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KABANATA 28
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The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 29
THEA'S P. O. VHabang naghihintay kay Ruan, hindi ko napigilan na magtingin-tingin at lumibot aa paligid.Maganda ang ambience ng kabuuan ng bahay n'ya. It was akso huge. Napaisip tuloy ako kung hindi ba s'ya nalulungkot na mag-isa s'yang nakatira sa gano'n kalaking bahay. Wala rin naman s'yang katulong so basically, solo n'ya lang talaga 'tong buong bahay.The grand entrance hall of the mansion was a study in stark contrasts. Malapad at mataas ang kisame, its soaring heights echoing the grandeur of the structure outside. Yet, the minimalism was evident in the simplicity of the design. Tipikal na yata 'yon at dapat na i-expect given the fact na lalaki s'ya. Walang ring pakalat-kalat na dekorasyon, just the barest essentials: isang malaking chandelier na gawa sa kristal, casting an ethereal glow on the polished marble floors. This grandness, however, was tempered by a sense of refined elegance. Every piece of furniture, from the sleek, modern sofas upholstered in rich leather to the mi
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 30
RUAN'S O. O. V"Hold that damn elevator's panel, witch!”I shouted so loud as I hurried my way to the closing elevator. The woman inside immediately made a move to hold the panel and prevent it from closing. Binilisan ko naman lalo lumakad para maabutan ko 'yon. Waiting for another time could just result to further hassle. Late na 'ko kaya kailangan ko nang magmadali.After I made my way to the elevator, I settled myself and didn't bother to say even a word to the woman inside. It was despite the fact that she, just made a not so huge favor. And I called her a "witch" as well. Pero hindi naman s'ya nagreklamo so I guess, that's just fine with her. Or maybe, she's a witch for real. Kaya wala na lang sa kanya na matawag ng gano'n. Hindi ko na rin tiningnan 'yung babae.The elevator's panel close once again and this time, no one in a hurry came to disrupt it just like what I did. Sumara 'yon ng maayos at nagsimula nang umandar pataas.But just as it was about to go up, the lights suddenl
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 31
THEA'S P. O. V"Damn, that's the worst! You should've called the social security to take you away from them!”Natawa na lang ako nang makita ko kung ga'no kaapektado si Ruan sa mga ikinuwento ko sa kanya tungkol sa buhay ko. Invested na invested s'ya sa buong panahon ng pagkwekwento ko. And now, his reaction said it all."I know. Sobrang daming paraan na pwede kong gawin para makaalis sana ng mas maaga sa kanila, 'di ba? But I didn't do so. Ewan ko; siguro kasi mas nanaig sa'kin 'yung kagustuhan ko na may matawag pa ring "pamilya" kahit papa'no. Tsaka umasa rin kasi ako no'n na magbabago pa sila. Masyado akong napaniwala sa sabi-sabi nila na lahat ng tao, may capability pa na magbago. Majority siguro, oo. Pero hindi lahat. Isa 'ko sa mga buhay na patotoo sa bagay na 'yon.” sabi ko. Napahinga ako ng malalim. Kasabay no'n, unti-unting nabura 'yung ngiti ko. "Pero okay na rin siguro. Tsaka kaya baka hindi ako nagkaro'n ng lakas ng loob na tumakas dati, kasi baka hindi pa talaga 'yon 'yun
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 32
RUAN'S P. O. V"Who's your first love and where did you met her?”I was instantly hit by shock when Thea said those words. I don't even fucking know why I encouraged the thought of talking to her. Masyado s'yang maraming gustong malaman. He managed to ask those critical questions with regards to me. Nakakairita."Should I answer that?” I asked in a tired voice.She shrugged her shoulders as she smirked. "Five questions ang sabi mo; and I think this is just the fifth among my questions, so…”She looked straight into my eyes but I chose to look away. Then I uttered, "No one.”Her surprised expression instantly became visible."Ano'ng—”"That would be sixth. Wala 'yan sa usapan,” I muttered as I stood up. "Do you have your phone or something? Baka may signal na. Let's call for someone to help get us out of here.”Thea also stood up and started… touching herself. I mean, kinakapa n'ya ang sarili n'ya partikular na ang mga bulsa n'ya. Maybe, she's looking for the thing I asked her for. A c
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 33
ZARA'S P. O. VIt's past three o'clock and I'm currently outside my daughter's school.Ako ang susundo sa kanya ngayon dahil hindi raw pwede si Tristan. Call of duty, I think? Hindi ko alam. Isa pa, busy din s'ya sa expansion ng bar and restaurant business n'ya dahil magba-branch out na naman s'ya. But this time, sabay ang dalawang outlet kaya siguro sobrang busy n'ya na rinBut that's just fine. Kahit naman kasi busy s'ya, hindi pa rin naman s'ya nagkukulang ng oras sa'min ng anak n'ya. And one more thing, sinisiguro n'ya rin na meron pa rin akong "me time" para i-enjoy naman ang sarili ko outside our family affairs.Kanina, I received a call from Thea and she's asking me to go shopping with her. Next week na raw kasi 'yung annual Halloween Ball sa company ni Kuya Ruan. She's asking me to accompany her go shopping. Inaya n'ya raw ako dahil alam n'ya na rin naman daw na kasama 'ko sa mga invited. And that's one of the reasons kung bakit ako 'yung nandito at sumusundo ngayon sa anak na
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 34
THEA'S P. O. V"What's with the Egyptian costume? 'Wag mo sabihin na plano mong 'yan ang suotin sa Halloween costume party?”Napatingin ako kay Zara habang natatawa s'yang nakatingin din sa'kin at sa hawak kong Egyptian costume. She's carrying a pink ball gown. 'Yung parang pang-prinsesa.Kibit-balikat lang ang sinagot ko sa kanya. "I can be whoever I want to be. Costume party naman 'to, ano ka ba?”Tumawa s'ya. "Oo nga. But the thing is, why that? I mean, maraming inspo online about sa mga variety ng Halloween costumes. Magtingin ka muna kaya ro'n?”Umiling ako agad at sinabing hindi na kailangan dahil Egyptian talaga ang gusto kong maging ngayong Halloween."You can just be a princess kung wala ka nang maisip na concept,” suhestiyon pa ulit ni Zara pero tinawanan ko lang 'yon."I'm still a princess, Zara. An Egyptian Princess,” sabi ko at kinindatan s'ya.Nag-focus na 'ko sa paghahanap ng mas suitable at mas magandang Egyptian Princess' gown. Napatigil ako nang makita ko na suot ng
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 35
THEA'S P. O. VTonight is the night. It is the big night. Night of glamour, celebration, and well… horror.I am wearing the Egyptian Princess' dress I bought in the boutique almost a week ago. Ginastusan ko rin ang pagpapaayos sa isanf high-end salon para sa makeup at hairstyle ko; na syempre, Princess Ariadne-inspired pa rin.Habang naglalakad ako papasok sa venue ng Annual Halloween Party ng kumpanya ni Ruan ay hindi ko pa rin maiwasang kabahan. I am confident with how I look, yes. Pero ibang kaba 'yung nararamdaman ko ngayon. Kinakabahan ako sa posibleng maging reaksyon ni Ruan sa oras na makita n'ya akong nasa gan'tong ayos. It was clear that he likes historical stuff, particularly Egyptian ones. Pero handa naman kaya s'yang makita 'yung image na kasama n'ya sa portrait—na ilang daang taon nang patay—ay magiging parang buhay na buhay sa katauhan ko? Ano kayang magiging reaksyon n'ya? Would he like it? Sana.Nang makapasok na 'ko sa venue, lalo akong nakaramdam ng kaba na dinagdaga
The Rebirth of Love KABANATA 36
RUAN'S P. O. VI don't know how long was I here.Sa bar ni Tristan. I am wearing my usual get up—long sleeved polo at pants. Malayung-malayo sa dapat na suot ko sa Halloween party na ginaganap ngayon ng kumpanya.I know, everyone was expecting me there. Pero anong magagawa ko? I don't fucking go. At wala sa ugali ko na ipilit ang mga bagay na talagang hindi ko gusto."Sir, kayo na lang 'yung last customer namin. 'Di pa ba kayo uuwi?”Tumingin ako kay Jako. Hindi na n'ya suot 'yung apron na part ng unifor n'ya. Naka-t shirt na lang din s'ya. Mukhang nakapagpalit na."Aren't this bar open for twenty-four hours? Umuwi ka na, hihintayin ko na lang dito 'yung kapalitan mo rito. I'm sure, mayamaya lang din may customer na kayong darating. Anong oras na ba?”Jako took a glimpse of the wall clock behind the counter."Alas dos na ng madaling araw, Sir. Tsaka walang darating na kapalitan ngayon dahil bilin ni Sir, hanggang alas dose lang 'yung bar ngayon dahil nga Halloween at may event sila na
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