Trust.

Lilia

"You still have me Lucy, You have Lucien and that child on your womb will soon come out, you have to be strong..."

I said trying to be strong as I embraced my sister tight on our father's funeral.

"He died because of me Lilia, he was so dissapointed, hindi ko dapat itinago ng ganun katagal."

Humahagulgol na saad nito, mahigpit ko lamang siyang niyakap at pinigilan ang sariling maiyak nadin.

"But I've never seen you so happy since you met him, since you made your own path sis. He was just surprised, but I'm sure he'll be the happiest if he see your joy. I'm still here for you Lucy."

I said comforting her, I stayed till her boyfriend came, akala ko ay magnanakaw dahil sa bintana pa talaga dumaan. Ipinaubaya ko muna sakaniya si ate, but I made sure his face is swelling before I go.

 After that, I went outside and walked. I walked without a destination, I walked wherever my feet are taking me, until I got exhausted.

Natigil nalamang ako sa isang street at naupo sa gilid. Ilang sandali akong tulala bago nagsituluan ang luha saaking mga mata na pilit kong pinipigilan. All the memories I had with my father came back to me.

"Panget."

A voice coming from a little child said, lumingon ako sakaiya habang puno ng luha ang mga mata ko.

"Panget ka."

Muling sambit ng batang lalaki, hindi ko siya pinansin, siya naman ay umupo lamang sa tabi ko habang patuloy ako sa pag iyak.

"Why are you still crying? I called you ugly. My mom calls me panget when I'm crying, ayaw kong pumangit, ang gwapo ko kaya."

He said, then did a cute little pogi sign then winked at me.

"Because I'm sad, that's why I'm crying."

I said with a broken voice, napanguso siya doon saka hinaplos haplos ang buhok ko. I just want to be alone but this little pipsqueak doesn't seems like he's gonna leave me here.

"Sorry for calling you ugly earlier, the truth is you're maganda po, mas maganda ka pa kay mommy, kasi si mommy mukang dragon."

Sa normal na pagkakataon ay matatawa siguro ako sa pinagsasabi ng bulinggit na ito. But I'm not in the mood right now.

"You have pretty eyes, but I won't be able to see it, if it's covered with tears, you know."

He shrugged, for a child, he's such a smooth talker, hindi ko padin siya pinansin dahil baka kulitin lang ako ng batang ito.

"If I kiss you, will you stop crying?"

He asked again, his innocent eyes were staring at me.

"Why? does your kiss has some kind of magic?"

Taas ang isang kilay na sambit ko, napanguso ito doon.

"Sungit mo naman, syempre walang magic tong kiss ko, tanda mo na naniniwala ka pa doon?"

Hirit nung bulilit, muli ay hindi ko siya pinansin at tumayo na upang magtungo sa mas tahimik na lugar.

"Ito naman di po mabiro."

Sambit niya habang nakasunod padin saakin.

"Asaan ba ang magulang mo? Baka hinahanap ka na."

Sabi ko nalang, umiling lamang ito.

"Nilayasan ko si mommy kanina."

Kamot ang ulong sabi nito na nagpakunot ng noo ko.

"That's not a good thing."

I commented, sumimangot lang ang batang lalaki at umiling.

"Habulin ba naman ako ng hanger, edi syempre tumakbo ako, masakit kaya yon. Uuwi ako kapag di niya ako papaluin, deal or no deal!"

Reklamo niya na ikinailing ko.

"that's bad, you'll make your mom worried, then she'll be sad, do you want that?"

I asked then sat infront of him, umiling ito saakin.

"Okay, I won't do it again."

He responded, my lips formed an 'o'.

"That's fast."

I commented.

"Well I don't want you to be sad too."

He said then held my cheeks as he kissed my forehead gently, napangiti ako doon.

"You have a beautiful smile."

He uttered then smiled widely.

"I kinda want to see  that everyday, my mom rarely smiles for me, she just nags and nags."

He added, so I smiled for him again, I probably won't see him again since I have to go back to my place tommorrow.

"When I grow up I want to marry you."

He again said, natawa ako doon.

"Aren't you too young to talk about marriage."

I said, umiling lang ito saakin saka ngumuso.

"But I want to marry you."

He again said while giving me a puppy eyes look, tumango nalamang ako, para hindi na ito mangulit pa.

"Fine, marry me then."

I said playfully then winked at him, malapad syang napangiti doon.

"Wade!"

An angry voice shouted, napangiwi doon ang bata. Mabilis na hinalikan nito ang pisngi ko at niyakap ako saka dali daling tumakbo.

"Napakasutil ng batang iyan, noon pa man."

Pagkukwento ni Adelina habang tumitingin kami ng pictures sa photo Album nila. Kararating lang nilang mag asawa kaninang umaga, mula sa kanilang out of town vacation.

"Sobrang kulit noon, ilang beses nahuhulog kung saan saan! kita mo yang picture niya dyan? inatake sya ng mga putakte noong tinirador niya."

Iling iling na sabi nito, ako naman ay tawang tawa sa litrato niyang iyon.

Napansin kong bukod sa pamilya niya ay madalas niyang kasama ang dalawa pang batang lalaki.

"This is Alphaeus and Ezekiel, parang magkakapatid na ang mga iyan. They've been together since they were little. Nagkahiwahiwalay lang sila noong nagkaroon ng kanya kanyang trabaho."

She giggled.

"Ang bilis nga ng panahon, dati lang eh tumatakbo pang nakahubo yang tatlong yan doon sa hacienda. Ngayon yang si Alphaeus Engineer na, Si Wade naman kahit sira ulo, naging maganda naman ang pagpapatakbo niya sa kompanya. Yang si Ezekiel dati lang ay care taker lang ng Hacienda Juarez, now he's in Denmark as one of the most successful business tycoon in there. I'm so glad seeing how successful they've become now."

Tila ba ay naiiyak na sabi nito, napangiti ako doon.

"You're part of that success Adelina."

I said then smiled at her.

We continued browsing the pictures, I enjoyed looking at Wade's childhood.

"Mom!"

It's Wade, nanlaki ang mata nito nang makita ang litrato nitong tinitignan namin ngayon. It's his picture in college, he's topless, his briefs are on his head, his face has a drawing of dick all over it and his body covered with flour while he is sleeping.

And beside him is Alpha that seems like in worst condition. Mukang lasing ang dalawa at napagtripan lang

"What the---"

Adelina didn't let him finish.

"Were just looking at your pictures, you look oa."

Irap nito sabay tingin uli saakin saka sa album. The next picture is Wade choking his friend Eseng. Napabungisngis ako doon, mukang ito ang gumawa sakanila non.

"Baby!"

Pagmamaktol ni Wade habang nakasimangot saamin, hindi namin siya pinansin.

"Ano pang tinatayo tayo mo diyan? diba tutulong ka pang mangumpuni sa Hacienda? shoo! alis na."

Irap ni Adelina, napaungos doon si Wade saka tumingin sa gawi ko, ngumisi lang ako at pabirong sinenyasan siyang umalis na.

"Babe naman, inaagaw ka niya saken!"

Sambit niyang napapadyak pa.

"Love you, drive safely."

I chuckled then winked at him, si Adelina naman ay kumapit sa braso ko at sinenyasan si Wade na umalis na, mahina akong natawa doon.

"This is so unfair."

He pouted then mouthed "I love you to me." That made me smile as I waved him good bye.

I spent more time with Adelina, looking at the photo albums, it makes me haappy, seeing Wade on the pictures.

"I'll just go to our room to get my phone, I think I saved attorney Diega's number in there."

I said, adelina smiled at me and nodded.

"Oh sure, I'll wait."

Sagot niya, ako naman ay tumayo na upang kunin ang phone ko sa kwarto namin. Pagdating ko roon ay agad ko namang kinuh ang phone ko sa bag. Paalis na ako nang mapansing nasa mesa ang phone ni Wade.

Looks like he forgot his phone, sabi pa naman niya kanina ay may inaabangan siyang tawag mula sa isang foreign investor.

"Guess I'll have to take this to him."

I uttered then went out of the room.

"Here it is Adelina."

I said then sat beside her, ibinigay ko sakaniya ang numero ni Attorney Diega.

"I'm telling you, she's the best Adelina, Your friend's case will be a piece of cake to her."

I said making her giggle.

"Well if it's you, who's recommending me, I have no doubt it's accurate, thank you."

She said then winked.

"Well glad I could help."

I said then smiled.

"By the way, Wade left his phone here, I think I should take this to him."

I said, nangunot ang noo niya doon.

"Ang batang yon talaga!"

Ngiwi nito.

"Don't bother Lilia, We can just ask the driver to take it to him."

She said with a smile, I just shook my head on her.

"It's okay, Wala rin naman akong ginagawa gaano, plus I want to see how much damage did the hacienda take and if I could offer some help. "

I uttered, her lips formed an 'o'

"Oh is that so?"

She uttered.

"Just take care on your way there okay? Hinatid naman na ng assistant mo yung kotse mo dito kanina diba?"

Sambit ni Adelina na nagpatago saakin.

"Yes, she already did."

I answered then smiled at her.

"drive safely then, tignan mo maigi ang daraanan mo. Madulas pa ang daan papunta roon, ingat sa pagmamaneho."

Ngiting sambit niya.

"Sure, I will.

I giggled.

"Thank you so much for your concern."

I responded, we talked for awhile till I decided to prepare myself to go to the Hacienda. It didn't take me long before I arrived in there.

Maputik at madulas ang daan kaya gaya ng sabi ni Adelina ay nag ingat ako sa pagmamaneho papunta sa paroroonan ko.

"Magandang umaga."

Bati ko sa babaeng nakasalubong ko pagdating ko sa ancestral house ng mga Juarez. If I remember correctly, last time Wade told me, her name is Rosing.

"Andito ba si Wade?"

Dagdag ko, pasimpleng kumibot ang kilay nitong tinignan ako mula taas hanggang baba. 

Tinaasan ko rin siya ng isang kilay at tinaliman ang tingin sa direksiyon niya, I'm asking nicely here and she dares to give me that look?

"So where is he?"

I asked again while looking at her, she just rolled her eyes on me.

"Wala siya dito."

Sambit niya saka tinalikuran na ako, nailing nalamang ako.

"Oh Lilia, ikaw pala, nagawi ka dito?"

She's the woman from the last time, named Gwen. Ngumiti akong kumaway sakaniya.

"Hello Gwen, kamusta?"

Bati kong malapad na nagpangiti sakaniya.

"Ay mabuti naman, buti at naaalala mo pa ako."

Saad niya sabay bumungisngis.

"Pasensya ka na pala diyan kay Rosing."

Umasim ang mukaa nito nang banggitin iyon.

"Ipinaglihi kasi iyan sa sama ng loob saka laging naistress na pagmumuka niya kaya ganyan yan."

Bulong niya, mahina akong natawa doon

"Okay lang."

Ngiti ko.

"Nga pala, nasaan si Wade?"

Tanong ko kay Gwen.

"Si Wade? ay hindi pa nagawi dito sa Hacienda."

Iling iling na sabi niya, nangunot ang noo ko roon.

"Eh nagpaalam saamin na tutulong daw dito?"

Sambit ko, umiling siya roon.

"Iyon din ang alam ko, pero oo nga."

Natigilan itong tumingin saakin.

"Nakita ni tay kanina yung kotse niya sa bungad, pero umalis din daw agad, kaya baka naman may nalimutan lang o dinaanan sandali."

My mouth formed an 'o'

"Ganun ba, nalimutan kasi niya itong phone niya kaya ako pumuna dito."

Saad kong nagpatango tango kay Gwen.

"Baka ay nagkasalisihan lang kayo, abangan mo nalang siguro, babalik din iyon dito. Kumain ka muna, may mga niluto kami."

Ngiti niya, ngumiti lang din ako pabalik saka nailing.

"Ayos lang, kakakain ko lang din, hihintayin ko nalang si Wade sa bungad."

Saad ko na nagpatango sakaniya.

"Sige, kung iyan ang gusto mo. Oh siya't balik muna ako sa trabaho at baka may masabi pa itong si mambabarang na si Rosing."

Bungisngis niya, natawa ako doon.

"Sige, ayos lang, ingat kayo."

Ngiti kong malapad na nagpangiti sakaniya. Ako naman ay bumalik na sa sasakyan ko at iminaiubra ito pabalik sa bungad ng Hacienda.

I'll just wait for Wade in there.

While waiting inside my car, I glanced at Wade's phone. Matagal din akong napatitig doon bago napabuntong hininga.

Weird, he's been trying to stop me from looking at his phone for awhile, hindi naman siya ganoon dati. I tried to type his old password, but looks like he already changed it.

And I don't like the idea.

Ayoko sa nararamdaman ko ngayon, it's frustrating.

I feel like my insecurities are slowly eating me, but I am trying to stop it. I think I really need to ask Wade about this matter.

Hindi ako maliliwanagan kung aawayin ko agad siya at kung magpapadala ako sa tampo at pagkainis na nararamdaman ko.

I sighed, natigil nalamang ako sa pag iisip nang mag ring ang phone ko.

It's an unregistered number, takang tinitigan ko iyon saka ko sinagot.

"Who's this?"

I asked calmly.

"I know where Andrada is."

Said the familiar voice.

"Cipriano, what do you need?"

I said coldly, David just chuckled.

"Is Hannah Vallegas really just a childhood friend? Well looking at them right now, I don't think so."

He uttered, medyo natigilan ako doon.

"Stop messing around and just get straight to the point."

Iritang sambit ko.

"Isn't it obvious? I am telling you this cause I care about you Lilia, not like this jerk Andrada."

He said, nangunot ang noo ko roon.

"Shut up, you're the jerk one here Cipriano."

Malamig na sabi kong nagpatawa sakaniya.

"Well see it yourself, At the Vallegas Mansion. Tignan mo kung paano ka ginagago ng lalaking pinili mo."

Iyon lamang ang sinabi niya saka pinatay na ang tawag. Mariin akong napapikit at hinilot nalamang ang aking sintido.

"I shouldn't believe him."

I whispered, but deep inside I'm scared, I'm holding on my trust towards Wade. I know, he wouldn't do anything to hurt me.

Pero walang mawawala kung pupuntahan ko sila roon at kung sakaling andoon man si Wade.

I'll prove Cipriano that Wade wouldn't do anything to break my trust.

I know he won't.