Bag
Without losing Elegance, lumabas si Mommy sa kwarto at agad naman akong sumunod sa likuran niya. I tried to copy Mom's poise because I want to prove to Zacharius Alcevedo na hindi lang ako basta Child.
Speaking of the Dogs, I saw them inside our house again. They're sitting on our long table while Praxedius Alcevedo is holding Hestia Alcevedo's flawless hands.
Hindi ko maiwasang tumitig sa Zacharius na ito. I mimicked him at inirapan siya ng bahagya. Siyempre hindi ko 'yon pinakita kahit kanino, sa kaniya lang!
He twists his lips, trying not to smile on what I did.
The Audacity of this man to disrespect me!
Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata at ganoon din naman ang ginawa niya. Ganoon lang ang itsura ko habang pababa hanggang makalapit. Hindi ko binigyang pansin ang kung sino mang bumati sa akin.
I'm busy glaring at this Old Man, don't interrupt.
"Asha, say sorry." Bulong sa 'kin ng Ina. I nodded and stared at him. I smiled fakely as I keep my stares as sharp as a knife.
"I-I'm sorry." Halos masuka ako habang binibigkas ang dalawang salita na 'yon. Nagtaas siya ng kilay, at tumango ng bahagya. Alam kong alam niya na hindi ako seryoso dito. I'm just playing around!
"It's alright." sabi niya. Napabaling naman ang tingin sa kanya ni Mommy at napangiti. I'm glad she's buying my 'fake apology'.
"My daughter, Natasia is very naughty at some times. I hope you can still manage to hold on to your patience, Zacharius." Lolo Zacharius smiled on my Mother. Binalik niya ang tingin a akin.
"Yeah.." tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "..naughty" He became serious this time pero bumalik ang kanyang nalolokong ngiti.
Hindi ba nangangalay ang bibig nito at lagi nalang niyang iginigilid ang isang dulo ng labi niya? I hope na some sort of bad wind will show up.
I rolled my eyes at him and sat on the chair. I began to eat my steak again as this old man stare at me with his serious eyes. No humor circled on his face.
Kinuha ko ang Steak knife at ang tinidor saka tinusok ang kawawang steak habang nakatingin sa kanya. Hiniwa ko ito at sinubo nang marahas. I chewed harshly habang nilalabanan ang titig niya. Sawakas ay binaling niya na din ang tingin niya kay Daddy nang tanungin niya ito ukol sa pinagkaaabalahan niya.
Papatalo din pala.
Later that day, the Alcevedos went home and Mom congratulated me for my pleasing behavior. She also noticed how Hestia Alcevedo looked at me, that it looks like she's amazed by me on how I act. In exchange for my actions, she Decided to treat me on my favorite Steak Restaurant.
May naidudulot din pala ang Zacharius na 'yon.
"So.. how's your 17th birthday, Asha?" pangi-intriga ni Angelo. It's been a week since the meeting with the Alcevedos. Tulad ng pinangako ni Mommy, cinelebrate ko nga ang 17th birthday sa isang mamahaling Restaurant na may iba't ibang klase ng Steak ang ibinebenta.
The crews even surprised me with a Birthday steak! may kandila iyon na nakatusok sa steak at may nakalagay na 'Happy 17th, my lovely daughter.' gamit ang Ketchup siguro.
"We celebrated it on a Steak Restaurant." I simply replied. Sandy looked at me with her amazed eyes at ibinalik ang tingin sa cellphone, ibinalik niya ulit ang tingin sa akin.
"Wait, are you saying na.. simpleng birthday lang ang cinelebrate mo?" tinignan ko siya nang nakakunot ang noo.
"Yes, what's the matter?" oo nga, ano naman?
"Eto kasi eh, basahin ko ha." Hindi nawala ang kunot ng noo ko dahil naga-antay sa sasabihin niya.
"The Velezes, despite of having struggles on the company, gave their heiress a newly released car." Gello was curious, agad siyang tumayo upang basahin ang article patungkol sa akin. Hindi ko na pinalampas at nakaosyoso na rin ako.
Mas lalong tumaas ang isang kilay ko nang binasa ko ang article na 'yon.
"The Respectful Alexandros Velez II and his elegant wife Nathalia Samantha Velez gave their heiress a gift despite of the rumored bankruptcy of AGV."
Napatinging sa akin ang dalawang kaibigan, may halong pagtataka sa mga mukha nila.
"So the rumors are true, then?" I rolled my eyes on Sandy. How come can she think lowly of my family?
"AGV is going bankrupt? last time I checked, madami ang nangangailangan ng supply ng Bakal!" Gelo said without even using common sense. We're not the only suppliers of steels sa Igna.
"Gelo, the Alcevedos are still the number 1 producer of Steels and even Cements! Not only in Igna Placida but on the Entire Country!" Are they really talking about this infront of me?
"Pero nabalitaan ko na may gumu-" Sandy cut Gelo off.
"ACEST has no scandal at all."
I sipped my coffee at sumandal sa upuan. I remained calm as my two friends continued with their not-so-important clash.
"Eto yung point! I'm very sure na kaya wala pang gumuguho na building using the products of ACAST is because the Engineers are good enough-" Sandy cut him off.
"It is because of how good Zacharius Alcevedo is." Oh, the old man?
"Will you two please stop? The Company isn't going bankrupt and we're doing good. I can't believe na naniniwala kayo sa Article na 'yan." I rolled my eyes.
"Look, the article is really believable lalo na't-" I had enough, are these people still using their common sense?
"Who would compliment a person on their news article?" they gave me their unconvinced look. Hindi ko na napigilan at ipinaliwanag ko na ang nais kong sabihin.
"Magmumukhang binayaran namin ang article na 'yan dahil sa compliments na mababasa ng tao. Besides, it's not like we're going to brag our bankruptcy at ang kotse kong hindi mapakinabangan dahil menor de edad pa ako." napahawak sa sentido si Gelo at kinunutan ako ng noo ni Sandy.
Mukhang hindi nila nakukuha ang pinupunto ko.
"Wala akong nabasang kahit na anong compliment about your family so imposible yang sinasabi mo." ang hindi nagpapatalong Gelo ay mukhang proud pa sa sinabi niya.
"Look, 'Respectful Alexandros Alcevedo III and his elegant wife Natasia Velez'? They should've just put my parents' name without adding 'respectful' and 'elegant'." at ang mukhang naliliwanagan na si Sandy ay chineck ulit ang article upang tignan kung tama nga ang sinabi ko.
"Right. You're right." Sandy agreed with me. Walang nagawa si Gelo kung hindi sumangayon nalang sa punto ko.
My friends are smart but they don't know how to ude their common sense enough.
Inilihis na ang usapan mula sa topic na iyon dahil mukhang nakaramdam sila na medyo insensitibo kung paguusapan namin ang bali-balitang pagbagsak ng AGV. Sa wakas ay napagdesisyunan nang gumala sa Open na Mall.
Habang naglalakad ay nagtalo pa si Sandy at Gelo kung saan pupunta sa susunod at napagkasunduan na lang namin na pumunta sa exclusive store na puro mga heels.
It's a good idea, I need to buy one since I'm 17 already.
"Do you think this will fit me for the night out sa Saturday?" pinakita ko ang black ankle strap Block Heels kay Sandy. Plano kong ibagay ito sa black sheath dress at red na bag.
"Hmm.. that's nice!" sagot niya. I'm wearing a brown halter top, a high waist faded jeans for the bottom, and a combination of white and brown sandals. I will never forget my White Tote to put all of my important things.
My Mom isn't as strict as before. Noon, 14 years old na ako ay hindi pa rin ako pinapayagang mag-hang out with friends. Ngayon ay ayos na.
My Dad is the only one who allows me to go to anywhere else back then but the only problem is, sometimes, I can feel that he's losing his care on me.
"Hey, Gelo. Mukhang may magic ears yata si Zacharius Alcevedo at naroon siya sa labas ng Store!" Chika ni Sandy kay Gelo but since curiousity kills, nakisali na rin ako.
Zacharius is here? bakit? bibili din pa siya ng heels?
Napatingin ako sa tinuturo ni Sandy kahit na si Gelo lang naman ang kinakausap niya.
Yes, he's here. But he's not alone.
"Akiana Guerrero isn't that her name?" Gelo asked. Akiana went inside the store, maybe to look for things to buy and let the Super Lolo pay for her things huh.
"Totoo nga yata ang mga balita na pumayag na si Zacharius na maipakasal kay Akiana. The Guerreros are lacking of suppliers these days, at mukhang kakailanganin nila ang tulong ng ACEST para makaahon." Chika ni Sandy. Hindi ko na siya magawang pakinggan dahil naliliit lang ang mata ko kay Zacharius Alcevedo at sa Girlfriend o Fiance niyang si Akiana Guerrero.
The woman is elegant and maybe she's the same age as Zacharius. Wearing a black Tank Top and a white troussers, masasabi kong elegante siya kung magdala ng damit. Lalong lalo na sa Black stilletos na binagay niya sa tank top na suot at ang Channel Bag na nakalagay sa braso niya.
Not to mention her eyeglasses na nakalagay sa ulo niya, mukhang nasisilawan yata ang mga dandruffs.
The Elegant lady went out of the store. Wala siyang binili na kahit na ano at mukhang may sinabi kay Zacharius na nakapagpangiti sa kanya at saka sila umalis.
Naiintriga ako! Kailangan kong sundan!
Tinignan ko sila Sandy at Gelo na kanina pa inalis ang tingin kay Zacharius at Akiana Guerrero. Abala na sila sa pagpili ng sapatos para sa susuotin sa night out. I need to get out of here withkut them knowing.
Para makasunod ay ibinilin ko sa sale's lady na bibilhin ko iyon pero ang kaibigan ko na ang magbabayad, tumango agad ang sale's lady dahil mukha namang nakilala niya agad ako. Iniwan ko ang dalawang kawawa kong kaibigan at sinundan na ang mga aso.
Open ang mall na ito, hindi ito katulad ng ibang mall na aircon ang loob. Rather, ang mga stores is airconditioned at ang labas ay open ang ceiling, wala itong ikalawang palapag.
Hinabol ko nang tingin ang likod ni Zacharius at napagtantong pupunta sila sa isang Exclusive store na mga bag naman ang ino-offer.
"Someone got her own sugar daddy, huh?" Nanliit ang mata ko at akmang maglalakad ngunit sa lakas ng impak ay muntikan na akong matisod dahil may bumunggo sa 'kin sa likod.
"What the fu-" hindi ko na itiniloy ang sasabihin, naalala ko ang article kanina at baka madagdagan pa 'yon ng walang kakwenta-kwentang content.
"Sorry Ma'am! Hindi ko po sinasadya!" hindi ko na nagawang magalit sa sale's man nito dahil nakita kong nahulog ang mga dala niyang boxes of bags. I closed my eyes at napagdesisyonan na tulungan ang lalaki.
"Ayos lang po, kuya." I let my pride go down and help this man. I can't afford to make issues again.
"Ay naku ma'am, h-huwag na po!" nauutal na pagtanggi ng sale's man sa tulong ko pero.. tinutulungan din naman niya ako.
I saw how his hands tremble as he grabbed the boxes of bags. May ibang mga lumabas na bags sa box kaya ako na ang kumuha noon.
Pag kakuha ko'y bigla akong nakaramdam ng guiltness. Nakita ko ang bag at may Gasgas 'yon! Nako, mukhang babayaran niya ang damage nito! at ako pa ang naging dahilan nun
Guilt creeped inside me as I saw how the Man's face become red. Siguro'y iniisip niya ngayon pa lang ang halaga ng perang mawawala sakanya.
"M-ma'am, a-ayos lang po!" pagpapaumanhin ng lalaki. Hindi ko gustong iparating sakanya na gusto kong bayaran ang damage na nagawa ko so I decided to just buy it.
"Uhm, kuya. This is the bag I've been wanting! How much is this?" Umakto ako na parang gustong gusto ko 'yon kahit ang pangit ng design at tinuro ang bag.
"Ma'am, h-hindi p-" I cut him off.
"I'm your customer." Napatitig lang ang kawawang sale's man at tumango nang bahagya.
"Sige po ma'am. sunod na lang p-po kayo sa akin." I nodded at sinundan ang sale's man. I noticed na papunta kami sa store na pinasukan ni Akiana Guerrero.. Wait, shit.
Nakalimutan kong sinusundan ko nga pala si Zacharius at ang Girlfriend niya!
Napapikit ako out of fustration at napagdesisyunang pabayaan nalang ang dalawa at mas unahin na lang 'tong damaged bag.
I saw the man heading towards the store kung saan naroon sila kanina. Maybe they're already done buying so I have nothing to worry about.
"Ma'am, upo nalang po kayo diyan s-sa.." nanginginig pa rin ang kamay ng sale's man habang tinuturo ang upuan na leather. "..chair po."
Sinunod ko ang gusto niya at umupo na roon. The store is indeed for elites. Th Extravagant Bags and their prices are enough to prove my conclusion.
Inilibot ko ang tingin sa buong lugar at napansin ang magandang disenyo. The store has dividers per brand. Hindi rin mukhang cheap ang flooring dahil ang ginamit mismo na tiles ay marble. I wonder who designed the store.
"Ma'am. For the Louis Vuitton Epi Dauphin MM Bag, the price is two thousand four hundred--" di ko na siya pinatapos at akmang kukuha ng card sa bag ko nang biglang lumapit ang sale's man kanina na gulat na gulat.
May binulong siya sa sale's lady na nasa harapan ko ngayon na mukhang nagulat din sa sinabi kaya napalunok.
Okay, here's my card. Can you please take this card and stop talking with each other first?
"Uh, ma'am. For the price of Louis Vuitton MM Bag, may damage po kasi yung bag so we'll give it for free."
What?
"No, no. I'll pay for it even if it's damaged. I'm at fault." sabi ko. Hindi pwedeng ibigay nila ng libre 'yon dahil napakamahal non!
"Hindi ayos lang p-po talaga ma'am-" I cut the sale's lady off.
"This bag is expensive and I want to pay for what damage I've caused. But if you're going to give it for free, then.." I sighed "..fine." I don't want to make this problem any longer so I grabbed my bag at lumabas na ako ng store. I'm 17 and received a free and damaged Louis Vuitton bag. I can't believe this.
I was about to go back to my friends while singin the happy birthday song silently when someone spoke behind my back.
"Free bag, huh?" I heard a low baritone voice that can make every woman tremble. I turned to see who that is and was completely disappointed on what creature I saw.
"Oh.. Zacharius Alcevedo." may diin ang pagkakasabi ko non sa apelyedo niya. Nakahalukipkip siya at nakagilid ang ulo, walang kahit na anong humor sa kanya mukha.
Nginitian ko siya at nilapitan ng bahagya.
"What's the matter? miss me?" hamon ko. He remained his stares as I continue what I was supposed to say.
"Bakit ka nandito?" kuminga-linga ako para hanapin ang girlfriend niya. "Nasaan ang girlfriend mo?"
This time, his eyebrow raised.
"Why so curious?" balik na tanong niya sa akin.
"Why so curious, too! ikaw ang curious sa bag ko at wala naman akong pakialam sa'yo." hindi pa rin nagbabago ang itsura niya.
Sinong niloloko mo, Asha? hindi ba't ikaw din ang sumusunod sakanya kanina? Ngumiwi ako sa naisip at nahihiya na ako para sa sarili ko. I decided to make an excuse to get away from this. I hope this works.
"You know what, if you have nothing to say, aalis na ako." Tumalikod na ako upang umalis ngunit hindi niya ako tinantanan.
"Isn't it too disrespectful if you'll turn your back on someone who's older than you?" ako naman ngayon ang tumaas ang isang kila at hinarap ulit siya.
Humalakipkip din ako para pantayan ang lebel ng otoridad niya
"Okay fine! I'll go ahead, old man!" pangaasar ko ngunit imbis na makita ko ang galit sa mata ay tumawa siya ng bahagya. Mukhang natawa siya sa sinabi ko.
"Old man, huh?" He smirked at me. Yes. You're old!
But this man is wholesome. Hindi maipagkakaila ang kagwapuhan niya. His Narrow eyes, Thick brows, and his hair na ngayon ay nakababa at nakapulong patalikod. I-dagdag mo pa ang kanyang mga labi na pulang-pula nang basain niya ito.
"Then why does it looked like you're fantasizing my facial structures, hmm?" I got back to reality when he spoke. Napalunok ako.
"Why do you care?" napairap ako dahil tama ang sinabi niya. Hindi ko masikmurang nakukuha niya akong asarin!
"And why are you here? isn't it illegal if you go to mall all by yourself knowing you're a minor?" this man never failed to make me look like a dependent woman!
"I'm already independent, Stop acting like you're talking to a 10 year old kid!"
"Oh really? but the last time we've encountered.." he took one step that made us two closer. I tried my best to narrow my eyes but I can't. I'm distracted on how beautiful his facial structures are. ".. you're acting like one."
when?
oh.
"It's because you're making me act like a kid. You're treating me like one."
"Oh, really? so maybe.. I should take you home?" I'm starting to hate myself for thinking na I should go with him.
"Why would you? May kasama ka hindi ba?" he pursed his lips, trying not to laugh at me and pouted.
"May kasama ako, yes. But she was fetched by her boyfriend."
My eyes widened. Hindi ako naniniwala!
"What? She's your Girlfriend and I'm Sure with that!"
"How sure are you that Akiana Alcevedo Guillermo is my Girlfriend?" he really wants me to believe in him and He's succeeding. wait, what the.. don't tell me? Oh my.. this man is Scamming me! He smirked when he saw my reactions and added..
"Oh, Baby.. I don't date relatives."