Latch

Chapter 4 - No Turning Back

Latch
Seirá Agapis #2

Chapter 4
"No Turning Back"

Krystique

"Good Day ladies and Gentlemen! We have now arrived in our destination the country full of fun, Philippines! A few reminders before you go, first please make sure that you are to remove your seatbelts carefully. Second please make sure that all your things are with you and nothing is left. Third is that the people near the door will the first one to leave the plane so please be patient and the last one is that have fun in your stay here in our country!" - the flight attendant said with a huge smile on her face. Hindi ko alam na nagbago na pala sila ng greetings sa mga pasahero. Noong dati kasi masyadong bitin at formal kumbaga pero ngayon infairness at mukhang maraming pakulo ang ginawa ng nagma-may-ari ng airlines na'to.

Napatingin ako sa katabi ko at sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ko ng makita ang maamong mukha ng aking kaibigan na si Liberty. Well, I am quite impressed na maamo siyang matulog di gaya pag gising siya ay para siyang tigre na kulang nalang mangagat sa sobrang tapang. I can't also say that it is just because of the pregnancy hormones because ever since I met her ay talagang ganyan na talaga siya.

It is also surprising to know that she is a daughter of a wealthy couple despite of how she acts. It is surprising in a good way.

"Mmmm waa" - nang marinig ko ang tunong na iyon ay agad na bumaling ang tingin ko kay Euphemia na ngayon ay nakakunot ang noo. Bakit kaya? I doubt that she is hungry dahil halos kakapakain ko palang sakanya mga 30 minutes ago.

At hindi naman kasi din siya matakaw sa gatas kahit medyo chubby ito ay hindi din naman kasi gutumin ang anak ko.

"What's wrong Euphy?" Tanong ko sa anak ko kasabay ng paghawak ko ng maliit niyang kamay. And as if on cue ay pinisil din niya ang kamay ko. Well, this past few days din kasi ay natututunan na ni Euphemia na igalaw ang ilang bahagi ng kanyang katawan. She is practicing her sense of touch at isa yung magandang sign na madaling maka-adapt ang anak ko.

"Maa-waa ihhh" - she squealed and I just nod my head. Damn ngayon lang siya naging ganto, what could be wr— oh yeah maybe it's her way of telling me that she is in a new environment since in Germany the weather is too cold for her and I guess even if the plane is well ventilated with air conditioned units she can still feel the heat outside.

I immediately smiled with the thought.

"Yes my baby, we already arrived at mommy and daddy's home country. And I know that you'll love it too" - I whispered right at her ear at narinig ko ang paghagikhik ng anak ko. Seriously, my baby is really a cutie patotie.

"Miss Liberty, we have arrived" - I heard a familiar voice said at nang lingunin ko kung saan ito nanggaling ay halos mapatalon ako sa aking kinauupuan ng makita ko ang 'bodyguard' kuno ni Liberty na nakatayo sa tabi nito ay may ilang marka ng lipstick sa mukha na para, ang buhok din nito ay sobrang gulo at hindi din maipinta ang kanyang mukha.

Seriously? What happened to him? And he does looked like he was— pfft— raped.....

"Pfft" - Napatawa ako ng mahina dahil sa naisip kong konklusyon ngunit bago pa man lumakas ay agad ko ng tinakpan ang bibig ko gamit ang libre kong kamay.

Napatingin din saakin ang bodyguard ni Liberty habang nakakunot ang noo.

"Please Miss Krystique don't laugh at my situation. Having kissed by old ladies is a nightmare" - he said and horror is evident in his voice gayundin sa mukha niya. Muntikan pa ulit akong humagikhik pero pinigilan ko dahil baka mahiya o mailang tong bodyguard ni Krystique saakin, ayoko pa naman nang ganoon.

"Well at least now you know that you are handsome." - rinig kong saad ng katabi ko na walang iba na si Liberty na ngayon pala ay may malay na. And when she opened her eyes ay agad niyang tiningnan ang mukha ng kanyang bodyguard at lumabas ang ngisi sa labi nito.

"Well, Handsome enough to be kissed by oldies" - she added dahilan para lalong pumangit ang reaksyon nito. Pfft ang lakas talaga mang-asar ng babaeng. But I know that it is one of the qualities that my broth— nevermind it does not matter anyway since he already ruined every thing about them.

I am just happy our friendship is not affected by my brother's mistake or rather sin.  And more importantly, I just hope that he has a bloody good reason for doing such hideous act.

*

"Hey Krys do you have somewhere to stay?" - biglang tanong saakin ni Liberty dahilan para mapaisip ako. Ang tanging bahay na inuuwian ko tuwing magbabakasyon ako dati dito sa Pilipinas ay ang bahay nila mommy. And I think I could not go there anymore since they already disowned me.

So maybe I should actually look for a hotel to stay in.

"Silly Krys! If you don't have a place to stay in you could stay in my old unit. Oh and you cannot say no to my offer since I already asked my brother's secretary to name it after you! It is actually my gift for your daughter" - she exclaimed which made me almost drop my jaw.

This woman really had it all planned out! I can't believe that she can be so— so arghh nevermind!

"Oh yeah I'll just leave you to my driver since I have an appointment with a doctor today. I'll just visit you later or tomorrow" - she said again and just as I am about to protest ay nakita ko nalang siya na naglalakad na papalayo saakin kasama ang bodyguard niya.

*sigh*

"What am I going to do with your Aunt Liberty Euphemia?" - Pagkausap ko sa anak ko habang hinahaplos ko ang kanyang pisngi.

"Miss Krystique? Are you ready to go?" - someone said at ng lingunin ko ito ay halos mapatalon ako sa gulat ng makita ang isang babae na naka black suit din.

"Ikaw ba yung driver na sinasabi ni Liberty?" - I asked and she nod her head

"I am Linalee, Hidalgo family's personal driver and bodyguard. And I think it's about time we should head for your home since the heat around this place is bad for your baby's health since she is used to a cold climate" - she said at agad niyang kinuha ang bagahe ko. Wala sa sariling napanguso ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Duh? Doctor din naman ako and for her information hindi naman ganoon kasama ang init dito kay Euphy. Kahit na sanay siya sa lamig ay sa bahay naka todo naman din siya sa heater kaya may balanse din naman ang katawan niya. At hindi nadin masyadong nag re-react si Euphy sa init at mukhang nakapag-adjust nadin ito sa bagong lugar.

"Miss Krystique?" - napabalik ako sa ulirat ng bigla nanamang tumawag si Linalee.

"Oh coming!" - tanging sagot ko nalang kasabay ng paglakad ko ng mabilis. Nako sana lang hindi maisipan ni Euphy na gayahin ang ginagawa ng kanyang aunt Liberty nako! Dahil kung oo siguardo sasakit ang ulo ko sa konsimisyon

*
"This is going to be your new home Miss Krystique as what Miss Liberty had ordered. Everything in this unit is all yours. If you want to change anything please don't hesitate to call me" - Linalee said while I roam my eyes around the unit. My jaw almost dropped because of the many things that Liberty bought for me. From the sofa to the design and right now I can't imagine what the bedroom looks like! Ngayon na nagbalik na siya sa totoong identity niya mukhang andami niyang ginagastos! Eh sa totoo lang ang kuripot niya kaya! Ayaw na ayaw niyang nagwawaldas ng napakalaking pera tapos ganto? Hay!

"Here is my number Miss Krystique" - Linalee said at sabay abot saakin ng isang papel na kulay pink. "Now then I will take my leave Miss Krystique" - she  added and I nod at her hinawakan ko din ang kamay ni Euphemia at ito ang pinang-wave ko sa papaalis na si Linalee.

"Thank you Linalee" - I mouthed at kita ng kita ko ang pagngiti niya saakin at ganoon din kay Euphy.

"The pleasure is mine Miss" - she said at tuluyan na siyang nawala sa paningin ko.

Naglakad ako papaunta sa kulay pink na crib at doon ko nilapag ang mahimbig na natutulog na si Euphema. Hinaplos ko muli ang pisngi niya at hindi ko maiwasang ngumiti.

"Well I guess there is no turning back Euphemia. We are definitely going to find your father"