Chapter 14

ELEVATOR

My family went silent after the incident. Hindi naisapubliko ang mga nangyari sa akin sa tulong ng connection ng pamilya ko at ng mga Wrights and Allisons. Pinagbayaran na rin ng mga umagrabyado sa akin ang mga ginawa nila. Especially Locsin who had beaten me up. After my doctor declared I was fit to travel, mommy and daddy sent me to America. They stayed with me and Kuya then after couple of months, nagpunta sila sa Europe to do some business.

Wala akong magawa when my parents pulled me out of my school. They've decided to send me here to school but I refused. Peter was here so kahit malayo man siya kung nasaan ako, I still felt uncomfortable. So I chose to study in our province.

Most of the time, I just hang around our garden, my room and cafes with my cousin Samantha she's half Filipino, half Scottish. She's my cousin from my father's side, Tito Samuel the governor of Metro Manila. He was running for senator in the next term.

Samantha Monteverde was two years younger than me but nearly same as my height. While I'm skinny and almost flat, she has a body to die for. She has ginger hair, green eyes and pinkish skin. Her eyes sultry and has pink lips. Over all, she's perfect. Since she was raised in America, she adopted the culture and very modern. Dito siya itinago ni Tito when Tita Skye got ambushed and died. Ang hula ng lahat ay dahil sa kalaban niya sa politika. Samantha's very friendly and jolly at sobrang habulin ng mga lalaki.

I was waiting for Samantha sa paborito naming cafe when I noticed a tall handsome guy on the corner looking at me. Ikinibit balikat ko nalang. Walang nakakakilala sa akin kaya wala akong problema.

Nakita ko si Samantha na mabilis ang lakad at inaayos ang gulo gulo niyang buhok. Mukha siyang narape ng sampong lalaki!

Mabilis akong lumapit sa kanya.

"Dumb bitch! I already told her that I'm not interested with her boyfriend. Hindi makaintindi!"she then gritted her teeth.

"Pang ilang away mo naba yan?" Tanong ko na nangingiti. Ang ganda ganda kasi niya. Kapag galit or naiinis, namumula ang mga pisngi at ilong niya. Pati tainga. Kapag nagbuntis ako, sya ang paglilihian ko!

"Hindi ko na mabilang. Kaya nga sabi ko kay Daddy babalik na ako ng Pilipinas eh!"She pouted. Napatingin ako sa lalaking agaw pansin dahil sa lakas ng appeal niya sa may corner.

Nakita ko siyang nakatitig kay Samantha nang madilim. He looked older than me. Maybe nearly the same age as my brother or something. He was so handsome and I would bet all my money that he also has a good body.

"Hoy! Nakikinig kaba?" My cousin snapped her fingers then looked behind her where the man was sitting. Napaatras si Sam ng magkatinginan sila nung lalaki. Bigla akong kinilig sa dalawa. Nang tumagal at nakatulala pa rin si Sam sa lalaki ay hinila ko na ang buhok niyang pagkahaba haba.

"Ouch!"She gritted her teeth again and looked at me sharply.

"Nakatulala kana nga, nakabuka pa yang bibig mo. Nakakahiya doon sa lalaki. Konti na lang tutulo na ang laway mo eh." Tukso ko.

Napairap siya sa akin at tumawag ng waiter. They all knew us here at alam rin ni Samantha may gusto ang lalaki sa kanya, kaya ang friendly kong pinsan, nakipagwentuhan muna.

"Kaya ka napapaaway eh dahil masyado kang friendly. Napagkakamalang may gusto ka sa mga lalaki." Naiiling kong puna. Nang umalis ang gwapong waiter.

"Being friendly is different from flirting. Get the facts straight please." She grimaced. While looking at the waiter.

"Sige nga, show me how you do the 'flirting'. I said while quoting my last word.

"Watch me." She said then stood up. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang lumakad siya papalapit sa lalaki.

The guy was looking at my cousin darkly. It was so intense na kung ako siguro ang pinsan ko, baka bumigay na ang mga tuhod ko. Napatawa ako ng imbes dumiretso sa lalaking gwapo ay sa katapat na mesa lumapit si Sam at kaswal na umupo at nakipag usap.

The guy shook his head. He looked disappointed or something. He put some cash on his table while looking at my cousin's back then left quietly. Poor guy. Sige na.. flirting na yon.

Samantha came after few minutes with her shaking breath.

"Oh my goodness! He's so hot." She exclaimed. Napakunot ang noo ko at tinignan ang tatlong lalaking nakangiti ng maluwang. They were handsome.. but there was no comparison between that guy and those three.

"Alin doon?" Tanong ko.

"Yong nakaupong mag isa kanina sa corner! Siya sana yong balak kong iapproach. But at the last minute, I backed out. He's too much for me!"

Napatango ako. kung ako nga na nakikinood lang sobrang nanginig na, siya pa kaya na tinitignan ng lalaki.

"I wonder if he'll come back here again.." tanong ni Sam. I just shrugged my shoulders.

"We'll come back tomorrow couz please? I'll ask him out or something.." she said happily.

Napataas ako ng kilay. "And why is that?"

"Well.. i think na love at first sight ako sa kanya.. ang gwapo kaya!"

Napatawa ako. "Kung hindi ka nagback out kanina, may date kana sana bukas."

"Mukhang hindi naman siya basta basta eh." Nakapout na sabi niya.

"We'll see tomorrow.."sagot ko.

Two weeks had passed by pero hindi pa rin nagpapakita yong mysterious guy.

Sometimes, sa cafe na kami tumatambay hanggang magsara sila. Panay ang mukmok ng pinsan ko. She was blaming herself for not talking to him weeks before. I tried to comfort her. But she wouldn't accept it.

So para makalimot na sa pagsinta niya para sa lalaki, I took her sa ibang cafe. I found their cakes tasty at favourite niya yon.

"What about the other cafe couz?" Malungkot na tanong ni Sam. We were finished with our milkshakes when she suddenly remembered him again!

"Don't think about him okay! Ambata mo pa. Marami ka pang makikilala." I said angrily. Wala na siyang ibang binanggit kundi yon lalaki.

"Kasi nga iba siya sa mga nakilala ko. I felt something in my heart na hindi ko maintindihan."she said then picked up all her stuff. We were going home soon pero balak pa ata niyang dumaan doon sa dating cafe.

"For sure you'll find someone else to like. Baka nga mamaya makita mo na siya eh." Nakangiting sagot ko. Kahit ako mismo ay hindi sigurado sa mga sinasabi ko dahil hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makamove on kay Peter.

"Mommy said that if you found the one.. never let him go because you won't find anyone else." I sighed. Then we stood up. Maybe she was right. But i was still hoping to meet someone that would make me feel the same thud in my heart like what Peter made me feel.

"Mahaba pa ang buhay mo. Kakafifteen mo palang. At mukha na yong matanda! Baka nga kaedaran ni Kuya yon eh!" I said then pulled her out of the exit. She was fixing her mini skirt.

She furrowed her eyebrows. "I like older men. Their more matured and affectionate." She smirked. Then winked at me before straightening her tube top

"Affectionate ka dyan. Don't tell me butas ka na! Pepektusan kita!"I laughed at my own words.

"Sex is a natural thing to do-" napahinto siya when someone bumped onto her. The impact was so strong that she went straight to the tiled floor. Napahawak siya sa palda niyang maikli. Habang nakangiwi.

"Ouch naman! Can't you see we're here!"galit na sigaw ni Sam sa lalaking.. misteryoso.

Wow. Hindi ko inaasahang makikita namin siya ulit. Napatingin ako kay Sam na kanina lang ay nag aapoy ang mga mata sa galit pero ngayon ay biglang kumalma at natulala.

"You're blocking the entrance. You're not the only people here." His said in his baritone voice.

Napanganga si Sam. At natawa ng sarcastic. Inalalayan ko siyang tumayo pero umiling lang siya.

"You should help me stand up since it's your fault why I'm sprawled on the floor!"

"You're the one who's talking nonsense and not paying attention to your surroundings. Typical spoiled brat." He said gravely and walked straight to the counter.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Sam. Her face was flushed and eyes a bit teary.

Nalungkot ako. I helped her stand up and looked at the guy who was watching her. Nakangiwi si Sam at pinunasan ang mga luha at napailing.

"Damn.. I've wasted my time on him."

"Sam.."

"Let's go. Thank you next.." she said then walked with her head held high.

Napatingin ulit ako sa lalaki at nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa hita ni Sam while clenching his jaw.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ko ang malaking pasa sa hita ni Sam. Ito ba yong tinitignan nung lalaki kanina?

"Sobra nga kasi iyong pagkakabangga niya sa akin. Parang pader sa tigas." Angal niya at hinimas ang pasa.

"What's your plan now?" Tanong ko.

"Well, tama ka. I should look for someone else."mabilis na sagot ni Sam. Napakunot ang noo ko dahil halatang nasaktan siya sa nangyari.

"You're really in love with him?" Bulong ko na hindi makapaniwala.

"Bata pa ako. I can get someone that might exceed this feeling I have for him. Pero pahinga muna. Masakit palang mabroken heart." Tawa ni Sam sabay punas ng luha.

"We're the same.." bulong ko at yumakap sa kanya.

As promise, My Daddy threw a big party for me on my eighteen birthday. It was held in our hotel with five hundred guests.

During the preparation of my debut, Tita Patricia came to me and talked to me about the past. Naramdaman daw kasi niyang umiiwas na ako sa kanya so she said sorry and I did the same. She promised me that she would never do the same mistakes again dahil ayaw nyang tuluyan na lumayo ang loob ko at ng anak niya sa kanya. She promised me that she would also talk to her son para magkaayos na rin kami. Wala na akong nasabi dahil kitang kita ko kung paano sumaya ulit si Tita. I realized that I became unfair noong lumayo ako sa pamilya nila just because I got hurt. So now, I decided to leave everything behind and start anew.

At the last minute, Kuya who was supposed to be my escort couldn't come early so I ended up being paired with Peter of all people. Even though I was a bit uncomfortable, I couldn't say no because Tita was expecting so much in me.

I was awed when I came down the grand stairs down to the hall where all were sparkling and beautiful. My escort was dashingly handsome waiting for me at the bottom of the stair.

Gusto kong maluha.. because I remembered his promise. I remembered everything. From our start down to our end. My heart was constricting painfully with the thoughts of him.. We were supposed to get married on my eighteen birthday.. He would be waiting for me at the altar with his suit and tie. And he would smile at me and hold my hand tight and say our vows. But it would never happen.

I smiled at him and took his extended hand. He held mine tight. I could see something in his eyes.. Like he was also thinking the same.

Then we danced the night away..

"You scammer! Akala ko ba wala na? Bakit kung makatingin ka sa kanya parang gusto mo siyang hubaran!"Sam pulled my hair. Napahawak ako sa buhok sa sakit.

"Wala na nga. Nakiusap lang si Tita na magkaayos na kami. That doesn't mean na kami ulit!" Sagot ko habang inaayos ang suot ko. She was doing the same. She was wearing white bodycon dress that hugged her curves. While I was on my halter neck fitted dress. Nakakadismaya lang because she looked more matured than me. With her curves and all.

Nagpalit lang kami para umakma sa sayawan sa baba. May inuman din para sa mga kaedaran ko. Sayang lang dahil Sam couldn't drink yet.

"For sure you'll end up being hopelessly in love with him again. Nakakainis. Paano na ako? Nag usap pa tayo na wala munang seryosohang relasyon ah!" She just couldn't drop the topic.

I sighed. "Oo nga. Paramihan tayo ng mga lalaki. Kung ayaw mong maniwala, we'll have a bet. Kapag naging kami, you'll have my property in Paris. But if you fell for someone again, I'll get your island.." nakangisi kong sabi.

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya. Sabay iling.

"Unfair! Walang ganyan. Property sa Paris? How much is that? A million euro? No way! My island is priceless!" Angal agad ni Sam.

"Wala ka bang tiwala sa sarili mong hindi ka na maiinlove ulit?" I wiggled my eyebrows.

Umiling lang siya. "Car to car, flat to flat! Ganoon dapat!" She shouted then flipped her long ginger hair.

"Okay, I'll give you my flat in Hawaii. You give me your flat in New York." Nakangisi kong bargain.

"Ang mamahal ng mga gusto mong makuha sa akin bitch ka! No way!" Sabi niya at lumabas ng kwarto ko.

Napatawa ako ng malakas sabay habol sa kanya. Tinakbo ko ang hallway at hinila siya sa braso. May napansin akong lalaking nakatalikod sa amin at naghihintay din sa elevator.

"Ganito na lang Sam, the first man that you'll see, gawin mong boyfriend." I whispered.

"And then?" Bigla siyang tumingin sa akin.

"Kapag naging boyfriend mo siya ngayong gabi, you can take any property you want from me.."pabitin kong sabi.

"At kapag hindi?"

"I can do anything with your island.."

"Ayoko ngang igive up yon. That's my mom's last memory."

"Oo nga. I'll just redesign it. Practise lang.." i said. Napataas ang kilay niya then smirked.

"Sige.. I want your gold bangle.." napahinto ako at nawala ang ngiti. She was pertaining to that bangle Peter gave me.

"S-sure.. now get that man and ask him to be your boyfriend." Sabi ko sabay tulak sa kanya sa lalaking nakatalikod.

Napalingon si Sam sa harapan namin at nanlaki ang mga mata. Pati ako ay nagulat din. Because the man who was standing, waiting for the elevator was none other than the mysterious guy from America..

Sam's first love.

Napalunok si Sam at dahan dahang lumakad palapit sa nakabukas na pinto ng elevator.

Naramdaman ko na naman ang init ng titig ng lalaki sa pinsan ko. Mabilis akong pumasok sa elevator dahil nagsimula nang tumunog ito sa tagal naming pumasok.

The guy sighed like he was annoyed and went out to grabbed Samantha. Pero sumara ang elevator at nagpatuloy sa pagbaba.

Patay...

What to do??