Kabanata 5

Hello, weekends! Here's an update to add to your amazing weekend. You may comment down your thoughts about this chapter or the story. Happy reading, enjoy! ❤️

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 5
''Interested''

Umuwi kami nang masyadong mataas na ang sikat ng araw. Pagkatapos ng tanghalian ay magpapahinga muna kami bago mangabayo. Siguro mga alas kwatro na kami muling makakalabas dahil sa ganoong oras lamang hindi na masyadong mainit.

Nanatili ako sa aking kwarto pagkatapos kumain. Sinubukan kong humiga para makatulog pero 'di iyon gumana. Nang masulyapan ang teresa ay yun ang tinungo ko. This is one of my favorite places here in the mansion. The small terrace has one small table with a rattan or wooden umbrella, two white lounge wooden one seater sofas, and some plants on the side.

This is Javier's doing, actually. The terrace was empty of furniture when I first came here. Nakwento ko sa kanya noong isang araw kung gaano kaganda ang tanawin sa aking kwarto, at na mas gugustuhin kong manatili dito kesa sa loob. Nagulat na lang ako kinaumagahan ay meron na agad nag-ayos nito. At gustong-gusto ko ang naging resulta noon. This became one of my favorite places.

I sighed in relaxation when the wind blew. Pumikit lang ako nang sandali, hindi ko na namalayang nakaidlip na ako. Siguro dahil sa pagod na rin sa pamamasyal. Tsaka lamang ako nagising nang marinig ang mga boses sa loob ng kwarto.

''Shh, sleeping, Tito.''

Lumingon ako sa aking likod. I immediately found my brother, Elias, in the center of my bed accompanied by Javier. I could see some of Elias' toys on my bed, too. Mukhang dito pa dinala ni Javier ang kapatid ko para maglaro.

Nalingunan ako ni Eli nang tumayo ako at pumasok. He looked shocked at first but eventually pouted his lips. I smiled cutely at him.

''Oh, Mimi's awake, Tito!'' He exclaimed almost jumping on the bed. Nag-alala ako na baka bigla itong mahulog. Mabuti na lang hawak naman ni Javier.

Elias is my brother, which technically is Javier's cousin too. Pero ewan ko ba kung sino ang nagturo sa kanya para tawagin niyang Tito si Javier at Jakob. Probably, Jakob.

''Eli, I told you not to jump on the bed.'' I softly said before kissing his cheek.

''Peace, Mimi.'' he mumbled cutely.

Mimi. He calls me that because he first thought I'm his mother. Mas madalas kasi na ako ang nag-aalalaga sa kanya noon kapag may trabaho si Mama.

Hindi ko mapigilang tumawa nang bigla itong umupo sa mga paa ni Javier. Naka idian sit si Javier at kandong na ngayon ang aking kapatid. He held both Eli's hand and waved it at me. Nakakatuwang makita silang ganito. Maputi si Elias, tulad ko, while Javier is tan. Pero para silang mag-ama dahil medyo hawig din. The De Leons gene are truly amazing.

''Eli wanted to see you so I brought him here.'' he explained. ''But we didn't know you were sleeping. He doesn't want to disturb you while you sleep, and I don't want that too, so I brought his toys here to keep him busy.''

Javier looks like he's so ready to have a child. But... he can't even spend time with his beloved. At nakokontento na lamang sa linggo-linggong pag-uwi para masilayan.

Tumango ako. ''Okay lang, nakaidlip lang naman ako.''

Lumapit ako sa kama at umupo rin kung na saan sila. I wiggled Eli's cheek. He frowned when I did that to him. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiti lalo na nang pumula lalo ang kanyang pisngi.

''Did you miss me?''

''Uh, mhmm.'' aniya di makapagsalita nang maayos dahil sa panggigigil ko.

I kissed him again. His face almost distorted because of what I was doing, nevertheless, his cuteness didn't fade. Ang cute ng pisngi! Gosh, I want to bite these cheeks.

''Anya,'' saway ni Javier bago marahang itinabig ang kamay ko.

Oh, how dare he! Binigyan ko ito ng matalim na tingin pero suplado lamang itong umiling.

''Si Mama?''

''Mama's away!'' said the little cute guy between us.

Nangingiting inilagay ko ang aking hintuturong daliri sa aking labi. Agad niya namang ginaya iyon. He looked up to Javier with that gesture too, to make him follow us. Ginulo niya lamang ang buhok ng aking kapatid pagkatapos ngumisi.

''Umalis ang Mama mo.'' ani Javier. ''I don't think we'll be able to go out because no one's going to look after your brother. Let's just stay here in the house with Elias.''

Sumang-ayon ako sa kanyang sinabi. Hindi ko rin naman pwedeng iwan na lang basta dito si Eli lalo na't wala si Mama.

Hindi kasi si Eli iyong tipo ng bata na mahilig makipagkaibigan. He's not friendly with a lot of people. Hindi ko alam kung takot siya o ayaw niya lang talaga. Pinipili niya lamang kasi ang gusto niyang kausapin. Kahit maraming nadadala sa cuteness niya at maraming gustong kunin ang loob at atensyon niya, he just won't waive. He's a snob, like a true De Leon.

I smiled. ''Marami pa namang araw para mamasyal, hindi naman aalis ang Santa Monica bukas.''

Kaya imbes na umalis para mangabayo ay naiwan kami sa bahay para mag-alaga kay Eli. Si Javier ang madalas na nagbubuhat kay Eli kahit saan kami mapunta. And everywhere I go, these two just won't leave me alone. Tawa sila nang tawa habang nakikita ang iritasyon ko. Kulang na lang kasi pati sa banyo ay sundan nila ako! Pinagtitinginan tuloy kami ng mga kasambahay.

Alas singko ng hapon na nang tuluyang mapagod ang dalawa sa kakalaro. When I got out of the kitchen, I found them in the living room, the television is on with cartoons. But no one is watching. Nakadantay si Javier sa sofa tila pagod na rin. Habang ang kapatid ko ay mukhang natutulog na sa dibdib nito.

''Ako na, Javier, mukhang nakatulog na si Eli.'' I tried to get Eli from his hand pero umiling lang siya sa'kin.

''It's okay.'' he said, yet he sounded a little bit sleepy already, too.

''Are you sure? Mabigat na si Eli at kanina mo pa siya hawak.''

''He's already sleeping. Baka magising siya. I don't mind, anyway.''

Tumango ako at marahang ngumiti sa kanya. He did the same, too.

We've been playing the whole afternoon. Medyo napagod na nga ako dahil sobrang energetic ni Eli. Pero si Javier sinasabayan ang pagka-energetic nito. Eli's so small compared to him. Sa itsura nga ni Javier mukha kang kakabahan dahil baka kung anong mangyari habang hawak niya si Eli. He's full of strength and vigor... tulad ng Montecarlo na iyon.

But Javier... I know how soft and gentle he is towards my brother. And it is such a beautiful sight, on how a man like him be so good at kids.

''Mag-asawa ka na kasi para may anak ka na rin.'' I tried to joke when we're already tucking Eli to bed. ''You're of age, Javier. When are you going to settle down?''

Ngumisi lamang siya. ''My girlfriend is not ready yet.''

Medyo natigilan ako nang iyon ang sabihin niya. He doesn't like our family talking about Vernaise, but it looks like he loves talking about her.

''And who is your girlfriend, huh?'' I playfully asked, although I already know the answer.

''Vernaise.'' he answered without second thought. ''Who else anyway? I did not have any girlfriend aside from her and I like to keep it that way.''

Napalabi ako at hindi na nagsalita.

The next day, Javier became busy with work. And the following day, he travelled back to Manila again. Jakob is in Manila, too. I feel so bored without them. Lumalabas naman na ako sa bahay, pero iba pa rin kung sila ang kasama ko.

Naisipan ko na ring pumunta sa sapa para maligo, hindi lang matuloy-tuloy dahil sa maraming bagay. But today, I finally decided to go.

Kaya lang gulat na gulat ako nang makapasok pa lamang sa may bukana nang sapa, nandoon na naman ang lalaking Montecarlo, nakahilig sa isang puno. And it looks like he felt someone's presence, that he immediately turned his head to look at his back.

Nagkatinginan kami. He only arched an eyebrow when he saw me.

Ano na naman kaya ang pakay nito? Madalas ko siyang makita. Tuwing sumasama ako kay Ate Flor sa palengke, nakikita ko rin siya doon. Minsan kasama ko si Kael, nakikita ko rin siya. Hindi naman kami nag-uusap. We would just stare and look at each other. And that's that.

Umikot lamang ang mga mata ko. Hinanap ko ang punong mamagitan sa dalawang lupain. When I found that, I stayed on the other side, where the De Leon's land resides.

Should I ask Javier to put a Great Wall of De Leon here? Hmm.

''Anya.''

I almost flinched when he called my name. Nilingon ko lamang ang dako niya. Malawak ang distansya sa'ming dalawa dahil hindi ako lumapit sa lupain nila. I don't want to be accused of trespassing on their territory.

''Are you going to swim?''

Tumitig muna ako ng ilang sandali bago nagtanong. ''Bakit?''

''There is a falls at the end of this stream. It's more enchanting than what's here...'' he trailed, looking at me intently. ''It's on our land but I can guide you around. Do you want to come with me and see it?''

Muling naging malakas ang tibok ng puso ko dahil sa kaba. Hindi ko alam kung bakit lagi akong kinakabahan. It's not the nervousness in a bad way... but this man just makes me nervous all the time. My heart always races when he's around. Nakakatakot naman pala siyang kasama. Baka atakihin ako bigla.

''Ayaw ko.'' sabi ko at umiling. ''I don't even know you. Why would I come with you-''

''I'm Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo.'' agad niyang pakilala, pinutol na ang pagsasalita ko.

I glanced at him again. Wala na siya sa pagkakasandal at naglakad na papalapit sa'kin. I don't know what made my heart raced even more. If it's the fact that he confirmed that he's indeed a Montecarlo, or him that's now in front of me!

''I'm the second born in our generation. I'm twenty-six years old. An engineer and a private pilot. Aside from that, I'm also a businessman.''

My eyes widened a bit in fraction. Parehong gulat at nalilito, kung bakit niya sinasabi ang mga ito sa'kin. Hindi naman siya mukhang nagmamayabang pero tila ba tuwang-tuwa siya na sinasabi ang mga ito. Wait, what did he say again? That he's both an engineer and a private pilot? That's just so... I don't know... sexy?

He eyed me closely before a mischievous smile appeared on his lips.

''And single,'' he added out of nowhere. ''Both in civil and relationship status.''

Hindi ko alam kung bakit marahan akong natawa doon. Does he really need to add that? At isa pa, bakit ba siya nagpapakilala? Hindi ko naman gustong maging kaibigan niya.

''I can give you my identification cards if you don't believe me.''

Marahan akong umiling, medyo natatawa pa rin. ''Why are you even telling me these things?''

''Sinabi mo palang na hindi mo ako kilala. I already introduced myself this time.''

''Tapos?'' I tilted my head to the side to mock him. ''Akala mo sasama na ako sa'yo pagkatapos niyan?''

I saw how his lips protruded a bit, gazing at me. I was about to take a step back when his hand went to my elbow to stop me. Mariin ko siyang tiningnan. Napakahilig nitong hawakan ako!

''I barely knew you!''

''Then come here always, I'll tell you more about myself.'' he uttered in a more gentle manner.

Mas lalo lamang nangunot ang noo ko.

''Or I can visit you at home. Where do you live, Anya?''

Humalakhak ako, hindi na mapigilan. I only stopped when his dark eyes did not even flinch nor left me.

I thought he already had an idea about me. But it seems like this man doesn't know who I am. He doesn't even know where I live. He only knew the name, Anya Fuentes. Well it isn't a lie. But I wonder what his reaction would be if he knew I was De Leon?

''Where do I live you say? I live in the De Leons mansion!''

His forehead creased. ''I'm a hundred percent sure you're not in any relationship with Javier de Leon. He's head over heels with a woman. But why are you living with them?''

Tumaas lamang ang kilay ko. Binawi ko ang kamay ko na hawak niya.

He seriously didn't know? But then... I just came back after how many years... hindi naman imposible na kilala nga niya ako. He's not close to the De Leons, either. Even those people Javier and I met when we went out, has curious gazes about me.

''Bakit hindi mo alamin kung masyado kang kuryuso?'' hamon ko.

''Aalalim ko.'' mas hamon niya.

Good then!

After that, I did not mind him anymore. Bahala siya sa buhay niya. He thinks he owns the world. Wala akong pakialam kung Montecarlo siya.

Nasa may paanan na ako at isang hakbang na lamang at nasa tubig na nang mapagtantong may ibang tao nga pala. I planned to take a dip in the fresh water, but I don't have any clothes with me. Aalisin ko lamang sana ang pang-itaas para hindi iyon mabasa, but this man with a name, Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo is here and watching me like a hawk.

Ibinaling ko muli ang tingin sa likod, natagpuan ko ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa'kin.

He smirked. ''Go on.''

I was holding the edge of my white oversized shirt but I can't pull it up because he's here!

''Hindi ka pa ba aalis?''

He chuckled darkly. ''Pinapaalis mo ba ako sa sariling lupain ko?''

''Ayaw kong may nakatingin sa'kin habang naliligo!''

''Tss. That's why I am here.'' he mumbled quietly, I almost didn't catch that.

My eyes squinted at him. What does he mean by that?

''Alright. I'll turn away from you so you can do whatever you need to do.'' aniya at tumalikod nga.

This man is just so difficult! I don't even know why I'm dealing with him. Who is he again?

I shook my head annoyingly. I removed my top and folded it properly before putting it down. My black string bikini top made my skin paler than it already is. Pareho kami ni Mama na may malanyebeng kutis. I wonder why it seems like the women in our family have this skin tone while the men are tan.

I was already in the water. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Lorenzo facing the water this time. Wala sa tubig o tanawin ang tingin niya, kung hindi sa'kin. Lumayo na lamang ako sa gawi niya.

Does he really think I'll steal something from here? For heaven's sake. He sure overthinks a lot.

''How old are you?''

Kahit malayo ay rinig ko pa rin siya dahil kami lang naman ang nandito. Aside from the rustle of the tree leaves and the birds chirping from a distance, wala masyadong ingay.

''Twenty-three.'' walang gana kong sagot.

Well, technically it's still next month but whenever a new year comes, I always add another year at my age on my mind. Isa pa, malapit na din naman dahil sa susunod na buwan na nga ang kaarawan ko.

''Are you still studying?'' he asked again.

''Why are you asking?''

''Because I'm interested. You barely tell me about yourself.''

I almost coughed upon hearing his answer. Pakiramdam ko uminit rin ang pisngi ko.

Hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin at mas dinama na lamang ang tubig. The water here is so refreshing. It's flowing, too. Parang gusto ko tuloy makita iyong talon na sinasabi niya pero ayaw ko ring sumama sa kanya. At isa pa, hahanapin ako sa amin.

''I noticed you don't know how to swim that much.'' he said again with a louder voice this time. ''Come here, don't stray too far. That's a deep area.''

He noticed it? Was he watching me intently to the point that he noticed something about me which I didn't even inform him about?

Lilingunin ko na sana siya kaso bigla akong natapilok sa isang bagay at agad na napailalim ang katawan sa tubig dahil sa pagkabigla. I panicked a bit when after a few seconds, my feet did not reach the floor anymore.

''Goddamnit, Anya!''

                   
#ENEMYSPROPERTY