Chapter 8
Nagising si Sophia dahil sa tunog ng kaniyang alarm. Agad niyang kinapa ang digital clock at itinigil ito. It's 9 am at balak nya sanang magbreakfast sa buffet kahapon kaya niya ito sinet.
Pagkatapos ay agad siyang bumangon at dahil dito sumakit ang kaniyang ulo. Patuloy niyang iniisip kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari kagabi. Ang naalala lamang niya ay ang pag-inom niya ng tequila kahapon at ang lalaking kasama niya na si Chris.
Sa bedside table ay nakita niya ang 4 tablets ng Advil at isang basong tubig. Agad siyang uminom ng isang tableta dahil hindi na niya kinakaya ang sakit ng ulo.
Pumunta siya sa kaniyang banyo at naghilamos. She is shocked to see her reflection on the mirror wearing her silky lingerie.
Agad siyang lumabas ng banyo at kwarto. Sa hallway pa lamang ay pakinig na niya ang mumunting boses ng nag-uusap
"The security's finding about what happened last night sir clearly shows that boy didn't give Sophia the tequila but a Vodka which is 88% the second drink is a rum which is 84.5% a sunset rum particularly." pakinig niya ang boses ni Grae
"Thank you Grae for helping. You've done alot and I am apologizing for the trouble that my daughter has done." boses iyon ng kanyang ama
Lumabas na siya at nagpakita nasa dining nga ang mga ito. Parehas itong nakaupo at kumakain ng breakfast.
"Good morning Dad." bati niya sa ama at humalik sa pisngi nito
"Morning Sophia, have a seat eat your breakfast." malamig na bati ng kaniyang ama
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward and cold.
"So uhmm how's your conference last night?" aniya para naman maiwasan ang katahimikan
"It was fine not until I heard the news that my own daughter was on the club without my notice and all alone. And a boy who gave her an 88% alcoholic drink" galit na sabi ng ama at ibinaba ang tinidor.
"Dad sorry, I know you're busy and I didn't want to disturb you for my capricses. And yeah I am left alone with no one. Sorry Dad." paghingi niya ng tawad sa ama
" And what about that boy you are with?" galit parin ang kaniyang ama
"Dad he's Chris, I didn't know that he gave me other drink! I asked for tequila not for that." paliwanag niya
"And you didn't tell me or even anyone where you'll be going last night huh?" anito
"Sorry dad" paghingi niya ng tawad
" Your Mamita and Grandpa will arrive later. Fix yourself. For the mean time if you have somewhere to go Grae will escort you, not unless you're with your Mamita and Grandpa. Understand?" sambit ng kaniyang ama
"Okay Dad. But can it be Lito na lang?" tanong ni Sophia
"Lito is just around doing some chores I thought you saw him yesterday." ani Dad
The mood was lighter than earlier.
"Where is Sebastian? If Sebastian was here he'll totally get mad." ani Sophia at tunawa pag katapos at umiling-iling
"He'll be back soon, you excited lil girl? I'll go ahead." paalam ng kaniyang ama at hinagkan siya sa ulo
Inihatid ni Grae ang ama niya sa pintuan. Sa hapag ay mayroong omelette, hotdog at bacon, fruits, fried rice, waffles at hot choco. She needs to control her diet dahil mananaba siya kung kakain siya ng kakain at hindi magwowork out. Her body has it's own curves ,she is petite and vivacious.
Kumuha na lamang siya ng fresh fruits at inilagay sa bowl. At una niyang kinain ang watermelon.
"Did you drink your meds?" tanong ni Grae ngunit hindi niya ito nilingon.
"Yes" maikli niyang sagot
"Do you know that boy? Hmm?" pangalwang tanong nito
"He's Chris." aniya
"That fucking crap Chris has an evil plan for you last night. He gave you other drinks and not tequila what you have ordered." galit na sabi ni Grae at ang pag-igting ng kaniyang panga ay kitang-kita ni Sophia
"I didn't know!" balik na sagot niya
"Because you're too careless!" ani Grae
"I just wanna have fun!" aniya
"Without the permission of your Dad!" tugon ni Grae habang nakahawak na sa lamesa na nasa harapan ni Sophia
"The hell you care! And sino ba nag-uwi sakin dito?!" galit niyang tanong
"Yeah why would I care?" his voice is in neutral and his looking away from Sophia unlike earlier his eyes are intense speaking of so much authority
Tok tok tok tok
Umalis na si Grae sa dining at pinuntahan ang pintuan para daluhan ang kung sinomang nakatok.
"Kuya! Huhuhu, are you okay na?" boses iyon ng isang bata
"Sir dala na po namin yung mga pinapadala niyong gamot" boses ng isang babae
Rinig ni Sophia ang mga yabag ng paglalalad ng mga ito papuntang living room.
"Ay Sophia nandito ka pala!" anito
"Ate Shine?" tanong ni Sophia
"Oo! Nasan ang ref ninyo?" tanong ni Ate Shine
Tumayo si Sophia at sinamahan si Ate Shine sa kitchen kung nasaan ang ref.
"Penge akong yelo Sophia." nakangiting sabi ni Ate Shine
"Ay sige po wait lang." aniya at kinuha ang ice cubes sa freezer
"Magkaroommate pala kayo ni Sir e" sabe ni Ate Shine
"Siya ang Sir mo? Si Grae?" tanong ni Sophia
"Ay opo." tugon nito
Pagkaabot ni Sophia ng yelo ay nilagay na agad ito ni Ate Shine sa cold compress.
"Nako Sophia, andaming pasa ni Sir sa braso at sa tiyan dahil sa nangyari kagabi." malungkot na pagkukwento ni Ate Shine
"Bakit daw po?" kuryosong tanong ni Sophia
"Dahil sa nangyari kagabi sa bar, niligtas ka niya dun sa lalaki na nagpainom sayo. Kawawa nga si Sir e pero matanong ko lang ayos kana ba Sophia?" pagkukwento ni Ate Shine
Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Sophia dahil sa nalaman niya. All this time she's acting so childish pero si Grae naman pala ang nagligtas sa kaniya. Ayaw niya magkautang na loob sa kahit sinoman kaya mas mabuting ibalik niya ang ginawa ni Grae kesa naman magkautang na loob pa siya rito.
"Sophia ayos ka lang ba? Kanina ka pa nakatulala" ani Ate Shine
"Yeah, I'm fine Ate Shine." tugon niya
Lumabas na sila ng kitchen at dumaan sa dining patungo sa living room. At dito niya naabutan si Grae kandong ang kasama at nakakwentuhan niyang si Ria kahapon bago mangyari ang insidente sa club.
"Ate Sophia!" the child greeted her cheerfully and hugged her
"Hi Ria!" Sophia responded while smiling
"Kuya you're with Ate Sophia pala! Why didn't you tell me?" tanong ng bata
"Your Ate Sophia is busy with so many things, Ria." tugon ni Grae habang nakatingin kay Sophia ngunit inirapan lamang ni Sophia ito
"Sir heto na po." sabay abot ni Ate Shine ng Cold Compress kay Grae
"You should go now Ria we'll meet later hmm?" ani Grae
"No, Kuya I'll stay." tugon ni Ria habang nakacross arms pa
"Just listen." maikling tugon ni Grae
"Okay Kuya. I'll be back." at kumalas nang yakap si Ria mula kay Sophia at kiniss ang kaniyang kuya
"Bye Kuya! Bye Ate Sophia! I'll be back later ha?" paalam ni Ria bago isarado ang pinto
Pag alis nina Ria at Ate Shine ay nabalot ng katahimikan ang dalawa.
"You didn't tell me that it was you who saved me last night" panimula ni Sophia
"What's the point of telling?" mataray na sagot ni Grae
"I should know!" aniya
"Now you know." maikling sagot nito
Nabigla si Sophia dahil inalis ni Grae ang kaniyang tshirt at dito niya nakita ang pasa nito sa braso at tiyan. At dinampian ni Grae ng cold compress ang mga pasa. Her eyes drifted from the bruise unto Grae's abs pero agad din niyang iniwas ang kaniyang mga mata.
"I'll do it" sambit niya at agad na kinuha ang cold compress sa kamay ni Grae at umupo siya sa tabi nito.
Una niyang dinampian ay ang braso nito na pasang-pasa.
"You didn't have to be the superman last night, you should just let me fall for my trouble and carelessness" mapait na sabi ni Sophia
"Do you really think that I would let that boy do his plans for you last night?" anito habang nakatingin kay Sophia na ngayon ay dinadampian ng cold compress ang kaniyang tiyan na may pasa din
"He couldn't harm me." kampanteng sagot ni Sophia
"How would you know?" tanong ni Grae habang nakataas ang kilay
"I've been with so many guys in the club in NY, and none of them dare to do something in me." pagkukwento niya
"Well you should know that clubs here in PH is different from NY, that fucking Chris is preying on you last night waiting for you to fall on his trap." Grae said intently
Napatigil si Sophia at naabutang punong puno ng galit ang mga mata ni Grae na nakatingin sa kanya.
"Yes, maybe I was too careless last night and I owe it up to you, you saved me thank you for that. But I hope thanking you is enough and the end of everything. What happened last night is a history to be untold let's just know our borders amd limits. We're not friends, I am just a stranger to you right? The end of everything." matapos ng mahabang paliwanag ay tinapos na rin niya ang pagdalo kay Grae at tumayo.
Dumiretso siya sa kwarto at naligo. After her usual morning routine she wore her black bikini and bohemian dress outside. Lalabas na sana siya ng kwarto ng may napakinig siya.
"Oh the unico hijo of the Ramirez' is here Alesandro." pakinig niya ang pamilyar na tinig ng kaniyang Mamita
"Good Day Madame and Sir" bati ni Grae
"May I know where's Sophia?" tanong ng kaniyang Grandpa
Agad siyang lumabas ng kwarto at dumiretso sa living room.
"Mamita!" agad na yinapos ni Sophia ang kaniyang Mamita
One day has passed and there's so many crap that happened. And one of them is Grae and she won't let him enter her life.
"Grandpa." Sophia kissed her Grandpa
"What happened to you? We heard the news." her Grandpa
"I'm okay now Grandpa and Mamita. I'm just glad your here." sabi ni Sophia habang nakangiti sa dalawa
"Where are we going by the way?" pag-iiba ng topic ni Sophia
"We'll just roam around, I would like to go to the nearest mall but your Grandpa wouldn't like it so we'll just go to our ancestral house. And have our dinner there later." her Mamita explained
"Would you like to join us Grae?" tanong ng kaniyang Mamita
"Uhmmm. Mamita he seems to be a busy person let's not meddle with him." ani Sophia
"I would like to Madame and Sir but as what your grandchild said, yes I am busy. I am with her Dad to check the construction." ani Grae
"Well that's good! A business minded man at a young age! You and your dad Eduardo should join us for dinner later together with my son Achilles." her Grandpa invited
"Well I have no commitments later, Dad and I can join. It's nice to meet you Madame and Sir, I'll go ahead." nakangiting sabi ni Grae at pumasok na sa kaniyang kwarto
Tinitigan ni Sophia ang lalaki at nakitang pumasok ito sa pangalawang kwarto, in short sa kwartong kasunod ng tinutulugan ni Sophia.
"Shall we go too?" tanong ng kaniyang Mamita
"Let's go Mamita Grandpa."
At ganoon na nga ang naging takbo ng araw niya. Sinamahan niyang maggala at kumain ang kaniyang Mamita at Grandpa. Naging masaya ang araw niya dahil kasama niya ang mga ito. Kahit matatanda na ang mga ito ay handa parin ito sa mga activities. Nagspeed boat sila ng pahapon na at dumiretso sa kanilang ancestral house.
"It's--"
"Isn't it wonderful hija. We used to be here when we were teenagers." kwento ni Mamita
"It's really wonderful Mamita. How I wish we have one in States." Sophia said with amusement
Walang ibang nagawa si Sophia kung hindi mamangha sa kanyang nakita. The ancestral house us built with marble and different kind of stones. With their huge gates with the greek signs which means Diamindis.
"The garden is well maintained by Carding, right honey?" taning ng kaniyang Mamita sa kaniyang Grandpa
"It is, honey" tugon ng kaniyang Grandoa habang nakatingin sa mga mata ng kaniyang Mamita
Kitang kita niya ang malawak nilang garden mula sa sasakyan na may circle barrier pa sa center na punong puno din ng nga halaman.
"Oh how I miss this Alesandro." malambing na sabi ng kaniyang Mamita ng makababa sika ng sasakyan at sabay sabay na umaakyat patungo sa main entrance ng ancestral house
"Good old days, Mercedes." sabay halik sa noo ng kaniyang asawa
Sophia is looking at her grandparents with her eyes sparkling. Her grandparents are truly a treasure tat should be kept. Ngunit ang nakapukaw ng kaniyang atensyon ay ang nakaukit na mga salita sa malaking pintuan.
"What does it mean Grandpa?" kuryosong tanong ni Sophia
"Love with all your heart, hija." tugon ng kaniyang Grandpa habang nakangiti
"That's what they taught me Sophia, to love with all your heart. I really love her."
Napalingon si Sophia sa nagsalita at ito pala ang kaniyang ama na mukhang kagagaling lamang sa trabaho. Dahil nakasuot pa ito ng polo sleeves at ang kanilang business partner na si Tito Eduardo.
Ngunit hindi iyon ang pumukaw sa atensyon niya kundi ang lalaking nasa harap niya.
"Goodevening, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, this is my son Grae." pagpapakilala ni Tito Eduardo
"Actually we've met hin earlier." tugon ni Mamita
"Grae is a good man, actually he is Eduardo's intern." pagpapaliwanag ng kaniyang ama
"Oh that's good to hear. Shall we come inside?" anyaya ng kaniyang Mamita
He is in his polo with his sleeves rolled up to his elbow and his slacks. Grae stopped in front of Sophia when everybody entered the ancestral house.
"Love with all your heart? That's what I've been doing for years, waiting for my love with all my heart to come back" Grae said intensely while looking in Sophia's eyes
"Maybe she'll come back." hindi alam ni Sophia kung saan nanggaling ang nga salitang iyon mula sa kaniya.
"She returned." maikling sambit ni Grae bago pumasok sa loob ng bahay.