Aphrodite

Chapter 29: GOT HER HOPES UP AGAIN

Siguro nga ako ang kauna-unahang agent sa pamilya namin pero si Dad ang kauna-unahang naging Hari na isang kanang kamay nang isang Mafia Boss!

"Next question Queen. During your stay in the Philippines do you have any hobbies?"

"Drinking. Yeah I admit I love drinking not to mention I also invented a very strong alchoholic drink in just one shot you will surely feel the dizziness but once you tried it you will ask for more. But I will not give it to anyone as of the moment. I don't want to create a ruckus just because of that. Also I sang in some bars and can you believe that the song of Taylor Swift Gorgeous is the most memorable one? Well yeah believe it because it's true. I sang it twice and I am still singing it" - masayang sagot ko sa katanungan niya. As I have said ayokong magsinunggaling. I would like to tell the whole truth as much as possible at ang mga alaala na ito noong nasa Pilipinas pa ako ay mga alaalang pinapahalagahan ko.

The first time I let them try a shot of my Alchoholic Drink made Apollo drunk and the song Gorgeous made me meet the first asungot Apollo and also made me realize how truly deeply madly in love I am to a gorgeous man named Ares Hemsworth

"Wow! I am quite speechless! I really want to hear your story when you are still in the Philippines Queen! Did you actually fell in love with someone even though you are busy with being an agent? Is being an agent actually your dream to begin with?" - seryosong tanong niya and that made me froze. I can answer the first Question whole heartedly but answering the first question? Mahirap. I am now thinking to deny that I fell in love like f**k gusto kong ipagsigawan sa mundo na nagmahal ako sa isang Mafia Heir na ngayon ay Mafia boss na

Gusto kong malaman nang lahat na mahal, minahal at minamahal ko ang lalaking nag ngangalang Ares Hemsworth

But I can't. How funny right? Ako ang babae pero ako yung kayang gawin lahat para sa mahal niya. Ako yung babae pero diba dapat trabaho nang lalaki ang ipagsigawan sa buong mundo kung gaano niya kamahal ang babae? Pero iba nga kasi saakin.

Ako lang ata ang nagmamahal. But then again may 'ata' so I am not actually sure if Ares loves me or not. And thinking about it now makes me feel f****d up

"Queen are you okay?"

"Huh? oh yeah right I am just reminiscing the moments I have during my one year of stay there in that wonderful country." - palusot ko at tumawa naman ang nag i-interview saakin. I don't want the whole wide world to see that I've just spaced out because of the topic if I had been in love with someone.

"So Queen, is being an agent your dream? And did you fell in love with someone?" - tanong niya ulit at ngumiti nalang ako kahit deep inside I want to scream that Yes! I've fallen in love pero heto ako nasaktan l, nasasaktan padin at hindi maka move on. Pero hindi ko naman sasabihin yun

I am a Queen of Greece hindi lang ako basta mamayanan lang. I need to act sophisticated because I am sophisticated.

"To answer that question yes Being an agent is actually my dream. I was 5 years old when my parents made me watch Kim Possible that time and when I turned 9 years old I told my Father that I would like to be an agent but he was totally against it." - nakangiti kong sabi at napansin kong ang gulat sa mata nang nag i-interview saakin. Sino ba namang hindi magugulat kung kinontra nang hari ang gusto nang anak niya. Well hindi yun kadalasang nangyayari. Ang palaging nangyayari sa History nang Pamilya namin ay ang ayaw nang parents sa boyfriend nang anak nila or what so ever but when it comes to dreams bihira lang komontra ang mga ancestors namin. Siguro nagsimula lang yun kay Granddad at Grandmom.

"So how did you managed it Queen Aphrodite?"

"I didn't actually It was a bummer! You know my father is strict it is obvious when he suddenly implemented a curfew in the city of Athens" - I giggled while reminiscing all the shits that I have done and how f****d up I was before trying so hard to achieve my dream in becoming an agent. And I can't believe I am telling this story in world wide television. Not to mention it is LIVE

"When I turned into a fine teenage girl I decided to make some sort of deal to my father. In that deal I said that when I finally turned 20 I will leave Greece and persue my dream in becoming an agent he will give me a year and I will go back without hesitations. But in that year I must not ask any help coming from them." - pagpapatuloy ko and I can see clearly how her jaws dropped and I can also clearly read what's on her mind.

Nagtataka siya kung paano nabuhay ang isang katulad ko na Prinsesa nang Greece na walang supporta sa mga magulang niya. Not to mention magisa lang ako sa isang hindi pamilyar na lugar

"Leaving my family is hard. My mom cried and I was hesitatnt at first but then she pushed me saying I need to fulfill my dream and so I did. I booked a plain ticket to America, boarded the plain, close my eyes to rest and boom I woke up hearing a language I clearly don't understand then I found out I boarded a plain to Philippines" - I said and I almost laughed loud when I saw the cameramen's reaction even the bodyguards and maids around are shocked with my revelation

Well they have to deal with it tinanong nila ang buhay agent ko and seeing their reactions are priceless!

"But no big deal. I decided to stay in the Philippines and there I started my plan in achieving my dream in becoming an agent. It was not easy at first. I work 3 jobs just to susatin a living and trained for a month before I could go to a mission an everything just happened smoothly after that" - nakangiti kung sabi at lumiwanang ang mukha nang nagi-interview saakin.

Hindi naman talaga naging maganda ang takbo nang lahat. Ilang beses akong nahospital at muntik pang mamatay. If you can call that smooth then I guess you need to joing that Bipolor Ninong Cronus of mine in his club.

"So tell us Queen Aphrodite did you fell in love with someone? And that someone is the reason why you are still not married? Are you still waiting for him?" - sunod sunod niyang tanong dahilan para ang nakangiti kong mukha ay naging poker face nalang. I bit the insides of my cheeks to surpass my emotions.

Damn it Aphrodite! This is a damn f*****g live telecast! Get a grip

"I did fell in love with a man. He has this deep ocean blue eyes that I love he is fond calling me baby even though I am not a child anymore. He likes doing unexpected sweet things but we didn't have a thing. You know boyfriend and girlfriend stuff" - I paused and I saw their shock faces again. I guess they are not expecting this kind of revelation "The time came when I need to leave Philippines and I did. I left him without saying a single word because I need to. You see that man and I cannot be together. Our love is totally forbidden but I have the courage to fight for it back then but then again shits happened and we both realized we need space that's second reason why I left him. And to answer your question he is not the reason why am not still married. Maybe I am just waiting for my one true love that's the one I am waiting for" - I continued and I look straight at the camera. This is my chance to announce the upcoming event

"In line with this. I will be holding an event. The Spartan Games will once again. Registrations will up until the end of the month. All of you viewers already know what will happen and the winner will surely have a wonderful prize. And that is to marry me! Queen of Greece. Winter Aphrodite Dutchè Hemilton and let me remind you do you have the guts and strength to be mu husband? If you do let's see what you got" 

And with this announcement I am sure many men all over the world are now getting furious and crazy in going the Spartan Games and be able to win the Prize and that is to become my husband.

Pero hindi nila makukuha ang puso ko dahil una palang binigay ko na sa isang lalaki ang puso ko 

And a part of me wants to see if he is going to join the Spartan Games or not because If he does gagawin ko lahat para wag lang siyang mapahamak. Let me remind you Spartan Games is no joke joinning this activity means you will meet Hades himself all throughout the challenges.And I swear it is helL.

*

"What the hell are you thinking Winter Aphrodite Dutchè Hemilton! You just announced everything about your life being an agent and ano pa?! You even made the Spartan Games a way in finding a husband!" - this woman in front of me yelled. Damn kung hindi ko lang kaibigan ang isang to ay kanina ko pa siya pinatapon sa kulungan at hinatulan nang kamatayan. Hahayaan ko nalang ang paninigaw niya saakin ngayon. I will let it pass tutal namiss ko naman ang nagger na to. Tsk bagay talaga sila. They are both naggers

"I don't want to lie Psyche,you know me. I don't care if I actually give the full details of my agent life to all of the people around the world. It is not a big deal. Kahit ang Spartan games ay wala lang. ilang decada nadin ang nakalipas noong nakaraang Spartan Games but the differenxe is I am going to do this because I need a husband" - seryosong sagot ko sakanya. Yes nandito si Psyche sa harap ko. Kakadating niya lang kani-kanina lang not to mention pag pasok na pagpasok niya nang palace ay natural lang na haharangin siya nang mga guards pero ang gaga wala tuloy tuloy sa pag pasok at binugbog niya pa ang mga bodyguards ko.

She even screamed like a wild sss woman at nang salubungin ko siya ay agad niya akong sinampal. This friend of mine has the f*****g guts to slap me as f**k! I could really sue her right now because she just slapped a Queen and I have too many witnesses to f*****g count. And do you know what this friend if mine did next?! She started nagging me like my Mom nagged me an hour after the interview! And damn it! Para siyang sirang plaka! Kanina pa siya talak nang talak diyan mga magiisang oras na at ulit ulit lang naman ang sinasabi niya. At kulang nalang ay mamemorize ko na lahat nang sinasabi niya.

Kesyo bakit ko daw inamin na agent ako?

Keyso bakit ko daw idinetalye ang nangyari saakin sa Pilipinas?

Keyso bakit ko pa daw kailangang mag aanounce na magkakaroon nang Spartan Games at ang mananalo ay papakasalan ako?

Keyso bakit ko pa daw kailangan nang asawa?

Like what the f**k?! Sinong matinong kaibigan ang magiisip nang mga ganyang klase nang tanong! Hindi man lang niya ba talaga inisip na Reyna na ako at hindi ako pwedeng magsinunggaling it will not just ruin my damn reputation but also the whole world will not probably trust me. At isa pa ano naman ngayon kung magkakaroon ako nang asawa through Spartan Games. As if mayroong nagmamay-ari saakin at duh kailangan ko nang asawa dahil reyna ako! I need to have heirs at kapag hindi ako nagpakasal sa isang karapat dapat na lalaki siguradong mag aangkas ang mga mamayanan nang Greece and worst there will be chaos! Gaga kasing to hindi alam papano palaging busy. Tsk she is now Eng. Psyche Jaydee Smith 25 years old pero that does not change the fact na dahil sa sobrang pagkabusy niya ay napagiiwanan na siga sa mga ilang impormasyon

"Paano na kayo ni Ares ha?! Are you nuts?! Magpapakasal ka ibang lalaki while you are b—

Diba sabi ko sainyo wala siyang kaalam alam na wala talang meron saamin dalawa ni Ares pero I admit inaasahan ko sana na meron kahig MU lang. Mutual Understanding of our Malanding Ugnayan.

Damn bakit ko ba nasasabi ang mga ganyang bagay?

"Walang kami Psyche. Can you just let it go already. Yes I love him but that does not change the fact that I don't know if he does or doesn't. I've totally buried my feelings for him 2 years ago Psyche and I repeat let it go" - I said at kahit anong iwas ko sa pagiging malamig nang boses ko ay wala akong nagawa.

It has been like my defense mechanism everytime Ares is the topic. I don't want to dig the past farther dahil takot ako na makita ang iba't ibang bagay na magpapa asa saakin na we still have the chance, that we can still be together even though we are truly, madly, deepy different from each other

"Tangina naman Aphrodite oh! Hindi ako galit sayo dahil tinago mo ang tungkol sa pagiging Reyna mo nang Greece pero ngayon galit ako kasi may possibilidad na hindi ka maging masaya! Yoh deserve to be f*****g happy. Wala kang ginawa kundi isakripisyo ang buhay mo para sa mga taong mahahalaga sayo o kahit sa mga taong alam mong wala namang kasalanan. You f*****g deserve to have a happy life with the man you truly love. With Ares Hemsworth and please wake up from this nightmare" - she said and I can sense the sadness in her voice. Alam kong nalulungkot siya dahil sa kinahinatnan nang buhay ko. Kahit ako ay hindi ko maiwasan ang magtanong sa sarili ko na

Ano ba ang nagawa kong kasalanan para hindi magkaroon nang happy ending? Ending up with a man whom I don't love is the greatest torture I will experience. Minsan naitanong ko din sa sarili ko kung hindi pa ba sapat lahat nang sakripisyo ko at ang pagligtas ko nang napakaraming buhay kahit ang kapalit ay malagay sa panganip ang sarili ko? Is it not enough? Minsan pumasok din sa isip ko

Should I fake my death? Or should I really die instead

Pero naisip ko din pag nawala ako maaring maraming maapektuhan. Every decision I make affects my friends, my family and the whole Greece itself.

I similed and I hug Psyche and suddenly I can hear her sobs.

This friend of mine...

Kahit sa sandaling panahon lang kami nagkasama. Na kahit umalis siya at iniwan ako. Na kahit wala akong contact sa kanya nang matagal na panahon.

I treasure her. Siya ang kauna-unahang kaibigan ko and not to mention nagkakilala kami dahil sa Free Souls. I know she is worried for my sake and I thank God for giving me someone like her but God also know that I need to do this for the sake of Greece itself

I am willing to sacrifice everything for the people I love, for the country that I love.

"Don't worry Psyche I will be fine but I have two wishes can you do it for me?" 

*

It's been two days since I met Psyche and we had this terrible drama of our lives. She cried and cried and I was just there to comfort her well dapat nga ako yung umiyak eh pero siya ata ang sumalo nang lahat nang nararamdaman ko and I just laughed at the thought of the possibility that our feelings are connected. And damn it made me cringe big time

We are here at a hotel in Athens at kakatapos lang namin maglibot sa paligid. Athens is the perfect place para pagdausan nang Spartan Games. Athens is wide and it is considered as a maze dahil sa simula nang Spartan Games ay magkakaroon nang parang fun run or rather I will call it as the the Death race.

Ngayon lang gaganapin ang Death Race sa buong history nang Spartan Games and guess who suggested it?

It was Ninong Abnormal Cronus. And yeah I have this unexpected contact with him at masyado siyang feeling close saakin. Setting it aside I agreed to put the Death Race on the game and it is like the signal that the Spartan Games has already started. Kung mayroong Death Race na movie na puro mga kotse this Death Race is just running and of course with weapons pero hindi to p*****n. I will give the full details during the Spartan Games that will happen tomorrow.

"Big sister let's eat I am f*****g starving as hell" - White suddenly intrupted my thoughts and I mentally rolledy eyes at him. Kakain lang naman namin tapos gutom agad siya?! Ganon ba katakaw ang kapatid ko o sadyang may bulate siya sa tiyan?

"Fine tsk" - inis kong sabi at padabog ko siyang hinila palabas nang hotel room at dumiretso kami sa elevator at agad niyang pinindot ang 2nd floor kung saan nandoon ang iba't ibang resturants.

I can see in my peripheral vision that my little brother is smiling like a damn lunatic.

"Why the hell are you smiling White?" - I ask and I try to keep my voice to sound irritated. Tsk baka mag away kami nang kapatid ko nang wala sa oras. This week kasi palagi nalang kami nagtatalo which hindi naman talaga nangyayari dati pero simula nang naisip ko ang idea nang Spartan Games palagi na kaming nag aaway and f**k! It really bothers me

"Nothing I am just happy that we are already cool big sis." - he answered as he shrug his shoulders pero imbis na ngumiti ay wala sa sariling napakunot ang noo ko. I can feel that something's wrong.

*ting*

Bumukas ang elevator at nagsimula na kaming maglakad. Papunta kami ngayon sa isang Korean Restaurant pero kapansin pansin ang napakaraming tao sa paligid. They are all men with different looks and I guess nationality and I also guess that they are here for the Spartan Games

"Isn't she the Queen?"

"Damn she is gorgeous as f**k!"

"I'll do everything to get her f**k!"

"Asshole she is mine!"

"Fuckers shut up! Let's just wait until the game starts!"

"You shut up fucker!"

Napailing nalang ako nang marinig ko ang mga bulungan nila. I didn't know that men are also fond of acting like damn f*****g bees tsk

"Tsk wolves are after you big sis and I want to punch the s**t out of their body" - White said with a hint of anger in his tone. Para siyang ewan but hell I remember Eros once told me that. But I totally forgot when. Damn may amnesia ba ako? Tsk sana nga meron nalang.

Pumasok na kami sa Korean Restaurant and the staffs greeted me and my brother and I just nod our heads as an answer. We both ordered Omu-Rice, Kimchi Rice and noodles of course soju. Si White ang nagbitbit nang order namin at umupo kami sa malapit sa bitana.

We started eating in silence. And after a couple of minutes ay parang bitin ako sa Omu-rice damn ayokong tumaba pero bitin talaga kasi. Si White kasi napaka gago at palagi akong ninanakawan nang Omu- Rice

"I will order another Omu-Rice because you stole almost a half of mine tsk" - inis kong sabi sakanya pero tinawanan niya lang ako at agad akong naglakad papunta sa counter. Agad akong nagorder nang Omu- Rice at dagdag na soju dahil alam kong inubos na ni White ang soju ko damn hindi ko pa nga yun nakakalahati. Tsk

Habang naghihintay ako sa order ko ay agad akong nakarinig nang isang kantang tumutugtog sa buong 2nd floor. It is an unfamiliar song

Broken bottles in the hotel lobby

Seems to me like I'm just scared of never feeling it again

But I know it's crazy to believe in silly things

But it's not that easy

"Here's your order Queen enjoy!" - nakangiting sabi noong crew at ngumiti ako sakanya kasabay nang pagkuha ko nang tray.

I remember it now, it takes me back to when it all first started

But I've only got myself to blame for it, and I accept that now

It's time to let it go, go out and start again

But it's not that easy

I turn my back at the counter and I took a step forward at napatingin ako sa di kalayuan and I saw a familiar person at para bang nag slow mo lahat.

Tanging ang kanta lang at ang t***k ng puso ko ang naririnig ko. At para bang siya lang ang nagiisang lalaki na nandito sa palapag nang hotel na tinutuluyan ko.

But I've got high hopes, it takes me back to when we started

High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again

High hopes, when it all comes to an end

But the world keeps spinning around

And in my dreams, I meet the ghosts of all the people who have come and gone

Memories, they seem to show up so quick but they leave you far too soon

Naïve I was just staring at the barrel of a gun

And I do believe that, yeah

I was mesmerized but anong ginagawa niya dito? Is this some kind of dream? The if it is I don't want to wake up I just want to stay like this. Run to him and tell him how much I miss and love him.

Na wala akong kahit sinong minahal kundi siya lang. And I would ask him kung ano nga ba ang ginagawa niya dito? Is he going to join the Spartan Games? Pero bakit?

But I've got high hopes, it takes me back to when we started

High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again

High hopes, oh, when it all comes to an end

Now the world keeps spinning

Yeah, the world keeps spinning around

High hopes, it takes me back to when we started

High hopes, when you let it go, go out and start again

High hopes, oh,

And the world keeps spinning

Ooh, yeah, this world keeps spinning

Napailing nalang ako at tinapik ko ang pisngi ko at bumalik ako sa table namin ni White without even taking another peek on that Greek God

How this world keeps spinning around

"Are you okay big sis?" - takang tanong ni White and I smiled to cover what I totally feel at the moment.

"I am fine" - I answered him and we continued eating. Palagi naman akong okay kahit deep inside hindi pero damn I can't help but to think

Should I raise my hopes high that we can go back to where it all first started and just continue our love story in a peaceful way? And damn that's the exact thing I want to do. Loving him without any complications.