10 Kabanata Walo

a/n: kung may wattpad kayo, you may find me there @sinvalore I have other finished stories that you may find interesting. 'yon lang hehe. lovelots!❤

***

I stayed inside the small hut. I was contemplating, trying to analyze the situation.

Kuya Gilau has a girlfriend, who is Ate Marianne. They seemed love each other. At masasabi kong bagay sila. Siguro magkaedad lang sila at pareho lang ng estado sa buhay.

How does it feel to fall in love? Or kahit to like someone man lang? 'Di ko pa naranasan 'yon pero kung sila Kuya Gilau at Ate Marianne ang pagbabasehan, parang ang sarap magmahal.

But I know I was content with Mama Kenya's love and the love of people around me. Bata pa naman ako kaya ayoko munang pagtuunan ng pansin iyon.

Kinabukasang iyon, bumisita ulit si Ate Marianne. She seemingly loves Kuya Gilau at ganoon din si kuya sa kaniya. Ang sweet nila. Laging nakakalong si ate kay kuya. Pero kapag busy naman sa trabaho si kuya, tahimik na si Ate Marianne.

She's a nice woman, I can say. She's lovable, may sense of humor. She's beautiful inside out and I like her for Kuya Gilau. They are compatible. They are meant to be.

But I know there's a part of me na naiinggit kay Ate Marianne. Kasi minsan, sa sobrang sweet nila ay 'di na ako pinapansin ni Kuya Gilau. Marami silang bagay na pinag-uusapan na 'di naman ako nakakarelate. They have their own world that no one can intrude because they have the secret code. And that secret code, of course sila lang ang nakakaalam.

It was the end of summer kaya bumalik na kami ng China. I told them I can't promise na makakabalik ako ulit sa summer. At least I don't need to use Tzu En para makauwi ng Pinas kasi nagsabi na ako na baka 'di na ulit ako makakauwi. Maybe next time, kung papalarin. Kung magbabago pa ang isip ni ba ba.

"You'll be transfering to YCIS next year, Lian Wan. It's where you'll have your secondary school." Ba ba told me one time during summer. 'Di na ako nakabalik ng Pinas dahil 'di na siya pumayag. Ayos na rin sa 'kin 'yon kasi alam na ng mga kakilala ko sa Romblon na baka 'di na ako makakauwi pa. Tuloy tuloy na ang pag-aaral ko rito sa China.

"Where is that, ba ba?" Tanong ko.

"In Beijing, Lian Wan. You'll be with Tzu En until you two will graduate and continue your college."

Napakurap kurap ako. 'Di ko inasahang sa Beijing pa ako mag-aaral. Ayos naman ako rito sa Shanghai. Why do I have to move to Beijing?

"Why not here in Shanghai, ba ba?" I asked curiously.

Paano ang uwian? Malayo ang Shanghai sa Beijing. Or maybe we'll move to Beijing?

"Mr. Huang will provide you anything you need. You and Tzu En will live together."

I was speechless. What does it mean? Tzu En and I will live together? Like we are in a family?

"Why didn't you protest, Tzu En?" I asked him one time. Naguguluhan talaga ako kung bakit kailangang sa Beijing pa kami mag-aaral ni Tzu En gayong ayos naman kami sa Shanghai. At kinailangan pa naming lumipat ng bahay.

"I know Papa better, Lian Wan. He's doing these for my own good."

I looked away. Gusto kong ganoon din ang isipin ko pero may parte pa rin sa 'kin na naguguluhan sa pangyayari. I missed ma ma so much. Ilang buwan na kaming 'di nagkikita dahil nagpaiwan siya. 'Di pumayag si ba ba na samahan ako ni ma ma. He said I needed to be independent. Iyong 'di laging umaasa sa ina.

He was right. He's got the point but I still missed my mother. I can't live without her. Ilang buwan na akong nagtitiis. Panay lang ako sa iyak, lalo kapag gabi na. Nasanay akong si ma ma ang huling kong nakikita bago ko ipipikit ang mga mata para makapagpahinga. Tabi rin kami lalo na kapag sa Romblon. Sa bahay kasi, of course tabi sila ni ba ba.

My whole school year in YCIS never made me feel better. Nangungulila ako kay ma ma. Napapabayaan ko ang pag-aaral ko. I was not on top or any place. Noong natapos ang school year ay wala akong nakuha na kahit na anong award.

"What happened, sweety? Your ba ba is angry at you," nag-aalalang tanong ni ma ma nang dumating siya sa bahay. Niyakap ko kaagad siya at umiyak sa kanya. I missed her so much. Sana rito nalang siya palagi sa tabi ko.

"Ma, I'm sorry," iyak ko sa kanya. Lumuhod siya sa harap ko para maglebel kami ng mata. "I don't want you to go. I don't want here, ma ma."

Niyakap ko ulit siya. Hinagod naman niya ang likod ko. Binaon ko ang mukha ko sa kanyang balikat at umiyak muli.

"I'm so disappointed with you, Lian Wan!" Sigaw ni ba ba. Galit na galit siya sa akin. 'Yon kaagad ang bungad niya nang dumating siya sa bahay dito sa Beijing.

"Calm down, Heather," ani ma ma.

"Your daughter is such a disgrace, Kenya! Can't she understand these are all for her good?!"

Napapikit ako nang husto habang nakayuko. I was crying silently. Ba ba was angry and ma ma was trying to protect and defend me.

"She's too you for this, Heather!" Singhal ni ma ma. It was my very first time to hear her angry voice. "Why can't you understand that you cannot dictate her future?"

"I am doing this for her, Kenya... not for anyone else! I want her to have a better future than what you have planned for her!"

"She's not a robot for God's sake, Heather! She's your daughter!"

I ran away. I went inside my room and locked the door. I can't stand watching them fighting because of me. Pakiramdam ko'y 'di ako naging mabuting anak sa kanila. Na puro lang sakit ng ulo ang dala ko.

Nagising ako nang may humagod sa likod ko. I fluttered my eyes open and mom's sad smile came into view. Bumangon kaagad ako saka niyakap siya. My heart sank. Pagkunwa'y umiyak ako nang tahimik.

"It's fine, sweety. Ma ma is here."

"I'm sorry, Ma." I cried. She just hugged me back and kissed my head. Nagtagal kami ng ganoon ang eksena until I looked at her straight. "Wo ai ni, ma ma. Thank you for everything." I kissed her left cheek deeply and hugged her again. I love my mother so much. I owe her everything I have and who I am now.

My thirteenth birthday was fine. We celebrated it in Beijing. Pumunta ang pamilya ni Tzu En at pamilya na rin ni ba ba. I was fine with it. Nagkakausap kami ni ba ba pero may takot na ako sa kanya. I always remember those scenes na nag-aaway sila ni ma ma. Kung paano niya ako sigawan dahil disappointed siya at ano ano pa. Naging distant ako sa kanya dahil doon. I was afraid he might hurt me physically.

I missed Romblon. Tatlong summer na akong 'di nakakauwi roon. Kinukulit ako ni Tzu En na umuwi kami but I told him I won't use him again. I promised to myself na kung makakauwi man ako ng Pinas, it's because ba ba allowed me to. Hindi 'yong dahil kay Tzu En.

"Happy sweet 16, Lian Wan," bati sa 'kin ni Tzu En nang nakangiti. His eyes shows love and adoration. "You're almost a lady," he grinned. Napuna ko 'yong pamumula ng kanyang pisngi lalo pa't nakatutok sa amin ng ilaw.

We were having a sweet dance sa harap ng maraming bisita. Nakahawak siya sa baywang ko while I rested my arms around his neck.

"Time flies so fast," I said while looking at his eyes. I love how they dilated. Ang guwapo ni Tzu En sa paningin ko ngayon. He was a man of red. Pula din ang suot kong gown na kumikinang kaya it complimented his attire.

"Yeah," he chuckled. "... but you're still the girl I love for how many years."

I just smiled at him. I already know about that. He confessed his love for me last year. Ang sabi niya'y matagal na niya akong gusto at ako lang talaga ang gusto niya. He even said he's probably in love with me.

"Oh, Tzu En." I said but he just laughed softly. He's a nice man. Matalino, mayaman, mabait and of course, gwapo. Matangkad din siya at hanggang labi niya lang ang mata ko.

"Always remember that no matter what happens, I'll always stay by yourside. I am yours always even if you're not mine."

Saglit akong naglihis ng tingin. 'Di na ako sumagot pa. Pinagpatuloy ko nalang ang pagsasayaw namin hanggang sa bigla siyang huminto. I gave him a confused look while he just smiled in return.

"Turn around, Lian Wan," he said. Kahit 'di ko alam para saan 'yon ay sinunod ko pa rin. I felt a tingling sensation when I felt his soft hand on my nape. Hinawi niya ang buhok ko at saka ko lang napagtanto na may ipapasuot siya sa 'king kwintas.

I waited until he was finished hooking the necklace. It has a red gem pendant. Kumikinang ito nang husto at pakiwari ko'y sobrang mahal nito.

I faced Tzu En while holding the pendant. Pinagsalubungan ko siya ng kilay pero parang wala lang sa kanya iyon.

"This costs too much, Tzu En." Sabi ko. I had the feeling it was a red beryl pendant. It's not a red ruby.

But Tzu En just smiled and kissed my left cheek. "Because I love you so much, Lian Wan. Take it as a sign of my love for you."

"But, Tzu En..."

Sobra na akong nahihiya sa kanya. He was spoiling me with these expensive things! Baka ano na ang iniisip ni Mr. Huang na Papa niya. I don't want to look like a gold digger. I'm not ba ba!

Alam ko na ang plano ni ba ba. Napaliwanag na sa akin ni ma ma ang lahat. Gusto ni ba ba na ikasal ako kay Tzu En para manatili ang negosyo. Bukod sa ganoon ang tradisyon nila, ba ba was the obvious parasite of Huan clan. Nakakahiya iyon!

Pero bakit naman ganun ganun nalang ang lahat? Ni minsan ba 'di sumagi sa isip ni Mr. Huang na ginagamit lang siya ni ba ba sa negosyo?

Tzu En smiled sweetly at me. May kakaiba sa kanyang kinang. May bahid na ng lungkot ito.

"Whatever be the fate's judgment, remember that I will stay as your bestfriend. I know things won't go the way I want them to, but at least we'll remain friends."

I sighed and nodded. At least we'll stay friends. Kasi 'di ko maipapangako sa kanya o sa sarili ko na mamahalin ko rin siya. He's nice though. But he's too nice to be a broken lover. 16 pa naman ako at siya 17. Marami pang mangyayari at baka nga isang araw, mahal ko na siya or magmamahal din siya ng iba.

Isa pa, mas mabuti ng magkaibigan lang kami dahil doon naman kami nagsimula. We've been best of friends for a decade. Komportable na kami sa isa't isa.

Few weeks passed after my party ay naging abala si ma ma. Kagaya ng gusto kong mangyari, I want her in my place. Wala rin namang naging problema kay Tzu En 'yon dahil aniya'y mas mabuti iyon para 'di na ako umiyak. Ayaw niya kasi akong makitang umiiyak.

"Where do you want to college, Tzu En?" I asked him.

Nasa balcony kami ng bahay. Wala kaming pasok kaya naisipan naming tumambay muna. The wind was cold and the sun was going up. I always love this kind of scene. It makes me feel happy and peaceful.

"I still don't know, Lian Wan. We still have senior highschool."

His voice was deep but it's still soft. Halata na rin ang bukol sa kanyang lalamunan. It's weird how it moved everytime he talked.

"Aren't you tired of my face, Tzu En?" Napatanong ako kaya siya naman ay napatingin sa akin nang diretso. Nagtataka ang kanyang mata. "I mean, we've been together for 10 years as bestfriends." I grinned, so he did.

"Why would I feel that way, Lian Wan? You have an angelic face that I would love to stare at for the rest of my life."

Bumusangot ako while he chuckled and patted my head. He was really serious with his feelings for me!

"You're always cute, Lian Wan." He teased and I blushed. Niyakap niya ako bigla at hinalikan sa pisngi.

He's taller than me at ang bango niya pa. Kaya naman sinulit ko na ang pagkakataong mayakap siya. It was a peaceful moment for both of us. Parang wala kaming problema.

Kumalas siya mula sa akin at hinanap kaagad ang mata ko. He was forlorn for sure! Malungkot ang kanyang mga mata.

"Promise me that we'll stay friends no matter what happened, okay?" He demanded softly. Nanatili naman ang tingin ko sa kanya. I was trying to read his mind pero nabigo ako.

"What are you saying, Tzu En? Of course we'll stay friends. We are bestfriends." I assured and he smiled faintly saka niyakap muli ako.

Matapos ang ganoong eksena ay pumasok na kami sa loob. We had our breakfast together, pati na rin 'yong nanny na nag-aalaga kay Tzu En. She was thoughtful and responsible. Parang anak na ang turing niya sa amin ni Tzu En.

"Ready your things, Solaire. We'll fly back to Philippines." Ma ma announced as she walked inside my room. Saglit akong nablanko sa narinig ko.

Uuwi kami ng Pinas?! Sa Romblon mismo?!

"B-Bakit, Ma? I thought we're not coming back to Romblon?" Takha kong tanong. "And what about Tzu En?"

It's already summer and the class was over. Nasa loob ako ng kwarto ko dahil wala naman akong maisip na gagawin. Balak ko sanang tumugtog sa piano pero tinatamad ang kamay ko.

"We have to stay far from here, Solaire. At 'wag mo na ring alalahanin si Tzu En because his father can take care of him."

"Ma, wait," awat ko sa kanya na ngayo'y nag-iimpake ng mga gamit ko. Nilingon naman niya ako sa nagtatakang ekspresyon sa mukha. "Anong nangyayari? Why are we packing up? Where's Tzu En?"

Ginapangan ako ng kaba. I was worried sick about Tzu En. Gusto kong lumabas ng kwarto to find him pero masyadong okupado ang isip ko para gawin iyon.

Ma ma sighed like she was having a hard time to explain to me what was going on. 'Di ko talaga maintindihan kung anong nangyayari. Kinakabahan ako nang husto.

"Tzu En already left, sweety. Kailangan nilang lumayo mula rito dahil nanganganib sila. At bago pa man tayo madamay sa gulo, we have to stay far from them. Ayokong madadamay ka sa dito."

Sa sobrang haba ng kanyang sinabi ay ang salitang 'nanganganib sila' lang ang naintindihan ko. Ano ba ang nangyayari?!

"Hurry up, Solaire." Pukaw niya sa atensyon ko. I turned to her na mabilis na nag-iimpake. "May sundo tayo sa labas. He will take us to the airport."

I was nailed on my place. Ayaw magregister ng utak ko sa pangyayari. I was thinking about Tzu En's safety. Nasaan na kaya siya ngayon? Saan siya dinala ng tauhan niya?

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