HER GUILTY PLEASURE

EP.02

EVERSINCE her heart was torn into pieces--wine become one of her comfort drinks. She felt sudden relief after a few shots and her friend just let her sip a little more, knowing her alcohol tolerance. Tiyak itong hindi siya malalasing sa isang bote ng red wine. Kapagkakuwa'y nagsimula na naman itong kumbinsihin siyang umuwi sa Cagayan para silipin si Don Modesto.

"If you're not ready to face, Stefano. At least find some time na bisitahin ang lolo mo. I've heard from my source that he is getting weak. He's almost 96, Harrieth..." pagpupumilit pa rin ng kaibigang si Rose.

She stares at her once again. She understands what she was trying to say. It was her who couldn't brace herself na magpakita sa mga ito. Harrieth is not ready to face the Contreras. Specially Stefano.

"Okay. I understand what you mean, pupunta ako roon sa makalawa, happy?" sagot niya.

"Not until you showed yourself in front of them. Your lolo needs you, huwag mo siyang isama sa pagpaparusa mo kay Stefano. Don Modesto doesn't deserve that." patuloy na pangungunsensiya ng kaibigan.

"You won, fine! I'll go. Hindi sa makalawa kung hindi bukas." sagot niya.

Harrieth stood up and search for her phone. Nag browse siya sa kanyang ticketing app para mag book ng kanyang flight. "Happy now?" untag niya sa kaibigan sabay pakita sa kanyang flight details.

"I told you, not until you were there." muli nitong sagot.

"I have no plans on getting drunk tonight, baka madali ako ni Briggs bukas. I guess, mauna na akong matulog sa'yo."

"Alright, sleepyhead! Bring the stars in the sky with you and have a good sleep." biro niya rito. Kumaway lang ang kaibigan at tuloy-tuloy na itong nagtungo sa kwarto nito.

Harrieth is still standing in front of her window glass. She poured wine again and when her glass is half-full, she immediately drinks it in one shot.

"Are you really leaving now, hija? But why? Aren't you gonna celebrate my birthday with me?" may himig pagtatampong sabi ni Don Modesto sa kanya.

She just arrives in his mansion at pagkatapos niya itong batiin ay agaran din siyang nagpaalam na aalis na patungong Canada.

"I'm sorry, abuelo... But I really have to go," naluluhang pakiusap niya.

"Is there a problem? Nag-away ba kayo ni Stefano? Come on, tell me... I will scold him if he does!"

"No, abuelo. We're okay, it's my personal decision to leave early. I feel like I don't need to waste time anymore. Time is gold, hindi po ba turo ninyo 'yan?"

"In business, hija, time is gold. But when it comes to your loved ones, time is priceless." anito. "If you really insist on leaving right now. I won't stop you. Just promise me one thing." pakiusap nito.

"Ano po 'yon, abuelo?" usisa niya.

"Promise me that you will do good out there. Kahit wala kami roon para i-guide ka. I want you to become a lady that you are supposed to be. Dignified, brilliant, classy and a woman with character."

"I think, I can do that. I won't live a shameful life, ever! That's a promise!" pangako niya.

"Then, you can go now. You have my blessing, apo..." anito. Hinawakan siya nito sa kamay at mahigpit na niyakap. Don Modesto is the only man who never breaks her heart.

Simula ng kupkupin siya nito ay kapamilya na ang turing sa kanya. Both of her parents died in his farm, and since then, inako na ng matanda ang pagpapalaki sa kanya. He gave everything to her without asking why. Minsan nga ay pinagseselosan pa siya ng mga totoong kaanak nito pero matigas ang matanda sa naging desisyon nito.

"Thank you so much, abuelo. Paano aalis na po ako... Maligayang kaarawan po ulit!" naluluhang wika niya sabay yakap rito.

Paalis na sana si Harrieth nang muli siyang tawagin ng matanda. From his pocket, kinuha nito ang isang itim na kaheta at iniabot sa kanya.

"What is this, abuelo?" takang tanong niya. She opened it, and she found out it's a gold necklace with red diamond pendant. Kumikinang ito nang matamaan ng liwanag ng ilaw. "Why did you give me these? Kay abuela po ito hindi ba? I saw her wearing this when she was still alive." nagugulumihan niyang tanong.

"It was hers, but now, it is yours. Ingatan mo sana ang isang bahagi ng ating family heirloom. I hope with that necklace you'll find your way back home. At sana kapag suot mo 'yan ay maramdaman mong kasama mo lang kami palagi, apo..."

"Pangako po, abuelo, iingatan ko po ito kagaya ng pag-iingat ninyo. Marami pong salamat sa tiwala at pagmamahal. Mahal na mahal ko po kayo." muli niyang sabi sa matanda bago tuluyang humakbang papalayo.

Hindi na niya sinubukan pang lumingon dahil baka hindi niya kayaning umalis kapag makitang lumuluha ang matanda.

Masakit para kay Harrieth ang lumisan ng araw na iyon, ngunit mas hindi niya kakayanin ang manatili pa roon habang nagdurusa sa ginawa ng kanyang nobyo. It is now or never.

She touches her necklace and slowly close her eyes. Sa kanyang balintataw ay nakita niya ang nakangiting matanda. Those smiles that she missed for years. His warm embrace and kind words made her heart long for his presence.

"Okay, abuelo... I'm coming home. Just wait a little longer," bulong niya habang nakangiti.

Tiningnan niyang muli ang hawak na bote ng wine. It's almost half-empty. Harrieth decided to finish it off before she headed to her room. She removed her dress that revealed her perfect body. She walks towards her toilet and bath. She wants to drown her sorrows in a warm water. She stayed under the shower for almost half an hour under the slow running water before she felt contented. She just chooses to wear thin sando and short shorts. In her bedroom, she doesn't have to be glamorous at all. Actually, she can sleep naked but since her friend is with her, she still needs to wear some clothing para hindi naman ito mashock kapag nakita siyang nakahubo.

In her room, she can be her another persona. The simple Harrieth Custodio. The naive girl who fell for someone who's not man enough to be faithful. And somehow, she blames herself for being so plain and simple back then, not knowing that Stefano wants someone who can drive him crazy in bed.