Simply Yours (SPG)

Chapter 9

Krista feel so proud while watching her older brother deliver his speech. Napakagwapo at kagalang-galang nitong tingnan habang nakatayo sa kanilang harapan.

"Parang hindi tarantado si Kuya Kohen kung makaasta," rinig niyang bulong ni Kuya Flynt.

"Pakitang tao lang naman 'yan e," gatong pa ni Kuya Pace.

"Bakit ba nandito tayong lahat? Wala naman akong pakealam sa politika," saad naman ng kaniyang Kuya Fane.

"Shut up and just focus," a cold voice coming from her back said, na siyang mabilis niyang binalingan ng tingin at ang kaniyang mga mata ay nanlaki ng makita ang kaniyang Kuya Faiz at Kuya Polaris doon.

"Where did you go Kuya Faiz?" agarang tanong niya.

"I saw some of my political colleagues a while ago. May pinagusapan lang kami at mukhang hindi niyo namalayan na umalis ako," paliwanag nito at marahang pinisil ang kaniyang pisngi.

"Sinundo ko na kasi hinahanap mo," saad naman ng kaniyang Kuya Polaris na may dala-dalang abaniko.

Marahan siya nitong pinaypayan na siyang kaniyang kinangiti. So sweet.

"Thank you kuya," she smiles at her Kuya Polaris.

"You're always welcome. Eyes on Kuya Kohen," saad nito na siyang mabilis niyang sinunod.

Siguro nga namalikmata lang siya kanina. Dahil ba sa hindi siya nakapag-almusal? Baka nga iyon ang dahilan.

Naging abala kasi agad ang kaniyang Kuya Kohen kaya hindi na sila nakakain, at nakalimutan niya ring ayain ang iba niyang mga kuya kanina sa kadahilanang naukopa ni Nigel ang isip at puso niya.

Speaking of Nigel, she wonder where his clinic is. She badly want to see Nigel doing his work with a white lab coat on.

"As long as I am the Governor. Ipinapangako ko ang kapayapan at maayos na pamumuhay sa bayang ito," her older brother said that put a smile on her face.

She stands up and clap her hands as a sign of support and so as the others.

Pagkatapos ng mahaba't mahabang damdaming speech ng kaniyang Kuya Kohen ay makakaalis na rin siya sa wakas.

They're in front, kaharap lang nila ang munting intablado at ang tanging masasabi niya lang ay—

"Ang init jusko," she hissed.

"Ang hina mo naman magpaypay Polaris," rinig niyang reklamo ng kaniyang Kuya Faiz.

"Hindi naman para sa 'yo 'to. Para 'to kay Krista kaya huwag kang epal,"

"Bakit ba kasi abaniko ang binili mo kuya? Wala bang hand fan? Iyong kagaya ng kay Piper?" kunot noong tanong naman ng kaniyang Kuya Pace.

"Mukha ba 'tong siyudad? Mukha ba 'tong Maynila ha?" yamot na saad ng kaniyang Kuya Polaris. "Kung itulak kaya kita sa dagat ng malamigan ka?"

"Manahimik kayo kung ayaw niyong bumulagta na lang diyan bigla," pagsingit ng kaniyang Kuya Kohen na nasa tabi niya na pala.

Mabilis siyang tumayo at malambing na niyakap ito sa bewang. "You did a great job kuya. I am so proud of you," she whispered softly.

"Thank you disney princess," her older brother replied and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "Bakit nga pala nahuli kayo? Saan kayo nagtungo?"

"Naglibot lang kami kuya," tugon ng kaniyang Kuya Polaris. "Panigurado naman kasing maboboryong itong si Krista kaya naman inilibot muna namin," paliwanag pa nito.

"Ohh...I see. Akala ko kasi may nangyari ng masama sa into because my men can't find you around," saad ng kaniyang Kuya Kohen. "By the way, pinakain niyo na ba si Krista? Baka mamaya lakad lang kayo nang lakad tapos wala pang kain itong isa," with that, nagsi-atrasan ang mga pinsan niya.

"A-ahhh, I got to go now my students are looking for me," may ngiting alanganing saad ng kaniyang Kuya Fane.

"A-Ako rin, baka hinahanap na ako sa mansyon,"

"Hello? Oo, papunta na ako..."

"Hala? Nasaan ako? Anong ginagawa ko rito?"

Ilang lamang 'yan sa mga palusot n kaniyang narinig, at hindi niya mapigilang matawa sapagkat wala namang katuturan ang mga iyon maliban na lang sa Kuya Faiz niya na napapaligiran na naman ng ibang politiko.

"Diyan kayo magaling e—ang magpalusot kahit huling-huli naman sa akto," iritadong saad ng kaniyang Kuya Kohen at nailing. "Dapat pala Hindi ko na kayo isinama rito, wala rin naman kayong ibang ambag kundi sakit sa ulo."

"May ambag kaya ako," mabilis na pagtutol ng kaniyang Kuya Polaris. "Binantayan at ibinili ko ng abaniko si Krista," dugtong pa nito.

Iritadong hinampas ng envelop ni Kuya Kohen si Kuya Polaris. "Mabubusog ba ang disney princess sa abaniko? Kung hindi ka ba naman gago,"

"Luh si Gov. nananakit," Ani Kuya Pace.

"Sabi mo kanina no violence tapos ikaw naman 'tong pasimuno," pang-aasar ng kaniyang Kuya Flynt.

"Aba't—"

"Enough na kuya. I'm hungry..." paglalambing niya upang ito ay kumalma.

She saw her cousins giving her a thumbs up na siyang kinaikot niya ng mga mata.

"Hindi pa ako tapos sa mga gagong 'to," ayaw paawat na katwiran nito.

Nagpakawala siya ng isang malalim na hininga at pumwesto sa harapan ng nanggagalaiti niyang kuya. Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay at tiningnan ng masama dahilan para ito ay mapatigil.

"Hindi ba't sinabi kong tama na? Nagugutom na nga ako tapos mag-aaway-away pa kayo. Paano na lang kung Hindi ko makayanan ang gutom? Paano na lang kung bigla akong mahilo at bumulagta rito tapos mamatay? Sige mag-away lang kayo tutal naman mukhang wala kayong concern sa 'kin e," madrama niyang Sabi at tinalikuran ang mga ito.

She heard her older brother shouts her name pero hindi na siya nag-abala pang harapin ito. Bakit niya naman haharapin edi masasyang ang mala-oscar niyang aktingan.

Piper said that she's a good actor, may balak nga ang pinsan niyang iyon na kunin siya but she said no because it's not her passion.

She stops mid-way when she smells a familiar scent coming from somewhere. The scent screams comfort and that's clearly owned by Nigel.

"Looks like its destiny again..." a voice coming from her back said, kaya nama'y mabilis siyang humarap doon.

And god gracious! She can't believe her eyes! Is it really Nigel in front of her? O baka naman may kakambal 'to? But the man in front of her feels like Nigel and so as his scent.

"N-Nigel?" she asks stuttering because she's not sure.

"Yes?" Nigel replied then chuckles. "You look nervous. Don't be, hindi naman ako nangangain." dugtong pa nito dahilan para siya'y mapakurap.

"W-wow," palatak niya. "You look different in your lab coat and man bun," there...she finally said it.

"Really?" tanong nito at sa kaniya'y bahagya pang lumapit na siyang kaniya namang kinaatras.

"Yes," she replied, nervous. "I still can't believe that you're a dentist. Akala ko talaga isa kang modelo o kaya naman artista," dugtong niya pa.

"How and why did you think so?" kuryosong tanong nito habang malawak na nakangiti. "Am I that handsome?" dugtong nito na siyang mabilis niya namang sinang-ayonan.

"Yes you are!" she shouted while looking at Nigel, straight on the eyes. "First of all, you're handsome as hell. You got a physic that can't be easily achieved, you also got charms and charisma that an idol possesses."

Nigel's eyes twinkles in amusement because of what she said. He is looking at her in awe and surprise, is it the first time he heard those words?

"Why are you looking at me like that? Hindi ka ba naniniwala sa sinasabi ko?" galit na tanong niya habang kunot noo. "Tanong-tanong ka pa tapos ayaw mo naman maniwala," bulong niya.

Yamot siyang napapadyak ng marinig ang pagtawa ni Nigel.

"Anong nakakatawa? May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko?" taas kilay at unis niyang tanong dito.

Tumikhim naman ito at marahang hinawakan ang kaniyang magkabilaang kamay dahilan para mapabaling dito ang kaniyang tingin. All of the sudden, her hands looks so tiny with him. And aside from that, her heart is beating like crazy again.

"Eyes on me," wika nito na siyang mabilis niyang sinunod. "Walang nakakatawa sa sinabi mo—"

"Then why are you laughing?" she cuts his words.

"Because I find you so adorable," wika nito at marahang pinisil ang kaniyang kamay. "Palagi kong naririnig ang mga katagang, 'pogi, gwapo, at magandang lalaki'. Wala naman iyong epekto sa akin dahil alam ko na iyon sa aking sarili because that's how my mom raised me..." mahabang saad nito.

"Then why did you laugh?" she asked again, pouting.

"It's because I can't find the right word as a response on your complement. Bigla akong napunta sa langit no'ng sinabi mong pogi ako," saad nito at tumawang muli. "Alam kong nagmumukha akong baliw sa mga oras na ito pero hindi ko rin talaga maipaliwanag at maipahayag ng malaya ang nararamdaman ko," Nigel, then gently pulls her closer.

Nigel's right hand gently touches her chin and caresses it, while looking straight on her eyes with different kind of emotions in it.

"It's not the first, second or third time that I saw you Krista." bunyag nito na siyang kinagulat niya. "I don't know when my curiosity about you turns into attraction, and becomes bigger..."

"W-what are you talking about?" she nervously asks.

"I like you Krista," Nigel said without batting an eye. "I like you for a long time now. But believe it or not, out first encounter is the first time I saw you too."

Bumubuka ang kaniyang bibig ngunit hindi siya makapagsalita. Hindi niya alam ang kaniyang gagawin nang dahil sa mga rebilasyong kaniyang naririnig.

It's not the first time someone confess to her, pero ito ang unang pagkakataon na gusto niya rin ang lalaking iyon. But the problem is, she's not ready to be in a relationship.

"I-I..."

"You don't need to pressure your self," Nigel said softly. "I said those words because I can't keep it anymore. Sa tuwing naaalala ko ang nakangiti mong mukha ay mas lalong lumalalim at nag-uumapaw ang nararamdaman ko para sa 'yo," dugtong nito habang marahang hinahaplos ang kaniyang pisngi.

"Nigel..."

"I still can't believe my eyes when we first met," saad nito at bahagya pang tumawa. "The descriptions and articles they gave me didn't give you justice,"

She's silently watching Nigel's every expression. He look sincere, happy and in love...that makes her heart flutter.

"I am hoping that after this you will still treat me the same," saad nito at siya'y binitawan. "I would like to apologize for my sudden confession, It's just that I can't stand it anymore and I am getting a little bit impatient for some reasons that I can't even name. Please don't avoid me...I'll be good, I won't be a push over and I will never ever mention something like this again in the near future." Nigel plead that makes her heart ache.

Nigel is a good man, she can tell. Kahit sa ikling panahong ng kanilang pagkakakilala ay wala itong ibang ipinakita sa kaniya kundi kabutihan, and hearing him plead somewhat breaks her heart.

"Nigel you see—"

"What are you doing to my sister crazy dentist?!" malakas na sigaw ng isang pamilyar na boses dahilan para mabilis siyang mapalayo kay Nigel.

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata ng makitang nasa likuran ni Nigel ang kaniyang Kuya Kohen. Madilim ang anyo nito habang sa kaniya'y masamang nakatingin.

"Come here Krista," tawag nito sa kaniya na mabilis niya namang sinunod.

Her older brother hides her behind his back, while still eyeing Nigel like a hawk ready to eat his prey.

"Why are you talking to my sister? Bakit kayo magkalapit? Ano ang ibig sabihin nito Nigel?" sunod-sunod na tanong ng kaniyang Kuya, ngunit ang nakakuha ng kaniyang atensyon ay ang huli nitong sinabi.

"D-Do you know Nigel kuya?" lakas loob niyang tanong sa kabila ng labis na kaba.

Binalingan siya nito ng tingin at tumango. "Of course I know him. He's one of my previous competitors, and among them all he's the toughest."

She gasps because of what her older brother said.

Mabilis niyang tiningnan si Nigel at tinanong ito. "Is it true?"

Nigel heave a sigh and smiles at her, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. He looks sad and lost, and she's guilty.

"It's true. I was once became your older brother's political competitor, but I instantly gave up when I found out that he is your brother." Nigel confesses then gently scratches his neck, he looks shy and cute at the same time. "I don't want to be in your older brother's bad side so instantly quit, and besides politics isn't for me." he added then chuckles.

"Walang nakakatawa," pagsingit sa usapan ng kaniyang kuya. "This isn't about politics anymore Nigel, so you better ready yourself because I won't let you slide. Hindi kayo bagay ng kapatid ko kaya huwag mo na siyang lalapitan pa dahil sa oras na malaman kong nilalapitan mo pa siya, paglalamayan ka na." pagbabanta pa nito at walang salitang siya ay hinila, pero ang mga mata niya'y nanatiling nakatitig kay Nigel na may seryosong emosyon sa mukha.

"Huwag mo ng kakausapin ang lalaking 'yon Krista," seryoso't malamig na saad ng kaniyang kuya dahilan para mabaling dito ang kaniyang mga mata.

"B-but he's a friend..." sagot niya.

Huminto ito sa paglalakad at salubong kilay na hinarap siya.

"Listen very carefully Krista. Nigel is a snake, he isn't treating you like a friend. Ang lalaking iyon ay naghahanap lang ng tamang tiyempo upang tuklawin ka at kunin papalayo sa 'min,"seryoso nitong saad.

"Nigel isn't like that kuya!" pagtatanggol niya. "He is passionate and kind!"

Her older brother chuckles in disbelief and ruffles his own hair, frustrated.

"I don't know what to do with you anymore Krista," his older brother said, disappointed. "Every man in this world is a big bad wolf. The man you're defending is an aristocrat—a royalty, Krista. Ito ay ang malayong kamag-anak ni Haring Astaroth ng Greece, kung nagugulohan ka da politaka...paano na lang kaya sa mundo ng mga maharlika?"