CHAPTER 3
1657 Words
Chapter 3: Great time & first kiss
“XENUS Maicodel Levanna-Lindbergh? That’s your full name? Are you from Denmark?”
“Uh... Yeah, that’s me and...yes, I uhm...from Denmark,” he stammered. I frowned because he didn’t want to tell the truth that he was the person I was talking about.
Mabilis naman inagaw sa akin ng lalaki ang cigarette and his lighter. “No wonder na mag-boyfriend at mag-girlfriend nga kayo. Pareho kayong pakialamerong dalawa,” sabi nito sa amin. Pinukulan niya kami ng masamang tingin saka siya umalis. Balak pa yatang humabol ng lalaking ito nang hinila ko ang braso niya para pigilan siya.
“Let him be, and you, find another student who can tour you inside of our university,” I said and was about to leave when he spoke.
“Kitten, do you know that when a person knows who I am and where I come from, she will be taken to Denmark to serve there? No one will know about that so you will be forced to go with us,” he said. Binabantaan niya ba ako? Dahil hindi ako natatakot doon.
“Do I care about that? I don’t care about you either, I also know that you are a fake prince, just maybe,” I blurted out and shrugged my shoulder.
“Hey, that’s below the belt and what you’re doing now is an insult to me. Do you want your prof to know this? Or the president of your school?”
“Are you a real prince or just a fake?”
“How do you know that the prince named Xenus Maicodel Levanna-Lindbergh is indeed?”
“We are no longer interested in the royal family. Just out of curiosity I was reading about that and one of those names I remember belonged to a royal family and their kingdom was in Denmark. So...”
“Wow, that’s great. I feel special,” he said as he clapped his hands. I rolled my eyes.
No choice na rin ako kundi ang samahan siya. Akala ko nga ay maiingayan ako sa kanya dahil baka madaldal siyang lalaki pero tahimik lang siya buong oras na magkasama kami at lahat ng sulok ng school namin ay nakita na niya.
“Do you often come here to the Philippines?” basag ko sa pananahimik namin.
“Hmm, only occasionally. If there is an important event that I become my father’s representative,” he replied.
“What do you think of the Philippines?”
“Cars are noisy, there is air pollution. But the Philippines is alive and well, because of the Filipinos who you can see the hard work, dedication and despite their hardships they are still able to cope, you know. You guys are fun to look at, no offense. But I like it here because not everyone likes a quiet place because you’ll just get bored. Here in your country, no matter where you go, it’s still fun,” mahabang sabi niya.
“That’s fine,” sabi ko lamang.
”Do you want to come with me to Denmark?” biglaan ay pag-iimbita niya sa akin. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko.
“Are you serious about that?” hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko sa kanya.
“I never joke.”
“Ewan ko sa ’yo.”
“Be my queen...”
“You’re not funny anymore,” nakasimangot na sabi ko.
“But on second thought, I have a girl in my heart. But you are more beautiful than her,” pambobola na naman niya sa akin. “Thank you for giving me enough of your time. Here, take this... A simple gift for you.” Inilahad ko ang palad ko para saluhin ang kuwintas na ibibigay niya sa akin at tiningnan ko ito nang mabuti.
“What is this?” I asked him. “A black crown pendant?” May nakalagay rin na initial dito. X.M.L-L. “Why---”
“No more question. See you at the party, Kitten,” sabi niya at saka niya ako iniwan sa kinatatayuan ko. That man... Pss.
***
Mabilis lumipas ang mga oras kung kaya naman ay dumating din ang celebration na tinutukoy nila. Balak ko sana na hindi na dadalo pa kasi parang hindi naman required ang student na um-attend.
Pero nakatanggap ako ng gift from that fake prince. Tss. A gown na susuotin ko raw tonight.
A white knee-length sleeveless dress, it looks simple but elegant because of its shiny fabric and a pair of ankle strap heels. Ang Mommy ko mismo ang nag-ayos sa akin pero hindi gaano makapal ang make-up dahil iyon ang gusto ko.
“You’re so beautiful, baby...” malambing na sabi sa akin ng Mommy ko at niyakap pa niya ako.
“Mana po ako sa inyo ni Dad,” sabi ko.
Si Daddy ang maghahatid sa akin sa school since nandoon ang event pero nang makita ako ni Daddy ay nakita ko ang pamumuo ng mga luha niya sa kanyang mata. “Dad? Why are you crying?” I asked him.
Umiling siya at bigla rin akong niyakap. “I love you, anak...” Napapansin ko na madalas talagang ganito ang Daddy ko pero nasasanay na ako.
“Emotional na naman ang daddy mo, Cashren,” sabi ni Mommy.
“Oo nga po. Dad...”
“Let’s go?”
***
The celebration prepared by the president and faculty staff at ang grande ngang tingnan. The decoration was beautiful but I don’t really appreciated it because I don’t like this kind of party.
But this time, na-appreciate ko naman na makasama ko ang dalawang magpinsan na sina Giuseppe and Consetta.
Nasa iisang table lang kaming tatlo at nag-e-enjoy sa party. Juice lang ang iniinom namin at nang may bigla namang isang lalaki na lumapit sa amin.
“Ms. Cashren Jhed Vendido?”
“What is it?” kunot-noong tanong ko.
“Mr. Lindbergh,” tipid na sambit niya lang sa pangalan na iyon. Kilala na ng dalawa ang fake prince na iyon kaya agad nila akong pinagtabuyan at sumama na raw ako.
I caught up with him at a table and there were so many men wearing black suits surrounding him that I almost couldn’t see him anymore. He was also alone there.
“Why are you bothering me?” malamig na tanong ko sa kanya.
“I just want to be with you just for tonight,” he said.
“Excuse me?” Ganito ba siya? Feeling close?
“Sit down, kitten.”
“I do not want. I’m going back to our table,” sabi ko pero tumayo siya at hinawakan niya ang balikat ko saka niya ako iniupo.
”Sit down and wait for your president,” he uttered.
Dumating na nga si President Vazquez at napangiti pa siya nang makita ako. “Ah, Cashren was the only student who gave you a tour of the school. Cashren is a smart kid, she’s just quiet,” she said.
“Based on my observation. Yes, she is a quiet kid.” Tss, mukha pa ba akong bata?
“Thank you for your time, hija.”
”What am I doing here? The task you gave me is to accompany the son of our school’s sponsor. I have nothing to do with it, right?” sa halip ay sabi ko. Nagrereklamo ako dahil bakit ako nasa table nila? Pss.
“That’s what I like about you, kitten. You are too straight forward,” he uttered.
I didn’t say anything more when they both laughed and I just let them go on their trip. I just ate while they were talking. Dumating din naman si Prof Eldeyor.
I was wondering why my drinks suddenly turned bitter and the strength of its taste but I slowly realized that it was alcohol that I drank. That’s why I felt a little dizzy.
I stood up and nagpaalam ako sa kanila na pupunta lang sa banyo. Nanghilamos ako agad pero hindi man lang nawala ang pagkahilo ko. Oh, goodness... Cashren, lagot ka sa Daddy mo.
Paglabas ko ay muntik pa akong mawalan nang balanse but it’s good na may sumalo sa akin. I made a facepalm when I saw him. Tinabig ko ang kamay niya pero inalalayan na naman niya akong makaupo sa may hagdanan.
“I’m sorry. You drank wine. There is no juice on the table,” he reasoned out.
“Oh, maybe you meant it, you idiot!” asik ko sa kanya na ikinaatras pa niya dahil sa gulat.
“Hey, I’m not a bad person! I wouldn’t do that to a kid!” depensa niya sa sarili niya.
“Really? Maybe you meant to get me drunk?!” my accusation.
“I won’t do that! Stop it, will you?! I am a noble person,” he said.
“You are so arrogant!”
“No! I’m just telling the truth!”
***
We went out of the university and he took me to the café that is open 24/7.
He bought coffee for me. ”Here... Drink your coffee while it’s still hot.”
“Why do you want me out? Well, there’s still a party at school,” sabi ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sumama rin ako sa kanya.
Nanatiling nasa labas ang iilan na bodyguard niya.
“I just don’t want to be there anymore. I’m going back to Denmark tomorrow,” pagkukuwento niya. Ano naman sa akin kung babalik na siya sa country niya?
“Mabuti kung ganoon.”
“You are really bad girl. I told you that I do not understand your language. English only,” he hissed me. Napangisi ako at sumimsim ako ng coffee.
“Sino ka para utusan mo ako? Problema mo kung hindi ka makakaintindi sa akin.” Nagsalubong lang ang kilay niya.
“I’m going to study. I will learn to speak Tagalog. You’ll see.”
“Bahala ka...”
“Hey. That’s bad.”
- Writer
