#LGS1Usapan #LGS1chapter6 #LaGrilla1

***

WEEKS later, Leo was facing a new problem. Aside from his legal works and helping Imee figure out her passion, he also had to deal with the setback in the setup that he agreed with Melissa and Jamer.

For some reason, Jamer had the guts to challenge that woman. Melissa was so furious when Jamer claimed on a phone call that he will never file an annulment once he marries Ava. Ang usapan kasi ay magpapakasal lang si Jamer kay Ava para makuha ng dalaga ang mana nito. Kapag naproseso na ang transfer ng pera at ari-arian sa pangalan nito, kailangan na nilang magpa-annul ng kasal. Kabilin-bilinan ni Melissa ang annulment na iyon. Iyon kasi ang assurance ng babae na walang asawa na makakahati ang anak nito sa mamanahing pera at ari-arian.

Para ayusin ang gusot na ito, kinailangan ni Leo na makipagkita sa kababata sa isang restaurant sa labas ng hacienda. Kinausap niya ito nang masinsinan hanggang sa wala nang dapat pag-usapan pa dahil bumalik na sa huwisyo ang kaibigan niya at pumayag makipag-annul kay Ava sa takdang panahon.

Matapos ipaalala kay Jamer na dapat itong sumunod sa kanilang usapan ay tumayo na siya mula sa upuan. Leo had to leave because he knew that Imee was already waiting for him at Hacienda Hermano. Pero bago pa siya nakapagpaalam sa kaibigan ay napatigil siya ng mga sinabi nito.

“Leo, sabihin mo nga sa akin, bakit napakadali lang para sa iyo na hayaan si Ava na manipulahin natin nang ganito? Hindi pa ba malinaw sa iyo kung bakit ko siya gustong pakasalan?”

Leo was thinking that Jamer was implying that he was only after free sex in that marriage. His friend was trying to make him realize that that reason alone for Jamer to marry Ava should bother him.

Natatawang inilapat niya ang isang kamay sa balikat ng kaibigan. “Simula pagkabata, magkaibigan na tayo, Jamer. Alam ko na kahit may pangangailangan ka, hindi mo dadaanin sa dahas si Ava. You’re also a very nice person and you can manage to convince her to marry you without forcing her into it. The original plan was for you to have a child with her, so that she can’t say no to marrying you, but you came up with a better idea to convince her. With that, iniisip ko na lang na parang matchmaking lang itong ginagawa ko sa inyong dalawa.”

“But you don’t understand, Leo,” he hissed, “I am manipulating her into marrying me because Ava doesn’t really know what’s the catch in this setup. She doesn’t know that I’ll file for an annulment sooner or later. She doesn’t know that we will only get married in exchange of getting her inheritance. Don’t you see it? I am being disrespectful to your best friend. How can you stomach this?”

Mapait siyang napangiti. Nginangatngat man siya ng konsensiya ay mas pinili niyang magkunwari na hindi narinig ang mga sinabi ni Jamer.

“Kapag ikinasal kayo ni Ava, makukuha na niya ang mana niya, Jamer. That’s what matters here because she needs that money. All of that, Jamer. Palugi na ang furniture business niya sa Manila at matutulungan siya ng mamanahin niya para makapagsimula ng panibagong buhay.

“And if you are worrying about breaking her heart, I highly doubt that Ava will fall in love with you. Matigas na ang puso ng babaeng iyon. For many years, natiis niya na wala siyang nakakarelasyon dahil matibay ang prinsipyo niya na hindi siya magpapatali sa isang lalaki. So, whatever is going on between you two, it must be only driven by her needs . . . her sexual needs. Just like how you feel toward her. Meaning, quits lang kayo.

“Ang tanging hiling ko lang ay huwag na huwag mong sasaktan si Ava sa buong pagsasama ninyo. Sa paraang iyon, medyo mababawasan ang guilt na nararamdaman ko sa ginagawa nating ito sa kan’ya.

“At may mas matindi pang rason kung bakit gusto kong matuloy ang kasal ninyo ni Ava.”

Jamer’s eyes narrowed. Tila naghihinala na ito sa kaniya. “Ano ’yon?”

“Kapag hindi natuloy ang kasal ninyo ni Ava, ako raw ang ikakasal sa kaniya.”

“Ikaw?” bulalas nito bago napailing-iling.

Leo sighed heavily. “Ava is my best friend, kaya kahit ako ay ganyan din ang naging reaksiyon no’ng sinabi ’yan ni Melissa sa akin.”

“What the fuck, Leo! You know, what? Just don’t do it,” Jamer gritted. “Don’t marry Ava. Let’s stop this setup. Stop being Melissa’s puppet!”

Malungkot siyang napailing. “I want to. Pero nakatali na yata ako sa ganitong tungkulin, sa pagiging utusan at sunod-sunuran ni Melissa.”

“Sunod-sunuran? Leo, hindi ka ganyan,” he breathed out.

“Yes. I already am,” titig niya sa mga mata nito. “At alam mo rin ba kung bakit hindi na ako maaalis sa pagiging alipin ni Melissa? Ha? Alam mo ba?”

He slowly shook his head. “Why?”

Leo lowered his voice. “Because my reputation and profession as a lawyer is on the line here.”

Since he opened up this topic, Leo had no choice but to go back to his seat and tell Jamer the whole story about how he turned into Melissa’s puppet.

Habang nagkukuwento ay nakita niya ang pagdidilim ng anyo ng kaniyang kababata, ang pag-aapoy ng galit sa mga mata nito. Hindi naman tumigil si Leo sa pagkukuwento dahil mapapatagal lang kapag ginawa niya iyon. As much as possible, he wanted to finish explaining his side to his friend, because how he badly wanted to immediately shove his past at the back of his mind once more just to forget it.

Hindi na nakaimik si Jamer nang matapos siya sa pagkukuwento kung bakit nakasalalay ang reputasyon at propesyon niya sa pagiging sunod-sunuran ni Melissa. His friend just nodded once before standing up from his seat. Akmang tatayo na rin siya nang lingunin siya nito.

“Well, you can’t let Melissa do this to you forever.”

Tumayo na rin siya. “Wala kang pagsasabihan nito.”

Jamer just grinned, his eyes were still burning with rage. “Of course, Leo. Of course.”

***

AFTER having a discussion with Jamer, Leo headed straight to Hacienda Hermano. Imbes na iparada ang sasakyan sa mansiyon, ipinuwesto niya ang mini cooper sa tapat ng dating tirahan nila ng kaniyang pamilya. Isa itong kubo kung saan siya lumaki at nagkamuwang. Ito ang nagsilbing tirahan nilang mga Tierra noong nagtatrabaho pa sila sa hacienda para sa mga Hermano.

He called Imee and invited her to come over in the afternoon. Habang naghihintay sa pagdating ng dalaga ay sinipat ni Leo ang bawat sulok ng kubo. He took off his olive green short-sleeved shirt and dark gray slacks so that they wouldn’t get dirty. They were placed neatly inside his mini cooper, draped over the back rests of the seats.

Habang tanging boxer shorts lang ang suot ay sinimulan na ni Leo ang paglilinis-linis sa kubo. May naiwan naman dito na lumang walis at basahan kaya ginamit niya ang mga ito. Suwerte din siya dahil may koneksiyon pa rin ng tubig dito kaya nagagamit niya ang gripo.

Leo skipped lunch just to be able to finish cleaning the small hut in time. Pagkatapos, umupo siya sa kawayang sofa rito para magpahinga nang kaunti.

Nang makabawi ng lakas ay kinuha niya uli ang mga damit sa loob ng kotse. Naghugas siya ng katawan sa batalan sa likuran ng bahay bago isinuot uli ang kaniyang mga damit.

Pagbalik sa kubo ay binuksan niya ang lahat ng mga bintana at pinto para malayang makapasok ang liwanag at preskong simoy ng hangin. May suplay man kasi ng tubig dito ay wala namang kuryente. He positioned the bamboo sofa close to the open door and sat there.

Then, Leo checked his cell phone. Wala siyang natanggap na text message man lang mula kay Imee kung parating na ba ito. He just sighed and spinned the slim smart phone in his hand like a card while waiting. He forgot about his empty stomach, because for some reason, it was fluttering with excitement.

‘The earlier Imee discovers her talent or skill . . . the better. Para matapos na itong mga pagkikita namin. Para hindi na ako pabalik-balik pa rito.’

He glanced at the door and saw a glowing presence outside—Imee. She smiled widely at him.

Her view became clearer as she approached nearer. She wore a pair of red shorts and a white fitting shirt. Her pixie cut hair was swept on one side and pinned by a small, black ribbon hair clip. Sa isang kamay ay hawak nito ang folder na ibinigay ni Leo na naglalaman ng listahan ng mga activity na puwedeng subukan ng dalaga.

“Kumusta?” tanong nito nang makalapit sa kaniya.

He wearily combed his hair with his fingers. Umusod siya sa dulo ng sofa, malayo sa direksiyon ng pinto ng kubo. “Have a seat. Magsimula na tayo.”

Nahalata niya ang bahagyang pagsilay ng pagtataka sa mga mata nito bago tahimik na umupo at isiniksik ang sarili sa kabilang dulo ng sofa. It was only when Leo realized that she must have mistaken the physical weariness in his tone for rudeness.

Imee sat so close to the door that the soft rays of afternoon sun touched the right side of her hair, face, and body. Coconut trees surrounded the area, and each time they sway, their shadows brushed away the sunlight that reached Imee.

Minutes later, Leo was already watching Imee sing. Her every move was so theatrical, he had been holding in his laugh for a good two minutes already. Tila nakahalata na ito kaya tinaasan siya ng isang kilay habang patuloy sa pagkanta. So, he just looked away and let a smile escape from his lips.

Namalayan na lang niya na tapos nang kumanta ang dalaga nang nakaupong humarap ito sa kaniyang direksiyon. “Ano’ng nakakatawa, Leo?”

“Nakakatawa? I’m not laughing,” he answered defensively before a nervous chuckle escaped from his lips.

“Ano’ng hindi? Iyan, o! Tumatawa ka!”

Lalong lumakas tuloy ang tawa niya. Napatingala pa siya habang humahalakhak.

Imee shook her head and sighed. “Okay. Wala akong talent sa pagkanta.” Binuklat nito ang hawak na folder. “Accepted.”

“Don’t do it ever again,” he smiled at her as he slowly calmed down.

Pabirong inambahan siya nito ng palo ng folder. “Napapangitan ka pala bakit pinatapos mo pa ako sa pagkanta!?”

Natatawang napaatras si Leo. Sumiksik tuloy ang likod niya sa arm rest ng kawayang sofa. “Well, who knows, Imee? Baka sa bandang dulo ng kanta, makuha mo na rin ang tono.”

Umayos ang dalaga sa pagkakaupo. “Buwisit ka! Hindi mo na ’ko dapat pinatapos. Nakakahiya!”

Nang marinig na nahihiya ang dalaga, mabilis niyang inilayo sa pagkanta nito ang usapan. He didn’t want Imee to feel humiliated.

“Ano pa ang mga pinag-aralan mo this week?” tanong niya habang titig na titig sa mukha nito.

Imee kept on reading the papers in the folder she was holding. She was already putting a strikethrough on the word ‘singing.’ “Sa totoo lang, ilang linggo ko nang pinag-aaralan ang pagsayaw.”

“You mean, sa lahat ng mga activity na nasa listahan, matagal mo nang nasubukan ang sumayaw? Bakit hindi mo ipakita sa akin para matingnan ko kung may potential ka roon?”

Napatingin sa kaniya ang dalaga. Nasalo niya ang mga mata nito at nabasa ang takot sa mga ito. He waited for her explanation, but it had been too long, Leo was unable to hold in his curiosity. “Imee?”

Umiwas ito agad ng tingin sa kaniya. “Nakakahiya kasing sumayaw. Ano ’yon? Sasayaw ako sa harapan mo? Parang . . . Ewan. Ang awkward.”

Sumandal siya sa back rest ng sofa at tinitigan si Imee. Habang titig na titig sa mukha ng dalaga ay umaandar ang kaniyang isip.

Ang kaniyang imahinasyon.

Kapag naririnig niya ang salitang ‘sayaw,’ awtomatikong naaalala niya ang Atlantis, isang stripper’s club kung saan may sumasayaw na mga seksing babae. And since he was trying to imagine how Imee would look like while dancing . . .

His eyes instantly flamed.

“Huwag mo nga akong titigan nang gay’an!” pagsusungit bigla ni Imee. She slightly slouched on her seat so that she could press her whole upper back against the sofa’s back rest.

He obeyed her. Ipinatong na lang ni Leo ang braso sa ibabaw ng back rest ng sofa, pero hindi man lang dumikit ang dulo ng kaniyang mga daliri sa balikat ng dalaga na nakasandal din dito. The tips of his fingers were only a few breaths away, but still too far from her. When Leo blinked, he realized that he had been staring at the gap between Imee’s shoulder and his fingers for too long.

Then, an idea struck him. “Imbitado ang lahat sa selebrasyon ng kasal nina Greggy at Mara, hindi ba?”

His eyes pierced into hers and as if on cue, the shadows of the coconut leaves paved way for a few streaks of soft sunlight to glow over Imee. A few floating hot white dust danced around each sunray.

Kumunot ang noo nito. “Greggy at Mara?”

He cocked his head to the side, helplessly admiring how she glowed beautifully because of the touch of sunlight on her hair and skin, that glint of light at the corner of her eye, that tiny gloss sparkling along her bottom lip . . .

Leo swallowed. “O-Oo. Hindi ba, sa bisperas ng kasalan dito sa Batangas ay may handaan at sayawan?”

Imee’s eyes widened. “Sayawan!”

Leo nodded. He wanted to give her a reassuring smile, but he was already half lost in the journey of his eyes along her beautiful face.

“Alam ko na kung ano ang naiisip mo. Pupunta tayo sa sayawan, at doon ako sasayaw.”

He swallowed and returned his eyes on her eyes. “Oo.” Pagka-oo niya ay saka lang siya nakaalala. ‘Shit. Sinabi ko pa naman sa Greggy na ’yon na hindi ako makapupunta.’

“Magandang idea ’yan, Leo. Hindi awkward sumayaw roon dahil hindi lang ikaw ang manonood sa pagsayaw ko kundi . . .” Biglang natigagal si Imee.

Nag-aalalang umusod siya para lumapit dito at silipin ang mukha nito. “Kundi?” he prodded.

He saw how she seemed to stop breathing before she managed to reply. “Maraming tao ang makakakita sa akin sumayaw!” tila pagpa-panic nito.

Leo squeezed her shoulders. “Don’t be afraid—” He immediately released her. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that.” He cleared his throat. “Again. There’s no need to be afraid. Kahit sumayaw ka roon, masyadong busy ang mga bisita roon sa sarili nilang pagsayaw kaya hindi ka nila mapapanood masyado. So . .  sumayaw ka lang sa party. Okay?”

“At kapag nakitaan mo ako ng potential sa pagsayaw?” may pag-aalinlangan sa boses nito.

“Then, I will refer you to a dance coach in Manila if there’s none of that here in Batangas.”

Napalabi ito. “Teka lang, paano mo naman masasabi kung magaling akong sumayaw? May experience ka ba sa pagsayaw? I mean, hindi ka professional dancer . . .”

“Yes. But I have seen good dancers in Atlantis.”

“Atlantis?”

Namilog ang mga mata niya. He just couldn’t tell Imee that he visited a strip club every now and then. “Y-Yeah. Atlantis.” Then, he tried to act nonchalant. “Anyway, you don’t have to know about that place. Basta, nakailang nood na ako ng mga taong sumasayaw. I have been invited to watch theater plays too, so I know a good dance when I see one.”

Nagdududang pinaningkitan siya nito ng mga mata bago tumango. “Sige. Kitakits na lang sa party.”

Leo held his breath upon the realization that all this time, he was face to face with Imee. They sat so close to each other, he wondered why his initial response to this was comfort . . . It only felt awkward when he gave their position a second glance and a second thought.

Umatras si Imee at tumayo mula sa kinauupuan. Tiningala naman niya ito.

“Kailan nga pala uli ’yong party?”

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay ng dalaga nang lingunin siya. On her background, the coconut leaves were already black silhouettes swaying against the sunlight.

“Ikaw ang nagyaya sa ’kin ’tapos hindi mo alam kung kailan?”

“Bakit, hindi mo ba alam? Imbitado ang lahat ng taga-hacienda sa bisperas at reception ng kasal nila, ’di ba? Kapitbahay mo nga si Greggy!” tukoy niya sa isa sa mga nagtatrabaho sa hacienda.

“Oo, pero kung imbitado ka, bakit hindi mo matandaan kung kailan ang party?”

“Just answer my question, Imee, please.” ‘Kinalimutan ko na kasi ang mga detalye tungkol doon last week dahil wala naman talaga akong planong pumunta roon.’

Napabuntonghininga ito. “Sa Sabado na ang bisperas. Doon sa malaking kubo sa dulo ng taniman ng niyog. Linggo ng umaga ang kasal at sa tapat ng magiging bahay naman nina Greggy at Mara gaganapin ang handaan.”

“I’ll be here on Saturday then,” he confirmed, standing up.

Imee stood still as he walked toward her. He didn’t know why she seemed too stiff as she watched him come closer.

Was she feeling intimidated by the intensity of his stare? Were his eyes being too obvious about how he just could not look away from her?

He only stopped walking when they were already a few inches apart from each other. Leo stared deeply into her eyes, bold and unaffected at the one to two inches difference in their height. Imee being taller, of course.

The right corner of his lips lifted into a grin. “What should I wear at the party?”

“Bakit ako ang tinatanong mo kung ano ang susuotin mo?”

“I want to match my clothes with yours.”

Napailing ito. “Ano’ng match? Ano tayo couple na matchy-matchy?”

He chuckled lowly. Hindi malaman ni Leo kung bakit parang may kumiliti sa dibdib niya kaya natawa siya sa itinuran ng dalaga. “Well, you’re going to dance right? You might need a . . . partner.”

Namilog ang mga mata nito dahil siguro muntik nang dumikit ang ilong niya sa pisngi nito habang sinisilip at pinag-aaralan ang ekspresyon sa mukha nito. He heard her sharp inhale even if it wasn’t that loud.

“Ayoko ng dance partner. Kung magiging dance partners tayo, ibig sabihin, dapat alam mo rin ang choreography.”

“Marunong ako makisabay sa sayaw ng iba. Kapag hindi ko alam ang susunod na gagawin, marunong ako magpakumbaba at magpatangay na lang sa kasayaw ko.”

Imee met his gaze. It was his turn to be shocked, to be blown away, and to hold his breath. There was this sharp glint in her eyes with a background of soft dreaminess. He would clutch his chest to make his heart behave at this very sight, but their nearness would not let him lift a hand. So, he had to suffer from the violence of his heartbeats.

“Hindi ko pa nga sure kung maayos ba akong sumayaw, gusto mo na agad na ako ang magdala sa pagsasayaw natin. Mag-isa lang akong sasayaw sa party, okay?” mariin nitong wika.

Leo slowly stepped back. “Okay. You dance, and I’ll watch.”

Imee nodded at him. “Good. Sige na. Bye.”

Bago pa siya nakasagot ay naglakad-takbo na ito palabas ng kubo. Doon lang napakawalan ni Leo ang pinipigilan na hininga. At kahit na naipon ang kaniyang hininga sa dibdib kanina, naghingalo pa rin siya at naghabol ng hininga bago nanlalambot na napaupo sa kawayang sofa.

“This is an overreaction, Leo, and I object to this! This is not okay!” he scolded himself.

***
COME HERE
La Grilla Series #1
Copyright Registered: 2024
R-18, General Fiction, Sexy Romance, Drama
First publish on Wattpad: December 2016

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