Chapter 24
Good Man
I must admit, my raging emotions got the best of me when I learned about the photo that was sent by Ulrik. Futile questions also started to cloud my reasoning.
Was he cheating on me all this time behind my back? Or did he really mean what he told me before?
Posible. Na family friend lang ang mga babae noon at ngayon lang siya nagtangka gumawa ng pagtataksil dahil sa alitan namin.
Even so, it wasn't enough license to do me wrong. If he was fed up with me and this relationship, he should have broken up with me first before finding another girl he could ravish instead of putting ourselves into this mess!
Has he no shame?
"The class is about to start, Riz. What are you up to?" si Apollo nang nakasalubong ko.
Pagkapasok sa room, wala na roon si Yves na umiidlip lang nang iwan ko kanina para bumili ng pagkain.
I snorted and combed my hair frustratedly. Akmang ibababa ko na ang kamay ko nang higitin bigla ni Apollo ang aking palapulsuhan.
"Oh, dear. Not again."
Namilog ang mga mata ko nang na-realize kung bakit niya ginawa iyon. Mabilis kong binawi ang kamay at napaiwas ng tingin.
"Wala ito," I uttered quietly as I traveled to my seat.
Sumunod siya sa akin.
"You're opening the scars on your ring finger again. It's bruised. Don't give me that pathetic excuse, Riz. It won't work on me."
Pumikit ako. Masyado na siyang maraming nalalaman sa akin.
My ring finger being damaged meant one thing to him. He knew it better than almost everybody.
Napabuntong-hininga ako. Saka ko lamang naramdaman ang pagod sa ginawa kong pagtakbo mula cafeteria hanggang dito kaya imbes na sagutin ang kaibigan nang direkta, inabot ko na lamang sa kanya ang phone kung saan nakabalandra ang litrato.
"Are you kidding me?!" bayolenteng singhal nito kalaunan.
Mukhang nakuha niya agad ang kahulugan sa likod ng litratong iyon kaya sinenyasan ko siyang manahimik. Ang eskandaloso!
"That's why you were flipping out when I caught you," Apollo said more than ask, spitting facts.
Tumango ako. It pained me how quick he was to see through me. Ganoon na ba ako ka-transparent tuwing may pinagdadaanan? Napapisil ako ng ilong, natanto kung bakit.
Apollo is my best friend. He's memorized me long ago before I could even know it.
As much as I wanted to explore my thought process about the situation with Apollo, our first professor entered the room to start our class.
Hindi ako nakapag-concentrate sa klase. Ginawa ko ang makakaya para mag-notes para mabalikan ko ang discussion next time pero sadyang nababagabag ako sa nadiskubre.
Sa kalagitnaan ng pagmumuni-muni, nahagip ng mga mata ko si Kenna hindi kalayuan. She lifted her thumb at me to gesture if I was okay, so I smiled and showed her a thumbs up.
Nasa tabi niya si Seka. May binulong ito kay Kenna kaya napailing na lang ako dahil alam ko na agad na ako ang ichichismis nito.
This school year, Apollo and I were in the same section with Kenna, Seka, Palmer, and Diego. Sinigurado ng mga ito na magiging magkaklase na kami sa Grade 12 para sama-sama kaming ga-graduate at hindi na rin mahirapan magkita-kita.
Nagpapasalamat ako na biniyayaan ako ng mga bagong kaibigan bukod kay Apollo. They were a blessing in disguise.
Pero minsan talaga, hindi na nakakatuwa kung gaano na kabilis kumalat ang balita ngayong lagi na kaming magkakasama.
Well, it wasn't much of a hassle. Sa huli, hindi mapagkakaila na malaking tulong tuwing nagdadamayan ang isa't isa kapag may dumarating na problema.
Hindi ko nga lang alam kung kaya ko nang ibahagi sa kanila ang eskandalong kinakaharap ko ngayon. May parte sa akin na binabalot ng kahihiyan dahil nasangkot ako sa ganitong isyu.
Hindi ko inaasahang masasangkot muli ako sa ganito...
Unti-unti akong binalot ng takot. Bumagsak ang tingin ko sa kamay na pinaglalaruan ang suot kong singsing.
Mas gusto ko munang kimkimin ang problema hanggang sa makumpirma ko ang direksiyong tatahakin ko para masolusyonan ang gulong ito. There were so many factors to consider that I couldn't think where to start.
Hanggang sa hindi ko namalayang isang linggo na naman ang nakalipas.
Apollo:
I'm almost there.
Me:
Pababa pa lang ako.
Apollo and I agreed to meet up on Saturday. Napili naming magkita sa mall malapit sa Mackenzie kung saan kami madalas gumagala tuwing long break.
Pagkababa ng tren, binalagtas ko ang daan patungo sa Mackenzie dahil madadaanan iyon papunta sa terminal ng jeep kung saan ako sasakay patungo sa mall.
Malapit na lang iyon kaya walang problema sa akin. Iyon nga lang, maraming likuan kaya madalas akong nalilito lalo kapag walang kasama.
Habang busy sa phone upang tignan kung nag-reply na ulit si Apollo, hindi ko naiwasang marinig ang usapan sa bakery hindi kalayuan sa akin.
Huh?
"Marie! Ano raw sabi nitong bata? Kausapin mo nga! Englishero kaya hindi ko masyado maunawaan."
"Nasaan? Try ko po kung kaya!"
Binalot ako ng kuryosidad kaya napahinto para alamin kung anong nangyayari. Dahil sa kung anong dahilan, pinagtitinginan na rin sila ng mga tao.
Sa harap ng bakery, isang batang babaeng nasa edad 13 pataas ang yumuko sa harapan ng isang mas batang lalaki.
Nakatalikod ang huli sa akin kaya hindi ko mamukhaan, pero masasabi kong maputi at alagang-alaga dahil sa kasuotan. He almost looked out of place.
Yumuko ang batang babae para kausapin ang kaharap.
"What is the matter with you?" tanong ng batang babae gamit ang namimilipit na Ingles.
"I'm lost po."
Lumipat ang tingin ko sa batang lalaki.
Kung titignan, nasa anim hanggang walong taong gulang ang bata. May dalang isang supot ng assorted breads, hula ko'y binili sa kaharap na bakery.
"Nawawala raw siya!" balita ng batang babae sa matandang panadero.
Bawat taong napapadaan ay napapatingin na rin dahil sa kaguluhan at hindi pangkaraniwang hitsura ng bata.
"Itanong mo kung bakit at saan ba siya dapat paroon!" ang tindero sa katabing sari-sari store na ang nag-utos, kuryoso na rin.
"Where are you? Why are you lost, baby boy?" hagikgik ng batang babae.
The little boy was too stunned to speak but managed to explain eventually.
"I-I discovered this bread shop on our way to the big school. I want to have a taste, so I checked when the driver stopped our car. Now I don't know how to get back po."
"Wala ka bang gadget, hijo?" iyong matanda, tinanong siguro para gamiting pang-contact kung sakali.
Pero ano raw? Big school? You mean Mackenzie University? Napaisip ako.
Iyon lang ang pinakamalapit na eskuwelahan dito. Pero bakit naman pupunta sa Mackenzie ang batang katulad niya?
"Hala, school daw, Manang! Baka sa Mackezie ata punta ng poging batang ito!" Pareho kami ng hula.
"Oh, 'yun naman pala, e. Ihatid mo na muna, Marie. Kawawa naman."
"Hindi pwede, Nang! Ang daming customer. Marami pa akong hugasin!"
"Aba. Alangan namang ako? Edi walang nagbatay rito."
I sighed to myself and decided to finally intervene.
I knew I was needed here from the get-go. I just found their conversation entertaining that's why I delayed my entrance a bit.
Sorry, Apollo. But please wait for me.
Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa kanila kaya naman sabay-sabay ang paglipat ng atensiyon nila sa akin nang napansin ako.
Saka ko lang naramdaman ang hiya.
"Hello po. Uh... pasensiya na pero taga-Mackenzie po kasi ako. Saktong papunta rin ako sa school kaya pwedeng ako na ang maghatid sa bata," panimula ko sabay baling sa batang lalaki.
Nang nagtama ang aming tingin, bahagyang napaawang ang mga labi ko nang natuklasang hindi hamak na mas artistahin pa ito kaysa sa inaakala ko.
I mean, the face was too good to be true!
His grip on the plastic bag tightened. Kinagat nito ang pang-ibabang labi bago niyakap ang supot ng tinapay na animo'y pinoprotektahan ang mga ito mula sa akin kasabay ng pagprotekta sa sarili.
Kumunot ang noo ko pero may guhit ng ngiti sa mga labi.
Kaninong anak ba ito? Kung meron lang akong gantong kapatid, baka hindi ko na maalis ang tingin dito kahit sandali.
Inabot pa ako ng ilang minuto bago makumbinsi ang mga tao na estudyante ako ng Mackenzie bago ako tuluyang makaalis kasama ang batang lalaki.
While on our way to Mackenzie, silence fell between me and the little one embracing the pack of bread like a dear teddy bear beside me. Napanguso ako sa tanawin.
He loved it so much, huh? Tuwing titigil ako saglit sa paglalakad, titigil din ito at titingala para tumingin sa akin nang may tanong sa hitsura.
He wasn't beyond or behind me while walking. I noticed that he was always making sure that we were walking side by side.
Tell me, isn't he just too cute?
Nang hindi na napigilan, tumabi ako sa tapat ng isang convenience store at tulad ng inaasahan, huminto rin ito at muling tumingin sa akin ng may tanong sa mata bago igala ang tingin sa paligid.
"This is not the big school po," he corrected me innocently as if I wasn't aware.
I couldn't contain my laugh anymore. Umupo ako sa bench ng convenience store at humarap sa kanya. Humarap din ito sa akin at tumitig sa kabila ng pagtataka.
"What's your name, little guy?" I smiled at him softly, in case he was still doubtful of my intentions.
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga braso niya nang nahuli itong yumakap sa tinapay nang mahigpit. Ano na kayang hitsura ng mga tinapay na ito pagkauwi?
"G-Gideon po," the boy answered timidly before shifting his eyes to the bread to hide his face. "Gideon Casimir..."
My eyes widened at how beautiful his name was as well. It was as if it was delicately handpicked by his parents. Something that this guy deserves.
Marahan kong tinapik ang kanyang ulo at hinuli ang kanyang tingin.
"You have such a handsome name, Gideon. Do you know that?"
Considering that his surname was Casimir, there was a higher possibility that he came from a foreign family. Hindi na nakakapagtaka dahil mukha nga itong dayuhan.
Imbes na sagutin ang tanong, mukhang iba pa ata ang nakapukaw ng interes niya.
"You also know how to speak English? You can understand me, too? Po?"
Lalo akong natawa sa maliit niyang pag-iling nang ihabol ang huling salita nang tila nakalimutan niya iyon saglit, animo'y puwersahang ibinilin ng kung sino na laging maglalagay ng po sa dulo ng bawat pangungusap.
Sa klase pa ng tanong nito, mukhang na-culture shock siya nang lubusan sa mga nakausap dahil Filipino ang gamit nilang salita kanina.
It must've been tough for him, thinking that other people spoke a language that for him was overwhelming and outlandish.
"Yes, that's correct po," I imitated his language playfully. "My name is Ophelia so you can call me Ate Ophelia."
"Okay po..."
"Do you love bread so much?"
Tuluyan ko nang napukaw ang atensiyon niya.
With pure wonder and intrigue on his little face, he faced me and nodded like a proud man.
"Yes, I do. I love it more than I love cereals and almonds po."
I laughed. The way he put it into words, he probably loved cereals and almonds, too, more than he expected.
I wrinkled my nose and put my hands on my waist dramatically.
"What a coincidence, little guy. Ate Ophelia's family has a bakeshop. We make bread and other pastries, too!" pag-amin ko dahilan ng pagliwanag lalo ng kanyang mukha.
Kung tutuusin, marunong din akong mag-bake kahit papaano. Sadyang hindi na hiningi ni Mama ang tulong ko para patakbuhin ang negosyo at kumuha na lang ng katulong doon. Simula nang nawala si Papa, halos ilaan na niya ang buhay sa panaderya.
"That's cool! Can I see? Po?"
Hindi ko alam kung excited ba siya o sadyang nakalimutan na naman niya idugtong ang po sa dulo.
Nevertheless, I fished my phone inside my pocket and showed him some photos that I captured at the bakery and some of my baked cakes and cupcakes before.
Tuwang-tuwa ito sa nakikita. Hindi na niya namalayang naagaw na niya sa akin ang phone ko.
"I will tell Mother and Father to buy your shop po."
"Whaaat?" I reacted playfully. "You will buy the whole shop, not the cakes and bread? How come?"
Sa wakas ay inangat na niya ang tingin bago iabot sa akin ang phone, tila may malalim na iniisip. Parang kinakabahan ako sa paraan ng pag-iisip ng batang ito.
"So I can have as much bread as I want that you bake, Ate Ophelia."
I grinned when I realized something.
"You're so sweet! But you forgot your po, little guy."
Bahagyang namilog ang mga mata niya nang natanto rin iyon. Pero napakamot na lang sa pisngi, kalaunan, at napasimangot.
"Doesn't matter. Kuya is not here. No one will pinch my cheek so hard."
Namangha ako sa narinig. So it was his older brother that disciplines and reprimands him for using po and opo, huh? Also, hearing him speak without any of those made me cringe.
Dahil doon, ako na mismo ang pumisil sa pisngi ni Gideon na labis niyang ikinagulat. It wasn't even that hard!
"There you go. That's for not using po and disobeying your older brother behind his back, little guy," I said and stifled my smile to continue playing mad. "That's bad. Whether they're present or not, you should stay good and obedient so they can trust you. That you will be a good boy even without them."
"But how will they know if I'm being a good boy or not if they're not here po?"
My smile was linked with a sigh.
"They will know you're being a good boy if you grow up a good man."
"Like Father?"
Pinisil ko muli ang pisngi niya nang nakalimutan niya ulit mag-po. But that aside, I guess he looked up to his Father for setting a good example, so I winked at him with approval.
"If you say so!"
"Hmm. I will write it down po."
Maybe he meant something like it's noted or some sort. Pati ba iyon ay narinig niya rin sa ama? Napakamot ako sa pisngi at natawa na lang kalaunan.
This boy has a long way to go, but I guess that would do for now.
"Let's go and bring you back to your guardian, Gideon."
Tumango siya at muling tumabi sa akin sa paglalakad, at gaya pa rin ng kanina, yakap ang supot ng mga tinapay.
Mayroon na lang kaming isang street bago maabot ang Mackenzie pero bago pa man kami makaliko sa susunod na kanto, isang nakaunipormeng lalaki ang hinihingal na tumigil sa harap namin.
I was quick to realize that it was probably Gideon's driver... or maybe housekeeping, based on his dark gray scrubs uniform?
"Gideon! Saan ka nanggaling? Kanina pa kami nag-aalala kakahanap sayo!" hapong-hapo na wika ng lalaki.
Mayamaya pa, isa namang babae ang lumapit suot ang kaparehong uniform. Nagsimula na akong malito kung sino ba talaga ang tagapangalaga ni Gideon.
"Are you okay, Gideon? Where did you go? Are you hurt somewhere?"
Alam kong puno sila ng pag-aalala para dito pero...
"Ehem!" I put my fist in front of my mouth.
Saka lang ako napansin ng dalawang tauhan. Napangiwi ako. Bigla akong nahiya sa asal.
Kaya naman nang bigla silang yumuko sa harapan ko nang walang pasabi, napaatras ako at halos mapatalon sa pagkabigla.
"Maraming salamat sa paghatid kay Sir Gideon. Kanina pa kami nag-aalala kung nasaan siya kaya malaki ang utang na loob namin sa inyo. Pasensiya na kayo sa abala!" masugid na paumanhin ng babae.
Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. Sir Gideon?
Lito man sa mga pangyayari, hilaw akong ngumiti at winagwag ang kamay para ipakitang ayos lang.
"Wala pong problema! Ligtas ko siyang naabutan sa bakery kaya nagpresenta na lang akong samahan siya papunta rito. Mabait namang bata si Gideon kaya... hindi siya nakaabala sa akin," sabi ko sabay silip kay Gideon na tahimik lang sa pagitan naming tatlo, yakap at nakatitig sa mga dalang tinapay.
"Bakery," mahinang usal ng lalaki sabay lingon sa katabi. "Bakit hindi natin naisip 'yon?"
Parang nakahinga nang maluwag ang dalawang tauhan dahil sa kwento ko.
Ilang sandali, sa kalagitnaan ng pag-uusap, narinig kong tumunog ang phone ko kaya halos pamutlaan ako ng mukha. Ngayon ko lang naalala si Apollo!
"Shit!" I sneered to myself as I checked my phone, only to be welcomed by 9 text messages and 1 missed call from him.
Lagot ako nito panigurado.
Natampal ko ang noo at dahil masyado nang mahaba ang ginugol kong oras para dito, marahan kong inabot ang likod ng balikat ni Gideon para kuhain ang atensiyon niya.
Nilingon ko rin ang mga tauhan na kasalukuyang naghihintay sa sasabihin ko.
Hiya akong napatawa.
"Since ligtas ko na pong nahatid si Gideon, mauuna na po muna ako, ha? Kailangan ko na po kasing umalis dahil hinihintay na ako ng kaibigan ko."
"Huh? Ay, wala pong problema. Maraming salamat po ulit at mag-ingat kay-"
"Wait po."
Naputol ang sasabihin ng babaeng tauhan nang inabot bigla ni Gideon ang braso ko. Napunta sa kanya ang atensiyon ko dahil doon.
I was about to ask him why but he already pointed his finger at the incoming silver MPV car. When it parked, a formal gentleman got out and sashayed his way toward us.
Unlike the other two employees, this dangerously attractive man looked gallant in his black designer suit and shades.
Tall, almost gigantic than most people, fair-skinned, and masculine. An absolute eye candy.
Napakurap-kurap ako.
Doon ko nakumpirma na maliban sa dalawang tagapangalaga ni Gideon, nasa harap na namin ngayon ang kanyang butler. O driver?
I shook my head mentally.
No, that didn't sit right with me. From head to toe, the gentleman's demeanor screamed power, discipline, and authority. There was no way he was someone on that level. Also, he came from the back seat so he's definitely not the driver, right?
Nahihibang na ata ako.
"Sir Ambrose, nahanap na po si Sir Gideon. Si Ms. Ophelia po ang nakapaghatid sa young master nang ligtas dito."
There they go with the 'Sir Gideon' again. But now... young master? That's next-level!
Just what situation I was really in? At isa pa... sino ba talaga si Gideon Casimir? Why was there such a crowd tailing this kid?
I knew he came from a wealthy family but I didn't expect that he was this affluent!
Napatikhim ako nang nadama ang titig ng ginoo sa likod ng madilim niyang salamin.
Nang naramdaman ang pagbigat ng tensiyon sa paligid, napaawang ang mga labi ko nang biglang lumapit si Gideon sa ginoong iyon upang itaas at ipagmalaki ang mga dala niyang tinapay.
Tila biglang lumiwanag ang paligid dahil doon.
"Look what I bought, Father. They look delicious po."
Oh! Of course, Ophelia! This man is his father! The good man!
Bakit nga ba hindi ko iyon naisip?
Maybe because the gentleman was too majestic and young-looking to be pegged as a father?
Kung meron mang nakakabasa ng isip ko ngayon, sigurado akong sukdulan ang kahihiyang matatamo ko.
I heard the father sigh but a faint smile displayed on his face when he crouched to pay attention to the treasure Gideon was very proud of.
"They look quite appetizing, son. You bought this yourself?" the father asked with tenderness in his voice.
For a moment, I was amused by how he treated Gideon with care even after causing concern and trouble by simply leaving their post unattended.
Kung iba iyon, paniguradong magwawala at paghihigpitan agad ang anak pagkakita. O 'di kaya, pagbuhatan ng kamay.
I smiled painfully to myself when I remembered my upbringing in my mother's hands.
"Not at all. Ate Ophelia bought any treat I wanted earlier because I was in tears when I lost my way po."
Para akong nabingi sa sagot ng bata kaya agad akong napalingon dito.
In tears? No, Gideon! You were so brave standing up for yourself a while ago! I didn't actually do that much!
Magpoprotesta pa lang sana ako nang biglang umayos ng tindig ang ginoo upang humarap sa akin. Iyon naman ang naging hudyat ko para yumuko bilang paggalang.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Casimir," sambit ko na bahagyang ikinakunot nito ng noo. "Gideon has his way with words but he's only flattering me. I didn't do so much for him other than bringing him safe."
"Mr. Casimir, you say?"
Napatikhim ako. May mali ba roon?
Hindi ko masyadong nakuha kung para saan ang tanong na iyon kaya muli akong yumuko nang kaonti para magpatuloy.
"He's such a nice kid so you don't have to worry po." A smile was etched on my lips as I glanced at Gideon. I caught him pouting for some reason. "But I really need to go, Sir. I have someone waiting for me."
Mr. Casimir adjusted in his feet before sliding his hand into his inside breast pocket. Pagkalabas ng kamay ay may hawak na itong fountain pen at maliit na papel.
Puzzled, I watched him extend them before me.
"I'm afraid I have to have your contact info to give our thanks some other time."
I flapped my hands to refuse the offer. "T-There's no need for that! I simply brought Gideon with me, Sir. It's nothing."
He pursed his lips and shook his head dismissively.
"The incident might be trivial for you I suppose. But keeping Gideon safe meant the world to us. We'd be very grateful if you accept our gratitude at some point in the future."
Dahil doon, unti-unting bumagsak ang mga kamay ko sa ere nang natantong hindi ko masyadong napag-isipan ang sinabi kanina.
For people like them, turning down their offer and expression of gratitude might be rude.
I witnessed it firsthand... I remembered someone flipping out at the mere refusal of his offers.
Napalabi ako at sa huli'y tinanggap na ang papel at panulat para ibigay ang pangalan at contact number ko.
Hindi na rin nagtagal nang tuluyan akong nakapagpaalam sa kanila. Sa katunayan, may parte sa akin na nalulungkot dahil mabilis na nawalay sa bagong kaibigan.
I was easily attached to Gideon. Minsan lang ako makakilala ng batang tulad niya. He even gave me a slice of his bread before I took my leave. Could you believe that?
"What took you forever, Ophelia Rizette Mallari?!" eksaheradang bati ni Apollo.
Halos sabunutan niya ako pagkarating ko sa wakas sa meeting place. I pouted at him to look more apologetic.
"Sorry! May nangyari lang sa daan malapit sa terminal kaya sinubukan kong tumulong."
I told Apollo what happened. He may not be as soft-hearted as he seems, but he really is one of the kindest, so he let it slide afterward.
Kahit papano, sa maikling panahon mula sa insidenteng iyon, gumaan ang loob ko at nawala ang isip ko sa mga pinagdadaanan kahit sandali.
Naisip ko, may paraan ba para takasan na lang ito? Pwede bang matapos ang problema nang hindi hinaharap?
"That's a false mindset, dear. A wise man once said, you cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today..." ani Apollo.
I shook my head in disbelief at the sound of that familiar quotation.
"Abraham Lincoln."
Hinawakan ni Apollo ang magkabila kong balikat. Pinandilatan niya ako, pero bakas doon ang awa.
"Sooner or later, you need to face that asshole, dear."
Tama naman iyon pero... "Natatakot ako."
Finally, I brought myself to admit it.
Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na narinig sa akin ni Apollo ang mga katagang iyon. Kaya hindi ko siya masisisi kung bakit siya natigilan nang umamin ako.
Ang totoo, matagal ko na iyong kinikimkim. Pero natatakot ako harapin ang problemang ito... kahit hindi ito ang unang beses na nangyari siya sa akin.
That's actually the root of my fear. Because this happened to me in the past, I was vigilant. The situation was very familiar. It almost resembled the incident four years ago.
I shivered as memories flashed through my head.
And I didn't like how it ended...
"I understand," Apollo sighed and pondered. "Does it have anything to do with your past?"
I flinched. Fear traveled up my face because he hit the right button.
In truth, I was torn between breaking up with Yves and giving him a second chance because... what if it's just another misunderstanding? There was a distinct fear lacing my heart.
What if history repeats itself?
My heart pulsated dangerously as I sunk into a gloomy reverie.
Four years ago, I caught the love of my life in the almost exact situation of Yves.
Isang gabi sa party, nasaksihan mismo ng dalawang mata ko kung paano ako pinagtaksilan ni Tobiah para sa ibang babae.
That was the main cause of our quarrels and prolonged misunderstandings in the past.
I thought he just played with my feelings. I thought he would leave me after that night for another girl because he found himself another doll to play with. And thus because of that, Tobie left me.
No. To be more specific, he left me for good and it's all because of me.
He was gone because I failed to read the situation correctly. I misunderstood his intentions. I didn't trust his feelings for me!
I've been reflecting on my past decisions and actions a lot. Had I been more patient and understanding, Tobie would have been alive until now...
Perhaps, it was a lesson learned the hard way. Now that I have the chance to improve my judgment and prevent doing the same mistake again, I will take my time to think of a solution instead of jumping to groundless conclusions. This will be part of my redemption, I kept telling myself.
And to do that, I will face and know the truth from Yves himself... But I didn't know how.
We couldn't ignore the fact that all human beings can lie.
What if he really cheated on me with the foulest intention but would lie to conceal the truth once confronted? This is so frustrating! How could I make Yves reveal the truth himself?
As if the gods heeded my plea, came Sunday noon when I received a text message from an unregistered number.
Unknown Number:
Good day, Miss Ophelia.
Hope all is well. Sir Gideon wants to give you a token of appreciation personally. May the young master know if you have time today? This is one of the household secretaries, Alanis. I await your immediate response. Thank you!
Let's keep in touch,
Sec. Alanis
Sa kalagitnaan ng pagre-review, napatayo ako sa hindi inaasahang mensahe.
Alam kong dapat ko na itong asahan dahil si Mr. Casimir na mismo ang nagsabing babawi sila sa akin. Pero hindi ko inaasahang ganito pala kaaga!
Umupo ako sa kama at muling binasa ang text.
Since it was mentioned that Gideon was the person of concern here, does it mean that this is a separate intent from what Mr. Casimir referred to yesterday? Napalabi ako.
Me:
Hello, Miss Alanis! Yes, I am free today. Kindly inform me about the time and location. Thank you!
Alanis:
Good deal. One of the family drivers will pick you up at 2 PM. He will send you to Sir Gideon's favorite patisserie. If you have further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Keep safe!
One of the family drivers...
Just how many secretaries and drivers do they have in that household? Napailing ako at nagpasyang maghanda na.
Hindi ako makapaniwala sa bilis ng mga pangyayari. Parang kanina lang ay kausap ko pa ang sekretarya.
Ngayon, tinawag ako ni Kuya sa baba para ianunsiyong may naghahanap sa akin. Sa katunayan, kakauwi lang nito mula sa Rouxton. Kahit linggo, tight ang mga deadline dahil CBI Awards na sa ikalawang linggo.
I smiled bitterly at that thought.
This year, I declined the invitation to participate again. Something about the previous competition impacted my confidence big time. Hindi pa ako handa ulit.
I was afraid that people's judgment of me would get out of hand if I participated again.
Maging sina Mr. Bernardino at Ate Michelle ay hindi na rin kalahok dahil nakapagtapos na last year. Bukod sa amin, parte pa rin ng competition si Edison at Mr. Giovanni. With other three students, they will represent the Mackenzie again.
Isang puting SUV ang nakaparada sa harap ng bahay. Dahil minsan lang may ganitong kotse sa kalsada namin, pakiramdam ko tuloy ay nanliliit ang bahay.
"Are you sure they're not swindlers or something?"
Puno ng pagdududa ang hitsura ni Kuya habang nakahalukipkip at nakatanaw sa sasakyan.
I tried imagining that scenario. Picturing Gideon as part of an association run by fraudsters didn't sit right with me. Sinimangutan ko si Kuya.
"You should do something about your trust issues, Kuya."
"Good grief," he sneered before glancing at me. "Behave yourself and be back before five. Kinabisado ko na ang plaka."
"Magandang hapon po sa inyo. Miss Ophelia?" tanong bigla ng kakalapit lang na driver para kumpirmahin.
Tuluyan na akong lumabas ng gate.
"Ah, yes po. Sige na, Kuya. I'll be back at five!"
Kinawayan ko ang nakasimangot na kapatid bago pumasok sa sasakyan nang pagbuksan ako ng pinto ni Manong sa backseat. Doon ko lang natuklasan na iba pala talaga ang uniform ng mga driver nila Gideon.
Bigla akong nahiya noong napagkamalan ko pang driver ang papa nito kahit sukdulan ang layo sa hitsura't pananamit. Napapikit ako sa hiya nang balikan ang pangyayari.
Naging payapa at stable ang byahe kaya hindi ako masyadong inatake ng motion sickness. Iyon nga lang, para ata akong magkakasakit nang may ibalita sa akin ang driver.
"Miss Ophelia, bago ko makalimutan, binilin po sa akin na ipaalam sa inyo na hindi na matutuloy si Sir Gideon sa lakad. Pasensiya na kayo dahil biglang may activity na kailangan paghandaan sa school para bukas."
"Po?" hindi ko makapaniwalang harap sa pwesto nito. "Kung ganon, bakit kailangan niyo pa po akong dalhin sa meeting place? Hinatid na lang po sana iyong regalo para hindi na makaabala sa inyo."
At isa pa, si Gideon ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit ako pumayag sa lakad na ito! Paano na 'to ngayon? I even paused my review sesh for this sudden plan.
Tuluyan nang bumagsak ang mga balikat ko, malungkot at dismayado.
"Nako, Ma'am. Hindi po ako ang nakakaalam nyan. Pero ang alam ko po, ang nakatatandang kapatid na lang, anila, ang makikipagkita sa inyo para iabot ang regalo sa katayuan ni Sir Gideon. Para na rin po makapagpasalamat at humingi ng pasensiya sa personal."
Nakatatandang kapatid? My brows furrowed as I pursed my lips in confusion.
Would it be Gideon's older brother that he mentioned yesterday or someone else? Wala akong ideya. Hindi ko alam kung ilan silang magkakapatid. Ni wala ako sa posisyon para alamin iyon dahil ultimong bilang ng mga tauhan nila ay hindi ko dapat inaatupag. That would be weird!
Kaya naman, pagkarating sa paboritong patisserie, 'di umano, ni Gideon ay parang awtomatikong nawala ang punyal sa dibdib ko.
I was in awe as I landed my eyes on the picturesque and classic layout of the patisserie shop like it was straight out of Instagram or a French magazine.
The two-story establishment was made from a mixture of glass and brown-toned structures, decorated with potted and climbing plants.
From outside, I could witness the aesthetic lanterns that emit warm lights. When I entered, I was welcomed by the nutty and dreamy aroma of coffee while I walked through the brick pavement. Maging sa loob ay may tamang dami rin ng halaman na matatagpuan sa gilid at maging sa kisame.
Hindi rin papatalo ang counter, syempre, kung saan naka-display ang iba't ibang uri ng delicacy at confectionaries.
Sa katunayan, ito pa lang ata ang unang beses na nakapasok ako sa ganitong lugar na sa Internet ko lang madalas nakikita. Dahil panigurado, bawat isang kagat ko lang ng tinapay rito ay katumbas na ng isang araw kong allowance.
I wish I was just exaggerating my statement because when I did peek at the price of the displays, I almost struggled for oxygen.
What an extravagant liking for your age, little guy!
Minabuti ko na lang na maghanap ng pwesto, kalaunan, at maghintay bago atakihin sa puso.
Quarter to 3 pa lang nang nakarating ako kaya naisip ko, baka darating na rin mayamaya ang nakatatandang kapatid ni Gideon.
Bukod sa pagmumuni-muni sa paligid, ginamit ko ang oras na iyon para makapag-relax. Ipahinga ang isipan ko. Pagpatak ng alas tres, nagsimula na akong mainip.
Hindi nakakatuwa ang mga sulyap ng empleyado. Nagtataka na siguro sila sa pakay ko. Baka isipin nilang pumunta lang ako rito para tumambay kaya unti-unti na rin akong nilamon ng kahihiyan.
It was three twelve when I shifted on my seat because I already started getting uncomfortable.
When the chimes hanging on the entrance created a faint ring, a tall brute wearing a black dress shirt, trousers, and dark gray trench coat entered.
The man came wearing a black wayfarer and cap, too, causing a slight clamor inside the patisserie. I heard reasons for capturing their attention and futile admiration towards the man. But for me, he looked nothing but a suspicious grim reaper carrying a ravishing visual.
Totoong agaw-pansin ang bagong dating na lalaki at mapapasunod ang kahit sino ng tingin para alamin kung sino ito. O kung sino ang swerteng kasama nito kung meron man.
He went straight to the counter to buy something. Then afterward, he claimed products in a to-go paper bag using his left hand and a tray of dine-in coffee and pastries on the other hand. He did all of that effortlessly.
Pinatong ko ang siko sa mesa. Humalumbaba ako.
It appeared to me that he was alone. But when he surveyed the area as if he's looking for his date and halted when our gaze met, he ramped his way toward my direction. That took me by surprise!
Akala ko ay namamalik-mata lang ako. So imagine my shock when the grim ripper put down the paper bag on the table where I was sitting before making himself comfortable in front of me, uninvited.
My lips parted.
Am I dead? Is there a hidden camera somewhere to capture this scene to prank me? Or is my death in the process that's why the grim reaper came to warn me? Oh, no!
"E-Excuse me?" hilaw kong puna sa pag-upo niya.
Ramdam ko pa rin ang mapanuring tingin ng mga tao sa paligid. Kumpara kaninang wala pa ang lalaking ito, nadagdagan sila ngayon.
Teka. Napaisip ako. Ito na ba ang nakatatandang kapatid ni Gideon?
Kaya naman nang nagawa na akong harapin ng lalaki nang ibigay sa akin ang buong atensiyon, napalunok ako sa tanawin.
Saka ko lang tuluyang napansin ang paper bag.
"I believe this is for you."
For some reason, his deep baritone voice was familiar.
My eyes narrowed at him. He was about to speak, probably to point out my creepy stare. But when he sighed in defeat before taking off his shades after a moment, I almost fell from my seat!
Ilang segundo akong natulala. Para akong nakakita ng multo.
Mr. Giovanni put down his shades before folding his arms and leaning forward a bit on the table.
"Ophelia."
The way he called me by my first name served as my wake-up call from reality.
Awtomatiko akong napaatras sa upuan. Halos matulak ko ang lamesa sa tindi ng puwersa ko. What the hell?!
"A-Anong ginagawa mo rito?"
At saka, anong masamang hangin ang pumasok sa kokote nito para tawagin ako bigla sa pangalan ko? Since when did we officially come into terms to be on a first-name basis?!
The way he watched my arms flutter on my sides in panic, he didn't seem to like my reaction.
Bahagya siyang umatras at inangat saglit ang cap para ayusin ang buhok.
Napamulagat ako, lalong nakumpirma na siya nga ang lalaking kaharap.
Crap. Don't tell me-
"I showed up to bring Gideon's gift in his stead. It contains the favorite pastries and cakes of that fellow," Mr. Giovanni enlightened me before crossing his legs as if folding his arms wasn't intimidating enough.
Kumalabog ang puso ko. Sinulyapan ko ang paper bag.
"Sabi ng driver, ang nakatatandang kapatid daw ang... makikipagkita?"
I lost control over my utterances when I realized how stupid that remark was halfway.
"Apparently, I'm his older brother." He craned his neck and threw me around a measuring eye. "Am I not qualified enough? Let me see your criteria."
Hindi ako makapaniwalang napailing. Everything was so hard to process as it was. My head was spinning. I had so many questions!
"You're Mr. Casimir's son as well?"
What are the odds?! Pero hindi ko inaasahan ang kanyang reaksiyon. Very anticlimactic.
His forehead puckered. "Mr. Casimir?"
Familiar tone and confusion. I thought I heard it somewhere. Sa pagkalito ko ay hindi ako nakapagsalita agad.
"By Mr. Casimir, do you mean Gideon?"
"No! His father... Mr. Casimir?" Nakaramdam ako ng hiya nang narinig ang mahina niyang halakhak sa kalagitnaan ng litanya ko. "I thought... Gideon's surname was Casimir. Not Smith..."
My cheeks flushed profusely when realization dawned on me. Paibaba kong binalik ang tingin sa kausap at napakagat ng labi.
"I was wrong, right? 'Casimir' is... Gideon's second name."
"Gideon Casimir Smith," he confirmed.
Parang nasira ang pandinig ko.
Giovanni Clark. Guillen Cassidy. Gideon Casimir. Now it makes sense. Their name patterns!
I had no idea that 'Casimir' was actually Gideon's second name all this time. That explained the reaction of his father when I addressed him as 'Mr. Casimir'! Nakakahiya!
What are the odds that the lost boy I bumped into yesterday was actually Mr. Giovanni's younger brother?! Is this karma?
"So you're actually... three siblings in the family?" Nagawa ko pa talagang itanong iyon!
"Why?" Mr. Giovanni suddenly probed, intent eyes weighing me. "Are we on more personal terms now?"
"That's not what I-"
"Because I don't mind."
Kumunot ang noo ko. "What?"
"Let's call off this pointless cold war, Ophelia," he said while sporting a gravely authoritative look. "No need to keep each other at arm's length."
Napakurap-kurap ako, pilit inuunawa ang suhestiyon niya.
"Why are you suddenly bringing this up? Aren't you the one who asked for it?"
Please enlighten me. He was the one who brought up the need to take a break from each other's businesses, right? It went well until the party he hosted happened. I couldn't trust this man. But at the back of my head, I knew I shouldn't put all the blame on him.
This friction that tormented me mentally and emotionally for the past few days commenced on our first anniversary. O doon nga lang ba talaga, Riz?
Isa pa, hindi ko pa rin nakakalimutan ang mga pakulo ng kaharap sa party kamakailan.
I was just working on something else right now, but I intended on confronting him about it. Hindi nga lang ganito kaaga.
Dumaan ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin. Nanatili lang itong nakatitig, tila may malalim na iniisip. Kaya naman nang gapangan na ng iritasyon at pagkailang, inabot ko ang paper bag upang silipin sana ang mga laman noon.
Ngunit sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, muli siyang nagbitaw ng mga salitang hindi ko inaasahang maririnig mula sa kanya.
"He was cheating on you for half a year now."
Nabitin sa ere ang mga kamay ko, handa na sanang buksan ang paper bag.
For a second, I thought my hearing was impaired. There was no way we were taking this road again.
But when I looked at him, dumbfounded, his brooding face matched the tenacity of his language.
I knew deep in my heart that he might mean every word of his statement. However, I returned the same look to him. Humor was no longer evident on my face.
"It's none of your business."
"I'm willing to negotiate," he fired back.
Nagtiim ang bagang ko sa namumuong iritasyon at kontrol na pinagsama.
Pumikit ako. Huminga nang malalim bago muling tinignan ang kaharap.
"Kung meron man kaming dapat pag-usapan, kami lang dapat ang gumagawa ng paraan para ayusin ito." Umiwas ako ng tingin. "Your accusation won't work on me. I'll be the judge of that."
"Why are you stalling then?" He finally sipped his coffee.
I scoffed, watching him with sharp eyes. "What are you getting at?"
"You are rather invested, yet inefficient, for someone who's preparing to reconcile and fix a relationship," Mr. Giovanni then quietly watched himself put down the cup on its coaster. "Unless you're gathering evidence, Ophelia, to take a surefire way of ending the relationship."
Kumalabog ang dibdib ko. Pakiramdam ko, isang maling galaw lang ay mailalaglag ko ang sarili; mababasa niya ang pinaplano ko.
Everything he said was correct. There was no denying it.
"Nonsense," was all I could say at first and looked away. "Kung ano man ang pinili kong solusyon, labas na ang kahit sino. Lalo ka na."
"Exactly the reason why I wanted to conclude the pointless hide-and-seek with you, Ophelia."
"Can we cut to the chase? You didn't come here and meet me to simply send Gideon's present on his behalf. You're up to something, aren't you?"
Nanatili siyang nakatitig, walang senyales na balak niyang magsalita. Bumuntong-hininga ako.
"'Yung ginawa niya sa party ni Ate Yvonne. At ang pagpapapunta mo sa akin sa after party para sunduin si Yves, suot ang... malaswang damit." Tinantya ko ang kanyang ekspresyon. "Everything was planned and connected. You were the one pulling the strings."
I didn't see any glimpse of a reaction from him. Imbes ay nagawa pa nitong sumimsim sa kanyang kape. Kalaunan ay tinakpan ang kanyang bibig na tila may malalim na iniisip.
During the time I've known him, I seemed to familiarize myself with that strange expression. He would do that in a situation like this. As if he was thinking of an excuse or a plan.
"Take my word when I say Lozano's been unfaithful to you."
He made it sound easy and he was testing my patience.
Napailing ako. "I have no proof."
A proud smile put a curve on Mr. Giovanni's lips.
"I will give you evidence. One that's beyond unreasonable doubt."
That's it. This fucking ends here! I'm out of here!
"Pwes, hindi ko kailangan ang tulong mo."
Mabilis kong dinampot ang paper bag at akmang tatayo na. Hindi ko na kayang sikmurain ang usapang ito. I couldn't stand the man any longer who would never admit his wrongdoings nor expose himself!
Pero bumebwelo pa lamang akong tumayo nang biglang may tumigil sa gilid ng table namin.
Pagkalingon, isang balot na balot na estranghero ang tumambad sa akin, palipat-lipat ang tingin sa amin ng kaharap.
"What are you doing here?" tanong ni Mr. Giovanni sa bagong dating na babae nang tila nakilala sa kabila ng balot na kasuotan.
"I think you got it backward. I should be the one asking you that. Why are you here?" balik nito ng tanong sabay lipat ng tingin sa paper bag. "Wasn't I supposed to giv-"
"With that over-elaborated getup? Spare yourself from trouble. Please," Mr. Giovanni cut her off before she could finish her sentence.
"Excuse me? You're one to talk!"
That's suspicious. They seemed closer than I thought. Sa kung anong rason, pamilyar din sa akin ang boses ng babae sa kabila ng kakaiba nitong ayos.
Who is this? I was way too exhausted to deal with two weirdos!
Wearing a white cap, shades, white mask, white hoody, and sweatpants, the strange woman looked up when Mr. Giovanni towered over her. Nauna pa itong tumayo sa akin!
"Oh, because you know her? Now that I remember, she's from Mackenzie, too!"
Mr. Giovanni pressed his nose bridge before wearing his wayfarer.
As they stood next to each other, they looked like a celebrity couple out in the open for a secret rendezvous.
Gulong-gulo na ako. Saka ko lang natanto ang atensiyong nakukuha nila nang napasilip sa paligid. I hid my face.
"You know I despise to be seen with you. Wherever you go, scandal follows." There was a faint accent of reproach in Mr. Giovanni's voice.
Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa dalawang balot na balot sa harap ko ngayon.
I sensed the woman's urge to resist, but Mr. Giovanni held her arm before glancing at me. That made her shut up.
"Training room tomorrow. Seven AM," he spoke as he adjusted his cap because the girl beside him whacked it. "I will make myself useful while you deal with Lozano."
"W-What? I said I don't need-"
"You're welcome." Mr. Giovanni turned his back dismissively and pulled the woman with him.
"Wait! That's so cheesy," I heard the anonymous woman chuckle in a distance.
Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. I watched them left the patisserie together, leaving me disoriented as hell.
What the heck just happened? Did he expect me to meet him up tomorrow at school as if a year of ignoring each other never happened?
Natagpuan ko ang kaparehong SUV na naghatid sa akin dito, hinihintay ako sa tapat ng establisyimento para ihatid ulit.
Frustrated kong sinikop ang buhok at napaungot nang tuluyang nadama ang pagod.
Inangat ko ang hawak na paper bag.
I remembered Gideon and their father to be good men. But the older son?
Dismayado akong umiling habang patungo sa kanilang sasakyan.
December 5, 2022
#GCSeries1