Kabanata 1
Letter
Tirik na ang haring araw nang magising ako. I must be exhausted from the party last night at hindi ko na namalayan ang oras nang pagbalik ko sa aking silid.
"Tinanghali ka na ng gising, hija" istriktang bungad sa 'kin ni mamá ng maka dalo ako sa hapag.
"Hayaan mo na Victoria at napagod sa selebrasyon. Mabuti na rin iyon at nang matutuhan niyang makasalamuha ang mga kaalyado" pagtatangol sa'kin ni papá.
Humalik ako sa kanilang pisngi bilang pagbati at tahimik nang nagtungo sa aking upuan.
Umikot ang kanilang diskusyon sa aming negosyo kaya nama'y pansamantalang naputol ang pagpuna sa'kin ni mamá.
I was raised in a house of Salvador-Chaves. Parehong nanggaling sa ma impluwensiyang angkan ang aking mga magulang.
Matinik mamahala ang aking ina sa negosyo at madugo namang mamalakad ang aking ama sa politika. Kaya nama'y ang pag-iisang dibdib nila ay kinikilabutan at naging banta sa karamihan.
Bilang nag-iisang bunga ng kanilang pagsasama, mainit ang mata ng mga tao sa'kin. A mistake could taint my family name. That is why even within our household, I must maintain a proper demeanor.
As a child, I was taught to live my life according to my brain and not let my heart falter my decisions.
"Magkasama kayo ng batang Alcazar." Bungad sa'kin ni mamá nang minsang halos ginabi ako sa pag-uwi.
It's not a question, rather, a statement.
Napalingon ako kay Ricardo na ngayo'y 'di na masuklian ang aking tingin.
"Opo, ma" maikli kong sagot sa kagustuhang matapos na ang usapan.
Pero hindi nagpatinag si mamá at pilit akong inusisa.
"Is he courting you, hija?" My mother watched my reaction.
"Hindi po. May ginawa lang na proyekto." I calmly responded.
Tumango ito ngunit tila hindi nakuntento sa aking tugon.
I understand her sentiments, the Alcazar is one of the prominent families in the entire Villaviciosa. However, their textile business won't be very much beneficial to our business, at taliwas sa aming pamilya ang kanilang pananaw sa politika. Kaya kahit na mabigat ang kanilang pangalan, mananatili silang walang halaga sa mata ng aking mga magulang.
As my mother speaks to me, I know these are the thoughts that came to her head. Memoryado ko ang takbo sa utak ng aking ina. As a matter of fact, I took after her.
Not only do my features resemble hers, but we also share the same character and attitude.
Ito na marahil ang dahilan kung bakit kailanman ay hindi ko magawang makumbinsi na minamahal niya ang aking ama.
Spanish blood is recognizable in my father's features, at kahit may katandaan na ay 'di parin nawawala ang pagiging matikas nito. Kaya 'di na kataka-taka kung isa siya sa mga kinahulugan ng salawal ng mga kababaihan noong kapanahunan niya.
But I know it takes more than that to please my mother. Mula sa mga kwento ni Manang Cecilia, ang mayordoma at pinaka matanda naming kasambay, my father was cunning as well. He offered something neither my grandparents nor my mother could ever resist- power.
Naging daan ito sa mabilis na pag lago ng aming negosoyo at pag lawak naman ng impluwensiya ng aking ama. Mas lalong naging matunog ang kanyang pangalan, at walang mintis ang kanyang pagkapanalo sa bawat pag takbo nito sa halalan.
After my discussion with mamá, I went straight to my room to take a shower. I let the warm water run through my body. The water trickles down my spine, giving me a sense of relaxation.
I'm used to being alone, but I don't enjoy the coldness that comes with it.
I stayed there for a while, allowing the water to wash away my exhaustion.
It was already past seven o'clock when I got out of the bathroom. I'm completing my Guerlain night ritual when my eyes caught a paper that lays on my desk. Its dark color stood out against my off-white with a taupe accent room.
Pinagmamasdan ko ang imbitasyon. It was sealed by a golden stamp, with an engraved initial of V.L. Naalala kong inabot nga ito sa'kin ni mamá nang matapos ang aming pag-uusap.
I opened the letter and found out that it was an invitation to a birthday party. Gaganapin ito sa susunod na Sabado, alas otso ng gabi.
"Lemaire..." I uttered as my finger ran across the engraved letters.
There is something about this name that makes me feel uneasy.
But it's odd, I rarely had any interaction with them. The last time we met back when I was...13, I guess? And I can't even recall much of it.
My thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of my phone. I slid my finger and an unregistered numbered pop from my inbox.
Unknown Number:
Hi can we meet at the café near DQ, instead?
I don't recall having plans for tomorrow, and the number wasn't registered, so I decided to disregard it.
Pero muli itong umilaw bilang senyales ng muling pagtangap ng mensahe.
Unknown Number:
It's Dylan, btw.
The Alcazar.
I stared blankly at my phone, wondering where did he get my number. I can't seem to remember giving it to him, at hindi rin naman niya ito hiningi.
I was skeptical to respond, thinking it may not be him. But my speculation went at rest when I received another message from him.
Unknown Number:
I got your number from Cheryl. You were in a hurry earlier and forgot to ask you. Hope u won't mind.
We couldn't discuss our next meeting, sa kagustuhan kong maka-uwi agad, so he must have thought we'd meet tomorrow. But I don't mind; the sooner we get this done, the better.
We usually work at the library pero maraming nasasayang na oras tuwing nagsasalitan kami sa paglabas patungo sa canteen o 'di kaya'y sa banyo. So, I guess, café would be more convenient.
Ako:
No problem. After class then?
It took few minutes before his reply came.
Dylan:
I'll meet with coach and my team for the distribution of jerseys. But I promise it will only take less than 20 minutes. Will it be fine if you'll wait a bit?
Miyerkules bukas and my classes will end at 3, wala rin naman akong gagawin bukas so I agreed.
Dylan:
Ok see you tomorrow, Liz. Goodnight :)
After reading his message, I went to my bed. The exhaustion got me but somehow I can't fall asleep. Unknown sensations are piling up in my head.
Am I bothered by Alcazar... or because of something else?
