Chapter 17
"Ate," I called her. She was just driving sternly, with hands still gripping tightly on the steering wheel. "Hindi ko naman alam, na may ganitong history ang mga pamilya natin."
She sighed. "After Javier's burial eight years ago. Abuela said to never speak of the matter ever again. It's banned in our family to even speak those three names. Agustin, Estella, and Javier. Kung mahuli kayo ni Dondon ng ganoon katulad ng nakita ko kanina. I say Senyora Gracianna would ship you off to Spain without second thoughts. So if you want to stay here. Decide wisely."
"D-Dito lang ako..." I said, fidgeting my fingers.
"Then I expect you know what to do," she said. I felt her strictness. Her brows were stitched together as she stepped on the gas to overtake the Raptor of the Hiñagos.
Hinila ako ni Ate galing sa hawak ni Deo kanina at pagbalik naming sa mausoleum ay sakto naman na nagsilabasan na ang mga Hiñago roon. Before we left, my sister took a glance at the portrait of her late boyfriend first.
May bigat rin sa loob ko nang makita iyon. All my life I've seen two faces of Natalia Cecilia. The face of the loving and responsible sister and the face of the strict Lady Boss that her employees are scared of.
And the face I've seen earlier was far from the two. It was her vulnerable side. She didn't just fall in love with the firstborn Hiñago but with the entire family. Isa siya sa kanila. And I think she would do anything just to keep both of her families undamaged.
"Can you tell Rahim that next month, yung birthday niya. Gaganapin na lang sa yate, galing sa Zubic yung yate. I specifically bought it for him."
Yate? "So we are not going to surprise him anymore?"
"No. After a party at the house he can invite his friends at the yacht. " umiling siya. "We're done suprising him last year. This year he's going to expect it so drop the bomb. Dideretso na ako sa Laguindingan dahil may naghihintay na sa akin na eroplano pabalik ng Manila. "
Ibinaba niya ako sa gate ng university. The following cars were the cars of the Hiñagos. Nakita kong bumaba si Deo galing sa Raptor at tila hinahanap ako kaagad.
Mabilis akong pumasok sa loob ng university kung saan sobrang dami na nang tao dahil last day nga ngayon ng Foundation Fest.
I avoided Deo the entire afternoon kahit pa nasa harap lang siya ng stall namin at kanina pa kumakain. Ayaw niyang ring umalis.
I almost forgot that he offered me to watch the fireworks later.
And I want to... for the last time.
"Nowie, ako nanaman diyan, kanina pa kayo ni Osmeña," offer ni Bianca.
I nodded and handed her the spatula and the apron. Hinubad ko ang hairnet at pumunta sa lockers para kunin ang spare clothes ko at shoulder bag.
How can I avoid him?
That time the only thing that I can think of is Claire. Claire is on the far side of the campus. Far enough from here. Aside sa isa siyang leading majorette ngayong year. She would also represent her college for the Campus Pageant later.
Bumili ako ng pagkain sa stall namin at nagpaalam kay Deo.
"I'll be giving Claire foods," tiningnan ko rin si Lau sa paraang gusto ko na sumama siya. Nakuha rin naman niya agad dahil lumapit siya sa akin.
"I'll come with you." Tumayo si Deo.
"Spend the afternoon with your cousins, Deo."
He blinked with wide eyes.
BINABASA MO ANG
Cursed Kiss (Curse #1)
RomansaI have always been obedient. Morals, manners, etiquette, class, and intelligence. I've done it. I abided on it like it's a law. But you came, starting with a kiss. All of that didn't matter anymore. Then, there is this curse between us. A long hist...
