Adler's Legacy #2: Hearts Don't Lie

Chapter Seven

"HINDI ko naman 'yon ginawa no?" tanong ni Francheska sa kanyang sarili nang mahimasmasan na siya. Naalala niya ang nangayari at kung ilang sampal ang naigawad niya kay Francis. She didn't really mean it. She was just really clouded by her emotion. Hindi naman kasi niya alam kung anong rason ni Francis kung bakit kailangan nitong usisaon ang tungkol sa date niya kay Leon. Hindi niya rin maintindihan ito kung anong rason at bakit napakasensitive ni Francis.

She was still not over with the fact that Francis broke her heart before. Bakit naman kasi kailangan pang ungkatin ni Francis ang ala-alang pilit na niyang kinakalimutan? She was really ready to let go of the past but Francis was still dragging her down the pit.

Huminga siya nang malalim habang pilit na itinutuon ang pansin sa laptop niya. Kanina pa siya tapos sa mga ginagawa niyang report pero hindi pa rin mawala sa isip niya ang ginawa niya kagabi.

"Bakit ko naman kasi sinampal siya?"

"Sinong sinampal mo?"

Napaigtad si Francheska nang marinig niya ang boses ni Leon. Hindi pa siya nakapagpasalamat ng personal kay Leon dahil marami silang meeting kanina at ang isip niya ay wala sa opisina. Hindi na naman mawala sa isip niya si Francis.

"W--Wala. Kumusta?" tanong niya rito. May dala na namang kape si Leon at alam niya para sa kanya na naman iyon dahil may pa-note na naman ito.

"I am good. Medyo di ka ready kanina sa meeting ha. May iniisip ka ba?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Leon sa kanya. Hindi kasi siya nakasagot kaagad ng may biglaang tanong ang kliyente sa kanya.

"W-- Wala naman. Medyo inaantok lang."

"Ganoon ba? Good thing at may dala akong kape," iniabot ni Leon ang dala nitong kape sa kanya at padaplis na hinawakan ang kanyang kamay. Napaigtad siya dahil sa ginawa nito. Mabuti na lamang at hindi niya nabitawan ang kapeng hawak niya.

"L--Leon..."

"Hindi ka pa rin komportable sa akin?"

"Hindi naman. Hindi lang ako sanay na hinahawakan ng lalaki."

Natawa nang mahina si Leon dahil sa tinuran niya. "Kung ibang lalaki siguro ang makakarinig n'yan ay maiinsulto na Cheska. Pero ako, natutuwa pa rin ako sa'yo."

Nginitian niya lamang ito. She was really aware of the affection that Leon was showing to her but she was not ready to take a risk again.

Siguro kung hindi nagpakita muli si Francis sa kanya ay kaya niyang suklian ang pagmamahal ni Leon sa kanya. Kaya niyang matutunang itong mahalin pero muling dumating si Francis sa buhay niya. Ang lalaking nagpatibok ng kanyang puso. Hindi naman niya akalain na matutuliro na naman siya sa binata.

Sumikip ang dibdib niya nang maalala na naman siya kung paano siya pinahiya ni Francis noon. Huminga siya nang malalim. Gusto niyang siguraduin sa sarili niya kung may nararamdaman pa rin ba siya sa binata dahil kung meron pa ay hindi niya pa alam kung kaya niya na ba ulit masakit ng dahil sa isang Francis Adler.

She promised to herself that she will never fall in love with him again. Luluhod muna ang mga tala bago niya tuluyang mahalin muli si Francis.

"ARE you fine, Asis?" his abuela asked him. Pinaluwas siya ng Metro ng kanyang abuela dahil may importante raw itong sasabihin sa kanya. He was really worried and curious so he hurriedly booked a flight. Tinawagan niya rin ang kanyang pinsan na si Shien para tanungin kung kumusta ang kanilang abuela pero hindi na naman niya mahagilap ito. Ruche was also nowhere to be found.

"I am just fine, abuela," he answered his abuela. Tumango lamang ang matanda habang dahan-dahan na tinutungga ang hawak nitong tasa ng kape. His abuela was really a coffee lover. She could drink five cups a day. Pero ngayon pinagbawalan na ito dahil may edad na rin. They tried to ventured into tea but abuela didn't like the taste of it.

"What's the purpose you hauled me here, abuela?" He questioned his grandma again. He had no idea what his grandmother was thinking, but he was certain that it had anything to do with his life. After being unsuccessful in interfering with the life of his cousin, she now attempted to ruin his.

"Abuela-"

"Wala akong ginagawa na ikakasama ninyo, Asis." anang kanyang abuela.

Nangunot ang kanyang noo. "Ano na naman 'to?"

"It is time for you to settle down, apo. Matanda ka na. Ang pinsan mo na si Shien ay ikakasal na. Gusto kong makita kang nasa babaeng karapat-dapat, Asis."

"Abuela, wala akong balak--"

"Francheska Allysa Montes..."

Once he heard that name, he put an end to his inquiries about his abuela. Francis gave his grandmother a quizzical look as he regarded her.

His grandmother grinned at him. "That does ring a bell, right?

"Abuela, what are you up to this time?"

His grandmother shook her head and looked him in the eyes. "I got a call from Cheska's mother; you were seeing her, and you two have been interacting since you arrived in Cebu."

Bumangon ang inis sa dibdib ni Shien. Hindi niya nagustuhan na parang may nagmamanman sa kanya. Ito ang hindi niya gusto sa abuela niya. Pinapakialam nito ang kanilang mga buhay. Kaya palaging lumalayo ang nag-iisang apo nitong babae na si Ruche dahil ayaw nitong masama sa galamay ng kanyang abuela.

"Abuela, Francheska and I were just catching up."

"That's good, apo."

"Just don't mess with our lives," he advised his grandmother.

"I am not, but her mother and I will be arranging your wedding already."

Francis abruptly rose from his seat. He was only shaking his head. He could feel the pounding agony in his brain already. The idea was completely ludicrous, as was his grandmother's intention.

"We're not getting married!" he yelled at her. "Francheska was still trying to be at ease with me, and I'm not going to compromise it."

"But I can help you," his abuela tried once more.

"Abuela, please," he begged. "Francheska and I are not your business plans, so quit intruding in our lives and just let me regain Francheska's trust."

Pinakatitigan siya ng kanyang abuela. Sa huli ay bumuntong-hininga ito at nagsalita. ''Okay, I will leave it to you but I still want Francheska to be part of our family. Matagal na dapat 'to, Asis. You were just too stubborn before."