PROLOGUE
"When are you planning to visit your grandfather, Jaro?" my father asked after drinking a glass of water.
This is one of the nights where I get to spend my dinner at the mansion twice a month. Kung hindi pa tumawag si Mama ay tiyak na nasa condo ako.
"Oo nga anak. I get that you're busy with your studies but your grandfather isn't getting any younger anymore. Kung noon ay nakakabyahe pa ang lolo mo rito sa manila para bumisita pero ngayon ay pinagbabawal na sya ng doktor na bumyahe ng matagal." Sambit naman ni Mama. Nangongonsyensya.
Now that she has mentioned it, I realized that the old man still hasn't visit this year. I've been so busy that it hasn't crossed my mind.
Pinagbawal na ng doktor? Why? Last time I checked he's healthy as a horse. That old man may be acting up again and making excuses. Lagi niyang inerereklamo na kesyo siya lagi ang bumibisita sa amin at hindi kami, lagi pang sinasabi na siya naman ang puntahan at bisitahin.
"Don't worry, Ma. My finals are almost done and when the semester ends I might take a vacation at Gramps." I said, not really sure of it.
I barely make time for myself now because of my hectic schedule and hell I don't have time with vacations!
The dinner continued with my mother's typical how are you's in life and my father only watching.
"So how's your studies?" Tanong ni Papa.
Nang matapos sa hapunan ay dumiretso kami ni Papa dito sa kanyang opisina.
"Good. I might graduate early as expected if I take extra units." Ani ko habang nakaupo kapit ang kopita na sinalinan niya ng alak.
"That's good. The sooner the better, Son. You know your sister doesn't have any interest in taking over the company and I needed a replacement already."
"I know, mahirap pilitin ang ayaw, Papa. Let her be, for now." Looking at my father now, I know he's somewhat worried. Nag-aalala dahil ang panganay nya ay nasa ibang bansa at sinusundan ang nobyo.
"Tatanda ako ng maaga dahil sa ate mo, Jaro. I don't know how to handle her stubbornness! When will she grow up and stop following that boy around?! If only I hadn't been friends with that man's family then he'd be buried ten feet underground ." my father burst out and I chuckled. Napapailing ko na lamang na ininom ang alak habang tinitignan ang ama ko.
My sister's too lovesick to stop with her foolishness but we couldn't do anything about it. Father loves her so much he lets her do everything she wants and then worries after letting her be.
Tsk! Tsk! If I were to have a daughter like her, I'm making sure she isn't the one going after boys but the other way around.
"Well, you wouldn't be saying those things right now if only you didn't allow her to go." I replied to his sentiments.
My father and I continued talking until it was time for me to go back to my condo and finish some paperworks.
"Jaro, my man!" I glanced at my back only to see Alistair walking towards me.
"Hey man." Sambit ko at tapik sa kanyang balikat.
"Some of the girls are looking for you downstairs, dude." anito habang sumisimsim ng alak sa basong hawak nya. Hindi ko ito pinansin at saglit ko lamang itong tinignan at ibinalik narin ang paningin sa ibaba. I see people dancing and getting wild at the center of the bar, some are making out and some wandering.
Tulad ko ay gumaya rin si Alistair na humilig sa balustre at tinignan ang mga nasa ibaba.
"Damn! These crazy people!" he said, chuckling.
"I heard you're going to Spain next week?" I asked him still looking down.
"Yeah, but it's only for a few days then I'm off to France. What 'bout you, man? We have two weeks 'till summer starts. Planning on going somewhere?" kakatapos lang ng finals namin at meron kaming dalawang linggong bakasyon bago ulit magsimula ang klase ngayong summer.
I've already promised my mother to visit the old man when the semesters end so I'd probably spend my two weeks at the hacienda.
My last visit there was when I was still sixteen, that was five years ago. Iyon nga lang ay hindi na nasundan ng sunod pang pagbisita dahil mas naging tutok ako sa pagaaral.
"Just the province. My mother wants me to visit the old man." ani ko at inubos na ang laman sa basong hawak ko.
"What?.....Damn, Bro! There's nothing there but a bunch of cows and goats! I bet you couldn't survive there without women." Naiiling at nang-aasar niyang sabi.
"I'm not like you, asshole. And besides, I miss riding horses, too." I replied and smacked him at the arm.
Five years since my last visit and I'm sure some things have changed there. I suddenly remembered Jack, the horse my grandmother gave me as a present. I wonder if he still remembers me....
Just as I was thinking of my horse and here I am driving along the road headed to my grandfather's mansion.
"Maligayang pagbabalik, Senyorito." one of the assigned guards at the gate greeted.
Tinanguan ko lamang ito pabalik at dumiretso na papasok. Nang pababa ng kotse ay siya ring sumalubong ang isa sa mga katulong upang kunin ang dala kong duffel bag. It's just two weeks so I didn't bring lots of clothes and knowing my grandfather, he probably bought some extras.
"Welcome back, Apo!" Sa lakas ng boses ni Lolo ay iisipin kong wala itong iniinom na maintenance. Naroon sya sa entrada ng mansyon habang hawak ang kanyang tungkod.
"Good to see you too, Lo!" pagbati ko rito pabalik at yumakap nang makalapit ng tuluyan.
"Halina't pumasok ka na at kumain ng hapunan at nang makapagpahinga pagkatapos. Sigurado akong napagod ka sa byahe, Apo." he said while leading me to the entrance.
The sun had already set when I arrived so I didn't have time to look at the exterior of the property but as I entered the mansion, the sparkling crystals of the chandelier welcomed me.
Hmmm, Grandfather didn't have to light that up just because I'm arriving. On normal days, that chandelier is turned off and only the usual light fixtures are on.
"I see you made an effort, old man." I said mocking him but he only grinned.
"I know, you're welcome." he said and led me to the dining room.
