Lead Me To You

Kabanata XII

An Ordinary Princess

Monica

I was a spoiled child since I was young. My Papa would read me a book of fairytales or children's books before going to sleep. And I love hearing his voice while reading. He always puts characters in each story and he also changed his voice to suit the narrative.

I just hope that those books are still in my father's library. How about his chamber? Sino ang gumagamit nayun?

Lumabas ako ng kwarto at nadatnan ko agad si Carter an nakabantay sa aking pinto.

"Are you really going to stand there every day for almost 24 hours?" I got slightly annoyed.

"I'm just doing my job," he simply answered back.

"But at least you should sit down. They should give you a chair or someone should switch post to you so you can rest." I said.

"I'm fine, signorina. Do you need something?" He changes the subject.

"It's nothing. I just need to go to the library." Pagturo ko sa katabing kwarto ni Francis.

"Tell me what you need and I'll get it for you," pagalok naman ni Carter.

"Carter, may mga paa ako. Hindi naman kalayuan ang aking lalakarin para makarating ako roon. It's a library, nothing's gonna happen on me there." I said sarcastically.

Seriously, sobrang higpit ng security sa bahay na ito. Halos lahat ng galaw mo ay may nanonood at nakabantay. May mga nakaabang kung sakaling may panganib na dumating sayo. Sa loon ng bahay na ito? May magtatanka pa ba sa buhay ko?

Hinayaan na naman ako ni Carter na magpunta sa library ng ako lamang magisa. Pagpasok ko roon ay natigilan ako sa may pintuan. Nag-iba na ang ayos ng silid na ito. Ngunit sa palagay ko ay ang mga bilang ng librong narito ay katulad lamang noon. Maaaring may nadagdag. They told me that this is Francis' office. Kaya pala may nakabukas na laptop sa gitnang lamesa at ilang folder sa gilid nito.

This place is neat and smells nice.

Hmm... what should I read today?

Romance? Documentary? History? Educational? There are so many options!

The shelves are two feet taller than me that's why it has a ladder attached to it. And even at the highest shelves are filled with books. I am curious about the books on the top shelves and there is this one book that catches my attention there. I climbed the ladder at the very top and scanned my eyes with the books. Same genres but a lot of choices.

I noticed the familiar book just by the corner and immediately reached for it. As soon as I touched the book, good old memories were flashed in my mind. My father used to read this story to me when I cannot sleep. And I used to snuck in his library just to get this book and read it all over again. I didn't get tired of it and I even memorized the whole words of this story.

I hugged the book and placed that near my chest. I looked down and never realized how high I climbed. I trembled a little so I hold the ladder tightly.

"What was I thinking?" I asked myself.

Dahan-dahan naman akong bumababa sa hagdanan nang hindi tumitingin sa baba. Sa tuwing makikita ko ang layo ng sahig sa aking kinatatayuan ngayon ay nanginginig na agad ako.

"Oh Lord, help me..." I chanted.

Halos ipikit ko na ang aking mga mata dahil dumagdag sa aking kaba ang paggalaw ng hagdan habang bumababa ako.

Konting hakbang na lamang at mararamdaman na ang aking mga paa ang sahig. Konting tiis na lamang.

"I wonder what book you got," said Francis when I finally reached the ground.

"Oh, this? My favourite book." I said.

Pinakita ko sa kanya ang hardbound cover ng libro at kinuha naman niya iyon sa akin.

"The Ordinary Princess," he recited.

"Yes, and it was my favourite because my Papa used to read it for me." My eyes are glittering because I remembered one happy memory from my father.

"You have come all the way up just to get this book. Why didn't you let Carter do it for you? Paano kung nahulog ka?" Pagsaway nito sa akin.

Here we go again.

"Hindi naman ako nahulog. And I wanted to do it by myself. I don't need to order someone else to do it for me."

Can't we have a day without arguing or making each other mad?

He sighed, "Fine, but please be careful. I saw how you trembled while going down."

"I will. You don't have to worry anymore." I reassured.

Nilibot ko ang aking mga mata sa buong silid. Marami ang nabago at ang mga ibang gamit ay nalipat ng pwesto ayon sa mga natatandaan ko. Ang nanatili sa pwesto ay ang grand table na nasa gitna. Nilapitan ko iyon ay nilapatan ng aking haplos ang bawat gilid ng lamesa at upuan.

"My father used to sit here," pagtukoy ko sa swivel chair, "and he used to write something or work on this table," pagtukoy ko naman sa kulay mahogany na lamesa.

"It just feels different now that you are the owner," I sighed.

Hindi ko talaga alam kung tama ba na narito ako sa bahay na ito. Sa bawat sulok ng bawat silid ay may memoryang lumulutang kapag naroon ako. Gusto kong matigil na ang mga iyon ngunit hindi ko naman sila control.

"Would you care to tell me about this book? Seems pretty interesting." Pagiiba ni Francis sa usapan. 

"Why yes, I'd love to." I tried to be bubbly again.

Kinuha ko sa kanyang kamay ang libro at naupo sa mahabang sofa hindi kalayuan sa aming kinatatayuan. Binuklat ko iyon sa pahina na nasa unang kabanata ng nobela.

"Once upon a time, there was a kingdom called Phantasmorania. There lived a benevolent King and Queen who was blessed with six beautiful daughters. The daughters were described with rippling blonde hair, fairest complexion and jewel blue eyes. They named their daughters after the precious stones - Diamond, Opal, Emerald, Sapphire, Crystal, and Pearl."

"How come that the title is 'The Ordinary Princess' if she was the same with her sisters?" He asked in the middle of my storytelling.

This is what I am annoyed at. Someone who's spoiling the tea.

"Let me finish. I'm not yet done. Questions shall be answered after the story." I said firmly.

I stand with my belief and that is the proper order.

"One fine evening, the royal cannon was heard to boomed out twenty times signifying the birth of the seventh princess. The townspeople believed that it was common knowledge that the seventh princess was a good omen, and destined to be the most beautiful of them all. To celebrate her birth, the King and Queen throw a grand celebration and invited all the fairies to bestow their presents on the youngest child."

"So, she's the ordinary princess?" Francis asked again, interrupting my storytelling and referring to the youngest child that's born.

"You are spoiling the story!" I hissed.

"Ha! Okay, continue." He cackles. 

"The fairies started to bestow their presents to the youngest child. Princess Amethyst Alexandra Augusta Araminta Adelaide Aurelia Anne was given charm and wit and grace and courage, and many other traits that will be suited by her beauty. But then, an old and most powerful fairy arrived – the prickly older fairy Crustacea with a notorious temper. She bestowed her final gift on the young princess."

"Can you guess what it is?" I asked him. Since he likes to interrupt me.

"An ordinary life?" He simply answered.

"It's really hard to just shut up, right? You seemed to know about this story so well and yet you are asking me to tell you about this!" What kind of person is he? Really?

"No, I didn't. I haven't heard of that book. The story is just predictable." He protests while defending himself.

"I really hate you!"

I stormed out the room while stamping my feet. I didn't finish the story because of him. I didn't notice that the book is still in my hand while entering my room. Nakita naman ni Carter ang aking ekspresyon at alam kong gusto niya akong tanungin ngunit pinilit na lamang manahimik at pagbuksan na lamang ako ng pinto.

"That sly fox! May araw din talaga siya sa akin." Sigaw ko habang tinakip ang aking unan sa aking mukha.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit inis na inis ako sa kanya. Kung tutuusin ay napakababaw naman kung ang gagawin kong dahilan ay dahil nauunahan niya akong hulaan ang nilalaman ng isang nobela. At ang mas pinakakakaiba pa ay ang paborito kong libro na sinabi niyang hindi niya pa nababasa o nahahawakan.

"Is she inside?" I heard Francis voice from outside my door. Nakita ko rin ang anino ng mga paang nasa ilalim lang ng pintuan.

What could he be wanting now?

"Yes Sir," said Carter with a simple answer.

Right after he said that I heard a soft knock.

"Do you want to do something today? Pupunta akong bayan ngayon para mamili ng grocery. Gusto mo ba akong samahan?" He asked.

The offer is tempting. I did not go outside this house since I arrived. Maybe it's a good thing to see other environments once in a while.

He has a lot of maids here that can do that chore for him.

Pinagisipan ko pang mabuti kung sasama ba ako o hindi. Bago pa ako makasagot ay nawala na ang anino ng mga paa sa ilalim ng pintuan ko. Daglian akong bumangon sa aking kama at tinakbo ang distanya ng pinto. Padarag ko iyong binuksan upang maabutan ko pa ito.

"Sasama ako," sagot ko.

Hindi ko na naisip pang magsuot ng tsinelas kaya yapak akong humarap sa kanya. Nakita ko ang pagbaba at pagtaas ng kanyang mga mata sa aking kabuuan at ang pagbabago ng kanyang ekspresyon.

"Okay. I'll wait for you downstairs." Said Francis before turning his back on me.

Napangiti ako sa kanyang sinabi at hindi napigilan na ipakita iyon. For the first time after eight years, I smiled again because of him. Hindi ko naman alam kung ano ang tunay na dahilan. Nakita naman ni Carter ang pagkurba ng aking mga labi habang pinapakita ang aking mga ngipin. Halata sa kanyang mga mata ang pagtataka.

Labing limang minuto ang lumipas bago ako bumaba ng hagdan. Naroon nga si Francis sa tapat ng main door at naghihintay. Maggogrocery lamang naman kami ngunit nakapostura pa rin. Sa damit niyang puting T-s**t at denim jeans na tinernohan lamang ng New Balance trainers, para siyang isang model sa isang runaway. Ang suot ko naman ay puting T-shirt din at denim skirt na hanggang itaas ng aking tuhod at tinernohan ko naman ng aking paboritong Nike Airmax.

"You don't need to go, Carter." paguutos ni Francis.

Natigilam ako. Tumingin ako sa aking likod at hindi ko napansing nakasunod pala sa akin si Carter.

"But sir-"

"I can take care of Monica," said Francis.

The moment Francis said those words, I felt the tension in the whole lobby. It's like a volt of electricity were coverning us right now. Pinagmasdan kong maigi ang dalawa habang nagpapalitan ito ng mga matatapang na tingin.

What's going on?

I felt that Carter wants to say something but I got in the way. Hindi ko alam ang maaaring mangyari kung hahayaan kong magsagutan ang dalawa. Sa tensyon na namamagitan sa kanila ay alam ko nang hindi sila magpapatalo.

"It's okay, Carter. I'm with Francis and we'll be back before you know it." Pakunswelo ko na lang sa kanya.

Bigo naman niyang binaling ang kanyang tingin sa akin at hindi na nanlaban pa. Sa aking mga salita ay nanlambot na siya at umalis na lamang sa aming harapan. Hindi na ito muling umimik pa at naglakad na lamang.

"You can take the whole day off as well," Francis said.

With those words, he stopped walking but didn't turn around. He clenched both of his fists but I never got to see his expression.

He stopped for a while before walking, completely disappearing out of my sight.

"Let's go," Francis commanded.

Sumunod na lamang ako sa kanya papunta sa gilid ng bahay kung nasaan nakaparada ang mga sasakyan. Gagamitin niya ang puting Jeep Wrangler. Nang mapatunog niya iyon ay sumakay na kaming dalawa.

Ilang linggo na ako na narito sa mansyon at kahit isang beses ay hindi pa ako nakakalabas. Ngayon lang. Hindi pa rin ako dinadalaw ni Matteo dahil hindi pa ito makaluwas mula sa Maynila.

"Where exactly are we going?" Tanong ko nang makaandar na ang sasakyan.

"Sa palengke," simple nitong sagot.

"Palengke? With this outfit? Don't tell me that you will shop meat or poultry there also?" Tanong ko.

"Oo naman. I don't see why I can't." Pagkibit ng balikat nito habang nagmamaneho.

"I shouldn't have come with this outfit. I thought that grocery shopping means at the mall." Pinagkrus ko ang aking mga braso sa aking dibdib.

"Huwag ka na maginarte. Mabuti na rin na ma-expose ka sa mga ganoong lugar para makilala mo rin. Hindi iyong mall at mamahaling lugar lamang ang kinikilala mo." Sabi nito.

"It's not my fault that I was born like this. I never got to experience that. We have maids that would do this chore for us." Pagsagot ko.

"That was before. Iba na ngayon at kailangan na ring mamulat ang mga mata mo sa ganitong bagay dahil hindi ito ang magiging huling pagkakataon na dadalhin kita sa palengke."

He looked so serious while saying those. He already has plans for me for staying here.

"Wait. Are you planning to bring me whenever you wanted to that crowded and smelly 'palengke' you're talking about?" I sounded upset. Hindi naman sa pagiinarte ngunit hindi lamang iyon ang kinasanayan ko.

"Yeah. Kung hindi man ako ay pwede kang isama ng mga katulong."

"No way. No f*****g way, Francis."

"Habang narito ka sa La Union, magagawa mo ang mga bagay na gusto mo. Mapupuntahan mo lahat ng lugar na pinaplano mong puntahan. Makakain mo lahat ng kinahihiligan mong pagkain. Ngunit sa isang kondisyon lamang... dapat alam ko ang mga iyon at kung sakali man na gusto mong umalis ay magsasama ka ng limang bodyguard."

"Limang bodyguard?! What am I? The first lady?"

Ang higpit naman. Makakaabala pa ng limang tao para lamang sa kagustuhan ko. Dito naman ako lumaki kaya sigurado akong wala namang mangyayaring masama sa akin.

Nakarating na kami sa bayan at ngayon ay naghahanap na lamang ng parking para sa aming sasakyan. Dahil masikip at maraming tao sa lugar na ito, paniguradong sa malayong pwesto pa kami makakahanap ng parking. 

"We have no choice but to walk. We should have come here early." Pagrereklamo ko.

"Monica, the market never sleeps. There will be a lot of people here anytime."

Umikot na lamang ang aking mga mata sa inis. Kinuha ko ang aking maliit na bag at sinabit iyon sa aking katawan.

"Be mindful of your belongings," he reminded.

We walked and walked for hours while he's negotiating with every vendor he can find. He already brought vegetables and fruits that will be good for one week for every person in the house including the drivers and the security. He ordered lots of boxes of them and have them delivered to our address. Hindi naman namin iyon madadala lahat. At ang tanging ginagawa ko ay ang sumunod lamang sa kanya kung saan man siya pumunta.

"Ay Francis! Halika na rito, tingnan mo. Sariwa pa ang mga isda ko! Bili ka na."

Napatigil kami sa isang istasyon na puno ng isda. Gusto kong takpan ang aking ilong sa malansang amoy ngunit hindi ko ginawa. I don't want to offend them.

Francis is wearing branded clothes and shoes but he doesn't care a bit if it gets dirty.

"Oo nga 'tay. Masarap ang mga itong gawing inihaw."

"Tama ka riyan. Isawsaw mo pa sa toyong tinimplahan ng bawang at sibuyas at calamansi!"

"Sige ho 'tay, sa isang araw ay magiihaw kami. Ipagbalot niyo po ako ng apat na kilo."

"Iyan ang gusto ko sayo, anak! Sige at aasikasuhin ko agad para ipadala na namin sa bahay mo."

"Maraming salamat po, 'tay."

Kumuha ito ng ilang isang libo sa kanyang wallet at binigay iyon sa matanda.

"Hintayin mo na ang skuli, Francis." Sabi ng tindero.

"Wala na po akong sukli, 'tay."

"Pero sobra ito, anak." Pagtutol nito.

"Sige na po. Mauna na kami at marami pa kaming bibilhin."

"Sige, maraming salamat at magiingat kayo."

Galante rin pala ang lalaking ito. Kung sabagay, marami naman siyang pera na pwedeng ipamigay kaya hindi iyon problema sa kanya. Makakatulog pa rin siya nang mahimbing sa gabi nang hindi iyon iisipin.

Although I have wealth, it's not mine to declare it. It was my husband's. Yung credit card ko na sa kanya nakapangalan. Ang aking debit card na saka lamang nalalamnan tuwing huling araw ng buwan dahil sa aking asawa. He's a good and caring husband. Hindi niya ako hinahayaang mamulubi. I can still live in luxury like I used to when I was still a Carluccio.

But it's just weird and very improper. I wanted to be independent and earn my own money but I do not know how to start.

I used to be like Francis. I can easily give cash to those in need even without expecting any return. Because I know that they need that more than I do.

It was twelve in the afternoon when we finished buying all the things we need. I am so tired when I get back in the car. Binuhay ko agad ang air condition at tinapat iyon sa akin. Dahil sa kadamihan ng tao sabayan pa ng matinding sikat ng araw ay nanlalagkit ang aking pakiramdam. Saka lamang ako napapagpawisan ng ganito kapag nagwoworkout ako.

"Do we have everything we need now? I want to go home and shower... or maybe toss my body in the bathtub for hours to relieve my tiredness." I cannot wait to go home!

"I believe that we bought everything. Are you hungry? We can eat before returning to the house." He said while wiping himself with his towel.

Didn't I tell you before that he's goddamn hot? He's husband material. Look at his face, his build, his complexion and... his status. He's so worthy. If I lived a different life, he might be my boyfriend right now. Getting all his love and attention would make me a lucky woman in the whole universe. 

I couldn't help myself staring at him while wiping his own sweat. He's so hot while doing that I miraculously touched my lips and bit it.

"What do you want to eat?" He asked.

"You-" what the hell?

Cazzo! What did I just spit?!

"You! I mean- I'm asking you if there's anything you have in your mind that you wanted to eat."

I just hope that he will not get a different idea.

But what the hell am I thinking? Did I just thirst over him? Oh hell no!

"I'm okay with anything. I'm asking you because we will order via drive-thru." He simply said.

That's a relief. He did not suspect anything.

"There's a-a nearby fast-food chain on your left. You can order there." Did I just stammer?

Why am I like this?

Since I set my foot in that house, sharing the same roof with this man, feeling the attention and protection he's giving me; I am acting differently.

While hitting the road, I received a text message from Paris. It's unusual that he is sending me a message.

Paris:

Ciao Monica. Come stai? Come ti stai godendo la tua vacanza nelle Filippine?

He is asking how am I doing right now.

Hmm, very unusual.

"Who is it?" Francis asked.

Agad kong tinago ang aking cellphone sa aking maliit na bag.

"It's Paris. He's just asking how I have been." I sighed.

I only plan to stay here for six months. Paris was asking about my vacation here. And after six months, I had to go back to Italy to fulfil my duty as a wife of Paris Marchetti. We had an arrangement before I flew here. After our wedding, we didn't do a honeymoon. It was my decision, but Paris wanted a child. This marriage is just a business between two families; the Marchetti's and the Carluccio's, decided by my grandfather to save the company. The two families agreed with the deal that's why I am here in this situation.

Paris gave me some time to think it over and to change my mind. He gave me six months to unwind, take a vacation and spend my time without him. But I used that freedom to go here to the Philippines to execute my plan to get back the Carluccio's. If I succeed, I can divorce Paris and be myself again. But if I failed, I have to go back to being an official wife for him. But he didn't know about my plan. All he know was I was taking my sweet holiday away from him.

You might be thinking that I didn't have to do this kind of stuff. But if you were in my shoes, you would do the same thing. Kahit na ayaw mo. Sa kagustuhan kong mabalik ang legacy ng aking pamilya, I can take extra measure just to suceed.

And about my progress, I haven't even started yet.

I did the first move, but I failed.

And now, I don't know how to execute this plan anymore.

Paris:

Spero che trascorrerai la maggior parte del tuo tempo in quel paese. Sono così entusiasta che tu torni a casa.

Another text appeared on my screen.

He's waiting for me to come home.