He's here
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Nang makalabas ay siya na mismo ang nag-alis sa kamay niya mula sa pagkakahawak ng beywang ko. Binalingan niya ako at ngumiti. "Ayos ka lang ba?"

My lips parted as I struggled to reassemble myself. Napatango ako, "I am." nag-iwas na ako ng tingin at panay lingon sa mga daanan.

Kahit nandito si Ysmael ay hindi parin ako mapalagay. What had occurred a short time earlier had already been terrifying. Hindi ko na kakayanin kung mangyare pa ito ulit.

"I'm here," he spoke in hushed tones, yet loud enough for me to hear.

Napaangat ang kilay ko doon. Nakatitig lamang siya sa akin na tila ba may malalim na iniisip. I couldn't stop thinking about what I witnessed a few minutes earlier while I watched his countenance.

Hindi ko alam na may jowa na pala ito, or at least that's what I thought. I know it's none of my business, but if that lady is his current lover, he has to move on from Olivia. Because if he kept thinking about Olivia, it would be unjust for his present. It's not like he informed me about it, but it's quite obvious.

"Why...are you here?" basag ko sa katahimikan.

Binulsa niya lang ang mga kamay at nanatiling tinitigan ako bago sumagot, "Gab and I are friends from horseriding."

Napatango na lamang ako kahit hindi iyon ang sagot na gusto kong marinig. Nakakapagtataka kung bakit siya nasa harapan ko ngayon, siguro nga ay hinahanap na ako ni Grandpa.

Napabuga ako hangin.I don't want to go back yet, but I felt bad for him since he had to leave his friends behind to obey his boss's orders. Bahagya akong umatras at tiningala siya, "I should head back now, Grandpa is probably looking for me." sambit ko atsaka siya tinalikuran para sana hindi ko mapuwerhisyo pa.

"Let me walk you there." anyaya niya kaya mabilis akong nag-iling.

"I can managed." pero marahan na tinulak niya lang ang beywang ko at sinama ako sa kaniya.

Napakurap nalang ako at hindi na umangal. Maingat naming tinahak ang unang palapag at panay suri ko lang sa paligid habang tahimik na nagmamasid sa mga tao. Napaigting ako nang bigla-bigla nalang magsalita si Ysmael.

"I'm here." ulit niya sa sinabi kanina kaya napakunot ang noo ko. Alam ko namang nandito siya, hindi naman ako bulag.

I tried not to get myself mixed up by trying to figure out what he was saying. Marahan lang akong naglakad papunta sa mataong lugar. Nagkuyom kamao ako at huminga ng malalim bago sumali sa karamihan.

Dahil sa malakas na tugtug ay hindi na nila ako gaanong napapansin kaya dire-diretso lang ang aking lakad. Just as I was about to walk through the threshold, a pair of hands gripped my shoulders, almost making me scream.

"Wait for me here, I'll go get the keys." bulong ni Ysmael sa likuran ko kaya hindi ko mapigilan ang pagtayo ng mga balahibo ko.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag doon. This is why I shouldn't have agreed to this party. Honestly speaking, I gained nothing from here but another traumatic experience.

"I thought Grandpa was looking for me?" nginisehan niya lang ako.

"Hindi siya pero sabi niya iuwi ka na raw." sagot niya na ikanakunot ulit ng noo ko.

I chose not to pay attention to what he said and grabbed his arm as he began walking away, "Just call Francisco." I don't want him to drive me home. Ayaw kong maagaw ko ang munting oras niya para sa mga kaibigan at lalo na ngayong may kasintahan pala ito.

He looked like he doesn't like that idea that's why I need to explain to him a little further, "Nakakain ka ba?" I asked sarcastically, "You're with your pals and it's Sunday; you don't have any commitments right now"

His brows frowned a little, "I'm still your bodyguard."

"At night." I corrected.

He could only stare at me and roll his eyes before nodding, "Then, I'll get you your Francisco." sambit nito atsaka naglakad papaalis. Napangiwi naman ako doon at kalaunan ay nag-iling nalang. He's undoubtedly going through a rough patch right now. And if it was my fault, I wouldn't hold it against myself because he was the one who had been persistent in the first place.

Tahimik na hinihintay ko lang sila Francisco habang pinagmamasdan ang paligid. There were still a lot of people and most of them were businessmen. Hindi nalang ako nagtaka kung bakit kakaunti lang na mga kasingtanda ko ang bisita. Ganito rin naman kasi noon sa mansyon, lalo na noong buhay pa ang ama ni William.

Everything in our environment revolved around money and commerce. Our fathers were all driven by the need to make a livelihood, which is why we are all close to Grandpa and our moms. Wala naman sa amin 'yon dahil bata palang kami noon. But as years passes by, unti-unti naming nararamdaman ang pagkainip sa buhay. Minsan nga ay sinasali pa nila kami sa negosyo nila kaya mas lalo lamang lumayo ang loob namin sa kanila.

William actually had a fiance. The reason why his life changed so much. And he blamed his father for that. My 1st cousin, Thadius, never had a girlfriend because of that. Loki and his half brother, Miggy, separated because of that. Jarvis was once disowned because he refused to listen to his mom and pursued his ambitions. And Pacholo? Well, he's just a mess that no one can ever control for even a fraction of a second, and yes, it was never because of business.

Napaigting ako nang may biglang humaplos sa braso ko.When I realized it was that person who had grabbed me earlier, I shuddered. Mabilis akong napaatras at matalim siyang tiningnan. "Move, psycho." I stated, attempting to keep my worry at bay.

Nginitian lang ako nito ng nakakaloko, "Is this the real attitude of the famous Crisceana Silverio?"

I almost scoffed when he said that, "No woman would ever like what you did. Lalo na't hindi ka pogi."

Biglang naglukot ang mukha niya nang maprankahan ko. Truth hurts, though. Narinig ko ang mapaklang tawa niya bago marahas na hinila ang braso ko. Titili na sana ako kung hindi niya lang ako pinagbantaan.

"Tumili ka at hindi ako magdadalawang-isip na saktan ka ngayon."

I was never scared when he said that. I mean, sure you can hurt me more but I'm not sure if you can escape from the people around us. Especially from the enraged man rushing towards us, his fist poised to smash the crap out of you.

Maraming napasinghap sa pagkabasag ng isang cocktail table na kung saan ito pinagtumbahan ng lalaki. I also got so surprised by what Ysmael did. I know he's already making a lot of money but damn, how much is a cocktail table again?

Mabilis ko siyang nayakap sa likuran nang makitang kong susuntukin niya na naman ito. As much as I want to let him do that but I can't, especially that a lot of people was already recording us. If Ysmael doesn't care about that, well, I do! I still worry about my image, okay?

"Hey, stop. That was enough. Hey—Jaime!" inis kong tawag sa kaniya.

"Enough? Do you think that was enough for this?" he grabbed my shoulders which I didn't know was already bleeding. But instead of being anxious about the blood dripping, it was his furious face that made me step back. An image suddenly crossed my mind seeing him in that look. Mabilis na lumambot ang ekspresyon nito nang masaksihan ang pagkatakot ko. He carefully grabbed my back and pulled me closer to him. "I'm sorry..." mahinang sambit niya atsaka malalim na huminga.

Ang takot ay napalitan ng kaba kaya hindi ko napigilang mapagalitan ang sarili. I should really practice my heart being a little colder. Hindi pwedeng masanay ako sa pag-aalala niya. He won't last, anyway.

The crowd suddenly gasped and when I look at his back the psycho was already approaching him, brandishing a shattered glass with which to sever his skull. My heart almost stopped with the sight. The image nearly brought my heart to a halt. I never imagined there would be a day when I'll be so disappointed in myself for failing to defend someone who had been saving me. But maybe, God never bestowed the psycho any luck, dahil bago paman niya ito mabaon sa ulo ni Ysmael ay naunahan siya ni Francisco sa pagdikit ng baril sa ulo niya.

"Subukan mo na habang buhay ka pa." persuading the psycho with his dangerous voice.

Nabitawan ito ng lalaki at nanginginig ang mga kamay na itinaas. Nakita kong mabilis na ginapos ito ng iba pang bodyguard ni mayor at pilit na inilabas. Napalingon ako noong marinig kong tinawag ako ni Grandpa at kasabay nun ay ang pagkahinto ko nang masilayan ang dismayang mukha ng aking ama.

Hindi ko nagawang gumalaw dahil doon. I felt proud when he witnessed that, kasi sa tingin ko ay ito ang pinakaunang pagsubok ko na nasaksihan niya bilang ama. Pero bakit ganoon? Why is he looking at me like I did something wrong? Wait, did I ever do something that would make him this disappointed? Was it because of the ruckus? Or maybe because his name was being tarnished?

Gusto ko nalang magwala nang matandaan na naman kung gaano nito kamahal ang pangalan niya. I couldn't help it! He was so entitled that doesn't even mind if his daughter is being assaulted by a stranger. Am I even still his daughter?

"Let's get out of this hell." bulong ni Ysmael sa gilid ko at walang paalam na iginaya ako paalis doon.

Karga ko pa rin ang sakit at pait bago malakas na iwinaksi ang kamay nito mula sa pagkakahila nang makalabas sa maraming tao, "Wait, Grandpa was calling me! You can't just disrespect him like that." I hissed when I remembered Grandpa in between my painful thoughts.

He sighed, "He's the one who gestured me to get you out of this place, Crisceana." he corrected before putting his hands on either side of his hips, "And let me correct you, I wasn't disrespecting anyone. I was respecting you." aniya bago ako hinila ulit papasok sa isang mercedes gullwing na sasakyan.

Nawala ang inis at galit na nararamdaman ko nang mapagtanto ang nakikita. Napaurong ako pagkaupo ko. Who the hell owns this expensive car? Mabilis akong napakurap sa gawi ni Ysmael nang makapasok. He brought my stares back before he smiled. "Gusto mo na ba ang moreno?"

I winced in disgust, "Conceited." ani ko, "Sa'yo ba'to?" I asked with eyes wide open.

He smiled and nodded, "Noah." which made me so confused but because I heard the word Noah, my smile automatically formed.

"Wow, really?" masigla kong tanong at nakita siyang sumimangot.

"Paano nalang kaya kung sinabi ko sa'yo na akin talaga 'to?" he sulked as he started the engine.

Napahagikhik nalang ako, "Too bad I wasn't able to look at him a while ago. His girl was there kasi." musot ko na nagpaingos sa kaniya.

"You really should stop admiring him. Walang magandang dulot si Noah sa'yo lalo na ang girlfriend niya." his voice hinted irritation that made me smile.

"How can you say that to your friends?"

He shrugged, "Pareho silang abogado. Kapag sinubukan mong pumagitna sa relasyon nila, wala kang laban kay Rich. Ingay rin ng bibig nun." imbes na mainsulto ay natawa nalang ako sa mukha nitong naiinis.

He confusingly glimpsed at me before letting his smiles escape. "Do you like morenos na?"

Umiling ako habang nakangiti. Iningusan niya lamang ako bago ipinaharurot ang mercedes. Mas lalo lamang akong natawa habang pinapanood siyang umaaktong naiinis sa akin.

I could only smile and shake my head. I admire how this person has the ability to shift my mood at any time. Of course, I despise how pompous and irritating he is, but because he mentioned that he was just doing it to divert my attention, I suppose I should be grateful. Kasi bihira lang ang ganoong estranghero.

But of course, I know why he's doing this. At nakakatawa lang dahil ayos lang sa akin 'yon.

Tahimik lang kami sa loob. Hindi na rin naman siya nagsalita pagkatapos nun kaya nanatili rin akong tahimik habang nakatanaw sa labas. I'm not sure where we're going, but based on the ocean view outside, I'm guessing we're going to the beach.

Napaharap ako ng tingin nang makita ko ang biglang pagdahan-dahan ng sinasakyan. Tumuwid ako para makita ang labas. From my vantage point, all I could see was a rail of sky blue fencing positioned only a meter from from the road.

Nahagip sa paningin ko ang nagtataasang mga puno nang pumasok kami rito. Ysmael followed the car-made track, which had feet-high grasses in the middle of two parallel gravel paths. Napatingala ulit ako at tinitigan ang isang maliit na cabin sa hindi kalayuan.

"We used to rest here whenever life is fucking us." Ysmael said, his gaze fixed on the road.

Wala sa sariling napatango ako, "Uh—we?"

"With the group."

"Ah, the walking flags..." I whispered without thinking kaya nagulat ako nang bigla siyang bumuhakhak.

"Walking flags...really?" naaaliw niyang tanong.

Nahihiyang napakagat ibabang labi nalang ako. "I don't mean to offend you but y'all look like it," I confessed, which made him laugh even more.

Seconds of laughing when he finally stopped, "I wouldn't blame you for that since we all look different." he was smiling as he parked the car under the shade, where it was just behind the cabin.

"I don't want to come across as boastful, but club: universe was rather popular throughout my high school and college years." hindi ko mapigilang mapatitig sa malapad nitong ngiti. It was pure and satisfying to look at.

"Club what?" tanong ko nang makabalik sa katinuan.

He chuckled with his deep laugh, "Club: universe. It's kinda weird but it's what they call us." narinig kong binuksan niya ang dalawang pinto kaya dahan-dahan rin akong tumayo habang pinapakinggan siya.

"Corbin came up with the name, and we're all simply going with it. Hindi namin 'yon mapipigilan, eh. Kung anong gusto dapat masusunod." natawa ako doon nang maalala ang pinsan kong kagaya ni Corbin.

"Club: universe was somehow the rival of another popular club made up entirely of American men. The Papichulo. Well, not the first Papichulo generation." Does this imply that their adversarial group has been passed down over the generations?

Napangiwi ako doon, "Papichulo with American guys? Does that make any sense?"

Natawa siya atsaka ako pinuntahan bago ginaya papasok sa cabin. "The group name has nothing to do with anything in the present, it was the connotation that characterizes them," he said as he unlocked the door.

"So, are they all handsome daddies?" I asked directly.

Napabuhakhak siya nang makapasok sa loob, "Ewan ko, hindi ko naman type ang mga lalaki." may pandidiri nitong amin.

I rolled my eyes, "So, where are they now? The first ever generation that made that name famous?" tanong ko nang makaupo at tinanggal ang suot na stilettos.

I actually don't know why I was intrigued about the Papichulos, siguro dahil gusto kong makompara sila sa grupo nila Ysmael at tingnan kung sino sa dalawa ang mas angat? Kasi sa pangalan pa lang ay hindi maipagkakailang puro gwapo ang nakapaloob dito. And maybe there's another Noah looking guy, but from an opposing group.

He merely shrugged and leaned against the wooden island counter, "Itanong mo sa pinsan mo kung saan sila ngayon."

Napaangat agad ako doon at naglalaking mga matang tinitigan siya, "What?" Anong pinagsasabi niya?

He laughed good-naturedly, "Akala ko nakilala mo agad kung sino sila."

May kung anong ideya ang pumasok sa isipan ako kaya napaawang ang bibig ko doon. Now that he mentions them, it's the moment I realized that Silverios are Hispanic! And from the word papichulo itself, hindi na ako magtataka kung sino ang gumawa nito.

Napangiwi nalang ako at napatakip ng mukha sa napagtanto. Bakit hindi ko ito alam? Neither William nor Jarvis who are the kindest among the six didn't tell me about it. And I couldn't be more betrayed!

Narinig ko siyang naaaliw na pinagtawanan ako, "Hindi rin naman sila nagtagal sa grupo but since your cousins were all famous among girls in high school, up until the recent times, they are still known."

Alam ko naman kung gaano kaganda ang lahi namin pero hindi ko pa rin mapigilan ang hiya. Mabuti nalang talaga at wala na ako sa Everett Valley bago nag-high school.

Kahit pa man ay hiyang-hiya na ay napilit ko pa ring ngumiti, "Is that how you know me? Or...?" wala akong intensyon na itanong 'yon pero dahil sa narinig ay imposibleng hindi ako napag-usapan ng ibang tao, lalo na't ako lang ang pinsan nilang babae.

Nakita ko ang pagkahinto niya at bahagyang pagbuka ng mga labi. Tila ba ay hindi nito inasahan ang tanong ko. Ibabalik ko na sana sa sarili ang tanong kung hindi lang siya nagsalita.

"I...I know you before them," he uttered, his face was smiling but serious at the same time.

I could only stare at him for a minute. I was intimidated and bewildered. I'm not sure what he means when he says he knew me before my cousins.

Napatitig ulit ako sa mukha niya. I've always wanted to ask him this question, but I've never had the opportunity until now. Nakita kong napayuko lang siya at nginitian ulit ako nang tumingala.

I gathered up the courage and asked him, "Have we met each other before? Now that I clearly look at you, you seem a little familiar." pasimple kong tanong kahit na kabang-kaba na.

His brows furrowed a little, "Sa pagkabata ba?"

Nagkibit balikat ako, "No significant time." because I clearly don't remember when did I see his face. Siguro ay kamukha lang pero napakapamilyar lang kasi ng berdeng mata nito.

"Ilang taon ka noong umalis ka dito sa Everett?" he suddenly asked that made me choke my own saliva. Perhaps he heard it from Grandpa?

I wet my lips and swallowed, "I was 13." trying hard not to stammer.

Napatango siya. "It's not possible. I first arrived here when I was 15." doon naman ako naliwanagan bago ulit nalito.

"How old are you again?" walang ibang ibig sabihin kong tanong.

Sumilay ang ngiti niya sa labi at napahalukipkip, "Bakit? Gusto mo na ba ang moreno?"

He instantly broke out laughing when he heard me groaned. I swear that I'll rip his mouth the next time he'll ask that in the middle of a serious conversation.

"I'm already 27. Turning 28 next year." natatawa pa rin niyang sagot.

I didn't mind his tease because I was so absorbed in our conversation. "So, you're 2 years older then that means it's possible that we've met before I went to Buena Luna." I claimed happily.

Nang tingnan ko siya ay natameme lang siya at tila ba may malalim na iniisip habang ang mga titig ay nasa akin pa rin. Ilang segundo bago ito napakurap at napaayos ng tayo, "I don't know...too." that's what he only said before silence surrounds us.

Napatikhim ako doon habang pilit na binabasag ang katahimikan. I honestly don't know what he was thinking but if I reminded him of something again, then I'm obligated to break the awkwardness between us.

"Teka, hindi kayo taga Everett Valley?" nang maalala ang sinabi niya.

Doon naman siya nagising. He only smiled and walked towards the sliding door to open it, "Not necessarily my family. Just me and my sister."

I got baffled, "How?" I asked without even thinking whether it's okay or if it was a sensitive topic. Pero mukha wala lang naman ito sa kaniya.

"We were children of another man. Taga Germany ang daddy namin ni Ysa kaya ganito ang mukha namin." napatango ako, "...alam mo na gwapo, maganda." napairap ako doon at natawa.

The more story that he spilt, the more that it piqued my interest. "If you don't mind, what happened?"

He shrugged as he carefully rolled up the blinds, "Daddy had a mistress that's why Mama left him. Hindi pumayag si daddy na dalhin kami at dahil walang trabaho si mama ay iniwan niya nalang kami doon. Years later our dad was the one who freed us. Lalo na nang mawalan ito ng oras sa amin dahil sa pagtatrabaho." their story was supposed to be sad pero hindi man lang ako nakarinig ng mapait sa boses nito.

It was as if everything that's happened was fine for him.

"Weren't you mad at your mom?" I couldn't help but ask.

He walked back towards the table and grabbed some knives which he immediately hid from me. Napakurap ako doon. "I was. But later on, I realized that she was only doing it for her kids to live," he stated before walking towards the sink to wash something.

"How about your dad?" I knew I should stop but my curiosity just kept on peeking out from my mouth.

He was slicing something that's why I could only see his wide back, and I admit that it was a really good view, "I don't actually hold grudges. Masaya ako na binigyan niya kami ng pagkakataong makasama ulit si Mama. Yes, he did had a lot of mistakes and greed his time for us pero kasi malaki na ako, alam ko na ang tama sa mali kaya mas naiintindihan ko kung bakit nangyare 'yon."

Bigla akong nasampal sa sinabi niya. His experience was similarly traumatic, but he was able to forgive and forget those who had wounded his heart. He is well-adjusted and, without a doubt, a good human. Alam ko na iba-iba mag-isip ang mga tao pero bakit isa ako sa mga taong mababaw mag-isip? If God knew I'll be dealing with a lot of crap, He should have given me at least a solid emotional stability. But who am I to question the Almighty?

"Pero mabuti nalang talaga at pumunta ako dito." nabalik ako sa katinuan nang marinig iyon. Hindi ko alam kung may sinabi pa ba ito bago iyon pero nagmaang-maangan nalang ako at pinagpatuloy ang usapan namin.

"Why?" I asked while I fixed my dress in my seat.

I didn't hear him answer after a few seconds that's why I had to glance up at him to see what took him so long but just to find out his playful eyes locked to mine.

Maybe it was the fondness or being used to, but as soon as I saw it, I already knew what shameless thing he was about to say.

"Kasi nakakaawa ka kapag hindi mo masilayan ang gwapo kong mukha."

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nyariina
8/4/'21