ONE

=PHOENIX SEBASTIAN=

I look at the hometown where I grew up. This place brings me a lot of good memories of me when I was a child. But because of that girl, Grandpa sends me to the US. He chose his adopted child over me.

This is not the first time na uuwi ako sa mansion matapos akong ipadala sa ibang bansa at doon na rin tinapos ang kursong business management. Tuwing bakasyon noon ay umuuwi kami pero nang magkolehiyo ako ay naging madalang na. Ayos na rin dahil hindi ko na nakikita ang mukha ng babaeng 'yon na walang ibang ginagawa kundi magpakampi kay lolo.

Grandpa adopted her when she was still young because her parents both died in a car accident. Her grandfather is my grandfather's best friend. And when her parents died, Grandpa brought her into the mansion.

Hindi ko alam kailan nag-umpisa ang galit ko sa babaeng 'yon. Maybe because of the fact that she took everything from me. When Grandpa brought her in the mansion, I feel like I am the happiest kid dahil may kalaro na ako. I have best friends at schools pero pag nasa bahay na ako ay boring na lalo pa at ayaw makipaglaro sa akin ng mga anak ng katiwala. Masyadong kasing mataas ang tingin sa akin ng mga anak ng empleyado. When she came and became my friend, I became happy too. Not until I noticed that she slowly took everything from me.

She's beautiful, cute, and sweet. And she used her charm para mauto si Grandpa. Lagi niyang inuuto si Grandpa at nagpapabili ng kung anu-ano. Kung anong meron ako, gusto niya meron din siya. Pero kung anong meron siya ay wala ako. She used her sweetness para malapit lahat ng tao sa paligid niya.

Even my parents adores her to the point na nawawalan na sila ng time sa akin. All the attention was on her, and I hate it because before she came the attentions was mine. Now, here I am, makikita siya ulit. But, to be honest I am wondering kung ano na ang hitsura niya ngayon. Is she become hot and sleeps with different guys? I guess, yes. Dahil attention seeker siya.

Narating ko ang mansion at agad nag-park. Nakita agad ako ng isang tauhan at mabilis na sinalubong. "Sir Phoenix, ikaw na ba yan?" si manang Tasing na may kasamang lalaki. It’s been four years since the last time I visited here. That was that woman's 18 birthday at ako ang naging escort niya. Sinabay na rin kasi sa selebrasyon ng ikadalawampung taon ko dahil araw lang din naman ang pagitan ng kaarawan namin. I am dissapointed at that time. Ayokong madikit ang balat ko sa kanya. Pero anong nangyari? Sinayaw ko pa.

"Ako nga, Manang,"

"Naku, ang guapo mo na. Ilang babae na kaya ang pina-iyak mo?" 

I smirked. Marami na akong naging babae sa US. Well, kaming apat na lalaki sa tropa ay ganoon. Ginagamit lang namin ang sandata namin para magpaligaya. Sayang ang alaga kung hindi mapakinabangan.

"By the way, Manang. Where’s Grandpa?"

"Kagaya pa rin ng dati, laging nasa veranda."

Iniwan ko na sila ng kasama niya at tumungo sa veranda. I saw Grandpa sits on his favorite spot. Tumingin ako sa paligid kung may kasama siya pero mag-isa lang siya. Ibig sabihin ay wala ang babaeng mapanlinlang.

Nandito ako dahil may kailangan ako kay Grandpa. Walang ibang makakatulong sa akin kundi siya. I need his money for investing business. Hindi ko naman maasahan si daddy dahil kulang ang funds niya para sa halagang kailangan ko.

I have money because I owned a mall na pinamana ni daddy sa akin pero nagkataon na kulang para sa isang investment ang income. May isa kasing inalok sa akin na business na matagal ko nang pinangarap na makuha. Hindi biro ang halaga at si grandpa lang ang kilala ko na makakatulong sa akin. I cannot asks my friends also dahil hindi pa ganoon kalaki ang income ng kompanya namin at kakasimula lang nitong magkaroon ng extension dito sa Pinas.

"Hi, Grandpa," bati ko sabay halik sa noo niya. Mukhang hindi naman siya nagulat sa presensya ko.

"Nandito ka na pala, sit." Despite in his age ay hindi pa rin nanawala sa kanya ang pagiging ma-otoridad sa porma at pananalita. "Kailan ka pa dumating dito sa Pilipinas?" he asked saka humigop ng kape.

"Two months ago."

"Two months ago. Pero hindi mo man lang ako binisita," may tampo niyang tugon. “Sad, na hindi na ako mahalaga sa kaisa-isa kong apo.”

‘Ayoko ko kasing makita ang ampon mo.’ Gusto ko sanang sabihin sa kanya yan.

"I was too busy, Grandpa. Nagkaroon ng extension ang business namin dito dahil naisipan namin na mag-stay for-good na kaming lahat at dito na ituloy ang business.”

"Wise decision. But…I am still disappointed dahil hindi mo ako naisip bisitahin ng kaisa-isa kong apo.”

“I’m sorry, Grandpa." I saw him smiling. Grandpa knows the reason why I came here. We already talked on the phone regarding on this.

"You need money, right?” direkta niyang tanong.

“Yes,” direkta ko ring sagot.

“I will offer you something, Phoenix." He fixed himself kaya napaayos rin ako. "I will give you 50% percent of my assets plus the amount you needed in one good condition." 

"What offer?"

"Marry, Hailey. Make her a Sebastian."

"What?" gulat kong tanong. Is he fucking serious?

"25% after the wedding, 25% when you can give her a child." Child? Is he means…?

“Wait, Grandpa, what are you saying?”

“I am saying that create a family with Hailey.”

"Are you serious? Ipapakasal mo ako sa babaeng iyon?" May inis kong tanong. “Alam mo naman na bata pa lang mainit na ang dugo ko riyan sa ampon mo.”

“Is that a no?” tanong niya.

“Yes, and it will never happen, Grandpa. I will never marry that woman.” Like seriously? Marry that girl. Marinig ko pa nga lang pangalan niya kumukulo na dugo ko, pakasalan pa kaya.

"As expected, ayaw mo. Then, I am sorry, my grandson. I can’t let you have the money you need."

"Grandpa, I won't ask money for free. I’ll borrow you, and pay it later." He chuckles pero mukhang hindi sineseryoso ang sinabi ko.

"I can't give it to you even you offer me with interest or make it double. Accept the deal and I will give you right away the amount you needed. After the wedding, I will transfer 25% of my properties."

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa deal ni Grandpa. Is he fucking serious about what he said? Talaga bang pinipili niya ang babaeng iyon kaysa sa akin?

"The choice is yours, Phoenix Sebastian. Marry Hailey Paredes and make her your wife then you can get what you want. If you reject my offer, you leave here without taking anything from me. That’s the deal." 

I need that fucking money. Kapag hindi ko napasukan ang deal na iyon ay baka hindi ko na ulit ito makukuha. I wanted to be a part in Luxury Hotel. Matagal ko nang pangarap na makapasok doon dahil kapag nakuha ko iyon ay babalik na siya sa akin gaya ng napag-usapan namin.

"I will think of it," I said.

"The offer is valid only today. After the sun dawn, I will asks other person that willing to marry Hailey. And same as my offer to you, I will give him 50% of my assets." What the…

"Ganyan ba ka importante sa’yo ang babang iyon?" Ganoon na rin ba siya ka-desperada na mag-asawa o baka buntis at ayaw panagutan kaya pinapakasal agad.

"Yes,"

"Mas importante pa kaysa sa akin? Sa akin na apo mo? Your only grandchild. Ako ang pamilya mo at hindi ang babaeng iyon?" may inis kong sabi but I heard him sighed.

"Pinagkatiwala si Hailey ng lolo niya sa akin. His grandfather is the only person who was there for me, when I need helped. His grandfather is the only person who believes in me. His grandfather is a brother that I never had. Now that Hailey is alone with no family at all. Hindi kalabisan kung ibabalik ko sa kanya ang tulong na binigay sa akin ng lolo niya."

"Bullshit!" I mouthed. “Eh mas mahalaga pa sa inyo ang babaeng iyon kaysa sa akin. Is that what you called help?”

"Hailey is a good woman, Phoenix. Hindi ka magsisi kung pakakasalan mo siya. She will take care of you, love you unconditionally, and I am 100% sure for that."

"Why me? Bakit ako ang napili mo para sa kanya?"

"Because you are the only person that I can trust with. As you said, my only grandchild."

I dont want to get married. Hindi ko nga pinakasalan si Jessa na mahal ko at ako ang unang lalaki sa buhay niya. Tapos ngayon magpapakasal ako sa babaeng hindi ko alam kong ilang lalaki na ang nauto at nakaangkin.

I heard my phone ring. When I see the caller ay napabuntong-hininga na lang ako nang makilalang sekretarya ito ng Luxury Hotels.

"One minute," Grandpa motion his hand. Tumayo ako at tumalikod saka sinagot ang tawag. "Yes?"

[“Good Day, Mr. Phoenix Sebastian. I just want to inform you what my boss said."]

"Tungkol saan?"

["We found another investor that is willing to invest with us, sir. We will wait for you until the next day only. I am sorry sir, pero kung hindi ka makakapag-invest until next day. We will grab another investor and reject you. We are sorry, sir but we can’t wait for you that long. My boss really needs the money."] I clenched my fist dahil sa inis. Masyado silang nagmamadali.

"Sure, I will give you the money tomorrow."

["Thank you, sir."]

Damn! Napahilot na lang ako sa sentido ko dahil sa inis. Wala akong ibang maisip na pwedeng lapitan at mas lalong wala akong alam na ibang paraan. Kahit humingi ako ng tulong kay daddy at sa mga kaibigan ko ay hindi ko agad maiipon ang perang kailangan ko.

Humarap ako kay Grandpa na nakatingin sa mga tauhan niyang abala sa pagpapausok ng mangga. He is the only person I know. Siya lang at wala ng iba.

"Do you mean it?" tanong ko.

"Mean what?" tanong niya pero hindi nakatingin sa akin.

"You will give me the amount I need right away kapag pumayag ako?" Humarap siya sa akin at saka ngumiti. “Kapag pumayag akong pakasalan ang ampon mo?”

"How much do you need?"

"Thirty Million and I need it tomorrow."

"I will transfer it to your account today." As easy as that? “Just agree to my offer and you can have it before the sun dawn. Just say yes, Phoenix. I want to hear it from you.” I have no choice.

"Deal, I will marry her,” walang gana kong sagot sabay buntong-hininga.

"Good, I trust your words because you’re a Sebastian. The wedding will be held next week."

"What?" 

"Yes, Hailey doesn't want an expensive wedding. She wants it to be simple. Family and friends only. So, I wanted it to make it happen right away."

"But I need more time."

“What are the difference between next week, and next month, or nex year? You will still marry her. O baka naman may balak kang…”

“Fine, fine, as you said. I just really need the money.”

"Good, I will let my secretary to transfer the money to your account." Inilibot ko ang mata ko sa paligid para hanapin ang babaeng iyon. Gusto ko lang makita kung may pagbabago ba sa kanya. "Looking for her? She is not here. Nasa kwadra siya para tulungan si Tasyo na magpa-anak ng kabayo.

"Alam niya paano magpaanak ng kabayo?"

"She knows everything," nakangiti niyang sagot.

"Lolo, napaan---" Sabay kaming napalingon ni Grandpa sa babaeng kadarating lang. 

Nakita ko ang paglaki ng mata niya ng makita ako. She is wearing white dress below the knee and simple slipper. I admit na mas lalo siyang gumanda at pati ang katawan niya ay humubog. Kuminis ang balat na parang hindi nasisinagan ng araw pero ang pisngi ay namumula dahil sa init. Nakaawang ang pinkish niyang labi habang nakatitig sa akin ang kulay asul na parang dagat niyang mga mata. Sumusunod pa sa hangin mahaba at maitim niyang buhok. She looks fragile and innocent. Hindi makabasag pinggan na akala mo santa.

Looks can be deceiving nga naman. Kung hindi ko lang kilala ang tunay niyang pagkatao na mapanlinlang at mang-aagaw.