SINGSING
"Okay!" Singhap ko at tila napapasong napalayo sa kanya. "I'm okay! I can stand alone! No need to hold me!"
"Iana," my name rolled off his tongue perfectly.
"Don't say my name!" I panicked. I don't know but he is making my heart heat crazily. This is a foreign feeling so this isn't good!
"Why?" He tilted his head to the side. "For me, I want it when you say my name."
"Ansel," suway ko.
"See?" He chuckled lowly. "It sounds so sexy when you're the one saying it."
"How is it sexy?!" I gasped loudly. "Katunog nga ng pangalan mo 'yung Hansel na biscuit!"
Umukit ang kunot sa noo niya, tila hindi alam kung anong sinasabi ko. Humalukipkip lang ako. I was guarding myself from him. And by the looks of it, he doesn't have any idea of what a Hansel biscuit is. Bilyonaryo nga naman.
Tinalikuran ko agad siya at naglakad na ako. I grimaced when I felt slight pain on the affected site. I stopped. Ayan kasi! Kakaiwas mo 'yan kay Ansel!
"Ano? Kaya mo?" Masungit na tanong sa akin ni Ansel.
"Kaya ko ng wala ka, okay?!" I bursted. Nilingon ko siya at pinandilatan.
Napaawang ang labi niya at napalunok. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin.
Tinuloy ko agad ang paglalakad. I held onto the railing of the stairs that looked too expensive to even step at. Kapit na kapit ako habang naglalakad pataas.
"Fuck, nahihirapan ka," pagbubulong ni Ansel na nasa likuran ko pala at nakasunod sa akin!
I bit my lip and did not talk. I think I'm really going crazy. Ang lakas ng pintig ng puso ko!
"Kaninong bahay ba kasi 'to? Bakit walang elevator?" He was unbelievably ranting against his own home! "Nahihirapan ka tuloy."
I stopped and turned to look at him. He was frowning but also stopped when I stopped kasi nasa likuran ko lang siya mismo. Parang nakabantay pa nga.
"Buhatin na kita?" Maagap niyang tanong, nakakunot pa rin ang noo. He looked so serious. Napatulala tuloy ako!
My lips parted. This man is unbelievable! Para tuloy may sumisipa sa tiyan ko! Hindi naman ako buntis!
"Why are you so concerned? Hindi ka ba galit?" Diretsong tanong ko sa kanya.
Ansel kept staring at me. Napakamot siya sa ulo. "Galit?"
"Bakit patanong?"
Ansel licked his lower lip and sighed. "Keep walking, Iana," nag-iwas siya ng tingin. "Time is running."
Nanatili akong nakatitig sa kanya. He gulped but met my eyes with those authoritative eyes. Eyes that could make women kneel for him.
"Ano? Buhat na?" Suplado niya akong tinaasan ng kilay.
I also raised a brow and crossed my arms over my chest. Bumaba ang tingin niya. He faked a cough and averted his eyes from me.
"What happened to the 'I won't touch you, unless you'll beg me to' that you said, Mr. Monterro? You seem to be so willing to carry me."
I seem to catch him off guard. He scoffed. Pero nung nakita niyang tinatapatan ko ang tingin niya, sumimangot siya.
"Husband duties," Ansel casually answered.
"H-husband duties mo mukha mo!" Ako naman ngayon ang nagulat. My face burned. I quickly turned my back at him and walked faster. Hindi ko na ininda ang sakit.
"Careful, Iana!" Ansel cussed when I quickened my pace, leaving him behind. "Damn ang tigas ng ulo."
When it dawned me, napahawak ako sa ulo ko. I am meeting his parents! Tonight! Masyado ata akong nadistract sa paghawak niya sa akin at pagtawag niya sa akin ng sanggol kaya nakaligtaan kong mapagtanto na ipapakilala na daw ako sa mga magulang niya!
Titig na titig ako sa repleksyon ko sa salamin. Napalingon lang ako nung may pumasok sa kuwarto. He pursed his lips while receiving my glares.
"What? I also need to get changed," he defended. Wala pa nga akong sinasabi.
"Ansel, pwede next year ko na lang sila i-meet?" Hindi ko napigilan ang sariling bunganga ko.
The corner of his lips raised. "I thought you're one fearless woman? What's wrong with meeting my parents?"
"Walang nakakatuwa, Ansel," mariin kong sabi.
Nakakapanibago nga dahil hindi siya galit at ganun din ako. It's surpirsing. Maayos kaming nag-uusap ngayon.
"I'll admit it. My mom is not that nice," sumeryoso ang mukha niya. Kinabahan tuloy ako. "But you have me. Nothing to worry about."
Hindi naman nakatulong 'yung sinabi niya! After he got some clothes to wear, he went to the other room to change there.
"You're just going to meet the Monterro's, Iana. Kaya mo 'yan! There's only two of them and you're ready used to facing people and paparazzis all the damn time! So chin up! Nothing to lose?"
Dumako ang tingin ko sa pintuan nang may kumatok rito. "Are you done? Can I come inside now?" Marahan ang boses niya.
'Yung nginig ko about na hanggang Mars. I inhaled shat before standing up, walking to the door. I'm wearing a modest dress that ends below my knees. It fitted my waist perfectly and the beads above my upper torso looked so elegant. This dress was actually given to me by my Mom. Some strands of my hair are cascading down the sides of my face. I placed it in a half bad and it actually doesn't look bad at all.
Since he was going to introduce me to his parents as his wife, I had to at least make it look realistic. Nilabas ko 'yung singsing na binigay niya dati at tinitigan iyon. The blue diamond looked so expensive and extremely rare. And the design was exquisite. And I cannot lie. It's damn beautiful and captivating. I inhaled sharply and slipped it on my finger. This is my engagement ring, as he said.
"Iana," Ansel knocked after calling my name.
I breathed and opened the door, watching how Ansel's eyes raked over my body. Napaayos soya ng tayo. Kita ko kung paano niya hagurin ng tingin ang kabuuan ko. But then his eyes ended looking at my lips.
Nakita kong bumaba ang tingin niya sa kamay ko. Tumagal doon ang titig niya tsaka bumaling sa akin.
Even I couldn't breathe. The atmosphere seems to be heavy. Nanigas ako nung abutin niya ang kamay ko. And I couldn't even talk when I felt him slip a ring.
"Wedding ring," he whispered.
My eyes went down on his hand too and I saw the pair of the ring he put on me. It was a gold plain ring but the way it fit our fingers perfectly... I actually stopped breathing for a little while. Tingin pa lang, halatang sobrang mahal na ng bayad.
"T-tara na," tumikhim siya at iniwan na ako.
Gumilid ang ulo ko habang tinitignan ko ang likod niya. I didn't know why I did not follow him. Pero ilang segundo pa lamang ay naglalakad na si Ansel pabalik sa kung saan ako nakatayo habang may mumunting murang lumalabas sa bibig niya.
"Oh. Bakit ka bumalik?" Nagtatakang tanong ko.
"I forgot to take you with me," sagot niya at napalabi. "Dammit, looking at you is enough to drive me crazy," pagbubulong niya.
I felt my cheeks heat up when my ears caught what he said.
"Are you still mad at me?" Tanong ko sa nakakabinging katahimikan rito sa loob ng kotse niya.
Ansel's driving skills is really for an expert. It's so smooth and just so natural. I bit my lip when I saw a ring on his finger. I was unconsciously playing with the two rings on my finger.
Kita kong napatingin siya sa akin doon sa repleksyon ko sa salamin sa harap. He looked away. Why is he suddenly acting like an introvert?! Pati tuloy ako nahihiya na rin!
"Yeah," he replied.
Bumuka ang bibig ko. Galit siya? Bakit hindi ko dama?
"Are you s-sure you're mad at me?" Pag-uulit ko.
He made a face. "Oo. Hindi lang halata."
Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko. I reached for the full bottle of water in his compartment and drank from it, trying to keep my cool.
"You okay?" Mahinahon ang boses niya.
"Mukha ba akong okay?!" I fired back. "Tsaka bakit kasi ngayon mo lang sinabi na ipapakilala mo ako sa parents mo?! Hindi ba puwedeng after 5 years na lang?!" I bursted out, unsure if it's because of what he said or because I'm actually meeting his parents now.
"Calm down, Iana. Just relax. I'm with you," Ansel chuckled lowly.
Why is he like this? Kapag sumisigaw ako or kapag nagagalit ako, ang mahinahon pa din niya makitungo sa akin. Sino ba dapat ang galit dito, hindi ba dapat siya?!
Huminga ako ng malalim habang nakaharap ako sa malaking pintuan ng mga Monterro.
"Sir, good evening po!" Agad yumuko ang katiwala kay Ansel matapos kaming pagbuksan ng pintuan.
Tumango lang si Ansel. I frowned when I noticed that his face became serious since we entered their gate. I just followed him by walking beside him silently.
Napaawang pa ang labi ko dahil nakita ko ang pag-irap nung babaeng staff sa akin. I just ignored it and continued walking.
Mabilis ang lakad ni Ansel kaya hinahabol ko siya. But I caught my breath when Ansel glanced at me. Binagalan niya ang paglalakad at nanatiling seryoso ang mukha.
"What's bothering you?" He asked.
Umirap ako. "Ansel you're scaring me with how serious you look right now," bulong ko. Kaunti na lang ay iisipin kong kailangang ihanda ko ang sarili ko dahil baka ayaw sa akin ng mga magulang niya.
I froze from where I'm standing when I felt him reach for my hand. He pulled me close to him. "I'm sorry for that. Let's keep going?" Marahan niyang sabi na ikinaawang ng labi ko.
Hindo ako kumibo pero wala sa sarili akong sumunod sa mga yapak niya. He was holding my hand securingly in his own.
The surge of emotion inside me felt surreal while feeling his warm hands holding mine. Confusion would be an understatement as to why I'm feeling this way. Masyadong madaming umuusbong na panibagong mga damdami. Hindi ko mawari kung ano ba ang totoong nararamdaman ko ngayon.
"Ansel!" Dumako ang tingin ko sa isang matandang babae na lumapit sa amin. Hinila niya si Ansel palapit sa kanya kaya napabitaw ako. "I was waiting for you kanina pa, anak! What took you so long?!"
Rumehistro agad sa isip ko kung sino siya. It's Mrs. Andria Monterro.
"Apologies, Ma. I had to pick up my wife and get ready," humalik siya sa pisngi ng Mama niya.
Kitang kita ko kung papaano naglaho ang ngiti sa labi ni Mrs. Monteroo pagkatapos ng mga salitang binitawan ni Ansel. Her sharp eyes drifted to me. And I'm not dumb not to realize that she's already judging me by the looks of it. Hinagod niya ako ng tingin at sumeryoso nang magkatinginan kami.
"Good evening po," magalang na pagbati ko pa din sa kabila ng nanghuhusgang tingin niya.
"Now I know why you're late," sumama ang timpla ng mukha niya.
What does that mean? Na ako ang may kasalanan kung bakit nahuli ng dating si Ansel? Okay, kalma Iana.
I remained composed as I felt Ansel's eyes on me. His jaw clenched before I felt his hand reached for mine again. Nakita kong bumaba ang tingin ng Mommy niya doon. Her face is now completely exposed. The distaste is very much evident.
So, Mrs. Andria Monterro doesn't like me.
"Ma, this is Iana Jace Torres. My wife," diretsahang sabi ni Ansel.
"Well hello, Iana," matabang na sabi ni Mrs. Monterro. She have me a forced smile.
Tumango ako ngunit napatingin sa gilid nung may tumikhim. I saw an man in his late 50s. Mr. Alexander Monterro. The man who made a name when he was still young. Some of Ansel's features were similar with him. He still looks dashing for his age.
"Who's this beautiful woman, son?" Ngumiti ang matanda sa akin.
"She's Iana Torres Monterro, your daughter in law," Ansel smirked and hugged his Dad.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Monterro," tumungo ako. I felt a little at ease because his approach was more easy than his wife who obviously doesn't like me.
"I heard you're one of the top models in Asia," untag ni Mr. Monterro habang kumakain kami.
"Ansel, who said you could marry a MERE WOMAN.." tumingin sa akin si Mrs. Monterro tsaka kay Ansel. "behind our backs? You didn't even invite us to your wedding."
"Fix your term, Ma," Ansel frowned at her.
"The marriage wasn't planned," nagulat ako sa pagtatapat ni Ansel but I caught my breath when I found him already staring at me. "I still need to make it up with my wife."
He can't be serious right? Sinasabi niya lang 'yon para hindi magtaka ang parent niya. But why does his eyes tells the otherwise? Is he this good in acting?!
"It's not too late yet. I heard that Bianca would be coming back in the Philippines. Why didn't you just wait for her?"
Bianca? Sinong Bianca?
"Andria," rinig kong suway ni Mr. Monterro sa asawa pero masama ang timpla ng mukha ng asawa niya sa akin.
"Ma," suway agad ni Ansel. He didn't look so pleased.
My brows furrowed. Nalito tuloy ako. Sino si Bianca?
"I'm just saying! Sayang kasi. I wanted her for yo–"
"Enough, Ma," mabagsik na sagot ni Ansel. Kahit kalmado ang boses niya, napatayo ang balahibo ko sa lamig at kaseryosohan ng tono niya.
"Iana is my wife. Learn to accept that," he said.
Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. He was defending me from the attacks.
Natahimik si Mrs. Monterro. She just raised a brow at me and snickered. The distaste and dislike in her face was on full display. She didn't even try to hide it. Masama ang tingin niya.
"Eat more, Iana," Ansel suddenly whispered near my ear.
I felt shivers down my spine. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa kubyertos. Lalo akong nawindang nang nilapit niya ang upuan niya sa akin. He didn't touch me but I felt him place his arm on my chair, making his presence obvious to me.
"Ni hindi ko nga alam kung saan mo napulot ang babaeng 'yan!" She gasped.
"Ma!" Ansel didn't hold back. "Watch your mouth. You're talking to my wife!"
"For all I know, baka galing pang squatters yan!"
Napaawang ang labi ko sa marinig. What the fuck?
Ansel is livid. I know. But I will not let him speak for me. I wasn't raised by my parents as someone who cannot stand her ground. Regardless of her economic status, I will not let her insult me as she pleases. Wala siyang karapatang insultuhin at husgahan ang pagkatao ko dahil lang sa hindi kami parehas ng estado sa buhay.
Kanina pa ako nagtitimpi sa mga pa-side comments niya at masasamang tingin niya. But I won't tolerate her actions anymore. Sapat na 'yung tawagin niya akong pokpok indirectly para magsalita ako.
"Mawalang galang na ho, Mrs. Monterro," hinuli ko ang matatalim niyang tingin. "Despite of not having the same wealth as yours, masasabi ko naman po na pinalaki ako ng mga magulang ko ng maayos."
"Mga magulang mo na naghihirap na ngayon? Was that the reason? Kaya ka nagpakapokpok para maakit ang anak ko? Mga mahihirap nga naman, sa mayaman kumakapit!"
"Goddammit, Ma!" Ansel cursed. "Huwag mong insultuhin ang asawa ko. You don't know anything about us. You know nothing about her."
"Well, I know enough to assume that this piece of crap seduced you for your money! Was it because of her face and body that attracted you? Or is she that good in bed para patulan mo ang isang hamak na pokpok na tulad niya?! I cannot believe you'll get this low, anak! You can have all the woman but you chose a prostitute?!"
Her words struck me. But my eyes diverted on Ansel. I noticed how he clenched his hands and hid it behind him. He was ready to hurt someone but he kept his hands behind, controlling himself.
"Andria, you're being too hard to our son's wife," Tito Alexander blurted out. He held her hand. "We're eating dinner. Everybody calm down."
Napaawang ang labi ko nang tumayo si Ansel. Nilukob ako ng takot nang makita ang labis na galit at kaseryosohan sa mga mata niya.
"Ansel.." I almost whispered when he gently held my hand.
"Ma, if you will keep talking bullshit about Iana, I may as well take her away from here. Don't bother calling me. And thank you for the dinner," he coldly said.
"Ansel," Tita Andria warned but Ansel didn't throw her another glance.
He looked at me and pulled me up. Sinulyapan niya si Tito Alexander na tahimik din. Hindi ako makapagsalita dahil maski ako ay nagulat sa galit ni Ansel. I didn't expect him to battle for me.
"Ansel!" Galit na tawag ni Mrs. Monterro pero bumaon lang sa kanya ang matalim na tingin ni Ansel.
"I'm not tolerating your treatment against my wife, Ma," mariing sabi niya habang mahigpit ang hawak sa kamay ko.
"We're leaving," aniya at hinila na ako palayo roon.
"Ansel..." Mahinang tawag ko. He's scary when he's furious.
His jaw was clenching aggressively. I was about to speak, but his phone rang. Inabot niya iyon sa bulsa niya. My eyes drifted to his screen.
Bianca Salvador calling...
•••••