Chapter 25

DONE

I was meeting up with my cousin Samantha at the cafe just opposite to our university.

It has been almost two years since she stayed and study in the Philippines. She would be incoming second year taking up Bachelors of Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing next school year.

My Tito Samuel finally decided to let Samantha stay here with him. Pero sangkatutak lang ang bodyguards niya. Lately ay panay ang takas niya kaya halos mamuti na ang buhok ni Tito sa kalokohan niya. He even asked me to help him. At ngayon nga ay napapayag ko na si Samantha. Pero ang gusto naman naman ay isang bodyguard lang na gwapo, macho, matangkad at ten years older sa kanya. Sabi niya para daw hindi siya mapahiya sa mga kaibigan niya. Ewan ko sa kanya. Ang arte nya.

Kung ako siya, basta kaya akong protektahan okay na kahit mukha pang bisogo.

"Couz! Here!" Sigaw ni Samantha at parang batang kumaway nang kumaway. May kasama siyang mala virgin mary sa gandang babae na nakatingin sa akin at may mumunting ngiti sa mga labi.

Ngumiti ako sa kanila at lumakad palapit. Wala pa sina Tito at ang bagong bodyguard.

Tumayo silang dalawa at niyakap ako agad ni Samantha ng mahigpit. Gusto kong umirap. Parang sabik na sabik siyang makita ako samantalang kagabi lang ay tumakas na naman siya at nakitulog sa akin.

"Couz meet my new friend here! Si Bettina, Betty, this is my gorgeous cousin Shanelle Monteverde."kumikislap ang mga mata na pakilala niya sa amin.

Ngumiti nang mahinhin ang babae at kumaway.

I smiled back. At naupo na kami. I was facing the counter, while Bettina was facing the entrance. Si Sam naman ay sa glass wall. Tapos sa pagitan namin ni Sam ay ang dalawang upuan na para kay Tito at sa bodyguard ni Sam.

I looked at them while talking quietly. Gusto kong matawa dahil halata ang pagkakaiba nila. Samantha's loud and friendly. While Bettina's shy and awkward. Sam's creamy white skin was glistening under the light, while Bettina has a golden brown skin. Dalagang Pilipina ang dating. But nevertheless they're both beautiful in their own ways.

"Where's Rod?"usisa ko. Umirap lang si Sam while Bettina giggled softly.

"Gone! He's useless! Muntik na kaming mabangga dahil distracted siya sa ganda ni Bettina! Ayoko ng guard na ganon!"inis na inis na sagot ni Samantha.

Napabuntong hininga lang ako. For sure exaggerated lang ito. Wala nang ginawa kundi magreklamo nang magreklamo.

"Sam.. Tito had hard time getting this bodyguard for you. Apparently he's the best of the best. So please lang.. be patient. Ayokong mapahamak ka.." nag aalala kong sabi. Nito lang ay nakatanggap na naman ng death threats si Tito. At ang puntirya nila ay si Sam. Binalak ni Tito na ibalik sa America si Sam pero alam na ng mga kaaway niya ang address nila. At mas safe na nasa tabi lang nito si Sam. Para mas maprotektahan.

Umayos ang expression ni Sam at napapout.

"Sige na nga. Basta pasok sa criteria ko, hindi na ako gagawa ng kalokohan." Sabi niya. Napabuntong hininga ako. At napatingin kay Bettina na natulala habang nakatingin sa likuran ko. Napalingon na rin ako at nan laki ang mga mata sabay tingin kay Sam. Si Sam ay ibinababa ang off shoulder blouse nya at walang kaalam alam sa nangyayari.

Oh my.. sobra na talaga ang tadhana..

"Princesses.. sorry for waiting.." Tito said apologetically. Humalik siya sa amin at naupo sa tabi ko which means her bodyguard would be sitting beside her..

"That's fine Dad. We're just talking about my new bodyguard. How's he? I told you, I don't want ugly and young! I like him handsome, a hunk and ten years older than me at the least!"sabi niya at inayos na rin ang bra at inipit ang dibdib sabay bagsak. Her big boobs bounced. Napapikit ako sa kahihiyan. Wala talaga siyang pakialam kung may makakita sa kanya.

Napailing lang si Tito. At sinenyasan si Mr bodyguard. Nanatiling nakatayo ito at pinanood si Sam habang nakikipagbiruan na sa cute na waiter. May ibinulsa si Sam sa waiter sabay kindat.

Namula ang lalaki at napakamot. Sabay alis.

"All done. I've ordered our coffee. So where's my bodyguard?" Sabi niya sabay tingin kay Tito na nakakunot ang noo.

"Samantha, you're not in America anymore. You'll be in trouble if you keep doing that." Tito said sternly.

"Wala akong ginawang masama! I just gave him some tip! Cute eh!" Sabi niya at tumingin kay Bettina. "Right Betty?" Naguguluhang tinapik niya si Bettina sa pisngi.

"Hey.. natulala kana dyan!" Panggigising niya sa kaibigan. Napakurap si Bettina at ngumiti nang mahinhin kay Mr bodyguard. I furrowed my eyebrows. I could feel something's not right. Napalingon din ako sa lalaki at madilim nang nakatingin kay Sam. Habang umiigting ang mga panga.

Napalunok ako. Grabe talaga kung tumitig ito. I wondered what's his name. Parang nabasa ni Tito ang iniisip ko kaya tumayo siya at hinila si bodyguard paupo sa tabi ni Sam. Napatingin agad si Sam sa lalaki na may naiinis na ekspresyon. Nang magkatinginan sila ay napaurong agad si Sam sa upuan niya. Tumagilid ito at aktong matutumba pero nahuli agad ng lalaki ang mga braso ni Sam at ihinila papunta sa kandungan nito.

Napasinghap ako. Si Bettina ay parang natauhan at napanganga. Si Tito ay parang wala lang sa kanya ang nangyari at inilabas ang cellphone na tumutunog at nag excuse sandali.

Si Sam naman ay napahawak sa malalapad na balikat ng lalaki at akmang tatayo na pero hinawakan lang siya sa baywang at pinirmi.

"Good to see you again Miss Monteverde."he said huskily and squeezed her small waist. She gasped loudly and pushed herself up from his lap.

"There's nothing good seeing you again!"matalas na sagot niya pabalik.

Nagsukatan ng tingin ang dalawa at padabog na kinuha ni Sam ang upuan niyang natumba.

"With your kind of clothing, any one can see what you're wearing underneath Miss Monteverde."he commented. Napatawa ako dahil totoo ang sinasabi niya. She was wearing a tight off shoulders blouse plus a mini skirt.

Napaharap agad si Sam sa lalaki at tinignan ito nang masama. He just shook his head.

Tito came back and handed Sam a folder.

"That Kurt's profile. Everything you want to know will be there. But feel free to ask him if you have more questions." Tito said.

Pinakilala kami kay Kurt ni Tito. Nakipaghandshake ako na magalang niyang tinanggap. Nang si Bettina na ang nakipagkamay ay natagalan bago sila bumitaw. Napailing iling si Sam at binalik ang mga mata sa folder. Halata na mas sumama ang mood niya. At hindi na inabala ang sariling makipagkamay sa lalaki.

The cute waiter served our coffee with his blushing cheeks. Patingin tingin siya kay Sam na busy-ng nagbabasa kaya hindi niya napansin na natabig na niya ang bottled water ni Sam. Mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong nahablot agad ni Kurt ang bote.

"Watch what you're doing. You're getting paid to serve your customers not to ogle." He said sternly. Napatingin si Sam kay Kurt na nasa tabi niya at sa waiter.

Lalong namula ang mukha ng waiter at humingi ng paumanhin kay Sam.

Mabilis na humawak si Sam sa kamay ng waiter at ngumiti nang matamis.

"Nothing happened so we're good."she said sweetly and let his hand go.

Napangiti ulit ang waiter at nagpaalam na. Si Bettina ay maluwag ang ngiting nakatingin kay Kurt. At ang lalaki ay panay ang sulyap kay Sam.

"Anyway Dad, it says here that he's only nine years older than me. Ang sabi ko ten years."inis na inilapag ni Sam ang folder sa mesa.

Napabuntong hininga kami ni Tito.

"Princess..Kurt is the best in this field. Why don't you just ask him about his experiences than this petty things?"

Nanlilisik ang mga matang tumingin si Sam kay Kurt. Napasunod ako ng tingin. Napatigil ng paghinga si Sam habang pinapanood sina Bettina at Kurt na nagkakatitigan na. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang kakaibang titig ni Kurt kay Bettina. Napangiti ng mahinhin ang babae at ipinatong ang mga kamay sa mesa.

Nagpalipat lipat ng tingin si Sam sa lalaki at kaibigan niya na parang may sariling mundo.

"I-I don't like him. I want someone else. Anyone but not him!" Sigaw na ni Sam. Galit na galit. Napakagat ako ng labi.

I could see that she's not over him yet.. at alam kong nasasaktan si Sam sa nakikita. Her new friend and her bodyguard.. siguro kahit ako ay aayaw din! She's been in love with him for a long time now. But he wants someone else..

"Princess listen to me. Your life is at stake here. So I want you to have the best. His capabilities are very precised. He can fight with five men in hand combat all at once!"pagpapaliwanag ni Tito.

"Okay. Get me five bodyguards then. I don't care kahit ilan pa. But just not him."naiiyak nang sagot ni Sam.

Naputol ang pagtititigan ng dalawa nang pumiyok si Sam. Tumingin si Bettina na parang naiinis kay Sam pero mabilis ding nawala ng makitang nakatingin ako sakanya. At si Kurt naman ay blanko ang tingin sa pinsan ko.

Sa pagtitig palang ay ibang iba na..

Parang gusto kong damayan si Sam..

"If your daughter doesn't want me, I'll just refer some men to watch over her." He said sternly. Napatango agad si Sam at tumayo na.

"Good. i better head home dad. I have some party to attend too so I need to prepare." Sabi niya at humalik sa amin ni Tito. At hindi na sumulyap sa lalaki.

Bettina awkwardly stood up and bid her goodbye too. But before she left the cafe, she slid something to Kurt's hand na ikinabigla ko. Not so Maria Clara pala..

Tumayo na rin si Kurt at nagpaalam na para kunin ang binanggit niyang mga tao.

"I wished my wife is still alive.."bulong ni Tito.

"Tito.. kung kausapin nyo nalang po kaya ng masinsinan si Sam? She'll comply naman po."

"She wants me to stop politics. But I cant.. at least not this term. I need justice for my wife iha.. and Samantha won't listen to me.."nanghihinang sagot ni Tito Samuel.

"Tito.. kung ipagpapatuloy nyo po yan, baka pati si Sam mawala na rin.." nag aalalang sagot ko.

"That's why I badly want Kurt to be with her. He can protect her with all his life. And that's what I want my baby girl to have."ramdam ko ang paghihirap ni Tito at ang pagmamahal niya sa pinsan ko.

"But we'll see how good Kurt's people are. Maybe five men are better than one."

Napatango na lang ako.

Everything will be alright.. I guess..

Samantha stayed with me all night and ranted about Kurt. Well, finally we knew what's his name.

Kurt Wolfe is half German half Filipino. Born in America. Studied there and went to the Army for two years then became a SWAT team member. He's twenty nine years old and very capable. But she wouldn't hear any from it. She rather have five men surrounding her than that guy she was in love with.

So after two buckets of popcorn, a tub of vanilla ice cream and two movies, we finally called it a night. I dropped her early in the morning when Tito called me. Ipapakilala na daw sa kanya yong limang bodyguard niya.

Pagkahatid ko kay Sam ay inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko for our Surigao trip. Mamaya pang hapon yon kaya may oras pa akong magprepare. While packing my things, I switched my television on and browsed the channels. I stopped when I see the Hollywood news and watched it.

Peter was with the same woman for almost four years now.. Sofia Cirilo half greek, half American. She's a famous actress. She looked so sophisticated and very mature. She was just perfect for my love.

And one time, in an ambush interview with his girlfriend, he was asked what he would say to his ex if she wanted to get him back. Gusto ko lang matawa at maiyak dahil natamaan ako. Because he said I should just move on.. na pilit kong ginagawa this few past years.

During my playful days, sinubukan kong maghanap ng lalaking gaya ni Peter. I looked for someone who could give me emotions he made me feel. Even the love he gave me.. pero wala ni isa ang nakapantay.

And it took Calvin a lot of effort and years to make me say yes. And I felt guilty whenever I compare him to Peter. Whenever Calvin kisses me, I remember Peter. The way my body responded to him. Whenever Calvin touches me, it was Peter that's inside my head. I knew I'm so unfair. But I just couldn't help it.

Nagising ako sa pagmumuni-muni ko nang may nagflashed na photos sa screen ko. My tears suddenly fell.

I saw her wearing his diamond ring. The screen flashes a congratulatory words for her and her fiancé.

Without listening to any of it, I switched it off.

Maybe.. I should really take Calvin seriously now.

After I packed my things, I slept until afternoon and woke up with my alarm ringing.

Mabilis akong mag ayos at in 30 minutes nasa baba na ako para maghintay kay Calvin.

I called him to let him know that I'm ready. I could hear his nervous voice and panic. Then the line dropped.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone ko. May naramdaman akong tumabi sa akin kaya umusog ako at sinubukang kontakin ulit si Calvin but his number was out of reach.

Gusto kong magmura. Kung kailan ko na naisip na magseryoso na talaga ay tska pa naman ako pinaglalaruan ng tadhana.

Someone dropped a folder carelessly on the coffee table so I instantly snapped my head to look at it.

Pictures of Calvin were scattered on the table and some on the floor.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at binalingan ang katabi ko. Napanganga ako ng makita si Travis na seryosong nakatingin sa akin.

"Travis! I missed you!" Sigaw ko at sinugod siya nang yakap.

"Stop it."matigas na english niya. Napapout ako at inismiran siya. Kahit kailan talaga ay ang sungit nito.

"You should do background checks with your toys Shanelle. I always get drag by your affair. Now he's worried that you're in love with that guy who happens to be engaged with someone else." I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Who's he and an engaged guy? I never associate myself with a guy like that." naguguluhan kong tanong. Was it Kuya who was worried about me and Calvin's engaged? That's impossible!

"Check for yourself. If you don't believe that, do some digging yourself." Masungit na tumayo siya at dire-diretsong lumakad palabas ng building ko.

Bigla akong kinabahan at nanginginig ang mga kamay na kinuha ang folder sa mesa at mga pictures na nakakalat.

Gusto kong panghinaan sa mga nabasa at nakita ko.

There was a newspaper clip about Calvin's engagement with her. The young girl who was chasing after him before. The girl who got pregnant and gave birth.. naninikip ang dibdib ko na tinignan isa isa ang pictures nila. Mula sa engagement. Sa eighteen birthday nung babae at ngayon nga na may dala na siyang batang lalaki at kamukha ni Calvin..

Naalala ko nung tinanong ko si Calvin about sa girl at hindi siya makatingin sa akin at halata ang nerbyos at panic niya. So the boy was his..

She gave birth in America. The birth certificate of the boy was signed by him. That means he knew about the boy and lied to me.

Akala ko naiiba si Calvin sa mga past boys ko. Hindi pala. Habang nakikipaglaro pala ako sa ibang lalaki, nakikipaglaro din siya. I even lauded him for being so patient, honest and faithful!

I had my fair share of mistakes but I never lied to him.

What you see is what you get!

I got up from the couch. Took the folder and pictures with him and asked the receptionist to send it to Calvin's home address now with a note I inserted inside the folder. I requested for a taxi to drop me off at the airport.

Might as well use my spare time to have some fun.

Boys..

I'm done. Done..