Chapter 54: Chance?

[Kaijin Del Mundo]

Flashback:

"Airish Laxamana... Can I court you?" I just can't help but to smile while I'm looking at her.

"Are you nuts?! You'll sign that divorce paper and then you'll court me?! Ano bang pumasok sa isip mo?" Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya. Kanina ko lang kasi napag-isipan ang bagay na ito. Since that day... It was all arranged. Our meet-ups, meetings, and marriage.

"Two choices: it's either YES AND YES." I don't accept NO for an answer.

"Did you think that I'll allow this stupid stuff?" Napabuntong hininga ako.

"Is it a no?" Mapait na ngiti kong tanong na ikinatawa niya ng malakas. Dinig ang tawa niya sa buong Main Hall na ikinakunot ng noo ko. Bakit siya tumatawa? Is it that funny?

"Did I say no?" Kasabay nito ang pagngiti niya na ikinakabog ng dibdib ko.

"Is it a yes then?" Tumingin muna siya sa taas tsaka mapaglarong tumingin sakin.

"Did I say yes?" Pinaglalaruan ba ako ng babaeng 'to? Hindi niya ba nahahalata na seryoso ako? Why is she teasing me like this?

She looks at the tree as she sigh. Kasabay naman nito ang malakas na pag-ihip ng hangin.

"You'll be disappointed if I say no. You'll be pressured when I say yes causing for us to have an awkward atmosphere." Is it a yes? Or is it a no? Why can't I read her?

"You just have to be you and do what you want to do." Nakaramdam ako ng kakaiba. Magkahalong emosyon ang nararamdaman ko sa mga oras na Ito.

"SHIT..." Napatakip ako ng mukha dahil sa pagtaas ng init sa mukha ko. It's a deep word but still... The answer is the same...

She agree...

She agree...

FUCK! SHE FUCKING AGREE!

AM I DREAMING?

Can someone pinch me?

TANGINA!

"You look so happy. Hindi pa nga kita sinasagot namumula ka na–" Hindi ko napigilan at napayakap ako sa kanya.

"I'll never lose this chance... Trust me." Hinigpitan ko ang yakap ko sa kanya. Finally... I can court her formally... At sa oras na ito, hindi na planado ang lahat.

"Chance..." Ramdam ko ang marahan niyang pagyakap pabalik.

"Trust..." You're hurting too much... It's time to take care of you.

"You don't need to worry about anything... Just share your burden with me and I'll help you." Alam kong hindi mo pa kayang magtiwala sa kahit sino. That's why I'm here to prove that I can be trusted.

I became a fuckboy because of my past but...

I can prove that...

Once a fuckboy will not always be a fuckboy... Because a fuckboy can change when he fell in love again...

And this time, sigurado na ako sa babaeng kaharap ko ngayon...

-

"So pretty~" Nakangiti kong sambit habang pinaglalaruan ko ang buhok niya. Hindi ko maiwasang tumitig sa kanya lalo na't mahimbing siyang natutulog . Kailan ko ba napagtanto na gusto ko na ang babaeng Ito?

"Hmm~" Napaatras ako ng bahagya. Shoot... Did I wake her up?

Unti-unting bumukas ang mga mata niya. "It's only 11:30. Matulog kapa." Sambit ko tsaka hinagkan ang noo niya. Bahagya siyang tumingin sakin bago marahang umupo.

"11:30?" Higab niyang tanong. "Bakit may gagawin kaba?" Inayos ko ang buhok niya tsaka hinawi papunta sa tenga niya.

"It's already lunch time..." I totally forgot about that...

"We can have Brunch if you want too." Ngiti ko naman sa kanya.

"Before that, you have to sign this paper." Sabay kuha niya ng papel sa loob ng cabinet. Ibinigay niya sakin ang isang ballpen kaya binasa ko na ang divorce paper.

Napatango ako bago ito pirmahan. "I should hand this out to Dylan." Speaking of that guy...

"Bakit magkasama kayo sa Airport? Is it a coincidence?" Tumingin siya sakin tsaka pumunta sa loob ng Bathroom.

Ni hindi man lang sumagot...

Pagkalabas niya ay tumahimik nalang ako. Baka ayaw niyang pag-usapan ang tinatanong ko. But unexpectedly, she sigh as her voice shrugged.

"H-he's..." He's? What?

"He's..." Nakita ko ang pagkagat ni Airish sa ibabang labi niya. Napabuntong hininga ako bago tumayo. Mukhang kung ano man ang sasagot niya ay alam kong hindi niya pa 'yon kayang sabihin.

"Don't force yourself. Hindi ako nagmamadali. You can open up everytime." I just need to understand her.

"No... In fact, YOU have to KNOW this." Hinawakan ko siya sa kamay niya at dito ako tumingin habang pinipisil ko ito.

"My dad wants me to marry Dylan after you sign the contract." Napakalas ako sa kamay niya. Nabibingi ba ako? Did she just...

"That guy?" Kunot noo kong tanong.

"My dad always look down on people. Including you. Instead of letting us, he opposed this marriage. Your dad called my mom to settle your image. Without hesitation, my mom agreed. But Dad didn't know about our marriage. My mom didn't want my Dad to rule my life so she arranged this marriage with you. Ang akala ni mom gagana ang plano niya. Ate Asumi bad mouthed about your imperfections dahil alam niyang mapili si Dad. You see, I'm the puppet of Laxamana Company. I have to obey his commands in able to gain allies and to make sure that our image will stay. Being the heiress sucks so bad... Lahat planado at lahat dapat perpekto." Mapait siyang ngumiti kaya hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya.

"No one is perfect. We all have our own flaws." I hate to see her working by herself...

"Ngayong nalaman mona... Na...si Dylan ang fiancé ko ngayon—"

"I'm willing to take the risk." Ano naman ngayon kung may kalaban ako? It'll be more thrilling in that way. Kahit na may parte akong nasasaktan... Pero dahil desidido na ako... Why would I give up?

"It's worth to give it a shot anyway." Lalo na kung sayo...

"He'll know your actions soon... I'm afraid that he might hurt you." Is she worried? This is unexpected...

Napangiti ako tsaka idinikit ang noo ko sa noo niya.

"Do you trust me?" Mataimtim kong tanong. Marahan naman siyang tumango kaya hinagkan ko ang noo niya.

"What a beautiful view." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang may pumalakpak sa gilid namin.

Katulad ko, gulat din ang makikita mo sa mukha ni Airish.

"Anong ginagawa niyo dito?" Tanong ko tsaka nilagay sa likod ko si Airish.

"Over protective?" Natatawang tanong ni Khalid na ikinaasar ko ng bahagya. Anong ginagawa nila dito? Paano nila nalaman na nandito kami?

"Hindi ka ba marunong kumatok?!" Asar kong tanong sa kanya.

"It's been forever, ilang araw nalang IKAKASAL na kami pero hindi niyo man lang nagawang dumalaw. That's why we decided to visit you instead." Anong binabalak ng lalaking ito?

"Airish..." Bago pa makalapit si Althea ay masama ko na siyang tinignan. "You're going to marry my brother, please stop making troubles." Tumingin naman sakin si Khalid.

"My wife is not a threat Kaijin." That's not the case... Kumalas si Airish sa hawak ko tsaka siya humarap sa kanilang dalawa.

"You shouldn't treat them like that Captain, after all, Khalid is your brother and Althea is going to be your future sister-in-law." Kalmadong ngiti ni Airish.

"Why don't we talk while having a Brunch?" Napatingin ako kay Althea na ngayon ay todo tingin kay Airish. Hindi sa nagseselos pero may kakaiba sa tingin na 'yon.

Nang makababa na kami ay naghanda muna ng pagkain. We all pray before eating.

Sa gitna ng pagkain ay doon na nagsimulang magsalita si Khalid. I didn't expect him to do such thing like taking the first move.

"I forgot, The theme for reception is Melody and Hello Kitty. Is it fine if the two character joins?" Sino ba naman ang matutuwa sa ganitong bungad? Wag mong sabihing nang-aasar lang siya?

"I think it's fine." Sagot naman ni Airish.

"Is it?" Biglaang tanong ni Althea. Alam kong may pagitan parin sa kanilang dalawa. Nahahalata ko ang bagay na iyon... Pero ayokong dumating ang araw na magkakalapit ulit sila.

"Why not? Isa pa, that two characters are always pair with each other." Sabay inom ni Airish ng tubig.

"Right... They're always pair with each other. I wonder why they're so distant now..." Malalim na sambit ni Althea na ikinatahimik namin ni Khalid. My brother didn't seems to care but his fiancé's words have deep meanings in it.

"They're distant not because they want too but because they have their own reasons." Napatingin ako kay Airish na para bang sumasagot sa sinasabi ni Althea.

"Hello Kitty used to love Melody because of her personality." Napatingin naman ako kay Althea gano'n din si Khalid.

Hanggang sa kaming dalawa na ang magtinginan.

"Melody used to care for Hello Kitty but she disappeared." Napayuko si Althea.

"Hello Kitty was so happy until Melody decided to break her friendship with her." Si Airish naman ay halata mo lang ang pagkalma sa mukha niya.

"Melody is just protecting her Hello Kitty because she loves her so much." To the point na iniyakan mo na si Althea dahil sa nalaman mo sa kanila ni Khalid.

"Melody is now happy with someone else." Dito na tumigil si Airish.

"Because Hello Kitty hurt her so bad."

"I'm done. I'll digest my food. If you'd excuse me." Pinigilan ako ni Khalid sa pagsunod kay Airish na ikinakunot ko ng noo. Binaba ni Althea ang kutsara tsaka sumunod.

"Ano sa tingin mo 'yang ginagawa niyo? Tahimik na kami for Fuck's sake." Ngumisi naman siya sakin.

"Isn't it fun to have a third party around? You're scared? Baka nakakalimutan mong ikakasal na kami."

"Pero hindi ko nakikitang mahal mo si Althea. Ano bang balak niyo? Bakit kailangan niyo kaming guluhin?"

"Isn't it thrilling for you? Paano nalang kapag marami na palang nagkakagusto sa pinoprotektahan mo? Can you still understand her?" Hindi ako nakakibo at tanging pagkaasar lang ang nararamdaman ko...

Sa totoo lang ay ayoko ng may kaagaw... Kung pwede lang ay gusto kong AKIN LANG SIYA.

But my brother's right... I have Rivals to compete with.

Kasama na dito ang Fiancé niya.

Does it matter? Ang mahalaga Mahal ko siya. And I will not GIVE HER TO ANYONE.

-

[Althea Kitty Valdez]

"Bakit moko nilalayuan?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"May dahilan pa ba para lapitan pa kita?" Napakuyom ako ng kamao. She's right from the start... She used to care for me... She used to love me... But believe me..

"It's just an arrange marriage! Wala talaga kaming koneksyon..." Humarap siya sakin bago mapait na ngumiti. Nakikita ko pa na may pag-asa pero bakit hindi man lang niya sabihin sakin?

"Ikakasal ka na diba dapat maging masaya ka na?" Paano ako magiging masaya?

"Mahal mo pa ako diba?" Hindi siya kumibo kaya mas lalo akong nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob para lapitan pa siya.

"You will not let go of me..." Pero napahinto ako ng hawakan niya ang magkabilang braso ko.

"Kahit na mahal pa kita... Ikakasal ka na. You can't change the fact that I waited for you for so many years. Things always change Althea, I'm sorry." Hindi ko magawang umiyak kaya natawa nalang ako.

I knew it already...

I just can't accept it...

"Airish I—" Ramdam ko ang biglaan niyang pagyakap sakin. Hindi... BAKIT HINDI KO TANGGAP?

"Oo mahal kita... Pero noon 'yon... And you can't change the fact na mag-aasawa ka na. Why would you still chase me?" Hinawi niya ang buhok ko tsaka ngumiti sakin.

"Paano kung sabihin kong mahal pa kita? Will you change your mind?" Call me desperate but I still love her... Airish or Aiden... It doesn't matter...

"Look, that's not how a wife should act." Sa salitang sinabi niya ay napakuyom ako ng kamao.

"Bakit? Kasi may iba kana? Is it him? Is it that guy? Paano naman ako? Airish, we've been together for years! Mas kilala kita kaysa sa kanya!"

"Sana naisip mo 'yan bago moko sinaktan." Napabuntong hininga siya habang napatigil naman ako. Alam ko ang kasalanan ko...

"Masakit na makita kang may kasama kang iba habang nakangiti ka sa kanya... And I guess I have to let you go Althea... And you have to move forward without me. You'll start your life, and I'm just here to guide you." She kissed my forehead causing for my feelings to move.

Mapait nalang akong napangiti.

"I guess there's 0% of Chance..." Now that it's clear to me... I have to let her go... I don't have any regrets from now... I wish her to be happy... And I hope it goes well...

[Helvetica Wang]

"YOU UNGRATEFUL CHILD!" Isang malakas na sampal ang inabot ko kay Mom.

"I WAS FRAMED. IT'S ALL A SET-UP! PLEASE, BELIEVE ME!" I didn't deserve this...

THAT JERK! HE SET ME UP!

"BUT YOU'RE ENJOYING IT!" Napabagsak ako sa sahig ng sampalin niya ulit ako ng malakas. Wala akong magawa kung hindi ang humawak sa pisngi ko. Napatingin ako kay Ate Herra na ngayon ay nakaupo lang at napapangisi.

"Stop it Mom." Mom looks at Ate Herra.

"Don't tell me that you'll let this slip HERRA. NAPAKALAKING BAGSAK NITO SA KOMPANYA NATIN!" Pero sumenyas lang si Ate Herra.

"Let me handle this." Bumuntong hininga si Mom tsaka siya umalis ng kwarto.

"You're saying that it was all a set-up? It's an accident? Bakit naman niya gagawin 'yon?" Napakuyom ako ng kamao... Isa lang ang dahilan...

"He already know the details." Ani ko. Ilang taon na rin ang nakakaraan at pilit paring issue ang nangyari.

"How can you say so?" Dahil may pakiramdam ako...

"I think Airish wants to have her revenge. If this continues... Our hardworking will go to waste." Seryoso kong sambit pero tumawa lang siya.

"You mean, it's Airish command?" Hindi pa ba halata? This what happened to her years ago... But this time, I'm the fucking victim of rape.

"It's obvious. I think inutusan niya si Kaijin to do such stuffs like that." Mas lalo siyang natawa.

"Lumalaban na siya? Well, that's new. Even if she tries to take her revenge alam mong mahina parin siya. We can always tear her apart." Her words makes me calm for a while.

My sister's right. Even if she wants to take her revenge... We have tactics...

We can always find faults in them.

"Looks like I have to join this fight." Sumandal siya sa upuan bago ito ipinaikot.

"Get ready Helvetica, We're on for a war. In any means, we need to make sure na hindi siya makaangat satin. We'll crush her. Don't worry, NO ONE EVER DARE TO OPPOSE WANG FAMILY LALO NA'T KAKAMPI NATIN ANG SHAOLIN INSTITUTE AT TAUHAN NI DAD. THAT BITCH WILL TAKE THE CONSEQUENCES."