Sadyang Mapaglaro Ang Tadhana (Feeble Love #2)

Kabanata 9

Alfeir

I remained my eyes on the clear blue skies while the fences around was dancing as wind blew gentle breezes. I can hear the birds singing and the endless flow of the water from the river. It's perfect here. During the night you could enjoy the overlooking city view of Manila and daytime, the moutain ranges view of sierra madre.

Everything is back to normal. Maayos na kami ni Mark pero yun nga... hindi na gaya ng dati.

"I can't promise Therese. I can't control it."

"My feelings for you would remained. Please give me time. I accept the damn fact that you only see me as your friend. Sa halos buwan na hindi mo ako pinansin, I was losing my mind. So, I realized you are right. It's better this way than... loosing you in this life time."

That was what he said. Kung iisipin, hindi naman mahirap magustuhan si Mark. It is just that, I won't risk it. Ayaw ko ipilit dahil hindi talaga. At ayaw ko dahil hindi ko kayang masira ang pagkakaibigan naming dalawa.

"Where are you going, Kuya?"

He was dressed up neatly, looking good with his clean cut hair. I raised my brows, he would probably say 'business' when in fact it's very obvious that he would be meeting someone that I know.

"Busines." He said. Mabilis ang pag-iwas ng mga mata.

Gotcha!

"Are you okay here, alone? Sa Rizal ako uuwi mamaya. Should I call Manang Helen to come here--

"Come on. I can handle myself. Tsaka nandyan naman ang caretaker." I cut him off.

We were raised to be strong and independent. My parents, both was a busy person, kaya maaga rin kaming namulat sa realidad. They gave everything to us, anything we want and need. It's a choice to be a brat or spoiled kid. But I choose not to. I understand why they are busy. At ayokong maging abusado sa mga bagay na binibigay ng magulang ko.

Every year to celebrate my birthday, I prefer to donate goods and gifts to a charity organisation instead of organizing a party. Ngayon na malapit na iyon, wala pa akong napipili.

Pumasok ako sa loob dahil padilim na. The thought of me alone tonight was giving me mixed emotion.

I don't know how to cook!

I opened the freezer and I saw beef and salmon. Kaonti na lang din ang natirang snacks na nabili namin. Gusto ko sanang pumunta sa bahay ng caretaker para magpatulong kaso sa dadaan pa sa ilog. It's already dark outside. I have no choice but to call my brother.

"Kuya. I have no food here." Mahinang ani ko. Dapat talaga pinapunta ko na lang si Manang Helen.

I heard him chuckled. Anong nakakatawa?

"What is funny?" Sambit ko pa dahil hindi pa siya nagsasalita dahil sa pagtawa.

"Where is your 'I can handle myself' Therese?" natatawang sambit niya. I can hear his annoying laugh.

"Kuya!"

"Before I left, I called someone to accompany you. Don't worry, Kuya got you okay? Alfeir will be there in a minutes." He said like he saw it coming. Kahit sinasabi ko na kaya ko naman, he won't let me. Gusto niya talaga ako palaging binibaby!

"Who?" I arched my brow. The name is not familiar to me.

I heard him laugh again. Ang saya niya ata ngayon hah?

"Alfeir. He's my friend, the one I talk about? Luckily, he's in Antipolo too."

What? He's a he?

Hindi ko maalala kung kailan niya nakwento iyon. Hindi ko na matandaan sa dami niyang kaibigan. My brother is a business man. So, he got a lot of friends everywhere.

Napatigil ako saglit dahil sa katok sa pinto.

"Alright. I think he's here?" Sambit ko habang papunta sa pinto. 

"Gotta go now. Take care please." Aniya at tuluyan nang binaba ang linya.

I opened the door and saw the back of the man. He's facing the view of Sierra madre. Nahagip ng mata ko ang balikat niya. I noticed, he's tall and masculine. Ganoon naman talaga halos karamihan ng kaibigan ni kuya. I'm used to it already.

"Are you Alfeir?" I asked.

It's certainly important to know first if he truly is the Alfeir that my Kuya pertaining to. Mahirap na, lalo't na mag-isa lang ako ngayon. Nang marinig niya ako, dahan dahan siyang humarap sa akin.

"What--

It was River. Muntikan na akong mabuwal sa kinakatayuan. Dahan dahan akong umatras. Pumukit pa ako at ikinusot ang mga mata dahil baka namamalikmata lang.

Pero hindi, siya talaga ang nasa harap ko!

The shocked on his face is also evident. His jaw literally dropped. Hindi niya rin siguro alam na ako yung pinunta niya.
Nahagip ng mga mata ko ang isang box ng grocery malapit sa pinto. May isang paper bag din doon na nakapatong galing sa Kenny Rogers.

"I-kaw ba yung sinasabing kaibigan ni Kuya?" Tanong ko. It makes no sense if he's not!

Dahan dahan siyang tumango. Tila naguguluhan pa kung ako ba talaga ang nasa harap niya ngayon. Sa dami ba naman ng kaibigan ni Kuya, bakit siya pa ang nautusan niya! I should not be rude. Nakakahiya na pumunta pa siya rito. Loosen up, Therese!

"Ah pasok ka?" Hindi ko alam kung bakit patanong ang naging tono ko!

His brows slightly arched. Iniwan ko na lang na nakabukas ang pinto para makapasok siya. Hindi nga nagtagal, sumunod na rin siya. He carried the box smoothly. Sa kaliwang kamay niya ang pagkain. Iginala niya ang tingin niya sa buong bahay nang matapos ay tumigil sa akin.

I suddenly feel conscious by his gaze. I feel like I'm sticky. Hindi pa ako naliligo.

"You can uh watch movie or you can roamed around. I need to take a bath first." I said before I go upstairs. Hindi ko na siya hinintay magsalita pa. Damn. What am I doing?

After I took a warm shower, I quickly changed into pajamas and crochet sweater. Bumaba rin agad ako kasi nakakahiya naman kahit gabi na, pumunta talaga siya rito. I wonder, ano kaya ang ginawa ni Kuya para mapapayag siya?

I search the living room but it was empty, even the kitchen too. But when I took a peek through the glass door, there I saw him in the pool side. Tinatanaw niya ang ilog galing dito. I gently took a step towards him. I need to say 'thank you' at least.

"Hi!" I said. I smiled shyly when he noticed me.

"Uh. I just wanna thank you. Hindi ko naman alam na kaibigan ka ni Kuya." Sambit ko, mabilis na iniwas ang mga mata.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot niya. He was wearing a adidas black jacket paired with khaki short. Paano kaya siya makakauwi ngayon? Hindi maganda ang daan dito lalo na pag gabi.

"It's not a problem." He said, his lips formed a smile.

The way he look on my eyes, it was intense. Hindi ko kayang labanan. Parang nalulunod ako, at alam kong mahihirapan na akong umahon.