TIBC BOOK 1 - THE RUGGED KNIGHT

Chapter 1

HINDI pa man nakakapasok sa apartment niya si Ria ay naririnig na niya ang tunog ng landline phone niya. Napakunot noo siya habang ipinapasok ang susi sa key hole ng pinto niya. She had no idea who might be calling her at that time. Dalawang linggo pa lamang siya sa pilipinas at ni wala pa siyang pinagbibigyan ng numero niya. Masyado siyang abala sa paghanap ng apartment na iyon at pag-aasikaso ng mga kailangan niyang papeles para sa magiging bago niyang trabaho roon.

Lalong lumakas sa pandinig niya ang walang hintong pag-ring ng awditibo nang makapasok siya. Nagmamadaling lumapit siya sa telepono nang bigla siyang matigilan. Wait. There are people who could possibly know her number, even her address if they want to. Bigla parang ayaw na niyang sagutin ang tawag. But it kept on ringing. Sa huli ay napabuntong hiningang inangat na lamang niya iyon.

"You're already in the Philippines and you don't have any plans in informing us? And where did you come from? I've been calling for more than an hour already," mabilis na sabi ng matinis at maawtoridad na boses sa kabilang linya. I knew it. It was her mother. Hindi nito itinago ang iritasyon at pagkainip sa boses nito.

Hindi niya naiwasang makaramdam ng pagrerebelde. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nagbabago ang kanyang ina. She always talks to her as if she's one of her followers. Huminga siya ng malalim upang pawiin ang nararamdaman. "I went out for a while. Paano niyo nalaman na nandito na ako? Wait, you don't have to answer that. I can clearly guess how you did it. Pinapasundan niyo pa rin ako hanggang ngayon mama?" aniya sa pilit pinakaswal na tinig.

Hindi ito nakaimik. Patunay na tama ang hinala niya. Then her mother said in a softer voice. "We're just worried about you. Kahit noong nasa amerika ka ay bihira ka tumawag sa amin upang mangumusta. Kahit ngayon bang nasa pilipinas ka ay hindi mo man lang maiisipang tumawag? We haven't seen you in a long time already. And why are you renting an apartment kung pwede ka namang bumalik dito sa bahay? Your room is still as it was before. Hindi na rin dito nakatira ang kuya Raymond mo at si Ramses kaya kami na lang ng papa mo ang nakatira dito," anitong tinutukoy ang mga kapatid niya.

She smiled bitterly. There's no way I will go back on that prison. Matagal na panahon na niyang gustong makatakas sa bahay nila. Kung matatawag mang bahay ang mansiyon ng pamilya nila sa Forbes Park na wala naman siyang ibang nakakasalubong kung hindi katulong at kung minsan ay mga politiko at mga body guards ng mga ito. For her, that place was more like a social function room than a home sa dalas magpaparty ng mga magulang at panganay na kapatid niya. Kahit kailan ay hindi siya naging komportable sa lugar na iyon.

"Thank you for the offer mama but I am fine living my life on my own. Nasanay na ako na mag-isa lang akong namumuhay sa amerika at hindi ko na kayang baguhin ang lifestyle na ito. Although I can't help but wonder, as far as I know mama, the only concern of our family is its reputation in the society. How come you're concerned about me now?"

She heard her inhaled sharply on the other line, as if she said something scandalous. She rolled her eyes. "You really turned into a black sheep Ria Marie. You used to be my most obedient child. Nang dahil lang sa lalaking iyon ay nagkakaganyan ka na? Mas mahalaga pa siya kaysa sa aming mga magulang mo?" tanong nitong may bahid pa ng hinanakit ang tinig. Pero ano bang malay niya kung umaarte lang ito?

Napahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa awditibo. Most obedient child? Hah, it was not something anyone could be proud of. Back then she was more of a puppet than obedient. Everything around her then was black and white. She felt as if her life was not hers then. She was just going along to what her parents want her to do because she was raised to do so. It was such a boring and nonsense existence.

Until one fateful night, she met a rugged knight. He saved her not only from a bunch of men who tried to do something bad to her. He also saved her from her dull and restricted life. He brought colors to her life. For the first time in her life, she really felt how to be happy, how to be free. He showered her with all the love and attention she never got from her family. He taught her to just do what she wants to do. He taught her to step out of her own boundaries and explore. He made her realize that life is beautiful. Binigyan siya nito ng kakaibang tapang na pinakakailangan niya sa buhay niya. tapang na tumayo sa sarili niyang mga paa. Tapang na magdesisyon para sa sarili niya. Tapang na gawin ang gusto niyang gawin. Tapang na baon niya hanggang sa ngayon.