Nang balikan ni Illyze si Romanov ay mag-isa na lang ito. Nakatanglungko ito sa may wooden bridge at pinapanood ng paglalaro ng ilaw sa umaagos na tubig. Walang masyadong tao doon dahil halos ang lahat ng bisita ay nagse-celebrate sa party. Subalit bahagya pang naririnig sa tulay ang tugtog at tawanan ng mga bisita.
“Hey, hindi ka na bumalik sa party,” aniya at nilapitan ito. “Anong sabi ni Mr. Villaranza? Mukhang maganda ang offer niya sa iyo.”
“Yes. It is a very promising one. Sabi niya, ako ang first choice niya para sa project. And he doesn’t think he’d let other directors handle it.”
“Well, did you say yes?” she asked in an excited tone. Nawala ang excitement niya nang nananatili pa ring malungkot ang mata nito. “May problema?”
“I am not sure if I am ready to handle the project yet. I am not even sure if I am ready to face the world.”
“What’s wrong, Rome?” Hindi niya alam kung anong kinatatakutan nito.
Mapait itong ngumiti habang nakatuon pa rin ang atensiyon sa tubig. “Do you know how it feels to be betrayed by the person you loved the most?”
Umiling siya. “It must be awful.” Lalo na kung ang taong iyon ang iniikutan ng mundo niya, masasaktan talaga siya. Who betrayed him? What happened?
“You are right. It was awful. The worst thing that happened to me. Maraming espekulasyon kung bakit ako nawala at sa iyo ko lang sasabihin ito.”
Her heart thumped heavily. Hindi niya inaasahan na magko-confide ito sa kanya. “Its okay. I will listen.” She was grateful with his trust. Subalit ngayon pa lang ay parang kinakabahan na siya sa maari nitong ikwento.
Tumalikod ito sa tulay at sumandal sa wooden railing. “I fell in love with someone. College pa lang magkasama na kami hanggang mag-aral kami sa New York. Tinulungan niya akong maka-recover nang mamatay ang parents ko. My whole world revolved around her. And it was crazy because I believed that she was my destiny.” Nilingon siya nito. “But you know what? It was a lie. She herself was a big lie. To be betrayed by the person I trusted and loved, it was hellish. Parang wala na akong gustong pagkatiwalaan na kahit sino. I don’t even want to have friends. I don’t want any more betrayals.”
“And you hate the world because of that?”
His face tightened. Nakuyom din nito ang kamao. “Who wouldn’t? For a smart person, I am really, really stupid! How could I trust…”
Tumayo siya sa harap nito at ginagap ang dalawang kamao nitong nakakuyom. “Romanov, I don’t know exactly what that awful person did to you. She might have been your world but she real world isn’t that bad. Marami akong nakitang hindi magagandang bagay nang mag-travel ako. And I always wonder, how could those people survive tragedies? Siguro dahil naiisip nila na maganda pa ang mundo. It doesn’t matter if things suck around you. It’s up to you to make the most out of it,” aniya at ngumiti.
“Like a rainbow after the rain?” He loosened his fist. Umangat ang kamay nito at isinuklay sa buhok niya. His eyes were never leaving hers as if he was talking to her with his heart and soul. “Then you must be the rainbow when you came into my life, Illyze. The most beautiful rainbow I’ve seen in my life.”
His lips swooped and melded with hers. The kiss was sweet and gentle. Yet it was delivering millions of sensations all over her body. Her hands locked at the back of his neck. She kissed him back. Their bodies were touching and she could feel the contrast. Her masculinity against her femininity.
When an unfamiliar sound escaped from her throat, she suddenly woke up from dreaming. She suddenly pulled away from him. At nakatitig lang sa kanya si Romanov. As if he was satisfied with what he did.
“Romanov, why did you kiss me?” Of course he liked her. Pero hindi pa rin niya napaghandaan ang halik na iyon.
“I know that I like you. And why did you let me kiss you?”
She played with the lapel of his yukatan. Di siya makatingin nang diretso dito. And she even thought that she was bold enough for him. “B-Because I think I love you. I think that you are my destiny. Noong makita kita sa Mountain Trail, naramdaman ko na agad na ikaw ang para sa akin. But I didn’t love you because of destiny alone. Di dahil sa hinulaan ako. Sa palagay ko iyon lang ang instrument para magkasama tayo. I could fall for any other man in his riding club, Romanov. But my heart chooses you. Only you.”
She put her arms around his waist and lay down her head on his chest. Hindi niya alam kung kaya niyang pantayan ang unang babaeng minahal nito. And she didn’t give a damn at all. Her love was pure. She was sure about it. At handa rin niyang patunayan kay Romanov na totoo ang pagmamahal niya. She would be ready to face anything for him.
“I am sorry that I can’t offer you anything at the moment. Not my love. Not even my tainted heart,” he whispered as he caressed her hair.
Tiningala niya ito. At least he was honest enough not to give her false hopes and promises. “I am not asking for anything in return, Romanov. Not your heart or your love. Especially if you are not ready for anything yet.”
His lips slowly curved into a real smile. “It might be a slow process. Because even if you own my heart right now and even if I am already in love with you, I might not even be good enough for you, Illyze.”
Lumabi siya. “That is not true. You are…”
Pinigilan nito ang labi niya. “I had just started picking myself up. Nagsimula lang iyon nang makilala kita. And it might take some time. But I will definitely try to go back to my normal self. Just be patient.”
She laughed a little. “I traveled all around the world just to see you. I think a little more time won’t hurt. If you are ready then I am always here for you.”
He took her in his arms and claimed her lips. He didn’t have to say anything. He didn’t have to say anything. That kiss was more than enough. And she didn’t care how long it would take for him to heal. She would wait for him patiently.
“I RODE your brother off. At mukhang hindi niya matanggap na natalo siya,” natatawang kwento ni Romanov sa kanya habang kausap niya ito sa telepono. He joined her brother in an informal polo match.
She was at Rider’s Verandah preparing the sketches for her paintings. Gumagawa muna siya ng sketch para may concept na siya ng kung ano ang ipipinta niya sa fabric. Maselan kasi ang pagpipintahan niya. And it won’t be her work alone that would be affected. Pati ang design ni Jenna Rose ay pwedeng masira. Marami na ang naghihintay sa design na ilalabas nila ni Jenna Rose sa fashion show. That’s why she had to live up the expectations of the customers.
“It means that he is out of the game?” Ang ride off ay isang salita sa polo kung saan gigitgitin ng isang player ang kalaban para di nito matira ang bola.
“Yes. At ayaw niya akong kausapin.”
“Sole loser! Hayaan mo na siya. Para naman maranasan niyang matalo paminsan-minsan. And because you win, I’ll cook dinner for you,” aniya habang itinatapik ang lapis sa mesa.
“Hindi ba dapat Kuya Rolf mo ang I-treat mo? You have to console him.”
“Mas lalo siyang magagalit kapag kinaawaan siya. I will just let him sulk by himself. I want to show you my sketches as well.”
“I will see you later then. Bye!”
Walang tao sa Rider’s Verandah nang mga oras na iyon. Sa second floor nga ay siya lang ang tao. Kaya naman tuluy-tuloy ang pagtatrabaho niya.
“Excuse me,” anang isang babae nang lumapit sa kanya. She looked beautiful and elegant even she was already in her late twenties. “You are Illyze Guzman, right?” Tumango siya. Magtatanong ba ito tungkol sa design niya? Inabot nito ang kamay. “I am Jewel Toralde. I am Romanov Cuerido’s bestfriend.”
Namilog ang mata niya sa labis na pagkagulat at kinamayan ito. “Oh, really? Please have a seat. Do you want anything?” She was excited to know that Romanov has a friend. Nasabi kasi nito sa kanya na wala itong kaibigan.
“I am sorry for the bother.”
Umiling siya. “No, its okay. I am actually thrilled to meet you. I am afraid Romanov doesn’t talk much about his friends. Does he know that you are here? Do you want to talk to him? He is at the polo arena right now.”
“Please, don’t! Ikaw lang ang gusto kong makausap.” She looked agitated. “Romanov would hate to see me here.”
“Bakit naman? Bestfriend ka niya, hindi ba?”
Ilang sandali itong di nagsalita. “Sa iyo na ako lumapit para humingi ng tulong. Please do me a big favor.”
“Hmmm… Kung kaya ko bang gawin, bakit hindi?”
Ngumiti ito at inabot ang isang malaking envelope sa kanya. “This is a letter of approval from Sundance Film Festival. They like the story concept submitted by Romanov and all they want to see is the final output. Ilang buwan na lang at deadline na ng submission ng entry. And we need him back soon.”
Ipinaliwanag ni Jewel na kasama nito si Romanov sa iisang film outfit. At dahil sa basta-bastang pagkawala ni Romanov, di masimulan ang project. Ang Sundance ay hamak na mas prestigious kumpara sa ibang film festival na nasalihan na ni Romanov. Kahit ang mismong Hollywood ay kikilalanin ang galing nito oras na makasama ito sa mga finalist.
“This is something important. Ikaw na lang ang magbigay sa kanya.”
Umiling si Jewel. “Hindi siya makikinig sa akin. I am sure he would listen to you. It would be a waste to pass up this opportunity. Pagkakataon na niyang ipakita ang talent niya sa buong mundo. The project is really a promising one and only Romanov could do it. Ilang beses ko na siyang kinumbinsi pero lalo lang siyang nagmamatigas. Nang malaman ko ang tungkol sa iyo, nagkaroon ako ng pag-asa.”
Huminga siyang malalim at pinagmasdan ang envelope. “I can’t promise anything. Kukumbinsihin ko siya.”
“Please try. Hindi lang ito tulong para sa production outfit namin at sa mga taong umaasa sa kanya. Pati na rin sa kay Romanov mismo. Napaka-talented niya. Malayo pa ang mararating niya. I want to see the old Romanov back. Ayokong sirain niya ang future niya dahil lang sa isang walang kwentang tao,” umiiyak na sabi ni Jewel at napayuko. “Please help him.”
Humigpit ang hawak niya sa envelope nang maalala ang babaeng nanloko kay Romanov. Hindi siya papayag na magpatalo sa babaeng sumira sa buhay nito.
Tumayo siya at pinisil ito sa balikat. “Don’t worry, Jewel. Hindi ako papayag na palagpasin niya ang film festival na ito. Babatukan ko siya oras na tumanggi siya. He will finish this film and he will be back to his old self.”
“Thank you, Illyze!” anang si Jewel at niyakap siya. “I owe you this one.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” Ginagawa niya iyon para sa lalaking mahal niya. Para kay Romanov.
“REICHEN asked if I want to get serious with polo. After the ride off with Rolf a while ago, I could be a very promising polo player. At least here at the riding club,” nangingiting sabi ni Romanov habang nagdi-dinner sila sa villa nito. “Do you think he is serious about it?”
Isa sa mga popular na laro sa riding club ang polo. It even has its own annual open tournament. And the Stallion Riding Club provides well for its players.
“Mga babae lang ang binobola ni Kuya Reichen. But when it comes to horse sports, he is serious. But it’s better to consider it as a hobby.”
“Bakit naman? Malaki ang sweldo ng polo stars?” pabiro nitong sabi.
“Here,” nasabi lang niya at inabot dito ang envelope.
“Are these your sketches?”
“No. They are yours.”
Binuksan nito ang envelope at natigagal sa nabasa. “Sundance Film Festival?” Dumilim ang mukha nito. “Who gave this to you?”
“Jewel Toralde. She told me that she is your bestfriend. Nilapitan niya ako sa Rider’s Verandah kaninang nagtatrabaho ako. Sabi niya ibigay ko iyan sa iyo.”
Tumayo ito at sinambilat ang braso niya. “Anong sabi niya sa iyo?”
Nagulat siya sa matinding galit sa mukha nito. “Sabi niya nag-aalala siya sa iyo. Sana daw bumalik ka na sa trabaho mo. Tatlong buwan na lang bago ang festival. Everyone’s wants to have you back.”
“Don’t talk to that woman again. And this is what she could do with that film festival,” he stated then threw the envelope away. Kumalat ang sulat sa sahig. “Wala akong balak na bumalik sa kanila.”
Nahigit niya ang hininga at pinulot isa-isa ang sulat. “What’s wrong with you, Romanov? Nasasayang ang opportunity na ibinibigay sa iyo. Maraming director ang nag-a-aspire na makapasok sa prestigious film festival na iyon. Don’t let it go. And besides, why are you so cold to Jewel. She is your bestfriend.”
“Bestfriend?” He laughed with scorn in his voice. “So she has the guts to call me her bestfriend after what she did to me.”
“Bakit? Ano bang ginawa niya sa iyo?” lakas-loob niyang tanong.
“For a long time, I thought the sun rises and sets on her. She used to be the most important person to me. We met when we were in college. Parehong film ang kinuha namin. Siya ang tumulong sa akin para maging apprentice sa film outfit ng Uncle niya na producer. Nagkasama pa kaming mag-aral sa New York. And I promised my self that I would marry her someday.”
Nahigit niya ang hininga. Subalit nang mga oras na iyon, parang ayaw na lang niyang huminga. “E-Jewel is the woman you love. A-And she betrayed you? How could it be possible?”
Jewel was so nice. Concern na concern ito kay Romanov. Kung iisipin nga niya, mahal ni Jewel ang binata. Bakit nito sasaktan si Romanov?
Mariing nagdikit ang labi nito. And his eyes burned in contempt. “During her twenty-ninth birthday, I asked her to marry me. And she said yes. Pero hindi pa daw namin pwedeng ipaalam sa public hangga’t di pumapayag ang Uncle niya.”
“You were engaged?” She talked as if she was only talking to her self.
Idiniin nito ang palad sa dining table. “Pumayag ang Uncle niya. Pero sa halip na matuwa, nag-iiyak siya. Then she revealed everything to me. She is in love with someone else. She is in love with her Uncle.”
“What?” bulalas niya. “I… I don’t get it.”
Naniningkit ang mata siya nitong nilingon. “That producer is not her real uncle, Illyze. She became his mistress since she was seventeen. That man is twice her age. May totoo nang asawa si Mr. Lorenzo. But maybe he really likes Jewel that’s why he kept her. At ginamit lang ako ni Jewel para pagtakpan ang relasyon nila. Who knows? Maybe she still wants to continue their affair even if we were already married. I was betrayed by my bestfriend and I was betrayed by the man I considered as my second father. And I am a stupid fool, am I?”
“It was horrible,” nausal niya at nanlalambot na napaupo. Parang namamanhid ang buong katawan niya. Ang traidurin ng dalawa sa pinaka-importanteng tao sa buhay nito ay malaking sampal para dito.
Umuklo ito sa harap niya. “Now you know why I don’t want to go back.”
Hinaplos niya ang mukha nito. He had been enduring so much pain all this time. Kaya itinataboy nito ang lahat ng tao palayo dito. “Romanov, I am sorry. Hindi ko alam na ganito ang ginawa nila sa iyo. But you know what? You don’t have to give up the things you love to do just because of them.”
Kumunot ang noo nito. “What do you mean?”
“You love creating beautiful movies to inspire other’s, right? Papayag ka bang masira iyon dahil lang sa kanila? There is no use if you’ll sulk here inside the riding club. Hindi ito ang mundo mo, Romanov!”
“Are you trying to teach me how to live my life?”
“No. Ang sinasabi ko lang…”
“It is my problem, Illyze! Not yours!”
Napipilan siya. Parang tinamaan siya ng kidlat nang direkta sa dibdib. She couldn’t breathe. As if her whole system just stopped functioning. “So that how it is. You are telling me to butt out of your business. When all this time, I thought you are my business. Akala ko kasi importante ako sa iyo.”
“Hindi ko sinasabi na hindi ka importante sa akin.”
“But what? Your anger is still more important to you? Masaya ka ba na sinisira mo ang sarili mo?” Naramdaman niyang tumulo ang luha sa pisngi niya. She didn’t want to cry. Not when she needed all the strength she could get. “I thought I was sent by destiny to pull you out of this miserable state. Naisip ko kasi na baka makatulong ako sa iyo. I stayed by your side even if the whole world sees you as Count Dracula. I cared for you even if you didn’t want anybody to take care of you. You told me to patiently wait until you are ready to love me.” Pinahid niya ang luha at direkta itong tiningnan. “But it looks like I am waiting in vain for nothing. You won’t change. You just want to stay here and sulk. Kung gusto mo magalit sa mundo, go ahead. And I am butting out of your life so that you can mind your own business from now on! I hope you are happier now!”