Crystal and Niel lost their parents three years ago in a vehicular accident. Naturally, ang Kuya Niel niya ang sumalo sa lahat ng responsibilities. She was very young that time. Like Jacob, matanda ang kuya niya ng siyam na taon sa kanya. Magka-batch mate kasi ang mga ito sa college.
Her brother was 23 when their parents passed away. He just graduated from the university when that tragedy happened. He had to take over their main business which was a courier service. May organic farm din sila which her mother managed. She had been there once but she was bored to death so hindi na ulit siya sumama.
She knew it's hard for her brother to be in charge of everything at a young age. Aminado siya na brat siya. She was pampered since childhood. Pareho silang magkapatid. But since nag-college ito, he became more matured. Sabi ng mama niya dati, her Kuya Niel's friend, Jacob was a big factor. Good incluence raw ito sa kapatid niya.
"Good influence my ass!" naiiyak na sabi niya.
She wiped the tears from her face before turning to her right side. Ilang oras na siyang nakakulong sa kwarto. Nakaramdam na siya ng gutom. Kagabi pa siya dinala ni Jacob sa bahay nito na hindi kalayuan sa bahay nila. Mga kasambahay lang ang naiwan doon at ayaw pumayag ng kuya niya na maiwan siya with them. He said he will be away for a few months. He didn't give her much details why he has to go away. Basta ang sabi lang nito, urgent daw na umalis ito dahil do'n nakasalalay ang kabuhayan nila. She didn't really care about the real reason. For her, valid man o hindi, wala na siyang pakialam. Basta galit siya at masama ang loob niya. Para siyang tuta o pusa na iniwan sa pangangalaga ng ibang tao.
Well that's what you get for being such a brat, Crystal! No one among your few relatives in Manila wants you! bulong ng isang bahagi ng utak niya. Inis na umupo siya and threw the pillows to the floor. "I hate my life!" she angrily said.
She didn't know which was worse. 'Yong walang gustong kumupkop sa kanya sa mga kamag-anak nila o 'yong ang napilitang kumupkop sa kanya ay ang lalaking kinamumuhian niya. Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo sa kama at ipinadyak ang paa. She was acting childishly but she didn't care. Since ayaw naman niya talaga rito at alam niyang napilitan lang si DFB to be her guardian, she will do her best to piss him. 'Yon na lang ang chance niya para ito na mismo ang magpalayas sa kanya. Pareho na lang silang mabubunutan ng tinik pag nangyari 'yon. At saka na niya poproblemahin kung saan siya titira after that.
Pero sa ngayon, kailangan na niyang kumain. Wala siyang dinner kagabi dahil wala siyang gana and it's almost 11:30 a.m. now. Naiinis siya na wala man lang kasambahay ang kumatok para tanungin kung kakain siya mula kaninang breakfast. Well hindi naman din siguro siya kakain kanina kung sakali. Pero kailangan na niyang magbaba ng pride. She has to eat now kung ayaw niyang himatayin na siya sa gutom.
Padabog na lumapit siya sa may katamtamang laki ng salamin na malapit sa closet. Obviously, walang feminine touch ang silid na ito. Napaka-basic ng gamit. Hindi pa niya naiikot ang bahay but last night, nakita niyang may kalakihan ito. She knew nasa real estate business si DFB kaya hindi niya alam kung pang-ilan ito sa mga bahay nito. She was also aware na mayaman talaga ang pamilya nito kaya hindi na nakapagtataka na ubod ito ng yaman even before.
"No wonder hoes want him!" she said with a grunt. Natigilan siya sa sinabi niya.
She is not a ho but she used to like him a lot...
She stomped her foot again in annoyance. Naiinis siya sa mga naiisip niya. Tapos na ang kabanata ng buhay niya 'yon. She was so stupid that time at hinding-hindi na niya gagawin 'yon ulit! Huminga siya nang malalim. She looked at herself in the mirror. She may want to continue her rebellion but she can't hide the truth. She has a very pretty face but right now, the sadness in her eyes was visible. Walang kislap ang mga mata niya. Her lashes were naturally long so she doesn't need extensions. Her brows were nicely shaped too. She also has a pretty nose. Tama lang ang tangos nito. Natural din ang pouty lips niya na pinkish. She has a heart-shaped face and her features complimented it. She got her creamy skin and shiny black hair from her mother.
Lumayo siya nang bahagya para mas makita ang buong katawan niya. She has a slim waist and her boobs were average size now. Napansin lang niya na every two years, they seem to get bigger. She just hoped na hindi na mas lumaki pa ang mga ito. She was 5'4 and for her, tama na ang size ng mga ito. Sinipat din niya ang likod niya. She has a nicely shaped butt. Her black hair which she curled a little last night was cascading on her back. Lampas balikat ito.
Humarap ulit siya sa salamin. There was no denying that she was beautiful. Sabi ng mama niya at papa niya, she will become more beautiful as she gets older. Her father called her gorgeous. She bit her lower lip to stop herself from crying. She has to be stronger now. Mag-isa lang siya. Dapat ay wag na niyang isipin ang mga nakaraan na magpapalungkot sa kanya.
Crystal Angeline Perez is a strong woman. She can do this. Kulang tatlong buwan na lang, she will be 18. If hindi pa siya pinalayas ni Jacob that time, she will go. Siya na ang maglalayas. She is of legal age na pagdating ng araw na 'yon at wala nang magagawa si Jacob.
Itinaas niya ang buhok para talian ito. Mukhang mainit ang sikat ng araw sa labas. Hindi niya alam kung may centralized cooling system ang bahay ni DFB so she can't risk getting sweaty downstairs. Ayaw na ayaw niyang pinagpapawisan. It's yucky! She wanted to always smell good and look good.
She didn't bother to put on anything kahit powder lang. Ang mga magagandang kagaya niya with smooth and clear skin can afford having a bare face. She checked herself one more time. Her dark brown tank top was a perfect match for her white skimpy cotton shorts. She put on her white sandals and she was ready to go out. She opened the door and looked outside. Mukhang safe naman kasi tahimik. May dalawang silid na daraanan sa magkabilang gilid bago ang hagdanan. The small living room on the second floor didn't have any furniture. May mga malalaking kahon na nakalagay sa bandang kaliwa nito. Ngayon niya lang na-realize na mukhang bagong gawa ang bahay kaya wala pang masyadong gamit. Nakahinga siya nang maluwag nang maramdaman ang komportableng lamig. The house has a centralized cooling system after all. Nakadagdag 'yon para gumaan kahit papaano ang pakiramdam niya. She almost smiled as she descended the staircase. But she halted when she reached the last step. Nasa sala si Jacob. She almost groaned in frustration.
Aakyat na sana ulit siya when he turned and saw her. Hati ang damdamin niya. Gusto niyang pakitaan na naman ito ng kagaspangan ng ugali at talikuran ito pero kumakalam na ang sikmura niya. She actually felt a bit dizzy now. Pinaghalong gutom at inis ang pakiramdam niya lalo at nandito ngayon ito. He was looking out the glass door on the left side of the living room with a bottle of water in his hand when she saw him first. Ngayon, nakatingin ito sa kanya. Wala itong pang-itaas and she managed to let her eyes stay on his face than look at his obviously great body. Mukhang nag-swimming ito sa private pool sa isang bahagi ng bahay. He removed his sunglasses. Seryoso ang gwapong mukha nito. Kahit naman hate niya ito, hindi niya maikakaila ang kagwapuhan nito.
"It's about time you go down. You look pale as a sheet, Crystal. I wonder kung dahil sa gutom? O sa puyat or both?" he asked in that annoying natural bedroom voice of his.
She gritted her teeth when he grinned. He has a devilish grin while his eyes roamed on her body. Pababa pagkatapos pataas ulit. His eyes narrowed a bit but he kept that annoying beam.
Itinaas niya ang isang kilay at nakapamaywang na sinamaan niya ito ng tingin. "Is this how you treat your guests? I don't think you are short on food or help in your house but it's just so rude of you not to offer me anything to eat? You could have asked one of your helps to bring food up to my room!" inis na sabi niya.
He chuckled and moved forward. Ibinaba nito ang bottled water at salamin sa center table ng katamtamang laki ng sala. Kinaskas nito ng isang kamay ang baba na may stubble habang nakangisi.
"You are not my guest, Crystal. You are my ward. A bratty and spoiled ward who needs to fend for herself dahil hindi na kagaya ng dati ang sitwasyon. This is my house and I have rules in this house. Madaming ginagawa sina Manang Pacita at Rona at hindi ka nila kailangang alagaan because as I can see, kaya mo namang kumuha ng pagkain mo. You can manage to make yourself look..." Pinasadahan na naman ng tingin ang kabuuan niya with a cocked brow. "...that way, so I am sure kaya mo rin ang simpleng pagbaba to eat, right?" nakangisi pa ring tanong nito.
"And what do you mean I managed to look this way? FYI! I don't even have makeup on and I am only wearing simple clothes!" she said defiantly. Kung magsalita ito, parang kinailangan niyang mag-spend ng isang oras to look this good.
"So natural na sa 'yo ang manamit nang ganyan? I really think it's high time that I do something about your clothes because I don't want you walking around my house looking like that!" Nawala na ang nakalolokong ngiti nito. His eyes became steely.
She released a sound of surprise. Napahawak siya sa rail ng hagdanan for support.
"You can't be serious! Pati ba naman ang mga damit ko? You can't take over my life just like that!" may nginig sa boses na sabi niya.
He straightened and crossed his muscled arms on his chest. His stance showed that what he will say will shock her more.
"I can. I just did. After eating, ready yourself. May dalawang linggo pa bago ang pasukan ninyo. Instead of wasting your time with your appearance and doing unproductive things, make yourself useful. Pupunta tayo sa organic farm niyo and you will help there because there is lack of workforce. Time for a big change, Crystal," he said in a serious tone. Pati ang mukha nito seryoso.
She touched her forehead. This was all too much for her. She felt dizzy.
"Fuck! Crystal!" she heard his voice before her body swayed.