The Gentlemen's Game Series 3: Alfonso Ian Zaragosa

Chapter 6

He's no Chinese. Alfonso is not Chinese.

It's been days pero hanggang ngayon ay naririnig ko pa rin ang sinabi ni Harper.

I should not be bothered. I know that. But I am bothered. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit.

I release a kick, my trainor dodged it and held my feet, he's trying to pull me. I gave in and push my body. Hindi n'ya nga lang inaasahan na iba ang puntirya ko. Sandali lang ang pag-angat ko pero the next moment, nasa sahig na ang trainor at nakasakal na sa kanya ang mga binti ko.

A tap on my leg made me release him.

"You're improving day by day, Corrine..." puri n'ya, hinihingal.

Umismid lang ako at dumiretso na sa lamesang nasa gilid ng gym.

I've been learning martial arts and the likes since grade school. Kailangan iyon lalo na at hindi puwedeng umasa sa security. Hindi lang naman ako, Ahia's also doing all of these things. Kaya kahit na narito na sa Pilipinas, mahigpit pa rin ang schedule ko para sa training.

"I'll just shower," imporma ko sa assistant. "We're going to San Sebastian after that."

That week is a roller coaster of emotion for me. Walang nagbago sa pakikitungo ko kay Alfonso kahit na hindi mawala sa isip ko ang sinabi ni Harper.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nasabi n'ya iyon o kung bakit naba-bother ako.

Fine, crush ko si Alfonso. So what? It's just a crush. Walang masama roon at hindi naman porke crush, kailangan ay Chinese na. I can have lots of crushes and that's not a big deal.

Hindi rin nakatulong na alam kong may nangyayaring hindi maganda sa relasyon ni Ahia at ng pamilya. Ilang beses ko silang naririnig ni Mori na nag-uusap at base sa mga narinig ko, hindi maganda iyon.

My brother planned to visit China after his graduation. Just a visit. He has no plan to pursue marrying Luceanna, kahit pa iyon ang original na plano. Hindi ko direktang narinig sa kanya iyon but I... just know.

Should I stop him from being astray? But I don't even know how to do it! I always remind him of the possible outcome but he became so deaf when it comes to his responsibilities.

"You looked awful."

I rolled my eyes when I heard him. This is just another day of having coffee with Alfonso. Well, I'm drinking my favorite drink and he's here with a other set of his books.

I don't know but it became a routine now. Isang buwan na rin ako rito at mas madalas ko na s'yang makita... makausap.

"Your brother looks like he fought with someone," aniya, scanning the pages of his book. "Nag-away ba kayo?"

"Kuya's an idiot."

Natatawang nag-angat ng mukha si Alfonso. Hinayaan n'yang nakabukas ang aklat at ibinigay sa akin ang buong atensyon.

"The guy's not, Corrine. He's an smart àss, you know."

"He's stupid," diin ko. Because he really is! Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit parang nakalimutan n'ya ang lahat mula nang mapunta s'ya sa lugar na 'to!

"Is this because of the tradition? Him being a Liu?"

Direktang ang tingin ni Alfonso sa akin. Nakangisi s'ya pero seryoso ang kislap ng mga mata.

Gusto kong sumang-ayon dahil iyon naman ang totoo pero may pakiramdam akong parang... mali iyon. Para bang hindi iyon ang tamang sagot kahit na iyon ang dapat.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. "He's a Liu. He can't run away from that."

He chuckled.

I sipped on my drink. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi n'ya nagustuhan ang naging sagot ko at naba-bother na naman ako. Ano ba ang dapat? Ano ba dapat ang sinabi ko? Should I lie? Iyon naman ang totoo!

"Then, how about you?"

My head snapped at him. Hindi naman nagbago ang ekspresyon n'ya, nakangisi pa rin pero bakit parang mas kinabahan ako sa tanong na 'yon?

Humalukipkip si Alfonso. Tuluyan nang nawala ang atensyon sa mga aklat.

"You're a Liu..." He gazed at my cranes before looking at me again. "You're also bound by the tradition, hmm?"

I take pride of being one. Bakit hindi? There's so much power having this name.

"I am." And I felt like it's still the wrong answer.

"Do you have the same responsibility with your brother?"

I don't know why he's asking about this but...

"My name is about responsibilities, Alfonso."

His brow arched. Nakataas nang bahagya ang gilid ng labi n'ya.

He leaned on his seat. "So, susundin mo ang tradisyon ng pamilya n'yo."

Napakurap ako. That's not even a question. There's finality on his sentence.

Akala ko ay hindi pa s'ya tapos, hindi ko na rin naman nasagot ang tanong n'ya. Gusto kong sabihing oo, because that's the right thing to do, the correct answer. Pero hindi ko magawa.

Alfonso stared at me for a moment. Siya na rin ang nag-iwas ng tingin at muling inabala ang sarili sa mga aklat.

We had so many conversation in the past weeks that we've been in that coffee shop. Iyon nga lang ang pinaka-tumatak sa akin. There's something on that, hindi ko lang maisip kung ano pero may pakiramdam akong mayroon nga.

"Corrine..."

I glanced at my brother. We're in the car. Hindi ko alam kung saan kami pupunta. He just told me to dress up and we're having dinner outside. I don't even know why I agreed on this.

Umirap ako at humalukipkip.

I always do what I can. To remind him. We had a big fight last week because of that.

"Hindi lang tayo ang magdi-dinner. My best friends are there. Kompleto sila and gusto ko ring ipakilala sa 'yo..." maingat ang boses ni Ahia at hindi nakatakas sa akin iyon.

Oo nga at hindi ko pa nakikilala ang lahat ng mga kaibigan n'ya. Their circle is huge. Halos lahat ng hinahangaan at maimpluwensya sa San Sebastian, nasa grupo nila. Aware ako roon dahil lagi naman silang topic sa café na pinupuntahan ko. Even the Lunas are talking about them.

I don't even care about his group. But I'm afraid of what he called them. Best friend. Nasaan na 'yong teammate, classmate? The word friend?

Best friend. If Ahma would hear about this, she'll make my brother return to China.

"Narito na tayo." His smile made me stop from the words I'm gonna spout.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at hinayaan s'yang alalayan ako palabas ng sasakyan.

Hindi ko na pinansin kung anong restaurant o saang lugar ito. Masyado na akong abala sa mga puwedeng gawin para pagtakpan ang kapatid.

He's been breaking the rules since he came here. And still breaking it. We're not allowed to have any deep relationship with anyone here. That's Ahma's number one rule.

"Macky!"

Ni hindi ko napansin na nasa loob na kami ng restaurant. Maasim ang sikmura ko at gusto ko nang umuwi.

"Chris..." Sandali akong iniwan ni Ahia para batiin ang mga lalaking sumalubong sa amin. "Conrado, dude!"

Madami sila. Akala ko nga ay guest din sila rito sa restaurant pero mukhang kami lang ang nandito.

"Corrine..." Nakangiting bumalik si Ahia. He followed my gaze. "Oh, I reserved the whole restaurant."

Umismid ako. He's here breaking the rules but using the family's influence.

Matatangkad ang mga kaibigan ni Ahia. Iyong iba ay nakilala ko na including Alfonso who's now smirking while looking at his phone. The others are just familiar. They all stood out. Halata rin sa kilos na galing sa mataas na antas ng sosyedad.

"This is Sebastian..." muling pakilala ni Ahia. I already know the dimple-casanova. I always saw him around my school.

"Hello, Corrine. Long time no see!"

Umirap na lang ako na ikinahalakhak n'ya. Long time no see? Nakita ko lang s'ya kahapon when I visited the school's dean!

"This is Christian..."

He's the owner of the café I frequent. Naglahad din s'ya ng kamay at maliit na tango ang ibinigay sa akin. The man is cold.

"Josiah Calian De Silva." Isa pang nakangising lalaki ang naglahad ng kamay sa akin. He's the counterpart of Chris but I rather have Chris company than this one. He looks dangerous.

"Stop it, JC. You're scaring my sister." Pabirong tinampal ni Ahia ang kamay ng kaibigan n'ya bago ako iginiya sa iba pa. "This is Reymond..."

The man is the only one with long hair. His slick black hair is on half-ponytail. I almost gasped when I looked at him. He's beautiful! He looks like an animé character from a famous show!

"Hi..." Bahagya pa akong nanginig nang abutin ang kamay n'ya. I'm really amazed with hair.

"This is Conrado..." Ahia pulled a tall man that looks like a bad boy aura.

He gave me a sweet smile. "Hi, Corrine."

I smiled and nod.

"Markiel..." Ahia called another tall man. "Corrine, this is Markiel. He's the pitcher..."

Tumango lang ang nakapamulsang lalaki. He looks cold and I thought he won't offer his hand but he did.

"Nice meeting you, Corrine." He flashed his full set of perfect white teeth.

"Nice meeting—"

"Hey!" Alfonso butt in. Inakbayan n'ya si Markiel bago nakangising naglahad ng kamay. "Alfonso Ian..."

I rolled my eyes at him. He chuckled.

"Go away, Alfon..." Halos itulak s'ya ni Ahia. "Where's the girls?"

Palinga-linga na si Ahia but Alfonso remained at my front. Nakataas ang kilay n'ya and his hand is still waiting for mine.

"Where's my handshake, Corrine?"

Umirap ako para itago ang nararamdamang kaba. The first time we met, I was the one who offered a handshake.

I accepted his hand. Binitiwan ko na ang kanya but his hand held mine. Pinagtaasan ko s'ya ng kilay.

Ngumuso s'ya bago ngumisi. Binitawan n'ya ang kamay ko at nangingiting humarap sa mga kaibigan.

"Hoy! Sabi ko sa inyong hintayin n'yo kami! Mga pashnea kayo!"

I eyed the restaurant's entrance. There are three girls. Nakasimangot ang nauuna at mabilis n'yang sinapak si Sebastian.

"Saan ka nagpunta kahapon? Wala ka sa practice!"

Nagsimula silang magtalo. Lumapit naman sa akin si Ahia at iginiya ako sa mga bagong dating.

"Gabriella, this is my sister, Corrine..."

Abala pa ang babae sa paghila sa tainga ni Sebastian nang ipakilala ako sa kanya ni Ahia. Mukhang sanay na sila sa pagiging magulo ng isa't-isa while I'm still shock at what she did.

"Oh, hi!" Gabriella smiled sweetly. Her eyes twinkled.

She offered her hand which I accepted. She waved her hand and pointed to her friends. I don't know what it is so I just nod.

"Is she your sister, Macky?" another girl approached us.

"Yes, Sabina." Ahia pointed to the long hair friend of his. "Sabina and Reymond are cousins."

Tumango ako at naglahad ng kamay. "I love your bag."

She smiled. "Oh my God! I also love your bag and that shoes!" She pointed to my heels. "Newest collection!"

I talked to Sabina for a bit before Ahia pulled another girl.

"And this is Letticia, Corrine..."

The girl is beautiful with her small curls. She looks serene...

"Letti, she's my sister. The one I always told you about," Ahia continued.

"Hello, Corrine," she greeted and offered a hand. "How are you?"

I smiled, a forced one. Wala sa kanya ang atensyon ko, nasa kamay ng kapatid kong nakahawak sa siko n'ya. I glanced at Ahia. He's not looking at me, his eyes are on Letticia.

I cleared my throat and accepted Letticia's hand.

"I'm doing great..." mahina ang boses ko at halos pilitin ko ang sariling huwag tingnan ang kapatid.

I know that look. Hindi ko alam kung paano pero alam ko ang tinging iyon.

Tahimik ako habang nagdi-dinner. Ni hindi ko naramdaman ang lasa ng mga pagkain.

Maingay at magulo ang mga kaibigan ni Ahia pero ni hindi ko masundan ang pinag-uusapan nila. Abala ako sa pag-oobserba sa kapatid na abala naman sa pag-aasikaso kay Letticia. Yes, inaasikaso rin ako ni Ahia but there's something on his actions with Letticia.

"Stop glaring at your brother. Eat."

Mabilis akong napatingin sa katabi. Si Alfonso na ang nasa upuan ni Sebastian.

"Ni hindi mo kinain 'yong main course," aniya at inusog ulit ang cake. "You should eat something."

I sighed and eyed the cake.

My brother looks happy and I'm here, thinking about what will happen to him.

Bakit ako pa 'yong namomroblema? Mahigit isang buwan pa lang ako rito pero problemado na ako!

"Do you know what's more powerful than any tradition?"

Muli kong nilingon ang katabi. Nakangisi s'ya habang nakatingin sa nagkakatuwaang mga kaibigan.

His eyes met mine. "Love, Corrine. No one can go against the power of love."