03

Choice

"Tapos na ba?" Bored kong tanong kay Rave na may kinakalikot na kung ano sa first aid kit.

"Excited? Maghintay ka d'yan, hindi pa."

I rolled my eyes. I'm really bored. Nandito kami ngayon sa loob ng kotse niya. Nakaidlip ako ng saglit kanina at kahit ngayon na gising na ako, hindi pa rin tapos si Rave gamutin ang sugat ko.

"Bakit ba kasi ang tagal? Dapat kanina ka pa tapos."

"Wow ha. Marami kasing kailangan takpan. Kundi, gusto mong sumugod dito ang pamilya mo?"

Ngumiwi ako sa sinabi niya at pabalang na sumagot. "Wala na akong pamilya, Rave."

"I meant Ruce and your lolo." Inirapan niya ako.

This man! Puro irap!

"I'm really getting stressed about you like this, Ruby."

"I didn't ask." Putol ko agad sa mga susunod pa niyang sasabihin at humalukipkip.

He tsked before putting something on my face. Nandito ako sa tabi ng driver's seat.

Few minutes passed and when he finally uttered that he's done, relief poured over me. Buti naman! Napakatagal!

"Hahatid pa ba kita? Won't Ruce wait for you?"

"I don't think so..." Natigilan ako at nanlaki ang mata ng may maalala. Oh shi-! "Damn! Damn! I'll go out! Sabi nga pala ni Ruce kanina na sasabay ako sa kaniya!" I remember na nagpasuyo sya para sabihin sa akin!

"Lagot ka gagi." Nang-aasar na sabi ni Rave.

Nagmamadali akong lumabas at bumaba ng sasakyan niya. He watched me from afar as I do my best to not limp because of the pain covering my whole body.

Nng makarating kanina kung saan ako bumaba pagpasok, I saw how Ruce was leaning over his car. Mukhang kanina pa naghihintay. When he saw me, his eyes were cold. I literally gulped my nervousness.

Lagot!

"San ka galing?" Umayos siya ng tayo at sinalubong ako.

"U-Uh..."

"Your things?" Umarko ang kilay niya ng makita na wala akong dala.

Lalo akong kinabahan. "B-Baka naiwan ko lang sa loob-"

"Nakisuyo ako kanina sa mga kaklase mo. Your things are inside," He motioned the car.

"O-Oh..." Hindi ko alam ang susunod na sasabihin. He literally caught me off guard!

Bat ko ba kasi nalimutan?

"Galing ka sa laban?" He calmly asked with a hint of doubt and judgment.

"Hindi..." Pagsisinungaling ko.

He lightly scoffed before cocking his head. "Figured you won't spill. Anyway, pumasok ka na. Gabi na't malamig tapos ang ikli pa ng suot mo. Mosquitoes might bite you, it's dangerous."

Tumango ako at dahan-dahan na pumasok sa tabi ng driver's seat tsaka umupo. I was very alert of my surroundings since Ruce was eyeing me like a hawk. Nakakatakot.

Nang pumasok siya at binuksan ang makina ng kotse, tahimik lang siya. It was very awkward.

Akala ko'y patuloy na siyang tatahimik ngunit ng magsimula ang biyahe ay bigla siyang nagsalita. "You were walking weirdly earlier. Flings?" He bluntly said.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Of course not! Yuck!" As if I'd let any stranger touch me?!

He shrugged. "Then... you fought, huh?" It wasn't a question anymore. It was like I just confirmed his hypothesis.

Natutop ako. Damn it, Ruce! Why is he so sharp?

"No." Tanggi ko pa rin kahit na halata naman na ang totoo.

Ruce sighed. Umirap ako bago humalukipkip at tumingin sa bintana. The night lights always amuse me no matter what situation.

Kung paano kuminang sa gitna ng kadiliman nang dahil sa pagkawala ng araw... It falls perfectly in my eyes.

Although the moon tries it best to suffice the needed light... Tila ba mas gusto pa rin ng mga tao ang araw.

Which actually reminds me of something.

People often refer to their loved ones with 'sun'. I wonder how that would feel. Another person, specifically someone special in your life, referring to you as their sun.

Damn, that would feel so good.

To be loved by someone no matter your flaws.

Kailan kaya?

"You should stop lying." He said coolly.

I gazed at him. He was driving calmly but I could see how his brows furrowed. He's probably thinking of something.

"You have no evidence to accuse me of lying." Bawi ko.

"With evidence or not, wala kang magagawa dahil gusto kang makausap ni Lolo."

Nanigas ako sa pagkaka-upo. "What? Bakit daw?"

"You talk to him. Ang utos lang ay sabihan kita na gusto ka niyang makausap."

"Is it about my rumored fighting?"

"Anong rumored? It's not rumored if it's true."

"Shut up, Ruce!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Kung ano man ang dahilan kung bat ka gustong kausapin ni Lolo, lagot ka." He glanced at me with a teasing smirk. "Kulit mo ah, 'yan tuloy."

Nalukot ang mukha ko. Mabilis kong inabot ang buhok niya at sinabunutan.

"Hey! Damn! I'm driving, Ruby!"

"Hilig mo mang-asar! I hate you!"

"E, ikaw 'tong pasaway-"

Lalo kong hinila ang buhok niya.

"Damn it! Kapag tayo nabangga!"

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Lalo kong hinila ang buhok niya. He kept on groaning but it didn't matter to me. I hate how cocky he is!

"Mabuti na lang at hindi kayo napahamak. Ruby, bakit mo naman sinabunutan ang pinsan mo habang nagmamaneho? You could've waited until the car stopped." Buwelo ni Lolo sa aming dalawa ni Ruce na parehas nakaupo sa harapan ng lamesa niya.

Thank goodness we weren't crossed by an accident. Mabuti na lang at nakapagmaneho ng maayos si Ruce kahit na sinasabunutan ko siya.

"Wow, thanks Lo. Nag-suggest pa talaga kayo," Nagtatampong sabi ni Ruce.

Lolo glanced at him and back to me with a hopeless look.

"I hate him. He was teasing me." Sumbong ko.

"I was helping you reflect on your actions!"

"Hindi ko feel!" Inirapan ko siya.

"Shut up! You two!" Singhal ni Lolo at napamasahe sa templo.

Parehas kaming natahimik ni Ruce ngunit ng magtama ang mata ay binelatan ko siya. Pasimple ko pang binigyan ng bad finger. Ha! Deserved.

His mouth gaped in awe but he couldn't utter a word dahil baka lalong magalit si Lolo.

"Nakikita ko kayong dalawa. Stop it!" Muling suway ni Lolo.

Napaayos ako ng upo. Ruce was casually sitting already. Parang hindi napagalitan kanina. He was eyeing Lolo's collection of guns that were displayed in the transparent cabinets here in Lolo's office.

Such a gun lover.

"Anyway, let's cut the chase. I asked Ruce to tell you to come here because I have news." Ani ni Lolo.

I glanced at him. I'm very curious. "What?"

"It's been an obvious thing these past few weeks na... nakikipaglaban ka. No matter the background of our family, I don't like you doing this Ruby. You should stop putting yourself in danger."

"But-" Aangal sana ako ng putulin ni Lolo.

"No matter the reason behind it." He muttered like he knew something.

Damn. I'm so doomed.

"This led me to a choice." He stopped for a while, making me more nervous. "I have connections. One of them, I'm close to. Have you heard of the Ashenberts?"

Umiling ako. Sino 'yon?

"They're very popular."

"I don't care about popularity, Lolo."

He chuckled before shrugging. Nagtuloy sa susunod pang mga sasabihin. "They're the founders of Isla del Tesoro. An island near Luzon. Naisipan kong makisuyo muna sa kanila."

"Anong suyo?" Nagtataka kong tanong.

"I'm planning to send you there so you can avoid getting into fights. Leaving Manila is probably one of the best things for you now. You're too... you know... reckless, Ruby. Nag-aalala na ako sa kalagayan mo."

WHAT? "Sa isla? You're sending me to an island?! No, Lolo! Ayoko! I want my life here!" And please! What about my other plans?!

"People are nice there. And Rom Ashenbert, the second son of the Ashenbert patriarch, asked his second son, Xenon, to guide you. Para naman hindi ka ma-bored masyado. Isa pa, parehas kayo ng edad. July ka lang and he's born in November. You're months older."

"Lolo! No!" Napatayo na ako sa gulat. Si Ruce na nasa gilid ko, wala man lang pakealam! Nakatanga lang sa amin ni Lolo! "Hindi ako papayag. What about my... studies?!"

"Hindi ka naman nag-aaral." Sabat ni Ruce.

Pinandilatan ko siya. "Shut up!"

He innocently shrugged.

"T-Tsaka si Rave!"

"What about him?" Tanong ni Lolo.

"He's my best friend!"

"Akala ko ba slave? Mukhang slave mo siya." Epal na naman ni Ruce.

Hindi ko na siya pinansin. I looked at my Lolo begging for mercy. "Lo, please! Ayoko sa isla! What am I gonna do there? Fishing?!"

"Ruby, hindi lang naman 'yun ang ginagawa sa isla. You'll understand when you get there. They are nice even though they're insanely rich. Please don't give them any headaches."

"What about, Ruce? Anong gagawin niya kung wala ako? I thought he like watching over me?" I feel so stupid right now! Lahat na ng bagay dinadahilan ko para lang hindi matuloy ang balak ni Lolo!

"I can go with her-"

"Nope." Sabat ni Lolo. "Ruce won't go with you. I want him to help me here."

"WHAT?! Iiwan niyo akong mag-isa sa islang 'yon? Sa pamilyang hindi ko kilala at sa taong lalong hindi ko rin kilala?!"

"This is for you, Ruby. Kung mananatili ka rito, malalagay mo lang sa panganib ang buhay mo. I'm hoping that you can reflect on your actions while you stay there. And about your studies, you can attend them online. I've already explained everything to Xenon. He's a nice kid. Please, don't bully him too much."

Umirap ako, hindi pa rin makapaniwala. I even glanced at Ruce and he was just sitting comfortably.

I scoffed bago padabog na lumabas at umakyat sa kwarto ko. "Damn it!"

Pano si Rave? Damn! What about my plan? I mean, kahit na slave ang turing ko kay Rave, he's still my friend! My only friend!

Dala ng pagod ay humiga ako sa kama. Wala na sa isip ko ang maglinis dahil sa pinaghalong irita, kaguluhan, at stress!

I called Rave to ask his opinion. I told him everything the moment he answered my call.

[If that's what your family thinks is best, then go with it. Sigurado naman akong hindi sila gagawa ng desisyon kung alam nilang ikakapahamak mo.]

"Damn it, Rave! I want you to oppose their desicion! Bakit parang sided ka pa sa kanila?"

[Because based on what's happening, naniniwala ako na mas maganda rin 'yun para sa 'yo.]

"What about my plan?!"

[Your plan can wait... maybe? 'Coz you know, if something is meant to happen, let destiny give you the situation for it. Atsaka huwag ka mag-alala. Bibisita naman ako dun para hindi mo ako mamiss-]

I ended the call.

Damn!

Bakit biglang nagkaganto? Parang kanina lang ay sided sa akin si Rave tungkol sa plano ko tapos bigla niyang sasabihin na sided siya sa desisyon nina Lolo?!

I was busy thinking of a plan. Kailangan kong matakasan ang desisyon na 'to ni Lolo. Maybe I can make a deal with him? Anything but that island!

Naputol ang pag-iisip ko nang tumunog ang cellphone. It was a message from Rave.

From: Rave

A little change in the environment won't hurt, right? Think of this as a vacation instead of a punishment. Magpakabait ka sa isla. Kapag nakita ng Lolo mo na nagbabago ka na, maybe he'll take you back immediately. Think about it.

I closed my phone and stared at the horizon.

Rave's suggestion was good enough for me to accept. Maybe he's right. It is a good plan.

I was thinking of considering it when someone knocked on my door. Nang buksan ko iyon, bumungad sa akin si Ruce na nakahalukipkip.

"Nandito ka ba para sabihing deserve ko 'to dahil pasaway ako? If so, lumayas ka na. Hindi ko tinatanong," Agaran kong sabi kahit hindi pa bumubuka ang bibig niya.

I saw how amused he was with my attitude. Pinilig niya ang ulo bago binaba ang mga kamay atsaka pinasok sa bulsa.

"You're my cousin. Hindi na ako magugulat sa ugali mo,"

Tumaas ang kilay ko ng dahil sa sinabi niya. What is he implying? Na baliw ako kasi baliw siya at iisa lang ang dugong nananalaytay sa amin?

How insulting and I can't even understand it properly!

Humilig ako sa pintuan. "You coming in?"

Umiling siya. "Nah, sa labas lang ako."

"Bat ka ba nandito?"

"I wanna say something-"

"Hindi ako interesado."

"Let me finish-"

"Hindi ko tinatanong opinyon mo-"

"Shh!" Singhal niya kaya natigilan ako. "So stubborn! Let me speak first!"

Ngumisi ako ng makitang iritado na siya. I shrugged and motion him to talk. Kawawa naman, baka umiyak.

"You're still upset with Lolo's decision?"

Humalukipkip ako at mataray siyang tiningnan. "Halata ba?"

He rolled his eyes. "Do you want me to come?"

"Lolo said that he wants you here." I eyed him like a hawk.

His eyes trailed over my auburn hair. Probably thinking of how hard my head is because I'm stubborn. Tsk, harder than his head I'm sure.

"I can come with you instead. Kakausapin ko siya,"

"Wow! Parang kanina hindi mo ginagatungan si Lolo?" I accused him.

He shrugged na tila ba walang maalala. This liar!

"I'm serious with this." Banggit niya.

Instead of taking him seriously as he claims to be, I laughed mockingly. "Obviously, Lolo wants me to suffer."

"No. He only wants to protect you-"

"By destroying everything I want?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Ruce. "You want fighting? Huh?"

"Hindi 'yon! Hindi niyo naiintindihan!"

"How will we understand you if you're not opening up, Ruby? I'm asking if you want me to come so that you'll feel more comfortable and you're spitting things like this on me?"

"Fine, ayoko! I can do it myself, Ruce! Ito naman ang gusto niyo 'di ba? I'll go then!"

He held his nose bridge feeling super frustrated. Well, I am too!

"Ang gulo kausap..." Iritang bulong niya but I heard it.

"What did you say?!"

"Wala!" Huminga siya ng malalim bago ako seryosong minataan. "But I'm warning you. The moment I find out you got in trouble, pupunta ako agad."

"You're expecting me to fight there?! Ganyan ba kasama ang tingin niyo sa akin?"

"No! Damn it!" Kulang na lang ay magdikit ang kilay niya. "Ang ibig kong sabihin, sa oras na malaman kong napahamak ka, pupunta ako agad. You better make sure that no one hurts you there because as you're aware, I love guns, my dear cousin. And I wouldn't think twice on using my skill on whoever trashes you out."

Napalunok ako sa sinabi niya. I felt a bit guilty. I misunderstood what he meant.

Pakiramdam ko, minamasama ko ang lahat ng gusto nila para sa akin. Is it because I'm too focused on my own plans to the point that I don't get other people's points properly and end up thinking badly about their pure intentions?

I gulped and could only nod with what he said.

Angry Ruce is funny yet scary at times. Lalo na kapag alam mong ipit ka na at totoo ang lahat ng sinasabi niya.

"You take care." Muli niyang banggit sa akin, his eyes are really intimidating. "Make sure of that," Aniya bago naglakad paalis.

Nanghihina kong isinara ang pinto.

Today was the worst.

Ayokong umalis pero ngayong buo na ang desisyon ni Lolo at pabor si Rave sa pag-alis ko... Wala na akong magagawa. Idagdag ko pa ang galit ni Ruce nang dahil sa mga pinagsasabi kong kung ano-ano. Damn me! I should've thought first before saying something!

Napatitig ako sa sarili sa salamin.

In a parallel universe, I wonder if I'm living a normal life? With a complete and happy family. A universe wherein the Flaire Ruby Gresham isn't planning a revenge but just living a good and peaceful life?

I wonder what choices she would make.

If she's happy... sana ako rin.

When will I be done with all of this?