CHAPTER TWELVE
BEFORE she's going to meet Zacariel, Yelena decided to talk to her brother. She was waiting for the right time to approach him because he seemed very busy. Palagi itong wala sa mansyon. Russo spend most of his time in quarry while their father is the one that does paperworks.
"Kuya! Sasama ako sayo."
Hinabol ni Yelena ang kapatid na pasakay na sa Navara. Russo paused, then looked at her.
"I'm going to Pampanga, Yelena."
That's where their biggest quarrying and mining located. They also have one closer to town and also they have in Bulacan.
"I wanna go. Wala akong gagawin dito."
Nang tumango ang kapatid, impit siyang napatili. Pumasok ito sa driver's side at siya naman ay tumakbo palapit sa front passenger seat. Kaya lang, naka-lock 'yon.
Russo motioned his sister at the back seat.
"Can't I seat there?" reklamo niya nang makapasok na sa loob ng sasakyan.
"May kasama ako."
"Sino naman?"
Hindi siya nito sinagot. He passed their drive way before she saw his phone lit for a new message. At dahil medyo magalaw ang sasakyan, hindi niya rin makita kung sino ang kausap ng kapatid.
Iyon ang araw na sasabihin niya sa Kuya Russo niya ang napag-usapan ng magulang nila at ng lolo. Ilang oras ang byahe sa Pampanga, kaya tiyak na magagawa niya ang plano. But when the pick-up stopped at the bus station, made her curious.
"What are we going to do here?"
"I'm here," Russo said on the other line.
Maya-maya lang ay nakita niya ang magandang babae na palapit sa sinasakyan nila.
Bumaba ang bintana ng driver's side. When the woman saw her brother, she gulped.
"Hi!" she greeted the woman when she hop in front passenger seat.
Nagulat pa ito na naroon siya.
"Hello!"
"That's Yelena, my sister," her brother introduced her.
"I'm Freja," inilahad nito ang kamay sa kanya na magaan niya namang tinanggap.
"Are you working in quarry?" she inquired.
Russo looked at her through the rear view mirror. She just smiled sweetly at her brother.
"No. She's not our employee." Ang Kuya niya ang sumagot.
"Fresh graduate," Freja said with honesty.
"Okay. Are you looking for a job?"
"Yes."
"Office work?"
"I'd like to be in field."
"Kaya ka isinama ni Kuya?" makahulugan niyang tanong.
Freja smiled awkwardly. "I just want to know how quarrying and mining works."
Lumipas na ang dalawang oras pero hindi niya na makuha pang kausapin ang Kuya Russo niya dahil na rin kasama nila si Freja. Tahimik din pareho ang dalawa na para bang hindi masabi ang mga gusto dahil naroon siya.
That was the first time she saw her brother being with a woman. Marami ang mga balita na nagkaka-girlfriend ito o may mga babaeng nalilink dito, pero wala naman ni isang pinapakilala sa kanila ang Kuya niya. Kahit sa kanya man lang. Siguro dahil wala rin saysayy kung ipakilala nila sa pamilya ang boyfriend o girlfriend dahil hindi rin naman magtatagal ay sa iba sila ipapakasal.
They are already in expressway when her iphone vibrated for a message.
From: Santi
Where are you?
Yelena typed a reply quickly.
To: Santi
We are on our way to Pampanga. I'm with Kuya and his secret girlfriend, I think. Why?
From: Santi
I'm bored. Ayain sana kitang mag golf. Kailan ka babalik? Maganda ang girlfriend ni Kuya Russo?
Ngumiti siya at napatingin kay Freja.
One thing that she noticed when she saw the woman is her caramel skin tone. It looked sexy already. Her hair is dark natural brown which she can only see mostly with Latinas. She doesn't look like pure Filipina though.
To: Santi
Kuya has a taste. That's all I can say.
From: Santi
Take a photo of her. I wanna see!
She don't want to do that, but she wants Santi to see Freja too. Pasimple niyang kinuhanan ito ng litrato kahit na hindi naman masyado makita ang buong mukha. Tapos ay isinend niya 'yon sa kaibigan.
From: Santi
She looks familiar. Ano name?
To: Santi
Freja.
She sent it and then read Zacariel's new message.
From: Zac
I'll buy here and give it to you.
Uminit ang pisngi niya nang mabasa ang huling conversation nila.
She told him that she wanted to take birth control pills. She's happy that he supports her with that. Kahit na hindi naman sila palaging magkasama, gusto niya pa rin makasiguro na hindi siya mabubuntis. She will be really a disgrace to her family if she got pregnant by a man that is not the one her family chose for her.
To: Zac
Thank you. We are on our way to Pampanga. I'm with Kuya Russo. Are you going to have a meeting with Francha?
Like usual, Zacariel doesn't reply immediately most of the time and she have learned to deal with it. Palagi niyang pinapaalalahanan ang sarili na abala ang nobyo sa trabaho kaya hindi makapag-reply palagi sa messages niya.
He would always call at night though. Minsan naman ay video call. Tuwing gabi ito mas may oras sa kanya. Palagi siyang may ngiti sa labi bago matulog dahil nakausap niya si Zacariel.
From: Santi
Freja Artemis?
Yelena doesn't have idea. Ayaw niya naman magtanong kay Freja. Nag reply nalang siya kay Santi na hindi niya alam.
Their quarrying and mining in Pampanga is the one that known in the country. It didn't really interest her but she's proud to see it in person again. They have a lot of workers too.
Naiwan sila ni Freja sa opisina ng kapatid niya dahil kailangan nitong kausapin ang iba pang namamahala roon.
Sa malayong harap ay tanaw niya ang maraming hollow blocks, buhangin at sa kabilang dako ay mga tipak na malalaking bato galing sa pinagbubungkalan. There are also big trucks and backhoes.
"Are you my brother's girlfriend?" Yelena broke the silence in the room.
Mabilis na umiling si Freja. "No. We are just f-friend."
"Hindi nakikipagkaibigan si Kuya Russo sa mga babae. Kung hindi ka niya girlfriend, fling ka niya kung gano'n?"
Freja's lips parted a bit. She was shocked with her words.
"If you know my family, you are also aware with our tradition."
"I am aware of that, Miss Yelena."
Umayos siya ng pagkakaupo sa swivel chair. Sa harap niya naman ay si Freja na hindi komportable sa tila pag-i-interrogate niya.
"Even if you're in love with my brother, it will be useless. Dahil magpapakasal lang siya sa babaeng pinili ng magulang namin para sa kanya."
"I'm not in love with Russo."
For some reason, it disappointed her that Freja was not in love with her brother.
"But do you like him?"
Freja avoided her gaze. Napalunok ito.
"You know, I already liked someone else. Honestly, I think I am in love with him," bumalik ang tingin ni Freja sa kanya. "Kahit na alam kong iba ang gusto ng magulang ko para sa akin, ipinagpatuloy ko pa rin ang relasyon namin."
Ngumiti siya upang ipaalam sa kausap na ayos lang naman siya at kaya niya ang sarili kahit pa gano'n ang sitwasyon niya.
"But I don't lost hope, Freja. He's just lucky that they are rich, he can negotiate with my parents for me to marry him instead of the random guy my parents chose for me."
"At kung hindi mayaman? Walang prebilehiyo?"
"Sadly, yes. Poor people are lacked of privileges."
Tumango-tango ito na para bang naiintindihan ang sinabi niya at tinanggap nalang ang katotohanan na 'yon.
"if my brother told you that he's in love with you, believe him."
May bahid na pait sa maliit na ngiti nito.
"There's no use, right? Kahit pa sino sa amin ang nagmamahal, wala rin namang silbi 'yon dahil sa iba naman siya nakalaan."
"Habang wala pang napipili para sa kanya, pwede pa kayong magmahalan."
Ano ba itong sinasabi niya? Hindi ba dapat ay i-discourage niya? Dahil gusto niyang ang Kuya niya ang magpakasal muna sa iba? Bakit itinutulak niya pa si Freja na ipaglaban ang kapatid niya? Kahit na alam niyang hindi iyon magugustuhan ng pamilya niya.
"I don't think he's in love," Freja chuckled. "It was not love... for him."
"Ano lang?"
Umiling ito. "Kalimutan mo na lang ang sinabi ko."
"But you two are a thing, right?"
"You can tell that," natawa ito at para bang nahihiya na iyon ang topic nila.
Yelena rested her back on the swivel chair.
"Freja, I don't really know you, but I kinda like you for my brother. But, if you continue this, please bear with the consequences. My family is..." she sighed in dismay. "You know, they will be against with your relationship with my brother."
"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind. How about you? Hmm, your relationship with the guy that you're in love with, is secret?"
"Only a secret to my family. Santi, my friend, knows about it. And you. Nauna mo pa ngang nalaman kaysa kay Kuya Russo."
"I'll keep that a secret too."
"Do you want to know who's the guy?"
Freja smiled more. "Sure. If you want to tell me."
"It's Zacariel Guerrera."
Nanlaki ang mga mata nito at namangha.
Yelena smiled proudly. "He's my secret boyfriend."
Dumating ang staff na may dalang juice and snacks for them kaya nahinto ang pag-uusap nila. Hindi na rin nasundan dahil bumalik ang Kuya Russo niya.
"We need to stay for one night," he informed them.
Pareho sila ng reaksyon ni Freja. Halatang hindi inaasahan na gano'n ang mangyayari.
"I don't have extra clothes, Kuya."
"Ako rin," Freja mouthed at Russo.
"Go shop with Freja," then he pulled out his wallet from the pocket of his pants.
Yelena giggled. Tumayo siya agad at kinuha ang black card na inabot ng kapatid.
"Where are we going to stay, Kuya? I want to be alone in my suite."
"Mira will book the hotel."
Freja gave Russo a small smile before they left his office.
Hinatid sila sa Mall ng isa sa staff gamit ang ibang sasakyan.
Noong una ay nahihiya pa si Freja na pumili ng damit dahil mahal daw ang mga naroon pero para sa kanya ay hindi naman.
"It's cheap. Come on, Freja. We will use my brother's card. Okay lang 'yan."
After they bought what they need, they eat at the fine dining restaurant.
"We are rich, but my parents never spoil me. I don't really have money aside from my allowances. Kay Kuya lang ako humihingi."
Sa hotel sila dumeretso at nag check in.
"Are you going to sleep with him?" she asked Freja.
Nalito ito at tinignan na dalawang suite lang ang naka-book!
"Ha? H-hindi ko alam. I'll ask him."
Hinayaan niyang tawagan nito ang Kuya Russo niya. Nang bumalik si Freja, nakasimangot na ito.
"Anong sabi?"
"Fully book daw."
"So, sa kanya ka matutulog?" medyo natutuwa niyang sinabi. "You are both adult! My brother is gentleman, Freja."
The woman only sigh.
Sa sumunod din na araw ay umuwi sila. Sabay-sabay silang nag almusal at napansin niya na sobrang tahimik ni Freja. She also can't stand a long eye to eye contact with her brother.
Sa bus station nila ibinaba ang dalaga. Nang sila nalang ng Kuya niya sa sasakyan, hindi niya na napigilan ang pagiging kyoryosa.
"Do you like her?"
He glanced at her through the rear view mirror, but he didn't speak.
"She likes you, I think. Or maybe she's in love with you."
He's still unresponsive.
"But Kuya, she will only get hurt in the end."
"It's not your problem, Yelena."
"Alam mo ba kung bakit ako sumama sayo? Gusto kitang paki-usapan na pumayag nang magpakasal sa iba para hindi na ako ang pilitin nila mommy," mapait na sambit niya. "But now that I felt like you like Freja, it will be hard for you to marry someone else. Paano naman ako..."
"You have Zacariel."
Nag angat siya ng tingin dito. "Paano mo nalaman?"
"He probably already knew what to do. So, stop being dramatic, Yelena."
She stomped her foot and pursed her lips.
"I am not being dramatic, Kuya. Paano kung hindi pumayag sila mommy na si Zacariel ang pakasalan ko? At paano ako nakakasiguro na gusto niya akong pakasalan?"
Zacariel never told her that he wants to marry her.
"If he don't have plan to marry you, then dump him."
Mariin siyang pumikit. Parang nadagdagan ang problema niya.
"Yelena, if a man really liked you, he will conquer everything. If he couldn't do that, he was not the one. Believe me."
"But, you won't really change your mind of marrying a woman that our parents choose for you?"
"I was clear about that ever since."
"Kahit na magalit sila sayo, Kuya? Kahit na itakwil ka nila?"
Russo smirked. "I don't want you to be a bad girl, but Yelena, don't let them meddle with your relationship. Fuck their tradition. I would say."
That's a boost to her confidence. She really admired her brother's audacity and braveness to break their family's tradition. If only she could do that, she would.
Weekend came and she's more than excited. Pinayagan na rin siya ng mommy niya na manatili sa Hacienda Guerrera.
Doña Zarita welcomed her with open arms.
"Hija, I missed you. Really. Akala ko hindi ka na babalik pa rito."
"Mahirap po na hindi bumalik sa Hacienda. Napakaganda po rito at mababait ang mga tao."
"Zacariel will be home tonight. I don't know if that's a coincidence or not."
Yelena have Doña Zarita a shy smile.
They are new to their relationship and they don't decide yet if when they gonna tell to his family about it. Sa pamilya niya kasi, malabo iyon. Unless, Zacariel make a way for her parents to give her permission to have a boyfriend that is not the one she's going to marry.
Pakiramdam niya ay malabo pa rin sa kanya kung ano talaga ang mga plano ni Zacariel sa kanilang dalawa. He seemed like he don't really give a damn with her family's tradition. Alam naman nito na mawawalan ng saysay ang relasyon nila sa oras na ikasal siya sa iba.
Paulit-ulit niya nalang bang iisipin ang tradisyon nila? Bakit hindi niya nalang samantalahin ang mga araw na malaya siya at kasama si Zacariel?
Yelena took a cold shower that night. Zacariel arrived and they going to see each other at the roof top of the mansion. She's wearing a light weight summer dress with thin straps.
Her heart pounded when she saw him expertly doing a stroke back and forth. The muscles on his back and arms moved violently in every stretch.
And when he reached the edge, he's gasping as he rested his arms near the gutter.
She smiled at him and sat at the wooden chair. She don't want to get wet, kaya pinili niyang hintayin ito roon.
Umahon ito sa pool. He's tall and his vigorous built is making every girls drool. From his wide chest, ripped stomach, strong hairy legs, then he, himself, every thing is eye catching.
He got the towel next to the chair near her, then he crouched his head for a kiss on the lips.
Kinagat niya ang labi nang maramdaman ang tila nga paru-paru na nagliliparan sa loob ng kanyang tiyan.
He's drying himself in front of her. She felt so blessed to watch Zacariel Guerrera freely. Pakiramdam niya ay abot kamay niya na ang noon ay pangarap lang.
"What's on your mind? Hmm?" he raised his brow.
Pinagdikit niya ang mga labi. She's hoping that he didn't notice that she's happy seeing him.
Zacariel pulled the other chair to get closer to her. Naupo ito roon, nakaharap ang katawan sa kanya. He's giving her his full attention and it's making her nervous. Her heart can't stop from racing. Ang bawat tibok ay tila nagkakarerahan.
"I'm excited to see Querencia. It's been almost a year."
"I have it maintained and cleaned."
"Akala ko ba ayaw mong may ibang makaalam ng lugar na 'yon?"
"Yes, but I need to make sure it's clean. Especially that you're back."
Yelena nods her head a bit. The heat ran through her veins when Zacariel placed his palm above her lap.
"We still need to talk about a lot of things. If you have questions or if something is not clear to you, we can discuss all about it tomorrow."
"I have a lot of questions in my mind. I will write it down tonight so I can tell you."
His palm travelled up to her thighs. Malamig ang palad nito kaya naman parang tumataas ang mga balahibo niya. The wind is cold too.
"Uh, where's my pills?"
"It's in my room."
"Kukunin ko mamaya."
She can start taking pills though. Her period is done on that month.
"Anong oras tayo aalis bukas, Zacariel?"
"What time do you want to leave?"
"After breakfast is fine. Then we will stay in Querencia all day." She can't hide her smile.
"Uh-huh." He crouched until she felt his lips on her neck. "What we gonna do all day there." It wasn't even a question.
"Maliligo? Kakain, magpapahinga at mag-uusap."
"Mag-uusap," ulit nito, sabay halik sa balikat niya.
What else they are going to do?
Her cheeks heated when she thinks about having sex with him! What a dirty mind she have!
Yelena cleared her throat then craned her neck to give more access to Zacariel to kiss her there.
A small moan escaped from her when he slid his palm under her dress and he skillfully found her breast. Marahan nitong minasahe iyon na dahilan kung bakit matindi ang pagpigil niya sa darating pa na mga daing.
"I missed you," he whispered huskily.
She closed her eyes to feel his kisses and touch more.
"I missed you too," she whispered back softly.
He angled his head and claimed her lips for a feverishly kiss while he's gently palming her breasts. A gasp and moan escaped from her mouth between their kisses.
To know that she felt so thirty to be kissed by him and to feel his hands on her skin made her realized how much she missed him.