Sweetest Trap

Chapter 1 - Ulterior Motive

2014

Romina’s POV

“EXCUSE me, I’m coming through,” I said in a very impatient tone.

There’s a bunch of people lining up, slowly walking their way inside the elevator. I rolled my eyes as I saw the doors closed. I should have pushed myself in.

Behave Romina! I scolded myself.

The people in front of me were in formal attire. The guys were wearing suits while the ladies were in long gowns. I wouldn’t dare to make a scene. Maybe some of them were also invited to the same event that I’d be attending.

Takot ko lang ma-exile uli pabalik ng America.

Kaya bilang isang mabuting babae, anak at mamayang Filipino, magpapasensya at matiising maghihintay ako sa muling pagbubukas ng elevator.

I giggled as I recited my thoughts in Tagalog.

I missed speaking the language and now that I’m home I would be using it more often.

Time flew and the elevator opened, I patiently waited for my turn to step in. I felt their stares but it didn’t bother me a bit. The only thing that I’m uncomfortable of was the way I project myself. I am acting like a tamed, behave, sweet lady, by not looking back at them with a sarcastic smirk on my face.

If only I’m not in a hurry, I’ll show them my bratty side. I could have press the emergency button so we would all be stuck there inside the elevator.

I smiled inside.

Akala ko iniwan ko na sa Amerika ang kapilyahan ko, naisama ko pala sa hand carry bag ko.

Because I’m the last one who entered the elevator, I’m the first one to come out. I don’t need to ask for direction, I’m familiar with the place. My mother always reserved the biggest function hall there every time we celebrated every important event of our lives.

After a few turns, I reached my destination. My steps were certain as I headed to the entrance door. But two attendants stopped me when I tried to walk in.

“Sorry, Ma’am. There’s an event inside.”

“I know.” I smiled nodding. “It’s starting already right!?” It’s more of a confirmation than a question.

“Yes, Ma’am. But you cannot come inside.” A pleasant girl informed me.

“May I know why?” I said in a medium pitch, irritated tone.

“Do you have an invitation, Ma’am?” The other guy intervened.

“I don’t need an invitation. I’m family. Go tell my Mom, the one who hired you. Tell her I’m here.” I instructed them.

“Will do that Ma’am but could you first show us an ID.” The guy continued.

I put out my passport and handed it to him. “Here…”

He and his girl companion both looked at it before he handed it back to me. “Sorry, Ma’am. You must be lost. This is Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s anniversary party.”

“Yes, I know and I am their daughter. I told you to go inside and call them.” These two were starting to get into my nerves.

“Ma’am but your name is Romina Sandoval.” The girl still spoke to me politely. “Marunong naman po kaming magbasa.” The girl added. Maybe thinking she wouldn’t understand.

“Alam ko marunong kayong magbasa pero mahina kayong umintindi.” Tumaas na ang boses ko. “I will not explain to you why my last name was different from my parents, just call them now! Believe me, you would regret it if you don’t.”

“Stop threatening them Twinkle. I could see from here their knees are already shaking.”

Kung gaano kabilis ang ginawa kong paglingon, ganoon din kabilis nawala ang inis na nararamdamn ko ng marinig ko ang boses ni Kuya Mark. Pag-ikot ko ay nakita kong nakatayo siya ilang dipa ang layo sa akin.

“What are you doing here? You told us you couldn’t make it because you have a fashion show abroad.”

“I lied!” Tipid kong sagot sabay tawa ng malakas.

“Nice, akala ko naputol na ni Mommy ang sungay mo, mukhang natasahan lang ata. Dapat ba akong kabahan.”

“You better be. I’ll be staying at your house.” Pananakot ko.

“Okay let’s go home.” Akmang hahakbang na si Kuya Mark para marahil hilahin ang kamay ko pero maagap akong umatras at itinaas ko ang aking kamay para pahintuin siya.

“Wait, I want to greet Mommy and Daddy first.” Ibinaling ko ang tingin sa dalawang attendant na humarang sa akin. “Will you get out of my way now?”

“Romina, look at you. Kahit ako hindi papayag na pumasok ka sa loob.”

“Why what’s wrong with me?” Niyuko ko ang sarili.

“Look at me. I’m wearing a suit. Gusto mo bang gumawa ng eksena kapag nakita ka ng mga tao sa loob na ganyan ang suot mo. Halos lahat ng mga babaeng bisita ni Mommy ay naka-long dress.” Mark sighed in disbelief. “You are wearing a denim shorts, for Pete’s sake!”

“Ano ngayon kung naka-shorts ako? Party naman iyon ng mga magulang natin at ang importante narito ako to grace their event.”

“You should wear something decent if your intention was to ‘grace the event’.”

“Ah basta I want to come in!” Pagmamatigas ko.

Aside from wanting to surprise her parents, gusto ko ring makita ang pangatlong pika-imporatanteng lalake sa buhay ko. For sure nasa loob si Ding. Kahit na nasa malayo ako ay madalas pa rin akong makibalita kay Kuya Mark tungkol sa pinakamamahal kong future husband. Ding and my Kuya remained to be good friends.

“Tigilan mo na ‘yang kaartehan mo at umuwi na tayo.” Itinuloy niya ang paghakbang palapit sa akin.

“Sandali lang naman Kuya ang KJ mo pa din hanggang ngayon.” Pagmamaktol ko.

“At ang kulit mo pa din. Halika na, bukas mo na lang puntahan sila Mommy, mas matutuwa pa iyon kapag nakita ka kaysa sa kung ngayon ka niya makikita, mapapagalitan ka lang nun.”

Nagawa na niyang mahawakan ako sa braso at malungkot na nilingon ko na lang ang maingay na party. Sabagay marami pa namang pagkakataon na makikita ko si Ding. Ngayon pa ba naman ako malulungkot. Napakalapait na namin sa isa’t isa.

May point si Kuya Mark, niyuko ko ang sarili, dapat nga ay mas nag-ayos ako para maisip din ni Ding na dalaga na ako. Dahil kung ngayon niya ako makikita, he would think I never aged at all. I am wearing shorts and sneakers, my usual get up when I was a teen.

“Akala ko next month pa ang uwi niya?”

Pag-angat ko ng tingin ay nagsalubonng ang tingin namin ng lalaking nagsalita. His question was addressed to my brother but his eyes never left mine. May kung ilang saglit na nakatayo kami at nakatingin lang sa isa’t isa.

Tama ba ang basa ko? May kinang sa mga mata niya habang nakatingin siya sa akin? Or I’m just being blinded by the spark on my own eyes?

“Ako din nga nagulat. Nandito na ang pinakamamahal nating bunso.” Narinig niyang sabi ni Kuya Mark.

“Welcome back!” Nginitian niya ako ng matamis at nawala na ako sa sarili kong katinuan.

Kinalas ko ang pagkakahawak ni Kuya Mark sa braso ko at patakbong lumapit kay Ding. Walang pag-aatubiling niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit. Idinikit ko pa ang pisngi ko sa malapad niyang dibdib.

“Sobrang na-miss kita.” Sabi ko sa mahinang tinig.

“Na-miss din kita, Bunso.” Narinig kong sagot niya.

“Talaga?” Nag-angat ako ng mukha at hinanap ko sa mga mata niya ang katotohanan sa mga binitawan niyang salita.

“Tama na ‘yan.” Hinawakan ako uli ni Kuya Mark sa braso at hinatak niya ako palayo kay Ding. “Parang gusto kong magtampo, si Ding nagawa mong yakapin samantalang ako ang kapatid mo.”

Alanganin akong napangiti. “Si Ding kasi ang pinakamabait mong kaibigan Kuya.”

I avoided my brother’s eyes. Of course! That’s not the reason why I hugged Ding.

“Oo mabait talaga yang si Ding.” Pagsang-ayon ni Kuya Mark. “Mabait talaga si Kuya Ding mo.”

I noticed how my brother emphasized the word ‘Kuya’. Tumingin ako sa kapatid ko at gusto ko iyong pagsisihan. Seryoso ang tingin niya sa akin. Parang galit.

Alam ba ni Kuya Mark ang feelings ko kay Ding? Kailan pa? Tutol din ba siya sa nararamdaman ko?

No!!!

This could not be happening again.

Umuwi ako sa Pilipinas para muling dugtungan ang naputol naming pag-iibigan ni Ding. Hindi na ako makakapayag na muling panghimasukan ng ibang tao ang kung anong meron sila ni Ding. Kung sakali man na magkatotoo ang mga nasa isip ko na may hahadlang na naman sa kanila. Handa na akong gawin ang lahat magalit man ang mga mahal ko sa buhay.

I would fight for our love no matter what.