Against the Tides

Kabanata 5

Look back

Kuya Asher:

Baby, saan ka na?

Kasabay kong naglalakad si Sir Axel nang magtext si Kuya. Agad akong nag reply dahil alam kong magagalit siya kapag hindi ko ni-reply-an agad.

Ako:

Kakatapos ko lang. I'll be there in a minute.

Natanaw ko ang sasakyan ni Kuya sa dulo ng parking lot. Luminga ako sa aking katabi at itinuro ang sasakyan ni Kuya Asher.

"U-uh, andyan na po sundo ko, una na po ako."

His lips were in a grim line and the shadows of his facial features from the setting sun made him darkly handsome. Napaawang ang labi ko sa mangha. He's beautiful even though his brows are furrowed. His angry face is perpetual.

"M-may problema po ba?" I asked as I noticed how unresponsive he is.

Umiling siya at saka sumilay ang ismid sa mapupula niyang labi. I smiled.

"Ingat po kayo." I waved my hands to him as I ran toward our car.

Hinihingal kong binuksan ang pinto ng front seat at naupo. Kuya Asher's face looks confused as to why I was running out of breath.

"Kakagaling mo lang sa sakit, Ae. Dapat hindi ka tumakbo." Ani Kuya habang ako'y hinihingal.

He offered me his water bottle. I snatched it from his hands to drink.

Tumakbo ako para hindi makita ni Kuya si Sir Axel.

When Kuya started to drive, I noticed Sir Axel standing near an old sedan. Sinundan ng mata niya ang papalayong sasakyan namin. Nataranta ako na baka nakikita niya ako dahil ang mata niya'y saktong nakatitig sa akin. Sobrang tinted naman itong sasakyan namin pero parang nakikita niya ako?

"What's wrong, Ae?" Kuya probably noticed my sudden jolt.

"Wala."

Binuksan ni Sir Axel ang pinto ng sedan bago pumasok. Diniretso ko na ang aking tingin sa kalsada at doon na lang tinuon ang atensyon.

He came from a rich family. His mother is an Alfonso de Lopez. He is also a member of the richest family in the country. Tapos makikita ko s'ya na ang gamit niyang sasakyan ay luma?

I wouldn't mind it but how can he handle the criticism of socialites? Kakaiba ang takbo ng mundo nila.

There are two types of people: Rich and Wealthy. The rich people are the ones who love to spend on popular branded clothes such as Chanel, Gucci, Prada, and such, but Wealthy people buy from silent brands.

The wealth of our family has always been blooming. Laging kuwento sa amin ni Tita Santana kung paano lumago ang negosyo ng aming pamilya sa pag ka-kape. The dela Cuencos were considered elite during the 18th century when our ancestors were still residing in Spain.

At dahil lahat nang kapatid ni Mommy ay sinanay na humawak ng negosyo, narito kami ngayon sa Lungsod ng Santa Rosa dahil dito umiikot ang negosyo niya. Naandito kasi ang planta ng coffee business namin kung saan mina-manufacture at di-ni-distribute sa mga partners namin. May mga commercial buildings din si Mommy pandagdag kita kahit hindi naman kailangan pa. Malaya kaming bumili ng kahit anong gusto namin at lagi kaming komportable. Ganito kami mamuhay.

Kaya hindi ko lubusang maisip na si Sir Axel Ortillano na mula sa angkan ng mayayaman at talagang mas mayaman sa pamilya namin ay nakasakay sa isang lumang sedan. Maybe to not seek for attention? E sinong hindi titingin sa kanya gayong nakakabali ng leeg ang kagwapuhan niya? He is effortless.