Chapter 10

Kind

Alec wanted to meet me at a café. I arrived twenty minutes late because I had a hard time finding its location. The establishment looked cozy. Malayo rin ito sa mismong city. The area looked more residential than commercial. I found it weird for a business venture to be there.

Mula sa labas ay natanaw ko agad si Alec dahil sa glass wall ng café. Tahimik lang siyang nakaupo sa isang corner.

I pushed the glass door and made my way inside. He looked up and our eyes locked. I quickly walked towards him as he stood from his seat.

"I'm sorry for being late," patiuna ko sabay lapag ng purse sa mesa.

"No worries." He dragged a chair for me. Tahimik akong naupo rito at sumunod naman siya sa pag-upo sa tapat ko.

"This place was hard to find kaya ako late, " paliwanag ko. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Café ba 'to ng kaibigan mo? Sinusuportahan mo na naman kaya tayo rito?"

He gave me a charming smile. "I actually own this."

Umawang ang labi ko. He looked entertained with my reaction. Isinuyod ko ulit ang tingin. The place looked ordinary. It didn't look fancy at all. Hindi ko inasahan na isa ito sa mga negosyong pagmamay-ari niya.

"So, let's talk about why your family suddenly came to our mansion," pagpapatuloy ko. "You said you would explain it."

"Let's order first."

"Oh. Yeah, let's do that." Nakabawi ako kaagad.

Alec ordered two cups of coffee and some pastries na sabi niya ay bestseller nila. I tried the pastries and found it too sweet for my liking. Nag-focus na lang ako sa kape ko.

"They insisted on pairing me up with Sofia Uy," panimula ni Alec. "I refused it and told them that I'm already interested in someone else. I told them it's you."

"But that doesn't explain why they suddenly show up in my home." Sumimsim ulit ako sa hawak na tasa ng kape.

Napasandal si Alec sa backrest ng kanyang inuupuan. Matagal niya akong tinitigan.

"I told them you're the only one I wanna get married to."

Muntik ko nang maibuga ang kape na nasa bibig. Maingat kong ibinaba ang tasa sa mesa.

"And they took it seriously," I commented without looking at him.

"Well, I wasn't joking when I said it."

Biglang umakyat ang init sa pisngi ko. Maybe it was the coffee?

Inabala ko ang tingin sa bandang pintuan at nakita ang tatlong gusgusing mga batang nagsisitakbuhan papasok. Deretso ang mga ito na lumapit sa may counter na para bang gawain na nila ito sa normal na araw. One staff smiled at them and gave them some pieces of bread.

From the looks of it, mukhang hindi ito ang unang beses na nanghingi ang mga bata. Iginala ng mga bata ang kanilang tingin na para bang may hinahanap sa loob. Dumapo ang tingin nila sa bandang mesa namin ni Alec. Malapad silang ngumiti at walang pasubaling tumakbo papunta sa direksiyon namin.

The staff urgently called their attention to stop them from coming to our table. She ran after them.

"Hello, Kuya Alec!" nag-uunahang pagbati ng mga bata.

"Pasensiya na po, sir," nahihiyang sabi ng staff. She looked scared as she forced a smile my way. "Palalabasin ko na po sila nang hindi makaabala sa inyo."

"It's okay, Brenda," mahinahong sinabi ni Alec. He gave a quick glance at the bread on the kids' hands before smiling at them. "Mabubusog na ba kayo niyan?"

"Opo! Malaki naman 'tong tinapay!" nakangiting sagot ng batang lalaki na siyang pinakamatangkad sa tatlo.

"Tapos masarap pa!" dugtong naman ng pinakamaliit na bata.

Kuryuso akong sinulyapan ng isa. He smiled at me and I noticed a gap on his teeth.

"Gelpren mo po, Kuya?"

"Oo," mabilis na tugon ni Alec. "Maganda ba?"

"Sobra!" nagsabay pa silang tatlo.

Alec chuckled and gave me a quick wink. Uminit ang pisngi ko.

Binalingan niya ng tingin ang staff na hindi pa umaalis at tahimik lang na nakatayo sa gilid.

"Pack them some more bread," utos niya.

"Sige po, sir," tugon ng staff. Iginiya niya ang mga bata paalis. "Hali kayo. Balik tayo sa may counter."

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang mga bata. Tuwang-tuwa sila. Naalala ko ang nakita sa Bahay Ampunan.

"Ang hilig mo sa mga bata," wala sa sariling komento ko.

"They're just fun been to be with," he answered glancing at the kids as well. Palabas na ang mga bata na may bitbit na paperbag. Bago ito nakalabas ng tuluyan sa glass door ay kumaway pa ang mga ito sa gawi namin.

Alec smiled at them. Binalingan niya ako ng tingin. "Pa'no mo nalaman na mahilig ako sa mga bata?"

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin dahil natatakot na mabuking. I looked at my latte and just took a sip from it.

"Napansin ko lang ngayon," sabi ko nang makapag-isip na ng palusot. "For sure, mahilig ka. Kita ko sa treatment mo sa kanila."

"Hmm," he murmured.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. "Do they always come here?"

"Minsan kapag hindi umuulan." He sighed. Mapanglaw niyang tinanaw ang glass wall kung saan kita ang labas. "At kapag gutom sila."

"And you always give them free food? Hindi ka ba malulugi?"

He turned and smiled at me. "Kahit magbigay man ako sa isang milyong mga bata, 'di ko 'yon ikakahirap, Jia."

I nodded as if I understood.

"I'm interested in business as well," dagdag ko. "Why I'm curious, bakit dito mo naisipan na magtayo ng café? Market wise, I don't think it's a hit."

"Profit was not the reason why I decided to build a café here. It's more on helping the community especially the kids who lost their parents at such a young age."

"So this café is for free?" Expected ko na 'yon pero nagulat pa rin ako. "You'll lose a lot of finances for that." I've heard my dad and brother talked about business over dinner. I was not ignorant about it.

Mariin niya akong tinitigan. "Do you think that way? Na pag nagbibigay ka, mawawalan ka?"

"In a way, yeah."Nagkibit ako ng balikat. I leaned on my chair as I gave him my full attention. "I'm not a charitable person. I'm not as kind as you."

He slowly nodded but didn't say anything.

"Are you turned off?" tanong ko. "Hindi ako mabait na tao."

"Hindi kita nagustuhan kasi tingin ko mabait ka."

I was about to open my mouth to give him a follow up question when he continued, " 'Cuz if the reason why I like you in the first place is because you're kind, I could've just like anyone else who's more kind."

"Did you bring me here to show me how kind you are towards the kids?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

Nakita ko ang gulat na dumaan sa mga mata niya. Napalitan din ito agad ng pilyong ngiti.

"It's working though, right?"

Mahina akong natawa sabay iling. He chuckled as well.

"I'll bring you to a different place next time," aniya makalipas ang ilang sandali. " 'Yong tipong hindi mo maiisip na pakitang tao lang ako."

I raised a brow and smirked at him. "Next time, huh?"

"Of course. We should have dates after dates," mapaglaro niyang tugon. "Para naman pag kasal na tayo, 'di mo isumbat sa'kin na tinipid kita sa dates."

My smile became wider. Wala akong naaalala na ibang lalaking nagpangiti sa'kin ng gano'n. He's very playful. Magaan lang kausap. And he was not the type of person who got easily offended.

I felt like in that conversation I had a bigger peak of his true nature. He was not mayabang. He's not self-centered like my brother. It made me trust him a little. But in that span of conversation, of course I didn't tell him how I felt. I wanted him to work harder just as he said that he would earn even just a quarter of my trust.

We were both inside the car when an earlier nagging question resurfaced on my mind.

"I forgot to ask you about your mom," sabi ko habang tahimik siyang nagmamaneho. "May apat na babae sa family ninyo ang sumama sa great grandmother mo. I didn't know which one was your mom."

"My mom died when I was a kid," kalmado niyang sagot.

"Oh. I'm sorry, I had no idea."

Iniliko na niya ang sasakyan sa lane papuntang mansiyon. He was good at driving that I almost didn't notice.

"Don't worry about it," he said his eyes remained on the road. "It was a long time ago."

The following day, we went to a different place. He brought me to the high mountains somewhere in the Metro for a paragliding adventure. His family owned the business. It was an extreme sport and definitely not my cup of tea.

I was just observing him as he listened to the final instructions of the professional pilot who was an Australian man. Alec would be piloting the paraglider on his own. I also learned that he had a license to it. It explained the reason he's such an adventurous person.

Ramdam ko ang lamyos ng hangin sa mukha ko. The weather was not harsh on us. It wasn't super hot. Two other staffs were on his sides preparing the wings. Alec grinned at me as he was putting on his harness. Another staff gave him the helmet.

Nilapitan ko siya at ibinigay na sa kanya ang itim na sunglasses.

"Sigurado ka ba rito?" ulit ko sa halos may panginginig na boses. I was still scared for him.

"I've already done this a couple of times, Jia."

"Please don't die." Hindi ko na napigilan ka.

Natawa siya. Sumali na rin sa tawanan ang mga lalaking staffs. When Alec saw how serious my face was, he became serious.

Banayad niya akong tiningnan. "I won't die. I promise."

I nodded at him. Nanatili pa rin ang kaba sa dibdib ko.

"Next time, when you're not afraid anymore, I'll take you with me," he promised.

Isinuot niya na ang sunglasses na binigay ko. He nodded towards the staff. He inflated the wing by pulling it up like a kite and then started to run, ready for take off. He was not running too fast, it was as if the wind was enough of a help already.

I was watching him in awe as he was suspended in the sky. It was breathtaking to watch. It was like flying in its simplest form. As I watched him going further away above, I suddenly felt the fear of losing someone.

"Isn't the wind too strong?" tanong ko sa piloto na nanatiling nakatingala rin kay Alec. He was standing not too far away from me.

"The wind is perfect today," tugon niya.

Some of the staffs and I waited for Alec in the landing site. They gave me some refreshments which I ignored because I was busy looking at Alec. After almost fifteen minutes which for me felt like forever, Alec was in the direction towards the landing site.

It was weird because instead of moving, his parachute seemed to be stucked on the air.

"What's wrong?" Hindi ko na napigilang tanungin ang piloto.

"It's the wind. Its direction is suddenly changing." He urgently called one of the staffs and said something technical to him.

"We'll he be okay?" I asked after they were done talking.

"Yes, if he'll adjust to the new direction of the wind." The pilot was calm. "Don't worry. Mr. Von Cua is a pro."

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi at nagtiwala na lang. Sinundan nga ni Alec ang direksiyon ng hangin. Imbes na sa landing site, sa may hindi kalayuan na lang siya nag-landing.

Nilapitan agad siya ng staffs at inabala ang mga sarili nila sa pagtatanggal ng mga equipments. Alec was just grinning at them from ear to ear. They even joked at one another which I guess men do despite the previous danger.

I stayed where I was as I waited for my nerves to calm down.

He probably noticed something on my expression. He murmured his goodbyes to the staffs and started walking towards me.

"Are you okay?" aniya nang tuluyan nang makalapit. May bahid pa ng pag-aalala sa mukha.

Hindi ko pinagkatiwalaan ang sarili na magsalita. Tahimik ko na lang siyang tinanguan. Nanatili ang mapanuring titig niya sa'kin. And because of our evident height difference, he had to look down on me.

"Were you worried? I'm sorry," he said soothingly.

"Do you always do these kinds of adventures?" tanong ko. "Anong kasunod nito? Skydiving? Bungee jumping? Hindi na ako sasama sa'yo next time."

He chuckled. Dumapo ang kamay niya sa braso ko.

"Anong nakakatawa?" inis na sambit ko. "Nakakatawa na ba ngayon ang muntikang disgrasya? That was dangerous. You could've gotten yourself hurt!"

Ang kamay niyang nasa braso ko ay marahang bumaba sa may siko. Namumungay na ang mga mata niyang nakatitig sa'kin.

"You're worried about me," he stated, so sure of himself.

I looked at him ridiculously. "I'm more worried about myself," pagtatama ko. "Pa'no kung madisgrasya ka? Maaga akong mawawalan ng asawa, kung gano'n?"

"Asawa," he echoed and bit his lower lip.

I kept my mouth shut. Galit ko siyang tiningnan.

Nagpakawala siya ng mababaw na buntonghininga.

"Okay then. I guess I'll find another hobby which would not worry you."

He slowly wrapped his arms around me and gave me a soft kiss on the forehead.

I froze. Pasimple akong sumulyap sa staffs na nakatanaw sa'ming dalawa.

"Your people are watching," I whispered.

Ngumiti lang siya at tiningnan lang ako. "Let them." He hugged me once again. "I almost died. I deserve this."

Mahina ko siyang tinampal sa braso. He only chuckled.

Tinupad niya ang sinabing dates after dates. I had a few dates with him the next days. We steered away from his extreme adventures. I even met his friend,    Jean Caitlyn.

A week later, our engagement was formally announced. People in our circle knew that we're getting married. To put it simply, our marriage became the talk of the country. It was all over the news. Two prominent Chinese families becoming one was a huge impact in the business industry.

A marriage that loud could even cover up a huge scandal. I was coming home from one of my fittings when I heard shouts from the second floor. I looked up and saw the scared faces of the maids who were just standing outside my parents' room.

Napatalon ako sa kinatatayuan nang narinig ang tunong ng pagbasag ng mga gamit. Mabilis akong umakyat sa mahabang hagdanan dahil sa lubos na pag-aalala. I was thinking about my mother.

"You have no shame!" Narinig ko na sigaw ni mama. "You even paraded her in that exclusive club!"

The maids stepped aside as I approached the room. Nakasarado ang pintuan ng kuwarto. Halatang wala ni isa sa mga katulong ang naglakas loob na manghimasok sa nangyayari.

I did not hear my father's response. Inangat ko ang kamay para sana katukin na ang pinto nang natigilan ako.

"When will you stop, William? When will it end?" hikbi ng ina ko. "Pagod na pagod na ako..."

Parang pinipiga ang puso ko habang naririnig ang pagmamakaawa ni mama. I closed my eyes, letting go of the tears.

"Just enjoy the glamorous life I am giving you, Cora," tugon ni Papa sa malamig na boses. "Stop meddling with this nonsense because I am telling you, it won't stop."

Dumilat ako sa galit na nararamdaman. I started harshly knocking on the door.

Marahas na bumukas ang pinto. Bumungad sa'kin si Papa na kalmado lang ang hitsura. Sinulyapan ko ang likod niya at nakita ang mga basag na gamit na nagkalat sa sahig.

I glanced at the bed. On the other side of its leg was my mother kneeling on the floor. Pumasok ako agad at nilagpasan na ang walang kuwento kong ama.

"Mom..." naiiyak kong sabi sabay luhod sa tabi niya. Niyapos ko siya. Her shoulders shook. I heard the door shut.

I allowed my mother cry as she leaned on me. Hindi siya nagsalita. She didn't have to. I've seen her broke down like that plenty of times, I didn't have to ask for an explanation of what had happened.

Nang kumalma na siya ay lumipat kami sa kuwarto ko. The maids cleaned up the mess in her room. Nagdala rin ng tubig ang isa sa kanila para kay mama.

"I'm sorry, you had to witness it again," aniya sa paos na boses. "I thought you'd be home late so it would be fine. Wala rin si Shen dahil bumisita muna sa mansiyon nila."

"Did he hurt you physically?"

Mabilis siyang umiling. "I'm fine. You know your father would never hurt me like that. He doesn't want people to see his wife with bruises."

"Ma, you can leave him," matapang na suhestiyon ko.

She gave me sad smile and shook her head. "How was the fitting, by the way? Did it go well? You're not gaining weight so it had to be perfect."

"I don't want to talk about it when this is happening!" I said frustratingly.

"You are getting married, Jia," banayad niyang sinabi. "Of course it is important. Everything has to be perfect for you."

"Kaya ba ngayon ka lang sumabog? Ilang linggo mo nang kinikimkim ang pambababae na naman ni Papa?"

"Don't worry about me. I can handle it." She wanted to reassure me. I hated it even more.

"Just focus on your upcoming marriage," dagdag niya pa. "Masayang-masaya ako. Alec seems like a good man."

I harshly wiped the sudden tears on my cheeks. Marahan niyang idinampi ang palad sa pisngi ko. Her palm was warm, despite her pain she was still able to comfort me.

She gazed at me lovingly. "I know I've been a hard mother to you. But I hope you understand."

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi para mapigilan ang paghikbi.

"Are you happy, anak?" she softly asked. "Alec will be good to you. I just know that's why I agreed to this marriage in the first place."

"He's very kind, Ma," I told her. I smiled despite the tears. "And surprisingly, hindi naman ako malungkot."

"That's good then." She hugged me. "That way, I won't worry anymore."