Treacherous

Chapter Sixteen

Congrats

Eris Ireena Consunji's

When I woke up that morning, nag-iisa na lang ako sa kama. I looked around to find Manuel but he wasn't there anymore. Mabilis akong bumangon para hanapin ang damit ko pero natigilan ako nang makita ang pruweba na kinuha ni Manuel ang lahat sa akin nang gabing iyon. It was there, in the middle of the bed. I don't know whether to feel beautiful or insulted.

But I have to move. I needed to get dressed and I did. Pumunta lang ako dito kagabi para kausapin siya. I wanted to tell him that he should pick me because I deserve it. Alam kong hindi niya ako mamahalin pero pagkatapos kong umiyak nang gabing iyon sa ospital, ipinangako ko sa sarili kong ipakikita ko kay Manuel na kamaha-mahal ako.

"Nasaan ba kasi siya?" I asked myself. His clothes were still here. Was he in the shower? Tiningnan ko pero walang tao roon. Inayos ko na lang ang sarili ko dahil baka nasa ibaba siya, so I came down. I could here voices, they were speaking Portuguese. Of course, iyon talaga ang lenggwahe nila.

"Huh!" Nagulat ako nang biglang magtatahol ang isang aso. Nasa may living area siya. Nagtatahol habang inaangilan ako. It was looking at me like I did something bad. Galit na galit iyong chowchow sa akin. Umangil siya kaya napatalon ako.

"Cassie! Girl! Stay!" May sumigaw na kung sino. "Acalme – se, minena. Acalme-se! Stay."

Mula sa kung saan ay lumabas iyong isa sa mga kapatid ni Manuel. I don't know his name but I was sure they're brothers. Kinuha niya iyong aso – sa laki noong chowchow ay kinarga niya ito na parang bata at hinalikan. Iyong aso naman ay paulit – ulit siyang dinidilaan sa mukha. The man looked at me.

"Abuevo Santino Orejon. Renonwned Nuero Surgeon." Pakilala niya sa akin. Lumapit siya, nang iilang inches na lang ang distansya namin ay inangilan na naman ako noong aso.

"Calm down, my love. She's a friend."

Tumingin iyong aso kay Santino at saka tumahol ng apat na beses na para bang nagsusumbong.

"Who are you?" He asked me.

"Eris Ireena."

"Consunji?"

"Yes."

He grinned.

"Manuelito isn't here. He went to the airport to pick up Avo and company."

"Avo?" Tumaas ang kilay ko.

"Yeah. She's our grandmom. Have you eaten? You look like you could use some food. I'll call the criada to fix you some food."

"Okay."

"Come, follow me." Nadi-distract ako kasi karga niya iyong aso na para bang baby tapos iyong aso, galit na galit sa akin.

"Companhieros, this is Eris Ireena. Future cunhada."

There were other two men in the dining area. They were all eating while watching some sport in the tv. All their eyes were at me. Medyo kabado ako.

"Alo! Meu nome e Bruno Fernandino, this is Elias Mateo and Elias Martin."

I smiled relunctantly as I nodded at them. The dog barked at me again, kaya nagulat ako.

"Girl, what the hell is your problem?" Tanong noong Santino sa aso.

"Maybe she doesn't like your smell, Santino. You smell like garbage."

"I smell fine!"

"Senhors, they are here." Christian – Manuel's assistant came in. Bigla ay nagsiayos sila. Kanina wala silang mga damit. Ngayon nagsipag-tshirt sila, nagsipagsuklay at nag-uunahang umakyat sa living area. Kahit naguguluhan ako ay sumunod ako sa kanila.