Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)
Kabanata 19
Kabanata 19
"K-KAHIT NGAYON LANG... p'wede ba?!" 'Di ko na napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses, pakiramdam ay pumipintig at sasabog na ang ulo.
Silence fell. Bumuntonghinga si Tita, lumalambot ang tingin sa 'kin. Hindi ko pa rin maproseso ang narinig ko, walang lakas para magtanong. All I could think of was my brother and his safety.
Him before anything. Punong-puno na ang utak ko para dagdagan pa ang walang katapusang problemang 'to!
"Sera..." Tita Asunta murmured.
"Aalis muna ako. Siguraduhin mong magiging maayos ang anak ko pagkabalik ko, Serafine." Nanay looked ay me pointedly, rolled her eyes, and walked away.
Nasapo ko ang mukha at mariing napapikit. I heard footsteps moving closer.
"S-Sera... I'm sorry, m-magpapaliwanag ako," Tita said.
"Pati ba naman ikaw?" I asked weakly.
I saw pain and regret in her eyes when I finally looked at her. She sighed and tried to hold me.
"S-Sorry, hindi ko intensyong itago sa 'yo," she murmured.
I didn't answer, just stared at my hands as she held them.
"Sana... sana, pakinggan mo ako."
"Sa susunod na," I whispered, meeting her gaze. "Ang kapatid ko... mas kailangan niya ako ngayon. Sa susunod na, please, punong-puno na ang utak ko."
She nodded with understanding. I gasped softly when she stroked my hand, then pulled me into an embrace.
"I understand. Dito lang ako. Salamat, Sera. We will pray for Miggy," she whispered.
My tears fell. I inhaled shakily and hugged her back.
"M-Magiging maayos siya, 'di ba?" I whispered.
"Of course... sshh, of course, magiging maayos siya," she soothed, stroking my back.
I caught sight of Vioxx walking toward us, his eyes searching. When our gazes met, I quickly looked away and pulled back from Tita.
I harshly wiped my tears, sobbing as I tried to pull myself together.
"Sino pong kaanak ng pasyente?"
Doon na ako napatayo at dagling nilapitan ang doktor.
"K-kapatid ko po. Ano pong nangyari? Kumusta?" I couldn't hide the fear in my voice.
He looked at me, the look couldn't be mistaken. It doesn't look good. "Miss Mendez, as much as I want to say he's doing fine, he's not at the moment."
My heart pounded, tears brimming.
"His stress these past few days weakened his heart further. Emotional stress isn't good for him, right? He experienced shortness of breath because of it. His scheduled operation, unfortunately, has to be as early as now."
I gasped, shutting my eyes tightly. Naramdaman kong may humawak sa braso ko at narinig ang boses niya.
"Then let's push through with the operation," he said. The doctor looked at him, recognition in his eyes, and nodded.
"We will, Engineer. We can't prolong the process. The patient's life is at risk."
I couldn't speak. My body trembled with fear—fear for my brother, fear for the operation, fear for his safety. Fear from everything that's been going on with us.
Hindi ko kakayanin kung pati sa kapatid ko'y may mangyaring masama...
"G-Gawin n'yo ang lahat, p-pakiusap... iligtas n'yo ang kapatid ko," I pleaded. "Please..."
"We will, Miss Mendez. We will do our best," he assured. "Mauuna na ako at aasikasuhin ang operasyon."
The moment he turned away, I felt my world collapse. Naramdaman ko ang hawak sa braso ko at kasunod no'n ay nakita ko ang sariling nakabaon sa dibdib ni Vioxx. At first, I resisted, pushing him away, but his grip was stronger.
I sobbed against him, tears streaming endlessly as I pounded his chest.
"B-Bitawan mo ako!"
"No," he whispered, tightening his embrace. "Just let me hug you, please."
"N-No..."
"P-Please, baby..." he whispered.
Weak and drained, I stopped struggling. He held me tighter.
"It's gonna be alright," he hummed, caressing my back.
I let him. Despite my tears, he stayed quiet, holding me close, stroking my back, kissing my hair.
"Kukuha lang ako ng tubig," I heard Tita's voice.
I felt myself calming under his warmth. Closing my eyes, I let him guide me to sit down.
He stayed beside me, carefully brushing my hair back from my face. He tucked my hair behind my ear, drying my tears.
"S-Si Tatay..."
"I assigned people to watch over the wake," he murmured. "Everything's good. Don't worry."
I sighed, turning away when his hand touched my cheek.
"Sera..."
"S-Salamat, p-p'wede ka na umuwi. Alam kong busy ka."
"No, I'll stay here with you," he said with finality.
˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖
THANKFULLY, MY BROTHER'S operation was successful, but it didn't end there. The next morning, we had to push through with my father's burial.
My chest felt unbearably heavy as I stared at the coffin slowly being covered with soil, couldn't believe that it would come to a point where I would have to see him in that box being lowered down six feet under the ground.
Hilam na hilam ang mata ko sa luha. I didn't know if there would be tears left because it was unstoppable. My head was pounding, wala akong kain at tulog. Walang ama at nasa ospital ang kapatid.
As I tossed a white rose onto his grave, I couldn't help but remember all the kindness and memories Tatay had given me.
I remembered him humming me to sleep when I was a child. I remembered him giving us his share of food when we wanted more, even if it meant he had none left. Kahit wala siya... basta ay mayro'n kami.
And yet, I did nothing for his condition...
'Tay, akala ko ba aantayin mo akong makaakyat sa entablado sa graduation ko? 'Tay, bakit naman ganito?
I sniffled, my small sobs turning into loud cries. My fists clenched as I struggled to breathe, watching the earth swallow his resting place.
Hindi ko na kinayang pagmasdan siyang gano'n at nakahanap ng tiyansa na makaalis. Nang mapag-isa'y tuluyan na akong bumigay, 'di na mapigilan ang balde ng mga luha sa pag-alpas.
I felt a touch on my stomach, and I broke down.
"Sshh," a soft voice hummed.
I cried harder upon hearing that voice. I had no strength to pull away, clinging instead to the comfort he offered.
Bakit lahat ng taong minamahal ko ay unti-unting kinukuha sa akin? Aminado naman akong 'di ako mabuting tao! Pero wala ba talaga akong karapatang maging masaya?
"Hey, look at me..." He tilted my head, trying to meet my eyes.
His brown eyes pierced through me, his face filled with pain and emotions I couldn't name. He looked lost, too—just like me.
"Calm down, baby, okay?" He cupped my cheek.
I said nothing, watching his beautiful face and wondered where it all went wrong.
"M-May mali ba sa akin para iwanan akong mag-isa?" I couldn't help but ask.
"No." He shook his head immediately. "Nothing's wrong with you."
"K-Kung sana... sana mas napagtuunan ko ng pansin si Tatay... sana buhay pa siya... sana—"
"Hindi mo kasalanan, Serafine," he murmured. "Listen, you did your best—"
"No! Kung ginawa ko ang best ko eh 'di sana—"
"No... no... please, listen. You did your best. And you're not alone. Nandito pa naman si Miggy... ako..."
His last word left me dumbfounded.
Siya?
I stared at him, my chest tightening even more.
"N-Nauna ka pa ngang iwanan ako kaysa kay Tatay..." I whispered.
Pain flickered in his expression. "Sera..." His voice broke. "I..."
"P-Pagod na pagod na akong magmahal," I whispered.
"No..." He shook his head desperately. "Give me a chance, please? I'll make it up to you—"
"No..." I shook my head and stepped back. "I won't burn with that painful feeling you called love. Not again."
I moved away. His hand dropped weakly, his eyes fixed on me.
"P-Pagbabayaran ko," he whispered.
I shook my head.
"I-I want you gone."
He said nothing but the look in his eyes made me physically ache. He looked miserable and worn out. Alam kong hindi totoo 'yan pero bakit ako nasasaktan?
"S-Sera..."
"If that love you claim is true, then leave me. Huwag mo akong guguluhin. Huwag mo na akong lapitan kahit kailan."
His breathing grew labored, tears streaming down his face.
"Tatapusin ko ang internship sa kompanya mo at aalis na rin ako," I said painfully.
His fist tightened, jaw clenched as he tried to hold back his tears but he failed. He wiped them harshly, sighing in frustration.
"I love you..." he murmured, staring at me. "I-I only did that because I wanted to protect you..."
"From who? From you?" I sniffed.
"N-No, listen—"
"Kapag nasa panganib ka, Vioxx, poprotektahan kita... pero hindi sa paraang ginawa mo. I loved you, I adored you so much... yet you made me feel like trash you could throw away anytime. A bitch, right? Slut? Gold-digger?"
"S-Sera..." napapaos niyang tawag.
"Kung pagmamahal ang tawag sa ginawa mo, nakakahiya, ang babaw naman," I said with disgust.
He bowed his head, defeated.
He said nothing more, just stayed there, broken. I looked at him one last time, sighed, and shook my head.
"I'll go. Salamat sa lahat ng tulong," I said, drying my tears. I gave him one brief glance before walking away.
˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖
HALOS ISANG BUONG araw ang inantay ko bago magising ang kapatid ko. Nanay never showed up again.
Pati kay Miggy, wala ba talaga siyang pakialam?
Si Marco at Tita lang ang kasama ko sa pag-aasikaso sa aking kapatid.
However, unfortunately, Marco and Tita had to leave for a while to check on the resto. Doon rin dumating si Nanay, hinabol pa ng nurse nang pumasok siya sa kwarto na may dalang sigarilyo.
Napapikit ako ng mariin.
"Nay!" I warned.
Nahabol siya ng nurse na kaagad siyang pinagsabihan.
"Ah, gano'n ba?" She raised her brow, threw the cigarette away, and frowned. "Okay na?"
"Sige, Ma'am, pero sa susunod po sana—"
"Oo, umalis ka na, alam ko," she hissed.
The nurse left. I sighed and shook my head at her.
"'Nay, sa labas na po tayo mag-usap," I murmured. "Si Miggy—"
"Pahingi ng pera," she demanded.
"Ano?" I asked, 'di na napigilan ang talim sa boses. "'Nay, kakaopera lang ni Miggy, kakalibing lang ng Tatay... kahit ngayon ba p'wede bang tama na?"
She laughed, shaking her head.
"Bakit, wala ka bang pera? Tangina, 'di ba heredera ka? Nasaan ang mana mong tangina ka?"
"P'wede ba?" I shook my head. "Konsiderasyon naman, 'Nay!"
"Konsiderasyon? Ang kapal ng mukha mong magtanong sa 'kin n'yan! Pabigat ka nga lang sa pamilyang 'to—"
"Magkano ang ibinayad sa 'yo ni Engineer?" I hissed. "Hindi pa ba iyon sapat, 'Nay?"
"Ipinambayad ko sa utang! Bigyan mo na lang kasi—"
"Ikwenta mo lahat ng perang ibinayad sa 'yo ng lalaking 'yon."
"At bakit?" Her brows furrowed.
"Ibabalik ang perang ginastos niya sa 'yo. Hindi ako papayag na may utang na loob ako sa lalaking 'yon."
"May pera ka?" she mocked. "Makapagsalita ka, mayabang ka na? Porket heredera ka?"
"Hindi 'yon, 'Nay." I tried my best to be patient. "Ang iniisip ko ay ang ibinayad niya sa 'yo... para ano? Para hindi ako saktan? Ibabalik ko kung anong ibinayad niya sa 'yo... at ikaw, hindi ka na tatanggap ng kahit ano—"
"Aba't—"
"Sana maisip mo ang kalagayan ng kapatid ko. Kakamatay lang din ng Tatay ko, kaya kaunting konsiderasyon naman, 'Nay."
Pero nagalit lang siya.
"Punyeta! Wala ka talagang kuwenta!" she hissed. "Pabigat ka pa rin sa buhay ko! Hanggang ngayon!"
I shook my head, turned away, and quietly sat on the sofa. She stormed toward me and pointed her finger at me.
"Wala kang utang na loob!"
I didn't say anything, I just stared at her. Tired and numb of it all.
"Simula ngayon, ikaw na ang bahala sa buhay mo! Wala na akong pakialam sa 'yo! Alagaan mo ang kapatid mo! 'Di ba, d'yan ka naman magaling? Ang magpanggap na may pakialam ka? Magpanggap na santa? Sige, ikaw ang bumuhay d'yan at bahala na kayo!" she threatened.
I stayed quiet, watching her quietly, finally giving up in this part of my life.
"Kailan ka ba nagmalasakit sa amin?" I whispered.
"Tangina ka!" She slapped me hard on the cheek. I just laughed bitterly. It doesn't hurt. It just felt numbing.
Ano bang bago? Tangina lang, ano'ng bago? Wala bang magbabago? Habang buhay na ganito lang ang buhay ko?
"Ito ang tandaan mo, hindi na kita lalapitan! Ikaw na ang bahala d'yan sa kapatid mo! Mga pabigat!" she screamed before storming out.
I sighed, watching her leave but froze when I noticed Miggy was already awake and staring at me. Bumigat ang dibdib ko.
"Migs!" I immediately stood and walked toward him, smiling despite his sad eyes.
"P-Pabigat po ba ako, Ate?"
"No." I shook my head firmly. "Of course not, Migs. Hinding-hindi ka magiging pabigat kay Ate..."
"P-Pero po... si Nanay..."
"She's just like that. Huwag kang mag-alala, dito lang ako palagi. Hinding-hindi kita iiwan," I soothed.
When his tears fell, mine did, too. I stroked his cheek gently.
"I love you so much, Migs. Mahal na mahal ka ni Ate," I whispered.
"S-Salamat po, Ate. I love you," he whispered, tears in his eyes.
The next week, I was able to return to class and continue my internship. My classmates offered condolences, and my professors understood my situation.
I took remedial and make-up classes and quizzes to catch up. I began fixing my school paper too, because Tita Asunta encouraged me to continue my last semester at her place, my mother's place.
I agreed, realizing I had missed so many opportunities in this world, mga bagay na mayro'n ako pero naipagkait. Now, I wanted to take it. I wanted to have it, not just for me but for my brother. I want to give him a better life.
"Lando, alam kong nand'yan ka." I stopped walking and turned around.
I saw Lando panicking, nagpapanggap pang nawawala at nagtago sa may gilid ng paso pero sa laki niya ay halatang-halata.
I rolled my eyes at him. He looked guilty and slowly stepped away from the plants.
"Uhm, hello, Ma'am!" He smiled awkwardly.
"At bakit ka nandito?"
"Napadaan lang," aniyang inosente.
"Oh, really?" I raised my brow. "Nasaan na 'yong boss mo? Bakit mo pa ako pinapasundan? Wala na si Tatay, ano pa ba?"
"Ma'am, ano kasi..."
"Don't tell me suspect din ako?"
"Hindi po." He shook his head. "Ang totoo kasi n'yan, hindi naman talaga ang Tatay mo ang binabantayan ko. Ikaw talaga."
"Ano? Para hindi ko maitakas ang Tatay ko?"
"Hindi po. Protektahan ka, 'yon lang. Hindi pa naman kasi nahuhuli ang may gawa kay Ma'am Akisha—"
"Tell your boss to fuck off. Walang may banta sa buhay ko. I am perfectly fine. The last thing I want now is him meddling with my life, okay?"
"Pero Ma'am, hindi pa po ligtas—"
"Huwag niya akong idamay sa gulo niya. I told him to stop bothering me. Huwag siyang mag-alala, babalik naman ako sa internship ko. Bukas ang balik ko," I said.
He blinked, scratching his head awkwardly.
"Pero kasi, Ma'am... si Engineer..."
"Nasaan ba 'yang lalaking 'yan?"
"Nasa Maynila po ngayon, Ma'am. May on-site inspection para sa mga naiwang trabaho."
"Okay, call him. Tell him I don't want anyone following me around. Wala na si Tatay, hindi n'yo na ako kailangang pasundan." I crossed my arms.
"Sige, Ma'am, hindi na lang po ako magpapakita sa 'yo," aniya.
Nahilot ko ang sentido.
"Lando..." I warned.
"S-Susubukan!" He cleared his throat. "Pero hanggang hindi pa po pumapayag ay hindi ako titigil sa pagsunod sa 'yo."
"Santisima!" I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Ewan ko sa inyo ng amo mo! Magsama kayo!"
I scoffed, turned my back, and walked away, leaving the confused guard behind.
Sir Roff, Trisha, and some of my friends welcomed me at the office. Their presence distracted me somehow. Everyone was happy, and no one tried to remind me of what had happened.
I was glad to have this kind of friendship—one I never had before. A friendship that was true, without considering status and social hierarchy.
A week passed, but I still hadn't seen Engineer. Some said he was busy, currently working in Manila.
I even caught Alice Tan glaring at me whenever she had the chance, but she never came close because I was always surrounded by friends.
Lando never left me alone. Sa tigas ng ulo no'n ay parang lumalagpas sa kabilang tainga ang sinasabi ko sa kanya!
May isang araw, nagising ako ng maaga at iritadong late ako! I was still frantic when I entered the firm's building, and I caught sight of the observing bodyguard. I snapped at him.
"Hindi mo man lang ako ginising," reklamo ko.
"B-Bawal ako pumasok?" Gulong sabi niya.
"Ewan!" I hissed.
He looked confused. I knew it wasn't his fault, but I hated being late, especially on my last day of internship.
I was supposed to leave at five, but being two hours late meant I had no choice but to stay longer to complete my hours.
I gasped when I saw the elevator doors closing and ran quickly toward it.
Iniharang ko ang kamay ko at laking pasalamat ko nang magbukas iyon. I went inside, catching my breath, tulala pa si Lando at natulos sa labas kaya pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata.
"Pasok na, late na ako!" I groaned.
"Pero si..." He pointed at something.
"Sumunod ka na lang, Lando."
I froze when I heard that voice. I turned, eyes widening at the sight of the man who hadn't shown up at the office for weeks.
My mouth parted. Lando stepped back out of the elevator, but before I could follow him outside, narinig ko ang maingay at sunod-sunod na pagpindot sa elevator para magsara kaya 'di ako nakasama palabas.
"What... Lalabas nga ako!" I glared at Vioxx.
He smirked as the doors shut, glanced at his watch, then looked at me.
"You were late," he muttered.
"Don't talk to me." I rolled my eyes.
"Kumain ka na?" he asked.
"Paki mo?" I murmured.
"Ano'ng gusto mo? Ipapahanda kita—"
"Ano ba sa salitang don't talk to me ang hindi mo maintindihan?" I spat.
He stopped. I saw his smile fade.
"I... just—"
"I just want to have a peaceful last day in this firm, okay? Please, ibigay mo na sa 'kin ang araw na 'to..." I said calmly.
He froze, silent. When the elevator doors opened, I quickly stepped out. I was startled to see the chairwoman and Alice together, but I toughened up and managed to give them a faint greeting before speeding away.
Thirty minutes later, food was delivered to me. May ideya ako kaagad kanino galing.
I ate quietly in the pantry, then busied myself with the tasks I needed to finish for my last day.
The whole afternoon was peaceful. Nakita ko si Vioxx lumabas ng isang beses para sa meeting.
I even caught him looking at me, but I turned away and focused on my work. When he returned to his office at noon, he never came out again. It made me wonder if he even had lunch.
By five o'clock, most people had left the office.
Only a few employees remained for overtime, along with the utility staff cleaning the place. By six, the office was dim, shadows stretching across the room. Still, he hadn't left his office.
Anong oras na, ah? Bakit kaya?
I was curious, but it's not my business so I kept it to myself until I saw the chairwoman enter his office.
I organized the papers I needed him to sign and glanced at the clock. Ten minutes na simula no'ng pumasok ang chairwoman, tapos na kaya sila?
I stopped when I heard faint shouts and voice, napatayo ako sa upuan, mabilis na naglakad palapit sa opisina niya para sana magtanong sa ingay pero natigilan nang natantong nagsasagutan silang mag-ina.
"You have to marry Alice, Vioxx! Ilang beses ko na ba itong sinabi sa 'yo?! We need them! We need their family!"
"No," his cold voice cut through. "I will never marry her, Mom. Ilang beses ko na rin bang sasabihin sa 'yo?"
"Bastard! All you have to do is marry her! Ano'ng problema, Vioxx? All your life, we pampered you—"
"You never pampered me, Mom!" His voice rose. "I respected you because you are my mother! I followed everything you asked me to! Naging sunod-sunuran ako sa lahat ng gusto mo! You asked me to work here and I did, kahit na matagal ko nang sinabi sa 'yong gusto kong magsimula ng sarili ko... nang pinaghirapan ko!"
"You want me to marry, Akisha! I tried! You asked me to marry Alice but I can't, Mom! Siguro noon, susunod lang ako kagaya ng gusto mo, pero iba ang gusto ko ngayon. I want to stand for myself for the first time. I want to marry the woman I love. I want to do what I want—for once!"
"Wala ka rito ngayon sa posisyon mo kung wala ako! You owe this to me pero wala kang utang na loob! Hindi mo naisip ang hirap ko sa 'yo! Kahit anak ka sa labas ng tatay mo! Kahit bastardo ka lang!"
I froze when I heard that, swallowing hard, blinking rapidly.
Deafening silence followed until he spoke.
"I love you, Mom... and I am thankful you cared for me... but isn't it right for me to choose what I want and stand for myself sometimes?" His voice was broken. "M-Masama bang gawin ko rin ang gusto ko? Masama bang pumili ako ng gusto kong pakasalan?
"All this time... all I wanted was to make you proud of me, para kahit papaano ay makabawi ako sa kasalanan ni Dad. I wanted so badly to make you proud... but I started forgetting the things I wanted to do in the first place. I sometimes forget who I really am because I keep on pleasing you."
But the chairwoman seems not hear anything. She didn't understand his pain.
"You bastard! Wala kang karapatang sumbatan ako!" she shouted. "Sampid ka lang! Kaya wala kang karapatang manumbat!"
"I am not." I heard the breaking of his voice. "I-I just want you to hear me sometimes. I just want you to know this is not what I want... I wanted so badly to do things I wanted. Gusto ko ring maging malaya minsan."
"Y-You..." She pointed at her son. "You imbecile!"
"I-I won't marry Alice. I won't, Mom. I'm sorry." He shook his head.
"Bastard! Wala kang utang na loob! Sana hindi na lang kita kinupkop! Ayan ang gusto mo? Sige, lumayas ka rito! I never wanted an ungrateful bastard like you in the first place! Umalis ka rito, gusto mong maging malaya? Then go! I don't need you here, bastardo ka lang naman! I will take everything from you until you regret going against me!" she screamed.
I gasped when she slapped him hard across the cheek.
As she stormed out, I panicked. I quickly ran back to my desk and pretended to be reading. The chairwoman saw me and walked toward me, her sharp eyes glaring.
"It's your last day, right?" she said coldly.
"Yes, Ma'am," I replied calmly.
"Then hurry. I don't want you in this firm anymore," malamig at may diin niyang sinabi bago umalis.
Nag-antay ako ng ilang saglit hanggang sa uwian ko na. Napabaling ako sa mga dokumentong hawak ko para sa pirma ni Vioxx. Ayos na kaya siya? P'wede na 'kong pumasok?
I sighed, clutching my bag, and walked slowly toward his office.
The door was slightly open. I approached, peeking inside and froze at the sight. A shattered vase lay scattered across the floor. Vioxx was slumped against his desk, looking defeated and lost.
Startled, I stepped back, but the door creaked when I bumped against it.
He turned his gaze toward me. His eyes were heavy with exhaustion. Tumikhim ako, wala nang choice at dahil nakita na naman niya'y pumasok na ako.
"B-Bibigay ko lang sana 'yong pipirmahan mo," I said formally.
He didn't answer. He looked away, staring blankly into nothing, still seated like a lost child among the broken pieces.
I placed the papers on his desk, glancing at him. I wanted to approach, to speak but hesitation held me back.
"M-Mauuna na ako..." I murmured.
I was hesitating to leave.
"Y-You're leaving me, too?" His faint voice broke the silence.
My heart ached. I tried to hold myself back, but against my will, I found myself walking toward him.
I knelt before him and slowly wrapped my arms around him.
He froze at first, then hugged me back tightly. He buried his face on my neck, his arms locked around me, his body trembling.
I didn't want to cry but ended up with tears rolling down my cheeks when I heard him sob.
I realized the world isn't fair. In life, joy is never constant; it always comes with sorrow and tragedy. Some things you gain quickly, only to lose just as fast.
He cried on my shoulder, and I let him. I became the shoulder he needed, just as he had been mine before.
That night, for the last time, I became his comfort, his refuge. No words were spoken, but the embrace was enough to share the pain.
Nakatulog siya sa bisig ko pagkatapos umiyak, sa sobrang pagod at sakit. Mabigat ang puso ko habang pinagmamasdan siyang nakapikit at mahigpit na nakayakap sa akin.
Hindi na rin ako p'wedeng magtagal kaya tinawag ko na si Lando.
Lando took him home, si Marco ang nagsundo sa akin sa opisina pauwi sa bahay sa gabing iyon.
˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖˚ˋঌ˖
MIGGY HAD TO leave early yesterday, papunta sa probinsya nina Mama, ang tunay kong ina. Tita Asunta offered to take him first, habang naiwan ako para mag-asikaso ng huling araw ng internship at transfer papers sa unibersidad.
"Ipapasundo na lang kita bukas, Sera?" Marco asked while watching me fix my baggage.
"Huwag na. Kaya ko naman tumungo sa terminal at mag-bus papunta."
"Sorry." He sighed. "Sasamahan sana kita kaso kailangan ko munang i-train ang bagong manager sa resto. Alam mo na, busy si Mom sa pag-aasikaso ng mansyon n'yo."
Mansyon...
"Is it really big?" I asked curiously.
"Oo." He chuckled. "Baka malula ka. May iniwan sa 'yong plantasyon ng tubo si Tita, pati na rin ang pamamahala sa firm niya."
My mouth parted.
"I-I have a firm?"
"Yes." He grinned. "Si Mommy, kasama sina Tito, ang namamahala sa firm. Your mother funded it, she was an Engineer herself. Sakto nga at engineer ka, 'di ba? Pagkatapos mo mag-aral, may kompanya ka kaagad."
I still couldn't believe it, my thoughts lingering even after he left.
I have a mansion and I even have a firm! Panaginip ba 'to? O dream come true sa mga delusyon ko lang noon?
The next day, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Kikay's tears beside me.
"I-Iiwan mo na ako?" She sobbed.
"H-Hindi, ano ka ba!" I exclaimed.
She cried harder, so I pouted and hugged her.
"Babalik naman ako, 'Kay. Doon lang muna ako hanggang makatapos mag-aral. Saka si Miggy, kailangan ng magandang environment kaya doon muna kami," I murmured.
Her eyes swelled even more.
"B-Basta babalik ka, ha?! Magpa-party tayo dito! Maghahanap pa ako ng afam na kikilatisin mo, dapat nandito ka!"
"Oo naman..." I smiled at her.
"Promise?"
"Promise..."
Natigil lang ang dramahan namin sa busina ng sasakyan. I frowned, grimacing.
"Kikay, may pinatawag kang sasakyan?"
"Huh?" She wiped her tears and looked at the car. "Ah! Grab 'yan."
"Huh?" I asked, confused. "Ayos na sa traysikel lang, d'yan lang naman ang terminal—"
"Hayaan mo na!" She sniffed. "Libre ko na sa 'yo. Saka madami ang dala mo, hindi kasya sa traysikel."
"Hindi naman kailangan—"
"Kahit na, hayaan mo na ako." She sniffed again. "O-Oh, siya, kunin mo na ang gamit mo!"
Nagdalawang-isip pa ako at ang ganda at kintab ng sasakyan at nand'yan na, alangang ipaalis ko pa?
Ang mahal siguro no'n! Maganda kasi ang sasakyan, mas mabuti sanang traysikel na lang.
Kikay helped me with my things. As I glanced around our small house, I couldn't help but feel sad; the thought of leaving a place where I grew up was painful.
Nasaan kaya si Nanay? Hindi na siya muling nagpakita sa amin... ang alam ko lang ay nasa kaibigang nagsusugal siya.
Kikay was talking to the driver through the window.
"Kikay, ang gamit ko?" I asked.
She jumped, clutching her chest.
"Ayon, nasa likod na ng sasakyan! Buti mabait itong driver mo, pogi pa!" She giggled.
I laughed, shaking my head.
Mas gwapo pa rin 'yong... shit.
I shook my head again.
Kikay approached, giggling, and pinched me. Nagulat ako sa kanya.
"Bakit?"
"Pogi! Naku, 'te! Foreigner ang bet ko pero mas pogi itong hottie mong driver," she teased.
Hottie ang driver? Mas hot ba 'yan kaysa kay... ano ba 'yan, Serafine!
"Hindi ako interesado, Kikay." I chuckled.
"Asus, pogi nga! Kausapin mo, tapos kapag mabait at bet mo, pakarat ka na—"
"Kikay!" I screamed.
She laughed hysterically. I kept hitting her playfully while she hugged me, still laughing.
"Joke lang, Serang mukhang pera, mana sa akin. Ingat ka ro'n, ah?" she said.
I chuckled, hugging her back before kissing her cheek.
"Thank you, 'Kay. Ingat ka rin. I promise palagi akong susulat."
"Gaga, ano nasa panahon ni kopong-kopong pa ba tayo?" Nagtawanan kami. "Oh, siya, sige, pasok na! Huwag mo akong pinapaiyak!"
I chuckled, hugged her once more, then waved as I entered the car.
I opened the car window as soon as I got inside, waving at Kikay, who was crying as the vehicle started to move.
Sadly, I slowly rolled the window back up and reached for my seatbelt.
"You okay?"
"Yes, Kuya..." sagot ko at nanigas. My eyes widened as I turned and saw who the driver was.
"Miranda!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"H-Huh?" He quickly shifted his gaze toward me, confused.
"Ano'ng... bakit ikaw ang nandito?!"
"Driver?" He looked even more confused. "Grab?"
"What the hell..." I whispered. "Huwag mo nga akong niloloko!"
This is ridiculous!
"I was just driving... bagong trabaho," he said, biting his lip.
"Huwag mo akong niloloko!" I snapped. "'Yong totoo? Sinusundan mo ako, ano?"
"No, ako nga 'yong na-book ng kaibigan mo—"
"Sasakalin kita!" I hissed.
"My mother disowned me, wala na akong trabaho, kaya Grab na lang—"
"Miranda!" I hissed again.
"Okay, okay..." He sighed. "I followed you."
"I knew it!"
"But I really am working. Suggestion ng mga Alcantara na mas mabuting Grab para malaki ang kita—"
Nahilot ko ang sentido. "'Di ba, ayaw na kita kausapin?"
"Oo, pero trabaho lang naman—"
"Simula ngayon, may bayad na kapag kikitain mo ako," I hissed.
"H-Huh?" he stammered.
Akala mo, ah? Your mother disowned you? Let's see if you even have the budget to keep seeing me...
"May bayad kapag kakausapin mo ako. Tingnan lang natin kung kaya mo—"
"Magkano?" he challenged. "I'd spend every fucking penny I have just to talk to you."
I smirked. Palaban ang bwiset!
"Fifty thousand every time you see me," I lamented.
"I can do that." He smirked back.
Ang yabang! Sige!
"One hundred thousand if you talk to me for five minutes and one million kapag extended!"
He froze, tilting his head, skeptical.
"Are you serious?" He looked at me in disbelief. "In this economy? That's too much inflation, baby–"
"Inflation my ass! Hindi mo kaya?" I chuckled. "Good. Ibaba mo na lang ako sa terminal tapos huwag ka na muling magpakita sa akin."
I was stunned when he suddenly stopped the car, opened the drawer, and pulled out his wallet. He flipped it open, revealing his cards, then placed it in my hands.
I stared at him, confused.
"Ano'ng gagawin ko rito?"
"That's all the money I got," he said. "That's enough to talk to you for a year. I'll work hard for the next years—"
"At ano'ng gagawin ko sa wallet mo?!"
"Sa'yo na 'yan," aniya. My eyes widened.
"Huh?! Are you nuts?!"
"Kahit gumapang pa ako sa kahirapan, ayos lang basta makita ka." He winked.
"What the hell..." I whispered. "You're crazy."
"And to work for the next years..." He pressed something above the car, making me frown.
"Ano 'yan?"
"Metro," aniya at mas kumunot ang noo ko nang pagbukas pa lang nito ay may fifty pesos kaagad.
"Anong fifty?! Hoy, kaunti pa lang ang inandar mo, ah! Madaya ka! Ire-report kita sa LTO!" I complained.
"Business-minded dapat. Mahal kasi ang fee mo—" Napasinghap siya nang pinaghahampas ko ang braso niya.
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