Paper Planes

Kabanata 24

KABANATA 24

"Aya," Miyu knocked on the window of the Yazakis' limo for the nth time, "Hanggang kailan ka manantili riyan? Come out already!"

"Just a second..." Paulit-ulit ko lang na sagot habang pinagmamasdan uli ang suot.

We've arrived in front of the Fontillas' gates hours ago but I still couldn't gather the courage to show myself in that party wearing this... this fashion week sort of... couture.

Maagang dumating si Miyu sa bahay. Naabutan niya pa kami ni Kira na nasa kalagitnaan ng pag-eensayo ng kendou. She must have been so excited in dressing me up that she didn't bother asking why he was there or why we did what we did... She didn't even ask for an explanation about my parents' identities when she finally met them for the first time. I was sure she would freak out once she learned that my father was the former Beta of the most powerful clan... But she didn't. Para siyang nawalan ng pakialam sa lahat, mabihisan lang ako ng gawa niya.

She made me a knee-length, frilly, light pink tube dress with a very short frilly overcoat, enough to cover my skin up to my collar bones and a third of my shoulders. To match the dress, she pulled my curly, rosegold hair high up and bunned it like there's a big siopao on top of my head; accessorized me with pink pearl earrings; and made me wear a five-inch stilettos. I've never worn something as girly as this and it's making me uncomfortable. But even if I wanted to take these off and changed into my regular jeans, I couldn't. This was Miyu's condition. And I gave her my word.

"Aya, kapag hindi ka pa lumabas diyan, uuwi na lang ako..."

The sadness in her tone was enough to wake that little courage I was looking for the entire time. Kaagad kong hinagilap iyong hinanda kong regalo at saka binuksan iyong pintuan.

"I'm ready!" Sabi ko at agad na nakonsensiya nang nakita ang malungkot na mukha ng kaibigan.

"Sabihin mo na lang kasi na kinakahiya mo ang gawa ko..."

Mabilis akong umiling.

"Your creation is beautiful Miyu."

She placed one hand on her waist as she leaned to one side and raised an eyebrow at me. She was wearing a pink kimono with fading sakura blossoms at its hem. Her hair was arranged beautifully with a sakira pin. Instead of her usual glasses, she wore graded contact lenses. But even with her angelic getup, right at this moment the Sanada demonic features within her surfaced... Especially the expression her eyes were showing me, just like her evil brother.

Humugot ako nang malalim na hininga.

"I've never worn something as fancy and as girly as this before so... Well, it's a new experience for me and... I can't help but feel anxious and awkward about this," marahan kong tugon, maingat na hindi siya ma-offend.

Siya naman itong humugot ng hininga.

"I understand," aniya, "But your bestfriend's decided that she's going to be a fashion designer one day so..."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig. Miyu shyly smiled at my reaction.

"So, she's hoping that her bestfriend would support her."

Hindi ako agad nakasagot. Images of a future, wherein Miyu was selling out new styles of clothes, holding fashion shows and releasing fashion magazines, ran through my head. I couldn't help but feel so excited and happy for my bestfriend.

I held her hand and gave it a tight squeeze without taking my eyes off her chinky ones.

"You can count on me!"

Her cheeks tinted a soft shade of red as she cheerfully nodded her head.

"Are you girls ready?"

Sabay kaming napalingon at agad na natagpuan ang dalawa pa naming mga kasama. The twins wore reversed colors of each other's suits. Kou wore a fushcia pink suit with dark grey tie; while Kai wore the opposite.

Lumapit si Kai sa akin at inabot ang aking kamay.

"If I may?" He firmly asked.

"Ang daya mo talaga, Kai! Dapat ako ang escort ni Aya-chan!"

"Is there something wrong with me, Kou-kun?" Miyu sharply asked our friend, with that Sanada air she's been wearing ever since she discovered what her passion was.

Agad namang natahimik si Kou at mabilis na umiling. He took her hand and led her inside.

Napailing ako sa nasaksihan bago tinanggap ang kamay ng aking kaibigan para sundan iyong dalawa.

The party venue was held in the Fontillas' garden. Katabi nito ay may malaking lawa at may gazebong matatagpuan sa gitna. Ang sabi ay pinagawa pa ito ng mag-anak sa isang kilalang landscape artist.

The venue itself was spectacular. There were soft lights found at every corner. There high tables at the center of the place and comfortable couches on the sides. Mayroon ding maliit na stage sa harapan. Pansin kong may mga instrumentong nakaayos rito.

"I knew Desiree and her friends frequents some clubs in the city," narinig kong sabi ng aking katabi.

Really? Are they even allowed to go inside? Minors pa sila, hindi ba?

"Girls like them have influences so they can always have their way... even when it's wrong," sabi pa ni Kai na tila narinig ang sinasabi ng aking isipan.

Tumango ako at muling iginala sa paligid ang aking paningin. I wasn't really paying attention to the other guests so when I did, I noticed how their gazes lingered on us... or rather, on my company. Sino ba naman kasing hindi titingin kung ang dumadaan ay mga tagapagmana ng kani-kanilang angkan sa imperyo?

"Um... Okay ka lang ba, Kai? People are watching..." Bulong ko sa kasama.

"Why? I'm with the most beautiful girl in the universe. Who wouldn't watch?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig. When I saw that faint mischievous smile on the sides of his mouth, I moved so I could smack him in the shoulder.

"Yana? Is that you?"

Natigil ang kamay ko at nilingon ang tumawag. It was the birthday celebrant in her probably branded pink gown. She was surrounded with her usual friends who were wearing gowns in different shades of pink.

"Happy birthday, Desiree," bati ko nang nakalapit kami sabay abot sa kanya ng dala kong regalo.

She looked at it with a hint of disgust before covering it up with an obvious fake smile.

"Thank you, Yana," she said after a quick cheek to cheek with me, "Wow, you look..." Anito bago ako tinignan mula ulo hanggang paa, "...unusually... good! Doesn't she, ladies?"

Her friends enthusiastically agreed with her but their faces said otherwise. Ngumiti pa rin ako at nagpasalamat.

"Si Miyu ang gumawa nito," maligaya kong balita sa kanila na umani naman ng ilang pagtaas ng kilay.

"Really?" Binalingan nila ang aking kaibigan na agad namang nagtago sa likod ni Kou, "That's... awesome, braces... I mean, Miss Sanada. Sana gawan mo rin kami ng mga damit na katulad nito sa hinaharap... Let's say, ten years from now?" Sabi pa ni Des habang lihim na natatawa ang mga kaibigan sa kanyang likuran.

Mas lalong nagtago si Miyu sa likod ni Kou.

"Oo naman!" Sagot ko para sa aking kaibigan, "Kaya lang baka sa mga panahong iyon, sikat na ang mga gawa ni Miyu at kilala na siya sa buong fashion industry... Baka mahirapan na siyang paunlakan ang hiling niyo.

Bahagyang lumaki ang mga mata ni Des sa aking sinabi.

"But I'm sure she'll do something about it. Right, Miyu?" Agap ko.

Bahagyang sumilip si Miyu at saka mahinang tumango bago muling nagtago sa likod ng aming kaibigan. Tumikhim naman si Des at binalingan na lang ang dalawa pa naming kasama.

"Thank you for coming to my party, Kou... Kai... Never in my wildest dreams did I expect that you'd be joining my birthday celebration... MY birthday celebration!" Anito habang pinapaypayan ang sarili, "This is such an honor—"

"We're here because Aya-san's here and that's all," Kai dawdled as he looked around with bored expression.

Naging hilaw ang ngiti ni Des sa narinig.

"Is that so?" She weakly giggled as she briefly looked at me before returning her eyes to Kai's unfeeling face, "Still, I'm thankful that of all the people of Asteria, you chose to attend my celebration..."

"Well, there you are, Desiree, darling! We've been looking for you— Oh! What have we here?" An overly accessorized, middle-aged woman in dark pink, who, I guessed, would be Des' mother, came over and noticed their unexpected distinguished guests, "Aren't you those sons from the Yazaki Financials?"

Hindi pa nakakasagot sina Kai nang balingan nito ang anak.

"Desiree, darling, you didn't tell me that we have VVIP this evening! I could have paid for a concerto and a grander venue instead!"

Des opened her mouth to say something when her mother turned to the twins once again.

"My... My... We surely were not expecting this surprise!"

Sandali itong nagbukas ng pamaypay at saka bahagyang natawa. Itiniklop nitong muli ang magarbong hawak bago nilahad ang kamay. Kitang-kita ang malahiganteng bato sa singsing nitong nakasuot sa kanyang middle finger.

"I'm Lucresia Fontillas y Madrigal, Desiree's mother," pakilala nito.

Nagtinginan pa ang magkapatid bago tinanggap ni Kou ang kamay nito.

"I'm Kou Yazaki."

"And I'm Kai Yazaki," ani Kai matapos tanggapin ang kamay pagkatapos nang mabilisang pakikipagkamay ng kapatid.

Ngunit hindi tulad ng kanyang kapatid, hindi na ito binitawan ng magulang ni Des.

"Oh, such pleasant gentlemen! Come! Let me introduce you two to my kumpadres and kumadres!" She declared as she pulled Kou along using her free hand.

"But—" Angal ni Kai habang may pag-aalalang napatingin sa akin.

I apologetically smiled at him as I urged him to go with the woman. Bigo, mahina siyang tumango at nagpatianod.

After a while, I heard Des sigh.

"Si Mommy talaga! Inaagawan pa ako ng mga bisita..." She grumbled, giving us sharp stares.

At dahil pati si Kou ay isinama noong babae, lumipat si Miyu sa aking likuran para magtago.

"Um..." Itatanong ko sana kung saan kami pwedeng umupo nang nakita kong lapitan ni Melissa ang kaibigan para bulungan. She had that smirk on her face when she was done.

"Yana?"

Nilingon ko si Desiree at bahagyang napatalon nang hilain nito ang aking palapulsuhan.

"I have some friends from the city that I want you to meet," anito pero si Miyu ang una kong naisip.

I turned to look for her and saw her being dragged by Cindy and Zoey to a high table and introduced her to the guests standing there. I was only relieved when I saw her shyly smiling as she extended her hand to them.

"Hey, guys! We're back!" Magiliw na bati ng humihila sa akin patungo sa isang couch na malapit sa stage, "This is Yana, one of our classmates and a very, very dear friend of ours."

There were about six persons sitting on the large pink couch. May dalawang babae na ang suot ay mga palda na ang tinatakpan ay mga underwear na lang nila, if they ever had any. Nagtaas sila ng kilay matapos pansinin ang aking kasuotan.

Ang apat naman doon ay mga lalaking agad na nagsipagtayuan para kamayan ako. Bumalik iyong tatlo sa pagkakaupo matapos paupuin sina Desiree at Melissa sa gitna. While the other one enthusiastically moved aside to let me pass so I could sit with the girls.

"Hi, Yana, I'm Kenneth!" Pakilala nito bago muling naglahad ng kamay.

Nginitian ko siya at muli itong tinanggap.

"Nice to meet you, Kenneth," sabi ko.

Babawiin ko na sana ang kamay ko nang humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya rito. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko sa kanyang ginawa at pagsasabihan na sana nang muli itong magsalita.

"Ilang taon ka na, Yana?"

"I'm fourteen," I answered as I tried to get my hand back but he was persistent.

"Fourteen? Seriously? You don't look like you're fourteen... More like eighteen," nakangisi nitong tugon.

I bit my lip as I convinced myself why I shouldn't crush this bastard's girly hand. Nginitian ko siya bago pwersahang binawi ang aking kamay. Natawa lang siya nang magawa ko na.

"I doubt you have any experience with city boys like me, huh?"

What? An asshole like you? Uh... yes and no. I thought as I remembered a particular annoying asshole like him, only that particular one was at the top of his game, or so he wanted to believe.

Mas lalo pa siyang lumapit at ipinatong ang kanyang buong braso sa sandigan ng couch, ramdam ko ang bahagyang paglapat nito sa aking mga balikat. Binalingan ko sina Melissa na kasalukuyang nakikipagkuwentuhan sa iba.

"You've never been in the city before?"

Muli kong nilingon ang katabi at napansin ang pag-usog nito palapit sa akin.

"I have," I answered as I scooted away from him, only for him to scoot nearer.

"Really? But I'm guessing never during the night?"

Hindi na nakatiis sa kanyang pagdikit, I held out my hand to stop him when the instruments behind us suddenly roared into life. And one particular voice caught my attention.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! It's Desiree's birthday! Let's give our birthday girl the cheers she deserves!" Nagpalakpakan at naghiyawan ang mga tao kasabay ng mga hampas ng drums.

Tumayo naman si Desiree at kinawayan ang mga panauhin.

"We are the Dragons and we're here to heat up this party! In three, two, one..."

Nagsimula ang unang kanta ng banda at agad na nagsitayuan ang mga tao para lumapit pa sa stage. Nagsigawan at nagtilihan ang mga babae habang inaabot ang bokalista nito.

"Wow! What a hottie!" Narinig kong sigaw ng isa sa mga kaibigan ni Desiree mula sa syudad.

"Foreigner ba iyan? Ang lakas ng appeal niya, ha?" Sabi pa noong isa.

"Hey, I saw him first!" Anas ng nauna.

Looking at them felt like dejavu to me. Wala sa sarili akong napatingin kay Melissa at nakita itong nakangisi sa akin. Lumapit siya sa mesa at kumuha ng maiinom.

"Yeah, he's the hottest around here. Too bad, though, seems like he's already taken," anunsiyo nito habang umiinom sa kanyang margarita glass.

"Huh?" Magkasabay na anas ng dalawa.

Kumalabog ang dibdib ko nang bigla na lang tumingin si Melissa sa akin. Lalong nag-init ang pisngi ko nang bumaling ang kanilang mga kaibigan sa aking gawi.

"That's his girlfriend..."

"What?"

Almost immediately and even if I didn't want to, my eyes flew to where Melissa's finger was pointing. Not to me. Apparently. But at someone who was standing beside him on the stage. A girl in white sleeveless top and leather jean. A side of her head was shaved and what's left of her hair was gelled to one side. She was playing the lead guitar like she was making love with it.

She looked so cool that my heart could only constrict in utter disbelief and obvious envy. He looked at her as if she was the most important person in this world for him. Lalong nalugmok ang puso ko sa naisip.

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig nang bigla na lang nitong nahagip ang aking paningin. Quickly, I looked away and brought my eyes to the contents of our table.

"Seriously? That's his type? Lame!" One city girl said before picking up a drink from oir table and downed it in one go, "Come, Mel. Let's show that hottie what he's been missing..." Sabi pa nito bago hinila ang humahagikhik pang kaibigan.

Kahit na dinig na dinig ko mula sa aming pwesto ang malamig na boses nito, hindi ko na muli pang binalingan ang stage. Kumukuyom ang aking dibdib sa tuwing naririnig ang riffs ng lead nila. Instead, I turned the other way and decided to look for Miyu and the twins.

Dapat nga sila iyong mga kasama ko ngayon...

"Okay ka lang ba, Yana?"

Napalingon ako at natagpuan ang nakangiting Desiree na may hawak ng isang baso.

"You know, you should drink and just relax..." Anito sabay abot sa akin ng kanyang hawak.

"Um, I'm not allowed to drink alcohol..." Tugon ko at bigla silang natawa.

"I'm still just fifteen, silly! Bawal ang alcoholic drinks dito!" Sabi niya bago kinuha ang aking kamay para ilagay doon ang baso.

I looked at them, who were still laughing at my previous reaction, before taking a swift sniff on the glass' contents. Amoy pinya.

"It's only pineapple juice, honey. It won't hurt you," anas pa ni Desiree na natatawa pa rin.

Without leaving my eyes off their giggling faces, I brought the glass to my lips and took a sip. It tasted like pineapple... but with a funny aftertaste.

"See? It's just pineapple juice. Chill!" Natatawang sabi ng naiwang babaeng kaibigan ni Des.

"Huwag niyo ngang tuksuhin masyado si Yana. Lalo tuloy siyang nahihiyang makisama sa atin," biglang sabi ng katabi kong nagbaba ng pinag-inumang baso bago kumuha ng isa pa.

Humarap siya sa akin habang inaangat ang bagong nakuhang inumin.

"Don't worry, babe. Akong bahala sa iyo," he said with a wink before clinking his glass with mine and downing the contents.

I felt a bit relieved with what he said so I took another sip from my glass. Nakatatlong baso ako ng ganoon nang makaramdam ng pagkahilo. Tapos na ang unang set ng banda at nagpapatugtog na ng mga electro music ang DJ. Nakabalik na rin sina Melissa at masayang nakikipagkuwentuhan sa kanilang mga kaibigan kaya napagpasyahan kong oras na para hanapin sina Miyu.

Sinubukan kong tumayo at agad na naramdaman ang bahagyang paggalaw ng mundo.

"Opps! Are you alright?" Tanong ni Kenneth na agad na sumalo sa akin.

Napatingin naman ang lahat sa pwesto namin at wala sa sarili ko silang nginitian.

"Daijoubu... daijoubu... Hindi lang kasi ako sanay sa taas ng heels," I said as I pinched the bridge of my nose. Sumasakit na ang ulo ko. Kailangan na naming umuwi.

Sinubukan kong kumilos uli nang hilahin ako pabalik ni Kenneth.

"Aalis ka na?"

May kung ano sa tono nito ang hindi ko nagustuhan.

"Hahanapin ko lang iyong mga kasama ko..." I said as I wrenched my wrist out from his hold.

"Oh? Let me accompany you then," he said as he stood from his seat.

Mabilis nitong pinulupot ang braso sa aking baywang. Hindi na ako nakatanggi at sumunod na lang sa kanya.

Lumalala na ang pag-ikot ng aking paligid kaya agad akong napatigil.

"What's wrong?" Tanong nito.

"Nahihilo ako..." Mahina kong tugon habang hawak-hawak ang aking ulo.

"Really?" There was a hint of amusement in his voice kaya napaangat ako ng tingin, "Umupo muna tayo rito para mahimasmasan ka..." Anito bago ako muling hinila sa kung saan.

Napapapikit na ang aking mga mata nang maramdaman ang lamig ng tubig sa aking binti. It felt nice against my heated skin.

"Raise your foot a little para makapasok ka," he said and I followed.

Medyo gumalaw ang bagay na tinapakan namin kaya muntik na naman akong natumba kung hindi lang ako nasalo ng aking kasama.

"Whoa! Careful there, babe," he said as he guided my body to sit down.

I felt the chill of a cold board against my back which made me realize that I was missing my overcoat.

"Teka, nasaan na iyong coat ko?" I asked, weary that I was wearing less and I was with this person.

"I think you left it on our couch when you took it off a while ago."

"Hindi ito pwede. Miyu would be devastated if I lost a part of her creation!"

I stood up full of conviction that I would be retrieving that piece back. Pero muli akong naupo nang gumalaw ang aming kinaroroonan.

"Easy, babe. You might fall over. I doubt the water is heated."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig at mabilis na tiningnan ang ibig nitong sabihin. Nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang matantong nasa kalagitnaan kami ng lawa. I turned my head towards the party and saw the semi-dimmed venue getting further.

"Why did you bring us here?" Untag ko sa kasama.

"Why—" He looked so confused about my reaction before sporting an amused grin, "Well, kanina ko pa napapansin ang pagpapapansin mo sa akin... So much that you pretended to be feeling faint."

What? I couldn't believe what this fellow's perverted head came up with.

"Kaya naisipan kong pagbigyan ka to have a lone time with me."

Pinandilatan ko siya ng mata nang umusog pa ito at lalong idinikit ang sarili sa akin. Itinulak siya pero madali nitong nahablot ang palapulsuhan ko at dinala iyon sa kanyang hita. His other hand found its way to my nape.

"You're so beautiful, Yana. Hindi mo kailangang magkunwaring katorse anyos para hindi kita patulan," nakakadiri nitong tugon bago ako hinila.

Napasigaw ako nang idinikdik nito ang mukha sa aking leeg.

"Hmm... ang bango—"

His filthy words hung midair when somebody abruptly grabbed him by his collar and tossed him on the opposite end of the boat.

"Gago ka! Anong ginagawa mo kay Aya?!" Barked the person who just saved me.

Unti-unting napaawang ang bibig ko nang makilala kung sino ito.

But how— Why— Wasn't he supposed to be— Why—

Mabilis kong nilingon ang aming pinanggalingan. Malayo na ngayon ang mga ilaw at sigurado akong masyadong malamig ang tubig ng lawa para languyin.

Ilan pang mura at kalampugan ang aking narinig kaya ko ibinalik sa loob ng banggka ang aking paningin. I found his large frame towering over Kenneth's midrange and with his fist already up in the air. He would surely be in trouble if he managed to pounce one of his employer's city friend kaya mabilis akong tumayo para pigilan ito.

"Tama na, Re—"

Huli na nang matanto kong masyadong gumagalaw ang sinasakyan namin. Hindi ko maibalanse nang maayos ang suot na stilettos kaya nang sumunod na paggalaw ng bangka, tumilapon ako palabas nito.

"Aya!" He yelled, his pair of emeralds widened in fear as he watched me plunged into the dark, cold waters.