Pinagsoltada

75

". . . AN APARTMENT?"

"Why? Does my presence bother you? Do I still affect you, Ernesto? Do you still feel something when I'm around you? Because if so, tama nga si Mama. My presence still disarms you."

"S-Sorry," gulat na singhap ni Joan nang madatnan sa tapat ng hagdan kung sino ang nauulinigan niyang magkausap—sina Allyssa at Ernesto.

She immediately turned away from them. Dahil sa pagkataranta, balak ni Joan na lumabas uli ng mansiyon kahit wala naman siyang pupuntahang importante roon.

Natigilan lamang siya nang makarinig ng isang malakas na boses.

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata. 'Ano'ng Valentine's . . .'

Wala sa sarili na napalingon siya sa pinagmulan ng tumatawang boses. Katulad nina Allyssa at Ernesto, napadako ang kaniyang tingin sa tuktok ng grandstairs. Naroon ang isang binata na nakasuot ng puting sleeveless tunic dress na animo'y isang Greek. Alonso's thick wavy hair was adorned by star cut-outs made from glittery gold paper. He was carrying a toy bow and arrows with suction cups instead of pointy ends.

Mabilis itong pumanaog sa hagdan. As he walked, that's when they noticed he was wearing a small pair of white angel wings because they bobbed as he stepped down on each staircase.

Nang malapitan ni Alonso sina Ernesto at Allyssa, inilabas nito ang nasa bulsa na mga lollipop.

"From him—" turo ni Alonso kay Ernesto gamit ang hawak na mga lollipop, "—to you," abot nito sa mga lollipop kay Allyssa. "Lollipops for some sucking and popping! Happy Valentine's Day." Itinaas-baba pa ng binata ang mga kilay nito habang may malapad at nakalolokong ngisi sa mga labi.

Ernesto just gave his brother a bored look. "If you aren't wearing wings, I could have mistaken you for Julius Caesar because you're out to divide people with your antics."

"Aw, Ernesto . . ." nanunuksong ngisi ni Alonso kay Ernesto. "I'm so touched!"

Lumabas ang pagiging pikunin ng honcho. "Well, what's the difference? Cupid or Caesar, I'll stab you twenty-three times kapag hindi mo itinigil ang kalokohang ito, Alonso!"

Samantala, tinanggap naman ni Allyssa ang mga lollipop na iniabot ni Alonso rito.

"Thank you, Alonso," she smiled politely at him.

"Don't thank me!" panlalaki nito ng mga mata rito bago sinulyapan si Ernesto at binigyan ng nakalolokong ngisi. "Thank . . ." he gestured a hand to point at Ernesto, ". . . Brutus!"

Namaywang lang si Ernesto at dismayadong napailing. "Bahala ka na nga riyan." Then, he looked at Allyssa. "You know that didn't really come from me, right?"

Allyssa just smirked at him and shrugged. "Well, I don't really know, Ernesto. But thank you for holding me up here by the stairs, so that Alonso can give these to me." Then she glanced at her. "Happy Valentine's Day, Joan."

Pakiramdam niya ay nag-init at namula ang kaniyang mga pisngi. She didn't know if it was because she was feeling shy or embarrassed. Those are two different things, after all.

"H-Happy—"

Hindi na natuloy ang pagbati niya kay Allyssa dahil kay Alonso.

"Joan!" daan ni Alonso sa pagitan ng dalawa para lapitan siya. "Don't worry. I made sure na lahat ay magkakaroon ng Happy Valentine's kaya may plano rin ako para sa 'yo." Magalang na naglahad ito ng isang kamay. "Come here, mon cherie. Let me lead you to your surprise!"

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Ernesto. His overprotective instinct quickly kicked in. "Ano'ng surprise naman 'yan?"

"It's for Joan, not for you. Kaya huwag kang makisali, Ernesto," ngisi ni Alonso rito bago nito mabilis na kinuha ang kaniyang kamay. "Come here, Joan."