Miara's Mistakes: Part Two

(205) - September 1, 2020

Mav, Fico, Atien

Miara was walking silently while kicking some small rocks she passed by. Kilala na siya ng guard kaya pinapasok siya nito. Nag-offer pa ito na magpatawag ng driver para sunduin si Miara.

Miara declined the offer and chose to walk towards the main house instead. Ganoon kalayo ang gate sa mansion at ganoon kalawak ang kalupaan ng mga de la Riveras na kailangan pa ng sasakyan.

May kaunting golf cart din na ginagamit minsan ngunit hindi pa kailanman nakasakay si Miara doon dahil nakahiligan nila ni Primo na maglakad-lakad. Sometimes, they would use his car, but never the golf carts.

Nakita niya lang na ginagamit ang mga golf carts ng magpipinsan noong nag-golf cart racing sila. Ngunit katulad nina Miara at Primo ay mas gusto rin nilang maglakad-lakad.

Palapit na si Miara at una niyang namataan ang tatlong malalaking bulto na palapit sa kaniya. Three tall and muscular bodies were running towards her. It was only when they neared her that she recognized them.

"Miara, hey! We're racing!" Bati ni Fico nang makalapit sa kaniya.

Katulad nina Atien at Mav ay wala rin itong pang-itaas. Namamawis silang tatlo, dahil siguro sa pagtatakbo, at dinagdagan pa ng init at sinag ng araw.

If there's a Filipino counterpart for Baywatch but set in the province instead of the beach, these three would be perfect casts.

Mav's golden brown skin glowed under the sunlight, like one of those hunky Spanish telenovela leads. But when he smiled, it's not only his dimples that appeared but also the line at the corner of his eyes. His Velasquez de la Rivera traits are dominating but his Pei bloodline is still there.

Fico is also moreno but not as tanned as Mav. Atien stands out with his porcelain-like complexion. His skin is flawlessly smooth and luminescent. Kumikinang ang kutis niya na para bang may ilaw sa loob ng balat niya. Pareho silang dalawa ni Primo.

Ang isa pang pinagkaiba nilang tatlo ay namumula si Atien. His cheeks were flushed and his chest was tomato red.

"Ah, don't mind him, we're checking if he's still allergic to heat," ani Fico nang makita ang pag-aalalang tingin ni Miara kay Atien.

Atien only smiled at her while shrugging, like he doesn't care whether he'll burn badly because of the heat.

"Ahia is still doing some work," si Atien habang pasimpleng kinakamot ang braso. "Come on, we'll walk with you."

"Do you think she knows?" Fico whispred to Atien but the surroundings was too silent that Miara still heard it.

"Know what?"

Sandaling natigilan ang tatlo. Mav glared at Fico while shaking his head. "You shouldn't have asked. I don't think she knows."

Atien sighed and shook his head too. "We should've just continued walking. Now we're talking about it!"

The three of them frowned, looking like distressed and lost puppies.

"Just tell me..." Miara prompted.

Nagkatinginan ang tatlo, parang sikretong nagtuturuan kung sino ang dapat na magsalita. Fico eventually sighed and turned to Miara, looking ready to speak.

"Well... you know that the video was sent to us... including you know..." Fico trailed off, now looking unsure and regretful that he started talking.

Miara smiled to assure him. He didn't have to elaborate because she knows what he's talking about. Miara already knows that the video wasn't only sent to Primo's cousins but also to their other family members. Plus, she's not that affected anymore. They never once made her feel ashamed nor condemned her for it.

"Don't worry, mine was worse. They don't judge," Mav said assuringly and smiled cheekily.

"Anyways, when we found out that it was Edmund in the video with you, we knew that we had to do... something." Napakagat-labi si Atien at kinakabahang sumulyap sa dalawang pinsan na agad ding nag-iwas ng tingin.

"We hinted that we didn't want to associate our name with them... the Altamiranos..."

Umawang ang labi ni Miara. Ito ang tinutukoy ni El!

"So yeah, no more business with that shady clan." Mav shrugged pompously and clapped his hands together, looking proud and smug.

"It hasn't been a day but their stocks are going down, I heard," si Fico, clearly giving off the vibe that he didn't just "hear" it but is actually sure about it.

Only the Pei clan that was present during the dinner party but they are all certainly well-connected. Hindi man sila ganoon karami ngunit hindi naman basta-basta ang kapangyarihan at mga kakilala nila.

It's no wonder that things are going badly for the Altamiranos even in just a snap.

"But Ahia doesn't know about this... I mean, we told him but I don't think he knows that we're serious. We already planned this but—"

Fico paused midway when Miara smiled at him. His lips parted, looking momentarily confused, but still gave her an attentive look.

"It's okay, no need to over-explain," she said assuringly. "Negosyo niyo 'yan, hindi akin."

The three looked delighted and relieved. Mukha kasing nahihirapan silang magpaliwanag sa kaniya.

She's touched by the gesture but knowing them, they surely know something about the Altamiranos' businesses that Miara doesn't.

Siguradong may iba pang mga dahilan kung bakit sila nag-backout sa deal at kung bakit pumayag din ang mga negosyante nilang mga magulang.

"Yes! See? Team Miming!"

"Let me hear you scream! Team Pus—"

"Shut up, Mav..."

Hindi alam ni Miara ang tinutukoy nila ngunit nakitawa na lang siya. Palapit na sila at habang naglalakad ay kung ano-ano ang mga kinuwento ng tatlo sa kaniya.

Their topic started from the things they did in high school, highlighting Primo in the story, to the workouts they do in the gym and a free membership for Miara.

"Miara, whose body is the most attractive? Like from the biceps to the abs—" hindi na natapos ni Mav ang tanong dahil katulad ng dalawang pinsan ay nag-flex na rin ito.

Miara couldn't help but laugh at them. Para silang mga contender sa boxing na nagpapakitang gilas. They were flexing their biceps and puffing their chest out.

Parang hindi na rin sila humihinga dahil sa kanilang pose. They were too eager to know which one looks the best for her. If she was a different person, she probably would've blushed hard already yet all she could do is laugh.

"The fuck are you doing?" Napaayos ang tatlo nang biglang lumabas sina Ciara at Tommy.

Ciara was making faces, like she's disgusted with what she saw. Si Tommy naman ay tawang-tawa rin.

"Hah! Which one of you cursed? Isusumbong ko kay Ahia!" Fico threatened.

Tommy laughed. "Alright, isusumbong ko rin kayo kay Ahia... you're making Ate Miara feel scandalized!"

"Hey!" Sabay na reklamo ng tatlo.

"I won't help you train... bahala ka, you can't impress your crush with that lanky form of yours!" Si Fico at nilagpasan si Tommy.

Tommy looked taken aback, like he was deeply insulted with Fico's words. Mav, Ciara, and Atien only laughed.

"Hey! I'm leaner and more muscular now! I'm not lanky!" Hinabol ni Tommy si Fico at sumunod din ang dalawa. Naiwan sina Ciara at Miara sa labas, parehong tumatawa.