Reid, The Rancher

FOUR

LONG OVER DUE

Tumikhim ang ginang dahilan para maputol ang paglalaban namin ng titigan ni Anthony or Reid or whatever his name is. I didn't see this coming. It's like I was wishing for this to happen, every time, but now that my wish came true, parang gusto kong magsisi. Yeah, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.

I'm not safe here anymore. The way I looked at his reaction, alam ko na mayroon siyang hindi magandang binabalak.

Ito na ba ang panahong kailangan ko nang pagbayaran ang utang ko? Hihingin na ba niya ang kapalit na matagal na dapat niyang nakuha kung hindi lang ako nawalan ng malay noon?

"Hija?" Kinalabit ng ginang ang aking kamay para magbalik ako sa kasalukuyan.

"I'm sorry Señora what was that again?" Hingi ko ng paumanhin dahil hindi ko siya narinig na nagsasalita. Sa gilid ng aking mata ay nakita ko ang pagkilos ni Anthony. Naglakad ito palapit sa akin. When he walked past me, halos malatugatan ako ng hininga dahil sinadya nitong bungguin ng marahan ang balikat ko. He came near his mother and stood at the back of her wheelchair.

He looked extremely hot and sexy on his fitted white T-shirt and rugged pants. You could see his toned muscle on his biceps and broad shoulders. And the little stubbles on his face made him look more appealing. My god, Ysable. Nagawa mo pa talagang pansinin yan?

"I was asking kung magkakakilala na ba kayo ng anak ko? I feel like you knew each other ages ago?" As she was speaking, she peeked at Anthony na ngumiti ng tipid sa ina.

"Ah. Uhm. Kasi poh---"

"Hindi Mama. Hindi kami magkakakilala ni Isay. Because if I happened to know her before, then we are not having this conversation." Biglang sabi ni Anthony na nagpaputol ng sasabihin ko.

"Pero tinawag mo siyang Ysabel? I didn't mention her real name to you, did I?" Naguguluhan wika ng ina nito. Gosh. This is awkward. He remembers me. He remembered my name.

"Nabanggit kasi ni Aling Yolly nung nagkausap kami sa labas kanina Mama. Let's not make this a big deal, shall we?" Tikhim nito at naglikot ang mata.

The Señora just shrugged her shoulders. "Isay, dito ka na mananghalian total nandito ka na rin lang. We can talk the details over lunch."

Dapat ba akong tumanggi? Pero kailangan ko ng umalis sa lugar na ito! Nakakaramdam ako ng panganib. Panaganib mula sa kanyang anak na pasimple akong tinititigan ng patalim.

"Opo Señora. Sige po." I answered. Gad! Tama ba sagot ko?

Ngumiti ang ginang sa akin bago niya tinapik ang kamay ni Anthony na nakahawak sa handle ng wheelchair. Reid just gave me his salacious smile. Pinagulong na ni Anthony ang wheelchair papunta sa hapagkainan nila at ako'y bumubuntot na lamang dahil hindi ko pa naman kabisado ang pasikot-sikot ng bahay.

Wala akong masabi sa disenyo ng kanilang dining area. Parang bumalik ako sa panahon ng kastila. Almost everything was antique even the long, rectangular, narra dining table itself. May chandelier pa sa pinaka gitnang bahaging ito ng bahay.

My mouth watered as I looked at the food they served. May ginataang kuhol, pork chop, chapseuy at chicken wings. And there are mor             e pero hindi na ako pamilyar sa iba. Wow.

Umupo ang ginang sa kabisera, while Anthony sat on her right side. Iminuwestra ng ginang ang kanyang kaliwa, indulging me to sit on her left.

"Hija wag kang mahiya. You can eat all the food that is served. Or is there any particular food that you like to eat? We can ask our cook." Paunang sambit ng ginang na magiliw pang ngumiti sa akin.

I shook my head and smiled shyly. "Okay lang po ako Señora. Hindi po ako maselan sa pagkain. I can eat everything. Thank you po."

"Hotdogs?"

Nasamid ako sa sinabi ni Anthony. Did he just say hotdogs?

"What?" Halos sabay na sambit namin ng ina niya.

"I was asking if she likes to eat hotdogs, Mama." He spoke nonchalantly.

Why do I have this feeling that he is pertaining to something else?

"I do like hotdogs and bacon, perhaps. But I can see that there's more fo od to eat in here." I answered him with annoyance.

Reid just shrugged his shoulders and his mother was looking at him as if there is a horn on his head. What the hell was he talking about?

"Let's eat." Tikhim ng ginang to break the awkward silence.

Paano ako makakakain nito kung bawat galaw ko ay pinapanood ni Anthony? I really wanted to hide under the table so I could escape from his unnerving scrutiny!

This is so awkward. Very.

May inabot siyang plato na may chicken wings. "Try this." Lahad nito. Teka, ako ba kausap niya? Sa akin ba niya inaabot?

"That's honey-flavoured chicken wings, Isay. It's Reid's favourite. Try it, you gonna love it." wika ng Ginang.

So, para sa akin nga. Inabot ko ito. "Thanks." Tipid kong sabi at nakita ko siyang umirap nang bahagya.

Okay, get a grip Ysabel! I did all my best to look casual even though deep inside I was panicking.

"Hija nabanggit sa akin nila Yolly na isa kang nurse sa Makati pero nagresign ka? Pwede malaman kung bakit?" The old lady asked.

Patapos na kaming kumain at panghimagas na sweetened banana ang nakahain sa mesa.

"Opo. Nag-resign po ako kasi kailangan ko pong bumalik dito sa Sta. Cruz para po sa habilin ni Nanay. Balak ko po sana na sa Davao City na lamang ako mag-apply kung sakaling maisipan ko na pong magtrabaho at pag naayos na po ang lahat ng dapat kung ayusin. Pero dahil po dumating na ang ganitong opportunity ay i-ga-grab ko na po since malapit lang po ang bahay ko mula dito." I answered respectfully.

"Mabuti naman Hija. Pwede kang mag-uwian gabi-gabi kung gusto mo. Let's say, your work starts at seven in the morning to seven in the evening. Malakas pa naman ako, nakakatayo at nakakakilos pa. Itong si Reid lang naman ang masyadong nag-aalala. I'm still strong like a bull." she chuckled. "Twenty thousand a month, will that be okay with you?"

My eyes grew wide. "That's too big Señora. Masyadong malaki po ang pasahod ninyo sa akin. Halos pareho lang sa sahod ko sa ospital. Hindi ko po matatanggap ang ganyang kalaki." I refused. Malaki naman talaga kasi kung ganitong libre naman pagkain ko during work hours.

"Hija, just accept it. Ipapahatid at sundo na lamang kita sa tsuper everyday Hija. Walang sasakyang pumapasok dito maliban na lamang kung may arkila kang tricycle." Wika ng Ginang.

Tumikhim si Reid. "I disagree Mama."

We looked at him in astonishment. Di ako sasakay sa sasakyan nyo kung ayaw nyo! I can rent a tricycle. Marami tiyak akong makakausap tungkol diyan.

"And why is that Hijo?" Kumunot ang noo ng Senyora.

"I much prefer her to live with us from now on. She can go home during Sundays, which is her day-off."

I was caught off-guard with his statement. No. Way.

Nagtaas ng kilay ang ina niya sa kanya bago bumaling sa akin. Ngumisi ito. "Why not, Hija. That's a good idea."

Good idea. For him. But bad for me. Holy s**t!

"But Senyora…"

"I won't accept no for an answer, Ysabel. Now if you're done, let's go back to your house so you can pack your things. Your first day starts now. Follow me." He commanded like a boss. He stood up, kissed his mother's forehead and walked away from us.

And I was shock and left dumbfounded. He is so domineering! I'm starting to hate that man!

Alanganing tumayo ako at nag-excuse sa Ginang para sundan ang damuhong anak nito. Pansin ko pa ang pagkapako sa kinauupuan nito na para bang nagulat din sa kakaibang ugali ng anak.

Naabutan ko siya sa labas. He was leaning against his Silver Hummer, arms crossed over his chest and his eyes were on me, looking at me intently.

Gusto kong manakbo sa ibang direksyon. I don't know if I can survive the day with his unscrupulous dominance!

He whistled. "You are a refined woman now. You we're so young before." he smirked.

Umirap lang ako sa kanya. Pero bago ako nakaikot papunta sa kabilang pinto ng sasakyan, he held my arm. Ramdam ko ang pagkabaon ng palad niya sa balat ko. Pero ramdam ko rin ang pagdaloy ng kakaibang kuryente sa buo kong katawan.

"Your dress looks good on you. But I much prefer you without wearing anything." He whispered on my ear and I flushed.

Marahas na tinanggal ko ang braso ko sa kanya. "Bastos!" I swear sobrang pula ng mukha ko!

Humalakhak lamang ang gago bago siya pumasok sa loob ng Hummer. Nagpapadyak ako papunta sa kabilang pinto sa sobrang inis.

Pagkaupo ko ay sumiksik ako sa pinakagilid. Wala akong pakialam kung maipit man ako.

"Fasten your seatbelt, sweetheart." He spoke in a breathy tone, and I did what I was told. That sweetheart though. He called me that way before.

Kung sa tricycle ay halos forty-five minutes ang itinakbo namin, sa sasakyan niya ay wala pa atang bente minutos nang makarating kami sa bahay ko.

Hindi ko na siya inaya pang pumasok dahil nagkusa na siyang pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Ang kapal talaga!

Nakita kong sumulyap-sulyap ito sa kabuuan ng aking bahay. Dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko at kinuha ang isang katamtamang laki na maleta. Mga importanteng gamit at kasuotan lamang ang aking dadalhin total uuwi naman ako dito ng lingguhan. Isinama ko na rin ang iba pang medical paraphernalia ko pati ang medical books na kakailanganin ko.

"Done?" Medyo nagulat pa ako sa boses ni Anthony. Nilingon ko siya na nakasandal sa hamba ng pinto. Tumango ako ng bahagya.

"Good." He said as he walked towards me. Napasinghap ako ng umangat ang kanyang kamay at hinawi niya ang manggas ng aking bestida kasabay ng strap ng aking brassiere. My shoulder was expose!

"What the hell are you doing!" I yelled at him. Pinalis ko ang kamay niya at inayos ulit ang damit ko. Umatras ako sa kanya.

"Scared again? Oh c'mon! I know your likes! Don't pretend like a virgin, you slut! Sino-sino kaya ang naging lalake mo para makapag-aral ka at makapagtapos? Many to mention, eh?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko and I covered my mouth with my hand.

"You are very rude!"

He laughed like a demon. "Tell me ilang lalake na ang dumaan sa'yo?"

"Shut up, you asshole!"

Nagdilim ang kanyang mukha at hinablot niya ulit ako. "Don't. You. Dare. Shut. Me. Up." matigas na wika nito. He ran his nose against mine and I gasped. His lips almost touched my half-opened mouth. I closed my eyes.

"You're a devil!" I hissed.

"I never say I'm an angel, Ysabel." he mocked.

"This is long overdue Ysabel. six years overdue. This time magiging akin ka. What Reid wants; Reid gets. By hook or by crook. Gustuhin mo man o hindi. And you will never have another man as long as I exist." his breath fanning through my face and I could smell the mint scent from him. God!

Kinuha niya ang nakasarang maleta at nilabas. Busangot ang mukha ko na nakasunod sa kanya. This is not going to be good!

Sa sasakyan ay wala kaming imikan. Nagreregodon pa rin ang aking puso. Pagdating namin sa mansyon nila ay agad na bumaba ako mula sa Malaki niyang sasakyan.

"Welcome to my world, Ysabel. Welcome to the devil's lair." humalakhak ito at nauna nang pumasok sa bahay. Naiwan akong napatigagal sa kinatatayuan ko.

What am I going to do now? What in the world are you getting yourself into Ysabel?