So It's You (Filipino)

CHAPTER 5

"Look, I'm so sorry for what happened to your car. And thank you—for not running me over, also for paying the doctor to check up on me. But I have to go. I'm looking for someone and she's the only one who can help me. Don't worry I will pay you--"

A crooked smile tugged at his lips. "Pay me? Really, woman? That's adorable."

I opened my mouth to say something when a woman dressed like a maid knocked gently on the door.

"Señorito, hinahanap kayo ni Madam Corazon. Gusto kayong makausap sa telepono," ani kasambahay.

Saglit na natigilan ang gwapong lalaki sa harap ko. "Tell her I'll call her back later."

"Opo Señorito," anito at tumango saka muling sinara ang pinto.

He turned back toward me, and I froze, a sharp gasp escaping my lips.

"You'll never get away with this," he said, stepping closer and his gorgeous eyes narrowing.

Napaatras ako ng bahagya at lumunok. "Please, we both know it was just an accident and I'm sorry about everything. I just really have to go, Mr. Fiery Fury."

Tumaas ang isang kilay nito dahil marahil sa huli kong sinabi.

He smirked, raising an eyebrow with mocking disbelief. "An accident? Yes, it was, I got that. But can your apology undo what I lost—bring her back to me?"

Her? Who?

I lowered my gaze to my feet and said firmly. "No."

"Look, I know it’s my fault. I wasn't paying attention. But I really have to go," I snapped, moving quickly to the door and leaving him behind.

The moment I stepped out of the room, I let out a heavy sigh, shaking off the awkwardness out of my body.

Halos maligaw ako sa kakahanap kung saan ang pinto palabas ng bahay. Hanggang sa wakas ay nakita ko ang isang malaking hagdan pababa.

"Nasa second floor pala ako?" I muttered to myself before heading downstairs.

Wow, this house is absolutely massive!

Di ko napigilan na suyurin ng tingin ang buong kabahayan hanggang sa makababa ako ng hagdan. Nakakamangha ang disenyo ng bawat sulok ng bahay lalong lalo na ang living room.

It has the touch of a minimalist style. I noticed the large windows match the interior designs. It's like an aesthetic and nordic mixed making the aura so relaxing, and warm. Pebbles and flowerpots, ethereal curtains, cement flooring, and plenty of natural light- all these elements diminish the indoor/outdoor borders. Even though the arrangements are minimalist, the design of this contemporary home turns simplicity into bliss. The walls are smooth and rounded and there is a subterranean living area.

This place is my slice of peace...

Di ko namalayan na ilang minuto na akong nakatayo sa gitna ng living area habang nakanganga sa sobrang pagkamangha dahil sa interior design ng bahay. Yes, I've already seen many minimalists styles house but this one......this one is like...

"I thought you already left."

That deep, growling voice startled me as I stumbled backward.

Naramdaman ko ang mainit nitong hininga na tumatama sa aking batok. Doon, ay unti-unti akong pumihit upang harapin siya. And there he was, standing casually just inches away from me.

I looked up at him, my breath catching as he stood over me, tall and imposing.

This time, my eyes locked onto him, I was amazed by the deep brown color of his eyes.

Bigla akong nainggit sa kulay ng mata niya. May dugo ba itong banyaga?

From that, I noticed the band-aid sealing his wound on the upper part of his forehead and a tiny cut on his lower lip. A crushing guilt flooded my chest. I had destroyed the perfection of his face, and it was because of me.

"What are you still doing here?"

I snapped back when he spoke coldly.

"Nothing. I just-"

"Get out." His words cut like ice.

Stepping back, I grabbed my suitcase and headed to the door without looking back.

"Suplado!" I said to myself annoyingly as soon as I got out of the door.

I hoped he didn't hear me.

He's arrogant! Who cares if he looked like Thor, Captain America, or Loki? I will not--

I shook my thoughts out of my mind then jaw slowly dropped as I look around.

"Wha—what?! Oh my God! I'm at the b-beach!?" I stammered, the words dragging out in slow motion.

I heard water flushing...no! That's waves! Yes, waves! Ocean waves!

I suddenly felt hopeless as the sunset is slowly fading. "How could I possibly find my childhood nanny now?"

I walked farther from the massive house, glancing around to see if this was real or just a dream. Then I broke into a run across the sand, leaving my suitcase behind beside a flowerpot near the doorstep.

Sinipat ko ang aking relo. Lalo akong nanlumo. Wala rin akong makitang kalsada, kapitbahay, sasakyan!

"Bakit wala akong makitang ibang bahay? Don't tell me this is an island?!"

This this means, the only mode of transportation is a......

I began to panic, running my fingers through my hair as I paced back and forth, desperately thinking of a way to escape the island.

"Yes! I need a boat!"

I ran towards the shore and looked for boats that I could rent. But jeez! There's nobody! Except that jerk!

How am I supposed to find her!? I'm stuck here! No way that man will allow me to sleep in his house!

"Pinayagan niya akong lumayas kahit alam niya na imposible akong makaalis sa ganitong oras?! This is not happening! This can't be!"

I stopped pacing, forcing myself to think of another way. I had to find my nanny. With her, I knew I'd be safe—no one would follow me, hurt me, or anything else. Those bad people didn't even know who she was.

"I need to talk to him!"

I walked back to the house, stomping up to the door, and gave it a desperate knock.

No one answered.

Knocked again.

No one answered.

My ears started to heat up.

I knocked continuously, now even harder.

Then suddenly...

"What's your problem?"

I froze again at the sight. How could he be so handsome? Those deep brown eyes brimming with mystery, the sharp nose, thick brows and lashes, and those thin lips were enough to make my knees weak.

This is not the right time Fiona! Remember you're stuck!

"Where am I? How am I supposed to get out of here? I need to find someone—it's getting late!"

He casually leaned against the door, arms folded across his toned chest.

"Who slept for four hours in my bed?"

My brows furrowed, a frown forming as his words sank in.

"I slept for four hours?! In your bed?! You can't be serious."

He fixed me with a blank stare, one eyebrow rising as if to question me.

I get it!

"Okay. Then why didn't you even wake me up?"

A smirk tugged at his lips. "I've been busy with the police, taking care of it all—covering everything so the public stays in the dark."

Tumalikod ako rito upang suriing muli kung may makikita akong bangka na pwede kong rentahan, ngunit wala akong nahagilap. Sunod kong kinuha ang aking cellphone pero napamulagat lamang ako sa nakita ko.

"Have mercy on me! No signal!? How am I gonna call someone who can fetch me here?!"

Nagsimulang mangilid ang luha ko dahil sa halo-halong emosyong nararamdaman ko sa mga oras na iyon.

"Wait for the boat at 10 pm," bigla nitong saad mula sa aking likuran ngunit paglingon kong muli rito ay sinara na nito ang pinto.

Napaisip ako at unti-unting kumalma ang dibdib ko sa sinabi nito.

So, I'm still gonna get out of here? Yes!

Muli kong sinipat ang aking cellphone at napabuntong-hininga ako dahil apat na oras pa ang hihintayin ko.

"Just calm down, Fiona," mahina kong sabi sa aking sarili.

I sat on the doorstep, clutching my backpack. I don't know how long I've been sitting there but the wind grew stronger, colder. When I looked up, the sky was empty and darkness creeping over everything—no stars, not even one.

"Please don't rain. Please don't..."

Suddenly, I could hear the rumbling sound of the sky, and the flash of lightning strikes across the horizon.

"Oh God, are You punishing me now from running away from home? Is this really my karma?" I said then hugged myself tightly. Even though I'm wearing a jacket, I could feel the coldness of the wind penetrating through the fabric.

Lalo akong nawalan ng pag asa na makaalis rito nang simulang pumatak ang ulan. Agad akong tumayo at kinuha ang maleta tsaka sumiksik sa gilid ng pinto.

I saw a lightning strike down the ocean followed by a loud rumbling noise from the sky. I squeaked then put my palms on both of my ears.

After a few more moments, huge raindrops came down and the wind was getting even stronger.

"May bagyo ba o parusa ko lang to? Please patawarin Niyo na 'ko," tanging nasambit ko.

My body shivered as the rain starts splashing all over me. My knees were trembling, and I started sneezing. I hugged myself even more and I just sat there by the side of a Palmera plant.

Then, all of a sudden....

"Get inside."

I was facing down on my knees when the door unexpectedly opened and there he was, standing tall by the doorway. I sneezed as I stood. "No, it's okay. I'll just wait here."

I could see his jaw clenched and his eyes became colder than the rain and wind.

"Do you think the boat will still come with this kind of weather?"

I opened my mouth to say something, but he took my suitcase with his left hand and grabbed my arm with the other. He dropped my suitcase as soon as we got inside the house, he then let go of me.

I was unable to speak because of the coldness. My lips were trembling, and I was dripping with water. I just stood there when he headed to the kitchen and then came back with two maids behind him.

"Go get her things and put them in the guest room. Show her where that is. And you..." he said, now pointing at me.

"I will allow you to stay only for this night and make sure I will not see you again by tomorrow morning. You got me?"

"Thank--"

"Cut that! You still owe me for what happened to my favorite car. So, shut up. I don't want to hear anything from you."

Then turned his back on me and headed upstairs with a heavy footstep. Each step echoing a sense of purpose or urgency.

"Halina na kayo, Ma'am. Hatid na namin kayo sa guest room."

Wala akong nagawa kundi ang sumunod sa mga ito sa paglakad habang yakap-yakap ko pa rin ang aking bag. Pinigilan ko pa ang mga ito na buhatin ang aking maleta dahil sa bigat pero nagpumilit ang mga ito.

"Heto ang tuwalya. Maligo kayo ng maligamgam na tubig para mawala ang lamig sa katawan niyo. Babalik ako dala ang pagkain niyo. Siguradong di ka pa naghahapunan," ani ng mas may edad ng kasambahay.

"Pagkain? Okay lang ho ako. Di ho ako nagugutom. Magpapahinga na lang ako."

"Ma'am, utos ni Señorito na pakainin kayo bago kayo matulog," pagpupumilit nito.

I frowned.

"Inutos niya? Sigurado ho kayo? Eh mukhang may sapi ang amo niyo."

Bahagyang ngumiti ang ginang na sa tingin ko ay nasa singkwenta anyos na.

"Yan din ang una naming inisip noong nag-uumpisa pa lamang kaming magtrabaho bilang kasambahay rito. Pero ng kalaunan, napansin namin na mabuting tao siya. Marami kasi siyang pinagdadaanan ngayon kaya ganyan lagi ang mood niya pero mabuting tao yang si Señorito. Di nga lang halata minsan."

Wala akong nagawa kundi ang tumango na lamang. "Ganun ho ba?"

"Oh, sige na maligo ka na at pagkatapos mo dadalhan kita ng makakain," nakangiti nitong sabi.

"Salamat ho."

Ngumiti ito ng matamis tsaka tuluyan nang lumabas ng kwarto.

After taking a warm shower, I grabbed my suitcase and opened it, searching for some comfy clothes. I smiled when I found a favorite piece and slipped it on right away. Moments later, a gentle knock on the door interrupted me, and I quickly walked over to open it.

"Sakto at tapos ka na maligo. Heto, ubusin mo lahat ito," anito at iniabot sa akin ang isang tray ng pagkain.

Ngumiti ako ng matamis rito. "Thank you, ho."

Gumanti naman ito ng ngiti sa akin. "Walang anuman, Ma'am."

"Fiona na lang ho itawag niyo sakin. Nagmumukha ho akong matanda sa kakatawag niyo ng 'Ma'am' eh," I said with a wide smile, the corners of my lips lifting as warmth spread through me.

"Okay sige, Fiona. Siyanga pala, okay lang ba pakiramdam mo? Wala ka bang nararamdaman katulad ng lagnat?"

Umiling-iling ako. "Wala naman ho. I'm okay."

"Buti naman. Okay sige mauuna na 'ko para makakain at makapagpahinga ka. Babalik ako mamaya para kunin ang pinagkainan mo."

"Nako wag na ho. Ako na lang ho ang maghahatid sa kusina. Sobra na ho ang pang-aabala ko sa inyo. Dapat nga ho nagpapahinga na kayo sa ganitong oras kung hindi lang dahil sa napadpad ako rito sa di inaasahan,"

"Ano ka ba, gawain na namin manilbihan ng bisita ni Señorito."

"Hindi naman ho ako bisita ng amo niyo. Sadyang nagkaroon lang ng aksidente sa daan kanina. Huwag na ho kayo mag abala, ako na ho maghahatid nito sa baba."

"Mapilit ka talagang bata ka. O sya sige. Pagbaba mo ng hagdan kumanan ka at nandoon ang kusina."

I smiled sweetly at her. "Salamat ho."

She smiled back and then headed downstairs.

Pagkasara ko ng pinto ay napatingin ako sa pagkain. Bigla ay nakaramdam ako ng gutom dahil sa amoy niyon. Nilapag ko ang tray sa higaan at doon ako kumain. Dahil sa pagod at gutom ay naubos ko iyong lahat. Saglit akong sumandal sa headboard ng higaan habang nakangiti sa sobrang pagkabusog.

Few moments later, I strode out of the room with a tray in my hands. I silently headed downstairs on barefoot, so that I would not create any noise that could wake up the devil of the house.

I walked into the kitchen and immediately noticed the maid, the same one who had handed me the food earlier.

"Ako na maghuhugas niyan. Mas mabuti magpahinga ka na."

I handed her the tray.

"Salamat ho."

Muli ay ngumiti ito sa akin. "Walang anuman, Fiona."

"Sige ho. Magpapahinga na ako."

She nodded with a soft smile on her wrinkled lips and continued washing the dishes. Then I went upstairs. Looking down the staircase as I'm walking, I didn't notice that there's someone in front of me. But before I could react and avoid to bumped into him, it was too late.

"Oops! I'm sorry-"

Oh, my word! Not him!