He's My Cousin!

[Ch.19] Separate Lives

[Ch.19] Separate Lives

// Paolo's Point of View

"You love her, don't you?" He laughed as he got into my room. Villafuerte. The second born son of Don Fortunato and Doña Minerva. Hindi pa rin siya nagbabago. Siyang siya pa rin si Knave na nakilala ko noon. Bata pa lang kami ganiyan na siya. I even remember him holding a book when we we're young and myself, holding a ball. Ganun talaga siya, kakaiba sa antas na dapat iakma sa edad niya.

"Who are you talking about?" pagmaang-maangan ko kahit may hint na ako sa kung sino ang babaeng tinutukoy niya.

"Are you fvcking kidding me, Salvatorre? You know who I am talking about," he paused. "Ayanna Celine." In an instant I saw a grin forming on the side of his lips. No, how could.. How could he possibly have known that?

"Répondez-moi (answer me), Salvatorre." Tumingin lang ako sa kanya ng ilang saglit at itinuon ko na sa pag-aayos ng gamit ko ang aatensyon ko. Wala akong mapapala kung kakausapin ko siya, ayaw kong amakipaglaro sa kanya lalong lalo na kung isasali niya rito si Ayanna. Kantiin lang niya ang prinsesa ko, makakalimutan kong Villafuerte siya.

"Bakit mo pa nga ba sasagutin yung tanong ko, it would be like where flaunting the obvious!" He roared into laughter. Kung hindi ko lang kilala itong si Knave, aakalain kong baliw siya at nakatakas lang sa mental asylum but, I just know him so well and that laughter wasn't a sign of insanity... but rather, a warning.

"Ano bang gusto mo ha?" tanong ko sa kanya. Damn that Villafuerte! Hindi ko kasi alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ni Tita Lorraine at pinayagan pa 'tong kumag na 'to na magbakasyon dito kina Aya. Shit! Aalis pa man din ako.

"Wala."

"Yun naman pala eh." Binalik ko na naman iyong atensyon ko sa mga gamit kong nililigpit ko. Baka kung ano pang kalkalin nitong si Knave sa kwarto ko. Mahirap na.

"I'm giving you this offer, Paolo Salvatorre," napaangat ang ulo ko sa kanya. He was standing near me. "I won't mess up with Celine but tell me first, you're really in love with her?"

"That's it? Yun lang ang kundisyon mo para hindi mo guluhin si Aya?" Kilalang kilala kita, Villafuerte. Kahit alam kong hindi mo nga siya guguluhin, alam kong may gagawin at gagawin ka pa rin para paglaruan kami. But if this was the only way to lessen any harm that could possibly hurt her... then I'd take the risk. I can never let mysef do nothing when it comes to Princess' sake. I just love her that much.

"Oo." He simpered.

"Yes. I love her. I'm madly I love with my own cousin. Would that be enough?"

"Yes. Alam mo Paolo, I don't know if you'll believe me, but I'm willing to help the both of you." He was never as jolly as that. He was as if he was a little kiddo trying to suggest to buy his favorite collectible toy. That was a Knave I have never seen before!

"What do you mean?" I asked. Umupo ako sa gilid ng kama ko.

"To make you both realize things? Nga pala, may bilin ka ba tungkol kay Celine? Anything, I promised that I'll take care of her while you're away." Agad niyang iniba ang usapan.

"Thank you. Wala naman akong masyadong gusto ibilin. Basta every M-W-F umaalis siya para pumunta sa bahay ni Ella, her best friend. Minsan even Saturdays. If you have time, may I request you to send her there everytime? Pwede bang ihatid mo siya? To make sure she's safe."