Chapter 2

“Excuse me po, Mom, Dad,” I said as my phone rang while we are eating.

Tinanguan ako ni Dad kaya kaagad akong nagpunta ng comfort room para sagutin ang tawag.

It is Rachel.

“Hey, what's with the sudden call? Kumakain kami sa labas nina Dad,” I told her while looking at my reflection in the mirror.

“I'm sorry! Kanina lang kasi.. itong si Felix obsessed talaga sa ‘yo! He even went here to ask your whereabouts as if sasabihin ko! Nagtanong din daw kay Milan!”

Napakunot kaagad ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. I rolled my eyes heavenward. “He's definitely obsessed. I'm sorry if he disturbed you. Ako na bahala sa lalaking ‘yan. I'll make him stop.”

She chuckled. “If I were you, susunod na ako sa parents ko. Magbakasyon ka na para hindi ka na guluhin ni Felix!”

Rachel keeps on telling me about it — that I should really leave this place for the mean time. Para na rin makaiwas kay Felix dahil kahit sila, ginugulo na rin ng lalaking iyon.

I just can't let this happen.

“Yeah, alright,” I said and ended the call.

I checked my face first before going out. My parents are discussing something when I called my Mom. Umupo ako sa harapan nila.

I saw how she looked and smiled a bit. Binaba niya ang wine glass na hawak. Nasa isang fine dining restaurant kami ngayon. Dad brought us here for our dinner.

Ang sabi niya, na-miss niya raw ako kaya kakain kami sa favorite restaurant niya.

“What is it, Alindra?” Mom asked.

“I.. just wanna ask kung kailan ba talaga tayo uuwi sa Liraya?”

Although I don't really like the idea of going back to that province — I just can't let Felix ruin my peaceful life! He keeps on bothering me these past weeks and I can't even make him stop!

Kung makulit si Edward, mas makulit si Felix! He's stressing me out!

“Oh, you look more interested now huh? Last time, even if you didn't say anything, alam kong ayaw mong umuwi. What happened now?”

I smirked. “Weeks have already passed, Mom. I realized that I really should go there especially it's been years since I went there. Gusto ko naman ding mag-vacation sa hometown ni Dad.”

Dad smiled with what I said. “That's a good decision, anak. Kung gusto mo, sa Sunday na ang alis natin.”

“This Sunday?” Pareho kaming nagulat ni Mom sa narinig kay Dad. “Alesso, is it too early? May classes pa si Alindra!”

“We have ways, don't worry. Hindi ko ipagkakait sa anak natin ang gusto niya,” Dad said and looked at me.

Napangiti na lang ako. When I finally had a chance to use my phone, I immediately texted my friends that I'll leave the city this coming Sunday. Kaagad naman silang nagulat sa binalita ko kaya kinabukasan - sa gate pa lang - nakaabang na sila sa akin.

“What are you guys doing here?” tanong ko kahit alam ko naman ang dahilan. Kinuha ko sa driver ang handbag. “Thanks, manong..”

“Hey, nagbibiro lang naman ako no'ng sinabi ko na umuwi ka ng Liraya para iwasan si Felix! This Sunday na kaagad ang alis niyo, Alindra!” Rachel said and crossed her arms. “If you want to, we'll make Felix stop! He's so crazy! At saka hindi pa tapos ang second semester---”

I faced her. “Sorry but I already told my parents about my decision. Magagalit lang sa akin si Mom kapag pabago-bago ako ng isip.”

“'Hindi ka namin ma-mi-miss, dude,” mayabang na sabi ni Erica. She jokingly punched my shoulder.

I just rolled my eyes at her. She has always been my frienemy.

Nagulat naman ako nang bigla nila akong niyakap na tatlo. To my surprise, Milan is now crying!

“You'll be missed, Lindra!”

I rolled my eyes and pushed them but their grip was strong. “Oh guys, come on! Aalis lang ako, hindi ako mamamatay!”

“Aalis ka, Alindra?”

Tumingin ako sa likod ko at nakita ko si Felix. He's holding a trophy while he's wearing their uniform. Athlete nga rin pala siya.

“Yeah and you can't do anything about it,” I said and smirked but my smirk faded when I saw him smiled wearily.

Am I guilty? No. Why would I be guilty anyway?

“Take care of yourself..”

I just nodded. Kahit gusto ko siyang ipahiya ngayon, sapat na ang pagkapahiya niya noong nakaraan. I'm tired of shouting and pushing him away. Leaving this place for a short period of time will be really a great escape for my existing problems.

Maybe I just really need to unwind.

“Guys, late na tayo sa first class! Come on!”

Hinila kami ni Rachel saka kami sabay-sabay na tumakbo. We are all rushing and because of that - sabay-sabay rin kaming nadapa sa may putikan!

“The freak!” I exclaimed.

“Oh my goshy! Yuck! Kadiri!” sigaw ni Milan. “This is your fault, Erica! Gosh, you keep on pushing us kasi eh!”

They blamed each other while we are still stuck in the mud. Nilinis ko na lang ang sarili. We decided to not attend our first class since we are also late already and we have no time to clean ourselves anymore. Mas lalo lang kaming pagagalitan sa ayos namin ngayon.

“Milan, ang ingay mo! Saka ‘yong biceps ko, sinusuntok mo! Awat na, dude!”

“Argh! Let go of me naman!” Milan told Erica as she is locking Milan's head with her arms.

“Guys, stop it! Hindi na nga tayo nakapasok sa first class eh!” saway naman ni Rachel sa kanila.

They both stopped from talking after that. Umiling-iling na lang ako sa dalawa. Erica is kind of bossy, boyish and she has a filthy mouth all of the time. While Milan is maarte. So maarte but she has a soft heart that makes her loved by everyone. Si Rachel naman, neutral lang. They are all fine, rich, good looking and also kind.

Although they are fighting sometimes, Erica is pissing me off, Milan is making me irritated and Rachel keeps on preaching about many things — I love them and I'll surely miss them when I go to Liraya.

I sighed and shove that thought away from my mind. I forced to smile. “Let's go outside. May alam akong coffee shop. My treat..”

Hinarang kaagad ako ni Erica nang tumayo ako. “Himala ba ‘to? Manlilibre ka?”

“Don't overreact, Erica. Hindi ‘to big deal.” I rolled my eyes at her.

Tumawa naman sina Milan at Rachel doon. We all stood up and walked away after cleaning up ourselves but Erica is still dumbfounded. She's still leaning on the door at hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin sa akin.

Well, I can't blame her. I never treat them before. Ngayon lang dahil aalis na ako.

“Bye, Erica!” we all said and chuckled.

“H-Hoy, saglit! Hintayin niyo ako! Gusto ko ng libre!”

. . .

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

Hinigit ko ang kamay sa matanda dahil sa sinabi niya. Nagulat din sina Rachel doon. We are about to go back to the school when we suddenly bumped into an old woman.

She even claimed that she is a fortune teller.

“W-What are you saying?”

Nanlalaki ang mata ng matanda habang nakatingin sa akin. “'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 shook my head. “I don't understand you, Lola. Wala naman sigurong masama sa vacation..”

“Oh my, Lindra! Let's go back na. I'm scared sa hulahooper na ‘to. Come on,” Milan whispered while gently pulling my arms.

Kung ano-ano pa ang sinabi ng matanda pero umalis na kami dahil hinila na nila ako.

“Ang weird no'n ah?” sabi ni Erica. “Pero what if totoo? ‘Wag ka na kayang tumuloy?”

I just rolled my eyes at her. There she goes again.

“Ano ba kayo? Manghuhula lang ‘yon. She's just probably guessing,” sabi naman ni Rachel at tumingin sa akin. “Don't mind her. Magugulo lang utak mo..”

I sighed and nodded.

Days have approached so fast. Nagising na lang ako na naka-pack na lahat ng mga gamit ko papuntang Liraya. My friends want to send me to the airport but I refused. They will just cry and I will be lonely because of that at hindi ko na gugustuhing umalis pa.

I hate dramas.

“Let's go, darling. Are you ready?” Mom entered my room after a few hours. Tumayo naman ako at tumango.

Naging mabilis ang biyahe papunta sa Liraya. We just need to ride on a boat so we can get to Puricia Grittonia — that according to Mom — it is the most beautiful part among the four parts of Liraya province.

“Ingat po, ma'am,” sabi ng isang namamangka habang inaalalayan akong umakyat sa bangka.

When I went up to the boat, my eyes seem to shine while looking at the breathtaking view. The blue sea is so wide that I can't even see the edge of it. Sa unang tingin pa lang, halatang malalim ang dagat na ito.

I can also see the crashing waves from here. May kalakasan ang alon pero payapa pa rin ang buong paligid.

It's just so relaxing.

I've never thought that this is the feeling of a true vacation as we used to travel abroad before. Kung magbabakasyon man kami, hindi sa ganito kagandang lugar.

I was busy staring at the blue sea when my phone suddenly beeped. Nagkatinginan kami ni Mom pero kaagad siyang umiwas ng tingin.

I received a text message from Erica.

Bago ka bumalik dito, dapat may mahanap kang boyfriend diyan dude. Ingat. ‘Wag kakalimutang lumandi!

I just rolled my eyes and laughed. Napatingin ulit tuloy si Mom at nagtaas ng kilay. I just shook my head as an answer.

“15 minutes na lang po nasa Grittonia na tayo,” an old man announced. I smiled a bit.

Binasa ko pa nang ilang ulit ang message ni Erica dahil hindi ako makapaniwala sa kaniya. And when I look around again, my heartbeat suddenly stopped from beating when I saw a guy that is wearing a gray shirt.

Their boat is now far from us and I can't clearly see him now. There is something strange that I felt when I saw him. Pilit kong hinahabol ng tingin ang lalaking iyon pero hindi ko na maaninag ang mukha niya.

“Alindra, bakit hindi ka mapakali? Sit properly!” Mom told me. I didn't notice that I was about to stand up! Muntik pa akong mahulog!

What the freak happened to me?

Muli kong nilingon ang lalaki pero tuluyan nang lumayo ang bangka nila. I just sighed and shrugged it off. Maybe I'm just hungry and tired.

Hindi nagkamali ang matanda sa sinabi niya kanina dahil maya-maya lang, narating na namin ang tinatawag nilang Puricia Grittonia.

It is the smallest yet the most wonderful part of Liraya.

“Sa hotel ba tayo mag-s-stay, Mom?”

Tumingin siya sa akin. “No. Don't you remember? We have a house here. Doon tayo tutuloy..”

Tumango na lang ako. I didn't know about it before or maybe, I know but I just forgot. Just like what I expected, there is already a van waiting for us. Nandoon na rin si Manong Grev para sunduin kami.

Habang nasa loob ng van, hindi ko mapigilang tumingin sa paligid. Probinsyang-probinsya. There are a lot of trees around the area. Halatang mahangin palagi kahit mainit ang sikat ng araw.

I closed my eyes to take a rest for a while. I didn't know that this could be exhausting. And when I opened my eyes again, nakarating na pala kami sa sinasabi ni Mom.

Nagising kaagad ang diwa ko nang makita ang aming mansion.

“Mom, I didn't know na may ganito tayo kagandang mansion sa province na ’to!” I told Mom in amusement.

Our mansion here was very fine. It's one of the examples of old but gold. Kung titingnan ay hindi mo mahahalatang may katagalan na. According to Mom, this mansion is a combination of old Spanish and modern style. It's relaxing and I admit that it's really beautiful here in Puricia Grittonia but still not enough to make me stay.

Hinahanap ko pa rin ang city.

Hindi ako nagkulong sa kuwarto o nagpakita ng hindi pagsang-ayon sa pagpunta namin dito. Somehow, Erica gave me a motivation to stay here even for a short period of time. I followed what my parents told me.

Alam ko namang hindi kami rito magtatagal. Or maybe, hahayaan ko lang munang mawala ang pagkabaliw ni Felix sa akin bago ako bumalik ng Manila.

In that way, my life will be at peace again.

Bumungad sa akin ang kahabaan ng isla ng Puricia Grittonia nang pumunta ako sa likuran ng mansion. It's been a long time since I went here but I think there's no evident changes at all. I don't know. O talagang baka sa sobrang tagal na simula nang umuwi kami rito, hindi ko na napansin ang mga nabago. Siguro ay naninibago lang ako.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko pa ginagawang big deal ang pag-stay rito.

I really don't know.

The waves of the sea seemed to welcome me as I got closer to the shore. It's still dawn when we arrived here but I admit that even when the sun wasn't still here a while ago, the beauty of nature here was still visible.

Coconut trees were everywhere around me. The sky is now blue not unlike a while ago — the sky was mixed of orange and yellow. I'm already missing the city but I think I can adjust here, too.

Siguro naman.

. . .

“Alindra.."

Hindi na ako nagulat nang lapitan ako ni Mom habang umiinom ako ng buko juice sa veranda. The view was breathtaking and I couldn't help but to look at it. I can see the wild waves from where I'm standing right now. It's all safe and relaxing here. Malayong-malayo sa syudad na nakasanayan ko.

I suddenly want to bring my friends here to witness all of these things.

I smiled as I say, "mom."

Hinihipan ng hangin ang medyo kulot niyang buhok, katulad ng akin. She's wearing a long white dress that she matches with a floppy hat. While I'm only wearing my favorite floral dress now.

"I just received a news about you.."

Sa sinabi niya ay nanlaki kaagad ang mata ko kahit hindi pa siya natatapos. She shouldn't know that I was kissed by a new student!

"M-Mom, no---"

"You're an honor student, honey! Congrats!"

Niyakap niya ako bigla. I stiffened for a moment but I hugged her back. Although her poker face remains, I can still feel that she's happy and proud of me.

Wait.. so it isn't about Calen and I last time? Or Edward? Even Felix? Or any other past relationships of mine?

It's about me being an honor student instead!

"You're really smart, hija. With that, I think that bringing you here in Grittonia is such a good decision that I made. Maipagmamalaki rin kita sa iba pang Rivera.."

Medyo gulat pa rin ako dahil sa sinabi ni Mom kaya hinayaan ko na lang siya na haplusin ang buhok ko. I'm really not a grade conscious. I don't care if I'm an honor student for this academic year or not.

Naalala ko pang ilang beses akong nag-skip ng classes dahil sa dates and catching up with high school friends. So when I knew that I'm a part of with honors, I was a bit shocked.

I didn't expect this to happen.

"You want them to be proud of you, right?" she said, still playing with my hair. "Even though you're an illegitimate child of your dad.."

Sa huling sinabi ni Mom ay napapikit na lang ako. Kahit ilang beses ko nang narinig iyon sa kaniya, may kirot pa rin sa puso ko.

Illegitimate child..

The memories of the past suddenly came up into my mind. It's still here in province of Liraya, back when I was still young. I can still vividly remember how my Dad's family humiliated us, especially me as an illegitimate child of him. As a child, it was very traumatic for me.

Tandang-tanda ko pa. Nasa isipan ko pa. Sobrang linaw. Parang kahapon lang nangyari lahat.

The pain is still here. I thought it's already gone but I was wrong.

According to my grandmother, my Dad is the eldest son of their family so he needed to marry a woman from a rich clan to maintain their wealth and to merge their companies.

He was once involved in arrange marriage but then he met my Mom, Minerva and had a child with her.

I was eight when I knew that Dad's first wife and two children died because of the calamity that happened here in Liraya many years ago. Nasa bangka sila nang mangyari iyon.

At kahit na nagkaroon naman na uli ng anak si Dad, it's still not enough. They never considered me as a legitimate child as I'm only Minerva Salvatierra's daughter - not so rich but definitely not also poor. Hindi sasapat ang yaman ng pamilya ni Mom para matanggap siya ng pamilya ni Dad.

Ganoon kalupit sina Lola. That's why I hate them up until now.

Although we're still lucky to have their businesses, we remained unwelcome to the Rivera family. Alam kong malungkot doon si Dad kaya as much as possible, pinararamdam ko sa kaniyang ayos lang kahit kaming tatlo lang muna ang magkakasama.

And that is also one of the reasons why I don't want to go here. But I still went here and followed my parents not only because I want to escape from my problems in the city.

It's also because I want to know if I have forgotten my traumas already. At gusto ko ring malaman kung natanggap na rin ba ako ng pamilya ni Dad.

I also want to be accepted as their family even when I hate them because of what they did to me before.

... ... ...