Allie
“Arron!!” halos isang hakbang na lang ang pagitan namin nang biglang may babaeng boses ang bumulabog sa katahimikan ng bahay. Napaatras ako agad sa lakas ng boses nito. Halos Sabay kaming napatingin ni Arron sa door way at doon ko nakita ang isang babae na morena at may mahabang buhok. Kung pagtatapatin kaming dalawa ay baka mas matangkad lang ako ng kaunti. She has a pointed nose and a pink lips. Halos masilaw ako mula sa pagkakangiti niya. Sa itsura niya pa lang ay malalaman ko na nasa around sixteen or seventeen years old na siya.
It also helped that she’s wearing a school uniform kaya guessing her age wasn’t hard. But despite of the fresh and young look on her face, hindi mapagkakaila na maganda siya.
“Carmela.” Arron grinned at the sight of her. My body suddenly became alert at the mention of the name. Hindi ako nakapagsalita at tinitigan na lang ulit ang babaeng nasa pintuan kanina na ngayon ay mabilis na humakbang papalapit kay Arron.
Siya si Carmela?
Biglang inangat ni Carmela ang dalawang braso niya. Umiwas naman ako agad, if I knew better–I would think na sinadya niya iyon para matamaan ako o di kaya ay lumayo ako mula kay Arron.
And if that was her intention, then I offer my sincerest congratulations to her dahil napaatras niya nga ako. Tumingkayad siya at hinigit si Arron pababa para yakapin ito. Ipinulupot niya ang braso sa leeg ni Arron at hinagkan niya ito ng napakahigpit. Something funny lurched in my stomach and it made me uncomfortable.
I was almost relieved that their hugging was over when Carmela loosened up her arms from Arron’s nape but my mouth dropped when she leaned in and placed her lips across Arron’s. Kasabay ng pag-uwang ng bibig ko ang pandilat ng mga mata ko. Arron must have been shocked dahil nandilat din ang mga mata niya sa ginawa ni Carmela.
Wow.
She tried to deepen the kiss by moving her head to the side and that was enough to make me look away, blushing. Hindi rin lumipas ang ilang segundo ay itinulak na agad siya ni Arron palayo.
“Carmela!” sigaw ni Arron, doon ko lang binalik ang tingin ko at naabutan ko naman si Carmela na nakapulupot ang braso kay Arron while Arron is trying his best to push Carmela away.
“Na-miss mo ba ako Arron?” Carmela pouted her lips and I really had the sudden urge to pound her lips with my fist until it bleeds, pero hindi ako pumapatol sa bata.
“Carmela, how many times do I have to tell you not to do that?” So it happened more than once?
“Do I need to keep count? Eh hindi naman kita susundin.” bumelat siya dito. Nagbuntong hininga si Arron at inilipat naman ni Carmela ang tingin niya sa akin. The softness and playfulness in her eyes disappeared, it became cold and crabby.
“Who are you?” she snapped and that made Arron sigh again.
“Carmela, be nice.” matapos ay lumingon sa akin si Arron na parang naiilang.
“Allie, this is Carmella she’s–”
“His future wife.” and that made me cough. Napahawak ako sa lalamunan ko na parang may bumara doon na hindi ko gusto.
“Carmela!” Arron snapped.
“What?” the girl whined. Tumingin siya sa akin with a raised eyebrow and chin. I really have a huge feeling na hindi kami magkakasundo. Hindi ko alam kung pailang beses na ito pero walang ibang nagawa si Arron kundi ang bumuntong hininga ulit.
“Carmela, this is Allie. You know her.” Arron gave Carmela a pointed and meaningful look, I wish I knew what it meant para may background naman ako kung sa paanong paraan niya ako kilala. Sinubukan kong ngumiti at iabot ang kamay ko.
“Hi Carmela, it’s nice to finally meet you.” she looked at my hand then scoffed before rolling her eyes.
“Carmela.” Arron said in a stern voice. Ilang beses na ba niya nabanggit ang pangalan ni Carmela ngayong oras? I bet my whole life it was more than ten.
“Whatever. Nasa baba na si Mama, bumaba ka na daw. At isama mo yung… bisita mo.” she uttered the word like she was disgusted, even eyed me from head to toe before storming off the room. Humarap agad sa akin si Arron at halata na punong-puno ng pag-aalala ang mukha niya. It warmed my heart–despite the teenage girl’s cold and infuriating attitude.
“Are you okay?” I blinked my eyes a few times, still looking at the doorway where Carmela left. Unti-unti kong ibinaba ang kamay ko na kanina pa nakaangat bago tumingin kay Arron.
“No offense Arron, but your girlfriend is a brat.” His eyebrows turned into a deep v line, along with his forehead creasing into crinkles and lines.
“Carmela is not–” tiningnan ko siya as if saying, she-kissed-you-nakita-ko-wag-mo-akong-gawing-tanga. He groaned at my face.
“She’s my step sister, okay?” I gasped. That is much worse!
“Incest?”
“What? No!!” he growled. Masyado siyang defensive!
“But you said–” pinutol niya agad ang sasabihin ko.
“My mom married his father, hindi ko siya kapatid by blood and she’s definitely not my girlfriend. She’s not my type.”
“I thought you didn’t have a type.”
“Yeah, I don’t. But I’m starting to grow a fondness towards a certain adorable kitten.” my whole body stilled but my heart didn’t. In fact, it was beating wildly inside my chest. I’m afraid that if Arron stares at it, he’ll notice how it’s reacting so frantically for him. Kung hindi man napansin ni Arron ang pagtibok ng puso ko, pwes napansin naman niya ang pamumula ng mga pisngi ko. He let out a low and soft chuckle that made my knees tremble.
“Cute.”
Alam ko na ako ang tinutukoy niya kaya umiwas na lang ako ng tingin mula sa kanya.
“Let’s go.” he grabbed my hand and I was too busy avoiding his eyes to care. I was too flustered to notice the tiny sparks creeping on my finger. I was too flushed to realize how I liked feeling the warmth of his palm against mine or how perfect his hand felt as he holds mine.
“Arron, iho!” sa tingin ko ay natigil naman na ang pamumula ko nang bitawan ni Arron ang kamay ko. The way Carmela glared at our intertwined hands made me feel uncomfortable pero hearing that she was his stepsister by law, my worry eased a little.
“Ma.” lumapit si Arron sa Mama niya at niyakap ito, smacking his lips on his mother’s cheek. Ipinulupot ni Arron ang braso niya sa likuran ng mother niya, assisting her towards my way.
“Ma, this is Allie De Guzman. Allie, this is Julia Buendia, my mother.” lumiwanag naman agad ang mukha ng Mama ni Arron habang tinititigan ako. Her stares made me feel shy, but not in a bad way. Talagang nahihiya lang ako.
“Uhm–hello po, Mrs. Buendia.” lumapit ako para magmano but his mom pulled me for a hug na ikinagulat ko naman. Arron chuckled at my reaction and I didn’t have the chance to glare at him dahil binitawan agad ako ng mama niya.
“Mrs. Buendia? Call me Tita Julia. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you, Allie! Tama nga si Arron, maganda ka nga. Actually, mas maganda ka kaysa sa iniisip ko.”
“Ma!” Arron shouted and Tita Julie just laughed at nahihiyang napangisi na lang rin ako. I really hate Arron for putting me on spot. Hindi man lang niya ako binalaan na makikilala ko pala ang Mama niya! Nakakahiya talaga! I didn’t even bring a gift or something.
“Nako! Marami tayong pag-uusapan, you’re going to stay for dinner right?” binigyan ako ni Tita Julia ng nakikiusap na tingin. I looked at Arron and he was obviously waiting for my reply. Ibinalik ko ulit ang tingin ko kay Tita Julia na maamong nakangiti sa akin. I held my breath before nodding at masayang niyakap ako ni Tita.
“That’s great! Because the food that I’ve prepared would have been put into waste. Isasalang ko na lang, at makakain na tayo.”
“Kailangan niyo po ba ng tulong?” I offered at kumislap naman ang mga mata ni Tita Julia. Tumingin siya kay Arron at ngumiti ng malaki, like she was really proud.
“I love her already. Very good, son.” Arron just rolled his eyes and grunted. Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa dahil hinatak na ako ni Tita Julie papasok ng kusina na tinuro kanina ni Arron habang nililibot niya ako sa bahay nila.
“Do you want me to help?” tanong ni Arron.
“No.” Tita Julia snapped at her son at nalaglag naman ang panga ni Arron na parang hindi niya inaasahan na iyon ang isasagot sa kanya ni Tita.
“Tulungan mo ako sa assignments ko, Arron.” the way Carmela batted her eyes and looked at Arron really made me shiver. Halos magkapatid na sila kung tutuusin kaya hindi ko maiwasan mapangiwi.
“Oo, mas mabuti pang tulungan mo ang kapatid mo sa assignments niya. May pag-uusapan pa kami nitong si Allie.” umakbay sa akin si Tita nang may malaking ngiti at ngumiti na lang ako sa kanya nang tumingin siya sa akin. Arron gave me a troubled look and I furrowed my eyebrows at him. He let out a sigh before turning to Carmela.
“Tara.”
“Yehey!” yumakap agad si Carmela kay Arron na ikinadilat naman ng mga mata ko. Tita Julia doesn’t look like she’s disturbed naman, kaya hindi ko alam kung ako lang ang nakakapansin. It’s obvious that Arron knows pero sinabi naman niya sa akin na kapatid lang ang tingin niya kay Carmela.
Nang inalis na ni Tita Julia ang tingin kay Arron ay saktong tumingin naman sa akin si Carmela. Ngumisi siya sa akin at matapos ay binelatan pa ako. I silently gasped and she just snickered before looking away.
“I love you, Arron!” masayang sabi nito at halos umakyat na ang lahat ng dugo ko sa ulo ko.
That–that b-brat!
Sa di malamang dahilan, nakaramdam ako ng inis na namumuo sa dibdib ko. I feel like breaking something. Or hurting someone in particular. I have never been a fan of violence. At mas lalong hindi ako yung tipo ng tao na nanakit ng iba dahil lang sa nagseselos ako.
Hell. Did I just say that I was jealous?
No. No. No. That’s not possible.
Why would I be jealous? There’s no reason for me to be jealous and I have no right to be jealous and even if I do have, bakit naman? I have no feelings for Arron. Nada. Zero. Zilch. Absolutely and completely none.
Tsaka, bakit naman ako magseselos? Arron said it himself, hindi niya type si Carmela. She’s like his baby sister and he also said that he’s rather fond of a certain kitten.
Oh yeah, I’m definitely screwed. I should probably stop thinking right now before my brain decides to try and figure out the answer towards world’s poverty.
“Hmm. Paano kayo nagkakilala ni Arron?” pagkapasok namin sa kusina ay sinimulan na ni Tita ang paghahanda ng ilang ingredients na gagamitin. Meron na siyang ibang minarinade na nakaprepare, madadali na lang naman ang ibang pinapagawa niya sa akin.
“Schoolmates na po kami since highschool pero hindi kami close. Last month lang kami nagkausap. May ilang subjects na magkaklase kami and unfortunately, na-late kami pareho sa class.”
Ngumiti si Tita Julia bago tumango. “That’s what he said too. It’s funny how you’ve known each other for a long time but only had the chance to really acknowledge each other’s presence. It’s like destiny’s waiting for the right time and the right moment.” bigla naman akong nasamid sa sinasabi ng mama ni Arron at napatawa naman siya agad. “I’m sorry. Ang hopeless romantic ko pa rin kahit ang tanda-tanda ko na.”
Hindi ko naman maiwasan mapangiti. “It’s okay po, Tita. Halos lahat naman tao may hopeless romantic bones sa katawan.” Tita Julia didn’t say a word after that and I welcomed the silence. Nahihiya pa rin kasi ako kumilos sa harap ng mama ni Arron. We were a little close to finish preparing dinner when Tita Julia started talking out of the blue.
“You must be really special, Allie.”
“Po?” kunot noong tanong ko dito.
“Arron, he never mentioned–or introduced any girl to me. That means you’re special. And from what I can see, Arron’s special to you too. Itinatago mo lang. Hindi ako manghihimasok sa kung ano ang meron sa inyo ng anak ko but I just want to say thank you for making him happy. It’s inevitable but I’ll still say it anyway, please don’t break his heart? At least, not too badly?”
“Tita…” I wanted to tell her the truth. Ang akala ko ay sinabi na ito ni Arron. Akala ko ay kaya siya mabait sa akin dahil likas lang sa kanya at wala siyang pakialam sa pinaplano naming dalawa but Arron didn’t tell her everything.
“Promise me, Allie.” hinawakan ni Tita Julia ang braso ko at para naman akong nanlambot. She stared at me with warmth and acceptance. If I was Arron’s girlfriend, this would probably mean a lot dahil binibigay ni Tita ang blessing niya sa akin but I’m not Arron’s girlfriend. For some reason, I didn’t want to disappoint Tita Julia. I don’t want to admit that I wasn’t anything to Arron. I want to accept her accusation and just go with it. I didn’t know what came into my mind that made me nod my head and before I can even stop myself from saying it, it just rolled casually on my tongue.
“I promise.”
Arron and Carmela came down from upstairs just in time Tita Julia and I finished setting the table. Nang makita ko si Arron na kasama si Carmela na pababa ng hagdan ay pinilit ko pang itulak ang hindi maipaliwanag na emosyon na bumabalot sa utak, dibdib at kakaibang pakiramdam sa tiyan ko.
I’ve felt this before. With Dominic. Whenever I’m seeing him with any girl. It was jealousy and I’ve never liked feeling it. Feeling jealous means feeling insecure. I don’t like being insecure. It’s the worse feeling ever because it ruins my self-esteem–my ego.
“So, what do your parents do, Allie?” Tita Julia started the conversation, ruining the silence enveloping the dining area.
“My Mom owns a small bakery shop. Parang coffee shop, though we focus on selling bake goods. Si Dad naman, district lawyer.” sagot ko at tumango-tango naman siya.
The dinner dragged on till nine. Tinawagan nga ako ni Mommy, tinatanong kung bakit hindi pa ako umuuwi and I apologized for not going home early, sinabi ko na inaya ako ng mama ng kaibigan ko na kumain ng dinner sa bahay nila at hindi ako makatanggi. My mom believed it since she doesn’t think I have any reason to lie naman, and it’s the truth anyway so I don’t have to feel guilty about it.
What made it sound like a lie is that Arron is not a friend. Okay, he is but he’s not just a friend. He’s helping me break up with Dominic and it’s not in a good way.
Hinatid ako ni Arron sa bahay namin. Binalot kami ng katahimikan sa loob ng sasakyan niya buong biyahe. Hindi rin kami nagkausap masyado sa bahay ng Mama niya dahil lagi akong kinakausap ni Tita Julia. We always catch each other looking though. Minsan ay ngingisi siya sa akin at minsan naman ay hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti sa kanya, most of the time I was scowling at him and he didn’t mind it. Mas napapangisi lang siya lalo kapag ginagawa ko iyon.
“Thank you for today, Allie.” pag-umpisa ni Arron.
“Why did you bring me there?” it was not an accusement. I didn’t mean it in an offending way. I was really curious. Kapag naalala ko yung sinabi ni Tita Julia na ako pa lang ang napapakilala ni Arron sa kanya–it bothered me. It haunted my mind. It took me a lot of self-discipline to tuck that information at the bottom of my mind but right now, it managed to escape and find its way to the top.
“It just felt right.” mahinang sabi nito.
“It’s wrong, Arron.” I sternly said and suddenly, the atmosphere between us got more intensed. “Hindi ko dapat nakilala ang Mama mo. It was too personal. You shouldn’t have told me about anything–about you–nothing. Mali iyon.” umiling-iling ako.
“Then why does it feel right?” I looked at Arron who also turned to me. I saw his eyes and saw the desperation lacing in it. He wanted me to see how he strongly believes that it was right.
“Not because it felt right doesn’t mean it wasn’t wrong.” hindi sumagot si Arron sa sinabi ko. Nanatili ang katahimikan sa pagitan naming dalawa. Wala naman na akong ibang sasabihin, at mukhang wala na rin siyang ibang masabi. I sighed, unbuckling my seatbelt. I pushed the door open but paused to have a good look at him. When he still didn’t say a thing, that’s the time I finally said my goodnight before leaving the car.