DM #2: Dean Andrada

Kabanata 27

Kabanata 27

Longing

The white tall gate opened. Bumungad ang maliwanag at malawak na lupain. The two guards, wearing a black suit, saluted when the car went in. Sa madidilim na dulo ay may nakita pa akong mga gwardya na palakad-lakad. It revealed how tight the security of the Arellanos.

Mayroong mahabang sementadong daan patungo sa malaking maliwanag na bahay. The house was modern and huge, almost as big as the mansion. It has a theme of white, grey and black. Each side of the way has a jet fountain and it was surrounded by bermuda grass.

The house looks welcoming because of the lights that can be seen each floor through the high glass wall. Mula dito, makikita na kung gaano ka-kinang ang chandelier na nasa loob.

Malakas ang tibok ng aking puso pero hindi ko iyon pinansin. Lalo na nang nag-park na ang sasakyan sa labas ng bahay.

I saw a sports car and a white fortuner parking beside us. Isa lang ang kapatid na mayroon ako kaya posibleng sa kanya ang pulang sports car.

Lumabas ng sasakyan si Dean at umikot patungo sa bahagi ko. I silently whispered comforting words to my mind. Nang buksan niya ang pintuan, maayos akong lumabas. He held my waist immediately as he closed the door.

"Let's go?"

I don't have to act like I'm okay, just like what he said. Ayaw niyang pigilan ko ang paglabas ng emosyon ko. He's right, it will just make my condition worst. Even when I act that I'm okay, they knew already.

Pero ang gusto ko sa puntong ito ay ang bumalik sa kanila sa kondisyon na mayroon ako noong kinuha ako ni Papa. Just this once, without any trauma, I will face my family.

Habang tumatagal sa kinatatayuan, iba't ibang bagay na ang pumapasok sa isipan ko. Halos wala akong maintindihan. It suffocates me, I need to distract myself.

I looked up to Dean, he's looking down at me gently. I smiled as I tiptoed to reach his lips. Sandali lang ang pagdampi at mabilis din humiwalay.

His lips parted in shock and muttered a curse. Uminit ang pisngi ko at nagsimula na maglakad. He whispered words that I can't nearly understand. Hindi ko na pinansin pa.

Sumalubong ang isang kasambahay sa entrada. She bowed a little bit as she greeted both of us. I greeted back and Dean only nodded.

"Follow me, Sir, Ma'am," she lead the way.

Kagaya ng inaasahan, malawak at malaki ang buong bahay. Bawat bagay na nakikita ko ay nagsusumigaw ng yaman at disiplina.

I expected this already because of what Dean spilled earlier. Arellanos were popular in politics for many terms. With no issues of corruption or embezzlement. Their focus are mostly on the rights of the people, especially labor.

Ang mga angkan ng Arellano ay halos lahat nasa politika. May iilan mang hindi iyon pumasok sa politika, pero mabibilang lang sa daliri.

David Arellano, my father, is currently a mayor of Mandaluyong. Siya lang ang nasa politika sa pamilya na mayroon kami dahil hindi interesado ang kapatid ko. Lauren Arellano, my mother, supports him in any way. She's busy with her business, but she never missed events together with my father.

Chase Ryland Arellano, my brother, is not interested with politics. He's busy handling his own business and never involved himself with it. He hates it for some reason. Multiple rumors came about him running for different position, but he simple denied all of it.

It's not a secret that I'm missing. Pero dahil sa mahabang panahon na umusbong ang balitang iyon, dahan-dahan ding nawala ang interes ng iba na kumalap ng impormasyon.