FIESTA FEVER

CHAPTER 7

Oscar was dumbfounded at Gabi's story. They were seated under a mango tree away from the noisy merriment of the fiesta. When she told her about her story, he almost walk-out on her.

              "Do you think I would believe such lies, Senorita?" He gulped the wine. She looked at him calmly. She understands his first reaction when she tells him about his misfortune—especially coming from someone in his future.

              "I wished it is a lie, Senor. But it is the truth. You're going to give up all your wealth by gambling. After your foolish decision, your family will suffer, not until with my father. He managed to rise above from the total despair of our family."

              "For your information, senorita, your story has some holes. I do play and gamble, but I am a professional gambler. I don't gamble with emotion. I acquired some of my wealth by gambling because I'm good with it. And now, you're telling me I will lose everything? Preposterous!"

              "Don't gamble, okay. Avoid it at all cost."

              "Senorita Gabi, or whoever you are. Of all the absurdities, I heard yours win it all." He laughed mockingly and shook his head. "From the future, eh? Did Raphael pull a number on me?"

              "It's the truth, and I can prove it."

              Oscar stood up and stared at her angrily. "You're getting annoying, Senorita."

              "You have a scar on your inner thigh. You have it when you and Pacita fight. You fell on the burning coal when you harvested some coconuts when you were twelve years old. "

              "H-how did you know that? Who told you?!"

              "It's your secret. You're ashamed to tell anyone about it. It's one of the reasons you never want to marry. You feel that no woman would want you."

              "Caramba! Don't say words anymore. I have never disrespected any woman before, but you might be the first one. I think you're staying in my home was out of the question."

              Gabi horrified at the idea, stood up agitatedly. "No, please, I'm your granddaughter. "

              Oscar left her. Slumping back on the chair, she was feeling hopeless in her situation. If her relative could not believe the truth, Gabi was really in big trouble. But then, who was crazy enough to accept what she said.

              "A hot cocoa and cake, Senorita." Startled, she looked up and saw the same man wearing a buri hat, bearing a tray of food.

              "Hi, thanks, but I'm not hungry."

              "You're alone here. Why don't you return to the party?"

              She sighed, "I'm not really in the mood for merriment. I want to go home."

              "Where is home?" She cannot see his face under the hat, and it's dark under the tree. Only a couple of gas lamps illuminated the area. But the way he carries himself reminds me of a man who was full of confidence and strength.

              "Somewhere here---" she laughed. She was feeling uncomfortable at the man's presence.

              "I heard your Senor Raphael's guest?"

              "Yes. But not for long. I will be leaving soon, to leave with Senor Oscar." She said shyly. "I know, single girls should be with their relative."

              "I see. You're not going to marry Senor Raphael." He stated curiously.

              Gabi, amused at his words, "You must think I'm the fiancée of Senor Raphael. I'm not her." She looked at the party not far away from them and pointed at Juliana, who animatedly talked with Raphael and  Dona Elena. "That beautiful woman was his fiancée, Juliana."

              He glances at the party, then turns back at her. "You beautiful too," The way he said the words sent shivers on her body. She blushed and looked away.

              "I think I need to return to the party. Thank you for keeping me company, Senor---?"

              "Call me Theo." He took her hand and kissed it. Alarm, Gabi pulled her hand away from him.

              "I need to go, Theo. "She almost tripped with the clothes she's wearing. She turns around to see him watching her depart. She saw him smile. Quickening her step, she strode towards the party, trying to forget the man's name, Theo.

***

              Maya sighed in relief. "Senorita, I've been looking for you. The master wants you."

              Irritably, Gail said, "Your master is getting on my nerves, Maya. Does he want me chained to him all the time?"

              "That's an interesting suggestion. I might do that if you disappear like that." Raphael smiled at her. But his eyes were cold. "Leave us, Maya." The servant hurried right away.

              "Senor Raphael, I'm getting impatient with the way you treat me. Your action gives people the wrong impression about us."

              "Gabi, don't test my patience. I could be a good host, but if you stretched my patience, you might regret it."

              She glared at him, "What have I done this time to make you mad at me?"

              "Oscar." She stared at him, confused. "You disappeared with him for a while."

              She blinked in disbelief, "What do you mean, Senor?"

              "I don't want you with any man, Gabi, except with me. You understand?"

              Gabi felt offended by his possessiveness, "Your controlling; my action was offending me. How many times I have to tell you that what we have is impossible."

              A smile curved on Raphael's face, "Yes, we have something. And no matter what, I am not letting it go. Gabi, something this special was worth fighting for."

              She did not answer him. How could he tell him that whatever attraction they felt was of no use? He cannot follow where she is going. Nor can she live her forever.

              Dona Elena and Juliana descended on them. The tension between them was tangible. She avoided his gaze resting on her and tried to smile warmly at the approach of the two women.

              "Rafa, your guest was looking for you. "The elderly studied his face in alarm. "What's wrong? You looked tense."

              He left them without a word. Juliana looked at him curiously. "What happened to Raphael, senorita?"

              She blushed and looked away, "I don't know. I wished I could tell you. Will you excuse me Dona Elena and Senorita Juliana. I have a headache. Could I be excused?"

              "But you haven't been introduced to the society. This party will be your chance to have a husband. A good decent match was only found during this fiesta Senorita Gabi. The most eligible bachelors are here in my party."

              She sighed, "I'm not willing to get married, Dona Elena. I'm sorry but ---" How to escape these two women and avoid being engaged to any of these men who were curiously studying her like a stock of cow. "---I'm already engaged."

              Juliana smiled happily, "Why did you not tell us? I thought you were open to receiving suitors, but if you told me, I would not have asked Dona Elena to introduce you to our unattached male friends."

              She looked at her cooly, "Don't you think you should ask me first if I want to find a husband?" Juliana blushed. She sighed, "Can I rest now. I'm exhausted."

              At last, the two women let her go. She slowly climbed the long winding stairs to her bedroom. She entered her room. Only a candle lighted the room, but it gave it a friendly glow. To her, it's her reprieved from the strange world outside.

              She slowly unpinned her hair and combed her black tresses gently. She stared at the mirror and looked at herself. She felt like she was watching a stranger in the mirror. The face of a woman looking back at her looked lost. She stops studying herself. Someone emerged from her back, and before she could react, the man put a cloth on her mouth and nose. The stench made her lost consciousness. Her limped body dropped on the floor, and there was darkness.