Las Cosas Series #1: Ashes From Our Past

Capitulo Dieciseis

"Manang, mauna na po ako." Nagmano ako rito.

"Ay, sige. Mag-iingat ka, Deborah ha?"

I smiled at her to assure her that I'll be fine. "Opo."

Nang madaanan ko si Arturo na komportableng nakaupo nang nakabukaka sa sofa habang nanonood ng balita ay nagpaalam na rin ako rito.

"Alis na'ko, Arturo."

He didn't look at me. Bagkus ay kinuha nito ang remote at iniba ang channel ng paulit-ulit. He looked pissed though-by the way how he's using the remote.

"Tss. Stupid shows."

Kinuha ko ulit ang atensiyon nito. Pero tinanguan lang ako nito bilang tugon.

I sighed and walked past by him. Napansin kong naging mainitin ang ulo nito matapos ng mangyari sa opisina dalawang linggo na ang nakakalipas.

Ngayong gabi ang date namin ni Henry. Naging busy kasi ako noong mga nakaraang linggo. Ang daming pinapagawa ni Arturo sa akin. At pag nagka-oras naman ako ay bigla ako nitong tinatawagan at pinapasama sa mga lakad nito kahit hindi work-related.

I did not complain. Mainit palagi ang ulo nito at ayoko nang dagdagan pa.

Nang makalabas ng bahay ay nakita ko si Henry sa labas ng gate at hinihintay ako. Binigyan ako nito ng isang matamis na ngiti pagkalabas ko.

"Good evening, Henry."

"Good evening, Deb. You look lovely tonight."

I'm wearing a simple peach dress paired with a flat shoes that has the same color of my dress. Hinagod ako nito ng tingin and that made my cheeks burn.

"Thank you. You don't look bad yourself."

"Sorry if I've been busy this past few weeks. Pero di ko naman kinalimutan ang date natin. Pasensya ngayon lang ako nagka-oras ulit."

"It's okay." He gave me a wide smile.

Matapos ang batian ay iginiya ako nito palapit sa kanyang kotse. He opened the passengers door for me. Pinasalamatan ko ito at pumasok.

My eyes caught a man's figure at the balcony. Arturo's face is covered with seriousness. Transparent lang ang bintana ng sasakyan ni Henry giving Arturo the chance to see me inside.

He looked at my direction and gave me a serious glare like he's telling me that I just made a bad decision.

Nakita ko ang dismaya sa mukha nito at ang pag-iling. Imbes na tingnan ang mga ito ay umayos nalang ako ng upo at ikinabit ang aking seatbelt.

Seconds later the door of the driver's seat opened and Henry came in.

"Let's go?"

Tanong nito sa akin. I nodded at pinasibad na nito ang kotse.

Tiningnan ko ang side mirror and saw Arturo looking at Henry's car speeding away.

--

Henry took me to a known restaurant in town. Medyo nailang pa ako pagpasok namin dahil napaka pormal ng mga tao. It's been a while since I socialized. Taong-bahay ako kung tawaginat simple lang naman ang mga handaan na ina-attend-an ko sa Las Cosas.

As we reached our table, Henry pulled the chair for me.

I flashed a small smile and sat on the chair. "Thank you."

The resto is amazing upon serving us with good food and service.

The date was good too. And I never felt bored with Henry's company. We we're actually laughing at the duration of our dinner.

"I'm glad you didn't ditch me." Henry said.

"Paano naman kita ma-i-indian, eh sinundo mo ako sa bahay," sagot ko sabay inom ng tubig. Sandaling nilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid. Everyone's busy with their own businesses and company. Ang iba'y nag-uusap lang, ang iba nama'y tahimik lang na kumakain. Various of people; from lovers, to family, friends, and business associates.

"Ibig sabihin kung hindi kita sinundo talagang i-indian-in mo 'ko?"

Muntik ko nang mabuga ang iniinom. Maingat kong inabot ang table napkin at pinunasan ang bibig.

"H-hindi naman sa ganoon-" When my eyes landed to Henry, he flashed a boyish smile.

Napaismid ako dito.

I heard him chuckle. "I'm just teasing you."

Minutes later our topic suddenly shifted to our officemates.

"Ah, yes. He speaks frankly, but that what makes Elena a genuine friend."

"I'm glad you already have a trusted friend in the company."

I'm glad too. Sa ilang limggo kong pananatili sa kompanya ay nasaksihan ko kung gaano bumuo ng relasyon sa ibang kasamahan.

I was exhausted on my first few weeks. Adjusting and adapting a new environment was never easy. I have to get used to this-city life. However, I can't help but miss everyone on Las Cosas. I miss waking up with the provincial breeze. Iba ang alas cuatro sa syudad at probinsiya. Everyone's already awake in the city by four, while it's still quite in the ranch.

I halted with my thoughts about the comparison of the city and rural life when I suddenly remembered what I have to tell Henry. It's been an hour since we sat and talked. We had also finished eating a scrumptious dinner.

But isn't it disrespectful to ruin the mood immediately? I've decided to tell him once we got home.

Nang bayaran na ng bill I gave him a money as my share for the dinner pero mariin ako nitong inilingan.

"I'm the guy here, Deb at ako ang nag-aya sayong mag-date kaya tama lang na ako ang magbabayad."

Gusto ko pa sanang sumabat ngunit agad nitong ibinigay ang credit card sa cashier. Leaving me with no choice but to accept my defeat. I thanked him after.

We are inside his car making our way back home.

The engine stopped. We are already here. Tinipon ko muna ang lakas ko at huminga ng malalim.

"Uhm, Henry salamat nga pala sa dinner."

"I should be the one thanking you." He chuckled.

I wanted to smile but I can't bring myself to do so. Niyuko ko ang ulo ko. "No, seriously. Thank you. This is actually my first date and I'm happy it turned out fine." I fidgeted my fingers on my lap.

"Ang totoo niyan, Henry. I'm here in Manila and I'm working in the company of the Del Marcial's to prove myself to my father. And as of now, gusto ko sanang mas tutukan ang trabaho ko. I mean, I had a great time with you and you're such a great company, pero..." I gulped. Nagsimula nang maglilikot ang mga mata ko at pilit humahagilap ng tamang salita.

"I get it."

Mabilis kong itinaas ang paningin kay Henry. He was smiling. That kind of smile that let's you know that he understands. And that kind of smile that makes your nervous and rapid heart calm down.

Bigla akong napapikit at napabuga ng hininga.

"I understand, Deb. Gusto ko din sanang humingi ng tawad. I disturbed you. I'm already contented that you gave this date a chance to at least happen, kahit wala nang kasunod."

I raised both of my hands and shaked them. Maski ulo ko ay nailing ko. "Hindi. Huwag kang humingi ng tawad. You didn't disturb me."

He smiled. He peeked outside the window and looked at his watch.

Lumabas ito ng sasakyan at umikot. He opened the door for me.

"Salamat," 'ika ko.

He nodded. "You should go inside. Thank you for tonight, Deb. Salamat at pumayag ka sa paanyaya ko."

"My pleasure, Henry. Thank you for the dinner too."

"Don't mention it."

"I'll go ahead."

Lumapit si henry sa'kin, he took my right hand and kissed the back of it.

Napadiin ang hawak ko sa clutch bag ko. Ilang sandali lang ay binitawan nito ang aking kamay.

"B-bye." Wika ko dito at tinalikuran na ito.

He waved his hand at me and maneuvered his car away. Napabuntong hininga ako nang makitang umalis na ang sasakyan nito.

Nang magawi ang tingin ko sa veranda sa pangalawang palapag ay ganoon nalang ang pagkabigla ko nang makita ko doon si Arturo na nakahulukipkip at nakahawak ang parehong kamay sa isang baso habang mariin akong tinititigan.

Hinihintay ba niya akong umuwi?

Madilim na ang bahay at mukhang tulog na si manang. I opened the door using my spare key at dumiretso na sa kwarto, pero bago paman ako makapasok ay may nagsalita.

"Did you have fun?"

I turned my head at the dark corridor.

"Y-yes."

Inalis ni Arturo ang pagkakasandal ng sarili sa dingding at naglakad papalapit sa'kin.

"Really huh?"

I can clearly hear the sarcasm on his voice. I smell whisky on his breath, umiinom siguro ito kanina sa veranda.

Patuloy ito sa paglapit sa akin which made me nervous. So I took a step back at hindi ko na namalayang pader na pala ang nasa likod ko.

I felt the cold wall against my back and Arturo who's in front me-hovering me. I'm tall yes, but goodness! He was taller than me and right now all I feel is nervousness.

Doble ang kabang nararamdaman ko ngayon kaysa sa naramdaman ko kanina nang sinabi ko kay Henry na wala nang kasunod ang date namin.

May nagawa ba ako na 'di nito nagustuhan?

"U-uhm... Why do you ask?"

I can hear my heart beating loudly against my chest. Para bang gusto nitong kumawala sa sariling hawla. But what he did next made my knees go weak.

Inilapit nito ang mukha sa akin. Dahil sa marahas nitong aksiyon ay naipikit ko ang mga mata.

What the hell are you doing Thaddeus Arthur?!

"W-what are y-you doing?"

His hands made its way to my small waist. Making the hairs all over my body raise. I felt his nose brushing sofly against my cheek... down to my neck.

I closed both my fists tightly, like I'm holding into the tiniest rope of my patience to not burst out because of Arturo's doing.

"Damn it, Beatris!"

I stood frozenly. Humigpit naman ang kapit nito sa aking bewang at lalong isiniksik ang ulo sa aking leeg.

I should push him away. Pero wala akong makapa ni katiting na lakas para gawin 'yon.

We stayed like that for a couple of minutes hanggang sa ito na ang lumayo sa akin. He left a small kiss on my neck before turning his back at me and let himself be drowned by the darkness of the corridor until I heard the closing of the door.

I exhaled loudly.

'What the bloody hell was that?! What just happened, Deborah?'

Tinapik tapik ko ang mga pisngi ko, tila ginigising ang sarili mula sa pagkatulog.

Ramdam ko ang panginginig ng aking kamay ng pinihit ko ang sedura ng pinto.

Nang makapasok ay agad akong nagbihis at humiga sa aking higaan habang tulala sa kawalan.

I'm so confused right now. I... I don't know what to think. Arturo's confusing me. What's his motive. Bakit niya ito ginagawa? Bakit niya 'yun ginawa?!

It's just a k-kiss... In the neck? Pero para saan 'yon? Damn it! Naloloka na ako kakaisip. Isa pa may girlfriend na siya. Ilang beses ko nang inulit-ulit. And what he did was inappropriate. Very inappropriate!

Pero ang pinakamasama sa nangyari ay yung ginusto ko ang ginawa niya. I know it's wrong and I don't know why... but I kind of like it.

'Ang landi mo, gaga!' I can hear the voice of Elena scolding me.

Ilang buntong hininga na ang napakawalan ko na 'di ko na mabilang kung ilan.

This is bad... So bad... Real bad!

Dahil sa sobrang pagkaabala ko sa pagkatulala at pag-iisip ay ganon nalang ang pagkabigla ko ng makita ang paglitaw ng haring araw.

Aligaga akong napabangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga at tinignan ang oras.

6:03 a:m?! And I haven't even slept a bit! Damn you Arturo! You keep me up all night! This your fault!

Ibinaon ko ang mukha sa unan at doon sumigaw. Letting out all of my frustrations.

"Magandang umaga, hi-oh? Ba't parang puyat ka, Deb? Hindi ka ba natulog kagabi? Inumaga na ba kayo nung ka-date mo, hija?"

"Hindi po, manang. Napuyat lang oo kakai- ah... este, kakabasa po."

"Aba'y! Pinagpahinga mo sana ang sarili mo, Deborah. Susko kang bata ka, oo! Oh siya, ipagtitimpla nalang kita ng kape para magising ang diwa mo. Mag-almusal kana diyan."

"Salamat po."

Ilang subo palang ang nagagawa ko ng marinig ko ang pagbati ni manang kay Arturo.

Shit! I remembered what happened last night, pero di dapat ako magpadala dito.

Forget it, Deborah. May nobya na yang tao. B-baka sobrang lasing lang non kagabi. Tama.

Tumango-tango ako at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

"Good morning."

Rinig kong bati nito pero patuloy lang ako sa pagsubo na tila parang walang narinig.

"Beatris?"

Napaangat ang tingin ko dito pero agad ko ring iniwas nang makita ang titig nito sa akin

"W-what?"

"I said Good morning."

Napatigil ako sa ginagawa at napayuko.

Damn you, Deborah! Stop acting like you're affected by what he did! Act natural like nothing happened and calm down.

'Right, I should do that.' I said to myself.

I cleared my throat and greeted him back. "M-morning."

I sipped a little of my black coffee and stood up. "Excuse me."

"Where are you going?"

"Uhm... Mauuna na ako sa opisina."

Napag-isipan kong hindi ako sasabay sa kanya at sasakay nalang ng taxi papuntang opisina...

But I still end up riding with him. He was persistent alright! Now I'm trapped with him again. Dio!

"Sasabay ka sa'kin mamayang uwian." Ani Arturo na nagpatigil sa akin sa pagbukas ng pintuan.

"H-huh?"

"I said you'll ride with me later tonight."

I sighed. Remember to act normally. Tumango nalang ako dito bilang sagot at lumabas.

"What's my schedule for today?"

Kasalukuyan kaming nasa opisina nito habang abala ito sa pagbabasa ng mga business proposals ay nasa harap naman niya ako bitbit ang Ipad na may lista ng schedule nito para ngayong araw.

"Your schedule isn't that fully loaded for today, Sir. you only have a meeting with the board of directors at one p.m, and a visit at the Del Turo's construction site by three. And there's a note here, Sir saying that your presence is expected by your father, Mr. Del Marcial, Sir. That's all."

Isinandal nito ang likod sa kaniyang swivel. Pagkatapos ay pinisil ang tulay ng kaniyang ilong.

"Beatris, you know that Del Turo Company is a joint business of our fathers, right?"

Tumango ako.

"And way back in Las Cosas your father mentioned about you- being his representative during the meetings and check ups of the building construction. And since malapit nang matapos ang paggawa ng building, ibig sabihin lilipat na rin doon para gampanan ang dahilan kung bakit ka nandirito ngayon sa Manila."

His words made me nervous, hearing the thumping sound of my heart and thinking how the hell will I manage a large company is giving me a cold feet.

Alam kong ito ang ipinunta ko dito, magtatapos na pala ang termino ko dito sa kompanya ng mga Del Marcial. Ang bilis ng oras, parang kailan lang nung pumasok ako dito.

It's been a month since I worked here and by that one month ang dami ng nangyari, but I don't know if thats enough para pamunuan ko ang Del Turo dito sa Manila.

"But I'm just a newbie. I-I dont know if I can handle the company well a-and..."

"Don't you trust yourself and your capabilities l, Beatris?"

"I do bu-" bago ko pa man matapos ay pinutol ulit nito ang dapat ay sasabihin ko.

"Then no buts. And I'm here, I'll mentor you. I'll help you, don't worry. I'll teach you everything you need to know."

Nagpintig ang tenga ko sa narinig. He'll help me. I can do this.

"Really?!"

He grinned and nodded.

Dahil sa tuwa ay nayakap ko ito. "Thank you so much!"

Natuod ito sa kinatatayuan ngunit ilang sandali lang ay naramdaman ko ang pagpulot ng mga kamay nito sa aking bewang.

Nang natauhan ay tinanggal ko ang pagkakapulot ng kamay ko sa kanyang leeg at bumitaw... Ngunit hindi ako hinayaan nito. Bagkus ay mas idiniin pa niya ako sa kanyang katawan at hinigpitan ang yakap sa akin.

"For a minute, Beatris... Let's stay like this for a while..." Bulong nito sa akin.

I can feel his breathe on my ears and that makes me tingle. At ang paghigpit ng yakap nito.

Narito na naman ang abnormal na pagtibok ng aking puso, pero imbes na lumayo ay niyakap ko nalang din ito pabalik.

I want to feel this moment. But the big question that I kept on pondering since then is still bugging me. And right now, I want to observe myself. I want to know if... I really like him. Well, do I?