RBS 3: Suffered Love (FREE TO READ)

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

Napapikit ako at nilanghap ang sariwang hanging pumupuno sa aking baga. In the morning, there is more deep sweetness that resonates within me that wants to get out. I wanna always wake up early to do these things. The fine breeze and the peaceful morning serenity is what I've always felt and I always love it.

I looked around.

Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang greenhouse ay hindi ako makapaniwalang wala ng halos espasiyo dito dahil sa mga madadaming bulaklak at herbs na inilagay ko. Mahilig kasi ako sa halaman lalo na at sa probinsiya ako nakatira.

I can't never imagine my life without my plants.

"Magpainit ka muna, Eli. Inuna mo pa iyang mga halaman mo, ang lamig pa naman ng simoy ng hangin ngayon." Saad sa akin ni Nanay Ending nang makita ako.

Panigurado ay kanina pa ito naglilibot upang hanapin ako. I smiled at that thought. Nanay Ending is the mayordoma in our mansion. Siya rin ang nagsisilbing ina ko sa mga nagdaang mga panahon simula ng mawalay ang mga taong kumupkop sa akin. I was actually adopted five years ago by my foster parents. After the accident, I don't really much remember anything in my past. The doctor immediately announced that I have amnesia when I woke up. The accident crucially damaged my brain that causes a severe loss of memory.

Fortunately, at that time as well, the one who were there to bring me to the hospital were Mama Daleliah and Papa Benjamin, my foster parents, who were also present at the accident. Nagmamadali kaagad silang nagtawag ng ambulansiya noon at sumama pa patungong hospital upang ihatid ako.

Even if they don't know me, they still stayed at my side that time. Wala akong pagkakakilanlan noon dahil wala akong dala ni isang identification card na magpapatunay kung sino ako. I became a nameless person at that time, not until I was adopted and the rest was just a history.

I sighed.

Tumingin ako kay Nanay. "Mamaya na, Nay. Hindi pa ako tapos dito tsaka ichecheck ko pa po yong taniman ng strawberries ko ngayon." Masayang saad ko sa kanya.

Malaki na ang naging pagbabago ng farm simula ng mag-kainteres ako sa pagtatanim. Wala kasi akong magawa dito sa mansiyon ng unang dalhin ako dito nila Mama. Kaya nang makita ko ang bakanteng lupa na sakop ng pag-aari nila ay kaagad akong nagdesisiyon na pagtuunang pagandahin ang lupain na ito.

It was not that large actually. Limit lang ang nakakaya ng plantasiyon ng strawberry farm ko sa ngayon dahil kakasimula ko pa lang noong nakaraang taon. It can only cover the demand of this province and some tourist who would want to buy.

"Sige na, hija. Tumawag na naman kasi ang pinsan mong si Russel. Hinahanap ka." Muling sabi niya.

Napatigil ako sa pagdidilig ng halaman. I bite my lips so hard.

"Ano pong sabi?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

Ngumiti siya ng pilit. "Wala siyang sinabi dahil gusto niyang ikaw ang kausap niya dahil may sasabihin daw siyang importante sa iyo." Seryoso niyang saad sa akin.

Suminghap ako ng hangin. Kinuha ko ang gloves sa kamay ko at binaba ang hose ng tubig pagkatapos kong mapatay ito. Parang alam ko na ang sasabihin ng pinsan kong ‘yon. Russel already worked hard for me but I'm still not ready for the responsibility he's going to give me. Or I’m not that really interested?

"Wala akong interes pumunta ng Manila, Nay." Malungkot kong saad. “Gusto ko dito lang ako.” Lumapit siya sa akin at mahinang hinaplos ang balikat ko.

"Kaya nga dapat mo na siyang kausapin at hindi dapat iniiwasan. Marami nang ginawa ang pinsan mong ‘yon sa iyo at sa palagay ko ay nagtatampo na iyon talaga dahil sa hindi mo pagsagot sa mga tawag niya." Tumango at ngumiti rin sa kanya.

"Okay. I will call him later." Saad ko at hinatak ang kamay niya patungo sa mansiyon.

After my siesta , I then decided to call Russel. Panigurado ay galit na ito sa akin ngayon. Just a few rings, he then picked up his phone.

"Finally!" He said before I could say my greetings. "My dear cousin is now finally calling me, huh?" He mocked at me. I laughed a bit at his voice. He seems so exhausted and tired.

"Hi!" Mahina kong bati sa kanya sa kabilang linya.

"Enough with the pleasantry and greetings already, Eli. I've called you several times today. My mind is going to explode because you are not answering my phone calls. Saan ka ba nanggaling?" Tumaas ng bahagya ang boses.

Alam kong malapit ko nang masagi ang pasensiya niya pero sadyang mabait lang talaga ang pinsan kong ito kaya hanggang ngayon kahit hindi niya gusto ang ginagawa ko ay mahinahon pa rin niya akong kinakausap.

Bumuntong hininga siya. "I'm serious, Elizabeth. I really need you here. The company needs you." Seryosong saad niya sa akin.

"Your company needs you."

His revelation is like a reboot button to me that brought me back in the reality. The reality that was hard for me to take in.

"I told you, Russel. Ayaw kong pamahalaan ang kompanya." I frustratedly said.

Walang buhay ulit akong umupo sa kama at hinintay ang maaring sabihin niya.

"But it was yours, Eli." Malambing niyang saad. "Hindi maaring basta ko na lamang ito ipamahala sa iba! My company also needs me and I’m partly not happy with the standing of your company right now. The boards are looking for you. Hindi habang buhay mapagtatakpan ko ang pagkawala mo dito.”

Napapikit ako nang mariin. “Russel, please. I’m just doing…” Hindi ko maituloy ang rason ko dahil ilang ulit ko na ba siyang tinanggihan?

"Doing what?" Mabilis niyang tanong.

He sighed. Halatang iritado na.

"Nevermind." Putol niya.

After a long minute, he speaks again. "What are you doing now?" His baritone voice said.

"Just yawning." I lazily said.

He groaned. "Always been the lazy head. Kaya dapat pumunta ka na dito. Tama na ang dalawang taong palugit ko sa iyo. You really have to think about the company. We make great and wise decision, Eli. I hope you can have courage to do it now."

Hinilot ko ang sintido ko. "I'm not of any lack of courage, Russ. Indeed, I will give you my decision this week." Seryosong saad ko.

My parents handed me the company two years ago and until now, hindi pa ako ni minsan nakatapak doon. Wala silang naging anak at dahil inampon nila ako, sa akin napunta lahat ng ari arian nila. Their family didn't revolt about that even if I'm not their legitimate child, they were actually happy when they heard about me taking over my parent's company.

But I stayed hidden on this mansion far away from the wicked world. I had a trauma already since that accident. No one claimed me even after being reported missing, just in case someone knows me. Walang pumunta o kumuha sa akin kahit isa. And that's my last resort.

"Glad to hear that. I can't wait to see you.” He sighed.

"How about the renovation of the mansion?" Tanong niya bigla sa akin.

Isa pa iyon, nakalimutan ko ata dahil sa pagiging busy ko sa trabaho dito sa farm. I'm so much enjoying my freedom out here that's why it didn't appear on my mind until now.

"Pinag-iisipan ko pa ang bagay na ‘yan." Sagot ko sa kanya.

"How about you’ll hire an engineer? It can help you sort out things easily in the renovation." He suggested.

"You think?" I asked unsure. "I can just hire some laborers. Maliit lang naman ‘yon." Balewalang sagot ko.

"Hindi ka nakakasisiguro. It is safer if you talked with a professional one. Don't worry I will contact one of my friend. He's a very brilliant engineer and one of the best. I'll set a meeting so that you two could talk, I will send the details to you immediately."

Masaya akong napatayo. "Really?" I beamed happily.

Natawa siya sa aking reaksiyon. "Yes."

"Thank you, Russ. You're the best."

"Everything for you." He paused. "I'll have to end the call now, I'll have a meeting in just a few minutes." Saad niya.

"Okay, take care! Bye."

"I missed you. Take care as well. Bye." Sabi niya at pinatay ang tawag.

Maganda naman ang mansiyon pero may parte na kasi ng mansiyon na malapit ng bumigay dahil sa sobrang luma na iyon. Ayaw ko mang galawin para sa alaala nila Mama pero kung hahayaan ko lang iyon, mas lalong masisira ang mansiyon. Maganda nga ang suggestion ni Russel na magkuha ng engineer dahil mas safe iyon kung ikukumpara sa wala. It's better to be safe than not.

Later that evening, Russel then called me about the engineer. He says that the engineer already said yes after Russel's request. Bibiyahe kaagad ito patungong probinsiya namin bukas.

"I can actually come to Manila to meet him, Russel. He doesn't need to come in here. I will only just discussed with him my plans first." Nagtataka kong saad.

Hindi naman kasi kailangan pumunta pa dito ang engineer na sinasabi ni Russ dahil hindi pa naman nagsisimula ang pag-rerenovate ng mansiyon. Mag-uusap muna kami kung ano ang mga magiging plano hingil ko sa maaring pagbabago ng desinyo ng mansiyon.

Bumuntong hininga siya. "Hindi ba’t kakasabi mo lang kanina na ayaw mo pang pumunta dito?” He sarcastically asked me.

Natahimik ako. “Fine!”

“Since he also needs vacation, he immediately accepted it when I said it will be on Baguio. Don't worry, he's my friend and he's very good in his field." Patuloy niya.

"And where do you suppose you want him to stay?" I asked.

"Of course! In your mansion, silly." He sarcastically answered.

"Russel!" I said shocked.

"He's a good man, Eli. He can handle everything fine." He said.

I sighed. Nawalan na ng sasabihin

"Okay. I trust you."

"Good. He will be there tomorrow so expect him anytime sooner.”

Nag-usap kami ng ilang detalye hangga’t sa napagpasiyahan naming putulin na ang tawag para makatulog na ako ng maaga. Hindi rin nagtagal ang tulog ko dahil sa kalagitnaan ng gabi ay nagising ako sa isang masamang panaginip.

Napahilamos ako sa sariling mukha at inaalala ang panaginip.

All I see is a faceless man trying to save me, but who could that be?

Napailing ako at tinanaw ang langit mula sa bintana ko.

Who are you, stranger?