Chapter 33
Lareen
"You are bery byutipul Miss. Even without the make-up" sabi ni Kira. Isa sa mga member ng Glam Team ni Clarissa na binook nila Frank for me.
Our sala was temporary turned into a make-up studio with all the stuffs and other things.
Simple akong ngumiti. "Para po kayong artista. Nag-artista na po ba kayo?" Sabi niya habang abalang naglalagay ng rollers sa buhok ko.
"Hindi" matipid kong sagot.
"Tama naman pala si Sir Prank, di kami mahihirapan sa inyo" sabi niya at nagkatinginan kami sa reflection namin sa vanity mirror.
"I look so simple. Mahihirapan kayong gawing elegante ako ngayong gabi" I sound fishing right? But, I really don't know how to keep the conversation going kasi e.
"Bery byutipul and elegant" sabi pa niya at saktong dating ni Clarissa. Siya ang professional make up artist sa team na ito. She just need to answer a call lang kanina.
"I'm sorry, Miss if natagalan. Si Sir Frank niremind ako na light lang dapat yung make up"
Napakunot ang noo ko. I admit that Frank is very hands-on pero pati sa make up ko?
"But if I need heavy make up to make me look good then do it" I said.
"No, Miss. Actually, you don't need any. You are stunning even without it" she said.
Ngumiti ako. "Pero dahil trabaho ko to at dito ako kumikita, kaya dapat make-upan kita" she continued and winks.
I like this team. Medyo mga bolera sila, syempre that's a marketing strategy maybe pero nakakatawa silang lahat kaya gusto ko sila. They won me.
Saktong 6:00 ay natapos ang make up ko pati hair at nasuot ko na rin ang dress with all the help of this glam team.
"You look perf" Clarissa told me as we watched my reflection on the human sized mirror. Suot ko ang isa sa mga Valentino Haute Couture Collection from one of the best atelier here in Milagros. It is a strapless black A-line gown na saktong sakto ang disensyo sa nais ko.
"You made everything that's why" I said at hinawi ang beach wave curl kong buhok.
"No. Really. You look beautiful"
"Thanks" I said at narinig kong tumunog ang cellphone ko. It's Ate Lala.
"Guys, may pinrepare si Mrs. Tomas for you. Kain na muna kayo before you leave" sabi ko at sinagot ang tawag ni Ate ng maiwan na akong mag-isa at lahat sila ay nasa dining room na.
"Hi Ate Lala"
"I saw your picture that you've sent to Mom. Gandaaaaa" bakas sa tono niya ang saya.
"Thanks" matipid kong sagot.
"Hey! What's with that tone?"
"I feel nervous, Ate Lala. Montemayors will be there"
"So what?"
"So what? Pinahiya ko sila, remember?"
"Listen, Riri. You've never done anything wrong to that family. You just fought for what you think was right, e?"
How I wished Ate Lala's here. Pero mas kailangan siya ng Dad and Mom sa Manila e.
"I really don't know how to stay calm, Ate. I'll be meeting people who might know something about the past. Kinakabahan talaga ako"
"Ri, when you go back to Milagros alam kong you prepared yourself na dadating 'tong moment na to. This kind of moment na haharap ka sa mga taong alam yung nangyari before. Be strong. If not now, then when?" She said with authority.
"There is a chance na makikilala ko na siya, Ate; that one person I ran away from. Anong mukha ang ihaharap ko sa kanya?"
"That same gorg face you have right now, Lareen. Wala ng iba and please stop thinking that you did something bad to him. You just did what he cannot do, ayt?"
Huminga ako ng malalim. She's right.
"Thanks, Ate Lala. I miss you"
"You are welcome. Just slay the party!"
I laugh. "You are the slayer. How to be you po?"
"Screw that! Basta enjoy that night!"
"Okay. I have to go na. Byeeee" I said and the I pushed the end button.
Ilang minuto pa at inabisuhan na ako ng isa sa mga bodyguards na handa ang sasakyan ko papunta sa Casa Helga na located sa Bayan ng Catalina.
Catalina was 1 hour drive away from Milagros.
As Frank and I discussed yesterday, hindi naman naka-announced that I'll be coming sa Trade Launch. Pero sabi niya once na may nagtanong kung sinong kasama niya e wala siyang choice kundi sabihin na si Lareen Castillo ang kasama niya. Medyo nakakabawas ng kaba dahil alam kong masquerade ang party na ito. Mahirap mang aminin pero I am still going to hide in a mask na naman. Literally.
This trade launch is much more private pa daw kesa sa mga previous years. Mga piling mga tao lang daw talaga from different cities ng Isabela ang invited; Catalina, Milagros, San Ildefonso, Sta. Monica, Rosario, Hilario at iba pa.
The trade launch event was organized by the Lopezes headed by Mr. Alfonso Lopez. He is my Dad's friend and I met him once at Dad's 50th birthday celebration.
After an hour ay narating na namin ang Casa Helga. Medyo mabagal na ang queing ng sasakyan papunta sa drop off point ng mga bisita. Frank texted me that he's already there na.
Nang marating namin ang drop off point ay bumaba ang isa sa mga bodyguards ko at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. Bodyguards are not allowed sa loob. Thank God.
"I'll text you guys pag uuwi na tayo" I told them before ako bumaba ng sasakyan. Tumango naman ang driver ko.
Pagkaapak ko sa red carpet ay saktong labas na ni Frank. He helped me to fix yung laylayan ng damit ko at inoffer ang braso niya. I clutched his arm.
"You look stunning tonight" he said pero parang wala akong nakikitang kahit na anong expression sa mukha niya.
"Thank you and you look good" I said and I heard him laugh. Whoah. He laughs? I made him laugh?
"Why? Did I say anything funny?"
Umiling siya.
"What's with the laugh?" I asked habang naglalakad kami sa red carpet papasok sa venue.
"Nothing. Hmmm, just put on your mask" he said at sabay naming sinuot ang mga masks namin.
At the end of the red carpet ay may isang backdrop where everyone can pose and take a picture.
"Do we really need to do that? I mean -"
"Your trade launch experience will not be complete without this. Smile" he said and there's a flash from the camera.
"One more!" The photographer commanded and I smiled.
After that ay naglakad na kami papasok.
I am stunned. The entire place is so fancy. I mean very fancy. The place was covered with every silver, gold and white sparkling stuffs. Siguro madidiscribe ko siya ng mas maayos kung hindi ako kinakain ng kaba.
Marami ng tao sa loob. Everyone is busy catching up with someone. I cleared my throat and try to calm myself. I feel shaky tonight. I think anytime mabubuwal ako sa pagkakatayo ko sa 3 inches heels na suot ko.
"Are you okay?" Frank asked noon marating na namin ang table na reserved para sa amin.
He pulled me out a chair. Frank is a gentleman. Indeed. Always a gentleman.
"Yeah, I'm fine"
"You are shaking, Lareen. Stay calm. Nothing to be worried about" he said at pareho kaming napalingon ng may isang babaeng lumapit sa upuan ni Frank.
"Frank Gozum!"tawag ng babaeng nakasleeveless na appliqued gold haute couture dress na may mataas na slit. She's curvy and she has the boobs. She looks goddess kahit na nakatakip ang mata niya ng mask. She has this long culy hair na malalaki ang volume.
"Cora Benette" tumayo si Frank at bumeso sa kanya.
"I heard that you are super busy. So I am surprised seeing you here" she said then give him a flirty smile.
"It is my privilege to be invited for this event. Bakit ko naman papalampasin? " He politely answered.
"Yeah yeah" she said and looked at me. "You have a date?"
"Yeah. She's the Chairman's daughter. Lareen Castillo" he said. Hindi nga nagbiro si Frank nung simabi niyang pag may nagtanong, hindi siya magsisinungaling na ipakilala ako.
I tried to smile at naglakad palapit sa akin si Cora.
"I am Cora Benette. Nice meeting you, Lareen" she said sweetly at inilahad ang kamay. I accepted it and said "Nice meeting you too"
"She's one of the owner of Ace Company, Lareen" Frank interrupted us.
"No! I'm not!" She giggles and they both laugh. Okay, I don't understand what's funny now. "By the way, is that a Valentino Collection?" She points my dress.
I nod.
"Wow. Sobrang ganda at bagay sayo" she said.
"Thanks" matipid kong sagot.
"Sige, maiwan ko na muna kayo guys. Enjoy the night!" She said and walks away.
"What is ACE Company?" I asked Frank nung pagalis ni Cora.
"ACE Company distributes what BigM Industries produce; like seedlings, etc" he explained as we both take our seat.
"BigM?"
"Montemayor" he said.
Napatango ako. Siguro hindi ko talaga maiiwasan ang apelyidong yan buong gabi.
Maya maya ay tumunog ang phone ni Frank. "I need to take this" paalam niya at maya maya pa ay wala na siya sa paningin ko. Naghanap siguro ng mas tahimik na lugar.
This is my first time to attend a party na wala akong kasamang mas close ko. Ang hirap pala kasi kahit andito si Frank hindi parin kami makapagusap ng at ease ako. Parang laging may barrier samin, siguro nga dahil hindi ko naman talaga siya kilala.
Iginala ko ang mga mata ko. I looked around to find kung meron mang kahit pamilyar na mukha pero dahil naka mask nga ay wala akong makilala bukod sa lalakeng naglalakad sa harap ko. He's with someone na mas medyo maliit sa kanya ng konti at parang nagtatawanan sila.
Palapit ng palapit ang lalakeng ito hanggang lumagpas na siya at huminto sa umpukan mga anim na hakbang ang layo sa pwesto ko.
Yung tangkad, yung lakad at yung built...it all looks famillar to me pero napalingon na ako ng narinig kong nagsalita siya.
This man with the silver bow tie sounds famillar too. My gosh. Napaparanoid na ba ako o naghahalucinate? Nagiimagine na ba ako dahil sa sobrang pagkamiss?
Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko.
His laugh. I know someone whose laugh sounds exactly like that. Pero paano? How come?
Impossible, right?
But I am wishing that he's here and hoping that he's not at the same time. Anlala na ng pagkamiss ko.
Lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko at hindi ko na namalayang nakatayo na ako at balak ng puntahan ang lalakeng yon.
ARKIN
Karl and I arrived at the venue a little bit late. Mabuti na lang at hindi pa nagiistart ang programme dahil kung hindi, yari kami ni Karl kay Dad at Ate.
Medyo madami akong kakilalang andito at hindi na ako magtataka kung maraming kakamusta sa akin lalo na yung mga kaibigan ni Dad. Minsang nga naisip kong kaya ayaw ni Dad na pumunta dahil alam niyang maraming magtatanong sa kanya kung anong opinyon niya sa pagbabalik ko sa Hilario. Maybe Dad anticipated how toxic this night will be for him so he asked me to go instead, nadamay pa si Karl at eto na nga si Attorney Kaparas at nangangamusta.
"Arkin!"
"Hi Attorney" I greeted him back.
"Where's your Dad?"
"He is a little bit too busy right now so he asked me and Karl to attend instead"
"Wow. Good job, boys" he said and taps Karl in his shoulder.
"Thank you" I said.
"So kelan ka pa bumalik? What made you decide to come back?" He asked
Nagkatinginan lang kami ni Karl.
Some people doesn't really care about Dad or saddened by Dad's absence tonight. They are just want to stick their nose on others businesses. My business. Of course.
They will begin from "How's your Dad? Why isn't he here?" to "Welcome back! Bakit ka bumalik? Okay ka na ba talaga?" Real quick.
Karl and I decide to leave him without answering his question. Kalalakeng tao, chismoso.
Ilang saglit pa ay nahanap namin sila Jimwel. Jimwel is the son of Alfonso Lopez. Classmate ko siya nung highschool nung tumira sila sa Hilario. Kasama niya ang iba pa naming mga barkada na sina Daniela, Erwin, Khino and Ali.
"Arkin! Still not fed up tonight?" nangaasar na bati ni Daniela paglapit namin sa kanila.
I smirked at her.
"Hi Karlos, instant celebrity ang Kuya mo. You should be proud of him" she added and the rest laugh.
"Mierda" I said at mas lumakas ang tawanan. "If maniningil ako sa lahat ng taong interested sa issue ko sa buhay ngayon gabi, baka may pambili na ako ng kotse" sabi ko.
"Tell everyone to move on, pare" sabi ni Ali he is the governor's son.
"Turuan mo nga, Ali. Dali! Preached them on how to move on, dali!" Dani said and burst into laughter. Lahat na rin kami ay tumawa at maya maya ay umakyat na anv host sa staged and announced that the event will start na so everyone should take their respective seats na.
Karl and I joined Jimwel's table. Mas okay na dito dahil pare pareho naman kaming hindi interesado sa mga ginagawa dito. May mga nagsalita including Mr. Alfonso na nagbigay ng opening remarks tapos after non parang wala na kaming naintindihan. Puro kasi kwentuhan na.
"Finally Arkin umuwi ka din. Maraming business ang itatayo sa buong Isabela. I am glad you are here" sabi ni Erwin.
"I'm not into business, Erwin. You knew that already, right?"
"I know. Ang ibig kong sabihin pare, new business new establishments to be built. I-practice mo na ang expertise mo, Engineer Arkin" he said.
"He's right. I want you and Dani to work together for my new building, pare. I trust you and your skills" Khino added.
"Tama Arkin! Let's make a company na kasi. I'll be your archi and you'll be my engineer" singit ni Dani.
"Dani baby, we don't want another Stephen-Allison lovestory version 2.0 here, okay?" Ali laughs.
"Shut up, Alejandro! I just wanted a working relationship with Arkin noh? I mean business here. Hindi kagaya ng kina Tep at Ally!" Dani rolled her eyes at Ali and we laugh.
Natapos ang programme and everyone was invited to have a drink. Kanina sobrang pormal, now this is the most awaited part of this event..
Party!
"Guys, I'll get a drink" paalam ko sa kanila. You need to get it kasi sa may bar sa loob ng venue. Yung kaninang medyo maliwanag na venue ay naging dim para magcompliment na sa party.
"Samahan na kita, pare" sabi ni Khino. Busy pa kasi sina Ali sa pakikipagusap sa iba, while Karl is....missing. Bahala siya.
Palapit kami sa bar ng may makasalubong akong isang pamilyar na babae.
"Arkin!!" She's a bit tipsy. Hawak niya sa magkabilang kamay ang tig-isang shot ng margarita.
"Here" she offered one of it sa akin. I accepted it.
"Thanks, Cora" I said.
"Where is my amiga? Where's your Ate Kassandra huh?"
"At home"
"At home? My bitch is resting? Ang dayaaaa"
"She's not in the mood para pumunta ngayon e"
"Too bad. I want to see her pa naman. Kainis" she said at ininom ang alak sa basong hawak niya. "O sige na, have fun!" She said at naglakad na. Napatigil na lang ako ng tawagin niya ulit ako.
"Arkin, wait! I forgot to tell you something" sabi niya at napalingon ako sa kanya.
"Yes? What is it?"
"She is here" she said.
What?
Nung hindi ako sumagot ay nagsalita ulit siya. "She's here"
"Ha?"
"Good luck" she said and this time, I get it.
LAREEN
Lalapitan ko na sana ang lalake ng saktong nagsalita na ang Host. Saktong pagbalik na rin ni Frank.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
"Ahm. I just -" tiningnan ko ang lalake pero nawala na ito sa paningin ko. "Nothing. Forget about it" I said at bumalik na sa pagkakaupo ko.
"Who was that?" I ask him about the phone call.
"Sir Greg" he answered at itinuon ang paningin sa host ng gabing ito.
"Uncle Greg?"
He nods at hindi na ako nagtanong pa.
After ng 2-hour programme ay inimbitahan na ang lahat to enjoy the night. Everyone is partying, dancing, drinking and all having fun except from me. I am still nervous dahil ito na yung panahon na naguusap na ang lahat.
And now Frank is walking towards me with someone I do not know.
"Lareen, this is Mrs. Francisco. Owner of JR&J Distributors. Dinah, this is Lareen Castillo"
"You mean, Leonardo's youngest daughter?" May pagkabigla sa tono niya.
Frank and I both nod. "Ah, I see" The woman smiled at me and looks at me from head to foot. Napalunok ako. Confirmed. May alam siya tungkol sa akin.
"Beautiful. Nice meeting you, Lareen" she said at nakipagbeso.
"Nice meeting you too, Mrs. Francisco" I said.
"So, maiwan ko na kayo, Frank and thank you for introducing me to her" she said and walked away.
"Do you want to dance?" Frank asked me.
Umiling ako. Seriously? Gusto ko na ngang umuwi e.
"Okay, I'll just get you a drink. You need a shot of alcohol for you to relax"
"Thank you" I said to him. Hindi ako sanay sa alak alam ko pero legit na sigurong experience yung napainom ako sa Barangkal noon.
Ilang minuto ng wala si Frank mula nung nagpaalam siyang kukuha lang ng inumin. Naiinis na ako dahil may mga ilang tinitingnan pa ako dahil siguro, mag-isa lang ako sa mesang yon.
I looked around. Asan na ba siya? Malapit lang naman yung bar na pinuntahan niya siguro diba? Yes, balak ko na soyang sundan dahil baka nalunod na siya.
Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo ako. Inayos ko ang laylayan ng damit ko at nagsimulang maglakad. I need to cross the dance floor para marating ang bar ng mas mabilis.
Huminga ako ng malalim at nagsimulang maglakad pero di ko pa man nakakalahati ang dance floor ay bumilis ang beat ng kanta at nagsimulang dumami ang taong papunta sa gitna.
Halos hindi na ako makadaan. Naguguluhan na ako kaya ipinasya kong bumalik na lang kaso mas nadadala ako sa gitna dahil sa bugso ng mga taong nagsasayawan.
Nakaramdam ako ng kaba. What should I do? I want to cry. I want to shout and ask for someone's help. Pero sa tuwing tulong at saklolo ang naiisip ko, isang tao lang ang naaalala ko.
My knight and shining armor. My Arkin. Yung lalakeng hindi sakay ng puting kabayo...kundi ng puting taxi.
Gusto ko ng lumuhod. Nakakaramdam na ako ng hilo dahil sa ilaw na nanggagaling sa disco light. Masakit sa mata. Masakit sa ulo. I think, I am going to pass out.
Yes. I feel my knees getting weak pero nagulat ako ng may isang malakas na bisig ang sumalo sa akin.
Gusto kong tingnan ang mukha niya pero mas nakaagaw ng atensiyon ko ang silver bow tie na suot niya.
Gosh. This Silver bow tie.
Nagangat ako ng paningin pero bigla niyang kinuha nag dalawa kong kamay at ipinatong sa kanyang balikat. Kasabay ng paghawak niya sa bewang ko ay ang pagbagal na muli ng awitin. I can smell his perfume. I wanted to be lost in his smell.
"Wise men says only fool rush in...cause I can't help falling in love with you" bungad ng musikang naggagaling sa liveband.
I can feel my heartbeat. My eyes were focused on the lips that is five inches away from me. This lips....
"Te ves muy bonita esta noche (You are very pretty tonight)" he said in spanish. His voice. I know this voice and I can smell an alcohol in his breath.
Ibang lenggwahe man ang sinabi niya pero alam kong kilala ko ang boses na ito. Namamasa ang mata ko pero pipi ang bibig ko.
"Pienso en ti siempre (I always think about you)" he added.
Inangat ko ang kamay ko at aaktong tatanggalin ang mask niya ng hawakan niya ang kamay ko ng mahigpit at pigilan ako. He pulled me closer to him.
"You can't do that"
"Arkin" I whispered finally then I feel tears coming out from my eyes.
"Gusto kong kiligin at nakilala mo ako. I saved you again, Ms. Ipis"sabi niya at mas lalo akong naiiyak. I want to hug him right now pero naguguluhan ako kung bakit siya andito.
I miss him.
I miss him so much that I want the time to stop. I want to cry. I want to hug him so tight.
I miss him.
Words cannot express how I miss this man.
"Ar-"
"Arnulfo Montemayor III, I thought you don't have a date" sabi ng lalakeng may kasayaw rin. Sabay kaming napatingin sa lalake.
Ano daw?
Arnulfo Montemayor III? Sino? Itong kasayaw ko? Parang gustong tumigil ng mundo ko at mabagal akong napalingon kay Arkin.
"I-I don't understand" I said at nagulat ako ng hilahin niya ako paalis ng dance floor at dalhin sa isang pasilyong walang tao. Medyo mahina na rin ang tugtog dito.
"Naguguluhan ako" I said in shock. He's in front of me unmasked. He doesn't look like the taxi driver guy I fell in love with. He's well groom.
"I know" he said. "I want to enlighten you. I want you to understand what's happening"
"You are Arnulfo Montemayor III?!" Parang hindi ako makapaniwala.
He slowly nods. I cupped my face with my both hands. Paano to nangyari? Paano?
Lalapit sana siya sa akin pero pinigilan ko siya. "Do you know me, huh? Do. You. Know. Me?"
He nods again at mas lalo akong naguluhan. How? Pinaglalaruan niya ba ako?
"Reena -" aakto siyang lalapit ulit.
"No. Stop right there!"
"Reena please"
"Lareen! I am Lareen Castillo for pete sake!!!" I shouted. Kung may makarinig man, bahala na si Batman.
He remained still. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin with the eyes na sobrang miss ko na. Gusto kong sabihing miss na miss ko na siya pero hindi ko talaga naiitindihan yung mga nangyayari.
"Let me explain" he said at natigilan kami ng may yabag kaming narinig.
"Kuya!" Hinihingal pa yung lalakeng tumawag ng Kuya kay Arkin.
"O, bakit Karlos?" Arkin asked.
"Ate is here" sabi niya habang nakahawak sa dalawa niyang tuhod at hingal na hingal dahil sa pagtakbo.
"What?!" Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkabigla.
"Kassandra is here!!!" Karlos said again at bumaling si Arkin sa akin. "Oh, God"
"We'll talk about this, Lareen. I will find you again and we'll talk. Okay?" Nagmamadali niyang sabi.
Gusto ko siyang irapan pero sabi nga ni Kuya Phil, it is really hard to say no to that special one - so I just nod.
"You need to go home. Ask your driver na iuwi ka na. Now!" May authoridad niyang utos.
I take 2 back steps at tumalikod na rin at patakbo na ng hablutin niya ang kamay ko. Gusto kong makuryente sa pagakakhawak na 'yon. Para kaming si Cinderella na naghahabol ng konting oras. Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa pagdating ng Ate niya pero mukhang seryoso siya nung sinabi niyang kailangan ko ng umuwi.
"Take care of yourself and I am sorry" he said it with so much compassion ang sincerity. After saying that ay binitawan niya ang kamay ko at tumakbo na kaming dalawa ng magkaopposite na direction.
"Reena! I mean Lareen, wait!" Pahabol pa niya.
I stopped, turned around and looked at him.
"I miss you. I miss you a lot" he said at tumakbo na ulit palayo.