Kabanata 32

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Akmang iaabot ko na ang card ko nang maunahan ako ng lintik na Rashid. It was so hard to get my card on my wallet.

"I'm paying for that." matalim ko siyang tinignan.

He didn't even looked at me. "Can you wait for me a little bit? I just need to pay for these."

"Bakit mo binayaran 'yon?" I ignored his question. "I can pay for that!"

"Can we not argue here, please.." he whispered. "I already paid for it, 'kay?"

The sales lady on the counter was obviously trying to hear our conversation. Humalikipkip ako at hindi nagsalita. Hindi nakaligtas sa mata ko ang pack ng sigarilyo na kasama pala sa mga tissue na binili niya. My eyebrow raised.

Nang matapos siya ay inunahan ko kaagad sa pagbuhat sa binili ko. Kaagad bumagsak ang kamay ko sa bigat. I bought some toiletries that I need and wines because I need those to live.

"Akin na 'yan, Gianna." I heard him say behind me.

"Kaya ko!" nagmamadali ako.

"We can switch so it's easier." nakikipag-unahan siya sa akin ng lakad. "Give me that."

Matalim ko siyang binalingan. "I said I can do it. Bakit ba ang kulit mo?"

"You'll break your nails with that."

I paused with that realization. Huminto ako at ibinaba para tignan ng maayos ang kuko ko.

But this man is full of wit. He tricked me. He immediately picked up the groceries and started walking.

"Hoy!"

Sinundan ko siya hanggang makalabas kami. Kalaunan ay tumigil na din ako sa kakareklamo. I stared at his wide back. His firm arms are easily holding both of our groceries. Walang kahirap hirap dahil malakas at malaki ang katawan.

He stopped in front of my car. He waited for me to open it. I stopped, too, pulled out a bill and handed it to him.

"I'm paying for my groceries." sabi ko habang nakalahad ang limang libo sa kaniya.

He stared at my money and raised his eyebrow. "Open your car first."

Oh, a trick again?

Umirap ako. "Ako na d'yan. Just get this and leave."

"Open your car, Gianna."

"Ako na nga sabi—"

He grabbed my key on my hand. Pinatunog niya ang sasakyan ko at binalik muli sa kamay ko. Nahulog ang panga ko dahil sa pagmamatigas niya. Umirap ako at napamura sa isip.

Fine, Rashid. Whatever you want. Sana pala ay kinuha ko na lahat ng nakita kong wine kanina para mabutas na ng tuluyan ang bulsa mo.

Oh, I doubt that. E, sobrang yaman pala ng mokong na ito. Pati nga ako, nabili!

I rolled my eyes on him and entered my car. I waited for him to finish fixing my things. Pagkatapos ay matalim ang mga mata ko siyang pinanood na pumasok sa sasakyan niya. Heavily tinted. Oh, bakit? What do you do in your car, Rashid? Grabe namang privacy 'yan.

Nauna akong umalis doon. I saw his car behind me. Maluwang ang daanan. Binagalan ko para mag-overtake siya sana pero nanatili siya sa likod ko. Cars were overtaking us because I'm slowing too much but he is damn staying at my back.

Pinarada ko ang sasakyan ko sa bakuran namin at pinanood ang sa kaniya sa gilid ng kalsada. Minadali ko ang pagkuha ng groceries ko sa likod. May yabang akong ngumisi sa kaniya nang maabutan niya akong buhat buhat ang puting supot.

"Are sure you know how to cook that?" he asked when I placed all the things on the table. Nanatili siyang nakasunod sa akin.

Now that he asked, I'm suddenly getting nervous. I don't want him to watch me cook!

"Oo, bakit?"

He helped me pull out the things on my grocery bag. Tinitigan niya ako na para bang binabasa ang nasa isip ko.

Ngumuso siya. "I can help you.."

"Kaya ko nga, Rashid. Just go upstairs and do not mind me here!"

"I'm scared you'd burn the kitchen. Dito lang ako.." sumandal siya sa divider matapos ilabas lahat ng laman ng supot.

Damn it. Marunong naman ako dati.. with the help of Rashid. He was the cook of the house before. Kapag wala siya ay de-lata lang or instant noodles ang kinakain ko.

Tumalikod ako at kinain ng kaunting kahihiyan. I went to search for chopping board. Of course, I'll chop the meat and ingredients first. At least, ito lang ang natatandaan ko.

Kinuha ko ang malaking panghiwa. Kita ko ang nerbyos sa mukha ni Rashid habang pinapanood ko. I placed the chicken on the cutting board. Kaagad umahon si Rashid sa pagkakasandal at nilapitan ako.

"Ako na ang maghihiwa."

"Gosh, Rashid Ace. I won't put the kitchen on fire, do not worry! Umakyat ka na sa taas!"

"You will hurt yourself with that, Gianna!"

I pushed him away. "Oh, shut up. Not because I fail so much in cooking before, doesn't mean I can't still cook now! Ang yabang mo!"

Umatras siya dahil sa akusa ko. His glare was giving me a warning but I just mocked him with my smile. Nagsimula akong hiwain ang hita. I successfully swiped the knife. Nilingon ko siya ng may yabang ang ngisi.

I chopped it with a little bit of boast. Sa pangatlong lipad ng kutsilyo ay lumanding ito sa daliri ko. Hindi ko kaagad namalayan dahil panay ang lingon ko kay Rashid. My finger immediately bleed.

"Gianna!" Rashid shouted.

Kinuha niya ang daliri ko at kaagad tinapat sa gripo. Hindi maipinta ang mukha ko sa gulat at sakit.

But above all, pulang pula ang mukha ko sa kahihiyan. Ilang beses ba ako mapapahiya harap-harapan sa kaniya? This is so stupid. I'm so stupid. Ano ba ang pinagyayabang ko?

Nanatiling tahimik si Rashid habang hinuhugasan niya ang kamay ko. My eyes dropped on his chest on my shoulder. Umangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya.

His mad eyes was quite scary. Naka-igting ang mga panga at salubong ang makapal na kilay.

"Ano? Hindi mo ako sesermunan?" hamon ko sa kaniya.

He tsk-ed. "Sit back. I'll get the kit."

"Ako na!"

"Gianna.."

Umirap ako. "Let me do that. As if I still don't know how to do that. H'wag mo akong yabangan d'yan."

"I'm not." matalim niya akong tinignan. "Look what your pride did you. Ako na ang magluluto."

"Excuse me?" binawi ko ang kamay ko at umatras. "I'll let you cook because I hurt my finger. Pero marunong naman talaga ako! I learned to cook back in abroad, okay."

"Sure, baby.." he scoffed.

Uminit ang pisngi ko at kaagad akong tumalikod para kumuha ng first aid kit.

Tulala akong ginagamot ang sugat ko sa sala habang nasa kusina si Rashid. Pumikit ako ng mariin sa kaawa-awang sitwasyon ko ngayon. I don't want to disturb him in the kitchen so I turned the TV on just to watch something and also to have a noise between us.

Nawili ako sa panonood. I saw my advertisement with his company on the TV. Sumilip ako ng kaunti at kita ko siyang hubad na ang pang-itaas na nagluluto. Bumalik ang tingin ko sa TV at lumunok.

How many tattoos does he have anyway? I can't remember. I counted it on my mind. Abdomen, waistline, upper back, the back of his lips, feet and his ankle. 6 in total. Ngumuso ako.

Naamoy ko na ang niluluto niya at kaagad nanubig ang bibig ko. Kumalam ang sikmura ko dahil sa gutom. I heard him turning off the stove.

"I'm done," he announced.

Tumayo ako at pumunta doon. He was already putting foods on the table. Natakam ako dahil doon. He cooks really good. Amoy pa lang, nakakatakam na. Kung hindi lang siya gago, iisipin kong husband material nga siya.

He placed a plate in front of me. Nagkatinginan kami.

Ngumuso ako. "You can join me."

He cooked this. I should be nice.

"I'm full. Ikaw na lang.." he stared at me.

I shrugged, binalewala ko iyon. Bahala siya.

God, I'm hungry! Malaking subo ang ginawa ko sa kanin. Punong puno kaagad ang dalawang pisngi ko. Ang kanin ay medyo maiinit na dahil pinalamig niya para sa akin.

He stayed on my back. Nakatukod ang kamay sa lamesa habang ang isa ay nasa likod ng upuan ko. I don't know why he have to stay behind me. Nilingon ko siya habang punong puno ang pisngi. He was hiding a smile while staring at me.

"I'm just hungry. Hindi naman masarap ang luto mo. I still cook the best!" pagyayabang ko kahit alam kong walang katotohanan iyon.

"Uh-hmm? Maybe you can cook for me sometimes so I can taste who's better."

Umubo ako ng kaunti. "Why would I? I'm sure mine's better. Wala namang kalasa lasa 'to."

He chuckled and crouched. "Let me taste it, then.."

I can smell his perfume directly. Even his breath started tickling my ear. Hindi ako nakagalaw. Kinilabutan ako sa isang ala-alang matagal ko nang binaon sa limot. Him and me.. in this kitchen..

Kinuha niya ang mangkok ng ulam. I watched the edge of the bowl kissing his lips. Umawang ng kaunti ang labi ko habang pinapanood ko ang maingat niyang tikim sa sabaw ng pagkain. His adam's apple moved slowly. He licked his lips afterwards.

"It tastes fine, Gianna. But of course, you're a pro in cooking so you must know what tastes good and not."

Matalim ko siyang tinignan.

"Are you mocking me, Añonuevo?"

"Hindi, Añonuevo." he chuckled on my ear and slowly pulled himself away.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin gamit ang nanunusok kong mga mata. He went up the stairs whistling while his hands were on his pants.

That fucking.. chewbacca!

I finished eating. Ako na ang naglinis sa kusina at naghugas na din ng pinggan. Humikab ako dahil na din sa kabusugan. Rashid is probably doing his thing on his room, wala akong balak istorbohin siya.

I went up to my room. Locked the door and went to shower. Kaagad akong nakatulog sa pagod at sa kabusugan nang mahiga ako sa kama.

Nagising ako ay madilim na. Maingay sa ibaba kaya nanatili akong nakaupo habang nakakunot ang noo sa naririnig. I'm hearing Rashid's voice and a woman. Umirap ako at tinayo ang sarili.

I was wearing a large polo shirt and just a panty underneath it, as usual. Lumabas ako para sana uminom ng tubig dahil hindi naman ako gutom at sa inis din ay gusto kong silipin ang nangyayari sa ibaba.

Sa sala, kita ko ang mahabang itim na buhok at nakalugay na babae. She was wearing this yellow dress that fits her perfectly, her butt from behind is nicely molded. Walang suot na pang-itaas si Rashid gaya ng nakasanayan at itim lang na pantalon. He stood up from sitting when he saw me coming down.

Nilingon ako ng babae. My face went cold when I saw Elizabeth on my sala. Gumuhit ang magkahalong gulat at iritasyon nang makita ako.

"Rashid! Bakit nandito 'yan?!" she shouted and pointed at me.

He surveyed my body well. Matalim ko siyang tinignan at kumuyom ang palad.

I ignored them and went to the fridge.

"You should go, Eli. Gabi na." malamig na sabi ni Rashid.

I mimicked his words and made a face.

His girlfriend is upset because a woman is here but he's just shooing her away. What a joke. Is this all what you got, Elizabeth?

Instead of water, I pulled the wine bottle that I bought.

"No, Rashid. I will stay! Gusto mo bang malaman ni Tita ito?" her voice is even more annoying. Bakit ba nandito 'yan?

"This is none of her business."

"Are you serious? You know what kind of woman she is! Bakit pinatira mo pa siya dito?"

I couldn't help myself. Lumabas ako sa kitchen hawak hawak ang alak sa kamay ko. They both stopped when they saw me. Rashid closed his eyes like he was even stressed more.

Humalukipkip ako. "This is originally my house. Bakit ako ang tinatanong mo niyan? Why don't you ask your boyfriend why he bought this house in the first place?"

She harshly glared at me. "Oh, please! Lahat ba talaga inaangkin mo?"

"Because its mine. I'm paying my rent nicely. How about you? I heard you're not even paying anything in my house."

Kita ko ang gigil sa mukha niya. She must be older than me but I never considered that even before. All of her shining jewelries is just as fake as she is.

"It's not my fault that our father is mad crazy for my mom that he can give anything to us even if it's your old mother's property."

My eyes widened with the way she called my mother. Pumagitna kaagad si Rashid sa aming dalawa. Nanginginig ang kamay ko na sampalin ang babae niya. His chest is facing me, nakayuko ng kaunti at maingat na humuhugot ng hininga sa buhok ko. His hands were holding my shoulder gently, trying to hush me.

"Elizabeth, leave while I'm being nice.."

Kumunot ang noo ni Elizabeth at sinuklay ang buhok niya. "Are you defending her, Rash? That woman is a snake! She wants all for herself. Hindi ka ba natatakot na patirahin ang ahas na 'yan dito?"

"Fucking bitch!" I shouted and tried to pull her hair but Rashid's arm was already on my waist. "Umalis ka sa pamamahay ko nang makaalis ako dito! How dare you!"

"We will leave, Gianna. And by that time, you will no longer be my father's daughter. Hear that?"

Tumalikod siya at umalis. Awang ang labi ko habang pinagmamasdan ang pag-alis niya matapos niya sabihin 'yon. Pain stabs my chest.

Humiwalay si Rashid sa akin. Para akong nanghina dahil wala nang nakakapit sa akin. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa wine na nasa kamay ko. My eyes flew to Rashid.

His eyes were gentle and by the way he stared every corner of my face, he was searching for any pain from it.

"Are you happy?" tumingala ako sa kaniya. "You heard what she said. Wala na akong pamilya. Are you all happy now?"

Namungay ang mata niya. "Would you believe if I say I'm not? That I'm not one of them? Hindi 'diba?"

"Then, can you explain that? If you're not one of them then why are you still with her? Why are you in my father's company? Those people that I hated!" nangilid ang luha ko.

He held my hand. Kinuha niya ang bote ng alak sa kamay ko at tinabi iyon. I watched how his chest moved closer at me. Hinaplos niya ang kamay ko.

"That's it, Gi. They hurt you, that's why I am with them."

"Are you stupid? That doesn't makes sense
sense at all! Bitawan mo ako!"

"I planned to merge our businesses to earn his trust. I also planned to be on his company for that position. Elizabeth is one of the way for me to earn his trust so I let her wrap around me."

Hinampas ko ang dibdib niya. "What do you mean?"

"Aim a position, trick the king, crash the kingdom and own it." he whispered slowly. "Give it to you.. rightly."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Malakas ang tibok ng puso ko habang pinapakinggan siya. He saw how shock I was. Kinagat niya ang labi niya at namungay ang mga mata.

"You did not.." I couldn't believe it.

"Right when I was close to the position, you came. I changed the plan. I knew you wouldn't do good in your position so it's easier."

Now, I'm offended. Hindi ako makapaniwalang iisultuhin pa niya ako!

"Why are you doing this?"

He tilted his head and roamed his eyes all over my face. Huminto ang mumunting mga mata niya sa labi kong medyo nakaawang. He licked his lips and stared at my eyes.

"What do you think?"

"Rashid, please me you're doing that because you're so full of yourself and you're a greedy motherfucker."

He chuckled and rested his nose on my ear. Kinagat ko ang labi ko at pumikit sa dibdib niya.

"That way, you will own what you deserve. I know you deserve it.."

Suminghap ako. This is not happening. No..

Why is he like this? Why is he doing this? Fooling my father and take down the company and he will eventually win it? That's impossible for Rashid at all. He can do that with no doubts.

Pero hindi ko maintindihan.. I'm almost panicking while he was just there, staring and waiting for my words.

"Because you're sorry? Huh?" sungbat ko. "You're guilty. Naawa ka sa akin?"

"I am sorry and guilty, Gianna. But if you look into it, it's not just about that!"

Tinulak ko siya at tumaas baba ang dibdib dahil sa galit. "It is about that! Kaya ba sinusundan mo ako? Did you also plan to make me your brand ambassador, huh? You planned all of this!"

"You left me when I was deeply in love with you, Gianna. Do you think that's easy?" lumapit siya sa akin. "I followed you abroad and I planned to get you in my company, yes. I am mad crazy to crash down your family, fucking yes. I bought this house— no, this village knowing that you will come back to me one day, hell yes. Now, tell me, Gianna.. Is this just that?"

I covered my mouth with my palms and widened my eyes. He wasn't even stuttering. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig at hindi na nakagalaw.

"Did I want to keep you here for you to not get out of my sight again.. just because I'm guilty?" bulong niya. "Gianna, I don't think so.."

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