Chapter 7
In my 18 years of existence in this freaking messed up world, I've never let anyone kiss me without my permission. I love make outs even with strangers at the bar but I always kiss them first! O hindi kaya, tinatanong nila ako kung okay lang ba sa akin!
But this Yves guy! He irritates me all the time! Ginagamit niya ang pagkakataong ito para mahalikan ako!
He's taking advantage of me!
Pero bakit hindi mo pigilan, Alindra?
I don't know how to feel when we finally went up and he stopped kissing me. Nagulat akong buhat-buhat niya pala ako!
Nang makita ko ulit si Yves, uminit kaagad ang ulo ko. “Why the hell did you---”
“Alindra, sino ‘yan? Is he your boyfriend?”
To my surprise, I saw Felix again. I thought he's already gone!
Hindi ako makasagot sa kaniya. My face suddenly heated up when I realized that Yves is still carrying me like I'm a freaking bride of him! What the hell!
Tumingin din sa akin si Yves na basang-basa rin ngayon. Umiwas kaagad ako ng tingin.
“Alindra..”
“Oo! He's my boyfriend!”
Kumawala ako sa pagbuhat ni Yves sa akin at nilapitan ko si Felix. I can barely read his reactions right now.
“May boyfriend na ako so please.. tigilan mo na ako,” I said, wearily. “Gusto mo bang ihatid pa kita sa port? Ipatapon kita sa Manila?”
I felt someone held my wrist - probably to stop me. I know it's Yves.
“If you really like me, Felix, you will stop this shit already! Ako ang napapagod sa ‘yo..”
He directly looked at me in the eye. Hinawakan niya ang mga kamay ko. Nabitawan tuloy ang kapit ni Yves doon.
“I'm sorry if I can't stop from bothering you these past few weeks. Gustong-gusto lang talaga kita. I'm scared that I'll never have a chance.. I'm scared that I'll see you happy with someone else and now.. it happened.” He gently kissed my hand. I didn't move. “But now, I understand. Masaya na akong masaya ka, Alindra..”
He smiled a bit but loneliness is evident on his eyes. Napakurap ako nang mabilis na tumulo ang luha niya. He forcefully wiped it and looked away.
Tumango ako. “You should go back to Manila..”
“Gusto ko lang munang.. kausapin ang boyfriend mo,” sabi niya at tumingin kay Yves sa likuran ko.
I also looked at Yves. Tumango lang siya sa akin. Lumayo silang dalawa - iyong hindi ko talaga maririnig. I didn't follow them. I want to roll my eyes right now! As if I care!
Kalokohan..
I didn't wait for them anymore. Alam kong titigil na si Felix ngayong alam niyang may boyfriend ako. He used to be like that. He keeps on pestering me when he knows that I'm single and when I already have someone beside me - he'll stop again. I'm hoping that this time.. he'll really stop his bullshits.
Ako ang napapagod para sa kaniya! Hindi ko naman siya ginayuma o ano pero bumabalik-balik pa rin siya! Ganoon na ba talaga ako kaganda para mabaliw siya?
Well, at the second thought.. I can't blame him for liking me this way.
I started to walk away but someone grabbed my hand.
“Ano ba?!” I shouted, thinking that it was Felix but it was Yves.
“Yong lalaking ‘yon.. boyfriend mo ba?” he asked.
Kumunot naman ang noo ko. “No! He will never be my boyfriend!”
“Tapos na kaming mag-usap..”
“Ano naman?”
Ngumisi naman si Yves. “Umalis na siya. Hindi mo man lang ba aalamin kung anong pinag-usapan namin?”
I took a deep breath and faced him. “Yves, wala akong pakialam sa pinag-usapan niyo o sa inyo!” I rolled my eyes and walked away from him. Pero nang may ma-realize, bumalik ako sa kaniya. “Ihatid mo ako..”
“Sa pagkakatanda ko, sa mga Lope de Vega lang ako nagtatrabaho. Hindi sa mga Rivera,” Yves said that made my forehead more furrowed. “Saka sabi mo.. wala ka namang pakialam sa akin. Hindi ba dapat wala na rin akong pakialam sa ‘yo? Kaya bakit kita ihahatid?”
My eyes widened in disbelief! Seriously?!
“What the freak? You should be gentleman! Kahit hindi ka namin employee, babae ako! Dapat ihatid mo ako! Especially now that I'm not even familiar with this place and I'm all alone!”
Nag-iinit na naman ang ulo ko sa lalaking ito! He's so mannerless!
“Bigyan mo ako ng sapat na dahilan para ihatid kita,” nakangising sabi niya at sumandal sa may malaking bato. “Ayaw kong ma-miss ang lantern parade..”
“Hindi pa ba enough reason na hindi ko alam ang place na 'to at mag-isa lang ako? Come on, Yves!”
“Malayo ang mansion niyo rito, Miss Alindra---”
“Fine! We'll watch the lantern parade first!” naiinis kong sabi sa kaniya saka tinalikuran siya.
Argh! The nerve of this guy! Hindi na nga gwapo, hindi pa gentleman!
I heard him chuckled. “Akala ko, hindi ka na magpapahatid. 'Yon pala.. manonood muna tayo ng parade. Malapit ko nang isipin na gusto mo lang akong makasama kaya ka nagpapahatid..”
“Shut the freak up!” I screamed and faced him.
“'Yang bibig mo...”
“Gusto mong halikan!”
Tinalikuran ko kaagad si Yves saka naglakad palayo sa kaniya. I didn't know why I said that but I hope he doesn't mind. Baliw naman siya.
After couple of minutes, I stopped from walking to face him. Nakasandal pa rin siya sa bato at hindi pa naglalakad!
“What are you waiting for? Let's go the Sentro and watch the parade! Gusto ko nang umuwi!”
I sighed when he finally walked. I thought he would complain or something para lang hindi niya talaga ako ihatid. I stopped when I suddenly got dizzy.
Yves is talking behind me but I don't understand any of his words because of dizziness. I also want to throw up! Biglang sumama ang pakiramdam ko! My stomach hurts so bad, too! Damn it!
“Y-Yves,” I called him out and held his arm for support.
“Alindra.. Miss Alindra.”
I felt his arm wrapped around my waist. I didn't mind that anymore. Hilong-hilo ako!
“N-Nahihilo ako. My stomach.. hurts...”
Right after I said that, everything suddenly went dark.
. . .
Nagising akong naririnig ang malakas na alon sa dagat. When I opened my eyes, I saw nothing but darkness. I was shocked when I realized that I'm in the middle of the sea!
Kaagad akong bumangon sa bangka. Nakita ko kaagad si Yves na nagsasagwan. I somehow felt relieved when I knew that I wasn't alone.
“W-Why are we here?”
“Gising ka na pala,” sabi niya saka tinigil muna ang ginagawa. “Nalaman kong na-food poison ka. No'ng nahimatay ka, ginamit ko ang chance na ‘yon para kumuha ng halamang-gamot. Ngayon pabalik na tayo sa Grittonia..”
“Wait, what?!”
Mas lalo akong nagulat sa sinabi niya kaya tumayo ako. I forgot that I'm still riding on a boat! I almost fell into the water but Yves immediately grabbed my back to prevent me from falling.
Umiwas naman ako ng tingin nang sandali kaming nagkatinginan. “W-What do you mean by food poison? Don't tell me, someone purposely put a poison on my food, Yves!”
“Hindi,” sabi niya saka dahan-dahan akong ibinaba. “Marami ka bang nakain kanina?”
I nodded when I remembered that I ate a lot of street foods with Vander earlier.
“Marami kang nakain. Maaari ding sa mga pagkain na ‘yon, may isang contaminated kaya ka nalason. Sumakit ang ulo mo pati tiyan kanina. Gusto mo ring sumuka, tama?”
I nodded again and looked at the waves instead. “Yeah but I'm thinking.. baka kagagawan na naman ‘to ng mga tao rito. Baka nilason nila ako!”
“Hindi nila gagawin ‘yon, Miss Alindra..”
“Nagawa nga nilang hayaan akong malunod, lasunin pa kaya ako---”
“Hindi nila magagawa ‘yon. Sigurado ako...”
When I looked at him, he was very serious so I just shut my mouth up. I don't want to argue anymore especially now that he saved me again!
“Thank you for saving me, Yves,” I said after several minutes.
Parang hirap na hirap akong pasalamatan siya kahit tinulungan na naman niya ako! The heck, Alindra! You shouldn't be like this!
“Welcome,” he coldly said without even looking at me.
I deeply sighed. “In all honesty, ayaw kong magkaroon ng utang na loob sa ‘yo but you keep on saving me. You always help me. Bakit?”
This time, he looked at me but there's something in his eyes that I can't figure out. “Pakiramdam ko, kailangan mo ako. Sino ako para hindi ka tulungan?”
I averted my gaze at him as I didn't know what to say anymore. I hate that he's giving me this strange feeling that I didn't feel before! And I hate it more because I'm no longer allowed to feel any hatred towards him as he keeps on saving me!
“Pasensya na kung hindi kita nadala sa ospital. Matagal na ako rito at alam kong wala ang mga doktor sa ganitong okasyon..”
Napakurap ako sa sinabi niya. “Okay. I understand...”
Tumingin uli siya sa akin, nakataas pa ang isang kilay. He probably doubted my reaction. I can't blame him though. I always disagree with him. Lagi ko siyang sinusungitan.
“What? Hindi na ba tayo uuwi sa Puricia Grittonia?” I said because he's just staring at me. “Manonood ka pa ng parade na sinasabi mo..”
Right after I told that to him, lanterns suddenly showed up in the sky. My mouth formed an o in surprise and amusement.
Ramdam ko namang tumigil si Yves sa pagsagwan. I didn't say any word anymore. I just stared at the beautiful and glowing lanterns.
“Akala ko, wala na akong maaabutan..”
I smirked a bit when Yves spoke after a few minutes. Nakatingin lang din siya sa mga lantern. Pero nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumayo. I almost fell!
“Hey! Umupo ka nga!”
He didn't sit down, instead he picked up one lantern as he stared at it like there's no tomorrow anymore.
“I didn't know that you're this appreciative..”
Tumingin naman siya sa akin. “Ako ang gumawa nito.”
Napanganga ako sa sinabi niya. Tumango na lang ako. Gusto kong sungitan siya ngayon. I want him to continue what he was doing earlier so we can now go back to Puricia Grittonia. But somehow, I want to express my gratitude to him. Hahayaan ko na lang siyang magpakasaya kahit naiinis na naman ako!
I watched him while he's busy admiring his work. I'm thinking that he keeps on helping me so we can be connected to each other. Ang dahilan? Of course, my family is rich. Kapag nalaman nina Mom at Dad ang ilang beses niyang pagliligtas sa akin, baka ibigay pa ang kalahati ng yaman namin kay Yves.
Whatever reason he has, he saved and helped me. Kahit papaano naman, dapat pasalamatan ko siya!
I just shoved away that idea. I should be thankful instead of thinking bad things about Yves. Tumingin na lang ako sa mga lantern na dumadaan sa kalangitan. Gusto kong gayahin si Yves at tumayo sa bangka pero baka mahulog lang ako.
Finally, after a few moments, nakarating din kami sa Puricia Grittonia. Natapos na rin ang pag-iinarte ni Yves. If not because he saved me, I would definitely make him drowned!
“Dito na ba ang resort niyo?” Yves asked and looked at me. Gusto ko siyang tarayan!
I nodded. “Yeah. Dito na ako. You should go home, too..”
“Sige. Kung may kailangan ka, Miss Alindra, nandito lang ako...”
I didn't answer him. I just nodded my head as I know that I won't be needing his help anymore. Yeah, I hope so.
Mabilis akong pumasok sa gate. It's been a long day! I was poisoned at maraming nangyari! I just want to have a peaceful sleep all night!
May utang na loob na naman ako kay Yves. Should I pay him? Of course! He's poor! Malaki rin naman ang naitulong niya sa akin!
I suddenly stopped from walking when I saw Mom inside of one of our gazebos. I was about to call her when someone sat beside her. It was a man at her age! Nagulat pa akong hinalikan siya ng lalaki sa noo!
I covered my mouth after I saw that. I was freaking shocked! If I will confront Mom, I will just make a scene here! Makakarating ito sa mga tao panigurado!
Lumingon-lingon ako sa paligid. Good thing that the guests are not in the area anymore. Kung may makakita sa kanila, this will be scandalous! Our family's reputation will surely be tainted!
Bawal 'tong malaman ng ibang tao! Especially nina Lola! Mas lalo kaming hindi tatanggapin!
I ran away from them. Gusto kong papaniwalain ang sarili ko na hindi iyon si Mom at walang malisya iyon pero kitang-kita ng dalawang mata ko!
Is this the reason why she came here and not because the resort has a problem? Gaano na sila katagal ng lalaki niya? I thought she loves Dad so much more than anyone else in this world but look at what she did! She fooled my Dad! She fooled us!
Fuck it!
I didn't see this coming! I wasn't expecting this!
Pinunasan ko ang luha ko na tumulo na pala. Mom taught me that I shouldn't let my emotions control me pero ayon siya at nagpapadala sa tukso at sa sarili niyang kaligayan!
I didn't witness everything but what I've seen is enough!
Kaya pala lagi siyang umaalis! Pero wala naman sa resort o sa tabi ni Dad! Hindi ko naisip kailan man na lolokohin niya si Dad kasi alam ko.. mahal na mahal niya ang asawa niya!
But I was wrong!
Naglakad na lang ako sa may dalampasigan. I don't know what to do. Gusto kong sabihin kay Dad ang nalaman ko pero ayaw ko rin namang magkahiwalay sila ni Mom!
I didn't know why Yves suddenly came up into my mind when I saw a boat near the rock formations. Maingay ang alon, parang nakikisabay sa galit na nararamdaman ko. Pero hindi dapat ako magpadala sa nararamdaman ko!
I should think straight!
“Kung may kailangan ka, Miss Alindra, nandito lang ako..”
I closed my eyes as I started to walk again. I'll try to look for Yves.
But I'm still a bit hesitant. It's a family matter and I shouldn't drag him into this mess. Another thing is, I don't think he can help me with the problem that Mom did!
I'm now frustrated and confused with everything that has happened today! What the hell's happening? Simula nang pumunta ako rito, lagi na lang akong minamalas especially now!
Una si Felix, I nearly got drowned, the food that I ate has a poison and then I saw Mom with that old man that I don't even know!
I heavily sighed as I tried to remain calm despite all of the mixed up feelings.
“Uh, excuse me.. alam niyo ho ba ang bahay ni Yves?” tanong ko nang may makitang grupo ng matatanda sa ilalim ng puno.
“Yves, hija?” Tumingin sa akin ang isang matandang lalaki. “Si Marcus ba kamo?”
I immediately nodded my head. “Yes po. I need to talk to him..”
“Halika, sumunod ka sa akin. Nandito ang bahay nila,” he said as he started to walk. I followed him and looked around the place.
The place is quite familiar to me. Dito ako dinala ni Yves nang muntikan na akong malunod.
“Marcus! Marcus! May bisita ka!” The old man knocked few times already but Yves didn't show up yet. “Mukhang nasa Sentro pa sina Marcus, hija..”
“O-Okay, babalik na lang ho siguro ako next time. Thank---”
“Manong Ed, hinahanap niyo po si Yves? Hindi pa po sila umuuwi,” someone cut me off.
Lumingon ako sa paligid. Nagulat naman ako nang makita si Regina. Mukhang nagulat din siya nang makita ako.
“Excuse me. Mauuna na ho ako. Salamat,” I told to the old man and smiled a little. Tumango naman ang matanda.
“Hindi pa umuuwi si Yves. Baka bukas na sila umuwi..”
I smirked when I sensed something when Regina spoke. I didn't turn to look at her anymore as I said, “thanks for informing me. Bukas ko na lang din siya kakausapin...”
Naglakad na ako palayo sa kaniya. I know that she likes Yves. She doesn't need to worry because I won't steal Yves from her.
I don't have any interest to do that.
Wala talaga..
Hindi pa ako tuluyang nakakalayo nang makita ko si Yves. Hindi niya pa ako nakikita. His hair is kind of messy. Halata na rin sa mukha niya ang pagod.
Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kaniya para tingnan na lang ang mga alon. I hugged myself because of the coldness. I'm planning to walk away from him but then I saw how he walked near me.
“Miss Alindra, gabi na. Anong ginagawa mo rito?” gulat niyang sabi sa akin.
Hindi ako makapagsalita. I just stared at him blankly. This is hard but I have to admit that my emotions are trying to control me now. I want to breakdown in front of him! I want to cry! My emotions are starting to swallow me whole!
Ang lahat ng inis, galit at lungkot, gusto kong ibuhos!
“Anong nangyari?”
The wind blew hard as I continue to watch him this close.  His brows are furrowed. Naghihintay pa rin siya ng isasagot ko. I don't know what's happening to me!
Ang dami-daming tumatakbo sa isip ko!
I remembered again how that unfamiliar old man kissed my Mom on her forehead! Na parang wala lang kay Mom! Niloko niya kaming dalawa ni Dad!
I tried my very best to prevent my tears from falling. Ayaw kong umiyak sa harapan ng iba. Ayaw kong nakikita nila akong mahina at malungkot! Pero gumuho lahat ng pader na itinayo ko nang makita ko kung paano tumingin sa akin si Yves na punong-puno ng pag-aalala.
I guess I'm really weak because my tears are now falling from my eyes. I cried in front of Yves Marcus Antonio!
“Miss Alindra---”
“I need you, Yves. I need you right now...”
... ... ...