Chapter 10: Claimed!

I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for the longest time. Napaka-weird na magising na mag-isa lang dito sa apartment when I've lived the past three years with my dorm mates. Sanay ako sa may kumakalampag sa kusina, nagpapatugtog ng rock music at tunog ng videogames. I covered my eyes with my arms and tried to go back to sleep pero wala. Gising na gising ang diwa ko at naglalaro sa object of my dreaming and waking thoughts for the past week.

Aya.

I'm gonna meet her family later. Whether I'm ready or not, wala ng urungan. Shit, I think mas matindi pa yung feeling na'to kesa sa thesis defense ko. Lahat ng previous girlfriends ko ay wala akong inakyatan ng ligaw kasi sila halos ang nanligaw sa akin. Ang pinakamatagal yatang niligawan ko ay si Bettina nung 4th year highschool. Three days. Hang-out lang tapos nagka-aminan at yun, kami na. Partner ko siya sa Prom night at Grad Ball. Tapos dumating na ang summer at kinailangan kong mag-enroll sa Diliman, siya naman ay sa local college sa Laguna pumasok.  Hindi niya rin naman matagalan ang long distance relationship kaya nagpasya kaming dalawa na maghiwalay. July yun at six months lang ang tinagal namin.

Pagkatapos nun ay nakilala ko si Mel. Siya ang nanligaw sa akin. Bumilib ako sa pagiging prangka niya, ang lakas ng dating parang signal number four. Lahat halos ng mga freshman ng block namin nagkakandahaba ang leeg pag dumadaan siya at inggit na inggit sa hot kong girlfriend. I was like the whole world to her and I was sucked into hers.

Lahat yata ng kalokohan natutunan ko sa kanya. We were the embodiment of young wild and free. Natuto akong mag-cutting class para makipag-inuman sa Sarah's, magpa-tattoo, mamundok, at dumalo sa underground concerts. Sinubukan niya rin akong turuan mag-weed pero sadyang hindi ko trip ang mabangag.

Looking back, isa yun sa mga una naming pinag-awayan. Feeling niya kapag di ko siya sinasabayan sa mga trip niya ay meron na akong ibang ginagawa. My mother never liked her, especially nung nahuli niya kami sa dorm na magkasama at well, may ginagawang alam mo na. Nagalit rin si Papa ng makita yung GWA ko for the first sem kaya napaisip din ako kung tama pa ba yung ginagawa ko o nagpapadala na lang ako kay Mel. That's when I decided na siguro kailangan ko ngang mag-shift para dumistansiya. Mahal ko si Mel nung panahong yon pero nararamdaman kong pareho kaming mag-se-self destruct kapag lagi kaming magkasama. For a whole year and a half, na-gui-guilty ako sa desisyon kong mag-shift and I tried to make it up by being understanding kapag nagseselos siya. I have always been a one-woman-man pero nung huli, feeling ko nakaka-gago na yung kawalan niya ng tiwala sa akin.

 The total opposite of Aya.

Kung ano ang pagka-wild ni Mel, siya namang pagka-inosente ni Aya to the point na minsan hindi ko alam kung sumosobra na ba ako o sadyang naive lang talaga siya. The first time I saw her was like a breath of fresh air. Parang ang sarap niyang alagaan. Yung tipo ng tao na gagawin mo ang lahat para mapasaya at mapanatili yung ngiti niya. She's a mixture of sugar and spice; sweet pero may tinatagong kakulitan. Inosente pero malalim mag-isip. Pag sumimangot si Aya, parang nadudurog yung puso ko. Oo, ang corny di ba? Ako na ang cheesy, corny, baduy at kung anu-ano pa, pero ganun yung feeling ko tuwing makikita ko siya.

Seriously, ang current highlight ng araw ko ay si Aya. Texting her first thing in the morning and talking to her 'til she falls asleep at night, walking her to class or to her car, having lunch with her and her friends, hanging out, studying for exams together. Kahit hindi pa niya ko sinasagot alam kong unti-unti na akong napapalapit sa kanya. Niloloko na nga ako ng org mates ko sa UPM na baka daw na-engkanto ako kay Aya dahil hindi ako naging ganito ka-attentive or clingy sa ex ko. 

At hindi ko pa siya girlfriend sa lagay na yan.

Ngayon ko lang rin napatunayan kung gaano ako kaseloso. Buti na lang sadyang introvert si Aya at di mahilig makipag-usap sa di kakilala kasi kung yung mga tumitingin pa lang sa kanya gusto ko ng dukutin ang mata, paano kaya kapag may gusto pang pumorma? Baka ibigti ko sila sa Quezon Hall pagkatapos ko silang kaladkarin sa motor ko around the Acad Oval at full speed.

"Hay Prince, nababaliw ka na nga" I sighed deeply. And it feels just so damn right.

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"Mommy what time ka dumating?" I greeted my Mom with a huge grin and a hug when I saw her at the dining table.

"Past 2AM na ako sinundo ng Kuya Alfredo mo. Hay naku parang tumanda ako ng twenty years sa pag-drive niyan, akala mo hinahabol ng sampung leon." I laughed and got a piece of toast from the dining table.

"Si Kuya kasi laging Fast and the Furious."

"Ay leche siya, hindi ako si Michelle Rodriguez, nanay niya 'ko." She quipped and laughed as Kuya Alfredo appeared from the kitchen with a plate of bacon and tickled her on the side.

"Mommy sobra ka naman, wala pa nga tayong one-eighty eh." He set the plate beside the eggs and toast and sat down to eat breakfast.

"One-eighty... Susmaryosep, ikaw na bata ka alam mong overspeeding yun." Binatukan siya ni mommy.

"Ayan kasi si Kuya, feeling Vin Diesel lagi" I chided him mischievously and he ruffled my hair.

"O brod, wag kalimutan may game tayo mamaya!" Bungad ni Kuya Ali na kakadating lang mula sa trabaho. "Isasama daw dito ni Adam yung manliligaw ni Diosa".

"May nanliligaw kay Diosa?" Tumaas yung boses ni Kuya Alfredo at tumingin sa akin, "May nanliligaw na sa baby girl ko?"

I averted my eyes and took a piece of bacon from the plate, chewing thoughtfully. I shrieked when he suddenly pulled me to his lap and buried his face on my neck.  

"Panong may mangliligaw eh baby pa 'to?"

Binatukan ko siya, "Ano ba kuya, eighteen na po ako!"

"Baby pa rin kita kahit one hundred years ka na!" Singhal niya. Ay naku si Kuya Alfredo, ang cute mag-tantrums. "Walang ligaw-ligaw hanggang di ka nakakatapos!"

"Hoy Alfredo magtigil ka! Anong 'kala mo sa kapatid mo, ibuburo?" Binatukan ulit siya ni Mommy, "Buti nga at may umaakyat ng ligaw, hindi yung kung saan-saan nililigawan." Pasalamat na lang ako at sadyang open-minded si Mommy, di kagaya nitong si Kuya Alfredo na sobrang protective na ewan.

"Ay Kuya, exajj ka talaga" I patted his head, "Alam ko namang love mo 'ko eh". I turned, pulled his face and kissed him soundly on the cheek, "Pero malaki na po ako."

"Luka-luka, pa'no ka naging malaki eh 5'1 ka lang, six footer ako?"

"Pilosopo pa rin 'no?" Alistair laughed as he bent and kissed our mother's cheeks, "Hi mommy."

"Kamusta work mo?" Mommy ruffled his hair as he pulled up a chair and poured himself some coffee.

"Okay lang, ma. Nakakabato." He leaned down to me and kissed my cheek, "Kamusta na yung Diosa ko?"

"Naku mga Kuya, magsihanap nga kayo ng girlfriend para hindi niyo kinukulit si Diosa." Singhal ni Mommy, "Alfredo, asan na yung si Mariana o Marina ba yun na kasama mo sa launching ng restaurant?" Kuya Alfredo owns a posh restaurant in Eastwood.

"Marilyn Mommy, at wala na kami. Bwisit yun, pinagpalit ako sa Brazilian model." Napahagikhik ako ng tawa.

"Salbahe ka baby girl, pinagtatawanan mo na ako ngayon." He gave me a deathglare.

"Pa'no ang palikero mo, every week me iba kang ka-date." Mommy glared at him, "Hindi ka ba nahihiya diyan sa kapatid mong babae? Pano kung makarma yan?"

"Mommy, paano mangyayari yun kung di naman mag-aasawa si baby girl?" I turned my head to stare wide-eyed at him, "Di ba baby girl, love mo si Kuya? Dito ka lang kay Kuya at aalagaan mo siya?"

"Hello Kuya Alfred okay ka lang? Kailangan mo si Yaya Maring, hindi ako." I laughed at him. "Saka ayoko na mag-mongha dito, no? Seven years na ako na-stuck dito sa bahay."

"O paano ba yan Kuya, nilaglag ka na ng baby girl mo?" Kuya Ali gulped down his coffee, "Basta ako bunso, kung saan ka masaya. Pero pag di ka niya pinasaya, puputulin ko ang kaligayahan niya." He grinned evilly and I am actually more terrified about what he would do than all the blustering of my Kuya Alfredo. There is something about the calm way that Kuya Alistair delivers his threats that sends shivers down your spine.

"Tulog muna ako, Mommy" He ruffled my hair and started to climb the stairs.

" 'Mmy, ba't ang weird ni Kuya Ali, iinom ng kape tapos matutulog? Paano siya makakatulog sa caffeine?"

"Idiopathic drug ang kape baby girl, ano ka ba?" binatukan ako ni Kuya Alfred, "Iba-iba epekto nun sa tao."

"Sabi ko nga." I stood up and went to Mommy's side. " 'Mmy punta lang kami SM North ni Sab, papa-haircut kami."

"Sige. Ibili mo nga rin ako ng pangkulay. Kay Maring na ako magpapakulay at ang mahal sa salon."

"Sige po" I smiled and went upstairs to prepare.

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"Sab, sigurado kang okay lang talaga 'tong suot ko?" I twirled around the mirror at Forever21. Sab told me that we should take advantage of the opportunity and buy me a new wardrobe. I'm currently wearing a black and white diamond printed sleeveless shirt, white denim shorts and a dark blue floral printed, long-sleeved shirt.

"Yup. Super trendy. Ang pretty mo kaya bes." She smiled at me. She just had a pixie cut and she looked like Tinkerbell in her light green minidress.

"Di ba ang iksi nito?" I lifted an eyebrow. I know uso na 'to matagal na pero feeling ko nakahubad ako sa ibaba. Nyak, parang nilalamig ako sa iksi ng shorts na 'to. "Saka Php1,500 eh parang kinulang naman ang tela?"

"My goodness naman Aya, ang ganda ng legs mo, i-showcase naman natin kahit paminsan lang." She rolled her eyes at me.

"Baka sunugin ako ng buhay ni Kuya Alfredo." I muttered with an impish laugh, "Pero sabagay yung mga dina-date niya ganito rin naman ang suot."

"Tomoh!" She handed me a simple dress in floral print. "Ito naman i-try mo."

The clothing was sheer and it clung to my body. I love how airy it felt and the way it reached below mid-thigh. I wonder how Prince would react if he sees me wearing this?

"Mas bet ko 'to Sab," I turned to her.

"No, pareho natin yang kukunin. Kailangan mo rin ng sandals. Hindi ka pwedeng mag-sneakers na ganyan ang suot mo."

"Opo mommy" I laughed.

"Of course baby, we'll turn you into a woman."

Sab was in her element. Basta shopping nabubuhay ang lahat ng kailangang mabuhay kay Sab. We ended up buying three pairs of sandals, a whole set of undergarments (na mas matured according to her), two dresses and the Forever21 ensemble. First time kong mamili ng ganun kadaming damit and I was glad that my Kuya Alejandro sent me money from Singapore.

"So trial by Fire pala ang peg ni Prince ngayon?" She said with a thoughtful expression.

"Ayoko sana talagang makita kasi alam ko aasarin ako nila kuya at malamang pahihirapan nila si Prince."

"Grabe, hindi mo man lang susuportahan si Prince? Kawawa..."

I smiled at her, "Sab pag andun kasi ako baka awayin ko sila Kuya. Saka kung gusto ni Prince talagang maging boyfriend ko, kailangan matuto siyang makisama sa mga tao sa buhay ko. I trust in my brothers' good judgement. Pinalaki nila ako. Hindi naman sila super makaluma except kay Kuya Alfredo."  

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My heart literally stopped in my chest when I saw her arrive at the court. She is mesmerizing—the way she moved, the way she smiled, and...

"What the hell...?" I could feel the blood sizzling in my veins.

"Prince, fastbreak!" sigaw ni Adam pero wala na ang atensyon ko sa laro. I felt the ball fall on the ground and be taken by someone. I marched to where Aya sat on the benches with Sab. Hindi ako nagsalita, kinuha ko lang yung towel ko sa loob ng bag at tinakpan ang legs niya.

"What the hell, Prince?" Sab uttered in disbelief habang nakaupo ako sa harap ni Aya at pinipilit kumalma.

"Oi gago naglalaro pa tayo!" I heard Alfredo shout seconds before the ball hit the back of my head. I literally saw stars for a moment and I had to hold on to the bench to clear my head.

"Kuya!" Aya shouted, "Ang bad mo!" I felt her gather me in her arms, "Okay ka lang, Prince?"

"What the hell are you wearing?" I spoke in a quiet voice.

"Huh?" she blinked at me uncomprehendingly. "Prince?"

"Bakit ganyan ang suot mo?" Ulit ko. Putik, nakita kong lumuwa yung mata nung mga tambay at halos maglaway habang nakatingin sa kanya. Parang makakapatay 'ata ako ng di oras.

"Anong mali sa suot ko?" She frowned at me, "Kakabili lang namin 'to ni Sab. See, terno pa nga kami?"

I glanced at Sab and noticed that she is wearing the same clothing. Pero hindi si Sab ang future Mrs. Constantino and she can freaking wear nothing for all I care.

"Hoy Constantino maglalaro ka ba o hindi?" Alistair asked as they all approached the bench.

"Wait lang kuya," I answered, "Kinukumusta ko lang si Goddess".

"Goddess? Talagang pinaninindigan mo ha..." he smiled and slapped my back. "Balik ka sa laro. Eyes on the ball, not on the girl."

"Wag kang magsusuot ng ganyan," I told her softly, "kasi baka makapatay ako ng tao."

She pushed me away, "Oi hindi kita tatay ha," she frowned at me, "You don't get to tell me what to wear. And come to think of it, even my own Dad never told me what to wear."

"Diosa, ano ba yang suot mo?" Kuya Alfredo approached, "Kinulang ba ng tela sa Mall?"

Finally, may kakampi ako! Syet, sige tatanggapin ko na lahat ng dirty moves nitong si Kuya Alfredo basta wag din niya pagsuotin ng mitsa sa buhay si Aya.

"Kuya, lahat ng dina-date mo ganito ang suot. Umayos ka." I was aghast. What the hell? I am not familiar with this side of Aya. Binu-bully niya si Alfredo?

"Burned!" Aidan high-fived Alistair.

"Tama na yan, tapusin na natin 'tong fourth quarter." Iritang sabi ni Adam, "Prince, tara 'tol."

"Please, for the sake of my sanity don't take off that towel." I murmured as I stood up and returned to the game. She stared at me dumbfounded but didn't make a move to take it off.

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"Kuya nakita ko yon," I glared at Kuya Alfredo when he bent to pick up his water bottle.

"Alin baby girl?" He asked innocently. Naku Kuya, pa-cute ka pa eh kulang na lang diretsahan mo ng suntukin si Prince sa pambubuwakaw mo sa bola.

I threw him a scowl, "You're not playing fair."

"Nothing's fair in love and war baby girl" he laughed as he joined the others. I saw Prince limping as he sought to block Kuya Alfredo and the latter intentionally rammed his elbow on Prince's gut. Aray ko, parang ako yung nasasaktan habang pinapanood ko sila. This is not a game, this is a bloody war and my Kuya Alfredo is being a cunning tyrant.

" 'Langya 'tong mga boys na 'to, sakit sa bangs," I muttered darkly and Sab laughed.

"They're fighting for your honor Aya, isn't that sweet?"

"Sweet mo mu'ka mo. Kita mo na nga halos magrambulan sila." Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang boys. "Kung gusto nila magsapakan, gawin na lang nila. Hindi yung nagkukunwari pa silang naglalaro ng basketball".

"Grabe Aya, nag-be-beast-mode ka na agad. Mahal mo na talaga si Prince no?" I chose not to answer but I think my blushing face was more than enough to confirm her statement.

"Last two minutes!" Sigaw ni James, isang org mate din nila Kuya Adam at Prince sa UPM. Siya ang panghuling member ng team nila which consisted of Adam, Prince and him, versus Alistair, Alfredo and Aidan. So far, lamang sila Kuya Ali by three points.

"Kasi naman Sab, para silang mga baliw. Tingnan mo nga si Prince umiika-ika na kanina pa." Aaminin kong tumatalon ang puso ko everytime nakikita kong nasasaktan siya at gusto kong sumigaw ng time-out at sapakin si Kuya Alfredo sa kalokohan niya.

"Hala, ang daming abangers." I heard Sab mutter and was surprised at how many people have gathered in the small court to watch my brothers and Prince massacre a basketball game. Most of the newcomers are girls from the village but some are probably outsiders kasi hindi ko sila kilala. Sobrang makatili everytime may makaka-score. Well ikaw na ang may mga kuyang gwapo, matatangkad at marunong mag-basketball.       

"Tignan mo yung isang yun, grabe parang kakainin si Prince," Sab whispered to me and I saw a girl in skimpy clothing with her eyes literally glued on my Prince. I arched an eyebrow.

Shit and damnation. Kulang na lang hubaran niya yung Prince ko! Wait, wait, Prince ko talaga? Shocks, at kelan ko pa siya naging property?

I watched as she jumped up and down and her boobs are literally overflowing from her shirt. Nako, kung ako kinulang ng tela eto, tinalo pa ang retaso sa suot. Maygash, di kinakaya ng powers ko. Tuwing tatawag ng time-out ay umaaligid si Retaso – girl kay Prince at kumukulo ang dugo ko.

Natapos din ang game after mag-overtime ng dalawang beses. Sab and I stood up and brought my brother's and Prince's water bottle na pinaiwan sa amin. Naglapitan agad ang mga abangers and I saw several girls boldly latching on to my brothers and Prince. Lintek, nakita ko yung babaeng nakaretaso na hinawakan ang braso ni Prince and ngumiti ng pagkalaki-laki.

"Hi, I'm Tasha, what's your name?" Asus, nagpapa-beautiful eyes pa ang luka-luka. Eh, kung bunutin ko kaya yang kilay mo using long-nosed pliers? I thought murderously.

"He's not available, and he never would be." I said coldly as I slapped her hand away. She recoiled and threw me a haughty look.

"Wow, Goddess..." His jaw dropped at my words.

"Bakit sino ka ba?" mataray nitong sagot. Syet, ang sarap lang sapakin.

"She's the future Mrs. Constantino." Prince accepted his bottle and put his arms around me. I pulled the towel off my waist and gently wiped his face with it.

"Oo, at sasapakin kita pag kumiri ka sa mga kapatid ko o dito sa boyfriend ko." I answered hotly. She flushed and muttered darkly under her breath before she stormed away.

"Oh my gosh Aya," Sab's eyes were wide and I looked around at the shocked faces of my brothers. Oh shit, what the hell did I just say?

"Sabi na mahal mo ako eh." I felt Prince hug me tight before he gently kissed my forehead.

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Hindi ako makatulog. Parang tumigil yung oras dun sa moment na I claimed ownership over Prince. Nag-re-replay sa utak ko yung mga nangyari.

Oh my Gahd. Hindi ko na kayang bawiin yung sinabi ko. Ayaw ko nang bawiin yung sinabi ko.

Para akong biglang naging zombie matapos kong unintentionally umamin. Kinakausap nila ako pero tumatango lang ako. Hanggang sa umuwi na si Prince kasi gumagabi na at hindi rin naman talaga ako naging maayos kausap.

I felt my cellphone vibrate and I saw two messages from Prince.

Prince ko: Tulog ka na Goddess?

Prince Ko: I love you Aya. I'm thinking of you.

I felt my heart squeeze at his words. I'm not fond of lying and I won't start now. I sent him a message.

'I'm thinking of you too. I want to see you.'

There was an immediate reply.

Prince Ko: 'Open the gate'

My heart stopped then thumped crazily that I literally had to bring my hand to my chest. Napabalikwas ako sa kama at tuloy-tuloy na lumabas ng kwarto ng hindi nagtsitsinelas. I threw open the front door and raced to the gate. He was sitting there on his bike with his back on me. 

"Wag kang haharap kasi baka di ko masabi yung sasabihin ko" I murmured as I buried my face on his back. He squeezed my hands tightly on his own as he waited.

"I don't know how to do this, and I don't know how it happened. When I entered the library, I didn't expect one letter would lead me to you. I didn't expect one meeting would change everything, and I honestly didn't expect one person could make me feel this way. I'm glad I took the chance you asked of me, Prince."

I felt him move and go down on one knee in front of me so that he could take both of my hands and kiss my knuckles. He was smiling that heart-stopping smile and I couldn't stop the racing of my heart as he cupped my cheeks with both of our hands.

"I love you Ayanna Diosa Zabala." He whispered as he pressed a chaste kiss on my lips. 

-End Chapter 10-