School

"Susundan ko, ma. Kakausapin ko," seryusong sinabi ni kuya at nagbuntong-hininga.

Mother smirked darkly at him, anger is in her deep eyes. Father caressed her back gently and whispered a few things.

"Baka nabigla lang siya, Jianna. Hayaan mo na muna ang anak mo, inaasahan yata niyan na makabalik na siya ng Manila," si tita Razel.

She is my father's cousin and Alessandria is her only daughter. Meanwhile her sister, aunt Lyre is Andromeda's mother. Sa kanilang apat, si papa ang tatlo ang anak, kami 'yon. Samantalang isa lang ang anak nila.

Ilang araw na nagmukmok si ate sa kwarto niya at ayaw niyang lumabas. Ayaw ring kumain kaya nagagalit lalo si mama. Tingin ko rin ay sinasadya ni ate 'yon para maubos na ang pasensiya ni mama.

But I doubt that mother will soon change her mind, once she's decided about a certain thing...that will not change. It's absolute and irrevocable. That makes her dominant, well probably only submissive to father, sometimes.

Ilang araw rin tuloy akong hindi nakadalaw sa rancho dahil nagpa-party sina tita dahil nakauwi rin sila matapos ng ilang taon na hindi pagbisita sa mansion.

"Ma'am Sandra, nasa baba na po ang make up artist. Gusto niyo po bang papuntahin na lang sila rito sa kwarto mo?" Rinig kong tanong ng katulong mula sa labas ng kwarto ko.

I sighed deeply and went to open the door, the maid with the same age as my brother emerged.

"Bababa na ako, saglit lang."

"Sige po, miss Sandra."

"Si Andromeda at Alessandria? At si ate, bumaba na ba?"

Umiling ang katulong at tipid na ngumiti.

"Ang ate niyo lang po ang hindi bababa. Nasa baba na ho ang isang pinsan ninyo."

"Okay. Thanks."

Ayaw pa rin yata ni ate na bumaba kahit na may party na naman. She likes party so maybe she will come out from her room later? I wonder.

Palabas na ako nang bumukas din ang katapat na pinto, lumabas si Andromeda na nakasuot ng pink floral off shoulder dress. Abot 'yon sa itaas ng tuhod niya at lalo siyang nagmukhang anghel, o diwata sa suot niya.

"Sandra!"

She waved at me and smiled. Ngumiti rin ako at lumapit sa kaniya. Halos pareho ang style at design ng dress namin, maliban sa puti ang akin at nakalugay rin ang light brown na buhok. Inayos ng hair stylist ang wave kanina kaya mas lalong gumanda.

Andromeda is very soft spoken, our friends believe that in all Javier, she's the kindest and most modest one. Classy, elegant, quiet, angelic and very beautiful. Like a goddess of pink.

"Ang ganda natin, ang ganda naman ng pagkakagawa sa buhok mo," papuri niya.

"Maganda rin naman ang sa 'yo, mas nagmukha kang bata at diwata," I returned, referring to her long straight dark hair.

She's fair, tall, slender, slim and her nose is pointy. Her nose line is crazy, even I felt envious that she has a nicer nose than us. Her eyes has shades of blue, green, black and a bit of brown. And her lips are curved differently as if it was made with desires of perfection. It has slim edges and smooth surface.

"Diwata?" Natawa siya. "Ikaw parang anghel, hilig mo talaga sa puti."

"White looks neat and pure so I like it."

Inangkla niya ang braso sa akin, sabay na kaming bumaba. Mas matangkad siya sa akin dahil mas matanda ng isang taon. Maingay nang makababa kami, agad kong nakita si Alessandria na inaayusan ng make up.

She's wearing her favorite red spaghetti strap dress with a deep slit in her left thigh. That's always her style. Red and slits. She's as tall as Sera and also fair, hour glass body, big chest, long limbs and very tiny hip. Her hair is always curled at the tips and dyed with different colors, but tonight, she highlighted it with red.

Kumaway siya nang makita kami pero agad ding bumaling sa make up artist at mukhang pinatapos niya na ang pagme-make up.

"Ang gaganda naman," narinig kong sabi ni Kyo mula sa likuran. "Kailangan ko na namang maging alerto sa pagbabantay. Baka malusutan ako ng mga lalaki nito."

Hinawakan niya kami sa balikat at pumagitna siya. Andromeda smiled and kissed his left cheek, then it's my turn. I sighed and kissed his right cheek, too.

"Have fun tonight, Kyo. Don't worry about us, we're in the mansion. Come on!" Andromeda chuckled.

"Well, I now regret inviting so many male friends."

"Oh, come on."

"Don't be so kind to my friends, ayokong maakit sila."

Namungay ang mata niya at bumaba ang kamay sa likuran namin. He looks so handsome in his tuxedo and tie, with his hair clean cut he looks younger and neat. And he's very tall. He urged us to near the make up artist.

"You don't need it but maybe just a thin touch."

"Tapos na ako!"

Sinalubong kami ni Alessandria at agad siyang humalik kay Kyo. Their heights differed a bit, Alessandria's four inches diamond heels made her taller.

"Where is Sera? And Creed?"

"Ayaw lumabas ni ate," sagot ko. "Maybe you can convince her? She doesn't want to join the party, and she's still not done with her tantrums."

Umirap si Alessandria.

"Well, I understand her. Kahit ako ay ayaw rito, pero kung hindi ko mabago ang isipan ni mama ay hindi ako magmumukmok. I'd rather go out and enjoy it if I can't find a way out. Tsk!"

"Maganda naman dito, you girls hate the province so much." Napailing si Kyo at binitawan na kami.

Sinimulan na kaming lagyan ng manipis na make up, halos lahat din yata ng papuri binibigay ng make up artist at may nag-offer pa ng modeling. Thou we're not interested so we didn't give so much attention.

The party starts and Sera stayed in her room, I cannot believe her! She can ditch the party just to prove a point? Maraming nagsidatingang bisita na mula sa ibang syudad at barangay. Mga pamilyang maimpluwensiya rin at makapangyarihan sa lalawigan. Kahit mga kaibigang mayayaman nina kuya at Kyo.

"Nakauwi rin kayo, Razel, Lucas. Ilang taon din kayong hindi nakauwi sa mansion na 'to."

"Salvacion!"

"Kamusta ang Manila? Dreven?"

A man probably in his forties greeted the adults. Kasama nito ang anak at asawa niya.

"Manila is fine. How's business, Vacio?" Si papa at kinamayan ang kaibigan.

Kanina pang nagsimula ang party at naipakilala na rin kami sa mga kaibigan nila. Maliban sa mga huling dumarating at humahabol pa, kanina ko pang nakikita ang bagot na mukha ni Alessandria habang nakikipag-usap sa mga bisita.

"By the way, these are my children." Itinuro ni papa si kuya sa tabi ko bago ako. "This is my eldest, Creed. And my youngest, Sandra."

The man stared at us with a smirk. We introduced ourselves or more like I stared back meanwhile my brother extended his hand.

Napatingin ako sa anak nitong lalaki na kaedaran ko, nahuli kong nakatingin sa akin kaya agad na ngumiti.

"Hi, Victor," the boy introduced.

I sighed and accepted his hand, took mine immediately then without saying anything. He grew shy so he withdraw and just pouted his lips. A few more visitor kept coming until we're allowed to enjoy the party with friends.

Hinanap ko agad si Andromeda dahil wala pa naman akong kaibigan na pwedeng samahan. Si Alessandria ay agad naglaho at nakihalo sa mga kaibigan ni Kyo at kuya na mga babae.

"Sandra! Gusto mong uminom ng cocktail?" Umiling ako sa alok ng isang kaibigan ni kuya.

"Sandra, kumain muna tayo," salubong sa akin ni Andromeda sabay hila papunta sa buffet.

"Ang daming tao, ang saya sana nito kung kahit mayron man lang tayong isang kaibigan na taga rito."

Sumimangot siya kaya ngumisi ako. Well I have one friend already. O baka hindi rin, pero at least may kilala na ako rito.

"Why are you smirking?"

"Hmm, nothing. I just remembered something."

"What? Is it funny? Anyway, Sera's still not coming down?"

"Hindi pa rin, hindi ko nakita mula kanina. Siguro tulog o ano."

"I doubt that! Maybe she went down, she just doesn't want to show up."

Tumawa ako sa sinabi niya, kumuha kami ng pagkain sa buffet at pumunta sa mesang nakalaan para sa amin.

"Puntahan kaya natin sa kwarto niya? Kawawa naman siya, mag-isa lang siya ro'n."

"Let her be, she chose that. Maybe, like what you said she went down and sneaked around the party. We'll know it."

Tahimik lang kami habang kumakain at pinapanuod ang mga bisitang nakikipag-usap sa isa't isa. Another batch of foods were served by the house helps. Nang matapos kumain ay uminom kami ng wine, kunti lang ang kinuha namin ni Andromeda.

"Washroom lang ako, Sandra."

I nodded and watched her leave. Nagsimula akong mabagot sa party dahil hindi naman talaga ako mahilig. Some men, maybe my cousin's friend's went near me and I was immediately annoyed of their noise so I walked out. Pumunta ako sa garden, sa duyan, para suminghap ng preskong hangin panggabi.

The pale full moon gave me enough pale light to see the growing vast grass and the flowers. The cold wind whistled and danced my hair. Now I regret not bringing a book. It would be a perfect time to read.

"Hindi ka na nakabisita sa rancho."

Napatayo ako sa gulat nang makarinig ng pamilyar na boses. The swing moved when I stood up hastily. Kumalabog ang puso ko sa gulat, inakala ko kasing mag-isa ako tapps biglang may magsasalita.

Howl smirked when he noticed my reaction. Nakasuot siya ng itim at puting damit tulad ng waiter, may hawak din siyang tray at mukhang sinundan niya lang ako galing sa loob! And it seems he's one of the servants, too!

"N-Nandito ka pala. Hindi kita nakita." I cleared my throat and stood firm.

Napatingin ako sa damuhan nang naglakad siya palapit, pero agad ding nag-angat ng tingin. Hindi ko maintindihan ang mabilis pero payapang pintig ng puso ko.

I felt this strange emotion when he neared me enough and I smelled his scent. I stared at him and realized he's too neat to look at!

Nakatingin din siya sa akin at bahagyang nakangisi, madilim at kalahati ng mukha niya lang ang nasisinagan ng buwan. Lalo na nakatalikod siya rito. Hindi ko matanstya ang tangkad niya ngayon.

"Laging may party rito? Sabi ni kuya pangatlong gabi na ito."

"Ah, oo. Kaya hindi ako nakapunta sa rancho."

"I figured it out," sabi niya at ngumiti.

Umiwas ako ng tingin nang hindi natagalan ang titig niya. Thou his stares felt like daggers, it distracted me. I looked at him again and caught him watching me intently. His eyes dropped on my dress and he sighed slowly.

"You look great with your dress. Hindi ka ba nilalamig?"

"Hindi naman. Thanks. Ah, how's Cassian? Miss ko na siyang pakainin."

Dahan-dahan ulit akong umupo sa duyan habang pinapanuod niya. Tinagilid niya ang ulo at bahagya pang lumapit, ngayon nasa harapan ko na siya.

"Ayos lang, wala namang problema sa kaniya. Dadalaw ka ba ulit sa susunod na araw?"

"Titignan ko, kung hindi na ulit magpa-party rito."

"Iyon e kung makakadalaw ka pa."

Kumunot ang noo ko at tinignan siya.

"Bakit naman hindi? Wala na akong gagawin kapag gano'n."

"Hindi ba't uuwi na kayo ng Manila niyan? Malapit na ang pasukan, Sandra."

Now that he mentioned it, I wanted to express my thoughts about it. Hindi na ako nakareklamo kay mama dahil kay ate. Sure I'm okay with it but recently I've thought of my friends and my possible life her.

Ilang taon kaya kami rito? At may magiging kaibigan ba ako rito? Hindi ako gaanong palakaibigan, nasa Manila lahat ng kaibigan ko at hindi ko alam kung magiging excited ba ako na rito kami mag-aaral.

"Hmm, tahimik ka. May problema?"

"I don't think we'll go back to Manila soon."

I pouted. Tahimik lang siya kaya tumingala ako sa kaniya. He's watching me intently again, at naninimbang din. Hindi rin ako sigurado kung dapat kong sabihin sa kaniya pero wala namang mawawala at magkaibigan na ba kami?

"Hindi kayo aalis kung gano'n?" He concluded. "Dito ba kayo mag-aaral?"

"Ayaw ni ate, medyo ayos lang naman sa'kin."

"Baka nabigla lang siya, ayos naman dito. Pero hindi hamak na mas maganda sa Manila lalo na mas advance yata roon."

He's right.

"Pero may dahilan naman siguro ang papa niyo bakit dito niya kayo pag-aaralin."

"It's mama, not papa. She wants us to learn here, how it's like to live in the province. Hindi pa naman college kaya ayos lang sa'kin."

"Buti naman. You'll like it here, Sandra. You'll find friends here."

He smiled, I stared at him and wondered if that's true. Kasi kung hindi niya nakikita, hindi ako palakaibigang talaga.

"You think so? I am not friendly. Oftentimes, I intimidate people."

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa damuhan at sa paa ko, marahan kong tinulak ang sarili para magduyan. Matunog ang swing kaya tinigil ko rin kalaunan.

Humakbang pa siya palapit at nag-squat sa harapan ko, hindi kalayuan sa kinauupuan kong duyan. Our eyes leveled, I blinked when I saw his mysterious face clearly under the moonlight. His eyes are dark and yet mysteries and soft.

"You'll find friends here. Believe me. The right people will come to you, Sandra. As long as you're being good, and a kind kid."

Ngumuso ako imbis mangiti.

"I'm fifteen, Howl. Turning sixteen months from now. No longer a kid."

"Still a kid to me." He chuckled hoarsely.

"I'll grow up fast."

Now I find that argument a bit... meaningful. Napapaos siyang natawa at tumango, nakatitig pa rin sa'kin.

"Grow up fast then, I'll wait for you."