Kabanata 15

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 15
''Call''

Mabilis ang oras kapag masaya ka. Tila ba ilang sandali lang kami doon sa talon pero halos palubog na ang araw kaya kinailangan na ring umuwi pagkatapos magpatuyo. At sympre, kung saang kotse ako unang sumakay, doon pa rin ako noong pauwi. Si Carlos pa mismo ang humila sa'kin! The audacity of this man, really.

''Save your number on my phone.'' I heard him say.

Nilingon ko ang gawi niya at nakitang inaabot niya ang isang itim na cellphone. He glanced at me with furrowed eyebrows when I did not get it from his hand.

''We are not in a relationship.'' I mouthed at him.

I only mouthed it, lalo na't nasa likod lamang si Heidi at nagpapanggap na tulog. Nakasandal siya sa kanyang upuan at nakapikit. Pero napagtanto kong nagpapanggap lamang dahil minsan kong naabutang bukas ang kanyang mga mata tuwing sinisilip ko siya sa salamin. She's probably just pretending to be asleep so it wouldn't be awkward for me and her cousin, if ever we will talk again.

''We are not, not yet.'' Carlos scoffed. Nakita ko rin ang pagtiim ng kanyang bagang. ''I just need your number. I needed to send you a file. I think I did something wrong in one of those documents I gave you. I will text you later if it's already available for you to review. Okay na ba?''

I was mimicking his words with just my lips when he glanced again. Napaayos ako nang upo at iritadong kinuha ang cellphone niya. I noticed how default it was. There isn't a password either, so I was able to control and tap some things on it.

I saved my number as per the request of his royal highness, Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo!

I gave it back to him after. Ilang sandali lamang ay tumunog naman ang cellphone ko. I searched for it inside my tote bag and saw an unknown number calling me.

''That's me.'' ani Carlos. ''I'm just checking if you indeed saved your number.''

I rolled my eyes at him.

We were back at their mansion. Nagbihis naman kami ng bagong damit kanina. I changed my top, too. May dala naman akong isang t-shirt. But Senyora offered that we can take a shower in the guest rooms to freshen ourselves. Kahit ako ay gugustuhin ring maligo. And I need to wear the dress I wore this morning. Baka magtaka ang mga tao sa bahay kung bakit biglang bago ang damit ko.

Si Heidi ay inaya ulit ako sa kanyang kwarto. Nandoon din ang damit ko kaya sa kanya na lang rin ako sumama. But I was just few steps on the stairs when I felt someone touched my arm.

His royal highness, Carlos Lorenzo.

Sinulyapan ko lang si Heidi na hindi huminto sa pag akyat ng hagdanan bago ko ibinigay ang buong atensyon kay Carlos. Lalo na't naramdaman ko ang pagdausdos nang hawak niya mula sa aking braso pababa sa aking palad.

''Bakit?''

''Saan ka maliligo?'' tanong niya. ''Huwag ka nang sumama sa mga kaklase mo. You can use my room.''

Umawang ang labi ko. Nahampas ko siya sa braso dahil nabigla sa kanyang sinabi. Pero mas nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang nakamasid si Senyora sa malayo!

Nang maabutan akong nakatingin ay agad siyang tumitig sa dingding na tila ba may kamangha-mangha doon kahit wala namang nakalagay. Uminit ang pisngi ko nang mapagtantong nakita niya ang nagawa ko. Nahampas ko lang naman ang pinakamamahal na apo ni Senyora Montecarlo!

''S-sa k-kwarto ako ni Heidi!'' mariin kong bulong bago tuluyang umakyat sa ikalawang palapag.

Mauna akong pinaligo ni Heidi. When I was done, I noticed that my dress was already washed and even ironed. Heidi explained that she asked for it to be washed since I might use it again when I go home. I didn't know she was this thoughtful too.

Medyo natagalan kami dahil hinintay ko rin na matapos si Heidi. My friends are already gone. Si Lukas ang naghatid sa kanila pauwi. Inaya pa daw kumain pero lahat din talaga kami ay busog pa. Kinuha ko na lang rin ang mga naiwan kong gamit sa library. Nang pabalik na ako sa may bulwagan ay nandoon na si Senyora.

''May magsusundo ba sa'yo, Georgianna? Pwede naman kitang ipahatid. Nandito naman si Carlos at walang ginagawa.''

Ngumiti ako kay Senyora. ''Hindi na po. Papunta na po ang susundo sa'kin. Pero maraming salamat po.''

''Hmm, oh sige.''

Nagpaalam na din ako kay Senyora at nagpasalamat sa lahat, sa mainit niyang pagtanggap sa'kin... sa'min dito ngayong araw. She looked so happy too that she kissed me on both of my cheeks. My lips curled more into a smile. Nagpaalam na din siya na magpapahinga na.

Nang lumabas na ako ay nakita kong nandoon si Carlos. Isang lingon lang ang ginawa niya at agad nang lumapit sa'kin nang namataan ako.

I just stood there, watching him, as if his mere presence put me in a light trance. When he was already in front of me, his right hand reached for my face and his thumb slightly fondled my cheek. My eyes repeatedly blinked.

''Are we... okay now?'' malamyos niyang bulong.

''H-huh?''

''I want to apologize again for that day-''

''I was at fault, too.'' sabi ko nang makuha na ang tinutukoy niya.

Sa totoo lang, may kasalanan rin naman ako. Yes, he repeatedly asked me about being a De Leon, I did not lie but I know that my answers were too vague. He thought Eli was my son, he uttered them a few times too, he even offered to help me in raising him, but I did not correct nor clarify his assumptions as well. I was beyond guilty because I felt his sincerity... yet I wasn't even honest.

And I couldn't take everything anymore, to hide and keep it inside me, because I knew I needed to apologize too, so I did. He was ruled by his emotions that day, but what happened and the misunderstanding wasn't entirely his fault. That's why when he told me he doesn't want to see me anymore, I was willing to hide forever. Nagkataon lang na nagkita na naman kami. Lagi kaming nagkikita, ewan ko rin kung bakit.

Aside from those, I actually did not expect that he would bend and ask forgiveness first. I did not even expect that he would. I thought I'd be forever his enemy. That my name is on his number one list of the person he hates the most. Una dahil De Leon ako at pangalawa ay ang nangyari ngang hindi namin pagkakaintindihan.

Wala naman na akong sama ng loob. I was just nervous. I don't want to be here because I don't want him to see me and be triggered or something. Dahil naalala ko kung gaano siya kagalit noong araw na iyon... pero siya pa rin ang unang nagpakumbaba.

At that moment, I had a glimpse of the warmth of Montecarlos that I've been seeing with Senyora, Lukas, and Heidi, running in his blood. Though it's not that I haven't seen it before... and even now. Kahit nga mukhang galit o iritado, mukhang mabait at maalaga pa rin.

''Georgianna,'' He sighed and was about to reach for my hand, pero iniwas ko.

Humakbang din ako papaatras. Titig na titig siya sa'kin nang ginawa ko iyon, pero wala rin siyang ginawa. He did not advance or anything... he let me... as I created the distance between us.

''I'm sorry,'' he uttered again. Maybe because of my actions, he thinks I haven't forgiven him yet. ''I promise to make it all up to you-''

''There's no need, Carlos. I already forgave you. So, let's just get over it.''

He remained quiet again but the way he gazed at me is beyond melting. Kaya bago pa ako mapaso sa kanyang tingin, iniwas ko na ang aking mga mata.

Tumikhim ako. ''B-baka gawin mo pa iyang dahilan para makipagkita lagi sa'kin.'' sabi ko at umismid ng kaunti. ''I already told you, I don't want a relationship with you...''

I only gave him a side eye. I noticed that he was glaring at me, pero kinalaunan ay tumawa rin at inilayo ang tingin. He ran his fingers on his hair. I can see the deep frustration in his expression but eventually he shook his head, letting out a small smirk.

''Uuwi ako sa Maynila bukas para sa trabaho.'' he said out of nowhere.

I don't know why he's saying that but I just nodded my head.

''I'll be back after a week.''

Tumango na lang ulit ako. I averted my eyes away from him to see if our car is already there, pero wala pa.

''I will text you later...'' I heard him say. Naibaling ko ulit ang tingin sa kanya. Pinagmamasdan niya ako tila nananatya. ''Can I do that?''

He'll text me? Ah, I think it's about the document he was talking about a while ago.

''Okay...''

''Will you reply?'' tanong niya ulit tila ba naninigurado.

''If I'm not yet asleep. My phone will not reply by itself for me.''

He chuckled again. Nalukot ang mukha ko nang marahan niyang kurutin ang aking kanang pisngi. Agad kong itinabig ang kanyang kamay papalayo.

I glared at him. ''I'm not a child!''

''I'm sorry...'' He bit his lower lip. ''You are beautiful, Georgianna. And I just couldn't help it when you look so adorable, too.''

He looked at my one eye, then drifted to the other, and briefly flickered to my lips before he met my eyes again. Pagkatapos noon ay umangat ang dalawang sulok ng kanyang labi para sa isang ngisi.

What... is he... even saying. And why is he looking at me like that?

Napalunok ako at muling napaiwas ng tingin. Ngayon ko lang napansin na kinain na niya pala ang distansya namin, kaya nagkalapit ulit kami.

''I will call you too, Georgianna.'' he added.

Aba't humihirit pa!

Nang sa wakas ay nakita ko na ang sasakyan namin sa malayo, mas umiwas pa ako kay Carlos. He eyed me intently when I did that. Lumipat nga lang ang tingin niya sa sasakyan namin bago ibinalik sa'kin. He expression on his face though... is quite different. I feel like he knows I'm about to leave but... expecting something?

I sighed heavily. I just waved my hand at him a bit as a goodbye.

Sinalubong ako ni Mang Conrado at pinagbuksan ng pinto. I uttered my thanks before I went. Hindi pa kami nakakalabas ng lupain ng mga Montecarlo, nakatanggap na ako ng mensahe galing kay Carlos. I already saved his number a while ago.

Lorenzo:

Rest first when you get home. I'll call you later. I hope you aren't asleep by that time yet. But if you are, I'll just call you tomorrow.

I typed in my reply, but waited for a few minutes to send it. I don't want him to think that I was that too eager!

Ako:

At bakit mo naman ako tatawagan, huh?

It did not even take him a minute to reply. Hindi ko alam kung bakit natawa ako sa mensahe niya.

Lorenzo:

For your paper, of course! What else? Stop overthinking, Georgianna. We aren't in a relationship, remember? I'm just helping you with your part in that group work. That's all.

I can't stop laughing. Excuses! But, okay, whatever, Carlos Lorenzo.

A month passed and we were able to present our work. I got nervous at first but my confidence was boosted when I saw my teammates. Everyone of us was able to have a chance to speak. We did some individual tasks but most of the presentation was made as a group. We also brainstormed a lot about the possible questions and what answers we could give. And we were very into it as well. Kaya kahit sino man ang tinatanong sa'min ay may laging nasasagot.

Our professor was very pleased. And of course, we are the happiest as well. Una dahil tapos na. Pangalawa ay dahil naging maayos ang takbo ng lahat.

That's why to celebrate our success, we went out for dinner after our classes. We believed that victories are still victories, may it be small or big, it should be acknowledged and celebrated.

We went to this barbeque place and everything we ordered was delish.

''Grabe, exam na sa susunod na linggo. Parang ang bilis nang panahon. Mabuti na lang at exempted na tayo sa isang subject.'' ani Rona.

I only nodded to agree as I was still busy with my food. I feel like I was too messy though that Lukas even handed me a tissue.

''Sana manatili tayong mga magkaibigan pa rin kahit disbanded na ang grupo natin.'' tawa ni Terrence.

I couldn't help not to laugh about the term he used.

''Nasa isang block lang naman tayo, masyado kang sadboy, Terrence! Takot ka sigurong takbuhan ni Anya kahit bilang kaibigan lang!'' Rona teased.

Napailing na lang ako sa kanya. She's starting again. My eyes drifted to Terrence, letting out an apologetic smile. He did the same.

''Huwag na kaming tuksuhin. Magkaibigan lang kami ni Terrence, tulad ng pagiging magkaibigan nating lahat.'' I said, my eyes are not leaving Terrence. ''Diba, Terrence?''

I saw a small flicker of emotion in his eyes but it was too fast for me to grasp what it was. Kinalaunan ay tumango siya, sumasang-ayon sa sinabi ko.

Naibaba ko ang tingin. I somehow feel bad... but I always wanted to be clear about that part. Magkaibigan kami ni Terrence at mabuti siyang kaibigan sa'kin kahit noon pa man. Mas makararamdam lamang siya ng pagkailang o iba kung lagi kaming tutuksuhin. I don't want us to grow apart as friends.

We continued like nothing happened after and I was thankful for that. I waved at them and smiled when we parted ways.

Nasa bahay na ako, tapos nang maligo at papatulog na nang mapansin ang isang tawag. My phone is on silent mode so I didn't notice it, not until I saw that it had been blinking nonstop for an incoming call. I went to the door first to double check it it's locked before I answered the call.

''What's your excuse this time, huh?'' pabiro kong tanong bago pa siya makapagsalita.

Napalabi ako nang marinig ang kanyang mahinang tawa. Carlos has been calling me non-stop. Before he was true to his word when he told me he'd only call for my paper. He'd only talk about it for a minute and he'll always change the topic. Hindi ko na lang din namamalayan.

''I'm just going to ask if my brother is still with you.'' he said with clear amusement still lingering on his voice.

''Tss.'' I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see it. ''Alam ko namang una mo pang inalam sa kapatid mo kung umuwi na kami eh! You probably always call your brother to check on me.''

''What?'' he asked, his laughter intensified. ''I'm not obsessed with you, Georgianna! I don't have to do that!''

I snorted.

Um-oo na lang ako sa lahat nang sinasabi niya. Kahit na ang tunog noon ay para bang mas gusto niya pang paniwalain ang sarili niya kaysa sa'kin.

Nasa kama na ako. We talked for a while. He asked me about my dinner, what I ate, where, and if I enjoyed it. Then if I have assignments and so on. Nagkukwento ako pero pakiramdam ko pahinto-hinto na ako sa pagsasalita dahil inaantok na. And his voice didn't help. It sounded thick and pleasing, that's why when he was already the one talking, mas hinila ako ng antok dahil tila hinehele ako ng kanyang boses. Hanggang sa nakatulog nga ako habang katawagan siya.

When I woke up the next day, I panicked a bit when I realized what happened last night. When I searched for my phone and checked it, nakita kong anim oras kaming magkatawagan!

Wait, what?! Six hours?! Was it that long?! Parang hindi naman ganoon ang pagkakaalala ko! Hindi niya ba pinutol agad ang tawag kahit nakatulog na ako? Gosh, I hope I did not snore.

Umiling na lamang ako at naghanda na sa panibagong araw.

I feel like days are being blown by the wind, it passes by briskly... sometimes too unnoticeable that you'd just realize days have already turned to weeks, then to months. It is still twenty-four hours a day, and it is constant, but I feel like the day has become shorter. Or I don't know, maybe it's just what I feel.

Para sa'kin ay nakapakabilis nang paglipas ng araw. Dahil parang kahapon lang ay summer, noong una akong tumapak dito sa Santa Monica, pero ngayon ang hangin ay malamig na.

''Anya,''

I lifted my eyes to Lukas when he called. He placed an orange big box of donuts on my desk. It's an international brand from the metro.

''Umuwi si Kuya. He wanted me to give this to you.'' he said and took a seat beside me, like this event is already a normal thing.

His brother is here in Santa Monica. Kapag umuuwi si Carlos ay napapansin kong lagi siyang may pasalubong. We don't see each other very often, lalo na kapag may pasok ako kaya pinapadaan niya lagi kay Lukas ang kung ano-anong dala niya.

Napailing na lang ako pero napangiti rin. Naibaba ko muna ang box nang agad na ring pumasok ang professor namin. It's a three long hour lecture and sometimes I would feel bored so I'd always glanced at what Lukas is doing.

Seryoso ang mukha niya pero parang hindi naman siya nakikinig. His eyes are on his desk and his finger has been playing with a pen. Pero mukhang nakikinig naman siya dahil may mga sinusulat naman siyang salita. Yeah, words. That's the only thing he writes on the only notebook he uses for all of the subjects. That's how he jotted down notes. I once asked him about those words, and he explained them to me, even a bit more detailed on how the professor taught the concepts.

Grabe sobrang talino niya. Sabagay he is the top one in our batch. Rona said that Lukas takes after his genius brother, Carlos Lorenzo, who did not only graduate with latin honors, but is also a top notcher in the board exam!

Naibuga ko ang iniinom ko noon nang malaman iyon. Well, who wouldn't be shocked?! His credentials are just... overwhelming to know. I guess just like what Senyora said, he really takes everything seriously.

We had a break after that subject. Mamaya pa ang susunod naming pasok. We decided to go outside, in an open area, to pass time.

I also texted Carlos for the donuts he gave me. I wanted to share it with my friends, and I want to inform him that. Ayoko namang isipin niya na basta ko na lang ibinigay sa iba ang bigay niya sa'kin.

Ako:

Thank you for the donuts! I'll eat it but I don't think I'll be able to finish it all. Is it okay if I share it with my friends?

We already exchanged good morning texts a while ago so I did not add such a greeting anymore. But I added a smiling emoji with the halo at the end of my question. Hindi ko alam kung bakit natatawa ako nang s-in-end ko iyon.

Lorenzo:

You're welcome. Yeah, sure, do anything you like.

Pakiramdam ko may karugtong pa ang mensahe niya. It feels like it's incomplete.. pero hindi ko na rin pinansin.

My friends are I shared the donuts for the break time. At halos papunta na kami sa susunod na klase nang muling mag-text si Carlos.

Lorenzo:

I will drop by your school later, after your classes. I know it's still school days, so I won't take much of your time like before. I just want to see you. Five minutes will do, Georgianna. Would that be alright with you?

           
#ENEMYSPROPERTY