"Kapag lumingon ka, you're mine." I muttered to my self as I stare at the man standing near the dj's stage.
Nakatayo lang siya doon at nagmamasid sa paligid na para bang isa siyang bouncer ng lugar at hindi kasama sa mga player na nanalo ng soccer. It's the team's victory party at kilala ko kung sino ang lalaki na yon. He's the reason why I came home from traveling, aside from my mother na palagi akong kinukulit na umuwi.I was looking at The Bachelors magazine when I saw a picture of him with my brother. He has this jet black hair and cold staring and mysterious dark gray eyes. Since then, I always dreamt of him. So I came home to meet the man of-literally-my dreams.Yung mukha niya na seryoso palagi at hindi nagpapakita ng emotion. I like that about him. He's so mysterious and I like to solve mysteries.I almost fist pumped when he turned my way and met my eyes pero ilang seconds lang at tumingin nanaman siya sa ibang direction. I smirked. He likes me. Alam kong gusto niya ako dahil tumingin siya sa akin. I walked towards my guy when suddenly may isang lalaki na humarang sa dinaraanan ko."Wanna dance?" I smiled at him sweetly."Of course.. not." Nilagpasan ko na siya pero hindi ko na nakita ang lalaking ipinunta ko talaga dito. Tinignan ko ng masama ang lalaking dahilan ng pagkasira ng plano ko na ngayon ay may kaharutan nang babae.I stomped my feet and went towards Jaqie na mag isang sumasayaw sa dance floor habang sinusuklay ang buhok at ang isang kamay ay may hawak na baso. I shook my head. She's crazy. I just met her today pero ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko sa kanya kahit may pagka snob siya. She's the girlfriend of the Keith na kaibigan at team nate ni kuya Demitri."Jaquie come on let's go back to our table. Julian must be worried na.""Mamaya na ako babalik. I'm still enjoying myself." Pinilit ko pa siya ng isang beses but she ignored me so I went back to our table and I saw Jules watching me. She's my brother's fiance. I travel a lot kaya ngayon ko lang din siya nakilala pero narinig ko na siya kay mommy."I'm tired." I said as I approached her. She raised her eyebrows."Kaagad? Si Jaquie?" Hindi naman talaga ako napagod dahil halos five minutes lang akong nandoon. I went to the dance floor because I saw Enrique and I want to show off pero bigla siyang nawala."Still dancing. Ayaw pa niyang umupo eh." She sighed. Akala ko sa aming tatlo si Jaqie ang kill joy.Dumeretso na ako sa upuan ako at uminom sa basong naiwan ko kanina. Sinundan ko ng tingin si Julian nang pinuntahan niya si Jaqie at hinila pabalik ng table namin."Jaqie you're drinking too much. Tama na yan.""Nonsense. Hindi pa ako lasing nag eenjoy lang ako." Jaqie's drunk, she keeps on giggling but I think she's alright."Anong hindi? Tignan mo nga yang itsura mo." I rolled my eyes. Ang oa ni Jules. We're girls and we tend to have fun.I traveled in almost every country in the world and in every country maraming babae na mas matanda pa sa amin ang mahilig sumayaw at mag enjoy. Mukhang okay pa naman kasi si Jaqie, tipsy lang. And her boyfriend looked like he doesn't care about her at all."Leave her alone Jules. She's having fun." I giggled when I saw her face. Feeling ko tuloy may kasama talaga akong ate. I really like her for my kuya."Jules!" I heard Trey called Julian. They talked pero wala sa kanila ang attention ko. I keep on looking around hoping I can see him pero wala parin. I looked at my phone when I read a text from my brother saying he's leaving at ako na daw ang bahala maghatid kay Julian.This brother of mine is really not a gentleman. Ano bang nagustohan ni Jules dito? He didn't even said goodbye to her siguro tinext lang din siya."Teka, Mira nasaan si Jaquie?" I looked around the table and the empty sit beside me."She's here lang kanina.""Dito ka lang hahanapin ko lang siya. I'll be back." I nodded my head. San ba nagpunta ang babae na yun? She's a bit drunk pa naman."Ano wala pa ba?" Julian asked as she came back. Umiling ako. "Sige titignan ko sa cr."Jaqie came back with a man na nagpakilala sa amin as Nuel. A handsome man actually. Ngayon ko lang siya nakita at alam kong hindi siya member ng soccer team dahil memorize ko ang bawat player. We chatted and he was nice. Mabait at may sense of humor."Teka kanina pa tayo nag uusap dito pero hindi mo sakin sinasabi kung paano ka nakapasok sa party na to. No offense but I know that only the billionaires and some VIP guests are allowed to go here." I asked him.
"Pinsan ko si Enrique. And speaking of my cousin." May narinig akong tumawag sa kanya at halos magwala ang puso ko nang makita kung sino ang papalapit sa amin. Oh my gosh, there he is.The man of my dreams.
The love of my life.
So handsome and masculine with his gray shirt and leather jacket and I can't wait to see what's inside that clothes.
"Wow" Hindi ko mapigilang bumulong sa sarili ko. Parang nag slow motion ang buong paligid habang naglalakad siya palapit sa amin. Napakagat labi ako nang nasa harap ko na siya."Enrique" nakangiting bati ni Nuel. "This is Jaqie, Jules, and Mira." She looked at our faces pero alam kong tinitigan niya ako ng mas matagal kaysa kay Jaqie at Julian. I know that his stare lingered for a second and that's enough reason for me to pursue him."We have to go." Gosh, halos manginig ang buong kalamnan ko sa sobrang lamig ng boses niya but it also turned me on. Lalaking lalaki ang boses niya na parang sa boses palang mararamdaman mo kaagad na kaya ka niyang protektahan. At kung gaano kalamig ang boses niya, ganon naman ka-hot ang katawan niya.I know because I saw a topless picture of him sa internet habang nagpa-practice ng soccer."I have to go. Salamat sa pag kupkop niyo sakin. Sa uulitin." Nuel left with a smile habang si Enrique naman ay hindi manlang nagbahagi ng kahit isang ngiti but of course, gwapo parin."So tell me girls, what do you think of Enrique?" I asked them as Nuel and Enrique left. Makakagawa pa naman ako ng paraan para magkita kami ulit. Lucky for me, kaibigan siya ni Kuya Demitri. Although, hindi ko masiyadong kilala ang mga friends ni kuya dahil matagal din akong nawala sa Pilipinas.
"He's cold and he doesn't speak much." Sabi ni Jaqie. I rolled my eyes. Nagsalita yung hindi cold at palasalita."Para sakin nakakatakot siya." Muntik na akong matawa nang mapangiwi pa sa Jules. Hindi pa ba siya nasasanay sa kapatid ko? Cold at masungit din naman yung tao na yun."I think he's hot and mysterious." I said dreamily. He's so perfect. Perfect for me. He's mysteriousness is really taking the curiosity out of me. I'm attracted to him in a way that I cannot explain.Buong gabi wala na akong bukang bibig kundi si Enrique at mukhang pinag titiyagaan lang akong pakinggan ni Julian while Jaqie's mind is nowhere to be found. Nadala yata nung Keith na yun ang buong utak niya dahil wala siya palagi sa sarili.Tinignan ko ang topless picture ni Enrique na kinuha ko sa Internet. He's so handsome and hot. Siguradong maraming babae ang naghahabol sa kanya pero wala akong pakealam.I'll make him mine.
Naglakad ako papasok ng Crivelli Holdings. I smiled to myself as I notice people looking at me. I love attention. I love the spotlight kaya I always make sure that I look pretty bago magpakita sa mga tao. I winked at the one male employee at halos mahulog na ang panga sa kakasunod ng tingin sa akin. "Hi I want to talk to my brother tell him I'm coming." Saad ko sa babaeng nasa may lobby na nakatulala lang sa akin. I waved my hand infront of her. "Miss?" Para namang doon lang siya natauhan at saka nakabawi sa sarili. "Ay maam sorry po ang ganda mo kasi para po kayong artista." I smiled at her knowing that she adores me. "It's okay. As I was saying, please tell my brother that I am here at papunta na ako sa office niya." Truth is, hindi ko naman talaga kailangan magsabi gusto ko lang na magtagal ng konti dito sa lobby para naman makita pa nila ako ng mas matagal. Baka sa tanang buhay nila ngayon lang sila nakakita ng isang dyosa. "Maam wala po si Sir ngayon. May business meeting po
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinila ako kaya syempre nagpadala naman ako. I looked at our clasped hands then at his back. Gosh, likod palang ulam na."Oo nga pala, where are we going ba?" He didn't look back at hindi din ako sinagot. Not that I care kung saan kami pupunta, I've spent months just to find him at ngayon siya pa ang humihila sa akin para dalahin sa kahit saang lupalop ng mundo. Syempre sasama ako.Napadaan kami sa shop kung saan kami bumili ng damit kanina ni Jules and it made me stopped on my track. Lumingon naman siya sa akin ng nakakunot ang noo."Wait lang. Naiwan ko si Jules doon. We have to go back." Sinubukan kong bawiin ang kamay ko pero hinigpitan lang niya lalo ang hawak doon. "Si Jules nandoon.""We have to go now." He said in a commanding tone. I ignored him and I used all my strength para mabawi ang kamay ko at nang magawa ko yun ay agad akong tumakbo pabalik sa shop na itinuro kanina ni Julian but I don't see her. Ang usapan namin doon lang kami maghihinta
Nagising ako dahil sa tunog ng gitara. I fixed myself and went out to find out where the music is coming from hanggang sa nakarating ako sa living room where I can see the veranda. Nakita ko doon si Enrique na naka-upo at nakatalikod sa akin while plucking his guitar.He's singing. Hindi ko lang siguro naririnig ang boses niya kanina sa kwarto dahil mahina lang ito, but this time na mas malapit ako sa kanya, I can hear him clearly and gosh he has a talent in singing. Napasandal ako sa pader at pinanood lang siya. Sayang at hindi ko siya nakikita ng harapan habang tumutugtog but his back is not a bad view either.Hey there DelilahDon't you worry about the distanceI'm right there if you get lonelyGive this song another listenClose your eyesListen to my voice, it's my disguiseI'm by your sideOh it's what you do to meOh it's what you do to meOh it's what you do to meOh it's what you do to meWhat you do to meI've heard that song plenty of times pero iba ngayon na sa kanya ko na
Maghapon ngayong hindi lumabas si Enrique sa kwarto niya. Bagot na bagot na ako sa panonood at paubos na din ang mga movies sa rack. Masiyado na rin malinis ang bahay sa araw-araw na paglilinis ko, so I decided na mag liwaliw ngayong hapon. I tried knocking on his door para magpaalam pero hindi naman sumasagot.I looked at my watch, it's already four thirty in the afternoon . I shrugged and went out. Hindi naman siguro ako mawawala dito. Ang layo ng daan palabas ng gate ng bahay ni Enrique, halos inabot ako ng 20 minutes bago ako nakarating ng gate.Natigil ako sa paglalakad nang mapansin ko na maraming tao sa paligid ko. Bakit ang daming taong nakapalibot doon? Nagkukumpulan kasi ang mga tao ng pabilog. Sa sobrang curious ko tumigil ako at lumapit."Manong," tinapik ko sa balikat ang isang may katandaan na lalaki. Napansin ko na nagulat siya nang makita ako pero hindi ko na pinansin na natulala siya dahil sa kagandahan ko. "Ano pong meron?""Ah! Naglalaban sila ng chess. Wala kasing
"Wake up." I groaned as I hear Enrique. Binuksan niya ang kurtina ng kwarto ko. Itinakip ko ang kumot sa mukha ko at tumalikod sa bintana.Ngayon nagsisisi na ako na hindi ko ini-lock ang pinto ko. Sinadya ko yun kasi iniisip ko na baka pasukin niya ang kwarto ko, pano niya ako maaakit kung naka lock di ba? Pero hindi ko naman akalain na ganito. Papasok siya sa kwarto para lang gisingin ako. Kung sa ibang paraan niya lang sana ako ginigising..."Mira gumising ka na magsisimula na tayo sa training" Gustong gusto ko talaga si Enrique pero sa mga ganitong pagkakataon gustong gusto ko siyang batuhin nitong bedside table.Ilang araw na nagsimula ang training namin. Ang sakit ng katawan ko. I even have bruises on my body. Gosh, ngayon lang to nangyari. That's why I hate fighting. I always give people my good image kahit pa gusto ko na silang pagsisipain. Ang hindi lang nila alam kapag kinakalaban nila ako, pailalim ako tumitira. Like ruining their buisness or something."Mira," He said in a
"Ano? Hanggang diyan nalang ba kayo?" Pang-aasar ko sa mga bata. Sumimangot naman sila sa akin. Kanina pa kasi kami naglalaro ng Sipa. Hindi kasi nila matalo-talo ang score ko na 98. "Ang galing mo naman ate Mira, sa susunod tatalunin na talaga kita." Natawa naman ako kay Tonyo isa sa mga bata dito sa ampunan. Lumapit ako sa isa at ginulo ang buhok niya. Isinandal ko pa ang siko ko sa ibabaw ng ulo niya. "Ate Mira crush mo ba si Kuya Culver?" Tanong ng isa ngumiti naman ako sa kanila. Nag squat ako at pinalapit ko silang lahat sa akin. "Secret lang natin ito ha? Crush na crush ko kasi siya. Kaya dapat tulungan niyo ako para magig crush niya rin ako." Nagsipag tanguan naman sila at parang mga kinikilig na tumatawa. "Meryenda muna tayo!" Tawag ni Rita. "Mag meryenda na muna kayo then we will play again. Dapat matalo niyo na ako, okay?" Tumango naman sila sa akin at tumakbo papalapit kay Rita na nginitian ako. I waved back at her pagkatapos ay tumakbo ako palapit kay Enrique na kani
Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto ni Enrique pero nakaupo lang ako at ipinagpatuloy ang pag basa. Bahala siya sa buhay niya. I've been giving him a cold shoulder for two days ever since makabalik kami galing sa ampunan.Hindi ko naman siya iniiwasan pero hindi ko din siya pinapansin. Bahala na kung magka panisan kami ng laway. Kami lang naman dalawa dito edi kami lang ang mag aamuyan ng hiningang panis.I don't know why he acted like that towards me samantalang concerned lang naman ako na baka nasaktan siya. I know naman kasi na kasalanan ko kung bakit kami natumba pero hindi naman yata tama na ganon ang inasal niya sa akin.It's like this every time I tried to help him, he only makes me feel like I'm a nuisance."Lalabas muna ako." Tumango lang ako at hindi nagsalita. Ni hindi ko siya tinapunan ng tingin. I heard him sigh. "Mira.."Inalis ko ang tingin sa libro ko at tinignan siya. I raised both my eyebrows. "May kailangan ka?"Ilang sandali pa siyang tumitig sa akin. "Wala."
Nagising ako sa malakas na ingay sa sala, madilim pa. Nag ayos ng damit at lumabas upang puntahan kung ano yung ingay. Hindi kaya nandito na si Enrique? Dalawang araw na kasi siyang wala para puntahan si kuya."Enrique?" Walang sumagot. I tried to walk slower dahil iba ang kutob ko. The noise stopped when I called his name. Mabilis kong hinablot ang vase na naka display sa corridor para maghanda kung sakali man na masamang tao nga. Nakarinig ako ng nabasag at nang sumilip ako sa sala nakita ko si Enrique na nakaupo sa sahig."Fuck fuck fuck." I heard him mutter. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang makita siya. Lumapit ako at nakita ko na may dugo sa dailiri niya."My gosh Enrique anong nangyari sayo?" Ibinaba ko ang vase na hawak ko sa sofa ba malapit at agad na lumapit sa kanya. I can smell liquor on his breath. "Are you drunk?"He didn't said anything at tinitigan lang ako."Wait I'll just get the medicines doon sa cabinet." Tatayo na sana ako pero pinigilan niya ako sa braso gamit ang wa
"That's right. Demitri's not here cause Mira's leaving." Agad akong napatingin kay Klaus. He's talking to Trei and Keith, he minimized his voice for me not to hear it, but I did. Klaus' voice is always loud even when he tries to minimize it. "Ang alam ko wala nanaman planong bumalik yung babaeng yun." I immediately stood up. Napatingin naman sa akin si Trei at Klaus, habang nakayuko lang si Keith at natutulog. "Where?" Kumunot naman ang noo ni Klaus. "Dude are you alright?" Hindi ako nagsalita. "Can I tell you something?" "No." I immediately answered but he ignored me. "You look like a caveman Montreverde. You haven't shave for weeks! Halos hindi kita makilala kanina." Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi niya. Ang daldal talaga ng taong to. "Where is she?" Kailangan ko siyang makita. Kahit isang sulyap lang. Kahit isang segundo lang. I miss her. I miss her annoying voice. I miss her loud laughter. I just... miss everything about her, because I love her. "Sino?" Alam kong alam niya kun
"Culv, while you're there can you check on my sister?" Demitri asked while we talked through the phone. I just finished a mission here in Madrid and he asked me if I can look how his little sister is doing.Demitri is one of my closest friend. Tinulungan niya akong bumangon sa mga panahon lubog na lubog ako. He helped me in building my buisness. He is-was, I mean-my wife's cousin. Demitri is also a good friend. Kaya naman gagawin ko ang lahat ng pabor na kaya kong gawin para sa kanya."Alright." He gave me his sister's location and I immediately went there and looked for Mira. Hindi ko pa talaga siya nakikita ng personal dahil mahilig daw maglibot sa iba't-ibang bansa ang kapatid niya.I went to the place where he said his sister is and waited for the picture of his sister. Nang makuha ko ang litrato, halos mabitawan ko ang cellphone ko.He looks exactly like her. Like my wife.My eyes scanned the room and there she is laughing and drinking with old men and women as they share jokes.
One year together and Enrique still hadn't proposed to me! Gosh! I'm not getting any younger. Mom keeps on teasing me na hindi daw ako nag mana sa kanya dahil hanggang ngayon hindi parin ako pinapakasalan ni Enrique. She said that when it was her and dad, six months after they met nagpakasal na sila. Eh kasi naman pinikot niya si daddy!I should've grabbed the chance when she saw us inside my room a year ago. Dapat sinakyan ko na si Mommy at sinabihan si Enrique na Mom's right! Kailangan niya nga akong panagutan. Edi sana we have our cute chikitings na."You're still young Mira. Maghintay ka lang kasi." I rolled my eyes at Jaqie."Says someone na nag propose sa asawa niya." Jaqie just laughed at me. Kanina pa siya kain ng kain. Lumalaki na din ang tiyan niya since 8 months na siyang buntis."Naalala ko nung kasal ko, masiyado kang desidido na saluhin ang bouquet ko para ikaw na ang sunod na ikasal. Look at you now, hindi mo nasalo kaya hindi ka parin kasal." Julian and her both laughe
"Alin ma?" I asked innocently na para bang nung hinulog ko si Enrique sa sahig makakalimutan ni mommy na he saw us sleeping together."Don't act innocent on me Miranda Fleur. Mas magaling akong umarte kesa sayo. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito?" He looked at Enrique na ngayon ay nakaupo na sa sahig at hinihimas ang ulo niya. He must've hit his head nung nahulog siya."We were just sleeping-""I knew it!" I looked at my mom weirdly. Bakit ba galit na galit siya eh we were just sleeping lang naman talaga! She's being hysterical na diyan."Mom calm down. We were just sleeping together!""Jusporsanto Miranda! You were SLEEPING TOGETHER!!" She fanned herself using his hands. Nakatulala lang si Enrique sa kanya. Shocked yata siya sa pagiging over acting ni mommy. "Ano nalang ang sasabihin ng mga amiga ko? That I have a daughter who sleeps around?""What's wrong with sleeping?" I muttered."What's going on here?" Nagsilingunan kami nang marinig ang boses ni kuya Demitri. "Mom? When did you get bac
I showered and Julian must've lend Enrique my brother's clothes dahil nung kumatok siya sa kwarto ay bagong ligo na din si Enrique at nakabihis ng tshirt ni kuya. Julian and I both insisted that he sleeps on the guest room. That's two bedrooms away from mine."I just want to check on you. Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?" Umiling ako. I walked towards my bed and tucked myself in while sit and leaned my back on the headboard. I patted the space beside me.Enrique's face was hesitant and I rolled my eyes. Not this again. I arched my brows at him and twitched my lips to one side. I saw him gulped. Jusko naman, why is he like that ba? Akala mo naman I will rape him here. Hindi naman ako namimilit if hindi pa siya ready...Hindi parin siya gumalaw so I pointed my finger at him and then beside me. Ngumiti ako ng malapad when he sighed and made his way to sit beside me. Pero nasa ibabaw lang siya ng comforter nakaupo. I rolled my eyes. Conservative masiyado kainis! It's not like
I don't know kung ilang oras na kaming nandito ni Rustan sa loob ng garage. I'm also thirsty and hungry. I don't even see the kidnappers, all I saw was two guys na naglalaro ng cards while smoking some cigarettes sa gilid at binabantayan kami. Gosh, typical kidnappers that I see in a movie. Akala ko oa lang sila pero totoo pala. How lame. Wala bang something na kakaiba? Yung hindi ko nakikita sa mga action movies?Nanlaki ang mga mata ko as we heard a gunshot not far away from here."Finally!" Rustan said exasperatedly."Anong finally? Bakit finally?" I asked na natataranta. I hate guns. I hate the sound they make. I have a feeling na I'm gonna get killed tonight."My brother's team is here." He said with a smirk. Hindi ako natuwa. Omg! Don't tell me walang pulis? Anong oras dadating ang pulis?! Kapag safe na kami? Gosh! Are we shooting some lame filipino movie here? But as reality show?!The two guys immediately stood up and took their guns. Five or six more went inside. Lumapit sila
"Enrique's brother?" He smirked. Hindi ko alam na may kapatid siya pero super magkahawig talaga sila. Except-napansin ko-sa color ng eyes. Enrique' eyes are grey, sa kanya ay itim and Enrique doesn't make a smirk like that."Are you twins?" He chuckled and slowly shook his head.Kung sabagay, sa malayuan talagang mapagkakamalan mo siyang si Enrique, but seeing him up close you'll see the differences. This guy has a rounder face than him and Enrique has a mysterious aura around him, while Rustan has this bad boy image. Also, Enrique's body structure is a little bigger, but I think magkalapit lang ang height nilang dalawa."We're half brothers, actually." I was taken aback by what he said. May kapatid sa labas si Enrique?"He didn't tell me he has a brother." Bakit wala manlang akong alam na he has a half brother pala? He didn't even mention it to me. Ang alam ko kasi solong anak siya ng mga Monteverde."That's because he also didn't know-until last year when he accidentally saw me in a
"Mira ready na for your interview?" One of the crew asked me as my make up artist finishes my make up. Tumango ako at ngumiti. I have an interview today since our episode was a success. The management wants to expose us more to the viewers. I know for sure that they are doing this to see if they will want me sign a contract with them."My gosh momsh yung eyebags mo putok na putok! Mabuti nalang magaling ako. Charan! Waley ng bakas ng pinagpuyatan mo." I chuckled. Kanina pa kasi siya frustrated dahil sa eyebags ko na masiyadong namamaga. He even gave an exaggerated scream when he saw me.It's been two weeks since I last saw Enrique and in those two weeks, hindi ako makatulog. I'm so depressed, stressed-lahat na yata ng negative vibes nasa akin na. I always think about our last conversation.Mali ba ako? Did I made the wrong decision by pushing him away? Was I too much? Those are the questions that has been bugging me for two weeks.I it's really over for the both of us dahil kahit shad
The interview ended smoothly, although wala nang ibang ginawa ang hosts kundi ang i-issue na nasa dating stage kami ni Sage. We both denied it and said that we're only friends. We told them about how we actually met at kinuwento namin sa kanila kung anong nangyari talaga. They asked us if there's a possibility that we'll be together in the future, we didn't say any straight answers to keep the fans' excitement, of course it was all part of the script.I arrived at home, all the lights are off. My brows furrowed. Madilim at parang walang katao-tao. It looks a little bit creepy."Hello?" I shouted. Asan sila kuya Demitri at si Jules? Wag nilang sabihin na nag out of town nanaman sila at nag honeymoon without telling me?!I walked towards the garden when I saw a dim light. My eyes widen as I saw Enrique holding a bouquet of flowers and he's smiling at me. Nakita ko din na may table at candles na nakahanda. The ambiance looked like it's romantic but I cannot feel any romance. Manhind na y