Kabanata 23

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 23
''Suitor''

It isn't that attention grabbing for it's elegance and simplicity but it isn't that thin too like a rubber. Kaya kitang-kita pa rin sa palapulsuhan ko. It isn't choking my wrist and somehow a bit loose. I've been trying to move my hand to test if it falls out, pero hindi naman nangyari.

''What if I lose this, huh?''

''If you try to lose it purposely or throw it away, I'll get mad. But if it's just an accident, I'll just buy you another one.''

Umirap ako at nagpatuloy na lamang sa paglalakad.

I still can't believe he gifted me something this grand. Medyo natakot tuloy ako na mahulog at mawala iyon dahil baka sobrang mahal. Ilang beses kong tinanong si Carlos, and he just told me it's from a brand called De Beers. I'm not even familiar with it. But I hope it isn't that expensive.

Hindi naman kasi ako mahilig sa mga alahas. Wala rin ako noon masyado, kung nabibigyan lamang ng mga kapamilya. But I don't use them often on a daily basis. The only thing I really wear is the necklace that was given by my father. It is important and sentimental to me, that's why. And maybe after this day, I'll probably wear this bracelet everyday, afraid that I'll lose it.

Carlos is holding my hand as we stroll around their garden. Maraming rosas sa paligid. Tuwing humihinto ako para tingnan ang mga iyon ay humihinto din siya dahil ayaw niyang bitawan ang kamay ko.

Sinubukan ko pang tumakbo pero agad na humihigpit ang hawak niya at nahihila ako pabalik. I laughed when I bumped into his chest after my last attempt. He has damn fast reflexes!

''Akala mo makakatakas ka sa'kin?'' mayabang niyang tanong.

I grinned. ''Makakatakas ako, tingnan mo lang!''

''Try it, Georgianna. You'd see me raising hell.'' aniya sa isang seryosong tono. ''Hindi lang ang mga De Leon ang matindi kung magalit.''

Umikot ang mga mata ko sa kalangitan. Why is he so suddenly serious? Masyado naman nitong dinadamdam ang biro!

Nginingitian ko na lamang at baka hindi siya makatulog gabi-gabi.

Masyado akong magalaw at malikot noong nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad. I would sway our hands forward with force, I would see him with furrowed eyebrows when I did that. Pero kapag naririnig ang tawa ko ay ngumingiti na rin siya.

Sometimes Carlos would raise my hand making me twirl. I feel like dancing along with the graceful movements of the flowers because of the blowing rough wind. At kahit may sikat ng araw ay tila hindi namin nainda ang init noon, because that moment was too wonderful.

''Georgianna,'' Carlos called in a soft voice.

Nilingon ko siya at agad niya akong yinakap nang mahigpit mula sa likod. Medyo nabigla ako dahil hindi inaasahan iyon. And I wonder why he kept on uttering my name with a heavy breathing.

''What is it?''

He nuzzled on my neck. ''You are my Georgianna Eleanor.''

Wala akong maintindihan pero hinayaan ko na lamang siya. We stayed in that position for some time. Nakaisip tuloy ako ng kalokohan.

I plucked one rose, made sure that the thorns were already gone, bago ko iyon inipit sa kanyang tainga. I bit my lip so hard to prevent a chuckle from coming out. Wala naman siyang reaksyon at nanatiling nakasubsob ang mukha sa aking leeg tila nagpapahinga.

''Aww, cute naman ng batang 'to. Naglalambing o nagtatampo?'' I teased, fondling on his hair. ''Anong gusto ng baby ko?''

I laughed when I heard his annoyed grunt. Akala ko lalayo na at mang-aasar din pero aba't mas lalo akong kinain ng kanyang yakap.

''What's wrong, hmm?''

''Nothing,'' he whispered.

Ilang sandali ay binitawan niya na ako. When I faced him, he cupped my cheek and stared at me deeply, tila minememorya ang bawat detalye ng aking mukha.

I got distracted though at the rose on his ear. Maya't-maya ko iyong sinusulyapan. Imagine a fine golden tan man like Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo, mighty looking . . . but has a flower on his ear. It was so fresh and amusing to see. If only I could take a picture of him right now, I probably would make it as my wallpaper.

''The roses here always remind me of you. Whenever I see them, I always remember your name.''

''Why . . .'' I trailed off. I can feel my cheeks heat up at the way he's looking at me. ''Do I look like a flower?''

Hindi ko alam kung bakit tila natigilan siya. Ilang sandali na ang lumipas ngunit nakatitig lamang siya sa'kin. There was an emotion in his eyes that I couldn't name. And when the wind brushed against us, he hugged me again.

I heard his soft chuckle. ''No . . . yes, maybe? I mean, you are beautiful as a flower, but no flower could ever stand next to you.''

It was a warm and beautiful morning that I probably would never forget. The talk, the touch, the stares, the smiles, and even now that his lips were on mine sucking my soul out, it is a day worth remembering.

We were both smiling when we pulled away from the kiss.

And now that I'm wearing flats, our height difference was really visible. The tip of my head is just around his shoulders.

That's why he would always crouch down to kiss me or he'd pull my body up a bit. His build and stance is overpowering mine too. Kayang-kaya niya akong itago sa kanyang katawan. Tuwing yinakayap o kinukulong sa bisig niya, pakiramdam ko lagi akong maiipit. Pero hindi rin naman siguro iyon mangyayari dahil palaging marahan ang bawat galaw niya 'pag dating sa'kin.

''Hindi pa kita boyfriend, Carlos,'' paalala ko ulit. Panay ang halik niya baka nakakalimutan niya na iyon.

''Hm. May sinabi ba ako?''

''Masyado ka kasing namimihasa.''

He chuckled darkly, planting another smack on my lips. Dalawang beses pagkatapos ay sa ilong naman, at ang huli ay sa noo.

''Ako lang ang hahalik sayo, Georgianna. We may not be officially in a relationship right now, but I'd make sure of that,'' aniya at medyo nagbabanta. ''Walang hahalik sa'yo, kung hindi ako. Walang yayakap sa'yo, kung hindi ako. Walang hahawak sa'yo, kung hindi ako.''

I groaned and pushed him away from me. Hindi nga lang nakawala dahil mas hinila niya ako.

''You're so territorial, Montecarlo.''

His brooding eyes pierced at me. Napalunok ako at napaiwas ng tingin. I feel my heart pounding so hard in my chest. 

He smirked. ''Am I?''

I crossed my hands under my chest. Dumapo ang tingin niya sa dibdib ko. Naibaba ko rin tuloy ang mata. My dress is a v-neck type, the valley of my breasts showed and protruded.

Nang ibalik ko na ang tingin kay Carlos ay nasa mukha ko na ang kanyang tingin. He smiled at me innocently like he didn't just stare openly at my chest.

Umiling ako at inalala na lamang ang mga sasabihin sa kanya, habang pinandilatan siya ng mata.

''What if you saw me kiss someone, someday?''

''Baby, I can see you kissing someone someday, and it's me.''

''Hindi ikaw! Paano kung ibang tao?''

His eyes narrowed. Umayos siya nang tayo at itinagilid ang ulo tila ba nanghahamon. Umiigting ang panga at ang mga mata ay mabangis.

''That will be his last day. Sasalubong siya kay San Pedro, kinabukasan din.''

I can't help not to let out a chuckle after hearing that empty threat. Pailing-iling pa ako habang naglalakad. Masyado niyang dinaramdam ang konting biro pero palabiro din pala siya.

Sumulyap ako sa kanya ngunit agad na malungkot na napanguso dahil nahulog na ang rosas sa kanyang tainga. He glanced at me, too, and gave me a kiss on the temple. Muling nanumbalik ang ngiti ko dahil doon.

What seems like a fine beautiful day, came to an end instantly.

Nang maihatid ako ni Carlos sa bahay ay agad kong nakita ang papalabas na si Javier.

My eyes widened a fraction when I saw his state. His mother was shouting worriedly for his name. Hindi niya rin ata ako napansin dahil diri-diretso siya sa kanyang sasakyan.

''Javier!'' I caught up to him before he could even slide in his car. ''What happened?''

''Sakay na, Georgianna, kung sasama ka!''

Napaigtad ako sa boses niya pero agad ring sumunod papasok sa kanyang sasakyan. I gave Tita Jean an assuring look and a small smile, before giving my attention back to Javier.

He looked livid when he started the car. Marahas at mariin ang hawak niya sa manobela habang binabaybay namin ang daan papalabas ng mga De Leon.

''Calm down . . .'' marahan kong sabi nang mapansing masyadong mabilis ang takbo ng kanyang sasakyan.

He only glanced at my side. Nakita kong medyo nagulat pa siya nang makita ako doon. He eventually slowed down after a few while.

Nanatili lamang akong tahimik dahil mukhang masyado pa siyang galit sa kung ano. Ang regalo ni Carlos kay Eli ay dala ko pa. Inilagay ko na lamang muna iyon sa upuan sa likod.

Javier eventually stopped by a hotel. I think this is where he has been staying whenever he's in Santa Monica. Sumunod lamang ako sa kanya, from the lobby to the elevator and until to a presidential suite.

Nailibot ko agad ang tingin nang makapasok doon. Mukhang wala siyang masyadong dalang gamit. Duffle bag lang ang nakita ko nasa coffee table. May iilang box at paper bags din sa gilid nito. Nang ibalik ko ang tingin kay Javier, nakita kong dumiretso siya sa banyo.

''What happened, Javier?'' nag-aalala kong tanong nang magpakita na ulit siya.

''Nagkasagutan lang kami ni Lolo,'' kalmado niyang sabi.

''Nagkasagutan?'' hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong. ''Mukhang hindi lang sagutan, Javier. The side of your lips burst!''

Ako na ang naghanap ng mga kinakailangan niya sa medical kit dahil mukhang wala rin siya sa sarili. Ilang beses akong umiling habang tinitingnan ang kalagayan niya.

He probably got triggered by our grandfather again. Pero kahit kailan naman ay hindi nanakit si Javier. I wonder what they did talk about that Lolo was able to raise his hand at him . . . But what I can't believe is that he was able to do that! Lolo's too much.

''What is this about, Javier? Why are you letting yourself do all of this?'' malumanay kong tanong habang ginagamot ang sugat niya.

He only sighed heavily. Nakapikit siya at tahimik lamang kaya akala ko ay wala siyang gustong pag-usapan.

''This is the only way for now,'' aniya pagkatapos ng ilang sandali. ''If time comes that I need to leave everything behind, will you support me, Georgianna?''

Umawang ang labi ko.

Is he telling me that he has a plan like that? Isang beses na siyang umalis sa pamilya . . . and there is another chance that he will leave again? He's already anticipating that possibility?

''Why . . . will that be the only way?''

''I don't want that, either.'' He groaned. ''Running away means Vernaise leaving her family. She loves her family. I don't think I can just do that to her. So I will endure everything right now, until we can be together again.''

Mas iniisip niya pang maiiwan ni Vernaise ang kanyang pamilya at iyon ang ayaw niya. Our family probably has really been a pain in the head for him, to the point that he doesn't care anymore if he needed to leave and abandon it.

''I will support you in everything you do, Javier . . . as long as you are happy and won't regret your decisions.''

He ruffled my hair. ''Thank you.''

I stayed with Javier until the evening. He may be used to being alone all this time now, but I knew he needed some company. Hindi ko rin naman kaya iwan siyang mag-isa. Hindi rin naman niya ako pinaalis. Tumawag na lang ako kay Mama at pinasuyo na lamang ang ibang impormasyon kay Tita Jean.

He was on the veranda and is working the whole time even if it's a holiday.

Napahikab ako. Muli akong nakaramdam ng antok na kanina pang umaga nagpaparamdam sa'kin. Saglit lang akong napapikit nang mahiga sa kama, gulat na gulat ako nang pagdilat ko ay gabi na.

Ginigising na pala ako ni Javier dahil maghahapunan muna daw kami bago niya ako ihahatid pauwi. Aniya'y kailangan niya nang bumalik sa Maynila.

''Here, this is my gift for you.'' Inabot niya sa'kin ang isang orange paper bag.

It's a famous luxurious brand, kita ko na sa logo pa lamang. I can't help not to purse my lips as I took out a box from it with the same color. When I finally untied the ribbon, set aside the other things inside, and took it out from the dust bag, my lips literally parted. It's a Vert Criquet Kelly bag!

He usually gifts things like these, kaya medyo alam ko na ang mga pangalan, pero hindi lahat ng detalye, unless I really searched for it.

''Ba't parang hindi ka masaya?''

Napanguso ako lalo. ''I am happy! But . . . I think this is very expensive. I couldn't even get over the black one that you gifted for me on my birthday . . .''

''Tss.'' Suplado niya lamang na iling. ''I had more difficulty in purchasing it than thinking about its price.''

Napailing na lamang ako. Ang galante naman magbigay ng mga regalo ng mga tao dito! First, Carlos, then Javier. Pero tipid naman sa pera si Javier, kaya nga lang tuwing nagreregalo siya ay sobra-sobra talaga minsan. Siguro kapag binenta ko ang lahat nang naibigay niya sa'kin ay instant millionaire ako.

I smiled widely. ''I'll pay for the dinner!''

''Do you even have money? You're still studying.''

I know it was an innocent question but I cannot help not to react violently.

''Grabe ka naman, Javier! Of course, I have! I have an allowance, at hindi ko naman nauubos iyon araw-araw. So it's on me this time, please?''

Humalakhak lamang siya.

There's a restaurant below so we had our dinner there. It's still Christmas yet he has no one to celebrate it with. Hindi na siya ang papakita sa okasyon ng pamilya. Wala rin si Vernaise. Javier has always been like a brother to me, kaya lagi rin akong nag-aalala para sa kanya.

''Someone gave it to you?'' he asked, pointing my wrist with his fork. ''I haven't seen that before.''

I shifted on my seat. ''Uhm, yes . . .''

He watched me with critical eyes. ''Boyfriend?''

''Hindi . . .''

''Manliligaw?''

Ganito naman na si Javier noon pa. Kapag bumibisita siya sa bahay namin at nakipagkwentuhan, lagi rin siyang mausisa sa mga ganitong bagay. He's quite the protective one. While Jakob's the one who has been pushing me to play and have fun with people.

''Ngayon ka lang may tinanggap sa manliligaw mo,'' aniya nang hindi agad ako nakapagsalita. ''Taga dito, Georgianna?''

I bit my lip. Mabilis naman ako laging nakakasagot. Pero iba ngayon . . . I just can't tell him casually about this right away. Sasabihin ko pero hindi pa sa ngayon.

''What's his name? I want to look into him and have his background checked.''

I shook my head. ''Javier.''

''What? May mali ba doon? Hindi naman ako mangingialam, Georgianna. I just want to make sure that he's from a good family, at baka kung sino lang iyan na inuuto-uto ka.''

''Sinasabi mo bang uto-uto ako, Javier?'' I asked with a frown.

He chuckled. ''No, of course not! Ang ibig ko lang sabihin ay masyado kang mabait. I don't want anyone taking advantage of you and your kindness. And this is the first time you have accepted a suitor, you're new to this.''

Medyo napairap ako.

''Tito Luis is not here. He did not ask me, but I gave him my word that I will watch over you for him, Georgianna.''

Napabuntonghininga na lamang ako.

''So, is he a normal boy or he's from a prominent family?'' He's back again with his questions.

''I will tell you . . . when the right time comes,'' I whispered silently.

He eyed me intently. ''I know how much you just wanted to live a simple life. If you ever find love, I hope it's a peaceful one. Not that the kind of love that is chained with chaos, even from the start, Georgianna.''

Naibaba ko ang tingin sa pagkain. Ramdam ko ang titig ni Javier sa'kin pero wala na ring sinabi.

Without the chaos he says... I wonder then that if only he had a choice, would he take a different road? Will he not associate himself with the Sarmientos?

''If you will be given a chance to go back in time-''

''It's still Vernaise,'' sagot niya agad. ''I didn't plan to fall in love with a family that my grandfather treats as an enemy. It will be chaos, I always knew that. But I still chose to love her, everyday, in both the happiest and darkest days of our lives.''

I continued to stare at him.

He smiled at me.

It's the side of him I've never seen before. He's the most strict among our cousins. He's always cold and serious. May mga araw na ngumingiti, pero laging tipid. But now, talking about the woman he loves, there is no doubt that his face brightened.

''Love isn't just an emotion but a decision and a commitment, Georgianna. I hope that you'd be able to find someone who will choose to love you everyday, no matter what day it is.'' banayad niyang sabi. ''I don't want you to get hurt, in any way. You know that I only treasure a few people, and you are one of them.''

My heart throbbed in pain, for a lot of reasons.

''I won't . . . get hurt . . .''

''Live away from chaos, hmm? Wala namang tinuturing na kaaway ang pamilya natin bukod sa mga Sarmiento at Montecarlo. As long as not from these families, Georgianna. It's already enough that I'm trying to end and win this war.''

Napatungo ako at mapait na ngumiti.

               
  
#ENEMYSPROPERTY