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ANGELO
"Problem?"
Angelo looked at his father who stood beside him at the veranda of the second floor of their mansion. It was already dark. The dim light from the posts around were high enough to reach them.
A very lovely sight to begin with. His mother had an eye for aesthetics and expensive things at ginamit nito iyon sa pagpapatayo ng bahay na ito.
"I am worried about Iris. Parang gusto niyang makipag-socialize sa ibang tao."
"What's the problem with that?"
"Kilala mo ba si Matthew, Pa. 'Yong anak ni Roque."
His father took a gulp of the scotch that he was holding in his hand. "I know Roque. May tatlong anak. Isa lang ang lalaki. Ang panganay. That must be Matthew."
"Yeah, nililigawan niya si Iris."
"Iris is only fourteen."
"I know."
"I don't think your sister would go for it."
He sighed exasperatedly. "Natatakot ako, Pa. What if hinihintay kong mag sixteen siya to formally get engaged to me, and then someone would actually court and have her?"
"Wala ka bang tiwala kay Iris?"
Hindi niya iyon masagot. He wanted to give his full trust to the girl but she always acted confused. Palagi na ay siya ang nagdedesisyon sa maraming bagay para dito. "She seemed not to know what she wants."
"I think she does, in a different kind of way. The opposite of how people usually do it."
He turned to face his father. "What do you mean?"
"She knows what she doesn't want. You can attack that character instead."
He blinked a few times trying to get what his father was leading him on. "Meaning?"
"Meaning, ayaw niya ng ibang lalaki. Ayaw niyang magkaroon ka ng ibang babae. Ayaw niyang magdesisyon dahil baka mali siya ng iniisip. In that case, you have to feed her everything. Affirmation is needed. 'Yong hindi niya kailangan manghula."
"Yong mga ginagawa at sinasabi ko, is it not enough affirmation?"
"It seems like it, hindi niya makuha, eh. Or she is in denial."
"Why would she be?"
"Because someone might've told her something."
That made him think. "Si Mama?"
Umiling ang papa niya. "No, son, your mom loves Iris to bits. She is the daughter that she never had. She wants you two to be together. I can't believe na pinag-iisipan mo ng ganyan ang mama mo."
Napailing siya. "I'm so sorry, Pa. Nasa dulo ako ng sanity ko ngayon. When it comes to Iris, my emotion is in turmoil."
"I understand. But you have to control that. You have been doing so great. Being in charge of everything para sa future ninyo ni Iris. Do not let that slip away."
"So, sino?"
"Sino ba ang nag-iisang taong pinapayagan mong pumunta dito sa bahay para makasama ni Iris ever since she is young?"
He swallowed. "Si Helga dahil siya ang malapit. They are studying in the same school. And they are almost of the same age."
"At nakikita mo bang binibigyan man lang ni Helga ng atensiyon ang kapatid mo?"
Not one hundred percent but not zero as well. He thought.
"Helga's eyes is on you. Pinalaki siya ng ganoon ni Lanie. Whenever Helga is here, ikaw ang sadya niya at hindi si Iris. I heard one time na direkta niyang sinabihan ang kapatid mo na ikaw ang dahilan kaya siya nandito. Pinapunta mo raw kasi. The favor is for you. It has nothing to do with Iris."
He had a little grasp of that pero hindi niya binibigyan ng kahulugan. Para sa kanya ay kailangan ng kaibigan ni Iris, and Helga can do the role, bukod sa pinsan nila ito.
Of course, he knew the story of the two adopted girls in the family. Hindi iyon naitago sa bawat miyembro ng pamilya at wala silang planong itago.
Everyone had been great to Iris. She is the favorite. However, most of their relatives lives in places far away from them. Nagkikita-kita lang kapag may okasyon. Unlike Helga who is living in a townhouse of an executive subdivision nearby.
"Are you saying na hindi ako dapat magtiwala kay Helga when it comes to Iris?"
"I am saying na hindi ka dapat magtiwala kay Helga at sa Tita Lanie mo sa kahit anong bagay. Remember that they are both not a member of our family, at least by blood."
That was a hard thing. For sixteen years of his life, kahit kita niya na ang mga bagay na ito. Ngayon lang nagsalita ang papa niya tungkol dito. And he nailed every single point. "I get it, Pa. So, does this means na kailangan kong payagang pumunta si Iris sa birthday party ni Siobhan?"
"Shiv is a good kid. Her dad is one of my business associates. Ang batang 'yan ay mahal ng mga Castiglione. They are vouching her for Marco, ang bunso nila. Why not try it?"
Nahilot niya ang noo. He was scared but he had to trust Iris to explore herself. If it will give the girl he love the confidence that she needs to have him in her life. "Okay, Pa. I'll do that. But she will have a lot of securities. Baka kung saan siya dalhin ni Matt."
"Make sure of that. Don't trust other guys like Roque's son. Although wala akong nakikitang masama. Iris is yours and should be only yours to protect and hold. You are in charge."
"Thanks, Pa."
"Anytime, son."
Hi, Shiv, this is Angelo.
Hey! This is a pleasant surprise!
Lol! Kumusta?
I'm fine, pero alam kong hindi 'yan ang dahilan kaya ka nag-text.
True, thanks for embarrassing me.
😭😭😭 Well, fire away! What is it?
Okay, I have a question. Is it true that you invited Iris to your birthday party?
You know what, now that you bring that up. I want to invite you as well.
Hmmm, you didn't answer my question, though.
😉 So, Matt invited her and then he told me about it.
Just what I thought of.
It wasn't bad. Gusto kong maging kaibigan si Iris, I think narinig iyan sa akin minsan ni Matt.
Really.
Hmmm, yeah. Your sister is beautiful inside and out. Napapansin namin siya ni Lexi madalas nakatingin sa amin or sa mga grupo ng magbabarkada sa school. She is always alone. Kahit sa library or sa cafeteria. Sometimes we wonder kung may kaibigan siya or if she's spending time with other people. You know, socialize. We need that in our lives.
Damn! I felt like an asshole now.
Bakit, ikaw ba ang pumipigil sa kanya?
I am not really stopping her. But Iris is very fragile. Sometimes naiisip ko na baka i-take advantage lang siya ng mga tao. Kaya sinabihan ko siya na hindi niya kailangang makipagkaibigan sa iba other than our relatives.
Well, that's really an asshole move right? Tatawagin ko si Lexi para pagtulungan ka namin itumba.
Lol, now that you said that. I want to ask. Puwede nyo bang bigyan ng oras paminsan minsan si Iris. Kapag hindi kayo busy, until she gets really comfortable to make friends with others.
Definitely, but don't expect too much. Nakikita ko ang reservation ni Iris. We'll do whatever we can. No promises, though.
Gotcha! All little gestures are greatly appreciated.
And does this mean na darating siya sa birthday ko sa Friday?
Most definitely, with chaperone, though.
You?
Lol, me and some other securities.
Oh gosh! The snob Angelo is coming to my birthday party, look at that.
I am not a snob, specially with you.
Hmmm. I don't know. Iisipin ko kung gaano katotoo 'yang sinabi mo. But I am delighted and happy. See you there with Iris?
You bet!
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IRIS
Gulat na napatingala siya sa dalawang babae na tumayo sa harap ng mesa na okupado niya. She was having lunch at the school cafeteria. Alone as always. Tiningnan niya kung may bakanteng mesa sa paligid. Mayroon naman. Ibig sabihin ay talagang pinuntahan siya ng mga ito.
"Hi," nakangiting bati ni Lexi. "Can we share table?"
Wala naman siyang karapatang tumanggi at ayaw niya. Kaya mabilis siyang tumango. "S-sure."
Naupo and dalawa sa mga silya sa harap niya. "I'm Shiv, short for my name Siobhan. And this is Lexi, we are in the cheering club. Itatanong sana namin kung gusto mong sumali. We are short right now. At kailangan namin ng matangkad at slender na tulad mo."
Tingin niya, she gaped at them. Surely, hindi seryoso ang dalawang ito. "No, please. I am not a cheerleader material. Hindi ako marunong sumayaw at mabigat ako."
"Nah, malalakas ang mga boys namin. Kayang kaya ka."
Ang tigas ng tanggi niya. "No, I'm really not interested. Sorry."
Lexi sighed giving up. "Sayang naman. We could spend more time together."
Parang bigla siyang na excite. "What do you mean?"
"Gusto ka naming maging kaibigan, kaya lang, 'yong practice ng cheer leading ang laging umuokupa ng time namin. Kung makakasama ka doon. We will have a lot of time together. Usually after practice, o kaya kapag nanalo ang isang team that we cheer, may party. We would be able to spend time together."
Bigla ay parang gusto niya nang sumali sa cheer leading club. Pero wala talaga siyang alam sa pagsasayaw. And she felt that she would do poorly in entertaining people. Baka tumiklop siya during performance, matindi pa sa Makahiya plant. Nag-isip siya.
"Hold that thought. Kukuha lang kami ng pagkain," sabi ni Shiv with a hand gesture for her not to talk.
Tumayo ang dalawa at naghiwalay pagdating sa harap. Sa vegan food pumunta si Shiv at sa fresh catch si Lexi. Napangiti siya. Kung sino man ang nag-ayos para lumapit ang mga ito sa kanya ay pasasalamatan niya ng libo-libong beses.
Sabay din silang bumalik na may dalang bottled water kasama ng plato na may lamang pagkain. They sat and started picking their food with forks.
"Orange juice lang ang iniinom mo? Hindi ka kumakain?" tanong ni Lexi na nginuso ang baso ng orange juice na iniinom niya.
"Heavy breakfast kasi sa bahay. Busog pa ako kapag lunch."
"Kapag nasa cheering club ka, bibilis ang metabolism mo. Maya't maya gutom ka kaya mapapakain ka ng lunch."
She looked away thinking of the right word to say. "I really can't be a part of that club. Pero puwede ko kayong abangan or puntahan after your practice para makasama ako kung saan kayo pupunta after."
"Not bad," sagot ni Shiv. "Ang importante makasama ka namin. Sure ka ba na ayaw mong sumali sa cheerleading club?"
Sunod-sunod ang iling niya. "Ayaw ko talaga, para din 'yan sa kapakanan ninyo. I'll just embarrassed you there."
Nagtawanan ang dalawa.
"Reasoning, accepted!" sabi ni Lexi. "Pero this coming Friday invited ka sa birthday ni Shiv."
Nalungkot siya dahil alam niya na hindi siya gustong payagan ni Angelo. Ayaw niya naman suwayin iyon dahil mag-aaway na naman sila. Ayaw niya ng napapasama niya lagi ang loob nito.
"I invited Angelo," Shiv announced.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "P-pupunta daw siya?"
"Yep, with you."
Napasinghap siya. Kinuha niya agad ang cellphone sa bag niya at nag-text kay Angelo.:
Pupunta tayo sa birthday party ni Siobhan?
Damn! That's a surprise, who told you?
Oooppppssss!
Tiningnan niya ang dalawa sa harap niya. "Thank you for inviting us."
"That has been overdue, natatakot lang kaming lumapit kasi ang dami mong bantay." For an effect. Lumingon pa sa labas ng malaking cafeteria si Lexi.
Nandoon sina Mang Gener at tatlo pang security. Nakamata sa kanila."
Napangiti lang siya. "They will always be there. Mas madami kapag kasama ko si Angelo. I guess, dapat kayong magsanay. They mean no harm. For fourteen years, wala pa akong natandaan na sinaktan nila na lumapit sa akin."
"Okay, we don't want to be the first," natatawang sabi ni Shiv na sumubo ng pagkain.
Napailing na lang siya habang nakangiti din. She couldn't believe that the two most beautiful girls in the campus just offered their friendship to her. She was ecstatic. "So, mayroon ba kayong meet bago mag Friday na puwede akong maki hitch?"
Pumalakpak si Lexi. "Of course! Later, after school, pupunta kami sa Cafe Royale. Titingnan namin 'yong pinapagawang University malapit do'n. Gusto mo bang sumama?"
Panay ang tango niya. Kinuha niya ulit ang phone sa ibabaw ng mesa at nag-text kay Angelo.: Niyayaya akong mag stroll nina Lexi at Shiv, sa Cafe Royale tapos titingnan namin 'yong pinapagawang school sa malapit.
Sumagot agad ito.: Go, Baby, see you later.
Wow! Puwede pala ng ganoon. Whatever changed Angelo's perspective, isn't important. She is just happy. Gusto niya na tuloy itong makita at yakapin.
She faced her knew friends and smiled. "Thank you, gustong gusto kong sumama."
Napangiti din ang dalawa.
"Damn it! Why did you invite Iris to Shiv's party at ako ay hindi?"
"Party 'yon ni Shiv, Helga. Hindi akin. Naturally, gusto kong isama si Iris as my date. Nakakahiya naman kung dalawa kayong bitbit ko. Still, pumayag si Angelo pero kasama siya. Your cousin just wouldn't let his sister go to the party without him."
"Damn him! Ayusin mong makasama si Iris at ako ang bahala kay Angelo!"
"I don't know. Angelo seems like the guy that won't let that happen. Hindi sa natatakot ako sa kanya. But I think, gusto niya talaga si Iris and Iris feels the same."
"Wala siyang karapatan, walang mapapala sa kanya si Angelo!"
"At sa'yo mayroon?"
"My mother has money na sa akin naman mapupunta sa kalaunan. If Angelo and I would combine our money. Madadagdagan ang mga assets ng pamilya nila. Unlike Iris, walang mangyayari."
"Hmm, don't get me wrong, Helga. But you are not filthy rich, kung iyan lang ang habol ni Angelo na alam natin na umaapaw na sa kanila, for sure, hindi ikaw ang hahanapin niya. There are plenty of other fishes in the sea that's a lot better than you and the assets that you are talking about."
"I hate you! Kung hindi dahil sa akin, hindi ka naman lalapit kay Iris dahil natatakot ka kay Angelo!"
"You are right, I'll give you credit for that. But then I realized na tama ako at mali ka. At hindi ako natatakot kay Angelo. I respect that boy, he knows what he wants and he would drop heaven and earth to have it. Kung lahat ng tao ay may ganyang will power, wala ng malungkot sa mundo ngayon."
Helga dropped the other line.
Naiiling na napatitig si Matthew sa phone niya. He put it at the back pocket of his jeans and walked to the direction of the tennis court.
Few more flashbacks...
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TX USA 10/24/2022 09:28 PM