Chapter 41
Cassandra’s POV
“You’re early” Bati agad ni Lance pagkababang-pagkababa ko sa kotse ko.
Ngumiti ako at excited na tumakbo para yakapin siya.
“So are you” I giggled and kissed his cheeks. “Maganda tulog ko kagabi. Finally, for a long time, parang ang peaceful na nung pakiramdam ko”
He smiled at me. “Ako rin, nakatulog ako ng mahimbing”
Bigla siyang lumayo at tinitigan ako.
I was taken back at that.
“Cassy, dapat di ka tumakbo ng ganon sa’kin. Halatang halatang mahal mo na ko. Pano kung makita ka ng members ng TR? Eh di nagduda na sila…Tsaka akala ko ba, babalik tayo sa dati? Yung mga panahong di mo pa ko gusto”
I pouted and crossed my arms. “Ikaw na nga nagsabi, maaga pa. Besides, I can always create an excuse naman eh. As far as I know, we’re pretending to be couples here at school, remember? Di ba ko pwedeng maging isang sweet girlfriend?”
“Hmmm? I don’t think it’ll suit you”
“Fuck off”
Natawa na lang kami at ni-let go na niya yung topic na yun.
Nawawala talaga ako sa mood when we started talking about the deal.
Nape-pressured na ko dahil sa Friday na yung judgement day.
Kung pwede nga lang kalimutan na yun, ginawa ko na.
But my relationship with Lance started with a deal.
Kahit anong gawin ko, nakadikit sa amin yun at hindi ko basta-basta na lang maiaalis yun.
I know it was stupid for me to continue this pero kung di ko naman itinuloy, malamang madaming umalis sa sorority ko.
Madaming magagalit at baka mabuwag ng bigla ang club namin.
“Hey bitch!” Tatakbo takbong bati ni Ali sabay natigil agad nung narealize niyang katabi ko si Lance.
“H-hi lance” She breathed out.
Gosh, nai-intimidate talaga ni Lance ang bestfriend ko.
“Hello” Simpleng sagot ni Lance.
Narealize ni Lance na titig na titig lang sa kanya si Alisha kaya naman tumingin siya sakin at ngumiti. “I’ll see you later my queen”
He kissed my hand and I fought the urge to smile back.
I don’t want my bestfriend to see na may effect sa akin ang mga ginagawa ni Lance.
Lance looked up and winked before he walked away.
Shit! The feels!
Kinikilig talaga ako!!!
Ang hirap magpigil ng ngiti pag ganito!!!
“SO!” Seryosong sabi agad ni Ali. “What happened last night? Is there a progress?”
“Nothing much”
“What do you mean by ‘Nothing much’? You know, you should give me a detailed explanation----”
“Ali, chill. I got this, okay? Wala naman nangyari kagabi. I just sat at his bed the whole night”
Actually, we were cuddling until 11 pm.
We even took a nap together and then I went home.
“And?”
“Siya lang salita ng salita. Obviously he’s trying to make me fall in love with him, which by the way, will never happen”
Iniwas ko ang tingin ko sa kanya at nagpretend na nagtetext.
I really hate lying.
“That’s great!” Naglakad na kami papunta sa second floor ng tahimik.
Malapit na sana kami sa classroom nung nagsalita ulit siya at hinarangan pa ko sa daanan.
“Do you think I look stupid back there? I mean, with lance?”
“No---Okay, fine. Yes” Tatawa-tawang sagot ko. “Mukha kang tanga kakatitig sa kanya”
She groaned and even covered her face with her hands. “Nakakainis. Ang gwapo niya kasi! Kung ano-anong naiimagine ko like girlfriend niya na ko at naghoholding hands na kami or luluhod na lang siya basta sa harapan ko----”
“Stop it! This is insane Alisha!” I didn’t mean to sound angry but I am.
For a minute, nainis ako sa kanya dahil gusto niya si Lance.
I hate being jealous.
Pero nung nakita kong nagulat si Ali ay ngumiti agad ako.
I came back to my senses.
“What I meant was…SERIOUSLY? Pinagnanasaan mo na naman siya? Ewww!” I laughed at that and it took her some time to laugh as well.
Wew! Akala ko hindi siya maniniwala.
“By the way, Brian’s looking for you” Ali muttered while looking at her well-painted nails.
“Bakit daw?”
“I don’t know. Sabi niya pumunta ka daw sa likod ng basketball gym”
“As in, right now?”
“Yup. Wait, do you want me to go with you? Medyo ang creepy kasi. Bakit dun pa kayo maguusap?”
“No. I’m okay. Sasaglit lang naman ako”
Naglakad na agad ako papunta sa gym.
Naku-curious kasi ako.
I already told him to stop thinking na may magbabago pa sa friendship namin.
Ano kayang kailangan niya ngayon?
“Brian?” Sigaw ko nung nandun na ko sa likuran ng gym.
Wala namang katao-tao dito…
Strange…
I took a step back and turned around. “AHHHHHHHH!” Sigaw ko sa gulat. “Ano ba brian! You scared me!” Badtrip na sigaw ko.
He didn’t laughed or smiled.
He looked like he’s in trouble.
“W-why do you look like that?” Tanong ko kaagad.
Bigla siyang napaluhod at umiyak.
Gulat na gulat ako dahil hindi ko ineexpect ito.
“M-my dad” He whispered.
I could see him shaking in fear.
Lumuhod din ako sa tabi niya at hinawakan ko ang mga kamay niya.
Ang lamig lamig na nun.
“What happened to him?” I calmly asked him.
“Habang hinihintay kita dito….biglang tumawag sakin yung kapatid ko. He told me that my dad was shot. N-nasa operation room pa siya ngayon”
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa gulat.
Hindi na ko nagdalawang isip pa at niyakap ko na siya.
He really look like he’s in pain.
Alam ko ang nararamdaman niya dahil fresh pa sa akin ang pagkamatay ng papa ko.
I hope hindi tuluyang mawala sa kanya ang papa niya.
When I was in agony, he was there for me.
And now, it’s my turn to do it for him.
“It'll be okay” I kept telling him while he cried.
Ang tagal namin na ganun until I heard ali’s voice.
Nagalala yata siya sakin kaya sumunod siya….SILA?!!!
BAKIT NIYA KASAMA SI LANCE?
Nanlaki mga mata ni Lance the moment he saw me hugging Brian but when he heard Brian’s sniffs, nagrelax siya.
Alam niyang naiyak ito.
“Anong nangyari?” Lumayo na si Brian at yumuko lang.
I know he’s trying to stop the tears.
“His dad was shot” I told him without taking my eyes away from Brian. “We have to go to the hospital. Bry, saan dinala papa mo?”
“Sa Asian hospital”
“Tara, ipagdadrive na kita” Lance immediately said.
Napatingin ako sa kanya sa gulat.
Why would he help Brian?
He hates this guy.
Never silang nagkasundo.
***
“Maybe we should go back to school” Bulong ni Lance sa akin.
“No. Brian needs me here”
“He’ll be okay. Nagising na yung papa niya. Stable na yung condition niya”
Naghehesitate akong iwanan si Brian kahit na nakausap na namin si Tito Eric.
Nung nakita ko kasi siyang umiyak kanina, parang lumambot yung puso ko.
Nawala lahat ng galit ko sa kanya.
I saw the guy that I loved before.
Yung lalakeng may mabuting puso.
“Grabe noh” Biglang lapit ni Alisha. Kakalabas niya lang ng room ni Tito dahil nagusap sila ni Brian. “Papatayin pala talaga dapat si Tito Eric. Sabi niya, puso talaga niya yung target pero dahil tinry agawin ng bodyguard niya ang baril ng suspect ay sa balikat niya lang tumama. He’s lucky”
Nakikinig pala si Alisha dun sa usapan ng police at ng papa ni Brian.
“Why would they try to kill him? Madami ba siyang kaaway?” Tanong ni Lance.
“We’re rich” Sagot ko kaagad. “Pag sobrang yaman ka, especially kung kasama ka sa business world, hindi mo maiiwasang may mainggit sayo or makalaban. Madaming magtatry alisin ka sa landas nila para sila naman yung maging successful. Tito Eric is a well known man. Hindi na nakakagulat para sa amin na may magtangka sa buhay niya”
“Same with you” bulong ni Lance.
“Yes. But no one actually tried to harm me like Kim did”
“Iba kasi ang mga ‘Monteffiore’. Madaming takot sa kanila. Madaming aware sa power nila. No one is brave enough to cross their line” Dagdag ni Alisha.
Lance looked at me and smiled. “The Royalties represent you or should I say, your bloodline?”
Tama siya.
Yung pagiging matapang ko at ng pamilya ko, nagrereflect sa sorority ko.
***
“Brian, gusto mo bang samahan kita ngayon?” I offered Brian while he’s watching his father sleeping.
“Hindi na Cassy” Tumayo siya at lumapit sakin. He took my hands and smiled at me. “Na-appreciate ko talaga yung mga ginawa mo today. Thank you”
Hinawakan ko yung pisngi niya at napapikit siya.
Why do I feel like I have to stay?
Bakit ramdam kong gusto niya kong samahan siya tonight?
“Are you sure?”
He nodded at me. “Yung tungkol nga pala sa sasabihin ko…”
I realized that he was still holding my left hand and that I still have my right hand on his face kaya naman dahan-dahan akong nagstep back at nagcross arms.
I have a boyfriend and he’s my ex.
Hindi maganda na may makakita sa amin na ganun ang itsura namin.
Nasa labas lang si Ali at Lance.
They could enter the room anytime.
“Oo nga pala. Gusto mo daw akong kausapin kanina?” I asked him.
“Yup. Magaaral sana ako sa America next month”
“Huh? Bakit biglaan naman yata yan?”
“Your mom offered me to study abroad. Mag-advance din ako. She told me na dapat alamin ko na yung pasikot-sikot sa kompanya ninyo”
“Wait what? Bakit? Anong kinalaman mo sa company namin?”
“Yun nga yung gusto kong tanungin sayo. She told me na ikaw daw ang dahilan…”
Narealize ko agad yung gustong ipahiwatig ni Mama.
Napapikit ako at nagbuntong hininga.
She’s doing things behind my back.
“My mom thinks I’ll marry you someday”
“Ano?!” Gulat na tanong niya.
“Isipin mo maiigi Brian. Alam niyang wala akong interes sa company ni Papa at sa company niya. Britney’s still young. She will do anything para may magmana ng mga pinagpaguran nila at ikaw yung napili niya. She knows you’re from a good family and she’s been saying na nababagay ka sakin. But I don’t love you anymore. You do know that right?”
Parang nasaktan siya sa sinabi ko kaya naman natahimik ako.
“Alam ko naman yun...” Bulong niya.
“Brian, I---”
“Cassy, don’t worry. Kahit pilitin pa ko ng Mama mo, I will never do anything to force you. Kung totoong may balak siyang ipakasal tayo in the future para sa kompanya niyo, alam mong hindi ako maga-agree sa kanya. Not unless you wanted me to”
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag doon.
I’m glad he’s on my side.
“Thank you”
“Wala yun. Anyway, hindi na muna ako tutuloy umalis. I want to stay here and keep an eye for my dad. He’s been protecting us since we were kids. It’s my turn to protect him now”
“You’re a good son, Brian. Take care of yourself”
“Halika na, hatid na kita. Gabi na, you should get a rest”
“It’s okay. Andun pa sila Lance sa labas. Goodnight na”
Kinuha ko na yung bag ko at naglakad na ko papunta sa may pintuan.
I looked back at him and smiled.
Never kong naisip na magiging magkaibigan pa kami.
Parang last month lang, puno ng galit ang puso ko tuwing nakikita ko siya.
Pero ngayon, naisip kong wala namang patutunguhan ang galit ko.
We both made a mistake and he’s just a victim of my mother’s evil plans for me.
Hindi ko na alam paniniwalaan ko.
I thought she love me but I guess I’m wrong.
It’s all just pretend.
***
“Is it true?” Tanong ni Lance habang nagdadrive siya.
“Hmmm?”
“About the marriage thing?”
Napatingin ako sa kanya sa gulat. “Nakikinig ka sa usapan namin?”
“I didn’t mean to. I was just going to check you pero pagbukas ko ng pintuan narinig ko kayong naguusap. Umalis naman agad ako”
I sighed heavily.
I wish hindi niya nakita yung pwesto namin ni Bry kanina.
“I just assumed she’s planning to make me marry Brian in the future. Bakit siya mago-offer ng ganun kung hindi, di’ba?”
Hindi nagsalita si Lance kaya naman hinawakan ko yung mga kamay niya. “Wag ka magalala. Kung sakaling totoo nga yun, di naman kami papayag. Nagusap na kami”
“I really envy him” Lance whispered.
“Huh? Bakit naman?”
“Kasi kahit na sinaktan at iniwan ka niya, siya pa rin yung gusto ng Mama mo for you”
“Naiinggit ka dun? Ano ka ba. Ikaw naman yung mahal ko at hindi si Brian”
He looked at me and smiled widely.
Ako naman nanlaki ang mga mata.
Baka maaksidente kami!!!
“HEY! You’re driving!!!” I shouted at him.
“Shit. Oo nga pala haha”
Nagtawanan kami dahil nakalimutan niya talaga for a moment. Mygosh.
Lance’s POV
*Kring*
Cassandra’s phone suddenly rang.
Binitawan niya na yung kamay ko at sinagot yung call sa kanya.
“Hello?” She asked.
Ay ano ba yan.
Umaambon pa.
May bagyo nga pala.
For sure, lalakas yan at uulan magdamag.
“WHAT?!” Sigaw ni Cassy. Nagulat ako at inistop ko muna yung kotse sa gilid.
“NO! MY GOSH! May nasaktan ba? Hay. Buti naman. Keep me in touch, I’ll call later. Inform the board, bukas ng umaga we need to have a meeting regarding this matter. Okay, thank you”
She groaned and threw her phone in front of her.
Medyo nagulat ako dahil muntikan na niyang masira yung cellphone niya...
“Why? What happened?” Tanong ko.
“Nasunog yung isa sa mga branch ng fashion line ko”
“Whoah”
“And sabi ng police, hindi daw aksidente yun. May dalawang armadong lalake daw ang pumasok sa shop at pinalabas lahat ng employees ko doon. And then they started the fire”
“Why would they do that?”
“I don’t know! Nakakainis lang dahil hindi nila nahuli yung dalawang lalake. Nakatakas bago dumating yung mga police! Argh!”
Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong sabihin para hindi na siya mabad mood.
I don’t know anything about businesses.
“At least walang nasaktan” I squeezed her hand and started driving again.
“I won’t be at school tomorrow. I’ll be at my office” She muttered grimly.
“I’ll drop by after school hours. Is that okay?”
“Call me when you get there” She agreed.
When we reached her house, she took off her seatbelt and remained silent.
“What is it?” Tanong ko.
“Bakit ba feeling ko minamalas ako?” She asked in a low voice.
I’m not even sure if she’s talking to me or to herself.
“You’re not” I reached for her and kissed her goodnight. “Go inside and have some sleep. See you tomorrow”
“Yeah, see you” Mahinang sagot niya.
Bumaba na siya at dire-diretsong pumasok sa mansion nila.
Magdadrive na sana ako nung biglang tumawag si Mama.
Me: Yes ma?
Mama: Anak, ang kapatid mo…
I froze when I heard her cry.
Me: Ma? Anong nangyari kay kurt?
Mama: Not him. Ang kuya Leon mo, binugbog.
Napapikit ako sa inis. Iyak siya ng iyak.
Me: What’s new Ma? Lagi naman siyang napapaaway----
Mama: They almost killed him! Kung hindi pa siya nakita ng mga kaibigan niya, malamang wala na ang kuya mo! *Sniffs* I asked your brother, hindi niya daw kilala ang mga bumugbog sa kanya. Bigla na lang daw may tumigil na SUV sa tapat niya at sinaktan na lang siya basta nung mga lalakeng iyon. He’s not even drunk!
Me: Tsk, nasaan po kayo? Si Kuya kamusta?
Mama: Gising na siya pero ine-examin pa ng mga doctor. Nasa hospital ako anak. Iniwan ko si Kurt sa kapitbahay, umuwi ka na ng may kasama siya.
Me: Okay ma, please stop crying.
I sighed.
Ugh, this is such a bad day.
Brian’s father was shot, Cassandra’s shop got burned, and my brother was beaten up.
Wait…coincidence lang ba yun?
Bakit parang sabay-sabay na may nangyaring masama sa aming tatlo?
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Samahan niyo po ako this Sunday, APRIL 19, 2015 – SM BACOOR for booksigning and meet and greet! Mabibili niyo po doon ang SITM at IHT. Registration starts at 10 am. Kitakits!