Just Like How the Lightning Strikes (del Grico Series #5)

Prologue

PROLOGUE

Lightning…

It is the epitome of dangerous resplendence where my soul is immersed within. The night would not be that special without the flash that lights the dark heaven overhead. But in spite of its daunting beauty, I know that lightning could also be avenging and could lash you out without mercy.

I’m scared of it yet there is always something that draws my heart close to it every time.

Napabuntonghininga ako.

Nanlalamig ako pero alam kong hindi lang ‘yon dahil sa panahon ngayon dito sa Monaco. Kinakabahan din kasi ako sa mangyayaring show para mamaya.

Tonight will be Cortez’s turn to show its potential this Monte-Carlo Fashion Week. Ang tagal kong pinaghandaan ang gabing ‘to. Sana lang talaga ay walang mangyaring aberya.

Ayos na ang lahat sa runway. Dumating na rin daw ang ilan pang sikat na modelo at designer gaya ko para manood ng line ng Cortez. Naghihintay na lang akong tuluyang magsimula ang show.

I spent my free time just by gazing at the bank of iron-gray clouds outside, filled with twinkling little pulses of light. Kapag naman tumatama talaga ang malalakas na kidlat sa labas at nakagagawa ng nakatatakot na tunog, napapahawak ako sa dibdib ko.

Ang ganda lang kasi talaga nila tingnan pero nakatatakot. Even so, we couldn’t afford to cancel the show just because of the bad weather. May mga bigating bisita na rin kasi kami na lumipad pa talaga mula New York at Paris patungo rito sa Monaco para lang manood. Isa pa, right timing ang panahon ngayon sa category ng show kaya ayos na ayos.

When the lightning struck, I flinched. Napapikit ako sa kaba. Sa huli, iyon na rin ang nagsilbing hudyat ko para lumayo sa may babasaging bintana ng silid kung nasaan ako ngayon.

My eyes then darted to the full-length mirror and saw what I was wearing for the event.

To protect me from the cold, I wore a navy blue-colored boyfriend coat paired with navy blue slacks. But to make it fashionable, I only wore a black chic bra underneath it, kind of revealing my chest and abs.

I also wore a two-layered Cortez gold necklace to compliment my outfit. Even my earrings were gold. For them to be noticeable, I put my middle-parted hair in a sleek low ponytail.

Lastly, I wore fashionable shades. Ganito ang isinuot ko para naman hindi rin ako mapag-iwanan ng mga modelo na rarampa mamaya.

“Hey!” Nawala ang atensyon ko sa harap ng salamin nang may pumasok sa silid kung nasaan ako ngayon.

My eyes widened because of shock and happiness.

“Ria! Drayven! You guys are here as well!” magiliw na bati ko sa mga bumisita sa akin.

Hell! I didn’t expect them to be able to attend the Cortez Levin Mania! Masyado rin kasi talagang abala si Drayve sa pinaplano niya para kay Ria.

I first noticed Ria’s outfit. She looked so good with her elegant blue spaghetti-strapped dress. It has a cowl neck design that made her look classy without effort. Kahit ganoon, mukhang hindi pa rin yata siya sanay sa ganoong suotan. Talagang nagsuot lang siya ng dress para makibagay sa event ngayon.

“Oo naman, Ate Eve,” ani Ria. “We’re here to support you.”

My heart melted because of what she said. Mabilis lang din kasi ako maapektuhan ng mga ganoong klaseng salita. Another thing, Ria doesn’t usually say such things so it was a privilege. She’s like a cold and mysterious woman who doesn’t like to show her real feelings.

“How’s Kuya and Ate Monic?” tanong ko naman sa pamangkin kong si Drayve.

He was also wearing a black coat with a royal blue tie, perfect for Ria’s dress. They’ve been together for years now and Drayve’s affection towards Ria never changed.

“Susunod na lang daw, Auntie,” sagot naman niya sa tanong ko.

Pabiro kong pinasingkit ang singkit kong mga mata. Napangisi tuloy si Drayve.

“I told you to stop calling me ‘auntie’ right?”

I just don’t feel like it. Parang nagtutunog kasing sobrang tanda ko na kapag ganoon. Though I am, indeed, five years older than them but I don’t look that old!

Drayven is the son of my only brother. Medyo malayo rin kasi ang agwat ko kay Kuya Drake noon kaya naman limang taon lang ang agwat namin ng anak niya.

“Don’t mind him, Ate Eve. He’s just tryna mess with you,” si Ria. Dahil doon, napalingon sa kanya si Drayve.

“What? Auntie ko naman talaga siya, huh?” Natawa na lang si Drayven. Halatang-halata na hindi siya magaling sa pagpapatawa.

“Even so. Don’t call me that way. Pinatatanda mo naman ako masyado e.”

Though it does not offend me whenever Drayve calls me ‘aunt’ or ‘auntie’, I still don’t want to be called that way.

Buti na lang din at tumigil na rin sa pang-aasar ang pamangkin ko.

Tonight is very special for me. Ngayon kasi magaganap ang isa sa mga inaasahan kong fashion show para sa Cortez, ang luxury fashion house ni Mom na tuluyan ko nang naibangon ulit. Lahat ng irarampa ngayong mga damit ay ako mismo ang nagdisenyo at bumuo.

I chose the category of lightning for tonight. Bukod sa tag-ulan ngayon sa Monaco, may malalim din akong pinanghugutan kaya ito ang napili kong kategorya.

It was not a common theme and a bit risky because some people might not like it but I still pushed it to happen. Fortunately, for the past years that I was so hands-on for Cortez, I gained loyal buyers that are willing to support my plans.

“Nandito na raw sina Tita. Sunduin ko muna,” paalam bigla ni Ria matapos niyang alisin ang tingin sa screen ng phone niya.

Dahil naiwan kaming dalawa ni Drayve, kinuntiyaba niya muna ako sa plano niyang surprise proposal kay Ria sa susunod na linggo. Bongga ang ideya niya na siyang tinutulan ko kasi baka ma-pressure si Ria pero ani Drayve, nakaplano na raw ang lahat.

Ilang sandali pa, dumating na rin ang kapatid ko’t asawa nito.

“Shien!”

Nalipat ang atensyon namin ni Drayven sa kararating lang na si Kuya Drake kasama ang asawa niyang si Ate Monic at ang sumundo sa kanilang si Ria.

“Ate Monic! Kuya Drake!”

Lumapit ako sa kanila. Masaya namang nakibeso sa akin si Ate Monic.

“Buti’t nakaabot kayo bago mag-start," natutuwang sambit ko dahilan para ngitian din ako ng dalawa.

“Of course, we tried to make it here. This is one of the big events of Cortez since its breakthrough," uttered Ate.

I was genuinely happy that they made it here. Their presence meant so much to me. Parang medyo nabawasan ang kaba ko.

"Good luck." Iyon lang naman ang sinabi sa 'kin ng kapatid ko. Tumango ako kay Kuya Drake.

"Miss Valiente, the show is about to start." Hindi pa man nagtatagal ang usapan namin nina Ate Monic, may dumating na agad na staff para ipatawag ako. Sabay-sabay namin itong nilingon.

Hell no. I guess I really have to go.

Gusto ko pa man makumusta nang matagal sina Kuya Drake, wala na akong ibang p’wedeng gawin kung ‘di ang magpaalam sandali.

"Alright. I gotta go." I faced my family. They all nodded at me at the same time.

"See you! This will be your day, Ate Eve!"

In the end, I nodded back before I go with the staff.

My palms started to sweat as my heart throbbed so fast. Kahit ganoon, pinagsawalang bahala ko na lang ‘yon at lumakad na nga sa gitna ng runway. Pumalakpak na rin ang lahat.

The background music was toned down when I started speaking.

“Buongiorno!” I greeted using Monégasque language. Kumalma ang madla nang magsimula na rin akong magsalita. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Eveanne Valiente.”

I tried to glance at the crowd not to look awkward while talking but I bet, it was not a good idea. Sa sandaling pagpasada ko kasi ng mga mata ko sa aking harapan, nahagip ko agad ang tingin ng lalaking pinaka nagpapakaba sa akin noon pa man.

What the…

Kamuntikan pa akong masamid sa sarili kong laway dahil doon. Buti at naibalik ko agad ang atensyon ko sa ginagawa.

“Tonight, Cortez presents a very special line that embraces the light amidst darkness. We call it Levin Mania,” I continued.

Right after that, the crowd applauded me. Sunod nang muling lumakas ang background music at nagsimula na ngang rumampa ang mga modelo.

What the hell was that?! Bakit nandito si Law?! At nasa pinakagitna pa! I almost had a heart attack by just seeing him! Mas nakakakaba pa yata ang pagkakita ko sa kanya kaysa ang pagsasalita sa harap ng maraming tao!

I tried to calm myself down and just focused on my models. Ni hindi ko na nga muna sinubukang lumingon sa direksyon ng lalaking nakita ko kanina.

But as Honey Anderson ramped on the runway, countless eyes were glued to her. She looked like a cool villain because of the outfit she was wearing. The fierceness of her look was superb. Idagdag pa ang walang kapintasang pagrampa niya. Hindi na kataka-taka na siya ang highest paid model ngayon sa buong mundo.

To be able to convince her to model some of the clothes I created is a great privilege. Malaki rin ang magiging epekto noon sa mga nanonood ngayon na fan niya.

Despite that, I could not fool myself enough not to feel the bitterness creep within me. I could not help but wonder...

Ano kayang iniisip niya ngayon?

Unintentionally, I glanced in Law's direction. And just like what I thought, he was really gazing at Honey. By that, I felt a pang in my chest. Ni hindi ko na natagalan ang makita siyang nakatitig nang ganoon sa ibang babae kaya mabilis na rin akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

Hell! This night is supposed to make me proud. This is the night I've been waiting for for years! So, why?! Screw my feelings!

Kung kailan literal na nasa akin na ang lahat, 'tsaka ko pa naramdaman ang pagiging kulang.

It feels like there is something more than the success of tonight for me. The thing is... I don't want to admit it. And I've been refusing to do so for the past eight years.

Nang muli kong ibinalik ang tingin ko sa kay Honey na rumarampa na pabalik sa backstage, hindi mo na naman naiwasang manliit.

I've heard, the news has spotted them having dinner for the past few weeks. Hindi ko na kailangan pang malaman ang buong detalye dahil doon pa lang, alam ko nang may kung ano sa kanila. Knowing him….

And the fact that Law is here is something. It kept giving me heartaches. Ipinagpapasalamat ko na lang din na ako lang ang nakakaalam ng totoong nararamdaman at tumatakbo sa isip ko.

I've endured the torture of watching Law gawk at Honey every time she would ramp. Wala namang nagkamali sa mga model pero hindi ko talaga magawang maging masaya.

My genuine smile became awkward as time passed by. Parang gusto ko na lang matapos kaagad ang araw nang makapag-isa na ako.

I really hate the feeling of keeping something in my heart. I’m not the type of person who’s strong enough to endure the pain. Madalas, naiiyak talaga ako kaagad. Mahina ako e. Ang matagalan nga lang na hindi lumuluha ngayon ay isang malaking bagay na para sa akin.

After the show, a lot of models, co-designers, and colleagues greeted and congratulated me for the successful night. Ni hindi ko na rin masyadong naasikaso ang pamilya ko dahil doon. Mabuti at naintindihan din naman nila ang sitwasyon ko.

May mga nagyayang i-celebrate namin ang gabing ito pero ang tanging sinabi ko na lang ay masyado akong napagod.

Nakatulong din sandali ang pagkausap ko sa ibang tao para mawala sa isip ko ang sakit ng nakita ko kanina. Kaso, noong oras na para bumalik ako sa silid ko para na rin kunin na ang mga gamit ko at umuwi, may muling nakapagpaalala sa akin ng sakit.

“Let’s just move the celebration tomorrow, shall we?” I uttered politely to my team. Fortunately, they all agreed to what I wanted.

But as I wandered my eyes around, I saw a familiar pair of sought-after eyes staring at me. Nang magtama ang tingin namin sa isa’t isa, naghurumentado na naman ang puso ko na tila ba hindi ito nasaktan kanina.

It was just a split moment. After that, he averted his gaze from me to the woman he has been eyeing a while ago: Honey Anderson.

There. It’s confirmed. He’s here for her.

Nakaragdag lang ‘yon ng sakit sa puso ko kaya naman bago ko pa maipahiya ang sarili at maiyak sa harap ng sinuman, dali-dali na akong nagpaalam.

I shouldn’t be hurt this way, right? I shouldn’t be hurt like this because I was the one who chose to take this path. But hell! Hindi ko naman maturuan ang puso ko!

Do I deserve this? No. Hindi ko na dapat pa tanungin dahil halatang-halata na ang sagot.

As soon as I was free to leave everyone, I went back to my room with a heavy heart. Hininga ko nang malalim ang nagbabadya kong mga luha. Kailangan kong pahupain muna ang lahat bago lumabas ulit para umuwi dahil baka sa daan ako abutan ng pagbuhos ng mga luha ko.

Ang sakit. Parang nabalewala ang ilang taong ginugol ko dahil wala rin namang nagbago sa sakit na dulot niya sa akin. Ang katunayan, parang mas lumala pa ngayon.

Dumako ang tingin ko sa malabong bintana gawa ng hamog dahil sa mahinang ambon sa labas. Kahit ganoon, tanaw na tanaw pa rin doon kung paano sandaling magliwanag ang labas dahil sa kidlat.

Everything reminds me of him. The category of my show, the blaze of light that kept the night sky bright, and the pain that only he could give me.

The silence was ruptured by the sound of a heavenly light struck the ground. Napaigtad ako dahil doon at napahawak sa dibdib ko.

“How ironic. Your show is about lightning yet you’re here, flinching just by hearing the lightning strikes.”

Akala ko, sobra na ang gulat na naramdaman ko nang dahil sa malakas na pagkidlat. Mas ikagugulat ko pa pala ang biglang pagkarinig ng pamilyar na boses sa likuran ko. Dali-dali akong napalingon dahil doon.

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes when I saw the cold amber eyes of Law gazing at me. Kinailangan ko siyang tingalaain dahil sa agwat ng tangkad namin.

“W-Why are you here?!” I stuttered.

Did he follow me? Kanina pa ba siya?! Why didn’t I feel his footsteps?! Buti na lang din pala hindi ako kaagad umiyak! Kung ‘di ay baka naabutan niya pa ‘kong humahagulhol nang dahil sa kanya!

When he didn’t answer my question and remained silent, I brought back my poise too.

Tumuwid ako ng tayo at matapang na tinitigan ang mga mata niya

“And haven’t you heard of the line ‘conquer your fears’?” pagdadahilan ko na lang tungkol sa paratang niya sa akin.

I was glad I didn’t stutter again. But still, it was not enough to fool him.

“Nah. I’d like to think about it my way,” aniya na tila ba siya dapat ang magdedesisyon. “Like… something—someone, rather, reminds you of lightning.”

He was slowly walking towards me as he muttered those words. Ni hindi ko maisip kung ano nga ba ang dapat na unahing iproseso. Ang unti-unti niya bang paglapit sa akin, ang titig niya na nakatutunaw, o ang paraan ng pagkakasabi niya na tila ba siguradong-sigurado siya sa lahat.

Sa sobrang gulo na ng mga bagay sa isip ko, hindi ko na naman naiwasang mautal sa niyebyos dahil din sa presyensya niya.

Matapos ang mahabang walong taon, ngayon ko na lang ulit siya natitigan nang ganito kalapit. Parang ang daming nagbago. Ang lapit namin sa isa’t isa pero parang ang layo-layo pa rin.

His hair was now in buzz cut. Mas lalo ring lumaki ang katawan niya dahil siguro sa training na pinagdaanan niya sa Navy.

If something stayed the same, it was the intensity of his amber eyes as well as the one lightning-like scar on his eyebrow.

“W-Why would I create a whole damn show inspired by you?” Parang gusto ko na lang batukan ang sarili dahil sa kawalan agad ng kontrol ko sa sariling dila. Para makabawi, ininsulto ko na lang siya.

“Aren’t you becoming overconfident by that, kid?”

I emphasized the last word I uttered. By that, I succeeded in my real motive why I called him that.

His jaw clenched. Sandali siyang nag-iwas ng tingin para ngumisi nang walang bahid na tuwa roon. Pagkatapos lang din ng ilang sandali, binalik niya ang tingin sa akin.

Immediately, I felt his blazing stare that was the reflection of what he was feeling right now. Hinanda ko naman ang sarili ko sa pagsabog niya.

“I never said I was referring to myself, Alya,” utas niya na siyang hindi ko inaasahan.

I was shocked because he was right. Hindi nga naman kasi niya sinabing siya ang pinatutukuyan niya. At the same time, the impact of the name he used to call me was indescribable.

Siya lang talaga ang tumatawag sa gitna kong pangalan. Eve ang tawag sa akin ng mga kaibigan ko at Shien naman sa pamilya ko.

Just like that, I could still remember how he turned worthless things about me special. Just like how lightning makes the night exceptional.

By a single name Law called me, I forgot what I wanted to do and say. Tuluyang natunaw agad ang balak ko pa lang itayong bakod sa puso ko.

“Stay away from me!” Iyon na lang ang nasabi ko nang mas lalo pa siyang lumapit sa akin. Wala na rin kasi akong maatrasan pa at tila ba hindi ako makahinga nang maayos sa distansya na naming dalawa.

I tried to push his chest but it seemed like I betrayed myself for not pushing him enough. Kinahihiya kong parang gusto ko rin na ganito kami kalapit sa isa’t isa.

Dahil nga hindi naman malakas ang pagkakatulak ko kay Law palayo, ni hindi man lang siya napahakbang paatras. He just looked at my hands on his chest as he gritted his teeth.

As the lightning strikes again, my hand then flew to my chest and I closed my eyes.

Hell! Hindi ko na alam pa kung ano ang unang ipo-proseso! Hindi na rin ako sigurado kung ang kaba ko ba ay dahil pa rin sa kidlat o dahil na kay Law.

“You’re obviously scared of it so… why?” Law whispered like the wind. Kahit na maingay ang ambon sa labas, sapat ang boses niya para magkarinigan kaming dalawa.

“I’ve already told you, Zryan!” Frustration was evident in my tone.

“Convince me.” He rested his forehead on mine and that made me gasp. “Convince me that this is not about us anymore. Free me, baby.”

With his tone, my eyes misted over because of tears. I felt a great wrench of sadness.

Then I wondered… is he still hurting because of us? Are we still on the same page?

Sa paraan ng lapit naming dalawa at sa pagsasalita niya, kaunti na lang talaga ay magtatama na ang labi namin. Dahil doon, mas lalo pang nagwala ang naghuhurumentado kong puso.

I was tempted to kiss him but I stopped myself.

I miss him! I miss holding him like this! But… we need to let go.

Sa kabila ng epekto niya sa aking sistema, nagawa kong magsambit ng masasakit na salita para saktan siya.

“You can’t change my mind, Law. I’d rather lose you than lose everyone around me,” I muttered silently. “Give up. Stop making yourself look like a fool by fighting for us, for a relationship that has ended before it even started.”

I was not sure if he would believe me. Napakasalungat ng nararamdaman ko sa mga sinabi ko.

Despite knowing that I would lose myself the moment I lose him again, I still said those words. By that, I saw pain glistening in his amber eyes.

And just like how the lightning strikes, my words were avenging enough to destroy Lawrentius Zryan del Grico and lash him out without mercy.