CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE best feeling is knowing that someone is there for you if you need anything without asking for help. It was rare to find a kind of person who knows you enough that you don't need to pretend that you're fine.
Lumaki siya na dala sa isip na kung dumating man ang araw na siya ay palarin, palaging magiging bukas ang mga palad niya para tumulong sa nangangailangan. Hindi na kailangan magmakaawa pa sa kanya ang mga tao para lang sa tulong niya. Nalulugod niyang ibabahagi ang anomang kaya niya at hindi maghahangad ng kapalit.
After wining Miss Intrams last school year, Charlotta's life changed like a whirlwind.
Ang mga dating nang-aaway at nangbubully sa kanya ay hinahangaan na siya. Kung may mga estudyante man na hindi siya gusto, iilan nalang. At nakakalungkot isipin na mga babae pa 'yon.
Like other teenagers, she got a lot of suitors too. It doubled actually. Those boys who have no idea that she's already taken by Grego Almendarez. He graduated the same year she won Miss Intrams. She couldn't forget that moment.
"Congratulations!" Charlotta greeted Grego and gave him her gift.
They have an intimate celebration at the backyard of Almendare'z modern mansion.
"Thank you."
Grego held her waist and his other hand is holding the paper bag. Pinag-ipunan niya ang regalo niya. Ang pag gawa ng photo album nila ay pinagsikapan niya para gumanda.
He's dashing with his white long sleeved polo that fold until his elbows. Black slacks, brown leather shoes and belt. With his beautiful soulful eyes staring back at her, Charlotta couldn't help herself but to admire the man in front of her.
He's not a boy anymore. He didn't look like a boy for her even before. She always found him virile. He's very different from the boys in school like what she always told herself.
He graduated with high Latin Honor. And will lead their sugarcane business as soon as his father decided to give him the chair.
Grego Almendarez is really a full package. Indeed a good catch. And she's lucky because she have him.
She's a very proud girlfriend! He's her inspiration to study harder. She wants to be successful, too. She wants him to be proud of her like how she's so proud of him.
"Buksan mo na..." udyok niya.
Grego brought her to one of the chair. Sa lamesa ay nakahanda na ang mga masasarap na pagkain. Nauna lang sila ng dating dahil naiwan sa escuelahan ang magulang nito para sa pakikipag-usap sa mga guro, guest speakers at ibang politician na dumalo.
Naupo siya roon at hinila naman ng kasintahan ang isang upuan upang magkaharap sila. He's jailing her legs with his. Nasa kandungan niya naman ang mga kamay niya.
Charlotta is wearing the moss green satin short dress that Fauna Almendarez gave her as a gift on her seventeenth birthday last January.
She paired her dress with ankle strap sandals from Yusef as a birthday gift too. Chantria gave her an expensive sling bag that she use whenever she needs to wear smart-casual or formal attire.
Grego's hand then found her malachite bracelet. He caressed it using his thumb.
"Suot ko rin ang kwintas at hikaw..." sabay pakita niya rito na para bang hindi nito nakikita 'yon.
He glanced at the necklace and earrings he gave her. Ibinigay nito 'yon noong birthday niya. It is a set of clover leaf malachite earrings, necklace and bracelet. Ingat na ingat siya sa mga 'yon dahil halatang mamahalin.
Marami siyang regalo na natanggap at sobrang saya niya. Pati ang mga manliligaw niya na hindi niya kilala ay nagbigay din. She also received chocolates and flowers.
When he leaned his face closer for a kiss, she stopped him by placing her hand on his chest.
Umirap ito at ngumuso. Parang bata na pinagkaitan ng munting halik.
"Buksan mo muna ang regalo ko sayo bago ang kiss..." she beamed cutely at him.
He opened the paper bag and pulled out the photo album.
Uminit ang pisngi niya nang makita nito ang front cover tapos ay nakataas ang kilay na tinignan siya.
It was the photo of him tried to steal a kiss on her lips, but ended up on her cheek. She was laughing there and he looked annoyed. The front cover also has their printed name with hearts as designs.
He flipped the pages and she was smiling whenever she saw him smiles.
They have a lot of pictures on his phone. Wala pa siyang cellphone at iyon ang pinag-iipunan niya na mabili bago magpasukan ulit sa escuela. Kaya ang dalawang buwan na bakasyon, magtatrabaho siya ng full time sa Azucarera.
Grego once offered her a cellphone before, but she refused. It was too much. He's very giving. Very thoughtful. Wala siyang ibang hangad para sa kanilang dalawa kundi tumibay pa ang relasyon nila.
"Ito pa..." sabay turo niya sa box.
He opened the black box. It was a customized wrist watch with dark brown leather strap.
"You really wanted me to see you even on my wrist watch, huh," there was a smile on his lips.
Siya na nga ang wallpaper nito sa cellphone, mukha niya rin ang makikita nito sa relo na regalo niya.
Tumawa siya. "Para palagi mo akong maiisip."
"You're always in my mind, Charlotta."
She caressed his jaw and leaned closer for a kiss.
Ngunit hindi sapat sa kasintahan ang simpleng halik lang. He angled his head and kiss her thoroughly. She closed her eyes and feel his soft lips on hers.
Noong mga unang buwan nilang magkarelasyon ay madalas na silang maghalikan hanggat may pagkakataon. Sa sasakyan, sa opisina at kahit pa sa gubat kapag hinahatid siya ni Grego. At kapag nag-o-over night naman sa Playa Azure, nagiging mas mapusok ang halikan nila.
But she's proud to say that she's still intact. Grego's self control whenever they slept together was to the moon.
"Grego..." she whispered his name when his palm travelled near her inner thighs.
Namumungay na ang mga mata niya na sumasalamin dito. Ang magaspang nitong palad ay kiliti sa malambot niyang balat.
Nagbaba siya ng tingin at halos tabunan na ang likod ng kamay nito ng dulo ng dress niya.
They resumed the kiss and his palm remained caressing her thighs. The sensation is making her body melt. When he inserted his tongue inside her mouth, she moaned softly.
"Where are they?" that was his mother's voice.
"Naroon na po sa backyard, Madame."
Charlotta placed her both palms on Grego's chest to stop him from the heated kiss.
Bumuntong hininga ito at binigyan ng magaan na patak na halik ang labi niya bago tuluyang tumigil.
"Hello, son, and Charlotta!"
Fauna Almendarez on her corporate beige blazer and slacks, with high stiletto, strutted towards them like a beauty queen. Right. Grego's mother was once crowned as Miss La Carlota and joined an International Pageant as Philippines representative. Won as second runner up. And continued her passion by helping young women to pursue their dreams in becoming a beauty queen.
"Natagalan kami ng daddy mo. We talked about scholarship program with Yusef's father."
Kapag gano'n na ang usapan, nagiging interesado na siya. Inaayos niya na rin ang requirements na ipapasa sa City Hall para sa pag-a-apply ng scholarship. Pasado naman ang grades niya kaya panatag siya na matatanggap.
"Charlotta is applying for scholarship this coming school year." Grego informed his mother.
"You should, hija. I will help you."
"Salamat po, Tita. Kumpleto naman na po ang requirements na hinihingi nila. Ipapasa ko po sa City Hall."
"That's good. I have a lot of offers, too. Let's talk about it over dinner."
Napatingin lang siya kay Grego na mukhang inosente at hindi alam ang sinasabi ng ina.
Kalaunan ay dumating si Filbert Almendarez. Isa sa pinaka ma-impluwensyang tao sa buong La Carlota. Bagamat, istrikto, hindi siya nito pinakitaan ng kagaspangan. Pero hindi niya parin maiwasan na kabahan dahil hindi sanay na makaharap ang mayayamang tao.
"Honey, remember our plans? Sasabihin ko na kay Charlotta," malambing na ngumiti si Fauna sa asawa.
"Go ahead. Do what you think can help, hun."
Naupo na silang apat sa lamesang may hain ng mga pagkain. Dumating ang kasambahay para magsalin ng inumin.
Bilang lang sa daliri na napapasyal siya sa mansyon ng Almendarez. Kilala siya ng ibang kasambahay at tauhan dahil madalas ay tinutulungan sila kapag may dalang mga kamote. Maayos din ang tungo sa kanya ng mga ito.
"Kumusta ba ang grado mo sa escuelahan, hija?" ang ama ni Grego.
"Maayos naman po, Tito. Pasok naman po sa requirements na hinihingi sa munisipyo."
"Pero di ba kapag maulan, hindi ka nakakapasok?" medyo malungkot ang mukha ni Fauna Almendarez.
"Opo. Madulas po kasi ang daan at delikado."
Fauna shifted on her seat then sipped on her wine. Ang paraan nang pagsimsim ay para bang may mga plano na sa isip at naghihintay nalang ng tamang pagkakataon na sabihin.
"You need to maintain your grades to continue your scholarship, hija. How can you do that if you skip going to school whenever the weather is bad?" Filbert furrowed his thick eyebrows.
"Bumabawi naman po ako sa mga absent ko. Pinagsisikapan ko po."
"Oh, I think my wife has a better idea about it."
Maliwanag ang ngiti ng mommy ni Grego. It felt like she was just given a chance to speak her mind.
They are already eating. Nahihinto lang siya kapag sasagot sa mga tanong. Grego is silent but she can sense he's eyeing and smirking at his parents.
"Hija, if you really want to join beauty pageants, I can help you. I already told you that, right?"
"Opo. Gusto ko pong subukan."
Sumimsim sa juice si Charlotta at naghintay pa ng mga matutuklasan. Wala siyang ibang maramdaman kundi kapanatagan. Dahil siguro ramdam niya na ang mga tao sa paligid niya sa mga oras na 'yon ay walang ibang hangad na mapabuti siya.
Siya nga naman. Kung ang nag-iisang anak ng mga ito ay may kasintahan na malayo ang agwat ng pamumuhay, siguradong ang hangad din ay kahit papano ay makabangon siya. Hindi man pumantay kay Grego, pero at least, maabot niya kahit papano.
Nagpapasalamat talaga siya na hindi ng mga ito tinutulan ang relasyon nila. Kung hindi, tiyak na malaking delubyo para sa kanila ni Grego 'yon.
Kaya naman inisip niya na kung may magandang oportunidad na dumating sa kanya at makakatulong 'yon sa pag-aaral niya at sa career na gusto niyang tahakin balang araw, kukunin niya nang walang pag-aalinlangan.
"I already made a plan about this and my husband approved this. I want to extend our family's help by giving La Carlota's students a full scholarship program. We already have a few college students that are part of Metanoia. Gusto ko na pati sa high school ay kumuha kami."
Metanoia is the private foundation of Almendarez. Founded by Fauna and funded by Filbert.
Charlotta's smile in excitement and her eyes were already sparkling. That's a good news! Pwede rin siyang mag apply ng scholarship sa mga Almendarez kung gano'n?
"Talaga po? Ano po ang requirements?"
Fauna raised her brow to Grego as if she was so proud of something.
Grego then just casually sipped on his wine while his one hand is above her thigh. She can also feel his forearm unintentionally brushing the side of her boob. She likes the feeling of being physically close to him though.
"You have to maintain your grades, too. Nakita ko naman ang mga grado mo at pasado naman sa required grades ng Metanoia."
Kung pwede lang na tumayo siya do'n at mag diwang ay ginawa niya na. Kaya lang ay pormal na mga tao ang kaharap niya at kahit papano dapat ay matutunan niyang makibagay.
Tumingin siya kay Grego na nagkibit lang ng balikat. Hindi maawat ang ngiti sa labi niya.
"Gusto ko rin po mag apply ng scholarship sa Metanoia, Tita Fauna."
"If that so, you will be our first scholar from high school."
Charlotta can't help but clapped her hands in so much joy.
"At kung may kilala o kaibigan ka na gustong mag apply din, papuntahin mo nalang sa opisina sa sentro. Ibibigay ko ang address sayo mamaya."
"Sige po. Maraming salamat po talaga."
"Walang anoman, hija. We are here to help the students in La Carlota to finish their study."
The dinner went on and on until Fauna Almendarez offered her something that she didn't expect.
"As you can see, we trained the girls here then we send them to Manila to represent our province. They will join local beauty pageants first, then national."
Since Charlotta won as Miss Intrams, her interest in joining beauty pageant intensified. She want it. If she was given a chance again, she would gladly grab the opportunity.
"You should start your training while you're still young, dear. Ang ganda ganda mo pa naman. Matangkad at sexy pa. Maganda rin ang hubog ng legs mo. Ganyan ang legs ng mga beauty queen."
Charlotta's face heated up because of the praises from Grego's mother.
Sa kabilang banda, nakasimangot na ang katabi niya. Ano kaya ang problema ng boyfriend niya?
"Are you five and seven inches, right?"
"Yes, Tita."
"Oh, tatangkad ka pa, Charlotta. I can imagine the crown on your head!"
"Nakasimangot na ang anak mo, Fauna," natatawang sabi ng ama ni Grego.
Tinignan naman ni Fauna ang anak at umirap lang.
"Deal with it, son. You should support Charlotta with her passion."
"I know. I will always support her."
Hinaplos niya ang hita ni Grego. At ngumiti rito. His eyes then dropped down where her hand is. Then he sipped on his wine again as if he's uncomfortable or what.
"And don't you dare commit into pre-marital sex this early. Or else, Charlotta's career would end because of an early pregnancy-"
"Mom," awat ni Grego.
"Son, I am just being practical and open. Okay?"
"That's too early to talk about. And that's private. It's only between me and my girlfriend."
"Huh!" Fauna sipped on her wine. "I'll talk to Charlotta about it. No boys around this time."
Napalunok siya at parang kinabahan.
Sa mga ginagawa nila ni Grego kapag sila lang, alam niya naman na kapag pareho silang hindi tumigil ay aabot sila sa bagay na iniiwasan nila pareho.
Since he became her boyfriend, there are things and feelings that she discovered. Feelings that he made her feel. Those includes; being sexually aroused and seduced.
She can still remember she got wet when Grego kissed her neck while massaging her boobs with his palm. It happened on her seventeenth birthday. In the middle of the dark forest!
Charlotta was leaning against the acacia tree. The sun was already set. The clouds are dark grey. Ihahatid niya si Grego sa patag ngunit natigilan nang maghalikan sila at napasandal siya sa malaking puno.
His lips travelled down on her neck. Sanay na siya sa gano'n dahil madalas na gawin sa kanya ng kasintahan. Her mind and body felt like wasn't pure anymore. Niyayakap na siya ng mga makamundong pangangailangan.
Her lips parted when he slid his palm under her dress and started palming her breast alternately. He played and pinched her nipples too. It made her knees weak like jelly.
But what really made her arousal intensified was when he slightly bite her tit against the fabric of her dress.
It took them a couple of minutes before he stopped. Her face was so red. Her heart beat was loud and fast.
"We offer an apartment for you and your grandmother. Kasama 'yon sa scholarship program ng mga estudyante na malayo sa escuelahan."
Umawang ang bibig ni Charlotta. Hindi na talaga makapaniwala sa mga naririnig galing kay Fauna Almendarez. Parang hindi totoo. Animo guni-guni lamang ang mga salita.
"Makakatipid ka rin sa oras at pamasahe, hija. Makakapasok ka rin sa escuelahan kapag maulan. Kaya, tanggapin mo na ang offer dahil bihira lang ang ganitong oportunidad."
"S-Sige po, Tita. Sasabihin ko po agad bukas kay lola Salma ang tungkol dito."
A warm smile escaped from Fauna Almendarez lips.
Pagkatapos nilang mag usap at kumain, nagpaalam na sila ni Grego sa magulang nito para sa selebrasyon sa Playa Azure. It was expected by his parents, so they allowed them.
Grego leaned closer after he parked the car. The beach resort is busy. Siguradong doon din napiling mag celebrate ng ibang grumaduate.
"This dress looks good on you," he then pulled up the fabric bit near the chest. "But I don't like this part."
"Regalo sa akin ito ng mommy mo."
"I know."
Nagbaba siya ng tingin sa bandang dibdib at medyo makikita nga ang cleavage niya kapag nakatunghay sa kanya.
"You should grab the offer. It will be a big help for you. Para mas malapit ka sa escuelahan."
"At mas malapit din sayo?"
Grego smirked. "Uh-huh."
"Bakit? Napapagod ka na ba maghatid sundo sa akin?"
Gano'n nga ang ginagawa ng kasintahan sa mga nagdaang buwan. Minsan pa nga ay hinahatid siya hanggang sa bahay nila kapag maaga pa. Babalik mag isa dahil hindi pa naman madilim.
"Hindi sa gano'n. Nag-aalala ako sayo. Malayo ang nilalakad mo at ginagabi pa minsan. I cannot deal with that anymore."
"Nasanay na ako."
"Pero hindi ako sanay, Charlotta. I would lose my mind if something bad happens to you in that forest."
Bumuntonghininga siya.
Naiintindihan niya naman si Grego. Minsan kasi ay may nakita siya sa gubat na mga lalaking hindi pamilyar sa kanya. Na-kwento niya rito 'yon.
Nagtago lang siya at tumakbo para hindi siya makita ng mga lalaki. Kinabahan siya sa totoo lang. Ayaw niya na sanang mangyari pa ulit ang gano'n. May mga taong kyuryoso sa Sitio Verde. Pero hindi siya panatag na makakita nang hindi pamilyar sa kanya.
"Sasamahan kita kay lola Salma para magpaliwanag tungkol sa offer na scholarship at apartment. Gusto mo rin ba na sa sentro na tumira?"
"Gusto ko."
Sino bang ayaw? Kahit sanay na siya sa mahabang paglalakad sa Sitio Verde, mas pipiliin niya na maibisan ang pagod kung pwede. Malaking bagay ang apartment na offer. Libre pa 'yon. Ang kailangan lang nila ay pangkain sa araw-araw.
"How about my mom's offer about beauty pageant? Do you really like that?"
Tinignan niya si Grego. She knew that he will always support her. Gano'n din siya rito. Ang opinyon nito ay mahalaga rin sa kanya.
"I want to pursue that kind of pageantry. Dati ko pa gusto sumali sa mga beauty pageant kahit sa escuelahan. Hindi lang ako nabigyan ng oportunidad."
Mabagal itong tumango at inayos ulit ang tela sa bandang dibdib niya. He looked distracted on her chest part.
"Then, I'll support my baby no matter what..." he said while staring at her with tenderness on his eyes.
She smiled and caressed his jaw. Her heart raced just like that.
"I am so lucky to have a supporting boyfriend."
"No. I am lucky to have you," then he claimed her lips for a light gentle kiss.