Kabanata 2

“Do you like it?” tanong niya habang nakangisi.

Hindi ako makapaniwalang humarap sa kaniya. He's still smirking while watching my reaction. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi magduda dahil sa ngising nakapaskil sa labi niya.

“P-Para sa'kin 't-to?” Pinagmasdan ko siyang mabuti at nanliit ang mga mata ko. “No. Maybe you were just pranking me.”

His face turned serious. “This is for you, brat. Ayaw mo?”

Unti-unting gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ko. Muli  kong iginala ang paningin sa loob. I want to scream with happiness because he surprised me with my dream music room. I love singing ever since kaya gustong gusto ko magkaroon ng ganito but my mother doesn't want me to have one.

Music instruments were already complete and everything was fitted inside. Using white, black, and gray colors on the walls is a good thing paired with wooden flooring. Instead of a plain ceiling, different levels were added to it with dramatic lighting. 

There are folding doors on the front side and I walk in the direction of it. I opened it and I saw a terrace there. It looks very simple but the view got me mesmerized. This would make me breathe fresh air while playing music. Sa gabi makikita rin ang city lights mula dito sa terasa.

“How did you end up with this, Kuya? Gaano na katagal 'to?”

I still don't know kung paano niya nagawa ito ng ganito kaganda. The choice of paint colors and the interior designs are more than marvelous. This is amazing. 

“Someone helped me. I planned this months ago to surprise you. You love singing so I thought of creating this room for you. Hope you like it.”

Gusto kong pasalamatan ang taong tumulong sa kaniya, kung sino man iyon.

“Hindi ko gusto." Natahimik siya. “Dahil gustong-gusto ko!” 

I went near him and hugged him tight. He chuckled softly and pat my head like I'm some kind of a puppy. 

"Thank you so much, Kuya. You made me happy today. This is my dream music room and you fulfilled it, but isn't it too much?" 

Baka pag-initan ako lalo ni tita Vicky. She hates it when kuya Lucky's spoiling me.

“This is not enough to prove how deserving you are for all the goodness in this world, Fortunate. In fact, all the expenses came from my own pocket. Wala silang masasabi dahil pinaghirapan ko ang lahat ng ginastos ko para rito.”

He kissed my forehead. Humiwalay siya sa pagkakayakap sa akin bago umupo sa sofa. I sat there too and rested my head on his shoulder.

“Can I stay here on the other day? Ayoko na sa mansion. Pakiramdam ko masasakal ako ro'n, Kuya.”

He smirked. “Kaya mo mag-isa?”

"Of course!”

“You don't even how to stand alone. Baka mamatay ka lang sa gutom dahil ‘di ka marunong magluto.”

“I will eat outside!”

Tumawa siya. “At tatawag ka para samahan kita pauwi.”

“Kuya! You're mean!”

“And you're a brat.” He pinched my cheeks. “Kidding. But it's up to you. Susuportahan kita sa mga gusto mo. I know you're eager to be independent. Gustuhin ko mang dumepende ka sa'kin habang buhay ay hindi puwede because I don't want to be selfish.” 

“Thank you for everything, Kuya Lucky. You're the best” I showed him a thumbs up and he just laugh at me. 

He sighed. “Nandito lang ako palagi para sa'yo, Fortunate. Talikuran ka man ng lahat, hindi kita iiwan at sasamahan ka sa pagtupad sa mga pangarap mo. Okay lang na matakot ka sa mga sa pangarap mo o sa mga humahadlang dito because if you dream, it should be something that scares you.”

Tumango ako at napangiti. Ang mga paalala niya ay babaunin ko habang buhay. 

“Nasaan po ang innocent pinsan ko, Nana?” 

Dinig kong sabi ng bagong dating kinabukasan. Her conyo language is familiar. My eyes slowly grew bigger when I realized who it was. Agad akong napabangon sa pagkakahiga at nagmadaling lumabas ng silid.

“Hope? Is that you?” sigaw ko.

She turned her face on my side. Her lips formed a wide smile.

“The one and only, bebe!” She winks before spreading her arms for a hug. 

Agad akong lumapit at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. I missed her. It's been so many years since we've seen each other. 

Kumalas ako sa pagkakayakap at humarap sa kaniya. 

“Why are you here anyway? Sino kasama mo?” I asked. 

“Ayaw mo na I'm here? You're hurting me, Fortunate. Arouch!”

She jokingly placed her hands on her chest. I laughed at her reaction. Hindi pa rin nagbabago, still conyo.

I glanced at Nana Rina's side. “She's still conyo, right, Nana?”

“Opo, Señorita. Hindi pa rin siya nagbabago,” nakingiting turan niya pero mapapansin pa rin ang pagiging ilang. 

Napabuntong hininga akong lumapit sa kaniya. Inakbayan ko siya at malambing na niyakap. “Fortunate nalang po, manang. Para naman pong hindi tayo nagkasama noon. Hindi na po kayo iba sa akin.”

Nangilid ang luha niya. I panicked when she starts sobbing silently. 

“You're lagot. You made her iyak.” pananakot ng katabi ko.

Sinimangutan ko lang siya.

“W-What's wrong, manang?”

Humarap siya sa'kin at banayad na ngumiti.

“W-Wala naman, hija. May naalala lang ako.” Pabiro niya akong siniko. “Ikaw din parang 'di mo ako kilala. Lagi naman kitang iniiyakan noong bata ka pa ah." 

I pouted but smiled afterwards. Totoo ang sinabi niya. She's like a cry baby. Mababaw lang ang luha niya na kahit makagawa lang ako ng madadaling bagay, umiiyak na siya sa tuwa. Kahit sandaling panahon ko lang siya nakasama noon dahil sa biglaang pag-alis namin ay napamahal na ako sa kaniya.

Tumunog ang cellphone ni Hope. Kinuha niya iyon at sinagot nang hindi tinitingnan kung sino. My forehead wrinkled when she handed it to me.

“Your boyfriend.”

“Ha?”

“Just get this nalang!” asik niya.

Naguguluhan man ay inabot ko iyon. I'm about to speak but, “I'm here outside,” he said, ending the call. Napamaang ako dahil doon. Sungit. 

“Boyfriend daw,” I whispered.

She laughed. “Well, he's acting like your kasintahan kaya boyfriend mo siya.”

Namilog ang mga mata ko. “Ridiculous!”

Mas lalo siyang humalakhak. “Your mukha was priceless! You're nakakatawa talaga. So innocent!”

Hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagpaalam kay manang na aakyat na para magbihis. Nandito pa rin ako ngayon sa mansion. I planned on staying in my condo that kuya Lucky's gift if my classes start. I want to be free. Ayokong tumira rito sa mansiyon kung pag-iinitan lang ako ng mga tita ko. 

Paglabas ng mansion ay nakita ko ang lalaking sinasabing 'boyfriend' ko raw nakasandal sa kotse niya. Looking good while wearing a three-piece business suit. Mukhang papasok siya mamaya sa kompanya.

“Good morning!” I greeted him with a wide smile.

“Morning, brat.”

I pouted.

“I'm not a brat, Sir!” Inirapan ko siya. 

He laughed at ginulo ang buhok ko. I slapped his hand.

“Hey! Pinaghirapan ko 'tong ayusin. Aish! Look oh, you ruined it.” 

“Let me fix it then.”

Lumapit siya sa'kin at hinawakan ang buhok ko. Napanguso ako nang itali niya ito ng buo at medyo nagulo.

Ngumisi siya. “It looks good on you, huh?”

Sumimangot lang ako at inirapan siya. He always loves teasing me. Ganito kami lagi kapag magkasama. Mang-aasar siya at mapipikon ako. Pero kapag siya ang aasarin magseseryoso agad. Unfair!

“Pikon.”

Umusok ang ilong ko sa inis. “Ano?!”

“I said you're a brat.” Inirapan ko siya.

“Mean.”

 

“Where's Hope?” I asked.

Iniiba usapan dahil wala namang patutunguhan.

“Inside the car. Ayaw maarawan.”

“May skin care me!” Hope shouted. 

Tumawa ako sa sinabi niya bago tuluyang pumasok sa kotse.

We decided to eat first before going somewhere to apply for college. Nagtungo kami sa mall at napiling kumain sa isang Korean restaurant.

“Magsi-cr muna ako. Babalik ako agad,” paalam ko sa kanila pagkapasok namin sa loob.

Tumango lang si kuya Lucky at nagkibit-balikat si Hope. 

Walang sariling cr ang restaurant na iyon kaya sa pangkalahatan ako pumunta. 

“Pakibilisan. Naka-duty ako ngayon.”

Dinig ko ang isang baritonong boses ng lalaki paglabas ko ng comfort room. Hindi ko siya nasulyapan dahil abala ako sa paghalungkat ng pouch ko habang tinatahak ang mababang pasilyo. 

Nalaglag ang isang pares ng hikaw na kanina ko hinahanap kaya yumuko ako para pulutin iyon. 

“Shit!”

Napatalon ako sa biglaang pagsigaw niya. He went near me and forcefully pulled up my arm.

“H-Hey! What are you doing?!” bulalas ko dala nang gulat. 

Tumingin ako sa mukha niya at halos mapaatras ako sa dilim no'n. Nakatiim ang kaniyang bagang habang mariing nakatitig sa'kin.

A-Anong problema niya?

“Nasisilipan ka. Ayusin mo 'yang damit mo,” he said, irritatedly.

My eyes widened when I realized what he was saying. I brushed my hair using my fingers. Napatingin ako sa damit ko at ngayon lang naalala na naka sleeveless dress pala ako. Tumingin ako sa paligid at uminit ang aking pisngi sa kahihiyan. Ang daming taong nakatingin pero agad nag-iwas nang titigan ko pabalik.

Hindi ako nagsalita. Yumuko ako at mabilis na tumakbo papalayo sa kaniya. Nakakahiya! Nakita pa yata nila ang pink kong bra. 

Bumalik ako sa restaurant at umakto na parang walang nangyari.

“Gosh! I'm super gutom na. Ang slow niyo kasi kumilos. My butt also hurts because of sitting too long inside the car,” she exaggeratedly uttered. 

“You only seated there for 5 minutes. Stop overreacting, Hope Catherine.”

Napairap siya sa sinabi ni kuya Lucky. “Duh!”

I took a sip of my juice before facing her.

“Kailan ka pa dumating? Kuya Lucky didn't inform me about your arrival. Hindi tuloy kita nasundo sa airport.” Ngumuso ako.

Napabuntong hininga siya at humawak sa baba niya before leaning on the table.

Ngumisi siya sa akin.

“You gonna fetch me sana? As if you know how to ride alone.” I pouted. “Last week pa me dumating. I made kuya Lucky promised na wag e tell sayo so you'll be surprised. I'm so witty, right?” She smiled proudly at us. 

Kuya Lucky hissed at her. My pout turns into laughter.

“Anyway, anong plan mo, Fortunate? I heard you're going to apply daw. Where ba? I'm curious eh.”

“Hindi ko pa alam pero ngayong araw na. I still don't know where. Kaka-graduate lang natin, sobrang bilis ng panahon. Ikaw saan ka mag-aaral?” I asked. 

Kaming tatlo lang ang magkakalapit sa isa't isa. Well, my other cousins doesn't want to be with us, specifically because of me but I'm used to it.

“Uh, hindi ko rin know eh. Kung where you are, doon na rin me.” 

I stiffened on my seat. Seryoso ba siya?

“C-Come again?”

“You're bingi ba, Fortunate? I said doon ako on where you are. I don't want to be away with you. Mag aapply me kung where ka mag-aaral.” 

Happiness glowed inside of me. At least I will no longer be alone this time. I felt a sudden flare of joy because of her reason. Akala ko babalik siya ulit sa Canada para mag-aral.

“Are you sure with that, Hope?” Kuya Lucky asked. 

“Super! But in one condition.” She suddenly smiled like an evil. 

“W-What is it?”

“We will enroll wherever university I will pili. You can't say hindi or else I'll kurot your singit!”

I sighed in relief. I thought it'll be hard. Wala namang problema kahit saan. Ang mahalaga makapag-aral nang maayos.

“Okay. No prob,” I agreed. 

“I'm excited!”

“Hey! Where did you get that idea, Catherine? Are you planning something?” Kuya interfere.

His eyes narrowed while asking her. Napaayos ito nang upo.

“O-Of course n-not kuya. It's nakakaumay na kasi in a foreign school. I want na magtry something new naman.”

“Where? Do you think mommy will agree with your shallow excuses?”

Napairap naman ito.

“Duh. We had an agreement before kaya that she'll get payag that I'll decide para sa self ko if I'll turned nineteen. I'm twenty na ngayon eh,” she explained, rolling her eyes. 

I laughed because of that. Ang cute talaga niya. 

“Conyo brat. Tsk.”

“Kuya!”

Naalala ko si daddy. Sa tingin ko papayag naman iyon. Mommy doesn't care a bit about me so no need to worry about her. 

I glanced at kuya Lucky's side. He's looking at his wristwatch. I think he needs to go to work already.

“It's already 1:00 pm. Bilisan niyo may lakad pa ako,” inip niyang turan.

“You better go kuya. We'll be okay,” I assured him. 

He sighed and get his coat from the back of his chair. 

“You should call your driver, Hope. Don't take a cab. Stop being naughty, alright? May bodyguard ka na kaya hindi ka makakatakas.” Bumuntong hininga siya. ”I'll go ahead. I have a meeting at 2:00 pm. 'Wag pasaway kiddos.”

He looked at us with a warning. Napatango kaming dalawa. He kissed our head before leaving.

Tumitig ako kay Hope. I can see that she's a grown lady now. Ang ganda-ganda niya. Tumangkad din siya. She's 5'8 I think and I'm just 5'5 so she's taller than me. 

Nakangiti siyang bumaling mula sa labas papunta sa akin. 

“Do you have an idea?” she asked.

“Uhm, wala eh. Ikaw?”

“Wag nalang kaya us mag-study? I will marry my oppa nalang.”

“Ha? Really?”

“Of course not! You're uto-uto talaga. Anyway I already know na! Wait. I'll call someone lang.” 

She gets her phone from her purse. Sino naman kaya tatawagan nito?

I checked my phone too to see if someone called or texted.  Napabuntong hininga ako nang makitang wala ni isang tumawag o nagtext man lang. Who cares about me anyway? 

“He's coming na raw. Let's hintay muna for a while, ha?”

I nodded at her. 

She examined my face. “You looked sad. Why?”

“W-Wala naman. Akala ko kasi nagtext sila mom at dad.”

She rolled her eyes. “Duh! As if naman they care. They're still ganiyan pa rin pala until ngayon. I'm gigil grrr.”

“I-It's okay, Hope. They're just busy. I understand them.”

“Whatever.”

She glances at the entrance and suddenly smiled. Napakunot noo akong napatingin doon. I saw a hunk man walking towards our table. I watch him until he reached our side. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang mapagtanto kung sino iyon.

“Oh! You're here na. Have a seat.” Utos ni Hope ngunit umiling lang ito, senyales nang pagtanggi.

Tumayo lang siya sa gilid ng mesa namin.

Lines forming between my eyebrows, I stared at Catherine while tilting my head.

“Who is he?” mahinang tanong ko.

“By the way, he's the newly hired bodyguard sa house. He will be my bodyguard daw because I'm pasaway according to mom and dad.”

Napatango ako.

Hinila niya ang kamay ko. “She's my cousin. You can call her Fortunate.” 

“He's Console naman.”

Sa gilid ng aking mga mata ay kita ko ang kaniyang pagtitig sa'kin. I nibbled on my lower lip and focus my attention to my cousin.

“Why is he here? Pwede naman siya sa labas maghintay kung babantayan ka lang naman,” tanong ko.

“She told me to come here, Miss,” he said, formally. I slightly stiffened with his deep voice. 

“Uhm...he's right, Fortunate. We'll be going to ask him kung where magandang mag study. I know he knew, right?” 

Humarap siya rito. Napatango naman ito.

I stared at his face. Well, I can see that he is a good looking guy. His hazel eyes were drowning me every time I stared with it. He's tall and has a well-built body that was covered with his formal attire. Mukhang makakaya niyang itaob ang sino mang mangahas na kumalaban sa kaniya with his well-built body. 

His tanned skin makes his physique more manly and attractive. I like fair skin for a man but by just looking at him, I love the other way around. Love? Wait, what? Crazy! I felt my cheeks heated because I find him attractive and hot. 

“Are you still studying?” tanong ni Hope.

He just nodded. Seryoso ang kaniyang mga mata habang nakatayo sa gilid namin.

“Really? How do manage your time sa school at work? Where ka nag-aaral by the way?”

“Hope, you don't need to kno--”

He cut my words.

“UP, Miss. I'm working to support my studies. It's not that easy but I can manage,” he said, blankly.

He's still studying while working as a bodyguard? I nibbled on my lower lip to suppress my smile. Ganiyan ang mga tipo kong lalaki. Hardworking and independent.

“You're magaling pala! How about sa university na you mentioned, can we also try there too?” 

Napatingin siya sa amin. 'Yong tinging naninigurado at nanghuhusga.

“But, Miss--”

“No buts. I think it's maganda naman there. You're with us too.” Lumingon siya sa'kin. “Agree ka ba, Fortunate? Of course you're agree or else I'll go back to Canada--”

Tiningnan ko siya nang masama. “Oo na.”

“Hala you're galit na? Not halata, huh. Try harder.”

She pouted when I pinched her thigh and leered at her. Gusto nila ako laging pag trip-an ni kuya Lucky.

“UP na tayo, Hope? I'm fine with that.”

Napangiti siya sinabi ko. Happiness was visible in her eyes.

Gustong-gusto mo ro'n ha?

“Yay! So when ang admission? Can you sama with us?” she asked Sole.

His facial expression didn't change... still hard and serious. Tumingin siya sa akin nang mariin na tila naiinis siya sa pagmumukha ko so I looked down at my hands and pinched it, trying to hide the embarrassment.

Alam kong ayaw niyang doon kami mag-aral dahil mukhang maaabala pa namin siya. Alam ko ring naiinis siya sa nangyari kanina pero hindi ko naman sinasadya 'yon!

“Yeah. Anytime.”

Hope looked at me naughtily bago muling bumaling sa lalaki.

“Ah, I have a tanong pala. Are you in a relationship?”

Napasinghap ako. Why is she asking him that?

“No.”

“Uhm... I think may isang girl here na crush ka kaagad. Right, Fortunate?” She smirked. 

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at bahagyang nataranta. “A-Ah oo! I-I mean...w-who?”

She laughed out loud with my reaction. Hinila ko ang dulo ng damit niya para patigilin siya. Halos mapaiyak siya sa kakatawa bago tumigil at humarap sa akin. 

“Why are you laughing?” nakasimangot na tanong ko. 

Umiling siya at pinunasan ang mata niya at bumulong sa tenga ko. “Why ka ba affected? Crush mo ba siya?”

I pouted. “Shut up, please.”

I glanced at his side. He's looking at us with boredom. I suddenly felt shy and conscious. Wala sa sariling napasuklay ako sa buhok ko.

“Hindi ba you magtatanong kung sino 'yong girl?” si Hope.

“Not interested.” Aray. 

Bahagya akong nakaramdam ng pagkadismaya sa sinabi niya kahit hindi naman dapat.

“Alright! We'll update you nalang about sa admission. Maraming thank you.”

Tumayo na ito. “I'll wait on the car, Miss.”

“Hmm, okay.”

He bowed before leaving. Sinundan ko siya nang tingin na may munting bigat sa puso.

Sa maikling sandali, nakuha niya ang interes ko.