The Rising Sun

Chapter 12

Kasalukuyang inaayos ni Charmaine ang mga gamit ng Uncle Koji at Auntie Elena niya. Tatlong araw na ang lumipas simula nang mailibing sila.

Sa ngayon ay nararamdaman parin niya ang sobrang sakit dahil sa pagkawala ng mga ito. Hindi niya tuloy alam kung paano magpapatuloy sa buhay.

Pero alam niya na kailangan niyang maging matapang at matatag.

Kahit anong mangyari ay tutuparin niya ang mga sinabi ng Auntie niya sa sulat na iniwan nito sa kanya. Muli niyang kinuha ang sulat at binasa ito. Hindi niya mapigilan ang pag agos ng mga luha mula sa mula sa kanyang mga mata.

Marahil dahil sa labis na pangungulila sa mga taong minamahal niya. Ibinalik ni Charmaine ang sulat sa pinaglagyan nito. Pinagmasdan niya ang kabuuan ng bahay.

Napakatahimik.

Nakakapanibago.

Nakakabingi.

Kasama ni Charmaine ang kaibigang si Che Che. Sa ngayon ay siya ang kasama nito sa bahay habang wala pa ang kasambahay nilang si Divine. Malapit na magtanghalian nang mga oras na 'yun. Naamoy na niya ang niluluto ng kaibigan.

Ngunit, hindi siya nakakaramdam ng gutom.

Wala siyang ganang kumain. Masama ang pakiramdam niya. Simula nang mailibing ang Uncle at Auntie niya ay hindi na siya lumalabas ng bahay. Konti lang din ang kinakain niya.

"Bes, kumain na tayo. Tapos na akong magluto. Halika na.", anyaya sa kanya ng kaibigan.

"Umph, bes. Mauna ka na lang kumain. Mamaya na 'ko."

"Pero bes..."

"Sige na...mauna ka na."

"Bes, hindi pwede 'yung ganyan ka. Alam ko na nalulungkot ka sa pagkamatay ng Uncle at Auntie mo. Lahat naman tayo e. Pero sa tingin mo ba matutuwa sina Uncle Koji at Auntie Elena na nagkaka ganyan ka?"

Nagpakawala siya ng isang malalim na buntong hininga, "Sorry, bes. Wala talaga akong gana e."

"Sige. Hindi rin ako kakain. Damay damay na 'to. Ano?"

"Bes naman. Sige na. Mauna ka na. Susunod nalang ako."

Napansin ng kaibigan na inuubo siya at tila namumutla, "Bes, okay ka lang? May sakit ka ba? Ang putla mo."

"Huh? Wala 'to. Baka kulang lang ako sa tulog."

Saglit na hinawakan siya ng kaibigan sa noo, "Jusko, bes. Ang init mo. May lagnat ka."

"Naku, wala 'to. Sinat lang 'to bes. Wag kang mag alala. Ayos lang ako."

"Ayos ka lang sa lagay na 'yan? Gusto mo dalhin na kita sa ospital?"

"Wag na bes. Okay lang talaga ako."

"....Or tawagan ko si Takeshi para pumunta dito? Gusto mo?"

"Mas lalong wag bes. Wag na please..."

"Bakit naman, aber?"

"Ayoko nang maka disturbo pa sa kanya. Siya na nga ang nag asikaso sa libing nila Uncle at Auntie. Tapos guguluhin ko pa?"

"Bes, sa pagkakaalam ko lang ha! Si Takeshi na ang bagong guardian mo ngayon. 'Di ba 'yun ang sinabi ni Auntie Elena sa sulat niya sa'yo?"

"Alam ko. Pero, hindi na kailangan. Kaya ko naman ang sarili ko e."

"Hay naku! Ang tigas talaga ng ulo mo, Charmaine Mendoza."

"Sige na. Ibalik mo na muna 'yang pagkain 'dun sa kusina. Susunod nalang ako."

"Okay, sige. Maiwan na muna kita dito.", sabi ng kaibigan bago ito lumabas ng kuwarto niya.

Muling humiga si Charmaine sa kama niya. Pipilitin niya na maka idlip man lang kahit sandali. Niyakap niya ang unan na nasa tabi niya. Pakiramdam niya ay nag iisa nalang siya.

Meanwhile, Takeshi was currently talking to his cousin, Ryu. They were discussing the assets of Uncle Koji and Auntie Elena. Since they have no children of their own, Charmaine was the only heir.

It was indicated on their last will and testament that if anything happens to them, she will inherit everything, including their savings accounts, house and lot, and the flower shop.

A few minutes later, one of their bodyguards came and said that they have guests.

"Soryo, Misawa Soryo and his daughter Aiko are here."

Ryu and Takeshi looked at each other. They wondered why they came with much urgency. They immediately went to see them. Aiko Misawa, his fiancee-to-be greeted upon seeing him.

She is with her father, Riki Misawa Soryo and brother, Satoshi Misawa. The tea was served by the servants. Misawa Soryo breaks the silence.

"Takeshi, we came here to discuss your engagement with my daughter, Aiko.", Misawa Soryo said to him.

"Takeshi my dad and I talked about it last night. It's good to set the engagement within this month and we can get married next month.", Aiko said to him with excitement.

"I'm sorry. But I can't accept it.", Takeshi apologized to them.

"What do you mean?", Misawa Soryo asked him.

"As you, all know that I'm still mourning the death of Uncle Koji and Auntie Elena."

"But they are only your servants. They were not legitimate members of Onizuka, Takeshi. Why are you so concerned about them?", Aiko said in a displeased voice.

"Yes, you're right. By blood, they were not legitimate members of the Onizuka clan. But I've known them since Ryu and I were still kids. I have high respect for them. I also promised them that from now on, I would take care of Charmaine, their niece."

Upon hearing a girl's name, Aiko stood up. "Who's that Charmaine? Is she the main reason why you're keeping this engagement on hold?"

"Stop saying that, Aiko. Don't speak to her that way. She is not involved here."

Satoshi also speaks defending her sister, "So, that woman was much valuable than my sister?"

"Takeshi don't forget the promised that was made between Onizuka and Misawa.", Misawa Soryo reminded him.

Ryu felt the tension, so he interrupted the discussion, "Misawa Soryo, we are still helping the police with our parents' murder case."

"As long as the suspects were still free, I will not talk about anything regarding my engagement with Aiko. I am the present Soryo of Onizuka and it is my duty to protect my people, my family, and loved ones."

"Okay then, Takeshi. If you need my help, just tell me. But promise me that after you captured the one's responsible for your parents' death, you will set your engagement with Aiko."

Takeshi was silent for a few seconds. Honestly, he doesn't want to be engaged with Aiko, nor marrying her was not in his wildest dreams. She is a spoiled daughter of Riki Misawa. Aiko always get what she wants.

"Takeshi, you should promise us, or conflicts will arise between or families.", Satoshi said to him.

"I, Takeshi Onizuka Soryo...promised that after my parents' murderer will be captured...I will set the engagement with Aiko, all by myself."

Upon hearing it, Aiko hugged him on his waist, "Really, Takeshi?"

"Yes. I promise.", he sighs deeply.

Takeshi felt uneasy with the way Aiko was doing. He is not pleased that she is hugging him. He may choose to put off their upcoming engagement. But conflicts may arise between their families.

He may also choose to keep his promise. But his whole life will be trapped with her. He will lose the freedom following what his heart is telling him.

"Takeshi, remember your promise. I trust you enough.", Misawa Soryo said to him for the last time before leaving.

Takeshi and Ryu felt relieved that Misawa already left. They can feel the tension awhile ago. Ryu knew all this time that his cousin doesn't like Aiko. He knows that Takeshi was falling in love with Charmaine since the very first day that they met.

He saw that his cousin was dazzled with her. But Takeshi won't speak anything about his feelings. Suddenly, he saw him leaving the house with Katsu and Seki, his bodyguards.

"Takeshi, where are you going?"

"Ahm...I just want to check on something...", he stutters.

Katsu and Seki winked at him and gave a suspicious smile. Ryu had an idea where his cousin was going.

"You want to check on something? Or shall I say...you want to check on someone?"

"What makes you say that, huh?"

"Nothing...I'm just guessing. You can go now. I know that you're worried for her."

Ryu smiled as he sees his cousin leaving. He knows that Takeshi will meet Charmaine. But he is also a bit worried that Aiko will do something to her. Ryu knows that Aiko was possessive of his cousin. He can only hope that their parents will guide his cousin on his decision makings.

Kasalukuyang nililinis ni Che che ang lamesa na pinagkainan niya nang may narinig siyang kotse na huminto sa tapat ng bahay ni Charmaine. Dali dali siyang lumabas upang malaman kung sino ang mga dumating.

"Takeshi Onizuka Soryo...", bati ni Che Che habang nakayuko ang ulo.

"Where is Charmaine?"

"She is at his room..."

"Is she alright?"

"Honestly, she didn't eat anything since this morning. I think she has fever also."

"What? Is that so?"

"Yes. I've been forcing her to eat but she refused."

"Can you give me her food? I'll talk to her."

"Yes. This way, Soryo."

Takeshi was guided to Charmaine's room. The door was slightly open. He slowly walked inside. Takeshi placed her food on the bedside table. He noticed that she is sleeping. He sat on her right side of the bed.

Takeshi smiled while gazing at her. Charmaine is really beautiful.

Her eyelashes were long and her skin was crimson. He touches her hair and began fixing it when she woke up. Charmaine was startled. She immediately stood up and felt a severe pain on his head.

"Takeshi, what are you doing here?", she asked him while trying to settle down.

"I just came to see you. Che Che said that you haven't eaten anything yet since this morning."

"I'm fine..."

Takeshi used the back of his hand and touch her forehead, "You have a fever, Charmaine."

"I'm okay. You don't have to worry."

"You look pale. You have to eat or your condition will get worse. Come on, I'll feed you."

"No. You don't have to. I can do it myself.", she insists while taking the bowl of porridge from him.

"Charmaine, listen to me. I promised Uncle Koji and Auntie Elena that I would take care of you."

"But you don't have to. I can take care of myself."

"No. A promise is a promise."

"Why are you doing this to me?"

Silence....

"Because I care for you. I am worried about you. You are special to me."

Silence....

"What do you mean?"

Takeshi clasped her hand, "Charmaine, I still don't know the answer. But one thing is certain for me...I want you to know that from this day forward, you will never be alone. You will have me."

He saw that tears were flowing from her eyes. Takeshi wiped it with his hands and gently touched her rosy cheeks.

"I'm scared, Takeshi. I still don't know what to do right now...with all the responsibilities that were being left for me."

"Stop thinking about it. For now, you have to rest. You don't have to be afraid, Charmaine. I'm here for you. I will not let anyone hurt you again. I promise."

"Salamat..."

"I told you already that you can stay at my house. It's much safer there rather than living here alone. Please think about it. Hmmm..."

"I'm not alone here. Che Che will be staying here also. In a few days, Divine will be coming home from the Philippines. Besides, I don't you want you to ruin your reputation as the Soryo of Onizuka."

"Ruin my reputation? Why are you saying all these?"

"If I will stay in your house, other people may say negative things against you because Aiko is your fiancee-to-be. I know that it is disgraceful for a woman staying in a man's house in your culture. Aiko might get mad. I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"Charmaine, listen to me. I'm not yet engaged with her. She has no right to get mad at me, or even to you. Besides, I will feel at ease knowing you're always beside me. Please think about it."

She nods at him. Suddenly, Takeshi hugged her so tight. She was crying. Takeshi can feel the pain from Charmaine's heart. It was in deep sorrow. He kissed her forehead softly. He looked at her straight in the eyes and gave her a smile.

"Stop crying, okay? Everything will be alright."

"Thank you, Takeshi."

"I'll do anything for you, Charmaine. I will protect you. Because..."

"Because, what?", she asked him.

"Because...Watashi wa, anata o aishiteimasu."

"Huh? You love me?"

"Yes, I do. I love you. Mahal kita, Charmaine."

Meanwhile, outside Charmaine's house was Keniji Sato and his men. They were standing a few meters away from Takeshi's car. Keniji grinned. He knew now how to hurt his enemy even more than he could possibly bear.

He understands now that Takeshi doesn't care for Aiko, his fiancee-to-be but is much concern with the girl named, Charmaine who happens to be Koji and Elena's niece. Keniji smirked and laughed.

He already found the way how to trample Takeshi Onizuka Soryo's heart.

"So, this is the house of your beloved Takeshi Onizuka Soryo? Huh! Looks like I'll be having a wonderful gift to myself one of these days..."