Chapter 30. When Shit Happens

___________

"What?"

"Good morning too!" Napa poker face na lang ako. Yeah, right.

"What do you want dad? Why are you calling me early in the morning!?" Bored ko'ng tanong. Humikab ako at siniksik ang ulo ko sa napakatigas na punyetang headrest ng couch.

"HAHAHAHA!"

-_-

"Dad!" I warned him. Kapag talaga ako malapit sa kanya kanina ko pa sya binatukan. Distorbo sa tulog e, nakakaasar.

"Okay, okay" he cleared his throat and mumbled something.

"I'm planning to merge the company with the Alvarez"

"So?"

"You'll come with me" napataas ang kilay ko. Why do I have to come with him? It's his business matters not mine!

"Why do I---"

"It's a proper thing to do Lara. It's an etiquette for all family members to be there"

"Ah, gusto mo tawagin ko na din kaluluwa ni mom para present tayong lahat?" Pambabara ko.

"Seriously?"

"Dad, I'm busy" tanggi ko.

"Paanong busy e kakagising mo pa lang?" Naigulong ko ang mata ko. Hahanap talaga sya ng lusot para mapapunta nya ako.

"Fine, I'll be there! Anong oras ba?"

"9:45 am flat. Don't be late okay?"

"Yeah" ibababa ko na sana ang tawag nang magsalita sya.

"Besides, you're 18 now, you're in the legal age to get married" napakunot ang noo ko. What does that mean? What does marriage have to do with me being there?

"Wha---"

And he ended the call, bastusing ama. Sinuksok ko sa gilid ng couch ang phone ko sabay pikit ng mata ko. Umagang-umaga nambubulabog ng tulog si dad! Hello? Kaka-alasais pa lang! Bumalikwas ako ng higa, gusto ko pa'ng matulog!

"Mas importante pa ba saakin yan?"

Bumalikwas ako ulit ng higa at tinataw si Jehan na mukhang mahimbing ang tulog habang nakatulakbong pa ng kumot. Minsan ay iniisip ko kung sino ang dapat ko'ng sisihin kung bakit dito ako natutulog sa couch ngayon. Dapat ko ba'ng sisihin si Jehan dahil sa masama nya'ng ugali, o si Irish na sya namang puno't-dulo kung bakit ako ngayon dito nagtitiis na matulog.

Idagdag mo pa ang ginagawa'ng panggugulo ni Jehan sa utak ko. Dahil sa kaartehan nya di ako nakapunta sa usapan namin ni Lance Asher! I just lose a chance to know the truth! And that's all thanks to him! Argh.

I was really about to protest that time, but his mother saw us. She told us to be in her office because she's got something to say, and so we did. And you know what she said? I don't know if it'll be a good news or a bad news for you guys, but she said that the merging of Corrigan University and St. Clair University was approved by the Board and Major Share-holders of the school.

I already told her that's not going to be a good idea, but anyway, she did proceed. So I really don't care anymore. The Emperors have no reactions, aside from Jam who acted as if he won tons of dollars. Of course, it's an all boy's school's dream to have girls on their walls, and now that they have, imagine how happy could they be.

I close my eyes and tried to sleep once again, but I guess I can't. So I stood up from the couch, and walked out the room while scratching the back of my nape. For shit's sake, I just woke up earlier than I thought, all thanks to dad. Mind the sarcasm.

Paglabas ko ng kwarto ay wala pa'ng tao sa sala, pero naririnig ko'ng may tao sa kusina. I shrugged, maybe that's Xael. Palagi naman sya'ng nauuna magising, it's in his nature. Pumasok ako sa banyo at naghilamos, nagtoothbrush na din pagkatapos. Nang lumabas ako ng banyo ay naghahanda na ng pagkain sa lamesa si Xael. Inangat nya ang tingin nya kaya nakita nya ako'ng papalapit sa lamesa.

"Good morning" he said while smiling. I gave him a nod as a response. Sinandal ko ang braso ko sa sa upuan habang tinitingnan sya'ng maingat na naglalagay ng nga kubyertos sa lamesa.

"Napaaga ata gising mo?"

"Yeah. Binalabog ako ni dad" he chuckled and  handed me an apple. Tinanggap ko ito at kinagatan habang nakatingin pa din sa kanya. He's a male version of Maria Clara, masyadong gentlemen of a sort.

"Gutom ka na ba? Pwede namang mauna ka na kumain" hindi ko sya sinagot at pinatuloy na lang ang pagkagat ko sa mansanas.

"About the merging of the school, do you think it's a good idea?"

"Maybe, or maybe not" I tilt my head, maybe or maybe not? For me, it'll do no good. Magsasalita pa sana ako nang marinig ko'ng bumukas ang isang pinto. Nilingon ko kung sino ito. Naigulong ko ang mata ko, Irish.

"Good morning Xael! Good morning Lara!" She exclaimed energetically.

"Good morning" -Xael

And if she's expecting the same greeting from me, then she better think again. Alam ko'ng alam nya na ayaw ko na sa kanya simula pa lang. I make her feel I don't like her, and she knew it, but she's pretending not to know. That's a life cycle of a bitch pretending to be a saint. How poor and pathetic.

Unfortunately, pending pa ang engagement nila ni Jehan. Kahit nagdecide sila'ng i-merge ang dalawang school, pinagiisipan pa din ni Tita Lexis if itutuloy ang engagement nila o hindi. In my side, I wish di matutuloy ang engagement nila. There's a side of me saying I don't want to, and my instinct tells me she'll do something once they're together.

Hindi na umimik pa si Irish kaya hula ko ay pumunta yun ng banyo para maghilamos at kung ano pang kaartehan nya sa buhay. Narinig ko ang pagbungisngis ni Xael kaya naibaling ko ang tingin ko sa kanya, tinatawa-tawa ng isang to?

"What's so funny?" Tumigil sya saglit sa pagtawa at nakangiting tumingin saakin.

"Why do you hate her that much?" Hinila ko ang upuan at umupo dito habang nakapatong ang braso ko sa lamesa.

"Do I need a reason to hate someone?" Nagkibit-balikat naman sya. I rolled my eyes and threw the apple in the trash bin. Sakto naman na lumabas din sa kwarto si Jam at V at nagkukulitan na naman kahit bagong gising pa lang.

"Alam mo V, kaya palaging turn off sayo ang babae eh. Ang childish mo kasi! HAHA!"

"Luh! Pake ko naman sa kanila? Ang gusto ko'ng babae ay tatanggapin ako kung sino at anong klaseng lalaki ako!" pagtatanggol naman ni V sa sarili nya.

"Haha! Oo na lang dude! Ang tanong, may babae pa ba'ng ganun? All girls want guys who are cold and mysterious, ayaw nila ng childish at clingy na lalaki!" Sumimangot naman si V sa sinabi ni Jam kaya napataas ang kilay ko.

"Who says girls dislikes childish and clingy guys? Babae ka ba Jam?" Pagpupuna ko sa sinabi nya. Nag peace sign naman si Jam at inakbayan si V na nakasimangot pa din.

"Joke lang yun bro" nagtatampo namang lumapit saakin si V habang nakahawak sa braso ko na para bang bata'ng nagsusumbong.

"Women are unpredictable Jam. I'm one of them, and your thought of us liking cold and mysterious guys are only your opinions. If it was me, I rather choose childish and clingy guys" I bit my lips when Jehan came out of his room. Looks like narinig nya ang sinabi ko dahil nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo nya.

"Talaga? Whaaaaa!" Akmang yayakapin na nya ako nang itapat ko sa mukha nya ang kamao ko. Tatawa-tawa naman sya'ng lumayo saakin saka hinigit ang isang upuan sa kaliwa ko para umupo sa tabi ko.

"Kaya kras na kras kita eh! Whaaa!"

-_-

"Eh? You mean as in? Trip nyo'ng babae ang childish at clingy?" Umupo naman sa kanang upuan si Jam habang nakahalumbabang nakatingin saakin.

"I thought you know a lot about woman Jam?" I smirk.

"I thought so too" I rolled my eyes at him. Jam and his own ways, marami na sya'ng nakakasalamuha na babae, but I guess he never met his match. Coming soon pa siguro.

Lumabas naman ng banyo si Irish kaya nagkasalubong sila ni Jehan.

"Mom wanted to talk to you" walang emosyong sabi ni Jehan na ikinangiti naman ni Irish. Luh? Anong nginingiti-ngiti nya e wala ngang kagana-gana ang tono ng pananalita ni Jehan? Ang babaw ng kaligayahan nya.

"Okay! Pwede mo ba ako samahan?" Hindi na sumagot si Jehan ag dumeretso na ito sa lamesa. Umupo sya sa tapat ko at umupo naman sa tabi nya si Irish na nakangiting aso pa din. Nakakairita talaga -.-

"Yo" napalingon kaming lahat kay Seth na humihikab-hikab pa habang may nakasabit na towel sa leeg nya. Kinawayan nya lang kami na parang tanga. Nang mapansin nya'ng wala pa si Rio at Justine ay dumeretso sya sa mga kwarto nito upang katukin at gisingin sila.

"Hoy Rio! Late ka na naman ng gising! Punyeta, puro experimental codes na naman ang ginagawa mo! Tutubuan ka na lang ng puting bulbol di mo pa din maca-crack yun! Hoy!" Kinalampag nya ng kinalampag ang pinto ni Rio.

Nagtawanan naman si Xael, Jam, at V, pati na din si Irish dahil sa walang prenong salita ni Seth. Pagkatapos ng ilang segundong pagkalampag ni Seth ay nagbukas din sa wakas ng pintuan si Rio. Gulo-gulo pa ang buhok nito at parang sumabak sa gyera sa Marawi.

"Mukha ka na namang sabog Rio. Sa bagay, sabog ka pa din naman kahit di bagong gising. Anong bago diba?" Irap ni Seth saka lumipat naman sa kwarto ni Justine. Naiwan naman si Rio na parang loading pa sa utak nya ang sinabi ni Seth. Nang mahimasmasan sya ay saka lang napakunot ang noo nya.

"Tinatarando mo na naman ako Seth! Tss" pumanhik ng banyo si Rio at lampakeng nilampasan si Seth na kinakalampag ang pintuan ni Justine.

"Justine! Nyeta lumabas ka na sa lungga mo! Darating na ang Spartan! Wala silang sasakyang kabayo kung wala ka! Hoy! Gising na!" Dahil siguro sa ingay ng pagkalampag ni Seth ay bumukas ang pintuan. Iniluwa duon si Justine na mukhang inaantok pa.

"Anong spartan pinagsasabi mo?" Nakangisi namang umupo sa upan si Seth habang parang lantang gulay namang pumasok sa loob ng banyo si Justine para maghilamos.

Napaharap naman ako sa lamesa, at nahuli ko ang pagtitig ni Irish kay Jehan. Naging dahilan ito para maapakan ko ang paa ni Jam.

"Aray naman!" Natawa naman ako sa itsura nya. Parang bakla e, kala mo naman kung anong sakit ng pag-apak ng nya. Tadyakan ko sya jan eh.

"Sorry, akala ko kasi higad eh" dumating naman si Justine at umupo sa sarili nya'ng upuan.

"Let's eat!" Masayang sabi ni Xael.

Binuksan ko ang lagyanan ng ulam sa harap ko at bumungad saakin ang pritong talong na may itlog. Good choice for breakfast.

Habang kumakain kami ay tanging tunog lang ng kutsara at tinidor ang naririnig ko. Himala at tahimik sila sa pagkain ngayon? Inangat ko ang tingin ko at napansin ko'ng naninibago din ang iilan sa kanila dahil sa katahimikan. Nasa malalim na pag-iisip si Jehan at Jam, ganun din si Rio.

"Psssstt!" Sinamaan ko naman ng tingin si V dahil sa pagtalsik ng laway nya sa pisngi ko. Eh kung tadyakan ko kaya sya?

"What?" Inikot ko ang tinidor sa kaliwang kamay ko at kumuha ng isang hotdog. Kinagatan ko ito habang nakatingin sa baso na may lamang tubig.

Napaisip naman ako saglit, tutal ay mukhang may kanya-kanya namang iniisip ang mga tao dito habang kumakain. Bakit ako pinapatawag ni dad sa Company nya? His company has lots of branches not just nationwide but worldwide, he could stand all by himself, but why does he want to merge with someone else's company? I don't really get him, I don't really know how his mind works.

What would I eventually do after getting my ass there? Sitting all day long listening to their plans and craps? I don't like business for fvck's sake! Just thinking of the hours I'll be wasting there ticks me off. I'd probably be bored to death!

"Hey!"

Other than that, instead of going there killing myself with boredom. I could've went somewhere to have some fun myself. I've been tired these couple of weeks, and I can't even imagine I actually stayed here for almost a month! I mean, this is the longest time I've spent studying since I've been transferring from one school to another. I can't hardly believe it!

"What the hell are you doing Lara?" Naiangat ko ang tingin ko at medyo nagulat ako nang makitang nakatingin silang lahat saakin. Titig na titig pa na parang may ginawa ako'ng kasalanan sa kanila.

"What?" taas kilay ko'ng tanong kay Jehan. Maka 'what the hell' to ano ba'ng ginawa ko ha!?

Sinandal nya ang ulo nya sa upuan habang nakapikit-matang hinihilot ang sentido nya gamit ang kanang kamay nya. Anyare sa kanya? I hissed when he didn't even respond to me, seriously? Kitang nasa malalim ako'ng pag-iisip didistorbohin pa ako! Nakaka---

"Stop what you're doing" nangunot ang noo ko. Napatingin naman ako kay V na nakayuko lang, habang si Jam naman ay naka kagat-labi habang nakatingin saakin.

"For fvck's fvcking sake Lara! Stop playing around with that fvckin' hotdog in your fvckin' mouth!" Nagulat naman ako sa sinabi nya. Tinanggal ko kaagad ang hotdog sa bibig ko at namumulang binaling ang atensyon ko sa kanin sa harap ko.

What the hell was I doing? Argh!

"Relax, mukhang di nya naman intensyon yun. Masyado lang malalim ang iniisip nya. HAHA! Ikalma nyo sarili nyo" pailing-iling na sabi ni Xael.

"Ano ba kasi iniisip mo?" Bulong ni V habang nakayuko pa din at namumula ang kaliwang tenga. Binatukan ko naman sya, ano'ng ano ang iniisip ko? Baka iniisip nya nag-aano ako ng ano, Asar naman!

"Wala!" Busangot ko'ng sabi at dali-daling kinagatan ang hotdog na subo-subo ko kanina.

"Maybe that's what you call, War of Hormones?" Tatawa-tawang usal ni Jam, at napansin ko'ng tinaliman sya ng tingin ni Jehan.

I rolled my eyes and stood up. I need to prepare things up, I need to wear something presentable right? Formal dress or shirts and shits.

*FAST FORWARD*

I chuckled, I'm 20 mins. late. I'm sure my dad's going to kill me. Being late in business matters is already a failure, but who cares? I'm not planning to take over his business. Pagpasok ko sa loob ay agad nagsiyukuan ang mga guards at empleyado sa paligid. I was pleased, kilala pala nila ako kahit bihira lang ako pumunta dito.

I was waiting for the elevator to open, when my phone vibrated. It's probably dad telling me to get my ass right there as quick as possible. Pagpasok ko sa loob ng elevator ay nakayukong lumabas ang mga empleyado sa loob. Naiwan ako'ng mag-isang pumasok sa loob ng elevator. I rolled my eyes, 12th floor is dad's office.

After a minute ay bumukas na sa wakas ang elevator. Inayos ko ang bangs ko at naglakad na papunta sa office ni dad, at nang makarating ako sa tapat ng pinto ng office nya ay tumigil muna ako. How should I open the door? Should I open it with grace, or kick it like nothing? I laugh at the thought, I guess I have to play like a descent lady this time.

Pagbukas ko ng pinto ay likod ng isang babae at dalawang lalaki ang agad na bumungad saakin na nakaupo sa couch ni dad. Nakita ako ni dad kaya agad sya'ng tumayo at sinenyasan ako'ng lumapit sa kanya.

"Oh my daughter is here, late again. What were you doing?" Napalingon naman sila saakin. Nagtaka ako nang makita ko sya, anong ginagawa nya dito? Don't tell me he's their son? Nagkatitigan lang kaming dalawa hanggang sa mapansin ng mom nya.

"Do you know each other?"

"Yes/No" nalilito naman silang napatingin saaming dalawa. I said yes and he said no. I was a little confuse why he said no, but I caught up an idea why he assumed that we don't know each other.

"Pardon Iha?" I smiled at her.

"I mean, yes, I don't know him"

I laugh in my head, I know where this merging of our companies going after. He knows it too, that's why he acted like we don't know each other. He acted like he don't know me to unsettle things.

I sat down next to dad and cross ny legs as I cross my arms too. Tinapik ni dad ang binti ko kaya binaba ko ito sabay gulong ng mga mata ko. What the hell dad? Pati ba naman pagtaas ng paa ko ay di na pwede? Argh! Bored na bored ko'ng sinandal ang ulo ko sa headrest ng couch habang nakikinig sa usapan nila na pawang tungkol lang sa business nila.

Dinukot ko ang phone sa bulsa ko at naglaro na lang ng piano tiles. Nakakaumay sila, di pa sila nauubusan ng laway kakasalita? Bakit pa ako pinapunta dito ni dad kung ang gagawin ko lang naman pala ay makikinig sa usapan nila? He possibly had a hidden agenda for letting me come here. This man always decide on his own! Are you even sure he's the Emperor who holds the whole Gangster Clan Society? His decisions are always rush! And I hate him for that.

I stopped playing for a while when I felt somebody staring at me. I stared at him too, no wonder this guy is always calm and modest. No wonder he's kind, and always careful with his words and actions. He thinks before he act and speak, and he's a gentleman man of a sort. He's a son of a famous business man, He's a son of a CEO so that explains how careful he is in public places.

"So how about we talk regarding our children for now? Haha" -Mrs. Alvarez

"So we're thinking that since we're planning to merge the company, why not merge to real families too? " napataas ang kilay ko sa sinabi ni dad. What the fvck? I was expecting him to say that, but really!? Without my fvckin' consent and shit?

Sinamaan ko sya ng tingin, if my looks could kill, he's probably lying dead by now. I stood up causing them to look at me with surprised. How am I supposed to settle things down on my own? I don't want any ties with my life! Besides, I choose to marry someone I love!

"Mom, that's unreasonable. Pwede naman mag merge ang company without us marrying each other" pageexplain naman nya sa mom nya.

"Pero dear, mas mapapatibay ang alyansa natin sa isa't-isa if we're already families" -Mrs. Alvarez

"Dad, we're not alike! We don't even know each other! We have different personalities and believe it or not, we're far from your expectations and goodness shit's imaginations!" I blurted out causing dad to smirk. This cunning man, I bet he got something else on his sleeves.

"Really? You don't know each other? I believe you do" I hissed upon his tricky remark. The hell dad, he caught me between my lies again! Talagang di nya ako binibigyan ng lusot sa ano mangbinabalak nya.

No wonder he's the Gangster Emperor, wise and cunning man. Doing whatever methods he can just to get what he wants. But, he should never underestimate me too. I'm his daughter after all, like father like daughter.

"Okay fine dad, I know him. In fact, we are close with each other. Happy now?" He eyed at me sheepishly, like he's trying to figure out if I'm planning something against him.

"I'll think about this arrange marriage as a business proposal, give me three days and after that, I'll give you an answer." Hindi naman sila umangal sa sinabi ko kaya napangisi ako.

"Let's go Xael?" Nagulat naman sya nang hawakan ko sya sa braso at hinatak palabas ng Office ni dad.

"You didn't tell me you're a CEO's son" he chuckled softly and loosen his necktie.

"You didn't tell me you're a CEO's daughter" I rolled my eyes at him. Pinagtitinginan na kami ng mga empleyado ni dad dahil nakayapos ang braso ko sa braso nya. The hell they care?

"You know, you shouldn't have said that" pumasok kami sa loob ng elevator kaya tinggal ko na ang pagkakayapos ng braso ko sa kanya.

"Said what?"

"Saying you'll think about the marriage" I crossed my arms, I don't have a choice. Hinarap ko sya at hinila ang necktie nya kaya napalapit sya saakin ng husto.

"I don't have a fvckin' choice Xael! Isa pa, magkasama lang tayo kanina sa dorm bakit di mo sinabi saakin?" Napalunok naman sya sa sinabi ko habang pilit na nilalayo ang ulo nya saakin.

"I didn't know it was you! My mom told me I have to meet Mr. Miranda's daughter. I thought it was you because your last name was Miranda , but their descriptions of you was entirely different!" Binitawan ko sya.

"What did they told you?"

"They told me you're just like me, a well disciplined lady, a modest and innocent one na di makabasag pinggan. That's why i concluded it wasn't you" I laugh. What the hell was dad thinking?

"Are you disappointed it was me?" He smiled and shook his head.

"Not really, it would be great if it was you. Pero gaya mo, ayaw ko pa din matali" Bumukas na ang elevator kaya lumabas na din kami at tumungo sa parking lot. Sumakay ako sa sasakyan ni Xael, at nagdrive na sya papuntang CU.

After a few minutes ay nakarating na kami sa CU kaya kaagad kaming bumaba at dumeretso na sa dorm. Pagpasok ko sa loob ay bahagyang napataas ang kilay ko sa eksenang naabutan ko. Nasa pintuan ng kwarto ni Jehan si Irish at kumakatok ito ng paulit-ulit. Sila V at Jam naman ay halatang problemado din ang mukha. Anyare?

"Hey V, anong nangayre? Anong drama yan?" Turo ko kay Irish.

"Natuloy ang engagement nila Jehan at Irish" I crossed my arms. Jehan hated the thought of getting tied with someone he don't love. Lahat naman ata tayo ayaw nun.

Napahawak ako sa ulo ko, my engagement was pending and his was already decided. What the fvck was our parents thinking? Lumapit ako sa pintuan ng kwarto ni Jehan kaya napaatras si Irish para bigyan ako ng daan. Kakatok na sana ako nang biglang bumukas ng marahas ang pintuan.

"I told you to shut the fvck up! And get lost before I---" napatigil sya sa kakasigaw nang makita nya ako sa harap nya. Hinila nya ako papapasok sa loob kaya nagulat ako.

"What the hell are you---!" Tinakpan nya ang bibig ko kaya pinanlisikan ko sya ng mata. What is he doing?

"Listen to me, I heard from mom you're getting engaged with Xael. Ain't that right?" Tumango ako. Isinandal nya ako sa pintuan habang nakatakip pa din ang kamay nya sa bibig ko.

"It's my turn to make a deal with you" I tilt my head, what kind of deal?

"We're going to pretend we're on a fvcking relationship to stop this  arrange marriages that we have!" Tinaggal ko ang kamay nya sa bibig ko at tinitigan sya ng seryoso sa mata. I don't have a choice but to agree with him, if that's the only way to escape from my dad's plan.

"Deal" nilahad ko ang kamay ko sa harap nya. I was waiting for his hand to seal the deal, but what he said to me was unexpected.

"I don't do shake hands" napakunot naman ang noo ko.

"I kiss, to seal a fvcking deal" he grabbed my hand causing my body to lapse against him, and causing my lips to touch against his soft lips.

We kissed for the 7th time, and fvcking hell, shits do happens.