Quest For Justice

CHAPTER 10: Bullying at the Mansion

Nobody could bully a bully.

Cassandra stared at Verno as he walked straight toward them. He looked messy in Cassandra’s eyes. Parang hindi ito part ng Guzman family. He was wearing a torn jean, old sneakers, and a black shirt. Hindi pormahan ng mga mayayaman. Wala ba itong pambili ng bagong sapatos? Hindi naman ito ganon ka dugyot noong una niya itong nakita sa personal, siguro ay dahil sa madilim sa loob ng bar.

“Jel, may pagkain pa?” Agad na tanong ni Verno nang makalapit sa lamesa.

“Marami pa, kuya. Hindi ka pa kumakain?”

Verno just glanced at Cassandra as he sat on a chair beside her. He didn’t even greet her or ask who she was. Tiningnan lang siya nito sa blankong ekspresyon. If she were Cassandra right now, hindi niya rin ito papansinin, but she was Olivia for the meantime. She rose up from her seat and bowed at his another young master.

“Magandang araw po, sir.” She forced a note of optimism.

Verno just looked up at her, then turned to his brother. “Sino ‘to?” he frowned, then he started putting rice on his plate.

“Kuya! Kindly ask her.”

But Verno did not say anything and had his first bite of the steak.

So Cassandra just had her initiative to introduce herself. Sa pamilyang ito, si Jelo lang yata ang biniyayaan ng magandang pag-uugali sa tingin niya.

“Ako po si Olivia, sir. Bagong kasambahay po ninyo.” She smiled affably, kahit napapalitan lang.

“Okay,” Verno just said.

Cassandra sat back in her chair. She was really having a hard time acting kind. She felt like she was being choked by every courteous word she said to Verno who was acting rudely towards her.

“Anyway,” Verno leaned back into his chair and turned to Cassandra.

“Hindi ka ba nagsusuklay?” Verno almost laughed. He was bullying her, wasn’t he?

Agad siyang napahinga ng malalim. She didn’t want to start a fight, but Verno was starting a fight.

“Kuya!” Saway ni Jelo sa kapatid.

Agad na umakyat ang init sa ulo ni Cassandra. Namutawi na naman ang pagka pikon niya. Kung kanina ay nakapag pigil siya sa harap ni Victoria ay dahil kailangan niya ang mga salitang “You’re hired” mula rito. Pero dito sa isang ‘to ay nawalan siya agad ng pakialam.

“Ikaw ba hindi naliligo?” Cassandra raised her thick brow, hinahamon ang tapang ni Verno.

Nagulat naman si Verno at si Jelo sa naging asta niya at sa sinabi niya. Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Verno at pinamulahan ito ng pisngi sa hiya.

“What did you say?” Verno flashed an angry face.

“Kuya, ‘wag mo ng patulan. Ikaw naman may kasalanan, e.” Saway ulit ni Jelo.

Pero hindi pinansin ni Verno si Jelo at tumayo ito upang ipakita ang pagka-superior nito.

“The audacity of this ugly woman!” She scowled at her na parang kakainin siya nito ng buhay.

Cassandra wasn’t contented of just looking up at Verno. Tumayo rin siya. She couldn’t stand him. Hindi naman ganoon kalayo ang tangkad ni Verno sa kanya.

“Saan pumunta ‘yong pinag-aralan mo sa ESP? O may pinag-aralan ka po ba, sir?” Cassandra tilted her head.

This was not the time for her to lose her temper. Pero hindi naman imposible sa isang katulong ang ipaglaban ang sarili niya sa isang mapanghusgang amo. She knew enough about human rights and she wasn’t violating any, but he was. Mabuti lang masampal ang lalaking ito sa katotohanan na wala itong karapatang sigaw sigawan o ipahiya ang kahit na sino, maging kasambahay man.

Masakit at nag-aapoy ang tinginan ng dalawa kung kaya’t lumapit na si Jelo sa kapatid upang sawayin ulit ito.

Pumagitna si Jelo sa kanilang dalawa.

“Kuya, tama na sabi. She’s a girl.” Tumataas na ang boses ni Jelo.

“Anong kaguluhan ito?” Karina entered the dining area. She walked toward them, frowning.

At doon lang naputol ang masamang tinginan ng dalawa.

“Nana, kasi ‘yang bagong kasambahay! Hindi na nga maganda ang mukha, masama pa ang ugali!” Singhal ni Verno.

Magsasalita na sana si Cassandra upang ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili ngunit inunahan siya ni Karina.

“I’ve never taught you to talk ill about someone, Verno! Ganyan na ang ugali mo?” Karina was glaring at him. Para itong tunay na ina kung makapagsalita sa kanyang mga pinagsisilbihan.

“Nana, wala pong kasalanan si Olivia. She just defended herself.” Sabat pa ni Jelo.

“Say sorry to her,” Karina commanded.

Cassandra was very satisfied with how Karina handled the situation. The head servant was indeed a righteous woman. She saw Verno scoff at her.

“Sorry!” Verno said nang halata namang labag sa kalooban nito.

“Pinapatawad na kita.” Cassandra said to appear the better one in Karina’s eyes. When in fact, she was still mad.

“What? Shouldn’t you ask for my forgiveness too?” Verno yelled.

“Bakit ako hihingi ng tawad sa taong hindi ko naman ginawan ng masama?” Cassandra tilted her head.

“See that, Nana?” Baling ni Verno kay Karina.

“She’s right,” Karina responded, giving her agreement to what Cassandra said.

“This is ridiculous!” Verno glared at her before he walked out.

Cassandra was so happy because she felt that she won.

“Kuya!” Tawag ni Jelo kay Verno.

“Let him be, Jelo!” Karina said with authority.

“Pasensya na po kayo, Ma’am Karina. Ayaw ko na sana siyang patulan kaso po nailait niya ako at hindi naman ho ‘yon makatuwiran dahil ako po ay espesyal din sa mga magulang ko at sila ang unang-unang masasaktan kapag nakatanggap ako ng panlalait.” Akting ni Cassandra, nagpapa-awa. But she had a point.

“It was fine, Oli. Just forgive my kuya. Mabait talaga ‘yon,” ani Jelo.

“Sana hindi na ito mauulit pa,” ani Karina ng mahinahon at umalis na roon.

Tinapos ni Cassandra ang kanyang naudlot na tanghalian. Then she cleared the table at hinugasan niya ang mga platong pinagkainan nila. Aminado siyang hindi siya sanay sa gawaing iyon pero marunong naman siya at hindi naman mahirap ang magsabon at magbanlaw ng mga plato at kubyertos. Nakakangalay nga lang sa kamay gayong hindi siya sanay sa ganitong gawain. Kahit lumaki pa sa yaman ang tao kung may common sense lang ay makakayang gawin iyon. Habang si Jelo naman ay nagsabi na sa kanyang aakyat na ito papunta sa kwarto nito. Apat na plato lang at tatlong baso pati na rin iilang kubyertos ang hinugasan niya ngunit napagod na siya agad. Pagkatapos niyang mag-hugas ay nangati ang balat niya sa kamay.

“Hello!” Bati ni Rima ng nakangiti sa kanya nang palabas na siya ng kusina at nagkasalubong sila.

“Hi!” Bati pabalik ni Cassandra.

“Magkasama raw tayo sa kwarto?” tanong ni Rima, mukhang excited ito.

“Ah, oo. Kasama si Myka.” Cassandra smiled.

“Yehey. Tatlo na tayong best friends, ha?” Rima affably said at pinulupot ang braso nito sa braso niya.

Nagulat naman si Cassandra sa pagiging palakaibigan ni Rima na hindi niya naman binahiran ng ka-plastikan. Natuwa si Cassandra rito.

“Ilang taon ka na?” tanong ni Cassandra.

“19 years old ako. Si Myka naman, ‘yong bestfriend ko, ay natin pala, 21 na,” ani Rima, hindi nawawala ang ngiti nito.

Napakamasayahin sigurong tao nitong si Rima ngunit masyado pa itong bata para magtrabaho. Hindi ba’t nag-aaral pa ang mga nasa ganoong edad? Kaya hindi na ni Casssandra napigilan ang kanyang sariling magtanong.

“19 years old ka pa lang? Bakit parang ambata mo pa para mamasukan bilang kasambahay?” Cassandra showed a little pity. Nanghihinayang kasi siya para rito. Pupuwede pa sana nitong maabot ang mga pangarap nito sa buhay.

“Sus. Wala ka bang nakilalang isang kasambahay na mas bata pa sa akin? Bakit first time mo bang maging kasambahay? Ano bang trabaho mo dati?” kuryusong sunod-sunod nitong tanong sa kanya.

“Ang bata mo pa.” Cassandra said sa mahinahong tono at binalewala ang katanungan nito. Dahil sadyang nanghihinayang siya para kay Rima na imbis na nag-aaral ay nandito’t naghahanapbuhay. May itsura pa naman ito at maganda ang ugali.

“Rima, pinapatawag ka sa opisina ni Doña Victoria.” Tawag ng isang kasambahay kay Rima.

Nang umalis na ito ay tumuloy si Cassandra sa malawak na living room ng bahay. Agad siyang naupo sa sofa na parang siya ang may ari ng mansiyon, kumuha pa siya ng isang sofa pillow at pinatong ito sa kandungan niya. Perfect na sana kung naka bukas ang TV at may Netflix. Ganoong klase ng pamumuhay ang nakasanayan niya. Luminga-linga siya sa paligid at nang makitang walang tao ay nagpatuloy siya sa ganoong pwesto.

Parelax-relax na muna siya ngayon dahil bukas ay uumpisahan niya ng mag-ipon ng mga impormasyon na magagmit niya balang araw. May listahan siya ng mga dapat niyang magawa habang naririto sa mansiyon. At nanguna sa listahan ay ang kilalanin ang kaugalian, hilig, katauhan, including strength and weaknesses of every family member na magagamit niya against them.

Ang alam niya lang sa ngayon ay mahal na mahal ng Chairman ang tatlo niyang mga anak and giving them pain means pain for the Chairman. Ahhh, should she be touched? Uunti-untiin niya ang pagpapasakit sa Chairman hanggang sa hindi na nito gugustuhin pa ang mabuhay. Ganon ang klase ng hustisya na gusto niyang makuha. Malas lang nito at buhay pa ito hanggang ngayon na capable na siya sa maraming bagay.

Cassandra’s mind had been occupied for a few minutes. When she realized that someone could just pop up at the living room and before she might get caught sitting on the luxurious sofa like a princess, she left the living room and headed towards the pool garden. It was located at the back of the mansion. There was an infinity pool and there were a lot of beautiful ornamental plants which added beauty to the surroundings. Cassandra found calmness. She closed her eyes and fold her arms to feel the fresh air. She imagined her long silky hair being blown by the air but it was gone.

Malapit na siyang matumba when someone suddenly bumped into her shoulder. She saw Verno holding his laugh. He was half-naked and was only wearing a swimming trunk. She felt like he was showing off his six-pack abs to her. Yeah, she found him hot. So what?   

What the hell? Cassandra thought.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean it,” he said dishonestly.

“Bulag ba kayo, sir?” ani Cassandra sa mahinahong pananalita ngunit may konting diin.

Umaandar na naman ang pagka mainitin ng ulo niya sa kabila ng pakikipag debate niya sa kanyang konsensya na ‘wag na lang pumatol pero nahihirapan siya.

“I said, I didn’t mean it.” Verno widened his eyes.

She gulped her irritation and decided to just leave the jerk alone because that was Olivia would probably do.

“Where are you going?” Verno spoke from behind her. She wanted to ignore him, but he was her boss. She just couldn’t.

She composed herself and turned around to face him. “Yes, sir?” She didn’t bother to smile.

“I need a towel.” He smirked.

She took a deep breath. Sumosobra na ito sa kanya but she didn’t complain, a boss could be bossy.

“Ikukuha ko po kayo, sir.”

“Nasa room ko sa third floor. At saka ‘wag kang gumamit ng elevator. Mag hagdan ka.” He smirked again.

Cassandra completely lost her temper. Her boss was obviously bullying her. She wouldn’t let anyone bully Olivia. Olivia was poor, but she couldn’t be that innocent. She could be fearless like Cassandra too.

Nobody could bully a bully.

She didn’t bother to answer her boss and looked around the area instead. She was sure na merong area roon kung saan nakalagay ang mga towel at iilang kagamitan pang-swimming. Because they had one at home. When her eyes found it, ang cabinet ay nandoon sa kaliwang bahagi ng pool area kung saan din naroroon ang iilang mga salbabida at life jackets pambata. She scurried toward there and took a white towel for his boss. Then she went back to him.

“Siguro naman magkaparehas lang ang towel dito at towel sa kwarto ninyo, sir?” Her eyes are fierce as she held out the towel to him.

“What kind of maid are you, hindi ka marunong sumunod?” Mukhang natamaan niya ang ego nito na pinuputok ngayon ng butsi nito.

Kinagat ni Cassandra ang sariling dila dahil gustong-gusto na niyang pagsalitaan ito gamit ang banyagang wika.

“Nawa’y mag-enjoy kayo sa pag-langoy, sir. Maiwan ko na po kayo.” Mabilis niya itong tinalikuran at nagmadali siyang naglakad palayo ng pool area.

“Hey!” Tawag pa ni Verno sa kanya na hindi na niya pinansin.

Nabigyan na niya ito ng towel, bahala na ito. Hindi niya hahayaan si Verno na i-bully siya. Dahil magiging mahirap ang buhay niya sa mansiyon kapag nagpatuloy ito sa pambu-bully sa kanya.

Tumuloy si Cassandra sa library ng bahay. Malawak ang library na iyon at ang mga bookshelves sa magkabilang corner ng kwartong iyon ay mula ceiling hanggang sahig ang sukat. This was just as big as their library at home.

Cassandra roamed around while she waited for Karina for the orientation. She proceeded to the center shelves para tumingin ng mga libro. She estimated a thousand books were in there. Huminto siya sa philosophy section and found a familiar book and riffled through the pages. She never found reading books a boring thing to do. In fact, she could lay in bed the whole day with a good and essential book.

All of a sudden, she heard the door open. Akala niya ay dumating na si Karina. She hurriedly put back the book to its place. Pagkalingon niya ay isang matipunong lalaki ang kanyang nasilayan. Nakasoot pa ito ng suit. Kagagaling lang siguro nito ng trabaho.

For the first time in her life, Cassandra felt nervous because of someone’s presence. Her heart thudded inside her chest as she met his gaze while he was walking toward her. It was a familiar kind of nervousness, when was the last time she felt this? Ah, at the bahay ampunan, when she thought Jarred saw her face.

“Who are you?” Jarred coldly asked when he closed the distance between them.

Cassandra took two steps backwards. Hindi niya kayang labanan ang presensya nito. She got dizzy under the influence of his aroma.

What the hell was happening to her? Was he poison?