Sorry for the errors, sa phone lang ako nag-update. Hehe. Comment down your thoughts. Happy reading, enjoy! xoxo.
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Chapter 2
''Remember''
While I was walking back to the garden, the wind blew hard causing my hair to fly everwhere. Naiinis na sinikop ko iyon gamit lamang ang isang kamay. And when I fixed it to one side, some of my hair got stucked at the back of my dress.
Oh, come on!
''Ugh!'' I tried to pull it myself but it was really stucked. Mukhang sa zipper pa!
Lumapit ako sa bulwagan ng kanilang mansyon, sa teresa. Nilagay ko ang regalo sa barandilya at pinagmasdan ang paligid. There were lights all over their manor. Lumipat ako sa medyo madilim na parte dahil ayaw kong may makakita. When I'm already sure that no one's around, I tried to pull my hair again. Masakit pero pinagpatuloy ko. Sinubukan kong buksan ang zipper ng damit ko pero lalo lamang na may sumabit.
''Kainis!''
To my anger, I harshly pulled the zipper back. Laking gulat ko nang matanggal iyon at marinig ang konting pagkapunit at pagbukas ng aking damit. My eyes went wide when I felt the wind brushing my bare back. Sinilip ko ang aking likod at nakitang tuluyan na ngang bumaba ang zipper noon! And what's worse, sira na! Para akong binusuhan nang malamig na tubig.
''Oh my gosh!?''
''Are you... okay?'' I heard a deep voice.
Napahawak ako sa harap ng aking damit dahil medyo lumuwag na iyon. Agad na hinarap ang taong pinanggalingan ng boses dahil paniguradong kitang kita na ang buong likod ko! I just realized now how dark it is here when the only thing I could see is a portion of his face, the other sides are covered by shadow.
Oh, heavens! This is a man! Paano ko sasabihin ang problema ko?!
''My dress malfunctioned. Do you, uh, happened to have a spare clothes?''
Kahit madilim ay kita ko kung paano nangunot ang kanyang noon. For sure, wala naman siyang damit na pwede sa'kin! And oh, who does even bring spare one at parties?! Pinagpawisan ako pero pilit kong kinalma ang boses at sarili.
''Get me a safety pin.''
''I don't have one. Do I look like I bring safety pin all the time?'' he asked in a sarcastic way.
I scowled. Right. He got a point there.
''I can't go back there looking like this.'' I mumbled to myself. How can I go back there to ask some help from my mom? O kaya pipilitin ko silang umuwi na kami! Pero paano ko sila kakausapin? And my phone's inside my pouch, which is with Daddy!
''I have clothes upstairs. Maybe I can lend you something...'' he looked at from head to toe. ''suitable for you.''
He look so cocky. Iritadong sinalubong ko ang kanyang mga mata. But wait, upstairs? Inside the De Leon's Manor? He has a room here? Is he one of them?
Umirap ako. Whatever. ''Lead the way, please.''
Tumango siya at nagsimula nang maglakad. He glanced at me when he saw me struggling with my dress. May pagtataka rin sa kanyang mga mata. Hindi niya siguro alam kung anong problema sa'kin. Well, he couldn't see my problem that's why he has that reaction.
Panay ang tingin ko sa paligid. Silently praying that no one will see me at this state. Everyone's busy outside but for sure, marami ring tao dito sa loob. This guy... nakita niya nga ako kahit madilim, what more inside this well luminated mansion? Someone will probably see me, and at the state of almost naked!
I can hear whispers and laughs from a few distance. Narinig ko rin ang ilang yapak papalapit. Malakas na kumalabog ang dibdib ko. I hurriedly went in front of this man. I heard his controlled gasp.
''Cover me.'' paos kong sabi nang mas marinig ang mga yapak.
''Huh?''
''Bilis!''
Hindi siya gumalaw kaya ako na mismo ang lumapit sakanya. I pressed my back against his body. I felt him stiffened.
''Why didn't you tell me!'' tunog pangaakusa iyon.
''You didn't ask!''
''Shit.''
''Where is the birthday boy, Jean?'' boses ng lalaki.
I was about to take a look at the group who entered when he pulled me at some hallway. We went inside at the first door in the left. Ipit ang singhap na kumawala sa bibig ko nang naipit niya ako sa pinto. We were both facing the door. Gone the coldness I was feeling a while ago, all I could right now is his body heat pressed against my back. Hindi niya siguro napansin ang distansya namin. Anyway, I don't mind. And I don't care.
Inilapat ko ang tainga sa pinto para mas marinig ang nasa labas. Nang halos wala na akong narinig ay sinulyapan ko siya sa aking likod. He's seriously looking at the door like it did something so heinous to him. Mukha ngang nakalimutan niyang nandito ako.
''I think they're gone.'' I said silently trying to catch his attention.
At dahil matangkad siya ay tila bata niya akong dinungaw. His confused eyes stayed at my eyes for a few second before it went to my back. Pagkatapos ay agad siyang lumayo tila ba napaso o nasaktan, hindi ko alam sa dalawa. But his facial expression showed something like that.
''Are you okay?'' I asked.
''Tss. Why would you even wear such dress like that.'' he mumbled to himself.
''Pardon?''
Hindi niya ako pinansin at tila may hinahanap na sa paligid. Ngayon ko lang napansin na banyo itong napasukan namin. Even their bathroom looks regal. But not as regal as this man. I eyed him as he open few cabinets under the sink. Nang makakita ng isang towel ay agad siyang tumayo nang maayos at nilingon ako.
Gulat na gulat ako nang itapon niya iyon sa aking mukha. How rude!
Mabilis kong nasalo iyon bago mahulog sa sahig. Gusto ko siyang sigawan pero dahil ako ang humihingi ng tulog ay hindi ko ginawa. What I could do for now is to give him death glares.
''You could've handed it to me in a nice way.'' sabi ko habang pinupulupot ang tuwalya sa aking likod. ''You don't have to be so rude.''
''Move, I'll see if I can do something about your problem.''
Gumilid ako at hinayaan siyang lumapit. Hinawakan niya ang knob pero naghintay siya ng ilang segundo bago iyon binuksan. He went out to check something. After, he motioned for me to come with him. But I didn't move. I glared at him when he glanced at my way.
''Stubborn girl.'' he said.
Napasinghap ako nang huliin niya ang aking kamay at hilahin papunta kung saan. I looked around to see if there's someone around. Pero wala akong nakita kaya pala may gana itong lalaking ito hilahin ako papunta sa malawak at magarbo nilang hagdaan!
We only stopped walking when we were already in front of a wooden brown door. Medyo hinihingal pa ako nang nilingon niya. Nakita ko kung paano siya tumitig na tila ba may malalim na iniisip. He shook his head after a while.
''Wait here.'' he said and went in leaving me here outside.
Iiwan niya ako dito? Paano kung may makakita sa'kin? What would I say? Without thinking that much, I went inside as well. Mabuti nalang ay hindi niya iyong nilock.
I couldn't see much inside because the room only had a little light. He dimmed it for sure. Hinanap ko siya sa paligid at nakitang wala siya dito. I don't see movements as well. What I saw are the things inside this room, large bed, sofa, television, and other things I couldn't name because of darkness. But I saw another door that is open and well lighted. That's probably a walk in closet. Is this is his room?
I stayed there standing, waiting for him to appear in front of me again. Pero agad akong nakaramdam ng pagod dahil na rin siguro sa pangangabayo kanina.
''What are you doing here?'' a voice cold as ice made me jump.
My eyes went to him and saw his dark expression etched on his handsome face. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang may hawak na isang puting... tshirt? Yan ba ang ipapasuot niya sa'kin?
''You expect me to wait outside? What if someone sees me?''
''You should've wait outside. I don't like someone barging in inside my room without my permission.'' matigas niyang sabi.
Right. I know. Lalo na kung hindi mo kilala ang tao na iyon. I will be uncomfortable as well kung sa kwarto ko iyon nangyari.
''Yeah, sorry...''
Mariin niya akong tinitigan, may kung anong tingin sa mga mata. I tried to smile at him but failed. I am damn embarrassed right now. Muli kong naalala na kanina pa ako napapahiya sa kanyang harap. He even saw me back there when I had a problem with this cheap dress I'm wearing. I didn't know I'll lose my poise there.
I heard him sigh. ''Sit down.''
Muli siyang bumalik sa loob ng walk in closet. Di ko alam kung saan ako uupo. Pero dahil malapit ang kama niya kung na saan siya ay doon nalang ako umupo. I felt how soft the matress is when I sat down.
He wouln't mind me sitting down here, right? Magagalit ba siya? Siguro? Agad akong tumayo. Pero umupo rin ulit. He won't right? He invited me to sit. Pero right, hindi sa kama niya, Vernaise! Ilang beses nagdebate ang utak ko kung uupo o hindi. Kaya muli akong napatalon sa gulat nang marinig ang boses niya.
''What are you doing?'' he asked while leaning at the frame of the door.
I gulped. Eyebrows knotted and arms crossed, he looked at me seriously. I caught the little amusement that danced in his eyes before it was gone in a flash.
''Huh?''
Napatampal ako sa aking noo. He probably thinks I'm such a weirdo. Who wouldn't be weird out with my actions? Kahit ako, oo.
Napatingin ako sa malaking salamin sa unahan. I feel like all of my blood went to my face when I saw my position. Magulo ang buhok, maluwag ang damit, may tuwalyang nakakapit sa likod, at medyo nakatuwad. Oh my gosh! I hurriedly went to fix myself.
Tumikhim ako. ''I--I was just trying to sit down!''
He titled his head to the side, looking away. But in the mirror, I saw the smirk he's trying to hide from me. Mas lalong nag-init ang mga pisngi ko.
''If you say so,'' he said.
What a night!
I grew impatient as I wait for him to come back in his room. My family is already looking for me right now, that's for sure. Matagal-tagal na rin akong nawawala. Baka atakihin si Daddy pag hindi pa ako nakabalik ngayon din.
Ilang beses akong nagpabalik-balik ng lakad. Where is he right now? Ang sabi niya kukuha lang siya ng safety pin! He couldn't find a cloth suitable for me. Dapat kanina ko pa iyon naisip. Lalaki siya... tiyak na wala siyang damit pangbabae. At isa pa hindi rin ako pwedeng basta-bastang bumalik doon ng iba na ang damit. What would my family think? A safety pin would fix this dress, and he's looking for it downstairs.... dahil wala rin siya dito. But what's taking him long?
''Argh!'' Sa inis ko ay naitapon ko ang tuwalya sa sahig. Kanina pa ako naiinitan dito dahil hindi bukas ang aircon. And the irritation I'm feeling right now makes it a lot hotter.
I gasped when I heard a few knocks outside. Relief washed over me. Good thing he's back! Pero ilang hakbang palang papalapit ay tsaka ko pa lamang napagtanto ang nangyayari. Why is he knocking? I don't think he's a person who'd knock before entering. Did he lock the door?
''Jav?''
Someone called outside. My eyes widened. That's a different voice! That is definitely not him.
The door opened and an unfamiliar man showed up. Tumalikod ako bago pa man ako nito makita. Hinawakan ko ang damit sa aking unahan. I know he'll be able to see my bare back, but I just couldn't let him see my face!
''Who are you?'' his soft voice asked.
''H--he's not here.'' I said with a trembling voice. Mas lalo akong pinagpawisan dahil sa kabang nararamdaman. Inayos ko ang aking buhok para matakpan ang mukha kung sakaling lumapit siya.
''Is he there?'' I heard another voice from a far. I could also hear the tapping on her shoes in the floor. Her. Because it's a woman's voice!
I cursed mentally.
''He's not here...'' the man with a soft voice answered. ''But there is someone--''
''Someone? Anong ibig mong sabihin? Wala siyang pinapapasok sa kwarto niya--''
I panicked and ran towards the walk in closet, not minding my state. Sinarado ko iyon, pinatay ang ilaw, at halos magtago. I couldn't hear them talking anymore. Ang huli kong narinig ay pagsarado ng pinto sa labas. Sinubukan kong pakinggan kung nasa loob sila ng kwarto. The beating of my heart intensified. Halos hindi ako makahinga. Who are they? Are they the De Leons?
Ilang minuto akong nanatili doon, pawis na pawis. I could feel my sweat running down from my forehead to my jaw. I caught my breath when I heard the door opening and closing again. Maraming yapak ang narinig ko mula sa labas, naglalakad, at tila may nag-uusap pa. Suddenly it stopped.
I shrieked loudly when the door where I'm in, opened. Someone pulled me out and I almost stumbled on my feet. When I pulled my hand back, I got out balanced and my face fell on the soft bed.
''Ay, juskopo.''
Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan ng boses. My eyes widened when I saw a girl a bit older than me. Nakauniporme itong itim at may dalang tray. Mariin ang pagkakapikit ng mga mata nito at tila takot na takot pa sa kung ano.
''Get up.'' that hard voice again.
I don't know if I should be relieved to see the man who has been helping me or to lash out because of the way he treats me. Nasa likod ko ito at nakadungaw sa'kin. His adam's apple moved before averting his eyes away from me. I gritted my teeth as I push myself up off the bed.
''I know you're strong but you don't have to move me harshly like that again!''
Hindi niya ako pinansin at binalingan ang babae. ''Do something about her dress, Remy.''
I groaned. ''My body is already aching because of you! Please be gentle next time. Masyado kang malupit!''
He laughed darkly. I had this confused expression in my face when he literally laughed at me. Anong nakakatawa?
''Remy.'' he called again, clearly ignoring me.
''O--opo.'' sagot nito.
Tiningnan ko ang babae. Is this one of their househelp? Naglipat lipat ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa. Her hands are clearly trembling at tila ba may nasaksihan na hindi dapat makita o marinig. Pulang-pula rin ang kanyang mukha.
Then... I remember when she saw my state a while ago. Nakadapa sa kama dahil sa pagbabalibag ng kanyang amo. I flushed when I realized the things I told this man. Vernaise, what a fool you are!
''I--it's not what you think it is!'' depensa ko sa aking sarili kahit wala naman itong sinasabi.
Walang nagsalita kahit isa sa aming tatlo pagkatapos noon. I saw the smirk in his face. Napapikit na lamang ako sa hiya.
Remy is fixing my dress as I sat on the sofa, sideways, facing the man sitting like a king at the end of the bed while looking at me intensively. His legs are spread wide apart, like he's trying to mark his territory in that bed. Ang isang kamay ay nakatuko sa kama at ang isa ay nagpapahinga sa kanyang hita. His body and stance looks so manly in the dark.
Ngumiwi ako. Right. Siya nga ang tipong nangbabalibag sa kama.
''Problem?''
Kanina ko pa siya tinatapunan ng masamang tingin pero tila wala lang iyon sa kanya. This brute. How old is he? I'm sure he's older than me. But not that too old. Mukha pa naman siyang bata pero kung makaasta akala mo kung sino.
''Someone went here...'' panimula ko. ''I think they're looking for you.''
''Did they recognize you?''
''No?'' I answered unsure. The man definitely saw me but the woman, I'm not sure. He saw but I'm sure he didn't recognize me. ''I hurriedly went to hide in your closet, remember?''
He nodded, uninterested.
''Have you seen the box I left outside this Manor? I think I left it at the place where you saw me first.'' I suddenly asked. He didn't say anything so I continued. ''It's a midnight blue box wrapped in a white ribbon.... uh, it's a gift.''
Gumalaw ang kanyang kilay. ''A gift?''
''Yes. That's important, I can't lose it.'' sagot ko. Alam kong naiwan ko iyon doon. Kailangan ko iyon balikan mamaya pagkatapos nito. ''It's a gift for Javier de Leon.''
''For... who?''
I rolled my eyes. ''For Javier de Leon. Can't you hear me properly? You keep on asking.''
Tumikhin ang babae sa aking likod kaya nilingon ko siya. Nakita ko ang makahulugang titig niya sa lalaki sa aming harap. When I looked back to the man, he only raised an eyebrow at me. Kumunot ang noo ko. It's like they just had a secret conversation.
''Javier de Leon, huh?''
''Is there a problem?''
''Why would you give him a gift? It looks like you're not even familiar with him.'' aniya.
Right. He has a point. But clearly it's not my gift. My lolo just asked me to give that gift to Javier on my behalf. Pero hindi ko kailangan magpaliwanag sa kanya kaya hindi ako sumagot.
''Do you know him?'' he probed again.
''Somehow...'' wala sa pag-iisip kong sagot.
''Somehow?''
''T--tapos na.'' si Remy.
I hurriedly went infront of the mirror to see my back. May iilang safety pin ang nagdudugtong doon. Ang aking damit ay hindi na kasingganda noon, pero pwede na. I rather have this than walk around almost naked. But one look, and you could say that it got ruined, bad. What a cheap dress.
''My family's probably already looking for me.'' I mumbled to myself.
Sa salamin ay nakita ko ang pagtayo ng lalaki. He went inside his closet, and when we went out he has already a brown coat in his hand. Tumigil ang tibok ng puso ko nang lumapit siya sa'kin at isinabit iyon sa magkabila kong balikat. It's quite big that I didn't need to put my arms inside anymore because it would look weird. It's better to let it hung in my shoulders, it's more fashionable that way.
''Lets go.''
I nodded. ''Alright, thank you.''
I also uttered my thanks to Remy before she dismissed herself, almost running. Kahit nagtataka ay pinagkibit-balikat ko na lamang iyon. We also went out a few minutes after. Nauna ako sa paglalakad dahil medyo mabagal ang galaw niya sa likod ko. Pababa na kami sa hagdan nang hindi ko mapigilang linungin siya. Tumigil siya nang tumigil ako.
''I'll go first.'' sabi ko.
He just nodded his head. At dahil maliwanag na ngayon dito sa labas ay nakita ko na ng buo ang kanyang mukha at katawan. He's wearing an expensive black longsleeves that is rolled up until his forearm. His hair is fixed in a nice way, and he has this arrogant aura enveloping him.
I was right. He's not just handsome in the dark. He's more handsome in the bright light.
''I'm Vernaise, thanks for the help!'' I muttered with sincerity.
Hindi ko na nahintay pa ang ang kanyang sagot nang namataan si Daddy sa ibaba may bakas ng pag-aalala. I hurriedly went down to see him. Nasa huling baitang na ako nang may makasalubong na lalaki. We both stopped when we saw each other. His eyes lingered at me curiously for a while, giving me some time to examine his face. He looks familiar.
He smiled before walking past me. Nilingon ko siya na nagmamadaling umakyat halos tumatakbo na. I think I saw that smile before. Oh, I remember now. Siya iyong lalaki na nakatitigan ko sa kabilang mesa.
''Javier!'' he called someone upstairs.
My forehead creased. Javier?
''Vernaise!''
I turned away from the grand stairs and went to meet my father's rage. I sighed deeply as I brace myself to meet the storm.
This will be a very very long night.