DUCANI LEGACY SERIES 8: Khalid

Kabanata 1

Khalid

I tried to blink my eyes a couple times. Nasilaw ako nang husto sa flashes ng camera kaya lang ay kailangan kong tiisin nang matapos nang maaga ang photoshoot para sa sports magazine na mag-fi-feature sa akin.

We did a few more shots before I managed to get my hands on my phone. The director threw me a couple of questions but my eyes remained glued on the screen of my phone. Anie sent me a selfie with her nose crunching and her lips pursing, followed by her chat.

Mi Flor: She's obviously hitting on you!

I smirked before I typed in a reply.

Me: Don't care. I'm not interested in her, mi flor.

Sa nakalipas na isang taon mula nang mapawi ang tampo niya sa akin ay madalas na siya ang kausap ko habang nasa training camp siya. Our conversations are mostly about her trainings. . . and her constant warnings about the girls my friends are referring to me.

"Did you understand everything I just said?" the director asked. Halatang nagdududa kung nakinig ba talaga ako dahil tutok pa rin ang mga mata ko sa screen.

"Yeah." Tumuwid ako ng tayo. "I'll be at the conference 9AM sharp." I picked up my jacket and patted him on his back. "Gotta go."

Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang sasabihin niya. I went out of the studio and walked straight to the parking lot. Nang mabasa ang bagong chat ni Anie ay sumandal ako sa aking big bike at tiningnang muli ang mensahe.

Mi Flor: So you're not gonna entertain her obvious display of admiration?

I scoffed. Tinawagan ko na dahil siguradong nakataas ang kilay nito ngayon. Nang masagot niya ang tawag ay saktong sinusuklay ko ang mga daliri ko sa aking buhok.

"Hey," I greeted. "What time will your real Dad pick you up?"

Ngayon ang labas niya sa training camp ng mga gustong pumasok sa presidential security group. She spent a whole year inside the compound to learn combat skills and become the best security personnel because she's convinced that her Dad will soon aspire higher positions in politics.

Hindi naman ako tututol. Kahit ang Mommy ko ay kumbinsidong hindi lamang pang-gobernador ng Cagayan si Armani. Of course, I believe in his political visions, too. I am just not vocal about it. Baka lumaki ang ulo't isiping magkaibigan na kami.

"He'll be here any minute now, Daddy." Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Why are you changing the topic?"

"I'm not, baby. I just wanna know kung anong oras ka masusundo para alam ko kung babyahe na ba ko papuntang Monte Costa."

"We'll be in Monte Costa in five hours. Anyway, answer my question. Would you consider hitting on her?"

Ngumisi ako. "Why are you so invested in my lovelife, mi flor? I thought you don't wanna see me throwing myself out there again? Kaya ka nga nagalit sa Daddy mo no'ng i-setup ako sa blind date."

Ngumuso siya. "I'm not invested. I just wanna make sure you're not into someone I don't like for you!"

"Don't worry, mi flor. I don't like Devy. She's just a friend."

Halatang hindi pa ako pinaniwalaan kaagad, ngunit nang dumating ang Daddy niya ay kinailangan nang putulin ang tawag.

"They're here, Daddy. I'll see you later."

"See you later, mi flor. I have something for you."

She smiled. The kind of smile that made her eyes sparkle, and here I am, unconsciously admiring every bit of it.

I heard Armani call her. Napilitan tuloy siyang magpaalam na para sumama sa daddy niya. Ibinulsa ko naman ang phone ko at sumakay na sa motorsiklo. My black Ducati roared to life, earning some attention from the other people at the parking lot.

I went home and picked up my stuff then used my car. Dinaanan ko sa jewelry shop ang ipinagawa kong regalo. Nang makapasok sa Irving Jewels ay kaagad na ngumiti si Irving.

"What's up, man?" bati niya.

Nakipag-fist bump ako. "Great. Tapos mo na ba?"

"Of course." Kinuha niya ang kahon ng kwintas na ipinasadya ko. "Eight petals, just like what you said. Studded with rare red diamonds." Ngumisi si Irving. "Eighty million for a what again?"

"It's a congratulatory gift, alright? It's for Anie."

Umismid siya. "Hindi naman ako nagtaka na para kay Anie 'yan. Mas magtataka ako kung ganyan kamahal tapos ay para sa iba. You never spent that much on your gifts for your exes."

Napakunot ako ng noo. "Really?"

He showed me his ledger. "Got it all listed here, mate. Lahat ng para kay Anie, hindi pa bumaba ng limang milyon ang presyo."

"Well, you can't blame me. She's my sweet flower and she deserves everything."

"Swerte talaga niyang anak-anakan mo. Binigyan mo na ng apelyido mo noong ipinanganak, ipina-tattoo mo na ang pangalan sa balat mo, tapos palagi mo pang inuuna kaysa sa mga dating asawa mo."

Hindi na lang ako nagkumento pa. I gave him the cheque for my balance then left. Dumiretso ako sa Monte Costa kung saan uuwi sina Anie para i-celebrate ang post-birthday party niya.

My former brothers by oath and their respective families were already at the clubhouse when I got there. Nagkumustahan kami tungkol sa kanya-kanyang mga buhay matapos kong maidala ang mga gamit ko sa sarili kong cabin, ngunit sa tuwing nauuwi sa pagrereto ng babae ang usapan ay kaagad ko nang inililihis.

"Come on, Khalid. You're aging like fine wine. It wouldn't be hard for you to find someone. Look at you? Ni hindi halatang nasa forty's ka na. Your body is well taken care of. You look way younger than your actual age, and some even said you're even hotter now." Ngumisi si Grace, ang nakatatandang kapatid ni Abram. "Don't let two failed marriages stop you from having the Ducani love."

I forced a smile. Nang lingunin ko ang asawa ni Grace ay kinindatan ako na tila sinasabing sakyan ko na lang ang sinabi niya.

"We'll see, Grace. Kun darating, hindi naman kailangang ipilit."

I accepted the glass of champagne Linel handed me. May sinabi ang loko dahilan para matawa kaming magkakaibigan. Sakto namang malapad akong nakangisi nang pumasok ng clubhouse ang pamilya Reino De Alba.

Mi flor walked in wearing her type B uniform—a fitted dark green tank top and black pants matched with a pair of combat boots. That's the same outfit she needs to wear during her commencement ceremony which I wasn't allowed to witness because I wasn't really her family. Mabuti na lang at hindi pa nagpalit. I'd love to see her in her uniform, and looks like Anie knows that.

Binati siya ng mga kaibigan namin ni Armani, at nang dumapo ang atensyon niya sa akin ay walang pagdadalawang-isip na tinawid ang aming distansya.

I opened my arms to welcome her, and as soon as Anie crushed into my arms, a sigh of relief escaped my lips.

Maya-maya ay tumingin siya sa hawak kong champagne bago ako sinimangutan. "You're drinking again, Daddy."

"I'm not. I never broke my promise when I took you to the camp. Inabutan lang ako kanina ni Linel."

Nakayakap sa aking baywang siyang tumingin kay Linel. "Tito. . . "

Linel snatched the glass from my hand. Nagpigil naman ako ng tawa dahil ultimo siya ay takot mabugahan ni Anie ng apoy.

"You said you have something for me, Daddy?" Anie asked after Linel distanced himself.

"I do. Let's go get it."

Umangkla siya sa aking braso at sumama sa cabin ko. Nang makapasok ay pinatayo ko siya sa harap ng body mirror.

"Stay here," I said.

Anie did what I asked. Nang makuha ko ang kwintas ay tumayo ako sa kanyang likod. We started into each other's eyes through our reflections in the mirror while I'm putting the necklace on her neck. I felt how her body tensed when my fingertips gently brushed against the back of her neck as I pushed her long brown hair as if my touch could make her feel something we know she's not permitted to feel.

"There you go, baby," I said under my breath. Ipinatong ko ang mga palad ko sa kanyang mga balikat saka ko siya pinatakan ng marahang halik sa tuktok ng ulo habang nakatitig kami sa repleksyon ng isa't isa. "Congratulations on finishing the program. I'm so proud of you."

Anie's rosy lips curled a sweet smile before she turned to me, her arms wrapped around my waist before she breathed in a deep breath.

"It feels good to be back. . . " she said in a low voice with a hint of relief.

I locked her in my arms and pecked another gentle kiss on top of her head before I spoke.

"Welcome home, mi flor. . . "