CHAPTER XXI

It was Saturday and Ara asked his brother to drop her to her former college. Hindi naman ito kumontra dahil ihahatid ngayon ng Kuya niya ang pamangkin na si Euki sa bahay ng magulang ng pumanaw na asawa.

Ara went to Professor Evangelista's office. Alam niyang maaga kung pumasok ang propesor tuwing sabado dahil may subject ito sa MBA.

Naabutan niya itong nagtitipa sa makinilya habang ang kaniyang salamin sa mata ay halos nakapatong sa matangos nitong ilong.

"Good morning, Prof," she said as she entered.

Nakasimangot itong lumingon pero agad din namang nagliwanag ang mukha nito nang masilayan ang mukha ng dalaga.

"Aba at nandito na naman ang paborito kong estudyante," tumayo ito. "I'm happy to see you, Ara."

"I'm happy to see you, too, Prof." she said genuinely. 

Giniya siya nito sa receiving area at pinaupo sa single sofa. The Professor served her an almond pica and a tea which she prefers. Naupo sa harap niya ang propesor at ngumiti sa kaniya.

"What brings you here, hija?" she said dearly.

"It's about my dream, Prof. Mas lalo siyang lumalala," nangunot ang noo ng professor sa sinabi niya.

"Have you read the book I've gave you?" she asked.

Napangiwing napailing naman siya.

"May mga lenguwahe kasi roon na hindi ko maintindihan, Prof. kaya hindi ko naman mabasa lahat."

Tumango-tango ang propesor at alam niyang naintindihan siya nito.

"Tell me specifically what your dream is about this time, hija." The professor said as she sip her tea with grace.

"Well...hindi ko rin talaga maintindihan kung bakit umabot sa ganitong punto. But it was weird. Kasi para talaga siyang totoo. Aside sa erotic dream ko, 'yong lalaki do'n...although I can't seem to see his face pero the feeling is too clear as if it was really happening. But lately, he stopped visiting me in my dream to have sex. Minsan, nag-uusap lang kami. I asked him questions that he never ever answered. The last time I saw him, he told me that I went to him to see him. Of course hindi ako naniwala. Pero kaninang madaling araw..." she trail trying to remember everything. "Parang sinasabi niya na ako ang bumibisita sa kaniya sa panaginip. Na kahit wala siyang gawin, ako mismo ang lalapit sa kaniya."

Tiningnan siya ng maigi ng propesor. Siya naman ay nakapag lamang ang pang-ibabang labi dahil sa hiya. Pero sino pa baa ng malalapitan niyang makakatulong sa kaniya. Her family will judge her, that's for sure. At si Jecca naman, puro kalokohan lang ang sasabihin nito sa kaniya. Baka isipin pa nitong nahihibang na siya.

"Do you have a boyfriend, Ara?"

"No," mabilis niyang sagot. "But there's this one guy..."

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang siya nang maalala si Thorn. She misses him badly. Kailan kaya niya ito muling makikita?

"Tell me about this guy."

"Kailan ko lang siya nakilala pero gustong-gusto ko talaga siya. Pero hindi ko alam kung gusto niya rin ako. He is a mystery to me. Iyon nga 'ata ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagustuhan ko siya. Then lately, sumama ako sa kaniya. Dalawang araw ko siyang kasama kasi gusto ko siyang mas lalong kilalanin pero kaunting bagay lang ang nalaman ko tungkol sa kaniya."

"When you're with this guy...do you dream with the other guy in your dreams?"

Napaisip siya. Come to think of it. Whenever she's with him, she never dream or visited this guy.

"Hindi po." Sagot niya at tumango lang ang propesor.

"So ito ang nakikita ko sa problema mo. Psychologically speaking...you were unconsciously wanting a guy who could make you feel like a lady that the guy you liked couldn't do to you. So ikaw, as the master of yourself, your unconscious builds a dream for you that could feed your need to body contact."

"Ha? You mean to say, prof, gusto kong makipag—"

Hindi na niya tinuloy ang sasabihin dahil maging siya ay nahihiya.

"That's the science of it, Ara." The professor said then turn grimly. "Or do you want another explanation way beyond science?"

"What could it be?" nakakunot-noo niyang tanong.

"Paranormal things. Supernatural. Strange things that can't be seen by normal eyes."

Napangiti siya sa sinabi ng propesor. Alam niyang hindi ito naniniwala sa mga gano'ng bagay.

"Prof, Thorn is anything but a supernatural being. Baka si Raguel, puwede pa!" natatawa niyang sabi.

"R-Raguel?" the professor said as if she was choking.

"Oh, yes, I forget to tell you that the man in my dreams has a name. He said his name is Raguel Asmodeus."

The professor clumsily spilled her tea and place it on the glass table with her hands shaking.

Halata ang pamumutla sa mukha ng propesor kaya hindi mapigilan ng dalaga na mag-alala.

"Prof...are you okay?"

Tumayo ang propesor at pumunta sa mesa nito. Kumuha ito ng papel at may sinulat. Siya naman ay lumapit rito at naupo sa visitor's chair sa humarap dito.

"Here," inabot nito ang papel sa kaniya na agad naman niyang binasa.

Page 475 and page 520

"Find that page on the book that I gave you. It could answer your questions." Seryosong sabi ng propesor.

"Oh, that." Dismayado niyang sabi. "There are words I can't read because it was written in foreign language."

Binuksan naman ng propesor ang drawer nito at kumuha ng susi. Then she opened another drawer at the side of her table. She handed her a black velvet long case.

"Wear this if you want to read what was written in the book..." the professor said.

She opened the case. It was some kind of a reading glass. It has a small round frame. The glass is smokey. A kind of glass you wouldn't normally see at the department store.

"It works only in a darkened room. But please, don't use it on midnight."

***

Ara didn't went home after she left professor Evangelista's office. Instead, she went to a mall to pass time. Mag-isa siyang nag-sine at nanuod ng animation movie. She even bought herself a whole bucket of popcorn and in-can coke. Then after an hour and a half, she went to the department store. She bought a new pair of shoes. She tried on a lot of dresses buying only one of it. Bumili rin siya ng pink onesie para kay baby Euki.

Nang mapagod ay kumain siya sa Biggs Diner—her favorite restaurant since childhood.

Nang tingnan niya ang phone niya ay nakita niyang maraming text ang kuya niya sa kaniya. Pinapauwi na siya nito. She ignored the text at muling ibinulsa ang phone. She continued eating before she decided to left the mall.

Nag commute siya at pumuntang Legazpi Boulevard. She took a lot of selfie then uploaded it on facebook. Bihira lang naman magka-laman ng mukha niya ang account niya kaya nilubos na niya. Besides, she only has less than four hundred friend list na karamihan ay relatives at mg aka-batch niya sa college and high school.

Nababalot ng makapal na ulap ang kalangitan. Marahil dahil sa panaka-nakang pagbuga ng Bulkang Mayon. Tuloy ay nakakalungkot itong pagmasdan. Mas lalo siyang nade-depress.

"Sana pala nag selfie man lang kami ni Thorn," bulong niya sa sarili.

Dapit hapon nang umuwi siya sa mansion ng mga Felices. Naabutan niya ang kaniyang kuya Mason sa salas na halatang hinihintay siya. She was thankful that her father wasn't on the scene.

"Where have you been?" Mason started.

"Hinatid mo ako sa school, 'di ba?" nakataas kilay niyang sagot.

"Binalikan kita pero wala pa raw tanghali ay lumabas ka na sabi ng guard."

Hindi siya sumagot. Bagkus ay tinalikuran niya ito. Pero bago pa siya makaakyat sa second floor ay mabilis nitong nahigit ang braso niya.

"Bakit ba ganiyan ka na, ha, Ara?" nakakunot-noo nitong sabi.

"Wala na ba akong karapatan magliwaliw?!" hindi niya mapigilang magtaas ng boses. "Nakikita mo 'tong hawak ko? Nag-shopping ako! Nag-sine ako! Kumain ako! Bawal ko na ba 'yon gawin? Am I not old enough to do things I want in life?!"

She was glaring at her brother. She never felt this angry towards him before. Masyado na itong OA sa pagiging protective sa kaniya.

"The last time we let you do things you want in life was when you lied to us! Grounded ka, remember?!" he deadpanned pero inirapan niya lamang ito.

"That was one time! You don't know how bad I felt about lying to all of you! Pero ikaw...para bang mortal sin na ang ginawa ko sa inyo! Pareho kayo ni Papa! Pinapa-laki niyo ang mga bagay-bagay na puwede namang pag-usapan!" she snapped angrily.

She could feel her cheeks burning with anger. Marami siyang gustong ilabas ng sama ng loob at ngayon ay para na siyang sasabog.

"Ganiyan ka na? Sumasagot ka na sa aming pamilya mo?! You weren't the Ara I knew!"

"This is the real Ara!" she immediately answered back. "You don't know how hard it was for me to suppress who I truly am! Pasensya na, Kuya. Pero hindi ako kagaya mo na goody-goody at sunod-sunuran ni Papa! I am not a puppet in this family! And I won't let myself controlled by anyone. Not Papa...and not even you!" she said with vile.

Tinalikuran niya ito at umakyat sa hagdan. But hefore she could reach the landing, her brother spoke.

"It was that guy, isn't it? He was a bad influence to you."

Abruptly, she turn around to face him.

"Stop being so judgemental! You don't even know him!"

"Simula nang makilala mo ang lalaking iyon ay nag-iba rin ang pag-uugli mo."

Naningkit ang mga mata ng dalaga at mabilis na bumaba.

"My attitude depends on how you treat me. You're being judgemental and I am just defending myself and him! Kaya puwede ba, huwag mong pinapakialaman ang buhay ko! Magkapatid lang tayo! Hindi kiya tatay!"

"Araceli!"

A loud masculine voice boomed inside the mansion. Pareho silang napatingin sa entrance door. Nakatayo roon ang ama ng magkapatid. And from the looks of him, parang kanina pa ito roon nakikinig.

"Apologize to your brother, Ara!""

"No!"

"Aba't—"

"Pa, away magkapatid lang 'to. Let me fix this with her—"

"You've been very disrespectful, Ara. And I won't tolerate that behavior of yours! Kaya habang maaga pa ay puputulin ko 'yang sungay mo!"

She wanted to cry but couldn't. Gusto niyang panindigan ang pagiging matigas ng ulo niya. Nakakasakal ang pamilya niya.

"Go to the altar room and kneel! Hindi ka kakakain...hindi ka matutulog hanggang sa hindi ka nagtatanda!"

Alter room. When was the last time she got punished and kneel for almost a day? Ah. When she was just eight years old. Nang aksidente niyang nahulog at mabasag ang holy family statue sa kuwarto ng Lola Soledad niya. Galit na galit ang ama niya kaya pinaluhod siya sa altar na may asin habang nagro-rosaryo. Kaya simula no'n ay naging maingat siya sa mga kilos niya para hindi na iyon maulit.

"Hindi na ako bata, Pa. Kailan mo ba ako ita-trato bilang isang babae na kaya ang kaniyang sarili? Why do you always think so low of me?"

"As long as you live under my roof, you will abide all my rules—"

"I'll leave then!" she said with a head held high.

Her father gape at her. Couldn't believe that words came out her mouth.

"Simula nang magtrabaho ka sa kumpanyang iyon nag-iba na rin ang ugali mo!"

She did not say anything. She could feel the hot tears about to come out her lids kaya mabilis siyang tumalikod at umakyat sa kuwarto. Hindi siya iiyak sa harap ng ama niya at ng kapatid niya.

She locked the door after her then opened her closet. Kinuha niya ang maleta sa ilalim ng kama at kinuha ang lahat ng damit niyang naka-hanger at walang ayos na pinasok sa maleta. Napuno niya ang dalawang maleta niya nang marinig niyang kumakatok sa pinto ang kapatid niya. Hindi niya ito pinansin at inilagay ang iba niya pang personal na kagamitan sa separate bag.

She took her phone and texted Jecca na sunduin siya. Kinuha niya rin ang librong binigay sa kaniya ng propersor at ipinasok sa bag.

She was almost done packing when the door opens. It was her mother and tita Belen. Her mother was holding a spare key. She couldn't helped but smirked bitterly. What's the use of having a lock inside your room when they have access outside?

"Anak, nag-away daw—why are your travel bags—are you leaving, Ara?"

"Ara, don't do this," her Tita Belen said.

"Hindi ko na gusto ang pag-trato sa akin ni Papa at Kuya, Mama. Napaka-over protective nila—wala na sa lugar!" she couldn't helped but said.

"Ara, anak, please understand your father and your brother. Mahal ka nila kaya nila 'yon nagagawa. Ikaw ang nag-iisang anak na babae ng papa mo kaya mahigpit siya sa'yo. Ang Kuya mo naman ay nawalan ng asawa kaya sa iyo niya binubuhos lahat ng attensyon niya." Malumanay na paliwanag ng mama niya pero umiling lamang siya.

"It's unfair. I felt like I am being deprived of my freedom. Gusto kong maging independent, Mama. Gusto kong matuto tumayo sa sarili kong mga paa. And I couldn't do that if Papa and Kuya is always on my way." She said with eyebrow creased.

She heard her mother sigh heavily then gave her a weak beam.

"Your father could be very suffocating sometimes," her mother said. "At maiintindihan ko kung gusto mo ng bumukod sa amin. I was the same your age when I left our home to work and study."

"Ara, kung gusto mo talagang bumukod, you can stay at my house in Legazpi. Para naman mapanatag kami na safe ang titirhan mo. Kami ang bahala ng Mama mo mag-kumbinsi kay Kuya Aro." Said her Tita Belen.

Tumango lamang siya sa dalawa. Walang makakapagpabago ng isip niya na umalis. It's for the best.

***

"No! No one will leave this house as long as I'm still alive!" her father said with anger when her mother and tita Belen open up about her leaving the house.

"Kuya naman..." pakiusap ng tita Belen niya pero hindi man lamang naantig ang ama niya.

Her brother has been very silent since she drop the news and was shock when he learned that she was supported by her mother and tita Belen.

"Aro, let your daughter decide for herself," she heard her Lola Soledad said.

"Mama! Pati ba naman ikaw?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ng papa niya.

"Titira si Ara sa bahay ni Bel. Malapit din 'yon sa pinagta-trabaho-an niya." Her mother said.

"So I must be relieve about that?" her father scoffed.

"Papa, hindi na ako bata. Gusto kong patunayan ang sarili ko. Hindi niyo ako kailangang protektahan dahil kaya ko ang sarili ko. I could take care of myself." She said.

"Nothing you will say that could change my mind, Ara. You're not leaving this house. Hindi ka na nahiya sa Kuya Mason mo. He has every chance to leave this house pero hindi niya ginawa. But you...my unica hija..."

"Huwag mong gawin kay Ara ang ginawa sa akin ng Papa, Kuya. Oo may sarili nga akong bahay pero tuluyan ba akong nakapag-bukod? Hindi dahil hanggang ngayon ay dito pa rin ako nakatira at iyon ay dahil din sa'yo!"

Hindi alam ni Ara kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng tita Belen niya sa sinabi nito.

"Aro, anak, don't you trust your daughter?" aniya ng kaniyang Lola Soledad.

Tumingin ang ama niya sa kaniya pero mabilis din itong nagbawi.

"She lied to this family. How could I trust her after that?" wika nito na may pagtatampo.

"I'm sorry, Pa, kung nagsinungaling ako."

Hindi niya masabi na nagsisisi siya although she felt bad about it. Because that two days with Thorn is the best thing that has ever happened to her normal boring life.

"Tell me one good reason why you lied then maybe I will let you live on your own," her father said.

She was tempted to tell the truth but she knew her father too well. All hell will break loose if he'd ever find out that he is with a man. Kapag sinasabi naman niyang nagbakasyon siya ng mag-isa ay mas lalo itong hindi maniniwala. So maybe tell him half the truth?

"T-there's...this guy whom I really like..." she started. Hindi na siya nagtaka nang marinig niya ang hindi pag sang-ayon ng ama niya.

"Sumama ka sa isang lalaki?!" hindi makapaniwalang saad ng ama.

"Aro, patapusin mo muna ang anak mo." Saway ng kaniyang ina.

"Tama ka daddy...sumama ako sa kaniya—pero mali ang iniisip niyo." Agap niya nang biglang mangunot ang mukha nito. "My intention is to get to know him. We did bonfire, we crossed a river, at nakilala ko ang isa sa kaibigan niya." She said smiling with the memories. Oh, how she misses Thorn so much.

"Did he take advantage on you?" her father asked grimly and she couldn't helped but cringe.

"He respects me, Papa. But it doesn't matter," she trail. "Hindi naman niya ako gusto." mahina niyang sabi.

"I want to meet this guy," biglang sabi ng kaniyang ama dahilan para manlaki ang mga mata niya.

"Pa, hindi mo ba narinig ang sinabi ko? Hindi niya ako gusto," nahihiya niyang sabi.

"If there is one thing I want to share with you, Ara, is that man will never spend a time with a woman they don't like. Or maybe, he just want you inside his pants—"

"Papa naman. Hindi siya gano'n. Besides, nasa business trip siya. Matagal siyang mawawala."

"Well, too, bad. Hanggang sa hindi ko nakikilala ang lalaking iyon—"

"Aro, don't be so unfair with Ara. Ginagamit mo lang ang kundisyon mo para hindi makaalis si Ara rito." Pagtatanggol ng mama niya.

"Fine." He said surrendering.

"Pa, you'll let Ara live on her own? She can't even cook her own meal!" pagkokontra ng Kuya Mason niya kaya sinimangutan niya ito.

"Only because Lola and Mama is the one who always cooks. And I can cook a very appetizing breakfast, thank you very much!" she said with sarcasm.

"I'll give you a month, Ara. Titira ka sa bahay ng tita Belen mo. But every weekend ay uuwi ka rito. Are we clear?"

A smile crept her rosy small lip.

"Opo."

"I will observe you in one month. Kapag may ginawa kang hindi ko nagustuhan ay babalik ka sa bahay na 'to at kailanman ay hindi ka na makakaalis dito kahit na magkaroon ka pa ng asawa. Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?"

"Yes, Pa."

To be continued...

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Guuuuuuuuys! Sinong pupunta sa Elyxion? ^____^// See youuuuuuu~

Sensya na kung may mga typos or kulang na words. Excited kasi ako nung tina-type ko 'to. I will edit it pa lang. :)