Chapter 3: Possessive
Wala akong mukha na maiharap sa kanya kaya nakasubsob lang ang aking mukha sa kanyang dibdib. It was a quick kiss. A single planted kiss unto mine. But still! Unang halik ko iyon.
Tumkhim ako, sinubukan pakalmahin ang nagsitakbuhan na pulso. Hindi ko nagawang tumingin sa kanyang mga mata.
"I-Inaantok na ako..." tanging lumabas sa aking bibig.
Walang pasubaling akong naunang naglakad paalis at paakyat sa aming kwarto. Nakasunod naman siya sa akin at lalong tumatagal ang katahimikan, mas minabuti ko ang kumalma.
I laid down on my side of bed and on my peripheral view, I saw him doing the same. Umiilaw ang aking cellphone sa may lampshade kaya naudlot ang aking paghiga.
Our lights are off except for the lampshade on both sides. Umusog si Elijah sa aking tabi habang napasandal naman ako sa headboard. Jenna is calling me kanina pa at text naman ang notification na dumating ngayon.
Jenna:
Kailan ka nagsisinungalang na taken ka na?!
Imbes na tugunan siya, naramdaman ko ang paghiga ni Elijah sa aking may tiyan. His right arm went around my body meeting the other arm resting on my lower abdomen.
Calm yourself, Amber! Paulit ulit kong sinisigawan ng palihim ang sarili. Hindi naman nagsasalita si Eijah. Tila bata lang siyang kumakapit sa akin. Pinukos ko ulit ang tingin sa mensahe ng kaibigan.
Me:
Now, Jen.
Jenna:
You don't lie like that, Amber. Tell me the truth, taken ka na talaga?
Napachismosa talaga ng kaibigan kong ito.
Ako:
Sasagutin ko 'yan pagbalik mo.
Jenna:
Hoy! 'Wag mo akong ganituhin, Amber Paige Valencia! Uuwi ako sa Huwebes.
I chuckled lightly. I can almost hear her groaning and yelling her words at me.
Ako:
Bring me delicacies, please.
Jenna:
See?! You have changed. You don't like someone bringing you anything.
Ako:
Bumili ka nalang d'yan, Jen.
Hindi naman para sa akin iyon. Naramdaman ko ang paggalaw ni Elijah kahit mahina ang iyon. One of his leg is crossing over to mine.
Binaba ko ang aking cellphone and fi-ni-flip sa bedside table.
"You're done?" mahinang bulong Elijah.
Tumango ako. He smiled warmly, raising his head to me.
"Can you sing me a song, please?"
Lumalakas bigla ang pintig ng aking puso. Tila kay tagal na noong huli kong narinig ang request na ganoon. Or kay tagal na noong huli kong pinaunlakan ang hiling na iyon.
"I-I can't..." my voice shook a bit.
Ngumiti siya sa akin at sa ngiti niyang iyon tila hinahaplos ako. Tila pinapakalma ang aking kalooban.
"Ayos lang kahit maliit," aniya.
Umiwas ako ng tingin. I barely remember when was the last time I opened my mouth to sing. When was the last time I was so interested in music. Or the last time when I picked up a microphone.
Hinaplos ni Elijah ang aking kamay. His thumb is drawing circles on my knuckles, easing the tension building inside me and the doubts that's slowly arising.
"What d-do you want me to sing?" I asked softly.
"Hmm... Everything I need."
Umawang ang aking labi. Nanunuyo ang aking lalamunan kaya lumunok ako. I mustered air and courage to sing... again. Elijah kept caressing my hand.
♪ Born on the wrong side of the ocean
With all the tides against you... ♪ I sung softly.
Elijah kept his eyes on me, gentle and there's a certain emotion in there that gives me butterfly chills. The song is very familiar to my mouth. Lahat ng salita ay kusang lumalabas nalang.
♪ You never thought you'd be much good for anyone
But that's so far from the truth
I know there's pain in your heart
And you're covered in scars
Wish you could see what I do... ♪
♪ 'Cause baby, everything you are
Is everything I need
You're everything to me
Baby, every single part
Is who you're meant to be
'Cause you were meant for me
And you're everything I need ♪
Ewan ko kung paano ito nangyari pero ito ang paborito kong awitin. It's like a song for my broken soul. The soft tone, the lyrics. Nagbibigay daan ang awitin na ito upang maalala ko ang noon. I was used to busking on the streets with Jenna. She knows how to play a guitar as well.
♪ You can say I'm wrong
You can turn your back against me
But I am here to stay
Like the sea
She keeps kissing the shoreline
No matter how many times he pushes her away ♪
♪ 'Cause baby, everything you are
Is everything I need
You're everything to me
Baby, every single part
Is who you're meant to be
'Cause you were meant for me ♪
Lumunok ako at tumahimik, hindi na tinapos ng tuluyan ang awitin. How ironic is this coincidence.
"Ang ganda ng boses mo, Amber..." Elijah softly complimented.
Tipid akong ngumiti. "Thanks,"
"Hmm,"
Sa ilalim ng aking puso, may kumikirot doon at gustong kumawala ngunit hindi ko alam kung paano.
Elijah snuggled more unto me. "What's bothering you?"
I blinked and shook my head. Inabot ko nalang ang kanyang hood at isinuot sa kanya. Nananatiling nakatitig siya sa akin. Umusog ako para mapahiga ngunit hindi niya ako binitawan.
"Lumalalim na ang gabi, Elijah. Matulog na tayo," puna ko.
He stared at me before slowly loosening his grip. His eyes remained locked on me as I lay down on bed. I frowned when I turned to him.
"What?"
"You're bothered." aniya.
Nakikita niya talaga iyon, huh? Ngumiti ako at umiling.
"No, I'm not." I replied.
Inayos ko ang aming comforter. Dahan dahan din siyang humiga sa aking tabi. I was about to turn my back to him when he took me in his arms. Namilog ang mga mata ko sa biglang aksyon at napatalikod ng higa sa kanya. I felt his heat behind me, giving me warmth in the midst of the cold night.
Umiidlip na sana ako nang may naramdaman ako na humahalik sa aking balikat at batok. I thought it was just nothing but when my sense awakened at half percent, totoong may humahalik sa akin doon.
"Elijah? Bakit hindi ka pa natutulog?" puna ko.
"I wanna kiss your burdens away," he whispered and planted a kiss behind my ear.
Kung nagmamarathon pa ang mga organs, nananalo na ang aking puso. Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. My kid of a husband is clinging unto my back like a tarsier.
"You already chased the demons away, Eli." marahan kong sabi.
"I did?"
Mahina akong tumango. "You did. So let's go back to sleep now."
He squeezed me a bit and I closed my eyes to allow my heavy eyelids to rest.
Kinabukasan, nagising ako at mataas na ang araw. Dumaing ako nang nakitang alas syete na sa bedside clock. Wala na si Elijah sa aking tabi kaya bumangon na ako at nag-ayos ng higaan bago nag-shower.
I threw myself to my orange vintage dress with a rope tie belt. Pinares ko naman ang aking white strapped block heels. After drying my hair fast, I went downstairs.
Nadatnan ko si Elijah na nagluluto ng agahan namin.
"Hi, good morning..." bati ko at napatingin sa pagkain na nasa hapag.
Sinalubong niya ako ng ngiti. "Good morning,"
"I woke up late, sana ginising mo ako para makapaghanda ng breakfast,"
Umiling siya. "Kailangan ka pa ng tulog..."
He looked so good having a fry clipper in his hand, cooking breakfast. Nakasimpleng t-shirt siya ngayon at itim na pants. Ang aga niya, ah. Nakaligo na rin.
"Umupo ka na, malapit na ito..." aniya at inaalalayan pa ang aking upuan.
"Thanks, Eli."
He grinned and suddenly kissed my cheek. "I heated the burger and re-fried the fries."
Inabot ko ang fries at sinubo. Bumalik sa akin ang halik niya kahapon kaya umiling ako. He placed the bacon on the sandwich that he made today. It's very healthy. It has tomatoes, green leaves, bacon, egg and mayonnaise. Umupo na rin siya at kumuha ako ng ginawa niyang sandwich.
"Are you gonna sit around all day lang?" tanong ko.
Naudlot ang pagsubo niya ng burger. "Yeah..."
"Hindi ka bibisita sa parents mo? Ihahatid lang ako ni Jude sa opisina, babalik din agad siya para ihatid ka rin sa lakad mo."
Umiling siya. "Can I come with you instead? To your workplace if... that's okay."
Kinagulat ko iyon pero mukhang hindi naman siya makakaabala. I have my own office so he can spend time there and he can go around or outside if he's bored.
"Yeah, sure." sagot ko. "May office naman ako, pwede ka roon."
Lumapad ang ngiti niya. His smile is so captivating.
Pagkatapos naming kumain, pinaakyat ko na siya sa itaas para magbihis. Coffee cups lang ang hinuhugasan ko dahil iyon lang naman ang nagagamit namin.
I tied a white short scarf to some parts of my hair and made a ribbon on the back. Bumaba si Elijah at nakatop sider shoes na. He is wearing his hoodies underneath a black open blazer.
Hindi ko masisisi ang tao kung aakalain siyang modelo. And if they know his personality then they will be disappointed. I rolled my eyes. Judgemental society sucks.
"Good morning, Sir, Ma'am..." bati ni Jude.
"Morning, Jude." tugon ko.
Naunang pumasok ako sa sasakyan, sumunod naman si Elijah sa aking tabi. The ride to VAL Architecture is smooth and fast.
Halos napairap ako sa tumitingin kay Elijah sa pagpasok pa lang naming sa lobby. I felt a tug on my dress which made me turn my head. Bahagyang ngumuso siya sa akin.
Binuksan niya ang kanyang malaking palad ng kamay. Nagtataka akong tumingin sa kanya. Aanhin ko ba ang kamay niya?
"Can we hold hands?" he innocently asked.
Oh. My mouth parted a bit. Inabot ko ang aking kamay sa kanya at agad naman niyang pinagsalikop. He's my husband anyway so ayos lang na ganito.
Sumakay kami sa elevator hanggang sa aking palapag. Tess, Dad's secretary, is waiting for me outside my office. She doesn't seem surprised to see Elijah, looks like Dad already oriented her.
"Good morning, Mr. Buenavista." magalang niyang bati. "Good morning, Miss."
"Come in, Tess." sabi ko.
Agad tumitingin si Elijah sa paligid. Nilagay ko sa aking desk ang bag ko bago umupo sa couch. Umupo rin si Tess at may binuksan sa dinadala niyang Ipad.
"Ito po ang schedule ninyo, Miss Valencia. Habang naghahanap pa po ako ng secretary ninyo, ako po muna ang temporary na mag-assist sa inyo." aniya.
May meeting ako sa umaga, Team A ang kasama, informal meeting tungkol sa proyekto, ngayong alas diyes naman kasama ang board sa conference room. At meeting ng team ko ulit pagkatapos nito.
I also have the rest of the schedule for the week. Medyo maluwag ang schedule dahil nga informal meetings lang ang nakalagay.
"Can I have my informal meetings here?"
"Yes po, Miss. Anywhere you like." aniya.
"Okay. Can you send me a copy of this, Tess. I'll plot it on my notes. And please do remind me as well."
"Sure po."
"Thank you. And uh, I'll meet my team here nalang din before we start our meeting."
Tumango siya. "I'll inform them. And for the meantime, baka gusto ninyo ng morning snacks, Miss. I'll get it from the pantry."
"It's fine. Tatawag lang ako kung may kailangan ako."
She nodded once again before bidding an excuse. Bumaling ako kay Elijah na nasa aking swivel chair na, nilalaro ang isang lapis sa kanyang mga daliri. Bahagyang nagtaas ako ng kilay nang nakasimangot siya.
"You're supposed to be Mrs. Buenavista, right?"
Binuksan niya ang bisig niya nang lumapit ako. He pulled me to his side and raised his head to me. Hindi ako makapagsalita sa sinabi niya. I mean, I didn't mind that I'm still addressed as Miss Valencia. Hindi naman marami ang nakakaalam na kasado na ako.
"I'm already a Buenavista legally, but almost everyone here does not know that so..." tanging tugon ko.
Umiwas siya ng tingin. "Saan ako ngayon? Magmemeeting kayo rito, 'di ba?"
Oo nga naman. I'm sure there will be six to seven members of the team. At baka hindi gusto ni Elijah ang crowd or baka magkakamali agad ang impression namin sa isa't isa.
"Uh, sa department ko nalang sila kikitain. You stay here and call Tess if you want food or text Jude if you want to go somewhere."
May kunot ang kanyang noo. "Dito lang ako."
Tumango ako sa sinabi niya. Tinawagan ko si Tess para sabihin ang pagbabago ng desisyon ko.
Iniwan ko muna si Elijah sa opisina para kilalanin ang aking team. Kasama ko si Tess patungo sa meeting room ng department. Inakala ko na aking team lang ang naroon ngunit nandoon din ang iba pang employees.
Pinakilala ako ni Tess. It was a short getting to know with each department and my team remained in the room. Laking kawala sa aking dibdib nang kasali sila Sisa, Mera, Marlo at Anjo sa team na ito.
"Architect Enrique Diaz." pakilala ni Tess.
Pabirong dumaing ang tinutukoy niya. "Ike naman d'yan."
Nagtatawanan sila. He smiled at me and leaned a hand.
"Ike Diaz, Miss Valencia."
Tinanggap ko ito.
"I'm still new to this, but yeah... I hope to have a meaningful journey with all of you,"
"Pwede rin ibang klase ng meaningful, Amber." biro ni Anjo.
Napailing na lang ako at napangiti na rin sa tawanan nila. Architect Ike Diaz told me about the mansion project that I am handling with them. Pinakita sa akin ang blueprint ng lugar. The owner wanted it to be compact with a big outdoor pool.
Hindi pa ang buong plano ang alam namin dahil kikitain ko bukas ang may-ari. All we have is a partial overview of the project. Kaya mamayang hapon kami magsisimulang mag-brainstorming para may maipakita na disenyo sa kliyente.
Natagalan kami dahil malaki ang proyekto. Maybe for me dahil baguhan pa lang ako. I gave my insights about the possible interiors of the house which is basically my major. Everyone showed their credibility by cooperating.
I am happy that I got to work with hard working team and at the same time they are fun to be with.
Sinabi ko sa kanila na after lunch namin itutuloy ang pagpaplano at hopefully makapagsketch na rin. I asked Tess to bring Elijah his snacks in my office because I have no time to go back upstairs because another meeting is waiting for me.
"You seems tensed or... worried." komento ni Ike nang naglakad kami.
Bumuntonghininga ako ng mahina. "Sorry,"
"Don't be, Amber. Ganyan din ako dati, unang proyekto ko hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang ginagawa ko."
I shook my head. "I wasn't worried about that. I mean, hindi ako worried. Just somehow similar to that."
"Oh. Relationship?"
Bahagyang nagulat ako ng nahulaan niya. Mag-isa lang kasi si Elijah roon and knowing him, he doesn't talk to other people. Kaya bagot na bagot na siguro iyon.
Humalakhak si Ike. "Nakita kita kanina, pumasok ka na may kasamang lalaki. Must be your boyfriend that you're worrying about right now."
"He's not my boyfriend." I muttered.
Kumunot ang noo niya bago pinagbuksan ako ng pintuan. Umiling nalang ako at nagpasalamat sa kanya. Kasali siya sa meeting kaya narito rin.
I was briefed kung sino ang makakasama ko sa meeting na iyon. Nandito si Daddy at ibang nga naglalakihang ka-sosyo. I went inside the room and greeted everyone, naging pamilyar na rin ako sa mga pangalan nila.
"Mr. Eros Buenavista cannot join us today," anunsyo ni Daddy nang nagsisimula na ang session. "But we will not put the meeting on hold."
Hindi sinabi ni Daddy ang dahilan kung bakit hindi makadalo sila Mr. Buenavista ngunit wala rin namang nagtanong, mukhang ayaw nalang mangusisa ng harap harapan.
"Who will be the team you'll send, Dave?" tanong ni Mr. Cruz.
Ang meeting ay patungkol sa malaking proyekto sa Singapore. It's the contract Dad and Mr. Eros Buenavista signed in return for my marriage. Nakikinig lamang ako sa buong presentasyon.
"Architect Diaz is here. He should be in the project." sabi noong isa.
"I am currently handling a domestic project with Miss Valencia, Mr. Bernado." sagot ni Ike.
"Malaking proyekto ito, I'm sure you'll send our greatest team, Dave."
Tumango si Daddy. "Of course. Architect Diaz is already occupied but Architect Villegas is not. We'll send both of them but Diaz will be coming here and out. I have talked to Eros already, his nephew will lead the contruction."
"Engineer Zechariah Buenavista?" singgit agap nila.
"Yes."
"That's incredible!"
"Caerus' son?" tanong ni Mr. Bernado. "Oh, I'm sure we won't have any problem with this project at all."
"Ang mga Figueroa, Dave, hindi kasali sa kontratang ito?"
"We cannot touch that family. It's a miracle that the Buenavistas are willing to work with us, Gregor." si Mr. Bernardo ang sumagot sa nagtatanong. "Let's not ask for the impossible."
Miracle? Or marriage?
Isang dome ang proyekto na ito. Natapos ang meeting ilang minuto bago mag-aalas dose. Sandali lang kaming nagbatian ni Daddy at nauna na akong umakyat pabalik sa opisina.
"Miss," si Tess at inabot niya ang bottled water sa akin. "Ibibigay ko po sana kay Sir."
"Salamat, Tess."
"Ano po ang lunch ninyo? I'll order it po." aniya.
"Tatanungin ko muna si Elijah. I'll just call in if we'll take our lunch here."
"Sige po,"
Nagpasya na ako patungo sa opisina. Nadatnan ko si Elijah na nakahiga sa aking couch. The snacks is untouched on top of the table. Pikit mata siya kaya nahahalata ang matataas niyang pilik-mata.
Alas dose na ng tumingin ako sa wall clock. I scooted closer and stopped at his side. I tapped his shoulder lightly.
"Eli, wake up..." gising ko sa kanya.
Bumukas naman agad ang mata niya. Tumayo ulit ako ng matuwid at umupo siya sa couch. Ngumuso ako ng bahagya. He's bored in here. Wala namang ibang napaglibangan ang opisina ko. I don't have TV... papalagyan ko nalang baka sakaling sasama ulit siya.
"Tapos ka na?" mahina niyang tanong.
"Yeah. Mananghalian na tayo."
"Saan mo gustong kumain?" tanong niya na itatanong ko sana.
"May Japanese restaurant sa kabila, pwede tayo roon."
Tumayo na rin siya. Kinuha niya bigla ang bag ko sa aking desk at naglahad ng kamay sa akin. Inabot ko ang kanyang kamay at napailing nalang.
He intertwined our hands while his right hand is holding my purse. Bumaba na kami, hindi naman kailangan na sumasakay pa ng kotse dahil nasa kabilang daan lang ang restaurant na ito. May Starbucks, Boss coffee, BDO outlet at iba pang stores na nakalinyada.
"Isuot mo ang hood mo, Eli. Mainit sa labas," puna ko bago kami lalabas ng glass doors.
"Ayos lang. Wala kang payong?" aniya.
Umiling ako at pinasadahan ang tingin ng labasan. Nakakita ako ng sidewalk na may blue roof kaya tinuro ko. Doon dumadaan ang mga tao para hindi naiinitan.
"There,"
Giniya niya kami patungo roon. A lot of the employees and commoners like us were walking towards and in the sidewalk. Hindi ko maiwasan ang pagpuna sa mga tumitingin sa kanya.
My phone ringed. Huminto kami at hinila ako ni Elijah sa tabi. He is blocking me from the passing crowd while opening my bag. It made me smile because of his little gentleman moves.
Rumehistro ang pangalan ni Daddy roon. Sinagot ko iyon.
"Hija, are you having lunch out? Ipapahatid ko kay Tess ang pagkain diyan sa opisina mo para hindi ka nalang lalabas." bungad niya.
"I can handle myself, Dad. Tess might failed to mention, but Elijah is here with me."
Narinig ko ang pagbuntonghininga ni Daddy. "She told me, hija. Kaya nga huwag ka nalang lumabas kasama siya. It's a shame that he's..."
I can't believe I am hearing this again. Naipit ako ni Elijah sa railings nang dumami ang dumadaan.
"Sorry," he whispered.
Binaba ko ang aking tingin, hindi ko kayang tumingin sa kanya habang ginaganito siya ni Daddy. His protective arms is giving me security.
"Dad, kailan ka matatapos sa mga diskriminasyon mo?" I coldly asked.
"Hija. Ikaw din ang mahihirapan kung lalabas ito sa media--"
"Please, Dad. Kung ito lang ang dahilan sa tawag ninyo. Mas mabuting 'wag n'yo na akong tawagan muli." putol ko sa kanya.
I felt Elijah's hand on my back, caressing me a bit. Umangat ang aking tingin sa kanya. He is looking so gentle and worried at the same time. Binigyan ko siya ng ngiti.
"Nag-aalala lang ako sa'yo, Amber." aniya.
"Well maybe you shouldn't. Ibaba ko na, we're going to have our lunch. You eat well too, Dad." sabi ko at pinatay na ang tawag.
I slid my phone back to my purse and closed it. Hinawakan pa rin ni Elijah iyon at naglakad ulit kami hanggang sa tabing daan, naghihintay ng go signal ang mga tatawid sa crosswalk.
"You okay?" aniya.
Tumango ako at tumawid na kami. "Of course,"
Pumasok kami sa Japanese Restaurant. Air conditioned ang lugar kaya tumutuyo ang kaonting pawis sa aking likod.
We ordered one course meal and three side dishes. I really love takoyaki, sushi and their fried shrimp.
I realized that all Buenavistas are known though they are usually based in the city. Their names can be seen in magazines except for one... Elijah. He's not mentioned in any of it. Alam ng tao na dalawa ang anak ni Eros at Andresa Buenavista pero walang nakakaalam sa ikalawang anak nito.
I guess Elijah's life is held private to protect him. But for what reason? Napatingin ako sa kanyang habang ngumunguya ng takoyaki.
He raised one brow at me. Indeed, he is a Buenavista. Eren and Elijah shared the same physique and visuals. Medyo matigas at mahirap lang makikisama kay Eren kung sa mukha pa lang binabase.
"Did you study college, Eli?" maingat kong tanong.
Tumango siya. Oh. Homeschooled probably. Hindi na ako nagtanong pa. I had a feeling na kung mas lalong d-ni-dig deep ko siya, baka maramdaman niya na I was looking for my standards if he fits. Pero kuryoso talaga ako sa buhay niya.
"Can I ask another question?"
Sinubo niya ang isang ball ng takoyaki bago tumayo. The tables here are like foam benches and they have tall backrest to give privacy in each table.
Ang isang table dito ay pwedeng makaupo ang apat na tao. Lumipat siya sa aking tabi. He placed his chin on my shoulder and took one sushi to fed me.
"You can ask more," banayad niyang sabi.
Kinagat ko ang maliit na parte ng aking pang-ibabang labi. I chew the food in my mouth and took a sip on my apple juice.
"Bakit hindi ka kilala ng ibang tao unlike your family and relatives?" I asked courageously. "Buenavista ka rin pero wala akong nababasa na pangalan mo sa news or magazines."
He tucked the strand of my hair to the back of my ear. "Because I bring forth danger."
Kumunot ang aking noo. "What do you mean?"
My eyes widened when he kissed my cheeks much longer than this morning. Two kisses on my cheek. Nagpupumungay ang mata niya sa akin.
"Don't worry, I won't put you in danger." he whispered to me softly. "I will protect you no matter what."
Kinakabahan ako. Hindi dahil sa sinabi niyang siya ang nagdadala ng panganib kundi dahil sa nakatagong dahilan ng panganib na ito.
"Is it related to your family being in politics?" mahina kong tanong.
Tumango siya. "And other family feuds."
"What does that had anything to do with you?"
"Everything, baby."
Tumalbog ang akin puso sa namamaos niyang bulong. Umiinit ang aking puso at pisngi sa tawag niya sa akin.
"I don't understand," bulong ko.
His fingers caressed my elbow. "You will sooner..."
May binulong pa siya ngunit hindi ko na iyon narinig. Tinapos namin ang natirang takoyaki at dumaan sa Boss coffee para sa black coffee niya habang nag frappe naman ako sa Starbucks.
Pinauna ko siya sa opisina ko habang pinuntahan ko si Daddy dahil pinatawag raw ako sabi ni Tess.
"Sa probinsya ang proyekto mo and it needs your supervision, sa tingin mo maiiwanan mo si Elijah?" si Daddy.
"I have seen the plan, Dad. Mag-asawang Duazo ang nagpapagawa. It's in Isla de Vista. I'm sure Elijah won't mind if I work far away," seryoso kong tugon.
Tumango siya. Inaasahan ko na may side feedback na naman siya pero hindi iyon dumating.
"Just making sure you're working without a hindrance, hija."
"I am." agap ko.
Umiwas siya ng tingin at nakita ko ang paghugot ng ng malalim na hininga.
"Babalik na po ako, Dad." paalam ko.
"Wait."
I turned my heels again. Hindi siya nakatingin sa akin.
"Kamusta sila Mama at Papa?" he asked in neutral tone.
"Fine. They always are."
Tumango siya. "Bibisitahin ko sila kapag may oras ako,"
"Just don't bring your second wife. It'll be an insult." payo ko.
Tumalikod na muli ako at ito naman ang pagbukas ng pintuan. Lumuwal doon si Tita Rebecca na mukhang hindi inaasahan na makita ako.
"You--"
"Rebecca." putol ni Daddy sa kanya.
Hindi siya natuloy sa kanyang sasabihin. Nilagpasan ko na siya at umalis ng silid.
"Are you going to throw us out, Dave?! Tell me what did your daughter do?!" rinig kong singhal niya kay Daddy.
"Calm down, Rebecca. Anong pinagsasabi mo?"
"Pinapahiya mo ulit si Daisy sa mga kaibigan niya. You blocked her cards today. Again!"
Napailing na lang ako. Mag-ina talaga. I feel so sorry for Dad that he can't see what I am seeing. Maybe it's because of Mom's death that he sought another warmth but moving on in that way is just not right. So not right.
Nagulat ako nang pagpasok ko pa lang sa opisina ko ay biglang may humablot sa akin at mahigpit akong niyakap.
"She's mine." he growled.
Elijah's eyes are dark and splitting in rage while looking at my team. Pati si Architect Ike ay nandito. The seven members of the team is here. Kumurapkurap ako sa nangyayari. Hindi agad rumehistro sa akin. Nakaplastada ang takot sa mukha ng aking team.
What's going on?
"Baby, you're mine." he declared hastily.
"Eli, what's wrong?" marahan kong tanong sa kanya.
"These men likes you." he sounded very angry.
Umawang ang aking labi. Anjo and Marlo are in great fear now. Elijah is still hugging me from the back, his dark expression is not budging. Even his voice is sending death glares and dark chills.
"N-Nagbibiruan lang po kami, A-Amber..." nauutal na banggit ni Anjo.
"Tas b-bigla siyang..." Sisa trailed off, scared.
I sighed lightly and held Elijah's arm. Hindi niya pa rin ako tinitingnan kaya hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya upang mapabaling sa akin ang tingin. His eyes immediately soften and went back to normal so I smiled widely.
Binaba ko ang kamay niya na nasa ibaba ng aking dibdib. Nagpatianod naman siya at nilagay ang mga kamay sa aking baywang in a possessive stance.
"I'm sorry for that," I apologized to my team. "This is Elijah Luis Buenavista, my husband."
Halos sunod sunod ang kanilang gulantang pagsinghap. Elijah smirked darkly and nuzzled on my nape, showing off his territory.
Pati ako kanina natakot sa biglaang pandidilim ng paningin ni Elijah. He is really scary. Mata niya pa lang tila binabalian ka na ng buto. Ito ang unang beses na nakita ko siyang ganito.