nasa kamay nito.
Pakiramdamko ay uminit ang buong pisngi ko sa nakita.
I marched directly to themjust to harshly remove her hand on his. Sa gulat ay
napakurap-kurap ang babae at
napaatras.
"Ikaw'ng malandi ka!" I screamed, hysterical. "May girlfriend 'yong tao at
nilalandi mo?"
"W-What?" Hindi ito makapagsalita.
I pushed the girl just enough for her to back away. Pilit akong hinawakan ni
Vincent ngunit hinawi ko rin ang
kamay niya. I'mfuming mad. So mad that I couldn't control my own strength or
emotions.
I know that me being Architect EphraimSaniel's daughter is holding the girl back.
Kung hindi lang ako anak
ni Dad ay baka kanina niya pa ako nilabanan.
"And you..." I pointed at Vince.
He looked so amused that I don't get it. Iritadong-iritado ako sa kanyang anyo.
Eyes hodded with unknown
thoughts, lips a bit up because of a hidden smile... tuwang tuwa pa siya na
naabutan ko silang ganito?
"Hindi ba ay may girlfriend ka naman? Bakit ka pa lumalandi sa ibang babae, huh?"
"Miss Saniel, you know-" I cut the girl off.
"Shut up! Leave!" sigaw ko.
"Eury, you are being unreasonable. Hindi tama iyang iniisip mo," pormal na wika ni
Vincent bilang
pagpipigil sa akin.
Nilipat ko ang mga mata ko sa kanya. The ghost of a smile was gone. Now he looks
all serious.
"You don't understand-" the girl tried but I cut her off again.
"I said you leave!" may diin sa sinabi ko.
Umiling ang babae at walang nagawa kundi umalis.
Tiningnan ko ito hanggang sa tuluyan nang nawala sa aking paningin. Napabaling
lamang muli ako kay
Vincent nang hinawakan niya ang braso ko.
"Why are you so rude?" he asked in a hard tone.
His lips pursed. Hindi ko alamkung sarkastiko siyang nangingiti o hindi. Taas noo
ko siyang hinarap.
"I amnot being rude! I amjust telling the truth! May girlfriend kang tao at
lumalandi ka sa ibang babae,
Vince! Para ano pa ang paghanga ni Daddy sa'yo kung isa ka palang-"
P 8-5
Humalakhak si Vincent sa sinabi ko kaya natigil ako roon. Uminit ang pisngi ko nang
nakitang tuwang-tuwa
siya.
"What are you laughing at?" I demanded.
Umiling siya. Pumungay ang mga mata.
"You asshole! Kung dadalaw ulit si Vanessa rito, isusumbong kita sa kanya! You're a
two-timing feeling
gwapo! How dare you get involve in a relationship when you can't even stay loyal!
You're deceitful!
Playboy! Bitiwan mo ako!"
Sabay bawi ko sa aking braso galing sa kanya. Kumaripas ako ng takbo patungo sa
aming hardin, kung nasaan
silang lahat. I found the girl Vincent's talking to in the kitchen. Kitang-kita ko
ang pamumutla niya nang
namataan ako patungo kay Daddy.
"Dad!" I called.
"Hmm?" Natigil si Daddy sa pagsasalita para bumaling sa akin.
Taas-baba ang aking dibdib dahil sa paghingal. Hindi ko masabi agad ang gusto ko.
Kitang-kita ko ang pagkunot-noo ng dalawa kong kapatid. Si Mommy ay pinapanood ako
at nag-aantay sa
sasabihin.
"Narinig ko po ang usapan ni Vincent at ng isang arkitekto ninyo! They are in a
relationship all this time when
Vince has a girlfriend!"
I can almost hear the crickets. Wala ni isang nagsalita. Umiling ang babaeng
tinutukoy ko at si Dad ay
nanatiling nakatingin sa akin.
"What's your point, Eury?" Ate Lyanna asked. Nakakunot ang kanyang noo at tila may
nahihinuha.
Ate Reanne smiled then pouted.
"Si Ella ba, Miss Saniel?" tanong ng isang arkitekto.
Para akong nabunutan ng tinik nang may nagpatunay sa sinasabi ko. Nilingon ko ang
babae at kitang-kita ko
ang pamumula niya. Narinig ko ang asaran ng ibang lalaki sa kanya.
"Dad! Vince is a playboy! He's not to be trusted!" sabi ko na naputol lamang nang
nagsimilang humalakhak si
Daddy.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Vince's scent attacked my nose. Nilapag niya sa harap ko
ang beer na nakuha.
Nilingon ko siya at nakitang seryoso.
"Matinik ka talaga sa babae, Vincent," sabi ni Daddy sabay tawa.
Hindi nagsalita si Vince. Nagsimula ang marahang tawanan at asaran nila sa kay
Vincent at sa babaeng
arkitekto. Nakisabay sa tawanan ang babae.
P 8-6
Nilipat-lipat ko ang tingin ko sa lahat. Kahit si Mommy ay nagsisimula na ring
tumawa. Sina Ate Reanne at
Ate Lyanna ay nanatiling nakatingin sa akin, kuryoso.
I felt so humiliated. Pakiramdamko ay walang naniniwala sa akin. Pakiramdamko'y ako
ang pinagtatawanan
ng lahat. My words are always invalid. Even when it is against someone who's not
related to them!
Nilingon ko si Vincent at nakitang nakatingin siya sa akin. Tila nananantya.
Isang singhap at tinalikuran kong muli ang grupo para tumakbo paalis doon.
Determinadong hindi na ulit
bumalik o magpakita man lang.
Sinubsob ko ang aking mukha sa aking kama. Hindi ko kayang isipin muli ang buong
nangyari. Ikinakahiya ko
ang lahat. Bakit ba tila lahat sila'y hindi naniniwala sa akin? At kung si Vincent
ang pag-uusapan ay parang
okay lang ang lahat?
Sabado at wala akong gagawin. Hinilig ko ang aking ulo sa aking forearmhabang nasa
veranda. Hinayaan
kong mahulog ang aking kamay sa veranda. Tinitingnan ko ang iba pang mansyon sa
paligid na tila kaya kong
hawakan sa distansyang ito.
I heard laughter below. Sa harap ng gate namin ay nakita kong tumakbo si Ate Reanne
galing sa kung kanino.
I saw Vincent laughing while holding a green hose for our plants. Sumunod si Ate
Lyanna na natatawa rin.
"Tama na! May lakad pa kami!" si Ate Reanne sabay taas ng kanyang kamay.
Vincent's thunderous laughter echoed. Kinuha ni Ate Reanne ang isa pang hose sa
baba at muling idinirekta
kay Vincent dahilan kung bakit nabasa ito.
May lakad silang apat ngayon. Mommy, Daddy, Ate Reanne, and Ate Lyanna. Ang sabi ay
sa school daw.
Hindi naman ako sinabihang sasama kaya nanatili ako rito sa bahay, nababagot.
Nilagay ko ang anyo ni Vince sa gitna ng aking index finger at thumb. Kunwari
titirisin ko siya. I firmly put
my fingers together just so it can give me the illusion. Paulit-ulit ko iyong
ginawa habang nagtatawanan sila.
Binabasa ni Ate Reanne si Vincent. Tumatawa naman si Ate Lyanna.
The image of themhappy made my insides turn. Full of malice, I can't help but think
about his intentions
again. Malandi ka ring lalaki ka, 'no? Maybe you want to get to one of my sisters?
Muli ko siyang tiniris sa aking daliri.
"Eurydyce! Anong ginagawa mo? Baba ka rito, oh? Laro tayo? Are you bored?" Ate
Reanne called.
Nagtawanan ulit sila. Tumingala si Vincent at nakita ko siyang tumingin sa akin sa
gitna ng mga daliri ko.
Tinigil ko ang pagtiris sa kanya.
"Ayaw ko..." sagot ko kay Ate.
Parang hangin ay binalewala muli ako. Nagpatuloy sila sa pagtawanan hanggang sa
basang-basa na ang kulay
P 8-7
gray na t-shirt ni Vincent.
"Tama na, Reanne! Lalagnatin pa si Vince niyan!" si Ate Lyanna.
Tumawa si Ate Reanne.
Pikit ang isang mata'y muli kong tiniris si Vince. Natigil lamang sa kalagitnaan
nang nakitang naghubad siya
ng t-shirt. His golden brown muscled built is undeniably very manly. Kumunot ang
noo ko at bayolenteng
napalunok.
"Andyan na ang sasakyan!" si Ate Lyanna.
"Bye Kuya Vincent!" panunuya ni Ate Reanne sabay labas ng gate.
Sumunod si Ate Lyanna na tiningala muna ako at kinawayan bago umalis.
Tumingala rin si Vincent sa akin. Ginulo niya ang kanyang medyo basang buhok bago
pinulot muli ang hose at
nagpatuloy sa pagdidilig ng mga halaman.
Ngumuso ako at tiniris ulit siya. Umalis ang sasakyan at natahimik na ang buong
bahay.
Bumuntong-hininga ako at narinig ang cellphone na tumunog. Dinampot ko ito at
tiningnan kung sino ang
nagtext.
Mike, the basketball captain, despite my being unresponsive to his texts, is
texting me still.
Mike:
Hi! Nasa village n'yo kami ng team. Pwede ba kitang mabisita kahit saglit? :)
My initial reaction should be, "I'mnot interested" or "My Dad is strict." But when
I thought about it again,
wala na sina Daddy at hindi naman nagsusumbong si Vince. Hindi ako interesado kay
Mike at hindi rin
naman ako ganoon ka bored para magkaroon ng biglaang interes... pero... parang
gusto kong...
Ako:
Sure. Nasa veranda lang naman ako at wala sina Mommy at Daddy. We can hang out for
a while on our front
yard.
Mabilis ang reply ni Mike.
Mike:
Great! I'll be there in a few.
I resumed my new hobby. Puting Vincent in between my fingers. Nanatili siyang
naroon, nagdidilig ng
halaman nang namataan ko si Mike, naka basketball jersey na papalapit na sa aming
gate.
"Papasukin n'yo po, Manong!" sigaw ko sa guard na humarang agad kay Mike.
P 8-8
Nakita kong tumingala si Vincent sa akin dahil sa biglaan kong sigaw. Pagkatapos ay
bumaling sa kung sino
ang nasa gate.
Hindi naman ako naeexcite kay Mike pero bakit parang iba ngayon? Bago ako makababa
ay dumiretso muna
ako sa kwarto para makapagsuklay ng maayos.
I'mwearing a white spaghetti strap whole dress. Tightly hugging my body, and very
comfortable bilang
pambahay. I brushed my hair a bit and licked my lips. Hindi na kailangan ng ano
pang make up. Pwede na 'to!
Mabilis ang kalabog ng hardwood sa aming grand staircase dahil sa pagmamadali kong
bumaba. Nang nasa
labas na'y dahan-dahan akong naglakad.
Nakita ko si Vincent na nasa tapat na ng gate at nagdidilig ng halaman doon.
Plaster sa aking labi ang ngiti, sa
pag-aakalang mawewelcome si Mike papasok sa loob ng aming bahay nang nakitang wala
siya roon.
"Manong!" medyo nagtataka kong tawag. "Asan na iyong bisita ko?"
"Umalis na. Pinaalis ni Vincent at baka mapagalitan ka ulit ni Architect," si
Manong.
Nilingon ko si Vincent na ngayon ay nakataas ang kilay habang nagdidilig ng
halaman.
"Ba't mo pinaalis ang bisita ko?" nagsisimula na naman ang pagkakairita ko sa
kanya. Actually, nawawala ba
iyon?
"Gaya ng sabi ni Manong. Kung ayaw mong mapagalitan ulit, h'wag mong bigyan ng
rason ang Daddy mong
magalit."
"Sino ka ba para magdesisyon niyan, kung ganoon?"
I crossed my arm. Nilingon niya ako. He turned the hose off and I saw his eyes
checked me a bit.
Umiling siya at biglang tinalikuran ako. Kinuha ang basang t-shirt at nagsimulang
maglakad papasok ng
bahay.
Sa iritasyon ko ay nagmartsa ako pasunod sa kanya.
"Just because my Dad likes you doesn't mean the whole family likes you here! Sino
ka para manduhan ako ng
ganoon?"
Lumiko siya sa kusina. Nakakuha na ng hindi basang extra t-shirt at nilagay lamang
sa balikat. Sumunod ako
sa kanya sa kusina para lang marinig niya ang mga sasabihin ko.
"Your father will scold you again for entertaining boys. And with that kind of
clothes on!"
Hinila ko ang braso niya sa iritasyon. Lalo na noong pinuna niya pa ang damit ko!
Bakit ba siya
nangengealam?
"How dare you tell me that? Who are you to-"
P 8-9
Nilingon niya ako at bigla siyang marahas na humakbang paharap dahilan ng
sapilitang pagkakaatras ko.
Tumama ang likod ko sa center table ng aming kitchen. His hands flew immediately on
my sides, locking my
body, and my eyes.
"Sino ka rin para makealamsa buhay ko, kung ganoon? Hm? Why are you so angry last
night? You even made
a fool of yourself in front of my colleagues because of your anger!"
Nag-aalab ang kanyang mga mata. Hindi ko nga lang alamkung galit ba ang nakikita ko
o ano.
Tinulak ko siya ng buong lakas. Hinampas ko ang kanyang dibdib ngunit hindi siya
natinag sa kahit ano.
"May karapatan ako because my father trusts you!"
Ngumuso siya. Isang multo ng ngiti ang sumilay sa labi. Hindi ko alamkung para
saan.
"Why do I find your reasons now so hard to believe? Why don't you ask your father
to remove me fromhis
firm? Imbes ay ginugulo mo ako, huh?"
Gumapang ang kaba sa aking dibdib. Hindi ko alamkung normal pa ba ito ngunit
sobrang bilis ng pintig ng
puso ko. Tinulak ko siyang muli pero yumuko siya at hindi natinag. Hindi ako
nakapagsalita.
"So, that's your boyfriend, huh?" medyo mahinahon niyang tanong.
Napakurap-kurap ako sa sinabi niya.
"W-What? What are you talking about? I don't even like Mike!" I said it before I
could stop it.
Inangat niya ang titig niya sa akin. Suddenly, I'mtongue-tied for no reason. His
burning eyes is making me
tremble in fear... fear so different frombeing afraid of something. It's another
kind of fear. Something I've
never met before.
"So why did you invite him? To piss me off?"
Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. Hindi ko alamkung bakit hindi ako makapagsalita.
"And you're wearing that to entertain a visitor? Kid, clothes like that should be
worn only behind the doors of
your room. That's close to a lingerie!"
Pinamulahan ako ng mukha sa insultong natanggap. I feel so embarrassed. Lalo na
nang muli niyang
pinasadahan ng tingin ang aking damit. Inangat muli ang mga mata sa akin. Sa wakas,
nagkaroon ako ng boses
para magsalita.
"I'mnot a kid!" sigaw ko.
He smirked. "Oh, you are."
Pinindot niya ang ilong ko. Mas lalo lang akong nag-init sa galit. I pushed
himagain, full force but his ironclad
chest just didn't move even an inch.
P 8-10
"I said I'mnot!" sigaw kong muli.
"You are until you sort out your feelings."
He chuckled breathily. Mas lalo akong kinabahan. Pumikit ako at muling pinilit na
itulak siya para makawala
lang ako. My heart is beating like crazy and I couldn't take himthis close to me!
"Let me go! I hate you! I hate you so much!" sigaw ko.
Humalakhak siyang muli at nagkusang umatras para makawala lamang ako. Tumakbo agad
ako palayo ng
kusina at patungo na sa aking kwarto. My heart is beating loud and fast. My legs
are trembling. My face is
heated and I amso damn pissed!
I hate himso fucking much!
PAPALAPANYADAW KAYABADDON! Luhhh hahahahaahaha
P 8-11
Kabanata 7
340K 12.9K 5.9K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 7
Hatred
"She's not really you're girlfriend, right?" I heard Miss Almacen, my tutor's oddly
enticing voice frombehind
the door.
Papasok na sana ako sa library nang bigla kong narinig iyon. The door wasn't closed
kaya isang tulak ko, mga
isang pulgada, ay narinig ko na agad ang mga boses.
Vincent chuckled under his breath. The playfulness in his tone did not hide the
roughness of his normal voice.
"Come on. Don't insult me like that. Just because I confessed, doesn't mean you're
allowed to laugh at me," si
Miss Almacen.
I couldn't believe it. Heat rose in my head. Kahit na mainit ang ulo ko'y sa labas,
para akong binuhusan ng
malamig na tubig. Tikomang bibig ko ng mahigpit habang pinipigilan ang sariling
buksan ng malaki ang
pintuan.
Nawala ang tinig ng ilang sandali. My face reddened as my thoughts fly to whatever
was probably happening
inside.
"This is not the place," Vincent said in a low musculine tone.
What does he mean that this is not the place? Bukod doon, hindi niya girlfriend si
Vanessa? Then what is
she?
"Hmm. You're particular, huh. Sa bagay, Eury might come here and see us. You want
to be in bed. I have an
apartment."
At the mention of my name, agad kong binalik ang pintuan sa dati nitong ayos. It
wasn't my common sense that
worked but it was my adrenaline. I pretended as if I just got there and tried
knocking on the door.
I gave themat least ten seconds to scramble and go back to their original position
before I opened the door.
Diretso ang tingin ko sa aking lamesa, hindi tinitingnan si Miss Almacen man o si
Vincent na naroon parin sa
madalas niyang puwesto.
"Good afternoon, Eury," Miss Almacen greeted.
I did not greet her back. Nilapag ko na lamang ang aking mga aklat, determinadong
tapusin ang aking session
nang sa ganoon ay umalis na itong si Miss Almacen dito.
P 9-1
Hindi man sinasadya ay padabog kong nailapag ang aking mga aklat.
"Bad day, Eury?" Miss Almacen said in an amused tone.
I couldn't help but glance at Vince's table who's looking at me with an eyebrow
shot above. Knowing that
he's inside this roomis one thing but seeing himinside is another. His presence is
demanding. Hindi ko nga
lang alamkung dahil ba iyon galit ako o ganoon talaga ang epekto niya sa mga tao.
Maybe it's the first reason,
though. Because he'd caught my father's eye both in business and personality.
Napalunok ako at tiningnan na ang mga aklat. I glanced at Miss Almacen with
surprisingly seething anger.
Seriously, I have a really bad temper lately. Just looking at Miss Almacen made me
hate so much that I need
to be violent or something.
"Let's just get this over with, Miss Almacen. The finals is approaching and I have
lots of lessons to catch."
"Whoa! That's a good attitude you got there, Eury. Sige, magsimula na tayo."
Miss Almacen threw a suggestive glance at Vincent. He nodded with amusement and my
face burned at it.
Parang may pinag-usapan silang hindi ko alam! Parang may sekreto na tinatago! And I
hate that thought so
much that I think I'mbleeding.
Nagsimula na si Miss Almacen sa kanyang madalas na ginagawa. Just explaining to the
board how she got
her answer. If I just listen to her closely, I'd learned. But I wish Vincent would
go out of the room. The
knowledge that he's there, probably watching me, made me cringe.
Tumayo si Vincent. Pareho kaming napalingon ni Miss Almacen sa kanyang anyo.
I looked at himwith the same angry glare. I hated in when he moves like a lion
lazily gliding towards
wherever he's going. Gracefully fluid even in his massive six feet and so height
and broad shoulders. He
screamed so much musculinity that even the way he held the door handle made me a
bit uncomfortable.
"Excuse me," he said politely even when it wasn't necessary.
Miss Almacen nodded too sweetly that it made mo so annoyed. Nang nawala si Vincent
ay tila 'tsaka lang
ako nakahinga nang malalimat 'tsaka lang din ako nakapag-isip ng maayos.
"You like him," I said abruptly without looking at my tutor.
"W-What, Eury?" naririnig ko ang hilaw na tawa sa tanong.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin. My vision a bit bloody red for whatever reason.
"He has a girlfriend," ulit ko kahit na alamkong nasabi na rin ni Miss Almacen na
hindi naman talaga iyon
girlfriend ni Vincent si Vanessa.
"What are you talking about, Eury?" She laughed again.
She continued with her lecture like she did not hear anything but I couldn't. Hindi
ko na kaya pang makinig
ngayong ang utak ko'y punong-puno na ng kung anu-ano.
P 9-2
"Didn't know you were desperate, Miss Almacen."
Namutla si Miss Almacen sa narinig galing sa akin. If she was trying to compose
herself a while ago, now
she couldn't do it anymore. Even her smile twitched as if there was something wrong
with her face muscles.
"Leave Vincent alone," mariin kong sinabi.
"Eury, anong pinagsasabi mo?" I saw the clear guilt in her eyes. All the more I got
annoyed.
"Just leave himalone, Miss Almacen. You will only get hurt. He has had his fair
share of woman. I know,
I've seen it," I said with a warning.
She looked at me, stunned. Nagsimula na akong magsulat para matapos na ang session
naming ito. Hindi na
siya muli nagsalita tungkol sa topic ngunit nararamdaman ko ang kanyang pagiging
withdrawn sa aming
session.
"We're done for tonight, Eury," anito ilang minuto ang lumipas.
Agad akong tumayo. Kasabay noon ang pagbukas muli ng pinto para ipakita si Vincent.
His first glance was
on Miss Almacen. And although she hid it, I saw her half smiled at him.
Padabog kong nilagay ang aking mga aklat sa aking bag at halos tumakbo na palabas
ng library. Anger
dripping everywhere in me.
The wind chimes touched by the sea breeze sounded so soothing. I wiped away the
tears I shed just thinking
about it... reminiscing about it.
I have long realized how whatever love I amasking for has dented my morale. I have
been an attentionseeker
as a teenager. I have learned so many things the hard way. At hindi ko alamkung
bakit pagkatapos ng
lahat ay 'tsaka ko lang nalaman kung ano talaga iyon. What was it that made me
unreasonably angry about.
Isang maliit na espasyo sa kurtina ay nakita ko si Miss Almacen na umaangkas sa
motor ni Vincent. I
swallowed the lump in my throat. Anger is still seething like an aura in me.
"Eury, anong tinitingnan mo?"
Kasabay ng pagbitiw ko sa kurtina ay ang pag-alis din ni Vincent. Hinatid ni Ate
Lyanna si Vincent at Miss
Almacen palabas. There was no explanation as to why Miss Almacen is now leaving
with Vincent but I
know why, anyway.
"W-Wala," sabi ko.
Ate Reanne opened the curtain. Thank God, they aren't there anymore.
"Umalis na si Vince?" Ate Reanne asked.
I shrugged as if I didn't know and didn't care. Bumaling sa kalakhan ng sala sa
aming pangalawang palapag.
Iniwas sa mapanuring tingin ni Ate Reanne kanina.
P 9-3
"Alammo ba, iyong kaklase ko sa Taxation na si Alisha ay nagconfess kay Vincent
kahapon."
My eyes darted at her.
First of all, paano nakilala ng kanyang kaklase si Vincent? Pangalawa, nag confess?
Saan naman nag confess?
I don't remember her bringing her classmates here in opur house.
Her smile widened at my reaction. I wrinkled my nose and started strutting towards
our beige sofa. Akala
ko'y lulubayan ako ni Ate Reanne ngunit sinabayan niya pa ako roon. I know that it
is not really her to be here
instead of studying. But then Ate Reanne is a bit cooler than Ate Lyanna. Maybe
it's because she's born
second. Maybe because Ate Lyanna's expected to inherit Dad's firm. Clearly,
kailangan niyang pumantay man
lang kay Daddy sa achievements.
When I think about it, I can actually recall Dad's a bit disappointed tone when he
realized that Ate Lyanna's
interest is interior designing rather than Dad's field. Dad's already satisfied
with Ate Reanne since she's
pursuing Mom's position. Ako lang naman ang wala sa dalawa ang pinupursue.
"We hung out at this restaurant after our major exam. That is where Daddy usually
brings some of his teams."
"Paano nakilala ni Vincent ang kaibigan mo?"
Ngumuso si Ate Reanne. Her eyeglasses a bit falling but she managed to put it in
place with her index finger.
"You know our school is just beside Dad's office. I come there often, sometimes for
lunch. Kaya naabutan
namin si Vincent."
Her thin pink lips spread in a slow smile. Hinawi ko ang buhok ko at nag-angat ng
kilay, nag-iwas ng tingin
sa kapatid.
"Vincent said he's busy so he can't entertain Alisha. Ang problema pa ay ngayon,
pati ang isa ko pang
kaibigan ay gustong sumubok din! Ang swerte ni Vanessa, 'no? Vince is like so
talked about man, and she's
the girlfriend."
I recalled Miss Almacen's remark about Vanessa. Now, I amnot sure which one to
believe. Paano kaya
naman nasabi ni Ate Reanne na girlfriend ni Vince si Vanessa? But he didn't deny it
either! So she has to be
his girlfriend!
"Oh maybe just his series fuck buddies," I said without hesitation.
Namilog ang mga mata ni Ate Reanne. Her almond eyes darkened. I have always envied
that, not my hooded
almost-chinky eyes.
"Where did you get those words, Eury?" Now she sounds furious.
I rolled my eyes.
"Kay Amer ba? Oh, that boy!"
"But it's true, though. I do think he is a playboy. Is that what you want for a
brother?" I said ignoring her
P 9-4
words.
"He's a good friend. Almost like a brother to me... and Ate Lyanna. And to you..."
there's a hint of something
in her mention of me. "So it doesn't matter. You should spend more time with himand
stop the hate, Eury."
Tumayo si Ate Reanne at hinalikan ako sa noo bago umalis at naglakad patungo sa
kanyang kwarto. I
carefully watched her long slender legs alternately gracing our corridors.
Kinabukasan, unang araw ng aming exam, maaga ako sa bahagy dahil tapos na ang
dalawa. When the maids
said that Dad was around, I went immediately to the library.
I opened the door and found that Vincent is also there, looking intently at his
laptop. Isang sulyap para sa akin
habang nakakunot ang kanyang noo at binalik ulit ang kanyang mata sa laptop.
"Your tutor isn't here, yet," he said in a monotone.
I gritted my teeth at that. Hindi iyon naalis sa aking utak habang ako'y nag-
eexamkanina.
I went directly to his table. Although, his presence intimidated me big time. The
way he looked at me when
he noticed my zooming in, I still carried myself with confidence. Or guarded
intimidation. Dahil nanginginig
ang binti ko ngayong nakalapit na ako sa kanya. Tanging ang mukha ko lang ang hindi
nagpapakita ng ganoong
ekspresyon.
His shoulder is squared. And even fromhis t-shirt, I can tell that his chest is
hard as a rock. Tanging ang labi
niya lang talaga ang mukhang malambot sa kanyang katawan.
"So, you bedded my tutor last night, huh?" I said with accusation.
Nanliit ang mga mata ko. I crossed my armand tried to hide my nervousness despite
the bravery to come up
to himand point out what was obvious.
Nanatili ang tingin niya sa akin. Mas lalo lang akong kinabahan. He looked at me
with a ghost of amusement
and hidden anger.
"You look so formal when you're dealing with my sisters, my mother, and father,
they didn't know how big of
a manwhore you are!"
He grimaced. It annoyed me more.
"Hindi ba girlfriend mo si Vanessa? And you were just flirting with whoever that
damn woman was in Dad's
team. Now, you've flirted with my tutor, as well-" I choked on my words when he
tried to stand up.
Napaatras ako roon. Ang lapad niya'y tila masyadong mabigat at nakakabagabag. The
space he occupied
when he's standing made me shiver at my size. But then I won't back down. Thinking
that... if he'll hurt me
now, he'll get remove here easily. My parents will remove him. They can't be that
heartless to keep a man,
even as talented, that's hurting their daughter.
But who amI kidding? The reason of my annoying himdidn't occur to me, really.
Ngayon lang. Ngayong
nakita ko siyang bayolenteng galit at nangingibabaw ang awtoridad, physically, and
probably mentally,
P 9-5
kumpara sa akin.
"How can you say that I've flirted with your tutor, Eury?" in a lazy, ready-to-
attack drawl.
"Inangkas mo siya sa motor n'yo! And I've heard of her indecent proposal! Surely, a
man like you will take
advantage!"
"Oh, that's a poor judgement on your part."
"It's obvious, Vince!"
How can a man like you... like you... refuse those offers? I highly doubt it.
Truth is, at first glance, I have noticed how he looks so sexually attractive. It
is not just because of his
physical size, it is his attitude, his simple unconscious gestures. Sa paghawak
lang ng hose at ang pagtayo
roon na sa aming hardin ay napapagiwi na ako. He looked squarely like an animal to
me... driven by his
primitive desires.
His stance every time he's standing. His way of lazy drawls when talking. His smirk
and grimace. The way
his eyes redenned when he's angry. The way his veins show up when he's being
forceful. And I hate every bit
of it.
"You flirt just about anyone! You've probably bedded everyone. And I bet you're
planning to bed one of my
sisters just so you can have Dad's firm! You're disgusting!" I meant that as an
insult but he didn't even flinch.
Imbes ay humakbang siya palapit sa akin. Tila nagsasayaw ay nagawa ko ring umatras.
Hoping so bad not to
reach the wall again, like what happened in the kitchen. But before I could reach
the wall, he pulled my wrist
forcefully that I groaned at the pain.
My pale skin reddened at the sides of where his fingers were.
"What are you doing to me? Let me go!" I said.
"And you think your sisters are that easy, huh?" He said that with another meaning.
At nakuha ko iyon. Sa
galit ng mga mata niya, nakuha kong hindi iyon insulto para sa aking mga kapatid.
It was more insult to me.
"Hahayaan kitang magsalita ng masama sa akin, pero hindi sa mga kapatid mo! Your
sisters are nothing but
kind and you are suggesting that dirt on your mind. Ganoon ba ang tingin mo sa mga
kapatid mo?!"
Namilog ang mga mata ko. How my words quickly backfired.
He looked at me fromhead to foot with nothing but insult in his eyes.
"You are very different fromyour sisters... You're..." Nanliit ang mga mata niya.
Hindi niya na kailangang dugtungan. The hurt has dug in my skin that I can fill in
the words that's missing.
Tears stung my eyes. Maybe because it isn't an insult. Maybe because I think it is
true. Or maybe because I
have heard a lot of insults my entire life that I thought they were all true and I
amliving them.
P 9-6
"What is that, Amore?" Amer asked when he noticed the way I soothed my wrist.
The pain of Vincent's grip last night is still there. Huminga ako ng malalimat
nagpatuloy sa paglalakad
patungo sa cafeteria. Girls looked my way and smiled. After that, they gossiped
like crazy. Be it about the
nerd classmate of mine or Mike.
Speaking of Mike, nakausap ko siya at sinabi niyang ayos lang daw ang pag-alis niya
sa aming bahay at
naiintindihan niya ang rason. But then he looked furious recalling the way he was
shooed away by Vincent.
Damn Vince.
"Vince's gripped me hard on my wrist last night..." I trailed off making his mouth
fall with so many ideas.
"He gripped the what?"
Uminit ang pisngi ko. An image flashed on my mind and I stopped it immediately. I
can't decide if I'm
disgusted or what.
"Nag-away kami kagabi at hinawakan niya ako rito. You have a dirty mind, Amer."
"Because you said it a bit weird! Good thing! I want himfor myself!" He laughed.
Ngumiti pa ulit ako sa ilan pang babaeng nakasalubong. Girls travel in flocks. They
like to gossip and put
make up on. I have girl friends but no one as close as Amer. And I guess, I know
why. Noong nakaraang taon,
ang isang kaibigan ko'y nakipaghiwalay sa boyfriend nang biglang nagpahiwatig ang
boyfriend niyang
manliligaw sa akin. This is a curse, rather than a blessing.
"I hate himto bits, Amer. He's a scene stealer. He always get Dad's attention. I
hate him," ulit ko.
"Maybe he's talented, that's why. But I can tell he is."
Sinuklay ko ang aking buhok gamit ang aking daliri. The V cut of the ends of my
hair immediately untangled.
Baby hair loosely fell on the sides of my face. Amer looked at me with a smirk.
Mga lalaki naman ngayon ang nadaanan namin. Mga basketball player sa higher grade
na agad tumigil at
tumigin sa akin, naghihiyawan, at nagtutuksuhan.
"Hi, boys!" Amer entertained then turned back to me. "So saan kayo sa Semestral
break?" tanong niya.
I rolled my eyes. "Hindi ako makakapunta roon sa agency dahil pupunta kami ng
Batangas."
"But surely, you can move a go-see? If he scouted you, he can arrange that," aniya.
"Really?"
"Uh-huh? Try to call themand arrange an appointment when you're back!"
Parang hulog ng langit si Amer nang sinabi niya iyon. Now, I don't feel so bad
about going to Batangas
anymore. Lalo na noong nakita kong hindi namin kasama si Vincent, for some reason,
papunta roon.
P 9-7
I rested my head on a pillow as our car started the long drive. Mommy, and my
sisters were settling for a
sleep, while I amdetermined to having fun. Si Daddy naman ay purong business habang
sinasagot ang mga
tawag galing sa kanyang opisina.
Hindi ako natulog, gaya ng mga kapatid ko. Imbes ay tiningnan ko bawat sasakyan,
kahoy, bukirin, talahib, at
taniman na nadadaanan namin. Nangingiti sa bawat magandang tanawing nakikita at
hinihigop ang lahat ng
iyon sa aking memorya.
Tumigil ang sasakyan sa isang matalahib at lumang mansyon. Ang nakapalibot na
bermuda sa mansyon ay
mukhang na mi-maintain naman ng maayos, pero hindi kasing dalas. The dark red
wooden mansion looked
majestic despite the untrimmed vegetation to its right and the unraked sand on its
left.
Pagkalabas sa van ay narinig ko agad ang mga alon sa dagat kung saan. Nilingon ko
si Daddy na kalalabas
lang ngayon galing sa front seat at nasa telepono parin.
"Yes, Captain. Vince will help me do it. I assume he's already here," si Daddy,
siguro ay kausap ang may-ari
nitong mansion.
Vince is here? Where? Akala ko ba...
Napalinga-linga ako sa paligid. Wala naman akong nakikita roon except ang isang
kulay abong maliit na
bahay para sa hindi ko alam. May dayami sa loob, that I assumed that it's for
horses. After a few seconds, I
realized it is for horses.
A large black stallion galloped towards us. With every move, the sand flew in the
air. I don't remember
seeing an actual horse this close before, I lived my whole life on the concrete
pavement of Manila. The beast
looked scary that my eyes widened.
My eyes shifted on its master, riding it with annoying grace and fluidness. Vince
in his t-shirt that showed a
humble amount of his chest is maneuvering the horse.
"Andito na pala siya," si Daddy. "I'll call again, Captain."
With his whole weight on the side of the horse, bumaba si Vincent at pagkatapos ay
hinawakan ang ulo ng
kabayo, tila pinupuri ito bago itinali sa kahoy na bahay nito.
My sisters started hurrying towards him, admiring the black stallion and his being
able to master it. Nanatili
akong nakatayo sa kung saan malapit ang van habang tinitingnan pati si Mommy at
Daddy na palapit sa kanya.
They were all eager to see himlike he'd been gone for weeks. I smiled bitterly.
This is ridiculous.
"Vincent! Hindi ko akalaing napakaganda pala ng lugar na kinalakhan mo!" si Daddy.
So this is where he grew up. I scanned the place again. But then is his relatives
here? Mother? Father? Well,
I know he's an orphan. But does he have other relatives?
And I amgoing to stay where he grew up? Damn it! I shold have known!
"Opo."
P 9-8
"This is where you grew up, Vince?" Ate Reanne said. "That mansion? You must be
rich, then! How you said
you were fromrags, you're too humble!"
"No, Reanne. The owner, Athena Galvezis rich, not me. I grew up here taking care of
their boats and their
horses. Lalo na pag nasa byahe si Kapitan, ang asawa ng may-ari."
"But are you related to them?" Ate Reanne asked.
"No, hija. They're just fromthe same hometown."
Ngumiti si Vince, his eyes suddenly went to me and for a split second I couldn't
move. I looked away and
stared blankly at the unraked sand. My breathing hitch for a moment and I'msuddenly
sweating cold.
"They are planning to develop this into a hotel. Kaya pinapatingnan kay Architect
ang loob para sa kanyang
opinyon."
"Kaya mo ito Vince, pero dahil gusto mong ako ang tumingin, hindi kita bibiguin."
Vincent growled in his laughter. I shivered at the sound os his deep voice. Bumaba
ang tingin ko sa aking
mga paa. My family laughed at another joke until some help arrived for our bags.
Dahil excited ang mga kapatid ko ay sumama na sila sa mga nagdala ng mga gamit
namin.
Ang tinig ng boots na tumatama sa nagtatalong bermuda at buhangin ay nagpakaba sa
akin. Maglalakad na
sana ako kasunod ng mga kapatid at magulang ko nang narinig si Vince.
"Someone is not pleased to be here," his tone is teasing.
"Who will be pleased? I amnot at all interested with your hometown. I would rather
stay at home and sleep,"
I said and glared at him.
I caught himlooking at me intently. His eyes revealed so much and so little at the
same time. Like it wants me
to know things but it isn't welcoming enough.
"Vincent!" A girl's voice registered on my ear. It is not my family, I'msure. I
know themtoo well.
Umangat ang tingin ko sa veranda ng pangalawang palapag at nakita roon... si
Vanessa! What the hell is she
doing here?
Binalik ko ang tingin ko kay Vincent. His eyes never left mine and a slow curve,
like a smile, is plastered on
his face.
"No funny plans this time, jealous kid," he said as he chuckled.
Uminit ang pisngi ko sa galit. Fuming mad, he left me with bigger steps. He
advanced until he's gone inside
the house. Kumaway si Vanessa sa akin at ngumiti ng pagkatamis tamis.
I have nothing but rage inside me. Feelings developed abnormally. And hatred was
all that I can name it.
P 9-9
BANGUS TO SI VINCEKALAKO SI MCCOYLANGNGPBBShetstallion series onmymind! Fafa Reid!
P 9-10
Kabanata 8
332K 13.4K 8K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 8
Safe
The first three days in Batangas were all about work. My sisters did not grow tired
of the sea in front of the
mansion. Kaya naman ay hindi rin kami maka alis alis doon.
Sa ika apat na araw naman, 'tsaka nagdesisyong mamasyal sa bayan. Few tourist
spots. Few churches we
visited until we got exhausted and went home.
Sa hapag, si Daddy at Vincent ay puro disenyo ang pinag-uusapan. Vanessa is always
there every night but
she doesn't sleep in the mansion. Mukhang ang bahay nila'y malapit lang dito.
Isa-isa kami ng kwarto ng mga kapatid ko. But then Ate Lyanna would go to Ate
Reanne's roombecause she
find the antique things creepy. I didn't, though.
The whole mansion needs renovation. Though the woodwork is a fine art, it needed to
be "updated", my
father had said. Vincent agreed to him. Pati ang pag didisenyo ng extension nito pa
kaliwa na mapupuno ng
mga rooms, facing the sea.
The house is very Victorian. And the owner wants the extension to have the same
kind of feel. To preserve
its originality and to conformwith the other wing. The wide windows on the sala
revealed the sea. Amoy
kape at toasted bread pagkababa ko. Siguro ay nagluto na ang kasambahay kahit alas
sais pa naman ng umaga.
Tulog pa ang pamilya ko dahil sa pagod kagabi. Ako lang yata ang nagising ng alas
sais ng umaga.
I heard a sound fromthe dock. Sumungaw ako sa bintana galing sa pagkakababa ko sa
hagdanan. Nakita kong
naroon si Vincent kasama si Vanessa sa iisang bangka. His broad bare shoulders is
flexing as he removed the
anchor fromwherever it is.
"Yuhooo!" Vanessa shouted as the boat advanced.
Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng mansion para makita ang pag-alis nila. Vincent started
the engine and it
roared to life. Nakita kong may hinigit siya na lubid galing kung saan at 'tsaka
ito umalis.
Nanliit ang mga mata ko nang nakitang papalayo na nga ang bangka.
Hurriedly, I went to the dock to see if there's another boat. I couldn't hardly see
Vince's and Vanessa's boat
and I have to see it. I have to know. For whatever reason.
Sumakay ako sa isang bangka. Nakita kong may lubid na nakapalupot sa engine ay agad
ko iyong hinila. Sa
unang hila ay hindi ito umandar.
P 10-1
Tumingin muli ako sa karagatan at mas lalong lumayo ang bangka. Thoughts about
himand those other girls,
my Dad's team, my Tutor, and now his "girlfriend" Vanessa sent shivers in me.
Hinila ko ang lubid ng siguro'y anchor. Sobrang bigat niyon na kinailangan buong
katawan ang pinanghihila
ko. I put it on the edge of the boat and started encircling the ropes on the
engine, gaya nang nakita kong anyo
nito kanina. For the second time, it did not roar to life.
But I guess the third time is the charm! It roared to life on my third time and
then suddenly there was no
holding back. Hindi ko alamkung paano imamaniobra ang bangka. Basta't dumiretso na
lang ito sa karagatan.
The wind is chilling. The mansion is getting smaller and smaller in my eyes. Imbes
na mag enjoy ay
nagconcentrate ako sa pagtutungo sa kung nasaan ang dalawa. If Vanessa is, indeed,
his girlfriend. Then we
wouldn't know what happened between themin a secluded but public boat!
Dire-diretso ang bangka hanggang sa nakita ko na ang tawa ni Vanessa. Vince wasn't
laughing, though. His
eyes was keen on the boat that's coming towards themand that was me! Kunot-noo
akong nakatitig sa kanila
hanggang sa nag-iba ang tunog ng bangka.
What the hell happened?
Luminga-linga ako at nakitang umaangat ang bangka sa harap dahil ang lubid ng
anchor kanina ay nasa ilalim
na ng dagat! I'mstuck while the engine is roaring! The anchor's caught in a coral
or a rock that the boat
couldn't move now. No. It is moving! But upwards!
Terrified at what's happening. Tumingin ako sa bangkang nasa 'di kalayuan. I saw
Vince dived on the sea just
before the boat turned upside down hitting my head and throwing me on water. I
struggled to find my balance.
Marunong akong lumangoy ngunit hindi ganoon kagaling.
Pikit-mata akong lumangoy paakyat nang nauntog muli ang ulo ko sa bangka.
I lost the faint of air I'mholding inside my lungs. Slowly, my sight is fading
until I felt an armsnaked around
my waist.
Nang sa wakas ay nakalanghap ako ng hangin ay hiningal agad ako.
"What do you think you're doing, huh?" galit na galit na tanong ni Vince.
Nasa likod ko siya. Ang kanyang braso ay nakapalupot sa akin at ang isang kamay ang
ginagamit para
lumangoy.
"Ako dapat ang magtanong niyan, hindi ba? What are you doing and why are you alone
with that girl!" I am
seething with anger.
"You stupid kid! Muntik ka nang malunod iyan parin ang inaalala mo, huh?"
"Totoo naman! Maybe you have a stupid p-plan..." nanginig ako. "Kiss her while
you're in that boat? Maybe
bed her in that boat? Oh right, you like to bed women in bed rather than-"
P 10-2
"What the fuck are you talking about?" The unrestricted anger dripped in his tone.
Kung hindi siguro siya lumalangoy ngayon ay kanina niya pa ako nasaktan! Ramdamna
ramdamko ang galit
niya. The way his armsnaked fiercely as we moved closer the their boat, were
Vanessa is.
"Oh my God, Vince!" Vanessa said in a worried tone.
She held out her hand for me. Vince tried to nudge me to get her hand but I didn't.
"You..." he trailed off and lifted me up so he can put me in the boat.
"Bakit mo ginawa 'yon?" Vanessa asked while she is giving me a towel.
Gusto kong isiping pinipeke niya ang kanyang reaksyon pero alamkong hindi. Alamkong
totoong nagtataka
siya at natakot para sa akin.
Vince rose swiftly with his arms, rocking the boat slightly towards him. His arms
flexed and the veins
strained. Ang takas na tubig galing sa kanyang katawan ay bumuhos. Naglahad agad ng
tuwalya si Vanessa sa
kanya.
Tinanggap iyon ni Vince ay nilagay sa kanyang balikat. Nilingon niya ako, anger is
looming in his eyes like a
powerful stormready to kill. His jew clenched when he saw me just sitting there
with the towel on my thighs,
not moving or planning to move it.
He squatted in front of me while Vanessa is raining himquestions.
"Paano ang bangka? May sugat ba siya? The anchor got caught?"
He didn't speak. Ang tanging ginawa ni Vincent ay ang ayusin ang tuwalya at igapos
iyon sa akin. I glared at
himand he glared at me back. Maraming mga salita na parang nasa aming dalawa na
hindi nasasabi.
"Vincent," Vanessa called.
"Maneuver it back to the dock," he ordered.
Tumango si Vanessa. She followed Vincent's orders without question. At tahimik
kaming nakarating sa dock
ngunit sa 'di kalayuan pa lamang ay nakita ko na kung sinu-suno ang nag-aantay.
Daddy, Mommy, and my sisters were one of the people on the shore. I can tell that
they have been awakened
by the maids because of the problem. May hawak si Mommy na telescope at agad akong
sinalubong.
"Anak, anong nangyari?" blame is now in her tone.
"Eury! What is this?" Father demanded.
Yumuko ako. I amthe author of my trouble. Indeed. Kahit noon pa man. And nothing
has changed.
"Vincent!" dahil walang makuha si Daddy na eksplenasyon sa akin, kay Vincent siya
nagtanong.
P 10-3
"She met an accident, Architect."
"Paano siya nagkaaksidente?" Father's tone rise a notch.
Napaangat ako ng tingin sa aking ama. He looked disappointed but somehow, I can
feel the concern in his
tone.
Vince didn't or couldn't say a thing. Vanessa butts in.
"She maneuvered a boat to the sea. Hindi ata naayos ang anchor. It was dragged
until the boat was forced
stop."
Nilingon ko ang mga taog pumapalaot ngayon. Siguro ay para kuhanin ang bangkang
halos tinaob ko.
"You what, Eurydyce?" Now, Dad's concerned tone is gone. "You what?"
"Architect, I think it is better to let her rest first."
"Hindi, Vincent. Eury is behaving oddly the past weeks or months. What is this
Eury? Alammo ba kung
paano paandarin ang bangka?"
Umiling ako.
"Hindi naman pala!" sigaw ni Daddy.
I got startled that my tears came rushing like waterfalls in the summer. Pumikit
ako ng mariin at nanatiling
nakayuko.
"Ephraim," Mommy called to stop Dad.
"Bakit mo sinakyan ng mag-isa, huh? If it had collided on someone else's boat, then
that would be a disaster!"
Nalaglag ang panga ko para humigop ng hininga at para salubungin din ang sakit sa
aking puso. If my boat had
collided with someone else's? Perhaps, Vincent's boat? Then if it didn't, it
doesn't matter to Dad?
Shut up, Eury. Kahit anong sabihin mo, kasalanan mo parin.
"I will lead her to her room, Architect. She's freezing," Vincent said in a formal
and controlled tone.
Hindi na nagsalita si Daddy. Naglakad ako pabalik sa mansyon habang tinitingnan ng
mga taong naroon. They
looked at me quietly and talked when I amalready far away. I know because I've
heard their chattering.
Dire-diretso ang lakad ko. I know and I can feel it that Vincent's is just behind
me, quietly watching me walk
to my room.
Binuksan ko ang pintuan ng aking kwarto. I tried to close the door but he had
slipped in before I could do it. I
glared at himwith disdain and went to the wooden rattan chair just beside my bed.
Nasa harap ko siya, nakatayo. Nakaupo ako habang nakayuko. I guiltily didn't look
at him. But I know that one
P 10-4
wrong move fromhim, I'd be barking again.
"Leave me alone," I said sharply.
"You're father has gone too far again," he said calmly.
Napa-angat ako ng tingin ngayon. His forlorn look told me that he realized what my
father meant with his