AWESOME. Donnie Marie gulped as she stared at the huge house in front of her. Her eyes savoured the amazing beauty of the Claus Mansion. Everything her eyes touched made her mouth water. "May ganitong bahay pala sa Pilipinas?" naitanong niya sa sarili.
Or maybe, she was just dreaming. Or a magical book transported her into an English netherland she didn't know existed. Mula sa gate hanggang sa maluwang na berdeng paligid ng mansion ay talaga namang kahanga-hanga. Contrary to the mansion, its gate was small, probably just the size of her. It was made of black stones. Sa likod niyon ay may isang mahaba ngunit makitid na daan paakyat—the mansion was elevated. Parang nasa tuktok ng maliit na burol.
The 30-meter-pathway was the only place that wasn't covered with green grass, but it seemed fitting to the splendor of that magical place. It added simplicity to the mansion but with character—like a cardboard sign that read: Welcome, visitor. Please come in.
A marbled fountain stood right in front of the huge mansion. A beautiful mermaid, holding a huge shell where water flowed, sat at the center of that marbled fountain. Different kinds of flowers were scattered around that fountain, making it look more phenomenal.
And whoa, the mansion was jaw-dropping. Para siyang nasa England. Everything about that mansion bespoke no Filipino-ism. Mula sa malaking pintuan, sa malalaki at maluluwang na glass windows hanggang sa terasa nito sa ikalawang palapag. From the outside, she could see through the windows some large blue curtains that hanged on the on each sides.
The mansion's roof was slanted at some angle, making it look arictocratic. The cream paint shone maginificently through the moonlight. Kung ganoon kaganda sa labas, paano na kaya sa loob? Naku, hihimatayin na yata siya. Would she be able to walk through the stone marbled path when she came in knowing that everything inside that mansion may have costed a million?
She turned to Dasher, who was as silent as she was. Tatanungin niya sana kung magkano ang halaga ng mansion na iyon. Ngunit hindi niya iyon magawa dahil ang lalaking kasama niya ay parang napatitig sa mga ahas ni Medusa sa ulo at biglang naestatwa.
Ni katiting na kasiyahan o paghanga sa lugar ay wala siyang makita sa mga mata ni Dasher habang mataman itong nakatitig sa mansion. His aqua blue eyes turned cold. His hands were balled on both of his sides. His eyes blistered like a raging ball of fire towards the mansion he grew up to. Hatred was written all over his face.
"Are you okay?" she thoughtfully asked.
"This is the place I hate the most," he whispered. "Sa tuwing nakikita ko ang bahay na ito, hindi isang mansion kundi isang impyerno ang nakikita ko. This house reminds me how my life didn't belong to me," he said in disgust.
"Ikinulong niya ako sa bahay na ito at pinuno ng galit ang buong buhay ko. He molded me through his anger towards life. Tinuruan niya akong magkaroon ng matigas at malamig na puso. I became a selfish servant to him. I was never his son. I never felt love in this place."
"I could still remember how the twins and I were punished just because we played water from that fountain. Alam mo ba kung ano ang ginawa ni Sebastian sa'min nang malaman niya iyon? He gave each of us a toothbrush and made us clean that whole damned fountain!"
"Walong oras naming nilinisan iyan. Simula noong araw na iyon ay ipinangako ko sa sarili ko na kapag nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon, gigibain ko ang fountain na iyan at papalitan ng rebulto ng isang middle finger para kay Sebastian," he said through gritted teeth.
"This place is Sebastian's territory. Lahat ng sabihin niya ay batas, walang pwedeng bumali. Whenever I am inside that place, I feel so insecure of myself, so inferior, so angry."
And so afraid, her mind silently added. Dasher didn't only hate his father, he was also afraid of him. And he hated himself because he was afraid of the man he'd always hated. He hated Sebastian because he couldn't give the love Dasher wanted to have from his own father. Love, when not receive, is often sugarcoated with hatred.
Dasher was just a lonely man who wanted love—from his father. And unless he found that love, his hatred would never go away. Para lang itong batang nagpapapansin. Na sa tuwing hindi napapansin ay naghihinanakit. Ngunit hindi ang katulad ni Sebastian ang makakapagbigay ng pagmamahal rito. If Dasher couldn't find love from his father, it could be possible that a stronger love from a certain "someone" could ease his hatred and pain.
"Oh Dasher," nababaghang anas niya. He looked at her, not quite happy with the hint of pity on her voice. Bigla siyang natigilan at napayuko.
"Let's go," walang emosyong yakag nito kapagdaka.
With shaking hands, she clasped his, as if telling him that she would always be on his side. She felt his shiver but chose to feign ignorance about it. He was afraid but he sure had no choice but to go back, dahil kailanman ay hindi na mapuputol ang ugnayan nito kay Sebastian.
"Good evening, master! Welcome back home," bati ng isang lalaking nasuot ng itim na tuxedo at yumuko pa nang mapagbuksan sila ng pintuan.
"Good evening, Butler George. This is Danica Mae, my secretary. She'll be staying here for a few days," pormal na baling ni Dasher sa tinawag nitong butler.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya habang nakatitig siya sa napakagwapong lalaki. Iyon ang unang beses siyang nakaharap sa isang butler—in flesh and in uniform! Hindi na bata si George, marahil ay nasa fifties na ito, ngunit matikas pa rin. And he was an English man!
Tumango ang butler. "Do you wish to have your supper now, mi lord?"
"No, thanks. We'll go straight to our rooms," said Dasher.
Ni hindi na nito hinintay ang sagot ng butler. Basta na lang siyang hinila ni Dasher patungo sa napakalaking hagdang nasa sentro mismo ng maluwang na mansyon. Hindi niya maiwasang malungkot habang pinagmamasdan ang napakagandang bahay. The mansion was perfect with its beautiful furnitures and all but nothing was warm inside that house.
Butler at sandamakmak na mga maids lang ang nakikita niya sa paligid. Nobody was even talking. Ni ang magsalubong ang paningin ay hindi ginagawa ng mga tao roon. Tinignan lang sila ni Dasher noong nadaanan nila ang mga katulong. Pagkatapos yumukod ng mga ito ay parang wala lang na ipinagpatuloy na ng mga ito ang ginagawang paglilinis sa bahay.
"B-bakit naglilinis pa sila eh gabing gabi na?" pabulong niyang tanong kay Dasher habang paakyat sila sa hagdan.
"Walang pwedeng magpahinga dito sa mansion. Walang perang sinasayang si Sebastian."
"W-where are your brothers?"
Napatigil ito sa paglalakad ngunit hindi naman siya hinarap. "Yes, we all still live here but as much as possible, we stay away from this place. Mas madalas pa na sa opisina kami natutulog. Sabagay, mas matutuwa naman si Sebastian kapag nalaman niyang nag-o-overtime kami sa trabaho dahil hindi nasayang ang pag-aampon niya sa'min," sarkastikong sagot nito.
"Busy ang kambal sa shooting ng kung anu-ano'ng raket nila. Comet, Prancer and Vixen must be in their offices. While Cupid, Dancer and Rudolf must be in someplace else."
"H-how about Sebastian?"
Noon ito humarap sa kanya. His eyes were as cold as snow. His jaw tightened. His face showed no emotion as he slowly looked around them.
"He is all over this place, sweetie. Maaaring naglalagalag siya sa iba't ibang panig ng mundo at bibihira siyang umuwi dito ngunit ang lahat ng bagay rito, mula sa kaliit-liitan, ay nagpapaalala sa kanya. He has eyes, ears, mouth and even power in this house. Even his distant memory could control us." He sighed. "Let's go," yakag nito bago pa man siya makasagot.
Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya at napasunod dito. Kung sana ay kaya niyang pawiin ang anumang lungkot sa puso nito, paghihilumin niya ang mga sugat ng kahapon na iniwan ng kahapon nito at buburahin niya ang lahat ng masasakit na alaalang humahadlang para matuto itong magpatawad, tanggapin ang sarili nito at magmahal—hindi lamang ng sarili nito kundi maging ng ibang tao. If she only knew what to do...
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WHEN Donnie Marie came in, lahat ng mga mata ay napunta sa kanya. Hindi niya tuloy malaman kung itutuloy niya pa ba ang paglapit o hindi niya. Ni hindi niya magawang maikurap ang kanyang mga mata dahil sa ke ga-gwapong mga nilalang na nabungaran niya sa sala. Hindi pa niya kilala ang mga kapatid ni Dasher maliban sa kambal kaya lalong tumindi ang kaba niya sa dibdib. There were five mouth-watering Clauses in front of her, kasali na roon si Dasher.
"G-good morning," nahihiyang bati niya.
"So it's true, dinala mo nga rito ang sekretarya mo," wika ni Blitzen na hindi sa kanya nakatingin kundi kay Dasher na noo'y isambakol ang mukha habang pinalilibutan ng mga kapatid nito. When Dasher didn't respond, Blitzen turned to her. "'Morning Danica Mae!"
"Alam mo bang ngayon lang nagdala ng babae dito sa mansion si Dasher?" nakangising singit ni Donder sa usapan. Para itong kabuteng bigla na lang tumubo sa tabi ng kambal nito. "Kamusta ang tulog mo kagabi? O nakatulog ka ba?" nakakalokong tanong nito.
She knew what Donder implied, kaya agad siyang pinamulahan ng mukha. Noon umentra si Dasher. Padaskol nitong hinila ang kamay niya at hinila siya palapit dito.
"Aalis na kami. Hindi kami pwedeng ma-late sa press-con," mariing sabi nito.
"Hindi mo ba kami ipakikilala sa kanya?" nakakalokong sabad ni Donder. Sunud-sunod namang nagsi-sang-ayunan iyong mga kapatid nito.
Dasher gritted his teeth. "Danica Mae already knows who you are. Hindi nga ba't ipinagmamalaki ninyo lagi sa'kin na sikat kayong lahat?" sarkastikong sagot nito. "So there's no need for me to introduce you to her one by one."
"Kelan ka pa naging madamot sa pagpapakilala?" nang-aasar na tanong ni Blitzen. "Hindi pa kilala ni Danica Mae sina Comet at Vixen."
When Dasher narrowed his eyes, Donder raised his hands and bowed. "Alis na ako. Kayo na lang bahala rito," natatawang paalam nito. "Susunduin ko pa si Dakila."
"Susunod na ako, bro," nakangising sabi naman ni Blitzen. "Natatawang umalis ang tusong kambal.
"Hi, gorgeous! I'm Comet," nakangiting pagpapakilala ng lalaking pinakamaputi sa limang Claus. "Ako na ang magpapakilala at mukhang ipagdadamot ka talaga nitong si Dash."
Natawa siya sa pang-aasar nito, lalo na noong naningkit ang mga mata ni Dasher. "I'm Danica Mae," she shook his hand.
"And I am Vixen. But you can call me honey," ngisi naman ng isa pa. "Or maybe not. Ayokong masakal ni Dasher," kunwa'y tawa nito. Matapos siyang mkipagkamay rito ay napasaludo ito kay Dasher. "Paano ba 'yan bro? Alis na kami ni Comet."
Comet turned to her. "Actually, nabalitaan lang namin mula sa kambal na nag-uwi ng babae si Dasher dito sa mansion. And since nakumpirma na namin ang tsismis nung kambal, we'll go. Kailangan pa naming kumayod. So, see you around?" ngiti nito.
"Just go, Comet! Hindi mo na kailangang magpacute kay Danica Mae. Vixen, hilain mo na nga itong si Comet palayo. By the way, tell Rudolf, Dancer and Prancer to call me up. Ilang araw na silang hindi nagpaparamdam sa'kin," bilin ni Dasher.
Vixen shook his head. "Nagpi-feeling panganay ka na naman. Nambababae lang iyong tatlong iyon. Huwag mo silang pakialaman," tawa nito. "Tara na nga Comet!"
Nakangiting pinagmasdan niya ang pag-alis ng mga kapatid ni Dasher. They were so cute and cool! Akala niya ay makulit na ang kambal, may mas makulit pa pala sa mga ito.
"Ano'ng ngini-ngiti ngiti mo riyan?" pasupladong asik ni Dasher.
"Ang cute lang kasi ng mga kapatid mo," sagot niya.
"Para sa aso lang ang salitang cute."
Natawa siya. "Sira! Tara na nga!"
"At ako pa ang sira!" nakasimangot na wika nito bago nagpatiunang lumabas.
Napangiti siya. Nagseselos ba ito? Damn, but he was so cute! Para itong batang inagawan ng kendi. Hindi niya gustong nakikita itong nakasimangot kaya nang makasakay sila sa kotse nito ay kinintalan niya ito ng isang mabilis na halik sa labi. He was shocked. Nakangising lumayo siya rito. He was about to lean towards her when she raised both of her hands.
He grinned. "You are so unfair. That's not how you're supposed to kiss someone you like. Come here, sweetie. Let me show you how to do it." He snaked a hand on her nape, held her eyes before he leaned in for a sweet kiss. Nang matapos ang halik ay pareho silang hinihingal. "That..." he said while catching his breath, "is how you should kiss me."
That's more she liked it—ang nakikita itong nakangiti. Wala siyang ibang gustong makita sa mga mata nito kundi kasiyahan lang. She didn't want to see hatred nor sadness in his eyes again. Habang magkasama sila ay wala siyang ibang gagawin kundi ang paisiyahin ito.
"Ano sa tingin mo ang iniisip sa'kin ng mga kapatid mo?" naitanong niya.
"Ewan ko. Wala akong pakialam sa mga iisipin nila." Nang natahimik siya ay bigla nitong hinawakan ang kamay niya. "I've been unhappy in my entire life, ngayong nahanap ko na ang taong magpapasaya sa'kin ay hinding hindi ako papayag na may makahadlang pa sa kasiyahang nadarama ko. Ikaw at ako lang, sweetie. Tayo lang ang magkasama sa mudong ito. Don't wory about my brothers. Hindi naman talaga pakialamero ang mga iyon."
Sa sobrang tuwa at kilig niya sa mga sinabi nito ay muli niya itong kinintalan ng halik sa mga labi. Niyakap niya ito ng mahigpit. "I promise to make you happy, Dash. Forever."