Chapter 30: The Family
Unti-unti nga akong nakilala ng lahat. Unti-unti dahil hindi lahat ay nakukuha ng mabilisan. Kilala na ako ng karamihan pero hindi pa ako kasing sikat nina Ate Teagan, Beatrix Gallardo, Janine Legaspina, at iba pang isinisigaw talaga ang mga pangalan sa industriyang ginagalawan ko.
Everything was provided to me kaya dahil sa overwhelmed ko sa bagong mundong gagalawan, I wholeheartedly accepted everything.
And I am so damn lucky to have a boyfriend that also can wholeheartedly accept the every changes of my life, of our lives. He was as supportive as ever since day one up until the day I had my own show. And as protective as I am, I want to protect him as long as I can. I want to protect him from everything and draw their attention away from his spotlight. That was my original plan.
And my original plan is far from the truth already. Katulad ko, naging kilala rin siya ng lahat. He turned out to be the big winner of that Battle of the DJs I heard of about. I knew this information few weeks after. I did not make a fuss about it because I was too busy to mind other's business. Hinayaan ko kasi hinayaan niya rin ako.
Sinubukan kong itago ang tungkol sa relasyon naming dalawa but kapag talaga nasa spotlight kana, all information should be known by the people who look up to you. Nalaman nila ang relationship namin ni Siggy. It's no big deal at all pero the day nang may biglang kumalat na isang article about us, naging big deal ito dahil sa naging reaksiyon ni Mikan.
"What?! You and Siggy?! What the hell, Sandreanna?"
"What? What's wrong with that?"
"Are you really sure about that? You know, Siggy didn't mention about you whenever we had the chance to talk."
"Because we chose to keep our relationship as private as ever. To enjoy our own company. Like the usual lovers do."
"Yuck. Ang corny n'yo naman."
I rolled my eyes and rested on a couch. Nandito ako ngayon sa bahay ng Mikaneko. Mikan invited me for a little chitchat daw. We can't hangout in public anymore kasi for sure dudumugin siya ng mga fans niya kapag nakita siya. At ako naman, wala lang. Pero ito yata ang ang chitchat na sinasabi niya. Ginigisa niya ako tungkol sa relasyon ko kay Siggy.
"Hey, Sandi you're here. Walang project?"
I high five Auwi when he got out of his room and saw me.
"Hey there, Auwi. Hmm, bukas pa mag-s-start ang shooting. Make the most of my rest day with my bestie lang," sagot ko naman.
Tumango siya at nilingon ang kaibigan ko.
"Lalabas kami nina Yohan ngayon. Sabi niya dalhin daw kita. Sasama ka ba?"
"Pakisabi na lang susunod ako."
"Ge. Sandi, alis na muna ako. Enjoy your stay here."
"Oh, I will, Auwi."
Auwi exited his way and now there's me and Mikan in their huge living room. Naging komportable ako sa space nila. Ipinatong ko ang dalawa kong paa sa arm rest ng single couch na inuupuan ko and my back on the other side of the arm rest. Kinain ko ang pop corn na inihanda ni Mikan. We planned to watch some movies pero napangunahan kami ng pag-uusap. Or rather, agad niyang in-open up ang tungkol sa topic na iyon.
Nag-change topic na lang ako, inilihis siya sa usapin tungkol sa amin ni Siggy. I'm not sanay na sabihin sa iba kung anong pinaggagagawa namin ni Siggy as a couple, 'no. Even if he's my best-est friend, may mga bagay pa rin talaga na kailangan mong i-keep sa sarili mo. There are secrets that stays as secrets.
Months went passed, it's in the middle of the year. I am getting used to this showbiz world. May mga nakikilala na ako, may mga nakakasalamuha na, may mga naging kaibigan. And I never thought I'd be friend with Beatrix Gallardo.
But being in one of the spotlights would lead me to something I never saw coming.
I was in one of our mall shows for the promotion of the third movie I'm in when I encountered the ghost I tried running from last year. Big stars ang mga naging kasama ko kaya marami ang dumalo sa mall show na naka-schedule sa araw na ito. It's the last mall kaya medyo pagod na rin ang lahat.
I enjoyed this mall show kasi super fun, ang interactive ng mga fans, and I love how my co-stars took care for me and make everything as easy as possible. Minsan nga nawawala ang pagod ko dahil sa tawanan namin. This movie became the bridge why me and Beatrix became friends. She's the bida of this movie kaya.
Few minutes before the last mall show for today ends, Siggy texted me that she will going to fetch me. I happily and excitedly replied 'okay.'
Oo, artista na ako pero wala pa akong mga properties na matatawag kong sa akin. I moved out to Siggy's penthouse to be in a condo unit owned by Mama Hector. I moved out after I hailed as "Best Supporting Actress" from the first movie I'm in. He also provided me a van that can transport me with every where I needed to be. In short, Mama Hector really provided me with almost everything. He helped get through this showbiz world and I am so thankful to him for that.
But right now, mukhang hindi ko muna kakailanganin ang van ni Mama Hector. I texted him about that and I made sure that Siggy is going to fetch me. I even sent Mama Hector the screenshot of Siggy's message for legitimacy. He eventually agreed with it anyway basta raw umuwi ako ng maaga to have a rest, since rest day ko rin naman bukas.
"Okay, it's a wrap! Remind ko lang for tomorrow's morning show guesting ha? Beatrix and Paulo."
"Got it, Scoff!"
Everyone said their goodbyes. Pahirapan pa kasi kahit tapos na ang show, marami pa ring fans ang nandito malapit sa backstage kaya isang panandaliang paalaman lang bago kami isa-isang hinatid papunta sa basement parking ng mall. I was the last one to be escorted together with my co-star Vanessa Padilla.
The mall security made sure our safety up until the lift. May mga staff na kasama si Vanessa Padilla, habang ako naman ay mag-isa lang. Nakikipag-uusap naman ako sa kanila since naging kaibigan ko na rin naman si Vanessa.
We had our goodbyes near the lift. Opposite direction kasi ang parking space ng car nina Vanessa and ang parking space ni Siggy. He told me a while ago kung saan siya banda naka-park.
Matapos kong magpaalam, naglakad ako papunta sa puwesto ni Siggy. I haven't seen him pa naman kasi malawak ang basement parking kahit na kaonting kotse na lang naman ang nakikita kong naka-park sa paligid.
When I spotted him, my heart literally skipped a bit. I pursed a smile and pinigilan ang sariling liitan ang distansiya naming dalawa sa pamamagitan ng pagtakbo ng mabilis. I gracefully walked until I'm in front of him.
Holy mother of monkey! Since when did he grew his stubbles? Para ko siyang hindi nakita ng matagal. Ang dami palang nagbago sa mukha niya. He… matured.
I kissed him on the lips and initiated the hug. I closed my eyes and smell his scent and it feels like my whole world is at peace again. Siya talaga ang nagpaparamdam sa akin ng pahinga.
Pagod na pagod ako sa araw na ito at mas naramdaman ko ang pagod nang maramdaman ko ang mahigpit niyang yakap. We rarely see each other these past few weeks. Palagi akong busy, busy din siya sa mga gig niyang never ko pang napuntahan.
"I miss you," bulong ko.
I felt and heard his chuckle when he heard me say that.
"Nagkita tayo kahapon, ga."
Napangiti ako dahil sa huling sinabi niya.
"I just missed you. Can we hang out tomorrow? Rest day ko naman."
"But-"
"Please…" nag-puppy eyes ako sa kaniya at hinalikan ulit siya sa labi tapos sa pisnge tapos sa tungki ng kaniyang ilong tapos sa labi ulit. "Please, pangga? I missed you."
"Fine. Where do you want to go?"
I smile wider then rested my head on his bulging chest.
"Hmm… penthouse mo na lang. Just like the usual."
"You don't want to go somewhere?"
"I want a staycation with you."
"Okay. What my pangga wants, pangga gets."
Seconds of silence devour us before we decided to go home. Since sa penthouse na rin naman kami tatambay bukas, I suggested to him na sa penthouse na rin ako matutulog. Pumayag na rin naman siya since pinilit ko. Love niya ako, e, wala siyang magagawa.
Dahil nanggigigil ako sa kaniya buong gabi, pinanggigilan ko talaga siya. Siggy and I made love like it's the first time that ever happened to us. I just really miss this guy. I miss my beloved pangga. Redundant but nah.
My few things were still here. Sinadya kong ipa-iwan since provided naman sa akin lahat sa condo na nilipatan ko. Kapag pareho kaming free, pumupunta na rin naman kami rito. I still have my bed here.
Every touch of his hand to my skin feels like a first time. Every kiss he made feels like heaven. Sa bawat haplos, sa bawat halik, sa bawat ungol na ginagawa ko kapag ginagawa niya iyon, ginaganahan ako.
He really made sure everything is as comfortable as ever whenever we made love. He made sure I am sarisfied. And that's what I love him for. He always let me explore with things I never thought I'll explore.
Kinabukasan, late na kaming nagising ni Siggy. I decided to have a bed rest with him the whole day kung hindi ko lang narinig na nag-ingay ang phone ko. Gusto ko sanang i-ignore pero when I saw the caller ID and when Siggy encouraged me to answer it, I answered it in the end.
Tapis-tapis ang kumot, tumayo muna ako saglit papunta sa tapat ng glass wall. Para na rin sa privacy if ever. Sinabi rin kasi ni Siggy na he needs to prepare our lunch kaya tumayo na rin siya para pumunta sa kusina.
"Yes, Mama Hector?"
"Where are you, Sandreanna?"
"Siggy."
"You need to get your ass back here in your condo unit, Sandreanna. May bisita ka."
"Huh? Sino po?"
"Just come home."
I sighed. "Be there in two hours, Mama."
"Come home now, Sandi."
"Kakain muna kami ng lunch ni Siggy, Mama. He's preparing it already."
"Dito ka na kumain."
"Pero-"
"Minsan lang akong mag-request nang ganito, Sandreanna. Please, umuwi ka muna. This is important. Naghihintay na ang van sa ibaba ng building."
I sighed again. "Fine. Be there in a few minutes."
Binaba ko ang tawag at agad lumingon kay Siggy na abala sa kusina. Naglakad ako pabalik sa kama at isa-isang pinulot ang mga nagkalat kong damit. Dito na rin ako nagbihis.
Nilapitan ko siya at niyakap patalikod. I kissed his neck that stopped him from mixing whatever's on the wok.
"Mama Hector wants me to go home. May bisita raw ako."
I felt Siggy's sigh in the middle of my embrace.
"Right now?"
"Yeah," nakokonsensiya kong sagot. I know I said that we're going to spend the entire day together before I come back to my busy schedule tomorrow. Nag-promise ako, in the middle of our love making, that babawi ako.
"Ihahatid na kita."
Walang pag-aalinlangan niyang pinatay ang stove at hinarap ako. Napabitaw na rin ako sa yakap at mataman siyang tiningnan.
"Hindi na kailangan. Manong Bert is waiting for me outside the building."
"Ihahatid na lang kita sa baba."
"That would be better."
Hinayaan ko siyang magbihis. Gusto ko mang maligo muna pero hindi na puwede kasi niraratratan na ako ng text ni Mama Hector.
Inihatid ako ni Siggy hanggang sa makasakay ako ng van. I weakly smiled at him, feeling sorry for supposedly spending the whole day together. But everything vanishes away when he kissed my forehead and said "That's fine, pangga."
I waited for the van to parked before I come out of it. Naglakad ako papasok hanggang sa makarating ako sa floor ko. For sure it's bukas na naman since I am expecting that Mama Hector's here na. He has a spare key of the unit except for my room of course.
Bigla tuloy akong nadalaw ng pagod. Hindi pa pala ako nakapagpapahinga from yesterday's mall show echoss. Paniguradong mamaya, makakabawi ako ng tulog.
But when I went inside the room, I felt an avalanche of horror that creeps inside me when I saw who's inside my condo unit. And this is bullshit!
"Finally, you're here!"
"Ate Sandi!"
Napatigil lang ang gulat na pagkakatitig ko sa mga mukha nila nang maramdaman ko ang yakap ng bunso namin. I heavily sighed and leveled my height to Hoover. Natutuwa ako na nakita ko siya ulit after a year pero hindi ako natutuwa sa mga kasama niya.
I hugged Hoover again and breathe heavily. Get your head on the game, Sandreanna Millicent. Their presence mustn't affect you. It's been a year, just fucking move on!
"Ate Sandi…"
Tumingala ako para makita ang papalapit na si Hannah. She wasn't smiling but I can see through her eyes that she's happy to see me. So am I. My happiness just not on the right level nga lang.
Pero grabe! Ang laki na ng pinagbago nila! I constantly stalk my siblings' social media account pa naman and from time to time ay may communication naman kami ni Dahlia pero iba pa rin talaga kapag nakita mo sila ng personal. Dalagang-dalaga na si Hannah. Hoover's a little bit taller from the last time I saw him. Grabeng pagbabago.
"Hannah, how are you?" I then hugged her after Hoover. She hugged me back and that melts my heart. "Where's Dahlia, by the way?" dagdag na tanong ko after kong kumalas sa yakap.
"She's busy with her studies. Good to see you, anak."
I felt a lump on my throat when I heard Mommy answered my question that was supposedly for Hannah.
Kahit ayoko, kailangan ko silang pansinin.
"It's been a year, Sandreanna." Mommy spread her arms, aiming for a hug.
Nilingon ko si Mama Hector and he's smiling, encouraging me to come near my parents. Walang alam si Mama Hector tungkol sa nangyari noon sa pamilya namin. Hindi ko sinabi sa kaniya. Kasi akala ko mababaon ko sa limot at magpapatuloy akong mamuhay ng mag-isa. Hindi ko naman aakalain na dadating ang ganitong klaseng panahon. Damn it!
"Are you surprised, Sandi? They're here to surprise you for your birthday!"
Bumalik ang tingin ko sa mga magulang ko. Dad's there, standing, never blinking his stare on me. Mom's smiling, still aiming for a hug.
Sunod-sunod na kabog na ang nararamdaman ko sa dibdib ko habang dahan-dahan akong lumapit kay Mommy para tugunan ang yakap na gusto niya. Pinagbigyan ko siya ng panandalian.
They're here for my birthday? My birthday's a few days from now pa. Masiyado naman silang maaga o nakalimutan nila ang eksaktong date ng kaarawan ko kaya ngayon sila pumunta rito? And how did they find me? How did they know I'm living here?! Damn it.
"Mr. Garcia, could you please give us a sec? We just want to talk with our dearest daughter," dad said.
"Oh, sure, Dr. Hinolan. Hoover, Hannah, let's go to the kitchen? Maraming foods doon."
Agad iginiya ni Mama Hector ang daan papuntang kusina sa dalawa kong kapatid. I saw Hannah looked at me but she didn't say a single word.
"A little privacy sana, Sandreanna? Can we talk inside your room?" mommy requested.
Wala akong nagawa kundi ang igiya sila papunta sa room ko. Mom closed the door. Dad eventually roamed his eyesight inside my room. Ako, maya't-maya ang paglunok. Kinakabahan na naman sa situwasiyong ito.
Pinisil-pisil ko ang bawat daliring mayroon ako. Kinagat ko na rin ang pang-ibabang labi ko para lang pagtakpan ang kabang nararamdaman ko. It's been a year! It's been a fucking year since I've ran away!
~
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