Chapter 10

NAGSALUBONG ang mga kilay ni Caleb nang matanaw ang lalaking lumapit kay Gianna sa supermarket. Pansamantala niyang iniwan ang dalaga kanina nang makatanggap siya ng tawag mula sa business partner niya. He was only gone for a couple of minutes and now, there was a pesky guy surrounding her. Damn.

Pagpasok nila sa supermarket, agad nang sinundan ng maraming humahangang tingin ang dalaga. But of course, a woman as dense as Gianna did not notice any of that. Malakas ang pakiramdam nito pagdating sa hirap na pinagdaraanan ng ibang tao pero pagdating sa pagtingin rito ng opposite sex, ibang usapan na. And today, Caleb was grateful for that.

Nagpaalam na siya sa kausap saka pinindot na ang End call. Muling sumalubong sa kanya ang picture ni Gianna na may kalong na sanggol na sa hindi niya malamang dahilan ay ginawa niyang wallpaper ng cell phone niya. It was a secret he never wanted her to find out, kaya ingat na ingat siyang ilabas ang cell phone niya tuwing nasa malapit ang dalaga. Naiiling na isinuksok niya na ang gadget sa kanyang bulsa saka binalikan si Gianna.

She was wearing a simple mint green dress that barely reached her knees and flat sandalsyet, she always stands out wherever she goes. Maliban sa lip gloss, wala nang iba pang ipinahid ang dalaga sa mukha nito. Kasalukuyang nakapusod angbuhok nito kaya napakapreskong tingnan. Her get-up made her appear so young and so full of life.Maybe it was her simplicity that draws people in and that precious smile that she always wear no matter the situation. Caleb liked that smile of hers. But today, he didn’t like to see her smiling especially because she was with another man who was obviously flirting around with her.

Inakbayan ni Caleb si Gianna nang makalapit na rito saka bumulong sa tainga nito. “Sorry. The call took longer than expected. Nainip ka ba?”

Sandaling natigilan ang dalaga kasabay nang pamumula ng mga tainga nito. There was wonder in her eyes when she looked up to meet his gaze. Mayamaya ay tumikhim ito bago ngumiti. “No, not at all. By the way, this guy here is Anton. His family owns this supermarket and he said he’s staying in his family’s ancestral house. Madaraanan ‘yon bago ang bahay mo. I think it was the one I told you about earlier. You know, the beautiful rustic house with a really wonderful garden and-“

“Gianna, I don’t give a damn where he lives.” Nakakunot-noo nang sinabi ni Caleb saka humarap sa lalaki. He remembered the house Gianna was blabbering about. Naalala niya kung gaano ito kamangha nang makita iyon. It turned out it was her dream house. Napailing siya. He could build a house far more beautiful than that anytime. “If you have nothing else to say, my woman and I will leave now. We’re a little busy.”

“Oh, I see.” Namumula ang mga pisnging sinabi ni Anton saka sumulyap sa kamay niyang nakaakbay pa rin kay Gianna at para bang nahihiyang ngumiti. “It was nice meeting you, Gianna. Pasensiya na kung naistorbo ko kayo.” Anito bago tumalikod at lumayo na sa kanila.

“You didn’t have to be so rude.” Sita ng dalaga. “You also didn’t have to make it appear like we’re in a relationship.”

“And you didn’t have to smile to every person you meet, Gianna.” Nakasimangot pa ring sinabi ni Caleb bago itinulak ang cart at nagpatiuna nang maglakad.

“You are making it sound like it’s my fault why you were rude to him. What’s wrong with being nice? Maayos siyang lumapit at kumausap sa ‘kin. Nakakahiya naman kung babalewalain ko. He’s just being friendly.”

“Friendly? My ass. He was being a flirt.”

Napasinghap ito. “Caleb!”

This was the reason why he went out with her today. He knew this would happen. Kaya kahit may bodyguards ay hindi pa rin siya nakampante na ang mga iyon ang maging kasama nito sa araw na iyon. She was too freaking nice and too dense at the same time and others might misunderstand that. “’Must we really argue about that guy, Gianna? You asked for this favor, remember? Ilang beses na kitang pinagbibigyan pero sumusobra na ang pagsagot-sagot mo sa ‘kin. Do you want to ruin our day by talking about someone unimportant? By defending a man you just met? Because if you do, then we better get the hell out of here now. I don’t care if you’re not done buying things yet. We are leaving right now.”

Bago pa maitulak ni Caleb ang cart sa direksiyon ng counter ay maagap na siyang pinigilan ni Gianna sa braso. Bumuntong-hininga ito at para bang nagpapasensiya na lang nang magsalita uli. “I’m sorry. For the record,I’m saying it not because you were right. I still think you were rude to Anton. I’m only apologizing because you look really offended.”

Of course, I am. Pero hindi na sinabi iyon ni Caleb. He didn’t even want to think why he was so pissed off.

“Isa pa, hindi ko siya dinedepensahan. I just didn’t want you to be rude because I didn’t want others to think the worse things about you. Because I believe that deep inside, despite what you show to people, you have a good heart. You’re just in pain right now. But you can’t treat people like that all the time, Caleb. You shouldn’t make everyone your enemy.” Para bang nagpapaliwanag sa bata na dagdag ni Gianna.

Sa isang iglap, kumalma si Caleb. So it was about him, after all.How could he still oppose that? He could never win against this little preacher. Kung naroon si Evan, siguradong sasakit na naman ang tainga niya sa mga sasabihin nito. His best friend kept saying the same thing to him over the past years but he never listened. And yet, this Gianna didn’t have to repeat a single word to make him obey. Heck. He was changing and he really doesn’t know how to deal with this.

All Caleb knew was that he didn’t want to disappoint Gianna again. Her eyes were so expressive that they instantly reveal what she feels. Bumuntong-hininga siya. “Fine. I’m sorry, too. I was just annoyed earlier. If I see him later, I will make sure to apologize. Are you happy now?”

Nagliwanag ang anyo ni Gianna. Sunod-sunod na tumango ito. Why… why did she have to be this adorable?

“Does that mean that we will continue with the grocery now?”

She was looking at him with those eyes again. May magagawa pa ba siya? “Yeah. Let’s go before I change my mind.”

She giggled. “Thank you, Caleb! Let’s buy some cookbooks, too. I suddenly want to cook for you, guys, when we get back as a ‘thank you’ gift.”

Biglang nahinto ang tangka sanang pagngiti ni Caleb. Thinking about the food she would make for them later on suddenly makes him want to return all the ingredients on their cart. Gianna was lovely, smart, and kind. But he had to be honest even to his self.She was a terrible cook. He didn’t want to spoil the moment but he could not sacrifice their taste buds again after suffering for one straight week without Manang Rosing. Paano niya ba iyon sasabihin nang hindi sasama ang loob ng dalaga? Hell. He was not good at this.

“Bakit ganyan ka kung makatingin sa ‘kin? Don’t you want me to cook? I will do better this time, I promise.” Parang nakahalata namang sinabi ng dalaga. Sa ibang pagkakataon ay paniniwalaan niya iyon pero nabiktima na siya at ang mga guard ng linyang iyon noon. Ilang beses niya nang narinig iyon noong mga panahon na nag-e-experiment pa si Gianna sa kusina. Yet, nothing changed.

Muling inakbayan ni Caleb si Gianna. “’Wag na. Just let Manang Rosing handle that. You can do something else. Sigurado namang pagdating natin sa bahay, nakapagpahinga na siya kaya hindi mo na kailangang magluto pa para sa amin.I appreciate your gratitude and let’s it with that. I don’t want you to be tired-“

“Kaya ko. Hindi pa ako pagod. Saka-“

“No, you will not enter the kitchen again, Gianna. And that’s final.” Anything but that, little brat.

“Is it because my cooking sucks?”

“No.” Napailing pang sagot ni Caleb, silently wishing that she would just let this slide this time.“Didn’t you hear me? I said it’s because I don’t want you to be tired. Come on. I’m actually being a good guy here. So just accept it.”

When she finally agreed, he sighed with relief.Damn. That was a tough one. Nang nasa counter na sila at naglalabas ng mga pinamili nila, muling humirit si Gianna. “Mag-a-assist na lang ako kay Manang Rosing mamaya-“

“No.”

“Pero-“

Humugot si Caleb ng marahas na hininga. “Fine. Pay for all these and I will let you assist Manang Rosing later. I will even let you cook.”

Ngumuso si Gianna saka bahagyang lumayo sa kanya. “I thought you changed. But you are still so cruel.”

Believe me; I’m being considerate for the first time.Ngumisi si Caleb saka naaaliw na pinisil na lang ang tungki ng ilong ni Gianna bago naglabas ng ilang lilibuhin at inabot sacashier. It was better to be cruel now than have his, Manang Rosing and the guards’ stomachs suffer again later.

“GIANNA? Are you still awake?”

Dumilat si Gianna nang marinig ang boses na iyon ni Caleb mula sa pinto. Napasulyap siya sa digital clock sa bedside table. It was past ten in the evening. Pero mukhang gaya niya ay hindi rin makatulog ang binata. Nang hindi siya sumagot, hindi na ito nagsalita pa. Tumayo siya at binuksan ang pinto. Nakita niyang naglalakad na si Caleb palayo.

“Hey,” tawag niya rito. “Why are you here?”

Nilingon siya ni Caleb. Gaya niya ay nakasuot na rin ito ng pajama. Ang sa kanya ay terno na kulay pink habang ang suot naman nito ay asul at puting sando.May hawak itong itim na sweater.

“Did I wake you?”

Umiling si Gianna.

“Do you want to take a walk outside?”

“Sure.”

Ngumiti si Caleb saka inilahad ang kamay nito na bago niya pa man mamalayan ay inabot niya. She must have been out of her mind but it felt so natural holding him like this. Habang tumatagal siya sa lugar na iyon, pakiramdam niya ay palaki nang palaki ang kasalanan niya kay Alaric. Gaya ngayon. Hindi siya makatulog dahil si Caleb ang laman ng isip niya. She kept thinking about him and the changes that she gets to see in him every day. She kept being fascinated by those changes and who wouldn’t? Who would have thought that a man like Caleb Montero was capable of doing those things? Kung tutuusin ay maliliit na bagay lang ang mga iyon pero napakalaki kapag pinagsama-sama.

Kanina lang ay magkakasama silang dumulog sa hapag kasama sina Miguel, ang mga guwardiya at si Manang Rosing. Iyon ang unang beses na nangyari iyon. Caleb must have been so delighted that Manang Rosing was able to cook instead of her that’s why he ended up inviting everyone to eat along with them. Hindi naman siya manhid. Alam niyang wala talaga siyang talent sa pagluluto kaya tinutukso niya lang ang binata noong nasa supermarket sila. Ganoon na lang ang pagpipigil niyang tumawa nang malakas nang makita ang naging reaction nito.

Caleb looked like he was trying his best not to hurt her feelings earlier. And knowing him, that was progress. Dahil natural na walang preno ang bibig nito pero kanina ay nakita niya kahit paano ang pagsisikap nitong piliin ang mga salitang sasabihin. She knew she was supposed to be offended by what he did but she didn’t feel that way. In fact, she was amused by his excuses and the amount of effort he wastedjust to keep her away from the kitchen. But that was what motivated her to learn. One day, she wanted to be able to cook for everyone. She would work hard for it.

Pagkalabas nila ng pinto, sandaling bumitaw sa kamay niya si Caleb. “You might catch a cold.” Ipinaibabaw nito ang hawak na sweater sa mga balikat niya saka inabot uli ang kamay niya. Tahimik silang naglakad sa dalampasigan.

“This is the first time.” Mayamaya ay mahinang sinabi nito.

“What do you mean?”

“This is the first time that I felt so peaceful after Erin’s death. Nitong mga nakaraang araw, gumigising ako na hindi na paghihiganti ang unang pumapasok sa isip ko. It’s your face that would immediately pop in my head every morning. Alam kong napipilitan ka lang na pakisamahan kami. Still, I want to thank you for the efforts you’re putting for me and for everyone here.”

Why… why does it sound like he was saying goodbye? “Caleb, hindi ako napipilitan. Well, noong una siguro. But not anymore.”

“Still, your place is not here. At the end of all this, you still have to come back to him… right?”

“I… I’m feeling unwell.” Sa halip ay sagot ni Gianna. Dahil iyon ang totoo. Masakit ang ulo niya. And she knew it wasn’t because she was sick. “Can we head inside now?”

Sumungaw ang kirot sa mga mata ni Caleb bago ito tumango.

PAGKAGALING ni Caleb sa kwarto ni Gianna para dalhan ito ng gamot ay dumeretso siya sa wine bar. Kumuha siya ng alak roon at nagsalin sa wineglass. Naka-ilang lagok na muna siya bago niya ini-on ang kanyang cellphone. Ilang segundo pa lang ang lumilipas nang mag-ring iyon. As expected, it was Alaric, he laughed emptily before he clicked the answer button.

“I give up. You had it all planned out. Iba talaga kung magplano ang mga taong matindi ang motibo, walang butas. Okay lang sa’kin ang hanapin ka, Caleb. I don’t mind playing hide and seek with you the rest of our awful lives but please, please spare Gianna.” Bahagyang lumambot ang tono ni Alaric nang banggitin ang pangalan ng dalaga. “Ibalik mo na siya. Siguradong nami-miss niya na ang orphanage. It has been her sanctuary for years.”

Ilang sandaling gulat na nakatitig lang si Caleb sa kawalan bago sumilay ang mapaklang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. He has been cheating all these time. Dinoble niya ang bayad sa mga inuupahang private investigators ni Alaric para mapunta sa kanya ang loyalty ng mga ito kaya alam niya ang bawat kilos nito. He was always prepared and one step ahead. Ngayon lang siya pumalya at nagkamali ng tantiya.

And worst, kay Gianna pa.

“Alam mo bang si Gianna lang ang naniniwalang mabuti akong tao?” Natawa si Alaric pero mapait iyon sa pandinig niya. “She’s probably the only person who believes the best in me. And I wouldn’t destroy that just because you’re hell-bent on ruining me. Bring her back, Caleb. ‘Wag mo siyang idamay dito. Tayo na lang, utang na loob.”

Ramdam niya ang matinding kapaguran sa boses ng kakambal dahil iyon rin mismo ang nararamdaman niya nang mga sandaling iyon. Hell, he had been drained the last five years. Tanging ang pag-asang isang araw ay makagaganti rin siya kay Alaric ang nagpapagising sa kanya sa bawat umaga. His revenge kept him going because aside from that, he didn’t know what he would do anymore.

Nagbago lang ang lahat nang makilala niya si Gianna. Alaric might have turned him into a beast but Gianna brought him back and made him human again. She made him feel something more than hatred. She made him feel unhappy about his victory over his brother. Dahil nasira man niya ang buhay ni Alaric at nasa poder man niya ang dalaga, hindi niya makuhang maging masaya. Because even if Gianna was with him, her heart wasn’t.

Damn it, Ric. Do we have a curse or something for constantly falling in love with the same girl?

Bago pa tuluyang magbago ang isip ni Caleb ay sinabi niya na sa kakambal ang eksaktong lokasyon nila ng fiancée nito. “Take her back. Man, I’m so damn tired as well.”