Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Fifteen: Envy

Chapter Fifteen
Envy

"Come here, Clementine."

On Kuya Hugo's mark, I went up to him while I sighed. Hawak-hawak ang isang wine glass ay nakipag-toast pa siya nang makalapit ako. I had no choice but to return the fun so I smiled before I drunk the half-full glass I was holding.

"Don't get too drunk though," he warned.

Nasa mansiyon sila para sa isang mas maliit na selebrasyon 'pagkatapos ng kanilang kasal. Si Kuya Hugo ang nag-isip na gawin ito bago sila tuluyang magbakasyon sa Zurich, Switzerland sa isang linggo, kasabay ng pag-uwi ko naman sa Pilipinas.

Good for him. He doesn't have to deal with too much of our parents because he'll be away for who knows until when.

Hindi ko mapigilang maglagay muli ng wine sa baso at sumimsim. Tahimik lamang ako sa isang gilid habang ang lahat ng tao sa mansiyon ay nagsasaya. Sina Tita Delia at Abuela ay nagsasayawan na parang napakalakas pa ng katawan. Xin and Fenris were laughing with Ate Merliya while she talked about Kuya Hugo's embarrassing stories. Abuelo's conversing with Nana and my brother now.

Si Eros, nasa tabi ng Abuelo, pero hindi nagsasalita. Nakapatong ang baba sa kamao habang ang kamay ay nasa armrest ng sofa. He was even crossing his legs like a regal man. My then breathing intensified when he met my gaze. He must have felt my stare that his attention drew to me out of nowhere.

Kalmado akong umiwas ng tingin bago mapalunok. The realization I had just a few days ago knocked in my mind that my heart automatically beated rapidly. Napasimsim akong muli at hindi maiwasang mapapikit sa hagod ng wine sa lalamunan ko.

"Clementine, dito ka at makipag-usap," tawag sa'kin ni Nana. "Huwag kang uminom ng sobra at sasakit na naman ang ulo mo niyan."

"Okay lang, Na," sabi ko ng nakangiti.

"Is there a matter, hija?" si Abuelo naman ang nagtanong.

Kaagad akong umiling. I knew Eros is still looking at me. He constantly does these days that I find it difficult to move around because my stupid heart always pulsates at his drawing stares na kulang na lang ay kainin ako ng buhay.

"Wala po, Abuelo," I said awkwardly.

I took a few steps back to distance myself in their vicinity. Umakto pa akong hinihilot ang sentido para magkaroon ng rason at pagkakataong lumayo at mapag-isa. I only know my room isn't a good option because I'll surely feel bored. Sa dulo, kinailangan ko pang hintayin silang mawala ang atensyon sa'kin bago lumabas ng mansyon.

The moon solemnly brightens the sky tonight. Medyo may kalamigan din ang hangin dahilan para mayakap ko ang sarili. I can't stop thinking about the days I still have to spent here. Sa ngayon ay iniisip ko na lang na umuwi at bumalik sa Maynila, at hayaang malanta ang nararamdaman kong ito.

I like Eros Jackson Ramirez, our family driver. And to think Jayden was impossible to reach out to Mamá, ito pa bang lalaking hindi niya gusto ang estado sa buhay. Kuya Hugo also said so.

Hinampas ko ang pisngi ko kahit gising na gising naman. I shouldn't worry about it so much. Gusto ko lang siya. Hindi ko ikamamatay. Hindi ko ikakalupasay sa lupa kung hindi kami pwede. Besides, I'm led to believe I am tied and have to marry someone already. That's something I had to keep in mind. Not some petty affection over someone I can reach but isn't rich.

"Señorita."

Nanginig ang katawan ko sa tinig ng pamilyar boses sa likuran ko. Hindi pa man ako nakakalingon pero sumasayaw na ang tuhod ko sa kaba. I felt his tall figure standing beside me, quickly surrounding my nose with his sweet and hot cinnamon-like smelling perfume. I cleared my throat and took steps forward to tear some distance apart. My god, his scent is taming.