Chapter 22
My mind was occupied and I didn't even notice na nasa bahay na ako, nagbayad na ako sa driver at wala sa sariling pumasok sa loob.
Naabutan ko si Kiefer na masama ang tingin sa'kin at si Keizi na nag-aaral sa living room. Bagot ko silang tiningnan at dumiretso na sa taas, hindi ko pinansin ang pagsigaw ni Kiefer at dumiretso na ako sa kwarto.
I reached my luggage and I start to pack my things, I stopped when I remember na hindi ko pa pala nasasabihan ang dalawa. I went outside at sumandal sa glass railings para makita ang living room sa ibaba.
"Keizi, Kiefer, pack your things. We're moving." Malamig kong sabi, takang tumingin sa'kin ang dalawa at mabilis namang tumutol sa'kin si Kiefer.
"What--"
I sighed, "Just do what I say." Tumingin ako sa maids at tinanguan sila, "Manang patulong naman po, importanteng gamit lang po." I said at pumasok na sa loob, hindi na namin kailangan dalhin ang mga furnitures dahil kompleto na doon.
We just need to bring our important things and of course our pictures. Nagsimula na akong mag-impake ng damit at nang matapos ay tumingin ako sa kwarto ko ng huling sandali.
I will miss this place, I will surely visit this if I have time.
Lumabas ako ng kwarto at naabutan ko silang nasa living room bitbit ang mga maleta nila at ibang gamit. Sinenyasan ko silang dumiretso sa van at mabuti naman ay sumunod sila. Si Manang ang kumuha ng mga gamit sa kwarto nila Mommy kaya no worries.
Wala akong imik buong byahe at nang makarating ay takang tumingin sa'kin ang dalawa.
"What..." Keizi whispered
"Mom bought this before She died, this is for us." I explained at nakatutulong pumasok sa loob, they look shocked when they saw the house. Hindi ko sila pinansin at dumiretso na sa kwarto, there's a name every door at talagang pinaghandaan niya ito.
The last time I went here, hindi ako nakapunta sa second floor kaya wala akong alam. Now that I'm here, I was stunned by the beauty of this place. The minimalist design of my room, there's a big picture frame of myself when we held a photoshoot, a queen size bed and a big walk-in closet.
I opened the luggage and I reached my Mom's picture, My hands were shaking but I managed to get it. I held it and gently caressed, hindi ko alam but when I hugged the picture, I just felt my heart warmth.
Mom touches my heart and I immediately burst in tears, ang sakit...
The fact that Mom was gone and Tony's getting married, it hurts...
Parang kahapon lang He told me that He's willing to be an ink to color my scar, and to make it look more beautiful. He told me that He really love me and He needs another chance.
I just gave it to him but Why did He waste it?
Why did He threw it like a trash?
I was expecting him to argue with his Mom but He just smiled and nod at Elisha. He agreed to Elisha's word and it hurts me even more...
From: My TT
Let's talk
I immediately turned off my phone and cried harder, ang sakit sakit Mommy...
If you're just here to hug and comfort me, I think it wouldn't been this hurt. If you're just here to tell me that everything's going to be alright, I wouldn't cry like this.
I miss your comforting words, Mom...
I miss hearing your voice...
Mom, please come back... it hurts, Mom... it fucking hurts.
"Sissy! Someone's down stairs!" I stopped nang marinig ko ang boses ni Keizi, I stood up and I immediately wiped my tears.
I put the frame in my bed at nagmamadaling lumabas. I went outside and I saw at keizi's face, She's scared...
"Stay here, okay?" I said and She nod, bumaba ako and then I saw a gang inside our house. They're wearing their leather jackets and holding their helmet, it's like Kiefer's style...
"Nasaan si Kiefer?! Gago 'yon ah! Tatakasan pa kami, hindi niya siguro alam na may tracking device sa helmet niya. Bobo ampota!" Their leader said at sabay-sabay silang tumawa, hindi ako nagsalita at tiningnan lang sila.
Anong problema nitong mga bortang 'to? Nakakaloka.
"Hoy Lalaki, paki-sabi naman sa kapatid mo na magbayad na siya ng utang niya! Sampung milyon ang natalo niya sa sugal, ang yabang pa! Talunan naman!" He shouted dahilan para kumunot ang noo ko, sampung--
"Sandali nga, Anong sabi mo? Sampung milyon?" Gulat kong tanong sa kaniya
"Oo, bingi ka ba? May ibinenta siyang lupa sa'kin na 20 million at ipinangpustahan niya sa karera. Pero si Tanga natalo sa karera, nangutang siya sa'kin ng sampung million. Ano na?! Sabihin mo sa kapatid mong talunan!" He said habang pinanlalakihan ako ng mata, nakakatakot siya pero mas nakakatakot 'yong sampung milyon.
I was about to speak nang magpalakpakan ang mga bortang chaka, Lumingon ako at tiningnan kung saan sila nakatingin. And then I saw Kiefer holding his helmet at may hawak na maliit na bagay.
"I'll pay as soon as possible, just wait for it. I'll transfer it to your bank." Malamig niyang sabi dahilan para magtawanan ang mga borta.
"Transfer mo mukha mo, kapag hindi ka nagbayad pagtapos ng tatlong araw, ibibigay mo sa'kin ang titulo ng bahay na 'to. Naiintindihan mo ako?!" Sigaw ng isa
"Yeah, go away." Bagot na sabi ni Kiefer at mabilis na itinapon ang maliit na bagay na hawak niya, iyon yata ang tracking device na sinasabi nila.
Sandali, sampung milyon?!
"Ano 'yon, Kiefer?! Ibinenta mo ang lupang pinamana sa'yo?! Hindi ka pa nakuntento? Nag sugal pa ka?! Anong katangahan 'yan?!"
"I was so stress, okay?! And will you please shut up? You're annoying! Those are my properties so I will decide about it, don't act as if you're a good son!" Nakakuyom niyang sabi, I took a deep breath at pinilit na pakalmahin ang sarili.
Naglakad siya paakyat ng kwarto at mabilis kong hinawakan ang palapulsuhan niya para pigilan.
20 million ang lupa at nangutang pa siya ng 10 million, 30 million ang masasayang! Napaka!
"Kiefer! Nagsayang ka ng milyon! Saan ka kukuha ng sampung milyon sa loob ng tatlong araw?!" I shouted
"Shut up! You're saying that because you got half of her money! You're so confident about the money because you inherit her business and this damn house!" Padabog niyang inalis ang kamay ko, "I studied a lot for Mom and Dad and then there you are, harvesting the seed I planted! Fuck you!" Duro niya sa'kin, tumalikod siya at humakbang paakyat. Natigilan ako nang huminto siya at hinarap ako.
"Maybe you're so happy that Mom died because in that way, you get all her money--" Hindi ko na itinuloy ang sasabihin niya at mabilis ko siyang sinuntok sa mukha.
"Hindi mo alam kung gaano ako nasaktan sa pagkawala ni Mommy at kahit kailan, hindi pera ang magtatabon ng sakit na 'yon!" Nanggigilid ang luha ko but I need to act strong, "I will pay your debt but please don't do it again, you're bringing headache in our family." I said at naunang umakyat sa kaniya.
I heard him chuckled, "Playing a hero role..."
Bakit ganiyan sila? Wala akong ibang hinangad kung hindi maayos na buhay, bakit kailangang pumasok pa ang apat sa buhay ko? Bakit pumasok pa si Daddy, Tayler, Tony at Kiefer? Puwede bang wala nalang?
Walang kinalaman sa pagkatao ko ang sinabi ni Kiefer pero nasaktan ako, gano'n pala ang tingin niya sa'kin? Isang oportunista?
Kahit ilang milyon pa ang ilatag mo sa harap ko, hinding hindi ko ipagpapalit ang buhay ni Mommy. Kahit mawala na sa'kin ang lahat basta katabi ko siya, kahit maghirap kami basta kasama ko siya.
Kahit mawala na sila, 'wag lang siya.
--
Pumasok ako ng kwarto at dumiretso sa cabinet, nandito nakalagay ang mga pangdrawing at mga bagay na ibinigay sa'kin ni Mommy...
I reach the sketch pad and pencil, nagsimula na akong gumuhit at pakiramdam ko kasama ko siya, para kaming bumalik sa dati na inaalalayan niya pa akong magdrawing at magshade. She's guiding me on my designs at kapag nagustuhan niya, gagayahin niya at isasama sa collection.
Kusang tumulo ang mga luha ko dahil sa mga memoryang naiisip ko, I really miss her...
Nang matapos ay pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang design na ginawa ko.
It's simple but elegant gown, there's a pearl and flower embroidered detail, it's an off-shoulder and a slight slit in the chest, it's a ball gown style at talaga namang pagkakaguluhan kapag naisuot ng isang tao.
I smiled when I saw my design, I also dreamt to be a bride but I think, it will stay as a dream and it will forever be a dream.
---
I woke up nang makarinig ako ng tunog ng telepono, I reached my phone and answered it. Pahikab-hikab pa akong tumayo at dumiretso sa salamin with the phone positioned in my ears.
"Mr. Abing, you have an appointment today with our important client." Halos naubos lahat ng antok ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Athena, shit! Nakalimutan kong ako na ang may ari ng Reya's house of design and I need to come early!
"Okay, what time?" Kalmado kong sagot pero deep inside gusto ko nang manakal.
"Now na, Sir." Nauutal niyang sabi, mukhang natatakot pa siya sa'kin pero nevermind, late na ako.
"Okay, I'm on my way." I said at mabilis na pinatay ang tawag, I did my morning ritual and I look at myself in the mirror.
I'm wearing a white button shirt and a black slacks with my black shoes. Office attire si bakla! Ang ganda ganda ko pero mukha akong hot CEO sa suot ko, nakakaloka!
Nagdrive ako papuntang branch at nang makarating ay mabilis na pumasok, ramdam na ramdam ko nag malalagkit nilang tingin, nakakadiri. Banana din hanap ko mga sis.
'Ang gwapo naman ng anak ni Ms. Reya!'
'Rinig ko bakla siya,'
'So what, ang hot parin naman!'
Ininda ko ang mga bulungan nila at dumiretso sa office, I opened the door at tumambad sa'kin ang nakangiting peslak ni Elisha.
"Good Morning, Mr. Abing." Nakangiti niyang bati, tinaasan ko lang siya ng kilay at bumaling kay Athena.
"She's the important client that I'm talking about. She's Ms. Reya's VIP and She can decide what time She wants to appoint a meeting.." Paliwanag ni Athena, I looked at Elisha's body at sinenyasan si Athena.
"It's okay, please leave us for a while." I cassually said
"Yes, Sir." She replied at mabilis na umalis, nang makaalis si Athena ay dumiretso ako sa swivel chair at kibit balikat na binuksan ang mga papel na lamesa.
So, there's an upcoming fashion show at kasali ang Reya's...
"Hi, aren't you welcoming your client?" Inis na tanong ni Elisha, bagot ko siyang tiningnan at tinaasan ng kilay.
"What is it?"
She chuckled, "Come on, act professional." She uttered, "Can I see your wedding gown designs? I want to choose and please measure my body, thanks!" Matinis niyang sabi at maarteng inilapag ang bag niya sa couch.
"I don't have designs but we have ready to wear wedding gowns in the second wardrobe. Just let Athena assist you." I explained, She pouted at pinasadahan ng tingin ang lamesa ko, kuminang ang mata niya nang may makita dito.
"Oh! I like this one! Is this your design for me?" Nakangiti niyang sabi, tiningnan ko ang sinabi niya at Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang design ko.
This is what I drew last night!
"N-no!" Angal ko at mabilis na hinablot ang sketch pad sa kaniya.
"5o million." Hamon ni Elisha but I shook my head, No way! This my pride, hindi ko ibaba sa kaniya 'yan.
"100?" Hindi ko siya pinansin at iniligpit nalang ang mga gamit sa lamesa, "Fine, Let's make it 150 million."
Hindi ko siya pinansin dahil wala naman akong balak at inayos ang gumusot kong polo.
"200 million, last call." She said at maarteng tumakbo palabas.
This is what I draw last night and this is what emotions can do...
But I need money to pay for Kiefer's debt...
And for my father's debt...
Naestatwa ako sa offer niya at tahimik na napaupo, nakatulala lang ako at nagulat ako nang mabilis siyang nakabalik.
She returned with Tony on her side at malanding nakapulupot dito. She's smiling from ear to ear, as if namang mahal siya niyan.
"Hi baby! I already picked a design and I really love it, I offered it for just 200 million, super cheap right?" Maarte niyang sabi, tumayo sila sa harap ng lamesa ko at malanding nang-aasar.
Hinayaan ko nalang sila at itinuon ang atensyon sa ibang bagay, inayos ko ang mga papel at nag-arrange ako ng mga ballpen. 'Yong red sa right and the black was on the left side...
"By the way, Here's an invitation! You know our wedding planned 2 years ago and now it's finally gonna happen! I'm super excited to experience walking in the aisle and to be Mrs. Falcon!" Malandi niyang sabi sabay abot ng invitation sa'kin, kadiri, color dark green?!
Wala ba silang taste sa color? Dark green? Anong them nila, efficascent? Katinko?
I fake a smile, "Congrats, I'm happy for the both of you.." I mumbled
"Of course, you should be." Malandi niyang sbai at humarap kay Tony, "Uh, baby Let's prove to him how much we love each other." Sabi niya at ngumuso sa harap ni Tony, nandidiring umiling si Tony dahilan para matawa ako ng mahina.
Sa'kin hindi man lang ako pinagpawisan makahalik d'yan, sa'yo pahirapan pa.
"Elisha..." Maawtoridad na sabi ni Tony.
"Baby we're getting married and you're still shy?! How dare you! I hate you!" Maarte niyang sabi at mas nagulat ako nang umiyak siya, She's crying but unlike the ordinary people.
She's crying na ipinapakita ang mata kay Tony...
Shuta?
"Shh, I'm sorry..." Malambing na sabi ni Tony at mabilis na hinalikan ang mga mata ni Elisha.
Umiwas ako ng tingin kasabay ng pagyukom ng kamao ko, ang sbai niya mahal niya ako? And then, He'll kiss that girl infront of me?
Wow, Let's do that.
I took a deep breath at matapang na humarap sa kanila.
"I'll make your wedding gown,"
--
A/N:
If you don't understand some beki language, go back to the "Beki lingo translation"
But if you can't find it there, comment in a certain chapter and I will answer it.
Don't forget to vote! Happy reading!
Love, meriemei