"Dad you've gotta be kidding me? Is this for real? I thought you're giving me this on my graduation?" I couldn't contain my excitement. Fuck. Okay. I'm sorry for cursing but my dad just bought me this limited edition of McLaren. Damn! I've been saving for this my whole existence.
"You always did great in your polo games, you're too good riding your ponies, and I'm sure you'll be good at riding this one too... Also, you've done your part for our charity event last week. This is nothing compared to your hardwork." Napayakap ako kay daddy dahil sa labis na katuwaan. Hindi naman ako iyong klase ng tao na sunod sa layaw ang lahat ng gusto. I don't ask most of the time, only my parents would initiate what should I have, and I trust them on that one.
As much as possible, I don't ask for things that can't be of use for the time being or longer time. Kung hindi naman kailangan na kailangan ay hindi ako nagpapabili, why do we have hierarchy of needs for nothing? My mom taught me well, to appreciate all the things I have now, be it small or big. Basta napapakinabangan, nagagamit nang maayos dapat ipagpasalamat. "I like it dad! Thank you so much!"
"I saw you one time checking this on the internet. I know you want it but you never ask me to buy it for you..." Sa totoo lang, I've had enough of ponies, it's like having a collection of cars too, kaya naman hindi na ako nagpapabili ng kotse kay daddy. I also have my bodyguard and driver with me, si Mauricio, so I don't have car in my mind most of the time. Although I would dream of at least having one someday, gusto ko yung pag-iipunan ko talaga.
I remembered mommy telling me to work hard for the things I want, iba kasi talaga sa pakiramdam yung magkaroon ka ng bagay na gusto mo dahil pinaghirapan mo ito. At the age of 13, every summer, dad would bring me to ViC, and I sort of do a job that somehow needs my brain cells, he would allow me and I got paid for that. I was able to buy my first pony when I was 15, 2 years kong pinag-ipunan dahil hindi naman ganoon kataas ang sahod ko from ViC, in fact my job also included photocopying and printing documents, doing minutes of the meeting. With that I was exposed to how ViC actually works. Unti-unting pinaliwanag sa akin ni daddy kung anong estado mayroon kami, but they taught me of always keeping our feet on the ground despite of having a life far from simple one.
ViC already has chains of hotels, one of their best is the Mi Ela Hotel, in which dad, during his first time as the CEO, named it after mom's name, while the other Villangco's has the Villangco Medical Center and ViC where dad is still the current CEO ventured on a polo field. He got the idea from me although I'm not participating in national competition just yet.
Sinipat kong muli ang bagong-bago kong McLaren. Biglang pumasok sa isipan ko si Yshara. Naisip ko lang namang ihatid-sundo siya gamit ito, a bit flashy but those days would probably be one of the best days of my life. Napangiti ako. "I can see how much you like it now..." Puna ni daddy. You don't have any idea dad. I like my new car but I guess I like this one person even more.
I don't get the chance to meet her again and it's been one month already. I even reactivated my Facebook account for her. Pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin niya in-accept ang friend request ko. She doesn't want to be friends with me, kahit iyon na nga lang. "I really like it dad. Lost for words kung paano kita mapapasalamatan." Tinapik-tapik ni daddy ang balikat ko.
"You're doing great just the way you are now. That's more than a way of saying thank you."
Recently I just got my professional driver's license, a perfect timing indeed for me to practice my skills more. But I guess I would be settling with Dad's Mercedes-Benz for a while, I'm not sure of my capability in driving a new car just yet.
"Whoa! I'm so in love with this!" Napahalik tuloy ako sa manibela nang subukan kong maupo sa driver's seat nito.
"But don't drive it yet very often for now, you just recently got your driver's license." Ani daddy. "You can drive my Mercedes Benz for the mean time. It's the first time you'll drive alone not from your driving school." Iyon nga ang unang naisip ko. "And continue doing well on your study since I guess you would be more in love with your McLaren now than with your beloved Cindy," dad jokingly said. Umiling-iling agad ko eksaktong lumabas naman si mommy dala-dala ang baked cookies niya.
Lumabas ako mula sa aking bagong-bagong McLaren. "Dad, Cindy is my first love, she's my first. Walang makakahigit nun dad, but I'm really grateful with a McLaren in my life." Ngumisi ako kay daddy.
"Your son talking again as if she's talking about her girlfriend. I can't wait to see you with a girl." Pinisil ni mommy ang magkabilang pisngi ko kaya naman naka-nguso na ako sa kanya. "But you're still our baby boy."
"Mom! I love you but please stop calling me your baby boy...pag narinig na naman 'yan nila Jordan ay pagkakaisahan na naman nila ako."
"Okay okay fine. I'm missing the old Dray tuloy. Just be careful on driving," hinapit siya ni daddy papalapit sa kanya.
"Mom you've been there too, puberty..." Marahang tumawa si mommy habang naiiling.
"I will drive this if I saw my girl again." Nagulat si mommy sa sinabi ko.
"You're dating someone already?" Yumakap sa kanya si daddy mula sa gilid niya habang binabaon ang ulo sa kanyang balikat.
"If things go well mom, I'll surely will." I winked at mom bago kumuha ng baked cookies at nagtungo pabalik sa mansion. Ang dami pang pahabol na tanong ni mommy but I know they'll have their alone time together. I'm always proud of my parents for maintaining the love they have for each other.
Recently, I've heard a lot of cheating stories about couples which I always compare to my parents. Mom and dad had been married for 19 years now, and last month I just turned 18... Imagine how long could a couple stay together as long as they truly love each other, mad respect for them.
Kung bakit ba naman kasi napakadali para sa ilan ang magtaksil. How can they sleep at night knowing they're cheating over their partners? Damn. Having more than one girl in your life doesn't make you a true man, you're just a lowly creature for that. Na parang sinasabing ang basehan ng pagiging lalaki ay ang pagsasabay-sabay sa mga babae. O ang pagiging basehan ng pagiging magandang babae ay pagkakaroon ng dalawang lalaki sa buhay. You have no balls at all man, for those boys who cheat! And for a girl who cheats, you don't deserve a man!
So why am I thinking about it? Wala lang. Naisip ko lang na kung sakaling magmamahal din ako, I'll make sure, I'll give the same love I have for my parents. And the same love Dad has for my mom. Walang pangalawa, nag-iisa lang.
I drove my McLaren just around our whole mansion. Minsan ko na itong nailabas nang nagkayayaan gumimik sina Jordan.
I am with dad today, here in ViC for the expansion of Mi Ela Hotel. Nakikinig lamang ako sa opinions ng head engineer and architect. Nagpapalitan sila ng mga mungkahi. Habang si dad ang nagdedesisyon sa huli. They sometimes ask for my opinion but since I'm still in senior high school, only the basic ones are those I can be of help. Although dad encourages me to say what I want.
"You'll be leading them too in the future. It's better that you're already expose to them now," si daddy habang naglalakad kami pabalik ng kanyang opisina. Tumango lamang ako, hindi ko gaanong naiisip iyon. As much as possible I'd like to have my own name, hindi dahil pinasa lang ni dad ang nasimulan nila noon sa akin. I want to start from scratch.
Napasulyap ako sa aking phone nang mag-vibrate ito.
Jordan:
Bro! You have to come with us tonight. Yshara is coming to town Haha!
Napakunot ako ng noo. They already asked me last night about this bar hopping they were planning, and I immediately rejected them. "Any problem Dray? What's with the sudden frown?" Umiling ako tsaka nag-angat ng tingin kay dad.
I'm not a fan of bar hopping neither going to bars. In fact, I always reject my friends in hanging out in bar. I'm fine with loud music, but I'm not fine with seeing girls almost throwing themselves to a man. I'm not a saint and I admit to that, kaya bago pa ako makapag-isip ng bagay na pananamantala gamit ang isipan ay lumalayo na ako. I don't like being chase, I'd rather chase someone until she see my worth.
"Dad, nagyayang magbar sina Jordan," and I see to it na kapag bar ang pupuntahan ay pinagpapaalam ko kina dad and mom, although they never were strict of me on that matter.
"Go ahead. You may bring your McLaren, just be careful on driving. Don't get drunk so you can still drive safely back home."
Pinarada ko ang McLaren sa parking space ng bar na tinext sa akin ni Jordan kahapon pa. Hindi na ako nagreply pa kanina nung muli nila akong tinanong. I'm sure they got the idea afterall.
Loud music and lights welcomed me as I enter the bar. "Oh holy shit! That's freaking Haniel DeAndre!" A lady in black tube top and fitted white mini skirt approaches me. Napapikit ako nang mariin. I imagine Yshara wearing the same cloth, fuck! Baka naiuwi ko agad iyon sa kanila. I wouldn't let any man feast over her body. Naka-blue dress pa nga lang siya noong una kaming nagkita ay kita na agad ang hubog ng katawan niya paano pa kaya kung ganito. Surely, I won't allow it.
"Excuse me girls! Wala kayong mapapala sa lalaking ito. Kahit maghubad kayo sa harapan niyan ay baka damitan lang ulit kayo." Napangisi sina Declan mula sa kanilang upuan, may dalawang babae sa magkabilang gilid niya. Samantalang si Gregory ay tahimik na sumisimsim sa kanyang alak.
I remembered the first time I went to bar with them. I got a bit drunk and was a bit tipsy too. I was only 17 that time, and Declan always have his ways. A lady on her twenties strip in front of me. I had no choice but to let her wear my black leather jacket. That was one bad memory for a first time, one of the reasons I'm not exactly the 'bar type' guy.
"Damn you Jordan! Our baby boy is under a fairy's spell," hindi maintindihan ang pinag-uusapan ay nilagok ko ang isang baso ng alak na dapat sana ay iinumin ni Gregory. So where the fuck is Yshara right now?
"Fuck dude! Can't believe I lost to you!" Nilapag ni Declan ang check sa tapat ni Jordan na ngayon ay abot-langit ang ngiti. I tried to take a peek of the digits on the check. What the fuck? Why did Declan gave Jordan a five hundred thousand check? Not that he can't, but just shit! That's freaking too much for---
"They just had a bet if you'll go here just because Jordan told you that Yshara is here. Basically Jordan bet on you coming tonight so he won." Si Gregory na pinapaikot-ikot ang alak sa kanyang baso, the ice made a rhythm while it touches the side of the glass.
Sinuntok ko ang braso ni Jordan. "Fuck you bro! Yshara isn't here?" Natatawa siyang umiling bago may itinuro sa kung saan.
"Looks like the young miss isn't that innocent at all." Tumagal ang titig ko sa babaeng may kausap na lalaki ngayon. I am sure it's Yshara but who is the man she is talking to? Sigurado akong mas matanda iyon sa kanya at mas matanda rin sa amin nila Jordan, probably on his late twenties. Akmang tatayo ako nang mariing dinagan ni Jordan ang palad sa balikat ko upang mapaupo ako. "Huwag padalos-dalos," Nawala na sa tabi namin si Declan, marahil ay nagpakalunod na naman sa atensiyong nakukuha mula sa mga babae.
May kung anong nagngitngit sa kaloob-looban ko. Naikuyom ko ang palad ko sa hindi malaman kung saan nanggagaling na iritasyon. Damn it. "Watch it and see it for yourself." Ani Jordan, habang may halong panunuya ang kanyang boses. Mariin niyang tinatapik-tapik ang braso ko.
"That man is a teacher, you don't remember him?" Si Gregory na sa malayo na nakatingin. "The teacher that's very famous to high school and senior high school students in our academy," the prestigious academy where we are studying now is one of the many business ventures of Greg's family.
"That man is---"
"The ever so good man Brantley Faustino," ngayon ay mas naging malinaw na sa akin ang ngisi ni Jordan. "Funny how he shouts authority at school but looks like he's also smitten by a mere grade 11 student," tuloy-tuloy pa ang panunudyo nito, as if he's waiting for my reaction. And guess what, I just gave him the satisfaction, who the fuck will be able to stand seeing the girl you like being with someone.
"It is forbidden." Tumayo ako at akmang lalapit na sana sa kanila nang biglang nagsalitang muli si Jordan.
"Forbidden but she likes it. A 17-year old girl falling in love to a 29-year old man...a student-teacher relationship...that's not new, that's even hotter. What do you think they are doing after the class, alone together? Probably the girl would lie on the table and the teacher would---" sinuntok ko sa pisngi si Jordan.
"Fuck you bro! Don't you ever think so lowly of her!" Tatawa-tawa siyang nakipag- high five kay Greg habang naiiling naman ang isang 'to.
"Bet accomplished." Tsaka siya humalakhak at nag- toast pa talaga ang dalawa.
"Mga gago!"
"Yes we all are when we fall in love," si Gregory na kitang-kita ang panunukso sa mga mata. "Go on, go get what's gonna be yours soon." Tinulak nila akong dalawa.
For a split seconds I was stunned when she saw me. But then I didn't see any reactions on her face again. Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at muling tinuon ang atensiyon sa lalaki, they were in perfect corner where no one would notice them. Nagsimula akong maglakad papalapit sa kanila, but the courage I have felt suddenly get crashed when Yshara kiss him on his cheeks.
Marahang hinawakan ni Sir Brantley ang balikat ni Yshara. "Ysha let's go home now." Umiling ito habang nagbabadya na ang luha sa kanyang mga mata. "Please, this isn't the place for you,"
"Huwag pilitin kung ayaw," they both look at me. Mariin akong tumitig kay Sir Brantley. He has my big respect before but seeing him now try hitting on an innocent girl, that's just disgusting!
"Mr. Villangco what are you doing here?" He frowned.
"Why Sir Brantley? Are you afraid that I might tell anyone because you are aware of what I'm capable of?" I asked him while mocking. I smirked. Hinila ko papalapit si Yshara sa akin.
"Mr. Villangco I believe you've mistaken me for doing something wrong tonight."
"No Sir. I clearly saw that you're trying to violate someone's innocence earlier." Inayos niya ang suot niyang jacket bago tuluyang lumapit sa akin, nakipagmatigasan siya ng tingin. He's the same height as I am kaya naman madali lang para sa kanya ang hamunin ako na parang nasa isang dwelo kami ngayon. We both stand 6 ft.
"I'm sorry to say, you got it all wrong. Come here Yshara." Nagulat ako nang dahan-dahang lumapit si Yshara sa kanya. I tried to reach for her hand but she refuse it. Umiwas siya sa akin. "I'm taking her home now. She isn't should be here in the first place." Kinuha niya ang kamay ni Yshara na nagpaubaya na.
My mind go fucking crazy as I watch them get lost from the sea of people all out partying. "Sundan mo, make sure she gets home safe, not being touch at all." Si Declan na may malaking ngising nakapaskil sa kanyang mukha. Nginuso niya kung saan dumadaan sina Sir Brantley at Yshara palabas. As if my feet had their own mind, naglakad ako patungo kung saan ang sila lalabas.
Mabilisan akong sumakay sa McLaren. "I'm sorry baby, I just had to." I drove fast like I am on my way to heaven tho I'm not sure if I'd be there.
Nang maabutan ko na sila ay tsaka ako nagdahan-dahan nang pagmamaneho. Lumiko ang sasakyan nito sa isang exclusive subdivision. Hinarang ako ng security guard, agad kong binaba ang bintana. "Sir Dray ikaw pala 'yan! Kina Sir Jordan po ulit." Damn you Jordan! You knew you were living in the same exclusive subdivision as her. Pero hindi man lang sinabi ng gago! Anyway, I am ready to make an excuse but good thing, that boy can be of help sometimes.
"Thank me later..." Text ni Jordan na parang narinig niya ang sinabi ko. Is this one of his plans because if it is I swear I'd give his a million peso for that.
Bumuga ako ng hangin tsaka muling pinagpatuloy ang pagsunod sa kanila. Grandest house are all here, kaya naman hindi nakapagtataka na rito rin siya nakatira, she's a Pedrino and a Madriaga.
Nag-park ako sa kung saan ay tanaw ko na sila. Hindi agad sila bumaba ng kotse. Fuck. I'm not thinking so lowly of her, I'm sure they were just talking. Gusto kong matawa sa sarili ko, I have never defended anyone this bad aside from my parents. Am I really falling for her? I admit that I really like her. I just simply like her...but falling? Sa tingin ko ay wala pa ako roon pero siguradong darating din ako sa puntong iyon.
"Please come out right now..."
Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang lumabas na sila ng kotse, si Yshara na sinandal ang noo sa dibdib ni Sir Brantley. She is crying. Hinawakan ni Sir Brantley ang magkabilang braso ni Yshara, maybe telling her to hush. Nag-angat ng tingin si Yshara sa kanya, she was trying to say something, dahil pansin ko ang pagpipilit niyang ibuka ang kanyang bibig, but at the end she chose to close her eyes bago umatras palayo kay Sir Brantley at tumalikod upang pumasok na sa kanilang bahay.
Nakaalis na ang kotse ni Sir Brantley subalit nanatili pa rin ako run. I can't see their house, dahil natatakpan ito ng mataas na gate, made that way for their safety and security for sure.
Ilang beses akong bumuga ng hangin bago napag-isipang umuwi na lamang. That wasn't a good encounter. Hay. Maybe she likes him, and he likes him too...but why do I feel like getting mad about it. Kinalma ko ang aking sarili habang nagmamaneho, bukas ay mas mainam na kalimutan na itong nararamdaman ko.
Lumipas ang araw, linggo, buwan na parang hinangin lang. The company staffs throw a simple dinner for me dahil hindi na ako magiging madalas dito sa kompanya. Grade 12 na ako sa pasukan at kailangan kong ituon ang buong atensiyon sa pag-aaral. I still wanna maintain having the highest honor.
"You did well son," dad raised his wine flute and offer a toast. Nagpasalamat ako sa lahat, dahil sa dami ng aking natutunan.
When the time comes, I'd like to build my own name, build new homes that is modern yet very affordable. I'd like to dedicate my life building homes for a family where love, faith and trust would always prosper.
"If you can name a hotel with my mom's name, maybe naming a subdivision to my future isn't a bad idea at all,"natawa na lamang si daddy.
"It takes perseverance in doing so, Dray. But I know you are tougher than I was before. But make sure the girl is like your mom, not better than your mom because I'm sure there's no better woman than she is." Sinang-ayunan ko si daddy. I'd like to be with a girl just like Mommy Ela.
Kinabukasan ay nagtungo ako sa school upang kunin ang schedule ko. August ang naging simula ng aming klase noon pa man.
"Core subjects, contextualized subjects, specialization subjects. Fuck. How are we supposed to play polo with these subjects? Ang hirap na nga ng prerequisites ng mga to!" Si Jordan na nagmamaktol habang nililipat ko ang schedule ko sa iPad. "Bro! Where's the fun now? Sana tulad na lang ako nila Declan at Gregory na nagtratrabaho na sa sarili nilang kompanya." Sinuntok ko ang braso nito dahil sa pagiging magulo.
"They have done this too. Tatanda ka rin tulad nila." Declan and Greg are way older than us, kung kami ni Jordan ay parehong 18, si Declan at Greg naman ay parehong 23.
"But I'm not as smart as you three," ngumuso ito na parang awang-awa sa sarili.
"Bro, hindi bagay sayo, sarilinin mo na lang 'yan." Naiiling akong tinatype ang Basic Calculus sa iPad. Huli kong tinype ang General Chemistry 1, just like what Jordan said, this is hella hectic schedule. Pero isisingit ko pa rin ang pagtulong sa ViC, that way I won't have to think about her that much. The feelings I have for her are short-lived, mabilis din naman akong nakausad sa nangyari.
"Si Yshara oh...mag-isa." Hindi ko na ito tinapunan pa ng tingin. Kung kailan ka umiiwas tsaka talaga gagawa ang kapalaran na magtagpo ang landas niyong dalawa. "Bro!" Niyugyog ako ni Jordan. Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay naabutan ko na lamang si Yshara na mag-isang nagpupulot ng mga gamit niyang nahulog. Napatingin siya sa direksyon ko, nag-iwas ako ng tingin.
But why does my heart aches so much just to see her looking at me?