Chapter 9
Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto akong nakatingin sa magkasamang si Yves at Regina nang dumating sila. I was busy eating when Yves noticed me in their dining area.
I raised a brow. I'm really wondering, what's the real score between the two of them? Halos lagi silang magkasamang dalawa! Are they in a relationship? Or fuck buddies?
Nandiri ako sa huli kaya umiwas na lang ako ng tingin sa kanila.
"I'm not special for him po. I'm sure of that," sagot ko sa sinabi ng Lola ni Yves. Umiling lang ang matanda sa akin saka ngumiti. "Pero may request po sana ako. I know, this is too much but can I stay here for a few days?"
"Oo naman, hija!" Lola answered and smiled widely at me. I smiled back.
"Dito ka tutuloy? Bakit?"
Lumingon naman ako kay Yves saka tumango. "Yeah. Ayaw mo ba? I'll pay my stay here. Don't worry.."
I smirked secretly when I saw Regina's reaction. Maybe she's now bothered because I'll stay here. But she doesn't need to worry. Wala naman akong interes kay Yves. If she wants to, she can stay here, too!
Hindi dapat siya mainggit!
And also, I don't want to go home yet. I don't want to see Mom. Kung makikita ko siya ay magtatanong lang ako sa kaniya at malalaman ni Dad ang ginawa niya. I don't want that to happen. I'll just be distant for a while although Puricia Grittonia is just really a small place. They'll surely find me eventually.
Pero.. gusto ko lang talagang lumayo sa kanila. Lalo na kay Mom. I hate her!
"Nakita namin 'yong lalaking kinausap ako no'ng nakaraan. Hinahanap ka nila ng Daddy mo.."
My forehead immediately creased when Yves suddenly spoke after a few minutes and said that. Kaagad naman akong tumayo.
"Si Felix and Dad? They're looking for me? I thought he's now gone! At magkakilala sila ni Dad?"
"Hindi ko alam. Wala naman siyang sinabi sa aking iba," seryosong sagot ni Yves. "Dapat siguro umuwi ka na, Miss Alindra. Nag-aalala na ang parents mo sa 'yo."
I quickly looked away. "I don't wanna go home yet. Please, Lola. Dito muna ako. Babayaran ko kayo. Please.."
I couldn't imagine that I would do this in front of them! I begged only for that! Parang ang baba-baba ko sa mga oras na 'to para lang makiusap na dito lang muna ako para hindi makita si Mom!
"Nako, hija. Hindi mo na kailangang magmakaawa. Bukas naman ang tahanan ko sa nobya ng apo ko," the old woman said and chuckled.
"Lola!"
I want to roll my eyes when Yves protested. Parang siya pa ang nandidiri? The freak!
I sighed in relief and smiled a bit. "Maraming salamat po pero hindi po ako girlfriend ng apo ninyo.."
Tumawa pa uli ang Lola ni Yves. "Doon din papunta iyan, hija."
Sinaway pa ulit ni Yves ang Lola niya. I can see Regina in the corner of my eyes. Bakit inaasar pa rin ako ng Lola ni Yves sa kaniya kung nandito naman si Regina? Really? What's going on between them?
I'm more curious now!
"Mauuna na ho ako, 'La. Magluluto pa ho ako sa amin." I raised my brow when Regina said that.
"Hindi ka na ba manananghalian dito?" tanong naman ni Lola.
I saw how Regina shook her head as she looked at me. "Hindi na po. Kailangan ko nang umuwi.."
"Hatid na kita sa inyo.."
I smirked when Yves said that but Regina shook her head again.
"Hindi na.. asikasuhin mo ang bisita mo, Yves. Sige na," she said with a smile.
You guys are so messed up!
Hinayaan ko na lang ang dalawang magpilitan hanggang makaalis si Regina at hindi na naihatid ni Yves. Ang aarte. I rolled my eyes sideward.
. . .
It's already past 1 PM when I decided to go outside. I just came from a nap. Unti-unti na akong nasasanay sa higaan nila. It's a bit uncomfortable but I don't have any choice.
Para akong naging desperada na umalis muna sa bahay dahil nandito ako. I just really want to be calm for a while.
I want to at least call Dad to inform him that I'm fine so he won't be worried anymore. But I remembered that I lost my phone last time when I escaped from Felix and now that he's still here at hindi pa pala umaalis sa isla, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin!
I shouldn't be affected but he keeps on pestering me!
I sharply sighed as I looked at the horizon. Masakit sa balat ang sinag ng araw pero ayaw ko na munang pumasok sa bahay nina Yves.
I suddenly wanted to be just here for a moment. I want to relax and enjoy every second of my stay here. Dahil alam kong pag-uwi ko sa mansion at makita ko si Mom, magagalit lang ako. She'll just stress the hell out of me.
"Kung ayaw mo talagang makita ka ng Daddy mo, dapat pumasok ka na sa loob. Maliit lang ang isla. Paniguradong makikita ka kaagad nila.."
Tatarayan ko sana si Yves at hindi na lang siya papansinin pero may utang na loob pa nga pala ako sa kaniya at ngayon, I'm staying in their house! I need to be at least nice!
"Just don't mind it. Ako naman ang mapapagalitan if ever," I said as I smiled a bit. Pasimple ko siyang inikutan ng mata.
Ngayon ko lang napansin na nag-aayos pala siya ng bangka.
Umiling-iling siya. "Ang kulit mo talaga."
"W-What did you just say---"
"Dito ka muna sandali. May kukuhanin lang ako sa ilalim.."
I was about to protest when he suddenly jumped into the water quickly. The heck! May kukuhanin sa ilalim?
I started to get bored after a few minutes of waiting. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko ba sinunod ang sinabi ng lalaking iyon kung pwede ko naman siyang iwan na lang dito. But I'm somehow worried. He's under the water for more than ten long minutes now!
Siguro naman magaling siyang lumangoy..
I rolled my eyes and sat down on the floating boat near me. I waited for Yves for few more minutes. Nagulat na lang ako nang may biglang umahon. I'm surprised to see Yves that is holding a really huge fish! Nakasabit pa iyon sa likod niya na parang hindi siya nahihirapan!
Mabagal siyang lumalakad papunta sa akin. He's looking at me directly while I can't help but to look at his body that is now wet. His arms.. his chest.. oh my God!
What? Don't tell me that you're now appreciating him, Alindra!
I blinked many times and looked away from him when he's finally in front of me.
"What kind of fish is that? Ang laki!" Hindi ko alam kung bakit nahihirapan akong sabihin iyon sa kaniya.
I'm not intimidated or what, of course! As I said before, I've already seen a lot of mens' bodies in the city and also out of the country! Kung ikukumpara, walang-wala ang katawan niya sa mga katawan ng mga iyon! Siguro nandidiri lang ako! Yes!
"Tuna.."
When I looked at him, I was a bit shocked as he's still looking at me, intently. Hindi na lang ako umiwas ng tingin. I met his gaze instead.
"I believe tuna is so hard to find. At nilangoy mo mag-isa? Sa ilalim ng dagat? Wow! You're maybe a merman," I said and chuckled to at least lessen the awkwardness that I feel.
Nakita ko namang ngumisi siya saka umiling. "Ang dami mong sinabi, Miss Alindra. Nakuha ko 'to dahil sa diskarte, hindi dahil sirena ako o ano.."
I smirked. "Shokoy."
"Hindi," he seriously disagreed.
"Yes, you are.."
My mouth slightly opened when he moved closer to me. He's so close that I can even feel his wet body.
Napalunok ako. "Y-Yves!"
"Bakit?" Nakakunot ang noo niya. "'Wag kang gagalaw.."
"What?! Umalis ka nga diyan!"
I tried to push him away but his arms are so firm and hard that I can't even move my hands more! Nanghina ako bigla sa kaniya!
"'Wag kang gagalaw sabi.."
"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo---"
Ginamit ko ang buong lakas ko para maitulak siya but I instantly regretted that I did that as I saw Felix again! Pagod na pagod na ako sa kaniya!
"'Wag mo na siyang sugurin. Nakausap ko na siya kanina. Nakiusap akong 'wag niya munang sabihin sa Daddy mo na sa amin ka tumutuloy sa ngayon.."
Bumaling naman ako kay Yves. "Y-You did that? Bakit hindi mo kaagad sinabi sa akin?"
"Nakita ka na niya kanina pa, Miss Alindra. Pasensya ka na. Hindi ko kaagad nasabi.."
"Don't worry, Alindra. Hinahanap lang talaga kita. I won't tell Tito Alesso about this. I just want to know that you're safe. Nandito ka naman pala sa boyfriend mo. Good to know that you're fine," biglang nagsalita si Felix. He's a bit far from us.
Tito Alesso? So he really knows my Dad now huh?
Tumango na lang ako at baka kung ano pa ang masabi ko. Yves is now pulling me.
"Pumunta muna tayo sa mercado," sabi ni Yves sa akin.
I didn't protest and even react anymore. I'm still a bit dumbfounded about what just happened a moment ago. Himala! Hindi na nga nangulit si Felix!
May ginawa kaya si Yves sa lalaking iyon? By his appearance, he probably threatened Felix! But that's the least of my concern now.
I looked at Yves' back. Hindi ko alam kung paano niya nakakayang buhatin ang ganoon kalaking tuna at hawak niya pa ang wrist ko at hinihila ako!
I don't know why I suddenly lost my words.
"Mabuti naman at hindi mo na pinagsabihan ng kung ano-ano ang ex boyfriend mo kanina," Yves said, all of a sudden.
Kumunot naman kaagad ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. "He's not my ex."
"Akala ko siya 'yong sinasabi mong niloko ka.."
Gusto kong matawa. He probably thought last time that I was referring to a guy that cheated on me. But the truth is, it was my Mom who fooled us!
I just don't want to tell that to other people dahil baka makarating pa iyon sa iba pang Rivera at kay Lola.
Hindi na ulit ako nagsalita nang makarating kami sa sinasabi niyang mercado. This place is a wet market. It has a wide space in here. Maraming tao kahit hapon pa lang. Maingay rin. Almost all of the people are eyeing at us. I don't know what's inside their minds right now.
"Nobya mo ba, Yves Marcus?" tanong ng isang matanda roon.
"Ang laki ng nahuli mong tuna! Galing mo talagang sumisid, hijo! Ibebenta mo ba?"
"Si Marcus pa ba eh magaling 'yang sumisid! Hindi ba, Marcus?"
All of them laughed after an old woman said that. There are a lot of commotions. I just saw Yves smirked and shook his head as a reaction. Kaagad ko namang binawi ang kamay ko sa kaniya. He looked at me quickly with his cold eyes.
"Hindi ko ho siya nobya, Aling Emilia." I raised my brow when he said that right in my face na parang ako talaga ang sinasabihan niya!
I want to wring his neck now!
"Ay sayang, mestiza pa naman! Oo nga pala, si Regina ang nobya mo, hijo! Pasensya na!" sagot pa ng matanda saka tumawa. She even slapped Yves' arm, jokingly.
What? Nobya? As in girlfriend?
Ngumiti lang nang kaunti si Yves saka inilapag ang tuna sa may malaking lamesa roon. I don't know why I'm still staying here when I don't really like this place. Maingay. Pero wala naman akong choice! Makikisama na lang ako sa lalaking 'to!
Pinagkakaguluhan si Yves saka ang nahuli niya. He's probably popular here. Parang kilalang-kilala siya ng mga tao rito.
"Ibebenta ko ho sa inyo ang nahuli kong tuna, Kuya Rick," rinig kong sabi ni Yves sa lalaking nagtanong kanina. "Kayo na ang bahala kung magkano ang ibibigay ninyo sa akin. Basta may pang-check up at gamot si Lola.."
"Sige! Hiwain mo na Yves!"
Yves is holding a very long knife. He's also wearing an apron. A pink apron. Gusto ko na lang tumawa pero wala naman akong pakialam sa kaniya. I was about to walk away when he finally cut the fish into many pieces. Mabilis niya iyong ginagawa na parang walang kahirap-hirap!
His almost naked body is now covered with sweat. Nagulat pa akong halos lahat ng katabi kong babae ay tumitili habang pinanonood siya! The freak! They're drooling over him! He isn't even hot! He looks disgusting while doing that in front of many people! Pawis na pawis siya!
I repeatedly rolled my eyes while looking at him. Nanlaki naman ang mata ko nang magtagpo ang mata namin. Nakita kong ngumisi siya. Baka iniisip niya na affected ako sa kaniya katulad ng ibang babae rito! Well, I'm different! I know very well how to check out boys!
"Ang ganda talaga ng katawan ni Yves, 'no? Kung pupunta 'yan ng Maynila, magiging model 'yan doon panigurado!" My forehead creased after I heard that from someone. I want to laugh so hard right now.
"Oo! Gwapo pa!"
What? Seriously? Alright. I admit it, Yves is somehow good looking. Pero mas maraming mas gwapo sa kaniya! Even way way way better than him!
But my opinion doesn't matter here. Wala naman dapat akong pakialam.
Instead of complaining, I just watched Yves while he's busy selling the fish. Marami siyang kinakausap doon at ngumingiti pa. I rarely see him smile as he's serious and cold all the time. I don't know if he's really that type of person o sa akin lang siya ganoon dahil naiinis din siya sa akin.
Well if he hates me, then the feeling is mutual!
Habang may kinakausap siya, bigla siyang napatingin ulit sa direction ko. I raised my brow while looking at him. Iirapan ko na sana siya nang maramdaman kong may dumaan sa likuran ko. I was slightly shocked when I saw Regina and she's smiling at Yves! Siya pala ang tinitingnan ni Yves na akala ko ako!
The freak, Alindra! You just assumed!
Tiningnan ko lang si Regina habang palapit siya kay Yves. When she's finally beside Yves, she immediately helped him. Sa nakikita ko, para na silang mag-asawa.
I crossed my arms while looking at them. Maya-maya nag-uusap na sila. Tumatawa rin si Regina. Si Yves, ngumingiti lang. After a few moments, Regina suddenly looked at me. I can't read her reaction.
"Gusto mo na bang umuwi, Miss Alindra? Baka pagod ka na.."
I don't understand why she had to say that so loud when I can hear her from here even when she's just whispering! I'm just here in front of them!
Bigla akong nairita.
I faked a smile. "No. Hindi pa naman ako pagod. I can stay here.."
"Sige. Kung pagod ka na, sabihin mo lang para makauwi ka na," she told me and smiled sweetly.
The freak! Why do I feel like she's just acting nice to me because Yves is just beside her?
Ngumisi lang ako saka tumango. Nakita ko namang pinanonood kami ni Yves habang magkausap kami. Some people are looking at us, too. Narinig din siguro nila ang usapan namin ni Regina sa lakas ng boses niya.
I raised my brow when I met Yves' gaze. Pasimple ko siyang inirapan. Nakatayo lang ako habang pinanonood sila. I'm somehow entertained just by standing here. But after a few minutes, I got tired of watching them.
Nakakairitang panoorin sina Regina at Yves. Yves keeps on telling me that Regina isn't his girlfriend but look at them now! Kulang na lang, magpakasal na silang dalawa.
Umupo na lang muna ako sa maliit na chair doon. I just entertained myself by looking at the goods here in the market. I admit that life here in the province is very different from what I had in the city. Somehow, I have a peace of mind here despite of the judgement of people around me.
Nakikita ko ngang pinagtitinginan ako ng ibang tao. Some of them are looking at me indifferently but at the same time, they're admiring me. I just ignored them while walking around the place. Nandidiri ako sa putik pero baka sabihan pa ako ng mga tao ritong maarte ako. So I just didn't mind the mud that is now almost inside my flats.
I decided to go outside the wet market for the mean time while I'm waiting for them. Kung mag-iinarte at magsusungit ako kay Yves para tapusin na niya ang ginagawa niya, for sure wala siyang maiuuwing pera. They're not that wealthy not unlike my family. He needs to work hard for them and according to him, his grandmother needs to be checked up. Malamang ay may sakit ang matanda at kailangan nitong maggamot.
And now that I'm staying in their place for the mean time, kailangan ko ring makisama. I shouldn't be like a spoiled brat. From now on, I'll try my very best to understand Yves' situation.
Wala rin naman akong mapapala kung magsusungit ako sa kaniya palagi.
I was walking around the shore when I noticed a shadow behind me. Nagulat naman ako nang makita ko si Regina. I noticed that she's wearing a long summer dress just like mine. She's looking at me blankly.
"Anong intensyon mo kay Yves? Bakit gusto mong tumira sa kanila? May gusto ka ba sa kaniya?"
Napakurap ako sa sinabi niya pero ngumisi ako kalaunan. I want to laugh right now. I like how straightforward her questions are. I knew at the very beginning that she's bothered and now that I'm staying in Yves' house, of course, she's so worried!
I can almost even feel her urge to pull my hair.
"I don't have bad intentions, Ate Regina," I said with a sweet smile, emphasizing the way I call her. "Pero.. pa'no kung may gusto ako kay Yves?Ano naman 'yon sa 'yo? I'm sure that you aren't his girlfriend. At wala ka naman sigurong karapatan sa kaniya.."
I saw how her face crumpled with what I said. Pero nakikita ko ring gusto na niyang maiyak sa sinabi ko.
"Wala kaming mas malalim na relasyon ni Yves. Pero ayaw kong mapahamak siya kung patuloy kang didikit sa kaniya. Kaya nakikiusap ako sa 'yo, kung may masama kang balak sa kaniya, layuan mo na lang siya," she said with full of sincerity. "Mayaman ang pamilya mo. Makapangyarihan. Alam kong hindi sila papayag na magkagusto ka sa katulad lang ni Yves---"
I cut her off. "Wait. I don't really understand what you're talking about but there's one thing that I'm sure of, I don't like Yves. Kaya 'wag kang mag-alala.. hinding-hindi mapapahamak si Yves nang dahil sa akin o sa pamilya ko.."
I looked at Regina for a moment before I started to walk away from her. Hindi ko alam kung bakit niya naisip ang mga bagay na ganoon ka-impossible.
Maybe she just really likes Yves that much..
"Baka kung anong gawin ng pamilya mo kina Yves kapag nalaman nilang sa kanila ka tumutuloy." My forehead creased when I heard that from her. I faced her again, irritated this time.
"They won't know about it when you shut up your mouth!" I saw how she looked down when I shouted at her. Napangisi naman ako nang hilaw. "Sige, para hindi ka na mag-alala at alam ko namang marami akong utang na loob kay Yves.. I'll help you to get him. That's what you want, right?
Nakita ko namang nagulat siya sa sinabi ko. "Ayaw ko siyang pilitin, Alindra. At hindi dahil gusto ko siya, dapat niya na rin akong gustuhin pabalik.."
I suddenly want to pull her hair right now! She's just so freaking messed up! Ganito ba talaga ang mga tao rito?
Seriously?!
"'Yon lang ang matutulong ko sa inyo! Just grab this opportunity---"
"Nag-aaway ba kayo?"
I was shocked when I heard a very familiar voice at my back and when I turned around, I saw Yves that is standing on the top of a huge rock. He's now wearing a shirt that God knows where he got it.
"No! Of course not! We're just talking about something," nakangisi kong sabi kay Yves. I looked at Regina who's gently wiping her tears. "About some romantic movies that I've watched before. Nagustuhan niya. Naiyak pa nga eh. She said she wants to watch it, too. Samahan mo naman. Panoorin niyong dalawa.."
I smiled at the both of them before I walked away. I don't care if Yves didn't believe my reason. They're just stressing me out!
... ... ...