Kabanata 21

Hello, it's been a while! Sobrang abala sa outside world, at abala sa VM. Hehe. I hope you're all doing great! And thank you for waiting patiently. Happy reading, enjoy! ❤️

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 21
''Attention''

My head is down and my hand is almost covering my face, like I'm blocking the sunlight, as I passed by the grand living room. I was so nervous, pakiramdam ko titig na titig sa'kin ang lahat nang naroon. I bit my lip hard when I heard a soft whistle that was abruptly cut and a loud groan followed it.

Paano kapag nakita din ng pamilya ni Carlos ang paglabas niya sa pasilyo kung saan ako galing? Ano ang sasabihin o magiging reaksyon nila? Mas lalo akong kinabahan pero bahala na siya doon!

Dali-dali na lamang akong bumama patungo sa garden. Medyo natapilok pa ako nang kaunti at muntik pang madapa, mabuti na lamang ay agad kong nabalanse ang sarili.

Sa kaba at takot pa rin siguro ay halos mapatili nang may taong nakikabit sa braso ko. I sighed heavily in relief when I saw that it was just Solenn.

''Where have you been?'' tanong niya, halatang nagpa-panic din. ''Kanina ka pa hinahanap nina Lolo. Ang sabi ko ay sinamahan kita sa banyo dahil sumakit ang tiyan mo.''

''Sorry . . . and thank you.''

''Don't worry, I told you I got your back.'' She smiled. ''Anyway, sakto din ata ang dahilan ko dahil mukha kang constipated.''

Natawa na lang rin ako sa sinabi niya. We went back to our table and I was immediately asked the same question by my family. Mukhang tama si Solenn. I probably look pale and constipated that my mother got really worried. Maybe because I was somehow sweating too, but this is definitely not because of a stomachache.

''S-sumakit lang po ang tiyan ko,'' sabi ko at napalunok dahil medyo nahihiya rin sa dahilan. ''Pero maayos na ako, Mama.''

Hindi naniwala si Mama at nag-aalala pa rin kaya gusto na niyang umuwi kami, at para makapagpahinga na rin daw ako. Wala na rin naman akong ibang gagawin sa party na iyon, at hindi ko na ata kayang magtagal pa doon kaya hindi na rin ako umalma pa sa naging desisyon ni Mama.

Palabas na kami sa hardin nang namataan ko naman si Carlos, na mukhang papasok pa lang. His eyebrows were knotted and his eyes followed my movement.

''Uuwi na,'' I mouthed at him.

I got no reaction from him, he just watched me with his tantalizing eyes. Tinaas ko na lamang din ang kamay at pasimpleng kumaway. Pero agad din akong tumalikod sa kanya dahil baka mahalata nina Lolo.

Mabilis ring kaming nakauwi sa bahay. Medyo matagal ang pagbihis at pagtanggal ko ng make-up. I took a bath too to freshen up.

I was already settled on my bed when I decided to check my phone. I saw one text from Carlos, kanina pa ang oras noon. When I opened our message thread, I instantly felt bad. This is the first time I will reply to him after ignoring him for weeks. I'm just glad that we were somehow able to talk already.

Lorenzo:

Did you get home safe?

I can't help not to chuckle at his message. Akala mo naman ang layo-layo ng bahay nila sa'min. Magkatabi lang ang lupain ng dalawa. Pero sabagay medyo malayo rin dahil malawak ang pagitan.

Ako:

Yup. I'm already on my bed.

His response was fast. Kaka-send ko pa lang at hindi pa lumipas ang isang minuto ay may reply na siya. Sobrang bilis pala ng signal dito sa Santa Monica, ah?

Lorenzo:

Are you already tired and sleepy or I can still call you? I'm already in my room too.

Ako:

Hindi pa naman ako inaantok. Pero tapos na ba ang party sa inyo?

Lorenzo:

I'll call so we can talk properly.

I replied, okay. And he instantly called me that night.

Sa mga sumunod na araw ay nagsimula nang magsiuwian ang mga De Leon para sa darating na Pasko. Sa pagkakaalam ko ay lahat magbabakasyon dito sa bahay ni Lolo . . . maliban kay Javier de Leon. His parents are here though. That's why I called and asked him yesterday. He just told me he isn't going to come, but he'll try to drop by one of these days.

Habang pinagmamasdan ang aming pamilya na masaya, nakaramdam ako ng kaunting lungkot dahil hindi kumpleto. And it's already a day before Christmas.

Napabuntonghininga na lamang ako habang naglalakad pababa ng hagdanan.

Carolina, Jakob's mother, that somehow took care of me when I was still a child, graced the De Leon's mansion sophisticatedly. Her black hugging dress complimented her fair skin, and that exaggerated hat on her head made her entrance attention grabbing.

She took off her sunglasses and smiled widely at me. ''Darling!''

''Tita Carolina! How are you?''

''I'm still gorgeous as before. Nothing has changed,'' she said. Then her eyes narrowed at me. ''I told you to never call me Tita, just Carolina!''

I chuckled a bit. Lumapit na ako para bigyan siya nang mainit na yakap. After that, she grabbed both my shoulders and gently pushed away a little to stare at me intently before flashing a sweet smile.

''Oh, I envy such a beautiful face.''

My lips protruded before kissing both of her cheeks for more welcoming reasons. She did the same.

''I bought you gifts. My son is still getting them. Don't tell your other cousins.'' She winked before sashaying to the dining area.

I was smiling but shaking my head as well.

Nakita ko nga ang papasok na si Jakob, madaming bitbit at may ipit pa sa magkabilang braso. He looked so pissed while carrying them. Lumapit na ako para sana tumulong. But he scoffed at me when I took some paper bags from his hand. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung natuwa siya sa pagtulong ko o ano. Napakasuplado naman niya ngayon.

''Javier will not be here . . .'' sabi ko na lamang at hinayaan siyang bitbitin ang lahat ng dala niya. Ayaw niya naman kasing ibigay sa'kin.

He shrugged. ''He doesn't come to family gatherings anymore.''

Alam ko naman na medyo may tampo at galit si Javier sa pamilya, but I thought he'd still be here on occasions like this. But then, I couldn't blame him either.

There will be a feast later for Christmas eve. Mama and most of my Titas are the ones who are busy in the kitchen. It may be my first Christmas here in Santa Monica after a long time, but I always knew that the women in our family are the ones who prepare for occasions like this. No househelps, sila ang gumagawa ng lahat. While my Titos, they're just hovering around their wives. Mukhang nagagalit na nga sina Tita na pati ang mga lalaki ay nasa kusina. And I can hear how Carolina has been complaining and shouting at the men to leave the kitchen.

Habang kaming magpipinsan ay nandito lamang sa living room. There's a movie that's playing, pero mas abala pa sa kwentuhan.

When it was nine o'clock, I excused myself and went to my room. I brought Eli with me since he doesn't like noises that much. At tatawag din naman ako kay Papa mamaya kaya sinama ko na.

''Fwend!'' Eli shouted in glee when he saw Carlos on my laptop screen. Tinuro-turo niya pa ito habang nakatingala sa'kin. ''Mimi, fwend?''

Tumawa ako nang makitang medyo nagulat si Carlos nang makita si Eli na halos sakop na ang screen. Pero agad naman siyang nakabawi dahil sumilay ang ngisi niya.

''Hey, bigboy!''

I smiled at Carlos, and waved at him using Eli's little hand. Mas lumapad ang ngiti niya nang makita ako. I am on the bed and Eli's on my front, I bought him a few toys too so he wouldn't be bored. Nakapatong din ang laptop sa kama. I feel like Carlos is also using the same gadget since the image of him and his surroundings is fitted on the wide screen.

''I'm in Manila right now. But I will go home the day after tomorrow,'' he said. ''I'll see you by then, hmm?''

I pursed my lips. Ewan ko ba at simula nang araw na iyon, sa library nila, ay parang palagi na akong nahihiya tuwing kinakausap niya nang ganitong paraan. Dati naman ay matapang ako lagi kung sumagot sa kanya. Pabalang pa nga minsan. But now . . . I don't know anymore what happened, mas lalo ata akong naging mahiyain.

''Okay . . .''

''Do you want anything or something from here? I can get them.''

''Wala naman-''

Naputol ang sasabihin ko nang hablutin ni Eli ang damit ko. My eyes widened in shock when my off shoulder dress was pulled down already exposing my chest, literal na sumilip ang nude strapless bra ko!

Nag-init ang buong mukha ko lalo na nang makita ko kung paano nanlaki ang mga mata ni Carlos at kung paano siya agad napaiwas ng tingin.

''Eli!'' mahinang saway ko.

''Huh?''

Napailing ako sa kapatid na walang kaalam-alam sa kanyang nagawa. I tried to shake his hand off my clothes, pero ayaw niyang bitawan kaya mas lalong nahihila tuloy pababa, kahit na hinihila ko ito pataas. Pigil na pigil ang hininga ko.

I gave Eli a toy car, doon niya pa lamang binitawan ang aking damit. I fixed my clothes and composed myself. Gusto ko na lamang lamunin ng lupa ngayon! 

Isang tikhim ang narinig ko kaya napasulyap ulit ako sa screen. Carlos was busy brushing his hair with both of this hand. When he saw me looking, he gave me a small gentle smile.

''What are your plans for tomorrow?'' tanong niya, parang walang nangyari.

Medyo nahihiya pa rin ako. But I tried to calm myself down. I know he had already seen me with just a biniki top, pero sympre ay iba pa rin iyong ngayon! Wala naman ako sa tubig. At mamaya kung ano pa ang isipin niya.

''I'll probably just spend them with family . . .'' I trailed off softly, still couldn't move on from what happened a while ago. ''And if Javier drops by, I'll spend time with him, too.''

''It seems like you're close with that cousin of yours,'' he said.

I nodded. ''Noong wala pa ako dito ay madalas niya akong binibisita noon sa Maynila. He and Jakob would come often to our house. And I somehow grew up with their family, too. They're like my older brothers . . . that's why I feel sad at the way Javier is living now.''

Tahimik si Carlos at namumungay ang mga mata habang nakikinig. I smiled at the thought that he's really attentively listening to my stories or anything I say.

''Javier's bringing glory to the family but he isn't happy and complete. The person that will probably complete him . . . isn't there with him because of the family . . .'' I sighed when I was once again reminded of the rivalries between our families.

''Don't worry about it, hmm?'' aniya sa malumanay sa boses. ''Don't worry about your cousin, either. I know Vernaise. They might not be together right now, but that woman loves your cousin as much as he does.''

My eyebrows raised a bit. He really knew her that much, huh? You won't probably notice something like that if you didn't deeply know the person.

I did not say anything but I saw how Carlos shifted on his seat. He also leaned closer to the screen like he was ready to spill a very long script. Ewan ko ba kung bakit natawa ako sa aking isipan.

''Our family has been friends with them. Madalas na magkasama, kaya madalas ko rin siyang makita noon. And she would always talk about your cousin so I knew these things, Georgianna.'' Banayad niyang pagkuwento . . . o tila ba nagpapaliwanag. ''She's been head over heels with your cousin for a very long time now, and your cousin is too. It isn't really hard to notice that.''

''I see.'' Tango-tango ko.

My attention was taken by Eli when he showed me his toys. Saglit muna akong naging abala sa kapatid. My brother giggled when I tickled him softly on the side. Napangisi rin ako sa tawa niya.

''Georgianna,'' Carlos called for my attention this time.

''Hmm?''

Naging magulo si Eli at may kung ano-ano nang pinipindot sa laptop ko kaya inilalayo ko siya.

Carlos groaned. ''Baby, look here, please.''

Before I could even turn my eyes at the screen, to Carlos, the call had already ended. Napaawang ang labi ko at napatingin sa kamay ni Eli na mukhang may napindot para maputol ang tawag.

I chuckled at Eli. ''Oh, no.''

''Oh, no?'' he mimicked.

My brother only looked at me innocently with his big eyes. Kinuha ko si Eli at pinaghahalikan ang kanyang pisngi. He couldn't stop giggling when I did that.

''Pasaway ka, Elias! Magagalit ang friend mo sa'kin. Lagot ako doon,'' marahan kong bulong, tumatawa pa rin. ''Your friend bites when he's mad.''

''Bite!'' he said, repeating what I said.

I chuckled when Eli bit my finger. Hindi naman masakit pero ipinaliwanag ko pa rin sa kanya na hindi dapat nangangagat.

Another call came, pero si Papa iyon. At agad ko ring sinagot ang tawag niya. Carlos probably called me again, pero kay Papa ang unang pumasok.

''Papa!'' sabay naming sabi ni Eli.

He smiled at us lovingly. I used Eli's hand to wave at my father. We started to talk, at medyo nagtagal ang usapan namin. Papa was so happy while talking to Eli, too. Bungisngis na bungisngis rin ang kapatid ko.

While they are busy, I took that chance to get my phone. I saw a few messages from Carlos. Totoo ngang tumawag siya at hindi ko daw sinasagot. Binasa ko rin ang pinakabago niyang text.

Lorenzo:

Uuwi ako bukas.

I couldn't help not to laugh at that.

Ilang beses ko nang sinabi kay Carlos na huwag nang umuwi. At umuwi na lang siya kung kailangan niya talaga plano. He'd go home the day after tomorrow. Iyon ang sabi niya kagabi. Pero hindi ko alam kung bakit nasa byahe na siya papauwi, halos hindi pa sumisikat ang araw.

Pagkatapos ng tawag kay Papa ay bumama na rin kami ni Eli dahil tinatawag na. After the feast at midnight, they still drank some liquor. Uminom naman ako pero kaunti lang kaya mas sumasabay lang ako sa mga kwentuhan nila.

Alas-tres na noong muli akong umakyat sa itaas para matulog. Saglit lang akong nakaidlip at nagising lang noong alas-singko.

When I checked my phone, I saw a text from Carlos, informing me that he was already travelling. At kanina pa niya iyon s-in-end. Kaya napagtanto kong hindi pa nagpapakita ang bukangliwayway, papauwi na siya rito.

I groaned. Minsan nakakaloko din tong si Carlos eh. I went back to bed and did not mind him. Nakatulog ako at muling nagising nang alas-sais na. Gising na gising na, wala na ang antok ko kaya naligo na lang rin ako.

Carlos didn't specifically tell me anything. But I'm sure I'll be the first one he'll see when he steps in Santa Monica. It's not me assuming, but I just somehow know that fact.

Pagkatapos maligo ay nahirapan pa akong pumili ng susuotin! Napailing ako sa sarili. Why would I even fix myself, right? Noon nga wala naman akong pakialam sa kung anong suot ko kapag nakikita siya! At hindi ko rin masyadong pinapansin ang itsura ko! But since it's Christmas . . . might as well dress up a bit . . . or no? Argh. I don't know.

I just rummaged in my closet. Sobrang dami ng mga pinamili ni Mama na minsan hirap na hirap din akong pumili. Mas gusto ko pa tuloy na kaunti lang ang mga damit ko para kaunti lang din ang pagpipilian. But then, I can't complain too since Mama gave these to me.

After probably a year of looking, I finally saw one. It's a summer sleeveless spaghetti strap mini dress. The color is somehow vintage pastel green with a touch of other colors like a messed up watercolor. It has an a-line skirt and the waist is like a corset type. The neckline is v-neck but isn't that low. The strap is string so I needed to ribbon both sides.

Iyon na lamang ang sinuot ko. Nagsuklay lamang ako at inilugay lamang ang buhok. I usually just appy sun screen and face cream with a little powder. But today, I applied a light make up too. And one slide of a tinted lip balm . . . and I'm done.

Bumaba na ako pagkatapos mag-ayos. No one is around, so I guess most of the people are still sleeping. Muli akong umakyat sa kwarto ni Mama para magpaalam na aalis ako ngayong umaga. She was still so sleepy that I felt bad when I woke her up. Pero ayaw ko ring umalis nang hindi nagpapaalam. Pinayagan niya naman ako kaya hindi ko na siya masyado pang inabala.

Sa kusina muna ako tumungo para sana uminom ng tubig. Pero pagkapasok pa lang ay halos atakihin na ako nang makita si Jakob. He's already having his coffee with his eyes still closed. But he probably felt a presence that's why he opened his eyes and glanced at my way.

Kinabahan ako dahil medyo nagtagal ang titig niya. He has that deep crease on his forehead. His eyes that pierced on me were dark and brooding.

''W-what's wrong?''

Napakurap siya nang marinig ang boses ko. He shook his head before he turned away and sipped on his coffee.

''Nothing,'' he replied coldly.

Lumapit ako sa tabi niya at sinilip ang kanyang mukha. ''Okay ka lang?''

''Where are you going?'' he asked, changing the topic. ''It's too early for a date, Georgianna.''

''I-I'm not going on a date.''

He snorted. ''Yeah, right. You don't dress up and fix yourself like that on normal days.''

Umirap ako. ''It's Christmas! Hindi ba pwedeng magpaganda? It's a special day.''

''Maganda ka naman na dati pa.''

Napanguso ako at yinakap na lamang siya. He let out that puking sound again whenever I hugged him randomly. Pero hindi niya naman ako tinutulak. Tahimik na lamang siyang nagkape, mukhang malalim ang iniisip. Ni hindi napansin ang mapanuring titig ko.

I wonder what he's thinking about so deeply.

My phone vibrated. I hurriedly turned my attention to it. My lips instantly stretched for a smile when I saw Carlos' message.

Lorenzo:

I'm finally home. Is my baby still asleep?
       
                        
#ENEMYSPROPERTY