━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
and the mayhem
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Another day passed, and another, then another, until almost three weeks had gone. In those three weeks, our cycle went on; eat, go out together, go home, cook, and sleep together sometimes. Novan and I had unbelievably gone closer - something I didn't expect, to be honest.
He had a really big change during those days as well. He's smiling often and he's even laughing at the most senseless jokes there is! Halos malayong-malayo sa Novan na una kong nakilala at 'yung pasyenteng hindi ko sinukuan.
Now that I look back to the past, his changes are just astounding. And my heart flutters at the thought that he is finally making it.
"I told Mama that you need to rest, but she insisted for you to come." Novan groaned while driving to White Plains - the villa where Tita Selene appointed us to come for dinner.
Dumating daw kasi ang ama nina Novan kaya ganu'n at may sorpresa rin daw sa'kin si Tita Selene.
"It's fine," I chuckled, "You know I wouldn't say 'no' to your mom's request."
I saw him scoff, "Aren't you tired from our trip yesterday?"
Nilingon niya ako saglit bago binalik ang tingin sa daan. I expressed my refusal then. Umiling ako sakanya. Simpleng pagliwaliw sa clubhouse area ng Mivida lang naman ang ginawa namin kahapon. May mga cafe at iilang stall pala sa Mivida galing sa small businesses ng mga taga-roon. Mayro'n ding pool in which the clubhouse is exclusive for kaya naisipan naming bisitahin kahapon.
"I'm guessing my father planned this dinner. And knowing Mama, she will introduce you to him," He said seriously tsaka niya ako saglit na binalingan ulit, "I hope he won't intimidate you."
Ngumisi ako, "Not in the least, Nov. I wasn't even intimidated by you. What more when it's your father?"
I saw him shrug then he stirred the wheel sideways, towards where White Plains is. Pinanood ko naman sa bintana ang mga bahay na naglalakihan at ang iilang residenteng naglalakad sa gilid ng daan.
Iisipin ko pa sana ang patungkol sa ama ni Novan pero inagaw na ng lugar ang atensyon ko.
White Plains is a high-end villa like what I expected. The houses screamed luxury and class. Novan said this is where her Mother used to live, which became a vacation house when they stayed outside of the country. Ngayon lang 'ata nila babalikan dahil sa paanyaya ng ina nilang maghapunan.
"Solace..."
"Hm?" Napatingin ako sakanya.
"There's the place." Giya niya sa isang medyo puti at malaking bahay na tulad ng bahay ko sa Mivida ay napapalibutan ng berdeng halamanan.
I gaped at the sight of it, lalo na sa malapitan. Hindi 'ata kasi simpleng bahay itong vacation house nila. It's a mansion with cream motif that contrasts perfectly with the green lawn.
Hula ko pa ay hanggang tatlong palapag ang bahay dahil sa mga bintana. It's not modern-themed pero elegante ang bahay tulad ng mga nadaanan namin. What made it entrancing is the orange sky while the sun is setting down.
"Should we go?" Novan gave me a half-smile after parking my Camaro. Tumango ako pero kinakabahan pa rin.
Inayos ko rin muna ang suot na dark red tie-back sundress. Nagd-dalawang-isip pa ako lalo na't hindi ako sigurado kung tama ba 'tong suot ko, but Novan assured me that it's fine.
Pinadalhan kasi siya ng suit ng ina niya. Ako naman ay papadalhan din sana pero tumanggi ako lalo na't sobrang mahal ng dress na nais ipadala ni Tita Selene.
Still, I made sure I'll look classy and casual in this dark red tieback sundress na pinares ko sa isang three-inch cigarette heel. I curled my wavy hair more and tied it in a bohemian bun lalo na't 'yun lang ang alam kong hairstyle. Papak din ako sa jewelry kasi formal dinner ang gaganapin.
I calmed myself down then. Kinuha ko ang pouch ko bago buksan ang pinto na sa gulat ko ay kusang bumukas. Novan opened it up kaya napangiti na lang ako bago lumabas.
Sabay kaming pumasok ng bahay pagkatapos. Isang malalim at tahimik na buntong-hininga nanaman ang nailabas ko nang makita ang malinis at malamig na looban. Mukha kasing kahit living room lang ay may aircon sila.
"I'll check the premises first. Can you stay here for a bit?" Novan smiled before he turned his back.
Hindi pa man ako nakakatango ay seryoso na siyang umalis at animo'y may dapat munang gawin. Nagtataka man ay hinayaan ko siya.
I stayed at the entrance like what he said, but it didn't last soon out of the sheer curiosity I felt when I heard familiar laughter echoing around the place.
Lumapit ako sa may pader na nagbubukod sa sala nila at main door atsaka tinignan sino ang nag-uusap-usap.
Agad akong natigilan nang makita ang mga taong nakaupo sa may couch at nag-uusap. Nando'n si Dr. Morales, Dr. Vania, at ang iilang board members ng IMI kasama ang nga hindi ko kilalang kalalakihan.
Luckily, I recognized Dr. Vania. After all, she is Dr. Selene's greatest companion and the one who commended my determination. In IMI's branch in Austria, she is the woman of courage - the doctor who doesn't let corruption seeped through her eyes. Kaya rin kami nagkasundo ay dahil do'n at sa nangyari noon sa pasyente ko.
Hawak-hawak ang wine niya ay simpleng pagbasa ng libro lang ang ginagawa niya sa pang-isahang couch. Dr. Morales and the board members on the other hand are talking altogether. She's not joining their conversation, she seemed uninterested in doing so.
Napatingin ulit ako sa mga nag-uusap. I felt my hand turn colder, but I calmed myself down. Hindi ko man alam bakit sila nandito ay tinabayan ko ang loob at piniling hintayin si Novan.
"Tita Vaniaaa!"
Napakurap ako at sa muli ay napatingin sa isang babaeng nakatube dress na pula't tumakbo mula sa loob ng bahay. Nilapitan niya si Dr. Vania at bumeso sa doktora na maliit na ngiti lang ang isinagot.
I stiffened. My heartbeat raced when I saw her wide smile and the way she flipped her hair, even the way she was welcomed by the other visitors and board members. Questions filled my mind, confusion bottled inside me, and my body wasn't able to react to the mere presence of her.
Freya Solomon... what the hell is she doing here?
Nagsimula akong kabahan. Tinanong ko ang sarili anong ginagawa niya rito, kung inimbitahan ba siya ni Tita Selene o kung ano bang nangyari at komportable lang siyang nagliliwaliw sa loob ng bahay ni Tita Selene. Pero sa lahat ng tanong ko ay wala akong may nakuhang sagot.
"Who are you?"
"Ah!"
Muntikan na ako mapatalon sa gulat dahil sa nagsalita sa likod ko. Nanlalaki ang matang napatingin ako sa lalaking medyo may katandaan ngunit malakas ang tikas na nakatingin sa'kin. He was familiar, but I couldn't decipher much.
Kitang-kita ko pa ang pagkunot ng noo niya nang makita niya ako pero hindi ro'n napunta ang tingin ko. I was too focused on his huge figure and unbelievably familiar face.
Nakasuot siya ng suit. May katandaan man ay halata ang tikas niya sa postura. Hindi ko alam kung bisita rin ba siya o ano pero ang alam ko lang ay pamilyar siya. His other eye even has a large vertical scar and it made him scarier to the point na hindi agad ako nakasagot hanggang sa inulit niya ang tanong.
"Who are you, young lady?" His voice was thunder-like, frightening and too baritone.
I blinked simultaneously before bowing, my hands are quivering at his presence.
"I-I was invited for dinner by Dr. Selene Canzar, Sir. I'm Dr. Solace Cerilla," I tried to sound formal.
"She invited you?" It was like a question to himself, "Pardon me for not recognizing. I just arrived, young lady."
"I-it's okay, Sir." I bowed lightly.
"Come inside. I'm guessing dinner will be held after their forum." Aniya.
Nakagat ko ang loob ng labi nang naging kaswal ang pananalita niya at iginiya niya pa ako papasok. Hindi ko na natuloy ang pagsunod sa sinabi ni Novan dahil sa lalaking may katandaan na nagpapasok sa'kin.
I bowed again before entering. And as I expected, most eyes went to us when we entered. Most of it just went to me. Gaya rin 'ata sa mga telenovela ay nagbulungan ang iba sakanila't nagkatinginan na animo'y hindi inaasahan ang nakikita. Nanatili silang tahimik pero halata ang gulat sa mata.
Nang pasimple ko namang nilingon ang matanda sa likod ko ay wala na siya ro'n at prente na lang na naglakad paalis, bagay na mas lalong nagpakaba sa'kin. What the hell? Who is he? Why did nobody pay attention to him?
"Ija!" Dr. Vania was the first to react. Malapad ang ngiti niyang sinara ang libro't nilagpasan si Freya na gulat pa ring nakatingin sa'kin.
Iniwan ko ang tingin kay Freya. Ngumiti ako at piniling salubungin din ng yakap si Dr. Vania. Bumeso kami sa isa't-isa at kapansin-pansin kung papaano napatiim-bagang si Freya sa reaksyon ni Dr. Vania sa'kin.
I'm guessing she didn't expect me here as well as the fondness that Dr. Vania showed? I don't know anymore! Tuod na tuod ako rito!
"Red is your absolute color!" Dr. Vania freaked out, "You look gorgeous, ija!"
"Coming from you, Dr. Vania?" I teased as we both laughed.
I tried to calm down despite the stares I got. Dr. Vania never changed. She's still fantastically intimidating and beautiful with her black dress and absolutely bold red lipstick. And as usual, she is outgoing to those she likes and uninterested to those she doesn't care about.
"You really are a flutterer!" She pinched my side, "I missed your presence in Austria though. You certainly need to go back!"
I chuckled and was about to answer when another call of my name perturbed my attention. Parehong naming nilingon 'yun.
"Dr. Cerilla! Ija!" Tita Selene exclaimed, malapad ang ngiti niya habang papalapit sa'kin. She's wearing a formal wrap dress and a sandal. Nasa likod niya rin si Novan na seryoso ang tingin sa mga bisita sa gilid.
I swallowed a limp when I saw him glare at the visitors. Sa kabila ng nakita ay pinili kong ngumiti sa ina niya, "Tita!"
"Oh my god! You look absolutely stunning!" Tita Selene gaped at me bago ako niyakap nang mahigpit at binesuhan din.
Ramdam ko namang dumeretso si Novan sa gilid ko at sa gulat ko ay mabilis pero maingat na hinawakan niya ang kamay kong nanlalamig. The warmth of his hand embraced the coldness of my palm, immediately sending my thoughts to both chaos and peace. Holy... what is he doing...?
"Y-you're one to talk, Tita!" I kept my composure pero nawala 'yun nang makita ko ang simpleng pagngisi ni Tita Selene at Dr. Vania nang makita kung papaanong hinawakan ni Novan ang kamay ko!
Pasimple kong winaksi ang kamay kong hawak niya pero hinigpitan niya lang ang hawak do'n. Takang-taka na ako pero hindi niya talaga binitawan!
Alanganin akong napatingin sakanya but much to my surprise, he just crouched down to the side of my head! And I stiffened! In front of all of them! I heard gasps but I wasn't able to move at all!
"Your hand is shaking. Calm down, Solace." He whispered, his hot breathe oozed in my ear, sending shudders inside me.
Nahigit ko ang hininga. Napatingin ako sakanya na malumanay lang na ngumiti at pinisil ulit ang kamay kong hawak niya. Doon ko lang napagtantong nanginginig nga ang kamay ko.
Napakurap ako, "Why are y-?"
"You're obviously nervous. But don't worry about anything else," He whispered with such softness, "We came here to dine with my family. Not them."
I bit the insides of my lip when he looked back at the people on the couch.
"Novan, that's not-."
"While the dinner is still preparing! Can I trouble to invite Antonov and Dr. Solace here? We'll talk about life!" Dr. Vania smirked at me.
"That's a good thing! Puntahan ko na lang din si Monova. Ewan ko ba sa matandang 'yun at bakit late pa siya sa'tin!" Tita Selene rolled her eyes before leaving with a grin on her face, ganu'n din si Dr. Vania na iginiya kami sa ibang bisita.
Nakagat ko ang loob ng labi pero hindi ako nakahindi na sumama. Ganu'n din si Novan na mukhang hinintay ang sagot ko bago rin pumayag na sumama kami sa usapan nilang lahat sa couch.
As I took a seat with Novan beside me, I felt the absolute tension of the stares from all of them. What just made me confident is the stare I'm getting from Freya, the glares she's secretly showing at the sight of Novan holding my hand. She's wary and jealous, obviously.
Palihim naman akong napatingin sa kamay kong hawak ni Novan. Ramdam ko pa rin ang panlalamig ng palad ko pero sa init ng palad ni Novan ay parang natunaw 'yun. And I admit, it's making my heart flutter. So I let it stay that way until Dr. Vania broke the silence.
"So, how was everyone at work? I'm sorry I wasn't listening a while ago. I was kind of uninterested." She smiled widely, her boldness absolutely seeped through. Kung hindi ko nakagat ang labi ay baka natawa ako.
"Everyone is prosperous, of course! Especially Freya who yet again treated another red-coded patient in a span of two weeks!" Dr. Morales clapped her hands, ganu'n din ang ibang board members na manghang tumingin kay Freya.
Freya just smirked at me of all people. Itinaas niya rin ang noo pero isang ngiti lang ang isinagot ko bago sumabay sa palakpakan - something that made her eyebrow cinched.
I almost raised my brow at her. Siya na nga 'tong pinalakpakan sa determinasyon niya pero bakit parang hindi niya pa nagustuhan 'yun?
"How about you, Dr. Solace? Any accomplishments during your disappearance? Baka wala?" Dr. Morales turned to me and just like always, she's trying to bring me down again.
Hindi ko tuloy naiwasang maisip anong problema sa'kin ng doktora na 'to at bakit nandito siya. Did Dr. Selene invited her? Or was it someone else? Because she's absolutely getting on my guts!
"Nothing of some sort. I stayed in my house in the meantime to rest from work." I tried to smile.
"Are you and Antonov together?" One of the board members asked while smiling. As far as I know, he's Sean Denuevo, one of Dr. Canzar's esteemed board member in IMI.
I was about to answer but then Novan chuckled.
"Think of us as what you think it is." He said, making me petrified on my seat.
What the hell is he doing giving them false hope like that?
Kitang-kita kung paano nanlilisik na napatingin sa'kin si Freya. Ganu'n din si Dr. Morales na halos hindi makapaniwala.
I almost shrieked in irritation because of that.
"But I thought Freya and him were engaged?" Tanong naman ng isa pang matandang babae.
Novan shrugged, "I never agreed. I admit, I made excuses so I can't marry her. Why would I even marry someone I don't love?"
Napanganga si Freya sa narinig. Nanatili namang tahimik ang ilang board members at mga kaibigan ko from Austria. They look bemused at what's happening, contrary to me who's confused... and surprised.
I don't get what this is for. Is this... the forum that that man talked about? How am I related to this then?
"On whose mouth did it even come from that they're engaged? As far as I know, Antonov never agreed for a marriage. Dr. Canzar confirmed it herself." Dr. Vania smirked.
"Did it came from rumors? What a pity. Not everybody's mouth can be trusted. Every mouth has a story version they're exaggerating," Ngisi pa niya, "Right, Freya?"
I stayed quiet because that's partially true except that I know what's happening. It was a setup for Novan to make Freya fall for his lies, an act to make them step closer to Dr. Canzar's trap. So they can be caught.
"That's not true! Anton just confirmed that he wasn't treated yet! Kaya siya nagpagamot sa babaeng 'yan at dinelay ang kasal dapat namin!" Napatayo si Freya at dinuro ako pero gaya kanina ay wala akong may ginawa kung hindi tignan lang siya.
"My my..." Dr. Sean stood up, "I came here to know in advance who Dr. Selene chose as the next Medical Doctor of IMI. Not to listen to these childish tantrums."
Somebody laughed then. Napatingin tuloy kaming lahat kay Dr. Selene sa may staircase. She was laughing as she came to us pagkatapos ay malapad ang ngiting hinawakan ang balikat ko.
"You are too excited when it's too early!" Tita Selene pat my shoulder, "But this lady right here, Denuevo," She chuckled, "Dr. Solace Cerilla. She's who I chose."