Chapter 3
Mabilis lumipas ang mga araw. The first three days of my stay here in Puricia Grittonia were boring.
I'm still adjusting.
Hindi ko gustong lumabas ng mansion dahil sa tindi ng sikat ng araw. My skin might be burned by the sun but of course, I also want to roam around. I want to check our properties.
Isa pa, ayaw ko ring isipin ni Mom na talagang ayaw ko rito. Palagi na lang niya akong nakikita sa loob ng room. She might send me back to Manila immediately which I'm not yet agree with because according to Rachel, Felix keeps on asking them about me. Pilit niyang inaalam kung saang lugar ako nagbakasyon.
I remember before when we were younger. I was just 15 that time. He gave me a love letter. Hindi ko iyon pinansin dahil sanay naman na akong makatanggap ng ganoon. Pero hindi ko aakalain na hanggang ngayon, gagawa pa rin siya ng kabaliwan!
He's seriously crazy!
Hindi ko na matandaan lahat ng ginawa niya sa sobrang dami. Yes. He's surely handsome, hot and rich but he's certainly not my type.
I took a deep breath. I should let go of those thoughts about him already.
I just decided to go outside our mansion and to look around the place. Halos katabi lang ng mansion namin ang resort na pag-aari ni Dad kaya mabilis akong nakarating doon.
Sa paglalakad ko, parang bigla kong nakalimutan ang pag-uusap namin ni Mom last time.
Parang nakalimutan kong.. ayaw ko nga pala sa lugar na ito.
I sighed as I wear my sunglasses. I put enough sun protection cream on my skin but I love it, anyway when I'm tanned.
Pinanonood ko lang nang maigi mag-serve ang crew sa aming resort. Pati ang guests na narito ay hindi pinalampas ng mata ko. Some of them looked at me, too with a smile on their lips. While the others are just staring at me.
I'm not usually outgoing before but when I reached my teenage years, I became an extrovert. Natutuhan kong makihalubilo sa ibang tao dahil syempre, lumaki ako sa city. Hindi sa lahat ng oras sina Mom at Dad, Erica, Milan at Rachel ang kasama ko pati drivers and maids.
Of course, I need to socialize with other people, too.
So I know, somehow it would be easy for me to at least find a friend or two here. I guess? I believe, the locals here are also hospitable.
When I decided to sit down on one of the sun lounges - facing the sea of the whole Liraya and our infinity pool - a crew immediately approached me. Napangiti naman ako dahil doon.
"Juice, ma'am? Coffee? Tea?"
"Red wine, please.."
I almost laughed when I saw hesitation in his eyes.
"P-Pero, ma'am---"
"I was just kidding. Masyado pang maaga para sa wine," I said and smiled a bit. "Just tour me around the area. I want to explore. I believe maraming magagandang lugar dito.."
He nodded and smiled. "Marami nga po, ma'am.."
Inalalayan niya ako palabas ng resort. Many tourists are here since summer is near. They're probably enjoying their vacation as they wanted to escape from the city, too. Kaibahan lang namin, medyo napilitan akong pumunta rito dahil na rin sa kagustuhan nina Mom.
"Marami pong activities dito, ma'am. Pwede kayong mag-scuba diving, snorkeling.. may speed boat at yacht din na pwedeng gamitin sa island hopping if you're interested. Hanggang kailan ba ang stay niyo rito, ma'am?"
"Oh, I honestly don't know yet. Nandito lang ako dahil sa parents ko. May problema rin ang aming resort," sagot ko sa kaniya habang tinitingnan ang nasa likuran niyang guests na nag-re-ready nang mag-swimming.
Nakita ko naman ang gulat sa mata niya nang tumingin ulit ako.
"Resort?" he asked, confusedly.
I nodded my head slowly. "I'm the daughter of Alesso Santiago Rivera, the owner of The Golden West and you are?" I told him, referring to our resort.
"I-I'm Leandro, ma'am," he answered, still shocked with what I've said. "Hindi ko alam na.. may anak pa pala si Sir Alesso.."
Ngumiti ako nang hilaw sa sinabi niya habang patungo na kami ngayon sa mismong dagat.
"It's understandable. Matagal din naman kasi akong hindi nakauwi rito sa Liraya. I was just young that time. I was 8, I think? I'm 18 now.."
Nilingon niyang muli ako nang gulat pa rin. He even let go of his grip on my hand for support. "18? I thought, nasa 20s na kayo.."
"So you're saying that I look matured at my age?" I stopped from walking and looked at him with a smirk on my lips.
"Medyo ganoon nga po.."
I just shook my head and continued to walk again to check the shore - not in the mood to argue anymore. Mukhang ganoon nga talaga ang tingin sa akin ng ibang tao. I act quite matured when I'm just a teenager, still have many things to explore and discover. It appears like I'm now matured but I think, I'm still not.
Nagmumukha lang ganoon dahil sa ugali ko.
I decided to just swim and enjoy the salty water of the sea. Nasa medyo malilim kami na parte ngayon dahil may mga nakatayong matatayog na coconut trees sa paligid na talagang hindi ko madalas makita sa city.
I handed Leandro my sunglasses as I removed my white loose top. I wasn't really planning to swim today but here I am now - thrilled to dive under the fresh sea water.
I even saw how Leandro's face turned red when he saw my almost naked body. He has a fair skin so the way he blushed is very visible to my eyes. Ngumisi ako sa nakikita.
"May kukuhanin lang po ako saglit sa resort, Ma'am."
I nodded. "Sure.."
Sumulyap pang muli siya sa akin bago tuluyang umalis. I really love it when I'm making someone.. affected.
Napangiti ako sa sarili nang may makita akong dalawang babae. I can see from here that they are collecting some seashells.
"Hi!" I greeted them with a smile – trying to be friendly even when I'm not. I even waved my hand. "Gagamitin niyo ba 'yang shells sa paggawa ng necklace? If yes, it'll be beautiful.."
Tumango ang mas matangkad na babae. "Oo. Para hindi na rin kami gumastos pa sa materyales. Wait, hindi ka taga rito, 'no? Mukha kang mestiza, Miss.."
"I'm from Manila. Dito ang province ni Dad. Nagbakasyon lang ako rito."
"Anong pangalan? Siguradong kilala namin. Maliit lang naman ang isla," sabi naman ng kasama niya.
I smiled. "Alesso Rivera.."
Nagkatinginan sila. "A-Alesso Rivera? Ikaw ang anak ni Mr. Rivera at Minerva Salvatierra?"
"Yeah," nakangiti pa ring sagot ko.
My brow shot up when I saw that they're exchanging meaningful looks to each other.
"Mauuna na pala kami," nakakunot noong sabi ng morenang babae. "Marami pa kaming gagawin.."
I didn't have a chance to say goodbye anymore because they quickly walked away. Nagtaka naman ako sa iniasta ng dalawa. Bago pa sila tuluyang lumayo, iba ang tingin nila sa akin.
When I told them that I'm Alesso Rivera's daughter, the way they look at me suddenly changed.
The freak! What's wrong?
Tumingin ako sa pinuntahan nila. They are already gone. What could be the possible reason about it?
Alam kaya nila ang tungkol sa akin? Probably but I don't care. I just expected that they will be my friends or even acquaintances here.
I just sighed. Wala naman akong magagawa.
Pero bigla na naman akong nairita kaya hinintay ko na lang muna si Leandro.
Wala pa rin siya so I decided to finally take a dip and embrace the waves. The heat of the salty air and the coldness of the water combined - making my skin slightly feel numb. I could only experience this in beaches in Thailand before but now, I can also swim in my own country.
I should be happy and grateful, I guess.
I saw several coral reefs when I dived deeper. I visibly saw a school of fish, too because of the clarity of the water. Humapdi naman kaagad ang mata ko nang panandaliang umangat para kumuha ng hangin. I wasn't prepared.
I should've brought my goggles!
Nang muli akong sumisid paibaba para sana tingnan pa ang mga korales - natigilan ako nang hindi ko na maigalaw ang mga paa. I tried harder to move my feet to swim and to resurface again but I just couldn't do it! Hindi ko alam kung bakit biglang nanigas ang mga paa ko!
I was about to ask for help but then I realized that I'm still under the water and no one could hear me if ever.
Now I'm panicking more!
Bumigat ang pakiramdam ko pero kalaunan, nagalaw ko na nang paunti-unti ang mga paa paangat pero.. nalulunod pa rin ako.
I tried to raise my hands to catch the people's attention. Masyado akong nanghihina para sabayan pa iyon ng sigaw. Hanggang ngayon, hinihila pa rin ako pababa ng tubig.
"May nalulunod!" rinig kong sigaw sa may dalampasigan.
Mas iginalaw ko pa ang mga kamay para makaagaw pa ng atensyon. I'm still drowning and I'm now barely breathing.
No one bothered to rescue me not until I saw a guy that is now in front of me. Gasping for air, I tried to reach for his hands when he offered it.
"Kumapit ka.."
Naramdaman kong inangat niya ako paunti-unti. Nang makatapak sa lupa, dahan-dahan niya rin akong ibinaba.
"Anong nangyari?" rinig kong salubong ng mga tao.
"Nalunod malamang! Hindi ba iyan ang anak sa labas ni Alesso Rivera?"
Maraming bulong ang naririnig ko sa paligid pero hindi ko kayang ibuka man lang ang bibig at mata ko dahil sa takot, kaba at panghihina.
"Hindi na importante kung kaninong anak.. o saan nanggaling. Nakita na ninyong nalulunod, hindi niyo pa rin tinulungan?"
I tried to gasp for more air to breathe but then suddenly, everything went black.
Nagising na lang ako sa sikat ng araw. I quickly stood up when I realized that I'm not familiar to where I was lying a while ago.
"W-Where am I?"
I turned around to look at the place more. It's so unfamiliar to me. Nagsimula ulit akong kabahan nang maalala ang nangyari kanina.
I almost died! But then someone helped me when no one else did..
Biglang uminit ang ulo ko nang maalala ko ulit ang mga bulungan kanina. So they didn't help me just because I'm an illegitimate child of my Dad?
What the freaking freak?! How cruel! So unreasonable!
Anong klaseng dahilan iyon? Is that even a big deal? I want to teach them a lesson! I want to curse them! Kung walang tumulong sa akin, siguradong mamamatay ako roon!
That's a pure bullshit!
Nagulat na lang ako nang may biglang pumasok na lalaki sa loob nitong maliit na bahay na gawa sa bato. He coldly looked at me.
"Gising ka na pala. Okay ka na---"
"Nasaan ako?" kaagad na tanong ko sa kaniya.
"Nasa bahay ka namin ngayon. Sinagip kita dahil nalulunod ka kanina. Walang may balak na tumulong kaya.."
"Sabihin mo nga sa akin, kung sino ka man, bakit hindi man lang nila ako tinulungan?" I asked him. "If the reason is me being an illegitimate child, do you think it's acceptable? Muntik na akong mamatay!"
Lumapit siya sa akin. Umatras naman ako. "Calm down, miss. Ako na ang humihingi ng tawad. Hindi naman siguro nila sinasadya. Natakot lang din siguro---"
"Shut up! I was drowned and all and you'll say that I should calm down? Really?!"
Hindi ko mapigilang taasan siya ng boses. I'm so mad right now! Wala akong pakialam kahit tinulungan niya pa ako!
I suddenly heard a few knocks - cutting our conversation.
"Ma'am! Ma'am! Are you there? Sabi nina Mang Bert dinala ka raw ni Yves Marcus sa kanila!"
Nagkatinginan kami ng lalaki. The voice was familiar so I tried to open the door but the door knob seems so hard that I can't unlock it.
Lumapit ang lalaki sa pintuan. "Ako na.."
The worried face of Leandro was in front of us when the door opened. Bahagya akong nagulat pero hindi na nagtaka.
"Ano? Ayos lang ba siya?"
Doon ako mas nagulat nang may sumilip na babae. She has a tanned skin, her face is small, nose is not so pointed and she has a slightly pigmented lips - a typical morena.
"Oo, Regina. Salamat sa pagtulong.."
I saw how the girl smiled at me but I didn't smile back. Kunot ang noo kong tiningnan ang damit na hindi ko napansin kaagad na nabago. Ang Regina siguro na ito ang nagpalit sa akin.
Most probably.
"Leandro, pakihatid na siya sa kanila. Nasa itim na paper bag ang mga damit niya. Salamat.."
Hindi lumampas sa mga mata ko kung paano hinalikan ni Regina ang lalaki sa pisngi nang makapasok siya sa loob. I quickly looked away when I felt something.
"Let's go, Leandro!" pagalit pa ring sabi ko.
"May nakalimutan ka yata, miss?"
I sighed as I was about to walk away from them but then he suddenly spoke. I looked at that guy, gone was his girlfriend now. Nakahilig siya ngayon sa pinto nila. His brows are slightly furrowed now. Malalaki ang braso niya, parang banat na banat dahil siguro sa pagtatrabaho. Nakataas din ang noo.
And the way he looks at me.. he seems arrogant. Mas lalo lang akong naiinis!
Nagkatinginan pa ulit kami. Nilipat ko pa ang tingin kay Leandro na nakakunot ang noo sa amin bago ko muling binalingan ng tingin ang lalaki.
I let out a sigh. "Thanks for saving me but I'll never forget about what happened earlier. Sisiguraduhin kong matututo sila sa pagkakamali nila. They won't be able to forget about it, too ." I smirked and looked at Leandro again. "Umalis na tayo. Hinahanap na ako sa mansion.."
Leandro nodded his head as he supported me to walk. Nang makalabas kami ay tirik na tirik pa rin ang araw.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. Nalunod pa kayo dahil sa akin," sabi ni Leandro habang naglalakad kami.
I sighed. "If you were there, I wouldn't get drowned. I even almost died!"
"I'm really really sorry, ma'am," he told me. "May ginawa lang ako sa resort kaya hindi ako nakabalik kaagad.."
Hindi na ako umimik. I'm too mad to speak at baka kung ano lang ang lumabas sa bibig ko.
"Leandro, sandali!"
Napapikit na lang ako sa inis nang humabol pa sa amin ang lalaki. Seriously?!
"'Wag na sanang makarating pa ang nangyari sa mga Rivera. Paniguradong---"
My forehead immediately creased when I heard those words from that guy. Kaagad ko siyang hinarap, binabalewala ang ginawang pagtulong niya sa akin kanina.
"Bakit hindi pwedeng makarating sa kanila? Are you crazy? I'm their daughter, of course they need to know about what happened!"
I felt Leandro's hands on my elbow to stop me but it irritates me more. Iniinis ako lalo ng lalaking ito!
"Baka kung ano pa ang mangyari sa mga tao rito kapag nalaman ng mga magulang mong hindi ka nila tinulungan.."
I sarcastically laughed. "Don't worry, hindi ko na sila tuturuan ng leksyon if that's your concern. My parents won't know about this - that their daughter needed a help but no one wanted to rescue her! But then you came! Ikaw ang pasasalamatan ng pamilya ko! Congrats, may pabuya ka!"
Napakurap-kurap siya habang nakatingin sa akin saka umiling. "Hindi pabuya ang habol ko, Miss Alindra. Sana maintindihan ninyo.."
Hindi na ako umangal nang marinig ang pangalan ko galing sa bibig niya. Dapat lang na kilala niya ako!
We both looked at each other for a moment until I gave up even I wanted to punch him because of anger.
"Yeah, alright," I told him in a sarcastic way again.
Nang nairita na talaga ako ay ako na mismo ang humila sa kamay ni Leandro para makaalis na.
I hate him! I hate the people here! I hate this place but I have no choice but to freaking stay here!
Bullshit!
I just let go of Leandro's hands when we finally walked away from that place. I don't know why it's a big deal for me. O baka hindi ko lang talaga lubos na maintindihan ang lalaking iyon?
Sobrang naiirita ako kahit wala naman talaga siyang kasalanan!
"Mukhang tama nga po si Yves Marcus, ma'am.."
Leandro suddenly spoke after a few minutes. Kaagad ko siyang nilingon sa sinabi niya, kunot ang noo ko.
"Na hindi ko dapat ipaalam kina Mom about what happened earlier?"
"Alindra, darling! Ano ang hindi dapat ipaalam sa akin?"
My heartbeat became fast when I heard Mom's voice. Parang biglang nawala ang galit ko at napalitan ng kaba. Nakasuot siya ngayon ng mahabang dress. Dahil sa hangin, halos sumayad na iyon sa buhangin at dalhin ng mga alon.
She's now nearing us!
"M-Mom.."
Kaagad na yumuko si Leandro. "Magandang hapon po, Madam."
Mom didn't even bother to look at him. Instead, she's just looking at me - waiting for my answer. Nilapitan ko na siya dahil baka kung ano pa ang sabihin niya.
"Nothing, mom. May.. nalunod lang na bata kanina. That's it. Kaya hindi mo na dapat pang malaman." I assured her with a smile. "It's far from your concern, anyway.."
Nakita ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya saka unting ngumiti. "And why are you with that crew?"
"He just accompanied me to the shore. He guided me here, Mom. Nag-enjoy ako!" I faked a smile.
Sumulyap pa siya kay Leandro na nakayuko pa rin sa harapan namin ngayon.
"Mauuna na kami, Leandro. Salamat sa pagsama kanina," wala sa loob na sabi ko.
Leandro looked at me and smiled. Pumasok na kami sa resort ni Mom habang tanaw ang ibang guests.
I owe that Yves guy my second life so I gave him a favor even when I'm extremely mad about what happened. I did what he told me. I save locals' ass by not telling Mom that they didn't even help me despite of seeing that I was drowning.
Sa veranda na lang ako nagpunta habang yakap ng kamay ang wine glass. Gusto kong ibuhos lahat ng galit ko! I want to break the vases, the glasses, everything!
Iniisip ko kung talaga bang pati ang mga nakatira dito sa Puricia Grittonia ay kinamumuhian ako. And the possible reason? Ang pagiging anak ko sa labas!
Kung may iba pang dahilan ay hindi ko iyon alam!
They didn't even help.. they didn't even waste a time to at least help me from drowning!
I forcefully wiped my tears as I took a sip on my wine. Hindi ko namalayang umiiyak na pala ako. I hate dramas but here I am now - crying because of that incident. I'm mad but sad at the same time. This one is making me feel lonely and unacceptable.
Maybe going back here is really a bad decision.
Pero nang bigla kong maalala ang sinabi ng lalaking tumulong sa akin, napangiti ako nang kaunti. I'm somehow amazed that he's brave enough to say that. It's seems like he's eager to save the locals' asses and he even apologized to me in behalf of them.
With that, I think.. he's something different.
... ... ...