The Fortress Island Series 2: Romano, Can't We Try

TWO: FAN

“I’m dating this girl.”

The smug grin on his lips and the mischief in his eyes were all it took before I slammed my fist into his stomach. Halos lumuwa ang mata nito at napaungol ng mura. Hawak ang tiyan ay bumaling ito sa akin.

He did not see that one coming, huh.

“What the f**k!” He cursed while nursing his stomach, his face screwing up. Seryoso? Nasaktan siya dun? Well, serve him right!

“Hindi por que pinakain mo ako ng masasarap na pagkain ay may karapatan ka nang paglaruan ang isang tulad ko.” Umirap ako sa kanya kasabay ng pag-ayos sa natabingi kong eyeglasses.

“May I just remind you that you were the one who crashed into my place without permission.” He faced me, crossing his arms over his chest. Naka-angat ang dulo ng kilay nito.

Ginaya ko ang ginawa niya. Hinarap ko rin ito na nakataas ang noo. “Hindi nga kasi ganun! Pinaliwanag ko na, di ba. Wag mo nga akong pinaglalaruan, Mr. Romano. Hindi dahil artista ka ay hahayaan na lamang kita na paglaruan ang isang tulad ko. Hinding-hindi ako papatol sa’yo. I’m not gonna date you!”

He gritted his teeth as he glared at me, sizing me up. “Sa’yo pa talaga naggaling yan? Bold of you to assume I would date you, grandma. Akala mo naman papatulan ko rin ang isang tulad mo. Hindi pa ako nasisiraan ng bait.”

“Yun naman pala, e. Bakit kailangan mo pang sabihin yun?”

“That I’m dating you? Just for the laughs, dude! Chill!” Humagikhik ito. “May naglalabasan nang usok sa butas ng ilong at sa magkabilang tainga mo.” Inakbayan ako nito sa gulat ko. “Pa, don’t you think she has an uncanny resemblance to my grandmother?” He grinned boyishly. May naglalarong kapilyuhan sa mga mata nito. Nag-angat ng kilay ang ama.

I nudged him. “Abnormal ka!”

Humagalpak ito sa kakatawa. “Comedian ka ba? Ako, abnormal? Big word. Coming from someone like you. Di hamak na mas normal akong tignan kaysa sa’yo.”

“Abnormal ka sa paningin ko. Bitawan mo nga kasi ako!” Tinukod ko ang aking mga palad sa kanyang dibdib at nagtangkang itulak ito pero parang pader ang tinutulak ko. Hindi man lang ito natinag.

“Arte. Palibhasa virgin.” He chuckled.

Kinuyom ko ang magkabilang palad ko. Siguro nga ay abnormal ako. Kasi pag nagagalit na ako ay imbes na ipakita ang galit ko ay iniiyak ko na lamang. Yumuko ako nang magsiunahan na sa pagpatak ang mga luha sa aking mga mata.

Kaya siguro ang lakas ng loob ng mga taong saktan at insultuhin ang isang tulad ko dahil hanggang dito lang lang talaga ang kaya ko. I can’t fight them with words. I can’t fight them with strength. I always end up like this, being a loser. I’m the weakest person on earth and I can’t do anything about it.

“Stop it, Romano. You’re bullying her. You’re not being a gentleman. Visit me in my office tomorrow. Marami tayong pag-uusapan.” Sa unang pagkakataon ay nagsalita ang ama ng lalake. “Please excuse the rudeness of my son, Hija. Hindi ito nagseseryoso sa mga bagay-bagay. He’s a pain in the ass.”

Kumagat-labi ako at bahagyang tumango kahit hindi ako nag-angat ng tingin. Ayokong makita nilang tahimik akong lumuluha.

“Romano, you better stop screwing around. Show your face in my office tomorrow. Do you hear me?” The tone of his father’s voice had become more serious, darker.

“Yes, Pa.” He answered quietly. The playfulness in voice was gone. He had been toned down.

Romano finally let me go. Magkasunod na umalis sa dining area ang mag-ama. Bumalik ako sa upuan at binaon ang mukha sa aking palad. I wasn’t exactly hurt at the way he’s treating me. I was more disappointed of myself, and probably disappointed of him too. He’s my ultimate idol. I looked up to him. He was one of the reasons why I still find joy in life. Just listening to his singing voice, kayang kaya niyang buuuin ang araw ko.

He could easily lift me up without even trying. Without him knowing how much he meant to me.

But now that I finally knew the other side of him, parang hindi siya ang Romanong kinagiliwan ko noon. Malayong malayo siya sa persona na pinapakita niya sa harap ng camera. But then again, he’s a celebrity and I knew people like him were not perfect. All of us has her/his own skeleton hiding in the closet.

At isa pa, people tend to bully me because of how I look. Hindi na dapat ako magtatataka kung isa si Romano sa mga taong iyon. It’s my fault because I got my hopes up that someone like him was different from the rest. I thought wrong. He’s no exception.

Inabot ko ang table napkin. Tinanggal ko ang aking eyeglasses at tinuyo ang mga luha sa aking pisngi. I was done crying for now. I had fully accepted that Romano wasn’t a saint like I thought he was.

I felt someone breathing against my cheek at lumingon ako doon bigla. Tumama sa kung saan ang ilong ko at hindi ko maklaro kung ano iyon. Binalik kong isuot ang aking antipara at ganun na lang ang gulat ko nang tumambad sa akin ang mukha ni Romano na ilang dangkal lang ata ang layo mula sa akin.

Kailan pa ito bumalik at hindi ko man lang napansin? I was probably lost in my thoughts again.

“W—what are you doing?” I stuttered.

Nanliit ang mga mata nito. “Did you cry?”

His warm, minty breath tickled my skin. He smelled, so... delicious?  Jesus, where did that come from?

Umiling ako at binawi ang tingin mula sa kanya, but Romano tipped my chin, forcing me to look at him. His chocolate-brown eyes softened.

“I’m sorry.” He tucked a curl of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t mean to bully or insult you like that. I just didn’t know how to control my temper when my father is around. I hate it when he just appeared without permission.” He grunted.

“But… he’s your father. He doesn’t need permission from you if he wants to visit you or talk to you.” Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya.

“Babe, once my father pays me a visit, s**t is about to go down.” He smirked but his eyes gleamed with animosity. Why is that?

 “Are you ready to leave? I’ll give you a ride.” Tumayo ito at nakatingalang nakasunod ang aking mga mata sa kanya.

He turned his back on me as he shoved his hands into the front pockets of his pants. When he noticed I didn’t budge, he c****d his head to the side, eyes squinting at me. His facial expression changed. He looked more serious.

“You plan on just sitting there?” Even the tone of his voice changed. It’s now richer, deeper.

My heart skipped a beat. Romano reminded me of one of my favorite main male protagonists in the world of anime; Usui Takumi. The way he’s behaving when he’s being serious was just like him.

Everything about this man was so male, sharp and muscular. No matter how much I hated to admit it, he’s full of charisma and oozing with s*x appeal.

Romano snapped his fingers. “Tititigan mo lang ba ako?”

I got flustered by his comment. “Uhm. Pwede ba akong mag-uwi ng pagkain?” I hung my head low. Gusto kong batukan ang sarili ko. Pagkatapos ko siyang awayin at pagsabihan ng kung ano-ano kanina ay may gana pa talaga akong magsabi niyon?

Bahagya itong tumawa. “Dalhin mo na lahat. Walang rin namang kakain ng mga yan.”

“Hindi ka na ba kakain?”

“I lost my appetite. Bilisan mo ng konti ang kilos mo, grandma. Marami pa akong gagawin.” Ani nito at agad namang umalis sa dining area.

Napanguso ako. Ano pa ang kanyang gagawin gayong mag a-alas onse na ng gabi? Gayunpaman ay binilisan ko ang aking kilos. Ang daming hindi nagalaw na pagkain. Tinakpan ko ulit ang mga iyon at pinasok sa paper bag na nakapatong sa kitchen counter.

Nang makarating ako sa sala, saka ito tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo. “Please give me a minute. Magpapalit lang ako ng damit.” He said, dropping the magazine on the table.

Ngumuso ako. Bakit hindi siya nagpalit nung nasa kusina pa ako. Anyway, hindi ako sumagot total hindi naman niya kailangan ng permiso mula sa akin.

I killed the ‘minute’ he’s asking by looking around his opulent penthouse. Hindi ko kasi nasuring mabuti ang interior kanina dahil sa biglang pagdating ni Romano.

Tumama ang tingin ko sa malaking painting na nakasabit sa pader na pinagigitnaan ng dalawang malalalaking bintana nito. Nabitawan ko ang hawak na paper bag.

Lumapit ako doon. Habang papalapit ako ay unti-unting bumibigat ang aking pakiramdam. I felt like someone was holding a needle and prickled my heart million times. My throat constricted in pain. When I stopped in front of the painting, I lifted my hand and touched it. Nang lumapat ang daliri ko, kasabay niyon ang pagpatak ng aking mga luha. Halos tumigil sa pagtibok ang puso ko. Humagulhol ako.

What is happening to me?

“What the f**k? Why are you crying again?”

Hindi ko nilingon si Romano. Binaon ko na lamang ang aking mukha sa aking palad. I felt his hand on my shoulders. He made me turn to face him.

“Anong nangyayari sa’yo?”

Umiling ako kasbaay ng pagsigok. “Hindi ko alam. Naiyak nalang ako bigla.”

Nilingon nito ang painting. “Anong nakakaiyak sa painting na yan, grandma? Nababaliw ka na naman ba?”

“Hindi ko nga alam!” I hissed at him. Hindi ko maipaliwanag kung bakit bigla na lang akong nalungkot.

“Do you know that island?”

Nag-angat ako ng tingin. “That island is real?”

Tumango ito. “Fortress Island. Mahahanap mo yan sa Palawan.”

Tinanggal ko ang aking antipara na basa sa luha. I dried my tears using the back of my hands. “Sinong gumuhit?”

Tinuro nito ang pangalan sa ibabang parte ng canvas. Nang malinis ko ang salamin, sinuot ko iyon ulit. Sinundan ko ang daliri nito na nakaturo doon.

Romano and…

Pinilig ko ang aking ulo. Bakit may magkasunod na tuldok? Parang hindi buo at may gusto pang idugtong doon.

Ibinuka ko ang aking bibig para magtanong pero hindi ko naituloy nang makita ang ekspresyon sa mukha ni Romano. Nakatitig din siya doon. His melancholic expression sent shivers down my spine. It was as if he’s remembering a dead person that was so important in his life. Pain and sorrow could be seen in those eyes of his. This was the first time I saw him like this.

Tumikhim ako. “Sorry for crying. Even though the painting looks beautiful, it looks rather sad to me.” Ani ko. I wanted to justify what I had felt awhile ago.

He nodded. “Understandable. I was sad when I painted it.” He heaved a sigh. “Okay ka na? Gusto mo bang uminom ng tubig muna? You were sobbing. Nataranta ako.”

“Sorry. I was being over dramatic.” He’s probably thinking that I was a lunatic.

Tumango ito. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Nagpatiuna ito sa pag-alis. Binalikan ko ang paper bag na naibagsak ko sa sahig. Sinulyapan ko pa ng isang beses ang painting na iyon bago ko tuluyang tinalikdan ito.

“Saan ka ba galing niyan?” He asked once we stepped into the lift.

“Sa Phoenix Condominium.”

He lifted a brow. “Do you live there?”

Umiling ako. “May…” Tumikhim ako. “May raket kami ng pinsan ko. Ano…uhm…” Paano ko ba ipapaliwanag na hindi magiging malaswa sa kanyang pandinig?

“Raket?” Mas lalo pang lumalim ang gitla sa noo nito. He faced me, his side leaning against the wall. “Anong raket n’yo dun? Are you a drug dealer?!”

Nanlaki ang aking mata sa kanya. “What? Hindi, a! May stag party kasi doon at kinontrata kami—”

“What? Don’t tell me—” He gasped. May malisya sa kanyang mga sulyap.

“Hindi ako dancer kung yan ang iniisip mo!” Irap ko sa kanya.

“That’s a far decent from what I was thinking.” Nanliit ang mata nito at katulad ng ginawa nito kanina, he’s sizing me up again.

“We are not selling our bodies for s*x!” Ani ko nang mabatid kung ano ang tinutukoy nito. My hair on my nape stood. “They hired my cousin and our friends to dance. Ang silbi ko ay ako ang nagme-make up sa kanila. My cousin is one of the dancers. Ako din ang nananahi ng costumes nila kapag may theme na gusto ang organizer!” Tarantang paliwanag ko.

He faked a gasp. “Are you kidding me? Make up artist ka? Kaya mong ayusin ang mukha at pananamit ng ibang tao pero hindi mo kayang i-apply sa sarili mo? Wow. What a talent.” The mockery in his voice was so infuriating.

“Wag kang mangialam. It’s my choice!”

He rolled his eyes. “Whatever, but that place you mentioned is filthy.”

“What do you mean?” Kinabahan ako.

“Most drug addicts live there.”

“What? That’s not true! Ang alam ko ay may mga male celebrity pa ngang doon nakatira, e.”

“Exactly my point.” He smirked. “I, of all people should know about that. After all, we’re working in the same industry. Showbusiness is full of shits, babe.”

“Bakit mo sinasabi yan gayung diyan ka nagtatrabaho?”

“It’s just so happened that I love singing. It’s my passion. Pero ang kalakaran sa industriyang iyan ay karima-rimarim. I mean, hindi sa akin pero sa ibang artista. I don’t need to wipe someone’s ass just to be famous. I don’t need to suck someone’s d**k or f**k someone’s p***y just for them to sign me up in a huge deal. They’re the ones begging for my attention. Not the other way around.”

Umiiling-iling ako sa mga pinagsasabi ni Romano sa akin. Hindi ito kapani-paniwala.

“Maniwala ka.” He said, chuckling. He reached for my head and ruffled my curly hair. “Buti na lang hindi ka maganda at walang korte ang iyong katawan. Pasalamat ka na walang magkaka-interest na talent scout sa’yo.”

“Hindi ko alam kung nang-iinsulto ka ba o ano.” Inis na hinawi ko ang kanyang kamay mula sa aking ulo.

Sa gulat ko ay mas lumapit pa ito sa akin. His scent drifted into my nose: his natural manly scent and rich-boy musk made my mouth water. Umusog pa ako sa kanto kahit na ba wala na akong uusugan pa.

“I’m praising you, babe. You, being a grandma is an asset.” He whispered above my ear. His lips stretched into a grin.

“Ewan ko sa’yo.” I tipped my head to the side, away from him. I casted my gaze downwards. “Lumayo ka nga ng konti, Romano. You’re crowding me.”

“What? Don’t you feel excited that your idol is finally in front of you? C’mon, grandma. I’m giving you permission to touch me.” Tumawa ito, nudging me by his elbow. “Don’t be shy now. Hug me or kiss me. I’m giving you permission.”

Mabilis akong umalis sa kanyang tabi at lumipat sa kabilang kanto ng lift. Humagalpak ito sa tawa. Kahit paano ay gumaan ang pakiramdam ko na marinig itong tumatawa. Kanina kasi, habang malungkot na nakatitig ito sa painting, kumikirot ang puso ko sa kanya. If he’s happy pestering me like this, that’s okay. As long as I could hear his boisterous laughter, I was fine with it. This would be the last time we’d meet, anyway.

 “Lowkey lang ako na fan mo. Hindi ako kabilang sa mga psycho at stalker mo na fans. At isa pa, hindi kita pinagnanasaan, noh!”

“Owwwsss…talaga?” Halos mag-isang linya ang kanyang mga mata dahil sa pagngisi.

“Oo at mula ngayon, you lost a fan. Ako yun. Ngayon na kilala na kita, hindi na kita idol.” I glared at him. Pero joke lang yun. Idol ko pa rin siya pero hindi ko aaminin kahit kailan.

“Pagkatapos mong balutin lahat ng pagkain sa mesa na kahit isang lumpiang shanghai ay wala kang tinira, sasabihin mo yan sa akin?” He dramatically clutched his chest. “You’re hurting me, grandma.”

Inabot ko ang paper bag sa kanya. “Oh, kunin mo! Pakabusog ka! Pero may laway ko na mga yan. Sana magka-virus ka!”

“May virus ka ba?”

“Oo!”

“Sige nga, kiss mo ako.” He puckered his lips as he fluttered his eyes.

“Ayoko nga baka ikaw pa ang may virus.” I looked away. Kumagat-labi ako. He’s so darn cute I hate it! I wanted to squeeze his cheeks.

 When we heard the ting sound of the lift, pareho kaming tumayo ng maayos.

“You lost your chance of kissing me, grandma.” He smirked.

“As if.” There was a hole in my chest, but I’d be damned if I let him know about it.

Pareho kaming tahimik nang sumakay kami sa kanyang kotse. Yes, kotse at hindi limousine na nagsundo sa akin kanina. Hindi ko rin mahagilap ang mga tauhan nitong sumalubong sa akin nung dumating ako dito.

At dahil sa passenger seat ako nakaupo, I suddenly felt awkward again. Bago nito pinaandar ang kotse, inabot nito ang Adidas cap sa backseat at sinuot. He also turned the lights off kaya ang dilim sa loob ng kotse.

“Bukod sa ayoko ng maliwanag, at kahit tinted ang salamin, nakasanayan ko nang itago ang aking mukha lalo na kung lalabas akong ganito na walang kasamang security.” He explained as he cranked the engine. He probably heard what I was thinking. Is he a warlock or something?

Bahagya akong tumango bilang nakakaunawa sa kanyang sitwasyon. “Kaya ko namang umuwing mag-isa, Romano.”

“Okay lang. I didn’t want to stay at home, too. Pagkahatid ko sa’yo, mag-iikot ikot lang ako then uuwi na.”

“Salamat.” He’s being kind but still….

“I hope fan na ulit kita.”

I almost jumped out of my skin when said that. Yung totoo, may alam bas a sorcery ang lalakeng ito? Bakit parang kaya niyang basahin ang nasa isip ko?

“Hindi ka na kumibo diyan. Kantahan kita, gusto mo?”

Hindi ko kailangang lingunin para alamin kung nakangiti ba ito dahil alam kong oo base na rin sa gaan ng kanyang pananalita.

“Pag-iispan ko.” I said, grinning.

He scoffed. Inabot nito ang built-in stereo at pinindot ang ON button. His singing voice filled my ears.

Napangiti akong sinandal ang ulo sa bintana. Ah, his voice could really melt my insides. The song playing was his version of The Girl From Yesterday originally sang by The Eagles.

It wasn't really sad the way they said good-bye

Or maybe it just hurt so bad she couldn't cry

He packed his things, walked out the door and drove away

And she became the girl from yesterday

He took a plane across the sea

To some foreign land

She stayed at home and tried so hard to understand

How someone who had been so close could be so far away

And she became the girl from yesterday

She doesn't know what's right

She doesn't know what's wrong

She only knows the pain that comes from waiting for so long

And she doesn't count the teardrops

That she's cried while he's away

Because she knows deep in her heart

That he'll be back someday

The light's on in the window; she's waiting by the phone

Talking to a memory that's never coming home

She dreams of his returning and the things that he might say

But she'll always be the girl from yesterday

Yeh, she'll always be the girl from yesterday

Maybe I was just being bias, but I really preferred his version more. I could feel the emotions he was trying to convey. There was longing, the feeling of being empty, the pain of being left behind.

I wanted to ask if he had a girl from yesterday, but that question was too personal.

“May I know kung ilang taon ka na, grandma?” He suddenly asked.

“Twenty-two.”

“Akalain mo yun, mas mukha pa akong bata sa’yo.” He chuckled.

“Sige lang, bigyan mo pa ako ng maraming rason para kamuhian ka. Hinding-hindi na talaga kita hahangaan kahit kailan.”

He opened his compartment at may kinuha doon. He dropped it on my lap. “May parting gift.”

Niyuko ko iyon. “Ano ‘to?”

“Hindi mo alam yan? Yung totoo? Saang bundok ka ba talaga nakatira? Hinid mo alam ang iPod?”

I rolled my eyes. “Alam kong iPod ‘to pero bakit mo binibigay sa akin?”

“Parting gift nga di ba. I made a playlist of my favorite songs there. I also recorded some of the songs I composed which are not available in public.”

My jaw dropped to the floor. “Seryoso?”

He chuckled. “Your eyes are glimmering. Halatang tuwang-tuwa ka. Fan na ulit kita?”

Yes! “Binibigay mo talaga ‘tong iPod sa akin? Ang mahal nito.”

“Okay lang. Malaking bagay na sa akin na kahit paano napapasaya kita.” Seryoso nitong sagot. “At kahit alam kong inosente ka, pinaratangan pa rin kita. I just had a bad day but hey, you made me laugh so, thanks.”

“Salamat dito.” A parting gift. Parang tiyak na tiyak ito na hindi na magku-krus pa ang mga landas namin.

Maya-maya pa ay humimpil ang kotse sa pamilyar na building. Nandito na kami.

“We’re here.” Anito.

“Alam ko. Thank you for the ride, sa pagkain at sa iPod.”

“You’re welcome. Hindi na kita maihahatid sa loob dahil marami tiyak ang makakakilala sa akin diyan. Mag-iingat ka, grandma. Alam kong naïve ka at minsan ay tatanga-tanga, pero dapat ay marunong ka pa ring protektahan ang iyong sarili.”

“Hindi pa ba sapat ang suntok na inabot mo sa akin? Baka gusto mong masuntok na naman ulit.”

Tumawa ito. “You didn’t hurt me. I was just acting. I’ve been learning taekwondo since I was young, babe.”

My mouth fell open. Gusto kong mainis pero pinili ko na lamang ang manahimik. It’s useless.

Bago ako umibis sa sasakyan, nagsalita ako. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t the right girl you’re supposed to be meeting tonight. Your driver had mistaken me.”

“Sometimes, mistakes can lead us to something worthwhile.”

My heart was in my throat. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

Nagkibit-balikat ito. “I had a wonderful night, thanks to you.” He winked and my heart started to flutter.

I really wish he meant that because despite of our banters, I did have a wonderful night.

Romano earned a new fan, again.