LUNA
Everything was going according to plan. I wasn't expecting things to be this easy. But everything is falling in place. Soon, I will be one of the richest woman in this town. Heck, I'm very sure am will be Mrs. Luna Enriquez Rosales, wife of Troy Adrian Rosales. Tagapagmana ng chain of Hotels, not to mention real estates and other booming business of the Rosales. But then again, ang pesteng babaeng yon ngayon pa naisipang gumawa ng kalokohan.
" How the hell, did she manage to escape?" sigaw ko sa madrasta ko. She's fucking useless, my Dad was in the fucking wheelchair because of her.
" Hindi ko din alam, and dont you dare blame me, when it was your idea na dalhin siya dito sa lungsod." Seryoso ba siya.
" Kahit kailan talaga palpak ka." She's useless. I can't believe it! Kasalanan ko pa talaga ngayon, samantalang siya itong na takasan ng anak niya.
I needed her close para madali kong malaman ang mga impormasyong kailangan ko, to win Ian. And besides, wala na kaming babalikan sa isla. Ang alam nila my Dad and my stepmother died. I sold all our property pati na yong iniwan saakin ni Mommy, para mabayaran ang pagkakautang nila Dad sa sugal. Ayaw akong tantanan ng mga pinagkakautangan niya. They don't want that bitch too, she's freaking ugly nga naman.
" You have all the time in the world bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi mo nagagawa ang parte mo?" Dagdag niya pa. " Akala ko ba ay nahulog na sa sayo ang loob ng lalaking yon?" akala ba niya ganon lang kadali.
I have to make sure na walang butas at sigurado ang mga hakbang ko. Salamat sa babaeng yon at kahit papaano napakinabangan ang mga impormasyong galing sa kanya. Yon nga lang ay kailangan pa siya takutin gamit ang kapatid niya. Alam naman naming kapatid niya ang weakness niya.
" Hanapin niyo nalang yong anak niyo bago pa niya masira ang lahat ng plano natin at mauwi sa wala lahat ng pinaghirapan natin." I hissed.
Simula ng dumating siya, nagkanda leche leche na ang buhay namin ni Dad. Siya talaga ang malas sa buhay namin. I don't even know kung anong nakita sa kanya ng Daddy ko. She's nothing but a face.Kaya kailangan niya mahanap ang anak niya. Dapat kasi matagal na namin denidespatsa ang babaeng yon.
I wouldn't let her ruin things, lalo na ngayon, Ian likes me already. I can feel it. It's only a matter of time, mapapaikot ko na siya sa sarili kong mga palad.
I went to see my Dad. Naawa ako sa kalagayan niya, siya ang napuruhan sa nangyaring pagsabog. While my good for nothing stepmother managed to escape with minor injuries, pero quits lang kami, Malala din naman ang pinsalang natamo ng anak niya. Nobody would want a face like that.
" Malapit na Dad, hindi na magtatagal, I could bring you to the US para mapaopera natin yang mga paa mo." nakatingin lang ito sa malayo. Masyado niyang dinibdib ang pagkaparalisa, the next thing we know, nilamon na siya ng depression. He started not talking and responding to all of us. Pero maipapagamot ko nadin siya soon.
I texted Ian. I left the party in a hurry because of the news na nakatakas ang babaeng yon. Panira talaga kahit kailan.
Hi, I'm so sorry for leaving in a hurry last night, family emergency.
Ngayon na alam kong posibleng magkita sila ulit ng babaeng yon, I need to be around him all the time. He wouldn't recognized her anyway.
Tumunog ang cellphone ko. Napangiti ako, nagreply siya agad. Sign na he's also into me.
Is everything alright? Just let me know if you need my help.
Who wouldn't like a man like him. Mabait na sobrang yaman pa. When my stepmother told me about this plan, I wasn't so sure pero ngayon mabuti nalang pala at pumayag ako. I'm starting to fall for him and I'll make sure akin lang siya.
He messaged me na magkita kami, he will take me out to dinner. And I said yes.
I made sure that I look extra beautiful.
Hindi naman nagtagal ay nagtext ito, He said he's on his way.
Mas lumapad ang ngiti ko when he came with a bouquet of flowers. He's so handsome and he's super nice.
" Hi, is that for me?" kunyari ay tanong ko.
" Hello Luna, for you." tila nahihiya pa ito ng iniabot ang bulaklak.
" Thank you, you sure, you don't have other plans tonight? Okay lang ba talaga na yayain kitang lumabas?" What a gentleman, perfect just for me.
" Hey, pumayag na nga ako diba." Mas lumapad ang ngiti niya. That's right Ian, ganyan nga.
" Let's go?" Hinintay niya akong maisara ang Bahay, saka ako inilalayan sa siko.
" I hope hindi ko na offend sila Mommy mo kagabi, I just left, without saying goodbye." It worries me. Gusto kong pati Pamilya niya ay magustohan ko. It's easier to manipulate him that way.
" They understand. I told my Mom what happened bago tayo nagkita ngayon." Nakahinga ako ng maluwag.
He opened the door of his car for me. The man is screaming of luxury.
" I hope your hungry." tanong niya habang nasa biyahe.
Ngumiti lang ako.
TROY ADRIAN
I wasn't so sure if she will go out with me, given the short noticed, but I'm glad she did.
" You look nice by the way." I complimented her. She was wearing a white cotton dress.
She look down and smiles. " Thank you Ian." her simplicity is admirable.
" Reservation for Rosales." I said when we are in the Restaurant.
Agad naman kaming inasikaso, they know me, This is one of my Families favorite restaurant in the City. " Right this way Sir." The waiter gestured with his hand for us to follow.
Patingin tingin naman si Luna sa mga nadadaanan naming tables kung saan may mga kumakain.
" Enjoy, Sir-- Maam." sabi ng waiter saka kami iniwan.
" This place is nice." anya.
" I'm glad you approved. Isa ito sa mga favorite Resto naming Pamilya. " Just as we are seated a young looking waiter came, kaedad lang yata ito ni Xhan.
" Good evening, my name is Michael and I will be your waiter for tonight. What can I get you?" ngumiti ito.
" Steak Deluxe for me and a bottle of champagne please. ." pareho kaming napatingin kay Luna.
" And for you Maam?' he asked.
Luna quickly scan the menu.
" I'll have the seafood pasta." medyo nahihiya pa niyang sabi.
" That would be all? May gusto ka pa ba?" pahabol kong tanong sa kanya.
Nakangiting umiling siya.
Bumalik ang waiter dala ang champagne, I poured both of us a glass.
" To new beginnings.." itinaas ko ang baso ko sa kanya. I was really hoping to have a new start with her. To finally move on with my life. Sabi nga nila Dad hindi na ako bumabata.
Kumislap ang mga mata niya. " To new beginnings." sagot niya.
" Did you grew up here,Luna?" tanong ko sa kanya.
" Yes, my Dad was raised in Toledo, taga doon ang Lola at Lola ko. My Mom passed away when I was 10. Si Lola na ang nagpalaki sakin. My Dad was always busy with work." I saw sadness in her face.
" If its makes you sad lets not talk about it nalang." I don't want her to feel uncomfortable with me. Tamang tama dumating na ang pagkain namin.
We talked about her work instead. She was passionate about teaching. She loves kids and so do I. We have one thing in common.
Naglakad lakad kami after dinner. I don't want to take her home yet. Gusto ko pa siyang makasama.
" Wala namang magagalit na niyaya kitang lumabas, diba?" I was hoping wala.
" If that's your way of asking if I'm taken, No. walang magagalit." nakangiti niyang sabi. Napakamot ako sa batok. Bigla akong nahiya.
" So, pwede akong manligaw?" gusto kong pektusan ang sarili ko. I'm not good at this.
Sa isang tao lang naman ako naglakas ng loob manligaw dati. Bigla akong nalungkot ng maalala siya.
" Yes.," si Luna.
"Huh?" takang tanong ko.
" I said yes Ian, pwede mo akong ligawan." malapad ang ngiting sagot niya. Nabigla ako ng bigla niya akong yakapin.
But instead of complaining, I returned the hug. It felt nice.
Masayang hinatid ko siya sa bahay niya.
" Gusto mo bang pumasok muna?" tanong niya.
" Hindi na Luna, its getting late. I know may work ka pa bukas. Thank you for tonight." I wanted to take things slow this time.
Again, nagulat ako ng halikan niya ako sa pisngi, saka mabilis na pumasok sa bahay niya.
Nakangiting nagdrive ako pauwi.
Bago pumasok sa kwarto ko ay sinilip ko si Nate. He's already asleep. Kapag ganitong weekdays ay maaga talaga itong pinapatulog. Hindi ko maiwasang isipin na kung hindi nawala ang Ate niya, naikasal na siguro kami. Part of me will always love her, pero tama sila. I need to moved on.
Itutuloy.....