La Casa Miranda

Chapter Three

"Mahilig din ako sa bags, ate, pero bihira lang nakakabili kasi wala naman masyadong bilihan dito."

"Let's go shopping together next time, then."

Kumislap ang dalawang mata nito at hindi makapaniwalang tumitig sa akin.

"Promise?" nakangiting sabi niya.

"Promise."

Nagtawanan kami at nagpatuloy sa pamimitas ng mulberry na pananim nila. They actually make wines out of it. Can't wait to taste one.

Pagkauwi namin ay tapos na ang tanghalian. Nakakain na si Lola Esther at kaming dalawa nalang ni Eiza ang hindi pa.

"Kuya?" takang tumingin ang dalaga sa lalaking umupo sa tabi niya.

Tinignan lang siya nito bago kumuha ng makakain. Pagtataka naman ang naglalarong emosyon sa mukha ni Eiza sa ginawa ng katabi.

"Hindi ka pa kumain?"

"Why? May mga ginawa ako kaya ngayon palang ako kakain."

Umiling ang dalaga at nawi-weirdo-hang tumingin dito pero hindi nalang din pinansin. She glanced at me and mentioned an idea.

"Oo nga pala, ate, gusto mo bang mag-swimming mamaya?"

"Wala ako sa mood mag-swimming eh, pwede bang bukas nalang?"

"Sure. May mga gagawin din naman ako mamaya. So bukas ha? Kuha tayo ng picnic mat saka magdala tayo ng mga pagkain."

Excited din akong tumango rito. Maganda ang dagat dito kaya tiyak na mae-enjoy ko iyon. Ito rin ang pinaka-unang beses na makakapag-picnic ako ng tahimik mula nang maging modelo ako.

Matapos kumain ay lumabas muna ako at umupo sa kulay beige na hammock na naroon. I opened my phone and called Rick.

(Goosshh, ngayon ka lang magpaparamdam Ella!! Nakakainis ka talaga.)

I chuckled. "Sorry. I was busy enjoying the view here. Far from the scenery in States."

(Are you sure you're safe there?)

"There's no one here tho."

(By the way, matatagalan pa ang pag-aayos ng mga files mo. Kung bakit naman kasi bigla-bigla ka nalang nagdedesisyon ng ganyan. Ako ang napapagalitan ng higher ups.)

"Whatever, Rick, kaya mong lusutan iyan. I'll hang up now."

(Oh sure. Bye. Love yah!)

"Love yah too."

Binaba ko ang cellphone at muntik ng mabitawan nang makita ang lalaking nakatayo sa tabi ko. Seryoso ang tingin nito at malalim ang mga mata. He looks scary when he's serious. But he looks so hot when he is, too. Darn, what am I saying?

"That's so sweet," pahayag nito. "Boyfriend mo?"

"Chismoso."

"No. I just accidentally heard the last words."

Tumango nalang ako at hindi na pinalaki pa ang bagay na iyon. Umusog ako ng kaunti para makaupo ito. I do not have the guts to be mean. It's his place. Baka bigla akong palayasin nito- and that's the last thing I want to experience right now.

"Why did you leave States?"

Gulat akong tumingin dito ngunit bago pa ako makasagot ay nagsalita itong muli.

"You're trending in different social networks. I heard from a friend," he said defensively.

Tumango ako. "I just wanna breathe, take a vacation and rest for a bit."

His brooding and intensive eyes bore unto mine.

"You know you intimidate me a lot."

He chuckled. Funny how he sounds so sexy when he laughs. What the hell is this guy doing with me? Isang araw palang kaming magkakilala pero yung pakiramdam ko ay sobrang lapit namin sa isa't isa.

Ever wonder how a stranger feels like home?

"You're so honest."

Tahimik kaming tumingin at nakiramdam sa paligid. I never knew I'd be this comfortable sitting here with a guy that all I know is his name.

"Hindi ka marunong magluto," bigla nitong sabi habang nilalaro ang labi. And it's not even a question but a statement!

Umiwas ako ng tingin. Hindi rin ako makahanap ng salita para ipagtanggol ang sarili. Totoo naman. Before, hindi ako nahihiyang aminin iyon, pero bakit ngayong siya ang nagsabi parang nanliliit ako. Kapag ba babae ay kailangan talaga na marunong magluto? Too bad, no one is free to teach me.

"What do you want for dinner?"

Halos nakanganga akong lumingon sa kanya. He smiled at my reaction making my heart flutter a bit.

There's something about him that I am excited to know but afraid of how this will end. Oh my! Am I having a crush with this guy?

"Kahit ano. Hindi naman ako mapili sa pagkain--"

"Is it Creamy Pesto Shrimp? Iyon ang favorite mo hindi ba?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at tinignan ito ng masama, "You stalked me!"

"For a public figure you sound so unprofessional."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. How could he stalk me? He could have just asked me about it. At bakit ba interesado siya sa whereabouts ko? This freaking hot stranger!!

"Lola asked me to take care of you. She and Eiza will leave for a week the day after tomorrow. So tumingin ako ng ilang impormasyon tungkol sayo. Hindi naman pwedeng magpatira nalang ako basta dito ng kahit sino without having a background check. I'm not interested with you nor to mingle with your life."

Tinignan ko ito at pilit sinisink-in sa utak ko ang mga salitang lumalabas sa bibig niya.

"Oh. I'm sorry, na-offend ka ba?"

Umiling ako. "No."

So I'll stay here for a week with just him?

Mabilis kaming tumakbo papasok sa loob ng bahay nang biglang bumuhos ang ulan.

"Take a shower now para hindi ka magkasakit. I don't know how to take care of a sick person."

Tumango nalang ako. I am offended. The first sentence sounds like he cares and the last sounds like I was a disturbance and things like that.

Pero hindi na ako nagsalita pa. Kaya ko namang alagaan ang sarili ko. Tss. I took a short shower before going downstairs. Nadatnan ko siya at si Eiza na nagpe-prepare ng makakain.

"Hello, ate!" magiliw na bati ni Eiza at pinaupo ako sa upuang naroon.

Nasa kitchen sila at nagre-ready ng mga ihahalo sa iluluto.

"Anong maitutulong ko?"

"Just stay put/Maupo ka nalang ate"

Sabay silang nagsalita kaya sumimangot nalang ako at umupo.

Pinanood ko sila habang nagpe-prepare ng mga ilang ingredients. They were both so passionate in this field. Maybe it's in their blood.

I waited at them patiently while watching them cook. After all of the ingredients were chopped and prepared, Teron started cooking it while Eiza, on the other hand, prepare the table at pagkatapos ay nagtimpla ng apple juice.

"Wait... I-is that Pesto Shrimp?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang maamoy ang paboritong pasta recipe at ang pamilyar na paraan ng pagluluto.

Hindi sinagot ni Teron ang tanong ko kaya tumayo ako at lumapit dito.

"Why are you cooking that?"

"Pagkain ito. Bakit hindi?"

Sumulyap ito sa akin sandali bago itinuong muli ang paningin sa niluluto. I stared at him for a minute before going to the dining area.

Walang tao roon kaya I took the chance to roam around. The cream with a touch of wood is the theme of the area. It's very relaxing. I suddenly thought of the idea that... maybe after staying here, I'll never want to eat alone again. Mahihirapan ako sa parteng iyon.

Nang ma-realize na luto na ang pagkain, inihahanda na kasi ito ni Teron, I climb upstairs to call Lola Esther. Good thing she's awake.

"You resemble a lot of your father's features, hija. Sobrang naaalala ko siya sayo. Aww... I missed him."

Malungkot ang ngiting isinukli ko rito. As much as I wanted to see him too, I can't.

Mabigat ang loob ko nang matapos ang hapunan. Masarap ang niluto nilang Pesto but the thing is...

"Ayos ka lang ba, ate? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan ang pagkain?"

Naramdaman ko sa isang banda ang seryosong tingin ng isang pares ng mata. Lumunok ako para matanggal ang nakabara sa lalamunan.

Umiling ako. "It's fine. Delicious actually."

"Are you sure, hija?" Lola Esther asked.

Ngumiti ako at tumango sa kanila. I felt the sudden uneasiness when waves of memories suddenly filled my mind. Masaya pero masakit.

Matapos ang kaunting pag-uusap ay nagpaalam na akong magpapahinga. I badly needs to rest. Kung mayroon lang sanang Mall or kahit Bar lang na malapit para naman maibsan kahit papaano yung sakit. Shopping and drinking makes me forget... at least for a while.

Ganoon palagi ang eksena sa Casa. Breakfast, tambay sa hammock or just walking around pero sa malapit lang, lunch, then rest. Somehow I find it boring but I didn't know why I still wanted to stay here.

Three days passed and Eiza and Lola Esther fly to Manila. Kahapon pa sila umalis actually. About Teron, hindi naman kami masyadong nagkakasalamuha. Good thing he still cooks for me.

Madalas itong may kausap sa telepono o 'di kaya'y lumalabas patungong bayan.

And today, sobrang na-boboring na ako that's why I decided to look further. I saw a Mercedes Benz outside and for sure it's in the Engineer's possession. As much as I want to borrow it so I can take a look around better, I am afraid to ask.

"May lakad ka?"

Napaigtad ako nang marinig ang baritonong boses na iyon. His brooding eyes looks like he's reading my mind. He checked up on me from head to toe. I'm wearing a white crop top with a middle finger style on it. This was supposed to be one of my outfits for bar hopping or a simple night out with friends. Ayoko mag beach dress ngayon dahil hindi naman ako magbi-beach. I partnered it with a high waist shorts and peach doll shoes. I tied my hair up high to finalize my look for today.

Amusement were clearly evident in his eyes, he looked away trying to avoid my stare.

"Do you want me to tour you around?"

Ngumiti ako at tinanggap ang offer nito. I have no right para tumanggi pa. I am really really bored.

He let me ride on his car and he drove it slowly enough for me to see the scenery and place better. Nang medyo malayo na kami sa bahay ay medyo naging pataas na ang daan.

"Its a hill," bulalas ko ng madiskubre ang lugar na tinanguan niya lang.

Minutes after, he stopped the car and outside is a wide place full of three different colors of roses. Nakangangang pinagmasdan ko ang mga ito. Mayroon ding mga butterfly na lumilipad sa paligid at isang maliit na gazebo sa gitna.

"Wow. It's..."

Nanlalaki pa rin ang mata kong sinuyod ang paligid. It feels so unreal. I never had a chance to see such a beautiful place before.

Teron grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards the gazebo. And I can't believe there were foods and drinks there.

"Sinong naglagay ng mga iyan diyan?"

Hindi niya ito sinagot so I assumed it was him who did it.

"Do you like flowers?"

Umupo kami roon at hindi matapos-tapos ang pagkamangha ko sa lugar.

"Nope. I mean, yes I do. Pero hindi masyado but places like this... I think I'm going to fall in love!"

I giggled but he just laughed at me. A small smile escaped from my lips when I saw him laughing.

"Thanks for these!" I genuinely said. It's a simple gesture but he exerted much effort. For sure he's busy so for him to make these things, I'm surely lucky.

"Do you wear that kind of shirts always? I mean, surely you have a name to protect?" Nakataas ang kilay nito habang tinitignan ang disenyo ng damit na suot ko.

I pouted. "Yeah but wala namang makakakita rito. I wear these kinds of outfits when we're out for a bar or inside the house when we do sleepovers..."

Nanliit ang mga mata nito at bahagyang nag-iwas ng tingin. Sumimsim ito sa mango juice na naroon habang nakatingin sa malawak na lupain.

"Do you sell these flowers?"

"Yes. Si Lola ang nag-aalaga rito. Libangan niya na rin."

Tumango-tango ako.

"May gusto ka bang gawin bukas?"

"Hmm... Hindi ko naman alam kung anong pwedeng gawin dito."

"What are the normal things you do in States then?" His smoky voice filled my ears and I can't help but to get amazed more.

There's nothing about him that you will be turned off. Sa totoo lang ay pasadong-pasado ito na maging modelo. He'll pass for being a Calvin Klein model. He's actually more hot and appealing than those men in the said brand.

"Uhm... Shopping? Bar hopping? Sleeping? Nothing interesting actually."

He nodded. Inabot nito sa akin ang isang sandwich. I gladly took a bite on it. Malalim ang iniisip nito. Marahil nag-iisip ng maaari kong pagkaabalahan habang busy siya. Surely you wouldn't want a guest to get bored, right? Because if I'm the host... I won't.

"Well, pwede naman akong pumunta ng bayan, hindi ba?"

Kumunot ang noo nito at tinignan ako na para bang nababaliw na ang kaharap niya. His face darkened and it doesn't help that his ash colored eyes gazed at me insultingly. His dense eyelashes look so pretty that I forgot how scary and slightly annoying he looks right now.

"You surely had no idea on what were you planning," umiiling ito habang nakatitig sa basong iniinuman at bahagyang nilalaro iyon.

"Pwede naman ako mag-disguise."

Bahagyang kumalma ito mula sa madilim na awra na mayroon siya kanina at tila naisip na okay rin naman ang ideya ko. He sighed.

"Don't you have work right now?" Ibinaba ko ang tingin sa mga pagkain dahil tiyak na hindi ko kayang salubingin ang mga mata nito.

Ibinaba nito ang baso mula sa pagkakahawak bago sinagot ang tanong ko. But his answer shocked me.

"I'm here for a vacation. Saan ka pa nakakita ng nagbabakasyon pero nagtatrabaho?"

Kung ganoon hindi trabaho ang pinagkakaabalahan nito ng mga nakaraang araw?

"May mga inayos lang akong ilang bagay," banayad ang boses nito habang nagpapaliwanag.

Ngumiti ako, trying to stop myself from asking more. Bakit ba kasi ang daldal ko?

Matapos magpalipas ng ilang minuto roon, nagpasya akong maglakad-lakad. He didn't stop me but he walk beside me, too. There's actually a cliff here pero mayroong harang. It's safe.

Kitang-kita roon ang malawak na karagatan at ilang bahay sa 'di kalayuan. Oo nga't burol lang ito pero mataas kasi ang lugar na kinatatayuan ng lupain ng La Casa Miranda kaya nasa mataas na lugar din kami.

"Bakit dito mo naisipang magbakasyon?"

Nilingon ko ito. Nakabulsa ang dalawang kamay sa suot na pantalon habang kalmado ang mga mata na nakatingin sa harapan. Tinatangay ng hangin ang buhok niya kaya bahagyang magulo iyon.

Tumikhim ako at umiwas ng tingin. Bakit ba sa tuwing nagsasalita ito, I always end up checking him out. Ipinikit ko ng matagal ang mga mata at dinama ang malamig na hangin.

"My Lola Shella suggested this place. Kahit saan gusto ko magbakasyon, basta sa lugar na walang nakakakilala sa akin. I'm sick of the spotlight."

Naramdaman ko ang paglingon nito sa banda ko. His sharp eyes never left me.

"Kung ganoon ay hindi ka masaya sa trabaho mo?" Nananantya ang tinig nito tila nag-iingat sa mga binabanggit niyang salita.

"Masaya pero lahat ng sobra ay hindi maganda. I'm a model for how many years now. Sawang-sawa na ako sa spotlight. Masaya ang trabaho ko, pero hindi ako."

His silence made me continue my words.

"It was all fine until I cannot see me anymore. It's fine until I realize, this is not Stella Alexander anymore."

"Then would you mind telling me who Stella Alexander is?" His boyish voice made my heart feel warm. The interest he is showing made my heart flutter.

Now, sino nga ba si Stella Alexander?

"Hindi ko alam. I feel like I do not have the identity anymore. I'm afraid to lose myself trying to build my name for other's sake."

"You're lost," he whispered, finally getting what I mean.

Tumango ako. His gaze never left me. Huminga ito ng malalim bago nakangiting humarap sa akin. He looks so weird when he's being friendly. But I admit he really looks adorable when he smile.

"Then let me help you find and see who Stella Alexander is."

Tulala akong napatitig sa kaniya. Hindi sigurado sa kung anong nais niyang iparating but surely he made my heart beats faster than normal. His gray eyes mirrored mine. How amazing it is to have someone who understands where you are coming from.

"I'm not really sure what do you mean by that but... okay!"

I show him two thumbs up and smile widely. Pakiramdam ko gumaan ang loob ko nang mailabas kahit papaano ang ilan sa mga saloobin ko na hindi ko masabi kahit kanino.

Maybe because he's a stranger so I'd rather tell him?

Or maybe because... I knew he's a trustworthy person enough to tell some of my deep thoughts.