Kabanata 33

This chapter is unedited. Please bear with the errors or typos. Thank you. Happy reading, enjoy! ❤️

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 33
''Red Roses''

''May kinatatakutan lang sina Lolo sa mga Sarmiento kaya tutol sila kay Javier at Vernaise. Pero hindi ganoon ang galit nila . . .'' Rhys paused, glancing at Carlos's way. ''. . . hindi tulad sa mga Montecarlo, Anya. Their family is a different story.''

Napahilot ako sa aking sentido. I know that. Noon pa. The Montecarlos are a different story. And until now, I know that. Hindi ko man alam ang lahat o pinakamalalim na detalye, pero hindi mapagkakaila na matindi ang galit ng mga De Leon sa mga Montecarlo. Pero hindi ba pwedeng palampasin ito . . .  kami?

''You can't. This can't be,'' dugtong pa ng aking pinsan. ''This will cause a big uproar in the family, more than Javier's.''

My heart deeply sank when I heard that. Ramdam ko na agad ang pagod at paghihirap kahit pinakinggan lamang iyon.

''We've been together for some quite time now. Last year pa, Rhys. And . . . and you think I didn't know those things? Of course, I knew . . .'' pahayag ko, humihina ang boses. ''I saw Javier in a situation like this one too. And we saw the reaction of our family about that. I tried to stop and prevented everything, Rhys. I really did . . . but . . .''

My eyes watered, and small tears escaped from it. Mas lalo akong naiyak nang yakapin niya ako.

''Rhys . . . please. Don't tell anyone, please . . . at least not yet.''

Rhys may look like he does not agree with this, but he would still support me. And knowing that somehow eased me. I know, him and Solenn are someone I could really trust. I know that even before.

''Our grandfather will go bersek if he finds out, Anya,'' mahina niyang bulong. ''Alam ba ni Javier? If not, you know he will not turn a blind eye to this one, too. We all know how much he treasures you.''

Mariin akong napapikit. Kahit paulit-ulit ko pang sabihin na maintindihan ni Javier dahil siya mismo ay pinagdaanan ang ganito . . . I know he doesn't or probably would never want me to take that path too. It wasn't easy. I know he did everything but it wasn't easy and smooth. And knowing that cousin of mine, I know that he'd rather push me away from the pavement than let me take the same road.

Sinabi na niya iyon sa'kin. Pinaalala na niya sa'kin. Yet, still, here I am. And I feel like I betrayed him.

Kumawala kami sa yakap. Mas lumapit din si Solenn na nakikinig lamang sa aming tabi kanina. She handed me a handkerchief which I gladly took.

''Hindi alam ni Javier. No one knew . . . aside from Lukas, Carlos' brother,'' sagot ko. ''But now, you and Solenn as well.''

''Is Carlos hiding you, Anya? He doesn't want to fight and face our family—''

Agad akong umiling. ''Hindi, it's not like that. It's me who cannot face the family. I've been pushing and running away from Carlos even before because of that. But . . . we still ended up together.''

I saw my older cousin sighed heavily as if in deep trouble. Napakagat ako sa aking labi sa kaba.

''I-I told him to be quiet about our relationship. He doesn't like the idea. Wala lang magawa, Rhys.''

''He likes you that much, huh?'' ani Solenn.

Wala akong naging reaksyon o nasabi dahil tila walang pumapasok sa isipan ko.

''He's known to be territorial and possessive, Anya. Iyon ang mga sabi-sabi. If he's indeed a man like that, he wouldn't let the chance pass not to announce to the world about you being as his to warn other men. Pero mukhang hindi niya ginawa dahil mas takot siya na kumawala ka sa kanya,'' aniya tila ba nakaisip ng napakagandang ideya. ''It still shows how possessive he is. Hmm, let's try something.''

Huh? Let's try what?

''Solenn,'' saway ni Rhys.

''Kuya, hawakan mo sa pisngi si Anya,'' biglang utos ni Solenn. Medyo nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang itulak pa niya ang kapatid papalapit sa'kin. ''Bilis na. Just do it. Hold Anya's face with both of your hands. Ayan, may luha pa si Anya sa mukha, wipe them Kuya!''

Hindi ko alam kung anong gustong ipalabas ni Solenn. Wala namang malisya ang mga ganito sa amin dahil magpipinsan kami. I would even kiss their cheeks even before greeting them.

Pareho kaming naguguluhan ni Rhys pero ginawa niya na lang rin. Rhys held my face and wiped the tears on my cheeks like I'm a child being comforted by my brother.

''Oh . . . he's coming!'' rinig ko ang mahinang halakhak ni Solenn. ''Mukhang kahit sino ay pagseselosan ni Carlos.''

My forehead creased. Bumaling ako kung na saan si Carlos nakaupo at nagmamasid lamang sa'min . . . kanina . . . ngunit iba na ngayon dahil nakatayo at naglalakad na siya papalapit!

Nang tuluyang makalapit ay agad niya akong hinila nang marahan patungo sa kanyang gawi. Carlos wrapped his arms around me protectively, almost hiding me behind his massive body.

''What's wrong? Why did you cry?'' banayad ang boses niya nang itanong iyon sa'kin pero masama ang tingin niya kay Rhys. ''He hurt you, Georgianna?''

''H-hindi, Carlos . . .'' agap ko. ''My tears fell because I just couldn't help it.''

His eyes drifted back to me. Napapikit ako nang marahan niyang haplusin ang aking pisngi. His thumb wiped something under my eyes before I felt his lips planting soft kisses on both of them. He hugged me tight after like everything around us doesn't matter.

''Don't cry, please. I'm here,'' he whispered softly.

Ramdam ko ang matiim na titig ng dalawang pinsan sa amin. Even from where I am standing, I felt like they couldn't believe what they were seeing. I'm not just sure if it's because they couldn't believe a man with a caliber like Carlos, would show way too much affection, in front of other people . . . or it's because it's just the fact that it's Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo.

Nang sulyapan ko ang mga pinsan ay ganon nga ang reaksyon nila. Gulat na gulat. Solenn's mouth is even apart.

Well what do I expect? They didn't expect us to be together so I understand that it might be a shock. What more seeing us like this?

''Can I talk to you, Carlos?'' I heard Rhys asked.

Bumaling si Carlos. Saglit lamang silang nagkatinginan pero agad din siyang pumayag na tila ba may pinag-usapan na agad sa isipan.

Rhys immediately walked and went to a separate table while Carlos guided me to a different one. Sumunod sa amin si Solenn at kitang-kita ko ang paninitig at pagmamasid niya kay Carlos. Nakaupo na kami pareho ngunit ang tingin niya ay ganoon pa rin.  Ang kanyang mga mapanuring mata ay hindi maalis sa lalaking nakatayo sa aking gilid.

''Order anything you want,'' malamig na sambit ni Carlos para sa aking pinsan. But when he turned to me his whole expression softened. ''I'll just talk briefly with your cousin. I'll be back after a while, hmm?''

Tumango lamang ako. He cupped my face, caressing my cheeks gently. I smiled a little at how comforting his touch was.

''I know we just ate. But I'll order a mango shake for you. Do you want that or just sparkling water?''

''I'm fine with it.''

''Alright.'' Carlos then pressed his lips on my forehead. ''I'll be back then we'll go home after. Wait for me.''

Naiwan kami ni Solenn mag-isa. The two men were already talking. I kept glancing at their way. We were a few tables apart from each other. Malayo at hindi marinig kung ano man ang pinag-uusapan. Nakatalikod sa gawi ko si Carlos kaya hindi ko rin alam ang reaksyon o ekspresyon niya. Si Rhys lamang ang nakikita ko. And he looked so serious while he was talking.

Pareho lamang kaming tahimik ni Solenn. She did not talk nor ask me anything but she has been watching me and Carlos. Natapos din ang pag-uusap ng dalawa. Both of them did not share anything so I did not pry about it either. I just had a hunch that it's all about our families.

Palabas na kami ng restaurant. Solenn's clinging on my arm as we walk. Nasa unahan kami habang nakasunod sa amin ang dalawa. I can feel Carlos' heavy eyes on me, kaya paminsan-minsan akong napapalingon sa kanya.

''Kami na ang magsasabay kay Georgianna, papauwi Carlos. Hindi ka pwedeng makita sa amin. Mahigpit si Lolo ngayon.''

Sumulyap ako kay Carlos. He didn't seem to like the idea but I saw him nodding his head. Saglit muna kaming nag-usap habang naghihintay ang aking mga pinsan sa'kin.

''I will tail your cousin's car until you're home safe,'' aniya.

I nodded. ''Okay . . .''

''Tu sei l'amore della mia vita,'' he whispered softly before he claimed my lips.

It sounded Italian but I couldn't understand much and I wasn't able to grasp anything when he deepened the kiss making me dizzy. But when I remembered that my cousins were there, I immediately opened my eyes and pulled away. Agad na uminit ang buong mukha ko. Carlos did not seem to mind though as he gave me another peck on the lips.

''Go now, before I put you here inside my car.''

I pursed my lips as I walked away from him to meet my cousins. Muli akong lumingon para kumaway at ngumiti ng konti. Carlos only watched me intently with his dark eyes.

''I've never seen him act like that.'' si Solenn, nang nasa loob na kami ng kotse at papauwi na. ''He has always been cocky and arrogant. Not to mention, a pain in the ass for Vernaise and Javier.''

''What do you mean, Solenn?'' I asked.

''He keeps on pissing Javier by making him jealous. I've somehow known him before, dahil kaibigan din siya ni Vernaise. Pero kulang na lang sakalin iyon ni Vernaise eh,'' paliwanag niya. ''Tapos ganyan din pala siya. Ang lakas ng loob niya, huh? Isang De Leon at pinsan pa ni Javier. Walang takot! Good luck sa kanya. Babalikan siya ni Javier panigurado.''

Marahang natatawa si Solenn. Habang pareho kaming tahimik ni Rhys. I couldn't help but feel nervous though as I pondered at Solenn's last statement.

We were able to get home safe. Hindi naman ganoon kalayo ang byahe. Carlos's car indeed tailed ours until we turned around to enter the gates of the De Leons mansion.

I was carrying the flowers Carlos gave when we got out of the car, but Solenn took it from my hand.

''Ako na ang magdadala. It's safer this way,'' aniya.

Nangunot ang noo ko. I was about to ask her what she meant by that but all of us came to halt when we saw our grandfather walking out of the front door.

''Where have you been, Georgianna?'' his stern voice asked.

''Kasama namin, Lolo. Namasyal lang kaming tatlo,'' mabilis na sagot ni Rhys sa mahinahong tinig. ''Kumusta po kayo?''

My heart hammered loudly against my chest when we walked closer to our grandfather. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he has been watching me. Matagal at mabusisi ang tingin niya bago saglit na sinulyapan ang dalawa ko pang pinsan. Hindi rin nakatakas sa paningin ko ang pagtitig niya sa bulaklak na hawak ni Solenn.

''Ecuadorian red roses . . . '' he trailed off with an indifferent tone. ''why do you have such a flower?''

Solenn chuckled nervously. I became agitated as well. I didn't know a simple bouquet could attract the attention of my grandfather.

Nagkatinginan kaming tatlo. Umiling si Rhys sa'kin, tila nagsasabi na huwag akong magsalita. I swallowed hard and kept my mouth shut.

''Bigay ng manliligaw ko, Lolo! Galing sa Maynila. I'm so pretty that men, from in and out of our province, have been running and chasing me.'' She grinned with an act as if smelling the flowers. ''Ganda po, no? It's as beautiful as me.''

''I don't want to see such flowers inside this house. I will not allow it!'' my grandfather raised his voice. Nagulat kami. ''The Montecarlos are the only one who has that type of flower here in Santa Monica. It's the flower they use in professing their undying love for someone! Everyone here knew that. Make sure it is not from them, Solenn Tamara!''

I know this flower . . . but I didn't know it holds such meaning here in Santa Monica. This is the reason why Solenn took it from me and told me it's safer that way?

''No, Lolo, of course not!'' Solenn chuckled cheerfully. ''Stop overreacting, please. Baka ma-highblood ka pa po.''

Marami pang tinanong si Lolo bago niya kami hinayaan. Pero sa'kin niya binigay at tinuon ang pansin tungkol sa mga paalala at babala niya tungkol sa mga Montecarlo. I couldn't do anything aside from nodding my head.

Pagod na pagod ako nang makarating sa kwarto. I did my night routine and went to bed after.

Muli kong nasulyapan ang aking maleta. Sa susunod na araw ang alis ko. Carlos wanted me to drive all the way to Manila but I don't think it'll be possible now. Why did I even think it's possible in the first place? I sighed heavily.

Carlos called me that night before I went to sleep. I told him about the flowers. Na dinala iyon ni Solenn pauwi dahil nakita at ayaw ni Lolo. He told me that it was okay.

I told him everything. But I didn't ask about the meaning behind it. I know his intense feelings for me yet I don't know why somehow I'm scared to ask him directly about it. I'm even scared to hear it. I feel like if I finally hear it, those three words. . . we will finally enter the battleground.

Kinabukasan ay muling bumisita ang magkapatid. They were with us when we had our breakfast.

''Kael will be the one to drive you to Manila, Georgianna. May mga inutos rin kasi ako sa kanyang trabaho sa Maynila,'' pahayag ni Lolo. ''We have a house there but you insisted on not staying so I asked him to check the place where you will stay. Gusto kong masiguro na magiging komportable ka sa tutuluyan mo.''

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kubyertos nang marinig iyon. Hindi ko na inangat ang tingin at tumango na lamang. It's not like I can do something about it anyway.

Pagkatapos ng agahan ay muli akong umakyat sa kwarto. Pumasok din si Mama kasama ni Eli, na marunong nang tumakbo at manggulo. I double checked my things and Mama helped me with that.

''Papã is being tight. I don't know the exact reasons as well, Georgianna,'' mahinang sabi ni Mama. ''He asked me one time though, if you're seeing someone. I don't know the exact answer yet, but I told him to let you be whether you are or you aren't.''

I smiled weakly. ''Lolo's probably scared I might choose a man he will not be approved of, Mama.''

''Like what I did . . .''

Naingat ko ang tingin kay Mama. Marahan lamang siyang ngumiti. Papa is not an enemy but still my grandfather opposed their relationship just because Papa wasn't that well off.

''Georgianna, hindi natin mapipili at mapipigilan kung sino ang mamahalin ng ating puso. When love hits you, it hits you hard.'' She held my hand, caressing it softly. ''But I always pray you will find someone who loves you more than you love him. Dahil kung ikaw lang ang magmamahal at pipilitin mo iyon, ikaw lang din ang masasaktan.''

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa ibaba. I continued to check my things even though I felt my mother's eyes at me.

''Are you in love . . . Do you love someone, Georgianna?''

Natigilan ako sa tanong na iyon. Do I love someone . . . I'm not exactly sure. How would I answer these questions? How would I know if this is love? I have never experienced something like this anyway. Paano ko malalaman kung gusto ko o mahal na pala? Is there a guide on these things? Do I love Carlos or I just like him?

''I'm not yet sure, Mama . . .''

''You might be still in the indenial stage, but if a specific person popped in your mind after my question, that's a hint.'' she said. ''Akala mo ba hindi ko napapansin ang mga galaw mo? I'm your mother Georgianna. You might not tell me but whenever you ask for my permission that you'll go out, I always see a warm smile on your face and you look very excited, at tuwing umuuwi ka galing sa lakad mo ay mas malaki ang ngiti mo. Minsan nga ay hindi mo ako napapansin, you'd sashay with your dress on the staircase like you're dancing and you'd even hum a song.''

I blushed profusely and let out a fake cough when I heard those things. Ganon ako?! Impossible! Pero nang maalala na lagi nga akong masaya tuwing umuuwi kasama si Carlos . . . oh my gosh! And Mama saw me that way?!

''You don't go out before. May mga manliligaw ka pero wala kang tinanggap na kahit ano o sino. But those different flowers in your room almost every week told me otherwise. Pati ang mga regalo na tinatago mo sa ilalim ng closet mo ay nakita ko rin. I can hear you talking to someone at night too, kapag nadadaan ako dito sa kwarto mo.''

Huminga ako nang malalim. Nahihiyang napanguso rin nang mahuli niya ang mga iyon. They are all true anyway.

Saglit akong natahimik bago muling nagsalita. ''How would I differentiate if I love someone and not just like him, Mama?''

''Well, it's something you yourself can answer. Sometimes it's easy to identify, but not everyone experiences love the same way. It's still a case to case basis. But you'll eventually just know it.'' She smiled warmly at me.

Naiwan ako sa kwarto mag-isa at lumipad ang mga isip ko sa iba't-ibang bagay. If I just didn't notice my phone blinked for a notification, I might have been drowned with thoughts.

Lorenzo:

Ihahatid kita. I will be with you. Just trust me.

I bit my lip hard. I texted him a while ago that Kael will be the one to drive me. And this is his reply. Not only his actions are comforting but his words too. Kahit na alam ko naman na hindi iyon possible, nakaramdam pa rin ako ng kasiyahan sa aking puso.

He sent another text after a minute.

Lorenzo:

Who's Kael by the way, baby? Mind sharing?

A small smile escaped from my lips. Marahang napailing na lang rin ako sa mensaheng iyon.
 
              
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