CHAPTER 6

HOMBRES ROMANTICOS SERIES 3:

UNINTENTIONAL

Matthieus Morris Monférrer

Kabanata 6

MATAPOS MAKAINOM ng paracetamol ay bahagya nang nabawasan ang fever ni Anne. When she woke up this morning, her world seemed like tearing apart. Dealing with nauseous, chills and body ache were like giving up all her signature Hermes bags and branded make-ups. Malaking dagok din kay Anne ang uminom ng tablet na gamot katulad ng ibinigay sa kanya ni Donya Coloma nitong umaga. She won’t take that med again!

Nang maramdamang lumabas na ng silid si Elena na tiyak niyang may dala na namang mainit na herbal tea ay tinuldukan na niya ang pagpapanggap na tulog. It was the sixth glass of herbal tea for her ngunit ni isa roon ay wala siyang ginalaw. Pakiramdam niya ay masusuka siya oras na sumayad sa lalamunan niya ang herbal tea kung ano man iyon.

Hilong tumayo si Anne at pilit hinatak ang isang fuzzy bean bag chair malapit sa balcony door. Bumaluktot siya ng upo roon at nanghihinang naghihintay sa Daddy niya na sagutin ang kanyang tawag. Nais niyang may mahingahan ng sentimyento niya.

“Daddy, I wanna go home. I wanna lie down on mommy’s bed and hug her favorite body pillow while playing our favorite song. I want mommy’s hug.” She sobbed when her father finally lifted her call. She felt her chest tightening, hefted with that familiar sadness. Laking pasasalamat niya na hindi dumirekta sa sekretarya ang tawag niya. 

Narinig niya ang kanyang ama sa nagmamadaling pag-dismiss nito kay Guillana. He was in his office, as usual, draining himself with loads of works. Ni hindi niya maalala kung kailan siya huling inimbitahan ng Daddy niya sa isang special na Daddy-daughter date. At sa aspeto na iyon, aminado siyang hindi lang ang daddy niya ang nagkukulang ng oras at atensiyon, gayun din siya rito. 

Anne wasted much of her time in her extreme nightlife and social life, impulsively trying different career paths and businesses but in the end, lahat iyon ay iniiwan niya at mabilis niyang pinagsasawaan. She is not sure about what she really wanted for her future and almost tired to search and wander for more. Ang gusto na lang niya ay mag-asawa. But after she heard all those harsh words from Matthieus against her, kung paano nito ipamukha na parang wala siyang kuwenta parang gusto na lamang niya ang mag-isa habambuhay at hindi na mangdamay ng iba sa kamiserablehan ng buhay niya.

She stifled her sobs when she heard her father’s deep sighing. “Oh, my little princess. Yes, sweetheart. When the weather gets calm, agad kitang ipapasundo riyan sa Santa Coloma.” Puno ng pag-aalalang wika ng kanyang ama. 

Iyon nga ang problema. May malakas na bagyo ang inaasahang mag-landfall sa Santa Coloma mamayang gabi ayon sa weather forecast. Kaya pala ganoon na lamang kung magsungit ang panahon mula pa kagabi. Minalas pa siya’t naipit siya sa ulan kaya nagkaroon siya ng high fever.

Her father’s sweet words made her heart smile somehow. Ngunit kapag ganitong masama ang kanyang pakiramdam ay wala na siyang ibang gustong gawin kundi ang magkulong sa dating master’s bedroom sa mansion nila kung saan ay dating silid ng parents niya noong nabubuhay pa ang kanyang Mommy Mathilde at magpakalunod sa alaalang iniwan ng kanyang pinakamamahal na ina. Those were the only thing that gives her comfort and ease.

Tumikhim ang kanyang ama at sandali pa ay, “Leaves will soon grow from the bareness of trees and you will be alright in time…”

Lalo niyang hindi malabanan ang kanyang mga hikbi nang marinig ang kanyang Daddy na sinusubukang awitin ang kantang Leaves. That was her mom’s song for her. 

She last heard her Mom sang the song to her was during her mother’s most difficult point in her life, in her deathbed. Her mom was hugging the  innocent fourteen-year-old her, then, head lying in her mom’s chest while she was weakly combing her natural wavy and long auburn hair until she heard her mom’s final heartbeat, her mom’s very last breath. 

“Dad, you’re an awful singer.” Natatawa niyang komento sa sintunadong boses ng ama. Lumakas ang kanyang hikbi habang patuloy na pinagtatawanan ang ama. 

“You’re such a bad daughter for insulting your father’s singing voice. Am I that really bad, sweetheart?” 

“I’m afraid yes, father.” She stopped chuckling when she sneezed. Nagsisimula na rin ang sipon niya. It was terrible!

“I’m such a disgrace. Your mom won’t forgive me for mortifying her favorite song. I guess I have to spend a lot of time in singing lesson when I retired.” Her father humored, wholeheartedly engaging himself in their little chitchat.  

“That sounds really great, Daddy. Expect me to be your number one supporter.” She sneezed again. This time ay ginawa na niyang takip sa kanyang ilong ang dulo ng sleeve ng suot niyang blouson jacket na isa sa mga hinatid na damit ni Elena kagabi. 

Alalang-alala si Donya Coloma nang masalubong siya nitong basang-basa at nanginginig sa lamig. And she could clearly remember how Donya Coloma got angry with her son. Alam naman daw nitong masama ang panahon pero hindi man lamang daw siya nito inihatid sa Villa at pinabayaang lumusong sa ulan. Pero si Vergue ang inaalala niya baka magkaroon ito ng distress at magkasakit. Prone din kasi ang mga rabbit sa hypothermia. 

“Yes, regarding with that matter, sweetheart. Aren’t you decided yet to consider my suggestion?” Her father coolly diverted the topic. 

Malalim na buntong-hininga ang kumawala sa kanyang bibig at lalong sumiksik sa fuzzy bean bag. Dumako ang tingin niya sa bahagi ng frontyard na matatanaw mula sa balcony door na kinaroroonan niya. Natanawan niya ang Wrangler na madalas gamitin ni Matthieus subalit gawa ng malakas na buhos na ulan na halos mag-zero visibility na sa labas ay hindi niya matukoy kung si Matthieus o sino nga ba ang nagmamaneho niyon.

Ibinalik niya ang atensiyon sa kanyang ama. Baka kasi mas lalo lang uminit ang ulo niya kung si Matthieus nga ba ang sakay ng Wrangler. She doesn’t want to see that cruel beast again! Gusto niyang umalis sa Santa Coloma na hindi na muling makikita ang pagmumukha nito. 

“You have no plan to let it slide, don’t you, Dad?” 

“Uh, well, ang akin lang naman, Annie maybe you and music will work out perfectly. You have your mom’s sweet and gentle voice quality, so hindi malayong maisip ko na baka gusto mong kumuha ng degree in vocal performance or anything related to singing.”

She frowned with the idea again. “Dad, ayoko nga n’yan. I can sing, yes but I don’t feel like making a living out of it. We know naman that Golda’s already have a sublime name in the music industry. Ayoko namang bigyan ng impression ang people na gaya-gaya ako sa best friend ko. I want to be unique in all aspects, Dad.” Nagmamaktol na eksplinasyon niya.

“Sweetheart, that’s an unreasonable logic.” Malumanay na balik ng kanyang ama. “Hindi naman illegal na parehong landas ang tatawarin mo sa kaibigan mo. Other people’s opinions of you don’t absolutely matter, sweetheart. If you rely on their words, it’s no different from getting involve with toxic people. Your mind will only be poisoned over and over.”

“But, Daddy…”

“Please, Anne, try to find in your heart what will really make you genuinely happy and contented. Let your heart explore and stop looking back to whatever negativity that might hold you back. Find your true happiness, princess. Something your heart desire. And when you found it, remember that giving up without a fight is not in the options. Be fearless no matter what. Kung sakaling mapagod ka, madapa ka, matalo ka, you know too well I’m always here for you. Sabay tayong tatayo at magpapatuloy sa buhay. Uugod-ugod man ako, makakasa kang masasandalan mo pa rin ako.  I’m your Superman then and now, sweetheart.” She felt the love of her father in his every heartfelt word.

She smiled. Courage, firm courage flourished inside her being. “Yes, dad. I will be as fearless as T. Swift. But, Dad, what else can I take instead of tablet med? It choked me. I think I’ll be passing out if I take another one. Daddy, huhuhu. I really can’t swallow that yikes thing, Daddy but I cannot say no naman to Tita Coloma.”

“Oh, little brat. Don’t be stubborn and do whatever makes you well. Huwag mong susuwayin si Coloma. Nakakahiya sa kanya.”

“Oh, Gosh! Daddy, is it just me lang ba o talagang nakangiti ka d’yan while you are saying Tita Coloma’s name? OMG, Daddy.” Tukso niya sa ama. 

“Stop that, Anne! Don’t put a thing between Coloma and me. She’s a married woman for heaven's sake.” Mariing suway sa kanya ng kanyang ama.

“But that’s not what she told me, dad.” She playfully cliff hanged. Sure, her father is interested with Donya Coloma. 

“Really, Mary Anne, your father doesn’t appreciate your joke. Eat now and take a good rest. Your Tita Coloma phoned me this morning and she’s worried about you. H’wag matigas ang ulo mo riyan.”

“OMG. You’re now phone pals. I smell a blooming love story from here.” Her Dad cut the line with a deep sigh. Napuputol ang halakhak ni Anne sa panaka-nakang pag-ubo. 

ANNE BARELY TOUCHED her food. She stayed in the guest room from morning to afternoon. From time to time ay kumakatok si Donya Coloma o ‘di man ay si Elena upang i-monitor ang lagay niya. Few minutes ago, ay nagawa niyang kumbensihin ang sarili na tikman ang bagong hatid na hot herbal tea ni Elena. Mabisa raw kasi itong anti-nausea. Unang sayad ng tea sa lalamunan niya ay nasuka siya pero pinilit niyang maubos ang isang tasa. 

After a glass of the hot ginger tea and her nausea felt a little lessen. Epektibo.

Anne decided to go downstairs. She planned to join Donya Coloma in dinner. Hindi talaga masayang kumain ng mag-isa kaya ramdam niya ang pinagdadaanan ni Donya Coloma. She only has her son pero kahit ang hudyo na iyon ay mas piniling makulong sa madilim nitong mundo. 

Just when she stepped out from the door’s frame, she heard Elena talking to someone from the next room. Nakatayo ito sa labas ng music room na kahapon nga’y nalaman niyang nasa tabi lang ng guest room.

“Lahat po ng ipinahatid ninyong pagkain at inumin ay halos hindi po nagalaw, Senorito. Natitiyak kong gutom na gutom na po ngayon si Ma’am Anne.” 

Mabilis siyang napabalik sa silid at maingat na huwag mapansin ng dalawang nag-uusap na naroon siya. Señorito? Wala namang ibang Señorito sa hacienda kundi si Matthieus, ‘di ba? Why he’s here? Why he’s inside his music room? Akala niya’y matagal na itong hindi nagagawi sa silid na iyon.

“That stubborn woman, really! Mataas pa ba ang lagnat n’ya? Check the windows in her room and make sure walang lamig mula sa labas na makakapasok, Elena.” Matthieus firm, guttural tone made her heart skipped a little. Gosh! Bakit pinag-uusapan siya ng mga ito? Atsaka bakit niya naiisip na concern ito sa kanya? Impossible! Masama nga pakiramdam niya sa kagagawan nito, no! Tapos makukuha pa niyang mag-isip na may malasakit ito sa kanya. Lagot talaga ito sa kanya oras na malaman niyang nagkasakit din si Verguenza.

Shitty pie! Where’s my baby Vergue, anyway?

“Masusunod po, Señorito. At siya nga pala, Señorito. Nais po’ng ipasabi sa inyo ni Donya Coloma na ibig niya kayong makasalo sa hapunan ngayon. Maghihintay daw po ang Donya sa inyong pagbaba. Batid kong maging kayo’y nagugutom na rin. Nitong umaga pa po kayo nagkukulong dito para lamang mabantayan ang lagay ng bisita, Señorito.”

“Marahil ay dalhan mo na lamang ako ng ginger tea mamaya. Sabihin mo sa Mama na hindi ako nagugutom.”

No way! Ano palang drama ng antipatikong ‘to? Hunger strike, gano’n?Atsaka, hello! Nando’n ito sa music room para mag-reminisce sa alaala ng fiancée nito at hindi para makibalita sa temperature niya. Moron!

She hates herself right now! Alam naman niyang pusong-bato ang lalaki pero bakit gusto niyang papaniwalain ang sarili na nagmamalasakit nga ito sa kanya. 

You’re not a fool to believe his theatrical concern towards you, bitch! Kastigo ni Anne sa haliparot na bahagi ng kanyang isip.

Hindi na niya tinapos pakinggan ang usapan ng kawaksi at ng amo nitong dark ang budhi. Chest out, she continued to go out of the room. 

“Hey, Anne, wait!” 

Naaalarmang boses ni Matthieus ang dahilan ng pagbagal ng hakbang niya. She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Ayaw niya talagang makita ito. Baka kasi mabasag niya ang pagmumukha nito, sayang naman kung masisira lang ang kagwapuhan nito.

“I think you shouldn’t get up from bed. Hindi ka na ba nahihilo? Kumusta ang iyong pakiramdam? Gutom ka na ba? Elena, hatiran mo siya ng bagong lutong pagkain. Tiyak nagugutom si Anne.” 

Magaling! Best actor award goes to…

“Ho? Sige, masusunod, Señorito.”

Noon napilitang harapin ni Anne ang mga ito. She intentionally focused her attention to Elena and avoided her eyes from landing to Matthieus’ face. She held her upturned façade.

“Don’t bother, Ate Elena. Pababa na rin ako para sumabay kay Tita Coloma sa dinner. Pababa ka na ba? Sabay na lang tayo. Shall we?” 

Kahit ano’ng pilit niyang iwasang mapatitig kay Matthieus, it just that there was something inside of her that madly causing her the difficulty to hinder herself to give a little attention to him. 

Natagpuan niya ang sariling nakatitig sa lalaki. He was as gorgeous as she remembered the first time she laid her eyes on him. He was wearing hoodie jacket and trousers, ang isang kamay ay pumaloob sa harapang bulsa ng jacket nito. His hair was messy and dripping wet. Kapuna-puna ang dry at mapusyaw nitong mga labi. He looked like he was feeling so cold and unwell. Malamlam at medyo namumula ang mga mata nito, maging ang ilong nito. Nanliit ang kanyang mga mata.

Anne froze when Matthieus stepped forward and stole her hand and gripped it against his cold one. 

She gasped scandalously. My God! What the hell was he doing? Why he was acting so nice? Nawala nalang basta ang ano mang iniisip niya.

“Let me take you downstairs. Mataas ang hagdan baka nahihilo ka pa. Better if we join my mother in dinner together.”