CHAPTER SIXTEEN

WHAT Yelena didn't expect is a call from her mother when they got back in Hacienda Guerrera. Her iPhone was turned off the whole time they were in Querencia. Kaya naman naglabasan ang text messages galing kay Santi at sa mommy niya noong binuksan niya 'yon.

"Mom is calling," she showed the screen to Zacariel.

Nasa labas sila ng kwadra. Pinapakain nito si Silencio. Habang ang ibang tauhan naman ay ang ibang kabayo ang inaasikaso.

Her iPhone kept on ringing. She doesn't want to answer the call because she's worried that her mother would only scold her or give her a bad news. Ayaw niyang masira ang araw niya.

"You don't want to answer the call?"

Mabilis siyang umiling. Nang huminto ang pag tunog ay saka lang siya tila nakahinga ng matiwasay.

Zacariel stopped from feeding his horse. He faced her to give her his full attention.

"I didn't tell you that I texted your mom yesterday."

She frowned. "What did you tell her?"

"I arranged a meeting with them."

Umangat ang kilay niya. Hindi niya rin maintanggi ang kaba na unti-unting kumakalat sa dibdib niya.

They already talked about their next steps but she didn't expect him to be that fast! Wala pang bente-kwatro oras ang nakalipas noong mag usap sila kagabi pero gumawa na agad ito ng hakbang para maayos ang suliranin niya.

"That's why my mom is calling me."

"She texted me this morning and invited me to Casa Alta tonight." That's their mansion!

Yelena's mouth opened a bit. Really? Her family really liked Zacariel Guerrera! Kahit na tinanggihan ang mga ito noon ng binata, para bang hindi pa rin nawala ng pag-asa.

"My parents really likes you."

He shrug his shoulders in a smug way. "Who wouldn't like me for their daughter?"

She leered at him. He's that confident that he could be boastful.

Who wouldn't like a man like him by the way? He's from a prominent and respectable family. He never had a bad records. He and his siblings are known for being polite despite of their status in life. And most importantly, Guerreras men are known as a one woman man.

Oh well, except Zacariel? Or maybe she judged her enough. That she thinks he's kinda likes more women? That she already created an image of him being the most playful and womanizer in Guerrera's clan.

"Ang yabang mo naman," aniya at umirap.

"We'll go there together."

"And after that, you'll go back to Manila?"

"I still have to arrange my schedule to skip some meetings or I'll probably do it online. So I can stay longer here."

Gumuhit ang malapad na ngiti sa labi niya. Dahilan kung bakit supladong nag-iwas ng tingin sa kanya si Zacariel.

"I can stay here while you're here."

"If your parents allows you."

"There was no reason for them to stop me. Besides, we will get married, di ba? Hindi pa ba nila ako papayagan na manatili dito sa hacienda?"

"We have to wait for their decision, Yelena."

"What do you mean? Paano kung hindi sila pumayag na tayo ang magpakasal? Ano ang susunod nating gagawin?"

"I don't think about that right now. What I want to tell you is we still need their consent if they allow you to stay here or not."

Humalukipkip siya. "I'll text my mom that I want to extend my stay here."

There's a glimpse of amusement on the way his eyes stares at her. He then took a few steps forward to close their distance.

She's tall but she's still needs to looked up just to see his face. Dahil kung hindi niya 'yon gagawin, hanggang sa dibdib lang nito ang kayang abutin ng mga mata niya.

"You really want to stay with me, huh?" he carefully tuck some strands of her hair behind her ear.

"I hope you feel the same?"

"Of course."

She smiled sweetly at him. "Sana payagan din nila ako na mag stay sayo sa Maynila kahit na hindi pa tayo kasal."

Nanliit ang mga mata nito habang nakatitig sa kanya. Tapos ay nag-isang linya ang labi.

"Gano'n din naman, di ba? We are going to stay in one roof eventually. Let's make it early na."

He suddenly tilted his head and closed his eyes tightly. He licked his lower lips so that he could suppress a damn smile.

His adams apple moved that for some reason, it looked hot. He's wearing a cotton v-neck shirt, faded pants and boots. The muscles on his arms were eye catching. Even the way his veins protrudes didn't escape her eyes.

She held the shirt on his chest part. Para siyang paslit na nanghihingi ng atensyon. Kulang nalang ay pilitin ito na gano'n ang sabihin sa magulang niya para payagan siyang manatili sa Maynila na kasama ito.

"Zacariel, it's a good start for us. At least, we will get to know each other better by living together before we get married."

Humalakhak ito na para bang hindi na napigilan ang galak o nakakatawang bagay na kanina pa nagpapasaya rito.

"What's funny?" medyo inis niyang sabi.

He's chuckling when he shook his head. Ang mga mata ay maliwanag. Halatang nagagalak.

"I imagined you being in my office all day, than in our penthouse while waiting for me to get home."

"I could be in your office too. Wala naman akong gagawin sa penthouse. Unless I started my fashion design class."

"But for now, let's prepare for tonight's meeting with your parents."

Agaran siyang tumango. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala na kakausapin na ni Zacariel ang magulang niya para hingiin ang kamay niya. She must tell Santi about it!

Lunch came and she ate with Zacariel and his parents. Hindi pa nila napag-usapan kung kailan sasabihin sa mga ito ang relasyon nila. One of the thing that she likes about his parents is they don't meddle with their children's love life. She doesn't feel the pressure of confessing her relationship with Zacariel because of the freedom that they have. It was their choice if when they are going to let them know about their current status.

"We'll have our dinner in Casa Alta, Mamá."

"Are you going back here tonight?"

"Yes."

"How about Yelena?"

Nahinto siya sa tanong na iyon ni Donya Zarita.

"Nagpaalam na po ako kay mommy. Babalik din po ako dito mamayang gabi."

Zacariel glanced at her. She didn't tell him that her mother allowed her to stay in Hacienda Guerrera for a few more days. She wanted to surprise him with that though. Napa-aga nga lang ang munting rebelasyon niya.

"That's good to know, hija. You know that you're always welcome here, right?"

"Opo."

"Hindi ka naman siguro nag bakasyon dito para lang kay Zacariel?" mapanukso ang Donya, dahilan kung bakit talagang nasamid siya.

Mabuti nalang at maagap na nahaplos na Zacariel ang likod niya at inabutan pa siya ng tubig.

The way his mother's laugh made her cheeks burned. Para bang alam nitong may kung ano sa kanilang dalawa ng anak nito at na-kumpirma lalo nang masamid siya.

"I have no problem with you if ever you like my son-"

"Mamá," awat ni Zacariel.

"I honestly expected both of you to have a relationship," patuloy nito at hindi nagpaawat sa anak. "Sayang lang at hindi natuloy noong nakaraang taon. But seeing you two reunited made me happy."

Nawalan siya ng sasabihin. Nahahati sa kung aamin ba o hindi nalang talaga magsasalita. Mabuti nalang din at iniba ng Don ang usapan nila.

"Send my regards to Federigo, Yelena."

Federigo is her grandfather.

"I will po."

Matiwasay na natapos silang kumain at hindi binalikan pa ang tungkol sa kanila ni Zacariel. May ilang oras pa sila bago bumyahe papunta sa Casa Alta. She used that time to talk with Santi through video call.

"I've been calling you. Ganyan ka talaga kapag kasama si Zacariel. Nakakalimutan mo na ako." May pagtatampo sa boses ng kaibigan.

Yelena is laying on bed. It supposed to be a siesta time but she chose to just call her best friend to tell him the good news.

"I had to turn off my phone, Santi. I don't want my mother to disturb me."

"Paano naman ako? Ikaw lang ang kaibigan ko, Yelena. I have problem."

Santi dramatically sighed. He's also inside his bedroom. Nakahiga rin kagaya niya pero halatang may problema nga ito.

"What happened?"

"My personal bodyguard left me."

"Bakit naman? Inaway mo?"

Santi winced. Then shook his head.

"Let's just say that he had enough of me. He's professional but he obviously don't like me."

"It's his problem. It's his lost."

"But I felt like my heart is broken, Yelena."

Siya naman ang napangiwi. She knows that Santi has something with his personal bodyguard, but to know that his heart is broken because of him is surprising.

"Maybe you're just lonely? Do you wanna hang out?"

Nabuhayan ang kaibigan kaya napangiti siya.

"I'd like that! Pero paano? Kasama mo si Zacariel ngayon, di ba? At nasa Hacienda ka?"

"Yes. But we will go to Casa Alta for dinner. Zacariel will talk to my parents and you know what?" Sinadya niyang bitinin ang kaibigan.

"What?"

"I have a very good news for you, Santi."

"Spill the good news, Yelena."

"Zacariel will marry me!" she shrieked and smiled widely.

She sees how Santi's eyes widened. He even covered his mouth with him palm because he's also surprised!

"No way?!" he shook his head but his smile is getting wide too. "Really? What did you do? How did you convince him?"

"I'll tell you in person. Right now, let's just talk about your heart problem and see what I can do to make you feel better."

"Aw, that's so sweet..." Santi looked like he's melting. "But you know what, Yelena, I feel lighter to know that Zacariel finally decided to marry you. I am happy for you."

Ngumiti siya. "Salamat, Santi. You're special to me and you deserve to know what's going on with my love life."

"When are we going to celebrate? I'm excited!"

Tumawa sila pareho. She doesn't need a lot of friends because she's contented with Santi. Aside from him, she also have Zacariel who she can trust.

It was already dark when they arrived in Casa Alta. Her mother is the one who welcome them. The way her eyes twinkled when she saw Zacariel is a sign that she's glad to see him.

Mas nauna pa nga nitong nilapitan ang binata kaysa sa kanya.

"Hijo, we are delighted that you're here. It's been a long time." She kissed him cheek to cheek.

"I'm glad to be back here, Tita."

That's how confident he was to addressed her mother. Samantalang siya, Don at Donya pa rin ang tawag sa magulang nito kahit pa pwede namang Tito at Tita din.

"Mom," siya na ang lumapit sa ina at nakipag beso rin.

Saglit lang siyang tinignan nito at ang paraan pa ng tingin ay tila may ginawa siyang kasalanan. It made her confused though.

"Let's go inside. Papá and your Tito Safrano are waiting for you, Zacariel."

Zacariel is casually walking beside her mother while she's on the other side. She understands that they don't need to be so clingy towards each other because they are with her family.

Sa malawak na sala ay nakita niya ang pagtayo ng kanyang lolo at ng ama niya. Parehong mukhang istrikto ang mga ito kaya hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit binoto ng mga tao. Samantalang, kahit siya, ilag sa dalawa.

The men greeted each other in a formal way. Hindi pa muna ang mga ito nagpunta sa hapag. They stay there while having some light drinks.

"What did you do?" her mother asked in a low tone beside her.

"What, mommy?"

"Come," sabay simpleng hila nito sa braso niya papunta sa swimming pool area. "Ano ang sinabi mo kay Zacariel at biglang gusto kaming kausapin?"

She doesn't want to tell her mother the reason. Gusto niyang magpanggap na wala siyang alam sa gagawin ni Zacariel. She wants her family to know that it is his will why he wants to marry her and not because she told him to do so.

"Ano po ang sasabihin ko sa kanya?"

"I don't know to you, Yelena. But I am sure that he won't set a meeting for nothing. He won't waste his time for a casual dinner."

"He just told me that he wants to meet you, dad and lolo."

May pagdududa pa rin sa paraan ng pagtitig sa kanya ng ina.

"I hope what I feel is right. Otherwise, your father and grandfather would be disappointed."

"Mommy, it's just dinner. Don't expect too much."

"This is not just a casual dinner, Yelena. He could always have dinner somewhere and not here. Ikaw, ha, kung anoman ang sinabi mo kay Zacariel, malalaman ko rin 'yan."

She almost rolled her eyes. Kung hindi lang siya mapapagalitan pa lalo, ginawa niya na.

"Did you tell him that we already found a man for you to marry?"

"Yes. He knows about that."

"So, why he's here?"

"Ask him later, mom. Can we go and eat?"

Her mother sighed. She looked stressed. Kahit wala naman dapat problemahin. Tiyak na natutuwa ito kapag sinabi na ni Zacariel ang totoong pakay. Kaya lang nang makabalik sila sa sala, wala na roon ang tatlong lalaki.

"Where are they?" she muttered as she looked around the mansion.

"Madame, nasa library room po sila Senyor Federigo kasama si Senyorito Zacariel."

Nagkatinginan silang mag ina. She knows by now that her mother already have a hint what's really going on.

"Nagbilin po na hintayin sila sa hapag. Handa na po ang mga pagkain."

Napatingin siya sa pangalawang palapag kung nasaan ang library room. She really admired Zacariel's confidence and gut to talk with her father and grandfather, alone. It shows that he knows what he's doing and he's genuine with his intentions.

Nasa hapag kainan na sila ngunit hindi pa rin mapakali ang mommy niya.

"Ano ang pinag-uusapan nila? I don't think your father would tell me the full details."

"Maybe about business, horses or other stuffs that involved their interests."

"Stop acting that you don't know his reasons why he's here, Yelena. It's either he realized that he likes to marry you or you did something else to make him come here."

Yelena sipped on her juice.

"Mom, I suggest you to calm down-"

"Shut up, dear. I can't calm down. We already made a deal with your soon-to-be-husband and it will get ruined once you marry someone else."

Yelena shifted on her chair. Suddenly, her heart pounded.

"You made a deal without me? Wala po ba talaga akong karapatan na makialam kahit sa ganyang bagay lang, mommy?"

"It was your grandfather who made the deal. At kung tama nga na gusto ka ng pakasalan ni Zacariel, only your grandfather can cut the deal with them if he wants to. Zacariel is just lucky because your father and lolo are fond of him."

If it was not really a big deal, her grandfather can easily negotiate and cut the deal. But if it was big thing, it would be hard for her family to change their mind. At paano nga kung gano'n? Paano na sila ni Zacariel?

Ano ang gagawin nila kung sakaling hindi na magawan ng paraan ang napagkasunduan ng dalawang pamilya? Would Zacariel allow her to marry someone else? Or would they rather escape from her supposed marriage and break their family tradition?

"The only thing that comforted me is Guerreras are powerful enough that they could pull some strings to get what they want. Zacariel could help your grandfather to negotiate the deal for you to escape from your supposed groom, Yelena. You better pray for a good news once they are out from library room."

Her heart is booming against her chest. She sipped on her juice again and did what her mother told her--pray for a good news.