Kabanata 2
Pangako
"Their job is to protect me from bullets and not to save me from starving."
That's a full defense. I don't think my guards were hired to cook for me. As far as I can remember, their job description is to ensure my safety and not my hunger.
"So you didn't keep at least one? I know how much you want to practice independence but you gotta do it slow. If you do it so suddenly... abruptly... it will be hard for you to survive."
Tumango ako kay Cozen. Hindi nga lang maibigay sa kanya ang tingin ko dahil nagtataka ako sa presensya ni Malcom dito. He told me he won't be here.
Not that I sulk cuz he didn't tell me the truth. Naisip ko lang na kung sinabi niyang pupunta naman siya, sasabay sana ako. No malice, alright? Hindi lang kasi ako sanay na walang kasama. The few days without my bodyguards weren't enough to get used to it.
But then... it isn't his responsibility to tell me about his itinerary.
"At marunong ka bang magluto? I can imagine you setting the whole house on fire just because-"
Nagtaas agad ako ng kilay kay Cozen nang balingan ko siya.
"I settle with frying, you know," matabang kong sinabi.
"Would that even suffice your pretty little tummy?"
I realized that talking with Cozen will only be a series of lessons and schooling. Hindi ko na nga sinabi lahat sa kanya ang nangyari sa buong pagtigil ko dito sa Arran, nahuhuli naman akong tila nagrerebelde kina Lola kaya ayan, papunta na sa sermon ang lahat.
"Twenty-four hours of surveillance won't even help me improve," sabi ko pa nang mapadpad kami sa ibang usapan.
Naglakad lakad na kami sa bakuran. Palabas na ng mansyon, sa back gate na dumaan. I guess we are heading to the river. Or maybe not. Lumiko kami sa makitid na daan. Nang tinanaw ko ang kabilang bukana no'n, natanaw ko ang malawak na taniman.
"Narinig ko sa Lola mo na pinasamahan ka ng ilang bodyguards. It surprised me a bit to see you alone without your security details. Tapos sinabi mong pinagbakasyon mo."
Tumango ako. "I told you, I need to keep some space for me to grow. Their presence is suffocating me."
Bahagya akong sumulyap sa likod ko at nadatnan si Malcom na nakasunod sa amin. He's stare is on me, with his brows shut a little. Hindi ko alam kung nagtataka sa biglang paglingon ko o siguro ay may iniisip lang.
"You are hardheaded, Triva. I get your point but let me just point it out that your security is a necessary."
Naibalik ko kay Cozen ang tingin. "Really? For the whole run of my stay here, sa mansyon niyo lang at sa bahay ang balak kong puntahan. Will there be any danger to that?"
Kumunot ang noo niya sa akin. "Nakakabagot naman. Arran has its wanders to introduce to you. Why don't you go out and enjoy?"
Mangha akong napatingin sa kanya. Cozen must've seen how it astounded me that he's even laughing at me mockingly. My face became sour.
"I don't get you. One second, you are telling me to keep safe but in a flick of time, you are suggesting me to explore!"
He nodded, still laughing. I frowned.
"What's wrong with that? Still didn't get my point?"
Hindi ako sumagot.
"You can explore while staying safe. Guards-" I trailed him off.
