Uninvited Guest

"Tori," Don Emmanuel called using his mischievous voice. "Bakit bukas ang pinto?"

Sabay na napalingon kami ni Señorito kay Don na ngayon ay nakangising nakatingin sa aming dalawa. Agad na umayos ako ng upo para harapin siya. We were watching a movie on Señorito's laptop before he arrived.

Nasa footrest kaming dalawa ni Señorito habang naghihintay ng alas-singko ng hapon. Nakaupo si Señorito, pinaunan naman niya ang ulo ko sa kaniyang hita.

We planned to go down by that hour. Ilang oras na rin kasi kaming nandito lang sa kuwarto. Maya't maya naman siyang bumababa para makisalamuha sa mga kamag-anak nila kaso umaakyat pa rin talaga siya.

I nervously looked at Don Emmanuel. He was standing by the door while looking at us. He has this fond look on his eyes while looking at the two of us.

"Dad, your tricks are back again." Señorito shook his head in disbelief.

"Why? It's fun." Don Emmanuel laughed heartily at his own remarks. "Look, para kayong pusang sabang na lumingon sa simpleng tawag lang."

"So, who were you calling this time?" Señorito asked.

"I was calling Tori," he answered with obvious mischief,

Señorito scratched the back of his head. "Pa, naman."

All the while they were bickering, I was left smiling like a fool. Ang sarap lang nilang panoorin at pakinggan. Their eyes were throwings love hearts towards each other out of affection and love. Kitang-kita na mahal at pinahahalagahan nila ang isa't isa.

Ever since Donya Margarita left us, their bond grew stronger as they only have each other. Para lang silang magbarkada tuwing nag-uusap sila ng ganito, makikita mo iyong closeness nilang dalawa.

"Si Kismet, okay?" natatawa niyang tugon. "Huwag ka nang mainis diyan at baka pumangit ka't hindi na magustuhan ni Kismet."

Bigla ay nag-init ang mukha at leeg ko dahil sa huling mga salita niya. Pasimple kong sinulyapan si Señorito. Katulad ko ay namumula na rin ang kaniyang pisngi at tainga.

Kung alam mo lang, Don Emmanuel. Kung alam mo lang talaga.

"Isa pa, anak ko, hindi ba't may gym tayo? Bakit hindi ko yata nakikitang ginagamit mo? You need to grow muscles to protect Tori." para pa siyang frustrated dahil sa hindi gano'ng kalakihang katawan ni Señorito.

Okay lang naman ang katawan niya para sa akin. Masyado kasing busy si Señorito para mag-work out dahil marami siyang trabaho. Isa pa, hindi naman na niya kailangan iyon.

Sakto lang naman ang katawan niya at bagay sa gwapo niyang mukha.

"Nananahimik ang muscles ko, Pa, huwag mong guluhin," sagot ni Señorito sa kaniyang ama.

"You're too thin, my son. Kismet might like someone with a big body built," he guessed.

Binalingan ako ni Señorito. Seryoso ang kaniyang ekspresyon sa mukha na akala mo naman importante talaga ang sasabihin niya.

"Do you like men like the ones Dad was describing?" he asked in a serious voice and expression. Wala sa sariling umiling ako sa kaniya. Kuntentong binalingan namna niya ang alam niya, nakangiti na ngayon. "See?"

"You can't be too sure, son." Naiiling pa rin si Don Emmanuel habang pinapasadahan ng dismayadong tingin ang sariling anak.

I cleared my throat to get both of their attention. "Bakit po, Don Emmanuel?" singit ko sa kanila dahil kung hindi ay baka hindi na sila natapos dalawa.

I heard him laugh. "Baka tapos na kayong magbahay-bahayan, yayayain ko na sana kayo sa baba, iilan na lang ang mga bisita."

"Dad!" Señorito exclaimed, shock was visibly drawn in his face.

"Sige po, Don. Sunod po kami ni Señorito," sagot ko, iwas pa rin ang tingin sa kaniya.

"Alright, I'll wait for the both of you downstairs." He nodded his head once before leaving me and Señorito.

"Sure ka ba?" may bahid ng pag-aalala niyang tanong sa akin.

Hinintay ko ang paggapang ng kaba sa puso ko ngunit hindi iyon gano'n katindi tulad nang inaasahan ko. Sure the nervousness was still there, but it was bearable this time around.

Nakakapanibago nga ng sobra, eh. Mas normal kasi para sa akin ang kinakabahan kaysa sa makaramdam ng kapayapaan.

"Oo," nakangiti kong sagot upang payapain siya.

"Sure na sure?" paniniguro niya pa, hindi nakukuntento kahit nasagot ko na.

Mahina akong natawa. Inanuhan ko na siya sa pagtayo ngunit mabilis at maagap ang naging pag-alalay niya sa akin na akala mo ay mawawalan ako ng balanse.

"Okay lang, Señorito." Sinsero ko siyang nginitian. Ako na rin ang naunang humawak sa kamay niya para payapain ang kaniyang pag-aalangan. "If ever I feel uncomfortable, I'd run away to some place that would calm me."

"Don't worry, I'll run away with you," he promised.

Ngiti na lamang ang aking naibigay na tugon. Wala na akong mahanap na salita pa dahil pinangungunahan na naman ako ng malakas at nagwawalang pintig ng puso ko. It even feels like it was coming out of my chest in each pounding beat it was singing.

Okay lang bang makaramdam ng ganito? Para kasing sa bawat segundo na nakakasama ko siya'y mas lalo lang akong nahuhulog.

"Ready?" Señorito asked when we reached the last step of the stairs.

Wala akong namataang tao roon siguro ay dahil nasa patio sila. Our day was almost at its end. Umalis na rin ang ibang guests ni Don Emmanuel para umuwi, lalo na ang ilang may mga anak na kailangan nang patulugin. Kaya nagawa ko nang maglakas-loob na lumabas ng kuwarto.

"Oh, nandiyan na pala si Tobias," nakangiting bati ng isang ginang. Si Ma'am Jane, Tobias' youngest aunt and Don Emmanuel's youngest cousin.

May suot siyang kulay peach na round-neck bodycon dress na plain at kulay peach din na 4 inches heels. May gintong palamuti ang kaniyang leeg, tainga, at kamay kaya sa unang tingin ay malalaman mong angat siya sa buhay.

"Good evening, Tita," nakangiting bati ni Señorito.

Sinadiya ko ang magpahuli at magtago sa likuran ni Señorito upang hindi nila ako magawang mapansin.

Tobias assisted me to sit on the vacant couch for two. Siya ang nasa kanan habang sa kaliwa naman ako. I purposely sat on the end of the couch with my feet crunched in front of me, I was concealing myself from their stares.

Five pairs of eyes followed our movements, excluding Don Emmanuel's. Tatlo magkakaedad na isang babae't dalawang lalaki ang naroon. Ang dalawa naman ay kaedad lang ni Señorito na parehong lalaki. Everyone was wearing a simple yet elegant attire to match today's occasion.

"For sure, Tobias would do a good job handling Ramiscal's if time comes that you retire," one of Don Emmanuel's cousins, Sir Eric, praised. Nakaputing shirt siya sa loob ng kulay gray na suit kapares ang gray din na slacks.

"I'm not even nervous," Don replied, followed by his laughter. "I can retire anytime soon knowing that my son would do just fine handling Ramiscal's by himself."

"Are you ready, Zach? Ikaw na ang susunod sa yapak ng Papa mo," Ma'am Jane asked.

Napailing si Señorito habang may alangan na ngiti sa mga labi. "We'll know when we get there. Sa ngayon, I still want to learn and I know I still have so much I can learn from Papa."

Ako naman ngayon ang napangiwi sa muling pag-alingawngaw nang naging usapan namin ni Don Emmanuel kanina. He's about to retire, and for sure it won't take that long.

I just hope that he would talk it out with his son and not just leave without any word. Knowing Señorito, for sure his mind would be put in chaos.

"You name's Kismet, right?" Ma'am Jane asked, talking to me for the first time.

Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko dala ng kaba. Ngunit tinatagan ko ang loob ko para silipin siya mula sa pagkakakubli sa likod ni Señorito. "Opo," tipid kong sagot.

I didn't even bother to address her because honestly, I don't know what to call her. Hindi ko siya puwedeng tawaging Tita dahil wala naman akong rason at koneksyon sa kaniya para gawin iyon. Hindi ko rin siya puwedeng tawaging ma'am ng harapan dahil ayaw ni Don Emmanuel iyon.

"Secretary ka pa rin ba ni Kuya?" tanong niya.

Nakangiti naman siya sa akin pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasan ang kabahan kahit wala naman akong ginagawang masama. "Opo."

"Why don't you try designing your own jewelry, too? I mean, for sure you have a lot of thoughts and experiences given your situation. I meant no insult, ha? What I am trying to say is, make a way to communicate your experiences through crafting your own designs, like a project or collection," she suggested.

Napatingin ako kay Señorito nang gumawa ng ingay ang mahina niyang pagtawa. "You spoiled my gift for her, Tita."

Ma'am Jane flashed us a warm smile. "Oh, my bad." She put the tip of her hand over her mouth. She was smiling ear to ear as if satisfied and happy. "Glad you've thought about this already. For sure, people would be very much willing to support this project."

Bahagya kong siniko si Señorito. "Seryoso ka ba?"

Tumango naman siya. Ibinaba niya ang kaniyang ulo upang magawang bumulong sa akin. Ang iba naman ay patuloy pa rin sa kuwentuhan nila.

"It was actually my birthday gift for you next year," he answered. "I have my drafted proposal ready. Sabay na lang nating tapusin."

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "What if it fails? Sayang ang resources."

Umiling siya sa akin. He lifted up my face by touching the bottom of my chin using his thumb and forefinger. Señorito even gently caresses my chin which gave me a soothing feeling that helped me calm the growing tension in my nerves.

"It won't. Trust me. Just put your heart in it and the rest will follow," he promised.

Nahihipnotismong tumango ako sa kaniya. My heart was divided. A part of me feels the excitement of doing something that would express my inner thoughts and my silent battles, but the other half feels the nervousness.

Hindi naman kasi lahat ng tao bukas ang isipan tungkol sa mga ganitong bagay.

"How about marriage? Any plans, Tobias? You'll be in your 30's soon, if I remember it correctly," Si Eric asked.

Sabi ko na nga ba't hindi matatapos ang gabi na 'to na hindi napag-uusapan ang ganitong bagay. Just like Don Emmanuel, they've been looking forward to Señorito's marriage and family plans.

Umayos siya ng upo habang mas isiniksik ko ang sarili ko sa kaniyang likod. "I'll get married in time, Tito. I am not rushing things," he answered.

"With those words you mean you have someone?" Ma'am Jane intrigued, wriggling her eyebrows to tease.

"I do, Tita," he replied immediately.

Moments later I felt Señorito's warm hand coating the colds of mine as he held it firmly as if it was the answer to the question being asked.

Napaangat ako nang tingin sa kaniya. Even without words being said, in my heart, there was a clear assurance. But I know that this moment is not the right time to tell anyone whatever's going on between us.

I don't want to spoil this precious moment of Don Emmanuel. Nagsimula ng masaya kaya dapat lang na sa masaya rin magtatapos ang araw na ito para sa kaniya.

Señorito boarded his eyes on me. I subtly shook my head on him to signal him not to talk about anything. Mukhang naintindihan naman niya dahil nakangiti lang siyang tumango.

"So, who's the lucky girl?" another relative asked, someone who's the same age as Tobias.

Unlike the other man of his age, he was wearing a casual getup. Naka-cargo shorts lang, kulay brown na shirt, at sneakers. Although wala naman talagang dress code, pero siya lang kasi ang bukod-tanging nakasuoy ng gano'n.

Kanina ko pa nga napapansin ang kaunting ere sa kilos niya. Bukang-buka kasi ang pakpak habang may hawak na isang baso ng alak.

Umiling si Señorito sa kaniya. "That's for me to keep and treasure, Claude."

"Why keep it a secret? Shouldn't you be proud of her?" The guy named Claude smirk at Tobias.

Napatitig ako kay Señorito nang maramdaman ko ang bahagyang paghigpit nang hawak niya sa aking kamay. Nakita ko rin ang pag-igting ng kaniyang panga na para bang ang nais ipahiwatig ay ang pagpipigil ng galit.

Bigla akong naguluhan kasabay nang pagbilis nang tibok ng puso ko. Sa hindi mapangalanang dahilan, bigla akong kinabahan.

Base sa nakikita kong reasksyon mula kay Señorito, sigurado akong may nangyari sa pagitan nilang dalawa.

"I would really appreciate it if you'll keep your nonsense to yourself, cousin," Señorito said with an evident warning in his voice.

"Come on, bro. What's with that spiteful tone of yours? Hindi ka pa rin yata nakaka-move on," konklusyon niya sabay bitaw nang nakakalokong tawa.

"Swallow your words and keep your mouth shut, kid. Nakakasira ka ng gabi," sita ng isa pang bisitang lalaki na kaina pa tahimik.

"Claude, don't make me ban you from stepping into any of my properties," Don Emmanuel warned.

"Uncle, I'm not even saying anything," he replied smugly.

"Oh, trust me, dumbass, you already did a lot," Señorito answered in a darker tone this time.

Nagkibit-balikat lang naman siya habang nakangisi pa rin. Si Claude naman ang binilaingan ko. Hindi ko magawang alisin agad ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Kaya gano'n na lamang ang gulat ko nang balingan niya ako habang nakangisi pa rin ng nakakaloko.

Kasabay nang kabang mas lalo kong nararamdaman sa bawat pintig ng puso ko ay kuryosidad na mayroon sa isip kong naguguluhan. There was definitely something about them. And why do I feel like it involves me?

Iyon ang ibinibigay na impresyon sa akin nang tingin ni Claude. Kilala niya ako. Kaso paano? I have never met him, if I remember correctly. Hindi pa kailanman nagkrus ang landas namin.

"Sir, sorry to interrupt," Kuya Rhett butted in. "Someone needs your attention outside."

"Who was it?" Don Emmanuel's eyebrows met.

"It's Miss David," he answered.

Parang mas lalo lang nadagdagan ang sakit ng ulo ko dahil sa kaalamang si Dominique ang tinutukoy niya. Of course, knowing her personality, she won't let a day like this pass without her appearance.

"Excuse me for a while," Don Emmanuel excused himself to follow Kuya Rhett.

"Who was that?" Ma'am Jane asked curiously.

Nagkatinginan lang kami ni Señorito at hindi na sumagot pa. "We'll excuse ourselves, too," wika ni Señorito bago ako isinama sa kaniyang pagtayo habang hawak ang kamay ko. "Sunod lang kami kay Dad."

Hindi na ako nakapagreklamo pa dahil isinabay na ako ni Señorito sa paglalakad niya. We followed the trail Don Emmanuel took.

"What was that?" I asked in confusion. "Magkaaway kayo?"

"No, not really. May nangyari lang dati," sagot niya na mas nagpalito sa akin.

"Ano?" hindi napipigilan ang kuryosidad na tanong ko sa kaniya.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Just some of his immature antics back when we were in our 20s."

Mas lalo akong napuno ng kuryosidad sa bagay na iyon. Mukha kasing ang lalim ng galit ni Señorito base na rin sa tono na kaniyang ginamit kanina.

Naniniwala ako na higit pa iyon sa sinabi niya dahil hanggang ngayon ay dala pa rin niya ang galit.

Magtatanong pa sana ako kaso narating na namin si Don Emmanuel na kasalukuyang kausap si Dominique.

"Happy birthday, Tito," she greeted with a wide grin.

The smokey makeup in her eyes speaks that she came prepared for this day. Isama pa ang kulay pula, hapit sa katawan, at makinang niyang bestida kapares ang leather ankle booth na sa tantiya ko ay six inches ang taas.

In one of her hands she was holding a bottle of wine while the other one held her silver pouch.

"It's Unico Reserva Especial. I bought it in the UK on my last visit." She handed over the glass of wine to Don Emmanuel.

"I appreciate it, Dominique, thank you," sinserong tugon ni Don Emmanuel.

"Pero hindi mo naman ako inimbita, Tito," may himig ng tampo na saad niya.

From the back of Don Emmanuel, I saw him release a heavy sigh. "Because this is a family gathering, Dom," he pointed out.

Imbes na maapektuhan, mas lumawak lang ang ngisi ni Dominique. "Aren't we soon to be a family?"

Kusang nagsalubong ang dalawang kilay ko at sa hindi na mabilang na pagkakataon, tinambol sa kaba ang puso ko.

Hindi pa rin ba siya tapos sa ganito niya?

"We are over this conversation, Dom," Don Emmanuel asserted.

"Oh, of course we are not, Tito." Dom let go of a witch-like laugh. "I'm talking to my Dad about it."

"Whether you talk about it with your father or not, it wouldn't change anything. My son is not going to marry you, Dominique,'' Don Emmanuel uttered with finality.

"Leave, Dom," Señorito butted in.

Doon niya kami binalingan dalawa. Still wearing her grin, she waved at him before taking slow strides to reach his front. "Mark my words, Tobias Zachary. I don't care how long it would take, but you are tying the knots with me. That's a promise."