FORBIDDEN LOVE SERIES: CROSSING THE LINE

TWO

Nakapagluto na ako ng breakfast. Nagsangag na rin ako ng kanin at nilagyan ko 'yon ng maraming carrots at chicken hotdog. I also prepared a coffee for him. Inayos ko ang pagkakabun ng mahaba at kulot kong buhok saka ko pa tiningnan ang uniporme ko sa eskwelahan bago ako nagpasyang umakyat na sa second floor ng bahay, o mansyon, hanggang ngayon hindi ko parin alam ang itatawag ko dito.

I left te food in the kitchen because he will probably eat in the kitchen counter anyway.

I knocked four times as soon as I reached his door. "Ares! We're going to be late in school!"

It's our first day for college and here he is, making it hard for me again. We have to be early, or is it just for me? Hindi naman yata siya makagagalitan kung malate man siya sa school because first of all, they own the school. His family owns the school. But I still have to pull him out of his bed and make him prepare for school.

Inis kong binuksan ang kaniyang pintuan at tama nga ang hinala ko nang lumagpas ako sa salaming partition ng kaniyang kama. Ares is not there and I know where he is now. He has a lot of pads and suites but I know he doesn't go there. Hindi siya umaalis ng Her' Home.

"Wala nanaman sa kwarto niya? Sinong babae nanaman kaya ang kasama niya ngayon?" Aunt Gina asked, slightly shaking her head. May dala siyang vacuum cleaner at mga pamunas. Mukhang kagagaling niya lang maglinis sa library ng bahay na nasa westwing ng bahay.

We're all used to it. The Herrera's boys play thing. Halos naman sa kanila, sakit sa ulo. Kaming mga katulong halos ang naglilinis ng mga kalat nila. I call myself as their maid, because the moment I went here, I reminded myself where should I place myself.

"Ako na po ang bahala, Aunt Gina" I assured her. She's the head and she will get all the blame if that man will go late in the first day of school.

Tumango siya. "Sige, Ava. Ikaw na ang bahala"

I went inside his walk in closet and pulled his uniforms there. His bathrobe and even his underwear. I went to his bag for the school but I couldn't find it.

May balak ba siyang pumasok?

I quickly ran downstairs, minding the every tick of the clock. We're going to be late if he'll continue this.

Sumakay ako ng bisikleta ko, dumaan pa ako sa malawak na soccer field. Malalakas ang bawat pagpadyak ko ng pedal at alam kong kulang pa 'yon. I'm wearing a black pants, not the usual skirt for our course. I prefer this one. Mas komportable kasi akong kumilos.

Pagkatapos kong daanan ang mga puno ng agarwood hanggang sa marating ko ang kinaroroonan ng lalaki. He's probably inside the house. It's the house for them. It's like their hide out because the head of the family doesn't have time to go here.

Isinandal ko ang bisikleta ko sa puno ng mahogany. Malalaki ang mga hakbang ko patungo sa bahay. It's a wooden house with glasses. Kitang-kita ko ang kama sa ikalawang palapag sapagkat bukas na bukas ang malaking bintana doon, nagsasayaw pa ang puting kurtina sa pang-umagang hangin.

Alam kong nakusot ang mga damit niya pero wala na akong pakialam doon. I have to get him dress for school!

Tumambad sa akin ang nagkalat nilang mga damit sa hallway palang patungo sa kwarto ng bahay. May wine pa sa wooden na center table kung nasaan ang mga puting unan. It's usually the spot where I always teach him.

I could feel my heart tightened. I quickly shook that feeling out of my system. I hate it. But I hate myself even more for feeling that way. I know, I shouldn't.