//Ten//
Runaway with him?
How can I do that?
Mahal ko siya, mahal na mahal kaso sapat na ba yun para hayaan ko siyang magulo ang buhay niya ngayon? Will I let him sacrifice everything just for me? Ayoko. Dahil lahat nalang ng tao na mahal ko laging handang mag sacrifice para sa kaligayahan ko.
Una nawala sa akin si mommy, dahil she sacrificed her life for me to find happiness. And now si Daniel? Hahayaan ko bang sumama siya sa pagtakbo ko sa nakaraan ko? He has a great future ahead of him kaya ko bang hayaang tuluyang maglaho yung future niya?
I guess no.
“Daniel, I won’t let you leave everything behind just for me.” I looked at his eyes.
Nakatingin lang din siya sa akin. “Diba sabi ko sayo dati I’d go anywhere with you? And I would gladly leave everything if it’s you I’m leaving it for.” Sabi niya.
“I don’t want you to sacrifice everything you have because of me Daniel. Ayoko.” I told him. Lumayo ako sa kanya at pumunta sa may couch at umupo ako, ewan ko pero nanghihina yung mga tuhod ko sa oras na to.
Naglakad papunta sa akin si Daniel, tas lumuhod siya sa harap ko para magkalevel kaming dalawa. “Wala naman akong isa-sacrifice Kath. My family doesn’t really care about me, they have Enrique, I’m just the cousin of the successor and Kath, simula nang nakilala kita, ikaw lang ang naging dahilan ko upang magising sa umaga, and hindi ko kakayanin pag nawala ka sa akin Kath.” He said as he look at me directly in the eyes kaya napaiwas ako, and hinawakan niya yung head ko at he turned it towards him. “Mahal na mahal kita Kath and I would love to runaway with you just say yes.”
I smiled at him. Mahal ko siya. Mahal niya ako. Pero we don't need to run right?
“Is that a yes?” tanong niya.
Umiling ako at nakita ko naman na lumungkot siya at iniwas niya yung tingin niya sa akin kaya ako naman ngayon yung humawak sa head niya at I cupped it with my hands “We don’t need to run Daniel. It’s not like nalaman na nila na buhay ako right? But if they do then I would love to runaway with you.” I smiled at him
He moved closer until our faces were inched apart, I closed my eyes when our lips met. “I love you.” he said
“I love you too.”
And with that natapos na ang drama session namin, I cooked dinner for the two of us and he was willing to help.
We don't need to runaway just yet. Walang nakakaalam na buhay ako and they will never do and kung malalaman man edi we’ll cross the bridge as long as Daniel’s with me I’m fine.
And isa pa, naalala ko lang it would be a masquerade ball after all, so there’s nothing to worry about kasi walang makakakita sa mukha ko.
Naghuhugas si Daniel ng dishes kasi sabi niya ako na yung nagluto kaya siya naman daw yung maghuhugas, it was fair.
I smiled kasi Daniel’s here and I remembered how I doubt him these past few days, napakasama ko sa kanya, while I was doubting him he was protecting me and loving me.
It was so wrong.
So lumapit ako sa kanya at yumakap sa likod niya napatigil siya at nababa niya yung pinggan na hawak niya, hinawakan niya yung kamay ko. “What’s wrong?” tanong niya sa akin.
I feel so bad. I didn’t trust him when he was asking me to.
“I’m sorry.” I told him. “Sorry kasi I doubted your love to me just because you’re a Vanderbilt.”
Humarap na siya sa akin at niyakap ako pabalik “It’s alright. Mahirap naman talagang magtiwala dahil pamilya ko sila pero Kath always remember, if I were to choose between you and my family it would always be you.”
Tears fell from my eyes, hindi dahil nasasaktan ako kundi dahil masaya ako kasi naman eh. Sino bang hindi sasaya kung may isang Daniel na nagsasabi sayo na ok lang kahit nag doubt ka sa nararamdaman niya at na ikaw at ikaw parin ang pipiliin niya sa huli.
“Don’t cry. It’s really an eyesore.” Daniel smiled at me kaya nag smile na din ako.
“Maghugas ka na ng pinggan.” Sabi ko at kakawala na sana sa yakap niya kaso hindi niya ako binitawan, mas hinigpitan pa niya yung yakap at sumubsob siya sa may leeg ko.
“Kath, pag nakasal na si Enrique kay Julia, would you marry me?” he asked.
“Well let’s see about that. Kailangan bongga yung proposal mo, yung may fireworks pa at iba pa..”
“Oh so you’re that kind of girl.” Nakatingin na siya sa akin at nakangiti ng nakakaloko. Nangaasar na naman siya.
“Not really. Basta all I want is a proposal from the heart.”
He smiled and this time, it was the smile that made me fall for him “Just wait for that Kathryn.”
*
Grabe ang kaba ko ngayon. This is it.
It’s Julia and Enrique’s engagement ball.
Kinakabahan ako. Pero wala naman makakakilala sa akin dahil nga naka-mask ako. Lumabas na ako ng bahay and there I saw the ever so dashing Daniel Vanderbilt, the love of my life.
He’s wearing a tux of course, and he’s so dashing. Ang gwapo talaga ng boyfriend ko. And napaka-swerte ko kasi akin siya. Oh yes girls he’s mine so back off. Well it’s not like may panggulo sa love story namin, I mean there’s no other party involved, he’s mine and I’m his.
“You look beautiful.” He smiled and pinagbuksan na niya ako ng pinto sa kotse niya.
Sympre kung gwapo siya, edi maganda ako. We’re match made in heaven. I’m wearing a baby pink tube gown, it’s not a ball gown but medyo mataba yung pagbaba na ng waist ko. As for my hair, I curled it yung para maging wavy lang siya at nilagyan ko nalang ng diamond headband. For my makeup light lang kasi I’m not that good in making myself look good with makeup. I don’t usually wear one cause well. I’m beautiful in my own way. Kapal.
Nakarating na kami sa venue ng ball, sa labas palang kita mo na yung mga media, ang daming nagkalat, of course this is an engagement party of the year after the failed engagement party of mine.
“Wear this.” Sabi ni Daniel sabay abot ng isang mask, a black mask with a little pink as its layers, bagay siya sa gown ko tonight. Sinuot ko na yung mask “Just remember Kath, if ever something happens inside, we’ll definitely runaway ok?”
Nag nod naman ako “Don’t be such a pessimist Daniel. Pero kung meron nga then tomorrow at midnight let’s meet at the fountain in the park ok?” sympre for precaution we might never know what may happen right?
“I promise. I love you and you look really beautiful tonight save me your first and last ok?” sabi niya sabay halik sa lips ko pero saglit lang at bumaba na siya, at napakbilis nga naman niya nasa tapat na siya ng pinto ko at pinagbuksan na niya ako “Milady.” He mimicked Paul’s tone, diba si Paul mahilig akong tawaging milady sympre I’m still the lady of the Rutherford clan after all.
Natawa naman ako sa kanya at inabot ko na yung kamay ko. At lumabas na ako and as soon as I got out, cameras were flashing.
Naglakad na kami ni Daniel, sosyal may red carpet pa, at nung nasa may step na kami, nag stop si Daniel kaya nagstop din ako, ayun pala kukuhanan ng picture. Nag smile nalang ako at ganun din siya.
At ayun umakyat na kami papunta sa loob ng ball, and as soon as we enter the main hall, people were there eyeing us. And this time I was the one who stopped walking, kinakabahan ako.
But nagsmile sa akin si Daniel at hinigpitan lang niya yung pagkahawak niya sa kamay ko.
Pumasok na kami sa loob at dun nakita namin sila Khalil and si Julia magkasama, weird diba dapat hindi pa lalabas si Julia kasi special mention siya later? That’s what I’ve learned. I was to have a special entrance when I was supposed to be engaged with Enrique.
Lumapit na kami sa kanina, Khalil looked good also si Julia, bagay na bagay sa kanya yung damit niya. Nagbatian sympre muna kami.
“Ang ganda mo Kath.” Sabi ni Julia sa akin.
Nagsmile ako sa kanya “Ikaw rin naman eh.”
“Eh ako Kath?” si Khalil
“Maganda ka?” I smiled teasingly at I heard Daniel and Julia laughed. “You look good Khalil.” Ayun sumaya na siya
“Buti pa sila napuri na ako wala man lang.” may narinig akong bumulong or nagpaparinig ata eh.
“You look dashing Daniel.” I smiled at ayun nag blush siya.
Umupo na kami at nagkwentuhan lang, I haven’t seen Enrique, it seems na siya yung may grand entrance at hindi si Julia ang meron eh. It’s been thirty minutes and wala pa namang nangyayari, yung iba naguusap while drinking their champagne.
And there at that moment, lumakad papunta sa amin yung mother ni Enrique, Clarisse Vanderbilt, the woman behind the success of the Vanderbilt group.
“Glad that you could come Kathryn.” She smiled at me, the smile that made me shiver “Are you having fun?”
I just smiled at her as an answer.
“Julia you need to go up now for your entrance.” Sabi niya kay Julia, ayun pala yun ngayon na yung entrance. Tumayo na naman si Julia, pilit pa nga siyang ngumiti eh, tumalikod na sila at I sighed in relief pero biglang tumingin ulit si Mrs. Vanderbilt and looked at me “Kathryn could you help Julia? Magpapalit pa siya ng damit niya.” She said, napatingin nga si Julia with a questioning look, para bang ewan basta iba yung tingin niya kay Clarisse.
Tumayo na ako at hinawakan ni Daniel yung kamay ko kaya nag smile lang ako sa kanya. Naglakad na kami papunta dun sa second floor pero habang naglalakad, tinuturo ni Clarisse yung saan bababa si Julia at kung saan siya pupunta mamaya.
We went inside the room, pinaupo muna kami ni Julia, halatang kinakabahan siya. Tinignan ko siya at nag smile lang ganun din siya.
“Miss Julia?” tawag nung isang babae tumayo si Julia “Come with me.” Sabi niya pa at tumalikod na “And Miss Kathryn please stay here.” Sabi niya at naglakad na si Julia papunta sa may pinto.
Bago pa siya makalabas ng pinto she looked at me and she flashed a weak smile.
I stayed at that room for ten minutes, nakatayo na ako at naglalakad dito, kasi why am I even here? Kala ko ba tutulungan ko si Julia pero bakit pinag-stay ako dito?
And then suddenly, I heard the door opened, bali kasi double door siya kaya yung dalawang pinto at nagbukas and at that very moment napaharap naman ako sa may pinto only to see flashes of camera at lights from the outside.
Hindi ko alam but at that moment, I felt nervous, scared. But then maybe binuksan na yung pinto para makalabas ako at talagang madami lang ilaw at camera katulad kanina diba?
So naglakad na ako papunta sa may pinto at when I reached it, dun ako nagulat, this was not the door na pinasukan ko kanina, kasi right now this door is facing the grand stairway pababa sa hall, eto yung tinuro ni Clarisse na pagbababaan ni Julia.
“Please welcome Mr. Enrique Vanderbilt’s one and only fiancé….” May nagsasalita sa baba “Ms. Leila Kathryn Rutherford.”
And when I heard that my world just fell. I heard people gasping because of shock, who wouldn’t?
I was dead. And now they’re hearing that I’m Enrique’s fiancé. But how did that happen? Paano nila nalaman na buhay ako?
“Miss Leila, please go down.” Narinig kong sabi nung nasa may right na lalaki, isa sa nagbukas nung pinto kanina.
Naglakad ako and nagstop muna ako and there I saw Enrique naghihintay sa baba para kunin ang kamay ko, I looked around for Daniel but I only saw Khalil and Julia. Why is Julia there?
Alam ba niya ito? Alam ba nila? Asaan si Daniel?
Bakit wala siya ngayon?
Daniel where are you?
Tears fell from my eyes. I couldn’t care less if my makeup would be ruin, in fact I would love for it to be ruin right now.
I was about to go down when I saw his figure, he was at the very back of the room, he was uttering something but I couldn’t see it clearly. But then he repeated it again and now he said it slowly “Promise.”He mouthed that word and then tinaas niya yung kamay niya and he showed me 12. And that’s when I know what he meant. Our promise of running away.
I smiled at him as an answer and he smiled back and left the room. Bumaba na ako at kinuha na niya Enrique yung kamay ko, he lead me to the stage.
Promise.
Tomorrow, we would keep our promise of running away. Tomorrow, just one day Kath, kaya mo yan.
Daniel please save me. Please.
How can I do that?
Mahal ko siya, mahal na mahal kaso sapat na ba yun para hayaan ko siyang magulo ang buhay niya ngayon? Will I let him sacrifice everything just for me? Ayoko. Dahil lahat nalang ng tao na mahal ko laging handang mag sacrifice para sa kaligayahan ko.
Una nawala sa akin si mommy, dahil she sacrificed her life for me to find happiness. And now si Daniel? Hahayaan ko bang sumama siya sa pagtakbo ko sa nakaraan ko? He has a great future ahead of him kaya ko bang hayaang tuluyang maglaho yung future niya?
I guess no.
“Daniel, I won’t let you leave everything behind just for me.” I looked at his eyes.
Nakatingin lang din siya sa akin. “Diba sabi ko sayo dati I’d go anywhere with you? And I would gladly leave everything if it’s you I’m leaving it for.” Sabi niya.
“I don’t want you to sacrifice everything you have because of me Daniel. Ayoko.” I told him. Lumayo ako sa kanya at pumunta sa may couch at umupo ako, ewan ko pero nanghihina yung mga tuhod ko sa oras na to.
Naglakad papunta sa akin si Daniel, tas lumuhod siya sa harap ko para magkalevel kaming dalawa. “Wala naman akong isa-sacrifice Kath. My family doesn’t really care about me, they have Enrique, I’m just the cousin of the successor and Kath, simula nang nakilala kita, ikaw lang ang naging dahilan ko upang magising sa umaga, and hindi ko kakayanin pag nawala ka sa akin Kath.” He said as he look at me directly in the eyes kaya napaiwas ako, and hinawakan niya yung head ko at he turned it towards him. “Mahal na mahal kita Kath and I would love to runaway with you just say yes.”
I smiled at him. Mahal ko siya. Mahal niya ako. Pero we don't need to run right?
“Is that a yes?” tanong niya.
Umiling ako at nakita ko naman na lumungkot siya at iniwas niya yung tingin niya sa akin kaya ako naman ngayon yung humawak sa head niya at I cupped it with my hands “We don’t need to run Daniel. It’s not like nalaman na nila na buhay ako right? But if they do then I would love to runaway with you.” I smiled at him
He moved closer until our faces were inched apart, I closed my eyes when our lips met. “I love you.” he said
“I love you too.”
And with that natapos na ang drama session namin, I cooked dinner for the two of us and he was willing to help.
We don't need to runaway just yet. Walang nakakaalam na buhay ako and they will never do and kung malalaman man edi we’ll cross the bridge as long as Daniel’s with me I’m fine.
And isa pa, naalala ko lang it would be a masquerade ball after all, so there’s nothing to worry about kasi walang makakakita sa mukha ko.
Naghuhugas si Daniel ng dishes kasi sabi niya ako na yung nagluto kaya siya naman daw yung maghuhugas, it was fair.
I smiled kasi Daniel’s here and I remembered how I doubt him these past few days, napakasama ko sa kanya, while I was doubting him he was protecting me and loving me.
It was so wrong.
So lumapit ako sa kanya at yumakap sa likod niya napatigil siya at nababa niya yung pinggan na hawak niya, hinawakan niya yung kamay ko. “What’s wrong?” tanong niya sa akin.
I feel so bad. I didn’t trust him when he was asking me to.
“I’m sorry.” I told him. “Sorry kasi I doubted your love to me just because you’re a Vanderbilt.”
Humarap na siya sa akin at niyakap ako pabalik “It’s alright. Mahirap naman talagang magtiwala dahil pamilya ko sila pero Kath always remember, if I were to choose between you and my family it would always be you.”
Tears fell from my eyes, hindi dahil nasasaktan ako kundi dahil masaya ako kasi naman eh. Sino bang hindi sasaya kung may isang Daniel na nagsasabi sayo na ok lang kahit nag doubt ka sa nararamdaman niya at na ikaw at ikaw parin ang pipiliin niya sa huli.
“Don’t cry. It’s really an eyesore.” Daniel smiled at me kaya nag smile na din ako.
“Maghugas ka na ng pinggan.” Sabi ko at kakawala na sana sa yakap niya kaso hindi niya ako binitawan, mas hinigpitan pa niya yung yakap at sumubsob siya sa may leeg ko.
“Kath, pag nakasal na si Enrique kay Julia, would you marry me?” he asked.
“Well let’s see about that. Kailangan bongga yung proposal mo, yung may fireworks pa at iba pa..”
“Oh so you’re that kind of girl.” Nakatingin na siya sa akin at nakangiti ng nakakaloko. Nangaasar na naman siya.
“Not really. Basta all I want is a proposal from the heart.”
He smiled and this time, it was the smile that made me fall for him “Just wait for that Kathryn.”
*
Grabe ang kaba ko ngayon. This is it.
It’s Julia and Enrique’s engagement ball.
Kinakabahan ako. Pero wala naman makakakilala sa akin dahil nga naka-mask ako. Lumabas na ako ng bahay and there I saw the ever so dashing Daniel Vanderbilt, the love of my life.
He’s wearing a tux of course, and he’s so dashing. Ang gwapo talaga ng boyfriend ko. And napaka-swerte ko kasi akin siya. Oh yes girls he’s mine so back off. Well it’s not like may panggulo sa love story namin, I mean there’s no other party involved, he’s mine and I’m his.
“You look beautiful.” He smiled and pinagbuksan na niya ako ng pinto sa kotse niya.
Sympre kung gwapo siya, edi maganda ako. We’re match made in heaven. I’m wearing a baby pink tube gown, it’s not a ball gown but medyo mataba yung pagbaba na ng waist ko. As for my hair, I curled it yung para maging wavy lang siya at nilagyan ko nalang ng diamond headband. For my makeup light lang kasi I’m not that good in making myself look good with makeup. I don’t usually wear one cause well. I’m beautiful in my own way. Kapal.
Nakarating na kami sa venue ng ball, sa labas palang kita mo na yung mga media, ang daming nagkalat, of course this is an engagement party of the year after the failed engagement party of mine.
“Wear this.” Sabi ni Daniel sabay abot ng isang mask, a black mask with a little pink as its layers, bagay siya sa gown ko tonight. Sinuot ko na yung mask “Just remember Kath, if ever something happens inside, we’ll definitely runaway ok?”
Nag nod naman ako “Don’t be such a pessimist Daniel. Pero kung meron nga then tomorrow at midnight let’s meet at the fountain in the park ok?” sympre for precaution we might never know what may happen right?
“I promise. I love you and you look really beautiful tonight save me your first and last ok?” sabi niya sabay halik sa lips ko pero saglit lang at bumaba na siya, at napakbilis nga naman niya nasa tapat na siya ng pinto ko at pinagbuksan na niya ako “Milady.” He mimicked Paul’s tone, diba si Paul mahilig akong tawaging milady sympre I’m still the lady of the Rutherford clan after all.
Natawa naman ako sa kanya at inabot ko na yung kamay ko. At lumabas na ako and as soon as I got out, cameras were flashing.
Naglakad na kami ni Daniel, sosyal may red carpet pa, at nung nasa may step na kami, nag stop si Daniel kaya nagstop din ako, ayun pala kukuhanan ng picture. Nag smile nalang ako at ganun din siya.
At ayun umakyat na kami papunta sa loob ng ball, and as soon as we enter the main hall, people were there eyeing us. And this time I was the one who stopped walking, kinakabahan ako.
But nagsmile sa akin si Daniel at hinigpitan lang niya yung pagkahawak niya sa kamay ko.
Pumasok na kami sa loob at dun nakita namin sila Khalil and si Julia magkasama, weird diba dapat hindi pa lalabas si Julia kasi special mention siya later? That’s what I’ve learned. I was to have a special entrance when I was supposed to be engaged with Enrique.
Lumapit na kami sa kanina, Khalil looked good also si Julia, bagay na bagay sa kanya yung damit niya. Nagbatian sympre muna kami.
“Ang ganda mo Kath.” Sabi ni Julia sa akin.
Nagsmile ako sa kanya “Ikaw rin naman eh.”
“Eh ako Kath?” si Khalil
“Maganda ka?” I smiled teasingly at I heard Daniel and Julia laughed. “You look good Khalil.” Ayun sumaya na siya
“Buti pa sila napuri na ako wala man lang.” may narinig akong bumulong or nagpaparinig ata eh.
“You look dashing Daniel.” I smiled at ayun nag blush siya.
Umupo na kami at nagkwentuhan lang, I haven’t seen Enrique, it seems na siya yung may grand entrance at hindi si Julia ang meron eh. It’s been thirty minutes and wala pa namang nangyayari, yung iba naguusap while drinking their champagne.
And there at that moment, lumakad papunta sa amin yung mother ni Enrique, Clarisse Vanderbilt, the woman behind the success of the Vanderbilt group.
“Glad that you could come Kathryn.” She smiled at me, the smile that made me shiver “Are you having fun?”
I just smiled at her as an answer.
“Julia you need to go up now for your entrance.” Sabi niya kay Julia, ayun pala yun ngayon na yung entrance. Tumayo na naman si Julia, pilit pa nga siyang ngumiti eh, tumalikod na sila at I sighed in relief pero biglang tumingin ulit si Mrs. Vanderbilt and looked at me “Kathryn could you help Julia? Magpapalit pa siya ng damit niya.” She said, napatingin nga si Julia with a questioning look, para bang ewan basta iba yung tingin niya kay Clarisse.
Tumayo na ako at hinawakan ni Daniel yung kamay ko kaya nag smile lang ako sa kanya. Naglakad na kami papunta dun sa second floor pero habang naglalakad, tinuturo ni Clarisse yung saan bababa si Julia at kung saan siya pupunta mamaya.
We went inside the room, pinaupo muna kami ni Julia, halatang kinakabahan siya. Tinignan ko siya at nag smile lang ganun din siya.
“Miss Julia?” tawag nung isang babae tumayo si Julia “Come with me.” Sabi niya pa at tumalikod na “And Miss Kathryn please stay here.” Sabi niya at naglakad na si Julia papunta sa may pinto.
Bago pa siya makalabas ng pinto she looked at me and she flashed a weak smile.
I stayed at that room for ten minutes, nakatayo na ako at naglalakad dito, kasi why am I even here? Kala ko ba tutulungan ko si Julia pero bakit pinag-stay ako dito?
And then suddenly, I heard the door opened, bali kasi double door siya kaya yung dalawang pinto at nagbukas and at that very moment napaharap naman ako sa may pinto only to see flashes of camera at lights from the outside.
Hindi ko alam but at that moment, I felt nervous, scared. But then maybe binuksan na yung pinto para makalabas ako at talagang madami lang ilaw at camera katulad kanina diba?
So naglakad na ako papunta sa may pinto at when I reached it, dun ako nagulat, this was not the door na pinasukan ko kanina, kasi right now this door is facing the grand stairway pababa sa hall, eto yung tinuro ni Clarisse na pagbababaan ni Julia.
“Please welcome Mr. Enrique Vanderbilt’s one and only fiancé….” May nagsasalita sa baba “Ms. Leila Kathryn Rutherford.”
And when I heard that my world just fell. I heard people gasping because of shock, who wouldn’t?
I was dead. And now they’re hearing that I’m Enrique’s fiancé. But how did that happen? Paano nila nalaman na buhay ako?
“Miss Leila, please go down.” Narinig kong sabi nung nasa may right na lalaki, isa sa nagbukas nung pinto kanina.
Naglakad ako and nagstop muna ako and there I saw Enrique naghihintay sa baba para kunin ang kamay ko, I looked around for Daniel but I only saw Khalil and Julia. Why is Julia there?
Alam ba niya ito? Alam ba nila? Asaan si Daniel?
Bakit wala siya ngayon?
Daniel where are you?
Tears fell from my eyes. I couldn’t care less if my makeup would be ruin, in fact I would love for it to be ruin right now.
I was about to go down when I saw his figure, he was at the very back of the room, he was uttering something but I couldn’t see it clearly. But then he repeated it again and now he said it slowly “Promise.”He mouthed that word and then tinaas niya yung kamay niya and he showed me 12. And that’s when I know what he meant. Our promise of running away.
I smiled at him as an answer and he smiled back and left the room. Bumaba na ako at kinuha na niya Enrique yung kamay ko, he lead me to the stage.
Promise.
Tomorrow, we would keep our promise of running away. Tomorrow, just one day Kath, kaya mo yan.
Daniel please save me. Please.
//Eleven//
Regrets.
Right now I regret one thing and that is when I said no to Daniel, we should have runaway that day edi sana hindi na umabot sa ganito right?
And right now here I am with Enrique who’s smiling and all. Bakit parang hindi siya gulat na ako yung kasama niya alam ba niya?
“Good evening. I know you must be all wondering, how. Right? Well it will be a secret that will never be told.” Clarisse started. “And if you’re also wondering if Leila’s alive then maybe just maybe Éclair would be too.” She stopped.
Tama pwede ding buhay si mommy. And baka buhay nga siya at alam nila kung nasaan si mommy.
“But unfortunately I couldn’t find her. It wasn’t easy to find Leila, it was let’s say we were lucky to be a family.” She said so wala talaga si mommy. “So now that Leila’ back the engagement between the Vanderbilt and Rutherford is also happening.” She said and clapped her hands ganun din ang iba “Congratulations my dear.” She said and looked at me that smile really.
After that, they told us to dance, at eto kami ni Enrique sumasayaw. “You look beautiful Leila.” He said.
“Kath, call me Kath Enrique.” I said coldly. “Alam mo ba to?” I looked at him.
He looked at me “I… at first I didn't know pero mom told me everything kanina. I wasn’t surprised really.” Sabi pa niya. “And I supposed alam ni Daniel?” tanong niya
I didn’t answer kasi parang hindi naman tanong eh. And then someone interrupted us. si Paul. “Milady.” He said. Disappointment was all over his face.
Sumama na ako kay Paul, nagpunta kami sa isang kwarto at to my surprise nandun si Clarisse.
“The ever so loyal assistant of Éclair is here.” She said. At uminom na ulit siya ng champagne niya.
“Paano mo nalaman na buhay si Miss Leila?” tanong ni Paul. “And the engagement is not valid. After all Miss Leila’s death is recorded, she’s dead.”
“Well don’t worry Paul, bukas na bukas pupunta tayo sa city hall and tell them she’s alive. No record.” She said. “At kung paano ko nalaman?” she smiled “Who can you really trust Leila?” she asked me
Who can I really trust? Right now dalawa lang si Paul at si Daniel… si Daniel.. could it be? No. he wouldn’t.
“What do you mean by that?” I finally had the voice to speak up to her.
“Paul will always be loyal to your family after all, his family owes yours and they’re indebted to you forever. But then there’s this one guy you trust the most….”
Don’t believe what she’s about to say Kath, don’t.
“The one guy you love the most but how can you be sure he’s on your side? How can you be sure to trust him?”
Daniel wouldn't, he wouldn’t right? Siya pa ang nagsabi na we should runaway right?
“He wouldn’t” I firmly said.
She laughed “Hindi kita mahahanap kundi dahil sa kanya Leila. Who would have thought that may nagagawa palang tama si Daniel. The very first day he met you and found out that you’re alive sinabi niya agad sa akin, he tricked you to trust him fully, para hindi ka makatakas uli sa amin.” She said “Memories with him were all lies, it was all for a show.”
Tears were falling, “ENOUGH.” I shouted “Hindi niya magagawa sa akin yan mahal niya ako.” I defended Daniel.
Daniel please save me.
“But where is he?” she asked me “He’s probably with Bea.”
Napatingin ako sa kanya “You don’t know Bea? She’s Daniel’s fiancé and no hindi ito isang fixed marriage. Daniel has always love Bea.”
Nanlambot yung mga tuhod ko kaya napaluhod ako sa sahig and Paul tried to catch me but hindi na ako makatayo pa. It was hard to absorb everything. I should trust Daniel but why can’t I?
Then may binato si Clarisse sa harap ko isang envelope, I opened it and saw pictures. I saw Daniel with a girl, they looked so happy together.
Bea. I’ve heard that before…
*Flashback*
Nandito ako ngayon sa classroom namin, uwian na pero tinatamad pa akong umuwi, Daniel has practice at pinauna na niya ako pero nakakatad parin talagang umuwi eh.
So nagstay muna ako sa classroom, then outside nakabukas kasi yung pinto ng kunti kaya nakita ko si Julia, I was about to call her when she called Daniel. “Dan.” She called.
“Oh bakit andito ka pa?” tanong ni Daniel, I couldn’t see him si Julia lang kita ko, tumayo na ako para mapuntahan sila
“Was in the library. And you?”
“Practice.”
“Si Kath?”
“Umuwi na. Osige Juls una na ako may pupuntahan pa ako eh.”
“Kay Kath?” I saw Julia smile mischievously. I love her for that.
“Hindi. Kay Bea.” When he said that Julia’s smile turned to a frown. “Sige na she’s waiting.”
Hindi na ako nakalapit kasi umalis na din siya nun. And I didn’t know who Bea was.
*End of Flashback*
So this must be Bea, tinanggal ko yung mask ko to see it clearly, Daniel looked so happy, I scanned every pictures and one did totally break my heart, it was when Daniel kneeled in front of Bea and Bea was surprised.
Ang sakit. He betrayed me. He has Bea.
All were lies.
I fell for him but he didn’t.
“Bakit ba gusto niyo akong ma-engage kay Enrique?” I asked. Ang dami dami naman na pamilya diyan na medyo well off din like us, pero why us?
“It was an agreement made my our forefathers and it needs to be done.” She said “Hindi naman ito tungkol sa mga merger, this was made because of the promise of the two families that someday the two families would be one. The third generation successor of two families which is you and Enrique would make the agreement complete.” She explained. So it was about that.
I cleared my face. “Let me think about this.” I said, I still need to believe in Daniel, kahit pa may mga pictures pa, pwede naman na past yan ni Daniel, and he promised, at bakit niya papaalala sa akin yung tungkol bukas ng midnight? Right?
Mahal ako ni Daniel.
Hindi ko dapat siya i-doubt mahal niya ako, ako at hindi yung Bea, at kaya wala siya ngayon ay dahil siguro naghahanda na siya diba? Sympre bukas na kami tatakas kailangan may destination na.
Tama ganyan nga Kath.
The next day it was fine, I stayed at my house, Paul was begging for forgiveness dahil daw hindi niya ako na-protektahan, he didn’t say anything about Daniel, siguro alam niyang sensitive pa yung topic but I believe in Daniel, hindi niya ako lolokohin.
Inayos ko na yung mga gamit ko, I didn’t tell Paul about my plan with Daniel, no one should know, kahit pa si Paul yan, no one is to be trusted.
And umalis na ako sa bahay aroung 11 ang aga ko dahil baka nandun na si Daniel, I went to the fountain umupo ako dun at tinignan ang mga stars.
“Mommy forgive me.” I just said.
Ang lamig ng hangin at medyo makulimlim din. Pero I still waited for him malapit na may midnight pero still no sign of him, baka may surprise pa siya sa akin kaya wala pa at usapan namin, midnight.
And when the clock struck twelve, wala pa siya.
Pinigilan ko yung luha ko, ano ba yan baka late lang siya, kasi nga naghahanda pa siya eh. Late lang siya.
I remember our happy days, yung nagtapat siya, yung sinabi ko din yung nararamdaman ko sa kanya, yung nagpunta kami sa puntod ni mommy at sinabi niya na siya na bahala sa akin.
Daniel tutuparin mo naman yung mga promise mo diba?
You’re not who they told me you are.
It was 12:30 when it started to rain really hard, and pero hindi ako umiyak. Darating siya. May tiwala ako sa kanya na tututparin niya yung pangako niya.
And from a distance I saw a silhouette, napatayo ako and there naglalakad na siya palapit sa akin, and nung medyo malapit na yung figure, I couldn't see his face.
Nakatayo lang siya ganun din ako, and then he broke the silence “Tara na Kath.” He said and that’s when my tears fell.
I was crying in the rain, napaluhod na ako at humagulgol sa ulan, I just couldn’t believe it. Why?
Lumapit siya sa akin at niyakap niya ako, nabitawan niya yung payong na dala dala niya.
“Shh.. don’t cry.”
Pero hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi umiyak. It hurts.
Right now I regret one thing and that is when I said no to Daniel, we should have runaway that day edi sana hindi na umabot sa ganito right?
And right now here I am with Enrique who’s smiling and all. Bakit parang hindi siya gulat na ako yung kasama niya alam ba niya?
“Good evening. I know you must be all wondering, how. Right? Well it will be a secret that will never be told.” Clarisse started. “And if you’re also wondering if Leila’s alive then maybe just maybe Éclair would be too.” She stopped.
Tama pwede ding buhay si mommy. And baka buhay nga siya at alam nila kung nasaan si mommy.
“But unfortunately I couldn’t find her. It wasn’t easy to find Leila, it was let’s say we were lucky to be a family.” She said so wala talaga si mommy. “So now that Leila’ back the engagement between the Vanderbilt and Rutherford is also happening.” She said and clapped her hands ganun din ang iba “Congratulations my dear.” She said and looked at me that smile really.
After that, they told us to dance, at eto kami ni Enrique sumasayaw. “You look beautiful Leila.” He said.
“Kath, call me Kath Enrique.” I said coldly. “Alam mo ba to?” I looked at him.
He looked at me “I… at first I didn't know pero mom told me everything kanina. I wasn’t surprised really.” Sabi pa niya. “And I supposed alam ni Daniel?” tanong niya
I didn’t answer kasi parang hindi naman tanong eh. And then someone interrupted us. si Paul. “Milady.” He said. Disappointment was all over his face.
Sumama na ako kay Paul, nagpunta kami sa isang kwarto at to my surprise nandun si Clarisse.
“The ever so loyal assistant of Éclair is here.” She said. At uminom na ulit siya ng champagne niya.
“Paano mo nalaman na buhay si Miss Leila?” tanong ni Paul. “And the engagement is not valid. After all Miss Leila’s death is recorded, she’s dead.”
“Well don’t worry Paul, bukas na bukas pupunta tayo sa city hall and tell them she’s alive. No record.” She said. “At kung paano ko nalaman?” she smiled “Who can you really trust Leila?” she asked me
Who can I really trust? Right now dalawa lang si Paul at si Daniel… si Daniel.. could it be? No. he wouldn’t.
“What do you mean by that?” I finally had the voice to speak up to her.
“Paul will always be loyal to your family after all, his family owes yours and they’re indebted to you forever. But then there’s this one guy you trust the most….”
Don’t believe what she’s about to say Kath, don’t.
“The one guy you love the most but how can you be sure he’s on your side? How can you be sure to trust him?”
Daniel wouldn't, he wouldn’t right? Siya pa ang nagsabi na we should runaway right?
“He wouldn’t” I firmly said.
She laughed “Hindi kita mahahanap kundi dahil sa kanya Leila. Who would have thought that may nagagawa palang tama si Daniel. The very first day he met you and found out that you’re alive sinabi niya agad sa akin, he tricked you to trust him fully, para hindi ka makatakas uli sa amin.” She said “Memories with him were all lies, it was all for a show.”
Tears were falling, “ENOUGH.” I shouted “Hindi niya magagawa sa akin yan mahal niya ako.” I defended Daniel.
Daniel please save me.
“But where is he?” she asked me “He’s probably with Bea.”
Napatingin ako sa kanya “You don’t know Bea? She’s Daniel’s fiancé and no hindi ito isang fixed marriage. Daniel has always love Bea.”
Nanlambot yung mga tuhod ko kaya napaluhod ako sa sahig and Paul tried to catch me but hindi na ako makatayo pa. It was hard to absorb everything. I should trust Daniel but why can’t I?
Then may binato si Clarisse sa harap ko isang envelope, I opened it and saw pictures. I saw Daniel with a girl, they looked so happy together.
Bea. I’ve heard that before…
*Flashback*
Nandito ako ngayon sa classroom namin, uwian na pero tinatamad pa akong umuwi, Daniel has practice at pinauna na niya ako pero nakakatad parin talagang umuwi eh.
So nagstay muna ako sa classroom, then outside nakabukas kasi yung pinto ng kunti kaya nakita ko si Julia, I was about to call her when she called Daniel. “Dan.” She called.
“Oh bakit andito ka pa?” tanong ni Daniel, I couldn’t see him si Julia lang kita ko, tumayo na ako para mapuntahan sila
“Was in the library. And you?”
“Practice.”
“Si Kath?”
“Umuwi na. Osige Juls una na ako may pupuntahan pa ako eh.”
“Kay Kath?” I saw Julia smile mischievously. I love her for that.
“Hindi. Kay Bea.” When he said that Julia’s smile turned to a frown. “Sige na she’s waiting.”
Hindi na ako nakalapit kasi umalis na din siya nun. And I didn’t know who Bea was.
*End of Flashback*
So this must be Bea, tinanggal ko yung mask ko to see it clearly, Daniel looked so happy, I scanned every pictures and one did totally break my heart, it was when Daniel kneeled in front of Bea and Bea was surprised.
Ang sakit. He betrayed me. He has Bea.
All were lies.
I fell for him but he didn’t.
“Bakit ba gusto niyo akong ma-engage kay Enrique?” I asked. Ang dami dami naman na pamilya diyan na medyo well off din like us, pero why us?
“It was an agreement made my our forefathers and it needs to be done.” She said “Hindi naman ito tungkol sa mga merger, this was made because of the promise of the two families that someday the two families would be one. The third generation successor of two families which is you and Enrique would make the agreement complete.” She explained. So it was about that.
I cleared my face. “Let me think about this.” I said, I still need to believe in Daniel, kahit pa may mga pictures pa, pwede naman na past yan ni Daniel, and he promised, at bakit niya papaalala sa akin yung tungkol bukas ng midnight? Right?
Mahal ako ni Daniel.
Hindi ko dapat siya i-doubt mahal niya ako, ako at hindi yung Bea, at kaya wala siya ngayon ay dahil siguro naghahanda na siya diba? Sympre bukas na kami tatakas kailangan may destination na.
Tama ganyan nga Kath.
The next day it was fine, I stayed at my house, Paul was begging for forgiveness dahil daw hindi niya ako na-protektahan, he didn’t say anything about Daniel, siguro alam niyang sensitive pa yung topic but I believe in Daniel, hindi niya ako lolokohin.
Inayos ko na yung mga gamit ko, I didn’t tell Paul about my plan with Daniel, no one should know, kahit pa si Paul yan, no one is to be trusted.
And umalis na ako sa bahay aroung 11 ang aga ko dahil baka nandun na si Daniel, I went to the fountain umupo ako dun at tinignan ang mga stars.
“Mommy forgive me.” I just said.
Ang lamig ng hangin at medyo makulimlim din. Pero I still waited for him malapit na may midnight pero still no sign of him, baka may surprise pa siya sa akin kaya wala pa at usapan namin, midnight.
And when the clock struck twelve, wala pa siya.
Pinigilan ko yung luha ko, ano ba yan baka late lang siya, kasi nga naghahanda pa siya eh. Late lang siya.
I remember our happy days, yung nagtapat siya, yung sinabi ko din yung nararamdaman ko sa kanya, yung nagpunta kami sa puntod ni mommy at sinabi niya na siya na bahala sa akin.
Daniel tutuparin mo naman yung mga promise mo diba?
You’re not who they told me you are.
It was 12:30 when it started to rain really hard, and pero hindi ako umiyak. Darating siya. May tiwala ako sa kanya na tututparin niya yung pangako niya.
And from a distance I saw a silhouette, napatayo ako and there naglalakad na siya palapit sa akin, and nung medyo malapit na yung figure, I couldn't see his face.
Nakatayo lang siya ganun din ako, and then he broke the silence “Tara na Kath.” He said and that’s when my tears fell.
I was crying in the rain, napaluhod na ako at humagulgol sa ulan, I just couldn’t believe it. Why?
Lumapit siya sa akin at niyakap niya ako, nabitawan niya yung payong na dala dala niya.
“Shh.. don’t cry.”
Pero hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi umiyak. It hurts.
//Twelve//
It hurts.
Napakasakit. Bakit ganun? My heart is breaking piece by piece. And I couldn’t help it.
“Tahan na Kath.” He comforted me. Enrique did.
Daniel didn’t show up. Wala. Everything was a lie after all. Hindi niya ako minahal. Ako lang si tanga na umasa na minahal niya din ako, kahit alam ko naman na kagabi pa na wala na talaga eh, na hindi talaga ako.
Pero bakit ang sakit sakit. Nagtiwala ako sa kanya, I believed in his love but I was wrong and now it led me to heartaches.
He broke every promise he made with me. He betrayed me. I should have known better. Paul was right after all, he’s a Vanderbilt and he’d do everything just to get me. Just to marry me to Enrique.
Well if that’s what he wants then so be it.
*
Days passed after that night when he didn’t show up, nakatira na ulit ako sa mansion namin, and Tita Clarisse gave back our company, sabi niya hindi naman niya talaga kinuha yun, siya lang ang nagbantay nung namatay si mommy, and now she gave it back to me.
Inayos namin ni Paul yung sa city hall, me being dead that is. I was on every front page of the newspaper, online news, magazines. I guess being back from the dead made a fuss after all.
And about sa company, because I can’t still handle it, you know, I’m still studying para mapag-aralan, the board elected an acting president and Paul will guide him para dito, ganun na din ako, they’ll teach me everything I should know about the company.
I’m also preparing for my wedding with Enrique, my wedding would happen 3 months from now and I’m fine with that.
Since that night, I promised to never fall in love again. Therefore, I decided to marry Enrique, it’s the right thing to do after all. I never cried again, last na yung nasa yakap ako ni Enrique. Pagod na din akong umiyak. Para saan pa? Mabablik ba yung panahon kung kalian hindi ko pa nakilala si Daniel? Mababalik ba at maiiwasan ko ba siya kung mababalik nga?
Sympre hindi diba? What’s the use of crying?
I haven’t seen him and I prepared myself for that day to come.
Ngayon nalang pala uli ako papasok ng school, naging sobrang busy kasi ako, so this will be my first day again. Sympre nagbalik na yung lumang lifestyle ko, which me having chauffeurs and maids.
I asked them to call me Miss Kath, siguro nasanay na din ako at mas gusto ko yung Kath, and they did naman Kathryn nga lang.
So eto ako naglalakad papunta sa classroom ko, I have bodyguards pero haggang labas lang sila ng building ko kasi naman why do I need them pa? Sabi ni Paul, baka daw may magtangka sa buhay ko, yung kidnap. Diba nga dati nung ako pa si Leila talaga, sa bahay lang ako at hindi ako lumalabas so eto back na sa pagiging Leila which means having bodyguards.
Nakarating na ako sa classroom and I saw him dun sa pwesto namin, he looked at me but I looked away, nandun din sila Julia at Khalil.
Naglakad na ako but I didn’t sit with them, sa harap ako umupo, just seeing him makes my heart break akala ko ready na ako pero no I’m still not.
Dumating na din si Enrique, he sat beside me and I gave him a smile and he smiled back. Si Enrique, he told me he didn’t know about Daniel basta ang alam lang niya yung mga sinabi sa kanya ni Tita Clarisse and when I asked him about that Bea, he would change the topic.
“Babe.” I heard someone and napatingin ako dun sa may pinto only to see the girl in the pictures, Bea. The girl he truly loves.
Something inside me hurt.
Hindi ako lumingon sa kanila para ano pa? Sabihin pa nila affected ako sa kanila. “Bea, anong ginagawa mo dito?” si Julia narinig kong nagtanong.
“Well hello too Julia. Sabi kasi ni Daniel sa akin dati, pag na-engage na si Enrique dapat maging schoolmates na kami you know.” She said.
Oh edi kayo na may plano. Planong saktan ako.
“Oh hi Enrique.” Naramdaman ko na lumapit siya sa amin ni Enrique “And you must be Leila, it’s nice to meet you.” she said at ngumiti siya sa akin. Nilahad niya yung kamay niya na para sa pag shashake hands.
Tumayo ako, akala niya siguro I’m going to shake her hands dahil nilapit pa niya ulit sa akin, tinignan ko yung kamay niya tas siya “Likewise.” I said very coldly at naglakad na papalabas ng room without even taking a glance at the back.
Hindi ko pa din pala kaya. Nasasaktan parin ako. Bakit kasi ganun? Bakit kailangan niya akong paniwalain na mahal niya ako?
“Hey Le-Kathryn wait up.” I heard Enrique’s voice pero nagpatuloy lang ako, mabagal lang naman akong maglakad so naabutan na niya ako, we went to the rooftop. Pumunta lang ako sa may railings at tiningala ang aking ulo to see the sky.
Makulimlim ngayon. Siguro dahil ramdam din ng langit ang hinanakit ko ngayon. Sana umulan. Dahil sa pagulan gusto ko ulit ilabas yung mga luha.
“Who’s Bea really Enrique?” tinignan ko sa tabi ko si Enrique at tinanong ko siya, I just want to know her.
“Daniel’s first love.” Diretsong sabi ni Enrique tinignan niya ako na para bang nagtatanong kung magkukwento ba siya or wag na lang. I nodded in return “Kababata namin si Bea, she’s different when we were young, hindi siya pala salita, and that’s when Daniel came in, she got attached to him and so did he. Bea became cheerful nung nasa high school na kami, and they were so in love and so Daniel proposed. Our family were opposed to the engagement dahil kagaya natin may nakatakda na kay Daniel. Nilayo nila si Daniel kay Bea, my family didn’t want Bea because she’s sick. Mahina si Bea. Pero pinaglaban parin ni Daniel si Bea.” Nakatingin siya sa malayo habang nagkukwento. “And I don’t know how Daniel got the approval but kahapon ko lang nalaman na it’s been months since mom agreed to the engagement.” Kwento pa niya.
Ako alam ko kung paano. He used me. Dahil mahal niya si Bea, nang malaman niya na buhay ako, sinabi na niya agad at dahil dun they didn’t oppose the engagement. Ang galing kong mag-analyze.
Tumingin siya sa akin “I’m sorry Kathryn kung dahil sa engagement natin kaya nasasaktan ka ngayon. If only I knew what Daniel was planning….” I cut him off.
Napakabait ni Enrique, this is the side of him na ngayon ko lang nakikita dahil dati hindi naman kami ayos diba?
“It’s alright. What’s done is done.” Sabi ko.
Bumalik na kami sa room at nagstart na yung klase namin, it was boring of course. Nung last class na namin, Enrique needed to run to the dean’s office para sa pag fifinalize ng mga gagawin sa foundation ng St. John.
Kaya nang maguwian, hinintay ko munang maubos yung mga tao sa hallway pinagtitinginan ako ng mga tao dun kaya ayoko. Siguro mas maganda kung wag nalang ulit ako pumasok at magpa-home school ulit ako.
Hindi ko alam kung nakatulog ba ako or hindi pero feeling ko nakatulog ako kasi I heard his voice. Nanahinip ako. Why do I have to dream about him? Why do I have to hear his voice saying “I love you.” why?
Bakit ganun? Nasasaktan ako kasi haggang panaginip nalang lahat. Kasi sa totoong buhay ginamit lang niya ako, pinaglaruan para makuha ang gusto niya. Makuha ang approval ng family niya kay Bea.
I didn’t notice na may pumatak na palang hula sa mata ko, agad ko itong pinunasan. Tumayo na ako at naglakad papalabas ng room, tinignan ko yung classroom at nagulat ako kasi nandun si Daniel, natutulog siya. Kaya siguro ako nanaginip kasi malapit lang siya sa akin.
Bubuksan ko na sana yung pinto nang naramdaman kong may humawak sa may braso ko, at alam ko na kung sino. It can’t be a ghost kaya si Daniel lang.
“Let go.” I said without even looking at him at hindi ko padin tinatanggal ang hawak ko sa doorknob.
“Let’s talk.” He said, his voice was different, it was not sweet and angelic, it was different really, eto ba yung boses niya ngayon na hindi na niya kailangan magpanggap na mahal niya ako?
“Let go.” I said again. Para saan pa at kakausapin ko siya, masasaktan lang ulit ako, at iiyak na naman ako mamaya. Ayoko na pagod na pagod na akong masaktan.
“Please.”
“No.” I said firmly.
“Then just answer me, why didn’t you show up?” I was frozen for a minute. Anong sinasabi niyang hindi ako sumipot? Baka siya. Pero hindi na ako magpapatalo sa kanya dahil alam ko tong style na to. I read it already in those cliché stories I’ve read online nung mga panahon na hindi ako pumapasok. Style to ng mga mangloloko, to put the blame on you, para kunyari sila ang kawawa. Sila ang hindi sinipot.
Kaya I decided to play too. Ayoko ng makipagtalo at sabihin na siya ang hindi pumunta dahil it won’t work, he’ll twist the story again and again haggang magmukha kang kawawa.
I won’t show I’m hurting right now. I won’t show his winning.
And when I decided I was ready, tinignan ko na siya with the very different me, the emotionless me, the facade I’m always showing before.
Ngayon na malapitan ko na siyang nakikita, ang daming pinagbago, bakit mukha siyang pagod na pagod? Don’t think about him anymore, don’t care about whether he’s tired or what. Just play along. “Show up where?” I asked.
He looked at me with confused look “Sa...fountain…” see his stammering cause akala niya sasabihin ko na nagpunta ako no way.
“What fountain?”
“DON'T PLAY DUMB KATH.” Natigilan ako dun, he shouted, I guess he wants to win that much but I won’t let him “Bakit hindi mo tinupad yung promise mo?” kumalma na siya
I was not the one who didn’t fulfill our promise Daniel, it was you. You made a lot of promises and you didn’t even fulfill one. Instead you did the opposite.
“Ah…that was only a joke, all along I knew what was coming. Paul have already informed me. Do you really think I would runaway with you when my family’s fortune is on the line?” I said “I don’t even love you in the first place.” At nagulat nalang ako dahil may nagbukas nung pinto.
It was the head of my bodyguard “Milady let’s go.” He said nakatalikod na siya pero kasi hindi ako makaalis dahil yung kamay ni Daniel. And nung naramdaman niya ata na hindi pa ako nakasunod sa kanya tumingin siya sa akin kaya tinignan ko yung braso ko, kaya marahas niyang tinanggal ang kamay ni Daniel.
Naglakad na ako palabas then I heard him yelled something
“MAHAL KITA KATH.” As if naman na totoo yan.
Pero with that tuluyang bumagsak ang mga luha ko, haggang ngayon pa ba papaniwalain niya ako sa kasinungalingan na mahal niya ako? Ano pa bang kulang, kakasal na ako kay Enrique, siya din kay Bea. So ano pang kailangan niya para ipagpatuloy ang kasinungalingan niya?
At nagulat nalang ako nang may yumakap sa akin, sa yakap na ito alam ko kung sino ito. Kaya niyakap ko nalang siya “Masakit na Enrique.” I said.
“Forget him.”
Napakasakit. Bakit ganun? My heart is breaking piece by piece. And I couldn’t help it.
“Tahan na Kath.” He comforted me. Enrique did.
Daniel didn’t show up. Wala. Everything was a lie after all. Hindi niya ako minahal. Ako lang si tanga na umasa na minahal niya din ako, kahit alam ko naman na kagabi pa na wala na talaga eh, na hindi talaga ako.
Pero bakit ang sakit sakit. Nagtiwala ako sa kanya, I believed in his love but I was wrong and now it led me to heartaches.
He broke every promise he made with me. He betrayed me. I should have known better. Paul was right after all, he’s a Vanderbilt and he’d do everything just to get me. Just to marry me to Enrique.
Well if that’s what he wants then so be it.
*
Days passed after that night when he didn’t show up, nakatira na ulit ako sa mansion namin, and Tita Clarisse gave back our company, sabi niya hindi naman niya talaga kinuha yun, siya lang ang nagbantay nung namatay si mommy, and now she gave it back to me.
Inayos namin ni Paul yung sa city hall, me being dead that is. I was on every front page of the newspaper, online news, magazines. I guess being back from the dead made a fuss after all.
And about sa company, because I can’t still handle it, you know, I’m still studying para mapag-aralan, the board elected an acting president and Paul will guide him para dito, ganun na din ako, they’ll teach me everything I should know about the company.
I’m also preparing for my wedding with Enrique, my wedding would happen 3 months from now and I’m fine with that.
Since that night, I promised to never fall in love again. Therefore, I decided to marry Enrique, it’s the right thing to do after all. I never cried again, last na yung nasa yakap ako ni Enrique. Pagod na din akong umiyak. Para saan pa? Mabablik ba yung panahon kung kalian hindi ko pa nakilala si Daniel? Mababalik ba at maiiwasan ko ba siya kung mababalik nga?
Sympre hindi diba? What’s the use of crying?
I haven’t seen him and I prepared myself for that day to come.
Ngayon nalang pala uli ako papasok ng school, naging sobrang busy kasi ako, so this will be my first day again. Sympre nagbalik na yung lumang lifestyle ko, which me having chauffeurs and maids.
I asked them to call me Miss Kath, siguro nasanay na din ako at mas gusto ko yung Kath, and they did naman Kathryn nga lang.
So eto ako naglalakad papunta sa classroom ko, I have bodyguards pero haggang labas lang sila ng building ko kasi naman why do I need them pa? Sabi ni Paul, baka daw may magtangka sa buhay ko, yung kidnap. Diba nga dati nung ako pa si Leila talaga, sa bahay lang ako at hindi ako lumalabas so eto back na sa pagiging Leila which means having bodyguards.
Nakarating na ako sa classroom and I saw him dun sa pwesto namin, he looked at me but I looked away, nandun din sila Julia at Khalil.
Naglakad na ako but I didn’t sit with them, sa harap ako umupo, just seeing him makes my heart break akala ko ready na ako pero no I’m still not.
Dumating na din si Enrique, he sat beside me and I gave him a smile and he smiled back. Si Enrique, he told me he didn’t know about Daniel basta ang alam lang niya yung mga sinabi sa kanya ni Tita Clarisse and when I asked him about that Bea, he would change the topic.
“Babe.” I heard someone and napatingin ako dun sa may pinto only to see the girl in the pictures, Bea. The girl he truly loves.
Something inside me hurt.
Hindi ako lumingon sa kanila para ano pa? Sabihin pa nila affected ako sa kanila. “Bea, anong ginagawa mo dito?” si Julia narinig kong nagtanong.
“Well hello too Julia. Sabi kasi ni Daniel sa akin dati, pag na-engage na si Enrique dapat maging schoolmates na kami you know.” She said.
Oh edi kayo na may plano. Planong saktan ako.
“Oh hi Enrique.” Naramdaman ko na lumapit siya sa amin ni Enrique “And you must be Leila, it’s nice to meet you.” she said at ngumiti siya sa akin. Nilahad niya yung kamay niya na para sa pag shashake hands.
Tumayo ako, akala niya siguro I’m going to shake her hands dahil nilapit pa niya ulit sa akin, tinignan ko yung kamay niya tas siya “Likewise.” I said very coldly at naglakad na papalabas ng room without even taking a glance at the back.
Hindi ko pa din pala kaya. Nasasaktan parin ako. Bakit kasi ganun? Bakit kailangan niya akong paniwalain na mahal niya ako?
“Hey Le-Kathryn wait up.” I heard Enrique’s voice pero nagpatuloy lang ako, mabagal lang naman akong maglakad so naabutan na niya ako, we went to the rooftop. Pumunta lang ako sa may railings at tiningala ang aking ulo to see the sky.
Makulimlim ngayon. Siguro dahil ramdam din ng langit ang hinanakit ko ngayon. Sana umulan. Dahil sa pagulan gusto ko ulit ilabas yung mga luha.
“Who’s Bea really Enrique?” tinignan ko sa tabi ko si Enrique at tinanong ko siya, I just want to know her.
“Daniel’s first love.” Diretsong sabi ni Enrique tinignan niya ako na para bang nagtatanong kung magkukwento ba siya or wag na lang. I nodded in return “Kababata namin si Bea, she’s different when we were young, hindi siya pala salita, and that’s when Daniel came in, she got attached to him and so did he. Bea became cheerful nung nasa high school na kami, and they were so in love and so Daniel proposed. Our family were opposed to the engagement dahil kagaya natin may nakatakda na kay Daniel. Nilayo nila si Daniel kay Bea, my family didn’t want Bea because she’s sick. Mahina si Bea. Pero pinaglaban parin ni Daniel si Bea.” Nakatingin siya sa malayo habang nagkukwento. “And I don’t know how Daniel got the approval but kahapon ko lang nalaman na it’s been months since mom agreed to the engagement.” Kwento pa niya.
Ako alam ko kung paano. He used me. Dahil mahal niya si Bea, nang malaman niya na buhay ako, sinabi na niya agad at dahil dun they didn’t oppose the engagement. Ang galing kong mag-analyze.
Tumingin siya sa akin “I’m sorry Kathryn kung dahil sa engagement natin kaya nasasaktan ka ngayon. If only I knew what Daniel was planning….” I cut him off.
Napakabait ni Enrique, this is the side of him na ngayon ko lang nakikita dahil dati hindi naman kami ayos diba?
“It’s alright. What’s done is done.” Sabi ko.
Bumalik na kami sa room at nagstart na yung klase namin, it was boring of course. Nung last class na namin, Enrique needed to run to the dean’s office para sa pag fifinalize ng mga gagawin sa foundation ng St. John.
Kaya nang maguwian, hinintay ko munang maubos yung mga tao sa hallway pinagtitinginan ako ng mga tao dun kaya ayoko. Siguro mas maganda kung wag nalang ulit ako pumasok at magpa-home school ulit ako.
Hindi ko alam kung nakatulog ba ako or hindi pero feeling ko nakatulog ako kasi I heard his voice. Nanahinip ako. Why do I have to dream about him? Why do I have to hear his voice saying “I love you.” why?
Bakit ganun? Nasasaktan ako kasi haggang panaginip nalang lahat. Kasi sa totoong buhay ginamit lang niya ako, pinaglaruan para makuha ang gusto niya. Makuha ang approval ng family niya kay Bea.
I didn’t notice na may pumatak na palang hula sa mata ko, agad ko itong pinunasan. Tumayo na ako at naglakad papalabas ng room, tinignan ko yung classroom at nagulat ako kasi nandun si Daniel, natutulog siya. Kaya siguro ako nanaginip kasi malapit lang siya sa akin.
Bubuksan ko na sana yung pinto nang naramdaman kong may humawak sa may braso ko, at alam ko na kung sino. It can’t be a ghost kaya si Daniel lang.
“Let go.” I said without even looking at him at hindi ko padin tinatanggal ang hawak ko sa doorknob.
“Let’s talk.” He said, his voice was different, it was not sweet and angelic, it was different really, eto ba yung boses niya ngayon na hindi na niya kailangan magpanggap na mahal niya ako?
“Let go.” I said again. Para saan pa at kakausapin ko siya, masasaktan lang ulit ako, at iiyak na naman ako mamaya. Ayoko na pagod na pagod na akong masaktan.
“Please.”
“No.” I said firmly.
“Then just answer me, why didn’t you show up?” I was frozen for a minute. Anong sinasabi niyang hindi ako sumipot? Baka siya. Pero hindi na ako magpapatalo sa kanya dahil alam ko tong style na to. I read it already in those cliché stories I’ve read online nung mga panahon na hindi ako pumapasok. Style to ng mga mangloloko, to put the blame on you, para kunyari sila ang kawawa. Sila ang hindi sinipot.
Kaya I decided to play too. Ayoko ng makipagtalo at sabihin na siya ang hindi pumunta dahil it won’t work, he’ll twist the story again and again haggang magmukha kang kawawa.
I won’t show I’m hurting right now. I won’t show his winning.
And when I decided I was ready, tinignan ko na siya with the very different me, the emotionless me, the facade I’m always showing before.
Ngayon na malapitan ko na siyang nakikita, ang daming pinagbago, bakit mukha siyang pagod na pagod? Don’t think about him anymore, don’t care about whether he’s tired or what. Just play along. “Show up where?” I asked.
He looked at me with confused look “Sa...fountain…” see his stammering cause akala niya sasabihin ko na nagpunta ako no way.
“What fountain?”
“DON'T PLAY DUMB KATH.” Natigilan ako dun, he shouted, I guess he wants to win that much but I won’t let him “Bakit hindi mo tinupad yung promise mo?” kumalma na siya
I was not the one who didn’t fulfill our promise Daniel, it was you. You made a lot of promises and you didn’t even fulfill one. Instead you did the opposite.
“Ah…that was only a joke, all along I knew what was coming. Paul have already informed me. Do you really think I would runaway with you when my family’s fortune is on the line?” I said “I don’t even love you in the first place.” At nagulat nalang ako dahil may nagbukas nung pinto.
It was the head of my bodyguard “Milady let’s go.” He said nakatalikod na siya pero kasi hindi ako makaalis dahil yung kamay ni Daniel. And nung naramdaman niya ata na hindi pa ako nakasunod sa kanya tumingin siya sa akin kaya tinignan ko yung braso ko, kaya marahas niyang tinanggal ang kamay ni Daniel.
Naglakad na ako palabas then I heard him yelled something
“MAHAL KITA KATH.” As if naman na totoo yan.
Pero with that tuluyang bumagsak ang mga luha ko, haggang ngayon pa ba papaniwalain niya ako sa kasinungalingan na mahal niya ako? Ano pa bang kulang, kakasal na ako kay Enrique, siya din kay Bea. So ano pang kailangan niya para ipagpatuloy ang kasinungalingan niya?
At nagulat nalang ako nang may yumakap sa akin, sa yakap na ito alam ko kung sino ito. Kaya niyakap ko nalang siya “Masakit na Enrique.” I said.
“Forget him.”
Copyright © 2012 by uknowulovemary
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author.
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author.