ALEXIANA CALLISTO
I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside.
The sun's rays were shining brilliantly, as if telling me how beautiful this day is going to turn out. I twisted sluggishly and spent a couple of lazy minutes just staring through the window and into the rich leaves of the tree that's right outside my balcony. The thin curtain is swishing calmly, dancing with the morning wind, tempting me to get up from bed.
I obliged.
The book I was reading last night was on the side of my bed. Next to it was a scrunchie that I used to tie my hair in a messy bun with. A yawn escaped from my mouth as I did some quick stretching before doing the entire morning routine. When I was done, I went down the stairs excitedly and headed to the porch, where I guessed my Nana was.
"Manang, puwede ba akong sumama sa'yo sa palengke today?"
Nilingon niya ako at nginitian. "Oo naman! Ano ba ang gusto mong ulam ngayon?"
Bago pa ako makasagot ay naunahan niya na ako. "Sinigang!"
"You know me so well!"
"S'yempre naman. Akala mo yata ay porke't matanda na ako ay nakalimutan ko na ang gusto niyong magkakapatid. Hindi yata, 'no!"
"Still sharp as ever. Kaya ikaw ang paborito kong Nana, e."
"Asheng, aba! Ako lang naman ang nag-iisa niyong Nana."
Napahalakhak ako. Matapos lang ang ilang sandali ay nakuha niya na ang bayong na paglalagyan ng mga bibilhin. Bago makarating sa pamilihang bayan ay kailangan pa naming maglakad ng abot kinse minutos. Puwede namang sumakay sa mga tricycle na nakaparada sa amin, ngunit mas gusto kong naglalakad. Natutuwa ako sa mga tanawin at gusto ko ring sulitin ang kabuuang paglalagi ko rito.
Isang linggo na akong narito sa Daet. Sa ngayon, ang pinagkakaabalahan ko ay ang pagbo-volunteer sa pagtuturo sa mga batang kapitbahay. Sa tapat ng barangay hall ay nagtatayo ang mga magulang ng malaking tolda kung saan ginaganap ang mga mini classes na tatlong beses sa isang linggo. Tumatagal ang isang klase ng halos dalawang oras. Pagkatapos ay magpapamahagi kami ni Manang Soling ng pagkain sa mga estudyante.
Para bang may kakaibang saya akong nararamdaman kapag nakikita ko ang aliw sa mga mata nila. Pag natapos ang mahigit dalawang buwan kong bakasyon dito ay paniguradong mamimiss ko sila.
"Kuwentuhan mo naman ako kay Alexander. Ang batang 'yon! Kaunti na lang ay magtatampo na ako sa kan'ya. Hindi dumadalaw at puro na lang tawag. Manang-mana sa ama mo," ika ni Manang habang naglalakad sa gilid ko.
"He's been very busy lately. Sometimes he would even sleep inside his office. Nakakalimutan nga rin ho niya na magdinner minsan dahil sa pagod. Dinadalhan ko 'yon ng pagkain sa condo paminsan-minsan. Hindi ko rin naman siya masisi dahil alam kong gusto niya lang maipakita kay Dad na tama ang desisyon nitong pagkatiwalaan siya sa negosyo," sambit ko. "You know how he gets."
"Proud naman sa kanya si Aaron. Kitang-kita ko naman na lumaki kayong mahal na mahal nila ni Cassidy," anas niya bago hinawakan ang braso ko. "Si Alexander ba ay wala man lang natitipuhan?"
"He's too picky."
"Ang tatay mo nasa kolehiyo pa lang ay naglalandi na sa nanay mo! Bilisan niyo naman ni Alexander at para maabutan ko pa ang ika-apat na henerasyon ng mga Monteverde!"
"Manang, ayan ka na naman!"
"Dépêche-toi!" nakatawang saad niya na sinasabing bilisan ko.
"Wala pa ho talaga akong nagugustuhan."
Napapalatak siya sa tinuran ko. "Apo, maglandi ka naman. Gusto mo bang matulad sa akin na hindi na nakapag-asawa? Sabihin mo lang para ngayon pa lang kaaga ay tuturuan na kitang mag-gantsilyo! Bubuo rin tayo ng marami-raming cross stitch!"
"Hindi naman ho sa gano'n! Hindi lang ako handa. Tsaka, dadating naman 'yan."
"Kailan pa? Sa ikalawang siglo?"
Marahan akong natawa. Habang naglalakad ay nadaanan namin ang Villa Blanco na pag-aari ni Donya Charita, ang pinakamayamang negosyante sa buong Bicol. Alam ko ito, dahil madalas kong naririnig ang pangalan niya kapag nag-uusap si Dad at ang kakambal ko tungkol sa negosyo. Minsan ko na ring nabasa ang kanyang bayograpiya sa isang magazine.
The lavish mansion stands high and mighty with towering royal Mediterranean-styled gates. From here, I could see the cobblestone pathway that led to the high doors. In the middle of the pathway, there was a fountain that looked like the one in Trevi. On the side of the villa, gleaming bright blue, was the water of an Olympic-size swimming pool.
From in front, it looked a lot like the Monteverde Manor. That thought somehow made me even more uncomfortable as I gazed at it from across the street.
"Asheng, okay ka lang ba?" Ilang beses akong kumurap bago tumango at nagpatuloy sa paglakad.
Even from the outside, Villa Blanco screams of its owner's affluence.
Being a Monteverde, I grew up getting everything my heart desires. Luxury brand apparels, the newest gadgets, the most expensive jewelry collections and even million-dollar cars. Most people think that living that kind of life was fun, and I must admit that it was, at first.
But one day, I just woke up feeling a weird sense of emptiness that even the extravagant lifestyle could not fill. The latest phone model, my favorite car, the most stylish dresses, the finest jewels, and all the other things I used to love lost their luster.
I grew tired of living the pampered billionairess life. I started craving for peace and quiet, the two things that being a Monteverde has rid me off. In Manila, almost everyone knows who I am. My father's business partners, my brother's clients and colleagues, and my mother's former fans. I grew up getting all the attention that I never needed and never asked for. I wasn't an actress, but it felt like I was always in the spotlight.
I prefer simplicity over extravagance.
My father told me he understands, but I don't think he really does. I don't just like the concept of simplicity. I crave for it.
***
VANE JASON
The first thing I did when I got to my abuela's villa was to greet her with a long and tight hug.
"Nieto!" masiglang bulalas niya bago ako tinapik sa balikat. "Bienvenido de nuevo!"
"Te echo de menos," saad ko bago hinalikan ang tuktok ng puting-puti niyang buhok. Agad gumaan ang pakiramdam ko ngayong nakita ko na siya. Panandaliang naputol ang pagbabalik-tanaw ko sa pagkawala ng Papa nang ngitian niya ako at masuyong tapikin sa pisngi.
"Namiss rin kita, nieto." Nagningning ang mata niya, at sa pagkakataong iyon ay mas makislap ang mga ito kaysa sa suot niyang mga alahas. "How was the flight back home?"
"I slept throughout the entire flight, but I still feel drained."
"It was a long flight indeed. Mabuti naman at naisipan mong dalawin muli ang villa! Akala ko ay hindi ka na muling babalik at ako na lang ang palaging dadalaw sa'yo sa Espanya!"
"You know how hard it had been for me after Papa died."
She replied with a sigh. "Si, si."
My eyes scanned the living room quickly. I could feel the familiarity tugging at my veins.
Nothing much has changed. All her antiques are positioned in the exact same place they were in, ten years ago. All the picture frames showing me as a kid were still displayed above her favorite antique cabinet. The grandfather clock still ticked proudly on my right. I momentarily closed my eyes, envisioning my childhood inside the mansion. When I opened my eyes again, it was as if I could see my father sitting on the couch, with legs crossed, and a newspaper in his hands.
"The house helps are doing a fantastic job maintaining Villa Blanco. It's like I never left, abuela."
Nakangiti siya sa akin habang tinitignan ako ng mataman na para bang hindi siya makapaniwala na nasa harap niya na akong muli. "Of course! Alam ko namang isang araw ay babalik ka rito."
"Really?"
"Yes. My apo, you have grown up to be such a fine man."
Napalunok ako. If my abuela finds out about all the mischief I've been doing in Spain, she might get a heart attack. Pinili ko na lang na magpakawala ng isang ngiti.
"Kaya ako pinag-aagawan sa Espanya, abuela! Kailangan mong makita kung gaano nagtitilian ang mga kababaihan kapag nakikita nila ang mukhang ito."
"You haven't changed one bit, have you, Vane Jason? Maloko ka pa rin hangggang ngayon."
Napangisi ako sa kanya. "Well, I'm your grandson after all."
"And the heir to all my lupain when I die."
"Abuela, don't –"
"It will happen eventually, nieto. Siya, siya! Kumain na muna tayo, nagpahanda ako ng mga paborito mo. And then you can tell me how life has been in Spain lately." Abuela led me to the dining hall and my eyes feasted on all the food laid before me. She sure knows how to welcome her one and only apo. All my favorite meals were there and for a short moment, the nostalgia came in huge waves.
After dinner and some catching up, my abuela decided to let me rest. It had been a tiring flight. I kissed her good night before I retreated to the darkness of my old room which she had someone clean up three days before my arrival.
"Home sweet home, Vane," bulong ko sa sarili ko.
Nailipat na ng isa sa mga helper ang mga gamit ko sa walk-in closet sa dulo ng malawak na kuwarto. Lahat rin ng toiletries ay naka-ayos na sa personal bathroom. Nang buksan ko ang mini-fridge sa gilid ay agad akong napangiti nang makitang puno ito ng mga beer.
My abuela is spoiling me too much. I have missed this. I have missed her.
Mabilis akong naligo at nagsuot lamang ng boxer shorts bago lumabas sa balkonahe.
From here, I can see the stars decorating the beautiful evening sky. They glimmered proudly, as if they knew just how fascinating they looked up above. From behind, I can hear the noise of the horses neighing on the background. Behind this massive villa, is the Blanco Farm where we grow crops and keep stables and pens to house our barnyard animals. My abuela has been in the livestock and agriculture business for as long as I can remember. Blanco Farm is the leading supplier of meat in the entire region.
The cool air seemed to caress my skin. Panandalian akong pumikit upang ma-enjoy ang lamig ng hangin, at ang kapayapaan na bumabalot ngayon sa buong pagkatao ko. For so long, I deprived myself of seeing this place, in fear that it's going to reopen scars that took so long to heal. But here I am today, braving all the memories of a childhood I used to love.
Narinig ko ang biglaang pagtunog ng telepono ko mula sa loob kaya pumasok ako para tignan kung sino ang tumatawag. It was Kate.
"Hey," she greeted. "Are you in the villa already?"
"Yes, I am. You're supposed to be at work, right?"
"Yeah. I just thought I'd check on you. Have you told your grandmother yet?"
"Not yet, Kate. I will tell her, in time."
"When?" She pressed. I quickly blew out a sigh.
"Soon, alright? Soon," anas ko para lang tumigil siya.
"Okay. Anyway, I've got to go. I just called to know if you arrived safe."
"Wait!" agap ko. Naramdaman ko na naman ang malamig na hangin na pumapasok sa bukas na pintuan ng aking balkonahe. Narinig ko ang inip na buntonghininga ni Kate mula sa kabilang linya.
"I feel cold. Care to heat me up?" Hinaluan ko ng pekeng lambing ang aking boses.
There was a moment of hesitation before she answered. "Open your messenger, then."
She dropped the call.
I went to sit on the side of the bed, on the area near the lamp shade, so she can clearly see my physique even with the little light inside the room. Within minutes, my phone was already ringing because Kate was requesting to connect to me through a video call.
My nerves were tingling as I clicked the accept button.
She was in a skin-tight corporate dress, sitting in her swivel chair inside her office. She took off her ponytail in one swift movement, and her blonde hair, which was pulled back tightly seconds ago, was now spilling on her shoulders. The zipper of the dress was in front and she lowered it slowly while maintaining eye contact with me.
I slipped one hand inside my boxers at the same time she cupped one of her breasts.
Ah, Kate. At least I know there's one thing I'm going to enjoy when I get tied to you.
***
"Señorito, handa na ang agahan n'yo. Maagang umalis si Donya Charita para personal na tumingin sa bayan ng mga kakailanganin para sa welcome party na gaganapin sa susunod na linggo," sabi sa akin ni Imelda, ang isang katiwala sa villa. "Pinapasabi ho niya na 'wag kang mag-alala dahil kasama niya naman si Eddie."
"She never told me about a welcome party," kunot-noong tugon ko. Agad na natutop ni Imelda ang kanyang bibig habang nanlalaki ang mata. Natatawang napailing na lang ako. "Don't worry, hindi ko sasabihin na alam ko na. I'll pretend to be surprised next week, alright?"
"Pasensya na, Senorito! Nadulas ako!"
"Huwag mo nang intindihin 'yun. No biggie. Tara na at sabayan niyo akong kumain dahil ayaw ko ng walang kasabay."
"Ay, sige ho."
Matapos ang agahan ay napagdesisyunan kong dumalaw sa farm para makita kung ano na ang itsura nito ngayon. Noong bata ako ay medyo maliit lamang ito, pero nabanggit sa akin ng abuela na napalawak niya na ito at triple na ang dami ng hayop na inaalagan dito. Inihatid ako ni Imelda at agad na ipinakilala sa mga bagong katiwala, bago ako iniwan upang maglinis ng kusina.
I was impressed with how clean the farm was, though it still had a small hint of the barnyard manure scent. There was a lot of pens for the pigs. Next to it were the goat houses, and lastly, the stables. On the side was a low building where we take care of all the ducks and chickens. The far right side is where we grow the crops, especially the pili trees, tomatoes and the corn.
I passed by everything and stopped when I reached the stables.
"Magandang umaga ho, Señorito." Tinanguan ako ng bantay, na sa pagkakaalala ko ay nagngangalang Lito, bago kunin ang hose para lagyan ng tubig ang inuman ng mga kabayo.
"Good morning," I greeted back, though my attention was fixed on a mighty white horse. Nilapitan ko ito at hinawakan upang himasin ang tuktok ng ulo nito. Agad naman itong humalinghing.
"What's this big guy's name?"
"Bucephalus ho. Si Donya Charita ang nagpangalan sa kanya."
I patted Bucephalus and he brayed under my touch.
"Quite a mouthful, huh? I'll call you Butch," bulong ko sa kanya bago siya inilabas. Nanghingi ako ng riding gear at inilagay ito sa likod ni Butch bago sumakay.
Horseback riding is my favorite sport. My father first taught me how to ride when I was thirteen. Since then, he would always challenge me into a race. I always lost and it used to annoy me. Now, however, I'd take all the losses just for a chance to ride with him again.
"You ready, Butch? Yihaa!" I can feel the connection between the two of us. He ran swiftly as I laughed, the wind hissing on my ears and my blonde hair flying behind. "How do you feel about going out of Villa Blanco and taking a stroll with me?"
As if he understood, he neighed responsively.
Pinatakbo ko siya palabas ng property. Inikot namin ang paligid ng lugar. Daet is so beautiful with its lush fields and brilliant blue skies. I can feel my heart pounding with so much fulfillment as I rode again for the first time in three years. I took my time riding, drinking in the views of the province, my eyes adjusting to the blinding sunlight. Butch was trotting calmly while I eyed the road ahead us.
There was an intersection just ahead and right across was the wet market. A lot of people seem to be busy shopping for fresh produce and meat. I would not have paid it anymore of my attention and would have headed the opposite way, if it weren't for the loud screeching of tires.
"Ho!" Pinatigil ko ang kabayo sa pamamagitan ng paghatak sa renda nito para malaman kung ano ang nangyari. Natanaw ko ang isang kotse na muntikan ng makabunggo sa isang babaeng nakatalikod. Bumaba ang lalaking lulan ng sasakyan bago naiinis na sinigawan ang babae. Imbis na sumigaw ito pabalik ay yumuko lang ito at mahigpit na niyakap palapit sa dibdib ang isang bagay.
I squinted and saw that it was a puppy.
I was still watching the two of them in curiosity when the car owner retreated back to his vehicle and drove away, leaving the lady he almost ran over, in the exact same spot.
The lady carrying the puppy turned and I caught my breath.
"Butch, she's so fucking gorgeous."