Chapter 3

"Eline?"

I flinch and immediately turn around dahil sa gulat. Agad naman akong ngumiti when I saw my Nana Rita approaching me while holding a glass of milk.

"Bakit nakatayo ka pa rito?" She queries and glances at the frame I'm holding.

I immediately return it and scratch my left cheek "I notice something Nana" I voice out and train my gaze again to those picture frames before I look at her again "There's no picture of my mother displayed on those frames" I utter.

I saw how her eyes widened and then she suddenly pulled me and drag me towards my room without saying anything. I confusingly look at her not expecting that sudden move.

What's the problem? May nasabi ba akong mali?

"Huwag ka na ulit mag tatanong tungkol sa bagay na yun Eline" pagalit niyang sabi sa akin causing my brows to furrow.

"What's wrong?" naguguluhan kong tanong "I didn't saw Mom's face since I was a kid. And Abuela told me that Dad has a lot of pictures of my Mom, so I'm wondering why there is no picture of Mom displayed on those frames" I reason out.

Wala naman sigurong masama sa tanong ko. Besides, matagal ko nang gusto makita ang mukha ni Mommy. Dad always forgot to bring Mom's picture every time he visits me. And I think this is now the chance to ask him about it.

"Kahit na, makinig ka na lang sa akin hija. Hindi ko gustong makita na magalit sayo ang Daddy mo. Huwag mo lang balakin na tanungin siya sa bagay na yan" she insists and she even held my both hand na para bang nag mamakaawa siya sa akin.

I narrowed my eyes and shake my head "I don't understand you Nana" I honestly told her causing her to smile.

"Hindi mo kailangan intindihin Eline, kailangan mo lang makinig sa akin. Tulad ng madalas sabihin nang Daddy mo, lahat nang bagay na ginagawa namin at sinasabi ay para sa ikabubuti mo" she said softly and caressed my hair "Sige na, maiwan na kita dito. Inumin mo ang gatas mo bago ka matulog" she reminded me before she left me alone in my room.

I stared at the door and tilt my head confuse with what she told me. Instead of going straight to my bed, I walk towards the balcony not minding the cold night breeze.

I stop when I reach the railing and roamed my eyes around. The night sky if full of shining and glittering stars illuminated from the light coming from the moon, this kind of scene is so fascinating to watch. I took a deep breath and close my eyes enjoying the soothing feeling of the cold fresh wind.

I stayed there for a couple of minutes before I head back inside and rest.

DAYS LATER...

I SMILE shyly and intertwined my hands to each other while listening to Manang Loring intently. I don't know where is Nana Rita, I just woke up this morning at siya ang unang nakita ko when I step out in my room.

"Sobrang laki ng Tierra Veloz hija at sigurado akong magugustuhan mong tumira dito" she said.

I smile even more when she reaches my hand and squeezes it lightly. It's a bit awkward because I don't talk to people that I don't know but I don't want to be rude to her. She kindly introduced herself to me a while ago and then she suddenly starts narrating me a random story that I couldn't much follow. I honestly don't know how did we end up having a conversation, as far as I can remember I didn't say anything when she introduced herself to me voluntarily.

"Hindi ko akalain na ganito pala ka ganda ang anak ni Senior Geronimo, tama talaga ang mga narinig ko" she laughs and continues again " Alam mo ba hija, bali-balita sa buong bayan ang pag dating mo. Marami ngang kabataan ang gusto ka makita-"

"Eline!"

I flinch at agad akong napabitaw kay Manang Loring when I heard Nana Rita. I turn around and there I saw her walking fast in my direction. Nagulat ako nang bigla niya akong hinawakan sa braso at hinila ako palapit sa kanya.

"Anong mga pinag sasabi mo sa bata?" masungit niyang tanong kay Manang Loring.

I tilt my head and held her hand that is now holding my wrist "I'm fine Nana, we just talked a bit about Tierra Veloz" I said politely to ease the misunderstanding.

She gazes at me at hinawi ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko sa mukha. A smile replaces the frown that reflected on her face and then she nods her head.

"May iniwan ang Daddy mo bago siya umalis. Kunin mo na lang sa opisina niya" she said that lighten up my mood "Huwag ka mag tagal sa opisina nang Daddy mo, magagalit yun kapag may ginalaw ka" she reminds me before she let go my wrist.

"Yes, Nana" masaya kong sabi, and then I look at Manang Loring na nakatingin sa amin "Maiwan ko na po kayo" I said politely in a slow pace making sure that I pronounce each word correctly.

She slightly laughs in return when it didn't sound as it is that made me bit my lower lip in embarrassment.

I think I should practice speaking tagalog fluently. I do not want to be a laughingstock because of my accent. I mentally sigh before I bow my head and leave them.

As Nana Rita said, pumunta ako sa office ni Dad to get the thing he left for me. Umalis siya kaninang madaling araw because of a business meeting. This is my third day in Tierra Veloz, my Kuya Redniz already return to Manila last night, and now si Daddy naman ang umalis which is really sad. I realize that although malapit na ako sa kanila- they still feel so far away from me at hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit yun ang nararamdaman ko.

Agad kong kinuha ang maliit na box na nakapatong sa working table ni Dad. As I expected, the inside is tidy and was arrange accordingly. Hindi na ako mag tataka because Daddy is a very organized person just like Kuya Vinzon. Although Kuya Redniz has the same facial expression as Dad, when it comes to being organized and neat- Kuya Redniz is a big no no no to it.

Tulad nang sinabi ni Nana Rita, I immediately left Dad's office after I get the small box. I head back to my room and placed it on my study table before I went out again. I'm planning to roam the whole house to familiarize myself with it. Since wala pa naman akong pasok, I decided to familiarize the whole hacienda. I'm excited to know everything about honestly.

"Nana? Where is Manang Loring po?" I ask when I saw her with Kuya Tobias habang pababa ako ng hagdan.

"Umalis na" she replied "Diba mahigpit na pinag bawal nang Daddy mo na huwag kang makikipag usap kahit kanino?" pangaral niya sa akin when I stop in front of her making me step back and shook my head.

Why? Is it wrong to have a conversation with people who is nice to me? Why does it seem like they were also forbidding me to express my thoughts and feelings to other people?

"Is it about Manang Loring?" I query.

"Hindi mo kilala ang isang iyon, matabil ang dila nang babaeng yun kaya naman dapat iwasan mo siya sa susunod"

I lick my lower lip when I didn't understand the word matabil. What was that mean? I confusingly look at her.

"What is 'matabil'? I cannot comprehend what you said because I don't know what does it mean" I ask earning a laugh from Kuya Tobias.

Natigilan rin si Nana Rita because of my question and then they both scratch their nape after they glance at each other.

"Bahala ka na mag paliwanag, alaga mo naman yan" natatawang bulong ni Kuya Tobias bago ito umalis.

Nana held my arm and then she fixed the ribbon strap of the dress I'm wearing.

"Ang ibig sabihin ng matabil ay talkative. Ayoko lang na maging sentro ka ng usapan dito lalo na at balita na sa Tierra Veloz ang pag dating mo"

I blink my eyes while slowly as I understand what she's trying to say. A smile forms on my lips. Nana Rita never failed to make me feel less as a person. She was like a mother for me who tried to fill the emptiness inside me whenever she's like this- concern about me...

"You mean gossip? They will gossip about me?"

"Oo, pag uusapan ka nila" she nods her head.

I tilt my head "And why would they do that? They don't even know me" I point out.

Why would they gossip about me when in fact they don't even know me. I don't understand.

I heard her heaved a sigh obviously having a hard time explaining to me the things that I cannot understand.

"Alam mo kasi Eline, may mga bagay na mas mabuting hindi mo na lang alamin. Magugulo lang ang isip mo kapag sinubukan mong intindihin dahil sigurado akong, hindi lahat ng makukuha mong sagot ay totoo" she said hinting something to me before she smiles "Hala sige! tama na ang tanong, mag ikot ikot na lang tayo para hindi ka mabagot" she snaps and urge me to walk.

I silently groan in complaint and then I look at Nana Rita "Nana, I cannot understand 'mabagot' please don't use deep tagalog words to me" I said.

Tumawa naman ito nang mahina "Bored hija" maikli niyang paliwanag that put ease to my confused mind.

Just like what she said, we did roam around the house and even visit the greenhouse that was built for my Abuela before. I was entertained the whole day, I meet a lot of people who work for my father and they were all nice and kind. Everything is so new to me, I am not a very sociable person but the people who work here in the mansion are so approachable. Funny that they feel a bit awkward to me and I am to them too.

HOURS went by until dinner came and the happiness I felt the whole day disappear when I only saw myself in the dining room almost the same scenario when I was still in Las Vegas. This is not what I've been expecting when I agree with my father. I thought I could eat dinner with him but it seems like hindi naman pala. I think I should ready myself for the worst scenario.

"Hindi ka kakain?" Tanong ni Nana Rita when she saw me stood up in my seat.

I smile politely at her and shake my head "I'm not hungry po Nana, I'm a bit tired and I just wanted to rest" I said softly.

I was about to turn around and left her in the dining room when she suddenly speaks na kinalingon ko sa kanya.

"Sa susunod sasabay na akong kumain sayo kapag wala ang Daddy mo" she said gently kaya napangiti ako.

"Thank you, Nana, you are really the best" I whisper that made her smile too.

I went to my room and immediately take a quick bath after that. I change my clothes into a simple white nightdress before I decided to went out of the balcony again just like last night. This has become my favorite hobby, stargazing during midnight. I love how beautiful the sky here in Tierra Veloz especially the windy weather that complements the whole town.

I lift my hand to the air trying to measure the moon with my fingers when suddenly I heard a commotion downstairs. My gaze automatically went into the direction of the gate and I saw the guards' chasings, someone. I creased my forehead and narrowed my eyes, I get alarmed when I saw the familiar figure of Nana Rita. She's running and screaming something that I couldn't clearly understand but base on their reactions I must say na mukhang nag kakagulo sila.

I bit my lower lip and I quickly get back inside. I grab my night robe and didn't bother to tie my long hair. I walk fast downstairs and a maid approaches me that made me stop.

"What's happening?" I ask.

"May tatlo po kasing kabataan ang umakyat sa trangkahan kaya po nag kagulo Señorita," she said that put a creased on my forehead.

"Pardon?" I blurt out when I didn't understand the word 'trangkahan'.

What was that mean?

"P-Po?" Naguguluhan niya ring sagot sa akin that made me scratch my neck.

I smile awkwardly at her and then I nod my head "I'll just check what is happening" I said and walk fast palabas.

Mabilis ang naging hakbang ko when I saw Nana Rita and the two guards near the fountain. But my eyes widened when I saw three men on the ground tied by the rope.

"What did you do po?" I can't help but to intervene and walk closer to them.

Nana Rita look at me at agad niya akong hinawakan sa kamay "Bakit ka lumabas sa kwarto mo?" Pagalit niyang sabi but I shake my head and look at the two guards.

"Untied them po, it was rude to do that to them," I said.

"Huwag ka na makialam Eline, bumalik ka na sa loob" Nana Rita insists but I just creased my forehead even more.

"Not until, when they untied them" I stubbornly stated.

"Inakyat nila ang gate hija, nag report na ako sa mga pulis at sigurado akong parating na yun ngayon" one of the guards said.

My lips parted and I look at them in disbelief. I puffed out a breath and walk towards the three and start to untied their hands.

"Eline! Anong ginagawa mo?! Magagalit ang Daddy mo kapag nalaman niya ang ginawa mo" Nana Rita scolded me but I continue what I'm doing although, I am not quite sure if I'm doing it right.

I haven't tried to untied a rope yet. This is actually the first time.

"Dad will be mad even more when he finds this out. If I were you, you let these three go as if nothing happens. I'm sure they won't do it again" I stated.

"At paano mo naman nasabi?" biglang sabat nang isa kaya natigilan ako sa ginagawa ko.

W-What?

I slowly let go of the rope and step back tilting my head "Pardon?" I utter.

Bigla itong natawa "Paano mo naman nasabi na hindi na namin ulit gagawin ito?" He replied in a casual tone of voice as if he was not in trouble.

I furrowed my brows in disbelief and then shrugged my shoulder "Why? Are you planning to go to prison? As far as I know, you cannot gatecrash to that place" I retorted taunting him.

Bigla naman akong hinila ni Nana palayo sa tatlo and then she covered me with the blanket she's holding a while ago.

"Kayo na mag alis nang tali. Tama si Eline, mas magagalit si Señor Geronimo kapag nalaman ito" Nana Rita instruct the two guards which they obliged.

"Malamig na masyado, bumalik na tayo sa loob" Nana Rita said to me but I shake my head instead I look at the three men who are now standing with their untied hands.

"Before you three leave, I wanted to know why did you three dare to gatecrashed our house" I utter in a calm voice.

They don't look like a thief so I wonder what got into their mind to gatecrashed knowing that there is a guard. That's stupid, they just put their selves in trouble.

"Maraming mga kabataan ngayon ang walang magawa sa buhay, hayaan mo na-"

"Dahil sayo" the other one said again coolly still not bothered with their situation right now.

I raised my left brows and look at him intently trying to familiarize his face but I failed because I couldn't see him clearly.

"Excuse me?" the only thing that I could say, taken aback by his answer.

"There is a rumor about the beauty of Dela Huerta woman posses, and I wanted to witness it with my own eyes"

"You what?" I unbelievably remark.

"Curious, curious about how beautiful you are,"