Where The Wild Things Are

Kabanata 26

Kabanata 26

Heads and Surprises

ALI

I kept the origami in my drawer for days and didn't bother to ask anyone about it. I don't even think it's disturbing me for a while dahil wala naman kakaibang nangyayari magmula nung natanggap ko 'yung origami.

Except one thing.

I can feel that someone's eyeing me. Not stalking, but someone's really watching me.

But I can't help it if my visuals are always attention seeking. Kidding.

Ipinagsawalang bahala ko na lang ang pakiramdam na ito dahil mas lalo naman akong tinutukan ng pamilya ko. My brothers decided to drive me to school. Kuya Alex every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Kuya Lear on the remaining days. I don't have any complain dahil ginusto ko na rin 'to.

Kahit sa pagpunta sa bahay ng mga kaibigan ko, mas gusto ni Kuya Alex na siya na mismo ang maghatid sa akin at huwag na ang driver namin bago siya pumasok sa trabaho.

"So, I'll pick you up after work?" tanong ni Kuya Alex sa akin pagkarating sa mansyon nila Arianne.

"Bahala na. Kapag maaga kaming natapos, baka kahit kay Kuya Lear na lang, kuya."

"You sure?"

"Uh-hmm..." I hummed pero dahil may mukhang gustong marinig sa akin, "Pero don't worry, pwede rin naman akong dumeretso sa office mo." but wrong move. Kuya Alex's eyes turned into thin slits. Guess
I won't get away that easily, eh?

"No. Kahit magpahatid ka pa sa driver. Still no. Just call me. Pwede naman akong umalis ng office for a while. Ano pa't ako ang boss?" pagmamayabang niya.

I mentally rolled my eyes at him which he responded with a chuckle.

"Kid, you won't get away from us that easily. Kaya sige na, tawagan mo na lang ako mamaya." he commented and patted my shoulders. I just nodded dahil talo na naman na ako at yumakap kay Kuya Alex bago pumasok sa mansyin nila Arianne.

Malaki ang mansyon ng mga Gomez. Dahil nasa linya ng pamilya nila Arianne ang pagpasok sa politika. Her grandmonther is the former vice-governor here in Laguna, her grandfather used to run as a senator pero natalo kaya mas pinili na lang nila na tumulong openly sa mga nangangailangan ng tulong, Mrs. Gomez is a lawyer—magkaklase sila ni Papa nung college at naging mayor ng Santa Cruz, and now, her Father is the Elected Governor here in Laguna.

Si Arianne lang ang walang amor sa pagpasok sa mundo ng politika dahil sabi niya, parang hindi raw para sa kanya 'yun, instead, 'yung mga ate niya ang nagpo-focus sa pag-aaral ng Law at nagbabalak pumasok sa politika someday.

Pumasok na ako sa mansyon nila at bumungad sa akin ang grand staircase nila. Their mansion is a Spanish-colonial style and it very standouts dahil hanggang ngayin ay kinikilala pa rin ito ng mga arkitekto mula sa iba't ibang bansa. It was even exclusively recognized by Forbes magazine for it's elegant and exclusive style.

"Huang!" narinig kong sigaw mula sa taong bumababa sa grand staircase ng mansyon ng mga Gomez. It was Arielle, Arianne's younger sister.

Arielle is two years younger than Arianne pero mas matangkad pa siya sa'kin. Just like Arianne, her looks are so foreign. Kung hindi ko 'to kakilala, baka isipin ko na kambal sila ni Arianne o baka ate pa niya.

I waved at her at went to her direction. "Hi, where's your ate?" I asked.

"Baka nasa garden. I don't know, baka nasa kwarto niya or sa pool. Pwede ri--" Arielle was cutted of when his father came down and called for me.