VANE JASON
She said her name is Asheng.
It was quite a simple and unusual name. It was as if her parents named her modestly, not knowing that their daughter will grow up to become one hell of a beautiful lady. They could have named her something different, something extraordinary, something that will suit her grace and gentleness.
It took her a couple of seconds before she answered my question. Feeling her anxiety and confusion, I could not help but wonder if it was my presence that unsettled her.
Because her presence unsettled me all the same.
I remember her abrupt movements as she pulled her hand back after the handshake that lasted only one full second. She gives me the impression that she's shy and timid. The silence and awkwardness that followed pushed me to fake a cough and ask her if she has been living in Daet for a long time. She raised her eyes up and met my gaze before shaking her head and telling me she just moved in.
She didn't ask me if I have been living here for quite some time, too.
She didn't bother trying to keep the conversation going.
She didn't supply any more information about her or asked any more about me.
She seemed so mysterious, so intriguing.
Hell, I can never really handle my curiosity very well. When she bid her goodbye and started walking down the cobblestone pathway, I just stood there, watching her get smaller and smaller from my vision, wondering what kind of person she is.
Suddenly, the guilt hit.
Why am I still curious about another woman when I'm about to get married? Why did I even bother asking for her name when a few months from now, it will only be Kate's name that will matter? Why am I thinking about her when I should be thinking about my future wife who's busy preparing for our upcoming wedding?
"Shit," I could not help but matter as I brushed my hair with my fingers. "Shit."
"What's wrong with you?" laughed a smirking Harvey. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face, but I ended up sighing as I sat back on the pool chair. Maverick's eyebrow was raised in inquiry.
"Nothing's wrong. What's up with you, guys?"
"We saw."
"Saw what?"
"The woman who walked away with the puppy. We followed you when we heard the guard raise his voice. Gusto lang naman naming malaman kung ano ang nangyayari, but instead, we found you ogling at a super-duper hot chicka."
"A super-duper hot chicka na mukhang hindi kilala kung sino ka! That's new." Natatawang itiniklop ni Maverick ang mga braso niya sa ibabaw ng dibdib bago ako ipinukol ng nang-aasar na tingin. Pinandilatan ko siya bago nagbukas ng pangatlong bote ko ng beer.
"Someone's fucking curious!" Malakas na humalakhak si Harvey na siniko pa si Maverick. Pinagpasya kong hindi na lang sila pansinin.
"The girl looked clueless that she was talking to one of the biggest stars in Spain. Ang mga babae sa Espanya ay pinagkakaguluhan ka, nagkakandarapa sa'yo para sa ngiti at sulyap mo. But that woman, damn, she does not look even a single bit interested in you!"
"Maverick, you arse! I am getting married."
"For partnership!" he responded in a teasing tone.
"But getting married nonetheless."
"Ah, I hear false restraint."
"Siraulo ka, Harvey! Kakaganyan mo sa akin, hindi ka na makakapag-asawa."
"Aba't nandamay ka pa."
"Lay off me, fuckers."
The two of them both laughed in unison when I left the beer bottle on the table and took a sudden dive on the pool. I spent a long time underwater wondering if what Harvey said about me was right.
Was I really just faking restraint?
***
ALEXIANA CALLISTO
I didn't tell Vane that my real name is Alexiana.
I'm afraid that he will recognize my surname when I tell him my complete name. It always changes my twin brother's mood whenever I say I never want people to know I'm a Monteverde. He said it was a privilege we were born with, and I have to learn how to be comfortable with it. For a time, I did try. Every single time someone learns of my ancestry, they would ask me how my mother has been ever since she left showbusiness and modeling to be a full-time wife and mother. They would ask me if Aaron Monteverde, who used to be known as a powerful business tycoon, still has time to look after all his children. I would smile meekly and tell them that my father always puts us on the top of his priorities, and they would stare at me in awe and shock as if they expected me to say that he never gives his family enough time. They would ask about my sister Daze and say they head the latest news about her dropping yet another one of her subjects at school. They would ask about my younger brother, Zade, and tell me how they heard he's so good at school but not at socializing with others.
I hate how people think they know so much about the Monteverdes, when all they've heard are rumors, snippets of lives that are supposed to be lived privately.
My parents are amazing people and I will forever be thankful to them for giving me and my siblings life. But sometimes I find myself wondering how different and peaceful my everyday would be had my parents not been known individuals.
People know me as Alexiana Callisto Hurdiss Monteverde. I have branded as the tamest of all the Monteverde children, the one who likes to hide behind everyone's shadows. The one who likes to dress as unnoticeable as can be on public. The one who does not like maintaining eye contact with the paparazzi who keep bugging my family when we're having dinner in a public restaurant.
I was once featured on a local newspaper with a headline that said, "The Monteverde who does not like to act like one."
Up to now, I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing.
That's why I like going under the radar every once in a while.
Here in Camarines Norte, I am just Asheng.
Someone who likes to teach and play with children. Someone who likes taking casual strolls during mornings. Someone who loves to wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside her bedroom window. Someone who just enjoys the peace life is supposed to come with.
Asheng feels different from Alexiana.
I wish I can be Asheng all the time.
As I walked out of Villa Blanco, I was convincing myself that I did not lie to Vane. I just did not tell him the entire truth. It's not supposed to matter, because I'm sure this will be the first and last time we will ever speak to each other.
"Don't ever run and scare me like that again, Wayne." The puppy looked at me as if he understood. He licked my hand and barked as he wiggled his tail happily.
"Masaya rin ako to be reunited with you." I scratched his head and he seemed to like it. I walked home briskly, hoping I can still get to eat alongside my students, but they were already packing up when I got back. Marko was looking dejected as he looked at me, but I shook my head dismissively, telling him it's okay.
"Pasensya na talaga, Ate Asheng."
"Hindi mo naman ginusto 'yon. Tsaka nahanap ko naman siya uli."
"Mas magiging maingat na lang po ako next time." I patted his back to appease him. After he helped us clean up the venue, he headed home after another batch of apologies.
I went inside the house and found Manang in the kitchen wiping all the dishes dry. After I set Wayne down on the floor, he quickly ran to his dedicated space on the living room where I placed his water and food bowl. For a short while, I just blankly observed the puppy as it lapped on the water.
My mind, even though I was forcing it not to, was thinking about the encounter I had with Vane. Since the guard referred to him as 'Senyorito,' I have deduced that he is the grandson of Donya Charita. The heir to all her vast lands and valuable properties. That explains the limited edition Gold Lamborghini Veneno I saw him riding the other day.
Another successor just like me and Alexander.
I wonder...
Does he sometimes wish he can be an entirely different person, even for just one summer, to escape the craziness this life comes with?
"Napakalalim naman ng iniisip mo r'yan, Asheng." Agad akong napaigtad nang marinig ang boses ni Manang mula sa likod ko. Mula sa pagkakasandal ko sa hamba ng kusina ay humarap ako sa kanya at nagpagkit ng maliit na ngiti sa labi.
"I met someone today."
"Oh, lalaki ba 'to? Guwapo at matipuno? Maginoo at daks?"
Nagkunot ako ng noo. "Manang, what is daks?"
"Ay, nako! Ang ibig sabihin no'n malaki ang puso!"
"Kanino mo naman natutunan ang term na 'yan?"
"Kay Elisa, iyong anak ni Luis."
Tumango-tango ako. It was the first time I heard the term 'daks' kaya hindi ako sanay. May mga salita pa rin talaga ang mga local dito na hindi ko pa rin naiintindihan. Kaya rin natutuwa ako sa pagiging volunteer teacher ng mga bata dahil pare-parehas kaming natututo sa isa't isa.
I have always loved immersing myself in different cultures. Tuwing aalis kami ng bansa nila Mama at Dad, palagi kaming dumadalo sa mga historical city tours upang mas lalong matuto tungkol sa iba't ibang kultura at tradisyon. Dad said the world is very broad and that each country has its own collection of diverse cultures that is worth learning. This year, the entire family will be going on a two-week long trip to explore Spain and Portugal. The last time we went there, we mostly stayed in Seville and Granada. On the upcoming trip, my parents would like to focus on the two major cities in Spain – Madrid and Barcelona. I know Daze and Zade are looking forward to it. I am, too.
Natutuwa ako kapag wala ako sa bansa. Mas nahihirapan ang mga taong hulaan o bantayan ang mga buhay namin. I usually prefer to just stay here, in Bicol, but I can't deny that I like the feeling of traveling. Does Vane like traveling?
My thoughts halted.
I blinked hard and refocused my attention back on Manang Soling.
"Sino kamo ang nameet mo? Ang batang 'to! Laging tulala."
"The apo of Donya Charita. The blonde guy with blue eyes."
"Ah. Nakilala mo na pala si Senyorito Vane."
"You know him?" takang tanong ko.
"Aba, siyempre! Mabait 'yun, medyo maloko at palabiro nga lang minsan. Siya ang nagdonate ng mga librong pambata rito nang pagkarating niya mula sa Europa. Nagsponsor din 'yan ng selebrasyon para sa mga matatandang nasa Home for the Aged sa kabilang bayan."
Wow.
"Talaga?"
"Oo. Ang dinig ko nga sa mga kapitbahay ay magpapagawa siya ng covered court d'yan sa bakanteng lote para magamit sa mga liga ng mga binata rito."
I am impressed and utterly out of words.
He has a kind heart.
Vane, I don't exactly know what type of person you are, but there's one thing I'm sure of.
Daks ka.
Sobra.