Chapter 11

“Hija, kung saan ka man pupunta, ‘wag ka nang tumuloy!”

“'Wag mo nang ituloy ang balak mo dahil may malalaman kang sikreto na hindi mo dapat malaman! Kung saan ka man pupunta ay masasaktan ka lang!”

I suddenly remembered the words that the old fortune teller told me before. Is it coincidence? O talagang totoong mangyayari ang sinasabi niya?

Her words were vague but I know that it has something to do with my Mom — having an affair with someone that I don't even know! It is so obvious that her guess was accurate on what is happening to me right now! I never thought that it would really happen!

Kung sana lang ay nakinig ako! But whether I came here in this island or not, I know that I'll eventually find the truth about my Mom and I'll be hurt, too just like what the fortune teller said to me.

That's for sure, I know.

Hindi ako halos nakatulog kagabi dahil doon. Ang inisip ko lang buong magdamag ay talagang nagsama na si Mom at ang kaniyang kabit. My mind was clouded by so many negative thoughts about them and also to my Dad.

Kung talagang ginawa iyon ni Mom, sigurado akong masasaktan si Dad! Hindi man lang niya kami inisip nang gawin niya iyon!

She's so selfish! She's heartless! She's not faithful to her husband! She doesn't care about us!

Kahit hindi ako sigurado kung pakakasal ba, I know very well that I won't be like her! I won't ever hurt my family just like what she's doing right now!

Naputol ang pag-iisip ko nang marinig ang pagtakbo ng kabayo papalapit sa akin. I craned my neck to look at Yves. I thought it was Vander because of the horse that he is riding. With thick brown leather boots, nagulat ako nang mabilis siyang bumaba sa harapan ako.

“Sasama ka sa akin sa rancho ngayong araw..”

I blinked many times while looking at him when he said that. I thought he's just kidding but his face is dead serious. At kailan man, hindi nagbiro ang lalaking ito.

“Rancho?”

Tumango naman siya. “Oo. Sa rancho nina Sir Vander. Doon ako nagtatrabaho..”

“I know but.. so what?” Tumaas ang kilay ko. Gusto kong pigilan ang sariling magtaray.

“Sabi mo gusto mong makabawi sa akin sa pagtulong ko sa ‘yo,” he told me while smirking. Magpoprotesta pa sana ako nang muli siyang magsalita, “'wag kang mag-alala, sasamahan mo lang ako. Wala kang ibang gagawin...”

Wala na akong nagawa nang alalayan niya akong sumakay sa kabayo. I feel like I suddenly lost the energy to argue with him. I'm not in the mood to speak right now because of the thoughts that running inside my messed up mind.

Nang makaupo sa kabayo, akala ko uupo sa harapan ko si Yves. Nang umihip nang malakas ang hangin, bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang maramdaman ang pag-upo niya sa may likuran ko. After that, I felt something on top of my head. It was a thin white cloth — covering my face.

“W-What is this for, Yves?”

“Baka may makakilala sa ‘yo...”

I stopped for a moment when I heard that from him. He said those words directly on my ears. At nang magsimula siyang patakbuhin ang kabayo, hindi na ako mapakali.

I don't know what's happening to me.

Hindi ko alam kung saan kakapit. Kung sa inilagay niya sa ulo ko o sa kaniya para hindi mahulog.

Gusto ko na lang pabilisin ang oras para matapos na ang ride na ito. Yves is so close to me that I'm now getting uncomfortable. But unlike before, I didn't complain anymore.

Mainit sa labas. It's almost noon but I'm here outside with Yves — riding on a horse. Somehow, it's windy so I have nothing to complain about. Kung maarawan man ay wala na akong masyadong pakialam.

For a fleeting moment, my heart stopped to beat. I don't know why. Naabutan ko na lang si Yves na tinigil na ang pagpapatakbo sa kabayo.

I saw him offered his hand to me. “Baba ka na.”

Kumapit ako sa kamay niya nang mahigpit. Dahil hinahawakan ko ang ibinigay niya, nadulas ako! I didn't expect that!

I was expecting that Yves would be the one to catch me. But I was shocked to see an unfamiliar face. Nang lumayo naman, nanlaki ang mata ko nang makitang pamilyar na pamilyar ang kaniyang mukha.

“Next time, don't be clumsy. Kumapit ka nang mabuti. Muntik pa akong mapilayan dahil sa ‘yo,” he said to me. His eyes were so cold. His brows were furrowed.

Masungit. Hindi ako nakapagsalita.

“Pasensya na ho, sir Iver,” sabi ni Yves at kinuha ako sa lalaki para alalayang tumayo.

My eyes are wide while looking at the guy. He's wearing a pissed look. Kung masungit si Yves ay mas masungit ang lalaking nasa harapan ko.

“Now, go back to your work,” sabi ng lalaki sa akin.

Kaagad namang kumunot ang noo ko. “Excuse me?”

I'm about to come near him but Yves' hands were too fast to stop me.

“Boss ko siya, Miss Alindra. ‘Wag ka nang mag-eskandalo, pakiusap,” bulong niya sa akin.

Naiinis ko siyang tiningnan saka binalingan ulit ang lalaki. He's not even smirking or what. He's still wearing that poker face of him. Kung titingnan ay para lang siyang rebultong nakatayo sa harapan namin. Walang reaksyon, walang pakiramdam.

”What's going on here, Yves? Kuya? Naririnig ko kayo sa kuwadra.” Nagulat naman ako nang biglang lumabas si Vander galing sa kung saan.

Hindi niya ako nakikita dahil nakaharang ang kabayo sa tabi. My face is also covered with cloth.

“Wala ho, Sir Vander. Magsisimula na akong magtrabaho..”

I rolled my eyes after I heard Yves' words. Tumingin muli ako sa lalaki. My eyes grew wider when I realized that he's the one that I'm looking for! That's why his face is quite familiar to me! Siya pala iyon!

Messy hair.. those cold brown eyes. That face. Alam kong siya iyon!

But right now, I don't care anymore. Even when he's the most handsome and the hottest guy here in the island, I won't be interested with him! Yes! Not anymore!

Kung ganoon ang ugali ay huwag na lang! Pinagkamalan pa akong nagtatrabaho sa kanila when in fact, I'm the daughter of Alesso Rivera!

When I saw that guy named Iver again in front of me, I didn't control myself anymore and showed up to Vander.

“Vander, kapatid mo ba ang lalaking ‘yon? He's rude! He even said---”

Nakita ko naman ang gulat sa mukha niya. “W-Wait. Alindra? What are you doing here?”

I rolled my eyes again sideward. “I don't want to discuss it here..”

Baka may makakilala pa sa akin at magsabi kay Dad!

I saw him nodded his head and told me to follow him. I didn't bother to look at the men at my back anymore. Umiinit ang ulo ko nang wala sa oras!

Akala ko dadalhin niya ako sa loob ng kanilang mansion na malapit lang sa rancho pero tumigil siya sa harapan ng malaking garden. I can't fully admire its beauty because of this familiar feeling of mine.

“So?” Tumaas ang kilay niya nang humarap sa akin.

“I'm here because.. I'm with Yves. I'm currently staying in their house at sinama niya ako rito.” I took a deep breath and looked away. “Pero hindi ko naman alam na may kapatid ka palang ganoon ang ugali..”

Umupo naman kami sa isang European style chairs sa gitna ng garden. It seems relaxing here but my mind doesn't want to be relaxed at this moment.

“I'm sorry. Gano'n lang talaga si Kuya,” he said and smiled apologetically. “Yves? Nag-s-stay ka sa kanila? I thought you hate him?”

Umikot muli ang mata ko. ”Just.. basta. It's a very long story and the reason is confidential. I just hope na hindi 'to makakarating sa parents ko. They're looking for me now pero ayaw ko pa munang umuwi sa amin..”

Tiningnan lang ako nang ilang sandali ni Vander bago siya tuluyang tumango sa sinabi ko. I know that he wants to ask me more details about it but because of what I told him, hindi na lang niya ginawa.

Instead of just staying there, Vander gave me a tour around their property. Hindi ako masyadong naka-focus sa sinasabi niya sa dami ng iniisip ko. I'm also worried that someone might see me here that will help Dad to find me. If that will happen, I'll be, again staying in that freaking mansion!

“May bagong panganak na kabayo. Nando'n sila sa loob. Let's check them out.”

Pumasok kami sa tinatawag nilang kwadra. Marami ang mga kabayong nandoon. They are maybe came from a long ride as they are just resting at this time. Most of the horses are brown in color. Bihira lang ang puting kabayo na nakikita ko. Makikintab din ang mga balahibo na halatang alagang-alaga ng mga nagtatrabaho rito.

I wonder if Yves works here for a long time already.

“She has a name?” tukoy ko sa malaking kabayong kulay brown. Katabi no'n ay ang kaniyang anak na sabi ni Vander, kalalabas lang.

I saw him smirked. “Wala pero baka pangalanan ni Yves. He always gives horses their own names like a pet..”

Umiling-iling pa ito. I looked away to see the horses around us. I just realized that I didn't wear an appropriate clothes. I should've worn my boots also. The mud is now stuck in my flats!

“Pinakain na ba sila, Manong?”

“Hindi ko ho alam kay Yves. Narito siya kanina. Kararating ko lang ho..”

I distanced myself to Vander when he talked to someone. Umikot muna ako sa loob ng kwadra. Halos lahat ay mayroong kabayo. Most of them are resting. Some are eating and maybe some horses are outside to deliver goods or for a ride.

Naririnig kong nag-uusap pa rin si Vander at matandang lalaking nag-aasikaso sa bagong panganak na kabayo.

“I'll just have a walk around,” I told him when he suddenly looked at my direction.

Tumango naman siya saka ngumiti. “Sige. Magkita na lang tayo sa garden pagkatapos mo..”

I'll just nodded my head and started to walk away. I can't help but to compare him to Yves. Vander smiles a lot. It seems like he's always happy while Yves is cold, rude and sometimes, he's arrogant! Minsan lang siya nagpapakita ng kabaitan!

Parang lagi pang napipilitan kapag ngumingisi o ngumingiti! He's so hard to please! Sa tingin ko kahit maganda pa si Regina, hindi niya 'to magugustuhan!

I just shoved those thoughts away from my mind. I'll just stress out myself if I keep on thinking about nonsense things.

I just focused on viewing the horses that I'm passing by. Kahit papaano ay nalilibang ako sa pagpunta rito. Somehow, Yves' idea is good. I'm thinking that he did this to make me forget about my problems even for temporary. He knows that I have a problem. Hindi niya nga lang alam kung ano iyon.

Nanlaki naman ang mata ko nang makita ko bigla si Yves sa gilid ng isa sa mga kabayo. He's holding a hose on his left hand. He's probably cleaning the wooden cages. Nanlaki naman lalo ang mga mata ko nang itapat niyang bigla ang hose sa kung nasaan ako!

“What the freak?!”

Napapikit ako sa inis nang maramdaman ko ang katawan kong basang-basa dahil sa tubig.

“A-Alindra!” Kaagad akong dinaluhan ni Yves pero iniwas ko sa kaniya ang katawan ko.

I irritatedly rolled my eyes. “Binasa mo ako! Mag-to-tour pa kami ni Vander!”

He's trying to hold me but I keep on avoiding him. Nakakairita ka talaga, Yves! Kahit kailan!

“May extra shirt ako. Magpalit ka muna,” he told me. This time, siya na mismo ang lumayo.

Umirap ulit ako. “Uuwi na lang ako!”

I was about to turned my back to him when he suddenly grabbed my hand and because of that, both of us fell off to the ground that is now full of mud.

Kung kanina, naiinis lang ako, ngayon galit na ako!

“Alindra..”

Nagulat na lang ako nang mapansing nasa ibabaw niya ako. I stopped for a moment to process everything and also to look at him. Ganito pala siya kapag malapitan. His eyes are closed as if he's hurt. He's also slightly biting his lips. Ang isang kamay ay halos nakayakap sa likuran ko. Ang isa naman ay nasa lupa.

I quickly stood up when he finally opened his eyes.

“Look what you've done, Yves! You ruined my dress! Freak it!” I screamed to release my anger and also to stop him from saying anything after he caught me looking.

Hindi siya kumibo. Kumunot na lang ang noo ko nang mabilisan siyang tumayo at hinila ako palayo roon.

“Ano ba? What are you doing? Saan mo ako dadalhin?!”

Gusto kong bumitiw sa pagkakahawak niya pero malakas siya! His grip is too strong that I can't even move my hand freely!

“Yves, ano ba?!” The mud on my dress is now sticking on my body!

Hinarap naman niya ako bigla. “'Magpapalit tayo ng damit. And please, tigilan mo muna ‘yang kaartehan mo..”

My eyes widened when he spoke that way. Sinabi niyang maarte ako! The freak?!

I was about to protest when I saw his warning look. I just deeply sighed and rolled my eyes as he held my wrist again. Hinayaan ko na lang siyang ganoon ang gawin sa akin. I know that I somehow have a fault because I was too careless but hell, I won't ever admit it to him!

Lalong sinabihan niya akong maarte!

Nagulat naman ako nang dalhin ako ni Yves sa maliit na banyo. The space is too small for us that's why he's so near to me now!

It's so tight here and I can't even breathe properly! Yves is here with me inside this bathroom and it's driving me crazy! Baka kung ano ang gawin niya!

“A-Anong ginagawa mo?” tanong ko nang maramdamang mas lalo pa siyang lumapit sa akin.

Itutulak ko na sana siya nang biglang magsalita, “may kinukuha ako sa likuran mo..”

That's when I saw a shower-like tool on his hand. Mahigpit niyang hawak ito hanggang sa magkaroon ng pagpatak ng tubig.

“Go away! Hindi tayo sabay maliligo!” naiirita kong sabi sa kaniya, nanlalaki ang mata.

Nakita ko ang pagngisi niya. “Hindi naman talaga..”

“Labas!”

I pushed him away and because of that, the door opened widely — causing me to see Iver — Vander's brother outside the bathroom. My eyes widened when I realized that he's watching us!

“Sir Iver..”

The guy looked at us with his cold eyes. Forehead is also creased. “We're giving you right amount of money in exchange of your service. But what are you doing? Sa oras ng trabaho, kasama mo ‘yang babae mo. Nasa loob kayo ng banyo. Ano sa tingin mo ang iisipin ko?”

“Magpapaliwanag ho ako, Sir Iver,” sabi ni Yves sa kaniya. He's almost begging.

“No need to explain. You're fired,” he said to Yves while looking at me. Nakataas ang kaniyang noong nakaharap sa amin bago kami iwan.

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