Kabanata 24
"Heart!" sigaw ni Magen.
Pumalakpak pa ako ng makita ang namumula na mukha ng babae na napaupo sa sahig.
"You deserve that..." malditang sabi ko at akmang hihilahin ko ang buhok niya ng hawakan ni Magen ang kamay ko.
"Stop it..." mahinahon niyang sabi.
I was wearing a simple yet fitted color black dress partnered with my favorite chunky boots while Magen is wearing a simple white t-shirt and black trouser partnered with his favorite Gucci loafers, another design huh?
Napairap na lang ako. Pinanood kong tinulungan ng mga pulis sa pagtayo 'tong pasimuno sa pagkidnap sa Ate ni Anica. Anica looks scared earlier!
"I didn't slap her hard!" pagdedepensa ko sa sarili ko. "Isang sampal lang naman 'yon, Magen," I added and rolled my eyes.
"Bitch! Who the hell are you?! Hindi mo 'ko sinampal ng malakas?! I can still feel it! Bullshit!"
"Then congrats?" I asked sarcastically.
"Heart, just behave, okay? You told me that you're going to behave..." Magen mocked as he stared at my eyes.
Galing kahapon 'tong si Magen sa Cebu when someone inform him what happened. I want to go with him but he refused it and told me that It's dangerous. Well, wala na akong nagawa dahil 'pag gising ko ay umalis na siya. Kaya ngayon ay sumama ako na ipakulong 'tong babae na 'to.
She looked rich and bitch because of her dark red lipstick. How can she harm someone because of jealousy?! She even accused Anica's older sister! Baliw na 'tong babae na 'to.
Hindi ko nalang sinagot si Magen. Well, Kaela suffered to amnesia and this bitch deserves the hardest slap!
"Kaela that bitch deserve what happened to her---"
Bigla akong nairita sa boses niya kaya hinubad ko ang suot kong chunky boots at binato sa kaniya.
"Head shot!" natatawang sabi ko.
Napasigaw ang babae at siya na mismo ang pumasok sa kulungan. She stared badly at me like I did a crime.
"Oh... scary..." I mocked sarcastically.
I heard her cursing some curses but I just covered my ears like a 7 years old kid mocking her enemy. I crossed my arm over my chest as I waited for Magen that talking to someone. Lawyer?
"Dapat si Attorney Nazario nalang ang tinawagan mo,"
Napahinto siya sa paglalakad at hinarap ako na nakakunot ang noo.
"Extra service rin," I added with sarcasm.
Nanliliit ang mata niya akong tinitigan. "Pinagsasabi mo na naman?" natatawang tanong niya.
I dodged his stare because I felt like I was going to sweat a bullet. I entered his manly scent sedan. He entered too but I can sense his intense gaze at me like he was solving a puzzle.
"Where do you want to go?" he uttered using is sexy deep voice.
"Sa Mars," pilosopong sagot ko.
I flutter an eyelid two times when he grinned at me like he knew that I was joking. Si Magen ba talaga 'to?!
"Are you mad at me?" kunot-noo akong nag-iwas ng tingin. "Bakit pakiramdam ko galit ka sa 'kin? Did I do something bad?
"Are you insane, Magen? Bakit ako magagalit sa 'yo?" natatawa kong tanong. " I'm not mad, okay? It's fine if you want to call my cousin or whoever the hell she is. Wala akong pakialam. Pwede ba pakibilisan 'yung pag-da-drive?" iritado kong balik sa kaniya.
"You want to go in Mars?" hindi ako sumagot. Is he crazy? "Mainit do'n, Hon. I suggest we can go to Venus since your beauty is for all over the universe," banat niya.
Hindi ko alam kung paano na natapos ang ilang buwan na lagi kaming magkasama. Sometimes, I'm visiting him on Cafeteria. A few months have passed. I took Magen to Manchy's birthday since Wave didn't come home because he was too busy. We just acted like Magen and I are friends even deep inside there are feelings hidden.
The months that have passed have also become very complicated because Magen's friend got in an accident. He got hospitalized for a months and I can't do anything but to wait inside my unit.
Hindi rin kasi ako pinayagan na pumunta ng hospital. I just agreed on what he said dahil wala naman akong magagawa. I also want to give them a privacy.
After a months of Magen's friend recovery. Kaela and Rapha are going to get married. Hindi ko alam kung paano ako naging invited. They didn't know me at all!
Novemeber 26, 2017!
"This color looks good to you..." napatingin naman ako kay Magen na tinuro ang kulay brown na lipstick.
I looked at the makeup artist that giggled a bit. Hindi ko inaasahan na mananatili pa dito sa loob 'tong lalaki na 'to!
"Alright..." I nodded. "Lumabas kana Magen baka mahuli ka sa kasal," I mouthed.
Siya naman kasi 'yung kaibigan. It's virtuous if he come there earlier.
"Sabay na tayong pupunta ng simbahan. Wear that brown lipstick," he commands me.
"I will... since it's my favorite color,"
He nodded and put his both hands in his both pockets. He did a clean cut that further showed the true beauty of the shape of his face. His deep dangerous eyes. His red lips and her aristocratic nose look like a perfect sculpture, napakaganda. Lalo pa na bumagay sa kaniya ang kulay itim niyang tuxedo.
"Ang ganda mo talaga..." the makeup artist uttered and I give her a smile.
Wearing a white silk v-neck long gown with a sparkling sequin partned with my 2 inches white heels. Bahagya kong inayos ang buhok kong nakalugay at nakakulot.
"Grabe ang daming tao," rinig kong mahinang sabi ni Anica na nasa tabi ko.
She is with Ethan and there's a girl beside her na parang mga nasa mid-40's.
"Hello," I greeted her.
She looks shocked, napatingin rin sa akin si Anica at ang boyfriend niya.
"Oh? You look beautiful! Inaanak, ito naba ang nobya mo?" she asked and looked at Magen who's beside me.
Napalunok ako ng samaan ako ng tingin ni Magen. Oh? It's Magen's Ninang? Parang kailan lang ay 'yung ninong niya ang nakilala ko ha!
"Ah, hiwalay napo kami. We're just friend po," I answered honestly.
Alangan naman na magsinungaling ako! Duh, nasa harapan kami ng simbahan baka mamaya ay malusaw ako.
"Ma, magulo 'yang dalawa na 'yan. Siya nga pala ma si Heart. Kaibigan ko rin. Mayaman din 'yan! Pag-aaralin nga ako dapat n'yan, e." nahiya ako dahil sa sinabi ni Anica.
I smiled awkwardly "Poena Heart Nazario po," I introduced myself.
"Ysabeth Fernivilla," she introduced while smiling.
Nagkwentuhan pa kami saglit habang lahat kami ay nasa labas nitong Manila Cathedral.
"Excuse me po," I excused myself when my phone rang.
May iilan na napatingin sa akin. I smiled at Magen when he stared at me.
"Someone is calling me..." I explained to him.
He held my arm and nodded "Samahan kita..." he acknowledged.
Hinila niya ako papunta sa gilid ng simbahan. Nagsimula na papasukin ang iilan at sineset-up na ang mga dapat i-set-up.
"Hello, Mom?" I answered her.
I heard her sobs kaya agad akong kinabahan. I didn't heard her sobs eversince. Ngayon lang!
"M-mom?!" I panicked.
Magen stared at me and raised his brows. Para bang nagtataka siya dahil sa tono ng pananalita ko. Sobrang bilis ng kabog ng dibdib ko habang pinapakinggan ang mga mahihina niyang paghikbi.
"W-where are you b-ba?" her voice cracked.
My brows furrowed as I swallowed hard the nervous feelings "I'm here at Manila Cathedral. Aattend ako ng kasal. What is wrong, Mom? Why are you crying? Nasaan si Dad? Sinong kasama mo Mom?" I panicked asked.
"Oh? okay... it's nothing naman, Heart. Nakakaiyak ang pinapanood ko. By the way, it's the Lavilla's wedding right? Invited kami d'yan pero wala pa ang daddy mo baka sa reception nalang kami tutuloy," she uttered, unbelievably.
Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na pagbuntong hininga. Akala ko naman kung ano na ang nangyari!
"Okay, Mom. I'll wait for you then..." I answered and then she hang up.
"Son..." sabay kami na napalingon ni Magen sa nagsalita.
The women in front of us looks stunning with her white simple long gown. A guy beside him looks serious. Agad na nanlaki ang mata ko. He look like Magen!
"Mom..." Magen greeted his Mom and hugged her.
Magen didn't intend to look at his dad. Mukhang nasaktan naman ang dad at mom niya sa ginawa niya.
"Venisa Lavilla," her mother introduced and handed her hand to me.
I swallowed hard "Poena Heart Nazario..." I shook her hand and her face immediately turned into a red one.
Humarap naman ako sa Dad ni Magen and I offered my hand that shocked him too. "Poena Heart Nazario po..." pag-ulit ko.
"Dawn Maghel Villafueno,"
Nanlaki ang mata ko ng hampasin ng bahagya ni Magen ang kamay ko. Hinila niya agad ako papunta sa likod niya para maiiwas sa Dad niya. I felt like I was hurt when I saw his dad expression. He just smiled at me like he is okay with his son's action.
"It's nice to meet you, Heart," his dad softly said and held his wife's hand.
Naglakad na sila palayo sa amin at pumasok na ng simbahan. I looked at Magen, he stared badly at his dad.
"You're here at church. You must let the hatred fades away. Kahit saglit lang, Magen."
He didn't said anything. Naglakad na agad siya papasok sa simbahan kaya agad akong sumunod.
Kaela and Rapha's wedding was simple but very beautiful. The flowers around are simple but I know its values are expensive. Even the red carpet is also beautiful fabric used to ensure the price is also expensive.
I can't deny that Kaela is also very beautiful and Rapha is handsome. They look like they were born for each other because they are beautiful to look at. Love can be seen on their faces as if no one can break it.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit habang nagbibigayan silang dalawa ng wedding vows and promises ay naiyak ako. They really looks inlove even us can immediately tell it.
"So? You're Magen's ex-girlfriend but you both stick with each other?" Tita Venisa teased us.
Nandito kami ngayon sa isang resort kung saan ang reception. We're here at big rounded table. Anica is in another table while me, Magen, and his parents are here.
"Yes po..." I awkwardly said.
I looked at Magen when he chuckled and moved closer to me. Hindi naman ako kinakabahan sa parents ni Magen. Mas kinakabahan ako kay Magen.
"Oh!" natatawang sabi ni Tita Venisa.
She even held Tito Maghel's arm and lean on his shoulder. I saw how Tito's lips form into a sweet smile while looking at Tita Venisa. Mukha namang mahal talaga ni Tito si Tita! He cheated? In this kind of stare I can't agree that he did. He look so damn inlove!
"What do you want to eat?" Magen whispered using his deep voice.
Napabaling ako sa kaniya "Who cooked ---"
"It's international chef. So, don't be choosy," he rolled his eyes.
I just cackled and giggle "You choose since I don't mind..."
He sighed and nodded "Alright... gutom kana ba? Ang alam ko pupunta ang dad mo. Wala pa sila?"
I shrugged "My Mom told me that Dad is still busy. Susunod nalang daw sila dito and maybe parating na 'yon,"
"Your parents are coming?" napatingin ako kay Tito Maghel na nagtanong.
I smiled at him and nodded "Yes po..."
He just nodded at look at Tita Venisa like he is warning her.
Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas tahimik lang kaming dalawa ni Magen at pinapanood si Tito at Tita na nagkukwentuhan. I can't take my eyes off because they looks good together! Kaya para sobrang labo talaga na nagcheat si Tito!
"Dad! Why you took so long?" nakangusong tanong ko ng umupo si Dad sa bakanteng upuan sa gilid ko.
He is wearing his usual playful smile. Ang gwapo parin pala talaga ni Dad kahit nagkakaedad na siya.
He smiled at me, sweetly. "Don't worry, Honey. I'm already here," bumaling siya kay Tito Maghel. "It nice to see the both of you again,"
Tita and Tito nodded at him and smiled like they are friends.
"Magkakilala kayo?" I asked Dad and then he nodded. "How?" I asked curiously.
Mom is very extrovert! She is damn snob! I mean, madaldal naman si Mom but you need to push the trust button on her heart to got what the attention that you want. Kahit ata sa pamilya ni Dad pinagsusungitan niya!
"We're friends..." Tito Maghel stare at my Dad and smirked.
Napangiti akong tumango-tango. Dad tapped Magen's shoulder, napaayos naman ng upo si Magen at nginitian si Dad.
I nodded "Well... okay," tanging nasabi ko. "Where is Mom? Dad, don't tell me... she stay at our house?"
She is not fond of this kasi. Mas gugustuhin niyang magkulong sa bahay at ubusin ang pera ni Dad para bumili ng mga designer bags or shoes niya. Napatingin ako kay Tita Venisa nang mabitawan niya ang hawak niyang kutsara. Her hands is trembling too much!
"Tita, are you alright?" tanong ko sa kaniya.
Namumutla na rin kasi siya para bang may gusto siyang iwasan na bagay ngunit hindi niya maiwasan dahil wala siyang choice.
She lifted her head at me "H-huh? A-ah... yes," naiilang niyang sagot.
Kumunot ang noo ko ng mapansin ang maamo na mukha ni Tito Maghel na nakatingin kay Magen na ngayon ay nakatingin sa akin. The atmosphere felt so different. Parang isang maling galaw namin ay guguho ang mundo namin.
"Are you sure?" tanong ni Tito kay Tita.
I lean on the backrest of this stainless chair and held Magen's hand under the table. Magen looked at me seriously, I thought he's going to protest but he held my hand tighter.
"Y-yes, I t-think I need to go," Tita stuggled to said those words.
Even I want to stare at Tita, I didn't intend to. I locked my eyes on Magen's eyes that resisting my gaze. Grabe, ganito pala talaga ang feeling na titigan ka ng taong mahal mo. Parang hindi nakakasawa.
"Face the consequence. Stop running away," I heard Tito uttered.
Napatingin na ako kay Tito dahil mukhang medyo nakakatakot ang tono ng pagsasalita niya. Bahagya pa kaming natahimik. I saw how Tita's eyes look uncomfortable. Tito sniffed and stood up.
Pinanood ko siyang naglakad palayo. I played Magen's fingers. Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas, Magen stood up and follow his Dad. Sana hindi sila mag-away dito dahil baka masira lang nila ang handaan.
Gusto ko sila sundan but I think that he needs privacy. I don't want to meddle on his problem especially when it comes to his family. I have boundaries... yeah, I have.
"Hello, Heart baby!" napangiti ako ng umupo si Mom sa inuupuan ni Magen. "I'm sorry kasi now lang me nakapunta. Your dad is so busy kasi and I waited for almost an hour! Nasira pa nga ang makeup ko because of his stupid business meeting..." and then she rolled her eyes.
"Sweetheart, anong kinalaman ng business meeting ko sa pagkasira ng makeup mo..." Dad mumbled and laughed a bit.
"It is because you took so long!" Mom annoyed said. "Nakakainis, ba't ba ang daming tao dito?" she added.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arm over my chest "Baka may fiesta..." I sarcastically said.
"Fiesta? It's Lavilla's son kasal. Bakit ang dami nilang ininvite?" tanong niya pa ulit bago maglinga-linga.
"Mom, mas marunong kapa sa kinasal. They want it," I rolled my eyes again.
She just groaned and rolled her eyes too.
"Oh!" my mom uttered. "Bestfriend mo..." sabi niya kay Dad bago ituro si Tita Venisa na nakayuko.
Dad stared badly at my Mom "Stop it--"
"Why? Am I wrong?" mataray na tanong ni Mom.
Pabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa kanilang tatlo. Mom is being sarcastic while Dad look like he was about to burst out. Si Tita Venisa naman ay parang inaaway dahil nakayuko lang siya at tahimik.
"Mom, stop it. Nakakahiya kay Tita Venisa..."
Mom chuckled "Siya ang dapat na mahiya---"
"Mom!" inis kong awat sa sasabihin niya.
What a brat! Hindi talaga niya kaya na pigilan ang matalas niyang bibig!
"What? Omg ha? Pinagtutulungan niyo ako," and then she pouted but I saw how her serious gaze drifted at Tita.
I want to ask what is it? Bakit gano'n but I choose to not ask them. Maybe, sa sobrang tagal nilang hindi nagkita ay hindi na sila masyadong naging close?
"N-nasaan ang Dad mo?" tanong ni Tita kay Magen na ngayon ay nakatayo sa gilid ni Mom.
I smiled at him but my smile immediately dissappeared when I saw his angry eyes.
"Oh? this is Mags' son? He looks like his dad!" my Mom complimented Magen.
Hindi ko alam pero parang kumalabog ang dibdib ko ng walang bumakas na saya sa mukha ni Magen. He sat down beside his Mom where his dad is seating earlier.
He didn't intend to give me a gaze. He was staring at my Mom. Like, he was waiting for a chance to ripped my Mom's life. Kinakabahan ako... I was hoping that this strange feelings is not real.
"Your daughter looks like his Dad..." Magen huskily said and finally drifted his gaze at me.
"Oh! Don't offend me, dear." Mom chuckled.
Napairap nalang ng maarte na nilapag ni Mom ang hawak niyang mamahaling purse. Ngayon kolang napansin na mukhang mamahalin din ang suot niya na silver long gown and high heels! Dad is really... whatever!
"What's your name po?" magalang na tanong ni Magen.
Napatitig pa ako sa kaniya at halos ata lahat kami at seryosong nakatingin sa kaniya.
"Stacey," mom simply said. "Stacey Mariano," she added before looking at her black nails.
"Stacey M. Nazario," Dad corrected my mom.
"By the way, one of cafeteria branch in your resort was Magen's café," Dad informed Mom.
Ilang buwan narin pala ang lumipas mula ng regaluhan ni Dad si Mom ng resort and Magen accept Dad's offer. I don't why Dad give Mom a gift like that even she's not doing anything at all!
"Oh, congrats!" Mom uttered before drinking her water.
Tumango-tango si Magen "Thank uou po," magalang niyang sabi bago tumayo. "I'll introduce first Heart to my friends po," he held my elbow down to my waist.
Pigil ang kilig akong napakagat-labi. May mga bumabati kay Magen na parang mga kakilala niya. I just smiled at them when their gaze drifted at me.
"Ikaw pala 'yung nagbalik sa akin nung bracelet ko. Kaya pala pamilyar ka sa akin," napangiti ako ng makita ang magandang babae.
She is wearing a terno pajama. Siya 'yung kinasal. Siya ang ate ni Anica at ang ganda ganda niya.
"Oh? Kaya pala pamilyar karin,"
My eyes widened when I saw Hanzel. He is sitting on the sofa.
"Baby..." napabaling ako sa lalaki na niyakap ang ate ni Anica.
"Ayaw kona suotin 'yung gown. Ang haba," reklamo ni Kaela.
Pinindot ni Magen ang baywang ko kaya napabaling ako sa kaniya. Hindi parin kami nagpapakita sa mag-asawa dahil bahagyang napahinto si Magen.
"What's wrong?" takang tanong no.
Napatingin siya sa akin bago umiling. Pinalibot ko nalang ang tingin dito sa loob ng resort. It look expensive too!
"Pre..." tawag ni Magen sa asawa ni Kaela.
"Hello! Kaela Yves Lavilla and you are?" naglahad ng kamay sa akin si Kaela kaya napangiti ako.
"Poena Heart Nazario..." I shook her hand.
"Rapha Jireh Lejano," tinanguan niya lang ako.
Tumango rin ako "Poena Heart Nazario..." saad ko na nagpatawa sa amin dalawa ni Kaela.
"I like your vibes!" Kaela uttered and slapped Magen's hand on my waist.
Hinila ako ni Kaela paupo sa sofa na iniupuan ni Hanz and now we're close with each other. Kapag ata gumalaw ako ay magdidikit ang balat namin.
"Hanzel, siya nga pala si---"
"I know her, Kaela. She's my ex-girlfriend," walang pag-aalinlangan na sabi ni Hanz.
Awkward akong tumawa dahil kita ko ang gulat sa mukha ni Kaela.
"Oh.. I'm so sorry," she apologized.
I snapped my hands "No...no, it's fine. We're just friends," I mumbled and raised my brows at Hanz.
"Why you look serious?"
I looked at Magen and Rapha that standing beside us. Rapha teased Magen using his brown eyes and playful smiles.
"Itabi ko kaya 'yang si Kaela kay Reil? Para masagot mo rin 'yang tanong mo." Magen uttered filled with sarcasm.
"Hell no!" Rapha groaned.
I saw how Kaela's eyes rolled when Rapha kissed her temple. Wow, grabe... they looked really in love!
"Heart..." napabaling ako kay Hanz. "Do you want to... uhm... go with me tomorrow? Dinner?" napakamot pa siya sa ulo niya.
"Why? Is there any celebration?" I asked curiously.
Well, I don't want to be harsh or rude at him. I think we can still be a friends even we have past.
"No.. I just want--"
"Back off, dude. Hindi siya pwede," gulat akong napalingon kay Magen na umupo sa tabi ko at tinitigan si Hanz.
Narinig ko pa ang pagsinghap ng mag-asawa na nakatayo at pinapanood kami.
"Hindi ikaw ang tinatanong ko," Hanz fired him back.
"Wala akong pakialam," Magen murmured using his deep voice. "She is available only for me, not for you... not for anyone," he added calmly.