Resting in Blowing Gale (Element #1)

xiii

Pagkatapos ng exam ko, pumunta ako sa mansion. Naghihintay sa 'kin si lola at daddy. Si A naman ay nanatili sa kanyang sasakyan. Nag usap na rin kami ni Jade tungkol sa nalaman niya at sinabihan ako na kausapin ang dalawa.

"Good afternoon, Chairwoman and Chief." magalang kong bati sa dalawa at humalik sa pisngi nila.

"How's your exam?" tanong ni Chairwoman.

"Everything is fine, Chairwoman." tumikhim silang dalawa bago ako tiningnan. "I went here for a reason." panimula ko. Marahan silang tumango. Palagi naman na ganito, nagkikita kaming tatlo 'pag may kailangan.

"Well," panimula ni lola. "The man you thought is running after you is actually targeting your boyfriend." kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig.

"What? Why?"

"He is the son of the known GAMRAO." pagpapatuloy niya. Kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig. "O kilala sa tawag na 'Castiallianno Aviation Overhaul', isa sila sa pinakasikat at pinakamagaling sa larangan ng pag aayos ng mga lumilipad na sasakyan. Halos lahat ng airlines sa bansa ay hawak nila. May hawak rin sila sa ibang bansa..."

Kanila pala 'yon, doon kami nag papatingin at nag papa ayos ng mga eroplano.

"Kahit ang mga private properties ay hawak rin nila. At ngayon, sa negosyo, marami talagang karibal. Maraming inggit, maraming naghahangad ng mataas pa. Dito papasok ang Kavane's Aviation Services, pangalawa sa larangan ng mechanic. They want what Castillianno's has. They want more. At pakiramdam nila, may karapatan sila sa ganon dahil mas matagal na sila sa ganitong negosyo." kumunot ang noo ko.

"Paano naging mas mataas ang Castialliano kung may nauna pala sa kanila? Maybe their clients are not satisfied with their work." sambit ko.

Tumango silang dalawa. "Exactly. That's why they are targeting the heir. Your current boyfriend." sabi ni dad. Kunot ang noo akong sumagot.

"Why would they target the heir? The heir is still studying. Does he know everything about their business?"

"Yes. Apparently that boy is smart and has a bright future in running their business. The Kavane's knew about it."

"Well, yeah. I think he is indeed smart." sagot ko. "But well... that's dirty work. That's not fair."

"Everyone is ready to be dirty if it's about business, dear." sagot ni lola.

"What are we going to do now? How about his family? Do they need protection? I'll talk to Ija if they need it."

"Alam naman ng pamilya niya ang tungkol dito, apo. They have their own security."

"But it's also okay to add some, right?" I said. Tumango silang dalawa. "How about Skyler's safety?"

Nag buntong hininga si lola at sumulyap kay dad. Sumulyap rin si dad sa kanya bago sabay na tumingin sa akin, palipat lipat ang tingin ko sa dalawa. Parang alam ko na ang magiging sagot.

"We want you to live together." I knew it! "At alam namin na matagal ng may gusto sayo ang lalaki na 'yon."

What? They also knew about that? My...

"That boy waited for almost two years." nakangiting sagot ni dad. "We already talked to his parents, they agreed and they think that this is the best decision. You two will stay in a subdivision in Makati. The house is great, full of amenities, and a two storey house. Kayo na lang ang kulang."

"Ang bahay na nasa tapat ng inyo ay titirhan ni A. Ang magkatabing bahay niyo naman ay titirhan ng dalawang tauhan ni Ija. You don't need to worry anymore because that place's security is tight."