AN
I Know... medyo natagalan... suppppppeeerrrr hectic ng sched ko....
well at least na-update na....
BTW! thanks sa lahat ng mga pm, comments and all those things... I really appreciate it....
Pasensya na rin po... medyo mas lalong tatagal ang mga updates nito since, I have soooooo many things to do....
Wala pang major na mangyayari dito... dadating din tayo dyan... hehehehehe
I may have some announcements after a few chapter.....
Well anyways.... enjoy....
Chapter 13
Chloe
“Who the heck are you texting again!!!!!” Sabi ni Sky at biglang hinablot ang cellphone ko….
“Hey!!!!! Give that back!” sabi ko pero biglang tumalon sa likod ng salas….
AAARRRGGGGG!!!! Talaga naman tng babaeng to, kahit kelan talaga…. NAPAKAPASAWAY!!!!
Nagtatatakbo si sky paikot-ikot sa guest house nila Zia. Nag-ninja moves pa at inakyat ng mabilis ang mezzanine at kinalkot ng kinalokot ang cellphone ko….. We’ve been in Zia’s house for about 3 days, we haven’t planned on having a vacation here… it just happened…. My mom forgot to tell me that she has a business meeting at LA and she has to leave the day after I arrived home… ang solusyon nya… isama ako sa LA… The thing is…. Ayokong sumama…. Sobrang boring doon…. And she’ll just leave me in my hotel room… not to mention that I have an appointment with Dr. Jin… he’ll be coming from South Korea before we go to Alex’s Resthouse in Ilocos…
Kaya ayun… to the rescue sila Zia and the rest of the gang…. They came to my house unannounced and charmed my mom…. And I must admit,,, they are very effective on the charming part…. Coz, first…. Their families are ver prominent…. And from their looks… mukha naman silang mapagkakatiwalaan… especially if Alex and Sky tried their best to look as innocent as possible…. Natatawa na nga lang ako deep inside… parang suuuuuppppeeeerrr bait nila alex at sky nung kaharap ang mommy ko….. if she only knew kung gaano kasutil yung 2 yun… hahahahahahaha!
Kaya eto kami ngayon at ginugulo ang guest house nila Zia…
Currently, nasa photoshoot si Alex for an ad campaign sa Makati… si Zia naman is at the mall with her mom, buying supplies and all those foods… at para kaming mga pacman dito, hindi ko nga akalain na agad agad naming mauubos lahat ng supplies dito sa guesthouse ng 1 araw lang…. grabe makalamon ang mga babaeng yon! Nagtataka lang ako… bakit hindi tumataba???? Malamang na maraming alligator sa katawan! Hahahaha! Josh nakasubsob ang mukha sa computer at kung ano anong enhancement sa program ng pendant ko ang ginagawa…. Which is good because I can’t feel anything anymore aside from the tingling sensations that the pendant emits. Sabi rin ni Dr. Jin, via video chat, that report from the program is better than expected…. But still, the option for a transplant is still their priority… Joshua on the other hand is trying his best to fix me, dahil alam nyang hindi ako pumapayag sa transplant…. I just cross my fingers that he’ll figure something out.
Kung yun 3 busy-busihan.. kami naman ni Sky naghahabulan! Worst part… I can’t keep up with her!!!! Hindi ko naman sya pwedeng habulin ng habulin, hihingalin na ko.. papagalitan pa ko ng feeling gwardya sibil na si Josh…. You may think that he’s harmless… but nooooo!!!!! Grabe! Ang higpit pala nyan!!! Kulang na lang lagyan nya ng sensor lahat ng kilos ko… as in daig ko pa ang preso…. Kahit ngayong nakatalikod sya at kung ano anong ginagawa sa computer, he knows that I’m chasing Sky…
He looked at me and glared at both of us and I rolled my eyes….
Naupo na nga lang ako sa couch and pouted….
“Josh… if you don’t want me to chase her.. then do something! Get me back my cellphone!!!!” I said irritated….
DEADMA!!!!
Arrrrgggg!!! As usual!!! GRRRRRR!!!!!
“Sky… if you do not give me back my cellphone this instant.. I swear… I’ll….. Ummmm…. I’ll….. “
“You’ll what Chloe… “ She said playfully and she stick her tongue out at me….
I rolled my eyes…. Haaaaaaayyyy… kung batang isip lang talaga ang pag-uusapan…. Number 1 si sky…. Or tie sila sa number 1 spot ni Alex….
“Hmmmm….. ibibigay ko naman to sa yo e .. but not until you tell me kung sino ang kausap mo… ang weird mo kasi this past few days…. Pindot ka ng pindot tapos bigla kang hahagikgik o tatawa! Ano ka nababaliw?” she said reading my text messages!!! “Hmmmm….. ‘Good morning pumpkin….’ Pumpkin daw!!!! Ano ka kalabasa!!! Hahahahahaha!!!” Arrrrggggg!!!!! Loka-loka talaga to!!! “’ How are you today????’ ANG SWITIK NAMAN E!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!”She said trying to change her voice imitating a guy…. “ Hmmmmmm …. ‘Superman…..’ sino sya??? Feeling super hero?”
“WHY YOU!!!! That’s private!!!!!! “ Susugurin ko na sana sya ng biglang hawakan ako sa bewang ni Josh at iniupo ng matino….
“Calm down ok….. look…” sabi ni Josh at tinuro yung graph na nasa monitor…. Ooooppppssss…. Medyo abnormal….
“and you…” sabi ni Josh kay Sky… “ Give that back… it’s rude to snatch one’s cellphone… “
“Not until you trace the number…”
Nagtitigan lang silang dalawa…. It’s as if their challenging each other…. At ayaw parehong magpatalo!
“I have better things to do than trance a prepaid account…. And besides, whoever that is, is doing a good job in making chloe’s heart stable…. “
Kumunot ang noo ni Sky.. ako rin nagtaka…. Bakit alam nyang prepaid yung number….
Biglang natawa si Sky…. “ And you are telling me that it’s rude to get other people’s cell! E nauna ka pa palang pakialaman yung cellphone ni Chloe! Curious ka rin ano!!!! “
Napakamot na lang ng ulo si Josh… at napangiti…
“Sorry Chloe…. I have to find out who you’re texting… “
I looked at him in disbelief…. But on second thought… I shrugged.. gusto ko rin naman malaman kung sino yung mystery man… bigla na lang kasing nagtext yun…. Parang naligaw lang… sinabi ko na lang na wrong send…. But he texted back… mukha namang mabait and he makes me laugh… I know it’s bad to communicate to a total stranger but my curiosity got the better of me… I asked so many times kung anong pangalan nya.. tawagin ko na lang daw syang superman…. Coincident naman na fave ko si superman…. Laitin nyo na na pero gusto ko talaga sya…. Kaya iniimagine ko na lang na ang kausap ko ay si Clark Kent… ang gwapo kasi nya don sa Smallville… hihihihihihihi….
“Soooo… did you find out anything??? “ tanong ko…
“It’s prepaid…. “ sabi lang ni Josh at bumalik na sa computer nya…
Nag-ninja moves na naman si Sky at tumalon mula sa mezzanine…. She landed on the couch…. Umiling ako… I really can’t get enough of this girl! sobrang hyper!
“Nothing…. “
“Huh!!!! “ Sabi ni Sky at lumapit kay Josh… “You are one of the most gifted brains in the universe and you haven’t found anything????”
“So???? “ Sabi lang ni Josh….
“I can’t believe you!” Sky said leaning on Josh so that their heads are just inches from each other…. “ You are the one who’s soooooooo overprotective with Chloe and all you have to say is So???”
“Ummmm guys…. “ Sabi ko.. trying to break them up…. Baka naman kung saang away mauwi yan… but knowing Josh… hindi nya papatulan si Sky…. Or so I hope…. Medyo maraming stress si Josh lately,, baka mainis….
“So what, sky? “ Josh smiled wickedly.. he knows that he’s irritating her… at mas lalo ngang nairita si skya sa ngisi ni Josh… “all I know that he’s using a local prepaid sim but he’s outside the Philippines…. Just let it be… I think he’s harmless…. And as I’ve said…. Whoever he is, he’s making her happy and stable… that’s my main concern…. Nothing else… I won’t waste my time tracing him… “ sabi ni Josh at tumingin na sa monitor. Ignoring Sky completely….
“But aren’t you curious enough?”
“Nah….. “
Nairita ng bonggang bongga si Sky…. “Catch” sabi nya sa kin at ibinato sa kin yung cellphone…. Ibinalik nya ang pansin nya kay Josh “Harmless daw a… tignan natin.. kung may ginawang masama yan kay Chloe… KASALANAN MO!!!! Everything that you’re working on will go down the drain if something happened to her!!!! Makapag-swimming na nga lang…. “
“Ummmm sky… promise I’ll be fine and besides… nabasa mo na rin naman yung ibang text… mukha namang mabait diba?”
She looked at me seriously…. “Ok.. whatever…. Just be careful…. Hindi ka dapat nagtitiwala ng ganon ganon na lang sa ibang tao.. mas lalo na sa mga hindi mo kakilala… you don’t know their intentions…. “ Tumalikod sya…”Concern lang ako… “
Na-guilty naman ako…
“Thanks Sky…. Promise… I’ll be cautious… “
“Whatever… “ at lumabas na sya papuntang pool.
I Sighed… tama naman si sky e…. pero …… hmmmm….. sobrang curious lang kasi ako sa kausap ko…. Kaya parang hindi ko magawang i-ignore ang mga messages…. It is also one thing that I can tell everything with a total stranger…. Actually naikwento ko na sa kanya lahat ng mga pinagdadaanan ko…. Hindi ko naman kasi sya kilala and vice versa…. No use in trying to hide anythings…. Hindi naman kami magkikita ever…
But I’ll try again to ask his name…. baka sakaling sagutin na nya ako….
Me: ‘Hey… Do I really have an idea who you are? What’s your real name???“
It took him a few minutes to answer…
Superman: ‘You’ll know my secret identity…. Superheroes don’t reveal their true self…. “
Me: ‘As if….. ang kapal ng mukha mo.. pangangatawanan mo talagang superhero ka?! Ano nga….. what’s your real name?’
Superman: ‘alright… your getting paranoid…. Just don’t tell anybody that I’m…. ‘
PUTOL!
Me: ‘Can you text that again? Naputol e… please…. =)’
Superman:’ I said….. I’m Clark……. Clark Kent….. LOL! Always at your service Ma’am! =)’
AAAAARRRRRGGGGG… ang kulit!!!!!!!!
Me: ‘what’s the big deal of not telling me your name? it’s as if we’ll ever meet….’
Superman: ‘let’s just leave it this way… in that case we can be ourselves and talk about anything under the sun… I love talking to you and I don’t want that to change… to ease your mind…. I’m definitely harmless… really…. ‘
O sige na nga… as if naman mag-me-meet kami….
Napangiti na lang ako…. Hindi ko alam kung bakit panatag ang loob ko sa kausap ko… I really do feel that he’s harmless… it’s as if I can say anything to him…. Maybe that’s the wonders of texting… you can’t see who you’re talking to…. Siguro,,, ganun na nga yon…
***
“We’re home!!!!” Sabi ni Zia, entering the guest house with 3 maids in tow, carrying bags full of foods and supplies…
“Ang dami naman ng pinamili nyo! Parang apat lang kaming guest nyo dito a… “ sabi ko…
“Oo nga 4 lang kayo.. pero naubos nyo na kagad yung pagkain ng 1 araw lang na good for 5 days! Dadating na naman si Alex mamaya…. Hindi matigil sa kakanguya yon!”
Natawa ako… kung sabagay… tama sya… hindi nga tumitigil ng kakanguya iyon…
“And besides…. My mom doesn’t want us to “starve”… especially that guy… “ Sabi ni Zia na tinuturo si Josh na nakasalampak sa libro na kinatulugan nito…
“Hay si josh…. “ sabi ko habang umiiling… “He’s been working too hard… na-g-guilty naman ako…. It’s suppose to be his vacation too and all he does is research, research, research…. “
“Hey….” Sabay yakap ni Zia sa kin…. “ Don’t feel like that…. Ako man, kung ganyan ako katalino, I’ll do the same thing… and besides… You’re not the only one who’ll benefit from it… kapag nasolusyonan nya yang pasaway na puso mo…. Others, like you, will benefit too… just think of it that being Josh and Dr. Jin’s genea pig will benefit mankind… “
“HAHAHAHAHA! Ano ba yun!” I said amused at her way of thinking…. “I’m feeling much better actually, what they’re doing must be really effective…. I hope that they will rule out the transplant…. “
“Let’s cross our fingers and hope for the best…. BTW… Where’s Sky… “
“Nasa pool…. Nagkainisan sila kanina ni Josh…. Ayun… nag-walk out…. “
Umiling si Zia… “Those two…. Anyway…. My mom said dinner will be ready in a few minutes…. Do you want to come with me at the main house? mukhang wala kang kausap dito…. Yung isa tulog.. yung 1 nagsisintir… “
“OK…. Sure….”
As we walk our way to the main house… I can’t help but admire my surroundings… the place is like a personal haven.. the garden is well maintained… mukhang mahilig sa nature ang family nila Zia… I met Zia’s mom and she is sooo beautiful, she looks like an angel… the older version of Zia…. Simple, Napakabait and very accommodating... noong una nahihiya ako sa kanya but she went out of her way to make me comfortable… She is so kind… no wonder si Zia ay napakabait din… she took after her mom…
“Kelan ang balik nila Charles at Tito Zack.. Would they be joining us in Ilocos?” tanong ko…
Pumunta daw sila Charles sa England together with Tito Zack… May inasikasong negosyo and they’re trying to tie some business deals with one of the most prominent families there…
I really admire Charles… Whenever school’s out, negosyo ang inaasikaso… Sabi ni Zia na Hindi naman sila inuubliga ni Tito Zack, pero kusa silang tumutulong. I really admire their family… They’re very ideal
“Subukan lang nilang hindi sumipot sa Ilocos… Lagot sila kay Ninang Tanya…. “ Bigla syang natawa… nagtaka naman ako…. Terror ba sya?
Tanya Ramirez Fajardo, the very famous super model/photographer. The mom of Alex, now the owner of Models Inc.. the most prestigious modeling agency around the world… She’s very accomplished and for that, mukhang very intimidating…
“Nakakatakot naman yun…. Nangangain ba ng buhay yon? “
Natawa na naman sya…. Mas lalo tuloy akong nacuroius…
“You’ll meet her soon… you can judge for yourself… “
“E yung Daddy ni Alex? Parang napaka intimidating. Parang ngayon pa lang nahihiya na ako sa kanila… “ palaging laman ng business and lifestyle magazine si Mr. Andrew Fajardo… The Fajardo empire has really grown big as in BIG… and the one responsible is Alex’s dad…
The magazines refer to Alex’s parents as the power couple….
“Si Ninong Andrew? Façade lang ang mga pinapakita nya sa press…. Kunwari lang yung stone face na yon…. Kung malaman mo lang yung love story nila ninang Tanya…. Malalaman mo na pusong mammon pala sya…. Well… let’s just say that our moms change the life perspective of the most powerful men in the continent…. “ she said smiling….
I’ve read about their families…. Yes they are intimidating, dahil sa mga accomplishments nila…. I just hope that Alex’s family is just like the Montemayors. Despite of all the riches, they remain to be down to earth and people oriented…. Pero base from Alex’s personality, who is soooooo down to earth makulit at isip bata…. You can guess the personality of the parents from their offsprings, diba…. I hope…
We entered from the backdoor and into the kitchen….
“MOM WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE????” Sabi ni Zia the moment we saw her mom in the kitchen…
“Why? This is my kitchen..” Sabi ni Tita Charlie…
Kinuha ni Zia yung frying pan na hawak ni Tita Charlie….
“Ma…. Diba ilang beses ka ng ban dito sa kitchen?”
“I’m just going to fry some of these… “ She said referring to the French fries in the kitchen counter….
“Hayaan mo na sa mga chef yan…. Iyan nga ang puropose ni Dad kung bakit nila hi-nire sila para hindi ka na papasok dito sa kitchen…. “
“Well, susubukan ko lang naman.. para kasing madali lang… I’m just going to fry it.. nothing else…. “
“Remember the time that you are going to fry something? And the whole kitchen exploded….. “ sabi ni Zia….
“That was a long time ako…. I know.. I’m better than before…. “
“Don’t risk it na lang Ma.. or else I’ll call Ninang Tanya… susugod yon dito… “
Natawa na lang si Tita Charlie….
Hala!!!! Mukhang terror nga ata yung mommy ni Alex… nagawa pang panakot ni Zia sa Mommy nya….
“Alright, alright…. Hi Chloe…. Don’t mind Zia…. Paranoid lang lang…. “ She said leading us out of the kitchen…. “Doon na lang tayo mag-intay sa salas…. I think dinner will be ready in a few minutes…. “
Nagpunta kami sa salas... the place is full of beautiful paintings and I was so mesmerized by them…
“You like it?” tanong ni Tita Charlie… habang umuupo kami sa couch…
I nodded…
“You can have one if you like…. Just choose your favorite… “ She said smiling… at nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko…
“No.no.no…. Naku po.. nakakahiya naman…. Hindi na lang po… I really can’t accept such an expensive gift… “
Natawa si Tita Charlie…
“Hindi expensive yan…” Sabi ni Zia…
Hmmmm? Panong hindi expensive… sa estado ng buhay nila, imposible naman na mumurahin lang ang mga nakasabit na paintings dito…
“My mom painted them…. “ Zia said proudly…
“What??? Really po??? Grabe po!!!! You are so talented!!!” Sabi ko…. Sooo amazed…
Tita Charlie just smiled at me… “ Hindi naman… Hindi pa ako papantay kay Picasso… Hahahaha”
“But they are sooo good…. Buhay na buhay… “ Sabi ko…
“Gusto nga ni Daddy na i-gallery yang mga yan… napaka dami pa nga sa studio nya… you should check it out …”
“Dadating din tayo dyan… kapag nakaipon pa ko ng mas marami…. “ sabi ni Tita Chalie…
“I know it’ll be a success…. “ sabi ko….
“Sige ma.. kung hindi mo pa i-gallery yan.. i-po-post na naming ni Chales yan sa internet at i-a-auction naming!”
Natawa lang si Tita Charlie….
“Hmmmm… on second thoughts… you can have 2 or three auctioned, and let me know the feedback… para malaman ko kung pwede ko na talagang i-gallery ang mga yan…. “
“OK!” Zia said excitedly…. “ Basta hati na kami ni Charles sa mapagbebentahan a! hahahahaha!!!”
“Baka Php 100 lang mabenta ng 1 nyan… “ sabi ni Tita Charlie…
“More like Php100,000…” Sabi ko… “ It’s really good po.. and I know my paintings…. “ I smiled
“Thanks Chloe…. You gave me more confidence…. We’ll see… “
Tumayo si Zia…. “ Wait lang a… I’ll just get my cellphone … I’ll inform Charles…. So we can make plans…. Papagawa na rin ako ng site…. “ She said excitedly… “ Dad will be thrilled!!!” at iniwan na kami ni Tita Charlie…
“She’s just like that when she’s excited about something… parang walang bukas…. “
“You should be really proud of them… “ sabi ko…
“very… They’re more than treasures to me.. “ she said looking at me intently…. She’s so beautiful talaga… so elegant and regal.. parang hindi makabasag pinggan… pero wag ka… kwento sa kin dati ni Zia na takas girl din daw ang mommy nya at kung saan saan napapadpad, kasama ng mommy ni Alex….
“Chloe… I hope you don’t mind… and I really don’t want to intrude… but there’s something I want to tell you…. “
Hala….. ano kaya yun….
“Ummmm… ano po yon?”
Lumapit sya sa kin….
“ I knew that Zia, well, not just Zia, but all of you are hiding something…. Don’t get me wrong… I don’t want to intrude, but I think it is something important and base from my observation for the past few days that you are here… that it has something to do with you health?“
Bigla akong napahawak sa pendant ko….
“How…. ‘m mean po… How…. Did… “ I stammered…
“How did I found out? “ She said smiling…. As if she’s encouraging me to open up and that there’s nothing to be afraid of….
“Well,,, let just say that I am a very keen observer…. And at one point I overheard a conversation that you Josh and the doctor from the videochat are conversing about your heart…. “
Oh Gosh!!!! She knew…..
“Please… Tita…. Please don’t tell my mom…. We are doing everything naman po to make it better…. “ I begged…
“Oh Chloe…. “ Lumapit sya sa kin at niyakap ako….
Napaluha ako….. it’s as if I was really comforted by her embrace…. Because I can feel her sincerity…
“Please po tita, I beg you… wag nyo pong sasabihin sa mommy ko…. “
“Why? I mean, she’s your mom and she has the right to know if her child is in danger or something…. Is it that grave? “
I nodded my head… at ikwinento ko sa kanya lahat ang sitwasyon ko…. At ang rason kung bakit ayaw kong sabihin sa mommy ko…
Natahimik sya… trying to understand my situation….
“I know what you feel…. Alam kong ayaw mong pag-alalahanin ang mommy mo.. and I know that you want to enjoy the rest of your life especially now that your counting your remaining days …”
Nagbuntong hininga sya….
“But look at it also on the parents point of view…. If Zia has a terminal illness at binibilang na lang ang araw nya… tapos malaman ko ito, huli na…. It will surely break my heart… I really don’t know what I’ll do.. dahil masasayang ang mga oras n asana ay mas pahalagahan…. Kung natatakot ka na ilayo ko nya sa mga kaibigan mo… then maybe should let her see your side… I’m 100% positive that she’ll understand…. I’m a mom too…. “
Huminga ako ng malalim… tama si Tita Charlie…. I just assumed na ilalayo nya ako … hindi ko pa naman nasubukan na kausapin sya ng masinsinsan….
I wiped my tears…. And I looked at Tita Charlie with great admiration….
Charles and Zia is very blessed to have a mom like her….
“Thank you Tita…. Pagdating po ni Mommy from the States.. I’ll tell her everything and make her see my point of view so that we can meet half way…. “
NIyakap nya ulit ako…
“That’s my girl…. “
“Pero , since wala pa naman si Mommy dito,, I might as well make the most of my time and enjoy our vacation at Ilocos… “
She chuckled….
“Yeah, you do that…. You have all your friends to take care of you and you can add me on the list…. And yur Tito Zack… “
I Smiled…. Feeling ko talagang nadagdagan na naman ang pamilya ko….
“Thank you po…. “
“Ok… sige enough of the drama.. baka sabihin ni Zia pinaiyak kita…. She can also be very protective… “
Tumayo na sya….
“Mind if you call Sky and Josh? Alex won’t be spending the night. Tumawag sa kin si Tanya, her mom…. Na-extend ang photoshoot… kaya hindi dito matutulog si Alex… we can eat na…. “
“Sure po tita…. “
Lumabas na ako ng main house at pumunta na ako sa guest house…
I can’t help but smile… feeling ko sobrang gaan ng loob ko…. Tita Charlie is really sensible…. She made me see things…. Oo nga naman… I’ve been selfish for shutting out my mom from the things that’s happening to me….
Now I knew better…. Lahat naman ng mga bagay napag-uusapan….
I entered the guesthouse…. Madilim… siguro tulog pa rin si Josh… at siguro si Sky nasa pool pa rin…
As I entered the living room.. I stopped on my tracks at nanlaki ang mga mata ko….
What da! Hindi ko ineexpect iyon a!!!!
Josh is still dozing off in front of the computer while sky is holding the book that Josh was reading earlier on her right hand.. Sky is leaning on Josh… And she’s kissing part of Josh’s head!!!!!!!
OOOOHHHH MMMMYYYY GGGOOOSSSSHHHH!!!!!!!
SKY HAS FEELINGS FOR JOSH!!!!!!