NOURISHED

PANGATLO

NOURISHED

#Pangatlo

YURI'S POV

Sina Nanay Mameng at ang yaya ni Kaye na si Nanay Linda ang nagbantay kay Babe sa hospital kinagabihan. I will be driving us home tomorrow kaya sila na lang daw ang magbabantay.

Sabay-sabay kaming magkakapatid sa sasakyan ni Theo habang sinusundan ang kinalululanan ng mga kaibigan ni Mandy. Patungo kami sa resthouse nila Kaye. She gladly offered it to us kasi marami namang guestrooms daw doon. She said her dad usually use the said resthouse at since general ito ay lagi rin may mga kasamang soldier staff hence the need for many guestrooms.

The moment we arrived there ay kanya-kanya na kami ng tungo sa mga kwarto. The girls however stayed in the Masters' bedroom dahil tatlo lang naman daw sila since Mandy and Dayzy were non in the house.

There I remembered Dayzy. Hindi ko alam pero nainis na lang ako bigla sa kanya kanina. I was just concerned, malay ko ba kung mapa'no siya sa sasamahan niya?

Then when Theo said I was smitten by her. I just sighed. Ano ba ang explanation ng nararamdaman kong inis?

Concern?

'No it was more than that.'I told myself.

I met her and the rest of the F5 nang mag first year highschool si Mandy. Papaanong hindi? Halos sa bahay na sila natutulog every weekend. We have a huge entertainment room and game room sa bahay kaya gustong-gusto nilang tumambay doon. And my late mother used to spoil them with baked snacks.

I sighed at the thought. Dayzy and I talk rarely, hindi gaya ng pag-uusap ng F5 at mga kapatid kong lalake but what can I do? What should I tell them? I am not as talkative as my brothers.

I learned to observe her.

And maybe be smitten by her because of that. She is witty and every moment she snaps back or lashes out her intellectual tongue to my brothers just made me like her more.

Like her more? How do I know if I more than like her?

Naisip ko na naman ang pagseselos ko sa mga lalaking yun. Could it be because I don't like her anymore but love her?

Napapakamot sa noo akong tumingin sa cellphone. It has been a while already na pinag-iisipan ko kung magte-text ako sa kanya o hindi.

Dayzy is my sister's age. She's too young. I am 7 years her senior. Hindi ko siya pwedeng magustuhan. Maybe I see her as my sister too. 

'OO tama ‘yon, she is like my sister, wala ng iba pa.' bulong na naman ng isip ko.

Naguguluhan na ako.

Then my phone vibrated. There was a text.

And it was from her. Anticipation was evident in my eyes.

From: DAYZY TAN

I am safe, don’t worry. Hindi na ako nakapagpaalam sa’yo, nawala ka eh. Si Dayzy ito in case hindi mo pa nase-save ang number ko.

Why do I feel my heart thumping with just her text? Normal ba ito kung kapatid lang ang tingin ko sa kanya?

It took me a while before texting back. I don't even know what to write really.

To: DAYZY TAN

Kumain ka na?

'f**k!' I muttered. Sa dami ng pwedeng i-reply.

From: DAYZY TAN

Yes, Aster cooked. I am more than satisfied hehe. Anyway I have to go, may pupuntahan daw kami ni Saffron.

Goodnight Yuri!

Gusto kong magmura sa mga halaman na'yon! Saffron, Sage and Aster? Ang sarap pakuluan eh. Anong klaseng mga pangalan yon?

But then I needed to calm down. Pinsan niya daw eh! Sana totoo nga kasi sina Dayzy at Ren mga bulaklak din ang mga pangalan. They all belong to botanical garden.

I just texted back. Wala naman ako doon para pigilan siyang makihalubilo sa mga halaman na iyon.

To: DAYZY TAN

Goodnight…Baby.

Pero hindi ko inaasahan na magre-reply pa siya.

From: DAYZY TAN

BABY? What’s that endearment for? Crush mo ba ako?

Kahit kailan pranka talaga ito. She asks what comes in her mind.

‘Not a crush baby because I think I already have fallen in love with you.’ gusto kong i- text back. But I won't make myself a distraction to her in any form.

So I just changed the text.

To: DAYZY TAN

No Baby, hindi kita crush...Goodnight!

A week later.

"Ok ka na babe?" I asked my sister during breakfast. She doesn't eat breakfast pero hindi maaring hindi ito magkape. She was like this since she learned drinking coffee.

Isang lingo na rin nang ma-confine ito.

"Yep, papasok na nga ako boyfie," she

smiled.

"Good! Because I will be out of the country the day after tomorrow."

"Saan punta mo?” She asked.

"U.S."

"Business trip?" she asked and for a while I was silent. Then I nodded. I couldn't tell her my side trips just yet.

"Pasalubong naming F5," she said grinning.

"Mga bestfriends mo talaga ang hihingan mo ng pasalubong at hindi mga kuya mo?"

"Hindi mo naman bibilhan sina kuya kaya I fret not to ask for them."

"Ano ba ang hilig ng mga friends mo?" I asked now thinking on what to buy Dayzy in one corner of my head.

"Anything, i-based mo na lang sa mga personality nila," she answered.

This will be the first time I am buying them gifts. Lagi kasi sila mommy noon ang bumibili para sa kanila. I never thought the job will be passed down to me too.

Things have really changed. I have changed and had to change too for my family.

I have to think and plan for everything. There is no room for mistakes and cramming. Napakalaking responsibilidad ang naiwan sa akin. I should become a role model to my siblings.

"Morning babe," bati ni Caloy na kagigising lang din pero nakabihis na.

"Morning boyfie! Ready?” she asked.

Tumango lang ito at inabot ang sandwich na hinanda ni Mandy.

"Thanks babe," sabi nito at saka ako tinapik sa balikat nang malampasan ako at saka sila lumabas na. They usually go to school together. Si Adam naman ang mag-uuwi kay Mandy mamya.

Atleast sa alalahaning ito di ko na kailangang magisip pa. We are protective of Mandy lalo na at kamukhang kamukha siya ni Mommy. Para na rin naming nakikita si Mommy sa kanya.

"Alis ka na ba?" asked Theo nang makita akong nilalapag ang coffee mug sa sink. Kabababa lang nito mula sa kwarto niya.

"Yeah."

"Got a minute?" he asked.

Tinignan ko siya at mukhang may sasabihing importante.

Theo just graduated and now he works with me in the company.

Tumango ako at tinungo ang study room.

"Ano ‘yon?" I asked him matapos niyang maisara ang pintuan ng study room.

"I want you to help my good friend," he said.

Tinitigan ko muna siya ng maigi. Theo is not really showy on caring about his friends kaya alam kong siryoso itong pag-uusapan namin. "What help does your good friend need?" mamya ay tanong ko.

"I want you to review this, they badly needed help," sabi nito at inabot sa akin ang folder.

Kinuha ko naman ang folder at binasa ang laman noon. It caught my attention and I hurriedly browsed the documents.

"Mauuna na ako sa office, sana maka-set ka ng appointment with them before ka lumuwas ng States," Theo said and left.

Dinala ko sa briefcase ko ang dokumento at tinawagan ang financial adviser ng Gomez Constructions.

Agad naman itong sumagot kaya sinabihan kong dadaan ako sa opisina niya.

Lunch na nang matapos ang pakikipag-meeting ko sa Financial Adviser ng kompanya.

I called Ren August Tan after. Theo's good friend. Nakilala ko na rin ito because he normally picks Dayzy whenever she's at home at syempre kaibigan siya ni Theo.

I told him I wanted to meet him and his father for lunch. And they agreed.

"This is insane," Ren's Father was mad. Nasa coffee shop na kami after eating lunch.

Ren was just there seated next to him, his face was focused to me.

"I told you what I want in exchange. You can get all the help that you want and I will seek payment in due time," sabi ko nang walang pag-aalinlangan.

"Dayzy is not for sale," Ren finally talked.

"I am not buying her. Let's say I am just investing for her."

"What difference does it make. You are buying her!" Ren said furiously.

"I am just going to nourish her. Yes, that's the right term. I will nourish her, prepare her and claim her in due time." sabi ko ng siryoso.

Nakatiim-bagang silang tumingin sa akin.

I know it was not really a good suggestion but I have thought of it already. Nababaliw na nga siguro ako but what the heck?

I want her so can't I help her family?

They are financially doomed. I couldn't just allow Dayzy to suffer and change her lifestyle, could I?

"She doesn't have to know all this. She's too young to understand. Let her enjoy life," I said at ang mga mukha nila ay di maipinta.

"You do not have to answer right away. I am away for a business trip for a fortnight so think about this," sabi ko pa at tumayo na.

"Can't you just invest without any collaterals?" the old Tan said with irate.

"I am always after the long run ROI," sabi ko na ikinabuntong-hininga nila.

"As I have said earlier, you do not have to decide right away. This is after all a permanent deal, think of your daughter and wife Mr Tan. They are not used to modest way of living," I said at saka ako umalis sa coffee shop kung saan kami nagkita-kita.

"Asshole" I heard Ren said but I just shrugged my shoulders on it.

'Asshole all you want but I want my baby for myself,' I mumbled and left with a grin.

Dayzy's POV

Final grading na at as usual ako lang ang nagrereview. Ang mga kaibigan ko except kay Kaye na kausap ang Daddy niya sa telepono ay nag-kekwentuhan lang. Nasa isa sa mga park kami ng school dahil katatapos naming mag-lunch.

"Tama na yan Dayz," Pepper said while braiding Mandy's hair.

Tinignan ko sila. "Naka-review na ba kayo?

They didn't answer so it means no. The rule silence means yes doesn't apply to them. Silence means no sa kanila.

"Ikaw lang naman ang bookworm," was Ginny's answer.

"Like you are not," sabi ko na tumingin na sa kanya.

"I am not," she scoffed. And her eyes turned to Kaye na papalapit na sa amin at sambakol na ang mukha.

"Nangyare?" asked Mandy.

"Ipapadala ako sa States for the summer break," sabi nito at naintindihan na namin ang inis niya dahil alam naman naming sa Italy niya gustong pumunta. May pinsan daw siya doon pero knowing Kaye hindi naman ito makwento. We just know she has a cousin there and that was it.

"Oh, si Mirko naman makakasama mo so magsaya ka na lang."

Pepper suggested.

"Isa pa ‘yon, wala namang gagawin ‘yon kundi turuan akong mag-self defense," she said rolling her eyes.

Mirko is the son of his father's bestfriend. Bestfriend niya rin yun pero minsan ayaw niya itong makita. Baliw talaga.

"Ikaw Dayz, saan ka babakasyon?" Ginny asked.

"Hindi ko alam eh, wala pang plano sina Mommy," sagot ko sa kanila kasi totoo namang hindi pa ako sinasabihan ng plano nila. All I knew recently was them to be in Baguio most of the time. May inaayos yata sila sa farm.

"Daan pala kayo sa bahay mamaya, doon na kayo mag-dinner," said Mandy.

Lumingon kaming apat sa kanya, nagtatanong.

"Nakauwi na si boyfie from the US, kunin niyo sa kanya ang mga pasalubong niyo! Ano kayo sinuswerte? Hiningan ko na nga kayo ng pasalubong tapos ako pa magbibitbit?" she said smirking.

"Nakakahiya, bakit hiningan mo pa kami ng pasalubong?" I said.

Nagtinginan sila and smiled knowingly. "Ayaw mo ba? Si loves mo ay bumili ng pasalubong for you?" maarteng sabi ni Gin.

"Uyyy nag ba-blush," Mandy teased at saka sila nagtawanan. Mga letse talaga.

They knew crush ko si Yuri. Gusto ko nga i-kwento ‘yong pagtawag sa akin ni Yuri ng baby kaso mas lalo lang silang magkakaroon ng pang-aasar sa akin so huwag na lang. Besides that di naman daw ako crush ni Yuri. Nakakainis lang.

"Nakanguso ka dyan? Wala si Yuri dito walang hahalik sa'yo," buyo pa ni Pepper sa akin. I didn't notice that I was pouting at the thought of Yuri not having a crush on me.

Then the electronic bell rang.

'Salamat naman' 

"Let's go," yaya ko sa kanila para matigil na ang pang-aasar nila sa'kin.

It was 5:30 nang dumating ang sundo ni Mandy na si Adam.

Nakisabay na ako sa kanila. Pepper and Ginny however went with Kaye, syempre kasama ang bodyguard nitong si Kuya Daniel at driver na si Mang Robert.

"Ano'ng pinaluto mo kay Nanay Mameng babe?" narinig kong sabi ni Adam kay Mandy.

"Wala akong pinaluto," sabi naman nito na ikinatawa ko.

"Nag-imbita ka ng bisita tapos hindi mo alam kung ano ang ipapakain mo?" Adam laughed.

"Hindi naman sila bisita," Mandy said laughing.

Tumawa narin si Adam. "Nandito ako," tikhim ko.

"Dayz! Nandiyan ka pala," kunwari ay sabi ni Adam.

"Baliw," I snapped at him.

"Ganda natin ngayon ah," he said and I know mang-iinis na naman ito.

"Syempre boyfie, makikita niya si Kuya eh," singit ni Mandy kaya hinila ko nga ang buhok niya.

Adam of course was no longer oblivious of the idea na may crush ako sa isa sa mga kapatid niya.

"Sino?" he asked now grinning.

"Wala," sagot ko at tumawa lang si Mandy.

"Babe bibilhan kita ng bagong model ng phone, tell me sino ang crush nitong si Dayzy," pang-cocorupt nito sa kapatid niya.

"Subukan mo lang Mandy, F.O. na tayo," I warned her.

"Boyfie, na cut nga cellphone allowance mo so I doubt kung may pambili ka ng bagong model ng cp," Mandy answered teasingly.

"Bakit na cut?" I asked.

"May pikon na kwago," Adam answered and so I laughed.

"Bakit nga pala naputol kuya?" Mandy asked him too.

"Top secret babe, baka di lang cellphone allowance maputol sa akin," he said laughing now.

When we arrived at the Gomez residence ay agad kaming tumungo sa game room nila. Hindi pa naman handa ang pagkain kaya doon na kami nagpunta. Mandy and Kaye usually play billiards. Sa aming apat ay sila ang magaling. May billiards din kasi si Kaye sa mansion nila. At kalaro niya lagi ang daddy nito o mga sundalo kaya nahasa.

Pepper and I played chess while Ginny was on the Darts.

Until we were called to eat.

All of the Gomezes were there except Yuri.

"Si Kuya?" agad na tanong ni Mandy.

"May meeting pa," said Theo.

Natapos na kaming kumain at nasa sala na kami nang umakyat si Mandy para kunin ang pasalubong. Almost 9 na rin kasi ng gabi so dapat nakauwi na kami.

We were waiting impatiently as Mandy was climbing down the stairs with a huge paper bag clasped in her fingers.

Agad kaming lumapit sa kanya paupo sa sofa.

"Ginny," Mandy called Gin and handed a wrapped gift to her. Then she called us one after the other handing out the wrapped gifts. At syempre dahil F5 kami sabay-sabay kami dapat magbukas.

"Oy ano mga yan?" Adam said coming out from the kitchen. Sila kasi ang naghugas ng plates, kasunod niya si Caloy.

"Bakit kayo may pasalubong at kami wala?" Caloy snarled sitting on the couch next to Theo who was busy texting. Actually kanina pa siya doon pero snobbed niya kami.

"Kasi magaganda kami," Mandy said and signaled us to unwrap our gifts.

We were really excited but all frowned at the backpacks infront of us. Except for Kaye who literally squealed. Of course siya naman ang asal lalake sa amin. So malamang masaya siya.

"Mag-mamountain climbing ba tayo?" Mandy asked.

"Or trekking?" ani Gin.

The Gomez boys were laughing with mirth, ano ba’ng nakakatuwa? Hindii ko na lang sila pinansin and opened my backpack. I saw inside another wrapped gift, kinabahan ako. I looked at my friends at wala namang laman yung sa kanila. I immediately closed my backpack. My heart was still racing. Ipapaalam ko ba sa kanila na may isa pang gift sa backpack ko?

I decided not to.

Then came in Yuri. Lalo tuloy kumabog ang puso ko. He was looking at me for a second then removed his tie. He was so freaking handsome. Nakakainis.

"Boyfie/Yuri," we called out.

Kunwari ay nabibingi siya dahil tinakpan niya ang tainga niya.

"Thank you kahit backpack," said Ginny.

"Ok cute na rin, at least pareho kami ng mga friends ko," ani Mandy.

"Ang ganda kaya!" Kaye said.

"Sige na thank you Yuri! Nandiyan na si Daddy, Dayz tara na," baling sa akin ni Pepper. Magkapitbahay kami kaya halos magkasabay kami lagi.

"Thank you," I said looking at Yuri. I know his looks. It was about the other gift. Kami na lang ang may alam non.

"Ingat girls," sabi nito at umakyat na. Hinatid kami ni Mandy sa mga sasakyan and we all said goodnight.

Pagkarating ko sa bahay ay tumakbo agad ako sa kwarto ko. Si Yaya Rosa ay di na ako pinigilan. Wala sila Kuya, nasa Baguio siya kasama ng mga magulang namin.

I opened the backpack and pulled out the wrapped gift.

Excitement at kaba ang nararamdaman ko sa oras na mahawakan ko ang regalo.