DATE THY ENEMY | ES:1

1

Comment down your thoughts. Happy reading, enjoy! xoxo.

Chapter 1
''Fate''

Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan. Ang daming tumatakbo sa utak ko at sa dami noon ay wala akong mahagip na matino. Kaya imbes na magpahinga tulad nang gusto ni Mommy, dumiretso ako sa opisina ni Lolo.

It's his birthday... Javier's Birthday! The De Leon that he's always talking about? Right, his name is Javier! Hindi ko alam kung bakit parang hindi ako makapaniwala. I know it's him... but I want to be sure.

''Lolo!'' I called the moment I stepped inside.

Lolo only glanced at me before resuming in reading a newspaper. He is sitting calmly and manly in his swivel chair. It did scare me a bit. He's not usually like this. He probably knew the reason why I'm here. Lolo doesn't look old. He actually looked ten years younger his age.

''Today is Javier de Leon's birthday?'' Tanong ko, medyo naguguluhan pa rin. Pilit kong iniisip kung tatanungin ko ba ito o hindi pero nandito naman na ako. ''Javier? The boy I saw when I was younger, Lolo?''

''You don't remember him?'' he probed.

My heart skipped a beat. ''Of course, I do...''

''Then, why are you here asking me like you don't?'' tanong niya.

I remember his name. But I don't remember his face anymore! I mean, alright, I still remember that kid. But of course he already grew up. How would I distinguish his face? Gusto ko iyong sabihin pero 'wag na. Hindi ako nagsalita. Ayokong magsalita.

May inabot ito sa kanyang drawer. He urged me to come closer. Sumunod ako. Nasulyapan ko ang isang hindi kalakihang kahon. It has a familiar brand name in it.

He handed it to me. ''I bought something for him. Give it to him, later.''

Inabot ko iyon at binuksan. I saw an expensive watch inside it. Ilang sandali kong tinitigan ang kahon bago muling ibinalik ang tingin sa aking Lolo. One stare, and I instantly understand what he wants to relay. No words just one look and I know what he wants me to do. He put an effort, and he wants me to do the same.

I nodded my head. ''Should I still write my name here, Lolo?''

I saw how he relaxed. Inalis nito ang suot na salamin bago sumandal sa kanyang upuan. He looked at me intently before a smile rose in his lips. And I stood there watching his every move.

''This is the reason why I favor you over your father.'' iling niya nang muling naalala si Daddy.

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Hindi ko alam, but it looks like Daddy has been a pain in my Lolo's ass.

But since I'm my father's child, I'm sure I'll be like that, too.

Wearing a white simple dress, I walked along with my parents and grandfather. We just got inside the De Leon's land. Kanina pa kami dapat nandito pero natagalan kami dahil sa'kin. I told them my stomach hurts, when the truth is, pasikip ng pasikip ang dibdib ko sa bawat oras na lumipas.

A lady guided us to a large garden. And my family looks like they know where to go. Nauna si Lolo, sa likod ay si Mommy and Daddy. Nasa pinakahulihan nila ako dahil panay pa ang tingin at sulyap ko sa paligid.

It is my first time here. I was in awe when I got a glimpse of how grand and lavish their Manor is. Hindi ko nga lang masyadong natitigan dahil tinawag na ako ni Mommy.

''The party already started.'' Lolo said when we took our seat. His voice was laced with a bit of disappointment.

I pursed my lips. ''Is this party so important, Lo? It's just a birthday party.''