Arabella's Game

Chapter 1: Big Belly For My Big Plan

Palawan, Philippines

“I never dreamed of this, Arabella!” Leandro Monteverdi burst out with anger seeing his prodigal daughter going home three months heavy with child. She’s studying her last year of BSN in US, she’ll be thier family’s success. “You talk to her, Anita. This is a failure!” talking to his wife. Masakit mang isipin para sa amang nagpakahirap sa pagpalaki at pagpabuti ng buhay ng kaisa-isang anak, pero ang masaklap na katotohanang buntis ang anak at walang ama. They are one of the renowned families in Palawan. Malawak na hacienda, mayagong negosyo, mataas na antas na pamumuhay ang makakapag patunay na isa sila sa mga pinakapromenenteng pamilya.

“Darling, why are you doing this to us? You know how we up bring you, Adie,” frustrated facing her daughter, Anita is still composed as she was twenty years ago. Elegant yet with motherly heart facing her only child, walang tigil na umaagos ang luha. Bihis na bihis pa rin ang mga ito habang nagpa-party para sa ika-50 kaarawan ng kanyang asawa.

“Mom, hindi bagay sa’yo,” she grinned. “I never expect you to cry Mother. I am 20. I’m working while schooling and independent. I had proven myself to you. Kaya ko ang sarili ko. Why cry?” paliwanag nito.

“Sinong naka disgrasya niyan, Arabella?!” asik ng ama. Yanig na yanig pa rin ang buong sala ng bahay sa tensyon sa pagitan ng mag-ama.

“I just dropped by Dad, to tell you happy birthday. I’m heading to Macau tonight. Yun lang, no more, no less,” saka ito lumapit sa ama at binigyan ng munting halik sa pisngi tulad ng nakasanayan niya noong siya ay bata pa. Her father was a bit surprised, she never showed sweetness ever since she was forced to leave for US para ilayo sa isang Cervantes.  Ang pinakamahigpit na kalaban ng mga Monteverdi sa negosyo at maging sa kapangyarihan sa Palawan. “Bye Dad, happy birthday again,” saka lumabas ng bahay at hinarurot ang dalang BMW Z4.

Habang nag mamaneho sa kahabaan ng daan, her phone keeps on ringing. “Crap!” bulalas nito sabay sagot sa telepono. “Anong kelangan mo Curtie? I’m driving,”

It was Curtis Sander Saavedra, a US Air Force pilot and Arabella’s high school friend. They always have never ending quarrels pero magkaibigan sila. Si Curtis kasi ang tipong kengkoy, makwela at makulit. Si Arabella naman pikon, seriyoso at may pagkasuplada dahil sa nag-iisang anak. Magkaganon man sila sa iisang bagay lang sila nagkakasundo, he was her partner in crime for two years in US. Mula sa racing, drifting, rafting, mountain climbing, surfing, parasailing at kung anu-ano pang adrenaline rush adventures. Pati sa mga kalokohan marami din sila at dun sila nagkakasundo.

Binaba nya ang telepono at tinapon sa labas. “Damn it Curtis! I’m not done with my plans yet,”