KABANATA 3
Macy
I learned something about him today that I never heard from anyone before. Not just learned—I witnessed him playing the flute. While listening to him, I figured that he's not just looks and brains, he also has a talent. A complete package, indeed.
But I had to cut the thoughts immediately. Wala namang kwenta ang impormasyon. Hindi ko naman magagamit ito para patayin siya. Alangan naman na i-torture ko siya habang tumutugtog siya ng flute.
"Were you listening the whole time?" He finally asked when he noticed me standing on the side.
"I am sorry, Mayor. I didn't mean to." Yumuko ako saka pumanhik sa may porch ng cabin kung nasaan siya nakatayo.
The cabin is in the middle of their hacienda and their hacienda is connected to all the hacienda's of the Valle Clan. Mula sa aerial view ay makikita mo kung gaano ito kalawak dahil konektado rin ang lupain nila sa iba pang bayan.
Even though they're not into politics, kinatatakutan pa rin sila dahil sa yaman nila. And if all of them ran in any position in the government, they will surely win.
Iyon naman ang nangyari kay Mayor Silas. Simson clan didn't expect that he would run so they lost their seat in the capital city. What more kung tumakbo siya sa mas mataas na posisyon? Baka nagpatayan na sila lalo na't mula pa noon ay ang Simson na ang namumuno.
Valle and Simson were once friends. It ended when my parents died.
"It's okay." He smiled. "You'll hear more of that everyday."
"Yeah. You're great."
"It's just a hobby not everyone knows about." He responded. Napansin ko na nakatingin siya sa basket na dala ko.
"Ah, I am sorry, Mayor. Here's your breakfast. Your mother told me to bring it because you eat your breakfast here." Inilagay ko sa loob ng kahon ang flute niya saka inayos ang table bago ko ilapag ang basket.
"I'll do it," he said.
"No. It is my job."
"It is not your job to feed me, Miss Decano. If you want it included in your job description, then kailangan mo akong subuan."
I choked. Napaubo ako nang wala sa oras. I didn't expect that. Ganito ba talaga siya? Lahat sila ay sinasabing seryoso siya pero mukha namang may tinatago rin siyang humor—corny nga lang.
"Uh. No, Mayor," I said, acting innocent again kahit na sa loob ko ay kumukulo na ang dugo ko.
Ang hirap magpanggap. Gusto ko na nga siyang saksakin.
"You can do it." Kunwari ay nahiya pa ako.
Umupo siya. Hinanda niya ang lahat ng laman ng basket sa lamesa. Paano kaya kung lagyan ko ng lason ang pagkain niya?
"Let's eat," yaya niya.
"Huh?" Napataas ang kilay ko. "It's your breakfast, Mayor. Kakain na lang po ako—"
"It's for the two of us." He said, tapping the vacant chair near him. "Didn't they inform you about how I do not like wasting my time? And since you fill in Matthew's position as my personal assistant, you need to eat with me while you're telling me the agenda for the whole day. It also includes you telling me things you hear from people, problems, concerns, suggestions, and anything."
"Ah, yes, Mayor. Oo nga po pala. Sorry po." Pilit akong ngumiti sabay labas ng phone ko kung nasaan nakasulat ang schedule ni Mayor.
Alam ko naman. This is just my way of testing his patience...at marami pang susunod. I want to see his limits.
I want to know how is he when mad. Lahat kasi ng tao ay sinasabi na mabait siya. Ako lang ang hindi naniniwala. Everyone has their evil side and I am here to wake that side of him.
"No. It's okay. I am just reminding you. You are one of my homey bodyguards which means you're the closest to me. Ikaw na rin ngayon ang unang tatanungin nila kung nasaan ako o kung anong ginagawa ko. People will tell you things or even rant to you about me and my decisions," paliwanag niya.
"I do not have the whole day to listen to everything, Miss Decano. I am a busy man. So this is the only time I can listen to everything or anything."
"Even about personal things?" I whispered inaudibly.
"Pardon?"
"Nothing, Mayor." Ngumiti ako. "I'll do my job well. Don't worry, I will let you know about everything and make sure to protect you."
"Although, if it is about death threats, you can disturb me anytime."
"Death threats?" Kunwari nagulat ako. Bakit ako magugulat kung ako naman nagpapadala sa kanya noon?
"Yes, Miss Decano." He nodded. "Let's just hope they got tired of trying to kill me."
They didn't. They just sent me to do it.
"We're here to protect you, Mayor." I bowed down.
"Then, I entrust my life to you, Miss Decano." He gave me a genuine smile that for a second I felt guilty that I'll be the one to take away his life when he entrusted it to me.
But before that, I have to make him mine. That's the easiest way to gain someone's trust. He trusts people, but only a few. If he fell in love with me, then he's going to trust me even with the deepest secrets of their clan.
Kaso hindi naman pwedeng gusto ko siya agad. I have to act feminine. I have to act like I am having butterflies in my stomach whenever he's there...I have to be shy.
Kung pwede nga lang na madapa ako sa harapan niya tapos saluhin niya ako katulad sa pelikula ay ginawa ko na. But it would be out of my character especially when he is aware that I am strong.
"I am going on a date on Saturday, but before that can you tell Archie to pick the flowers in the Serene Flower Shop," he ordered me.
"Yes, Mayor," sabi ko. I typed it in my calendar. "Anything else? Do I need to arrange for your meal? For hotel or for—"
"You are coming with me."
"Excuse me?" Inangat ko ang tingin ko. "Is that too personal for me to come? I mean, are we all coming?"
I almost choke. Hindi ko alam kung ganito ba ang tamang reaksyon ng babaeng pabebe but I am really trying.
"You exist to be with me on my personal affairs, Miss Decano. I am not sure why you are shocked?" He titled his head a little as he focused on me now. Kanina kasi ay nakatingin pa siya sa mga papel.
"Because it is a date?" tanong ko ulit. Although, I would love to go and see the girl he's dating. I didn't know that information and I should know. Pwede kong magamit ang babaeng iyon laban sa kanya.
"And it should be intimate? I mean, should I watch you and your girl kiss?" I innocently asked. Damn! I hate acting.
"What?" His lips parted and eventually he started laughing.
Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya. Hinihintay na matapos siyang tumawa. Should I punch him? Gago. Pinagtatawanan ako.
"I am sorry, Mayor, what's funny? I am just saying that maybe your girl would not be comfortable having me around? Is she not going to slap me or what—"
"Let me stop you from there." He shook his head while still trying to control his laugh. "Who told you that I am dating someone?"
"Uh, are you not?" Tumaas ang kilay ko. I really have no idea.
"I do not have time for that, Miss Decano. I am not dating anyone right now so no Miss Decano, no one will slap you."
"But you said flowers and a date," I argued. "What does it mean?"
"Date means spending my time with the kids in the orphanage. The flowers are for the church," he explained.
"Oh." I gulped. "I am sorry, Mayor. I am sorry—it's just, okay, I will tell Archie about it." Pinakita ko sa kanya na nataranta ako sa nangyari.
He chuckled. "It's okay, Miss Decano."
"So you do not have a girlfriend. I see." Tumango-tango ako.
"Yes, I do not have a girlfriend yet. Why, Miss Decano? Is there a problem?" I noticed the small curve in his lips as he stared at me.
"Nothing, Mayor," I smiled at him and decided to throw a joke that I knew would make him remember me before he sleep tonight, "It's just I can be your girlfriend if you do not have one."