Cleopatra's Firsts

Chapter Six: Raiden

"Are you from the nuthouse?"

That was Violet's daughter's hello for me.

Violet was shocked when she heard her daughter's question.

"Raiden! Watch your mouth. Where did you hear that word?" saway ni Violet dito. Then she mouth 'I'm sorry' to me.

"It's fine. That's true anyway," I replied.

It is my first time meeting Violet's kid. Raiden's twin brother is asleep so, she won't be seeing him today.

I visited them after a couple of weeks because my doctor told me that she needed to make sure I could control my anger even a little bit before meeting anyone aside from my parents and brother.

Violet's phone rang, and she excused herself. She actually didn't leave us alone. She just put a distance and then answered her phone.

"Mom said, you are sad because your sister died."

"Maybe. She has a twin though. So if I feel the sadness, I just look at her twin brother," I lied.

"I have a twin too, like your sister."

"Yeah, you remind me of her a little bit."

"But I'm not going to die like her.'

"You don't know that."

"I know that. I'm not dying because I am rich."

"So, you're saying rich people don't die?"

"Yes."

"Death doesn't choose their victim. And how can you say that you are rich?"

"We have a car and a big house."

"We have a car too, and I won't call myself rich because of that. And my sister still died."

"My dad has a job."

"Mine too."

"But still, I'm not dying."

"You can't guarantee that."

Nagulat ako nang bigla na lang itong sumigaw, "I am not dying!"

Lumapit agad si Violet sa amin.

"What happened?"

"Nothing," I answered.

"Raiden?"

Raiden cried. And I cursed. That's why I hates children. They're the most annoying species ever.

"We talked about ate, and I mentioned that she reminds me of her, and she keeps on insisting she won't die like her. I didn't even say a word."

"Oh, Kallista!"

"It's fine. I am fine. I'll go now. I still have an appointment with my doctor this afternoon. I'll see you next week at the hacienda."

"My driver will send you home," pahabol ni Violet.

Hindi na ako lumingon nang magsabi ako ng, "Thank you!"

It's actually good to be back in the province because I missed the old days. Being in nature is a different feeling.

I am sitting under a mango tree that day when someone approaches me.

"Hey, you're Violet's cousin, right?" ask a guy with a glass of beer.

"Why are you alone?" dugtong pa nito.

"Because I needed peace."

"Needed for what?" he raised an eyebrow.

"For my health and for the safety of the people around me, including you!"

"You don't look dangerous."

"You judge a book by its cover. What do you want?"

"I just want to know you. By the way, I'm Nikolai. A family friend."

"Nice to meet you, Nikolai."

"Can I sit beside you?"

"Sure you can." I gave him space.

"So, what makes you dangerous?"

"Anger issues."

"Whoa! That's epic. What's the cause?"

I shrugged.

"That's sad. Sayang ka."

My heart beats fast. "What do you mean?"

"Pretty face can't hide the craziness-"

I punch his face. Na out of balance ito at bumagsak sa damuhan.

"What the f*ck is wrong with you?"

Hindi ako na-kontento at tinadyakan ko ito sa tiyan.

"Samirah! What the hell are you doing?"

Sigaw ni daddy habang patakbong papalapit sa kinaroroonan ko.

Tinulungan agad nito na makatayo si Nikolai.

"She is crazy."

Susugurin ko nananaman sana ito nang may pumigil sa akin mula sa likuran.

"You're sick!" Patuloy ni Nikolai. Dumudugo na ang labi nito.

"Let me go and I'll kill that bastard!" pilit na kumakawala ako sa pagkahawak ng kung sino man sa aking kamay na nasa likuran.

"Samirah! Enough!" Malakas na sigaw ni dad. Nakita kong may ibang mga tao na nakatingin sa akin.

So, I stopped squirming and took a deep breath.

I can't still control myself. Umiinit pa rin ang aking dugo at gustong gusto ko na rin saktan ang kung sino man ang nakahawak sa aking kamay.

Mabilis akong umikot at sinipa paalalim ang taong nasa likuran ko. But he anticipated my move. He probaby jumped and he pushed me towards the ground.

"You're making a scene!" he hissed.

He is holding my hands behind me with one hand, and his other hand is in my head.

"You're hurting me!"

She saw her dad coming towards her, and he helped her stand.

"Better?" tanong nito sa akin habang tinutulungan niyang linisin ang mga damong nakakapit sa aking buhok at damit.

"I will be."

Lahat ng mga naroroon ay nasa akin na ang atensiyon.

"Oh, hello. Enjoying the scene?" I give them a wide smile.

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita muli ay hinila na ako ni Dad papasok sa mansion. Idiniretso niya ako sa kusina.

May mga ilang kalalakihan doon. And U recognized Exodus from one of them. He is talking with some good-looking men. His cousins, probably. Then she noticed a familiar face.

"You're the boyfriend of my little doc." sabay turo dito.

Tumikhim ang isa sa mga ito.

"Why is he here?" tanong ko kay Exodus na nakangiti.

"Sam, actually, he's my cousin. Do you still remember Isaiah?"

I looked at the guy. Shocked was written all over his handsome face when Exodus mentioned my name.

"Yes"

Napansin niya ang palitan ng tingin ng mga ito.

"What's with that look?" I asked.

Tumikhim si Dad at nagtanong sa mga kalalakihan na nadoon, "Have you seen Sofia and my wife?"

"They're at the garden," one of them answered.

Dad led me towards the back door.

"Can I stay here with them?"

I noticed that everyone went silent. Even dad seems to have a second thought about my request. It was Exodus who broke the silence.

"It's fine, Miguel. She can join us."

"Thanks," I said after my dad left the room.

"So, Sam, we have a golf tournament this coming Wednesday. You wanna come?"

"Why should I come? I don't play golf," I answered.

"I'll teach you. We need another member since Hyacinth can't join us," sabi ng isa sa mga ito.

I raised an eyebrow. "Hyacinth, the doctor?"

"Yes, did you meet here?"

"She's my doctor."

Nagkatinginan ang mga ito.

"Is it okay if I replace your girlfriend?" I ask Isaiah.

"It's fine, right, Isaiah?"

"I don't mind," Isaiah answered without glancing in my direction.

"It's a game then, by the way, my name is Ezekiel. In case you forgot."

"So who's going to be my teammate?"

"Isaiah!" everyone answered in chorus.

"Great! I'll see you on Wednesday," sabi ko sabay tayo.

"So, how can he contact you?" asks Ezekiel.

"Contact for what?"

"For practice. You said you don't play golf."

"I don't have a phone."

"Zeke, you'll train with her since you're the one who invited her," Isaiah interrupts.

"But you're her teammate. You said you're supposed to have a practice with Hyacinth tomorrow. Your girlfriend is not around, so you bring the replacement."

"Wait- You guys suck! Did Hyacinth know that I will be replacing her during the game?" malakas na tanong ko na nagpatahimik sa mga ito. They're all like elementary kids during recess.

"No. But she knows how important the game is. She promised something she knows she won't fulfill," one said.

"Genesis, maybe you forgot that we're talking about my fiancé here."

"Yes, we're here because of your fiancé in the first place. We can't postpone the match, man."

"She will understand," saad ni Isaiah bago ito tumayo. "I'll fetch you tomorrow for practice," he told me.

Mabilis na itong umalis matapos magpaalam.

"What's wrong with him?" tanong ko sa mga natirang mga pinsan niya na nandoon.

"He's just having trouble choosing the right person," Zeke said, and everyone laughed.

Mabilis akong bumaba nang marinig ko sa intercom ang guard sa entrance ng hacienda na nandiyan na daw si Isaiah. I don't want him to wait kaya maaga pa lang ay naka ready na ako. My family is staying at Hacienda Montemayor for a while habang naghahanap ng property na mabibili ang aking parents.

"Hey!" I greeted Isaiah with a smile.

He responded with a nod, "You don't mind if I'll use my horse, right? I'll meet you at the field."

"I'll ride with you."

"All right."

I went inside the stable to find my ride to the field.

"I heard you became a soldier?" basag nito sa katahimikan sa pagitan namin.

"A long time ago, yes."

"Why didn't you pursue medicine?"

Matagal bago ako nakapagsalita. "I don't see myself as a doctor. I lost interest in becoming one."

"How was it, you know, being a soldier."

Natahimik ako. Then I shifted the topic, "Congratulations on your engagement!"

He didn't seem to mind me for not answering his question.

"Thank you!"

Silence.

Wala pa ring gustong magsalita sa amin hanggang sa marating namin ang golf court na matatagpuan sa hilagang bahagi ng hacienda. Malapit ito sa ilog na kung saan nanggagaling pa sa talon na matatagpuan sa gitna ng kagubatan. Hacienda Montemayor is like a fantasy. Violet made sure to preserve the place to honor her grandfather's memories.

"When did you start having a tournament?" It was me who broke the ice.

"Couple of years ago. Do you know how to use this?" tanong nito sabay abot sa kanya ng golf club.

"I might have an idea."

"You sway it like this. I'll show you."

Matapos nitong maipakita sa akin ang tamang pag-swing ng club.

"Your turn."

I did what he demonstrates.

"You need to grip it right," sabay hawak sa kamay kong may hawak na club.

"Then bend your knees a little."

Ramdam na ramdam ko ang init ng hininga nito sa leeg ko. It feels uncomfortable because I'm not used to the sensation. Im used to have men around me but not this close. And most of all, they're not Isaiah Lopez.

"I think I can do it." I distance myself from him, then I strike the ball.

"You're a natural."

"I think we can win this."

He laughs. "You haven't seen them play."

"Are they good?"

"Yes, but I'm better."

For the very first time in seven years, someone made me laugh.

"Can I ask you something personal?"

Nilingon ko ito. He was staring at me intently.

"What is it?"

"Why do you need a psychiatrist?"

I sigh. "I have a disorder."

"Like what happened yesterday when you hit Nikolai?"

Tiningnan ko ito. "Did you see it?"

"I was the referee," he handed me a bottled water.

"It's called an intermittent explosive disorder."

"Are you getting better?" I noticed the concern in his voice. And I appreciate it.

"I think I am. Thanks to your fiancé. She's a good one."

"That's good to hear." Tumayo na ito. "I wanted to teach you more techniques, but I have work to do. So, I'll see you on Thursday."

"It's fine. I think we can do this. See you."

"Aren't you going home?"

"I think I'll stay a bit."

Nag-alinlangan ito. "Are you sure? Do you need company?"

"I'm sure. Don't worry."

"Okay." Naglakad na ito palayo. When he was out of my sight, I took the club and did what he taught me a while ago.

Nang ma-bored na ay naisipan kong umikot-ikot muna sakay ng aking kabayo at narating ko ang family cemetery ng aming pamilya.

Alexandria's ashes are already here. Mom made sure to bring her back months after she died.

"Hey, I missed you so much! I hope you're happy wherever you are now." Hindi ko napansin na tumutulo na pala ang aking mga luha.

"I still can't believe that you're gone. I wish you were here because I wanted to tell you that I really love you. And I am so thankful for everything you've done for me. For everyone. This is so unfair because you haven't even found the love of your life yet."

"Hey, Kallista. We need to go home." Hindi ko namalayan na matagal na pala akong pinagmamasdan ni Isaiah mula sa malayo. At nang hindi na ito makatiis ay lumapit na ito sa kinaroroonan ko.

Mabilis na pinahid ko ang aking mga luha.

"Why are you still here?"

"I can't just leave someone alone on their own."

"I can go home on my own. Thank you "

"That's not what I meant."

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa damuhan.

"Yeah, right. You think I might kill someone on my way home. Don't worry, and I only have that intent to kill if someone provokes me. And I haven't done that yet." I laugh. "Oh, I think I did."

"Come on, now."

"Yes, sir."