Broken Bones and Scar Souvenirs

Chapter 5 - Peeking Through the Cracks (Part 2)

●●●●

Sa hindi maipaliwanag na dahilan ay nakaramdam ng kaba ang dalaga pagpasok niya pa lang sa dining area. Nakapustura silang lahat at may kani-kaniyang pinag-uusapan ngunit agad naman silang napalingon sa pagdating ni Sabrina. The room was sprawling with the elegance that is the Vescozar family and for some reason, Yalmar was not among them.

“There they are!” Bungad ni Marco kina Mitch at Sab nakakarating lang. Agad namang lumingon ang isang makisig nakakatandang lalaki sa kanila. Beside him was a gorgeous woman who appeared to be at least a decade younger than him.

Lumapit naman si Marco sa dalaga at agad na nagpakilala. “Good evening, Dear. Allow me to introduce myself. Marco Vescozar.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Don Marco.” Sabrina reached out to shake his hand but to her surprise, her future father in law kissed the back of her hand.

Sabrina didn’t know what to feel. For starters, the leader of the feared Northern Dragons was right in front of her. Of course, she expected finesse from a man of such power but he didn’t really fit the picture that Sab painted for him. She was expecting an old frail man covered in riches but had his best years escaped him, much like her father, but she was mistaken.

Considering his age, Marco Vescozar didn’t look anything like she imagined. Sure he had grey hair styled back but he stood tall and proud. His body still looked like just a few years off it’s prime, his eyes were grey and glassy just like the ones Yalmar have, and for a distinguished businessman, it was odd seeing him with a few tattoos peaking from his collar even up to the side of his head.

“This is my brother, Mattias Vescozar, and his wife Gizelle.”

Sabrina looked at the couple and they looked unreal. Makikita ang pagkakahawig ni Mattias sa kapatid nito. Matangkad, makisig, at may iilang tattoo sa braso. His wife was like a porcelain doll or maybe a starlet from the twenties that managed to drink a youth serum.

Hindi yata uso ang wrinkles sa pamilyang ‘to. Sabrina silently jested to herself.

Nakipagkamay naman sa kanya si Mattias at tatlong beso naman ang binigay sa kanya ni Gizelle. “My look at you. A fine young woman indeed,” puri ni Mattias. “My nephew is too lucky, I don’t think he deserves you.”

“Careful now, Tito. We don’t want my bride to run for the hills before I’ve had my fun.”

Almost simultaneously, everyone in the room turned towards the newcomer, who’s no other than Yalmar. He had his usual cocky grin on his face as he walked in. Unlike his suit-clad brothers, Yalmar dressed a bit too casual. He wore a crisp white button-down long sleeves pulled up to his elbows and a pair of casual dark denim jeans that hid his leg braces underneath. The runes and the lines he adorned his skin slightly peaked through his rolled-up sleeves that gave Sab more intrigue.

Napabuntong hininga na lang si Yves sa mga pakulo ng kapatid nito. Mabilis na nagkasalubong ang mga mata nila at tinaasan lang siya ng kilay ni Yalmar. Yves could’ve sworn he heard his brother telepathically.

What? I didn’t wear sweatpants, okay.

Sabrina on the other hand, shut her eyes tight for a second to stop herself from rolling her eyes at her fiancé. Aba’t halos ilang oras siyang nagtiis magshopping kasama sila Mitch tapos makikita niyang hindi man lang nag-abala ang binata.

She chastised herself once more for actually giving a damn about Yalmar’s antics. She just threw him a sharp look, but it was more of an observing stare. Yes. That’s it. She was just observing how his white long sleeves hugged his muscled torso and watching how his arms would slightly flex as ran his fingers through his wavy hair that was loosely styled back.

What the f**k, Sab?

She glanced up to meet his eyes and had a look on his face that made her blush as if he caught her with a hand in a cookie jar. To be fair, Sab caught him too as he ran his eyes up and down to check her out. His mouth opened as if he had something snarky to say but he stopped before he could utter a word.

Naputol ang sandaling tinginan ng dalawa nang tumikhim naman si Clarissa. “Why don’t we all take our seats. Dinner will be served in a bit.”

Each of them had a seat at the massive dinner table complete with a fine dining setting. Marco Vescozar made a point to outdo everything for this dinner. The patriarch sat at one end of the table while Clarissa sat at the other end. Yalmar was seated next to his father while Sabrina was given the seat right across him.

Nang nakaupo na silang lahat ay may pumasok ang sa tingin ni Sabrina ay ang chef na naghanda ng pagkain at nagbigay ng maikling speech bago isa-isang binanggit ang laman ng menu. The main course was fillet mignon seared in some liquor and fruit juice or whatever. She could barely remember what the chef said. It was hard to focus when all that time they were seated, Yalmar just kept staring at her while lightly tapping his fingers on the table.

As their food got served, Marco stood up and raised his glass. “Thank you so much to each of you here tonight. Tonight my greatest fortune is gathered right here in this room. And with the recent events, we welcome another gem to the fold. And it is important that we cherish each and every member of this home for there is strength in family. Cheers!”

Sabrina smiled at his gesture and took a swig from her glass. As the dinner went on, each of them was busy with small talks and pleasantries.

They took turns asking Sab trivial things and tried to carry the conversation. Magalang namang sinagot ni Sabrina ang mga tanong sa kanya. Nanatili namang hindi umiimik si Yalmar at tila walang ganang kumain. His eyes showed his desire to just end the dinner as soon as possible and not deal with anyone else. Not that he ever tried to hide it.

Nainggit naman ng kaunti si Sabrina sa binata. Kahit naman na inip na ito, at least, hindi siya kumpulan ng tanong. But what did she expect? She was the outsider. It was only fitting.

“Sab, hija, Sa’n ka nga ulit nag-aral?” tanong ni Clarissa na tila pinakaintresado sa dalaga.

“I got my degree in Princeton. Most of my high school years, I stayed in Europe and attended various boarding schools.”

Yalmar scoffed at her answered. Hindi na sana ito papansinin ng dalaga pero nangibabaw ang inis niya nang makita ang mapanuyang tingin ng binata.

“What was that, Yalmar? May gusto ka bang sabihin?” malumanay niyang baling sa fiancé.

“Nothing.” He continued pushing his food around before he glanced up. “No actually, I’m intrigued. Various boarding schools…why is that?”

Yohann put down his fork to throw his youngest brother a reprimanding look but Yalmar couldn’t care less. Sabrina tried to stay classy and ignore her fiance’s hostility.

“School was…for lack of a better word, a struggle for me, and I’m not really one for making friends. It was difficult for me to adjust to such environments, so my father saw fit to transfer me from one school to the next. Not that it helped but, that was that.” She then chugged on her glass.

“So what? A few kids were mean and they picked on you so you just jumped places? I never imagined you’d tuck your tail crying and ran away.” Yalmar menacingly smirked on her.

Huminga na lang ng malalim ang dalaga. Gusto niyang tusukin ang mga mata ni Yalmar o 'di kaya ay sunugin ang makapal na buhok nito. She was sure that Yalmar wanted her to lash out and make a scene and she was not about to give him that satisfaction. She needed to take back control.

“On the contrary, I was mean to them. I was the one to make them tuck their tails and cry.”

Yalmar just chuckled at her answer. Bago pa man makapagsalita ulit ang binata ay agad nang sumingit ang isa sa mga kapatid nito at iniba ang usapan.

“I heard you double majored in Finance and Public Relations. Was that always your dream or you just did it because you were an heiress?” tanong ni Yves.

“Both. My mother was the CFO of the company back then. Simula bata pa ako gusto ko nang sumunod sa mga yapak niya. She also loved the company so much and she worked hard to make it grow that’s why I also wanted to do my part to honor her legacy.”

“Nasaan na ang mommy mo ngayon?” nasusuyang singit ni Yalmar. “Iniwan niya na kayo simula nang malulong ang Daddy mo sa sugal?”

“Yalmar!” His father tried to interject.

“What? I’m just asking. Isn’t it what this dinner is for?” maang na sagot niya sa ama. Clearly he wasn’t doing t to get to know her better. He was purposely being cruel and Sabrina could see through it.

Lumamlam naman ang mga mata ng dalaga pero hindi siya nagpatinag at taas noo pa ring sinagot si Yalmar. “My mom died when I was eight,” she said with an icy tone.

Nanatiling nakatingin naman ang binata sa kanya na tila hindi alam kung ano ang sasabihin. There was an emotion in his eyes that Sabrina was not prepared to see, empathy. It was a brief moment just before he looked down and tore his gaze away. It was too faint that it almost seemed impossible but it was there.

They made their way to dessert without Yalmar uttering a word. He barely touched his food and Sabrina apparently lost her appetite ever since their little banter. Tense was an understatement but they all continued their meal anyway.

Tumikhim naman si Yohann at sinubukang buksan muli ang usapan. “So, are you ready for the wedding?”

Sab had to swallow hard upon hearing the question. Tinapunan naman ni Yalmar ng masamang tingin ang kapatid. It was a stupid question. But surely he expected that as he always regarded all his brothers as idiots in expensive suits.

Yalmar placed down his utensils to propped his elbows on the table. Palipat-lipat ang tingin niya sa mga tao sa mesa. Sabrina took a sip of her wine before answering.

“I don’t really know what to say.” To which, Yalmar snorted. “I think I’m as ready as anyone can be, given the setbacks.”

And Yalmar, did not take any of it well. Tumaas ang kilay ng binata sa pahayag ni Sab. “Setback? Really… setbacks?”

Tumikhim ang naman ang ama nito pero wala itong nagawa para pigilan ang mga sumunod na sinabi ni Yalmar. “You’re not stupid, are you? You know what we are and what kind of business this family does. The serpents call us savages. Maybe it was because my father built our reputation from scratch and we didn’t come from centuries-old of wealth like all those entitled pieces of shit.”

Sinubukan namang tapikin ni Yohann ang balikat ng kapatid pero mabilis itong umiwas at nagpatuloy. “You also know what I am. I’m not stupid not to hear people whispering behind my back and calling me a mad cripple. So tell me specifically. Which setback do you mean, Ms. Buenavista? Is it about the fact that you are marrying a savage or a mad cripple?”

Everyone at the table paused as Yalmar threw her a look that could almost kill. She saw his brothers shifted in their seats with looks of dread. Marco massaged his temple in frustration that the dinner was starting to go downhill fast.

Right at that moment, Sabrina was convinced that her fiancé was in fact the devil incarnate. His petulance seemed to have no end. Hindi alam ng dalaga kung halata ba sa mukha niya na gusto na niyang tumayo at busalan na lang ang bunganga ni Yalmar, pero sinubukan niyang itago ang inis sa boses niya.

“What I meant with that was the challenges of being in an arranged marriage and trying to plan the whole thing in less than a month. But please, feel free to think what you want, Mr. Vescozar.” Ngumiti siya na hindi naman umabot sa kanyang mga mata.

Mahinang natawa naman si Yves sa sagot ni Sab sa kapatid nito pati na rin sag anti nitong ‘Mr. Vescozar’ sa huli. Agad namang itong napatigil nang matalim siyang tinignan ni Yalmar.

“I have to side with Sabrina here.” Singit ni Mattias sa usapan. The older man was hoping to snatch away the conversation and try to have both of them to cool down. “Hindi nga naman madali ang lahat ng ito para sa kanya—”

Bago pa man matapos ang sasabihin nito ay tinalunan naman ni Yael ang pagkakataong sumingit. “Hindi talaga magiging madali. Imagine she’s marrying Yalmar. Not to mention there are certain marital duties that will be impossible for him to fulfill.”

“Now is not the time for this, Quatro,” Yohann tried to reprimand his brother. Sabrina saw how Yalmar’s jaw clenched and how his grip on the steak knife tightened the moment that Yael started speaking.

Hinawakan naman ni Diane ang braso ng asawa at sinubukang agawin ang pansin nito pero nanatiling hindi natinag si Yael. Ngumiti pa ito kay Sabrina na tila walang pake sa matatalim na tingin ni Yalmar. Sabrina knew that there was slyness in his eyes and he was doing it on purpose to get a certain reaction from Yalmar. It still wasn’t clear to her why he would do it but it was working.

“I think this is the perfect time, Dos.” He looked across the table to address his brother. “Don’t you think Sabrina deserves to know the truth before she marries him?”

“Shut up!” Sab almost jumped when Yalmar slammed his fist on the table. It caused a few glasses to be knocked down. Kulang na ang ay may lumabas na usok sa tenga ni Yalmar at kung wala lang ang mesa sa pagitan nilang magkapatid, duda niya ay baka nagsuntukan na sila.

“That’s enough both of you. Mahiya naman kayo!” their father roared.

“What? We all know that this is just a charade. Their marriage will never work, that and one more thing—”

“Yael, don’t do this!” his wife tugged him but Yael seemed unphased. He leaned back on his seat and raised his glass up to drink.

Now, Sabrina knew that cruelty was not just Yalmar’s thing but it was also Yael’s. He seemed unremorseful to say the least. She would even dare say that he enjoyed the torment his putting not just Yalmar but everyone else on the dinner table.

“Stop coddling him. Sab has the right to know that she’s spending the rest of her life with someone who can’t please her and will never rise to the occasion.” He was about to take another sip from his wine glass when Yalmar sent a steak knife flying with just a flick of his wrist.

Pigil hininga si Sabrina sa nangyari. Shocked, confused, enrage, she felt all of it at the same time. The three other brothers were all on their feet and Yael also had a shocked look all over his face. That and some spilled wine on his shirt and a hand holding a broken wine glass. Yalmar was fury on flesh, breathing heavily and even Sabrina faltered and feared to meet his gaze.

May iilang mahinang mura na pinakawalan si Yalmar bago tumayo at diretsong nag-walk-out. Si Sabrina naman ay nanatiling nakatulala sa kinauupuan. Diane was fussing on her husband that had his finger cut with the shard of glass. She was quick to drag Yael out to tend to his small wound. But just before the couple could leave the dining room, everyone flinched as a crashing sound and a series of profanities echoed in the hallway.

Huminga naman ng malalim si Yves bago magalang na tumayo at inayos ang nagusot na suit. “Please excuse me. I’ll go check on him.”

Mitch warned her that something like that would happen but as Sab sat there and pondered upon the ramifications of Yalmar’s rage. She couldn’t begin to understand their hatred for each other. Surely Yael’s contempt for his younger brother ran deep to even turn a formal dinner into an opportunity to insult and shame him in front of his fiancé.

Marahas na napahilamos naman si Marco sa kinalabasan ng hapunan nila. Tumikhim ang matanda at sinubukang pukawin ang atensyon ng dalaga. “I’m sorry about that, Sabrina. Sometimes I wonder if I’ve raised men or uncultured Neanderthals.”

Sabrina just wiped her mouth before putting down the table napkin. “I’m sorry too. Pero gusto ko na pong magpahinga at umakyat sa kwarto ko.”

Hindi na niya hinintay pang sumagot ang matanda at tuluyang umalis.

It was a total disaster and she was stupid to think that she could turn that dinner into a good moment in which she had full control.

Welcome to the f*****g circus.