Subject: LOVE 101

Reality 6

I was cleaning the lenses of my camera when the doorbell rang impatiently. I'm not expecting someone right now so I wonder who could this be.

"Sandali." Whoever that person was, I'm going to wring his/her neck for trying to break my door. Tumayo na ako at nagtungo sa pinto upang pagbuksan ang unexpected visitor ko at nanlaki ang mga mata ko at bahagyang napanganga. A surprise visitor indeed.

"Surpise," he said and he spreaded his hand.

Am I dreaming? Is he for real? "Charlie!" I shouted in excitement and hugged him tight. That same time, the elevator in front of us opened. And guess what- Ilinuwa nito si Russel na tila nagitla sa nasilayan.

Bumitaw ako kay Charlie at tinawag si Russel na akmang sasakay na muli sa elevator. "Mr. Romualdez."

Tumigil ito sa paghakbang at tila napipilitang lumapit sa amin. "I just came to give you this," he handed me my a paper bag and when I checked what's inside, it was one of my lenses. "You forgot it in the conference room."

Kaya pala ng bilangin ko kanina, kulang ng isang lense. "Salamat. Sorry, naabala ka pa." I can't believe that he went here just to give my lense back.

Tumango lang ito bago tumingin sa direksyon kung saan nakatayo si Charlie. "Oh by the way, this Charlie. Charlie, this Russel Romualdez, my boss." Pagpapakilala ko sa dalawa.

"Your boss," Charlie threw me a meaningful look before facing Russel. "Please to meet you Mr. Romualdez." He offered his hand for a handshake.

Walang ganang tinanggap ni Russel ang kamay nito. "Same here,"anito habang nakikipagsukatan dito ng titig. Teka nga muna, bat parang bigla atang naging tensiyonado ang paligid?

"Baby, why don't you invite your boss inside?" Inakbayan ako ni Charlie.

But of course, bakit ba di ko yon naisip agad. Ngunit ng akmang iimbitahan ko na ito papasok ay nagsalita ito. "No need. Kaylangan ko na ding umalis. And I guess I'm disturbing you."

"Ganon ba." Why do I sound disappointed? "Well then, thanks again." I smiled awkwardly to him.

As usual, he just nodded and left.

"Ayos ang boss mo ah. May free delivery pa," Charlie said teasingly.

"Shut up." I scowled him. Bwisit na to, ngayon ko na nga lang nakita nang-aasar pa. "Teka nga muna, ba't ka nandito? You're supposed to be in the seminary. Don't tell me..."

"Hey, stop right there! That's not going to happen, okay? I'm here for papa's birthday." Pagtutuwid nito sa iniisip ko. Buti na lang, akala ko kasi nagbago na ang isip nito at ayaw ng magpari.

"And speaking of him, go change. I was ordered to pick you up." Itinulak nya na ako papasok sa condo.

"But..."

"No more buts. You're coming with me  wether you like it or you like it."

I stomped my feet. Bat ba di ako manalo-nalo sa isang to? "Fine." Napilitan akong pumasok sa loob ng condo upang magpalit ng damit. Knowing him, there's no way he's going to leave. He can be too persuasive for my likings but for a little revenge, I made sure to make him wait a little longer.

"Cee-Cee, sa bahay lang tayo pupunta. What's taking you so long?" He was knocking on my door impatiently.

Tinawanan ko lang 'to pagkalabas ko sa kwarto. "Let's go." Naptiuna na ako sa paglalakad.

When we went to the parking lot, my eyes widened when I saw a red jaguar waiting for us. "Missed it?" He asked.

Of course I did.

"It still look the same." I said in disbelief.

"Alagang alaga ni kuya Ronald." He took my hand and put the key on it. "Let's go." Sumakay na ito sa passenger seat.

After five long years, mahahawakan ko na uli ang baby ko. "Hey Jughead. I missed you," turan ko ng makapasok na ako sa sasakyan. "Owayt, brace yourself brother, this will be your fastest ride ever," I started the ignition of my car. I can't believe I managed to live without driving. This used to be my outlet whenever I'm depressed.

As expected, we reached the Aragon mansion just on time. "Cee," inilahad ni Charlie ang kamay. Inabot ko ito at kinakabahang bumaba sa sasakyan. I'm shaking, I know I am and there's a part of me that wanted to back out. But no, I'm not a coward.  I did not do anything wrong so why would I fear them? I can do this.

Sinalubong kami kaagad ni Chari. "Sis, I knew you will make it," she hugged me tight.

"I guess it's hard to say no to you afterall," I let out a fake laugh.

"Senyorita, maligayang pagbabalik po." Halos sabay sabay na wika ng mga kasambahay.

I gave them a warm smile. "Thank you."

"Oh, look who's here. The prodigal daughter." Hindi ko na kailangan pang lumingon, it's Vanessa- my step sister.

She never did change. "And look  who's there, the free loader." I snapped back.

"What did you just say?" Pulang pula na ito dahil sa galit.

"That's enough!" An authoritative voice said and I turned to him.

"Papa," I was trying my best to hold my tears back.

When I didn't do any move, he took a long strides and wrapped me in his arms. "Baby."

"Pa." My tears came rushing. I missed him. I missed him a lot.

"How are you?" he brushed my tears with his palm and he was holding my face and staring at me intently, like he was afraid that if he blinked, I'll disappear.

"I'm great," I said as a matter of fact. "Sorry, I wasn't able to buy any gift."

He just chuckled. "You're presence is more than enough."

"Pa, you're so unfair," biglang reklamo ni Chari. "Ang mahal kaya ng gift ko para sayo." Sabi pa nito habang nakapout.

Sabay sabay kaming napatawa sa inasal ng kapatid ko. "Asus. Nagseselos lang ang prinsesa ko. Halika nga dito," yinakap na rin nito si Chari.

"Ako din, pa-join," nakangiting nakisali na rin si Charlie, my older brother.

"Okay. Enough of the drama. The food is ready," and here comes my evil step mother.

"Hi Alma, it's been a while," I never did call her tita, mama or whatever. Una pa lang kasi ay may pagka-atribida na ito, just like her daughter.

"Yes, it's been a while but it seems like you never did change a bit. Wala ka pa ring modo," she glared at me.

"Don't worry, sayo lang naman." My last remarks made her more furious. "I'm starving to death. Let's go eat. I'm pretty sure Manang Lilia prepared an enticing dinner."

"I couldn't agree more," Chari agreed and moved toward the dining area. Leaving the two witches dumbfounded. Hmp... Serves them right.