Caught By The Fire (Avoc Scorned)

PROLOGUE

"Zobel, Billie?"

My neck craned to look who asked that loudly in the waiting area of NAIA. Pulling my trolley, I saw Dayanara, my father's clumsy secretary. Natawa ako nang makita na may bitbit itong placard kung saan makulay na nakasulat ang pangalan ko.

Marami kaming lumalabas sa arrival area at hila-hila ang kanya-kanyang luggage. And I think it was my height that helped Dayanara to spot me immediately. She never saw me for ages but she saw my recent pictures why she recognized me immediately.

"Miss Billie!" nanlaki ang mata nito.

Ngumisi ako nang nagkukumahog ito sa pagsalubong sa akin. She hugged me. Matangkad ako sa kanya ng ilang pulgada kaya kinakailangan ko pang yumuko ng kaonti para sa kanya. She's giggling and at the same time, sobbing a bit. Nang lumayo sa akin ay nakita ko ngang naiiyak ito.

"Ang tangkad-tangkad mo na, Miss! Ang ganda-ganda mo pa! Mukha kang supermodel! Ang bata mo pa noon nang huli kitang nakita. At patpatin..." hindi siya magkandaugaga.

Pinagtitinginan kami sa airport pero walang pakialam si Dayanara. She's busy staring at me, like I'm a ghost that came to life. She's gazing like I'm just an apparition. And I understand because she's maybe really looking to one.

"Well, I guess, Australia really did suit me. At ikaw din. Mas lalo kang gumanda." ngiti ko.

"Naku, Miss! Huwag mo na po akong bolahin. Pero seryoso. Ang ganda ganda mo na lalo ngayon! Kung hindi pa pinakita ng Daddy mo sa akin ang picture mo bago ka pinasundo rito, hindi siguro kita makikilala. Akala ko nga model ka! Ang laki ng pinagbago mo!"

Ngumiti ako nang muli niya akong pinasadahan, awang pa rin ang labi.

"Really? I guess puberty really hits me hard. Besides, it's been what? Ten years I guess since you last saw me. Nagbabago talaga ang tao."

Sabay kaming naglakad palabas ng airport kung saan naghihintay ang itim na limousine. Our bodyguard is waiting in the open door. Mabilis itong lumapit sa akin para kunin ang trolley ko. Nagpasalamat ako at pumasok na sa loob. Sumunod naman si Dayanara na hindi pa tapos sa pagkakamangha.

"Sabagay. You're still a teenager back then when the tragedy happened. And now you look very healthy, Miss. Magaling ka na po ba talaga?"

I looked at her and smiled.

"Hundred and one percent. Strong as a young karabao, Dayanara." I laughed.

Bumyahe na kami at habang pinagmamasdan ang mga pamilyar na tanawin, hindi ko alam kung ano ang nararamdaman. I'm nervous, thrilled and scared. Kung ano ang nangingibabaw na emosyon, hindi ko alam. I just know that I'm a bit bothered. And I know that I shouldn't or else, I'll be doom.

"Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, Miss. Ang nangyari sa'yo ay tinuturing na himala ng lahat. Truth is, we found your case as a hopeless one dahil hindi biro ang halos walong taon na pagkakatulog. Kaya nakakahanga talaga si Sir Gustavo dahil habang ang lahat ay nawawalan na ng pag-asa, siya lang ang nanatiling naniniwala."

I only smiled because I knew that already. Ten years ago, I met a severe car accident here. I got an acute internal bleeding in my brain that my father needs to fly me abroad for operation. I got coma for almost eight years after the operation. Imagine that. Eight long years and yet, my father never lose hope. He can just end my life while I was sleeping but he didn't. He waited... for a miracle. Gustavo Zobel did everything to redeem his only daughter, his only family, that he doesn't care if he will make a deal to the devil.

After waking up from my coma, I stayed in Australia for two years for my therapy. At dahil sa bangungot na naranasan sa Pilipinas, pinili ko ng huwag bumalik. I felt like I'm a complete different woman after the tragedy so I chose to stay there. And now that I'm back, I don't know what to feel.