Marrying Sam Fajardo

Kabanata 7

Kabanata 7

"For Ma'am, K!"

That was my order so I stood up and get it. Pagka upo'y sumimsim sa aking paboritong frappe, nakahawak pa ako rito.

I am still thinking about what Samuel Fajardo showed me. I don't know, I can't freaking absorb that. I mean, hindi, e. Maari ba talagang ganoon ang kapatid ko? Is she really that some kind of girl?

It was, almost a week since that day I saw it with my own two eyes. I am still shocked and cannot believe it! Is that really my sister? Come on, K. Nandoon na sa harap mo, are you still doubted?

Mariin akong napapikit.

"She's a slut, Charlotte."

My eyes darted at him. I know Ate have done a lot of damage, maybe he's hurt on the past or he's still hurting or what. But come on!

"Don't speak that language to my sister! She is still my sister!"

He looked at me with disbelief. As if tinubuan ako ng another head. What?

"Are you serious?" sabay iling at patunog nito sa kaniyang dila.

"Yes, don't call her slut! Becasuse she isn't!"

Muli niyang tinapon sa harap ko ang cellphone. Ngayo'y naka krus pa ang braso, salubong ang kilay at tila sasabog sa inis.

"Are you making yourself a clown? I am not joking, geez!"

He brushed his hair and f*****g licked his damn lips. He's handsome doing that, ang daya!

Pero...

Tumaas ang aking kilay at pinandilatan ito. Even if my sister did hurt her, it doesn't mean that he could just say that thing like it's not a foul word.

Nakakasakit iyon, even if I am not my sister. I am hurting! Because, ito, itong lalaking itong na sa harap ko mismo ang minahal niya. I would end up hurt or feel sad about it kung sakaling maririnig ko. Kahit sino naman siguro!

Who wouldn't hurt if the one you loved say bad words to you, right?

I received a message from Mayton.

Mayton:

Damn, KEAN RIVERA!

My brows furrowed. What she is up to again? I am not in the mood with her nonsense thing. She's like a walking chismosa in your town. Really, kung anu-ano ang nasasagap nitong chsimis. I don't know where she get those, but she has a lot of source!

Nagtipa ako ng reply. Hindi na sana ako magrereply pero baka magalit at talakan lamang ako nito sa lunes.

Ako:

What is it again, Mayton?

Mayton:

You wouldn't believe me!

Ako:

Ano?

Mayton:

There's a video that's leak online and damn, it was a damn scandal of your sister! Kalat na ito sa forum ng Univ!

Mayton:

Yuck, K! She's doing it with 2 man! I knew them! Those 2 is Sam's friend! No wonder why did yah fiance broke up with her! She is a damn w***e!

Mayton:

I am sorry for that word. But girl! How could you make pagtanggol that kind of sissy! Like, ew. Putang ina, nakakahiya sa mga Rivera!

I tried searching it online. I was, I was like hit by a huge truck!

I didn't even manage to reply any words. I received a lot of messages and there were lots of calls coming in.

At ito, tulala lamang ako.

I literally cried. I am hurting for her. I am hurt for my sister. Even if she did something not good, she still doesn't deserve this kind of humilation or even makatanggap ng mga ganoong salita.

My Ate is not a slut, and f**k! She's not a w***e!

How dare they said that to my sister!

With a trembling hands.

Ako:

Ate, please, please go home. Don't worry, we can fix the issue, we can track who did leak that video. We can file a case, Ate. Please don't listen to them. Please go home, Ate.

Sent.

I pressed my lips. I dialed the family driver's number and asked him to fetch me now.

Hindi ako mapakali. I should get home and help Ate, baka nakauwi na ito. I should at least do anything that I can para mabawasan ang sakit na dala nito

She's still my sister, for goddamn sake!

"Ma'am, nagkakagulo ho sa bahay niyo. Napag utusan po ako sa bahay po muna kayo ng Mommy niyo dalhin. Marami ho ng nagkalat at naglipana na reporters sa labas ng mga Rivera."

Damn!

I texted Sam.

Ako:

Samuel Fajardo! Are you the one behind those videos!? How could you do that! Hindi mo lamang sinira ang Ate ko, kasama ang Pamilya namin sa issue na ito! How f****d are you? I told you to delete that! I asked you to even tell your friends to delete those pictures, pero may video pa pala! Are you still in love with her! Or na hurt ang ego mo kaya gusto mong gumanti!?

Mabilis kong na tipa ang mensahe at na i-send na kay Sam Fajardo. We even talked about it! Talagang pinanood ko itong burahin niya. Inutusan ko pa siyang pati sa mga kaibigan niya at pinakausapan pa ito na sana mabura na agad ito sa mga kaibigan!

"Kumusta po ang Mama at Papa ko?"

"Hija, naku! Nahimatay ang Mama mo. Ang Papa mo naman ay nakikipagbuno sa mga reporters sa labas, galit. Ang ibang mga kamag-anak ng Papa mo'y tumulong na. Hinaharas na nila kami kanina."

Nag-aalala ako kay Mama, she's been through a lot lately. This is too much for her and to Papa. They shouldn't experience this kind of thing.

I am on the verge of crying pero I am successful that I didn't let those tears fall.

Nagbuntong hininga ako at nilakasan na lamang ang loob. Sa panahon na ganito, nararapat lamang na huwag magpapadala sa emosyon. I should be my family's strength! I shouldn't be weak!

When we reached my Mom's house before, her parents house to be exact. Sa mga De Puente.

Dali dali ako nagtungo kung na saan ang magulang.

I expected to see both of them pero tanging si Mama lamang ang nakita ko sa may living area. She's having talk with Lola, her Mom.

"Ma!"

I hugged her and even my Lola.

"Ma, we can file a case, right? We can track who di----"

"Your sister done a lot of damage to our Family, Hija! Nakakahiya hindi lamang sa mga Rivera maging sa De Puente!"

"Wala ng naidulot na maganda 'yang kapatid mo, Charlotte. I am seeing this kind of disaster and it is because of your sister! Itatakwil ko na siya bilang De Puente! Estupida!"

Nangiwi ako at tila nahati ang puso sa sinabi ni Lola.

"Ma, please, calm down."

Nakaupo lang ako at tila wala ng lakas. My own blood, our blood hated her so much. How could I make them believe that is not that Ate wants that!

"How'd I calm myself, anak! She only not make Rivera and De Puente a laughingstock. But she also ruined everything! This is a disgrace! Shame on her! Napaka boba ng bata na 'yan!"

"Mama, please!"

"What? Boba naman talaga 'yang si Stefanny! Nakakahiya sa magiging fiance nitong si Charlotte! Nakakahiya sa mga Fajardo!"

"Hindi ako mamamatay sa highblood, I will die on kahihiyan sa bobang bata na 'yan!"

Hindi ko na nakayanan.

"'La, enough! She's still part of our family! Hindi porket nagkamali siya ng isang beses ay tamang sabihin niyo ang mga salitang 'yan sa kapatid ko! She's our own blood! She's been through a lot since then!"

I thought Lola would slap me. But she just caressed my face and kiss the side of my head.

"Don't let yourself make a fool, hija. I know you're a smart girl. Huwag mo ng ipagtanggol ang marumi mong kapatid. Walang matinong babae ang m************k sa higit sa isang lalaki, hija."

She stroke my hair. Napaka strikta ni Lola, kaya noong mga bata pa lamang kami ay hindi ko talaga kailan sinuway ito. Nakakaintimidate pa ito!

"Nakarating din sa akin na sinaktan ka niya, don't let her do that. Hibang na ang kapatid mo!"

"Mama, anak ko pa rin si Stef! Tama naman na!"

I am so speechless.

"Kasama na ng Papa mo ang Lolo mo, hinfi tumitigil ang media. Nagkalat na rin ito sa mga ilang kakilala. You see how she did a lot of damage? Nakakakilabot ang kababuyan niyang boba na bata na 'yan!"

Matabil talaga noon pa man ang dila ni Lola. I don't want to make her mad at me. Nanahimik na lang ako. Hindi ko na rin pinapansin ang mga text or tawag sa aking cellphone. Hindi ko na rin kasi alam ang gagawin.

Matapos ang dinner ay nagtungo ako sa silid namin, ang silid noong bata pa kami ni Ate.

I smiled, a bitter one.

We had a lot of pictures together. Hindi lamang kami, kasama na rin ang Lola at Lolo, ang buong pamilya.

I cannot believe that Ate really can do those stuffs.

Hindi ko na alam hanggang saan ko kayang ipagtanggol si Ate...

She is precious to me. She is my role model, she is my inspiration too!

I am hoping and praying. Whatever she's in right now. I want her safety. Sana rin ay huwag siyang panghinaan ng loob. I really want for her is to surpass and survive from all of the issues she's facing right now.

Muli na naman akong napabuntong hininga.

Wala pa rin akong sinasagot na tawag o text. I am so tired, wala akong energy pa para patulan ang mga mensahe nila.

I should block those people who only knows how to say negative things sa mga taong lugmok. Ginawa pang ulam ang Ate ko.

But that video, those photos. Nakakabaliw, hindi ko talaga maatim silang titigan ng matagal but I cannot erase any of those right now in my mind!

Nang tumagilid ay kita ko ang pagliwanag ng phone.

Sam's name flashes on my screen.

I sat on my bed and answered his call.

"f**k, K! Ilang beses akong tumawag ngayon ka lang sumagot!"

"What do you expect? My phone receiving a lot of calls and text and I am scared that I will only get hurt once I open the damn messages and pick up their calls."

I heard him cursed again. "It's not your problem, baby. And f**k, I am over with Stefanny, plus hindi ako ang nagpakalat."

I sighed. "Beside you, wala na akong ideya pa. Kung mga kaibigan mo man 'yon! Inabisuhan na kita!

"Baby, hindi ang mga kaibigan ko. I am also tracing who did that. Kinausap ko na sila. Matagal na nila itong dinelete. Ang mga dati namang kaibigan ang hindi ko nasisiguro."

I bit my lips.

"Sam, hindi ko na alam."

"Don't stress yourself, hindi ikaw ang may scandal."

"But she is my sister!"

"It's not our problem."

"Are you not concern for her?!"

"Why would f*****g I? She cheated on me, Charlotte. Tang ina, ginago na ako ni Stefanny. Sino bang magkakaroon pa ng paki?"

"It's her responsibility doing that, she knows the consequence."

Na iimagine ko tuloy ang galit na galit nitong mukha at ang ekspresyon niya.

"I am sorry if Ate did that."

"Tss, I told you, hindi ikaw ang may kasalanan. Matagal na kaming tapos, K. It's not my problem whatever happens to her."

I sighed. "I am sorry, Sam."

"Don't be. I'll fetch you tomorrow, let's go somewhere. And f**k, tigilan mo ang stress-in ang sarili. You are not Stefanny! You are Kean, baby! Hear me?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Kailan mo pa ako naging baby ha?"

"Since the moment I laid my eyes on you." I hear him chuckled.

"Ang flirt!" I said.

I heard him laughed.

Napangisi ako.

"Charlotte, I am serious. Seryoso ako sa iyo, I wouldn't make rush our marriage if you don't want to. I want you to know me first."

I don't know why my heart did that beat. Gusto kong pagalitan ang sarili. We still have our own problem yet ito, ito pa ang nararamdaman ko.

"And f**k, stop reminding me about Stefanny. Nakakasira lamang ng araw."

"Hey, your mouth again, Fajardo!"

"Fine, fine. Sorry."

I can sense him rolling his eyes or even making a face. He's like that, pansin ko iyon sa kaniya.

"Sam,"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you!

Pagtapos ay agad ko ng binaba ang tawag. Matapos lang talagang magpasalamat dahil nahihiya ako. I went to my mirror and checked my face, and it's bright red!

I bit my lips. Is this really the time liking him!? I still have a lot of problem pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasan...

Hindi, hindi ko alam!

"Charlotte?"

I heard a knock on my door. I checked the clock on the wall and it's already 8:00 am in the morning.

"Yes?"

It opened and I saw my Mama. She's smiling from ear to ear.

"Bumangon ka na, Sam's downstairs, anak. May lakad daw kayo."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I am not ready! Plus it's still morning! I thought aalis kami ng mga hapon, at paano naman niya nalaman na nandito ako sa grandparents ko.

Tumabi ito sa akin and she brushed my hair.

"It's fine, you can go out. Mabuti na rin iyon para makalimot ka sa mga issue natin. He even personally called me para lang masundo ka. You should get to know each other, anak."

Ngumuso ako. "Ma, you're so boto talaga for him, ano?"

She laughed so elegantly. I admire my Mama so much. Napakabuting ina sa amin ni Ate, sana lang ay maayos pa ang mga issue ngayon. I know she really loves Ate, she cared for her and that's sincere!

She giggled before answering me. "I am not rushing your marriage with him, your Papa and I agreed when Sam talked about your engagament and kasal."

"Mam----" she cut me off.

"Shh, and additional,"

"He asked personally that we shouldn't rushed your marriage with him. Gusto niya raw hindi sapilitan, he wants you to know him before marrying him."

I cannot believe he said those things sa magulang ko! Akala ko'y pagmamadaliin niya ang kasal dahil naaalala kong sinabi nito na beneficial nga raw ang kasal sa both side.

I thought he's not serious!

Kaya nag aalangan pa ako rito.

"Boto ako para kay Sam, I saw how's hardworking kid him before, pinalaki itong mabuting bata ng mga Fajardo. I just didn't know that your sister and Sam had a past."

"Ma, hindi ba panget?"

She smiled.

"Darling, your sister and Sam broke up few years ago. It's not an issue if you'rr marrying your sister's ex-boyfriend. Hindi naman sila naging mag-asawa."

"And enough of this, go and take a bath. Don't make Sam wait for long." pabiro pa nito akong  hinampas sa balikat at kinindatan. She's acting like a kinikilig na teenager right now!

Hindi na ako nagtagal at pinili na lamang bilisan ang kilos dahil hindi naman talaga ako sanay na may naghihintay sa akin. I am always on time, hindi ako ang tipo ng tao na nagpapahintay. I would rather wait for you kaysa ako ang hinintay.

I just wore a simple clothes, a casual clothes. Naka hight waist short at puting v-neck T-shirt lamang ako and I just add some hip belt and I am done!

Nilugay lamang ang aking buhok na hanggang  baywang na, I should cut my hair na siguro? Masiyado na rin kasi itong mahaba. Kung minsan nga'y nahihirapan na rin ako. But I love myself with a long hair. Na mementain ko naman ang buhok ko kaya hindi naman siguro problema ito?

When I went downstairs. I spotted him at our sofa, my Lola's fond of him, I guess? Galak na galak itong nakikipag usap kay Sam. Maging si Mama ay ang lapad ng ngisi. I laughed at my mind kasi Lola's halata naman, she's touching and pinipisil ang mga braso ni Sam.

"I am sorry for waiting." nahihiya kong sabi rito.  

He smiled and nakuha pang kumindat sa akin. I cannot stop myself from rolling my eyes! He's such a flirt!

Nagpaalam lamang ito sa kay Lola at Mama. Nakatalikod na ito sa amin at naglalakad na.

Halos naman tumilapon ako dahil i-tinulak ako ng baywang ni Lola.

"Goodness, 'La!"

But she just only thumbs up on me! What the hell, Lola? Are you really that, ugh, ome on!

"Sorry for that. Did they ask some weird questions or what?"

Nilingon ko ito. He opened the door for me. Nang makapasok at makaupo na ako sa front seat hindi pa nito sinara ang pinto. He's still there, nakahawak pa roon at nakasungaw pa ang ulo.

"Ang ganda mo."

Agad naman akong pinamulahan ng pisngi! How could he just say that word! Parang baliw lang ito.

"Stop it, Samuel!"

He chuckled and laughed a bit. "What? Eh sa nagagandahan ako sa iyo." sabay kindat muli nito at sinara na ang pinto.

"Saan naman ang punta natin?"

"Dito."

Nangunot ang noo ko.

"Huh?"

"Dito, dito sa puso ko." and he's pointing his heart pa ah.

I cannot stop myself from laughing. Kahit pa na sobrang korni talaga ng sinabi niya. I didn't imagine that he can throw jokes pero ang cringey kasi na korni!

"You know what, Fajardo. Huwag ka na magjoke baka masayang pa ang pogi mo." I said that without thinking!

"At least, alam kong pogi pala ako para sa iyo, right, baby?"

I rolled my eyes! Ang hangin din pala ng isang ito.

"Stop that baby!"

He started the engine at binuhay pa ang sounds.

"Why?"

"Ayoko ng baby!"

Sinimangutan ko ito. I was shocked ng gamit ang isang kamay ay saglit na kinurot ako nito at pagkuwan ay pangisi-ngisi.

"That hurts!" reklamo ko.

May nalalaman pa siyang pasipol-sipol!

He's tapping the steering wheel and his eyes was too focus on the road yet the smile on his lips, it was damn visible. Sinasabayan na rin nito ang kanta.

I know he has the looks. Like, come on those lips and his nose. Plus, his smile. Nakakatunaw talaga ito pag nginisian ka.

"You're staring on me, baka ma-fall."

I snorted. "Hindi, ano!"

He quickly glance at me and smirk. What! "Hindi ba?"

Nahihiyang umiwas ako ng tingin at minabuti na lamang na kalikutin ang cellphone. Hindi ko na nireplyan ang mga ilang kakakila at hindi rin naka rehistrong numero. I deleted all of those shitty messages! I am sorry pero alam ko namang hindi lang maganda ang maidudulot ng mga masasamang mensahe na iyon.

Hindi naman ako dapat magpadala! I know it's not right na patulan pa ang mga mensahe nila kahit pa gustong-gusto ko ipagtanggol si Ate sa kanila.

I sighed when I tried reading Josh and Mayton's messages. There was a lot, napangiwi ako sa mga sinabi ni Mayton, I know her. Wala talagang filter ang bibig nito. And I really appreciate Josh words. That's so good. At least, he's not sumasabay pa. Hindi na nito ginagatungan pa.

It's not like I hate Mayton for being prangka and all. It's just that sometimes, masiyado na itong nakakasakit. It was so below the belt that she's not noticing that she'd hurt somebody or anybody.

I sighed.

Ganoon na lang nanlaki ang mga mata ko. She's calling me, her name's flashing on my phone!

I immediately answered.

"H-hello?"

"Tell Dad that I won't f*****g go home and stop finding me! And you, you stop texting me b***h! Masaya ka siguro na may kumakalat ako na scandal, right?!"

She's mad at nagulat ako sa sinabi niya.

"Ate, I am not! I am defending you! Hindi mo naman ginusto ang nangyayari, and we're really trying to find a solution para ma stop na ang pag spread ng video!"

"Stop acting like you care, Charlotte! Ahas ka! You know how much I love Aizan! You know that a lot! Saksi ka sa lahat! But now, you agreed. Papakasalan mo pa!?"

Napapikit ako ng mariin.

"Ate, please. We can talk things, we can still fix everything. Basta umuwi ka na!"

"Stop it, b***h!"

"And stop calling me Ate, because I don't have a sister, you snake! Whatever, Charlotte. I won't go home, sabihin mo 'yan kay Mama at Papa, hanggang kailan ka ba magiging uto-uto?! Come one, kid!"

I cannot, I cannot take it anymore.

"Oh well, magsama kayo ni Samuel Fajardo. I already tasted him anyways. Sa iyo na ang basurang 'yan."

I was shocked ng agawin ni Sam ng cellphone ko.

"Enough with what bullshits you're saying, Stefanny!"

Nawalan ako ng lakas.

Is she even my sister?

The moment the call was drop. Sam looked at me with his salubong na kilay. Natigil na rin pala ang sasakyan. Seryoso lamang itong nakatingin sa akin.

"You should have cut connections with her." he said with gritted teeth.

"f**k! Don't cry, K."

I laughed, mapaklang tawa.

"She's so f*****g mad at me, Sam."

"And it's not an issue. It's not your fault! f**k it, Charlotte!"

"Per----"

And he kissed me. The moment I felt his lips. Kusa na lamang akong napapikit at kasabay noon ang luhang pumatak na.

It tastes salty and sweet because of my tears and his lips.

I didn't know that I am kissing Sam too. Kumalas ako sa halikan namin. I am running out of breath!

He chuckled at namula ang pisngi ko. A bright red!

"Did my kiss calm you?" he asked while smiling like an idiot!