Montecillo Series - Cristoffer Montecillo (Complete)

Prequel

Cristoph POV

“Hell yeah, drive fast Kuya!” sambit ko kay Kuya Alex as we drive through the night papa uwi ng bahay. It was 2 am already, We stopped work around 12 mn saka naginuman ng konti.

Kuya Alex was definitely in his mood. Nakainom eh. But kidding aside, heartbroken nanaman siguro to. Isang aya, payag agad.

I can feel the cool breeze slapping my face while he drives fast sa BMW ni kuya Matt. Dad allowed us to use it for the mean time since pinapa ayos pa yung isang kotse na ginagamit namin ni kuya for work.

But you know what they say, bad things happen when you have too much fun. And yun nga nangyari samin. Nung papalapit na kami ng subdivision we switched places, I drove papuntang bahay.

I was so drunk nabangga ko yung post sa gitna ng crossroad. Di ko din namalayan. Nagising nalang ako sa hospital katabi si kuya Alex.

Mom was sitting in between our beds reading on something sa phone niya. When I tried to move, napansin kaagad ni Mommy and she immediately she placed her phone in her pocket then attended me.

Tulog pa si Kuya Alex but I was already awake, Mom was looking so worried. Inilang haplos niya ako bago umupo sa kama sa tabi ko.

“Baby, you okay? May masakit ba? Oh my God, dapat di na kayo naddrive kung naka inom na kayo. Halos mabaliw ako sa inyong dalawa.” She said, worry was evident sa mukha at boses niya, halos mangiyak ngiyak na siya.

Sino ba naman ang hindi. I had cast sa paa, kuya had bandage sa ulo and braso. I smiled and lightly and let my mom hug me. I know how she worries pag may ganitong nangyayari. So (I had t0o smile a bit, maibsan lang ang pag aalala niya.

“Ikaw lang po?” I had to ask. s**t, yung kotse ni Kuya.

“Your dad was here, pero pumunta muna sa paayusan ng kotse. The damage to your Kuya’s car is big kaya kelangan iparepair kaagad. You know how he gets pag gamit niya yung nasisira. Since tulog pa kayo inasikaso muna niya yon.”

“Ano bang nasa isip niyo at nag drive kayo ng lasing? Pano kung may nangyari sa inyo? Di bale na ang kotse pero kayo? Pano kung napano kayo? Kayo talaga, halos magkapareho lang tumatakbo sa utak niyo ng kuya Alex mo.”

Just then umungol naman si Kuya Alex at siya naman ang pinuntahan ni Mommy. He was slowly opening his eyes to Mom’s touch.

“Babe, you okay? Masakit ba? I can call the nurse para mabigyan ka ng gamut.” Umungol lang si kuya saka naubo ng konti.

“I-I’m fine p-po.” He said. Natawa naman ako, alam kong nahihiya si kuya kay mommy.

Mom never treatyed Kuya Alex differently from us, In fact, it seems she acceptd him na anak na din. Although nasaktan siya, Mom always believes na may kabutihan sa isang tao. She even believed na walang kasalanan si Kuya Alex, sadyang malupit ang tadhana sa kaniya.

Mom knew how he was treated based sa kwento ng dating katulong nila. Kaya ganun nalang si Mom kabait kay Kuya Alex.

“Teka, you both tell me you’re fine pero alam kong hindi. Tatawag pa din ako ng doctor.” She said

Pinindot ni Mommy and red button above our headboard. Ilang minuto lang may dumating na nurse and doctor. Inexamine kami kaagd ang kinuha vital signs namin.

We were told na we will stay for 2 days then mag xray ulit bago kami mag discharge. Seems like nalian ako sa may paa and Kuya had concussins daw and mejo naipit yung braso sa may unahan ng seat.

“Thank you, Doc.” Mom said bago ito umalis.

She faced us at saka umupo sa silya niya kanina. She was watching both of us like ready to be scolded na kabataan. Both os ni Kuya, nag iba nalang ng tingin.

“You’re lucky ganyan lang nagyari sa inyo. Sa susunod, I don’t want you guys driving kung naka inom kayo. Always call for the driver pag di na kaya. Understood?”

“yes po.” Sabay naming sagot ni kuya.

Bumukas naman ang pin to at pumasok si Tiffany. She was sucking on a lollipop while carrying a duffel bag.

“Mommy, ito na po.” Sabay bigay sa bag at nilagay na Mommy sa may couch. Saka kami binalingan ni Tiff.

“Hey, you two jerks, ayusin niyo pagddrive niyo nang di kayo na aaksidente. Ayan, ako pa nagdala ng gamit niyo. Kakainis kayo, nawala poise ko sa bigat ng bag!” singhal niya samin.

Ngumit naman kami ni kuya at sabay kaming nagpasalamat.

“Thank you, princess!” sumimangot lang ito saka tumalikod and umupo sa couch.

“Mommy, I’m hungry!” sabi niya kay Mommy.

Mom just smiled and caressed her cheeks. Pumunta naman ito sa amin ni kuya and kissed us sa forehead.

“I’m going to buy food muna. Tiff will just be here, wag niyo nanamang awayin, okay? Mawawalan kayo ng bantay.” She said saka hinalikan din sa noo si Tiff.

When Mom was gone, doon ko na ininda yu8ng sakit ng likod ko. Si Kuya naman napamura sa sakiot ng ulo niya at likod din.

“Putang Ina, sakit ng likod at ulo ko.” Mura niya na nakakuha ng atensyon ni Tiff.

“Hey, bad words!” simangot nito.

“Sorry po.” Sagot naman ni Kuya.

Just then bumukas ang pinto and in comes Dad. Mas nakakatakot aura ni Mommy sa totoo lang. I was not even afraid na pumasok na si dad. Alam kong ililitanya niya sakin yung nangyari sa kotse.

“Good you guys are awake.” Sabi niya.

“Daddy!” salubong ni Tiff saka niyakap at hinagkan si Dad. Talk about favorite.

“Hi Dad! Yes, buhay pa kami.” Sabi ko.

“Yan ay kung di malaman ng kuya mo ginawa niyo sa kotse niya.” Nan laki mata ko pati na din si Kuya Alex.

“Malaki ba damage dad?” I asked. He smirked.

“Sa sobrang laki I have to ask them to ship some parts galling pang ibang bansa kasi walang Makita dito.”

Napakagat labi ako saka tumingin kay kuya Alex,we were both dead. No, I was more dead, ako yung nakabangga.

“Alam mo naming paborito yun ng kuya mo because it is his frist car.” Sabi ni dad. Tumango naman kaming dalawa ni Kuya.

“Dad, thank you for the repairs.”napangiwi ako.

“Thank you? Both of you will work sa mall 3 months without pay. Kabayaran sa lahat ng damages nung kotse. I will not touch the allowance but I will not allow you to get paid for the next 3 months.”

Nanlaki mga mata namin. Allowance lang pala pera ko for 3 months. Langyah, kulang pa yun eh.

“Looks like uuwi na muna ako sa bahay, kulang ang allowance eh.” Sabi ni Kuya.

“That’s what your Mom wants.” He talks about Mom. Parang anak na aksi ang turing ni Mommy kay kuya.

Ayaw na ayaw nitong aalis kami if it’s not because we want to have our family life na. Bu then she cannot stop us kung gusto na naming mag sarili.

I haven’t still, nag eenjoy pako sa libreng house and pagkain and all the priviledges na meron sa bahay. Lahat kami binilhan na ni Daddy nang sariling condo in cae we want to live alone. I chose not to go, si Kuya Alex chose to live alone.

Well, now na allowance nalang ang meron siya, sigueadong makukulangan siya. 100k per month? It’s not enough for me. Sabi pa may mga gusto akong bilhin other than my necessities.

We pouted and dad just smirked. Then tumalikod ito to talk with Tiff.

“Where’s your mom?”

“Bumili ng food. I’m hungry na dad.”

“Ganun ba, okay I’ll wait here. Nasaan ate mo?”

“She’s with Kuya Andrew, dad. I heard they went somewhere pero di ko alam saan.”

“I see. Did you bring your kuya’s bag?” turo niya sa duffel bag.

“Opo, and daddy it was mabigat! Nawala poise ko sa paglalakad.” She complained and we all chuckled.

“You should have asked the driver to accompany you and siya nalang nagdala.”

“Dad, he’s too old baka mamaya magcrack bones niya pag mababa yung bag nila kuya.”

We couldn’t help but laugh, she was maarte with a heart. Mas pipiliin niyang maghirap and magcomplain kaysa Makita na yung ibang tao na di kaya gawin yung di nila kaya.

She was half tita Grace and half Mom. Prinsesa nga naman sa bahay. Kumandong ito kay Daddy maya maya.

“Daddy… favor?” she asked sweetly.

“naku nanaman. May hihingin.” I said.

“Shut up! AT least I don’t drive drunk.” Balik niya sakin na ikinatawa ni Dad.

“Okay, let’s hear it..” dad said. Napa iling nalang kami ni Kuya.

“Daddy, can I get the latest macbook?” she asked. I rolled my eyes.

“maayos pa naman macbook mo diba?” she nodded.

“I actually gave it to the maid’s daughter kasi nag oonline class siya sa phone niya lang. Naaawa ako.” I sighed.

“Naku Tiff, papagalitan ka ni mommy niyan, you’re wasting money.”

“It’s not a waste kasi I helped someone.”

“Yeah you helped para may bago ka.” Sinamaan lang niya ako ng tingin saka bumaling kay daddy with her puppy eyes.

“Daddy please. Mommy said I need your permission.” Our eyes widen.

“Mommy said that?” she nodded and tongued out.

“Daddy…” muli niyang sambit.

“Dad, that’s not fair.” I said. Kuya just actually shook his head.

“Buti pa yung anak ng katulong, langyah macbook!” tatawa tawa siya.

Dad didn’t mind us but kissed Tiff’s cheeks.

“Okay, later. We will check anong latest para mabilhan ka.”

Napanganga ako habang si Kuya napangiti. Umiling lang ito saka pumikit ng mata. Sakto naming dumating si Mommy with the food.

“O, andito ka nap ala. Sakto lang pala naorder kung food. Come let’s eat.”

“Mommy! Dad agreed already!”

“Mom, that’s not fair!”

“Hush, she needs it for school. Anyway, sobrang outdated na din nung macbook niya. I was with her nung binili naming yun.”

Napailing nalang ako. Mom prepared the foods along with Tiff. Then she gave each of us, then sa table para sa kanila.

“Mom, I still love it kung luto mo.” I said.

“Later baby, pag uwi ko magluluto ako para sa inyo.” She said and I smiled.

“You’re the best mom!” I said saka nag thumbs up si kuya Alex.

Tumawa lang si Mommy and ate. Sinusubuan niya pa din si Dad. I wish I would have the same lovelife with theirs. Napaka sweet nila sa isa’t isa.

Maya maya may tumawag kay daddy sa phone niya. He stared at the caller before he accepted the csll. His brows furrowed as he looks at us.

Nang maibaba niya yung tawag, he was contemplation on something bago ito bumaling sa amin ni Kuya Alex.

“Where did you guys drink?”

“A bar sa BGC dad, why?”

He furrowed his brows even more. He was pacing back and forth.

“I know di niyo kayang gawin to but I want to be sure,..”

“What is it dad?”

“Were you with a girl?” he asked.

Kumunot ang nook o at nagkatinginan kami ni Kuya. He was having a shocked expression while ako ay may questioning eyes.

“Dude, the girl..”

“What girl? I can’t remember na may babae akong kasama sa bar. Kuya you were with me.”

“Dude, you were with one. Remember I told you she’s a minor?”

Bigla akong napa isip. Ang naaalala ko lang niyakap lang but that’s it.

“I didn’t touch any girl in that way, hanggang yakap ;lang ako.”

“Well. She is now claiming you touched her and it is all over the news.”

“What the…”

“That’s why I wanted to ask you.”

“No.. I know wala akong ginalaw. I know myself. Kahit naka inom ako hanggang yakap lang ginawa ko.”

I am sure of it. Hindi ako ganung kasabik may magalaw. Hell, mapili padin ako sa ikakama kong babae.

“I will have to leave first, I need to talk to the lawyers. Malaking skandalo to.” He said saka lumabas ng room namin.

“Mom, I’m positive na wala akong ginawang masama other than the accident. I’m sure of it.”

Mom quickly went to my side and hugged me. She was shushing me so I would calm down. Tumingin siya kay Kuya Alex.

“Can you remember what happened?” tumango naman si kuya Alex.

“I think this is an attack to us. Kasam ko si Tope the whole night and never siyang nawala sa pangingin ko. He indeed hugged the girl pero hanggang dun lang. Hindi ko nga siya nakitang nakikipaghalikan.” Kuya confirmed.

“Why are they doing this?..”

--

Earlier before the accident..

Cristoph POV

It was Friday, I badly want to go out. But nalang off ko bukas. It was my turn to have my day off tomorrow. Total tapos na si Kuya kahapon so ako naman. Damn, I needed the break. Ilang weeks din akong straight since Kuya cannot function well pa. he needed the time off.

I understood him. He was heartbroken, akal nioya yung babaeng dinedate niya ay for forever na. Turns out, pangdisplay lang din siya. Hay, bakit kasi ang ggwapo natin, kaya ayoko magseryoso. Pero kahit ganun, I make sure it is mutual, hindi yung ako lang ang sasaya.

Ayokong mang agrayabado, may mga kapatid akong babae so I don’t want them to be treated the same. If she wants it, then go ako. If not, I respect that. Hindi ako mamimilit. Sa umpisa palang nagsasabi na ako na hindi ako seryoso at wala akong sineseryoso.

Kuya was different, siguro gaya ng sabi ni Ate, he looks for someone na magmamahal sa kanya ng tunay. Anyway, I asked him kung gusto niyang mag inuman kami after working hours. We were set pa for one meeting and then paperworks nalang.

He agreed immediately, so it was obvious he wanted to get wasted. Umiling nalang ako, I know he was hurting kaya pumayag ito.

Nasa gitna ako nang pagpipirma ng files nung dumating si Kuya sa office ko. He sat ion my couch saka pinatong ang paa sa mesa. He rested his back sa couch and sighed deeply.

“Tough day, huh?”

“Not really, just wanted to chillax a bit. I’m bored.”

“Langyah samantalang ako dami kong papeles ditto.”

“Hindi mo tinapos kahapon kaya tambak ka ngayon.”

I shrugged and went back to the documents. I was busy signing the papres when he spoke again.

“Alam mo bang ngayon mag present si Mr. Garcia nung proposal niya para sa isang mall na itatayo natin sa Batangas?”

“Hmmyeah, he set that up last week pa. I am excited to know what that branch will offer. “

“Hindi ko alam kung totoo but I heard he plans to establish a lot of expensive stalls there. Has he seen the economic status of the area?”

“We will find out later.”

Natapos akong mag sign ng papers when it was time for the meeting. Alam kong ayaw ni Kiya kay Mr. Garcia, he was his enemy for his position noon. And the favor was not with Kuya that time. He was still new and he was still rpoving his worth kay Dad.

Mr. Garcia plays dirty kaya ganun nalang siya kagalit ditto. We went to the conference room and saw that almost all was there.

Mr. Garcia was already at the front getting ready for his presentation. Kami naman ay naupo na sa upuan namin.

Halos Makita kong umuusok ang ilong ni Kuya kay Mr. Garcia so I asked him to let the others hurry up and para magstart na.

When we were all complete, pinasimula ko na ang presentation. I was quite impressed with it. Kahit si Kuya nakapag admit that he liked the proposed subject. Kaya lang may nakita siyang butas.

“So, what are you going to do with the people surrounding the mall? Ang dugyot tignan na madaming nakapaligid na di ka aya aya.”

“We actually asked them to move in exchange for an amount that would suffice to start a new home somewhere.”

“Somewhere? So wala kayong nakita na pwede nilang paglipatan since tayo naman ang nagpapa alis sa kanila dun? Yes we give money but where would they really stay? Parang walang puso naman tayo nun.”

I looked at Kuya and realized it was also correct, just because nagbigay ng pera is enough. Nope, it isn’t, pano kung wala silang mahanap.

“We can give them ample time to evacuate and makakita ng paglilipatan whilw we build the mall.” Sagot ni mr. Garcia.

“My point is, kung nakakaya nating makapagbugay ng amount na sakto sa pagpapatayo ng bagong bahay, why can’t we assist them is finding a land na apglilipatan. Let’s also be considerate sa kalagayan nila.I mean, tayo ang kumuha sa lupa na kinmatatayuan ng bahay nila. Yes, we paid but is that gonna be it. Please remember the mission and vision we have in this mall.” He finally said.

I am having the hunch na gusto ni Kuyang gisahin yung lalake that’s why he was so meticulous. But I have to say, he has a point. Dad never meant to put up a business and discriminate other people. We have built so many malla and hotels na kahit si Kuya inaalagaan yung dating occupant ng lupa. He doesn’t settle with p*****t only. He gives them a land na pwede nilang pagtayuan ng bahay.

I guess Kuya got that idea from Kuya matt and Dad. But being the higher in position here, I have the final say. I flipped all the pages and it really did have great potential.

“As much as I am impressed with the presentation, I have to also say we do not just abandon or forsake the people who has lived in this land for a long time. Dad always emphasized that even if we try to grow, never step on those people who was initially there or who has helped us. Kaya for now, I have to reject the project and reconsider unless may changes ditto. I would love to approve this, but show me more compassion to those people in that land.”I said

I closed the folder and asked kung may ayaw bas a decision ko and fortunately, they all agree. Ang mga tao ditto mga tauhan na ni dad since before so they know what dad follows for his rules. Nung wala akong makitang nag disagree, I adjourned the meeting.

Nang makalabas na kami ng room, Kuya patted my back.

“Thanks for having my back bro.” nginitian ko lang to sabay pabirong sumuntok.

“Loko, alam ko na ginagawa mo.”

--

We were in the bar at 12 mn. Kakatapos lang naming sa work and we immediately went to the bar and unwind.

We had a few drinks then some girls keep on coming and then eventually leave. Kuya was not in the mood. I can only flirt a little then shoo them off.

“So, what happened to the model you were dating kuya?” I asked.

“Faggot, she just used me. Kala mo naman kagandahan ng ugali. Maganda siya, yes. Pero the attitude, ewan. I even thought of forever with her.” I laughed.

Tumungga siya sa baso niya and tasted the bitter taste of the liquor. Someone came up to him but she pushed her away.

“I don’t need girls for now.” He said saka ako umiling.

“Ikaw loverboy, want some ladies?” I smiled and just shook my head.

“We have new recruits today, you might wanna try.” She said seductively.

Hindi pa ako nakakapag decide o tumango man lang then another girl came up to me. She was quite scared as I can see it.

“hey, it’s okay. I won’t do anything to you.” I said saka nagsalita si kuya.

“New recruit? Bata pa yan ah? Mukhang kaka 16 palanfg niya.”

Bigla namang tumawa yung isang babae at sinabing mukha lang nito ay baby face but she was already 20.

I was too drunk that I leaned over her and napayakap ako. I immediately apologized nung nakita ko yung takot sa mata niya.

She just nodded but didn’t say anything. I smiled and patted her head. Bumaling ako kay Kuya and told him na sasayaw lang ako.

Another girl came to me and dance with me. I did danced with her for a bit then got back sa kinauupuan naming.

Kuya was laughing at me. He was shaking hgis head at tinapik ako.

“Hey dude, you’re drunk.” I smiled and shook my head no.

“I’m not, anyway, it’s about 2, kelangan na nating umuwi, Mom would be waiting sa salala nanaman.”

He nodded in agreement. Mom doesn’t sleep hanggat di kami kompleto sa bahay. Unless umalis ka na sa puder nila, she will wait until you come home.

I know Kuya was gonna sleep sa house kasi we were using Kuya’s BMW. Nasira kasi yung kotse na ginagamit naming ni Kuya.

So he drove that night. But that was something we would both regret, driving drunk. And it will change my life suddenly.