Suzy Azarcon

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Suzy

"Hello, Tita!" bati ko kay Tita Merced pagkapasok na pagkapasok pa lang niya sa bahay.

Sinalubong ko siya ng isang mahigpit na yakap bago siya inalalayan sa loob. I gave Tito Philip a hug, too. Tito was a six-footer which made me look like a baby in his arms. Tita was tall enough for her husband that's why it doesn't look awkward when they are together.

"Kumusta na ang maganda kong pamangkin? You are getting tall every time we meet," ani Tita. She gave manong her things before leading the way to the blue sofa – our favorite color. Tito excused himself to take a phone call. He is a busy man, you see.

"You know, Tita, I always train to make myself taller without my shoes." I ignored Mervin who is currently walking his way near us. Mukhang napansin siya ni Tita kaya naman hindi maiwasang hindi siya masali sa usapan namin.

"Thank you very much, Mervin, for taking my niece here safely. Pasensiya na rin sa abala dahil alam kong in-eenjoy mo pa ang pagbabalik mo rito," sambit ni Tita, bahagyang nakanguso na para bang nagsisisi talaga siya sa hininging pabor sa lalaking ito.

She can be sweet to anyone sometimes. Huwag na huwag mo lang talaga siyang gagalitin lalo na kapag binasag mo ang mamahalin niyang figurines sa bahay.

"No problem, Tita. Wala na naman akong masyadong ginagawa kaya ayos lang. I also had a fun time with her. Right, Suzanne – I mean, Suzy?" nakangising sambit niya.

Pilit akong ngumiti sa kaniya pabalik kahit na gusto ko nang pilipitin ang leeg niya. "Right! Hindi mo naman po sinabing may gentleman kang kasama sa bahay ninyo, Tita."

"He is, indeed. Kaya naman hindi na ako nagtatakang maging malapit kayo sa isa't isa. I see you found a friend in him."

I wanted to vomit with the words pero pinigilan ko. Ayokong ma-offend o mapahiya si Tita. As much as possible, ayokong malaman niyang hindi kami magkasundo ng lalaking 'to.

"He is not a stranger, okay, Tita? But a friend? Let's see..."

Tinaasan ako ng kilay ng lalaking 'to kaya naman tinaasan ko rin siya. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakla siya. It looked like he doesn't like me.

What if he likes guys instead kaya niya ako laging inaasar? Is that his way of showing someone he doesn't like them? Wala naman akong problema kung ano ang gusto niya. I don't have a thing for gays. They can do what they what and feel what they want.

"By the way, there are so many beautiful places here, so I guarantee you will enjoy it. Mervin, can you come with us and give us a ride?" she pleaded.

Gusto ko sanang sabihing sanay naman akong mag-drive pero mukhang may ibang plano ang kumag.

"Sure, Tita. That way, ma-eenjoy ko rin ang pagbalik ko. Why don't we eat first? Alam kong nabitin ang pagkain ni Suzy kanina," he said while looking at me.

I mentally cursed him but smiled sweetly at him. "Ang sweet mo naman. You really care for me, don't you?" pang-aasar ko sa kaniya.

Imbis na mainis o mainsulto ay matamis pa siyang ngumiti sa 'kin. Ang sarap talagang burahin ng labi niya sa mukha niya! Akala mo kung sinong gwapo. Amp!

"Of course, you are Tita Merced's beautiful niece. I will care for you especially when you are hungry which I assume happens a lot."

I gritted my teeth. This guy is starting to get on my nerves. Hindi mainitin ang ulo ko pero kaunti na lang talaga ay sasabog na ako dahil sa kaniya.

"Okay, children, let's get going! Para naman marami pa tayong makita on our way to town later," pagsingit ni Tita. She dragged me by the arm and led the way into the kitchen.

I glared at Mervin before letting aunty beckoned me to eat, again.

The smug look on Mervin's face made me want to throw him a bread. Pero hindi naman ako pinalaki nina Mama at Papa para maging ganoon kabastos. Kaya naman mas pinili ko na lang ang makipag-usap kay Tita kaysa makipagplastikan sa kaniya.

There are so many things I wanted to know about her and Tito. Ang tagal na rin kasi noong huli ko silang makita. Madalang na kasi silang dumaan sa bahay to see us.

"Your tito found a new business partner in Borone kaya naman madalang na kaming dumalaw sa inyo. Alam mo naman ang tito mo, gustong matapos agad ang mga kailangang gawin bago gumala."

"Naiintindihan ko naman po, Tita. I know how busy you are. Kaya naman natutuwa akong dito ako dinala nina Papa kaysa sa ibang lugar pa para mag-aral. I hate living alone!" bulalas ko. Mabuti na lang talaga at hindi na ako dinala ni Lolo sa Borone.

"So, dito ka pala mag-aaral? I assume you will be attending Anpo Boarding School?" Mervin asked formally.

Mukha namang curious lang talaga siya kaya naman maayos ko siyang sinagot. "Yes, I will. It just so happen na madadaan daw ako sa bahay nina Tita so I stopped by before going to school."

He just nodded at what I said and didn't ask for more.

"Your father informed me about that and I'm more than ecstatic to tell you that Mervin's also attending that school!" Tita beamed.

Halos maibuga ko naman ang tubig na iniinom ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Mabuti na lang at napigilan ko.

Mervin smirked, and I said, "T-talaga po?" I asked. Baka naman kasi mali lang ang narinig ko at hindi ko kailangang makita ulit ang pagmumukha ng lalaking ito sa campus.

"Yes. Doon talaga siya uma-attend and he is in college this time of the year. Kung tama ba ang pagkakaalala ko?" she looked at him, asking.

"Opo, Tita. Marvin is also attending that school at magka-dorm kaming dalawa. He just doesn't like nature as much as I do." He shrugged his shoulder and bit on his bread.

"Yes, yes, Marvin. You should meet Marvin as well, Sue. He is a gentleman like Mervin."

"Marvin?" tanong ko.

Hindi ko naman kasi kilala kung sino iyong Marvin na iyon. And a gentleman like Mervin? Ano ang ibig sabihin n'on, na may isa pang katulad si Mervin sa mundong ito? Baka sila pa ang maging dahilan ng maaga kong pagpanaw sa mundo! Oh, no. Please, no.

"He is my twin brother. I am sorry to disappoint you, Tita, pero hindi kami magkapareho. I am manlier than him."

Natawa naman si Tita sa tinuran niya samantalang napairap na lang ako. Hindi ko alam kung nakita iyon ni Tita pero hindi ko kasi maiwasan. Ang yabang niya kasi masyado kaya hindi ko mapigilan!

Matapos ang maikli naming pag-uusap ay nagpalit na ako ng damit. I wore brown boots and a little cowgirl outfit. Sinigurado kong hindi mawawala ang fashion sa itsura ko para naman walang masabi ang mayabang na iyon! And I am proud to say that I have the curves.

"You look lovely in those dress, pamangkin! Hindi ko akalain na may igaganda ka pa pala. I doubt na walang makakapansin sa 'yo mamaya pagkarating natin sa town."

Napangisi na lang ako sa reakson ni Tita, pero si Mervin talaga ang nginingisian ko. I can see in my peripheral vision that he is checking me out. Ha! Maglaway ka ngayon, Mr. Yabang! Tingnan natin kung hanggang kailan mo balak na mang-asar lalo na sa itsura ko.

"Thank you, Tita. Shall we go?" yaya ko. I smirked at his direction, again. Iniwas lang niya ang tingin at saka pinagbuksan kami ng pinto.

Sige, ganiyan nga. Tingnan na lang natin kung hanggang saan ang tapang mo. Akala mo talaga uurungan kita?

Mervin is on the driver's seat while Aunty and I are at the back. We drove our way to town. Patuloy na nagkukuwento si Tita tungkol sa kaniya. Kapag may nadadaanan kaming mahahalagang daan ay sinasabi niya sa 'kin. Fortunately, hindi maputik ang dinadaanan namin ngayon, hindi katulad kanina.

There are so many historical places here and Tita can't stop talking about them. Madalas ay puro dahil sa pag-ibig na hindi naging happy ending. Some were about legends and mostly myths like how a certain tree grows in the middle of the river and the likes. Nakapagtataka tuloy kung bakit mag-isa ang punong iyon at hindi pa namamatay.

Even the tallest rocks here have stories to tell. Sa sobrang daming naikwento ni Tita ay nalibang ako. I can't hide the amazement in my face as I looked around. It's really peaceful and I can't find any reason not to love this place. From the bodies of water, to tall mountains that touch the sky. It’s so breathtaking!

I stopped admiring the whole place when I saw Mervin looking intently at me. Imbis na taasan siya ng kilay ay nginitian ko siya. Well, I am too amazed at the surroundings to mind his arrogant presence.

"Do you like what you see so far, Sue?" Tita asked.

I looked at her dumbfounded. "Not like Tita. I love it! Hindi ko alam na may ganito palang lugar sa mundo. Thank you very much for letting me see these things. It is really an honor!" I beamed before giving her a tight hug. Too bad Tito can't come along.

"No, silly, it is an honor to introduce you to this place. Just wait until you see the whole town. Everyone is nice and everything around the town's magnificent!"

"I can't wait to see them!"

Not too long after, the surroundings started to change. From the trees and plants and rocks, everything changed. I can already see the tall buildings and shops that are designed artistically. Pati ang mga simpleng parke ay puno ng mga ilaw. I badly want to witness this place in the evening!

Huminto ang sasakyan sa isang parking lot. Hindi iyon kalakihan pero sapat lang para magkasya ang sa tingin ko ay sampung sasakyan.

Mervin opened the door for us. Sinimangutan niya ako kaya nagtaka ako. Ano na naman ba 'ng ginawa ko? Hindi ko na nga siya tinatarayan eh.

"What now?" pasimpleng bulong ko sa kaniya.

"You are not on your usual self," pasimpleng bulong niya rin habang nakasunod kami kay Tita. She entered a boutique shop where we followed her. Mukhang hindi naman niya napapansin ang pagbubulungan namin dahil busy na siya sa pagsuyod sa buong shop.

I looked at him amused. "So, kilala mo na 'ko niyan? And what is my usual self, Mr. Cowboy," panunukso ko.

Pareho kasi kami ng outfit ngayong araw pero hindi ko lang pinansin kanina. Medyo nahiya kasi ako bigla na para bang pinag-usapan namin ang susuotin namin ngayon. Para bang naka-couple dress kami ngayon which is really weird and awkward.

He is wearing a black and white checkered polo with a brown vest. His brown pants are a little tight because of his muscles and his boots are brown, too.

On the other hand, I am wearing a brown off-shoulder na medyo kita ang pusod sa tuwing itataas ang mga kamay ko. I have blue jeans and brown boots like him.

"Ganiyan. Nawala bigla ang pang-aasar mo at pagtataray mo sa 'kin, Ms. Cowgirl," pang-aasar niya. "It is still fun talking with the girl I met at the airport."

I scoffed. "Excuse me, hindi ako ang mahilig mang-asar sa 'ting dalawa, 'no!"

"Akala mo lang 'yon pero ang lakas mo kayang mang-asar. Ginagatungan lang kita. Ang saya kasing panoorin kapag nagagalit ka. Namumula ka lalo na ang tainga mo."

"So, that is your ulterior motive, ang asarin ako."

"You can say that. Hindi mo ba nahalata?"

"Ewan ko sa 'yo."

I walked a little faster than him. Tiningnan ko rin ang mga damit dito pero ni isa ay wala man lang nakakuha ng atensyon ko. Maybe because I am conscious around him kaya hindi ko maituon nang buo ang atensyon ko sa paghahanap. Hindi ko na makita si Tita na mukhang nalunod na rin sa paghahanap ng damit for who-knows-what.

Mervin seemed uninterested in looking for a new outfit, kaya mas pinili niyang asarin na lang ako. "But I have got to admit I like it better."

Sa tingin ko ay pinamulahan ako sa sinabi niya pero hindi ko na pinahalata. Siya ang huling taong makakakita ng mukha ko ngayon sa ganitong itsura.

"Sabi ko na nga ba at gusto mo 'ko. I bet you enjoyed being with me kaya sa pang-aasar mo na lang dinadaan."

"I admit I did enjoy it especially when you are flaming red because of embarrassment and anger." Iniwan niya ako at nauna nang maglakad samanatalang ako ay ito, pinipigilan ang pagngiti ko sa hindi malamang dahilan.

What is wrong with that guy? Most especially, what is wrong with me? I should be insulted with that but why am I still smiling? There is really something wrong with me. Really.