Unlike Any Other

CHAPTER 21

I would be lying if I say I'd never wondered if Renz really had genuine feelings for me back then. Of course, when I was younger, I thought he did, but now, I'm not so sure anymore. I mean, masisisi ko ba siya kung bakit niya ako hinalikan noon? Ako ang lapit nang lapit kaya siguro sinakyan niya na lang ang mga pinag-gagagawa ko. Hindi na ako inosente para isipin na naging tapat siya sa'kin noong bumalik siya ng Maynila habang nagtapos ako ng highschool sa Guimaras. Siguradong nagkaroon siya ng ibang nobya nang nasa unang taon siya ng kolehiyo.

"Is he as handsome as ever then?" Valerie's voice sounded just as girlish over the phone. Tumawag siya sa'kin mula sa London kaya sinamantala ko na ang pagkakataon na magsabi sa kaniya na matatagalan siguro ako na bumalik ng Europe.

"Val..." I chided her.

"Fine! But, my goodness, Lena, don't tell me you're really staying in the Philippines?" She and her family had been planning on coming home and we were supposed to meet up but I think hindi na mangyayari 'yon ngayon.

"It's a bit complex, Val. Anyway, call me when you get to Bicol. I will try my best to fly to Luzon." I wasn't certain it's possible but I do want to see her.

"Actually, love, I might go to Guimaras. But don't get your hopes up yet. Anyway, turns out, Auntie Beverly's family has a rest house there. Do you remember her? Uncle Pete's wife?"

I vaguely remember Valerie's aunt and uncle who are based in Manila who came to visit her during our sophomore year.

"Yes, I think so. How come ngayon mo lang nalaman?"

"I mentioned that you've gone to Guimaras. Auntie Bev asked if we want to go and visit you. Pero with my packed schedule, I dunno if matutuloy ako this year!"

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Bago pumunta sa bakery ay dumaan muna ako para magpaalam kay Nang Sol. Hindi na kami nagsasabay ni Renz dahil magmula nang gabi na 'yon ay minabuti ko na mag-jeep na lang dahil ayoko talaga na magkaroon pa kami ng panahon na magkasama. Kalaunan, nang napagtanto niya na seryoso ako sa desisyon ko ay binanggit niya na puwede ko gamitin ang isa pang sasakyan o di kaya ay magpahatid kay Nong Toto.

I glared at him at that. "Why didn't you mention there is another car before?"

"Akala ko ay alam mo. Nandiyan lang naman sa garahe." I exhaled and kept quiet since we both knew he is right. I just assumed that car wasn't running anymore since I haven't seen anyone use it. Pero alam ko na sinadya niya talagang hindi banggitin 'yon.

"Aalis ka na?" tanong ni Manang sabay abot sa'kin ng isang plastik na may mga tupperware na may lamang pagkain.

"Opo, Nang. Magdadala ako mamaya ng silvanas."

"Nakalimutan kong sabihin sa'yo, darating mamaya si Ma'am Cosette." I frowned wryly at what she said. It has been six months since I last saw her and I had counted on not seeing her until my other six months are up.

"Hmmm... sige po." Naisip ko na 'wag umuwi mamaya kaagad pero saan naman ako pupunta.

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I'm only thankful Tita Cosette preferred to ignore my presence. Mas mainam na 'yon kesa naman insultuhin niya ako 'di ba? Dati pa ay ayaw niya na sa'kin, eh di mas lalo na ngayon na nakatali sa akin ang mamanahin naming lahat.

"Hijo, do you remember your girlfriend when we lived in Alabang? Rachel?" Nagpatuloy ako sa pagkain kahit alam ko na nakatitig sa'kin si Renz dahil sa tinuran ng Mama niya.

"Yes, I remember Rachel."

"Nagkita kami ng Mommy niya sa Tagaytay. You know we have common amigas. Well son, pareho kaming naimbitahan sa resthouse ng mga Silva."

I recognized the surname immediately. Pag-aari ng mga Silva ng Batanggas ang cacao farm na pinakamahigpit na ka-kumpitensya ng mga Peñalver.

Renz gave a noncommittal reply but Tita Cosette continued.

"Their rest house is lovely of course. All three daughters were there when we visited. Ang sabi ko, bakit hindi naman sila ang bumisita rito, isa sa mga araw na 'to."

"Ma, alam mo naman na abala ako sa plantasyon. If you invite them here, prepare to entertain them by yourself. I don't have time for that," sagot ni Renz na nakasimangot.

"Kapag nakita mo ang mga dalagang Silva baka magbago ang isip mo, anak. Ellery is the eldest, she's twenty-four and the heiress of their fortune since wala silang kapatid na lalake. Georgina the middle child is the most involved in their business though. Both sisters are beautiful but the youngest is certainly the flower of the family. Kaya lang ay dise-otso pa lang yata si Natalie," his mother thoughtfully said as she speared a piece of roast chicken.

"If they're as beautiful as you claim, it's a wonder all three are not engaged yet." Napatingin ako nang diretso sa sinabi ni Renz. Ang ibig ba niyang sabihin, may posibilidad na maging interesado siya kung sakaling wala pa ngang nobyo ang mga dalagang binanggit ng mama niya?

It was a trap. Nakita ko siyang nakaabang sa reaksyon ko at nginitian pa niya ako na tila alam na naasar ako sa sinabi niya.

"I'll go ahead po, tapos na ako," magalang na sinabi ko kay Tita kahit na hindi naman siya sumagot at tumayo na nga ako.

I asked Myra to serve them the silvanas I brought and observed Tita Cosette's pleasure as she ate one, from the kitchen. Muntik nga lang siyang masamid nang binanggit ni Renz na ako ang gumawa no'n.