Kabanata 55
Johansson's heir
"This will be your school." rinig kong sabi ni Johansson nang lumabas ng sasakyan. Kasama namin ang dalawang bata, busy si Ate Xena kaya naisipan naming kunin si Dior para ipakita sakanila ang magiging eskwelahan nila.
Mahirap na dahil ito ang unang beses nilang papasok, kailangang maging komportable sila sa environment kaya dinala namin sila. Mukhang wala namang problema dahil manghang-mangha sila at nagtanong pa kung papasok na ba sila bukas!
For Johansson, he said he wanted to drop us off before going to work pero nang tinatanong ko siya ulit nang tuloy-tuloy kami sa loob ay sinabi niyang hindi naman kailangang nandoon siya sa meeting mamaya.
"Mommy will just get your uniforms, okay? Yaya Percy and Yaya Rose are just there." lumuhod ako sakanila at tinuro ang dalawa sa may bench.
"Okay!" si Dior habang si Lauren naman ay ang mata ay nasa slides kaya pinakawalan ko na sila.
"Nagpaalam kana?" naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Johansson sa bewang ko bago ako hinawakan sa kamay.
"Yup, this way diba?" hindi ako makatingin sakanya. Bakit ganoon? Hindi ako masanay-sanay sa kung ano kami ngayon. Ang hirap i-sink in na kasama na namin siya. It was just a glimpse of "what ifs" at ngayon, live ko na siyang nakikita at na-e-experience.
"Please announce that I won't attend the meeting, Dad will be there right? I'll call him to have lunch tomorrow." biglang nanlaki ang tenga ko at hindi na pinansin ang mga intragang naggwapuhan sakanya.
"Hindi ka papasok?" tanong ko ulit nang tumabi ulit siya sa akin. Umiling siya at sinundan ng tingin ang kamay kong nasa braso na pala niya. Agad ko iyong binawi pero mabilis naman niyang kinuha iyon at binalik sakanyang braso
"Nothing important meeting for today, Dad is there so there's no need for me there."
"Brent?" napatingin kami sa babaeng tumawag sakanya. May hawak siyang bata pero agad niya itong binigay sa helper at mabilis na lumapit sa amin.
"Paula." tumayo si Johansson at nakipagbeso sa babae.
"Oh! Are you here for your brother? I heard about your brother, is he okay?" tuloy na tuloy na sinabi ni Paula
"He's doing fine. I'm with my family." kumunot ang noo ng babae at tumagilid ang ulo.
"Family?"
"This is my fiancee, Tiara. Tiara, this is Paula, college friend."
"Oh! Mukhang hindi ako na-inform tungkol dito. Hi! I'm Paula, my husband and I are his college friends." tumango ako sa bagong impormasyong nakuha. Simula pa noon ay kahit na lagi kaming magkasama ni Johansson dahil sa student council but I never see him hang out with other guys. And now, hearing all these stories from Paula made me feel how foreign Johansson is to me.
Tumingin ako kay Johansson sa parte kung saan kinukwento ni Paula ang tungkol sa pagpaparty nila every thursday or friday night.
"I was convinced that Brent is a genius when we get wasted and there's a surprise pre-test the next day in one of our majors! He got a perfect score! Samantalang wala man nakalahati sa amin sa klase." she giggled and try to behave her son, running around us.
Tumango ako, aware sa kung ano ang kakayahan ni Johansson sa pag-aaral. But I think he's more genius in business, seeing how well their businesses are doing right now.
She asked about our relationship kaya nasabi ko sakaniya na ex-boyfriend ko si Johansson at umalis akong buntis.
"What? Hindi mo sinundan? How dare you!" tinuro niya si Johansson at pabirong sinuntok sa braso.
"I didn't know she was pregnant! But when I went to France for a vacation, I hired an investigator before and looked for her but their security was too tough that I can't even know which city she lives in." nanlaki ang mata ko, hinanap niya ako?
For sure, malalaman iyon nina Mommy and Daddy kung may taong iniimbistegahan kami. Kaya pala sobrang higpit ng security namin at bawat labas namin ay dapat may kasamang kahit dalawang guards. I know for damn sure the reason for those tight securities.
Nagtinginan kami ni Johansson, ngumuso ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. Kahit ilang beses talaga naming pag-usapan ay may natitira paring guilt sa akin. I know I can't replace those years with Lauren, I feel like I was a thief in their bond.
Johansson looked at me and hugged me tight. I know he knows what I was thinking and right now, he's assuring me by kissing my forehead.
Naabutan namin sina Lauren at Dior sa malawak na football field ng campus with some kids. Nakita ko sina Ate sa malayo at tinatanaw ang mga bata kaya dumiretso na kami sa kabilang building kung saan ang huling gagawin namin.
We finished early and when we came back, they are in the cafeterie. Mukhang nagutom sa kakatakbo.
"Come here, let me change your clothes." Si Johansson nang lumapit sa dalawa. Kinuha ang dalawang spare clothes kay Ate at sya na mismo ang nagpalit ng damit ng dalawa.
I smirked while watching him, it's an unusual sight for me but I was surprised that he knows how to wash and dress Lauren. Pero ibang bagay na ang pag-palit ng diapers at naghehele ng sanggol.
Picturing him with another baby in his hands while tapping Lauren's bum to put her to sleep makes my heart warm.
Nagkasalubong ang kilay ni Johansson nang nadatnan akong nagpapantasya sa future namin. Umiling ako at nginitian na lang siya bago magdeklara na kakain muna saglit sa labas.
"What are you thinking?" bulong ni Johansson nang napansin na tahimik ako sa sasakyan.
Umiling ako at nilingon ang mga batang nasa tabi ko. Van ang gamit namin dahil kasama ang mga yaya at ilang bodyguards. Johansson insisted at hindi na ako umangal lalo na't kasama namin ang mga bata.
Nag-vibrate ang phone ni Johansson at tinitigan niya muna ito ng ilang sandali bago sinagot.
"Mom." I patiently listen to their conversation while the kids are having their cute talk about their new school.
It seems like Tita Regina wants us to stay in their mansion until dinner, tumingin sakin si Johansson, asking for my approval. I nodded dahil wala naman kaming gagawin this whole day aside from their school.
"We will go to Mimi's house?" tanong ni Lauren, narinig siguro ang usapan namin ng kanyang Daddy.
"Yes, she said she'll show you the playhouse in the backyard." at dahil doon ay excited sila at iyon na lang ang bukambibig sa byahe.
Come to think of it, I didn't expect Tita Regina to be fond of Lauren immediately. I thought it would take months to process her acceptance of her grandchild pero eto siya siya ngayon, may playhouse na sa bakuran wala pang linggo ang lumipas.
Nang nakita ko ang malaking gate nila ay doon lang tumama sa akin na nandito ulit ako sa puder ng mg Johansson. For years, this used to be our play place with Maxxine. I never had any range in this place, just my childhood memories and now coming back here, with my daughter... our daughter... feels unreal.
Kita ko ang paghilera ng mga tauhan, maski ang mga bodyguards sa malaking pintuan ng mansion. Lauren and Dior looked at each other and I saw their biggest smiles.
"Are we in a castle, mommy? Just like Lola and Lolo's house?"
"They have royal guards too!" turo ni Dior sa mga guards na nadaanan namin papasok.
"Daddy and Mimi lives here, darling." sabi ko at di na natuloy ang sasabihin nang pinagbuksan na kami ng pintuan at mabilis silang bumaba.
Lauren immediately saw her Mimi at the center and run towards her. Sumunod sakanya si Dior at sabay na nagmano, Tita Regina kissed both of them. Kita ko ang pagtitig ng mga staff sa dalawang bata, kita sa mga mukha nila ang kuryosidad pero ni isa walang nagsalita o gumalaw man lang.
"Good afternoon, Sir.... Ma'am..." sabi ng matagal na butler ng mga Johansson. I smiled at him. I remember him because he's always with Johansson simula pa noong una, simula noong mga bata pa kami, sa school man o sa hardin nila. Nasa malapit, tinatanaw si Johansson at naghihintay ng may kakailanganin.
"Good to see you again, Ma'am Tiara. Namiss ka ne'tong alaga ko." patago siyang siniko ni Johansson at hinila ako palapit sakanya.
Nagtawanan kami pero mukhang etong si Johansson ay hindi natutuwa kaya pabiro ko siyang tinampal sa braso.
"Alam ko namang namiss mo ko eh, hindi na kailangang sabihin ni Kuya Jay." he just tsked at me and pull me closer as Tita Regina tour the kids to their grand mansion.
Manghang-mangha ang mga bata sa entrance palang ng mansyon, paano ba naman kasi... malaking grand entrance ang una mong makikita sa malawak na silid na 'to. Aakalain mong nasa palasyo ka talaga. Naalala ko noong una kong punta dito dahil sa event at imbitado lahat ng kasosyo ng mga Johansson.
"Xena, hold Tiara's hand." utos ni Mommy kay Ate dahil naiiwan na ako sakanila. Hindi nila ako masisisi, it's my first time here at nakakamangha talaga ang interior ng mansyon. I feel like I'm in a fairytale and this is my prince charming's castle.
And all of the people are wearing gowns and tuxedo, a perfect example from my favorite disney princess movie. Ganitong-ganito, I wonder what's the room behind those doors? Maganda rin kaya ang garden nila? I bet!
"Can I see my friends, mommy? They are already here..." paalam ni Xena at tinuro ang mga kaibigan niya kahit na nasa France pa kami.
"Later after we talk to the Johanssons. Hold your sister's hand, Xena!" my Ate sighed as her caught my hands while my eyes are still roaming the area.
"Don't be pasaway and hold your ate's hand, Tiara. This is a big place so it will be difficult for us to find you." wala sa sarili akong tumango at nginitian si Ate Xena.
Lumapit sa akin si Daddy at inayos ang buhok ko, I smiled at him at hold his hand while Ate Xena holds Mommy's hand and together we walked towards the said Johansson family who hosts this event, according to Mommy.
"Happy birthday, Adam!" bati ni Daddy sa lalaking matipuno at mukhang ka-edad ni Daddy.
"Happy birthday po..." sunod ni Ate Xena kaya nakisabay ako.
"Thanks for attending despite of the short notice, we didn't know you came home from France.How's your stay here?" I'm not really interested on their talks but I pretend to listen dahil papagalitan kami kay Mommy.
"It was nice, medyo nag-aadjust pa ang mga bata sa init." Mommy laughed at they all looked at us, kasama ang ibang pamilya na mukhang interesado sa naging buhay namin sa France. I don't know...
I smiled at them at greeted them.
"How old are your daughters, Shayne?"
"Xena's seven and Tiara is just five."
"Both of them are exquisite! You should enroll them to my workshop! This is my symbol, exquisite and elegance!" they all giggled to the statement of a man, who I think is gay. Tumawa rin kami ni Ate. I like this man's voice, very girly.
"Thank you for the compliment, Sir." si Ate Xena habang ako naman ay palipat-lipat ng tingin sa mga tao.
"Tiara has the same age as my son, Brent. I'm Tita Regina by the way, an old friend of your mommy." she said to me, I nodded at look at her side, hoping to see the son she was talking about.
"Oh, Brent is not here. He's kinda... not into parties like this so we let him do his part." I smiled and nodded at Tita Regina, kinda disappointed for meeting my potential playmate.
I saw how Ate Xena slid out off the crowd and go to her two friends, I frown and looked around me to see any child in this crowd. No one, I bet their in the dessert island?
I smiled at poked my Mom to get her attention, I pointed the dessert area and she nodded and mouthed "Come back here after." I nodded and take that as a sign to exit.
Hindi naman talaga ako kukuha ng dessert, kinda early for that. I'm looking for a potential playmate and there I saw a girl, I think the same age as me, wearing a vibrant yellow gown and eating a marshmallow with a nanny beside her.
I also grab a marshmallow and dipped it in fondue and sat beside her.
"Hi!" I greeted, she was shocked and shy at first but her nanny encourage her to talk to me.
"Hello..."
"I'm Tiara, what's your name?"
"Maxxine..."
"Naku tong batang 'to, kaya walang kaibigan eh." bulong ng nanny nya bago tumayo at kumuha ng panibagong dessert para siguro kay Maxxine
I smiled widely at her as I pointed at her gown.
"You look like Belle in your gown, it's beautiful!"
"Really? That's what I asked Mommy for my dress... you see... Belle is my favorite..." mahinhin na pagkakasabi niya.
"Uhm... yours looks like Cinderella's..." I nodded at stood up to show my gown. Indeed, it looks like Cinderella's.
"Stand up so I can see yours." I held her hand and made her stood up
"Okay..." We twirl together and both laughed.
"There's something missing in your dress, a rose as a prop maybe?" I said because that's Belle's favorite flower.
"Rose? There's plenty in their garden!" sabi niya at agad na hinila ako. Mangha ako na alam niya ang pasikot-sikot sa lugar na 'to, siguro ay lagi na siyang nandito. Ilang segundo pa ay binuksan niya ang malaking glass door at tumambad sa amin ang sobrang malawak at magandang hardin.
"Woah..." I said as I spin around to look at all the plants and flowers. Indeed, there's a rose plants meters away from us.
Natigilan ako nang may anino akong nakita, malapit sa greenhouse. I think it's a butler because of his clothes. Kumaway si Maxxine at ngumiti naman iyong lalaki sa amin. He looked at me for a second then he talked to someone inside of that greenhouse.
"It's the Johansson heir, he doesn't talk much." kibitbalikat ni Maxxine at tinuro ang banda kung nasaan ang mga roses. Tumango ako at agad siyang tumakbo papunta doon habang ako naman ay bumalik ang tingin ko sa greenhouse.
Isn't rude to just pick a rose? I remember Beast from the movie.
I'm kinda hesitant because of the look the butler is giving me but he suddenly smiled and guide me to enter the greenhouse.
"Uhm... excuse me, me and my friend, Maxxine will just pick a rose from your garden. Is that okay?" I am pretty sure my voice is loud and clear but there's no responses.
"Hello?" tinignan ko ang butler na nakahawak padin sa glass door ng greenhouse. Tumango siya na para bang alam niya kung ano ang nasa utak ko.
Is he really here?
"We will just pick a rose from your garden, I hope you don't mind." ulit ko ng mas malakas.
I sighed when there's still no response, I guess it's okay. The butler is here who witnessed my permission.
"Who are you?" I almost ran because of the voice I heard. Hinanap ko ang boses at nakita ko siyang nagbabasa sa may sitting area sa gitna, pinapaligiran ng mga halaman.
"I am Tiara, sorry to interrupt your reading."
"Why are you here?" I almost rolled my eyes, parang hindi ko sinabi ng dalawang beses ah!
"To ask permission if we can pick a rose from your garden?"
"Why are you asking me?" I saw from here that one of his eyebrows raised.
"Huh?"
"You used a different tone." this time, I really rolled my eyes. Pasalamat siya at nagmamabuting loob pa akong magpaalam. Base sa nakita ko kanina, hindi man niya mapapasin na kumuha kami ng isang rosas sa dami noon!
"It's useless, Maxxine definitely picked one right now." at doon ay binalik niya ulit ang mata niya sa libro, may ngiti sa labi.
Ngumuso ako at tinalikuran na siya. I thanked that butler and ran towards Maxxine na may hawak na scissors at dalawang rosas.
"Where have you been, I already picked yours!" sabay abot niya sa akin ng isa.
"Nagpaalam ako sa may-ari."
"Tito Adam?"
"No, the Johansson heir."
"Zeeyan? Aish, effortless sasabihin mo dun. He doesn't respond, right?"
"Uhm... actually we talked a bit, I even rolled my eyes because of his sarcasm." hindi makapaniwala si Maxxine sa narinig.
She attended two parties of the Johansson and according to Maxxine, most children immediately come to him to talk and play but he always remove himself on the crowd without saying any word.
"Mommy wants me to be friend with him since Mommy and Tita Regina are good friends and business partners." kibitbalikat ni Maxxine at ininom ang juice na binigay ng kanyang nanny.
"But he never talks to anyone, I doubt if he knows our names."
I suddenly recall our interaction, I'm pretty sure he knows her name. Or maybe I just told him that I'm with Maxxine? Anyway, why is Johansson this special anyway? He's suddenly the main talk even when I was introduced by Maxxine with her friends that are same age as me.
Lahat nagiging alerto kapag naririnig ang pangalan ng anak ng mga Johansson. Ano nga ulit ang pangalan 'non? Ben? Bien?
"You have to be friends with Zeeyan, okay?" rinig ko sabi ng matanda sa anak niya, tumango iyong bata at tumakbo palapit sa amin.
Kumunot ang noo ko, is it necessary to be friends with the Johansson heir? Mukha namang ayaw niyang makipagkaibigan at mas gugustuhing magkulong sa greenhouse.
The program started and all of us sit with our parents, natuwa ako nang malaman na same table lang kami ni Maxxine. We had our little chitchats and giggles while the adults do their greetings for the birthday celebrant. Natahimik lang kami nang halos lahat ay tumingin sa susunod na babati, ang kanyang anak.
He said his speech to the guests and his greeting to his Dad. It is well spoken and he's confident with his eye contact, are we really in the same age?
A loud applause was made for him and Maxxine's Mom lean to her to say something but I am close enough to hear it.
"Talk to Zeeyan after this."
"Moooom, I don't want to..."
"Just try to be friend with him, darling. He will be your classmate so I want you to have friends." ngumuso si Maxxine at walang nagawa kundi tumango. Tinignan ko ang ibang mga nakilala kong bata, some of their parents are whispering to them. Ganoon din ba ang sinasabi nila? Na makipagkaibigan sila sa Johansson heir?
Tinignan ko ang mga magulang ko, they look unbothered and driven by the speech in the stage. Mommy caught my stares, she just smiled at me and ask what do I want. Ngumiti lang ako at umiling.
Main course are served kaya tahimik ang lahat, nag-ingay lang nang tumayo ang mga Johansson para isa-isahin ang mga tables. Their table is just next to ours kaya kami ang unang pinuntahan, this time they are with their son but he's just giving the guest his straight face pero nang makita ako ay ngumisi siya at may binulong sa butler na nasa tabi niya.
Umirap ako at ibubulong na sana kay Maxxine iyon kaso hinila ako ni Ate Xena para makapag picture ang pamilya namin sakanila.
"Brent, this is our daughters - Xena and Tiara."
"Nice to see you again, Tiara." nakangisi siya habang sinasabi iyon.
"Oh you already met their daughter!? I thought you are hiding from the people." pabiro ni Tita Regina at agad na iniba ang topic.
Hindi ko inaasahan na kakausapin ako nung lalaking iyon, I thought he'll just pretend that he doesn't know me!
Tumawa siya nang nakita ang reaksyon ko, inayos ko ang posisyon ko at nag-make face sakanya. He just smirked and immediately went to his Dad to talk to Maxxine's family.
Maxxine looks absolutely uninterested and when she got introduced to the Johansson heir, ngumiti lang ito at agad na nagpaalam kung pwede ba akong puntahan.
That's our first interaction together, I disliked him from the start and while growing up. But strangely, we developed friendships together with Maxxine.
Maxxine is the main reason why I'm always at the Johansson mansion. Her parents and Johansson's parents are great best friends and childhood friends and they want the same for their children so after that, most of our summers and weekends are in their mansion.
She would always cry when I'm not with her in that mansion kaya lagi nila akong sinusundo sa amin. Minsan kasama si Ate Xena at ang ibang kaibigan namin ni Maxxine but most of the time it's just us.
We would help Tita Regina with her gardening, tea party, flower decoration and many more.
"We are classmates!" salubong ni Maxxine pagkababa namin ni Ate ng van. We are in our red uniforms and high socks.
Tumalon kami sa sobrang tuwa at sabay na pumasok ng classroom. We have our nannies with us pero naiwan sila sa may waiting area.
Kumaway ako kay Ate Lucy pagkatapos niya kami paalalahanan na doon lang siya sa may waiting area kung may kailangan kami.
"Recess!" nilabas ni Maxxine ang dala niyang snacks at ganoon din ako. Tinawag kami ng mga kaklase namin para sama-sama kumain sa may damuhan. Our teacher lay a massive picnic blanket for us to sit in.
Nakaupo na kami at masayang cinocompare ang mga dala naming baon ng napansin ko ang iilang kaklase namin na lumalapit sa likod ng puno at babalik na malungkot.
"Did you talk to him?" one Mother asked his son
"I already Mom but he said he's not interested."
Kumunot ang noo ko, sino ang pinag-uusapan nila?
I just shrugged it off and answered some of their questions.
I think ate Lucy is generous on my first day, my favorite filipino food is good for three!
"Teacher, where is Zeeyan?"
"Oh he's eating with his guardian."
Nagtinginan kami ni Maxxine, mukhang alam ang gusto kong gawin.
"Susunod ako." sabi niya habang nagbibigay siya ng baon niyang chicken curry. Tumango ako at tumakbo papunta sa likod ng puno, kung nasaan si Johansson.
"Hey... I wonder if you want a company... I can share you my bento since this is too much for me..." sabi ko nang nakalapit sakanya. He has a table and chairs with him and a butler beside him. I looked at his table and I was shocked how many foods he have.
Tinignan ko ang dala kong adobo, medyo nahiya sa steak na nasa harap niya.
Nakatingin lang siya sa akin at hindi nagsalita habang iyong butler naman niya ay inilahad sa akin ang upuan. Tumango ako at umupo doon.
"Why are you here?" masungit niyang tanong
"Gusto ko lang ipagmayabang sayo yung adobo ko, bakit?" nagtaas ako ng kilay, he smirked and get a fork
"Hoy, akin yan!" sabi ko nang kumuha siya ng ulam ko
"Sabi mo gusto mong ipagmayabang yang dala mo, edi eto?" inilapit niya sa akin yung tinusok niyang karne. Natahimik ako, I think this is the first time to hear Johansson speak in tagalog. Nagulat ako.
"How was it?" I anticipated his reaction but he's giving me blank face
"What is this?"
"Adobo!" halos hindi ako makapaniwala sa narinig. Don't tell me this is his first time to try adobo?!
"Ado-what?"
"Adobo! Filipino food?" nilingon ko ang butler niya para humingi ng tulong sa alaga niya pero tumatawa eto.
"See? Even your butler finds this ridiculous!"
"What?" mabilis siyang lumingon sakanyang butler na ngayon ay umiiling.
"Sir Zeeyan's favorite dishes are japanese and italian so that's what the chef always cook for him."
"And not this?" hindi makapaniwala kong tanong.
Tinignan ko ang mga pagkaing nasa harap niya at puro italian iyon. So hindi pa siya nakakatikim ng sinigang? Lechon?
"Hey!" sigaw ko nang kinuha nya ang baunan ko at pinalit ng pagkain niya
"Akin na muna 'to, try these foods. They're also delicious." sabi niya at agad na kinain iyong adobo ko na may kasamang kanin.
Naglapag ng pinggan at kubyertos si Sir Lee sa harap ko, kumuha ako ng seafood pesto at tinikman iyon.
"Masarap... but I want rice and adobo." ngumuso ako at tinignan siya ng masama. He smirked and give me a portion of my supposedly meal.
"Thank you ha..." sarkastiko kong sinabi, tumawa lang siya at tahimik na kaming kumain.