Chapter 9Di-kalayuan ay nakita ko si Buboy at Sasha na kumakaway sa akin. Magiliw nilang binuksan ang gate habang naka-uniporme pa. I waved back and smiled at them. They just came from school and eventually went here."Hi po ate Celestia! Kumusta yung araw niyo?" bungad sa kaniya ni Sasha.Kanina pa naka-alis si Wayde at ilang minuto ko na 'ring ginagalaw ang paa ko para hindi lumala. It's actually getting better now."Ayos naman. How's your school?" bungad ko sa kanila.Nilapag nila ang mga bag sa gilid at umupo sa damuhan. I also sat on the grass and followed them."Okay naman, ate Celestia. Etong mga boys kasi ang iingay, nagpa-long quiz tuloy si Sir Montebon." Parang bata na sumbong sa akin ni Sasha. Napakamot pa ito sa ulo at tinignan si Buboy. Sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Sasha na para bang ito ang salarin kung bakit sila may pa long quiz."Pasalamat nga tayo at matagal kakatalak si sir at naubos yung time niya na dapat quiz natin." Gatong naman ni Buboy.Napangiti ako sa dalawa
Chapter 10The only thing that I could see was those silhouettes from those people playing from a far and the shape of the trees that were dancing together with the wind.“Napakaganda ng paglubog ng araw, ate Celestia ‘no?” lumapit pala si Sasha at hindi ko man lang napansin ang presensya niya. I was busy looking at this beautiful scenery in front of me. It was truly captivating.“Napakaganda. Napakaganda ng paglubog ng araw na hindi mo maiwasang malungkot,” kumunot ang noo niya sa sinabi ko.“Bakit naman ate? Malungkot ka ba ngayon?”I smiled dryly, “Malungkot dahil… we always tend to remember memories in good moments like this. Maganda o masalimuot man ang mga alaala. Malungkot dahil napakabilis ng oras at sa isang iglap lang ay ang mga ginagawa natin ngayon ay maging isang alaala na lamang.”“Eh bakit po naging malungkot iyon?”“Cause we can’t go back to that certain moment to feel that pure bliss and happiness again. People come and leave to leave a memory. You might not appreciat
My eyes darted to my phone. Roseanna’s calling again. I rolled my eyes and tapped the decline button. Hindi ko siya gustong makausap ngayon pero kilala ko si Roseanna. She wouldn’t even stopped until she could haunt me down. How did she even manage to enter our life that easily? Simula nung dumating siya ay wala na siyang ginawang tama. And here’s my dad who’s blinded by that woman. I’m just tapping the screen of my phone while looking outside. Binalot ko ang sarili ng kumot at umupo sa sofa. Hindi man lang ako makaramdam ng antok. I saw Wayde outside, talking with someone over the phone. Tanging ang glass panel lang ang naghihiwalay sa amin kaya kitang-kita ko siya sa labas. Bumuntong-hininga ako at sinubukang ipikit ang mga mata. Ilang segundo palang ang lumipas nang marinig ko ulit ang pag-ring ng cellphone ko. I gritted my teeth and didn’t even glanced at the caller’s name. Dahil alam kong iisang tao lang naman ang gagawa nun. “Where the hell are you?!" Gusto kong i-rolyo ang
Napangiwi ako nang makita ang puting damit ko na nagkulay pula. I'm washing the clothes but the stain won't go away. Naka-ilang lagay na ako ng sachet na panlaba pero hindi pa rin matanggal-tanggal iyon."Ano ba yan!" reklamo ko at inilapag ko ang damit sa bath tub at tinignan ang kamay ko. Nangungulubot na rin ang mga kamay ko sa pagbabad sa tubig ng matagal. The advertisement in the tv is a scam! Ang sabi nila'y mawawala ang stain sa damit kapag ginagamit yung brand nila. But it turns out scam."What the hell?" napalingon ako kay Wayde na kakapasok lang sa shower room.His eyes darted on the bathtub filled with water and my clothes. To the open sachets of laundry detergent that was scattered on the floor. Napadako rin ang tingin niya sa basang-basa ko na damit.Halang akong ngumiti sa kaniya at gustong ilublob ang sarili ko sa bath tub dahil sa kahihiyan. If only I could kick him out of the room for him not to see the mess I made."Uhh, I can explain." I bit my lower lip and actual
"What do you mean?" aniya habang ang mga mata'y nakatuon sa hawak ko na brush. This is frustrating as hell. Pa-urong sulong lang ang ginagawa ko at hindi ko pa alam kung tama. I sucked at this kind of chore. Ipagawa na sakin lahat basta wag lang talaga ‘to. "I mean, you just met me. Well, I thought your intimidating at first, but that was just at first so don't worry," pagkwekwento ko pa. Lumingon siya sa'kin, "Hmm, is it bad helping you?" Marahas akong umiling, "No! Don't misinterpret it ah, pero ito," tinuro ko ang nilalabhan namin. "These are all new to me. Someone like you helping me from the very first place. It was… new. It’s just unusual for me because I’m not used to seeing that value to those people that surrounded me before.” "I'm helping you because I want to, Celestia. Naninibago ka dahil hindi na ito ang dating nakagawian mo, and there's nothing wrong with it." Seryoso niyang saad. That made my heart flutter for a moment. "Alam kong ilang beses ko ng sinabi 'to sa
"Woah, your dues are hell." kumuha ako ng coco crunch habang binabasa ko ang mga schedules ni Wayde.Ipinatong ko ang isang paa ko sa upuan ko habang hawak-hawak ang isang folder.Minsan pa akong napapangiwi nang makitang fully loaded ang schedule niya bawat araw. Just how hardworking can he be?"That's why I need to double time.""You should hire two secretaries if necessary. I mean not just a concerned citizen speaking. The stocks are well distributed and I can see that your company is doing good in the past months.Sooner or later, you will need workers to work for you. And by that, it means that your work would be piled up because of that." sabi ko. Nakatingin pa rin ang mga mata sa binabasa.Inilapag ni Wayde ang reading glasses sa lamesa at sumandal sa upuan. "You're an analyst now, huh?"Napanguso ako. "Hindi kaya, pero it's better if you have two secretaries you know."May sumilay na ngiti sa labi ni Wayde at hinarap ako. "Would you be eligible, then?""Sorry, I'm too expensiv
When we went out from his car, napaawang ang bibig ko sa nakita. I glanced at Wayde who’s talking to his staff. I knew that he is well-off in life pero hindi ko inakalang ganito kalaki ang pinamamahalaan niya.Kahit noong tinanong ko siya tungkol sa negosyo ay mukhang hindi pa ito interesado na pag-usapan ang yaman nito.When we entered, shocked and confusion were plastered on Wayde’s employee. But Wayde just greeted them and walked as if he was used to it. Alam kong para sa akin ang mga ekspresyong iyon.Sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa office niya. He was fixing his watch when his secretary approached him. Kaagad kaming napatigil. Akala ko’y si Wayde ang sadya niya pero lumingon siya sakin at ngumiti.“Good morning, ma’am. Do you want a coffee, tea or juice?” bumati ako pabalik.“Huwag na, I already consummed something before we went here.”Napakunot ang noo ko nang makitang nakatitig lang ang sekretarya niya sakin. Narinig ko ang pagtikhim ni Wayde na kaagad nakaagaw sa atensyon
“The rebel daughter?” nanliit ang mga matang tinignan ko si Mr. Xiao. He was just maintaining his grin and looked so much interested in my life. How dare he. “Aren’t you married, hija? Why are you with him? You know that this would cause a big scandal right?” Ramdam ko ang lahat ng titig nila sa akin. I felt uncomfortable. I saw Wayde shifted his position and closed the clipboard loudly. The room is filled with silence and he caught all of our attention. Kaagad siyang tumalima at sinuyod ang tingin sa mga kasamahan. Tumiim ang bagang nito at mukhang pinipigilan lang ang sariling sumabog. Ang kanina nitong maamong mukha ay nagmistulang mapanganib. His face darkened and threw sharp gazes at each one of the board members. "You are here for your business proposals, right? Let's stop interrogating Ms. Vircacel and let’s stop this nonsense meeting.” He gestured to his secretary and he immediately handed some document to
Tinupi ko ang kahuli-hulihang damit ko at isinilid iyon sa maleta ko. Kakarampot nalang na mga gamit ang kailangan kong ayusin. Nilinis ko na rin ang kwarto ko at ibinalik sa dating posisyon ang ilang mga gamit roon. It took me hours to organize everything.Sa paglabas ko ng kwarto ay kaagad akong pumunta sa sala para hanapin si Wayde. Nakita ko siyang may ginagawa at nang makita ako ay kaagad niyang niligpit ang mga gamit niya.“Uhh, I’m done cleaning the room. Naibalik ko na rin ang yung mga bagay na ginamit ko noon sa kwarto mo.” Panimula ko.Umupo ako sa kaharap na sofa niya at kumuha ng isang throw pillow at niyakap iyon. Nanakit ang likod ko dahil sa magdamag na pagliligpit sa kwarto. Tumango si Wayde at pinagsiklop ang mga kamay. Silence invaded between us.“H-hey,” tawag ko kay Wayde nang hindi siya magsalita.He seems to be in a deep thought. His lips is forming into a thin line while frowning. Mukha siyang nakipag-argumento sa sarili niya. I was looking at him in confusion.
I dragged myself into such a mess and I knew a lot more to come. I don’t want to drag him in my mess and put stains in his name. Nararamdaman ko ang pag-init ng sulok ng mga mata ko."Shh, you don't have to be sorry. " humakbang siya papalapit sakin at nilapat ang palad sa pisngi ko. He wipes the tears that were slowly rolling through my cheeks."I'm so sorry, Wayde." mas lumakas pa ang hikbi ko nang sinabi niya iyon.It wasn't just a mixture of pain. It was somehow mixed with frustration and disappointment. Pumikit ako ng mariin at hinayaan ang mga luhang unti-unting bumabagsak sa mga mata ko."God knows how much I want to risk this, Wayde." He removed his hand on my cheeks.Sinalubong ko ang tingin niya at nakita ko ang pagkalito sa mukha niya. Tila may dumaang kinang sa mata niya at nabuhayan ng pag-asa. It left me confused."You...want to risk this?" so much, Wayde."Nag-usap na kami ni Laren ng lilipatan ko at pwede na raw akong lumipat bukas. I just realize, nung unang tapak ko
I calmed down when I saw who it was. He put his index finger on his mouth as if telling me to be silent.“Wayde? A-Anong ginagawa mo rito? And… Why did you take me here?” luminga ako sa paligid.Sa halip ay sagutin ako ay umupo lang ito sa batuhan kaya sumunod ako. Umupo rin ako sa gilid niya but leaving some distances between both of us. The light from the shining moon was the only thing that gave light to the place.Hindi kalayuan rin sa amin ay makikita ang mga pahapyaw ng liwanag na gawa ng mga apoy na galing sa palapa ng niyog o sa sulo. Natatabunan iyon ng mga puno sa paligid. The river looks sparkling whenever the light hits the water. Payapa ang agos ng tubig sa ilog at kung sinuman ang makikita niyon ay mahaharuyo sa kagandahan nitong taglay. It screams so much peacefulness and solace. From those rustling leaves, and the sound that the river made was just comforting.“How’s the fiesta?” tanong niya.“It’s fun! And you know what, Clayton made a scene earlier. Sayang at hindi
With a cross fingers, only two contestants were left. Clayton and the other guy. They are making eye contact, waiting for someone to attack to catch the pig. "Tatapusin ko na 'tooo!" sigaw ng lalaki at nilangoy ang putikan para makuha ang kahuli-hulihang biik. All of us shouted in unison when the game ended. Isa-isa nilang tinaas ang mga nakuhang biik. My eyes went to Clayton, salubong ang mga kilay nitong lumabas sa palaruan at lumapit sa direksyon namin. "I could have won that!" Clayton complained. The mud was still dripping in his body. "Oh! Ang isa sa mga paborito ng mga kalahok natin! Hindi lang biik ang premyo niyo kundi meron rin tayong mga magandang dilag ang magpapaligo sa inyo. Ilabas ang hose!" Palakpakan at sigawan ulit ang maririnig sa boung paligid. I frowned when I noticed Clayton walking towards the coordinator's place and asked if he could borrow the microphone. Nang mahiram iyon ay kaagad nitong hinarap ang lalaking naging kalaban nito kanina. Nakita kong lumap
"Marissa, ano ba..." nahihiyang tugon ni Laren pero huli na para tumanggi dahil hinila na siya ng kapatid at dinala sa loob ng palaruan.I witnessed how Clayton's expression shifted. He took a leap into the fences and whispered something to the coordinator. Salubong ang mga kilay nitong nakikipag-usap sa isang kalahok.When the coordinator nodded, Clayton ripped off his shirt in front of everyone. He did that effortlessly! Lumakas ang tilian sa paligid at sa lahat ng mga sigaw ay sa kanya ang may pinakamalakas. Not to mention that Clayton has the same body built with Wayde that can make any girl drool."May last contestant pa tayo na humabol! at dahil apat lang ang biik natin, isa sa kanila ang hindi makakauwi ng biik. Isigaw niyo ang pambato niyo!!""Go Clayton! Bring out your charms, you prick!" I shouted to cheer him up. Kumindat naman si Clayton sa lahat bago tinapunan ng tingin si Laren. The side of my lips rose up when their eyes met. Take that, you jerk."Oh magsisimula na an
"Please... huwag mo sabihin sa iba." With my mouth drape open, I nodded like a robot.Oh gosh! I can really smell something fishy from the first time I saw Laren reaction whenever Clayton's name is mentioned.“Laren! Watch out!” babala ko nang merong paparating na kalabaw sa pwesto niya. It was almost too late for her to step aside when a set of arms caught her waist and pulled her closer.Mas lalong hindi ako makapaniwala sa nasaksihan ko.“Clayton, Laren!” Sabay silang bumagsak sa damuhan. Clayton’s irritated face is visible as he sharply glared at Laren.Kaagad namin silang dinaluhan at tinulungang tumayo.“Hindi kaba tumitingin sa dinadaanan mo? You almost hit yourself!” Clayton scoffed at Laren. Bakas ang pagka-irita sa mukha nito.“Pasensya na, hindi ko lang napansin.” Paghingi ng tawad ni Laren at pinagpagan ang sarili. I heard Clayton hissed before turning his back.“Ayos lang, nagalit ko ata si Clayton,” mahina niyang bulong sa’kin.Umiling ako, “Nah! Huwag mo na ‘yang pansin
I nodded. “ Yeah, he’s a busy person.”Ate Alma and Marissa’s shoulders fell. Akala ko rin ay sasama talaga siya, but it turns out that he wouldn’t. He must be so busy with his work that he had no time to attend such an event. I’m actually concerned with his well-being. He has been working day and night consecutively and he forgot to eat his meal most of the time.I can really relate with him also too. My dad’s always so busy with our company that he sometimes forgets to attend my activities in school way back. Nanlulumo rin ako minsan, but whenever I think that he’s doing it for my future, those kinds of thoughts fade away.“Sayang! Pinaghandaan ko pa naman ang pagdating niya. Tignan niyo kung gaano ako kaganda ngayon” umikot pa siya sa harap namin at ipinakita ang bestida niya.It’s a Korean style dress that is popular nowadays. She also has that bandana style in her head that we usually see in the olden days painting about a young woman. Marissa really looks good on that.Her moren
“Wayde! Aren’t you excited for the fiesta?” I styled my hair into soft curls and put on my headband.Naghahanda ako para sa idadaos na event mamaya. This would be the very first time that I would attend such a barrio fiesta and I’m excited for it.Marissa and Laren would be there too. Hindi rin naman papigil si Clayton at sasalihan niya raw ang lahat ng contest doon. I really can’t believe that the brute is here. And he knew Wayde very well. What a small world after all.“Hmm, there’s nothing exciting about it. I’m not going,” ani Wayde habang ang mga mata’y nakatuon sa Ipad nito.“O c’mon, it’s just for tonight and then done. Dapat sumama ka. And I’m also sure that you might be interested in playing the games too!” giit ko pa para makumbinsi siyang sumama. “I have work.” I rolled my eyes. He really is a workaholic. He barely even has time to relax due to workloads.“You can just get back to work after the event. It would be fun, I’m sure. Lots of games and dancing, you know.”“You.
"They're gone." Kaagad akong bumitaw sa kanya at kinurot siya. "Really?! Out of all the excuses, yun pa talaga ang naisip mo?" napapantastikuhan ko siyang tinignan. "It was adrenaline rush. Kesa naman wala akong masabi sa kanila. Why? You're affected?" tila napapaso akong lumayo sa kanya at marahas na umiling. The confidence! "H-Hell no! not even in a million." That's a lie, really. Hindi ko man aminin, but I know that there's already something growing inside me "Na ano... ba? Oh my!" napatakip ako ng bibig nang marealize ang sinabi ko kanina lang. For the second time around, Wayde chuckled. Hindi ko kayang tumingin sa kanya dahil sa kahihiyan na sinabi ko. How much embarrassment could I get?! Ramdam ko ang pag-init ng pisngi ko. My face is red as the tomato right now. I glared at Wayde who's clearly just teasing me the whole time. Siya pa ang masamang tinignan ko gayung ako naman ang gumawa ng sarili kong kahihiyan. “S-Shut up. Anyway, I have something to say.” “Spill.