Reckless Nights with the Hot Governor (SPG)

Chapter 9

TRIXIE'S POV:

DAYS passed. I’ve been keeping myself busy in Manila with my family. It’s been three days since I left the island, and I’ve filled every second of my time so I barely have time to think about Anton. Every morning, I wake up early to help mom with breakfast, then spend the rest of the day running errands or just hanging out with my siblings.

Inabala ko ang sarili ko dito sa Manila kasama ang pamilya ko. Sumunod din kasi ang dalawang kapatid kong si Kuya Matteo at Lucas rito at syempre–kasama nila ang kanilang mga asawa.

“Ang bilis naman ng bakasyon mo, Trix, babalik ka na talaga sa Toronto ngayong weekend? Kailan naman kaya ulit tayo magkakasama nang gan'to?” wika ni kuya habang inaayos ko ang sarili sa harapan ng vanity mirror ko.

Plano kasi naming lumabas ngayon. Friday na bukas at sa sabado na ang balik ko sa Toronto.

“Marami pa namang ibang pagkakataon, kuya. Busy rin naman kayo dito. Ako rin. Ang mahalaga naman, may communication tayong lahat sa isa't-isa.” Sagot ko na naglagay ng red lipstick sa labi ko.

“Trixie, hurry up! We’re going to be late for the art exhibit,” Lucas called out from the living room.

“Coming, just a minute lang naman!” sagot ko na medyo nilakasan ang boses. Dinig ko pang napahalakhak ito.

I’m in my room, rushing to wear my white sneakers. I want to look good today– not for anyone else, but for myself. To distract myself from all the thoughts that keep creeping into my head when I’m alone. Napasuri pa ako sa sarili. Nakasuot ako ng white tops, black pants at nakalugay ang mahaba kong buhok.

“That's enough, sweetie. Napakaganda mo pa rin naman kahit hindi ka mag-ayos e. Alam mong mas nagagandahan kami sa'yo na wala kang make-up sa mukha. Mas litaw kung gaano ka talaga kaganda,” naiiling wika ni kuya na ikinanguso kong nag-spray pa ng perfume sa katawan ko.

Magkayakap kaming lumabas ni kuya ng silid. Naabutan naman namin si Lucas dito sa sala na nakahanda na.

“Finally! We thought you’d never come down,” Lucas said, standing up and grinning.

Inismiran ko ito. “Ikaw talaga. Wala ka naman sa emergency para magmadali e. Dinadala mo palagi ‘yang pagiging bumbero mo kaya gusto mo, lahat mabilis ang kilos. May aapulahin ba tayong sunog ngayon, Captain Lucas?” ingos ko ditong napahalakhak na inakbayan ako.

Napayakap ako sa baywang nilang dalawa ni kuya habang palabas na kami ng mansion. Ito ang gusto ko kapag kasama sila. Pakiramdam ko, malaya ako, secured ako at nagagawa ko lahat ng gusto ko. When I’m with them, I feel complete.

Sumakay kami sa van, nandito na lahat at kami na lang pala ang hinihintay. Naiwan ang mommy at daddy. Dahil inilaan namin ang araw na ito para sa aming magkakapatid. Bukas, buo kaming pamilya na lalabas. Si Kuya Matteo ang nag-drive. Katabi niya sa harapan ang asawa niya– si Ate Gabby at bumiyahe na kami patungong Makati kung saan ang art gallery na pupuntahan namin. The city’s as busy as ever– cars honking, people walking fast, skyscrapers touching the clouds. But today, Manila feels different. It feels alive, like it’s trying to give me good memories before I fly away.

“Remember when we were kids and we’d sneak into Dad’s office to draw on his whiteboard?” Kuya Matteo said, looking at me from the rearview mirror.

“Aha, at kapag nahuhuli tayo, pinapagalitan tayo ni dad pero sa huli ay tumatawa rin siya,” sagot ko.

I remember those days– when the four of us were always together, when the only worries we had were getting caught doing something silly. Nagtuturuan kami kapag nahuhuli kami o may nasisira kaming gamit. Hindi naman kami pinapalo pero– may parusa kasi sila mommy sa amin.

“Your drawings were always the worst,” Lucas tease me then laugh.

“Hoy! Mas maganda pa nga ang akin kaysa sa’yo na walang direction ang drawing! Magtigil ka nga, dati nga e. . . pangit ka,” sikmat ko na nabatukan ito.

“Grabe ka naman, ate, nandito ang asawa ko oh? Honey, hwag kang maniwala sa kanya ha?” pagpapabebe niya sa asawang nangingiti at iling sa kulitan namin.

“Totoo naman ang sinabi ni Ate Trix, hanggang ngayon naman e. . . ikaw ang pinakapangit sa inyong magkakapatid, Lucas.” Sagot ni Nicolette na umani ng tawanan sa aming lahat– maliban kay Lucas!

“Honey naman e! Ipagtanggol mo ako,” reklamo pa ni Lucas.

We keep laughing as we drive, talking about old times, and for a moment, I forget all about Anton and the island. Napakasaya kong kasama sila. Nakakamis na nakaka-bonding sila dahil nagagawa naming maging totoo. Na walang inaalalang imahe.

When we get to the gallery, we walk around and look at the paintings. There’s one painting of a beach at sunset– the colors are so bright, so beautiful. It reminds me of the island, and for a second, my heart skips a beat. But then Lucas taps my shoulder and points to another painting.

“Look at this one, ate, it looks like our old house in the province,” he said.

“Yeah, simple but beautiful,” pagsang-ayon ko.

I look at the painting, remembering the summer days we spent there– swimming in the sea, climbing trees, eating mangoes straight from the tree. May bahay kami sa probinsya nila daddy. Pero hindi kami doon lumaki. Minsanan lang kaming magbakasyon doon dahil narito sa syudad ang trabaho nila daddy.

After the gallery, we go to a small café nearby for lunch. The café is quiet, with wooden tables and chairs, and plants hanging from the ceiling. We order pasta and iced coffee, and we keep talking– about my plans in Toronto, about Matteo’s new project, about Jane’s upcoming trip to Japan for her competition.

“So, Toronto, are you really ready to go back there?” Kuya Matteo asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

“I think so,” I said. “I have my job there, my condo, studio, friends. . . but I’ll miss Manila. I’ll miss you guys.” Sagot ko na ngumiti sa kanila.

“No worries, ate. We’ll visit you, or you can come back here whenever you want. Family is always here, no matter how far you are.” Saad ni Lucas na tinanguhan ko.

I feel tears welling up in my eyes. “Thank you,” I said, my voice soft. “For coming here, for keeping me busy. I really needed this.”

“We know,” Kuya Matteo said, reaching across the table and squeezing my hand. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But we’re here if you do.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. They know something’s wrong– they can read me like an open book. But they don’t push me to talk about it, and that’s what I love about them.

After lunch, we drive to the park. We walk around the lake, watching people jog, play with their kids, walk their dogs. The sun is shining, and the wind is blowing softly. It’s a perfect day.

“Let’s take a photo,” Lucas said, pulling out his phone. We stand together, smiling, and he takes a picture. “There– so you can look at it when you’re in Toronto and remember us,” he said.

“I’ll never forget you, guys,” I said. “You’re my best friends, not just my brothers.”

“Ikaw din ang aming best friend, Trix,” sagot ni kuya.

We keep walking, and for the rest of the afternoon, we just enjoy each other’s company. No more talk about the future or the past– just the present, just being together.

When we get back to the mansion, mom is in the kitchen, cooking dinner. “Welcome back! How was the gallery?” she asked, turning around and smiling.

“It was great, Mom. We saw some really beautiful paintings,” I said, hugging her.

“Ang sarap naman niya'n, Mom, mapapataob ko ang rice cooker natin nito,” saad ni Lucas, sniffing the air. “Adobo ulit? My favorite!”

“Oo, para sa inyo. Alam kong mahal ninyong lahat ang adobo ko,” nakangiting sagot ng mommy.

We help her set the table, and soon, dad come down. We all sit down to eat, talking and laughing, and the mansion feels full– full of love, full of life.

After dinner, we sit in the living room and watch a movie. Matteo and Lucas are sitting on the floor, fighting over the popcorn. Mom is sitting next to dad, leaning on his shoulder. I’m sitting on the sofa, watching them all, and I feel so grateful. Grateful for my family, for their love, for being here with them before I leave.

As the movie plays, I look out the window at the night sky. The moon is bright, just like it was on the island. And for a moment, I think about Anton. I wonder what he’s doing, if he’s thinking about me. But then Lucas throws a piece of popcorn at me, and I laugh, forgetting about him again.

Later that night, after everyone has gone to bed, I go to the balcony. The city lights are shining, and the air is cool. I lean on the railing, looking out at Manila, and I think about everything. About the island, about Anton, about leaving for Toronto.

Inabala ko ang sarili para hindi isipin ang lahat ng ‘yan. But now, alone in the quiet of the night, I can’t help it. I think about how my life changed in just one day– how I met someone who made me feel things I’ve never felt before, how I gave up a dream I’ve had for over thirty years.

But then I think about my family– about Kuya Matteo and Lucas coming here to spend time with me, about Jane, mom and dad’s love. And I know that no matter what happens, I have them. That I’m not alone.

I take a deep breath, feeling calmer. “Tomorrow, I’ll be busy again,” I say to myself. “Tomorrow, I’ll spend more time with my siblings, make more memories with my family before I leave the country.”

I go back to my room and lie down on the bed. I look at the photo Lucas took of us earlier – the three of us, smiling, happy. I put it on my nightstand, so I can see it when I wake up. And as I close my eyes, I think about Toronto, about the future, about all the possibilities that wait for me there.

But I also think about Manila, about the island, about Anton. And I know that no matter how far I go, a part of me will always be here. In this city, with my family, and maybe– just maybe, with the man who changed my life in just one night.