shocked

CERVIUS HAVOC'S POV

Nagising ako sa mga mararahan na boses na naririnig ko sa buong mansion. Everybody seems to be busy with works and this busyness comes with equal excitement.

Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga at tiningnan ang oras sa orasan na nasa bedside table ko. It's still six in the morning yet people are already rushing in and out! Using the control, I opened the automatic curtains to reveal the fogged glass of my window mirrors.

Tuluyan na akong bumaba sa kama ko at naglakad papunta sa bintana ng kwarto. I opened it to feel the gushing wind of Maraya. It's too cold! Naramdaman ko ang pamamasa ng mga pilikmata ko dahil sa lamig ng panahon. Hindi pa lumalabas ang sinag ng araw pero ng dumungaw ako ay nakikita ko na ang mga tao na nagsisimula na sa kani-kanilang mga trabaho.

I heard a knock from the door kaya napatingin ako dito. It opened and it revealed Mom in his pajamas.

"Good morning, baby," I heard mom. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya at hinintay siyang makalapit. Mom gave me a hug, a comfort to my ice-cold hands.

"Good morning to you too, Mom. Also, happy anniversary to you and Dad." I greeted him.

The reason why Maraya is so busy currently is because of Mom and Dad's wedding anniversary. Today is the day that the construction of Maraya's temple will begin. It's a temple dedicated to Mom. 'Di nga rin ako makapaniwala na magpapagawa si Dad ng isang templo para kay Mom. I have witnessed how obsessed my dad to my mom, but to have him build a million-dollar temple, like those temples in Greece and Rome is shocking to me!

"Thank you, baby. Nagising ka ba dahil sa ingay? Ang Daddy mo kasi ang may pakana ng lahat ng 'to. Alam mo naman 'yon kapag may selebrasyon, he would never forget to celebrate the occasion with the people." May ngiti sa mga labi ni Mom habang pareho naming pinapanood ang mga tao sa baba ng mansion.

Makikita mo ang galak at saya sa mga mukha ng mga tao habang nagtutulungan sila sa mga gawain. This is a sight I don't usually see in the city. Malayong-malayo.

"Nasaan ba si Dad?" I think I already know the answer when I saw Dad and Kuya Hakob, both shirtless habang nakikipagkwentuhan at nakikipag-inuman sa mga magsasaka. Iniihaw nila ang nakahilerang mga baboy.

"Farmer Jakob. Did you know I used to call him that?" Bumaling ako kay Mom. He was smiling while looking at Dad.

"No," I answered shortly. But Dad is a farmer person. He loves this place, and I can clearly see why Mom chose to stay in here.

"Unang pagkikita pa lang namin, your Dad showed me how he loves farming, the hacienda, the horses, the ranch, and the people here in Maraya." Tumango ako.

Iniwan muna ako saglit ni Mom ng may kumatok sa pintuan ng kwarto ko. Must be his personal maid. Bumalik siya sa tabi ko at sabay kaming naglakad papunta sa veranda ng kwarto ko. May mga kasambahay na pumasok at naglagay ng mga pagkain at malalaking kumpol ng bulaklak galing kay Dad at Kuya para kay Mom.

"Dadating ang Tita Ghem mo mamaya kasama ang Tito Cyrell mo. They were asking if may gusto ka bang pasalubong galing France?" Nagsalita si Mom.

"I will call them later, Mom." I said in a low voice. Lumalabas sa bibig ko ang usok dahil sa lamig ng lugar. Tita Ghem loves to spoil me with anything she could possibly give. Pareho kami ni Kuya pero dahil hindi mahilig sa mga material na bagay ang Kuya at walang anak na lalaki si Tita Ghem, sa akin napupunta ang atensiyon nito. I love her.

"Hindi mo pa sinasabi sa akin kung bakit ka umuwi ng biglaan, baby." Napalunok ako sa sinabi ni Mom.

I honestly don't want to talk about it. I have been avoiding the topic. Even Kuya and Dad's inquisitive nature, I avoided those.

"I missed home, Mom. I missed Maraya." Ang bulong ko at iniwas ang tingin sa kaniya.

Drinking the fresh milk, I watched as the sun slowly rose from its haven. Just as I was basking in the summer feels, I heard a strum of guitar that made me, and Mom looked down.

"Binibini..." Automatically, I recognized my dad's manly voice, now singing a song!

Medyo natawa pa ito dahil naghiyawan ang mga kasamahan niya.

Kuya Hakob was playing the guitar, watching dad for the timing. The two seem to be bonding very well. Nakikita ko kung paano natutuwa sila sa sorpresa nila kay mom.

"Alam mo ba kung pano nahulog sayo
Naramdaman lang bigla ng puso"

Tumayo si Mom habang nakangiting nakaduwang ang katawan sa veranda ng kwarto ko. On the other hand, I immediately fished out my phone to record this cute moment of our family.

"Aking sinta ikaw lang nagparamdam nito
Kaya sabihin mo sakin
Ang tumatakbo sa isip mo
Kung mahal mo na rin ba ako"

Looking down, I only see the love and admiration Dad has for his man. Biting my lips, I suppressed the growing emotion in my heart. Parang kalabisan na mainggit sa ganitong pagkakataon. But my heart could not beat without lying and saying the truth at the same time. The idea of serenading is a romantic thing to do, and one could only wish we could get to experience this kind of affection.

But we have to first meet the kind of man. Ngunit nag-iisa lang ang Dad. Jakob is for Ishie. In my deepest core, I asked myself: when will I have my own Jakob?

"Isayaw mo ako
Sa gitna ng ulan mahal ko
Kapalit man nito'y buhay ko
Gagawin ang lahat para sayo
Alam kong mahal mo na rin ako"

Naghintuan ang mga tao dahil nanonood na sila ngayong hinaharana ng kanilang senyorito ang asawa nito.

Napatitig ako kay Mom. Ultimately, he has that glow. The kind of glow that you can tell that he's in love. I took some photos and videos of Dad's surprise. After a while, the song finished. Naiwan ako dito sa loob ng kwarto when Dad fetched Mom from here.

Naka-upo lang ako sa kama ko, browsing my phone and social media accounts. I'm a private person which is quite contradictory to my lifestyle in the city, but I want to keep a low profile on the internet. Nasa dugo na rin talaga namin ang pagiging silent money. Mom was a city socialite back then, but he deleted most of his social media when he married the man of his life. On the other hand, my older brother— Hakob — pays little attention to his social media. While our father doesn't even have any accounts.

Regardless of us being silent, our name rang a bell in the industry and politics. My late grandfather, Sandoval was a successful politician, and his father, and so on. Ang pamilya naman ni Dad ay malaki rin ang impluwensiya sa industriya, lalong-lalo na ang late grandparents ko.

Walking outside my bedroom, I kept myself busy, selecting a good photo to share on my Instagram. I chose three, the photo of the sun, the food on our table, and Dad with Kuya holding each other after a successful serenading. I posted it with a short caption, 'home.'

"Magandang umaga, senyorito." I turned off my phone to see the maids who greeted me. Tumatango lang ako sa kanila, not really paying attention to them.

"Prepare my horse, Allistain, I will have a short run through the fields. Kindly inform Mom and Dad when they look for me. Also, tell Kuya that I want to see him because I have an important matter to discuss with him regarding the construction of the temple." I said those to a group of maids. Kaagad naman silang tumango at hiwalay na pumunta sa mga ini-utos ko.

Pinalibot ko ang paningin sa buong silid. I'm inside the music room right now, the whole room is silent, and you can hear the sounds of your steps echo through the grand room. I looked up to see the familiar architecture, antiquity, and paintings inside.

My mom loves this room. Growing up in this mansion, I have grown to love this room as well. Dahil ito ang pinakatahimik sa lahat. Growing up, I was very much spoiled by Dad, kaya halos hindi makontrol ang pangit kong ugali. Just remembering how I lashed out and vented my anger inside this room is a memory I don't want to keep.

Now, I am not that kid anymore. I am more than that. Well, the attitude remained but a concealed version of me. Kailangan ko kasing maging mature to take up the role of being the youngest heir of this family.

Patuloy akong naglibot-libot sa buong silid at huminto lang ako sa harapan ng napakalaking portrait ng wedding ni Mom at Dad. The portrait was too big that it covers a whole corner of the room. Beside it was a portrait of my brother, a young kuya Hakob holding a dog I don't see anymore.

Tiningnan ko ang buong silid at ni-isang mga painting at larawan ay wala ako. Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi at tiningnan ang grand piano. I was about to hit it with my hand when the door opened without a warning. Kaagad akong umayos ng tayo at masamang tiningnan ang kasambahay.

"Can't you knock?" I said in an irritated tone.

Kaagad na yumuko ang isa sa mga babaeng kasambahay na inutusan ko kanina, "Pasensiya na po, senyorito, hindi na po mauulit."

Nilagpasan ko lang siya at kaagad naman itong sumunod sa akin. Malalaki ang mga hakbang ko na pilit nitong pinapantayan.

"Handa na ba ang kabayo?" Ang tanong ko.

"Iyon po sana ang sasabihin ko, dahil ng pumunta po ako sa silid ng mga kabayo ay wala po si Allistain. Ang sabi ay dinala ito sa batis para paliguan." Huminto ako dahil sa sinabi niya.

I turned around and looked at her, "I understand. Pwede ka ng bumalik sa trabaho mo." And I'm sorry I almost yelled at you. I did not. I was vulnerable at that time, and you almost saw me.

"What's your name?" I asked before she could literally run away from me. That's how scared she was with me. Ganiyan ba kapangit ang ugali ko sa tingin nila para matakot sila sa akin?

I'm not a monster they think I am.

"Merba po, senyorito." The girl answered.

"I see. Merba, salamat sa pagsabi. Pakisabi na lang sa bantay ni Allistain na baka sumunod ako sa batis." Habang sinasabi ko ang pasasalamat ko, it did not sound like I am, I know, basing on Merba's reaction. Parang guminhawa ang pakiramdam niya dahil hindi ako galit.

Napanguso ako ng maka-alis na siya. Naalala ko tuloy sa kung paano ako umiyak noon dahil walang gustong makipaglaro sa akin dito sa mansion. Lahat kasi ng mga anak ng mga kasambahay ay ayaw akong isali sa laro nila dahil pangit daw ang ugali ko. At a young age, I learned how to use the internet as a coping mechanism. Kagat-labi kong inalala kung papaano ako nag search sa internet on how to be a good friend.

It turns out, I'm just different.

"Kamahal-mahal ka naman Maraya, pero bakit kahit anong pilit ko, 'di mo pa rin makita na ito ang totoong ako. Na iba talaga ako keysa sa kanila." Ang bulong ko.

I am different. I am kind in my own way. Lumaki ako na parang isang sirang repleksiyon ang mga mabubuting ginagawa ni kuya sa Maraya. Siya kasi pinapakita niya, ako hindi, I help people in the most silent way possible.

One time, a maid fell off the ladder when cleaning, instead, pinagalitan ako ni kuya dahil baka ako raw ang tumulak dito, especially that I like to play games with the people around. I did not do it. Of course, they praised him for helping her. I did help, I intentionally kept my allowance just so I could secretly give the money to the maid, to at least buy her medicine. No one thanked me because no one saw me. And it's fine.

Our parents never compared me and my brother, but the people around us did. Growing up, isang basag na salamin sa akin si Kuya Hakob. I looked up to him and tried my best to be like him. I tried and it exhausted me. That's when the city's noise and bizarre lights comforted me.

"Maraya, sa oras na ito ay may sorpresa ang magkakapatid na si Hakob at Havoc para sa kanilang mga magulang. Isang masigarbong palakpakan naman d'yan!" Muling nag-ingay ang mga tao.

Nakangiti akong giniya ni kuya Hakob papunta sa ginawang entablado para sa selebrasyon. Hawak-hawak ang braso niya, iniwan niya ako sa harap ng puting grand piano. Kuya took his seat and faced the piano before started playing it.

The people around us immediately clapped their hands to Kuya as he masterly played the keys. I don't have to look around to see their proud faces. Instead, I look down at my right hand, above the grand piano. My other hand is holding my wine. Ininom ko ang laman nito at binigay sa isang kasambahay.

I looked at Mom and Dad, "I'm not the type to face my fears but with my parents, facing my darkest side made it easier for me. Maraya may not like me the way I liked it, but to have Mom and Dad is enough reason to call it home. Para po sa inyo ang kantang 'to. To more happy years!" I greeted them.

Pinikit ko ang mga mata at pasimpleng pinunasan ang kumawalang luha dito. I opened my eyes just in time for the piano to signal me to start.

"I'll be the one that stays 'til the end..." Nakayuko lang ako habang kinakanta ang linyang 'to.

Ito ang kauna-unahang nangyari ito. I never sang a song to my parents. I stopped singing them a song. Pero ngayon, gaya ng sabi ko, I am not a coward to face my demons because of them, and they deserve to hear it from me. Through the song.

"And I'll be the one that needs you again
And I'll be the one that proposes in a garden of roses
And truly loves you long after our curtain closes
But will you still love me when nobody wants me around?"

Tinaas ko ang paningin at tiningnan ang gulat pero masayang mukha ng Mom at Dad. I gave them a soft smile, showing them that I am comfortable with doing this.

"Will you still be proud?" I diverted my gaze to my brother who was serious in playing.

"Proud of me, of my short list of accomplishments, say
And me and my lack of new news
Me and my selfishness, oh, me and myself
Wish you nothing but a happy new version of you, Because I,"

Parehong kamay na ang nakahawak ko ngayon sa piano at pinipigilan ang sarili na maiyak. Slowly, I looked around the place. Everyone was silent and they were looking at me singing the song. For the first time in my life, I saw how I wished them to see me. The real me.

"And I want you to love me the way you love your family
The way you love to show me what it's like to be happy..."

I finished the song. A lone tear escaped from my eyes. No one dared to interrupt the silence. A soft sob escaped from my lips when my mind started overthinking what could be everyone's mind thinking.

Tumayo si Kuya Hakob at malalaki ang ngiting pumalakpak. He showed me how proud he was with his bright smile. Kuya Hakob stared at me, the same way he proudly stared at me when he found out that I reached my billion-dollar worth after the success of my hospital chain. Doon lang sumunod ang masigarbong palakpakan ng lahat ng tao.

Niyakap ako ni Kuya at hinagod ang likuran ko. I have to hide myself, just so that no one could see me cry, "I'm so proud of our baby," Parang gatilyo ang mga salita niya na mas nagpa-iyak sa akin.

Natapos ang gabi ng inanunsiyo ni Dad ang ipapagawa niyang templo para kay Mom. Gulat at pagkamangha ang lumatay sa mga mukha ng mga tao sa Maraya dahil sa anunsiyong ito. Surely, through this temple, the love of farmer Jakob to his doted Ishie, will resonate louder than it already is.

-

THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT POV

Flashback...

Sanay na sa karangyaan, kaagad na malalaki ang ngiti ng pamilya ni Eludes habang pababa ito sa limousine na sinasakyan nila. Pinanood ni Eludes sa kung gaano kahaba ang lalakarin bago makapasok sa loob ng hotel na pagdadaluhan ng mga malalaking tao sa industriya.

It's an auction for a good cause. The entire country knows how passionate the Villamayor-Zapanta is in sending out help, so, it was expected that the family would attend the event. After all, it's not a simple event. The Zobel-Ayala couple recently got married and this is one of their projects to support and raise funds.

"I heard that Paulo and his husband are eyeing for another hospital, this time a public hospital. I wonder kung saan nila ito ipapatayo?" Napatingin silang magkakapatid sa mommy nila. It was speaking to them, yet Ace's eyes were set in front, to the cameras flashing!

Patuloy pa rin ang kislapan ng mga camera at sumasabay pa dito ang malalaking boses ng pagtawag sa kanilang mga pangalan. Kompleto silang magkakapamilya ngayon maliban sa kakambal niya. Masiyadong mailap si Acades sa ganitong uri ng okasyon.

"Eludes Zapanta! Here! Sir, gaano ka-totoo ang nababalitang malapit na kayong ma-engage?" May isang lalaking reporter ang nagtanong.

Hindi man halata pero medyo nagulat ang dalawa nitong kapatid at pasimpleng tinulak nila si Eludes just so the man could clear his name. Masiyadong malikhain ang isipan ng mga tao at sa pagkamalikhain nito, pati silang magkakapatid ay nasasali na sa issue ng kapatid nila. The only thing they want right now is another issue on a silver-fucking-platter.

Seryoso ang mukha na tinuon ni Eludes ang mga mata sa hawak nitong mikropono bago nagsalita habang nakatingin ng diritso sa kamerang hawak nito.

"I'm not getting engage any sooner. I'm trying to pursue someone, and I hope the media respects that and my privacy." Iyon lang sinagot ni Eludes at kaagad na bumalik sa hilera ng kaniyang pamilya.

Eludes and Lance are both wearing black three-piece suits, while his brothers, Joxiah and Acrotis are wearing white shade suits. Ang tanging naiiba lang sa kanila ay ang madre-de-pamilya ng tahanan, ang asawa ni Lance, si Ace na nakasuot ng kulay pula na suit.

"Another issue na magpapa-dirty na naman sa image ko, Eludes? And this time, at engagement pa talaga ah. Why don't they mention marriage directly in your face, brother of mine?" Hindi nasagot ni Eludes ang nakakatandang kapatid dahil wala naman siyang maisagot dito.

Eludes' name is known all over the country because of his lifestyle— philandering —, and undoubtedly, this affected the images of the family.

"It's not a big deal," Ang sabi ni Acrotis bago kumindat sa mga reporters at mahinang natawa dahil mas lumakas pa ang hiyawan ng mga taong nanonood. Malandi niyang kinawayan ang mga reporters sa harapan. Acrotis made sure that he will cover the new headline!

Acrotis, as someone who keeps his image clean, defended his brother Eludes, kasi binilhan siya nito ng chopper ng nakaraan. Remembering it, he snaked his arm to his brother's shoulder. Hinila niya ito para maglakad na papasok.

Acrotis want a super yacht this time!

Nauna silang magkakapatid na makapasok dahil nawili pa ang mga magulang nila kakasagot sa mga tanong ng media, especially Ace who made all the talking. Lance was there to support and assist his husband, and with loving gazes, the media could not be happier for the both of them.

Nahuli pa nila ang tanong kung may plano pa ba ang mag-asawa na magkaroon ng isa pang bunso sa pamilya. Kaagad na nagmaktol ang dalawang kapatid ni Eludes at sabay na humawak sa magkabilaan niyang braso bago tuluyang pumasok sa loob ng hotel na pagmamay-ari ng mga Ayala. The three of them have heard too much already about their parents' sex life, especially that their dad is a shameless man.

"You are trying to pursue someone, kuya?" Nang matulungan niyang maupo ang kaniyang mga kapatid ay pumagitna siya sa dalawa. Kaagad naman siyang tinanong ni Acrotis tungkol sa sinabi niya kanina sa media.

"Were you not sabi the truth ba kanina, brother of mine? Dapat know mo na big issue ang sinabi mo earlier." Si Joxiah na nagsalita habang kumakaway sa mga bumabati dito.

"Forget it," Eludes said with a final tone.

Nagkibit-balikat naman ang dalawa. They don't want to put more pressure on their brother's shoulder lalo pa at ito ang namamahala sa lahat-lahat ng negosyo ng pamilya nila.

Joxiah is a passionate person, a celebrity, and an actor. His busy schedule made him more untouchable. Acrotis on the other hand is a supermodel who takes after their mother's passion. It was only Eludes and Acades left to handle the company. Especially Acades who's handling the underworld business. A business neither of the three, Ace, Acrotis, and Joxiah knows. Sa kanilang pamilya, tanging si Acades, Eludes at ang kanilang ama ang may alam sa kung anong klaseng negosyo ang hinahawakan ni Acades. Ang alam lang ng tatlo ay si Acades ang namamahala sa iba pang negosyo ng pamilya.

The auction started, most of the auctions are properties of the Ayala, some spaces they are selling, and some high-end luxury materials worth millions.

"For the next auction, a penthouse unit situated at the top of the newly built and furnished Ayala Commercial Building in Makati. The price starts at seventy-five million pesos!"

Hindi nagpapahuli si Joxiah at Acrotis sa mga mayayaman sa loob. Since it's their friends' project, they made sure that their name will be listed as one of those who helped.

"Two hundred fifty million," Another number was raised. Napatingin halos lahat ang nandodoon dahil sa malambot at mala-anghel na boses nito.

"What? Is this true?" Napasinghap si Acrotis sa kaniyang nakita.

"No way, this can be tama!" Ang maarteng sabi ni Joxiah.

Seated comfortably, Eludes crossed his arms as he watched from another table, a man with the same build, stature, dominance, and face obsessively stared at the person who raised his number.

"Nandito si Acades, hon. And it looks like he has brought someone along with him. Alam mo ba 'to?" Nagsalita si Ace, ang ina nila. Si Lance naman ay hinalikan lang ang pisngi ng asawa.

"He will tell us if he wants to, hon. We will surely talk with him, later, okay? I love you."

On the other table was Acades, his hand planted on the curve of the person he was with. Acades eyes were glued to the person who smiled happily when he won the now millions worth his money bought.

The auction continued. Now, the time has come when the share of the new hospital is raised. It was something different, because this time, major shareholders of the hospital would come from the largest money donation. Business-related, the other Villamayors did not pay attention to the bidding.

"Eight hundred million pesos." Nagsinghapan ang lahat dahil sa narinig. Malaking pera ang sinabi niya! It would mean a huge investement to this public hospital!

The media went frantic and focused the camera on the person who raised his number. Eludes, attracted and slightly amazed, he gazed his sight to the monitor screen, displaying the breathtaking beauty of an angel.

"Baby boy..." Kusang lumabas sa bibig ni Eludes ang mga salitang 'yon dahil sa nakita niya! Buti at wala sa kaniya nakatuon ang pamilya at baka narinig nito ang naiusal niya.

Looking perfect and sexy, holding number ten on his hand was no other than the boy Eludes had been trying to get in touch with again. The boy is good at hiding and rejecting him. Eludes has set his mind to have the boy again. He doesn't even know what's with the boy that he shamelessly announced to the media that he's trying to chase this boy.

"Amazing! The hosts of this event would like to appreciate and recognize the presence of Mayor Hakob Buenavista, together with his brother, the equally breathtaking, Havoc Buenavista!" Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao sa loob. Tumindig sa kinauupuan ang mag-asawang Zobel-Ayala at personal na nakipagkamay sa bisita nila.

"Very rich, yet I never heard that his brother is as successful as he is." Nagsalita si Acrotis sa tabi niya.

Eludes wanted to ask. He wants to know who Acrotis was referring to.

"The influence of Sandoval and Buenavista runs in the bloodline of those two powerful men. Although not heard, they are silent money." Bakas sa boses ni Lance ang paghanga sa dalawang tao. The parents of the two, specifically, Jakob, is a good friend of his.

"I know Hakob, but I did not know anything about his younger brother. What is he like?" Walang imik si Joxiah habang si Acrotis naman ay halatang kuryoso sa tao.

"He owns a hospital chain, dito in the country, and globally. His malaking shares are in London. Recently, I rinig na he just make join of the billionaire's club of the country." Joxiah said. Eludes' amazement grows more. How can he never pays attention to his business rivalry? May ari rin siya ng hospital kaya paniguradong nakabuntot na ito sa pangalan niya— isa sa pinakamalaking kompetensiya niya.

Eludes is now thinking if the boy used his body as bait to capture him. With hidden motives or not, Eludes gives no fuck.

He is now extremely amazed at his baby boy. Damn, he sounds possessive claiming the boy who haunts his nights.

"One billion pesos," Eludes raised his hand, completely overtaking the spotlight of his boy.

A smirk slowly rose from the corner of his lips as he saw the immediate shock in the face of Havoc. There's no way Eludes is letting go of the chance to capture the little demon, tonight.

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Note: So, I saw some post on Facebook tas sabi dun ba, 'anong meaning ng username mo?' tas ako naman ay napa-isip, ano nga ba? Noon, nasasabi ko naman na 'siguro hardenera para tagadilig' haha 'yan ang sabi ko kapag may nagtatanong. Pero kung titingnan, hindi naman 'yan ang tamang spelling eh. Siguro kapag nakilala na ako, doon na ako sasagot sa tanong kung anong meron sa username ko.

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