HLS 1: Loving Kydel Shaun Aragon

Kabanata 19

Isang linggo na ang nakakalipas hindi na namin muling pinag-usapan pa ang tungkol sa agreement. I tried to understand why, but I have no answer until now. Hindi ko na muling tinanong pa si Yuki. I just settled on what we have right now. Hindi ko lang alam kung matatagalan ko ang set-up na ito.

"We're almost home," said Yuki.

I glanced at her for a second before shifting my eyes back to the road. I heaved a deep sigh. "Yeah," I said before maneuvering the steering wheel to the left.

Katahimikan ang namayani. The past days were so awkward between us. We did enjoy our time in Pagudpod, but there was this awkwardness between us that we failed to acknowledge. Or maybe we're both aware of it but we're just ignoring it. Thinking it was better that way.

After dropping Yuki off to her parents home, kaagad na rin akong umalis. Tinanong ko pa siya kung bakit doon siya nagpasyang umuwi at hindi sa condo niya, but she just shrugged and told me she missed her parents. Nakalimutan yata niyang sinabi niya sa akin na nag-out of the country ang pamilya niya. Ganoon pa man, hindi ko na lang binanggit.

On my way home, my phone rang. Brooklyn's calling. My brows furrowed. I cleared my throat before answering her call.

"Where are you, Kuya? We're going home tomorrow. May important meeting si Dad sa Pilipinas this week eh. He can't cancel it, sabi ng secretary urgent daw. I think something's going on with the company."

Hindi ko napigilan ang mapangiti nang matapos si Brooklyn sa pagsasalita. Napakadaldal talaga nito. Hindi ko alam kung saan ito nagmana sa pagiging madaldal gayong pareho namang tahimik si Mom and Dad.

"Is that so? Well, then I'll fetch you guys at the airport." I said.

"Alright," she said. "So, where are you? Are you with that special girl you mentioned to us?"

My smile faltered. Muli kong tumikhim. "I'm on my way home. I was with her. Actually kahahatid ko lang sa kaniya."

I heard Brooklyn giggled. "When are you going to introduce her? We're actually excited. Levi and I already made a bet. He said she's a spoiled brat that only wants you because you're handsome. And I said she's kind and lovely, kasi I know you're not going to like a girl na masama ang ugali, right? Levi's just being paranoid, and I think it's my fault because I always watch movies with him. Movies about the man being manipulated by his girl."

I chuckled. "You're cute, Brook," natatawa kong sabi bago iniliko ang kotse sa kaliwa. "Anyway, you're right. She's kind, sweet, and lovely. But she's a little stubborn and sometimes a little emotional. You'll like her."

She giggled again. I wonder how she'll react once I tell her it's Yuki. I hope she won't hate us.

-

Pagkapasok sa bahay ay saglit pa akong tumayo sa harap ng nakasarang pinto. Nang marinig ko ang papalayong tunog ng kotse ni Kydel ay saka lamang ako nakahinga ng maluwag. I slowly walked to the living room. Walang imik na naupo ako sa sofa. Muli'y isang buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ko.

It's passed ten in the evening.

Mahigit sa dalawampung minuto akong nakaupo sa sofa nang magpasya akong umakyat sa ikalawang palapag para sana ipagpatuloy ang pagpapahinga ko sa kwarto. Pero sa kasamaang-palad ay hindi natuloy nang bigla akong makarinig ng paparating na sasakyan sa labas. Five minutes after narinig ko naman ang mga yabag ng kung sinong nasa labas.

"Kuya?" I asked when I saw the doorknob twisted.

Awtomatikong nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang bumukas ang pinto. Hindi ko napigilan ang pag-alpas ng sigaw mula sa aking lalamunan.

"Who are you?" I asked. I grabbed the throw pillow and throw it at the man standing at the open door.

"What the f**k?"

Muli akong napatili nang maglakad ito palapit. Kaya naman muli akong dumampot ng unan at walang pasabing inihampas ito ng ilang beses sa lalaki.

"Stop it, you brat!" Mariin nitong sabi bago hinawakan ang mga kamay ko. He then pushed me down on the couch.

Malakas akong napasinghap. My eyes still wide open. "Who are you?" I asked while gasping for air.

"Who are you?" Tanong din nito.

My brows furrowed. "I lived here."

It his time to furrow his brows. "You're the daughter of Mr. Mrs. Sebastian?"

Instead of answering I pulled my arms na noon ko lang napansin na hawak nitong pareho sa isa nitong kamay. "Who are you?"

He slowly released his grip on my arms. "Nathan."

"What are you doing here?" Tanong ko pa nang mapagtanto kong hindi na ito muling magsasalita pa.

He sighed. "I'm here to check your house for the renovation."

"I don't believe you."

"I have your key. I'm telling you the truth."

I think he's telling the truth, dahil na rin sa susing hawak nito. But I should call my parents just to make sure.

"What renovation? Wala namang nababanggit sila Mommy sa akin tungkol sa bagay na iyon," sabi ko bago tumayo. Pasimple kong hinihimas ang aking mga braso na kanina lamang ay mahigpit niyang hawak.

"Call them para malaman mong nagsasabi ako ng totoo."

At iyon nga ang ginawa ko. Mabilis kong kinuha sa aking bag ang cellphone at kaagad na tinawagan si Mommy. Ilang minuto lamang kaming nag-usap, pagkatapos niyon ay nagpaalam na rin kaagad dahil may lakad pa raw ang mga ito.

Nathan raised his eyebrows. "Hmm,"

"Bakit ngayong gabi ka pumunta? Bakit hindi kaninang maliwanag pa or kahapon?" Salubong ang kilay na sabi ko.

"I was working."

"You should've at least knock or called for someone. Or, didn't you notice the lights were on?"

Lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ni Nathan. "You're unbelievable. Sure, you have the rights to say all that. But I don't have time to check. I was working, I was tired, and I have the key. Now, if you don't mind Ms...Princess can I check the house now so I can leave you alone?"

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. He put his hands on his waist and shook his head. Pagkatapos niyon ay mag-isa na nitong inilibot ang sarili sa buong bahay.

Sa hindi ko malamang dahilan ay nawala ang pagod ko. I went to the kitchen and look for something to eat. May nakita naman akong cookies sa pantry. I took it out and ate quietly in the dining table.

Saglit lamang ay naramdaman ko ang pagpasok ni Nathan sa kusina. Hindi ko ito tinapunan ng tingin. Pero kita ko mula sa gilid ng aking mga mata ang pagtayo nito sa bukana ng kusina. He's just standing there. I was about to look at him when we heard thunders. Kasunod niyon ang pagpatak ng ulan.

"Damn." I heard Nathan said. Marahas itong nagpakawala ng buntong-hininga bago akmang aalis nang pumunit sa langit ang sunod-sunod na pagkidlat.

"The f**k? Summer pero may bagyo?" Mahina kong bulong sa sarili bago mabilis na tinapos ang kinakain.

"It's unusual but not impossible."

"Did I ask for your opinion?" Napapaismid kong sabi.

His mouth parted then he let out a chuckle. "You must be Yuki. Your mother told me a lot of things about you."

"The ME says, I don't care."

Nathan chuckled. "Sungit."

"Pwede ka nang umalis kung tapos ka na."

"It's raining cats and dogs."

"Not my problem."

"Alright, Princess Sungit." He said while chuckling. Inilapag niya ang susi ng bahay sa harap ko.

Hindi na ako nakasagot pa dahil kaagad na ring umalis si Nathan. Malalaki ang hakbang na lumabs ito ng kusina. Last thing I heard was his car leaving our driveway.

"Nathan, huh." I said before completely retreating to my room after making sure all the doors and windows were locked.