Song: comethru- Jeremy Zucker

Annoying

Hindi ko na napansin pa na nakatulugan ko na pala ang pag-iyak. Pag-gising ko, namumugto ang mga mata ko. Bumagsak ang balikat ko habang tinitingnan ang sarili sa salamin.

Nakakaawa ka talagang tingnan kahit kailan, Aria.

I shake my head and ignored my conscience. After that, I took a quick shower. Saktong paglabas ko ng banyo ay narinig kong tumunog ang telepono ko. Hudyat na may nagtext sa akin.

Tamad akong naupo sa aking kama at tsaka binasa ang natanggap kong mensahe galing sa pinsan ko.

Kuya Sven:

I heard what happened. You okay?

I let out a deep sigh. Of course the news will reach him immediately. Tito Isiah must've scolded him, too. Panigurado kinausap na ni Daddy si Tito tungkol sa pagtuturo ni Kuya Sven sa akin ng kung anu-ano. He's already a veteran when it comes to sneaking out.

I typed my reply.

Me:

Of course you did. But I'm okay, just a little tired.

Kuya Sven:

Is there anything I can do?

I smiled to myself. He knows me too well. He knows when I'm upset. Nandyan siya lagi kapag kailangan ko siya.

Feeling ko mayroon parin akong kapatid na matatakbuhan sa oras na kailangan ko siya. Siya iyong pinaka kasundo ko sa aming magpipinsan. Si Kuya Isias, iyong mas nakababata niyang kapatid, ay masyadong seryoso sa buhay. If Kuya Sven is the bad boy in their family, then Kuya Isias is definitely the good boy.

Me:

It's fine. Thanks for the concern.

Habang sinusuklay ang aking buhok ay nagulat nalang ako nang bigla siyang tumawag. Tinigil ko ang ginagawa upang sagutin ang tawag niya.

"Kuya?" bungad ko.

"I have a plan."

"Please. If you're trying to get me in trouble again then no thanks."

I heard him laugh on the other line.

"No, Aria. I was thinking... bakit hindi nalang tayo ang magcelebrate ng graduation mo? On Friday! I'll invite some of my friends! I'm sure they would love to hang out with you."

"I don't think my parents will let me go after what happened." Dismayado kong sinagot.

"Ipagpapaalam kita!" he sounded like it was so easy to do. "Alam mo namang malakas ako kay Tita Amelia."

Umirap ako. "Sigurado ka bang malakas ka parin sakanya matapos nilang malaman na ikaw ang nagtuturo sa akin kung paano tumakas?"

"Well, they couldn't blame me. I just wanted my cousin to be happy!"

Natahimik ako. I stared outside my window. The gardeners are currently cleaning the garden, making sure that the grasses and plants are kept green.

Buti nalang talaga at may isa paring tao na willing na gawin ang lahat para pasiyahin ako.

"Ano, Aria? I'll call Tita now."

"Don't. I'll try and ask for their permission. Just give me time. Let's hope that they will let me."

"Tss. Of course they will! Ako naman ang kasama mo!"

Ngumuso ako. "Yeah. Fine... fine... I'll call you later."

"Okay. I'll call my friends now. Make sure to tell me right away! Sayang 'tong celebration na ioorganize ko para sa'yo kung hindi ka papayagan."

I scoff. Nangongonsensya ba siya?

Pagkatapos noon ay nagpaalam na kami sa isa't isa. Agad naman ako napalingon sa pinto ng aking kwarto nang marinig kong may kumakatok. Hindi pa ako sumasagot ay bumukas na agad ito. The butler took a peek inside.

"Oh! You're awake!" tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Tuluyan naman siyang pumasok ng kwarto, tumigil lang sa tapat ng pinto. He stood up formally. "I just want to let you know that breakfast is ready, Ma'am. Your parents are already waiting for you at the dining area."

Tumango ako. "Okay. I'll go down in a minute."

Another awkward morning with my parents...

Tumango rin siya bilang tugon. Pagkatapos noon ay lumabas na siya ng kwarto ko. I stood up from my bed and put my phone inside my pocket.

Paglabas ko ng kwarto ay agad na sumalubong sa akin iyong bagong bodyguard. 'Yung totoo? Magdamag siyang nandyan?

Nagkatininginan kami saglit bago ko inilubay ang tingin sakanya upang magtungo na sa hagdan. He followed me behind. Hanggang sa makababa ako ay nakasunod parin siya.

Annoying. Wala namang babaril sa akin dito sa loob ng palasyo. This palace is heavily guarded!

I definitely hate these new rules. Noon naman hindi sila nakabantay hanggang sa kwarto ko. Ganoon ba ang nagagawa ng isang kasalanan?

My father raised his gaze at me when he felt my presence. Binaba niya ang dyaryo na hawak at mas itinuon ang atensyon sa akin. My mother, who's taking a sip of her coffee, turns her head at my direction.

"Just in time, Aria." si Daddy.

Tumango ako at tsaka nagtungo sa pwesto ko. Nakita ko namang pumwesto na rin iyong bodyguard sa gilid.

Hay naku! Hanggang sa pagkain ng almusal, may nakabantay parin!?

Tahimik lang ang naging umagahan namin. Just our usual breakfast scene. Parehas rin kasi silang busy sa kani-kanilang trabaho. Si Daddy, nagbabasa ng dyaryo para sumagap ng balita. Si Mommy naman ay tinutuloy na isulat ang librong gusto niyang ipublish.

Oo, hanggang sa hapag-kainan, trabaho parin ang nasa isip nila.

Hindi tuloy ako makahanap ng tyempo para makapagpaalam doon sa party na tinutukoy ni Kuya Sven. As if naman papayagan nila ako pagkatapos ng nangyari kagabi!

But there's nothing wrong if I try to ask, right?

I was just about to excuse myself, because I already finished eating my breakfast, when my father stopped me. Naupo akong muli at nagtataka siyang tiningnan.

"Aria," he started. "I know you're still confused about your new security team. And I'd like you to meet First Lieutenant Ocampo," he pointed at the guy who keeps on following me everywhere.

Nilingon ko iyong lalaki. His stance made me think that he's been working for the military for a long time now. He bowed his head a little at me. Pairap kong iniwas ang tingin sakanya. I raise a brow at my father.

"From now on, he's going to rule your security team. Kapag aalis ka, kami ang una mong sasabihan pagkatapos ay sila. You are not allowed to go anywhere without them or without them knowing. Is that clear?"

"As if that's new." I whispered but I think he heard it.

"Ayoko lang maulit iyong nangyari kagabi."

Tamad akong tumango. Ano pa bang magagawa ko? Mukhang naplano na nila ang lahat, e.

I knew it. They are my new bodyguards! Mukhang kumuha talaga sila ng mas mahihigpit at mas nakakatakot para masigurado nilang hindi ako ulit tatakas.

Hinintay ko na magpatuloy si Daddy pero nabigla nalang ako nang may inilabas siya galing sa kanyang bulsa. Cartier that's whats written on the box. My mouth parted a little.

"This is our graduation gift for you." Aniya sabay ngumiti ng kaunti sa akin.

Tinitigan ko siya sabay unti-unting kinuha iyong box sa kamay niya. Nilingon ko muna si Mommy na nakangiti ng malaki sa akin ngayon. Unti-unti kong binuksan ang box.

I gasped when I saw what's inside. It's a Cartier love bracelet.

"Do you like it, sweetie?" nakangiting tinanong ni Mommy. Hindi agad ako sumagot.

"I love it," sabi ko. "Thank you." Tipid ko silang nginitian.

My mother smiled apologetically at me. Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin.

"I'm sorry about what I did last night. Nabigla lang rin ako. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Lumunok ako at tiningnan siya sa mata. "It's fine, Mom. Really. Ako ang dapat ang mag-sorry."

Ngumuso si Mommy at niyakap ako. I hugged her back using my right arm. I'm just not used to hugging them tightly. We don't even have the normal parent and child relationship. I always felt like there's an invisible space between us.

"Oh, Aria..." ani Mommy na medyo mangiyak-iyak pa. Umalis siya mula sa pagkakayakap sa akin.

Tipid akong ngumiti sakanya at tsaka tiningnan iyong binigay nilang regalo sa akin. Lumayo naman siya nang tumayo ako.

"Akyat na po ako sa kwarto." pag-papaalam ko. Tumango naman si Mommy

"Congratulations on your graduation, Aria." Sabi ni Daddy bago ko tuluyang lisanin ang dining area.

Nang tumayo ako upang bumalik na sa kwarto ay sumunod agad sa akin iyong First Lieutenant Ocampo ba 'yun?

I stop in my tracks to turn to him. Natigil rin siya sa paglalakad at tsaka walang emosyon akong tiningnan. I sigh.

"I believe I haven't introduced myself yet? I know you already know my name. But it would be nice to at least... introduce myself in the nicest way possible. By the way, I'm Ariadne. Aria for short," I extended my hand to him. "You are?"

"First Lieu-"

"No, I'm not asking for your position in the military or anything. I'm asking for your name."

"First Lieutenant Ocampo, Ma'am." Inulit niya ang dapat na sasabihin kanina. Umirap ako. Pagkasabi niya naman noon ay tinanggap niya ang kamay ko. We shook each other's hands formally.

"Nasan 'yung iba? I still don't know their names."

"They're outside, Ma'am."

Ngumuso ako at tumango. Malamang may ginagawang trabaho. Ayoko naman silang istorbohin para lang magpakilala sa akin. Maybe we'll do that next time. Kapag sila na 'yung kaharap ko.

Humakbang naman akong muli at nagsimula nang umakyat. Sumunod siya sa akin.

"Are you seriously required to follow me anywhere even inside the palace?" nagtataka kong tinanong.

"I'm afraid so, Ma'am."

I shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes. Hmm, kainis.

"You can stop calling me Ma'am. Just Aria."

Hindi agad siya nakasagot. Sunod naman kaming lumakad sa hall patungo sa kwarto ko. This palace is seriously big!

The first time that I've been here
—ever since we moved out of our house in New Manila—I got lost a lot of times!

"I cannot do that-"

"It's annoying me." I cut him off.

"But it's an order, Ma'am."

Hinarap ko siyang muli. Buti at tumigil siya bago pa siya tuluyang mabunggo sa akin.

"Don't worry. My previous bodyguards used to address me with my name. Alam nila Daddy iyon at hinahayaan lang nila. So, you have nothing to worry about."

He smiled a little. "I'm afraid to tell you that I'm not like your previous bodyguards, Ma'am. I strictly follow rules from the General." 

"Tss. So, you're saying that I have to be a General first before you follow what I'm asking you to do?" 

Hindi siya sumagot. Sinamaan ko naman siya ng tingin bago ko siya inirapan muli. Kainis! 

"You're so annoying." 

Tumalikod na ako at iniwan siya upang magtungo nang muli sa aking kwarto. 

I didn't try to strike another conversation with him. Ano pa bang sasabihin ko matapos akong inisin ng lechugas na 'yon? At isa pa, he sounds like he doesn't want to talk to me. Why would I try?

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad hanggang sa marating na namin ang kwarto ko. Hindi agad ako pumasok. I turn to him, wala paring pagbabago sa expression niya.

"Hindi ako lalabas ng kwarto. Hindi rin ako tatakas. Kaya pupwedeng wag ka nang magbantay dyan sa labas. Magpahinga ka nalang muna."

Bahagya siyang nagulat sa sinabi ko. O bakit parang ayaw niya pa? Siya na nga 'tong makakapagpahinga oh! Don't let the opportunity pass, Mr. First Lieutenant Ocampo.

Bumuka ang bibig niya para may sabihin ngunit hindi lang natuloy dahil nagsalita na akong muli. Alam ko namang sasabihin niyang hindi pupwede pero just by imagining him waiting outside my room, while doing nothing, makes me feel bored for him. 

"I'm serious." Sabi ko at tsaka siya tiningnan.

Hindi naman nawala sa mukha niya ang pagkaseryoso. At base rin sa itsura niya ngayon, mukhang may gusto siyang ipahiwatig. 

"Oh, right. I'm not the General nga pala. Kaya bakit mo ako susundin diba?" I mocked him. "Fine. Bahala kang mabored dyan." tumalikod ako sakanya at tsaka tuluyan nang pumasok sa kwarto ko. 

I spent my day just making some sketches. I still don't know what to do with my life after I graduated. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko pa magagamit iyong kursong kinuha ko sa college kung ganito naman kakomplikado ang buhay ko.

I took up Fashion Design and Marketing in one of the best schools for fashion design here in the Philippines.

Bata palang talaga ako mahilig na ako sa mga ganito. I've always dreamed of creating and designing my own piece. I even imagine it being worn by one of the highest paid models in the world!

If I would be given a chance to pursue my dreams, I would love my works to be featured in every fashion week around the world! That will be a dream come true!

I'm glad that my parents agreed with the course I want to take in college. Buti nga at hindi ako kinumbinsi ni Daddy na sumunod sa yapak niya, e.

I just don't have any interest with politics at all. As much as possible, I don't want to get involved. Pero imposible atang mangyari 'yun dahil nga maraming mata ang nakabantay sa pamilya namin.

But right now, I still have no idea what to do with my life. I'll probably spend my year just locking myself up in this room.

I jumped a little when my phone beeped. I was too preoccupied with my sketches that I didn't have time to check my phone.

I look to see what it is. It's a text from Kuya Sven.

Kuya Sven:

Did you ask for their permission already?

Oh, shit. I forgot! Hindi nga pala ako nakapagpaalam kanina dahil masyado silang busy sa trabaho at hindi ako makasingit! At tsaka may ganap na paregalo sa akin kanina kaya nawala rin sandali sa isip ko iyong pakay ko.

Buti nalang at pinaalala niya.

I quickly went out of my bed. Agad akong dumiretso sa pinto at pagbukas ko palang, si Ocampo na ang bumungad sa akin.

"Didn't I tell you to-" akala ko naman susundin ng isang 'yon ang utos ko. Hindi parin pala!

"I'm here to switch places with him, Ma'am." tinuro niya iyong lalaki na nasa gilid ng aking pinto. He smiled a little at me.

"And you are?"

"Damon, Ma'am."

Tumango ako. I extended my hand to him. Nagulat naman siya sa ginawa ko.

"Aria," pakilala ko sa aking sarili. 

Parang may kung anong sumapi sakanya at napatayo siya ng maayos. Nagpunas muna siya ng kanyang kamay bago tanggapin ang akin.

"Nice to meet you... and you don't have to address me with Ma'am. Aria will do." I said.

Mangha niyang nilingon si Ocampo. Nang dahil doon ay napalingon rin ako sakanya. I raised a brow. Ocampo only shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh... Okay... Aria..."

Ngumiti ako kay Damon at tsaka tinanguan iyong kasama niyang sundalo. 

"Buti ka pa madaling kausap. Hindi katulad ng isa dyan." 

Hindi ko na tiningnan pa ang reaksyon nilang dalawa dahil nagsimula na akong maglakad patungo sa office ni Daddy. Agad na sumunod si Ocampo sa akin.

"So, it's your turn now?" I asked without looking at him.

"Yes, Ma'am."

Ugh! It's so annoying to hear him calling me 'Ma'am'! Feeling ko tuloy sobrang tanda ko na! I know they're only trying to be respectful, but I already told him to not address me with that! Siya lang naman 'tong matigas ang ulo! 

Hindi ko na siya kinausap pa ulit pagkatapos noon. When we reached my father's office, I asked the guards outside if he's inside.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Okay. Can I come in?"

Tumango sila at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. Subsob sa trabaho si Daddy nang pumasok ako. Being the president of the Philippines is one heck of a job. Mukhang hindi na siya magkanda ugaga sa mga nirereview niyang files.

"Sweetie, what's wrong?" tanong ni Mommy.

"Uhm, nothing. I'm just here to ask for... for permission..." medyo nahihiya ko pang sinabi.

This is me trying to ask for their approval again. There's only forty percent chance that they're going to allow me, and the rest, you already know what that means.

"About what?" tanong ni Daddy. Hindi agad ako nakasagot. I turned to my mother. She only motioned me to continue.

I cleared my throat. "Kuya Sven asked me to hang out on Friday. He said that he's going to invite some of his friends. I'm just wondering if you're going to allow me? Because he's kind of... waiting."

Inalis ni Daddy ang suot na salamin at tsaka itinuko ang kanyang siko sa lamesa. Oh... this is getting serious isn't it?

"Si Sven na naman. What is it for?"

"For my... graduation celebration. He organized it for me."

Umangat ang kanyang kilay, bahagyang namangha sa ginawa ng pamangkin. He glanced my mother.

"You can come, Sweetie." nakangiting sinagot ni Mommy. My mouth parted.

"Really?!" I asked to make sure.

Ganoon nalang 'yon? Ganoon ko sila kabilis napapayag ngayon? Kuya Sven isn't bluffing after all. Malakas nga talaga siya kay Mommy.

Tumango si Mommy. I smiled. Nilingon ko naman si Daddy at nakitang nakasandal na siya sa kanyang swivel chair.

"Does his friends have any record of-"

"Leon..." pagputol ni Mommy.

"I'm just making sure. I don't want my daughter involved with some rascals again."

I pursed my lips. As if that's the only reason...

"You can go and ask Kuya Sven if you want to." sabi ko. My father's forehead creased. "I mean, to make sure, right?"

Hindi nagsalita si Daddy. Natahimik ang paligid kaya naman ay napilitan si Mommy na tumayo at pumagitna sa amin. Hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang balikat.

"Wag mo nang pansinin ang sinabi ng Daddy mo. You can go. But make sure you have your bodyguards with you," tamad ko siyang tiningnan. I nod my head. Of course... "Now go, you should tell your Kuya Sven about our decision. May pag-uusapan lang kami ng Daddy mo."

Tumango akong muli bago tuluyang binuksan ang pinto. Hindi pa ako nakakalabas ay narinig ko na silang may pinag-uusapan.

"Let Aria explore, Leon. Didn't you listen to what she said last night? She's unhappy! Baka siguro nagrerebelde ang anak mo dahil nasasakal na sa pagiging sobrang higpit natin."

"I'm just protecting our daughter, Amelia. Siya lang ang kaisa-isang anak natin. Hindi ko kayang mawala siya sa atin dahil lang sa pakikipagkaibigan niya sa mga maling tao."

"She's already grown up. She knows what she's doing. We need to trust her sometimes. That's the least that we can do to make our daughter feel better."

I took a deep breath. I shouldn't eavesdrop to their conversation. May kailangan pa akong gawin. Sigurado akong kanina pa naghihintay si Kuya Sven sa sagot nila Mommy.

Paglabas ko ng opisina ni Daddy ay agad kong kinuha ang aking telepono sa aking bulsa. I dialed Kuya Sven's number.

While waiting for him to pick-up, my gaze darted towards my bodyguard who seems to be staring at me for a while now. Naghihintay sigurong bumalik na ako sa kwarto ko.

I started walking. Nakakahiya naman kasi sakanya. Mukhang nainip siya sa paghihintay sa akin.

After it's fifth ring, Kuya Sven finally answered my call. Hindi pa ako nakakapagsalita ay narinig ko siya.

"Ugh! Goddamnit! Stop following me around! I'm just going to answer a call okay? As if I'm going to take drugs! Fuck! Tss... Hello, Aria?" Bungad niya.

"Ano na naman ang nangyayari dyan? Why do you sound mad?"

"As usual, annoying bodyguard strikes again. Keeps on following me everywhere! It's getting stressful."

I scoff. I glanced at Ocampo who's quietly walking beside me. I smirked. Good thing that I wasn't the only one with an annoying bodyguard.

"Same here."

"So, what's up? Pumayag?"

"Yes, pinayagan ako. Kind of surprised though. Mukhang malakas ka nga talaga kay Mommy."

"I freaking told you, Aria!" he laughed. "So, what now? Should I still invite some of my friends?"

"Duh! Of course! It would be boring if it's going to be just the two of us!"

Napansin kong napalingon sa gawi ko si Ocampo. His forehead is slightly creased.

"Damn right. Couldn't stomach the thought that I'd be with you for hours."

I rolled my eyes. "Go. Invite your friends now. I'm going to hang up."

"Fine, fine... See you on Friday, cuzzo." I cringed. Kuya Sven and his pet cringe worthy names.

"See you! Bye!"

Pagkababa niya ng tawag ay inilagay ko nang muli ang telepono sa aking bulsa. We stopped in front of my bedroom.

Just as I was about to close the door, I made an eye contact with Ocampo. Mukhang may gustong itanong. Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay pero hindi naman siya umimik.

I rolled my eyes. Weirdo.