Muling Pagkikita

Eksaktong tumunog ang phone ko nang makarating ako sa parking lot ng bahay. It’s been a busy and long day for me since nagrehearse kami buong araw kasama ang kapwa ko models sa agency for an upcoming event.

“Hi. Yeah. Kakarating ko lang sa bahay? Why? Is there something wrong?” tanong ko kay Raine na nasa kabilang linya.

“I invited the girls for a night out later at 8. And you still have four hours to rest, dear. I’ll be expecting your presence and I’ll come and get you anyway if you won’t come. I’ll send you the address. Ciao!” pagmamadaling sabi nito sa kabilang linya na halatang excited bago tinapos ang tawag.

I just shook my head after placing my phone in my handbag. Ang hirap talagang humindi sa katulad ni Raine.

“Miguel, naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo? He do have a connection with us. Paano kung tayo naman ang targetin nang mamamatay tao na iyon? Aren’t you scared losing your life?” rinig na rinig ko ang boses ni Auntie Francia nang paakyat na ako sa hagdan.

I’m a little curious on what they are talking about but I choose to ignore such worthless argument, again. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit tinitiis pa ni Uncle ang ugali nang asawa niya samantalang marami naman akong alam na mga babaeng may disenteng background na nagpapakita nang interes kay Uncle noon.

“It was just a coincidence. Maaaring may kaaway siya sa pulitika sa kabilang bayan na sinadya talaga ang pagpatay sa kanya,” kalmadong sabi ni Uncle na mahihinuha koy nasa kabilang silid.

“Coincidence?! My God! Ano na ba ang nangyayari sa iyo, Miguel? Have you totally lost your senses? Simula nang dumating ang babaeng yan dito ay malaki ang ipinagbago mo. Kung hindi mo talaga siya mapapalayas sa bahay na ito ay ako ang gagawa para sa iyo,” matapang at buong loob na wika ni Auntie Francine.

“You can’t do that and you don’t have the right to do that”, maikling tugon ni Uncle.

“Of course I do have the every right for this house. Ako ang batas sa bahay na ito.” Dagdag pa ng asawa niya.

“This house is under Lucienne’s name, Francine. Kung tutuusin ay kaya niya tayong palayasin dito kung gugustuhin niya lamang.” I sigh in relief as I heard those from Uncle. At last!

“W-what do you mean? It’s not under your name, Miguel? You’re joking, right?” mapaklang sabi ni Auntie Francine na halatang di makapaniwala sa sinabi nang asawa niya.

“Wala akong oras na makipagbiruan sa iyo, Francine. It is what it is. Simula nang mamatay ang kuya ay kay Lucienne talaga nakapangalan ang bahay na ito,” mahinahong sagot ni Uncle.

Tsk! I really want to get rid this kind of drama. I don’t want to go home just to stress myself out again.

…

Marami nang tao sa club nang dumating ako. Well, I am 30 minutes early so naghanap na muna ako ng magandang pwesto while waiting for them. The place is full of energy na sadyang madadala ka talaga and I missed this kind of place which is certainly giving a lot of fun.

“Hi. Would you mind if I’ll take this seat beside you, miss?” I’m a little taken aback nang marinig ko ang baritonong boses na iyon.

Napalingon ako sa gawi niya nang makuha ko ang inorder na inumin. Nang magtama ang aming mga mata ay para akong binuhusan nang malamig na tubig. I know those eyes very well na kahit sa panaginip ay kaya kong  maidentify ang nagmamay ari.

“Miss? Are you okay?” tanong niya ulit sa akin na syang nagpabalik sa aking naglalakbay na diwa.

“Ye-yeah, of course. Suit yourself,” sagot ko na di na makatingin nang diritso sa kanya kaya pinili ko nalang na ituon ang aking atensiyon sa barista na kasalukuyang nagmi-mix nang inumin.

“I’m sorry to bother you but, have we met before?”, dagdag na tanong niya habang nakatingin pa rin sa akin base sa nakikita ko sa aking peripheral vision.

I gathered my strength to look and stare at him for a couple of minutes.

“Wait. Lucienne? Lucienne Bueno?” tanong niya na nanlaki ang mata bigla.

I gave him a sly smile and nod.

“And you are…?” I pretended in not knowing him and I can say that there is a disappointment in his eyes for not recognizing him.

“Claude,” he answered in a serious tone while still staring at me.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Claude. It’s been so long since the last time that I saw you,” sabi ko while sipping my drink.

“No. It’s fine. Hindi nga kita halos makilala. You had changed, Lucy” mahinahong saad niya habang iniinom rin ang inorder na inumin.

“It’s Lucienne.” I corrected.

“And yeah, I changed. A lot,” dagdag ko nang may diin sa dalawang huling kataga.

I’m trying so hard to compose myself para di niya lang mahalata na nanginginig na ako. I am not supposed to feel this way but I can’t help myself either.

“Are you here by yourself? Or do you have someone with you?” he asked pretentiously.

“I’m meeting someone. How about you?” tanong ko pabalik sa kanya.

“I’m here by myself to unwind,” maikling sagot niya.

Then, there was a long silence. I can feel that there is still a tense between us na ang hirap iwasan.

“Lucienne!” I almost fell from my chair nang biglang sumulpot si Raine sa tabi ko.

“Oh! You scared the hell out of me,” pabiro kong sabi sabay beso sa kanya.

Napatawa na lamang siya ngunit ang mga mata niya ay nakapako na kay Claude.

“Do you know him, Lucy?” she asked with the smile na halatang nagpapa impress sa lalaki.

“Yes. He’s an old friend of mine,” sabi ko nang walang pakundangan habang nakatingin ng diritso sa kanya.

I can see the anger in his eyes yet he still manages to smile at Raine.

“Hi. I’m Raine. Raine Connery,” pagpapakilala ni Raine sabay abot nang kanyang kamay kay Claud.

“It’s Claude Mariano,” sagot naman nang isa sabay kuha nang kamay ni Raine at hinalikan mismo sa harap ko. Argh! The nerve!

“Oh! So, you’re the famous Claude Mariano. It’s nice to finally meet you,” saad ni Raine sa binata habang pinapasadahan ito nang tingin mula ulo hanggang paa at puno ang mata nang purong paghanga.

“Where are the others?” tanong ko kay Raine. I really want to get rid of this guy. Right now!

“They’re still on their way,” sagot nito ngunit ang tingin ay nasa lalaki pa rin.

“I see. I’ll excuse myself for a while then, Raine. I need to go to the washroom,” paalam ko sa kanya at hindi man lang nag abalang tingnan si Claude. I just can’t stand the presence of this man anymore.

“Yeah! Sure. Take your time, Lucy,” she said while winking at me with a crazy smile.

Yeah. Yeah.  I get it. I’ll be surely taking my time.

…

My head is ferociously aching nang magising ako sa sinag nang araw galing sa labas. I’m quiet shock nang makitang napalitan na ang aking damit since I can’t remember doing so last night. And it turned damn crazier when I look around and finding myself not in my own room!