Kabanata 18

Hello, weekends! Hope you are all well. Here's an update, hoping to make your day a little bit better. Happy reading, enjoy! ❤️

+++++
ENEMY'S PROPERTY
KABANATA 18
''Heartless''

We drove somewhere, in an elevated area in Santa Monica. Sobrang aga pa kaya hindi ko rin alam kung saan kami pupunta. But when he pulled over beside the road, my lips just literally parted in awe. Mahigpit akong napahawak sa may railings, habang tinatanaw sa ibaba ang malawak na lupain na punong-puno ng mga bulaklak. Puno iyon hanggang papaitaas sa isang maliit na burol sa kabilang bahagi.

''Just wow...'' I couldn't help but praise that land, over and over inside my head.

Sobrang ganda. Just like the hidden falls among the Montecarlos land, that place is also beyond magical. The different kinds of flowers dancing along with the wind, and being highlighted by the morning sun, feels so surreal to look at.

I didn't know that there is a place like this here in Santa Monica! Is it a private or public place? It's quite familiar though... parang nakita ko na.

''Maganda diba?'' tanong ni Hector na nasa tabi ko na. ''Pag-aari iyan ng mga Montecarlo. Pero bukas naman kahit na kanino, kaya dinadayo rin talaga lalo na ng mga turista. Iba ang daanan para makapunta diyan, pero kahit dito naman ay kitang-kita na.''

Nang marinig kung kanino ang lupain na iyon ay medyo napawi ang ngiti ko.

Ah, that's why it's familiar. I remember the garden in Montecarlo's mansion, it's also full of roses. At hindi lang hardin pati ang ibang parte ng kanilang hacienda ay may mga bulaklak.

''Mahilig ka ba sa bulaklak, Anya?'' kuryusong tanong niya.

''Uh, hindi ako sigurado...'' 

He chuckled softly. Uminit ang pisngi ko dahil nahiya sa sagot. Pero kinalaunan ay ngumiti na lamang.

''I know you probably have lots of suitors even before...'' he trailed off. ''they gave you flowers for sure, am I correct?''

Tahimik lamang ako. Hindi ako nakasagot dahil hindi ko alam paano sasabihin.

''Hmm, wala kang tinanggap?''

I smiled sheepishly. ''Uh, wala.''

''If you refused their flowers that means you refused their courtship, too, then?'' aniya, tila ba napagtanto niya iyon.

I nodded a bit. ''Wala pa sa isip ko ang mga iyan.''

''Well, that's okay. You're still studying so it's understandable that you want to finish your studies first.''

Muling sumilay ang mainit na ngiti sa labi niya habang matamang pinagmamasdan ako. I noticed that he's been trying to talk to me, even back in the car, and I would only nod or answer him briefly.

I'm not just entirely in a good mood, pero magaan naman kasama si Hector. Maamo at maaliwas ang kanyang mukha, at palagi rin siyang nakangiti. His eyes have that smiling shape, too. Even his voice is somehow sounded soft, tila ba laging nanlalambing. He doesn't have tan skin but he isn't that pale, too. Mas maputi pa rin ako sa kanya.

He is the complete opposite of Carlos Lorenzo. That man has sun kissed color. He looks very vigorous and has rough movements. His expression too, it's just between angry eyes and furrowed eyebrows or cold and serious gazes. Mahal rin ata ang ngiti at halakhak noon.

Napangisi ako. Akala mo naman kung sinong maharlika! But oh, doesn't he really act like a royalty? He's very demanding and authoritative. But despite those, I also couldn't ignore that Carlos Lorenzo also has warm traits.

''You're smiling. What are you thinking, Anya?''

Napakurap ako. Ilang sandali ay tsaka ko pa lamang napagtanto na ibang tao ang nasa aking harap. The corner of my lips instantly dropped.

''Sorry,'' agad kong paumanhin. Nakaramdam ako ng hiya. I'm here staring at Hector, yet my mind was somewhere else. ''I just remember something funny...''

Napakagat ako sa labi at iniwas na lamang ang tingin.

''It's okay. You don't have to be sorry,'' aniya. ''I was able to see your smile, so I don't really mind.''

Ngumiti lamang ako. ''You already have work you say?'' I asked, trying to open a different topic.

He nodded. ''Yup! In a law firm. I'm also studying law while working.''

''Oh. Your father is a politician, right? Are you going to enter politics, too?'' tanong ko.

''Kung papalarin, bakit hindi?'' ngisi niya. ''I love serving the people. It's been really my dream to help and be of service. Doon na ako namulat sa ganoong buhay. Even before when my father wasn't a politician yet, he already taught us how we can be of service. May posisyon o wala, makakatulong. Iyon ang laging niyang sabi. That's also the reason why I wanted to be a lawyer. My sister and I wanted to open a firm here in Santa Monica, just like any ordinary firm, but will take more cases, pro bono.''

I was in awe. I feel like I knew him more in this short while that we have been together. I saw the side of him that probably my grandfather is proud of as well.

''You are a God's gift to Santa Monica. I'm sure your family is very proud of you.''

He chuckled again, scratching the back of his head. Saglit din siyang umiwas ng tingin pero pansin kong nakangiti pa rin. He smiled once more at me before his eyes settled on the beautiful scenery.

''I hope I'll have your support someday.'' he whispered in the air.

Hindi ko alam kung ako ang tinutukoy niya o iba, dahil malayo ang kanyang tingin. Napatingin na lang rin ako sa tanawin sa aming harap.

Nang medyo umaraw na ay nag-aya na siya pabalik sa sasakyan. We dropped by a cafe for some coffee. Doon nagpatuloy ang aming kwentuhan. Palakuwento siya kaya hindi rin kami nauubusan ng topic.

''How old are you, Hector?'' tanong ko.

Parang nasabi niya na noon pa, hindi ko lang maalala. We've been talking about just random things. Kahit ngayon, kung saan-saan napapadpad ang usapan namin.

''Twenty-five.''

''Oh, pero wala ka pang girlfriend?'' I teased him a bit.

Muli siyang tumawa. He reached for my hair and ruffled it a bit. Napalabi ako dahil napapansin kong marami ang tumatrato sa'kin na tila ba bata ako.

''Nagkaroon naman noon... isa,'' aniya. ''Pero sobrang tagal na. We broke up with really no issues. We were still both young back then, and realized that we both wanted to grow, independently. Pagkatapos noon ay naging abala na ako sa pag-aaral at mas pinagtuunan iyon.''

I nodded, smiling, quietly listening to his stories.

''Hindi na nasundan. Because I want to take relationships seriously. Kapag nagkanobya man ako ay iyon na, siya na. Iyong tipong nakikita ko na ang hinaharap naming dalawa na magkasama.'' he said, his eyes stayed with me a bit longer. ''Hindi lang bilang magnobyo't nobya.''

''And you haven't met her so you're still single 'til this day?''

His lips stretched for a smile. I waited for his answer but no words left his mouth.

The sound of the bell at the entrance caught my attention. Napalingon ako sa aking likod at nakita ang isang pamilyar na lakaki. He glanced on our way. I squinted my eyes a bit and tried to remember where I saw him. He looks very familiar. Sigurado akong nakita ko na siya.

Nagtagal ang titig niya sa'kin siguro dahil masyado ring nagtagal ang titig ko. When his brow shot up, I instantly recognized him. This is one of the Montecarlos, Apollo Montecarlo! Nakita ko na siyang kasama ni Carlos noon.

Dali-dali akong umayos nang upo para muling harapin si Hector. I smiled at him. We continued chatting, not until someone stood beside us.

''Kumusta, Madriaga?''

I looked up at the person and instantly paled when I saw who it was.

Carlos Lorenzo stood proud and arrogant, his dark eyes darted on Hector, like he was waging a war. Nang dumapo sa'kin ang tinging iyon ay halos mahigit ko ang sariling hininga.

''Ayos lang, Carlos.'' Hector replied politely. ''May kailangan ka?''

Carlos sneered. ''Wala naman. I just thought it was my girlfriend who you are with. I'm just checking, because the woman you are with, resembles my girlfriend a lot.''

Saglit akong napapikit at mariing nakagat sa labi. Nakita ko rin ang pangungunot ng noo ni Hector. I tried to compose myself when he glanced at me before his eyes drifted back to Carlos. Malakas ang kabog ng puso ko sa kaba at sa iba pang bagay.

''Girlfriend? I'm sure it isn't the woman in front of me.'' sagot ni Hector. ''This is Georgianna Eleanor.''

''Oh, I know her, too. You even saw us before. She's my... hmm,'' he trailed off, a bit taunting and mocking. ''... brother's classmate. Aren't you, Georgianna?''

I swallowed a lump of my throat before I lifted my eyes again. I met his dark and brooding eyes. He was glaring at me, while his jaw was clenching repeatedly. Galit ang mga mata niya at hindi man lang iyon tinatago. Muli kong naibaba ang tingin sa kaba.

''I heard someone has been looking for you, for weeks now...'' he said, his voice sounded cold. ''And you are too heartless not to even respond to a single message, Georgianna.''

My nails dug on my palm as I clenched my hand. Nanatili ang tingin ko sa harap, nagpabalik-balik lamang ang tingin ni Hector sa'ming dalawa. Kung papahabain pa ito, baka saan pa mapunta.

Huminga ako nang malalim. ''I-I'll get back to that person. T-thanks for letting me know.''

''Make sure you do that. He's patient, but not a saint.'' malamig niyang tugon bago tuluyang umalis.

My eyes followed his back. Kasama na niya iyon Apollo, na isang beses pang lumingon sa gawi namin kahit nasa labas na. They eventually entered Carlos' car, and drove away. Kahit nang mawala sila ay patuloy ang pag-ikot ng kung ano sa aking tiyan.

''Are you okay? You look pale,'' ani Hector sa medyo may pag-aalalang boses. ''Are you really friends with him? The Montecarlos are kind, but I heard Carlos Lorenzo harbors ill feelings towards your family because of the issues before.''

My eyes widened a bit. ''The issues before... You also knew?''

''Our family is a close friend of the De Leons. And somehow most of the people here in Santa Monica also knew.'' he explained and looked at me softly. ''I don't want you hurt or anything, so be careful. It's better not to associate yourself that much with them.''

Carlos Lorenzo doesn't like our family. Alam ko naman iyon noon pa, unang pagkikita pa lamang namin, galit na galit na siya at tinatanong kung isa ba akong De Leon. But when he found out I'm Anya Fuentes, his anger subsided. Nagalit lamang ulit nang malaman ang totoo, na kahit Fuentes ako ay parte pa rin ng pamilyang De Leon.

But it's all in the past now. Ilang buwan ko nang kilala si Carlos. He may not like my family... but I don't think he'll hurt me. That's what I'm sure about... or at least that's how strong my faith on him is.

Marahan na lamang akong ngumiti kay Hector at hindi na nagsalita pa.

I told Carlos that I'll get back to that person but I didn't. It was true how he told me that I was heartless for not even replying to a single message or call he has been ringing on my phone. I usually respond to him... but these days, I don't anymore.... I couldn't do so... No, I shouldn't even.

I stared at my phone when he called me for the second time that night. With a heavy heart, I ignored it and went to bed.

When Christmas vacation started, I was able to breathe more since I wouldn't be at school. Hindi ko alam kung umuuwi pa ba si Carlos sa Maynila dahil parati ko siyang nakikita sa paaralan namin, halos araw-araw pa. Hindi ko din alam kung paano ako laging nakakatakas. Maybe I was just too lucky, or maybe he just let me, I don't know.

Hindi pa ba siya napapagod sa ginagawa niya? Ako na ang napapagod! Pakiramdam ko isang araw ko pang makita na naghihintay siya sa'kin, tatakbo na ako sa kanya. And that's what I don't want to do. So I want and need him to stop. I texted him that too.

Ako:

Stop following me around! Stop texting me. We aren't in a relationship! And I don't want anything to do with you either. Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin iyon sa'yo? Leave me alone, Lorenzo.

Lorenzo:

Baby, let's talk first, please.

Lorenzo:

Because I don't understand anything, Georgianna. And I want to understand what is happening. Let's talk first, hear each other's side, then let's decide what to do after, alright? Let's fix whatever it is, please.

I frustratingly put down my phone on my bedside table. I wanted to say more heartless words but even I wouldn't be able to take that.

His interest in me just doesn't wear off. Ano pa ba ang dapat kong gawin? Ayoko rin naman gumawa ng mga bagay na pagsisisihan ko rin. Let's just wait for a few more weeks or probably next month, he'll eventually lose it.

Pero akala ko maswerte na ako dahil halos lagpas isang buwan ko na atang iniiwasan si Carlos. Pero nagkausap kami isang beses.

And just a few days after that, our whole family got invited to a party in their mansion. They've been having parties these days, and we're always invited. Hindi lang ako sinasama ni Lolo, for his own reasons. Pero gusto ko na rin iyon, ang hindi sumama. I would just stay at home with Eli. Kami ang laging magkasama tuwing gabi at halos magkatabi na rin sa pagtulog.

But Mama went home and bought me another evening dress. She started to love parties like this. Madami rin siyang mga binibiling damit para sa'kin na hindi ko naman nagagamit. And now, she bought another one, so I could wear something at the party we are attending. Pareho nakakunot ang noo namin ni Lolo nang sabihin iyon ni Mama.

Lolo shook his head. ''Georgianna doesn't need to come.''

''Papã! Nabuburo na ang anak ko dito. She doesn't go to parties like this in Manila,'' pahayag ni Mama. ''I want her to be a part of these things, too.''

Napanguso ako dahil ayaw ko rin naman sana talagang sumama.

''And the Montecarlos have been extending their hand to our family. Ilang imbitasyon din ang tinanggihan mo. Even the brunches they always offer, you wouldn't take their invites!'' aniya pa. ''This party is for Senyora's oldest grandchild, who recently just married. Businessmen and influential families will be there, Papa. And we should be as well! Didn't you say you want more connections?''

''We will attend,'' My grandfather decided. His eyes went to me. ''But Georgianna will stay here.''

I nodded my head more willingly this time. Alam kong iba ang rason ni Lolo pero gusto ko din ang gusto niyang mangyari.

''No!'' My mother raised his voice a bit that my eyes widened. ''Georgianna will come with me! She will not come as your granddaughter but as my child! Papã, stop hiding her here like a caged princess!''

Akala ko laging matigas si Lolo kaya naman bumaling ako sa kanya naghihintay ng kanyang pagprotesta at ang pinal niyang desisyon. But it seems like my grandfather is just like those fathers whenever they are with their daughter. Minsan lagi ring talo.

And here I am in front of the mirror, being touched up by a make-up artist. Ilang beses akong huminga nang malalim tuwing magkakaroon ng oras para gawin iyon. Panay tuloy ang silip sa'kin ni Miss Ivy, ang make-up artist ko, na kaibigan rin daw ng aming pamilya.

''Simple lang po sana...'' sabi ko nang mapansing masyadong makapal ang eyeshadow na inilalagay niya.

She pouted her lips but did what I preferred. Pero tila ba mas tumatagal ay lalo siyang sumasaya.

She chuckled with amusement. ''Miss Anya, even in simple makeup your beauty stands out.''

I shifted uncomfortably on my seat. ''Ayoko po sanang magstand out. Simplehan pa po...''

It's a party for a married couple. Dapat sila ang stand-out at hindi ibang tao. I mean, they should be the spotlight and the attention should be theirs, it's their moment anyway. At ayaw ko rin namang may makuhang atensyon.

''Hay naku, dear! Kahit ata jeans lang suot mo sa party na iyon ay isa ka pa rin sa magiging bida. Ganoon talaga kapag biniyayaan ng ganyang klaseng kagandahan. Kapag naguumapaw, wala na tayong magagawa diyan!'' halakhak niya.

My shoulders slumped. Natahimik na lamang rin ako at hinayaan siya hanggang sa matapos.

Nakalugay lang ang umaalon kong buhok. It's neat, and there's just some sparkling pins on both sides tidying the hair on the side, making my face more visible. The make up is light just like what I wanted. Nakita na niya ang isusuot kong damit kaya binagay niya iyon doon.

The dresses my mother bought are all too flashy and glittery. When I saw a peach color evening dress, that's what I picked. It's simple, spaghetti strap, a bit fit on the waist, and has only a slit on one side. Other than that, there are more extravagant. Bagsak din iyon at malambot sa katawan nang masuot ko na. A stud earrings and the gold heart necklace, that was given by my father, were the only jewelry I wore.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit mas manghanag-mangha si Miss Ivy. Nahihiyang ngumingiti na lamang ako sa mga papuri niya.

''If only your family doesn't just treat the Montecarlos as an enemy, pakiramdam ko makakabingwit ka ng isa sa mga batang lalaki sa kanila,'' natatawa niyang kwento. ''Lalo na't lahat ay naroroon ngayong gabi. Hindi iyon impossible, pero mukhang hindi rin papayag si Gov.''

''Okay lang po, hindi naman po ako mangingisda.''

Mas lalo siyang natawa at hinampas pa ako sa braso.

''Babagay ka kay Deuce.'' aniya pa.

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil hindi ko naman kilala ang ibang mga Montecarlo. Nakita ni Miss Ivy ang pagtataka sa aking mukha kaya muli siyang nagsalita.

''Ah, kakabalik niyo palang dito sa Santa Monica, tama?'' tanong niya. Tumango ako. ''Maraming batang lalaki sa pamilya nila. Si Deuce ay dalawang taon siguro ang agwat sayo. He's in the military. Pero may nakilala o nakausap ka na bang ibang Montecarlo?''

''Uh, si Lukas po. Classmate ko.'' I paused, thinking hard if I can just utter Carlos' name freely. ''At kapatid niya na si... Kuya Carlos...''

I bit my lip hard. He'd lashed out if he found out that I called him like that. Ayaw nga noon kapag tinutukso ko ang agwat ng edad namin.

''Lukas is the same age with you. Pero pakiramdam ko magiging magkaibigan lamang kayo. Si Carlos, I heard he doesn't like women younger than him. They say he prefers just around his age or he doesn't mind a bit older than him. He likes mature women who are as independent and goal oriented as him,'' marahan siyang tumawa. ''Seryoso kasi iyon sa buhay.''

Natawa rin ako, mapaklang tawa nga lang. ''Ah, ganon po ba?''

Why the hell has he been ringing my phone right now if he doesn't like younger women? I'm definitely not around his age.

                    
#ENEMYSPROPERTY