Her Unveiled Love

Kabanata 15: Ricky Jace

[Via's POV]

"Yes, Ate? I heard you walked out of the village. Everyone is worried." Mahinahon na bungad ni Ricky Jace pagkasagot niya ng tawag ko.

"Why would they be? They're tailing me. Every car in our family has a tracking device."

I heard him sigh on the other line. "So why did you called? I have my piano lessons, ate," he whined like a child.

"Do you know who Krae Davin Thomas is?"

"Your fiancé?" I was irritated because of how he address Krae.

"You know him, by any chance? I mean, except for the fact that he's my fiancé." Parang napaso ang dila ko sa pagbanggit sa huling salita.

"Yeah, I met him once near the school when I was in fourth grade. He's famous because I heard that he's rich and he's good at fighting... he's a gangster, ate."

What does a 12-year-old know about gangsters?

"Don't mislead me, RJ." May babalang ani ko.

"It's true! I know him because his gangmates are my classmates' brothers. I've watched him fought bad guys... he's a good guy but he's dangerous, ate."

Mariin akong napapikit at napakagat sa labi ko. How can my life suddenly become an epic hell because of some arranged marriage?

"Ba't hindi mo ako sinabihan agad?" Huminga ako ng malalim para pigilan ang sarili ko na pagalitan ang pinsan ko.

"I tried, remember? Everyone listens to you but you don't listen to anyone."

With gritted teeth, I ended the call. Saktong papasok na ako ng sasakyan nang mamataan ko ang tatlong SUV na pag-aari ng parents ko. Napairap ako dahil sa likod ng tatlong SUV ay nakasunod din ang Crossover ni Krae.

.

Panay ang linga ko sa side mirror at hindi talaga ako tinantanan ng mga bodyguards ko. They accompanied me until I arrived home.

"What was that about, Quennelle? You can't just leave!" Singhal ni Mom nang makalabas ako ng sasakyan.

"But I did, Mom." Pamilosopo ko bago ko siya dinaanan.

"Quennelle–"

"Please, Dad." I looked at my Father with tired eyes before he could lecture me. Unti-unti siyang tumango bago umalis sa dadaanan ko.

"But we'll discuss this tomorrow." Pahabol niya.

Ba't nagsabay-sabay pa? I have an exam tomorrow! Hindi ako makapag-concentrate sa pag-aaral at hindi rin ako makatulog.

This is so not me! Hindi ako pwedeng kumuha ng exam na stressed

Padabog kong sinarado ang libro bago nagtungo sa balcony ng kwarto ko. Matalim kong tinitigan si Krae mula sa balcony, nasa garden siya at kausap ang parehong parents ko kasama na rin si Tito Savi.

He stand so confident as he utter words in front of my parents... in front of the continent's business tycoons. There was no hesitation in his eyes and his jaw keeps clenching from time-to-time.

Sa araw na 'to, napagmasdan ko ang kakaibang Krae Davin Thomas. Hindi iyung usual na palabiro, palaging nakangisi at crowd pleaser.

Naglakad ako sa pinakadulo ng balcony at napahigpit ang hawak ko sa railings nung magtama ang mga mata namin ni Krae.

His stoic expression immediately softened when our eyes met. Bahagyang napaawang din ang kanyang mga labi habang tinitigan ako. Sinuklian ko ang banayad niyang mga mata ng nakakapasong titig.

I looked down at him from the balcony with menacing eyes like a wicked witch cursing the prince to fall into an everlasting slumber. My eyes pierced into his as if I could rip his soul apart.

Hindi ko matanggap na nalinlang ako. I felt like a puppet. It's the first time in my entire life to be played around someone's palm.

.

Last day ng exam. For the first time in my entire life... I was late. Ngayon ko lang naranasan na humihingal sa pagdating ng room. Parang nabunutan ako ng tingin dahil hindi pa nagsisimula ang exam.

Tumingin ako sa wall clock sa room at nakaramdam ng inis sa sarili dahil na-late ako ng dalawang minuto.

I'm always early, damn it! Kasalanan ito ni Krae. How could he... argh!

Diretso akong umupo sa upuan ko at binuksan ang notes ko. I need to concentrate, I need to ace this freaking exam like I always do.

Kailangang topnotcher pa rin kahit madaming bagay ang umiikot sa isip ko ngayon.

I tried to review my own notes but I can hardly understand anything. Parang sumisikip ang dibdib ko habang pinipilit ang sarili na intindihin ang binabasa.

"Krae is your fiancé... your husband-to-be... the man you'll spend your entire life with." The voice inside my mind whispered.

Mariin akong napapikit at tinakpan ang magkabilang tenga ko, nagbabasakaling mapatahimik ko ang sariling isip.

"Not just that, he is the man who will soon father your children. Imagine making love–"

"Shut up!" I screamed and the voice disappeared. Napamulat ako at nagulat sa ginawa kong pagsigaw. Inangat ko ang aking tingin at doon ko lang napansin na nakatayo na pala sa harapan ng room ang aming proctor.

She looked shock as she stared at me. May bahid na takot din ang kanyang mukha dahilan para agad akong makonsensya.

"I-i'm so sorry, Ma'am. My mind has been... occupied. I didn't mean to shout." Parang nabunutan siya ng tinik dahil sa paghingi ko ng tawad. Tipid siyang ngumiti at tumango bago nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita.

Habang nagsasagot ay nakaramdam ako ng mabigat na tingin mula sa likuran. Once again, for the first time in my entire life, I turned my head around... during an exam for pete's sake.

Krae is staring at me intently, with a thousand words unsaid, swirling around the room trying to make some sort of connection through his eyes.

His dark blue eyes, even quite invisible because of his eyeglasses, are talking to me. Without opening his mouth, he's pleading that I should hear what he has to say.

"Everyone listens to you but you don't listen to anyone."

With what my 12-year-old cousin told me was an eye-opener. Krae is smart, I know that for sure. His entirety is a mystery to me but I should give him a chance to explain everything. I'm sure he has his reasons.

I let out a sigh and slowly, I nodded my head at him. Krae looked so relieved for what I did.

Let me hear what you have to say, Thomas.