Arabella's Game

Chapter 11: Leaving Behind

Arabella was with Hayden sitting along the stairs. “Ano bang nangyayari dito, Adie?”

“Kuya, we met on accident. He almost claimed me as his girl. Wala na akong choice kundi magsinungaling just to be the playmaker,”

“Adie, I am engaged. Nakapag-propose na ako kay Kristel and we’re getting married next year,”

“I’m sorry Kuya. I’ll clear things up ngayon mismo. Just help me sneak out after I explain everything to Tita and Tito, pati na rin kay Clarisse. You have to cover up for me. Tulad ng dati pa rin. I need Curtis to be out of my life,”

“Tapatin mo nga ako Adie,” mas lalong sumiryoso ang mukha ng Hayden. “Except for avoiding those stupid adrenaline activities you’re doing with my brother, ano pa ang dahilan mo ba’t gusto mong iwasan ang kapatid ko?”

“I need to live as if I don’t exist at all,” bulong ni Arabella sa sarili.

“What?”

“Wala Kuya. It’s Natalie I was thinking. She’s still not over Curtis. Ayo kong maka sagabal sa naudlot nilang relasyon,” depensa niya. “People might think that I am his girl but honestly not and never will,”

“Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo Arabella?” seryosong tanong Ni Hayden.

“Kuya naman. You don’t have to match us up. Matanda na kami para sa match making. We’re deciding for our own pair in life, Kuya. I have mine and he has his,” Arabella explained.

“Adie, everything turned upside down since you left CS,” malungkot na pahayag ni Hayden. “Nawala nga ang katarantaduhan niya but he’s acting like a living dead,”

“Aw, geez. Ginawa mo pang zombie si Curtie,” pabirong angal ni Arabella. “Look, Kuya,” sabay turo sa kinaroroonan ni Curtis katabi si Natalie. “I know what’s between them Kuya at alam kong alam mo rin. So let’s make things happen as it should be,” saka ngumiti. “Let’s go. Mahaba-haba pang pagpapaliwanag ang gagawin ko,”

Arabella explained everything to Tita Melinda and Tito Gregory, pati na rin kay Clarisse. Naiintindihan naman ng dalawa ang kanyang dahilan. They even thanked her for convincing Curtis to come over lalo na mahalaga ang araw ng kanilang anibersaryo. Isang pampamilyang handaan na kinumpleto nito sa pagdala doon sa kanilang bunso. Si Clarisse naman ay tipong na inis sa unang pagpaliwanag nito lalo na at hindi pala siya asawa ni Hayden.

“You’re talking crap now,” inis na wika ni Clarisse. Thinking Arabella was her another competition on Curtis’.

“You’re looking at the wrong person Clarisse,” at iniwan nito si Clarisse na naaasar na.

Saka naman nakita ni Clarisse si Curtis kasama si Natalie. Medyo magkadikit na ng konti ang dalawa. Quite intimate for Clarisse’s eyes. ‘Miss Monteverdi is not my competitor at all,’ nasabi na lang ni Clarisse sa sarili.

Arabella was on her way out. Naghihintay na doon si Hayden. He’ll be dropping her off the airport. Si Hayden na mismo ang bumili ng ubod ng mahal na ticket ni Arabella pabalik dahil sa rush na pagbili nito.

It’s like running away from an expected danger ngunit ano nga bang panganib ang naghihintay sa kanya dito sa Pilipinas? It’s just Curtis. And her parents that might take her back to Palawan in no time.

Nasa airport na si Arabella waiting for her flight back to London at around 4pm. She’ll be waiting there for hours. Marami siyang oras para makapag-isisp. Masaya siya para kay Curtis, nagkita na rin sila ni Natalie sa wakas. Tama nga si Natalie sa sinabi niya noong college pa sila that Curtis still loves her kahit na may bago na itong kasintahan. She considers her flight back to London her mission accomplished for Curtis.