Chapter 4 : Kung Kaya Mo ng Sabihing Mahal Mo Ako

By: DALISAY
e-mail: angelpaulhilary28@yahoo.com
blogsite: dalisaynapusoatkaluluwa.blogspot.com
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Isang mahinang katok ang gumambala sa pananahimik niya sa kanyang silid. "Senyorito, bumaba na raw po kayo sabi ng Papa ninyo."anang isang kasambahay nila mula sa pinto.

"Pakisabi na susunod na." at agad niyang tinapos ang iniinom na isang shot ng Jack Daniels mula sa bar counter ng kanyang kwarto.

Bumungad ang malamyos na tugtugin ng banda na inarkila para sa gabing iyon. Isang jazz band ang kasalukuyang nagpe-perform. Paborito niya ang awitin.

You love me especially different every time
You keep me on my feet happily excited
By your cologne, your hands, your smile, your intelligence
You woo me, you court me, you tease me, you please me
You school me, give me some things to think about
Ignite me, you invite me, you co-write me, you love me, you like me
You incite me to chorus, ooh
Ooh...

Hinayon niya ng kanyang tingin ang mga naging bisita nila para sa gabing iyon. Nakita niya mula sa pintuan ng kanilang mansiyon ang kanyang ama na malapit sa entablado katabi ang kanyang madrasta.

Pamilyar na mga mukha ang nakikita niya ngayon. But somehow , It bore him to know that these familiar faces are actually the plastics of their so-called "Elite Society".

Nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga at tuluyang lumabas ng mansiyon. Napuno ng mga bisita na magwe-welcome sa kanya ang kanilang bakuran. Sa laki niyon, hindi pa rin nakuhang magsiksikan ng mga tao sa kanilang hardin. Why, kahit na may fountain sa gitna ng garden nila ay di pa rin ito mukhang crowded. Maganda ang pagkaka-ayos ng setting.

"There you are, Sweetheart."si Katrina iyon. Ang kanyang nobya ng pitong taon. Nakangiti niya itong sinalubong. He didn’t expected what she would do next. She kissed her full on the lips. Isang malalim na halik na kanya namang agad na tinugon.

"I missed you, Sweetheart. How was your flight?"nakangiti nitong sambit pagkatapos ng kanilang halikan.


"I missed you more sweetie, and my flight is always like that. Tiring."pabiro niyang tugon dito.

Iginala muna niya ang paningin bago niya niyuko ulit ito at kinintalan ng halik sa mga labi. Not that he wanted everyone to know na miss na miss niya ito. It was all for a show actually. All for Elric’s eyes.

Nginitian niya ang nobya. Alam niyang pinopormahan ito ng stepbrother niya. For the same lame purpose. For the merger and so he can be President of their company, once married to her.

Katrina is very beautiful tonight. She wore a body-hugging mint-green gown of Vera Wang that showed her slender body a very provocative view for Adam species. It was a serpentina style creation that was accentuated by sequins from her chest downwards. It has not-so-tolerable slit that allowed men to think various thoughts about this girl.

But, tonight. She is going to be his fiancee. He encircled his hands to Katrina’s waist. He guided her to the dance floor. Sinabayan nila ang isang kanta.

"My, my ! You’re so full of energy tonight sweetheart. We never dance before." naiiling na wika nito bagaman at nababakas ang kasiyahan sa mukha.

You love me especially different every time
You keep me on my feet happily excited
By your cologne, your hands, your smile, your intelligence
You woo me, you court me, you tease me, you please me
You school me, give me things to think about
Invite me, you ignite me, co-write me, you love me, you like me
Incite me to chorus
La, la, la...
Da, da, da...
Do, do, do...

"Then, let me dance with you forever Katrina."bulong niya rito. Gboi lifted Katrina’s hands up and turn her around.

"You look so lovely tonight."he added. She giggled.

"And so are you, Handsome."malanding wika nito.

Gboi thought it was an endless dance already. Tiningnan niya ang paligid. Pahapyaw ay nakita niya ang mukha ni Elric. Still for the show, he maneuvered Katrina to his body and kiss her fully on the mouth.

On the other hand, Katrina seemed to be enjoying it. In one quick move, he slipped a ring on her hand to her amazement and excitement. Gboi sighed inwardly. This is it. Tiningnan niya ang mata ng kasintahan saka lumuhod.

"Would you let me dance with you forever sweetie?"madamdamin niyang pahayag. Sa kabila ng konsentrasyon niya ay may nahagip siyang pigura mula sa di kalayuan. Isang pigurang madilim ang mukha ngunit nagbabadya ng panganib. Nag-angat siyang bahagya ng paningin, ngunit nawala na ito. Maaring guni-guni lamang iyon.

Ibinalik niya ang mata sa nobya. Namamasa ang mata nito. Tanda ng kaligayahan. Oh Great ! Sigaw ng isip niya.

"This is really beautiful darling. I did not expected you to do this tonight. But yes ! "naluluhang sambit nito.

"Will you marry me Katrina Menandrez?"nakangiti niyang tanong dito.

"Of course, sweetheart. Why wouldn’t I?"sabay yakap nito sa kanya. They kissed again. As if on cue. His father and stepmother approached them, alongside his new fiancee’s parents.

"I guess this calls for a celebration."nakangiting bati ng ginang ng mga Menandrez. Pumunta silang lahat sa entablado at pinatigil sandali ang kumakantang jazzer after exchanging pleasantries to each parties.

Kinuha ni Don Armando ang mikropono. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please."nakangiting wika nito habang di maalis ang abrisiyete ng magaling na esposa sa tabi.

"Tonight dear guest is a very special night for I have three important announcements. One is to welcome my dear son Gboi Arpon as he's staying here for good."the crowd applauded. Some greeted Gboi who is at the stage this time.

"Second, is a very wonderful news. For my son, Gboi Dela-cruz Arpon is finally engaged, with his long-time girlfriend Katrina Menandrez. The only heir Menandrez Shipping Lines."pagpapatuloy na anunsiyo ng Don sa kagalakan ng lahat. Katrina smiled coyly to their well wishers who almost went wild for their shouts are intolerable. Parang di mayayaman.

Don Armando scanned the crowed and showed a big grin from his face as he make the final announcement.

"Lastly, Ladies and Gentlemen. My son Gboi Arpon. Is now the new President of Arpon Developers and Arpon Telecoms !"mataginting na pahayag ng matandang Don.

Lalong umugong ang palakpakan ng iabot sa kanya ng Don ang mikropono. Gboi swallowed a lump in his throat as if he would be reciting in front of his high school homeroom subject. He scanned the familiar faces in front of him. Kanina pa naka-plaster ang ngiti sa kanyang labi. Napapagod na siya ngunit hindi niya pa maaring itigil ang palabas.

"I would like to thank everyone whose gathered here tonight. Salamat sa pagpunta at sa mga pagbati. The announcement of my wedding details would be on the papers tommorow. But as the new President, It is really a big surprise. You caught me there Old man."he said grinning to his father. It melted his heart to know his father is proud of him right now.

He looked for his stepbrothers face after receiving a slur from Mildred, his stepmother kahit na bahagya lang nitong naitago ang pag-ilap ng mata. He matched Elric’s fake smile.

Then, he continued. "To Elric, Bro, I really would need the help of a trustworthy Vice-President like you."nakangiti rin niyang sambit dito.

Elric nodded and mouthed "Anything , Bro!"he knew better that it was a sarcastic remark. Wala lang itong magawa sa ngayon. ¨Thank you again guys and Enjoy.¨pagtatapos niya.

Kinamayan siya ng mga partidos ni Katrina at ng ama pati na ng Madrasta. Sinubukan niya itong asarin. "Really Papa, I can’t believe I’m President now. Isn’t it sweet Tita Mildred ?"nakangiting baling niya rito.

Bahagyang tumalim ang mga mata nito. Ngunit nakangiti pa ring sumagot sa kanya. "You deserve it darling. I knew you’d take care of the business just like my sweet Elric."plastik talaga ang hitad at nakuha pang isingit ang anak.

Nag-excuse siya sa mga ito at sa nobya na gagamit siya ng banyo. Pumasok siya sa mansiyon at dumiretso sa kusina. Hindi na siya umakyat sapagkat sa backdoor ng mansion ay may CR din.

Napapa-iling na hinagod niya ang mukha ng dalawang palad. Hindi siya makapaniwalang nalusutan na niya ang gabing iyon. Ah… Hindi pa pala. May problema pa siya.

Nagsindi siya ng yosi mula sa bulsa ng coat niya. Pagbugha niya ng hangin ay ginulantang siya ng isang baritonong tinig.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito ? May party para sa iyo sa loob at nagtatago ka rito?"si Pancho na naka-upo sa isa sa mga upuang kahoy na nanduon.

Nabosesan niya lang ito. Hindi niya gaanong makita ang mukha nito bagamat ang suot nito ay naaaninag niyang kaunti. Naka-moccasin shoes ito. Pantalong maong at simpleng polo-shirt na white. Nakasandal ito sa upuan with legs stretched like logs in the forest.

Napatagal na naman ang titig niya rito na pinutol lang ng magsalita ito. "Pasado ba?"Tanong nito.

Napahiya siyang bahagya at kahit alam niyang madilim sa kinatatayuan niya ay alam niyang namumula siya. What the… ? What’s with the blushing ? sigaw ng isip niya.

Nilapitan niya ito. "Hindi ka talaga marunong lumugar sa pwesto mo no, Pancho?"nakataas-kilay na bawi niya rito. Tumayo ito. Napaatras siyang bahagya.

"Talaga bang pakakasalan mo siya?" tanong nito sa kanya.

"What kind of stupid question is that ? Of course I will !"kulang sa kumbiksyon na sagot niya.

Hay naku ! Taksil na puso ! Bakit ang lakas ng tibok ng puso niya ngayon. Parang bullet train sa bilis ng pagpintig. Was he palpitating ? Sure there are men na ka-excite sa kanya before. But not like this. Para siyang school girl na nilalapitan ng crush niya. Damn !! Erase !! Erase !! Erase !!

"Oo nga naman pala. I-nannounce mo nga pala kanina. May paluhod-luhod ka pang nalalaman. Parang tunay Gboi."saad nito habang patuloy na lumalapit sa kanya at patuloy naman siya sa pag-atras. Oh my !! How come his name sounded so sweet in his lips. Eh, bakit ba siya umaatras? Ewan?

Speaking of lips. Parang doon na yata napagkit ang mata niya. Naramdaman niya ang lamig sa likod. Pader ?! Hala ! Mukhang wala na siyang kawala. Nasa harap na niya ito in an instant.

Panco looked in his eyes firmly. Parang ayaw siyang paibahin ng tingin. Parang nanghi-hipnotismo. Inaakit siya ng kumag. At ang talipandas na tuhod niya ay parang gustong matunaw. Letse ! Parang may mga paru-paro siya sa tiyan. Kaloka !

He decided to close his eyes. But to his dismay, ang amoy naman nito ang napagdiskitahan ng senses niya. Why in the world his senses worked double time everytime this man is near.

He opened his eyes. Errr !! Wrong move. He was now an inch closer. His breath fanning to his face. He looked down his lips. Man ! Wrong move again. He looked up. Then looked down his lips again. Darn ! He felt his member hardened. What ? Just a mere sight of him gave him a hard-on ? This is insane.

"Magpapakasal ka sa kanya pero ito ang gusto mo?"then his lips descended on his. And he's doomed!….

Itutuloy