Kabanata 13

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
KABANATA 13
"Deny"

''Carlos, iho, samahan mo ang kapatid mo at kaklase niya kung saan sila pupunta para may magbantay. Mahirap na at medyo mga bata pa sila.''

''I will, Lola.''

Halos mailuwa ko ang kinakain nang marinig iyon.

He's really coming with us... why?!

Napailing ako. Right... to guard his brother and his younger cousin, Heidi. Inaya din kasi namin itong sumama sa'min, at pumagay naman siya. Nakakatuwa nga eh. Pero akala ko kami-kami lang, kaya panatag talaga ako. Pero hindi pala!

Dismayadong-dismayado tuloy ako. Hindi ko gusto na kasama si Carlos. I don't know. I just don't want to be near him... and for sure he feels the same way! He made it clear. He doesn't want to see my face! Kulang na lang mag-face mask ako habang nandito para lamang maitago ko ang aking mukha mula sa kanya.

He even commanded Rona to delete my pictures. Sinigurado niya pang burado iyon at pinagmasdan ang pag-delete. He even said to delete the backup of it in the trash area. Kahit hindi naman siya apektado... akala mo naman!

I was about to send a glare at him... discreetly. Nasa kabilang kabisera siya. My eyebrows were furrowed and made my eyes sharp, pero agad akong napakurap at namutla nang makitang nakatingin ito sa'kin.

He raised an eyebrow at me. I hurriedly averted my eyes back to my food, and shifted uncomfortably on my seat. Napanguso na lamang din ako.

Sa kwarto ni Heidi ako nagpalit ng damit. Inaya niya ako doon pagkatapos naming kumain. I changed my dress to a white high waisted short and a loose powder blue and white stripped crop top. I wore a string bikini under it.

Dalawang beses na sumulyap si Heidi sa'kin. Tapos na rin siya sa pagbihis. Hindi ko sana papansinin ang naging sulyap niya, kaso isang beses pa na nagtagal ang kanyang tingin. I got conscious a bit.

''Bakit, Heidi? Uh, hindi ba bagay sa'kin?''

Umiling siya agad at ngumiti. ''Hindi, Ate Anya! You actually looked very nice in that. You have a thin waist and flat stomach that suits you well. Grabe, Ate Anya,. you have the body goals.''

Nawala ang ilang ko at napangiti. I don't have the height of a supermodel but I have a bit of curves in my body, and it's well proportioned with my height. Hindi naman sobrang laki ng dibdib ko na parang pakwan, may laman naman na tama lamang sa katawan ko. Pero dahil medyo maliit ang baywang, mas hubog tingnan ang pwetan at dibdib na parte. I was blessed by heaven with this body, thus, I am thankful. Although... I'm not too comfortable flaunting it boldly or daringly with a lot of people.

''Ate Anya,'' tawag ni Heidi kaya napatingin ulit ako sa kanya. ''Alam mo ba, marami akong pinsan na lalaki. And I don't know why, but all of the men in our family are somehow territorial and possessive.''

Oh? Hindi ko pa nakikilala ang mga iba niyang pinsan. I wonder how many they are. Parang sobrang dami nila.

''Talaga? Bakit naman?''

''I don't know why, either.'' She shrugged. "But it seems like it's already in the nature of the family. My brother, Void Maxwell, is the top one in that aspect. He's quite the O.A type but I still love him.'' marahan siyang tumawa. ''Kuya Carlos... hmm, ang alam ko lang kahit sa mga gamit niya, ayaw noon na may humahawak na iba, lalo na kung walang permiso niya. Nagagalit siya agad... and he's scarier than Kuya Maxwell when mad.''

Tumatawa siya habang magkukuwento tungkol sa mga pinsan niya kaya napangiti na lang rin ako. Sobrang gaan ng pakiramdam ko sa pamilya na 'to. Sympre kay Carlos lang hindi! At sa kwento pa ni Heidi, hindi ka talaga mapapanatag ng loob. I already know that somehow. He's very territorial that he'd watch over his properties, na akala mo laging nanakawin ang bato o lupa nila.

''Lukas may seem calm... but the fact that he's Kuya Carlos' brother... hmm.'' she chuckled again. ''But don't worry, they aren't the monster types naman po. They are kind and very loving, I can attest to that.''

''Why do I feel like you're bad mouthing your cousins?'' tanong ko habang nakangisi. ''Mag-isa ka lang bang babae sa magpipinsan?''

''Yup! I'm the only girl.'' She grinned cheekily ''And I'm not bad mouthing them, Ate Anya. I'm just informing you of the possibilities.''

''Huh, what possibilities?''

She giggled. ''Wala naman po.''

Pareho na kaming nakapagbihis, nagkalapit din sa salamin. Now that we're barefooted, I noticed that she's an inch or two inches taller than me. Hindi naman ako masyadong mababa. I'm about 5'4... just the average height-- well, I mean comparing with them, yes! Because the Montecarlos are tall. Lukas... especially Carlos' height overpowers mine.

Well, sabagay pati ang mga pinsan kong lalaki ay sobrang tatangkad din. They're all above six foot, too. And they all looked good in their height because of their body built. The Montecarlos and De Leons men look like they came out of a magazine.

Bumaba na kami. Lahat naman ay naka-short lang din dahil mainit. Rona was wearing the most daring outfit I have ever seen her wear. She's beautiful and looked daringly sexy in it. A black tube top, at short na halos kita na ang pisngi ng kanyang pwet. I even saw how Peter playfully slapped her butt cheeks. Tumikhim ako at napaiwas na lamang ng tingin.

Magkasamang lumabas si Senyora at Carlos sa kusina. I smiled at her. Pinagmasdan ako nang mabuti ni Senyora bago ibinaling ang tingin sa kasama. Hindi na ako tumingin kay Carlos.

When we went outside, my forehead automatically creased when I saw two cars. Sasakyan ni Lukas, and the other one is a black luxurious SUV. May nakita naman akong van sa garahe nila, bakit kaya hindi na lang iyon para isa lang ang gagamitin?

I shook my head and went to Lukas's car. Tumatawa at tumatakbo ang magkasintahan at naunahan nila akong pumasok. Nasa likod na sila at may iilang gamit din kaya wala ng espasyo. I was about to open the passenger seat beside the driver when someone held my hand that was already on the door handle.

Napalingon ako at nakitang si Lukas iyon.

''Anya, okay lang ba na samahan mo nalang si Heidi sa isang sasakyan? Dito na lang si Terrence.'' marahan niyang sabi, nakangiti. ''It'll be awkward for my cousin to be with him, but if it's you, of course she wouldn't mind it.''

Oh... I guess, he's right.

Wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang tumango na lamang. Umatras na din ako. He went to his grandmother to bid goodbyes. Kumaway na lamang din ako kay Senyora.

Mabigat ang bawat hakbang ko habang patungo sa kotseng nasa unahan. Of course, this is Carlos' car! Paano yan? For sure, he doesn't want me to be here, too! He'd rather put me in the other car than to be with me!

I bit my lip. The couple are inseparable. It would be awkward for Terrence to sit here with Heidi, too. Pero pwede naman ata diba? Or no... I'm not sure. Should I just ask Kael to be here then? Kaso ayoko ring makabala.

I flinched when the car unlocked. Naramdaman ko na ang matinding bagyo sa likod ko kaya agad akong nagdesisyon na pumasok na lamang. I was just about to open it but I heard his voice-like thunder that made me stop.

''Am I your driver?'' he spat mercilessly, mocking as well.

I pursed my lips. I saw him sporting his usual dark expression as he opened the door on the passenger seat.

''What are you waiting for?'' He tilted his head a bit to the side. ''Come here.''

Nanatili ang tingin ko, hindi alam ang gagawin. Malakas ang tibok ng puso ko dahil kabadong-kabado ako.

''Come here. Walk to me, Georgianna.'' he added, a bit softer this time.

I sighed heavily, walked to him as if I was walking on thin ice, and slowly made my way inside. Natigil lamang ako sa kalagitnaan nang makita ang kamay niya sa may taas ng ulo ko habang papasok ako sa sasakyan. He wasn't touching my head but it seems like he was protecting or assisting me so I wouldn't bump my head in the car.

Pero umiling din ako. Ayaw nito sa'kin. Galit nga siya eh. Pakiramdam ko inoorasyonan niya ako na maglaho na lang bigla.

Nang tuluyan akong makapasok sa sasakyan ay napaigtad pa ako nang padabog niya iyong isinarado. This brute! He's really something!

I glared at him as I watched him go to the other side.

''Mabait naman si Kuya Carlos, Ate Anya.''

Napatili ako sa gulat nang marinig ang isang tinig sa aking likod. I harshly turned my head to the back and saw Heidi smiling apologetically.

''Kanina ka pa diyan?'' tanong ko habang hinahabol ang hininga.

''Sabay lang tayong pumasok, Ate.''

Tumango ako at inayos na lamang ang upo, lalo nang makapasok na rin si Carlos. I was about to fix my seatbelt when I noticed that, Heidi, is watching me in the rearview mirror.

''Uh... gusto mo bang dito maupo-'' Before I could even finish what I was going to say, I heard the car locking. To confirm, sinubukan kong buksan ang pinto sa gilid ko... pero locked nga.

''I'm fine here, Ate Anya.'' Heidi smiled.

Sinulyapan ko si Carlos. Isang matalim na tingin ang ginawad niya sa'kin. I hurriedly fixed my seatbelt. Ipinatong ko na lamang ang tote bag na dala sa aking binti. Hindi na rin nagsalita lalo na nang umusad na kami.

''Hindi ka ba nanlalamig diyan sa suot mo?''

I did not answer because I know he's not talking to me. Why would he talk to me anyway? Nanatili ang tingin ko sa labas ng bintana habang binabaybay namin ang daan kung saan kami papunta.

''Ate Anya, Kuya Carlos is talking to you.'' si Heidi.

Tsaka lamang ako lumingon sa kanila. Ah, ako pala ang kinakausap? Wala namang nagbanggit ng pangalan ko. But then, it's already too late to respond so I did not respond anymore. It will be too awkward.

Hindi daw ba ako nanlalamig sa suot ko. Ano bang akala niya Pasko? Ang taas-taas ng sikat ng araw.

All of the things we needed are already complete, that's why I was a bit confused when we stopped by a convenience store. Nauna na tuloy ang sasakyan nila Lukas. Pero hindi na ako nagtanong at ayokong makipag-usap. Kay Heidi lamang ako tumango nang nagpaalam siya at lumabas.

''Heidi needed to buy something.'' I heard Carlos say. ''Lalabas din ako, may gusto ka ba o ipapabili?''

''Wala.'' tipid kong sagot.

''Okay. It's too hot outside. Just stay here in the car.'' bilin niya bago lumabas din.

I just bit the insides of my cheek.

I noticed that it took them a while so I went out of the car, too. Masyadong mainit nga, tama si Carlos. But the smell of his car... with his intoxicating scent... is making my stomach flutter, kaya lumabas ako.

Sinulyapan ko sila sa loob at nakitang nasa counter na. My attention got distracted though, when a car parked beside Carlos'. Gumilid pa ako ng konti kahit may espasyo naman.

''Anya?''

Nilingon ko ang tumawag. I squinted my eyes a bit at the familiar man. My lips stretched for a smile when I recognized who it was.

''Hector, hello!''

It's Hector Madriaga. The eldest and only son of the Mayor Madriaga. Madalas silang bumisita sa bahay ni Lolo, minsan kasama rin ang kayang kapatid na si Helena, kaya nakilala ko na rin siya. Mabait, magalang, at palabiro. He kept on entertaining me with stories whenever he was there at our house.

He grinned at me. ''Galing kami sa'inyo kaninang umaga. I was expecting you to be there. Aayain sana kitang mamasyal. But Tita Cattleya informed me that you are with your classmates.''

He was about to give me a friendly hug, and I anticipated its arrival so I opened my arms. But before he could even step closer to me, I was suddenly pulled backwards, away from Hector.

I gasped in shock. Naingat ko ang tingin sa gilid at natagpuan si Carlos. It was him who pulled me! Ramdam ko ang kamay niyang nakapulupot sa'kin baywang. My bare and exposed stomach got tickled a bit at the skin to skin contact. I feel like my whole nervous system was electrified at that.

Carlos looked at Hector grimly and in a dark dangerous stance. At the corner of my eyes, I saw how Hector is staring at my stomach where a hand is resting possessively right now.

''Do you know him, Georgianna?'' malalim ang boses na tanong ni Carlos.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at pilit na tinanggal ang pagkakapulot noon na parang sawa sa'kin.

''Oh? Kumusta, Carlos?'' bati ni Hector. Muling bumaba ang tingin sa'kin ni Hector, wala na ang ngiti at seryoso na. ''Magkaibigan pala kayo, Anya?''

''Hindi.'' agap ko. ''I'm not friends with him or anything. Kapatid siya ng kaibigan kong si Lukas. Nakisabay lang ako sa sasakyan nila.''

I wanted to peek at Carlos when I felt a sudden reaction from him, after I spoke. But I'm scared too, so I did not do it. I just felt how his body got tensed. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa'kin at hinila pa ako papalapit sa kanya... na mas ikinaikot ng kung mga ano sa loob ng aking tiyan.

''If you say so.'' ani Hector na muli nang ngumiti ngayon. ''Dadalaw na lang ulit ako sa'inyo, Anya. I'll just meet you there?''

I nodded.

Umalis na si Hector. Salubong ang kilay ko nang nilingon na si Carlos. He has the same expression, mas lamang nga lang. I pinched his' arm hard, but he did not budge.

''Let go! What is wrong with you?'' I asked through gritted teeth.

''You know him? You're friends with him?'' sunod-sunod niyang tanong. ''And why did you deny me...''

What's with his questions... and what does he mean by that?

Umirap ako sa kawalan. Pakiramdam ko kapag mag-uusap kami... baka puro lang kami sigaw o away. And I don't want that to happen. I really don't want to fight with him... or to anyone.

''Papasok na ako!'' Iyon lamang ang sinabi ko kinalaunan.

He instantly let me go. Magaan ang bukas ko ng sasakyan pero medyo padabog kong naisara. It was just an accident! But whatever, I don't care about what he thinks.

Namataan ko si Heidi. Halos makalimutan kong nandito rin pala siya. I mumbled an apology at the way I acted. Ngumiti lamang siya sa'kin.

Carlos stayed outside for a while, pinching the bridge of his nose repeatedly before deciding to slid in the car as well.

We are already back on the road, pero ramdam ko ang tensyon sa pagitan namin. And the way the veins on his arm protruded as he gripped on the steering wheel, told me how he was controlling himself. Ilang beses niya ring pinasadaan ang kanyang buhok.

Nanatiling lamang akong tahimik kahit sobrang ingay ng aking isipan.

''Are you thirsty?'' he asked after a long stretch of silence. ''Here, I brought you a drink a while ago.''

Inaabot niya iyon sa'kin pero hindi siya nakatingin. His serious eyes stayed on the road. Umiigting din ang panga. Mukhang galit, kaya hindi ko alam kung bakit nakikipagusap na naman siya sa'kin... kung bakit siya lumalapit sa'kin... kung bakit ganito siya.

I just don't understand anymore! I know he's mad... very much at me... the last time we met, he made it clear! And even now, oftentimes his eyes would tell me, sometimes his tone... that's why I don't understand why he's doing things like this!

''I don't want it.'' I heartlessly told him and averted my eyes away.

I heard him let out a control and heavy sigh. ''What do you want, then? Tell me, bibilhan kita mamaya-''

''Stay mad and leave me alone!'' I cut him off. Napasulyap na siya sa'kin ngayon, gulat. ''I don't want to talk to you as much as you don't want to see me! You don't want me here nor around you, right? Then stop coming to me! Hindi rin ako lalapit sa'yo! If I just had another choice, I would've gladly left this place so I cannot bump on you! Aalis din ako kinalaunan, just wait for that time!''

I don't know why I am suddenly bursting. Whenever he would talk to me or whenever I would see him, I still remember the words he uttered to me that day. He knew my real identity now. Am I not his mortal enemy? Kaya kung galit siya, magalit na lamang siya! He doesn't need to... show care or kindness anymore!

I can't believe I am affected by these things! Because who is he anyway?!

''Georgianna,'' he called my name softly this time.

Iwinaksi ko ang kamay niya nang hagalapin niya ang kamay ko. At hindi ko siya kailanman nilingon. My stubborn self stared outside of the window.

''I'm sorry,'' namamaos niyang bulong. ''I'm sorry about that day. I'm sorry for shouting at you, for the hurtful words I've said... I didn't mean them, Georgianna. But what I did was wrong, I am at fault. I'm sorry for upsetting you...''

Mariin akong pumikit. Sobrang lambot ng kanyang boses tila ba nagsusumamo. Why is he asking forgiveness anyway? I did not even ask that from him! And clearly did not expect that from him!

''Baby, I'm sorry...''

   
   
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Reference for height difference:

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