Chapter 88: Velasquez and Miranda
Nakatanga lang ako sa kawalan habang tahimik sila hanggang sa naisipan kong dagdagan ang pag-overthink nila.
"Kapag hindi mababaw ang tama ng bala sa katawan, may pagkakataon pang mabuhay 'yon, paano kung sa mababaw na parte siya tinamaan?"
"It can't be..." halos bulong na sabi ni Phoenix. "My Dad shot him on his body. I saw blood flowing from his body."
Inangat ko ang ulo para tingnan siya. "Love, 'di ba nga ang sabi mo sa akin nang matapos mabaril ang lalaking 'yon, e, nawala ang katawan kung nasaan siya? Malay mo may tumulong sa kaniya," sabi ko. "Tangina naman kasi, e, daig pa retre sa pagkuha ng katawan."
"What? Retre?" Tanong ni Phoenix at Darius.
"Retre, 'yong nangunguha ng katawan kapag may namatay, 'yong sa encantadia? Galing nga nila, e, may mga brilyante sila. Sana all."
Napabuga ng hangin si Kuya. "Darlene, those are just edits. Stop watching that. Nababaliw ka na naman."
Ngumuso ako. "Hindi ba kayo nanonood no'n?" ang hirap naman nila! Mga walang TV sa bahay!
"Darwin, did you check the coffin before they buried that fucker?" tanong ni Tito Amcel.
"Of course, I did what you said," sagot ni Tito Darwin sa sa sinabi ni Papa. "David and I even had a proof."
"Yeah, we did that secretly because it was restricted," si Tito David. "The asshole was sleeping normally like he didn't do anything wrong, I know he'll see Satan in hell."
Malaki rin pala ang galit nila sa pisteng 'yon.
"And mga Tito's, may mga fake body na ginagawa just to... you know put on that coffin." I know mayroong gano'n. "Just to prove that the person you thought was dead but the truth is not." English 'yon, hindi niyo kaya 'yon.
"Lin, stop objecting to their words. They're trying to convince themselves that Dad and Tito saw his corpse," si Devin.
Gano'n pala ang ginagawa nila! Kaya pala napapansin kong panay ang seryoso ng mga mukha nila.
"Sorry naman... totoo naman kasi ang sinasabi ko. 'Di ba may gano'n naman talaga, magpapa-customize ka para mapalabas na patay na 'yong isang tao. Malay mo... gano'n nga? Malay mo nga hindi patay si Lara, e, malay mo gano'n ginawa nila, kaya ayaw ipabukas nila Tita Ariah 'Yong coffin niya?"
Napatigil naman si Darius sa sinabi ko.
"Kasi kung nandoon nga ang bangkay niya, handa silang maki-operate malaman lang kung totoong patay nga siya talaga. Kaya nga... huwag kayong pa-sure na deads na ang Almendral na 'yon, malay niyo buhay talaga 'yon! Tapos isipin niyo... tinutulungan siya ng Morriston na 'yon." Parang mas lalong nadagdagan ang isipin nila nang sabihin ko 'yon.
Hindi sila makapagsalita.
"Kaya nakakagawa ng kagaguhan ang Morriston na 'yon dahil may kakampi at may kapalit din na tulong na natatanggap mula kay Almendral. Talino ko, 'no?"
Napahawak sa nose bridge si Papa. "Dinagdagan mo lang lahat ng iniisip ko. I wasn't thinking that Almendral is alive. Stop saying those words, sweetie. It makes my head hurts as hell."
"Same here... I wasn't thinking that until you say those words, love," gatong ni Phoenix.
"What if lang naman!" sabi ko. "Saka, sure naman akong deads na 'yon! Huwag niyo na lang isipin 'yon!" Kung kanina parang ayaw nilang maniwala, ngayon naman ay gusto na nila.
"If you all can't sleep because of her words, then you must know the truth if he's dead or not," si Lolo. "And about what you said that Almendral was dead and it was your father's fault, why did he died?" Tanong ni Lolo kay Phoenix.
"Yes, he entered my house and did his plan. I found out that he wants to get my mother, that's why he did that," casual na sagot ni Phoenix. "Even if he's dead, I still feel madness towards him."
Sino'ng hindi, 'di ba?
"We just feel the same," sagot ni Lolo. "I know him a lot. His father is one of my closest friends and yet betrayed me. He tried to kill me, but your grandfather did it to him first."
Wait, matagal nang kilala ng pamilya ni Phoenix ang pamilya namin? I mean sa paraan kasi nang pagsabi ni Lolo parang matagal na talaga, e. Pero kung totoo nga bakit hindi nila sinabi sa akin na matagal na palang kilala ng family namin sila Phoenix? Kaasar naman, dapat pala talaga matagal na kaming nag-kita kaso nauudlot.
"Ano ang ibig mong sabihin? Pwedeng paki-detail?" Request ko kay Lolo.
I need an answer.
"Well, the Velasquez and Miranda Family were one of the closest families back then."
"Oh? Hindi nga?" tanong ko.
"It's true, Darlene. But, I want to start on how Velasquez and Miranda became friends..." si Lolo.
"Ano ba 'yan, 'yong pinakagitna na dapat-aray!" Pinisil ni Phoenix ang pisngi ko.
"Quiet," saway niya.
"Sige na nga sabihin mo na para malaman ko-namin," sabi ko, gusto ko na kasi talagang malaman. "Pahingi pong popcorn! Palagyan rin ng cheese, ah?!" Sumunod naman ang maid. "So, paano nga nagsimula?"
Sa akin dapat ang popcorn kaso kinuha ni Darius matapos malapag ng maid sa lamesa. Inunahan ako ng gago. Masama tuloy ang tingin ko sa kaniya habang kumakain naman siya, kasalo niya pa sina Gianna.
Napairap ako sa kanila bago tumingin kay Lolo dahil nagsalita na siya.
"Philip is the one who saved my life, Phoenix grandfather. Almendral's Dad betrayed me. Well, Almendral's Dad is full of hatred, jealousy, and insecurities in life. At first, he's kind... he's always kind to everyone, not until I build an organization."
Siya ang nagbuo? May sarili siya? May sarili rin kasing ogranization sina Papa.
"This organization is different from a Black Forum," pagklaro niya.
Oh, nabasa siguro ni Lolo ang nasa isip ko kaya kinlaro niya.
"Like what I've said earlier... I built an organization. It was a successful organization. He's always with me. Yes, we both had enemies, but we handled that because we're helping each other's hand. We got each other's back. Our life was happy even if problems came to our lives. But I guess that friendship will really end. Because I found out that he has plans towards me. I didn't know that his life was full of jealousy and hatred towards me."
"Jealousy... Jealousy..." Mahinang kanta ko. "Starting following me..."
"I know the reason why he felt that way. Everyone always sees me but not him. I didn't know that he hates me a lot. He's good at acting, I didn't know that he had a game. He's playing behind my back."
Kawawa naman pala si Lolo.
"Sakit siguro no'n?" Napatingin ang mga ugok sa akin.
"Alin ang masakit?" Tanong ni Gianna. "'Yong may hatred sa 'yo 'yong tao?"
"Edi 'yong pinaglalaruan ka ng patalikod. Kung ako 'yon... Hinding-hindi ko 'yon mapapatawad. Bahala sila, sinira nila ang tiwala ko, e, " sabi ko bago kainin ang popcorn.
Seryoso, hindi ko talaga alam kung mapapatawad ko ba ang taong 'yon kung sakaling sa akin nangyari ang naranasan ni Lolo.
Hindi naman sila nagsalita kaya nag-shut up na lang din ako. Parang na nanahimik naman si Phoenix pero nasa balikat ko ang kamay niya.
Nag-continued si Lolo sa pagsasalita.
"So, then... someone told me that he had a plan. He's plan was to kill me, he's intention was to revealed to everyone that I committed suicide. That's bullshit. Why would I killed myself? I have a better life, I have a lovely and beautiful wife."
"Pero nagloko naman sa-" Binusalan ni Darius ang bibig ko gamit ang popcorn.
"Stop commenting," saway ni Darius.
Nagloko siya kay Lola!
"Almendral's father didn't succeed in his plan. I had plans also, if he did he's brutal plans towards me. I don't have a choice but to kill him first before he kills me. I thought my plan was perfect, hindi ko alam na may kinakampihan pala siya."
"Ano naman dahilan para gawin 'yon?" Naunahan ako ni Kael magtanong.
"He wants everything from me. I really thought I would lose everything, but Philip helped me. I didn't know that he was watching my moves." Si Lolo, ang gara!
Gago, sana all kayang manood ng moves.
"Alessandro... and I had a mafia war between our organization. I need to save your grandmother at that time because your Dad was in her womb." Tumingin siya sa akin. "She almost had a miscarriage."
"Angas. Lakas ng kapit mo, Papa. Ibang klase ka," comment ko.
Binatukan ako ni Darius. "I said stop commenting."
"I can't help it." Mas English accent na sabi ko.
"Ngayon, alam ko na kung bakit buhay si Darius, mana mana lang pala. Lakas ng kapit mo," siniko ko si Darius.
"Tanga, may buhay ka na rin no'n." Irap ni Darius.
"Oo nga, e, dapat hindi ako nakipag-unahan kasama mo." Tinakpan ulit ni Phoenix ang bibig ko.
"I said quite," saway niya. "Okay, continued. I want a middle part now."
"Alright... since Philip was there, he helped me to finish the war. He was the one who ended the Mafia War, Phoenix. He killed Alessandro, Almendral's father. I wasn't happy at all because Alessandro was my good friend, I wasn't thinking that we'll go on that point... that we need to kill each other. And I was thankful to your grandfather as well because he helped me."
Baka naman hindi lang nanay ni Phoenix ang gusto nilang makuha. Kaya rin siguro panay ang paghahanap ng gulo ni Almendral... dahil baka alam niya rin ang nakaraan ng tatay niya! Baka alam niya rin na ang tatay ni Tito Phytos ang pumatay sa ama niya kaya sobra-sobra ang galit ni Almendral.
Revenge gano'n.
"I thought we would never see each other again... but it was all just thought. We became more than friends, my Family is close to your Family, Phoenix. Both families are close and happy. Every occasion like Christmas, New Year we celebrated together. But, your grandmother wants to become closer and closer. Your grandmother decided to marry my daughter to her son."
Naubo ako dahil sa narinig.
"Fuck shit." Sabi ko.
"The fuck, Mama?" si Chase at Charles.
Sabay-sabay kaming magpipinsan na nag-comment.
"Nasa lahi nga yata nila, p're," dinig kong bulong ni JP.
"Baka mamura ka, gago," si Andrei.
Tumingin ako kay Lolo. "Hala! Kaya pala!"
Si Tito Phytos 'yon! Balak nilang i-arranged marriage si Tito Phytos at Tita Beatrice!
"What do you mean 'Kaya pala', anak?" Tanong ni Mama.
"Eh, kasi ang sabi sa akin ni Velasquez may dapat na pakakasalan si Tito, e! Tita Beatrice, ikaw pala 'yon?!" Tumingin ako kay Tita Beatrice.
"I didn't agree, Michelle. It was bullshit," sagot ni Tita Beatrice. "I don't even know him and we just met."
"Sa bagay.... Sabi nga ni Elsa, you can't marry a man you just met." Napaisip ako. "Tangina, kung nagkataon pala... pinsan kita. Ew. Kadiri, hindi ko madigest." Tumingin ako kay Phoenix.
Halata naman sa kaniyang nandidiri rin siya. Sure akong kung ano-ano na naman pumapasok sa isip nitong timang na 'to. Saka, If ever lang naman! Baka nga wala siya sa mundo kung nangyari nga 'yon.
"I didn't agree either." Si Lolo. "Even Philip, he didn't agree with that situation. I know it was their family tradition but he wasn't scared, he wanted the best for his son and my daughter wasn't the best."
Kumuha lang si Tita Beatrice ng red wine bago binigay kay mama na siyang diniretso ang wine na nasa bote matapos mag-cheers.
Ano kayang lasa no'n?
"Since I didn't agree like Philip, Belinda was mad because that's their family tradition."
"Pangit naman no'n ka bonding," bulong ko
Kinuha ko ang popcorn at kumain. Tumingin rin ako ng cute dogs sa Facebook pero mas cute si Lucy. Ay nga pala feel ko manganganak na si Lucy, feel ko lang naman.
Napatigil ako sa pag-scroll para tingnan ang mga pictures na lumabas sa feed ko. Biglang ini-scroll pataas ni Phoenix ang feed ko dahil nakita niyang may lalaki do'n at naka-topless.
"Stop looking at it," kunot ang noo ni Phoenix.
Tinuon ko ang paningin sa cellphone.
"She was the one who ended the friendship between the two families. Because of that tradition the friendship between the two families ended. She was really mad because her son was madly in love with another girl."
"Si Mommy mo tinutukoy doon, 'di ba?" Tanong ko kay Phoenix habang nag-a-IG story gamit ang phone niya.
"Yeah. Wait, this is better." Tinuro niya ang picture namin noong nasa Hotel kami for pictorial.
"Mas better kaya 'to," kontra ko.
"But, for me... Velasquez and Miranda are still friends, we still have a communication. We still got each other's back. And since the second generation marriage didn't happen because Philip and I didn't agree, we promised to each other that maybe in the third generation... Velasquez and Miranda would exchange vows," dinig kong sabi ni Lolo.
Exchange vows daw, pero para saan? Tuwing kinakasal lang naman 'yon, e, 'di ba?
"Sino naman ang mag-e-exchange vows? May ikakasal ba dito? Sino?" Sunod-sunod kong tanong habang nakatingin pa rin sa cellphone.
"Oo nga... sino? Kasi kung-" Napatigil sa pagsasalita si Gavin nang may marealized.
Nag-angat ako ng tingin.
"Lumalayo pa tayo, e, nasa harapan na natin!" Sabi ni Finn at ngumisi.
"Eh?" Nag-angat ako ng tingin.
Nagulat ako dahil nakatingin silang lahat sa amin ni Phoenix.
"They are meant to be ever since!"
"Teka... sino ang mag-e-exchange vows?" ulit ko.
Ayaw nila akong sagutin.
"Ikaw at si Nix," sagot ni Harvey. "Sus, halatang-halata naman na kayo na!"
"As if we will allow him," kontra ni Darius.
Nagreklamo naman sila Finn kesyo pa-epal daw.
"Yeah, as if," gatong ni Kuya.
"Well, Darlene is important to us... so, you faced us first," sabi ng mga pinsan ko.
"Ang arte niyo hindi naman ako ikakasal!" irap ko.
Hindi pa naman ako ikakasal kaya wala dapat silang ipag-aalala.
"Yeah... soon." Tarantado talaga.
"That's not a good joke."
"Wala ka lang bebe, e. Single forever," pang-aasar ko kay Darius.
Inirapan niya lang ako.
Prinoseso ko pa lahat ng nalaman ko.
Matagal na pala talagang magkilala ang both families namin. Pero hindi ko man lang nalaman. At talagang in-arrange pa ang Tita Beatrice ko sa daddy ni Phoenix kaso hindi pumayag dahil ang sabi 'he wants the best for his son', hindi naman pala best si Tita Beatrice kaya ayon... hindi rin pumayag si Lolo.
Totong love talaga ng daddy ni Phoenix si Tita Rica, sobrang bait siguro ng Mommy nito. Daming nagmamahal, e.
"Eh, hater nga pala Lola nito, e," nag-cross arm ako.
"Hater?" Tanong ni Chase.
"Oo, ayaw sa nanay niya, e, ang ganda kaya no'n tapos ang bait pa," napairap pa ako.
"Oh? You talked to Tita Rica?" Tanong ni Darius.
"Oo, through spirit of the glass," ngisi ko. "Hindi naman siya nakakatakot. Actually, ang sabi niya ang pangit mo daw, tapos ang ganda ko raw."
Napahawak na lang siya sa noo niya.
"Darlene, 'yong pagiging mahangin mo, abot na hanggang langit," komento ni Gianna.
"Gano'n talaga 'pag maganda kung saan pumupunta."
"I'm sure that tradition was still her priority," sabat ni Lolo sa mga kagaguhan naming lahat.
"Nadali mo," tango ko.
"That's her priority why she's going back here in the Philippines." Si Phoenix na panay ang haplos sa buhok ko, pati ang dulo ng buhok ko pinaglalaruan niya.
"What do you mean?" Tanong ni Mama.
"Kasi may balak yatang ireto 'to do'n," may halong inis sa boses ko.
"Ipagpapalit mo siya?"
"Of course not," mabilis na sabi ni Phoenix.
Alam ko naman hindi niya gagawin 'yon.
Pero sana lang 'wag matuloy ang gusto ng Lola niya. At kung sakaling mangyari man 'yon tatali ko talaga si Phoenix sa akin nang hindi makawala. Ibubulsa ko talaga siya.
Kung kailangan kong ipaglandakan sa mundo kung gaano ko siya kamahal, gagawin ko. At kung kailangan kong lumuhod sa Lola nito huwag lang gawin ang balak niya, gagawin ko para kay Phoenix.
At kung sanang mangyari nga, samahan niya ako sa laban ng pag-ibig na mangyayari. Handa akong maubos para lang sa kaniya, handa akong isugal lahat-lahat kahit na ikasira ko pa sa dulo.... Kahit walang matira sa akin.
Ang mahalaga kasama ko siya at hindi ako nag-iisa. And maybe someday Velasquez and Miranda would exchange vows. Hindi man natuloy noon pero ngayon o sa susunod, malay mo mangyaring ikasal kaming dalawa at hindi magaya sa naudlot na nangyari noon.