Kabanata 5

KABANATA 5

Sa lababo ako dumiretso nang mabas ang note para ihanda ang mga gagamitin ko.

Mabuti na lang pala marunong ako ng konti sa kusina dahil minsan nanunuod at tumutulong ako kay Manang Nieves. Bilang lang ang lutong ulam na kaya ko dahil hindi talaga ako mahilig sa kusina, I prefer to eat than to cook so what can I say?

Habang nagluluto ako ng adobong manok, para sa hapunan— dahil ako lang naman mag isa sa villa— bilang pumasok sa isip ko ang nanay ni Sydney. 

Asan kaya sya? Hindi sya sumalubong ng dumating kami kanina. Ano kayang itsura nya? For Zurich's taste, she must be beautiful.

Pinaalis ko ang topic na yun sa utak ko at pilit na idinivert ang isip ko sa plano kong hanapin si Florence. Ang kelangan ko lang malaman, kung kapatid nga ba sya ni Zurich ng sa ganon mapag-isipan ko kung paano ko sya makakausap.

A part of me is praying that she don't end up like my dad, kahit galit ako sa pagsira nya sa pamilya ko gusto kong umasa na okay sya dahil sya lang ang susi para malinis ko ang pangalan ng mommy ko.

Nagluto lang ako ng sapat sakin kaya pagkatapos kong kumain ay naghugas lang ako ng plato at umakyat na ulit sa kwartong tinutuluyan ko para mag shower.

Kahit gusto kong maglakad sa tabing dapat, hindi ko muna ginawa. I need to familiarize this place first.

The next day I woke up. I felt so refreshed. The scent of flowers outside and fresh air filled my lungs. 

Bumangon agad ako at naligo ng maalala na unlike sa mansion namin, hindi ako senyorita dito. Ayokong bigyan ng dahilan si Zurich para mapagalitan ako.

I choose to wear a sleeveless cotton shirt and a medium length walking shorts. I should not flirt with him anymore dahil may asawa na syang tao.

The 'I. Should. Not. Seduce. Zurich. Monteclaro' note is flashed in my mind clearly before I went downstairs.

Dumiretso ako sa dining at naabutan na may nakahain nang pagkain doon.

Zurich was with his straight face while reading a newspaper and sipping his black coffee. I remember my dad on him.

"Good morning sir," I greeted him casually.

I don't know what should I do dahil hindi nya pa naman ibinibigay ang job description ko. 

Kung para sa kanya trabaho ang ipinunta ko dito, then I should serve him not the other way around.

"Morning. Have a seat," sagot nya ng hindi tumitingin sakin.

Mukhang pareho kami ng iniisip.

Siguro he is with his wife last night and maybe he realized that he should be distant with me. That's what best for the both of us, I think. 

Ibinaba nya ang dyaryo at sumulyap sakin. Because I'm sitting on a chair opposite to him, I have no choice but to look at him also.

"Sydney is still in my parent's house so you have to eat breakfast for the meantime. When she came back, you can start your job."

Tahimik kaming kumain at dahil sa awkwardness halos hindi ko malunok ang kinakain ko.

Matapos ang pinakamahabang almusal sa buhay ko nang nag-iiwasan kaki ng tingin.

"May pupunta dito mamaya para ayusin yan, sumunod ka sa office ko para dun natin pag-usapan ang trabahong gagawin mo."

Wala akong nagawa ng mauna syang maglakad papunta sa isang kwarto sa second floor kaya tahimik lang akong sumunod. 

Sa loob ng pintong pinasukan namin ay ang isang library na may halos twelve feet na mga bookshelf at isang desk na may mga papel at isang picture frame ni Sydney.

Iminuwestra nya ang isang upuan kaya doon ako umupo habang sya ay sa swivel chair.

May inilabas syang puting folder mula sa tambak na mga papel sa desk at inabot yun sa akin.

"That would be the contract and if you have questions, feel free to ask me."

I read each word carefully trying not to mind his strong and tempting presence in front of me. 

My job is to take care of Sydney, to feed her on the right time, to make sure she drinks her vitamins well and to make her sleep during bedtime. As a tutor, a textbook will be my guide for teaching her the lesson. My schedule with her was one to three p.m. Siguro naman kakayanin ko ang three hours. Kompleto sa benefits at iba pa.

After I signed it, inabot ko yun sa kanya.

"Off mo ang Sunday kaya pwede kang umuwi sa Manila, kung available ang chopper pwedeng yun ang gamitin mo at kung hindi naman, pwede kang magpahatid sa port gamit ang sasakyan ng resort dahil may mga bangka dun na maghahatid sayo sa Sta. Elena. From there you can ride a bus to Manila but anyway, kung hindi ka uuwi pwede ka namang magpahinga dito sa bahay o mamasyal sa resort. Si Sydney ay nasa parents ko ng ganoong araw pero kung ayaw mong mag-isa pwede ka din sa bahay nila"

Marahan akong tumango-tango.

"May tanong ka ba?" tanong nya

My eyes landed on his natural pinkish lips that looked even more kissable with every single move.

"Syempre marami— I mean wala na sir"

I bit my lower lips. Jusko ang careless ko... We are not that close to ask about Florence and it would be awkward if I asked about Sydney's mom. How stupid of me.

Kumunot ang noo nya bigla kaya ibinaling ko ang mata ko sa mga libro. I can't stand looking at his luscious lips, I am tempted.

"A-ah... Sir l-lalabas na po ako, hihintayin ko na l-lang s-si Sydney sa labas," kandautal-utal kong paalam.

Damn. I should be the one tempting him but here was I, sitting in front front him looking like a total idiot while staring at those thick old books and cannot even look at him, stammering  just to say goodbye.

"Why do you look so tensed? Are you afraid of me?" he asked in a low hoarse yet dangerous tone.

Dahil iniiwasan ko nga na mapatingin sa kanya, hindi ko na namalayang nasa tabi ko na pala sya.

"H-ha?"

My voice was trembling and it came out like a whisper so bit my lower lips once more for me to control my emotions.

He was too close and because of that, I was so tempted to break my promise that I wouldn't kiss him.

Parang magdudugo na ang labi ko sa tindi nang pagkakakagat ko doon. The pain from it is the only way to keep me sane.

"You will call me Zurich and I will call you Praia, is that okay?"

I nodded my head unconsciously because I can't think knowing that our faces are just inches away from each other.

"Good... Now look at me"

My breathing hitched and that alerted my senses.

Umiling ako ng marahan kaya sya na mismo ang gumawa noon. Using his palm, he carefully touched my face and tilted it so that I can face him.

"Don't bite your lips... It is turning me insane"

Na-estatwa ako sa kinauupuan ko nang maging magkapantay ang mga mukha namin.

I can smell mint from his mouth. And that is not good. I must push him.

Unti-unti nyang inilapit ang mukha sakin at pakiramdam ko na trap ako bigla.

I felt my eyes shut down the moment his lips touch mine. It started as a gentle smack then his tender kiss went wild seeking entrance. I unconsciously give him the access he needed.

A soft moan escape between our kisses when he sucked my tongue. He taught me the rhythm and l I found myself answering his kisses with the same, intense and burning passion.

I suddenly became weak and dizzy.

He gripped my hair and angled my head for better access while I put my arms on his nape to pull him closer.

I can't even think straight. Good thing I was sitting because if not, I would be lying on the floor coz my legs were like big blocks of jelly ace.

He helped me stand up while his hand is supporting my back and his other hand who's gripping my hair was now making its way inside my top.

I frozed when I heard soft knocks from the door. Mukhang hindi nya yun napapansin dahil abala pa rin sya sa ginagawa nya sakin.

"Zurich..." I intended it to sound like a wake up call but it came out as a moan.

The knocks continued kaya itinulak ko sya gamit ang natitira kong lakas.

He looked frustrated when he looked at me so I pointed the door. Doon lang mukhang nag sink in sa kanya na may tao sa labas.

Inayos ko ang buhok ko at bahagyang lumayo sa kanya, sakto namang pumasok si Sydney.

Mukhang nagulat sya na nandon ako pero hindi sya nagpahalata.

"Dad, hinatid lang ako ni tito LA hindi na sya tumuloy kasi may gagawin daw sya" she said then glanced at me.

My face turned red. Why do I have this feeling na parang hinuhusgahan ako ng batang to?

"Ahm... B-babalik muna ako sa kwarto ko, m-maiwan ko na kayo," paalam ko sa nanginginig na boses.

Hindi na ako sumulyap sa kahit na sino sa kanila dahil alam kong hindi ko kaya.

I locked the door and go to the bathroom without further thinking.

I need a cold shower not just because I felt so sticky down there but I wanna wake my self up.

I just wish a cold shower was enough.

Matagal na akong tapos mag-ayos pero wala akong mahanap na lakas ng loob para lumabas. My guilt and shame is hunting me as hell.

Kabadong kabado ako habang naglalakad palayo sa kwarto ko. I am shaking so bad at pakiramdam ko pwede akong mag pass out anytime, that would be a lot better para magkaroon ako ng dahilan na wag silang sabayan sa lunch.

Ready na ang dining table pagkarating ko doon at mukhang ako na lang ang hinihintay nila. The rectangular glass table was full of seafoods kaya nakayuko akong umupo. Katapat ko si Sydney at nasa kabisera naman si Zurich.

The whole time, I was literally not looking to any of them because I was so embarrassed. Kung hindi dumating si Sydney, baka may nangyari na samin ni Zurich kanina. That was so stupid of me.

And just because of that thought, I was red as the shrimp I am eating. Gosh... Why can't I just forget that? Right. Kalimutan ko na dapat ang bagay na yun.

Nauna akong matapos sa kanila dahil hindi ko talaga kayang i-enjoy ang pagkain pagkatapos ng mga nangyari pero nanatili ako dun para hintayin na matapos sila. I don't wanna be rude.

I was about to pick up dishes when they finish eating but Zurich stopped me.

"It's not your job. Let me put this into the sink and I'll call someone to wash this. Samahan mo na lang si Sydney sa kwarto nya para makainom na sya ng vitamins" 

I glanced at him. He was looking intently at me kaya agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

Nauna namang tumalikod at maglakad sakin si Sydney kaya sumunod ako sa kanya. We went to her room.

Pagkapasok namin, umupo sya sa kama at niyakap ang isang brown stuff toy.

Her room was so simple. It was pink themed and there was some baby pictures hanging on the wall. Her room was so neat like it was owned by a teenager. Yung stuff toy lang na hawak nya ang nakita kong laruan sa loob. She's really matured and quite advance for her age.

When I was a kid, I remember that my room was princess themed and there are toys everywhere. It was pink all over and my bed was like one's I've always seen in Disney movies.

"My dad told you to give me my yucky vitamins not to stare at my room" untag sakin ni Sydney.

Ginising ko muna ang sarili ko at hinanap ang mga vitamins. Hindi naman ako nahirapan dahil nakapatong lang yun sa gilid ng isang table. May label na 'Sydney's Vitamins, after lunch'.

Ngumiwi sya ng makitang bitbit ko yun palapit sa kanya.

Umupo ako sa kama paharap sa kanya at dahan-dahang nilagyan ng vitamins ang kutsara.

It was like honey but it smells awful. Now I know why her face was like that.

"Isa lang to, inumin mo ha..." marahan kong sabi at inilapit ang kutsara sa kanya.

"I don't wanna drink that, it's disgusting!" 

Then she made face.

I chuckled.

"I hate to admit but it looks sour, masama ba ang lasa?" 

"Yeah... It was like mixture of honey, banana and sour tamarind. I don't want that," she agreed like she's convincing me to throw it all away.

"But Syd, this is good for you... Para hindi ka na lagnatin ulit."

"What did you call me?" taas kilay nyang tanong at ngumiwi ng maisubo ang kutsara na may vitamins.

"Syd..." 

"You're just like her, sabi ko na eh." she answered in a cold voice

"Just like who?" I asked curiously

"Quit it, don't be nosy about my life coz someday iiwan mo rin naman ako," yun lang ang sinabi nya at bigla syang lumabas sa kwarto.

Matagal bago ko na realize ang nangyari. She did just walk out.

Nang malapit ng mag ala una, bigla akong nakonsensya dahil feeling ko ako ang dahilan kung bakit nag walk out si Sydney. Hinanap ko muna sya sa buong bahay at ng hindi ko sya nakita ay nag decide akong hanapin sya sa labas.

Nang makalabas ako sa gate ng villa ay tinahak ko ang daan papunta sa may pool. Hindi ko alam eksakto kung saan sya sisimulang hanapin pero alam kong hindi ako mapapakali kung tutunganga lang ako sa isang tabi. 

Wala din si Zurich sa bahay nya kaya hindi ako makahingi ng tulong. Isa pa sobrang hiyang hiya ako sa inasta ko sa kanya. Baka iniisip nya na napaka easy kong babae dahil bumigay ako agad sa kanya.

I sigh. 

I'm so affected by that incident dahil naalala ko ang mommy ko sa misis nya. He is cheating.

Naglibot muna ako sa buong pool area at hindi ko man lang nagawang pansinin ang ganda ng resort dahil abala ako sa paghahanap kay Sydney.

Sunod akong pumunta sa beach side na may mga sun lounger, cottage at kainan. Nang i-check ko ang bulsa ng suot kong beach shorts ay saka ko lang nalaman na wala akong dalang cellphone.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal na akong naglilibot pero hindi ko makita ang daan pabalik sa hanay ng mga villa dahil sobrang laki ng resort. Napadpad na ako sa tapat ng isang coffee shop ng mag decide akong magtanong na para makauwi na ko sa bahay ni Zurich.

Ilang saglit akong nagpalinga-linga ng may lumapit sa aking lalaki. 

He was taller than me, maybe as tall as Zurich. His eyes was quite familiar like I saw it somewhere.

"Miss kanina pa kita napapansin, may problema ba?" tanong nya agad pagkalapit sakin.

I hesitated because I am not familiar with this place. Pero hindi naman syang mukhang gagawa ng masama kaya nagpasya akong magpatulong.

"Ah... K-kasi... Ganito mister. Nawawala kasi ako, I can't find my way back to the villa."

I smiled awkwardly dahil hinagod nya ko ng tingin. 

Tumaas ang kilay nya.

"Kaninong villa ka pupunta?" 

"Kay Zurich..."

"Are you his girlfriend?"

"No. Tutor ako ng anak nya."

Parang nakahinga sya ng maluwag dahil sa hindi ko malamang dahilan.

"Ah... You're the one Sydney is talking about. Im LA Monteclaro by the way."

Naglahad sya ng kamay na agad kong tinanggap. 

"Praia"

"Nice name," komento nya.

"Thank you," I flashed a wry smile.

"Halika ihahatid na kita sa villa ni Zurich."

Tatanggihan ko sana pero nakakahiya naman. He's so nice.

Magkasabay kaming naglakad habang sya ang nagtuturo ng daan.

"Gago talaga yun, bakit ka nya pinayagan na umalis mag-isa? Alam nya namang hindi mo kabisado ang lugar na to."

"Kasalanan ko naman eh, nahihiya akong magtanong. Tapos kanina hindi ko natandaan ang dinaanan ko kasi hinahanap ko si Sydney."

Because I'm busy talking to him, hindi ko agad napansin na nasa tapat na pala kami ng villa ni Zurich.

"We're here," nakangiti nyang saad.

"Thank you sa paghatid!" 

I flashed a cheecky smile.

"Your welcome." 

"Nice to meet you by the way."

"Same. Okay, I have to go."

Hinintay ko muna syang makalayo bago ako pumasok. Natigilan ako sa pag hakbang dahil nasa sala si Zurich at madilim ang titig nya sa akin.