Kabanata 10

Hello, Sunday!
Happy reading, enjoy! ❤️

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 10
''Honesty''

Sa ikalawang Sabado ay nandito ulit kami kina Lukas. I somehow got to meet them more this time, too. After last Saturday, madalas ko na silang nakakausap kahit sa ibang klase namin. Parati nga lang may sariling mundo si Peter at Rona.

''Anya!'' Terrence waved his hand.

I waved my hand, and went out of the car. Mukhang nasa loob na ang iba. At hinintay lang ako ni Terrence dito sa may hardin.

''Sorry, medyo late ako. May mga bisita kasi si Lolo sa bahay.''

''Okay lang! Ano ka ba? Maaga pa naman.'' aniya. He stretched his hand to me to get my things. ''Ako na magbibitbit ng gamit mo.''

''Hindi magaan lang 'to. Ako na.''

''Sige...''

Nasulyapan ko si Senyora sa may bulwagan na pinagmamasdan kami. Ngumiti ako at magalang na bumati. Inaya ko na si Terrence na umakyat. Sumunod naman siya.

''Senyora padala po ni Mama.'' sabi ko at inilahad ang alak na galing sa distillery ng mga De Leon.

She smiled warmly at me as she took the bottle. ''Naku, hindi ka na sana nagabala, Anya! Pero maraming salamat!''

Despite the issues between our families, I was welcomed here warmly. Nag-alala nga si Kael na baka raw iba ang trato nila sa'kin dahil apo ako ni Juan Francisco, pero wala namang ganoon na nangyari.

I even noticed how Senyora was too kind to me. If we weren't busy, she would call for me, to just tour me around her grand mansion. She would talk and entertain me with funny stories, too. Minsan ay inaaya niya rin ako para mag-tsaa. And during those times, she was nothing but kind to me.

Hindi na kami nakapagkwentuhan pa ni Senyora dahil dumating si Lukas at sinundo na kami.

They have a big library here in their house. Doon kami namamalagi kapag tungkol sa group work na ginagawa. Buong hapon lang kami dito at umuuwi rin bago magdilim.

Sobrang ganda rin at mukhang makaluma tingnan pero iyong tipong alam mong yayamanin. Because aside from the numerous huge bookshelves, carpeted floor, there's a fireplace too in front of the mini living room here, a chandelier, and the fact that it's a two-storey library. It's a place almost like a paradise for someone who loves books.

We took a break after almost three hours of doing what we needed. At kapag break namin ay doon lang kami pwede gumawa ng kung anong gusto namin. They are all serious in their studies, kaya pati ako mas sineryoso pa iyon.

Lumapit si Terrence sa inuupuan kong leather sofa. He has something on his hand which made me curious.

''Anya, nakatikim ka na ba ng Timitim?''

Umiling ako. ''No, not yet. What's that?''

''Ah, it's a local delicacy here. Gawa to ni Mama.'' aniya at binuksan iyong pabilog na hawak niya. I saw a clear to white food that looked like a rice cake. ''It's a mixture of grated cassava, brown sugar, eggs, milk and coconut milk.''

Tumango-tango lang ako habang piapaliwanag niya. He took one and handed it to me.

''Try it. Tell me if you like it.'' he urged.

Kukunin ko na sana pero hindi niya iyon binitawan at nilapit lang sa bibig ko. Kumagat na lamang ako dahil ayaw niya ngang ibigay sa'kin. Terrence smiled at me after my bite.

''Uy, bakit may nagsusubuan diyan?'' rinig kong panunukso ni Rona. ''Iba na yan, ha!''

Naibaling ko ang tingin sa gawi nila Rona. Even Lukas who was busy with his laptop lifted his eyes. He has those furrowed eyebrows while he looks at us.

''Ano ang iba, iha?''

''Ay! Hello, Senyora!''

Dumapo ang tingin ko sa may pintuan at nakita ang pagpasok ni Senyora. She immediately searched the library before her eyes stopped at me.

''Lukas, anong oras na, magmeryenda muna kayo.'' bilin niya sa apo, bago muling tiningnan si Rona. ''Anong iba ang sinasabi mo, iha?''

''Wala, Senyora! Nagkakabiruan lang po. May pagsubo kasi ng pagkain itong si Terrence and Anya!'' tawa ni Rona.

Both Terrence and I blushed profusely at that. Especially when Senyora eyed us carefully. Bumaba rin ang tingin niya sa hawak ni Terrence. Before her attention went back to us.

''Hmm.'' It was all her reaction.

Another Monday came, and we went back to our usual routine in our studies. It's just that Lukas and Terrence have been sitting with me in our classes. Tahimik si Lukas. Iyon ang napansin ko. He doesn't talk a lot but he's everywhere too. Terrence is the most talkative among us. Napapasabay na lamang ako sa mga kwento niya.

Friday na nang magpasya ang grupo na magpapahinga muna kami sa ginagawa. I liked that too since it's been a long tiring week. Kaya naman kinabukasan ay tinanghali ako ng gising dahil pagod sa daming ganap sa paaralan.

It's Saturday but I noticed that no one was around. Javier is Manila. Jakob is abroad. Mama and Eli are with Lolo to visit the distillery.

Nawala na ang pagod ko dahil sa mahabang tulog. But I got bored since I'm alone. That's why in the afternoon, I found myself walking to the little forest where the stream is located. I brought with me a bag this time, with extra clothes just in case I needed it.

It's my first time to be here again after probably two months or more. I got so busy with my studies, plus, I couldn't go here anymore before, since Carlos is always around too that time. Pero ngayon ay alam kong wala siya kaya kampante ako.

And when I indeed found no one, I removed my top and went to the water. And the cold water soothed me very much. I like the water here, it's refreshing... only if I could go here every week I would have done so already. At isa pa, hindi naman delikado dito, it's the borderline between the two lands. Sa magkabilang panig ay may mga bantay at tao, na mga tauhan ng dalawang pamilya.

Mataas ang sikat ng araw kaya maliwanag pero hindi din naman masakit sa balat dahil may mga matataas na puno. And with the help of the bright sunlight, the water became clearer than it already is.

Isang oras na rin siguro akong nasa tubig. It was such a peaceful afternoon. Sobrang mapaya, pakiramdam ko makakatulog ako roon. If not only for the leaf that fell, that I took off from my shoulder, I wouldn't be able to notice the man who is leaning on a big tree with his arms crossed under his chest, watching me intently.

Dalawang beses ko pang binalingan dahil pakiramdam ko namamalik-mata lang ako. But when I heard him talk, I confirmed that I wasn't hallucinating nor dreaming. It was a nightmare in reality.

Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo.

I let out a silent curse. Agad kong ibinagsak ang katawan sa lupa sa ilalim. Hanggang dibdib ko ang tubig nang makatapak ako.

''How dare a liar and an enemy stepped on our land.'' his harsh voice rang on my ear.

Hinanap ko ang pinakamataas at kakaibang puno, at nang makitang lumagpas nga ako doon, at napagtantong nasa pinakamamahal niya akong lupain, ay tahimik ko na lamang tinungo ang parte ng tubig na nasasakop ng mga De Leon.

''Georgianna Eleanor, huh?''

I pursed my lips when he spit out my name in spite. I closed my eyes and did not mind him. If I knew he would be here, I wouldn't have come.

''A fucking De Leon...'' I heard his dark chuckle. ''What a fate...''

Napasinghap ako. Mga salita lamang iyon pero para bang may dumagan sa dibdib ko at halos hindi ako makahinga.

Ilang sandali pa ay hindi ko na nakayanan ang mga tingin niya. Even when I am in the water, I could feel his intense emotion vibrating all over. Tila ba bagyo na unti-unting lumalakas.

Nasa lupa siya, kaharap ang bahagi ng sapa kung saan mababaw ang tubig. Habang nasa may malalim na parte ako. Gusto ko nang umahon pero ayaw ko ring lumapit sa gawi niya. That's why I've been trying to lift myself up on the ground where I am. Kaso lagpas dibdib ang tubig dito.

I jumped a bit and lifted myself up but my arm got scratched on a sharp rock that's buried in the soil. I winced in pain. But I still tried my best to lift myself up.  But before I could lift my feet to the ground, marahan na akong nahawakan at naiangat.

I froze, but somehow was able to sit on the soil this time. Saglit lang kaming nagkatitigan bago dumapo ang mata niya sa kamay ko. Napatingin rin ako doon at may mahabang sugat nga akong natamo.

''You're so careless!'' galit niyang sabi, kasabay nang pagbitiw sa'kin, tila na napaso sa kung ano. ''There's a shallow part, why would you even...''

I ignored him. Because it is the best thing to do. Alam kong galit siya, at imbes na palalain o dagdapan pa iyon, tatahimik na lamang ako. Kaya inabala ko ang sarili sa paghugas ng sugat gamit ang tubig ng sapa. Hindi naman malalim iyon. It's just a scratch.

Pagkatapos noon ay tahimik din akong tumayo at tinungo ang aking gamit. I noticed though, how Carlos followed my every movement. Sinuot ko na lamang ang damit. I took out my phone too to check the time. It's been almost two hours since I left the house. I put it back inside the bag, wore my sandals, and turned my back to leave.

Pero hindi pa ako nakakailang hakbang nahuli na niya ang palapulsuhan ko. The beating of my heart was beyond immeasurable.

''W-what do you want?''

Tumawa siya, nanunuya, tila hindi makapaniwala sa naging tanong ko.

''You lied to me! You deceitful woman! Was it fun playing me, huh?'' he hissed, every word he uttered was laced with acid. ''And instead of hearing forgiveness from your pretty mouth, you dare act cold to me like I was the one who did something wrong?!''

Napatitig lamang ako sa kanya. Sa galit niya, sa mariin niyang hawak, at sa mga sigaw niya, hindi ako makapaniwala na nagkaoras pa rin siyang purihin ang bibig ko.

I sighed heavily. ''When did I lie to you?''

His forehead knotted even more.

''What?''

''Can you go back to the time where I lied to you?'' I asked calmly, but as seconds passed by I couldn't contain myself too. Hindi ako sumisigaw pero mariin ang bawat salita ko. ''Ano ang sinabi kong kasinungalingan? You asked for my name, I told you! You asked for my age, I told you! You asked me where I live, I answered you truthfully! I told you, nakatira ako sa bahay ng mga De Leon! And I also told you that if you're so curious about me then find it out! Kasalanan ko bang hindi mo inalam?!''

Mas lalo siyang nagalit. He gripped on my wrist tighter this time. His jaw was clenching hard as his eyes darkened with a bigger storm forming on it.

''Are you seriously using that against me right now?'' he spat angrily. ''You still made me believe things! I asked you repeatedly if you are related to that family! And Eli... who I thought your son... Yes, I assumed! But you didn't clarify anything when you had a lot of chances to do so!''

''I told you I am not the woman who you think I am!''

His eyes became sharper. The anger and betrayal, was still so evident in his eyes until it became disappointment and disgust. Agad niyang binitawan ang kamay ko, tila ba may nakakahawa akong sakit.

I don't know why... but that action and the look he gave me... hurt me a bit.

''You aren't indeed the woman I thought you were.'' he murmured. ''The sweet and innocent, Anya Fuentes, was just a dream. All I could see right now is the devious and cunning woman, Georgianna Eleanor de Leon!''

My eyes widened, and my lips parted in shock.

''You made me hope and you ruthlessly broke it.'' namamaos niyang bulong. ''I would've forgive you if you just told me about it right away, yet you didn't. But what do I expect? Even from the start, you weren't completely honest with me.''

Hindi ko alam kung bakit mas lalong nanikip ang dibdib ko. My breathing became labored as I felt something on the corner of my eyes.

''I did not expect a lot because I understand that this is still all early. But we aren't totally strangers! We introduced ourselves to each other, didn't we? As someone you know, an acquaintance, as someone who's trying to befriend you... did I not deserve anything...'' he trailed off, almost a whisper. ''...not even your honesty, Georgianna?''

''How cruel you are.'' he added.

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa lupa, hindi kayang tingnan ang kanyang mukha. I can't... and I won't probably be able to face him any longer.

''I'm not kind to my enemies, De Leon.'' he leered, slowly and dangerously. ''So do not come near me again. Do not ever show your face again. Do not come here again nor in any place that we own! I'm going to throw you out the moment I see you.''

He took a step back and hurriedly walked away. Nakita ko ang itim na kabayo sa malayo. Marahas ang mga naging galaw niya nang umakyat hanggang sa tumakbo ang kabayo at nawala sa pangingin ko.

I was left there frozen in my spot, unable to move nor think right. I couldn't remember how many minutes or probably hours, I stood there... feeling lost.

I only came back to my senses when suddenly the rain poured from the sky unexpectedly.

It was raining heavily as I walked back to our home. My lips were trembling from the cold, my eyes sting and I feel the hot tears that wanted to escape. Yet, I prevented them from falling. Hanggang sa makauwi ako ay pinigilan ko, mariin kong pinigilan ang pagkawala nito.

Sumama ang pakiramdam ko nang gabing iyon. I feel heavy, my whole body is down, and I'm freezing. Naulanan ako, but I thought I would be okay. Pero nagising na lamang ako kinabukasan na nilalagnat na. Maraming tao ang labas masok sa kwarto ko pero hindi ko sila napasin dahil sobrang sama ng pakiramdam.

Dalawang araw rin akong absent sa klase dahil hindi pa rin maayos ang pakiramdam ko sa mga nagdaang araw.

''Georgianna what's wrong?'' My mother asked one time. She knew I didn't have a fever anymore, pero nanatili lamang ako sa kwarto at hindi pa rin pumapasok.

I shook my head, and went back to my bed. Ilang beses rin akong kinausap ni Mama pero wala akong lakas. She eventually left my room. That's the time I took my phone and dialed a number. Unang ring palang ay sumagot na ito.

Kinabukasan ay pinilit ko nang makapasok. But most of the time, I have been spacing out. And when the classes for the whole day were done, I immediately went out of school to wait for someone.

''Georgianna.''

Napatayo ako at tinakbo ang distansya. I hugged him tight, like I don't want to let go.

''P-papa...'' My voice broke, and the tears I have been holding back for days, instantly rolled down my cheeks. ''Papa... I don't want to be here. I want to go back to Manila, Papa! Take me back there!''

''I heard what happened. Maulanan ka kaya nilagnat. Pero hanggang ngayon ay masama pa raw ang pakiramdam mo?'' he whispered softly that I cried even more. ''What is hurting you? Hindi ka nilalagnat nang ganito katagal kung wala kang kinikimkim.'' dagdag pa niya. ''What is it? Minamaltrato ka ba ng mga De Leon?''

I only let tears fall from my eyes endlessly, repeating the same words over and over, begging my father to take me out of here.

Hindi ako umuwi. I went with my father. He travelled from Manila just to be here. Ang sabi niya ay uuwi din siya pero nang malaman ayaw kong umuwi ay sinama niya muna ako.

It was already evening when my father brought me somewhere to eat dinner. Panay lamang ang galaw ko sa pagkain gamit ang tinidor dahil wala pa ring gana.

''What really happened, Anya? Can you tell Papa about it?'' he asked as he caressed my hair, before sighing heavily. ''I'm sorry, you probably had to grow up and mature fast because you were always left alone. You weren't able to enjoy your childhood much, and weren't able to cry and express your emotions well. Only at times like this I see the child side in you.''

''Can't I really go back to Manila, Papa?'' I asked, ignoring most of the things he said.

''I wanted to take you back, pero magagalit ang Mama mo. Your whole family will be enraged, too.''

My shoulders slumped. ''I don't like the lavish lifestyle here, Papa. I just want to live simply and be at peace...'' mahina kong bulong. ''I miss our home. I miss my old school and my classmates there. The life and people here are so different... I'm not used to any of this... I feel like I didn't belong here...''

''Ang sabi mo sa'kin noong nakaraan ay maayos ka naman dito. Na kahit papaano ay nakakapag-adjust naman sa mga De Leon.'' tugon ni Papa. ''What is the truth? And what really is it? If it's not about your family, then, it's about the Sarmientos... or the Montecarlos, perhaps? Did you meet them? They are the enemy of the De Leons. Someone hurt you from those families?''

I stayed silent.

''Kuhang-kuha mo ang itsura ng mga De Leon. But your heart is weak like me. Iyon lang ata ang namana mo sa'kin.''

Matalim kong tiningnan si Papa nang sabihin niya iyon.

He smiled at me. ''Ah, that glare indicates I'm wrong then?''

Muli akong hindi kumibo.

''Anya, no matter what happens, don't let your heart be filled with rage or negative emotions. Because once your heart is filled with only darkness, everything will start to hurt and taunt you. And you might not be able to have a room for love and happiness anymore.''

                       
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