Cleopatra's Firsts

Chapter Nine: A Soldier's Heart

"Look where you step, woman."

Napaangat ang tingin ko nang may biglang humawak sa aking balikat habang naglalakad ako palayo sa pub na kung saan ay pinagkakaguluhan na ng media at police sa kasalukuyan.

"Isaiah!" Noon ko lang napansin na kung hindi pala ako nahawakan nito ay tiyak na nahulog na ako sa kanal.

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong hinila nito papunta sa parking lot.

"What do you think you're doing?" tanong ko habang pumipiglas sa pagkakahawak nito.

"I saw you with Andrew a couple of minutes ago. The moment I went outside to follow you, he already accidentally shot his leg." Diniinan nito ang pagbigkas sa katagang 'accidentally'.

"What are you trying to imply?"

"I'm not implying anything because I know you did it."

I laugh. "I did it, yes! So?"

He opened his car. "I'll bring you home. Come on."

"You're not going to bring me to the police station?"

"Do you miss it already?"

Natatawang pumasok ako sa sasakyan nito.

"What are you trying to accomplish?" Tanong nito nang makapuwesto na ito sa likod ng manibela.

"World peace of course. Isn't what everyone wanted?"

He sigh. "Andrew's family is one of the most powerful families in the city."

"Yours is more powerful than his'."

"You are not a Lopez. They will destroy you!"

"I am a Montemayor."

He laughs. "Montemayor doesn't hold the same power as before."

"You're my friend."

He faces me. "I am not exactly your friend."

"Why am I here then?"

"You are here because I'm giving you a warning as an old acquaintance."

I smirk. "How nice of you."

Lalabas na sana ako ng sasakyan nang bigla nitong i-lock ang pintuan.

"Fasten your seat belt, and I'm going to drive you home."

"I won't. My horse is around here somewhere. I cannot leave it alone."

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito. "Are you kidding me?"

"No." Umiiling na sagot ko

He swore under his breath. "Where did you leave him?"

"There." Itinuro ko ang plaza.

"For blood sake, Kallista!" sabi nito sabay baba ng sasakyan.

Nagtataka man ay mabilis ko siyang sinundan.

"What's your drama now?"

"You Montemayors are a pain in the ass!"

"Not all Montemayor is a pain in the ass. Stop stereotyping."

"Don't you know anything about horses?"

Nagkibit-balikat lang ako.

He just sighs in annoyance.

Pagka-uwi ko sa mansion ay nagulat ako nang maabutan ko si Phoenix doon.

"Why are you here?" I ask.

Napakamot ito sa ulo. "I heard you're in jail."

"Yes. That was fun."

Deep inside, I appreciate the concern of Phoenix. I have known him for like a day.

"I'm glad you're fine."

Napansin ko ang pag-iba ng expression nito nang makita nitong kasama ko si Isaiah.

"Isaiah brought me home."

"I can see it," he smiled. "Would you like to go out with me tomorrow?"

Nagdadalawang-isip ako. "Maybe after my appointment with my doctor? I'm sorry."

"It's alright. So, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"I guess so?"

"I'll have to go then."

I am not sure, but Phoenix is acting weird.

"Where the hell have you been, Sam?" mula sa kung saan ay sumulpot bigla si Alexander na nakasakay pa ng kabayo.

"I've been looking for you since you left. What the f*ck were you thinking?"

"She was out with me." It was Isaiah, who answered.

Alexander eyed me suspiciously. "Are you out of your mind?"

Hinarap nito si Isaiah. "You're already engaged, man."

Doon pumagitna na ako. "It's not what you're thinking. Hinatid lang niya ako. Nagkita lang kami tapos hinatid niya ako."

Galit pa rin si Alexander. "Go inside!"

"Don't be mad at him, okay?" I asked.

"It is not your concern. Go inside, now!"

"I think I can handle myself here," seryosong sagot ni Isaiah habang nakatitig sa akin.

"Fine. You could kill each other if you want. I don't care." Mabilis na akong pumasok sa bahay.

Nang makaakyat na ako sa guest room na ginagamit ko ay sumilip ako sa labas para i-check ang pangyayari ngunit wala na doon ang sasakyan ni Isaiah.

I sigh in relief.

Kinaumagahan ay nagising ako sa malakas na boses ni Alexander.

"Come on! Magpatulog ka!" Binato ko ito ng unan.

"Wake up!"

"Fine! Fine!"

May ibinato ito sa harap ko.

"What is this?"

"I should be the one asking. What is it?"

I squeezed my eyes.

"Cleopatra Montemayor-" napanganga ako. I don't have the power to read the following line.

"Where did you get this?"

"The question is, where did they get this information?" seryosong saad nito.

"Where have you been last night?"

"I was out drinking." Napatayo ako.

This information about what happened to me in Afghanistan is private, and no one knows about it. And now, someone from the newspaper knows my story.

"Did you tell, Isaiah?" my brother asks.

"No!" mabilis na sagot ko.

"Violet ask the newspaper owner to stop making copies of today's issue, but we don't know how many people already know."

There's nothing wrong with what happened to me in Afghanistan. But when I left London, the army I was in asked my parents and me to keep silent. My parents' motive to hide it from people is because they are quick to judge, and I'm still in the process of forgetting the worst nightmare of my life, and I couldn't do it if some people kept reminding me of how worst I am.

"I don't care anyway," I said.

"We're still investigating who leaked the information."

"You think someone did it? No one knows that I killed twenty men in Afghanistan except us."

"We'll handle this."

"You don't need to. You don't need to protect me anymore. I am an adult, and I can handle it on my own."

Bago pa man makasagot ito ay pumasok na ako sa CR para maligo. I have an appointment with my doctor today, and I'm starting to wonder if a doctor can help me move on from the past.

"So Hyacinth will retire early? Do you really believe what she said?" Tanong ko kay mommy habang pauwi kami.

"She has a wedding to plan, and she needs to prepare. There's nothing wrong in retiring early."

"I know but retiring on the exact day-" I stopped. "Nevermind. She can do whatever she wants."

"We need to respect her decision."

"I know. And I think I don't need a doctor anymore."

"No! You need a doctor!" Mariing sabi nito sa akin.

When I met Phoenix that afternoon, I couldn't help myself but seek some advice from him.

"Do you think finding a new doctor is a good idea?" I ask.

"What do you mean?"

"My doctor is retiring, and mom said we will find another doctor for me. But I don't think I'm getting better."

He sighs, "You know what? I also had anger issues when I was a kid until college. But I met someone who changed my life."

Napansin ko ang pag-iba ng boses nito.

"Are you crying?"

He laughs. "N-no! I'm sorry."

"So, where is that friend of you now?"

"I heard she died?"

"Heard?"

Napakamot ito ng ulo.

"She was my friend, and then she isn't."

"That is so complicated. I have a good friend and a sister who died too."

"Why did she die?" Nagatatakang tanong nito.

"Kidney failure."

Phoenix cried.

"Are you okay? Why are you crying?" I handed him a handkerchief.

"I'm fine." Natatawang sagot nito.

"I didn't know you're a cry baby."

"Actually, I'm not. I just remembered my old friend. So, tell me what happened to your sister."

Nagdadalawang-isip ako kung itutuloy ko ba ang pagkukuwento dito tungkol sa kapatid ko.

"I-I don't know, but I was studying medicine at that time. And her doctor said one of her kidneys is failing, but we have two kidneys. How come she didn't survive? Everyone knows that you can survive with just one kidney."

"I'm sorry about it."

"So, we went to London to make her better, b-but-" I cried.

"It's okay. You don't need to continue." Tumayo ito mula sa kinauupuan na bench. Nasa ilalim kami noon ng punong mangga sa loob ng hacienda.

I wipe my tears using my hand.

"I think I need to let this out."

"Go on, then. I'm listening."

"She died because hospitals are full."

Inangat ko ang tingin ko nang wala akong marinig na salita galing dito. Nakatingin lang si Phoenix sa malayo.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Tanong ko dito.

Humarap si Phoenix sa akin.

"Can I ask you a question?" he asks.

"What is it?"

"What's your relationship with Isaiah Lopez?"

Nagulat ako sa tanong niya pero hindi ko iyon pinahalata.

"We were engaged once."

Nanlaki ang mga mata nito.

"That was like seven years ago." I continued.

"How old are you then?"

"Twenty?"

"Too young."

"I know. But we moved on and have separate lives now."

"Why didn't you marry him?"

"Let's just say that was not the right time for both of us. And that was just a forced engagement. Not forced exactly because I could've said no if I wanted to."

"But?"

"But I didn't. I had a crush on him-."

Napatigil ako nang marealize ko ang mga sinasabi ko kay Phoenix.

"What the hell!" I swore and kicked Phoenix on his shins jokingly.

He laughs. "You're cute when you blush."

"You're crazy. I was twenty. And I am the one who broke the engagement."

I continued, "But if I remember it right, I texted him that night. I actually told him we can still be together when I come back if he wants to."

Pati ito ay natawa sa sinabi ko.

"Did he reply?"

"No! Of course he didn't. Akala niya siguro ji-no-joke time ko lang siya."

He is still laughing.

"Would you like to come with me?" he offered me his hand.

"Where are we going?"

"Let's crash some Lopez aircraft."

"You are kidding!" natatawang sabi ko pero sumunod ako sa kinaroroonan ng sasakyan nito.

Phoenix is already driving in the city's direction when he speaks.

"I'm serious."

"Do you know how to fly an aircraft?"

He shrugs his shoulder. "I can read a manual."

I laugh, "You're crazy."

"That makes two of us."

I eyed him seriously.

"That was just a joke," he said laughing.

Thirty minutes later, Phoenix and I reached the Lopez Aircraft Tours. Seven years ago, there were no things like this in Almeria.

"This will be fun," masayang wika ni Phoenix habang naglalakad kami papasok sa entrance ng Aircraft Tours building. According to Phoenix nasa taas ang iba't-ibang klase ng aircrafts na pinaparentahan ng mga ito.

"Good morning, ma'am and sir!" Nakangiting salubong sa amin ng isang matangkad na babae. The woman is beautiful. She could be a model.

"This way please," sinenyasan ko si Phoenix na mauna.

"She's so pretty. Get her number." Bulong ko dito.

"I'd rather get yours," he said smiling.

"So, who is in charge?" tanong sa amun ng babae nang makarating na sila sa reception area. Hindi ko na-imagine na sa sobrang gara ng building ang reception tig-iisang kwarto sa bawat kliyente.

"Me!" Nakangiting lumapit dito si Phoenix.

"Can I have an ID, please?"

Phoenix gives her his id.

"Do you have any experience in flying any type of aircraft?"

"Yes."

Nakaupo lang ako at pinanuod silang dalawa.

"I need any proof that you can fly a plane."

"I'm sorry, but I don't have it at the moment. But I assure you, I know how to fly a plane."

Binalik ng babae ang ID ni Phoenix.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we need valid proof-"

"I have," nagulat ang mga ito nang biglang nasa tabi na nila ako. I handed her my permit to fly any aircrafts.

"I'll be back."

The woman excused herself.

"Are you a pilot?" tanong sa akin ni Phoenix nang kami na lang ang nando'n.

"No."

"You are something!" naiiling na wika nito habang nakangiti.

"Lucky me," I said, smiling.

Maya-maya pa ay bumalik na ang babae kasunod nito ay ang taong hindi ko inaasahan na makita doon.

"Kallista," Isaiah's face is dark, and I can't read his expression. "I'm sorry, but as CEO and owner of this company, I cannot allow someone who is not fit to fly a plane to use one."

Sinalubong ko ang tingin nito. "I have a permit."

"Yes, I have it. But I also have your medical history." He handed me my permit.

"You're a killjoy!"

Tiningnan lang niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa bago tinalikuran.

"I will sign a waiver telling you are not responsible for our death if we die, but I assure you it will not happen."

Tumigil ito sa paglalakad at nilingon ako.

"How about his death? Is he stupid enough to trust his life with someone he only knew for days?"

That moment, I felt the rush in my blood, and I wanted to hurt him.

"Why are you being a jerk?"

"If caring for my future clients means being a jerk, then I don't mind being one. Go home and rest, Kallista."

"But I wanted to-"

"Maybe we can do it next time, Kali. Let's go for now." Hinawakan ako ni Phoenix sa kamay para lumabas na sana ngunit biglang nagsalita si Isaiah.

"Fine. If you want to do it, I'll pilot your plane."

Hindi lang ako ang nagulat sa sinabi nito dahil nanlaki rin ang mata ng receptionist nito pagkarinig ng sinabi ng boss niya.

"But your friend here will have his own pilot too." Isaiah takes a glance in Phoenix's direction.

Tiningnan ko si Phoenix.

"Let's do it," nakangiting saad nito.

"Are you sure?" nag-alangang tanong ko.

"We don't have a choice. And this will be fun!"

But it was not funny at all. Isaiah, as my pilot, is worse than having an explosive disorder.

"Where do you want to go?" tanong nito nang nasa himpapawid na kami. Nj hindi ko na alam kung nasaan si Phoenix dahil nauna nang mag-take off ang Lancair 320 na ni-rent nito.

"You have a schedule of places for this air tour, right?"

"I'm your pilot so, we don't need to follow the schedule."

"I'm not familiar with the place so, you choose. I don't mind where we go."

Matagal na katahimikan ang namagitan sa amin bago muli ito nagsalita.

"Are you dating that guy?"

Nilingon ko ito, "No. We're just friends."

"Isn't all relationships start in friendship?"

"Isn't that what happened to yours?"

"No."

"Then it will not happen to mine's too."

"That guy likes you."

"How did you know? Wait- because you're a guy, and you know what other guys feel?"

He didn't answer that, but he shrugged his shoulder.

"Are you getting married soon?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang nakatingin sa magagandang bulubundukin na binabagtas namin.

"We don't have a plan yet."

Tiningnan ko ito, "You're not planning to be engaged forever right?"

Tumawa ito, "You should try it."

Naalala ko ang unang pagkikita namin, "I will get into something serious like engagement when I'm ready and when I find someone who loves me."

"In times like this, you'll end up waiting forever. And we both know we don't have that. How old are you? Twenty-seven?"

"Who knows?"

"You'll die alone."

"That's better than dying with sadness because my husband cheated on me."

"Why would he cheat on you?"

"Because that's what guys do? They tend to choose someone younger than their wives."

"Aren't you stereotyping men?"

"I don't. I'm just stating a fact."

"How many ex-boyfriends do you have to be that bitter?"

Natahimik ako.

Maya-maya lang ay narinig ko ang tawa nito. His laughter is seeping into my bones, and all I want is to hear his laugh for the rest of my life.

"Don't tell me you don't have any ex-boyfriends? Are you even for real?"

"I was in the military." I defend myself.

"There's plenty of men there. Don't tell me even there you haven't tried anything to spice up your life?"

"You're a jerk."

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are. Can we go down there?" Tanong ko habang nakaturo sa tuktok ng bundok na nasa malayo.

"Let us see."

May tiningnan ito sa mapa na nasa harap niya at maya-maya pa ay umikot ikot na kami sa taas para tingnan kung kaya ba mag-landing ng Lancair 320 doon.

"I think we can do it."

Pagkababa namin ay may tinawaganang ito a cellphone niya and I chose to lay down on the grass field while looking at the blue sky above. It feels like a fantasy.

"Do you want to take a picture?" Tanong ni Isaiah. He blocks my view of the sky.

"I don't have a phone."

He raised his iPhone.

"There. I took your picture."

I laugh, "I don't know this place still exists. I like it here. I wonder how long will it take for me to save so I can buy this place."

"Why do you want to buy this place? This place is too remote, and the last house that I saw was 15 minutes ago."

"It is so peaceful here. I think I can live until I die here." Humarap ako kinauupuan nito. "Can I borrow money from you?"

"For what?"

"I want to buy this place."

"You don't have work. How are you going to pay me?"

"I have savings, and I have a monthly allowance until I die from the Queen of England."

"Why would a queen of England give you a monthly allowance?"

I laugh, "Because she is a Queen of England, and she can do whatever she wants?"

"Why don't you apply for a job?"

"You're kidding me, right? Isn't it obvious? No one will ever accept or offer me a job."

"Why is that?"

"Didn't you hear the news from last night?"

"Is it true?"

"Yes. I could still hear their screams."

He was silent for a long time, so I continued watching the clouds as they come and go.

"You're still a good person. There are still a lot of things that you can do. Don't let it hinder you."