TAMING MY BEAUTIFUL WITCH DOLL (TAGLISH)

chapter 4

GWENDOLYN P.O.V

It's raining as I stepped out my door. Damn, I hate rain lalo na wala akong payong! I was murmuring when a black audi stopped in front of me. I knitted my brows as I eyed the car, then my lips form to an O, when I saw a very gorgeous Howell stepping out of the car with an umbrella on his hand.

Damn bakit ba ang gwapo niya! Gusto kong kotusan ang aking sarili.

"Good day, my lady," he said and smile at me. Does he know he looks more gorgeous when he smiles? "Come my boss wants to see you." Agad niya akong pinayungan saka inalalayan habang pasakay ng kotse.

"Good day din," wika ko. I smiled at him and pretend that his presence didn't affect me. Umayos akong umupo sa may front seat saka napatingin uli sa gawi niya, nakaupo siya sa driver seat at biglang sumulyap sa akin. He looked at me with unknown emotions in his eyes na nagpabilis ng t***k ng aking puso. But I manage to control the turmoil raging inside me.

"Teka si kuya Austin ba ang gustong makita ako?" nakakunot noong tanong ko sa kanya

"Yes, my lady," pagsang-ayon niya't saka ngumiti sa akin nang malapad.

"May pasok pa ako, eh," ani ko na may pag alinlangan. "Now na ba?"

"Nothing to worry, my lady," sabi niya. "Pinagpaalam ka na niya sa boss mo."

Napatingin ako sa kanya nang bigla niyang itinigil muli ang kotse.

Hindi ako nakahanda sa sumunod niyang kilos. Halso nahigit ko ang aking hininga dahil isinoot niya lang naman sa akin ang seatbelt.

"Always put on your seatbelt," he said huskily making my heart beat fast. I can smell his perfume. Bakit ba hindi ko mapigilan ang aking sarili na simhutin ang bango niya. Umayos ka Gwendolyn, sinita ko ang aking sarili.

Remember hindi kayo bagay at napakaimpossible na magkakagusto siya sa ‘yo, wika ng maliit na boses sa ulo ko.

Pilit kong kinalma ang aking sarili lalo na ng may inabot siyang paper bag sa akin mula sa may backseat ng sasakyan.

"Ano ito?" mahina kong tanong sa kanya. Tinignan niya ako bigla saka kumunot ang kanyang mukha.

"Chocolate and biscuits," sabi niya, saka muling nagmaneho.

"Salamat but why are you giving me chocolate and biscuits?" curious kong tanong na ikinasulyap niya sa akin.

"Because I want!" he answers and look at me strangely

Halos lumukso uli ang pagpintig ng aking puso sa kanyang sinabi. Napangiti ako ng lihim. Mabuti na lang hindi na siya nagsalita pa.

Gusto kong sabunotan ang aking sa sarili dahil kahit anong gawin ko hindi ko mapigil na ngumiti. Samantalang panay lang ang pagmamaneho ni Howell.

Napasulyap ako sa kanya nang hindi ko matagalan ang katahimikan na umiiral sa gitna namin. I mean, hindi ako sanay na tahimik at walang kausap. Kaya nang mapansin ko ang pamilyar na daan, bigla akong natuwa. May topic na kaming pwedeng pag-usapan ni Howell

"Oh, my gulay! May bahay si Kuya Austin sa dito!" masigla kong turan habang ang aking mata ay nakatingin sa pamilyar na daan na tinatahak namin. Alam ko na patungo ito sa isang exclusive na subdivision. "Kay kuya Austin talaga tayo pupunta?" gitla kong wika, tumango lang siya habang seryosong nagmamaneho.

"Naku excited na ako, Mr. Milady. Alam mo bang ang Richman's Village ay ang pinakatanyag na subdivision sa buong bansa? Tirahan din ito ng subra at nuknokan sa yaman na mga tao! Naku sino kaya ang makikita ko dito! Isang celebrity? Isang model? O baka dito ko na makita si Mr. Right ko!" excited ko na wika. "Tama! Teka, makapag-ayos nga! Nakakahiya naman na mukhang shumang ako ‘pag nagkita kami ni Mr. Right."

Mabilis kong inilabas ang press powder, lipstick at salaminn. Wala akong pakialam sa kasama ko. Basta mabilis akong nag retouch habang nakatitig sa maliit na salamin.

"Maganda na ba ako, Mr. Milady? Kaakit-akit na ba akong tingnan? Mabibighani na ba si Prince charming ko pag nakita niya ako?" sunod-sunod kong tanong sa kay Howell para maitago ang delubyo sa aking puso pero ang bruho ay nanatili lang na tahimik. Ni hindi nga nagawa akong tingnan.

At, sa hindi ko malaman na dahilan bigla akong napatingin sa kanya na may pagtaka. Bakit parang nakakunot ang kanyang noo. May pabulong-bulong siyang habang nagmumura nang pasimple.

"Oh, may sinasabi ka ba?” bigla kong tanong subalit tinitignan niya lang ako ng masama. Nanatili siyang tahimik. Hindi niya man lang sinagot ang tanong ko.

Oo, alam ko na hindi siya palaimik na tao pero tama ba ang nakita ko? I see angered in his face.

Wait bakit galit siya ata? Ayaw niya ba sa maingay na babae? Pilit kong isinawalang bahala ang aking agam-agam at pinilit pa rin siyang pasalitain.

"Kinain ba ng pusa ang dila mo kaya di ka nagsasalita ha Mr. Milady?" tudyong kong tanong sa kanya pero mukhang nabanas pa ito lalo. "galit kaba? tinatanong lang naman kita ah! Ano na? do I look better? Beautiful?" makulit kong sabi

Bigla siyang nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga. Papailing-iling habang nanatiling nakatutok ang kanyang mata sa daan. Tinapik ko ang kanyang kamay subalit biglang niyang pinabilisan ang pagmamaneho

"Ay naku, napipi na si Mr. Milady!" wika ko kahit may namumuong kaba sa aking dibdib. "Napakagwapong lalaki, pipi nga lang," dagdag ko pa sabay tawa nang mahina.

"Will you shut up for once Gwenneth!" bulyaw niya sa akin. Napahawak ako sa kanyang kamay sa kabiglaan.

My mind went blank. Did he just call me, Gwenneth? Paano niya alam ang true name ko samantalang iilan lang ang nakakaalam nito.

"Can't you keep your mouth close for the time being!" galit na wika niya. "can't you see I'm driving! I can't concentrate!", he said coldly making me gulped nervously.

My eyes widen as his eyes raked me. I can't believe! He's angry with me because I'm so noisy?

"Sorry," wika ko. My face becomes flushed. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Teary eyes, I averted my gaze to my window while trying to control the tears to flow.

Sa totoo lang, napaka sensitive ko na tao. Yes, I know I am talkative pero tama ba naman na sigawan niya ako. Never pa akong pagtataasan ng boses ni Howell, kaya siguro dinibdib ko.

I refuse to look at him again. Pilit na sinsabi ko sa sarili ko na marahil ay mali ako sa pag isip na kagaya din siya ni Kuya Austin na pwede kong biru-biruin.

I have no idea how do I look. Basta ang alam ko naiiyak talaga ako. Mabilis kong inilabas ang aking cp at headset mula sa bag. Pumili ako ng magagandang music saka pinatugtog ito. At habang nakikinig ng musika,nagpasya akong maglaro ng wordscape.

Hindi ko alam na panay pala ang tingin ni Howell sa akin. He keeps on looking at my direction once in a while. At dahil busy ako sa pag-aaliw ng aking sarili, hindi ko ito napapansin.

At hindi ko rin naramdaman ang mabilis niyang paghinga ng malalim o' narinig ang mga mahinang niyang pagmura.

"I'm sorry Gwenneth," bigla niyang sabi pero hindi ko narinig. "I didn't mean what I said. Forgive me, it's just that I can't drive smoothly if you keep on talking."

Hinawakan ni Howell ang aking kamay nang hindi ako umimik. Nagulat ako kaya napatingin ako sa gawi niya

"Sobrang maingay mo kasi kaya nairita ako. Nagugulo ang aking pagmamaneho," wika niya.

Ano naman ang kinalaman ng pagiging maingay ko sa pagmamaneho niya? Dati naman akong maingay at matanong!

Nabanas ako nang 'di inaasahan. Hindi ko alam kung dahil sa inis o' sa katotohanan na napahiya ako sa pagsinghal niya.

I acted like I didn't heard him. I acted unaffected. Hindi ako umimik o sumagot man lang kahit na sa loob ko naiinis ako. Nanatiling nakatitig ang mga mata niya sa akin samantalang nag-iwas ako ng tingin at itinuon ang ang mata sa aking cell phone.

Dahil ang totoo niyan ay gusto ko siyang singhalan. I was just trying to make a conversation with him. Sobrang daldal na pala iyon para sa kanya.

I remain silent during the ride kahit ilang beses niya banggitin ang aking pangalan. He suddleny parked the car. Mabilis kong binuksan ang pinto ng kotse at agad na lumabas. Hindi ko na hinintay pa na pagbuksan niya ako. Agaran kong tinungo ang main door ng bahay ni Kuya Austin.

I saw Sophia smiling at me, pero dahil banas ako hindi na ako tinugonan ang kanyang ngiti. Hindi ko kasi alam kung sa akin ba siya naka ngiti or sa bruhong lalaking nasa likod ko.

"Good day, Ms. Gwen, come inside young master is already waiting," bati niya sa akin

Tumango lang ako sa kay Sophia, at nagpatianod sa kanya. Then I heard Howell make a soft cough as if he's trying to get my attention but I refuse to turn my head in his direction. I heard him say, "Gwenneth pls..." but I remain deaf.

Tinawag niya uli ang pangalan ko subalit hindi ko pa rin siya pinansin. I walk briskly to keep up with Sophia, who is leading the way.

Iginiya ako ni Sophia sa isang kwarto. Mabilis akong pumasok doon at natagpoan ko si Kuya Austin, nakatayo sa harap ng isang fireplace, at mukhang may malalim na iniisip.

"Nandito na po siya, young master," wika ni Sophia na nagpalingon sa kay Kuya Austin.

Napangiti si Kuya Austin nang makita niya ako. "You may leave now, Sophia," sabi niya sa dalaga saka tumingin sa akin. I pray na hindi niya sana mapansin ang pagkabanas ko.

"Buti naman at pinaunlakan mo ako," masayang niyang wika saka ngumiti.

"Do I have a choice?" suplada kong pintas na ikinagitla niya pero sa huli tumawa nang mahina.

"Pansin ko nga, pwede ka naman tumanggi," wika pa niya.

"Tumanggi? How can I resist eh pinasundo mo nalang ako ng basta-basta!" inis at walang buhay ko pang turan.

Napailing si Kuya Austin sa aking sinabi. "Bakit parang banas ka? Asan na si Ms. funny and gullible? May nangyari ba?" maang nitong tanong

"Wala po, Young Master!" pagkaila ko at itinirik ko ang aking mata. "Sa susunod po sana, ‘wag n’yo na akong ipasundo kay Mr. Not so nice guy ha. Baka masapak ko lang siya! Ang high blood at ang sobrang suplado! ".

Tuluyan nang tumawa si Kuya Austin. "Ah so fierce! Bakit pala si Mr Milady ay naging si Mr. Not so nice guy na? Pero syempre ikaw iyan, you never run out of names," sabi niya para bang ang pagbibigay ko ng alias sa lahat ay katanggap-tanggap sa kanya. "Mi Princesa is right, 'di ka pa rin nagbago. You're still one hell of a lady, naming people with scariest pet name.is your skills. I remember once you called me Mr. Scandal."

Namula ako at napakamot, saka napangiti narin nang biglang bumalik sa aking alaala ang nangyari sa New York, five years ago. Namumula akong napatingin sa kay Kuya Austin, na panay ang tawa.

Yes, I once called him Mr. Scandal nang magka-coma si Ate Daphne. Ito ang time na nakilala ko si Howell.

"Have a seat nang mapag-usapan na natin ang pagpunta mo sa New York," nakangiting sabi sakin ni Kuya Austin. "I hope you're not in hurry to turn down my offer," biglang naging formal ang kanyang boses.

Umupo ako sa silyang nasa harap ng kanyang mesa. "Wow! Hanep Kuya Austin! How can I turn down when my benefactor orders me to go there! Alam mo naman how am I indebted with Kuya Owen. I can't and will never say no to his request as long as it will not cage me and my happiness," seryoso kong sabi.

"Then it's settled," he smiles at me then extends his hand. "Welcome to the company, Gwendolyn. I know you'll be the gems of Hotel Isabelle. And New York will surely be a haven for you, that's a promise."

"Teka, anong welcome to the company ka diyan!" angal ko bigla na naguguluhan.

"Is there something wrong in what I said? I am pirating your service Gwendolyn, and your boss conceded."

"Wala siyang sinabi na ganyan sa akin. Ang sabi lang ni kuya Owen, I will only be there temporarily to help your resident chief familiarize with Filipino Cuisine."

"Your boss already give me the assurance and the blessings of hiring you as my resident chief. If you have any objection then you have to talk to your boss. But I doubt that you can object to his request, can you? Of course, you can't now that you have told me you are indebted to him in more ways," he told me with finality.

Nakagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. Malaking Yes, Tama si Kuya Austin. I already said yes and arguing with Kuya Owen is useless. He's very good at arguments at sa huli mapapasang-ayon na rin ako.

"Sige payag na ako pero pwede bang magpaalam muna ako sa aking pamilya?" wika ko

"Of course, of course you can. Anyway, dito ka na mag-dinner," alok sa akin ni Kuya Austin.

"I'm sorry, Kuya but I have a prior appointment. Sige na po, I’ll go ahead, baka makatay na ako ni Gatas." agad na wika ko sa kanya

"A date? With Gatas?", nakakunot noong wika ni Kuya Austin habang nakatingin sa akin. "Kilala ko ba itong si Gatas?" bigla niyang tanong.

Napatawa ako sa inakto ni Kuya Austin, "’Wag kang tsismoso kuya! Sige na alis na ako."

"Pahatid na kita kay Mr..."

"Huwag na po, Kuya," agad na putol ko sa kanya. "Kung siya lang naman, ‘wag na. No need. I can perfectly manage. Baka magkautang na loob pa ako sa kanya," supladita kong wika, aktong lalabas na ako ng kanyang kwarto nang makita ko si Howell. Nakatayo siya sa may labas ng pintoan. Napahinto ako saglit, matiim siyang nakatitig sa akin. Inirapan ko siya at agad na nilampasan. I don’t care kung narinig niya man ang sabi ko. I can see guilt and hurt in his eyes but who's to blame but him.

I let out a frustrated sigh then I hurriedly hailed a taxi as I exited Kuya Austin house...

I silently curse dahil ang totoo sa makalawa pa dadating si Gatas at wala akong pupuntahan.

I can't believe that unexpectedly I lied to Kuya Austin. Bakit nga ba?

=HOWELL=

I froze as I heard her refuses to be ferry by me. My suddenly congest and my guilt is eating me up.

Kasalanan ko naman ang lahat. Masakit na marinig na galit siya at ayaw magpahatid sa akin pero mas masakit ang malaman na may kakatagpoin siyang tao.

"She's really angry,” a voice told me, making me turn my head, it was Sophia who said.

I hurriedly followed Gwendolyn. And when she was about to walk out the house, I tried to stopped her but she gives me a deadly stare. I went still as I locked our eyes. And she didn't even blink as she stared at me fiercely.

"Let her," Sophia told me and grab my hands and dragged me to the backdoor and to the garden.

Pinanlakihan ako ng mata ni Sophia. Napabuntong-hininga siya bago siya ako tiningnan ng masama. "Now explain, why she's so angry.", she said, her hands were on her waist.

"How did you know?", I asked her back, confused.

"Easy. She's a jolly lady who never fails to smile at me. But the moment she went out the car, her face was gloomy. So, I know, she’s mad at you. Then Mr. Milady became Mr. Not so Nice Guy,” she said with knitted brows.

I left with no choice, but to told Sophia what really happen. Gaining an earful of lectures from her.

She shook her head, then said "Well, every girl will definitely be mad at you. Howell, you can't just yell at her because of how she reacted. Most especially when she doesn't have the slightest idea," Sophia reminded me.

I wash my face with my palms. "You know I'm not good at words! I don't know, but I suddenly went mad when I saw her putting something on her lips and face", I admitted weakly.

"You’re a funny man!" Sophia said teasingly. Then her face becomes serious. "You have to find a way to melt her anger. How? You have to figure it out. She's not like other women that when you gave her gifts or flowers, they will forget the matter. She's not like them. So, you need to say I'm sorry to her personally, in order to gain her good side."

Sophia glance at me when she noticed my silence. She shakes her head and hurriedly sits beside me.

"I'm trying to distant myself but every time I do, my heart would let me", I said in a uneven voice.

"I don't get it. Why do you suppress your feelings? If you are too afraid that her memory will comeback, then you better tell her the truth sooner or soonest",

Suddenly my heart went heavy. How could I tell her if telling her will make her madder at me?

I looked at the sky with uncertainly in my mind.

I really want to tell Gwen, but I'm too scared of her reaction when she finds out the whole truth. And even if I try. No words came out my mouth.

"You can't be like this Milo. It's been thirteen years. Who knows, she might not remember it. And even if she does, it’s not your fault. You were young then."

"If forgetting is good then I suppose, I'm lucky. But the fact remains. I'm still haunted with the same tragic memory every night. I still can't forgive myself. I can't even have a good night sleep."

Sophia tapped my shoulder; her eyes is full of pity. "You have to tell her and face your fears for once and for all. You can't keep on avoiding it. The truth will surely come out. Sooner or later, her memory will comeback too. And if that happens, you have to be ready. She might hate you, forgive you or blame herself instead," she said in a low voice.

I sighed and fixed my eyes on the ground. "for the last five years, there were times I attempted to tell her the truth. But every time I open my mouth, I suddenly run out of words. And it’s making me mad. You know what? Sometime, I wish we didn't meet again. My feelings might not be as deep as it is now."

"You were wrong! Milo remember this, no matter how we tried we ended up failing. Faith will make our roads crosses even if we don't want to. And have a little faith in yourself. You are one of the reasons why she is alive until now."

I looked at Sophia and give her a grateful smile. She smiles back at me, too.

If there's one of the people I consider close friend, it would be her.

Sophia and I basically know each other and we've been serving the Garcia for almost a decade.

"Maybe you're right. I should try to forgive myself," I said in a firm voice.

"Don't try, do it!" she insisted.

I fished out my phone and called Olivia. I told her to buy something.

"I try but I'm not sure if I can find one. It’s a limited edition," she told me over the phone.

"I double the amount or triple as long as you can find me one," I told her.

"Okay," she replied and hang up on me.

I saw Sophia smiles wickedly at me. I raked my hair, a habit of mine when I'm happy.

Then without warning, Gwen's angry face flashed at my mind. I do want to call her and talked to her. But how can I when I don't know her number.

Puntahan ko na lang kaya siya sa condo unit? Oo, tama puntahan.ko nalang siya saka dalhan ng paborito niyang biscuits at prutas.

I bid goodbye to Sophia. I hurriedly walk out from my master's house. Papasok na ako ng kotse nang makita ko si Christian.

Kinawayan niya ako. Naglakad.ako papunta sa kanya. Nag-fist bump kamimg dalawa.

"Huwag ka munang umuwi," wika niya. "Inom muna tayo."

"Okey, I think I need a drink today."

Mabilis kaming pumasok sa loob ng bahay ng boss ko.

Napasukan namin nakaupo ito sa may sala, habang may hawak-hawak na isang baso na may lamang whiskey.

"You're here at last," wika niya kay Christian saka bumaling sa akin. "Akala ko, nakaalis ka na?" wika niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Itong si Christian pinabalik ako,"wika ko saka tinawag si Sophia at sinuyo na kunan kami ng dalawang shot glass.

Biglang sumalampak na umupo si Christian sa harap namin.

"May malaking problema ka, bro?" may pagtatakang tanong ni Austin sa kanya.

"Yes! I have. Damn, man I didn't know. But I'm think I'm going to lost my mind," bigla niyang wika na ikinagulat naming dalawa ni Austin.

"Come on, we thought you already accepted your faith," kunot noo kong wika habang masusi siyang pinagmasdan. "Leave Wennalyn. She's already happily married. Find someone else."

"It's not Wennalyn. It’s not her that I'm crazy about," he said without hesitation.

Halos napanganga kami ni Austin sa kanyanng rebelasyon. Kapwa kaming napatingin sa bawat isa.

"Kung hindi si Wenna, eh sino?" gulat at mabilis na tanong ni Austin sa kanya.

"I can't tell you," wika niya saka nilagok ang whiskey nang walang sabi-sabi.

Napailing kami ng tuluyan. Hindi ko pa nakita na nagkaganito si Christian. Alam kong mahal niya si Wennalyn. Ang kaibigan ni Gwendolyn, subalit kung ibang babae ang kinalolokohan niya ay nasisigurado ko na mas matindi ang nararamdaman niya para sa babaeng ito.

Tumawa si Austin, dahilan na napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Why do I have a feeling that my friends have been whipped by love bug," he said and looked at us wickedly.

"Let’s get drunk," wika ni Christian sabay salin ng alak sa kanyang baso. Aba'y halos pinuno niya ito.

"If you keep on filling your glass like that, then you’ll be drunk in no time," I said then pour my glass with some whiskey.

"Who cares?" he hissed at me. "I'm going to Italy tomorrow so might as well get drunk."

I shake my head in disbelief. Akala ko ba, ako lang ang may masalimuot na problema, nagkamali pala ako.