Nights Like This

Chapter 01

Chapter 01

Stubborn

"You perfectly timed your arrival, huh?" salubong ni Kuya Nikko sa akin.

I didn't expect him to pick me up. Wala rin naman kasi akong sinabihan na ngayon ang dating ko. Sometimes, it really freaks me out how my family knows my whereabouts even if I don't announce where I am at a particular time. It's like they have surveillance on me 24/7!

"Late for the firm's founding anniversary party but just in time for your boyfriend's birthday party. Your priorities are misplaced, Bob."

Napairap ako.

"Hindi ko nga boyfriend si Yael at alam mong ayokong sumasama sa mga ganyang party."

I have a strained relationship with my parents. Kung pupunta ako roon, magpapanggap pa ako na masaya sa harap ng mga tao kahit na hindi naman. Nakakapagod 'yon. Huwag na lang.

"Hindi ba? 'Cause the last time I checked, you two are in the tabloid headlines for being caught kissing in an exclusive yacht party."

Pinaalala niya na naman. Hindi yata talaga nila makakalimutan!

"Halikan lang naman 'yon, Kuya. It's not like I commited a crime or something."

Yael is a close friend of mine. A son of a politician. Matagal ng nagpaparamdam ng interes sa akin pero kahit kailan ay hindi ko binigyan ng pagkakataon para manligaw. Unfortunately, we both got too drunk at that particular yacht party and we ended up kissing. Nahuli pa kami at kinabukasan, laman na iyon ng balita.

I was supposed to pursue my internship here in the country but instead, I got shipped off to Orlando because of that issue. My family's reason was to remove me in the media's eyes until the issue dies down. Galit na galit si Mama at Papa dahil ang pangit na raw ng imahe ko sa mga tao. Sa totoo lang, wala naman akong pakialam. Buhay ko naman 'to at hindi importante sa akin ang opinyon ng mga taong hindi naman ako tuluyang kilala. But they were so adamant to make me leave! Atat na atat na ipatapon ako sa ibang bansa!

Two months later and I'm back for my last year in college. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ako na nakabalik na ako o ano. The freedom I experienced while living alone in Orlando was priceless. No parents hovering around my every move. No brothers who always stick their nose to my business. Mapayapa ang naging buhay ko roon. Malayong malayo sa buhay ko rito.

Nakarating kami sa sasakyan ni Kuya Nikko at pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto sa front seat.

"Driver ka na ngayon, Kuya?" tanong ko. Hindi niya ako sinagot hanggang sa makaikot siya at makapasok sa sasakyan.

"Just making sure you'll go straight home and not wander elsewhere."

My eyes widened when I realized what he meant. Tatakas na sana ako pero mabilis nang na-lock ang pinto ng sasakyan.

"Home... You mean in my condo, right? Not in the mansion..." Because hell will break loose if he brings me to our parents' house. Ayokong umuwi roon!

"Mansion," tipid niyang sagot.

Napapikit ako ng mariin. Handa na akong sumigaw kaya lang napagtanto ko na mas mapapasunod ko si Kuya Nikko sa gusto ko kung marahan ang pakikiusap ko.

"Kuya, sa condo ko na lang, please?" mahinahon kong pakiusap.

Nilingon niya ako saglit at nahuli ko ang nakakalokong ngiti niya.

"Papa's orders were to bring you home and not let you go back in your condo. Iyan ang napala mo sa mga kalokohan mo ngayong taon."

"Pero doon ako nakatira! Nandoon lahat ng gamit ko!"