Fatal Desires

Kabanata 7

The next day, I woke up from the sound of banging and knocking from my door. I groaned while my hands are now busy searching for a pillow. I grabbed it and covered my ears with it.

Minutes had past already, but the banging from my door didn't stop. Narinig ko 'yong bumukas kaya naalarma ako. I forcefully opened my eyes and rubbed it a bit.

My vissions are still blurry, but I am sure that it was no other than my ugly brother.

"What?!" I hissed.

He laughed because of my reaction and opened the door widely. Tuluyan na siyang nakapasok sa aking kwarto bago pa ko pa siya mapaalis.

"Lagot ka kay daddy," he started. Dahil sa sinabi niyang 'yon ay parang nawala ang antok ko at nabuhay ang sistema ko.

"What did I do again this time?"

He sat on my bed with his arms crossed within his chest. Maloko ang tingin at ngisi na ibinibigay niya sa akin ngayon kung kaya't mas lalo akong kinabahan. Hindi ko nagugustuhan 'to.

"Hindi mo alam?"

"Itatanong ko ba kung alam ko na?"

Muli sayang tumawa bago tumayo sa aking kama. Oh no! He will leave me like a clueless kid. I can sense that.

"See it yourself," he told me with a wink before leaving my room.

Tulala akong nakatingin sa aking pinto na ngayon ay nakasara na. I tried to recall what I did this past few days. Wala naman akong masyadong ginawa kundi mag-aral, magkulong sa kwarto, at sundin ang mga gusto at bilin niya.

"What did I do?" I asked myself.

Minutes had passed when I heard a sound of banging and knocking my door again, but this time it wasn't my brother. It was one of our housekeepers.

I realized that I've been staring on my door for too long. Iwinaksi ko muna ang mga iniisip at inayos ang sarili ko upang saluhan silang mag-umagahan.

"What took you so long, Azhia?" It was my father.

Magkahalong kaba at takot ang nararamdaman ko nang makalapit sakanila. As usual, I greeted them first before heading on my spot.

"Your mom told me that you will not attend the promenade anymore," he started. I looked at mom, and she gave an apologetic look. "Is that true, Azhia?"

I bit my lower lip and slowly nodded my head. He sipped on his coffee first before diverting his gaze to me again. Big deal nanaman ba 'to? I just don't feel attending it after knowing that Choas has a girlfriend already. Pero, alangan naman na ito ang sabihin kong rason sakanila diba? They won't understand me, for sure.

"Your gown was already sent here yesterday and it cost almost half a million. Kung kailan tapos na ay saka ka aayaw. Are you back on playing your rebellious games again, Azhia?"

"No, daddy. I just don't feel attending it anymo—"

"You are going to attend it, Azhia."

"But dad—"

"My decision is final, young lady. You are going to attend it," he said. I looked at my brother, trying to seek for help but he just shrugged. Guess I have no choice but to follow his order again. I didn't know that attending the promenade would be this important to him.

"Your friend, Yuna told me about your childish reason. Dahil wala ka raw ka-date. Is that true?"

Gulat akong napatingin sakanya at marahang umiling. It was partly true, but that's not it! Hindi naman ako ganoon kababaw.

I just hope that Yuna, didn't told them about my attraction towards Chaos. I really hope.

I shrugged off my thoughts and finished my meal quietly. After meal, I immediately fixed myself as my dad ordered me to do.

I wore a simple maxi dress and did not even bother to put some cosmetics on my face. A simple face powder and lip tint will do. Hinayaan ko lang rin na buhaghag ang buhok ko dahil hindi naman ako interesado.

"Naku ma'am, mahaba ang pila ng lalaki sa labas. Ka'y kikisig na binata."

Isang awkward na ngiti ang isinuko ko sakanya bago bumaba. She was right. I did not expect to see a lot of guys outside our house, patiently waiting for me while holding flowers. Hindi ko alam na ganito pala karami ang interesado sa akin. Or maybe, dad just paid them to do this.

Am I really this desperate in their eyes? Nagulat nga ako at pumayag si daddy na makipag-salamuha ako sakanila. Knowing him, he's very over protective when it comes to me. Naiintindihan ko naman ang bagay na 'yon, pero minsan ay nakakasakal din.

"Flowers for you," the first guy on the line handed me the flowers that he was holding. Tamad ko 'yong tinanggap at saka tipid na ngumiti sakanya. "Kurt Villanueva, Governor Villanueva's son. You dad and mine are really close to each other, so I am looking forward to be your date."

Hambog. That is what I wanted to reply to him, but I don't want to be rude.

"I will not attend our promenade, but thanks. I appreciate your effort."

That's what I told him and other guys too. Paulit-ulit na 'yon ang sinasabi ko sa bawat lalaki na nagtatangkang ayain ako. Kulang na lang ay i-record ko ang ang sarili dahil napapagod na akong magsalita.

This is useless. Sinasayang lang nila ang oras nila para sa akin. But, I really do appreciate their efforts specially for those who came from far places.

"Wala pa ho bang pumapasa sa standards mo, ma'am?" Aling Rosa, asked. Marahil ay pagod na rin 'to katulad ko. Siya kasi ang naatasang mag-assist sa mga bisita ko raw.

"Wala na po ba?" Tamad kong tanong sakanya. Gusto ko nang pumasok sa kwarto ko at tapusin ang w*****d series na binabasa ko.

"May isa pa ho," medyo kinikilig niyang sagot sa akin. Seriously? Artista ba 'to para maging ganito ang reaksyon niya? Nakapagtataka dahil hindi naman ganito ang naging reaksyon niya sa mga nauna kanina. "Mukhang papasa na 'to sa standard mo, ma'am." Pahabol niya pa.

"Good morning." His cold baritone voice echoed throughout the entire sala.

Unti-unti akong nag-angat ng tingin sakanya. My jaw literally dropped upon seeing him. Mukhang tama nga si manang, mukhang siya na nga talaga. But he did not reached my expectations, dahil nalagpasan niya pa 'yon.

"K-kuya... Chaos," I whispered.