Tris
"Hey, best wishes."
My eyes averted to meet the one who just congratulated us. A small smile pasted on my lips after seeing Elle's passive face.
Hindi pa din ito nagbabago. Cold. Distant. Someone who's just nice if she needs something from you.
"Thanks, Elle." I replied sincerely.
Dumako yung tingin nito sa katabi kong si Eris. Pagkatapos ay napailing na lang. Eris just gave her cousin a simple nod which made Elle to roll her eyes.
"Have you seen Eli and Kaylee?" untag ko kay Elle para mawala yung atensyon nito kay Eris. "Kanina ko pa hinahanap yung dalawang iyon pero hindi ko pa nakikita."
Elle shrugged her shoulders while pointing to the rest of our mothers that are obviously having a serious discussion in the corner table.
"Elise got in a trouble. Masyado kasing nagpabida. Nakahanap tuloy ng katapat." malditang sagot pa nito.
That made me raise my brow. Elise, of all people, isn't a troublemaker. Maingay lang iyon pero hindi iyon nagsisimula ng gulo.
"What trouble?"
"Haven't read the daily newspaper? She was challenged to live like a commoner and see what it's like to be one. Her write ups against the Oligarchs, where she's undeniably a part of, if I must say, should be put into a halt. Sobra na sya. Wala na din sa punto minsan yung ipinaglalaban nya."
Napakunot yung noo ko. "What?"
Oo, alam ko na gawain talaga ni Elise na ilabas lahat ng baho ng mayayamang angkan at yung pagpapahirap niyon sa mga mahihirap.
But no one in their right mind would dare stop Elise. She's a Calvry, for goddamn sake. Sinong babangga sa kanila? Unless, it's a Silva or a Montello, that will surely made it more interesting. Kaso they have a strong ties with those families.
"Binangga ba naman kasi yung bagong girlfriend ng ex ni Kaylee. Akala yata di sya papatulan." Harrice supplied.
Lalo akong naguluhan. "May bagong girlfriend na si Payne!?"
The couple nods their heads.
"A Montiel." dugtong ni Harrice.
Napanganga ako ng tuluyan. Ilang beses nagbukas at sara yung bibig ko pero wala akong mahanap na tamang salita para isatinig yung pagkagulat ko.
"Payne got a new girlfriend and that person is a fuckin' Montiel?" I clarified, baffled and aghast at the idea.
"You heard it right, Tris." Ikinumpas pa ni Elle yung daliri nito sa ere.
Kumunot yung noo ko. "Akala ko yung politikong kasama nya noon yung ipinalit nya kay Kaylee?"
"Well, that's what we thought too. Until the rumors spread like fire that she's already dating that Montiel woman. Elise couldn't shut her mouth lalo pa at walang ginagawang aksyon si Kaylee."
"No, that can't be.." Sinalubong ko yung mga tingin nito. Alam ko na malaki ang alitan ng mga Calvry sa pamilyang iyon.
Yu-Montiel. The couple that's well-known to be the only ones to had a privilege to be tangled with the Calvry sisters.
Kiel Montiel was Tita Aria's ex while Demi Yu was rumored to be Tita Louella's ex.
Buti sana kung doon lang iyon natapos. Pero alam ng lahat kung paano kinamkam ni Tita Louella lahat ng shares sa kumpanya ng mga Yu, giving them no other option but to be under the Calvry's mercy. Ang bali-balita na lang ay nakipag-areglo ang mga Montiel sa mga Calvry para sagipin ang mga Yu.
Since then, we haven't heard any rumors circulating about them.
Until recently that their daughter has successfully made her own name from scratch. Mukhang planong buhayin ulit yung conglomerates ng pamilya nila.
"Where's Lee?" Natatarantang napalingon lingon ako sa paligid para hanapin si Kaylee. May pagkatanga pa naman iyon pagdating kay Payne.
"That's what our parents are talking about. Naglayas daw si Kaylee matapos makasagutan si Tita Leigh." Harrice supplied again.
"What!?" hindi ko na napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses ko sa pagkagulat. I am so sure that Kaylee will never disobey Tita Leigh.
Unless it's about Payne.
With that thoughts running on my mind, marahan kong kinalas yung kamay ni Eris na nakahawak sa braso ko. Nakakaunawang tumango naman ito.
Samantalang ako ay halos padabog na nagmartsa patungo sa direksyon ng mga magulang namin na halatang seryosong nag-uusap usap.
If they're talking about Kaylee and Elise's situation, I really had no idea. But I really hope it's all about it so I could also get my ass in. Those two are both my freakin' friends. I should stick my nose in.
"Tris." Tumikhim si Tita Aria to acknowledge my presence. Napatigil naman sa pagsasagutan si Tita Leigh at Tita Louella bago lahat ng nandoon ay bumaling sa direksyon ko.
They all have different faces that are visibly written on their faces. Tita Louella seems chill. Tita Aria's face is passive while Tita Corinne's obviously worried. Tita Van is biting her nails while Mama was trying to console her. Siguro kinakalma ito ni Mama na huwag masyadong mag-alala sa paglalayas ni Kaylee. Katabi ng mga ito yung Mommy nila Harrice na para bang sinusupotahan din sila.
Tita Leigh seems pissed off. Mommy was just sipping her drink and obviously thinking deeply as if she's analyzing something.
Tita Grant is talking with someone on her phone. Tita Jen was just sitting on her chair while eating her meal. Tita Alliston is gritting her teeth na para bang naiirita ito sa pinag-uusapan nila Tita Leigh at Tita Louella kanina habang nag-rarant kay Tita Jen.
Tita Hariette on her usual is just busy chatting with Tita Alice and Tita Railey na mukhang iba naman ang pinag-uusapan. Maybe it's about their daughters and their baby plans. As I've heard kasi ay nagpaplano na sina Carrie at Rainey na magkababy.
To be honest, I really feel like an extra by just standing here.
"I've heard about what happened." basag ko sa katahimikan.
Napalunok ako nang sabay sabay na dumako sakin yung tingin nilang lahat.
Only Kaylee's Mom has the guts to rudely cut me off. "It's none of your business, Tris. Leave us to worry about this."
"What about Lee? Alam nyo ba kung saan nya nagpunt-"
"She's probably mending her broken heart now that you've finally tie the kn-"
"Shut up, Leigh!" Tita Van bickered at her wife. "If you hadn't meddle in between Payne and Lee, nandito pa sana yung anak ko!"
"Silly, Vanilla." Tita Leigh slowly shakes her head. "Kaylee isn't in love with that slut. We both know she's into Tris. Stop being hopeless romantic. You're just overly romanticizing everything. "
"How do you know? Si Kaylee ka ba!?" Gigil na sumbat ni Tita Van. "Ayaw mo lang kay Payne. Ayaw mo lang tanggapin na yung babaeng inaayawan mo yung gusto ng anak m-"
"Stop being stupid, Vanilla. Ginagawa mong tanga yung anak ko."
"No!" Tita Van match her wife's stern face. "Stop being imbecile, Leigh! You've done enough. Stop there! Because if I ever find my daughter and she'll say that it's all your fault, I'll surely hold you accountable for it."
I saw how Tita Leigh gulp in fear seeing how serious her wife is.
Kahit ako ay napakurap ng ilang ulit ng balingan ako ni Tita Van.
"Do you know anything about this, Tris?"
I immediately shake my head. Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa aura ngayon ni Tita Van na biglang ikinapanlamig ng mga kamay ko sa takot.
"Kaylee and I had talked before the wedding. Ang sabi nya ay may mga aayusin lang daw sya pero nangako sya na pupunta ngayon." bahagya akong napayuko. I couldn't help but to feel a little bit guilty that I haven't notice what Lee is undergoing these past few days. Masyado kasi akong masaya kasama si Eris at naging abala sa pag aasikaso ng kasal namin.
Maybe I made Lee feel so alone. Have I hurt her for choosing my own happiness above anyone else? Have she felt neglected? Ditched over?
"Don't be guilty." napaangat yung tingin ko nang maramdaman na may umakbay sa balikat ko.
"Mommy.."
"You can't save everyone, Tris. And if Kaylee is here, I'm sure she'll say that it's not your fault and she's not your responsibility."
"But if I had been more sensitive on what's going on her then maybe she won't leave without informing us about her plans. If I was only ther-"
"Did she ask you to be there?"
I slowly shake my head. Mas lalo lang akong napayuko. Right. Kaylee doesn't want to bug me. Baka iniisip nya na nagiging pabigat na yung tingin ko sa kanya sa tuwing hihingi sya ng pabor sakin. I made her feel like that after the incident in the auction.
"If not, then trust her." Mommy gently pinch my shoulder. "Your mother told me that there'll be times that my friends will stop seeking help from me, so I just have to trust them when that time comes. It just means, they can handle it and you have nothing to worry about."
"Pero paano kung anong gawin ni Kaylee? You don't know her, Mommy. Masyadong overthinker si Lee. Siguradong umiiyak na yon ngayon. Lalo pa at may bagong girlfriend na daw si Payn-"
"Kaylee can handle it, Tris. I believe in her." This time ay si Tita Van na yung humawak sa kamay ko at pumisil niyon. "If she needs you, she'll say it. If she needs me, she'll seek me. But she didn't right? My Kaylee is a fighter, Tris. Soft but surely strong."
"Tita Van..."
Pinahid nito yung mga luhang naglandas sa pisngi nito. "Smile, Tris. It's your wedding day. I don't want to ruin it. Magagalit si Kaylee panigurado."
Pinilit pa nitong tumawa para pagaanin yung sitwasyon. All of her friends just eyed them with a worried face.
"Don't worry, I got it covered." Tita Grant, coming from the corner, raised her phone, "I already had Kaylee's location. She's safe. Nasa secluded area lang. I'll have my men to surround the area and ensure her safety."
"Thanks, Grant. I owe you." Tita Leigh sigh in relief.
Kahit ako ay nakahinga din ng maluwag nang marinig iyon. Maybe Kaylee just need to step back to gain her senses back. Masyado na din kasing toxic yung sitwasyon nito at ni Payne.
"What about Elise, Aria?" baling ni Tita Alliston sa magulang ni Elise.
Tita Aria just shook her head. "Matigas yung ulo ni Elise. She said that she already made up her mind. Hinding-hindi daw nya aatrasan yung anak ni Kiel at Demi."
Nang marahil ay hindi nagustuhan ni Tita Alli yung sagot ni Tita Aria ay yung asawa naman nito yung binalingan niyon.
"Corinne?"
Tita Corinne shakes her head too. "Pasensya ka na, Alliston. Nakiusap kasi samin si Elise na huwag makialam sa desisyon nya. She won't let anyone to rob her off her dignity. She'll be doing it to prove herself that she's not just an All-talk Princess that's siding the unfortunate while living with all the luxury. She's bound to make that Montiel to eat and choke with her own nasty words towards her."
"Geez!" napahilamos na lang sa mukha nito si Tita Alliston. "Why is she as strong-willed as both of you?"
Tita Aria just shrugged her shoulders. "It's perfectly fine with me. Ikaw ba, Ate Louella?"
Tita Louella glance towards her wife and shrug her shoulders too. "I don't think there's anything I had to fuss about. It's not my daughter. As long as Cray and Elle are both out of it, I'm fine with it. Just remind Elise that Yu-Montiel still have a grudge towards us."
"Kiel doesn't. We're still friends." Tita Aria defends her ex.
"Si Demon Yu halatang may galit pa din satin. Baka mamaya biglang magkagusto doon yung anak mo sa anak ng bruhildang iyon. Sinasabi ko sayo talaga, Aria!" Si Tita Alliston yung hindi nakatiis at sumabat.
"Calm down, Alliston." Tita Aria chuckles. "Elise knows what she's doing. I trust my daughter. Kung marupok yung anak mo, wag mong igaya yung anak ko."
"Right." Tita Van raised her forehead. "Dapat lang na ipagtanggol ni Elise yung anak ko. Di bale, Aria. Pag si Elise at Kaylee yung nagkagustuhan, wala akong tutol."
Nagkatinginan si Tita Corinne at Tita Aria bago parehong natawa.
"Whatever, Van. As long as my kid is happy. Kahit kanino pa yan, wala kaming problema. Elise knows what she wants."
I took a deep breath. I guess there's really nothing to worry about.
I started walking back towards my wife. Buti na lang at nandoon pa si Harrice at Elle na marahil ay nililibang ito habang wala ako.
Napapikit na lang ako ng salubungin ako ng yakap sa bewang ni Eris. I can inhale her familiar scent as she securely wraps her arms around me.
"Still bothered?" she asked with a worried look visible on her face. "Okay na daw si Kaylee?"
Ngumiti naman ako dito at saka masuyong hinalikan ito sa noo. "Yep. Thank goodness. Your mother has already tracked her and will be keeping her safe. There's nothing to worry about."
"And Elise?"
Napabuntong-hininga ako. Now that I am out of the picture, si Elise na tuloy yung gumagawa ng bagay na ako yung inaasahan ni Kaylee na gumawa. Yung magtanggol dito.
But remembering my Mom's words, I took a deep breath.
"Let them to worry about themselves, sweetheart." I gave Eris a sweet smile. "Matatanda naman na sila. Kaya na nila yung sarili nila. Besides, it's our wedding day. No one should be more important than you and I, on this very special day."
Eris match my sweet smile.
"You're not a superhero, Tris. You can't save everyone. Hope you know that."
"I know. Mom says so."
Eris soft gaze surely knows how to melt me.
"You know that I wouldn't stop you if you think Kaylee needs you, right?"
"No, Eris." I cut her off. "You're now my top priority. I'll keep you safe and I'll put you first. Always. No matter what."
I'll be a better person too. Hindi pwedeng ito na lang ng ito lagi yung nagbibigay at umuunawa. I should start becoming a better person too. For my wife.
Eris and I? It's a forever kind of thing.
You better know how to deal with your own problems now, Kaylee. You're not special. You need to work your way. No one's gonna do it for you. No one's gonna save you. I'm resigning now as your hero. But I'm still your bestfriend.
****