Chapter 20 | Mansion

Two weeks passed and I got used to secretly meeting Lukan after class. Trojan was always there to help us not to get caught.

At first, I was nervous and unsure of my plan, dinamay ko pa si Lukan. Even when I said yes to his question, he asked me several times again to make me realize what I'd done. I was uncertain yet determined.

My phone was being tracked by my father too so, we couldn't communicate through texting.

Dad hired a new exclusive driver just for me. Dinuga iyon ng kaibigan ni Lukan na si Fred. In short, ang new driver ko ay galing sa mga tauhan ni Fred. Fred had connections because of his father.

Tuwing hinahatid sundo ako ng driver na iyon, nakasasama ko si Lukan sa sasakyan dahil walang humahabol o nanonood.

He'd ask me about my day and make me laugh like before, as if we weren't banned seeing each other. Every time I conversed with him, I felt comfortable and I would forget my fear and problems. The world seemed peaceful when he was around... and it was perfect.

He'd tell me stories, jokes and give gifts na parang araw-araw ay birthday ko. His gifts were simple and inexpensive but I appreciated them all.

"You seriously don't need to buy me things," I said as I accepted the cute keychain he gave me.

"I just want to kind of spoil you," he said back.

I chuckled because I really felt spoiled of him.

"I am now spoiled so, stop na muna. Save your money for your future," sabi ko.

"Ikaw naman ang future ko," banat niya.

I got used on all of his attitudes, even the bad ones yet sometimes, he still afforded to stun me and let the butterflies in my stomach panic. He was good on doing it and I loved it.

"Daming alam," nangingiti kong tugon.

"But okay... I'd stop for now kung gusto mo talaga," Lukan said.

"Hindi naman sa ayaw ko ang mga binibigay mo, ha? I appreciated them all... it's just that... baka nasasagabal ko na ang ipon mo," I said.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, maayos akong humawak ng pera," he assured me.

I nodded.

"Good to know you're wise when it comes to these things," puri ko.

"Mas gumaganda ka araw-araw," he complimented.

I looked at him with a mocking face.

"Napaka-random naman no'n," I said.

"Napapansin ko lang," aniya nang nakangiti.

"Thank you?" hindi ko siguradong sabi.

He laughed.

"Why are you still awkward whenever I praise you? Totoo naman," he asked.

I shrugged.

"Still not confident, siguro?" I answered.

Ngumuso si Lukan bago sinabing, "Then I'll compliment you more... para masanay ka."

I rolled my eyes and smiled after.

"Ang ganda-ganda mo, e," he complimented.

"Ewan ko sa 'yo, can't you see I'm cringing?" I asked.

He only laughed and continued praising me.

His friends would sometimes join us. I knew things about his friends because of it. Ang mga kaibigan pala ni Lukan ay mga kilalang tao rin sa mundo. I got shocked knowing it because his friends were so low key. They didn't act like some bratty rich kids ngunit umaasa lang naman pala sa pamilya.

Fred's family revolved around police and military matters. Gierro was the heir of their car company, maybe the reason why he wanted to be an engineer. Olivver's family owned a large oil factory, supplying almost half of the world... yet they all worked hard for themselves.

Lukan had the best people around him.

Sometimes, my curiosity of Lukan's family would cross my mind. I tried asking him about it but he'd always divert the talk to something else. He didn't look ready for it... and it seemed like he wanted it to be private. I respected his decision and told myself not to ask about it again.

The first day of September made me busy. The district competition for chess was nearing and I was training for it the whole week. I'd competed with teachers and whenever I'd lose, they would teach me my mistakes and loopholes. I practiced everything they advised and everyday, I'd notice my improvements.

Lukan once said an advice to me about the game. Nang sinubukan ko ay gumana nga iyon para sa akin kaya naman, pinilit ko siyang turuan pa ako ng ibang techniques.

I challenged him a game and he accepted it. We'd play chess later, dismissal.

"Pumayat ka na!" masiglang puna ni Trojan.

I only laughed because even I noticed the changes in me.

"Sana all inspired," biro ni Trojan.

Everyone noticed it, actually. Last time I weighted myself, 60 na ang aking timbang. Noon kasi ay 82.

Some would say encouraging words at me. Hindi ko man sila kilala ay nakatataba pa rin sa puso ang kanilang mga simpleng salita. Slowly, my surrounding felt light... hindi na tulad noon na halos magtago ako buong araw sa banyo upang hindi nila ako asarin.

They'd tease me... but not in the same way anymore. Their teases were positive and heartening. I couldn't help but to also be optimistic because of it.

"Ano ba, Trojan," I tried silencing my cousin.

He only laughed at me.

"Kumusta naman ang pagiging ninja?" he asked.

"Tiring but worth it..." I answered.

Then I became silent. I looked away because Trojan was like observing me. I was thinking about something for the past days and I couldn't confront Lukan about it.

"Something's bothering you," Trojan announced.

I nodded. Totoo namang mayroon talaga.

"Ano na naman 'yan?" masungit niyang tanong.

"A-Ano kasi..." na-uutal kong panimula.

"Ano? Nabuntis ka ni Lukan?" gulat niyang tanong.

Agad kong tinakpan ang kanyang bibig at nilibot ang tingin sa mga kaklase. Mabuti na lamang at hindi nila narinig ang maling bintang ni Trojan.

"Are you insane? Tingin mo ba ay ganoon ako, ha?" I angrily whispered.

"Aba't malay ko ba," masungit niyang wika sa normal na boses, mukhang kumalma na.

"Pakiramdam ko kasi ang sama ko ng tao," I said.

"Bakit naman?" he asked.

"Kasi lumalabag na ako... parang ganoon," I answered, unsure.

Trojan shifted on his seat. He lowered his head to level mine.

"Everybody's got their demons, Mia, even the kindest person can break down. We are born not to be perfect and committing sins are normal... na sa iyo na lamang iyan kung paano ka babawi sa iyong sarili o paano mo aayusin ang ginawa mong gulo," he said.

"I will be honest, I didn't like your idea meeting Lukan secretly and I knew he wasn't into it too in the first place. You did this behind your father's back, I somehow understood you but I won't lie that you were bad for doing it," he added.

"I am not saying this to brainwash or dictate you things, I wanted to be truthful. Lukan involved himself into this at dapat panagutan ninyong dalawa ito. If your guilt is eating your system, then I think it is now the time to tell tito Niko the truth," Trojan suggested.

He sighed.

"But you're happy?" he asked.

I nodded at that.

"Then whatever happens, don't regret the things that once made you happy," Trojan said.

"Even when I turned sinful and selfish?" I questioned.

"Isipin mo na lang ang iba diyang mas makasalanan sa 'yo, 'di ba? Kung masaya ka talaga kay Lukan at gano'n din siya sa iyo, kayang kaya ninyong ipakita kay tito Niko ang totoo," he answered.

I sighed.

"The the right thing to do is to be responsible for your actions. I bet Lukan thought ahead of this kaya sana, Mia, handa ka talaga," Trojan said.

I planned to talk to Lukan after class because of Trojan's words. I'd ask him if he also thought about this matter.

Nang nag-uwian, dali-dali akong tumungo sa aming sasakyan. When I arrived, Lukan wasn't there.

"Ma'am, pumunta po kanina si sir Lukan. Sabi niya raw po, hindi siya makasasabay ngayon," kuya Rikor, our driver, informed me.

Ganoon ba?

"Sige, kuya... tara na," I said.

I felt disappointed because I didn't get the chance to talk with Lukan. Siguro ay bukas na lamang o kapag may libre na kami muling oras. I bet he was busy because of his studies.

I tried closing my eyes while on the way back home. Nang subukan kong buksan ang aking mga mata ay napansin kong tila iba ang daan na aming tinahak.

"Kuya? Mali yata kayo ng pinasukan?" kabado kong tanong.

"Ma'am, tama lang po," he answered.

Ano? Tama? E sa diretso pa ang village namin! Kumaliwa siya sa isa! Hindi ito iyon.

Magp-protesta na sana ako at pipilitin si kuyang bumalik ngunit pinagmasdan ko saglit ang lugar. The houses were tall and elegant. My eyes couldn't help to admire the fancy lights in every house we passed by.

Maya-maya pa ay na sa harap na kami ng isang enggrandeng mansion. Punong-puno ito ng mga Christmas lights kung kaya't nagmukhang masiya ang bahay. Some of the lights were blinking slowly and some weren't blinking at all.

"Nandito na po tayo sa mansion ng mga Fortelleza," anunsyo ni kuya sa akin.

I got back into my senses. This was their mansion for heaven's sake! What was I doing here?