Glimpse of Heiress

Chapter 3

Sinindihan ko ang sigarilyo nang palabas na 'ko sa apartment ko. Sinabihan ko na rin si Carmella kanina na pupuntahan ko ang lola ko. Noong una, she agree with this. Lalo na at nalaman niya na may binabalak akong masama. Pero hindi rin naman niya ako mapipigilan. I assured her that I'd be back before she came to my apartment.

This will be the last day I'll see that old witch.

Siniksik ko ang kamay ko sa bulsa ng jacket ko nang makalabas na 'ko. Mas malamig ang hangin sa tuwing ganitong oras. At mga ganitong oras din ako nakakatulog. Buong gabi ako hindi nakatulog hanggang sa dumating ang madaling araw.

Malayo pa lang ay kita ko na si KirJack na nakasandal sa kaniyang kotse at may kausap sa telepono. He looked fresh and good with that plain white polo. He also brushed back his hair, which made him look younger. By looking at him, para lang siyang hindi nakaratay sa higaan kanina na may nakakabit na dextrose sa kamay at mga benda sa buong katawan.

"Hey," binaba niya ang telepono niya't ngumiti sa akin. I inhale the familiar scent.

Alam kong na amoy ko na ito noon. Hindi ko lang matandaan kung saan, kailan at kanino.

Mabilis niyang binuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan nang makarating ako sa kaniyang harapan. He opened the passenger seat for me.

"Make sure no one will throw a party this time. You know I hate it." Inapakan ko ang sigarilyo, hanggang madurog ito. Ayaw kong may mangingialam sa lakad namin ngayon. I had enough yesterday.

"I'll promise."

Pumasok na 'ko sa loob. Nagulat ako nang may naghihintay na doon sa akin na damit. It was elegant, and my name was perfectly engraved on the small card on it.

"Is this for me?" Nakataas kilay kong sabi.

"Today is Ruby's birthday. It'll be perfect if you add some glitter to your revenge."

"Haven't I told you that I hate parties?"

"Yes. But we don't go there for a party only. I'll help you, remember? Just trust me."

Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin at naghalukipkip. I heard he started the engine and had driven the car.

I throw my gaze outside. It wasn't that dark because of the streetlights. The road we're talking about is familiar. All my life I've been wandering on this street. Dito rin ako natutong magnakaw, at ilang beses din akong nabugbog at nasugatan. Kamuntik na rin akong makulong dahil sa pangingikil.

I've never been proud of what I've done. I was naive when I landed my feet on this place. My life had no assurance of what happened. I had no money, no family, no shelter to live in, and I was grieving because of the loss of my family. The only I inherited from my parents is the dept that I've been paying my whole life.

"How's your wound?" Basag ni KirJack sa katahimikan.

Napatingin ako sa kaniya mula sa salamin sa harapan. Nakatuon lang ang tingin niya sa kalsada.

"Okay naman." I shrugged. "Iyong sugat mo? Kumusta?"

"I have congenital insensitivity to pain and anhydrosis condition." He chuckled softly.

"What does that mean?"

"It only means, I can't feel pain." Tumingin siya sa akin mula sa salamin.

"It's a rare and dangerous condition. Sabi nila, hindi raw tatagal ang buhay mo kapag may ganito kang kondisyon.   They told me I will never live over the age of 25." Mahina siyang natawa.

"But look at me, lagpas na 'ko sa kalendaryo at buhay pa rin." He added.

"You should be careful."

"Are you concerned?" I saw his lopsided smirk.