Chapter 4

Unknown Number

I force myself to walk back inside the mansion. I can't help but think that maybe if I choose to study here in the Philippines would my family still stay together?

Tulala akong bumalik sa pwesto nila Raya na ngayon ay nagtatawanan.

"Lex, okay ka lang? Anong nangyari kanina?" alalang tanong sa akin ni Shivani. Napansin ata nilang kanina ko pa nilalaro ang glass ng champagne sa kamay ko.

"Dad, just arranged my marriage to someone I did not know." malamig na saad ko na ikinagulat nilang lahat.

Thankfully it was dark in the living room.The boys went somewhere away from us. Looks like no one noticed me and my cousins talking.

Naging abala din ang mga investors na kaibigan nila lola sa pag-uusap sa kanila. Lumabas na naman ata ang mga lalaki siguro para maghanap ng makakausap nilang babae.

"Seryoso Lex?" hindi makapaniwala na tanong ni Daphne at umiling.

"After that divorced, ikaw naman target na sirain ang buhay!" nainis na sabi ni Hannarah. Inabot niya sa akin ang isa pang champagne.

I turned 18 last year which I celebrated alone abroad. Which I guess was the starting point where my parents got divorce without my knowledge. I'll be turning 19 this year. Only my brother does not know I learned how to drink alcohol.

Imbis bumisita sila kuya nung araw na yun dahil nasa California. Hindi ako nag party nung debut ko kasi alam ko magastos pag sa Paris ako nag debut.

"Does your brother know about this?" tanong ni ate Estelle. Mapait akong tumango ako.

"Sino naman lalaki ang plano niyang imatch sayo?" tanong naman ni Raya. Agad kong nilagok ang champagne at ibinaba ang glass bago nagsalita.

"Cuevas." tipid na sabi ko sa kanila na ikinabigla nila. I quickly told them it was his brother. Dismayado silang umiling. Para akong nasa isang pelikula kung saan pinili ng bida na sundin ang gusto ng pamilya niya.

"Alam mo, Lex. Kung ako sayo, why not ask for your brother's help. Not to let your father ruin your life," narinig ko na sabi ni Hannah sa akin. Umismid ako at umiling.

"I don't need help from my brothers. Wala naman silang pakialam," malamig kong sabi ko. Disappointed ako sa sinabi ni Kuya Leon sa akin kanina.

Nagpaalam akong pupunta sa kusina para kumuha ng tubig. Sobrang bigat ng nararamdaman ko habang patuloy ang paghakbang tungo sa kusina. Hindi ko alam saan ko iiponin lakas ko dahil sa nangyari ngayong gabi. Sa isang iglap ang masayang pamilya na lagi kong inuuwian ay matatapos rin. Pero akala ko lang pala yun.

I felt like a walking dead. I felt so numb experiencing this thing at the peak of reaching my dreams. I keep on praying that I hope this won't affect me.

"You okay, miss?" bumaling ako sa isang lalaking hindi ko kilala na naglalahad sa akin ng kamay. It looks like he is one of Kuya Zaxton's friends.

"I'm fine thank you," saad ko at kumuha ng tubig sa ref. Para unti-unti na tumatama ang dalawang champagne na nainom ko.

What kind of champagne was that? Parang ang lakas ng tama sa akin.

"Your not okay, miss," pagputol niya sa katahimikan at inabot ang isang gamot sa akin. Umangat ako ng tingin sa kanya.

"Easy, I'm not going to drug you. Your cousin will kill me if I do that." dugtong pa niya na mukhang nakita niya na hindi ako madaling magtiwala. Defeated, i took the pill and drank it.

Ramdam ko pa rin ang kanyang mga titig habang ginawa ko iyun. Kanina lang para akong galit ngayon para akong sirang plaka.

What happened to that anger Lexie?

"Thank you for the pill." saad ko ng umokay ang aking pakiramdam at bumaling ko sa kanya. I never thought I will meet someone who looks like a saint tonight.

He was wearing a blue formal suite. Parang anak ng isang mayor. His eyes were mesmerizing. But my mind screams he's a playboy.

"Anytime, I'm Vaughn by the way." lahad niya sa kanyang kamay. I stared at his hand for a few minutes and finally give him a quick handshake.

"Lex," tipid na saad ko at inilagay ang baso sa lababo. I felt like it was awkward. Mabilis kong hinugasan ang aking baso ng marinig ko ang boses ni kuya Zaxton.

"So your hitting on my cousin now, Vaughn?" narinig ko ang malamig na boses ni kuya Zaxton pagpasok niya sa kusina.

Kabado akong tumingin at nanlaki ang mata ko ng makita ang galit na mukha ni Kuya Levi sa likod ni kuya Zaxton. Maging mga babae kong pinsan na kuryusong nakatingin din sa akin.

"Chill out, bro. I'm just testing my younger brother's soon to be fiance." taas kamay na saad niya. Umawang ang aking bibig sa narinig.

Is he the older brother of the Cuevas twins?

"Hindi siya maging fiancee ng kapatid mo. She's off limits." madiin na saad ni Kuya Levi. Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Kuya Levi.

So he knows about this marriage thing? Hindi niya din sinabi sa akin?

"Serviano women are petite." nanlaki ang aking mata ng akmang dadapo ang kamao ni Kuya Levi ng isang malakas na sampal mula kay ate Estelle ang dumapo sa kaliwang dako ng pisngi ni Vaughn.

"Kapal ng mukha mo. As if papatol, ako sayo!" rinig kong sigaw ni ate Estelle. Adam pulled her away from him. Vaughn was shocked to receive a slap.

"Ate Estelle, calm down." bulong ni Adam sa kapatid. Parang may something sa pagitan ni ate Estelle at Vaughn na iyon.

"You've crossed the line, dude." malamig na saad ni Kuya Zaxton. Ngumisi si Vaughn at tumitig kay ate Estelle.

"Sorry, dude. I never should have said that." Saad ni Vaughn.

Ilang saglit dumating na din ang kambal na Cuevas na mas lalo akong na estatwa sa aking kinatatayuan. He brown eyes looked at mine before looking at his brother.

"Kuya, what did you do?" narinig kong tanong ni Luke sa kuya niya. His eyes gazed at me like he knew what had happened.

"Pagsabihan mo kapatid mo. I don't want him near my sister and my cousins." saad ni Kuya Leon bago umalis ng kusina. Sumunod na rin ang aking mga pinsan. Kuya Levi held my wrist and dragged me out of the kitchen.

What a night.

Everyone was silent and my throat felt dry. The twins were staring at their phones like nothing happened while Carson was browsing girls in his dating app. Estelle still looks mad. Kuya Leon and Kuya Zaxton went to talk to Vaughn. Kuya Levi and Kuya Zale were nowhere to be found.

Kasalanan ko bakit nangyari yun. Nasa theater room kami ngayon para hindi magkaroon ng eksena sa baba.

"What's with the silence, people?" saad ni Carson. Mukhang gusto niya makipag biroan.

"Shut up, kuya. Kita mong badtrip kami lahat sa nangyari." inis na saad ni Raya sa kapatid niya. Maging si Daphne ay masama ang tingin.

This was the worst night ever.

It's Lola's birthday today but we are all here trying to blow off some steam. I felt stuck in the middle the whole time. My thoughts are flooded with questions.

"Come on guys, birthday ni lola ngayon. Can we just make her happy tonight?" saad ni Carson. Nagkatinginan kaming lahat.

Defeated, we all walked out of the theater room. Naglalakad kami sa hallway when my phone rang and it was mom.

"Mauna na kayong bumaba, rooftop lang ako I have to talk to my mom." agad humawak sa aking balikat si Raya na nag-aalala.

"Lex, kung nasasaktan ka pa. They would understand why your distant from them." aniya. She knows me so well. Tipid akong ngumiti at umiling.

"I need answers, Chan. Mas lalong lumalalim ang sakit kapag hindi ko ito haharapin. Mom needs me." mariin na sabi ko. This is my family's problem and I have to face reality. Kailangan ko maging malakas kahit para na lamang sa ikabubuti ng aking ina.

"Basta pag kailangan mo kami. Call us." saad ni Ate Estelle. Nauna silang bumaba kasama din ang mga lalaki.

I was left alone in the hallway. I ran towards the stairs going to the rooftop. I calmed myself before calling her. She opened her video and she was sitting near the window. Nang makita niya ako ay agad siyang ngumiti at pinipigilan ang mga luha sa kanyang mata.

"Mom, how are you?" nanginginig na sabi ko habang pinipigilan ding umiyak. My mom does not deserve the pain.

"I'm sorry, Lex. Hindi ko agad nasabi sayo ang divorce namin ng papa mo. I know it was hard for you. Lalo na hindi sinabi sayo ng mga kapatid mo. They were just protecting you." hindi ko na mapigilan ng humagulgol sa sinabi ng aking ina. She's right, it's hard for me. Para akong naipit sa gitna.

"I don't want you too blame yourself for what had happened. Kaya hindi nagsabi sayo ang mga kuya mo. I left Manila and went to our province here in Davao. Gusto ko malaman mo, anak na ginawa ko yun not for myself. But I also want to protect you and your brothers." dagdag ng aking ina na humihikbi na rin. It pains to see my mother like this, she doesn't deserve this heartache.

"Ma, I'm sorry. Wala akong nagawa para salbahin ang pamilyang ito. Mom, please come home. Kahit tayong apat na lang sa isang bahay. I don't want us to be complete anymore, I only want us to be happy." naluluha ang sabi ko. Mapait siyang ngumiti habang patuloy pa rin umiiyak.

"Don't be sorry, anak. It was me who decided to send you away because I know it will hurt you deeply if you have seen everything that happened. Sa ngayon, gusto ko muna mag-isa. I want to bring back my strength for you and your brothers. Babalik ako pag kaya ko na ulit harapin ang tatay mo." dismayado akong humikbi. I agreed with what she wanted because I respect my mother. Alam ko kailangan niya ng panahon para mapag-isa.

I ended the call and tried to calm myself.I ruined the makeup that Estelle had done. My cousins will always put refrigerators on the rooftop of their houses just in case we want to hang out. We don't drink too often but we drink on special occasions.

Tumingin ako sa refrigerator na nasa pinaka gilid ng table. Kumuha ako ng tissue sa lamesa at pinunasan ang aking mukha Balisa ko itong binuksan upang kumuha ng tubig ng mapansin puro beer ang laman nun.

Kagagawan na naman ito ni Brett Carson Serviano. Naniniwala si lola na sa alak nagsisimula lahat ng kasalanan at masama maging bisyo ang pag inom ng alak. Lalo na ang pagkakaroon ng ibang babae. Mapait akong ngumiti ng malala na hindi ganoon ang aking ama.

My grandmother taught her sons and daughter well and she told them the importance of dating to marry and waiting for love. Most of my brothers and cousins like to drink beer even though my lola hates alcohol in our family. But my lola allows drinking on special occasions. I ended up taking three bottles of gin out of the refrigerator and opened it. I drank the first bottle straight up.

I feel like being drunk does not compare anything to the pain I was feeling deep down my chest. I saw my cousins happily dancing downstairs.

Maririnig ang tugtugan mula sa baba dahil nasa labas ang main venue ng birthday ni lola. Para ko na lamang ginawang tubig ang alak dahil sa pagkauhaw ko at ininom ulit ang isa pang bote. Sumandal ako sa railings at dumungaw sa baba. Hula ko ang bidang dj ngayon ay walang iba kundi si Ross.

"I didn't know, the Serviano princess knows how to drink," halos mabilaokan ako ng marinig ang malamig na boses.

It was Luke, I was shocked to see him leaning against the railings from my right side. He is still wearing his suite. He is meters away from me.

Mula sa malayo langhap ko pa rin ang pabango niya. Parang kanina pa siya nandito at hindi lang nagsasalita.

"Alcohol is bad, sweetheart." uminit agad ang pisngi ko ng marinig iyun. It is just because of the alcohol.

"Paano mo alam na nandito ako?" mariin na sabi ko at tinitigan ang kanyang mata. I'm dead if he overheard the conversion of me and my mom.

"I came here to sleep. Only to find someone drinking." nabunutan ako ng tinik ng hindi niya iyun alam.

"Sorry to disappoint you. Hindi ako princessa." muli akong sumimsim sa pangalawang bote at hindi na muling tumingin sa kanya.

I want to set aside my feelings for now. My life is a mess, I am a mess. I don't want my life to compromise on things that will only give me a little happiness.

Parang hirap pa rin ako intindihin lahat. Hindi ko alam paano ito malalampasan.. Gusto ko masaya pamilya ko at maging masaya din ako.

"Where are your cousins? Hindi ba nag-alala kuya mo sayo?" putol niya sa katahimikan. He maybe notice that something happened.

"Downstairs, making my grandmother happy. Gusto ko mapag-isa kaya ako nandito." ng maubos ko ang pangalawang bote ay akmang bubuksan ko ang pangatlo, ngunit mas mabilis pa sa alas kwatro niyang kinuha ang bote mula sa aking kamay.

"You're drunk. Tatawagin ko kuya mo," rinig kong sabi niya. I don't have strength to argue so I went to the refrigerator again to get one.

"Call, them. Wala silang pakialam." malamig na sabi ko.

What's wrong with me? I heard him curse silently but it's enough for me to hear it. Suddenly, his phone rang in the middle of scolding me. Maybe it was his fiancee. I slowly looked away while he answered the phone.

"Yes kuya." looks like it was his older brother. Kumunot ang kanyang noo ko at bumaling ulit sa kanya. Hindi ko naiwasan tumitig sa kanyang mukha habang kausap niya sa telepono at bumaling siya sa akin kaya mabilis akong umiwas ng tingin.

"She's with me....rooftop." rinig kong sabi niya bago pinatay ang tawag. Hindi ko alam kung maiinis ako o matutuwa dahil may pakialam pala ang isang ito.

"Hinahanap ka na ng mga pinsan mo. You might be grounded for drinking too much tonight." sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at binalik ang bote na iyun. I felt like i lost appetite in drinking.

"Tell them I am going to bed. Maraming salamat sayo," ramdam ko ng tumatama ang alak sa akin. That pill is also something.

I thought it would make me tipsy but it felt like it make it worse. I was about to walk down the stairs when a pair of hands touch my waist. Aangal na sana ako pero dahil sa kalasingan parang nawalan ako ng lakas.

"Shut up! I'll take you to your room." rinig kong sabi niya. Hindi na ako umangak at hiyaan ko siyang ihatid ako patungo ng kwarto ko.

It was like a scene in a movie that normally I want to stay a little longer.

"Where were you last night? Hindi ka naman namin tinuruan uminom. This is not you, Lex." mas lalo atang sa sakit ulo sa sinabi ni Kuya Leon.

I guess he knew where I was yesterday. Nakita niya siguro ako na lasing kasama si Luke kagabi. I woke up late today and all of my cousins are worried.

"I won't drink again, Kuya." kumuha agad ako ng maligamgam na tubig sa counter ng kusina. Most of my cousins are already at the dining hall eating lunch since it's passed 12 already.

Siguro nga hindi sila uminom sa party ng lola ko dahil alam nilang papagalitan sila.Hindi ko matandaan ang nangyari at kung paano ako nakarating sa kwarto ko at nakatulog. Hindi naman sana ako sumuka sa naghatid sa akin sa pintuan ng kwarto ko.

I woke up in the middle of the night realizing that I was sleeping on the cold floor in front of the door in my room and my brother just carried me to my bed.

Should I thank him?

"Lex, sama ka ba mamaya sa rancho nila Kuya Zaxton?" rinig kong tanong ni Chan sa akin habang patuloy ang pagkain namin sa dining table.

"Hindi eh. I wanted to work out. May gym ba malapit dito kuya Zax?" iniiwasan ko muna ang mga kapatid ko. I just don't feel to be close with them in the meantime.

"Meron, sa downtown yung gym na lagi akong nag wowork out." saad ni kuya Zaxton at tumingin kay Leon na alam kung ano iniisip.

"Kung hindi sasama si, Lex. Sama ako sa gym," si Zraine na parang ayaw ata sumama sa kuya niya.

"Gym will be fine with me. Kailangan ko workout kinain ko kahapon," si Shivani.

"Pass, muna ako sa gym sumakit katawan ko kahapon," si Hanna.

"Sabihin mo, ayaw mo lang mag gym. You're getting fat. Little sis," natatawang asar ni kuya Zale sa kapatid na masama naman siyang tinitigan.

"I hate you kuya!" bulyaw ni Hannah sa kapatid.

"Ikaw ate di ka nag gym?" tanong ni Adam sa kapatid. Nanlaki ang mata ni Ate Estelle na parang may alam.

"Pass muna ako sa gym need ko sulitin ang bakasyon." Sabi ni ate Ansherina. Tumango ako sa kanya at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"Boys mag gym ba kayo?" tanong ni kuya Zale kina kuya Leon, Zaxton, kuya Levi, Carson, Thor at Theodore. None of them spoke until Theo's voice roared.

"Damn! Thor wala ka pala kagabi hindi nakaporma." si Theo na humalagapak ng tawa habang inaasar ang kapatid. These two have a different world every time we talked to cousins.

"Shut up! Aasarin na naman ako ng mga ito." narinig kong bulong ni Thor na nagpapatawa sa aming lahat.

Umalis sila tito and tita kasama si Lola. Pag bonding ng matatanda sanay na kami na maiwan sa mansion at mag-isip ng gagawin.

We were left alone in the mansion like we used to. The firstborns never tolerate us so that is why they trust us so much. My cousins avoid the three elders getting mad. But I on the other hand do not care if my brother gets mad at me.

Pagkatapos naming kumain, ay nagdesisyon sila kung sino ang sasama sa pagpunta sa rancho Simula bata kami alam nila paano sumakay ng kabayo. Paborito naming gawin na magpipinsan at sa palagay ko lahat ng lalaki na pinsan ko ay sasama. Habang kami nila Shivani at Daphne lang ata pupunta sa gym.

"Levi, can you be with your sister? Baka maligaw sila pa siya ang nag drive." my mouth hangs wide open. Para pa rin ba akong elementary sa paningin ni kuya Leon?

"Hayaan mo muna, kapatid mo sa amin kuya Leon," si Shivani na mukhang hindi niya nagustuhan ang narinig.

"She's with us, Kuya Leon. Alam ko ang Cebu at kung saan nag gygym si kuya. Besides, I think some of my cousins will be there." utag naman ni Daphne. Napabuntong hininga na lang si kuya bago naunang lumabas sa sala.

"Alright, I'll trust Lex to you. Be home at 5 pm." bilin ni kuya Leon bago sila lumabas dahil mukhang pupunta na sila sa rancho. We all waved at them goodbye before preparing for the gym.

Yung rancho nila kuya Zaxton ay medyo malayo sa syudad. Mas mabuti na rin na magkaroon ng unting workout para mawala ang antok.

It will be too exhausting to go there after a long night of party yesterday. I am the type of person who hates to drink coffee because it will make me energetic. As soon as they left I went into my room to get a phone and prepare my stuff. I searched for it in my room and found it near the bedside. I was confused to see that it was fully charged. Shivani knocked on the door. That is why I hurriedly put on my gym clothes and put my other clothes in my gym bag before opening the door.

"First-time kung makakasama si Lex mag gym. Cardio ba ginagawa mo kaya ang payat mo?" Daphne asked while driving us to the gym.

"Hindi pero mostly weights ginagawa ko nung nasa ibang bansa ako."

"Buti hindi ka napapagod maglift ng weights," nakangusong sabi naman ni Shivani na nagpatawa sa aming dalawa ni Daphne.

"Turuan mo ako need ko magpatoned ng abs." utag ni Daphne Zraine.

Magaganda ng katawan ng mga pinsan ko na babae. Most of us are slender and have a toned body. Gusto kong panatilihin na ganun ang aking katawan. I was seventeen when I first started to go to the gym. Ngayon lang ulit ako nakapag gym kasama ang masyadong sporty na mga pinsan ko. Si Daphne lang ata ang hindi.

We parked near the entrance of the gym since it was the last vacant parking space that we saw. As I went outside of the car, my mouth hung open. Kuya Levi was there standing at the entrance. What is he doing here?

"Kuya Levi, akala ko papunta ka sa hacienda?" gulat na tanong ni Shivani kay kuya.

"Masama ba mag workout?" pang-asar na tanong niya kay Shivani. Inis na natawa si, Shivani. Daphne looked straight at him like she was detecting something.

"Baka chicks lang ipunta mo dito." I rolled my eyes and smirked. Kuya Levi is toned and muscular. Ewan ko nga kung paano siya naging ganun. I have never seen my brother this toned. Last year, ko lang ata nakita ang pag start niya na maging toned.

I never ask what is he doing to get that toned.

Tumawa na lang kami bago pumasok sa gym at ng matapos register dumeretso kami sa locker. Tatlong floor ang gym na ito at marami ngang tao. Kumpara sa ibang gym malawak at mas maraming pagpipilian.

I changed into my clothes and went straight on the second floor with my cousins. I glanced at Kuya Levi who silently went to the treadmill. While my two cousins giggled and lifted the weights. I took out my phone and took pictures of them as they were lifting weights.The gym was a bit crowded especially on the third floor where the boxing ring is placed which Daphne told me to try.

Lumapit ako sa kanila kasama ang isang babaeng instructor. Kasalukuyan akong nag wawarm up sa isang tabi habang nakikinig ng music sa aking airpods.

"Daphne Zraine!"

Napatigil kami ng isang babae matangkad na singkit ang mata ang masayang tumakbo papunta sa pwesto namin. Tatlo naman ang kasama niyang babae na sa palagay ko ay pinsan niya. Napatingin ako kay kuya Levi at nagtaka ako ng makita ang gulat na expresiyon habang nakatitig sa isang babae na kasama ng pinsan ni Daphne.

I was stunned to see Daphne's Cousins here in the gym. It was Ate Chelsea Wang and her cousins. She was with her two brothers I think. They were wearing sports attire which I may say are athletes. I saw them coming from the first floor earlier. They are Daphne and Kuya Zaxton cousins on their father's side.

Tita Hailey and Tito Zymon have a unique love story which I remembered Daphne telling me about her parents' love story.

"These are my cousins, Lex and Shivani. And yung isa nandoon sa treadmill si Kuya Levi." pakilala ni Daphne sa amin at tinuro din si kuya Levi. Bumaling kami sa kanya at mas lalo akong nagtaka na mabilis na siya tumakbo sa treadmill na parang di niya nakita.

Something smells fishy. What in the world just happened?

"This are my two brothers, Zandrix and Cyden. My cousins, Zechariah or you can call her Zecha, Tyra and Zeraphine," pakilala sa kanila.

"Nice to meet you, Lex. Can I get your number?"napaawang ang bibig ko ng marinig ang katagang iyun kay Zandrix.

"Zandrix!" si Ate Chelsea.

"Kuya, masyado ka mabilis." tawa naman ni Cyden.

"Zandrix, patay ka sa kuya niyan," ani naman nung Tyra.

"Baka barilin ka pa." saad naman nung Zecha.

"Huwag sa pinsan ko, Zandrix. Bantay sarado yan." depensa naman ni Shivani.

"Ikaw Lex, ibibigay mo ba?"tanong naman ni Daphne na parang nang-aasar.

Humalagapak naman ng tawa si Daphne sa nangyari. Namula ang kanyang tenga na parang nagsisi siya na mag tanong ng number kasama ang kapatid at pinsan niya.

I find it amusing as well kaya napatawa na rin ako. I glanced at my brother who was talking to someone on the phone after his treadmill. We exchange numbers before waving goodbye. It is not a big deal for me since I also have guy friends who know about my number. After I gave my number, they waved goodbye because they had to go upstairs. We all say goodbyes to them. Chelsea gestured to Daphne to call her and Daphne agreed before going back to the weights.

Pumunta ako sa may mga dumbbells at muling napatingin kay kuya Levi na ngayon ay bumaling sa hagdanan kung saan papunta sa taas ang mga pinsan ni Daphne. My mind was folded with questions like I cannot read my brother. Kilala niya ba ang mga iyon?

Kumuha ako ng maliit na dumbbell upang simulan na lamang ang arm workout routine na nakasanayan ko. Suddenly, my phone beeped and two messages pop up. I opened to read it.

Unknown number:

We are in the same school, see you around. This is Zandrix. I hope you save my number.

Unknown Number:

So you like Chinese people now, huh.

Mariin akong napatigil at pilit na inaalala ang mga nangyari kagabi. Luminga-linga ako sa paligid upang hanapin kung nandito ba siya ngunit wala akong nakitang Luke Damien Cuevas sa paligid.

Shocks! Did he get my phone number while I was being drunk last night?