PARADISE OF THE DEVIL (GONCALVES 1)

Chapter 19

Sunday arrived and I was here at home getting ready for my trip to the villa where Jair was waiting for me. I told him that he didn't have to come and fetch me since he had already been there since yesterday. I thought that it was gonna be so inconvenient for him.

"Isla," sagot ko nang tumunog ang phone ko sa tawag nya.

"Ate!" masiglang wika nya.

"Napatawag ka?" pagtatanong ko.

"Mabuti at sinagot mo na, Ate. Gusto ko lang mangumusta," aniya.

Naalala kong ngayon ko lang pala nasagot ang mga tawag nya sa akin. Minsan lang din naman ako nagrereply kay Mama dahil naiinis pa din ako. Ang madalas ko lang ding mensahe sa kanya ay tungkol kay Papa.

"I'm fine," tipid kong saad.

"Nasa bahay lang ako ngayon, Ate. Schedule ni Papa ng dialysis kahapon at nagreklamo pa na ayaw na nyang bumalik sa clinic."

"As long as I have money to send, there's no reason for him to stop getting dialysis." Umupo na muna ako sa kama. Tapos na akong ilagay ang gamit ko sa bag at handa ng umalis.

"Pinagsabihan nga sya ni Mama pero aniya'y gusto nyang gamitin mo ang pera at madalas na umuwi dito."

"Hayaan mong si Mama ang kumausap kay Papa."

"Sabi pala ni Henry na dadalhin nya ako dyan sa Manila at bisitahin ka," masiglang kwento nya.

"Ayokong makita ang boyfriend mo, Isla. Ayokong marinig ng tungkol sa kanya," reklamo ko. Iinit lang ang ulo ko kung makarinig ako sa boyfriend nyang irresponsable!

"So that you'll cool down, Ate. At para na din mas makilala mo sya," paliwanag ni Isla.

"Huwag ka nalang pumunta dito kung kasama mo sya, Isla," pagtatapos ko sa usapan.

"Sige, Ate. May iba naman syang pakay dyan sa Manila kaya magpapaiwan ako dyan sa apartment. Okay lang siguro sa kanya," mababang boses na pagsuko ni Isla.

Kaya ko pang tanggapin ang pagbubuntis nya pero hindi ko pa kayang tanggapin ang boyfriend nya. Tinapos ko na din ang tawag namin atsaka hinablot ang bag ko palabas ng kwarto.

"Are you leaving already?" Rach asked who was sticking his face on the TV.

"Yeah... I'll be home tomorrow," I answered.

"Sasabihin ko sanang huwag ka ng bumalik kaso mawawalan kami ng kahati ni Joerex sa bayarin ng apartment," natatawang pahayag nya.

I shook my head in disbelief as I exited the apartment. I didn't think my association with Jair would ever get serious. For now, we were having a good time. I was m using him and he was using me for the same intention... and was for pleasure.

I liked Jair but I felt guilty even though we fairly enjoy each other's company. I didn't know what Jair was exactly thinking but one thing for sure was that I was revolting and I knew that this association wouldn't do me any good in the end.

I was brushing aside the facts about his future, reputation, and relationship with Lilia. Lilia might have known already about us and I'd think she was cool with it. I expected her to be angry and I'd receive slaps from her but I didn't.

I arrived at the villa and entered without restriction. Pagkapasok ko ay agad akong sinalubong ni Jair na papasok galing ng pool area. Ngumiti ako sa kanya bago inilapag ang bag sa sofa.

He grabbed my waist and kissed me on the lips. "You traveled quite a distance." He studied me from head to toe. "You look cute and sexy with your babydoll dress. Are you dressing up for me?"