Chapter 20

I didn't know how Levi managed to persuade me to come to their house after our little detour in the island but he did. Matagal na panahon na din nang makatapak ulit ako sa bahay nila at sa totoo lang, medyo kinakabahan ako.

"If you're really uncomfortable, I could take you home." Zeus murmured. Napalingon ako sa kaniya. Hanggang ngayon ay nasa isipan ko pa rin ang sinabi niya sa akin kanina sa isla at sa tingin ko ay hindi na nga ito mawawala pa.

I smiled gently at him. "It's okay, Zeus. Gusto ko rin namang makita si Tita Belle."

He nodded and then kept his distance from me. Levi tugged my arm and pointed something. Soon, both of us were so engrossed in a conversation. Pero maya't maya ay nililingon ko si Zeus at naaabutan ko siyang nakatitig sa akin. I would glance away, but my heart is ready to explode inside of my chest.

Papalubog na ang araw nang makarating kami sa bahay nila. I bit my lower lips. What happened at their patio over a year ago... I will never forget it. When I first told him that I am getting married. Isa ata iyon sa hindi ko makakalimutan na araw. How cold he acted that time.

I sighed and buried those ugly memories away. Zeus opened the gate lazily and went inside. Nag-uusap pa rin kaming dalawa ni Levi nang buksan niya ang front door.

"Zeus!"

Mabilis na nakuha ang atensiyon ko ng isang boses ng babae. A tall girl leaped from the sofa and soon, she was hugging Zeus in front of me. I studied the girl in a gray tank top and high-waisted shorts. Pamilyar ang mukha niya sa akin. I thought I saw her before...

"Orianna... what are you doing here?" tanong ni Zeus habang kumakalas sa yakap.

The girl giggled in front of him. Orianna... tama! Siya yung babae na nasa picture kasama si Zeus. I stared and studied the elegant features of her face. The photo did no justice. She is prettier and taller in picture. And she smells wonderful, too.

"I thought I'd drop by here, since I went home last weekend." She linked her arms with him and grinned cutely. "Sabay na tayong bumalik sa Davao, ah?"

Zeus tensed. He slowly turned to me. Ibinaling ko kaagad ang paningin ko kay Levi. I pretended as if I'm not listening, but all I could hear right now is her sweet voice talking to Zeus all the time.

"Parvana! What a pleasant surprise!" Tita Belle appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands with a kitchen towel. "It's been a long time, huh?"

I smiled at his mother. She glowed differently today. Kung maganda siya noon ay mas lalo lang ata siyang gumanda. There were no signs of stress, just the usual youthful glow I thought I'd only see in magazines. The mother of the Ferrer brothers could very well be passed as a middle-aged model for Cosmopolitan.

"Hello po, Tita Belle..."

"Come on in. Andami palang bisita ni Zeus ngayon..." makahulugan niyang wika sa anak at binalingan ito.

I immediately regretted that I came home with the two of them. I should've gone home already. Ipinakilala ni Zeus sa akin si Orianna. She did nothing but smile at me and praise my hijab. She says she likes the color of it, although it's just plain white. Ngiti nalang ang isinagot ko sa kaniya.

"Stay for dinner, Parvana. We're having chicken tonight," Tita Belle winked at me.

Gusto kong humindi at umuwi na lang talaga. Hindi ako komportable na nandito sa bahay nila at nandito din kasama si Orianna. Pero hindi rin naman ako makahindi kay Tita Belle. Sa huli ay tumango nalang ako at ngumiti.

I wish Zoey is here. She'll know how to make me comfortable and steer my attention away from Zeus and the girl. She's almost straddling him for pete's sake! Nakakainis n asana na ngiti siya nang ngiti kaso sobrang ganda niya naman. Atsaka, ang hinhin din ng boses niya. Parang hindi makabasag pinggan.

"Uh... I'll just change in my room." Zeus cleared his throat and pulled himself up.

"Can I see your room, Zeus?" Orianna batted her eyelashes at him.

"Maybe next time." Tipid niyang sagot at mabilis na umalis.

Orianna pouted and leaned back on the couch. Levi is busy with his phone, so her full attention is on me now.

"Kaanu-ano mo si Zeus?" bigla niyang tanong sa akin.

"Ah, kaibigan ko." Sagot ko naman. I wiped my sweaty palms on my slacks and smiled at her. Nawala ang palakaibigang ngiti niya ngayong nakatitig na siya sa akin.

"Kaibigan lang?"

"She's married, Orianna." Sabat ni Levi at ibinaba ang kaniyang cellphone. "You don't need to interrogate her. You don't even need to interrogate anyone in the first place because you're not my brother's wife or something."

Namula ang mukha ni Orianna sa sinabi ni Levi. Mabilis din naman siyang nakabawi. She laughed awkwardly. "I-I'm just asking, Levi... alam mo naman itong si Zeus. He's everyone's friends! Pati nga iyong mga nerds sa amin ay kinakausap niya kasi naaawa siya sa pagka-loner nila eh."

Both of us shared a look. Levi shrugged and shook his head. Tumayo siya at iniwan kaming dalawa ni Orianna sa couch. She rested her elbows on her knees and continued to study me.

"You're married na pala?"

I nodded silently.

"How old are you?"

"15."

"Fifteen! My gosh, you're too young to get married. What the heck?"

Hindi ako kaagad kumibo. Orianna smiled sweetly at me.

"I'm sorry, I really don't curse a lot. Nagulat lang ako. So... where's your uh, husband?"

"Nasa Sulu."

"Ah..." she said, pretending to be interested. She smiled at me again and then switched to studying her manicured nails. "Good thing that you're married. I see you kasi kanina and you're really looking at Zeus so I assumed you've got a crush on him or something. Well," she squared her shoulders and smiled easily again. "Sino ba namang hindi magkakagusto sa kaniya?"

"You like him." I stated.

She didn't even bother to deny it. If there's something I could praise this girl for, besides her beauty, is that she's very honest with her feelings. "Yes. And I know he feels the same about me, too. But we're taking things slow. Hindi kami nagpapakasal kaagad..." tumawa pa siya.

I pursed my lips and nodded. I'm not easily irritated with people, but I find Orianna very... shallow and naïve. She's too engrossed with her love for Zeus that she's become overprotective with him. Siya rin kaya ang nakasagutan ni Zoey sa cellphone noong minsang tinawagan niya si Zeus?

"Zeus is very popular in our school. He sings very well and he's also good in class, too. Surprisingly, my boy is good at parties, too. Kahit saan siya pumunta, nakukuha niya ang atensiyon ng mga tao."

"I figured."

"Hindi ko nga alam kung paano niya napagtiisang mag-aral sa probinsiyang ito. He obviously belongs to the city."

"Ah."

"Hindi ka ba naiinitan d'yan sa hijab mo?"

"Hindi naman."

"Balot na balot ka." She commented.

"We're supposed to be veiled."

She made a face of disgust before she smiled easily again. I bit back a sigh. I wanted to stand up and just leave her alone here. I know she's just making inconsequential conversations while waiting for Zeus. She's the kind of girl who always looks for thrill in her life. She does not like being bored. And I bet she's also very popular in their school, too – with her looks and the way she mingles with other people.

It's not a secret that pretty people always have it easy. They're so used of being worshipped by other people because they're genetically blessed. People are naturally nice to them. Attractive people also have higher opportunities. Even if some of the prettiest girls have the evilest hearts, they're still being adored. The thought is depressing. This world could've been more better if people learn to stop adoring the beauty outside and will start looking for the real beauty inside. But what good will a pure heart do if you have a beastly face?

"Zeus!"

Tumayo si Orianna sa kinauupuan at sinalubong si Zeus na pababa na ngayon sa hagdan. He looks really bored and didn't even bother to return the huge smile on Orianna's face.

"Let's check out the beach outside! I'm really excited to see it. Come on..." she tugged his arm.

Nilingon ako ni Zeus. "Do you want to come with us?"

"Hi—"

"Parvana says she's feeling sick. Huwag na nating pilitin, Zeus."

I clamped my mouth shut. I never said that! Napatingin ako kay Orianna na bahagya akong pinandidilatan ng mga mata.

Zeus tore his hands away from her and went to me. "You're feeling sick? Bakit?"

He placed a hand on my forehead. I jolted back and stammered. "A-Ayos lang ako, Zeus. Medyo nahilo lang ata ako kanina sa pagsakay natin sa bangka..." I lied and shut my eyes. Please forgive me Allah for using my mouth to fabricate lies in front of him. "Sige na... kayo nalang dalawa mamasyal ni Orianna sa labas."

He studied me for a long time. Nag-aalangan pa siya at tila ayaw umalis nang hinila na siya ni Orianna sa labas. When both of them were gone, I sighed in relief. Naupo ulit ako at sinapo ang sentido. Mukhang nagkatotoo nga yata ang pagsisinungaling kong hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko. I could feel a headache coming.

I endured the rest of the time I was with them. Gusto ko na talagang umuwi pero hindi ko magawa at ayaw ko namang maging bastos sa pamilyang Ferrer. Their father went home that night and joined us in dinner. Orianna dominated the conversation, praising Tita Belle's chicken soup and pasta to asking Levi how's school. Pati ako ay tinatanong na din niya ng kung anu-anong bagay. Tita Belle would laugh at her jokes and they would also talk about brands of bags that I am not familiar of. It's hard not to feel insecure when you're around someone as Orianna Acosta. She's rubbing it to my face that she's living with almost everything she wants and more than she needs.

"Next time I'm gonna bring some of my Muslim friends here, too, Parvana!" Orianna beamed and smiled at me. "You should meet them. Their Dads are owners of the biggest clothing manufacturer in the city."

Tipid na ngiti lang ang iginanti ko sa kaniya.

"I'll have Julius drive the two of you when you decides to get back to Davao, Zeus..." wika ng ama niya na kaagad namang umani ng alma mula sa kaibigan.

"Alas naman! Ninong ako ni Zeus, hindi drive. Marunong naman siyang magdrive eh." Reklamo ni Julius.

"Oo nga, Dad." Sang-ayon naman ni Zeus. He glanced at me once, before he turned to his father again. "I can manage."

"You said you're staying in a hotel in town, hija?" Tita Belle asked Orianna. Masigla naman itong tumango. "You could've said that you're coming to visit. Meron pa naman kaming extrang guest room dito."

"Ayos lang, Tita Belle..." she giggled and sent Zeus a knowing look.

His father studied the two of them. "Are you guys dating?"

"No." mabilis na tugon ni Zeus.

"We're taking it slow po, Tito..."

Muntik nang mabilaukan si Levi sa tabi ko. Mabilis ko siyang binigyan ng tubig. Orianna glared at him but the smile on her face never faded.

"Ah. I see." Medyo naguguluhang sagot ng kaniyang ama, sabay baling sa akin. Nakita ko pang bahagya siyang kinurot ng asawa kaya tinantanan na din niya ng pagtatanong ang dalawa.

Nang matapos kaming kumain ay saka pa ako nagkalakas ng loob ng magpaalam sa kanila. Gabing-gabi na at kailangan ko nang makauwi.

"Zeus, ihatid mo na si Parvana." Ani Tita Belle.

"Zeus! Babalik na rin ako sa hotel ko..." ngumuso si Orianna. I turned to her, and then glanced at Zeus who's already reaching for his car keys.

"Ihatid mo nalang si Orianna, Zeus. Kaya ko namang maglakad pauwi."

"No." matigas niyang wika. "I'm taking you home."

"But Zeus—"

"Wait for me here, Orianna. I'll just make sure Naia gets home safely." He said in a tone full of finality that even Orinna didn't bother to argue any longer. She just nodded and pouted.

"Let's go."

I followed Zeus outside.

"Hindi mo na talaga ako kailangang ihatid, Zeus..." wika ko sa kaniya.

"Don't be silly, Naia. Gabi na. Baka kung ano pang mangyari sa iyo sa daan. Ayokong makapatay sa galit."

Natahimik ako sa sinabi niya. He opened the passenger door for me. I studied him for a second, attempting to fight back but when I saw the hard, stubborn look on his face, I immediately gave up.

"Alright." I said and climbed inside.

I buckled my seatbelt while he shut the door gently. Pumasok si Zeus at inatras ang sasakyan hanggang sa makalabas na ito sa gate. Orianna is watching the two of us with a scowl on her face, before stomping back inside their house.

"Bagay kayong dalawa..." ani ko at binasag ang katahimikan habang nagmamaneho si Zeus.

"What are you talking about?"

"Orianna."

He sighed. "I don't know what's that girl doing in my house. Basta nalang siyang sumulpot kanina."

"Hmm. And your mother likes her, too."

"My mother likes you more. I like you more, okay?"

I bit my lower lips. Kahit na medyo naiinis ang boses niya sa akin ay hindi pa rin ito naging hadlang upang kumarera sa bilis ng pintig ang puso ko. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

"Y-You should give her a try, Zeus. I can tell that she likes you so much."

He only hissed at what I said. Binalingan ko siya. Tutok na tutok siya sa kalsada. The yellowing lights of the lamp posts casted a shadow on his face that immediately disappeared each time we drive past one. I sighed.

"You can't keep liking me forever, Zeus."

"I know. That's why I'm trying to move on, right?"

I nodded in understanding. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Is Malik waiting for you in your house right now?"

Umiling ako. "He's in Sulu."

"Well, he should stay there forever." He said bitterly.

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. "He visits me every weekend, Zeus."

"What for? To remind you that you have a husband? Tsk."

A smile of amusement touched my lips. "He's a really good guy, Zeus. You should apologize to him for punching him last year."

"The hell I will."

"Zeus..."

"What makes you think I'll apologize to the guy who stole you from me, Naia?"

He never fails to leave me speechless – with his words, his actions, and just his mere presence. It's enough to knock the breath off me.

"By the way..." he licked his lower lips and for a brief second, I could see trails of nervousness running down his spine. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko. Zeus, nervous? That's so unlikely of him. "I want to ask you something..."

"What is it?"

He stared at the road for a long time, then shook his head. "No, never mind. It's ridiculous."

"Tell me, then."

He glanced at me. Kumunot nang bahagya ang noo niya bago ito mabilis na ibinalik sa daanan.

"Saan natutulog ang Malik na yun kapag nasa bahay niyo siya?"

"Uh... sa kwarto ko."

His knuckles turned white as he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. A muscle on his jaw twitched and I could see the red mist of anger flashing in his eyes.

"He's sleeping in your room?"

I nodded slowly. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganito ang reaksyon niya.

"He's my husband, Zeus." I pointed out.

He swore under his breath. Mas lalo ko siyang tinitigan. "That motherfucker..."

"He insists to sleep on the floor." I immediately told him.

"What?" galit pa rin siya nang lingunin niya ako.

"He sleeps on the floor, Zeus. And I still wear my hijab even if he's around. I don't know what you're thinking about but if you're thinking about it..." my cheeks burned in so much embarrassment. "I mean... n-nothing happened between the two of us."

He stared at me, his eyes raging, and after a short while, he started to calm down. "Nothing happened?"

Nahihiya akong umiling. Parang gusto ko nalang buksan ang pintuan at magpahulog sa sasakyan dahil sa sobrang kahihiyan.

"Okay." He said in a calmer voice. "That's good to know."

Hindi ako kumibo. I cannot believe we're talking about this! Of all things, we're talking about it! Namumula ang buong mukha ko sa kahihiyan. Bahagya akong nagsisi na pinilit ko pa siyang itanong kung anong bumabagabag sa isipan niya.

We were both silent as we neared our house. I told him to just drop me off the corner of the street. Hindi na niya kailangang pumasok pa dahil baka makita lang kaming dalawa ni Baba.

Zeus opened the door for me. I turned to him and was about to say something when I caught an angry scream from our house. Napalingon ako doon at napansing maraming tao ang nasa bahay namin ngayon. For some reason, my heart pounded in fear. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko. I'm trying to make out what's going on but I can't.

"Anong nangyayari?" si Zeus na mismo ang nagtanong sa akin.

I shook my head. Before he could talk again, I started running towards our house. Bumagal lamang ang takbo ko nang makita kung ano ang pinagkakaguluhan ng mga tao sa bahay namin.

Fear shot up to my spine when I saw the lifeless body of a child just outside our gate. She's bathing in her own blood while her mother gripped her lifeless body, screaming in pain and sorrow. Halos hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko. Then I saw my father with blood in his hands, staring at the girl with a blank look on his face. My mother is already crying in the corner.

"Ikaw! Ikaw ang pumatay sa anak ko!"

A tall angry man grabbed my father's collar and punched him in the face. A scream escaped from my throat as I run towards them but someone had already grabbed me.

"Ang mga Muslim na ito ang pumatay sa anak ko! Mamamatay-tao ang pamilyang ito!"

I trembled in so much fear and watched in horror as the townspeople dragged my father away from us.