Adamantine

Chapter 43

Bait

Naupo lamang ako sa sala. When I was away, this riot has already been happening. Ang galing din nila magsikreto eh. I know Tita Lyola knows about this! Kung hindi ako pumunta dito sa Iloilo, hindi ko malalaman ang nangyayari.

"Bakit hindi niyo agad sinabi sa akin?" Tanong ko.

"Lyon doesn't want to. Sasabihin niya naman sa iyo kung tapos na ang lahat ng ito," sabi ni Tita Karen.

That's why when I asked for the farm he told me to wait a little longer, huh?

Pero hindi ko pa rin maklaro sa kanya kung bakit may engagement ring si Dimaria?

It's either Dimaria is lying or Lyon lied to my pitiful cousin about marriage.

The latter is possible knowing Lyon... He can be twisted!

"After your parents' death, we already know that Fenrir wants the farm. We know Fenrir. He can do anything because of greed. He might be capable of harming you. And so it was better that you stay in Cebu. Unlike in Iloilo, he's not powerful in Cebu."

"Kaya tinambakan ako ng trabaho doon..." I trailed off. I get it.

"Lyola told me that they decided to give those to you. Magaling kang mamahala, Erina," ani Tito Joel. "Ang yes... Partly, to keep you from returning here."

I stared at Tita Karen and Tito Joel. I thought they can't really be trusted. However, right now, they look at me with genuine sincerity. My relatives are oppurtunists! It runs in the blood!

"I asked you for the title of this farm, right?" Ani ni Tita Karen.

Tumango lamang ako.

"I'm sorry about that." Tita Karen looked down on the floor. "This farm caught my interest. And I thought that when you're still studying, I can make this farm operate."

Napasapo ng noo si Tito Joel. "Karen naman! Basta magkakaperahan, ano?" He glared at his sister. "Magpapakatuso ka tulad ng pinsan mo!"

Ngumuso ako. "It's already expected of you, Tita," I told her bluntly. Tita has always been an oppurtunist!

"Don't compare me with Fenrir, Joel!" Tita Karen glared at him. "Unlike Fenrir, I don't intend to get your farm. Nakakapanghinayang naman kasi na itinigil talaga ang operasyon nito," ani Tita Karen.

"But, it has been operating, now," sabi ko.

Matapos ng pag-uusap namin ay nagpaalam akong pumunta sa veranda. The view of the veranda is not that impressive so to speak. You can only see the green vertical lines.

The veranda is connected to the library. Ito ang hiniling ko sa mga magulang ko bago man kami umalis sa puder nina Lolo. Tito Fenrir kicked us out of the house dahil sa kanya na raw 'yon. Dahil wala na si Lolo. Mabuti at pinayagan pa akong kunin ang mga libro sa library ni Lola. This is my living memory of her.

We like spending in the library. Siya nga ang nag-impluwensya sa aking magbasa.

Sana'y magkasundo na si Fenrir at Godfrey...

I can always remember her voice. 'Yon palagi ang paulit-ulit niyang sinasambit. Hanggang sa namatay siya, 'yon ang nasa isip niya.

Unfortunately, that won't happen Lola Emilia.

Si Lolo Luthor naman namatay nang may hinanakit kay Tito Fenrir.

After Lolo's death, pumasok si Tito Fenrir sa bahay at itinakwil kami. He said it's his house now. Ayaw ni Papa ng gulo kaya hinayaan na lang niyang kamkamin ni Tito ang ancestral house.