CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHARLES' SECOND-YEAR college wasn't so bad after all. His expectations about having a nosy roommate were completely erased by the guy beside him.

"So, what are your plans this summer?" tanong sa kanya ni Gab na kasalukuyang naglalagay ng gamit nito sa backpack.

Charles shrugged. "Not sure, but most likely spending my time in New Jersey."

Napatango naman ang kausap niya. "Sa bahay niyo lang ikaw tatambay buong break? Amboring mo naman," natatawang pang-asar nito.

Inabot ni Charles ang pinakamalapit na gamit sa kanya saka binato ang kaibigan. "Shut the hell up, Gab." Tumawa lang naman ito. "How about you? What are your plans?"

Gab grinned. "Summer class, bartending."

Charles grunted. "Hope all." It was one of the common expressions that he got from Narae and Anurak.

Natawa naman si Gab saka lumapit sa kanya para umakbay. "You know, pwede ka namang sumama sa akin. Gala-gala tayo ganon. Malay mo matuwa ka rin sa pagba-bartender. You might want to do it too."

Charles let out a small smile. "I'll try to ask Dad."

"Yun oh!" Gab tapped his shoulder before going back to his bed and finishing packing.

Hindi naman maiwasan ni Charles na mapangiti habang nag-aayos din ng gamit. He knew that he was getting really comfortable with his roommate kaya naman hindi na siya nagtaka nang magkagusto siya rito.

He was easy to admire. Angelo Cortez has everything a person would like. The god-like body built, the hypnotizing brown eyes, the playful and flirty attitude, caring, thoughtful, and great humor. I don't even wanna start with the hobbies and IQ this guy has.

Mahinang natawa si Charles habang napapailing. Mukha namang walang magiging problema kahit na umamin pa siya rito. He knew Gab was single and he had no other close friends in that school other than him. So, maybe I do have a chance? Napangiti naman si Charles sa naiisip. Maybe I'll confess after the summer break.

"Huy!" biglang sigaw ni Gab na ikinagulat ni Charles.

Nang iangat niya ang tingin, nasa harapan na pala niya ang kaibigan at masusing nakatingin—nakatitig sa kanya.

"I've been trying to steal your attention but you seem to be on cloud nine. A penny for your thoughts?" nakangiting sabi nito sa kanya.

Agad namang natigilan si Charles at walang hiyang napatitig sa kaibigan niya. Seconds later, Gab grinned widely at him.

"Gwapong-gwapo ka sa 'kin, 'no?" nakangising tanong nito.

Their faces were only inches away from each other kaya naman madali lang para kay Charles na pitikin ang noo nito. "Hurricane Gab in your area. Signal number ten."

Gab remained with a grin on his face. "Sus! Tatanggi ka pa. Crush mo 'ko, 'no?"

Charles just rolled his eyes. "Asa!" He hid the smile that wanted to come out because of the romantic excitement he felt.

Tumawa lang naman si Gab. "Just kidding. You really never failed to make me laugh."

Sinamaan niya naman ito ng tingin. "So what am I to you? A clown?" he sarcastically reacted.

"You're special to me," agad na sagot ni Angelo na ikinatigil niya. Seryoso itong nakatingin sa kanya kaya lang biglang ngumisi. "But yeah, mukha ka ring clown."

Agad sumama ang tingin ni Charles tsaka inabot ang unan niya para ipanghampas kaya lang nakatakbo na ang g*go palabas ng kwarto nila. Napailing na lang siya sa kalokohan nilang dalawa.

After packing his stuff, Charles took out his phone. Sakto namang tumawag ang ama niya na sinagot niya kaagad. "Dad? I'm coming home today. Need anything?"

(Just making sure that today's the day. Light will pick you up at the airport.)

That made him smile. "Right. It's their summer vacation as well."

(Yes. Now, come home safely. We have important matters to discuss.)

"Got it, Dad. Anything else?" Charles picked up his bag and walked to the door.

(Would you mind picking up Ms. Wynter Vazquez on your way here?)

Napakunot naman siya ng noo. "May I ask why?"

(No, son. Just be here before dinner. Both of you.)

Reluctant at first but Charles managed to stop overthinking. "Okay, Dad. I'll get her."

(Thank you, son. Have a safe trip.)

"Thanks, Dad. Bye." Charles ended the call and finally opened the door only to meet his best friend up close. "Gab."

Angelo hummed. "So... are you going home now?" Tumango naman siya. "Hmm... Sinong kasama mo?"

"Just me."

Nakatitig pa rin naman si Gab sa kanya nagtanong, "Sino yung susunduin mo?"

Nagtataka man pero sumagot pa rin siya. "My best friend. Mukhang niyayaya ni Dad na mag-dinner sa bahay eh."

Gab slowly nodded his head and hummed again. "Okay then." Agad ngumiti ang kaibigan. "Baka mamaya pagbalik mo rito, taken ka na ha?" pang-asar nito.

Charles jokingly punched his arm. "Baliw." Unless maging tayo pagbalik ko.

Naiiling na napangiti si Charles na ikinasama ng timpla ni Gab pero agad niya ring itinago.

"Anyways, I'll go ahead, hmm? Ingats ka rin pag-uwi mo." Charles tapped his friend's shoulder before leaving the room.

After many hours, Charles finally made a stop at Madrid. Akala niya ay tutuloy pa siya sa bahay ng mga Vazquez kaya ganon na lang ang gulat niya nang makitang papalapit na sa eroplano niya si Wynter, bitbit ang isa nitong backpack.

"So, literal na susunduin lang kita rito? You could've ridden a plane to New Jersey, you know?" agad na reklamo ni Charles nang makapasok ang kaibigan niya sa eroplano.

"Talk to the air, Dom. Masakit ang ulo ko," she complained as she sat down.

Tumabi naman siya rito saka narinig na lilipad na naman ang eroplano nila. "What happened to you?"

Wynter covered her eyes and looked like she planned to sleep for the entire flight. "Nada. Nada."

Charles just let her be and also positioned himself to take another nap. Iniisip niya ang dahilan ng ama niya para ipasundo si Wynter sa kanya. He and Wynter's family are close friends kaya naman naging close rin sila noon.

Nang makarating sila sa bahay ay sakto lang sila sa pag-aayos para sa dinner. Ang ikinagulat nilang magkaibigan ay nang makita nila ang pamilya ni Wynter na kasabay nilang kakain.

"You're here and yet you didn't even wait for a few hours for me," reklamo ni Wynter.

Mahina namang natawa ang ama ni Wyn. "You're with Caleb's son, so what's the fuss?"

"What's the fuss? Well, you just left your daughter who would've been with you during the flight. Plus, you disturbed Mr. Prince's flight here." Tinuro siya ni Wynter na agad naman niyang sinamaan ng tingin bago siya tumingin sa ama niya.

"So what's the occasion?" he flatly asked.

"Take a seat, both of you," utos ng ama niya na sinunod din naman nilang dalawa. Nang maka-upo ng maayos ay nagsalitang muli ito, "We are all gathered here to plan for the union of two families, Vazquez and Williams."

Parehong nakatulala silang magkaibigan, pero unang nakabawi si Wynter. "Hang on! Tell me what I'm thinking is wrong."

"After you graduate, you two are to marry one another," pagka-klaro ni Mr. Vazquez.

"What the actual f*ck‽"

"Wynter, language!" saway ni Tita Summer.

"With all due respect, who the f*ck told you we want to get married‽" sigaw ni Wyn.

"Wynter Emerald Vazquez!" sigaw ng ama nito na nagpatahimik sa kaibigan niya. "As I've said, you are bound to get married. A Vazquez-Williams is a must. But before we proceed to the matrimony, Caleb has something to tell you."

Uminom muna ang ama ni Charles bago nagsalita, "Since you're both at the right age, you should know about our family history." As if on cue, heavily armed men entered the dining area. "The Vazquez and Williams are descendants of the previous mafia—"

"Hold it right there." Si Charles naman ang nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob para sagutin ang ama niya. "Mafia? Dad, we're descendants of criminals?"

"There are law-abiding mafia groups, son, and we're part of that." Kahit papaano ay nakahinga nang maluwag sina Charles at Wynter. "As I was saying, we're descendants." Iminuwestra ni Mr. Williams ang dalawang magkaibigan. "Both of you are the first-born of both families involved, and this is where the matrimony comes in."

Bigla namang nagsalita si Mr. Vazquez. "In order for both families to stay powerful, we need a union."

"And this is where the sacrifice comes in," Wynter sarcastically commented. "The good mafia seems exciting and I might accept whatever responsibility that'll give me but not the matrimony." Seryoso itong tumingin sa ama niya. "Forgive me, Mr. Williams but I can't do that part of the plan." Tumingin naman si Wyn sa ama nito. "Dad, you know that I have a lot of dreams so why bother yourselves with this stupid idea?"

Seryoso ang atmosphere na meron pero biglang tumawa ang ama ni Charles na ikinatigil ng lahat. "That's the main reason why I want you to be my son's wife. A strong and honest personality." Natawa na naman ito bago naging seryoso. "But I can't agree with your statement, Ms. Vazquez. We'll let you finish your studies first, you'll be attending a medical school after you finish your BS in Psychology, am I right?" Tumango naman si Wyn. "You'll be free as the wind while you're studying, both of you. Do whatever you want. Be with whoever you want. But after you graduate, you'll be tied to each other."

"That's unfair!" reklamo na naman ni Wyn.

"Life is unfair, Ms. Vazquez. That's the only deal I can give you two," pagtatapos ng ama niya.

Hindi na sila nakaimik pang muli and the next thing he knew was him spending his summer break training non-stop to be the mafia leader.

Ilang beses pumasok sa isip niya ang sinabi ng ama niya tungkol sa time limit na ibinigay nito sa kanilang dalawa. At sa pag-iisip nun ay siyang pagbalik ni Gab sa buhay niya. That's where all the sh*t began. He didn't want to burden both of them. Malinaw naman kay Charles na panandalian lang ang pwedeng mamagitan sa kanila ni Angelo kaya kaysa saktan ito sa dulo, maaga na niyang ginawa.

But one day, I hope everything will be okay for the both of us, Gab.