My Teacher is a Gangster

57. WE MEET AGAIN

"Come again dad?" Maybe I heard it wrong. Baka iba lang ang pagkakarinig ko sa sinabi ni dad.

"Allison Chua. Remember the conversation we had with Maximilion Chua during the last dinner party we hosted? He mentioned his only daughter whom he called his runaway heiress. Bumalik na ito at siya na ang bagong namamahala sa Golden Dragon." pag-uulit niya.

Tila ba nabingi ako sa mga narinig ko. Hindi ako makagalaw. Parang sasabog na ang utak at puso ko dahil sa mga nalaman ko.

No. It can't be. Hindi. Mali ito. Imposible.

"Son, are you alright?" I can hear the concern from my mom's voice.

I'm tounge-tied. Pakiramdam ko ay naubosan na ako ng lakas na mag-isip at magsalita. Labis akong nabigla.

"Anyway son, we will finally meet her tonight. Nalaman kasi namin na umuwi siya. The Chuas own a villa just outside the city. Your mom and I decided to pay a visit para personal na ring makapag pasalamat sa kanya. We already made an appointment and you will come with us." dagdag pa ni dad.

"I have chosen a suit for you Jazz. This is an important night so be in your best, ok?" mom said smiling.

Am I ready to see her again? Kaya ko bang muling makita si Perez?

*****
"Come on Neil. Answer my call." I said with irritation and impatience.

I've been calling Neil for straight an hour now. Hindi siya sumasagot.

Because of too much frustration ay naibato ko ang aking cellphone.

Gusto kong maka-usap si Neil. Ano ang alam niya sa mga nangyari? Napapasabunot na ako sa sarili ko.

Allison Chua. Ito na ba ang bago niyang pangalan? Akala ko ba ay ayaw niyang maging isang Chua? Dahil ba talaga sa akin kaya siya nagpasyang umalis sa pagtuturo at tuloyan nang tanggapin ang matagal na niyang tinatakbohang kapalaran?

Hindi ko kailanman hiniling sa kanya ang magsakripisyo para sa akin. Hindi ako humingi ng tulong o naki-usap man lang sa kanya.

What have you done Perez?

Inalala ko ang aming naging pag-uusap.

"Stop worrying now. Magiging maayos din ang lahat. I got your back."

She said those things to me. I never thought that she means something during that time. For me, what she said were words of encouragement. Pampalakas lang ng loob ko.

Ni minsan ay hindi sumagi sa isip ko na may ibang ibig sabihin ang mga sinabi niya.

I picked up my phone to call Neil again. I desperately want to talk to him. Kailangan ko siyang makausap bago pa ako masiraan ng ulo.

*****
Neil never answered my calls. Kahit lito at tuliro pa rin ako ay pinilit kong maghanda para sa lakad namin ngayong gabi.

Patungo na kami sa villa ng mga Chua. She once mentioned that villa to us.

Isang linggo siya noong nawala. Sa labis na pag-aalala ni Neil ay hinanap namin siya.

When she returned, she told us that she went to his father's villa to see him.

She was gone for a week but she returned. His father tried to convince her to take over their business empire but she turned it down.

"My fate is not to be a gangster nor an heiress Jazz.

Destiny has brought me to PHS and to your section because I was meant to be a teacher.

Despite all the odds, ito ang pinili ko at pipiliin ko Jazz."

Did she forget what she has said? Were all those just her lies?

"We are here." pag-aanunsyo ni dad.

We went out of the car and in front of me is a very modern yet classy villa.

There is no doubt that a billionaire owns this. Sa lahat ng parte nito ay mababakas mo ang karangyaan at kapangyarihan ng may-ari.

I was told that his father is a multi-billionaire so why should I be surprised?

Sinalubong kami ng dalawang lalaki na nakasuot ng itim na suit. Tauhan ito ng mga Chua.

"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Sison. Welcome to the villa." bati ng isa sa amin.

The men accompanied us inside the villa. Dito sa loob ay mas mamamangha ka sa mga makikita mo.

On the walls are expensive paintings. Mamahalin ang mga furnitures. They also have a grand staircase.

Tumigil kami sa tapat ng isang malaking pintoan.

"The dragoness is waiting inside." said one of the men.

Dragoness? Is she referring to Perez?

Sa pagbukas ng pintoan ay muling bumalik lahat ng kaba at pagkalito ko.

A woman is sitting in a swivel chair just behind an expensive looking desk. Behind her is the logo of the Golden Dragon Group of Companies.

Nakatalikod siya sa amin pero kilalang-kilala ko kung sino siya.

"Good evening Miss Chua. We are more than grateful to be finally meeting you." pambungad ni dad.

She turned to face us. She is not Perez. Ibang-iba siya sa Perez na kilala ko.

Her hair is perfectly tied. She doesn't wear glasses instead she wears make up.

Mapapansin din ang mga alahas na suot niya. Hindi ko rin maiwasang mapansin ang kanyang damit.

I am not used seeing her this way. Sanay ako na makita siyang nakasuot ng makapal na salamin, maluwang na damit at pants, at pink na sapatos.

I looked at my parents and I am already expecting their reactions.

"Is that you Miss Perez?" tanong ni dad.

"Miss Allison this is so unexpected." sabi naman ni mom.

"It's Allison Chua. The dragoness." she answered smiling. "Please don't call me that name anymore." dagdag pa niya.

Maging ang ngiti niya ay iba na. Hindi siya ang adviser ko. She is a completely a different person.

Natigil ako sa pag-iisip ng muli siyang magsalita.

Kumabog nang napaka bilis ang puso ko sa mga salita niya.

"Sison. We meet again."

Her smile is cold and dangerous.