Lover

Kabanata 2

She is something, I don't know.

***

I hate rushing things here I am running for my fucking life. Changing my damn hair color and putting contact lenses so that no one will bother me.

I have to leave everything behind. There is nothing that will keep me there and I fucking hate that.

And I fucking hate everything that is happening to my life and all I can do is to go home.

I decided to answer my phone. I was going off for a while now.

"Why won't you fucking answer your phone, Stupid?" Singhal ni Riel sa kabilang linya.

"Because I am damn busy figuring out where to fucking go and your stupid calling didn't help at all." I replied savagely.

"You are damn reckless and stupid because you fucking book a goddamn flight without telling me beforehand and now begging me to pick your ass up here." Gigil na wika nito. Parang hindi naman kami mag-pinsan.

"Stupid. I didn't beg for you. I just told you that I bought a limited edition Chanel and Versace Collection. And I brought Champagne with me." Pagpapaalala ko dito Kung paano ko na-uto ang bobo na sunduin ako kahit 5:30 pa lang nang madaling araw.

"Aish, fine. Where the fuck are you?" Biglang bumait ang tono nito na nagpa-irap sa'kin. Ang papansin talaga ng hampaslupang 'to.

Akala mo naghihirap si Tanga. Mayroon naman siyang sariling Clothing line at Import and Export Company.

Sabagay mas maganda nga naman ang libre. Libre lang naman kasi ng mga sponsors ko ang mga ito. Kaya nga malakas ang loob ko na gawin lang pang-suhol dahil marami pa naman ako.

I left my house and some of my cars at my loft. I told my manager and management that I will be on hiatus. And they told me that they do understand. Especially Mr. Flainden. He was like the second father figure to me when I was staying at Camden.

Ang hindi ko maintindihan ay ang gagong trip ko na gawing surprise ang pagdating ko sa sariling pamilya. My older sister will kill me. She likes to baby me and she didn't know what happened to me. So instead of surprise she will be hysterical. And my family doesn't need to know. They will be devastated if ever and I didn't want that to happen. I love them endlessly and that's the last thing in my mind if ever.

"I am in Gate 4, Dumbass. Come here and get me." Utos ko dito narinig ko naman ang pagmumura nito sa kabilang linya dahil sa mga taong panay ang tingin sa kaniya.

Hayss, Riel bawi ka next life.

"God. Walk faster, Stupid." Bati naman ng magaling kong Pinsan.

"Why are you in a hurry?" Tanong ko dito habang nahihirapang hilahin ang gamit.

"Because the media will be here soon, Stupid." Sagot nito at tumulong na sa paghila ng gamit ko.

Nagulat naman ako nang biglang tumigil ang van sa harap namin. Tila hindi naman nagulat ang kasama ko dahil tauhan niya pala ang mga ito. Saglit pang mga tumulala sa'kin ang mga ito bago asikasuhin ang gamit ko. Habang ang kasama ko naman ay kalahating monster at yelo. Masyadong marahas at cold. Ako lang ata ang matino sa pamilya namin. Joke lang.

We, Constantine, were great people. We value our words and we will die for a promise.

Noong makasakay kami ay agad namang walang imik ang kasama ko. Habang ako naman ay nag-update sa Management na naka-uwi na ako. At sa aking manager.

Riel was busy on her phone too. Probably asking people to clear the road for us since I heard her busily cursing because of the annoying presence of the media.

"Did you tell Tita and Tito that you will be staying here for good, Rue?" Tanong nito habang seryosong naka-baling sa'kin.

"Nope. I want to surprise them. So, sayo muna ako makikitulog. I do have my promise to you in my luggage. Check it later. But let me rest. I am going to sleep." Walang ganang saad ko saka umayos ng upo para matulog. Tumango na lang ito sa'kin.

"I will wake you up when we get there." Saad nito habang nag-hum na lang ako para i-acknowledge ang sinabi niya.

***

"We are here." Tapik nito sa'kin at agad akong nag-mulat ng mata. Bukas na ang van and she was here standing outside of the vehicle while I was still strapped to the seat of her van.

"Can you just please ask them to put my things somewhere?" Paki-usap ko dito. I was so done with interaction for today. I am so fucking drain.

"It is okay, Rue. Just get yourself comfortable in my guestroom. Upstairs, left wing." Saad nito at ngumiti sa'kin, ako naman ay ngumiti pabalik at saka mabilis na bumaba ng sasakyan para makapagpahinga na sa loob.

Her place is so nice. Ano pa ba ang aasahan kay Riel. She is Vasprielle Iriya Constantine.

Agad naman akong makapasok at agad na nagpahinga. Bahala na bukas. I know they will announce everything and my company will conceal my sudden disappearance in London. I don't want anything from the industry to haunt me down here. I want to start something new. And I hope I will fucking love here.

I miss home. I miss being home.
I hope Hermana won't scold me. And I hope hindi muna dumaldal ang half monster at yelo na 'yon. Hermana will surely kill me.

Pero sa bukas pa naman 'yon so bukas na lang ako matatakot para sa buhay ko.

Sana lang pumabor ang lahat sa gusto kong mangyari. Life here in Philippines is different from what I am used to during my stay in Camden.

And I hope pursuing business program won't be something bad as I thought. I hope I am doing better planning my life here.

I really hope that this time things won't be cruel like the last time.

I cannot fail this time. It would be a total suicide.