March 17 - 21, 2012
He was 9 and she was 8. Unang tapak niya sa Maynila at sa bagong mundong kanyang magiging buhay. She was standing half hidden behind the oakwood frontdoor sa mansyon ng mga dela Vega; home of his adoptive parents, her home and now, his. She wasn't hiding, actually. She wasn't just welcoming him either. Not that she didn't agree to it nor consulted about it. Parang wala lang itong reaksiyon. That was what Mikael thought nang makita niya ito after he thought he saw a life size doll. Senna was the very image of a pampered princess of a rich family. A princess inside and out. Ang ibang bata sa edad na otso, hinahabol pa ng yaya para gawin ang mga dapat gawin. But he learnt later that she lost her personal yaya when she turned 5 per her request.
She stood there, inside the house and he, outside, clutching his tattered backpack. Dumating siyang mag isa dahil ang driver lang naman ang sumundo sa kanya galing sa ampunan. He was told they had a child at kung bakit siya inadopt ng mga ito ay hindi niya rin alam. Pero ang sabi sa kanya ay malalaman din niya pagkalegal na ng kanyang adoption. Ngayon nga ay legal na ang lahat ng papeles at nakaalis na siya sa ampunang naging tahanan niya ng siyam na taon. Hindi niya malaman kung matutuwa ba siya o kakabahan sa bagong buhay na kakaharapin niya.
Sinalubong siya ng isang babae na matamis ang ngiti.
"Naku, dumating ka na pala! Aba'y ke gwapong bata ere, ano?" sabi ng babae at hinawakan siya sa mag kabilang balikat na para bang iniinspeksyon. Hindi naman niya malaman ang gagawin kaya ngumiti na lamang siya.
"Ay, siya nga pala, ako si Yaya Minda. Ako ang mayordoma dito sa mansyon. Kung may gusto ka, sabihin mo lang s akin, ane?" patuloy na sabi nito at ngumiti uli. Naibsan ang kaba na nararamdaman niya dahil mukhang mababait naman ang mga tao sa lugar na ito. Pati si Manong Josep na siyang driver ay mabait din sa kanya. Napatingin uli siya sa may pintuan kung saan nakatayo pa rin ang batang babae na mukhang buhay na manika sa paningin niya.
Napasunod ng tingin si Yaya Minda sa kanyang tinitingnan.
" Ay, oo , Senna, halika. Dumating na ang kapatid mo." Senna pala ang pangalan niya. Maganda. Bagay na bagay sa kanya. Bumaba naman ng hagdan si Senna at tumayo sa harap niya. Hindi tulad niyang nanginginig sa kaba, mukhang wala man lang ekspresyon na ipinakita ang batang kaharap niya. Mukha itong batang matanda kung umasta.
"Ganito siguro kapag nakaharap ka ng dugong bughaw," naisip ni Mikael.
"Senna ito si...anong nga palang pangalan mo hijo?" tanong ni Yaya MInda.
"Mikael po..."
"..ito si Mikael. Ito naman si Senna."
Napalunok siya sa kaba. Mukhang ayaw sa kanya ng bata. Kung aayawan siya nito,baka awayin lang siya at gawing alipin. Sabi ng mga kasama niya sa ampunan ganun ang kadalasang nangyayari sa mga inaampon ng mga mayayaman. Ayaw niyang maniwala noon dahil alam niya naiinggit lang sila sa kapalaran niya. Pero parang gusto na niyang maniwala ngayon na yun nga ang mangyayari sa kanya. Lalo tuloy siyang kinabahan. Bumalik na lang kaya siya sa ampunan?
Sinubukan niyang maging friendly dito at baka sakaling magbago ang pakikitungo nito.
"H h hi..." nanginginig pa ang boses niya.
At sa gulat niya ay iba ang isinagot nito.
"Ilang taon ka na?" He expected a sarcastic voice. But it wasn't in the least. Sweet nga ang boses nito.
"Nine na'ko..."
Tumango tango lang si Senna na parang expected nitong mas matanda nga siya. Pagkatapos ay bumuntong hininga ito ng pagkalalim-lalim.
"Hello..." and she gave him a smile for the first time.
"Senna, gising na...Senna!!!" patuloy sa pagkatok ng pintuan si Mikael. Mag aalas siyete na ng umaga at hindi pa nag bubukas ng pinto si Senna. Alam niyang tulog pa ito at tinatamad na namang pumasok. Halos araw-araw niya na lang ginigising ito dahil ayaw naman nitong pagbuksan si Yaya Minda. Siya lang ang tanging pinagbubuksan nito ng pinto sa umaga. Hindi nga nagtagal ay narinig niya itong nag a -unlock ng doorknob. Pinihit niya ang sedura at napagbuksan niyang bumabalik sa higaan si Senna at nag talukbong ng kumot.
"Wake up, sleepyhead!"
"Ayokong pumasok!" Senna's voice was muffled by the pillow. Nag- aagawan pa sila ng comforter.
" Ba't ba ayaw mo pumasok?" He gave up trying to uncover her. Nahiga na lang din siya sa kama, making her his pillow. Alam niyang kung ayaw nito, hindi niya ito madadala sa santong paspasan. Baligtad ang ugali nito sa pangkaraniwan.
Nagtanggal ng talukbong sa ulo si Senna.
"Alam mo naman eh, nagtatanong pa..."
Well, yeah, he knew. It was the day that they'd get their test papers from the periodical exams. Senna had been dreading that day each semester. Takot itong makita ang score not because she was worried she'd fail. She was worried that she didn't reach the standards she set for herself. And that was the top of the class.
Bumuntong hininga si Mikael. Paulit - ulit na ang usapang ito.
"You've always been on top of your class. Mula Nursery hanggang ngayon na 3rd year ka na. You have never disappointed anyone in this family ever before. Not me and certainly not mum and dad."
"But what if this time, I do? What if I fail?"
Tumayo siya at binatukan ito.
"You and your what ifs. Tingnan mo nga ang sarili mo sa salamin. Ang laki-laki na ng eyebags mo sa kakareview. Kabisado mo na nga siguro buong textbook mo until the end of the semester, eh."
He effectively made her got out of bed and dash to her full length mirror. He grinned when she inspected her face in panic.
"Hindi naman ah!" Namaywang pa itong hinarap siya.
"Well, maybe not. Pero sigurado akong top one ka na naman." And with that, he swept her off her feet and brought her to the bathroom. He turned on the shower and nagmamadaling isinara ang pinto bago pa siya mabato nito ng kung ano. He left her screaming and taking a bath.
"Nasaan na si Senna? Malalate na talaga kayo kung hindi pa siya bababa."
"Patapos na rin po yun." He kissed his mother on the cheek before going to the head of the table to do the same to his dad.
"Ano bang problema ng batang yun at ayaw pumasok ngayon?" It was Mr. dela Vega .
"Results Day po kasi ngayon. At saka hindi pa po kami malalate. Nine o' clock pa po ang first period pag ganitong araw."
"I see. Kaya naman pala nag mamaktol na naman."
They all grinned at each other knowing how familiar the day is.
It has been 7 years since Mikael's adoption to the dela Vega family. The family treated him very well at lahat ng agam - agam noon ay napalitan ng saya at pasasalamat. They never treated him differently pati na rin ang mga kasambahay. Though Senna warmed up to him a little late than the others, it was all in the past. Wala ng ibang mahihiling pa si Mikael.
Pumanaog na rin si Senna sa wakas at dumulog sa hapag. She did what Mikael did to Mr and Mrs dela Vega pero bago ito umupo ay gumanti ito ng batok sa kapatid at umirap. Natawa lang si Mikael dahil hindi naman gaanong masakit at alam niyang hindi naman talaga ito galit sa kanya. It was almost an everyday scenario. Napakabugnutin kasi nito sa umaga.
Pagkatapos mag almusal ay pumasok na ang dalawa sa school na pareho nilang pinapasukan. Mikael's a senior and Senna's a junior, both on top of the class.
Wala silang kibuan sa loob ng sasakyan which was unusual dahil napakamakwento ni Senna sa nakatatandang kapatid. Nagiging tahimik lang ito kapag nag-aaral o kinakabahan. Katulad ngayon. Pinabayaan na lang niya itong lasapin ang kaba. Mawawala din iyon pagdating nila sa school. Twenty minutes lang ang byahe nila papuntang St. Monique's Academy and when they arrived, matagal bago bumaba si Senna.
Nang makababa na ito ay ayaw naman nitong pumasok agad kaya kinaladkad ito ni Mikael sa loob. The announcement board was in front of the school entrance and a lot of students were standing and craning their necks to see their names on the list. Pero nahawi ang kumpol ng estudyante ng makitang paparating sila. The brightest dela Vega siblings were always on the top that others were also excited to see how high their grades were.
May mga tumapik sa balikat ni Mikael kaya alam na niyang siya ang nasa 1st place sa 4th year. So, itatawid na lang niya ang paranoia ng kapatid niya. Hila-hila niya pa rin sa kamay si Senna .
He looked for the junior's list and as expected, Senna Katniss dela Vega was on the top. He brought her to the front to see it for herself.
"I told you so..."
She looked up to confirm it but her eyes darted to the list next to her own. She breathed out and faced her grinning brother.
"So, okay ka na?" tanong nito sa kanya. Tumango siya at ngumiti na rin.
"Hindi mo pa nakikita yung grade mo,"she said. He slung his arm around her neck at umalis na rin sila sa harap ng notice board.
"Sabi nila top 1 daw ako. Okay na yun." He never cared about his periodic grade. Pag alam na nito ang ranking, hindi na nito i checheck kung anong difference meron siya sa iba. Katwiran nito, makikita din naman niya ang grade sa school card.
But she cared about hers; her own and his. They maybe always on the top of their class but she had never surpass his average grade. That day was not different. Mas lamang pa rin ito ng .2 sa average niya. And he didn't even know it. Napabuntong - hininga siya ng malalim.
Napansin ito ni Mikael.
"Lagi ka na lang malalim kung huminga. May sakit ka ba sa baga?"
"Relieved lang ako na tapos yung exam week," she lied. Ayaw niyang mahahalata ni Mikael na may dinaramdam siya. Malakas ang radar nito sa mga iniisip at nararamdaman niya kahit hindi siya nagsasalita. Kaya iniba na lang niya ang usapan.
" llibre mo ako sa cafe."
" Libre na naman? Nasan ba allowance mo at ako lagi ang taya sa librehan?" It was partially true. Siya lagi ang nagbabayad sa kinakain nila at ni minsan ay hindi pa nakapag bayad ng bill si Senna kapag magkasama sila. Pero alaga naman siya nito sa mamahaling regalo kahit walang okasyon. Her daily allowance was always turned into a gift for him.
" O sige. Bahala ka. Wala kang periodical gift sa'kin." Nagpatiunang lumakad si Senna, hiding a sly smile. And as she expected, Mikael caged her again on his arm papuntang direksyon ng cafeteria.
"Ano ba gustong kainin ng baby sis ko na kaka breakfast lang? Sabihin mo lang. Kahit ano!"
"Eww!!" Siniko niya ito. "I'm not your baby sister!" She really hated to be called as such. She never felt right being his baby sister.
"You are my baby sister!" He insisted. And oddly, it hurts to hear it from him.
"Nasaan ang knight in shining shimmering armor mo?" tanong ni Diyosa. Josephine talaga ang pangalan nito pero napaka luma daw kaya Diyosa na lang. As if hindi mas luma pakinggan ang Diyosa. Pero ala Anne Curtis naman daw, sabi nito.
"Sinong Knight in shining shimmering armor?" Busy si Senna sa pag straighten ng chairs nila sa classroom. Cleaner siya ng araw na yun. Kahit private school sila, binibigyan pa rin sila ng simple tasks ng homeroom adviser nila para daw matuto naman silang huwag umasa sa ibang tao palagi.
"Sino pa? Wala naman ibang lagi umaaligid sa iyo kung di ang oh-so gorgeous, ever brilliant, super yummy older brother mong si Mikael. I heard pinagsigawan daw niya sa cafeteria that you're his baby sister. Ang sweet-sweet talaga ng baby ko!!!" Nag tatatalon ito sa kilig sa harapan niya.
"Phine, pwede ba. Pati ba naman ikaw nakikisali sa ka be-baby, sweetheart, honey ever kay Yael?"
"Aba, fans club member ako no! And not Phine! Diyosa...Di-yo-sa. Mikael. Bagay di ba?"
She just rolled her eyes at Di-yo-sa.
"Pero ewan ko ba diyan sa kuya mo. Parang wala naman ibang nakikitang babae yan kundi ikaw. Ikaw lang ang nilalapitan at sinasamahan ng kumag na yummy na yun." Nangalumbaba pa ito sa teacher's table habang pinapabayaan siyang tapusan ang task nilang dalawa.
"Alam ko pretty ka and all,"patuloy pa rin nito. "pero magkapatid kayo eh so hindi ka counted sa prospect niya. Ikaw yata ang standard of beauty nun eh. Ang taas ha! Wala bang planong mag girlfriend yang kuya mo? Nandito lang ako. Willing na willing akong tawaging doll kahit ipachange ko pa ang birth certificate ko." And tinutukoy nito ay ang endearment ni Mikael sa kanya na doll. Mukha daw kasi siyang manikang buhay ng una silang magkita.
Not a lot of people knew that they were not blood related. They look different but Mikael resembled her dad a little and she looked more like her mum. They didn't attend the same grade school. In fact Mikael was home schooled for the rest of his elementary years dahil kailangan nitong matutunan ang social etiquettes na hindi nito alam or pinapractice before.
Hindi lang iilan ang nagbanggit sa kanya na they would think they were a couple kung hindi lang nila alam na magkapatid sila. In shopping malls, they were always asked to try couple stuffs. After she accepted the fact that her parents adopted a total stranger boy to fill in the void that she cannot fulfill for them, they became very close. Natutuwa naman ang mga magulang nila that they got along so fine.
"Bawas bawasan mo kaya ang pagsama sa kuya mo para naman magkatime rin siya sa ibang girls." Napa taas ang kilay niya sa huling sinabi ni Diyosa.
"No way! Hindi ko naman minomonopolize ang time niya! Kung gusto niyang maghanap ng girlfriend, magagawa niya freely. It’s his decision. But I'm not gonna give up my times with him." She knew he won't leave her alone like that. He had an obligation. Mikael was too much a man of his words.
Napataas rin yata ang boses niya dahil mukhang na alarm si Diyosa sa kanya. Umalis ito sa teacher's table at finally ay tinulungan siyang tapusin ang pag aarrange ng chairs.
"Suggestion lang naman yun, friend. Masyado ka naman high blood. Kakainngit ka lang kasi. Pero ayoko rin namang makipagpalit sayo. Mawawalan ako ng chance sa kuya mo."
"My exact sentiments," sabi ng subconscious ni Senna. She immediately shook off the thought.
"Ayaw mo nun, kung kami lagi magkasama ni Yael, sure ka na single siya. You will always have a chance with my brother," sabi na lang niya.
"Ayy!! May point ka, ganda! Matalino ka talaga!"
"Sinong matalino?Ako?" Sumungaw si Mikael sa may pinto bago tuluyang pumasok.
"Ayy!Oo! And handsome too!" tili ni Diyosa ng makita ang nakatatandang kapatid ng kaibigan niya.
Lantaran kung humanga si Diyosa kay Mikael at nakakatuwa din naman itong magsalita. She was one of the few girls that Senna hanged out with. Hindi totally nagbago ang pagiging lady like ni Senna sa ibang tao. Kay Mikael lang natutong mag pagkasadista at chikadora ito. She was friendly but very proper with other people except when she was with him or her circle of friends.
"Hi Phine...!"
"Hi Yael!" Iniwan na naman ni Diyosa si Senna at lumapit sa bagong dating. Para itong kiti-kiti naglalakad sa harap ng binata. Pwede rin itong autistic.
"Akala ko ba ayaw mo ng Phine. Ba't sa kanya okay lang? And why are you calling him Yael? Sabi mo rin mas bagay ang Diyosa at Mikael, di ba?" Natapos na rin sa ginagawa niya si Senna at nakigulo na rin sa dalawa.
"Kahit ano pang itawag ni Yael sa akin, okay lang! I change my mind. Mas bagay sa kanya ang Yael.Its sho cuute, di vah?" pa cute nitong sabi.
"Actually, you can't call me that. It's Senna's way of calling my Kuya Mikael. Unless you want to call me Kuya too..."
Nagulat si Senna sa sinabi ni Mikael. Kaya kasi niya tinatawag na Yael ito dahil nahahabaan siya sa Mikael and when they were younger, she felt awkward calling him that. Kaya naging Yael na lang. Never niyang tinawag na Kuya ito.
"Ganun? Mikael na lang ulit. Mas sexy nga yun eh."
"If you think so...Una na kami ha. Nandito na sundo namin." Bumaba si Mikael sa table at kinuha ang backpack niya.
"Let's go, Doll...Bye Phine!"
"Vye!!!"
Nang makalabas sila ng room, she asked him, "Why did you say that? I don't call you Kuya. And not ever."
"I don't want other people to use that name for me. I want only you to say that. Just like I don't want others to call you Doll."
Napahinto si Senna sa narinig. That sounded so sweet if only she could think differently. But she can't...not now, not ever.
Akala ni Senna ay hindi alam ni Mikael na pinag kocompare niya ang mga grades nila. Pero matagal na niyang alam na siya ang kinocompete nito. Alam rin ni Mikael na hindi ito masyadong nababahala sa ranking ng year level nito at ang grades niya ang tinitingnan nito every Results Day. Kaya nga hindi niya masyadong binibigyan ng halaga ang sarili niyang ranking. Kung pwede nga lang na bumaba siya ng pwesto at ipagbahala ang grades, gagawin niya. Pero kung iyon naman ang gagawin niya ay ang mga magulang naman nila ang masasaktan.
Ang kaya lang niyang gawin ay ang panatilihing nasa parehong average ang total grade niya. Hindi niya kasi mapigilan si Senna sa pag-aaral upang malagpasan ang average niya. Pero ewan ba kung bakit lumalagpas talaga ng ilang points ang sa kanya laban kay Senna. Hindi niya malaman kung ano pang gagawin dahil hindi niya maaaring baliwalain ang last year sa high school. His dad specifically asked him to have the very best grades he could manage for his last year upang makapasok siya sa Harvard na siyang plano nitong pasukan niya sa college. Senna didn't know that. It was meant as a surprise. Alam niyang matutuwa ito para sa kanya pero sa palagay niya ay lalala ang pagiging competitive nito in secret. He was not looking forward to telling her that soon.
The dela Vega's were everything to him. Hindi matatawaran ng kahit anong pasasalamat ang ginawa ng mga ito para sa kanya. They changed his life completely, beyond his wildest imagination when he was 9 years old and a total orphan. Kaya kahit anong hilingin ng mga ito na maging siya ay gagawin niya. Kahit pa siguro hilingin nitong kapalit ay ang buhay niya. But he really didn't think they would. Actually, isa lang ang hinihiling sa kanya ng Daddy niya. And it was the simplest of all things.
"Take care of Senna,"his dad said the night he arrived in their mansion at makaharap ito sa unang pagkakataon bilang miyembro ng pamilya nito.
"Yun lang?" naisip niya. Napakadali lang naman nun.
Tinanong niya ito kung bakit sila nag ampon gayung may anak naman sila. Ang tanging isinagot nito ay tradisyon ng angkan.
Sa loob ng mahabang panahon ay palaging may lalaki sa bawat pamilya ng mga dela Vega. Ngunit pagkatapos maipanganak ni Senna ay hindi na maaring magbuntis pang muli ang Mommy niya dahil may sakit ito sa puso. Hindi naman siya ang unang ampon ng angkan. Sa bawat henerasyon siguro ay may isa o dalawang inaampon ang mga ito upang mapanatili ang tradisyon. Sinisiguro lamang nito na totoong wala ng kamag-anak na natitira ang aampuning batang lalaki upang walang manggulo o humabol sa mamanahin nito. Hindi rin naman maaring ilipat sa ibang pangalan ang kayamanan kaya wala rin itong silbi. The dela Vega clan was one heck of an eccentric family.
Taking care of Senna was the easiest job in the world. Hindi ito maarte at hindi brat. Napaka independent nito at napaka considerate sa mga tao sa kanyang paligid. Ang tanging maipipintas niya rito ay ang pagiging competitive nito sa grades niya. At naiintindihan niya iyon. Kahit wala itong sinasabi at ipinapakitang masama sa kanya ay alam niyang naiisip din nito na balang araw ay magiging mag kakompetensya sila sa mamanahin. Sa murang isip na walo ay alam na nitong ang pag - ampon sa kanya ay nangangahulugang hindi nito nabigyan ng satisfaction ang mga magulang dahil naging babae siya. Na kaya siya inampon dahil hindi nito mapapanatiling buhay ang apelyidong dela Vega. Alam niyang nasaktan si Senna when he arrived. And he hated hurting her. Ayaw na ayaw niyang nakikita itong umiiyak o nalulungkot. Kaya sumasakit ang ulo niya sa ka - iisip ng paraan para hindi na niya ito masaktan ng hindi rin nadidissapoint ang mga magulang.
He was thinking of a way to do both when he overheard Yaya Minda calling out to Senna. May bisita daw ito. He couldn't help but be curious. Dumungaw siya sa second floor railing. Mula roon ay tanaw niya ang buong first floor. Nasa magkabilang side ng grand staircase ang kwarto nila ni Senna kaya kita niya itong bumababa. Napakunot ang kanyang noo ng mapagtanto kung sino ang sinasabing bisita ni Senna.
"Hi, Senna..." Inabutan siya ng isang small jewelry box ni Jessie. Napangiwi si Senna pero tinaggap na rin niya ito.
"Thank you. Upo ka." Jessie was her grade school classmate at kakalipat lang nito sa St. Monique's. They were family friends. Noon pa man ay nagpaparinig na ito sa kanya na gusto daw siya nito. Naging pursigido ito ng malamang sa St. Monique's din siya nag -aaral. Nothing's wrong with him except that he was too persistent to the point of being annoying.
"Where's Yael???"
Ayaw ni Yael kay Jessie. Masyado daw sigurado sa sarili. She quite agreed, actually, pero hindi niya magawang itaboy si Jessie dahil wala naman itong ginagawang masama sa kanya.
"Sen..." simula nito.
"Ugh! I hate that nickname! Konti na lang, sin na!"
"Alam mo naman kung anong gusto ko di ba? I've been telling you that since middle school," sabi ni Jessie.
"Alam mo rin na wala pa sa isip ko yan. I want to finish high school without other commitments. Sinabi ko na sa'yo yan." She tried to say as subtly as she could.
"Pero Sen, sa America ako mag ka college. I can't spend time with you kung after high school mo pa ako sasagutin."
"Sabi ko bang sasagutin kita???"
"Kung ganun, you should find another girl that can spend the rest of high school with." Ngali - ngali na niyang ibato ang jewelry box na hawak niya dito. On the outside she seemed so calm and poised but the way she held the box should gave away her feelings if only he was paying enough attention.
"But it’s you who I like! Bakit gusto mo akong itulak sa iba?" Nalukot ang mukha ni Jessie. Parang nasaktan nga ito sa sinabi niya.
"Well, that should tell you something...You're just not a keen observer."
Napabuntong-hininga si Senna. Mukhang kailangan talaga niyang sabihin ng harapan na wala itong pag - asa. Oh boy, she was not good at this thing.
"She means to say na wala kang pag - asa, pare.That's what she has been telling you all this time." Pagkalingon niya ay nakapamulsang bumababa ng hagdan si Mikael. She thought he was eavesdropping the whole time. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon ay maiinis siya dito. Pero ngayon ay gustong-gusto niya itong yakapin sa tuwa. Hinding - hindi niya masasabi ang mga salitang iyon.
"My saviour!"
Nakababa na ng tuluyan si Mikael at nagsukatan ng tingin ang dalawang lalaki. Hindi man matatawag na magkaaway pero hindi magkaibigan ang dalawa.
Nagtanong sa kanya si Jessie noon kung bakit daw hindi nito alam na may nakatatandang kapatid pala siya. Sinabi na lang ni Senna na sa ibang bansa lumaki ang kapatid at noong mag ha high school na lang umuwi ng Pilipinas. Mahigpit na bilin ng kanyang Daddy na huwag ipagsabi kung kani-kanino na hindi sila tunay na magkadugo.
"Hindi ka dapat nakikisali sa usapan ng may usapan, pare." Kinabahan si Senna at napatayo na rin. Hindi yata nagustuhan ni Jessie ang narinig. Sabagay, sino naman ang gustong mabasted lalo na ng kapatid ng nililigawan mo?
"Tinutulungan ko lang si Senna. Mukhang hindi ka kasi marunong bumasa ng signs, eh."
"Yael..." she faintly warned him to stop. Namumula na ang kanyang manliligaw at nagtatagis na ang mga bagang.
" Masyado kang makialamero sa amin ni Senna,pare. Hindi ka naman kasali at saka hindi niya hinihingi ang opinyon mo." Jessie was shorter than Mikael but he wasn't intimated by his height. Nakakagigil na talaga ang pangingialam nito. Lagi na lang nasisira ang diskarte niya kay Senna dahil sumusulpot ito kung saan at yayayaing umalis ang kapatid. Senna was too attached to her brother and hero worships him kaya sumasama naman ito palagi. Mas napagkakamalan pang ito ang magsyota at ni minsan ay hindi sila napuri na bagay kung siya at si Senna ang magkasama. That bruised his ego. Ang further inflamed his anger and insecurities sa binatang dela Vega. Mabuti pa noong nasa ibang bansa ito, walang estorbo.
"Senna's my sister. Alam ko kung kelan niya kailangan ng tulong at kung kelan kailangan ko siyang pabayaan. I gave her enough time to put it in your head na ayaw niya sayo. But I noticed it just bounces off your thick skull kaya ako na ang magsasabi. Give it up. There's no use."
Matapang magsalita si Mikael dahil nasa debate team ito. He survived the orphanage dahil magaling itong mangatwiran and his tutor tolerated him. Mas gusto nitong sinasabi niya ang opinyon kaysa tinatago lang. It was a dela Vega mark. And nadala niya ito sa school. Pero hindi niya kailanman nagamit ang talim ng dila niya sa labas ng debate room. Ngayon lang. Kung mainit ang dugo sa kanya ni Jessie, mas lalo na siya. Hindi niya pinapakialaman ang mga manliligaw ni Senna dahil wala naman talaga siyang karapatan. Pero sadyang makapal ang mukha ng Jessie na ito at hindi marunong makiramdam.
"Yael, please." Nakahawak na si Senna sa braso niya upang pigilan ito. Alam ni Senna that Mikael had a hidden temper. And Jessie was known to fight.
"It’s her words that I need, not your useless opinion." Jessie's voice was low but the contempt was there. It won't do his family good kung bubugbugin niya ang binata sa mismong tahanan nito. Baka mapalayas siya ng Papa niya. But if they were not... He turned to Senna at hinintay ang sasabihin nito.
Senna turned to her brother looking scared instead of denying his words. Lalong nag init ang mukha niya sa galit at sa pagkapahiya.
"I'm sorry, Jessie..." she said but she moved back behind her brother who, in turn, wrapped his arm around her. Mikael gave him a triumphant look.
"Magbabayad ka, dela Vega!"
Senna sighed in relief when Jessie finally drove away. Nakakotse pala ito. He didn't have a license! But it was finally over. Galit na galit si Jessie at sa palagay niya ay hindi na siya kakausapin pa nitong muli. Bahala siya! Tama naman si Mikael. Jessie was insensitive.
"Anong nangyari doon? Bakit umalis na?" tanong ni Yaya Minda na may dalang merienda.
"Nabasted po. Hindi matanggap kaya, ayun, nagwalk out,"sabi ni Mikael at inabot ang juice na para sana kay Jessie.
"Binasted mo, Senna? Akala ko pa naman ay sasagutin mo na. Aba'y yun lang yata ang nagtagal ng pangliligaw sayo ah."
"Binasted po ni Yael, Yaya. " Nakikain na rin si Senna. Sayang naman ang hinanda ni Yaya Minda.
"Hindi mo naman deniny. I just relayed the message. Masyado ka kasing mabait." May naupuang kung ano si Mikael at ng kunin niya ito ay ang jewelry box pala na dala ni Jessie para kay Senna. Binuksan niya ito at nakita ang isang silver heart bracelet.
"Look at this. He doesn't even know you hate hearts! Anong klaseng manliligaw ba yun? Isoli mo yan sa kanya," he ordered her.
Senna took the box and the jewelry. She really hated hearts design.
"Ikaw na lang kaya magsoli. Hinid na'ko kakausapin nun noh."
"Kung ako ang magsasauli niyan ay baka mag kasuntukan lang kami. Mabuti ng hindi ko na makita pa iyon."
"Naku! Huwag kang maghahanap ng away Mikael. Baka masuspende ka pa. Malapit na ang graduation mo!" pinagsabihan ni Yaya Minda ang binata. Mahal na mahal nito ang dalawang alaga. Hindi naman kasi nag asawa si Yaya Minda at ang lahat ng panahon ay naubos nito sa pag-aalaga sa dalawa.
"Kaya nga po. Hindi po talaga ako maghahanap ng away. Kaya lang nagkaka migraine ako sa mga manliligaw ni Senna!"
Senna hit him on the arm. "As if hindi rin sumasakit ang ulo ko sa fans club mo! Kung ano-anong pinapabigay. Ano ako? Courier?"
"Asan na? Wala naman akong natatanggap," tanong ni Mikael.
"Tinapon ko! Bakit? Gusto mo?" Malas lang nila at sa kanya pa ipinabigay. Walang kahit ano na nakarating sa paroroonan na dumaan sa kanya.
Her brother grinned at her.
"Nagtatanong lang."
Tumayo na ito pagkatapos ubusin ang isang baso. Lumapit ito kay Yaya Minda na nakangiti lang na pinagmamasdan ang magkapatid. Yumakap si Mikael sa kanya at humalik ng matunog sa pisngi.
"Alis muna kami, Ya. Magcecelebrate kami. " At pagkatapos ay hinila nitong patayo si Senna.
"Anong celebration?Wait..!" Humalik din ito kay Yaya Minda bago nagpadala ng hila. "Thank you, Ya!"
Naiiling na pinagmasdan ni Yaya Minda ang dalawa habang papalayo. Kung naiba lang sana ang pagkakataon...
"Sabihin mo sa'kin kung bibigyan ka ng problema ng Jessie na yun..."
Napailing si Senna ng maalala ang sinabi ng kapatid. Nasa gymnasium si Senna at hinahanap si Jessie. Uwian na at iilan na lang ang natitira sa school. Hinihintay siya ni Mikael sa sasakyan habang isasauli niya ng huling regalo ni Jessie sa kanya. Ayaw niyang itago ito dahil bukod sa alam niyang may kamahalan ang alahas, ayaw niya ring magtago ng kahit ano mula dito.
Nakita niya si Jessie galing sa locker room. Nakabihis na ito mula sa pag papractice at handa na ring umuwi.
"Jessie!" Lumapit siya dito.
"Oh, look who's here! Nasaan na ang bodyguard mo?" Jessie said sarcastically.
"Don't call him that. I'm sorry about what happened but I'm here to give this back."
She gave the box to him but he did not take it. Napaatras si Senna ng haplusin nito ang mukha niya.
"Kaya pala walang nagtatagal na manligaw sa'yo. Kaya pala wala kang sinasagot kahit isa. At kaya pala walang niligawan kahit kailan ang kumag na iyon. Do you think a miracle will happen kung maghihintayan kayo?"
Kinabahan si Senna sa narinig. May alam ba si Jessie tungkol sa kanila ni Mikael? It was a family secret. It has always been that way.
"What are you talking about?" Patuloy sa pag-atras si Senna dahil patuloy rin sa paghakbang si Jessie palapit ng palapit sa kanya.
"Oh come on! Huwag na tayong maglokohan. Alam ko na ang totoo." He hadn't seen Jessie that way before. He was cool and confident,not menacing and scary.
"What truth? Mikael's my brother!"
He scoffed. "He is a dela Vega. But tell me, since when?"
Nanglaki ang mga mata ni Senna. He really knew about the adoption! Hindi dapat makalabas sa ibang tao ang tungkol dito. For some reasons, her dad forbade every one to talk about it.
"Surprised? Well, I was too. But it explains everything. Kung bakit napakalapit ninyo sa isa't -isa. Kung bakit hindi kita mapasagot-sagot. You are having an affair with your brother. Your 'brother', Senna. "
Tumama ang paa ni Senna sa bleachers. Na out of balance ito at tuluyang natimbuwang. Dumukwang si Jessie and held her arms trapped in place. Naiiyak na si Senna sa takot at kaba pero pinilit niyang huwag itong ipakita.
"Are you out of your mind? Sabi mo nga, he is my brother! How can I have an affair with him? Bitawan mo nga ako!"
"I will. Later. Pagkatapos mong pumayag sa gusto ko. Isn't it sad for the both of you? Maybe you don't have an affair with him but I'm quite sure kaya hindi ka pa nag kakaboyfriend dahil you'd rather Mikael to be that than just your brother. Too bad that's against the law."
Nalaman niya ang tungkol sa sekreto ng mga dela Vega noong araw din na binasted siya ng dalaga. He was very pissed and killing Mikael in his mind at napansin ito ng kanyang ina. He told her about what happened.
"Oh well. I think Mr. dela Vega's out of his mind when he adopted that boy. Ni hindi nga nila alam kung anong background may roon and batang yun."
He was stunned. He never thought of that. But it fitted perfectly. The mighty and high Mikael dela Vega was not really a dela Vega. Who could have think of that? Huh! Kung umasta ito ay parang hari ng St. Monique pero kung saang ampunan lang pala ito galing.
His mind shifted to Senna. The beautiful and smart Senna dela Vega. She was the epitome of a perfect girlfriend. Maganda, matalino at higit sa lahat, ubod ng yaman. His family would be very proud of him kung mapapasagot niya si Senna. But she was too difficult to please and very attached to her brother which turned out to be not her blood brother.
Nagsimulang gumana ang kanyang utak. The way they treat each other. They don't act like typical siblings na halos hindi mapagsama sa iisang silid. In fact, they couldn't live without seeing each other everytime they could. Mikael called Senna "Doll"at sa pagkakaalam niya ay si Senna rin lang ang tumatawag kay Mikael na Yael. They have exclusive endearments for each other.
They were making a fool out of everyone! People should know about it. Tingnan lang niya kung makapaghari - harian pa si Mikael sa school nila. Then, his dad called him up in his office. He told him never to say anything about what he learned to anyone kung ayaw niyang mapaaga ang pagpunta niya ng states. Their family business would lose a lot kung malalaman ng mga dela Vega that he knew about their secret.
"But don't worry about it, Doll, I won't tell anyone. 'If' you'll be my girlfriend. I really like you, you know." Jessie put his face close to Senna's. Kitang-kita niya ang pagnanasa sa mga mata nito. Hindi mapigilan ni Senna ang mapahikbi ng tuluyang dumapo ang mga labi ni Jessie sa kanyang pisngi. She couldn't let him do that to her.
"Jessie, please, let me go. Don't do this to me..." Ang luhang kanina pa pinipigilan ni Senna ay humilagpos sa kanyang mga mata. She never felt so scared ever before. Malakas si Jessie at hindi niya maigalaw ang mga binti at braso. Gusto man niyang sumigaw ay walang lumalabas na malakas na boses at wala siyang nakitang ibang tao na makakarinig sa kanya. Ang tanging naiisip na lamang niya ay si Mikael. Pero nasa parking lot ito naghihintay at malayo iyon sa gymnasium.
"Say yes, Senna. Say yes and your secret is safe. You wouldn't want them to know you love your own brother, right?" Walang plano si Jessie na galawin si Senna pero napakaganda nito at ubod ng bango. That was how it felt to be that close to her. And Mikael could do it anytime and who knew what more. Lalo lamang nagningas ang inis at inggit sa kanyang budhi.
"No, Jessie,please..."
Jessie was about to kiss Senna on the lips when somebody grabbed him on the collar. Natagpuan na lamang niya ang sariling sumasadsad sa court.
"You shit!" Mikael raged on again bago pa man makatayo ulit si Jessie.
Sinubukang lumaban ni Jessie pero sadyang mas matangkad at mas malakas si Mikael. Galit na galit ito kaya nabugbog siya nito ng todo.
"Yael, tama na. Tama na! You're gonna kill him!" Senna was trying to pull Mikael back. Hindi na nakakalaban si Jessie. Thank God she found her voice again.
Senna's crying brought him back. Kung hindi pa siya napigilan nito ay baka napatay niya ang hayop na si Jessie.
"Tama na..." She pulled him away. Nagsimulang dumating ang mga estudyanteng hindi pa nakakauwi at ang mga guards. Naabutan ng mga itong sumisigaw si Senna habang binubugbog ni Mikael si Jessie na nakahandusay sa court.
"Pasalamat ka at hindi kita napatay, hayup ka!"
"Anong nangyayari dito?" tanong ng isang gwardiya. Nakapalibot na sa kanila ang mga nakikiusyosong estudyante.
Senna tried to compose herself with much difficultly. Pero kailangan. She needed to clear Mikael's name.
"Jessie tried to...he harassed me..." Senna couldn't bring herself to say he tried to rape her. Ayaw niya ng eskandalo. Mabuti na lamang at kaunti na lang ang nasa paaralan.
"Totoo ba yun?" Jessie was standing up already with the help of one guard. He looked at them with much hatred.
"No..."
"Sinungaling!" Sinugod muli ni Mikael si Jessie kung hindi lang napigilan ng mga gwardiya. "May CCTV dito. Kaya hindi ka makakalusot!"
A look of shock and fear passed on Jessie's face bago ito nag- iwas ng tingin.
"May CCTV camera nga dito sa gym. Sa ngayon ay sa clinic muna kayo didiretso para magamot yang mga sugat ninyo. Hindi kayo dapat nag-aaway."
"Ayokong magpunta ng clinic. I want to go home,"sabi ni Senna. She was still trembling but she was trying to be brave in front of everyone. And as usual, Mikael saw through that. Maging siya ay nanginginig pa rin dahil sa galit. He needed to calm down. They had to tell their parents about what happened.
"We're going home." There was finality on his voice. Hindi na sila pinigilan pa. Mukhang si Jessie rin lang ang nangangailangan ng nurse sa kanilang dalawa.
Pero bago pa nakalayo si Senna at Mikael at nagsalitang muli si Jessie.
"dela Vega...magpasalamat ka sa apelyido mo..."
Napahinto sa paglalakad si Mikael at napalingon.
"Pero hindi siya kailanman magiging sa'yo..." matapos itong magsalita ay lumipat ang tingin nito kay Senna. Napakunot ang noo ni Mikael. Anong ibig nitong sabihin nito? Hindi magiging kanya si Senna? Binalewala muna niya kung ano man ang ibig sabihin nun. Kailangan niyang maiuwi ang kapatid sa lalong madaling panahon.
Hindi nagsalita si Senna sa loob ng sasakyan. Pero hindi nito binitiwan ang kamay ni Mikael. Mabuti na rin iyon dahil kailangan kalmahin ni Mikael ang sarili. Hindi pa niya naramdaman noon ang galit na naramdaman niya kay Jessie. Parang makakapatay siya ng tao. Kung hindi siya napigilan ni Senna ay hindi lang sa clinic dadamputin ang taong iyon. Hindi rin nagtanong si Manong Josep. Binilisan nito ang pagpapatakbo ng sasakyan kaya nakarating sila agad ng bahay.
Mikael carried Senna to her room. Pagkarating nila sa kwarto ay inilock ni Mikael ang pintuan. Doon lang umiyak ng umiyak si Senna habang niyayakap nito.
"I'm so sorry, Doll. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let you go alone. I'm sorry." Hindi niya mapapatawad ang sarili kung may masamang nangyari kay Senna. She was his purpose in life.
Nakaganti yata ng suntok si Jessie sa kanya. It struck him hard to realize that. He was nothing without Senna and he would honestly prefer not to exist without her.
Yinakap niya ng mas mahigpit ang kapatid. Pagtinging kapatid nga lang ba mayroon siya para kay Senna? O baka natatabunan lang ng obligasyon ang tunay niyang nararamdaman?
He grew up thinking only about her and nothing else. He couldn't even make himself look at other girls. Katwiran niya ay wala siyang panahon para sa sariling kaligayahan. Kailangan niyang gawin ang kanyang obligasyon para sa kapatid. But if he would be honest, he didn't like other girls because he would end up comparing them to Senna. His perfect, little Senna. His beautiful little 'sister'.
Biglang nakadama ng takot si Mikael. Hindi niya dapat naiisip ang mga ito. Mali sa paningin ng lahat, sa batas ng tao at sa batas ng Diyos and tinatakbo ng kanyang isip. Legal siyang dela Vega at hindi tamang mag-isip siya ng ganoon sa kanyang kapatid. Napakawalang utang na loob naman niya sa mga magulang na nagbigay sa kanya ng magandang buhay.
Kapatid niya si Senna. Habang-buhay. At kailangan ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang Kuya ngayon.
"Baby Doll, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me..." After a couple of minutes ay kumawala ito sa pagkakayakap sa kanya at huminga ng malalim.
"It's not your fault. But I have to tell you something..." Mikael should know about what Jessie told her.
" He threatened me na ipagkakalat niya na hindi tayo tunay na magkapatid kung hindi ko siya sasagutin." She left out that Jessie also threatened to tell people about her feelings for her supposed brother. Hinding - hindi niya sasabihin kay Mikael iyon.
"That bastard!" Nabuhay na naman ang galit sa kanyang dibdib. " I knew he wouldn't do anything good."
"We have to tell Mum and Dad. Pero gusto ko rin malaman kung bakit ayaw nilang ipaalam sa iba ang tungkol doon."
"They didn't tell me. I guess its bad for the business kung malalaman ng stock holders na hindi ako tunay na dela Vega. They trusted the business for years within the family. "
It made a lot of sense. "I think you're right." Hindi na ito masyadong nanginginig pero bakas pa rin ang takot na dinanas nito. But Senna was too much a dela Vega to succumb to fear. "How am I going to tell them about today?"
Ginagap ni Mikael ang kamay ni Senna. He swore right then that he would never leave her alone ever again.
"I'll tell them."
Mikael broke the news to their parents kinagabihan. Their father was very angry at agad nitong tinawagan ang ama ni Jessie. Mrs. dela Vega was horrified. She gathered Senna on her arms and hugged her tight. But Senna didn't cry anymore. She had always shown a composed and brave side to their family. Si Yael lang at kung minsan ay si Yaya Minda ang nakakaalam ng kanyang pag -iyak.
Yael stayed with Senna until nakatulog ito. Yaya Minda was there to comfort her but Mikael opted to stay until he was sure she was sound asleep.
Kumalat sa buong school ang nangyari. Na suspende si Jessie sa school at agad itong pinadala ng mga magulang sa US. Mr. dela Vega was to file a case against Jessie pero pinigilan ito ni Senna. Ayaw na nitong palakihin ang gulo. So, they kept the true story within the families and the school authorities.
Lalong naging mas mahigpit si Mikael in keeping Senna safe. Kung dati ay hinahayaan niyang may lumapit at manligaw kay Senna, ngayon ay hindi na talaga pwede. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her ever again. Dapat ay naging mas malapit sila sa isa't - isa. Pero mula ng pagdudahan ni Mikael ang kanyang tunay na damdamin para kay Senna ay hindi na niya ito maalis pa sa kanyang isipan.
Sa paglipas ng panahon ay lalong naging mas maganda si Senna. Madali rin itong nakalimot sa hindi magandang pangyayari dahil na rin sa pagmamahal at pag -aalaga ng mga tao sa paligid nila.
Minsan, ng maligo sila sa swimming pool ay hindi niya napigilang humanga sa hubog ng katawan nito. He knew she would grow up to have perfect curves. Hindi siya nagtagal sa paliligo at nagdahilan na may gagawin pa sa kanyang kwarto. What he just actually did was beat himself for thinking such thought about her sister. Mula noon ay hindi na siya basta - basta pumapasok sa kwarto ni Senna ng hindi ito ang nagbubukas o kaya ay nag - aayang maligo sa pool o lumabas ng sila lang.
Senna was not oblivious to Mikael's changes. Dinahilan na lamang niya sa sarili na malalaki na sila. He wouldn't feel right anymore kung masyado silang malapit sa isa't - isa. Nasasaktan man ay alam niyang ito ang tama. Mas mabuti na ang ganito kaysa hayaan pa niyang lumago ng lumago ang maling damdamin mayroon siya para sa kapatid. Tama si Jessie. Hindi kailanman magiging sila. Mas maaga niyang matatanggap ito ay mas makabubuti para sa kanya.
She seemed to forget about her addiction on competing Mikael's grades. They went strolling less and less. Pero hindi pa rin pumapayag si Mikael na imbitahin siya sa labas. She couldn't care less anyway.
Mikael's graduation drew near. He had submitted his application to Harvard midyear at dumating na ang resulta. He got in. He announced it to the family on their dinner.
"What?" Senna couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"I got in at Harvard," Mikael repeated. "And I'll be staying there for 4 years."
"That's great son! I knew you'll make it. Congratulations!" Mr dela Vega stood up and shook Mikael's hand before giving him a hug. He was a proud father.
"Congratulations, hijo! We are so proud of you." Mrs dela Vega also gave Mikael a peck on his cheek.
Natutuwa rin si Mikael that he made them proud. Pero mas matutuwa pa siya kung magiging masaya rin si Senna para sa kanya. They haven't been the same since that day.
"Won't you congratulate me, Doll?" he said.
"You've been planning to apply for Harvard for a long time and you didn't even tell me," Pakiramdam ni Senna ay namanhid ang kanyang buong katawan. But the back of her eyes burned. She felt so hurt. "Am I the only one who doesn't know about this?"
"Well, it's meant to be a surprise. Hinid rin naman ako sigurado kung matatanggap ako. Aren't you happy for me?"
Pinigilan ni Senna na mapaluha sa harap ng kanyang pamilya. "Well, I am. I am. Congratulatons..." Pero hindi niya kayang magpanggap. "Excuse me..." Nagmamadali siyang umalis sa hapag kainan bago bumuhos ang kanyang luha. She wouldn't know how to explain.
Sabi na nga ba at magtatampo si Senna sa kanya. But he didn't expect to see tears on her eyes. Bumaling siya sa kanyang mga magulang upang himingi ng permisong sundan ang kapatid.
"Go on, son." sabi ng kanyang ama bago pa man siya nakapagsalita. Dali-dali niyang sinundan si Senna sa kwarto.
"Isn't it time for them to know, dad?" Mrs dela Vega held his husband's hand.
Hindi man nanggaling sa kanya si Mikael ay hindi iba ang nararamdaman niya para dito at kay Senna. Ayaw niyang makitang magkagulo ang dalawa ng dahil lang sa pera at mamanahin. Alam niyang malapit na malapit ang mga ito sa isa't isa. Kung hindi malilinaw sa dalawa ang lahat ay baka parehong masaktan ang dalawang anak. Doble ng sakit na iyon ang mararamdaman niya.
"Soon, mum, very soon..."
Binuksan ni Mikael ang pinto sa kwarto ni Senna at natagpuan niya itong nakaupo sa higaan nito.
"Senna, I'm sorry. Hindi ko naman akalain na ganito mo dadamdamin ito. Sana sinabi ko na lang kaagad."
Hindi ito humarap sa kanya. Bagkus ay lumabas ito sa balkonahe.
"Bakit mo pa ako sinanay na nandito ka palagi kung iiwan mo rin pala ako?" Parang lahat ng hinanakit simula ng magsimulang lumayo si Mikael sa kanya ay naipon lahat. She didn't know she was this wounded.
"Hindi sa ganun. Ayaw mo ba akong umalis?"
Senna never tried to stop him to do something. Though she was being competitive with him, she never tried to use guilt trip on him. Pero iniisip nito ngayon that he was betraying her and that he was trying to be a better dela Vega than her. But it wasn't his intention. Kung hihilingin nitong hindi siya tumuloy ay gagawin niya. He could have the best education here in the Philippines. He could persuade their father.
"May magagawa pa ba ako? Ni hindi mo nga ako tinanong o sinabihan tungkol sa plano mo eh. Pero mabuti na rin ito nang hindi na ako masanay na lagi kang kasama." Mabuti na ang ganito, para makalimutan ko na ang bwisit na damdamin na'to. Senna was strong and she wouldn't break down in front of him again. She sincerely hoped so.
Well, now, he was hurt. Simpleng tampuhan lang ito. Ngayon ay itinataboy na siya nito palayo.
"Doll..."
"Don't call me that! Stop calling me that! Tapos na obligasyon mo sa akin di ba? You're free to do what you want now."
"What obligation? Hindi ko na naiintindihan kung anong pinagsasasabi mo!" She was being irrational. Hindi na tungkol sa pagpasok niya sa Harvard ito.
They never fought like this before. Petty quarrels as children, oo, but never a full blown argument. Senna was always calm and composed while Mikael was always amiable.
"I know you were adopted to fill in the male shoes I couldn't wear. And I know that Dad asked you to keep an eye on me. Simula pa lang alam ko na ang lahat. That you were being kind and sweet to me dahil iyon ang dapat. It was just because you're asked to. It was never your own decision to be my perfect brother." And she hoped he didn't. Mas madali sana sa kanya ang isiping magkapatid nga sila. She tried to resent him before pero mahirap kalabanin ang kabaitan ni Mikael.
"So you think na ginawa ko lang iyon because I need to. All this time you didn't believe that I genuinely care for you. Na lahat iyon, pakitang tao lang. Akala ko pa naman sa lahat ng tao, ikaw ang nakakakilala sa akin ng totoo. You think I didn't love you for real."
"I know you do. And it made me love you more than I should." Senna saw the pain. She knew how it hurts because that was how she felt too.
Parang hinihiwa ang puso ni Mikael sa kanyang naririnig. Senna didn't know how much true he was to her more than he should. She didn't know kung paano siya nasasaktan sa tuwing nasasaktan ito. She had no idea how he suppressed himself not to punch every suitor she had. She would never know how he fought hard with himself to be 'just' the perfect brother that he should be.
"I don't know what's real or not. You made it hard to differentiate." Her voice was frosty it wrapped his broken heart and crushed it.
"So, you think I'm just pretending?" Lumapit si Mikael kay Senna and grabbed her shoulders. "How's this for pretending?"
He crushed his mouth on hers and kissed her hard. Nanglaki ang mga mata ni Senna sa gulat and she was frozen in place.
Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Mikael ng mapagtanto ang ginagawa. Binitawan niya ng padarang si Senna na hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nangyari at umatras.
"F^*k..." Dali- daling lumabas ng kwarto ang binata habang ang dalaga'y nakatanga pa rin.
When Mikael was totally out of the room, nanghihinang napaupo si Senna sa sahig at tuluyang naiyak.
"Senna, what happened?"
Nakatagpo ni Mrs dela Vega ang panganay na lumalabas ito sa kwarto. Para itong nakakita ng multo ng makita siya at hindi man lang siya kinibo bago patakbong umalis. Napagbuksan naman niyang umiiyak ang bunso.
"Mommy..."
Dinaluhan niya ang dalaga at niyakap. Mukhang malaki ang naging tampuhan ng dalawa.
"Anong nangyari sa inyo ng kuya mo?" tanong niya.
Lalong naiyak si Senna at yumakap sa kanya ng mahigpit.
"Mommy...it hurts...it really hurts..."
"Did you fight with Mikael? Did he hurt you?" Kaya ba parang takot na takot ito ng lumabas dahil napagbuhatan nito ng kamay ang kapatid?
"Ano bang pinag awayan ninyo? Hindi naman kayo nag - aaway ah." Patuloy lang sa pag-iyak si Senna at naguguluhan na siya.
"Senna, sagutin mo ako. Anong pinag - awayan ninyo? Sandali nga at tatawagin ko ang kuya mo." Umakto siyang tatayo pero pinigilan siya ng bunso at pilit na hinila pa - upo.
"Mommy, no! It’s not his fault."
"What's not his fault? What's happening? Sabihin mo sa akin ng hindi ako nanghuhula. Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong nangyayari sa inyo!"
"Mum...?"
"Yes, baby?"
"I love him..."
"I know, baby. Kaya nga hindi ko ma----"
"...not as my brother."
Natulos si Mrs dela Vega sa kinauupuan. Tama ba ang narinig niya?
"I know it’s wrong. I tried hard not to feel this. But I just can't help it. Mommy, what will I do? Please, help me..."
That wasn't what she expected. Anong mangyayari sa pamilya nila?
"Ipinatawag ko kayong dalawa dahil may mahalaga akong sasabihin sa inyo." Ni hindi man lang magkaharap ang dalawa. He could feel the tension from his two children and he wasn't too surprised as his wife was of the reason.
"Dapat na talaga nating sabihin sa dalawang bata ang lahat, Luis! Muntik na akong himatayin sa puso sa sinabi sa'kin ni Senna kagabi! I had no idea, at all!"
"Calm down, my dear. I will really tell the children. Hinihintay ko lang ang resulta ni Mikael from Harvard. It's time for them to know..."
"We adopted Mikael 7 years ago when your Lolo Anton called me for it. He thought it was time to prepare an heir to the company and Mikael was of the right age and background..."
As his father was speaking, para namang bumalik kay Mikael ang pakiramdam ng una siyang makarating sa mansyon. He was terrified then but also excited. He was feeling terrified now too but not excited anymore. He was sure na nag sumbong na si Senna sa mga magulang. He would be thrown out of this house any moment from now because of one stupid mistake he did last night. He couldn't even make himself look at his adopted father. Their mother didn't want to join them. Nagdahilan itong sumasakit ang ulo. Hindi niya masisisi ito. They were so good to him, at iyon pa ang iginanti niya.
Senna couldn't tell at all kung anong nararamdaman niya habang nagsasalita ang ama. She didn't intend to make her Mum know about her feelings for Mikael. Basta na lang iyon lumabas and she couldn't take it back. Her parents must be very shocked to learn about it and disgusted of her. But if they would shun Mikael from the family for something that wasn't his fault, hindi siya papayag. It was entirely her burden at ayaw niyang madamay ito.
Tiningnan ni Mr dela Vega ang batang itinuring niyang kanya mula simula. "I told you that I wanted you to protect Senna. You did a good job on that one. "
Hindi makatingin si Mikael sa kanyang ama. Hiyang - hiya siya sa sarili.
"And I know you know about it too." He turned to look at his only biological offspring. "You, Senna, on the other hand know something that Mikael doesn't know."
Nag - iwas ng tingin si Senna habang nag - angat naman ng mukha si Mikael sa pagkakayuko.
"Senna knew that the whole dela Vega Corporation will be given to you Mikael. That she will not hold a position in the company. A woman in the family was never allowed to." Napatayo si Mikael.
"But that's unfair to her!" Ngayon ay alam na niya kung bakit isinubsob nito ang sarili sa pag -aaral at kung bakit nasaktan ito ng husto ng makapasok siya sa Harvard. It sealed their fates.
"I know. But that's tradition."
"But, Dad----"
"Sit down, young man." Mr dela Vega told Mikael in a voice that he knew too well to disobey.
"Let me finish. It has always been like that in the family. There is one thing more that the two of you don't know. Hindi ka pa legal na dela Vega, Mikael."
Pareho silang hindi nakapagsalita. Kung may bomba man na sumabog sa harapan nila ay siguradong hindi mapapansin. Sa wakas ay nagawa nilang salubungin ang tingin ng isa't -isa. Bakas sa mga mukha nila kung gaano nila hindi inaasahan ang narinig mula sa ama.
Si Senna ang unang nakabawi sa pagkabigla, pilit nilalabanan ang pag -asang hindi niya kailanman inasahan.
"But his papers in high school are all dela Vega's."
"No, it isn't. All of Mikael's legal papers are still on his real family name. It was one of the reasons why you were home schooled when you first came aside from the reasons we gave you," baling niya kay Mikael. "I didn't want to change a lot of documents. Ipinalabas lang namin na you are truly a dela Vega when you entered high school."
"But why?" All along he thought he was legally part of this family and that he will forever be gayong wala naman pala siyang karapatan. He was no different from a charity case to them.
Kitang-kita sa mukha ni Mikael ang sakit at pagkalito sa lahat ng nalaman nila ng araw na iyon. Gustuhin man ni Senna na daluhan ito ay hindi niya magawa. Dahil may malaking bahagi ng puso niya na natutuwa sa mga pangyayari at alam niyang hindi tama iyon.
"Precaution. Lahat ng inampon ng pamilya ay dumaan dito." Lumapit si Mr dela Vega kay Mikael at lumuhod sa harapan nito. Kahit pa hindi niya apelyido ang gamit ng binata ay anak niya pa rin ito. "I'm sorry, son. I didn't want to hurt you but it was necessary."
"How will Yael inherit the company kung hindi siya legally adopted?" Mikael looked at her when she spoke. No, she wasn't being selfish when she asked that. In fact, it was the contrary. And she should really stop calling him that.
"Mikael's adoption will be legalized on his graduation day. His high school diploma will be Mikael Antonio dela Vega."
Should she be happy? Ofcourse, she should be! A part of her heart just couldn't stop to die when it would finally happen. She'd rather have it dead, anyways than lose him forever.
She tried to smile at him but his look was blank. She couldn't understand why he wasn't happy.
Mr dela Vega could, however. It was time to give them the most important announcement.
"But I decided to postpone it."
"Why would you do that, Dad?" It was Senna.
"Because I know some circumstances didn't go as expected."
Bumalik ang kaba sa dibdib nila Senna at Mikael. So, it really was about what happened last night.
"Dad, it wasn't his fault. None of it all was his. It was all mine. Huwag niyo na lang po siya idamay sa nangyari," sabi ni Senna.
Bakit siya pinagtatakpan ni Senna? As far as he knew, siya ang may kasalanan at hindi naman ito ang humalik sa kanya.
"Kung hindi niyo po itutuloy ang adoption ay maiintindihan ko. I'm sorry for disappointing you. What happened last night was not Senna's fault. Ako po ang may nagawang kasalanan." Hindi siyempre alam ni Mikael na iba ang sinasabi ni Senna sa sinasabi niya.
Nagsalubong ang tingin nila, kapwa nakakunot ang noo at hindi maintindihan kung anong sinasabi ng isa't - isa. Pumaginta si Mr dela Vega sa dalawa and held up his hand.
"I'm not punishing anyone. If anything, I'm just making a way for other things to happen. And I didn't say na hindi ko itutuloy. I said I'll postpone it."
He put his hand on Mikael's shoulder and looked him straight into his eyes.
"You'll go to Harvard and prove yourself to me and to everyone." He pointed his finger into Mikael's chest. "Prove that you are worthy of what your heart wants. I know what it is. Make me believe you want it that bad."
Ano nga bang gusto niya? Si Senna o isang pamilya? Kaya niya bang panindigan kung ano man ang piliin niya?
"Pag-isipan mong mabuti. A man who can fight for his heart's desire can run a corporation in his sleep," Mr dela Vega said.
"What are you two talking about? You know Mikael is capable, Dad. Do you really have to do this?"
Bumaling si Mr dela Vega kay Senna. "Do you really want Mikael to be legally adopted now? Do you honestly want him to be your real brother?"
Hinid nakasagot si Senna. Blood rushed to her face. When she looked at Mikael, she couldn't read the expression written on his face.
Tumayo si Mr dela Vega while Mikael and Senna were both immersed into their own turmoil.
"Mga bata pa kayo. Pabago-bago pa kayo ng isip. But I'll give fate a chance. Baka hindi kami pareho ng plano."
Naiwan ang dalawa sa sala.
"I'll talk to them." Tumayo si Senna pero pinigilan ni Mikael ang kanyang kamay.
"Here me out first…"
Naupo ulit si Senna habang lumipat naman si Mikael ss kanyang harapan .Hindi nito nibitawan ang kanyang kamay and her heart was beating wild. What could he possibly say to her that wouldn't hurt her?
"I don't know if this is right or wrong. But I don't think that matters now, anyway. All I ever wanted before was to have a family. Gusto ko lang noon na may mauwian ako na pamilyang tatanungin ako kung anong nangyari sa araw ko. Yun lang. Nang dumating ako sa pamilya ninyo, you made me feel the luckiest human being. And I love this family a lot. "
"Mikael, you don't have to explain this to me. I know how you love our family. Wh--What I said last night doesn't include this. This is clear to me." Nothing was ever clear to her than Mikael's devotion to their family. Kaya nga, kahit masakit sa kanya ay hindi siya papayag na hindi matuloy ang pagiging legal nitong dela Vega.
"No, it's not. You don't know how I feel about this whole thing." Mikael looked at her in the eyes. "You don’t know how much I love you…not as my sister.”
Would surprises ever stop coming? Parang nabura lahat ng iniisip ni Senna at napalitan ng isang malaking banner that says “HE LOVES YOU TOO!” with confetti and fireworks to match.
“What?” was all she could say.
Mikael released a big sigh to relieve the tension on his chest. “I’m not sure what to do. I’m only sure I feel something more than a brother should. Lumayo ako sayo dahil ang alam ko hindi tama iyon dahil magkapatid tayo. But now that…”he sighed one more time. “I just want you to know.”
She couldn’t tell if she was crying because of joy or sorrow. Not even in her wildest dreams did she ever expect to hear that from him. She always thought it was one sided and it was all wrong. Well, sa mata ng tao,oo, dahil magkapatid sila sa sociedad. But by law and in the eyes of God they do nothing wrong. And she thought it would break their parent’s hearts. My God, now it’s so complicated!
“Yael---“
“Shhh…I don’t want to hear what you want to say for now. I’m not even sure kung tama ba itong ginagawa ko. I want something to come home to even if it means you’ll break my heart. But I have to go to U.S and do what I should. I’ll come back and by that time I’ll be sure.”
She wiped her tears and tried composed herself. Yes. There was no other way than do this. Tumango - tango siya.
“Daddy’s right. We’re both so young. Maybe you’ll change your mind.” Though I doubt mine will. “This is so confusing and I don’t know what to think right now. I think we should give it some time. I’ll tell you what I think when you come back.”
He held her hands in his and they stared at each other’s eyes.
“4 years…” he said.
“4 years…”
5 years later…
She wanted to throw up. She never felt this nervous ever before. She stared at herself in the mirror. Nanglalalim ang kanyang mga mata though her make up hid most of it. She should have slept. But she thought her slate gray jersey dress was perfect for the occasion. It did not show so much skin but it was the right amount of sexy. No, she was not aiming for sexy, just presentable and pleasing to look at. Who is she kidding?
“Senna! Lumabas ka na diyan, pwede? We should be at the ballroom by now!” The door of the bathroom opened and revealed Josephine even as she was speaking.
“You’re very beautiful, okay? I’m sure Mikael will come running down when he sees you.”
“No, he won’t, Phine. I’m not even sure if he still feels the same way he did.” She sighed and swallowed hard to keep her heart from coming out.
“Well, I’m sure he can’t take his eyes off you tonight.”Senna told Phine everything pagkatapos umalis ni Mikael papuntang America right after his graduation. She couldn’t stop crying and she had to tell someone kung hindi ay baka mabaliw siya. Nagalit siya kay Senna at first but like every good friend, she listened and kept Senna sane.
“I think I’m gonna be sick. Kung hindi na lang kaya ako bumaba?”
“You’ve waited for this for 5 years and now you wanna bail out? Batukan kaya kita?” Hinila ni Phine si Senna palabas ng banyo. Pinaupo niya ito sa kama and pulled the vanity chair to face her.
“Spill it out.”
“Phine…I don’t think I’m ready to get hurt again. Or hurt mum and dad. One way or another, kung ano man ang kalalabasan nito ngayon, may masasaktan or it will be scandalous for the family. Ayokong magkaroon ng problema sila Daddy at Mommy or Lolo.”
“So, you’ll just stay in your bubble and wonder forever what might happen. You’d rather just keep on replaying alternate endings in your head? Senna, sabi mo nga, may masasaktan at masasaktan kahit ano pa ang mangyari. Why not finish the story now and get on with it, give more time sa kung sino man ang masasaktan kung sakali para makarecover? You can’t wonder your whole life.”
Tumayo si Senna at nagpalakad – lakad sa loob ng kwarta while wringing her hands. “Right, of course, you’re right. I just hate that I have no clue what will happen. He was so vague on his emails and he never ever mentioned anything about us again! Parang wala lang nangyari and we revert back to being ‘Doll’ and ‘Yael’. He promised to be back in 4 years pero hinintay niya pa talagang grumaduate ako bago siya umuwi! I haven’t even seen a picture of him! Its so frustrating!”
Phine sighed dramatically and throw her hair back. “I’ve heard all that a million times before and I’ll tell you for the millionth and one time that being ‘Doll’ and Yael’ was your way of telling each other you are not siblings. So, that’s a sign.”
“Well then, if that’s the case, what will people think?”
“They’ll think you’re crazy and that you’re one weird family. But then you’re a buena familia and it’s just normal to be abnormal in your kind. They’ll think whatever they want so stop thinking about other people.”
Oo nga naman. She can hide all she wants in her room pero hindi masosulosyunan ang problem niya. She had waited for so long. It was time to think of herself.
“One more thing, Phine…”
Phine glared at her. “You’re not really done yet, are you? Fine, what?”
“Why are you speaking in English?”
Tumayo ito at tinampal siya sa braso and they both laughed.
“Lumalabas ang pagiging articulate ko kapag namomoblema ka diyan sa love of your life mo!”
She giggled at her friend and eased a little of the tension she was feeling.
“But seriously Phine, thank you. Baka nabaliw na talaga ako kung wala ka.”
“You’re welcome, friend. Basta ba ako ang maid of honor mo ha.”
“We’ll see…”
She readied herself to finally face him again. Wala ng atrasan toh. But before she stepped down from the grand staircase of their house, she thought of something.
“Ano na kaya ang hitsura niya?” she mused aloud.
“Well, I don’t think he’ll get a step lower than good looking. But there’s only one way to find out.”
With one last exhale, she stepped down the stairs.
For one, he was not good looking. He was gorgeous. When his tuxedo clad frame filled the doorway, all eyes were on him. He grew taller, and the lanky 16 year old boy who left 5 years ago was now a very sexy full pledge man. The ballroom fell on a hush before the emcee recovered and announced his arrival.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let us all welcome, the man we’ve all been waiting for, Mr Mikael Antonio Fernandez!”
You have no idea.
Senna couldn’t take her eyes off him. He remained on the entrance, unsmiling, while scanning the crowd until he finally saw her. His right upper lip moved up to a boyish, disarming smirk he used to give her. He moved passed the clapping and admiring crowd to the principal table where Senna, their parents and the old head of the family, Mr Marcus dela Vega were seated.
“Finally. I’m starting to think you never want to come home, rascal.” Mikael clamped the old de Vega on his back and hugged him affectionately.
“I have to come home, Lolo. And I miss you too.”
“We miss you so much, hijo. Welcome home.” His mum folded him into a tight hug after kissing both his cheeks and passed him on to his Dad.
“We’re so proud of you. You
She stood there, inside the house and he, outside, clutching his tattered backpack. Dumating siyang mag isa dahil ang driver lang naman ang sumundo sa kanya galing sa ampunan. He was told they had a child at kung bakit siya inadopt ng mga ito ay hindi niya rin alam. Pero ang sabi sa kanya ay malalaman din niya pagkalegal na ng kanyang adoption. Ngayon nga ay legal na ang lahat ng papeles at nakaalis na siya sa ampunang naging tahanan niya ng siyam na taon. Hindi niya malaman kung matutuwa ba siya o kakabahan sa bagong buhay na kakaharapin niya.
Sinalubong siya ng isang babae na matamis ang ngiti.
"Naku, dumating ka na pala! Aba'y ke gwapong bata ere, ano?" sabi ng babae at hinawakan siya sa mag kabilang balikat na para bang iniinspeksyon. Hindi naman niya malaman ang gagawin kaya ngumiti na lamang siya.
"Ay, siya nga pala, ako si Yaya Minda. Ako ang mayordoma dito sa mansyon. Kung may gusto ka, sabihin mo lang s akin, ane?" patuloy na sabi nito at ngumiti uli. Naibsan ang kaba na nararamdaman niya dahil mukhang mababait naman ang mga tao sa lugar na ito. Pati si Manong Josep na siyang driver ay mabait din sa kanya. Napatingin uli siya sa may pintuan kung saan nakatayo pa rin ang batang babae na mukhang buhay na manika sa paningin niya.
Napasunod ng tingin si Yaya Minda sa kanyang tinitingnan.
" Ay, oo , Senna, halika. Dumating na ang kapatid mo." Senna pala ang pangalan niya. Maganda. Bagay na bagay sa kanya. Bumaba naman ng hagdan si Senna at tumayo sa harap niya. Hindi tulad niyang nanginginig sa kaba, mukhang wala man lang ekspresyon na ipinakita ang batang kaharap niya. Mukha itong batang matanda kung umasta.
"Ganito siguro kapag nakaharap ka ng dugong bughaw," naisip ni Mikael.
"Senna ito si...anong nga palang pangalan mo hijo?" tanong ni Yaya MInda.
"Mikael po..."
"..ito si Mikael. Ito naman si Senna."
Napalunok siya sa kaba. Mukhang ayaw sa kanya ng bata. Kung aayawan siya nito,baka awayin lang siya at gawing alipin. Sabi ng mga kasama niya sa ampunan ganun ang kadalasang nangyayari sa mga inaampon ng mga mayayaman. Ayaw niyang maniwala noon dahil alam niya naiinggit lang sila sa kapalaran niya. Pero parang gusto na niyang maniwala ngayon na yun nga ang mangyayari sa kanya. Lalo tuloy siyang kinabahan. Bumalik na lang kaya siya sa ampunan?
Sinubukan niyang maging friendly dito at baka sakaling magbago ang pakikitungo nito.
"H h hi..." nanginginig pa ang boses niya.
At sa gulat niya ay iba ang isinagot nito.
"Ilang taon ka na?" He expected a sarcastic voice. But it wasn't in the least. Sweet nga ang boses nito.
"Nine na'ko..."
Tumango tango lang si Senna na parang expected nitong mas matanda nga siya. Pagkatapos ay bumuntong hininga ito ng pagkalalim-lalim.
"Hello..." and she gave him a smile for the first time.
"Senna, gising na...Senna!!!" patuloy sa pagkatok ng pintuan si Mikael. Mag aalas siyete na ng umaga at hindi pa nag bubukas ng pinto si Senna. Alam niyang tulog pa ito at tinatamad na namang pumasok. Halos araw-araw niya na lang ginigising ito dahil ayaw naman nitong pagbuksan si Yaya Minda. Siya lang ang tanging pinagbubuksan nito ng pinto sa umaga. Hindi nga nagtagal ay narinig niya itong nag a -unlock ng doorknob. Pinihit niya ang sedura at napagbuksan niyang bumabalik sa higaan si Senna at nag talukbong ng kumot.
"Wake up, sleepyhead!"
"Ayokong pumasok!" Senna's voice was muffled by the pillow. Nag- aagawan pa sila ng comforter.
" Ba't ba ayaw mo pumasok?" He gave up trying to uncover her. Nahiga na lang din siya sa kama, making her his pillow. Alam niyang kung ayaw nito, hindi niya ito madadala sa santong paspasan. Baligtad ang ugali nito sa pangkaraniwan.
Nagtanggal ng talukbong sa ulo si Senna.
"Alam mo naman eh, nagtatanong pa..."
Well, yeah, he knew. It was the day that they'd get their test papers from the periodical exams. Senna had been dreading that day each semester. Takot itong makita ang score not because she was worried she'd fail. She was worried that she didn't reach the standards she set for herself. And that was the top of the class.
Bumuntong hininga si Mikael. Paulit - ulit na ang usapang ito.
"You've always been on top of your class. Mula Nursery hanggang ngayon na 3rd year ka na. You have never disappointed anyone in this family ever before. Not me and certainly not mum and dad."
"But what if this time, I do? What if I fail?"
Tumayo siya at binatukan ito.
"You and your what ifs. Tingnan mo nga ang sarili mo sa salamin. Ang laki-laki na ng eyebags mo sa kakareview. Kabisado mo na nga siguro buong textbook mo until the end of the semester, eh."
He effectively made her got out of bed and dash to her full length mirror. He grinned when she inspected her face in panic.
"Hindi naman ah!" Namaywang pa itong hinarap siya.
"Well, maybe not. Pero sigurado akong top one ka na naman." And with that, he swept her off her feet and brought her to the bathroom. He turned on the shower and nagmamadaling isinara ang pinto bago pa siya mabato nito ng kung ano. He left her screaming and taking a bath.
"Nasaan na si Senna? Malalate na talaga kayo kung hindi pa siya bababa."
"Patapos na rin po yun." He kissed his mother on the cheek before going to the head of the table to do the same to his dad.
"Ano bang problema ng batang yun at ayaw pumasok ngayon?" It was Mr. dela Vega .
"Results Day po kasi ngayon. At saka hindi pa po kami malalate. Nine o' clock pa po ang first period pag ganitong araw."
"I see. Kaya naman pala nag mamaktol na naman."
They all grinned at each other knowing how familiar the day is.
It has been 7 years since Mikael's adoption to the dela Vega family. The family treated him very well at lahat ng agam - agam noon ay napalitan ng saya at pasasalamat. They never treated him differently pati na rin ang mga kasambahay. Though Senna warmed up to him a little late than the others, it was all in the past. Wala ng ibang mahihiling pa si Mikael.
Pumanaog na rin si Senna sa wakas at dumulog sa hapag. She did what Mikael did to Mr and Mrs dela Vega pero bago ito umupo ay gumanti ito ng batok sa kapatid at umirap. Natawa lang si Mikael dahil hindi naman gaanong masakit at alam niyang hindi naman talaga ito galit sa kanya. It was almost an everyday scenario. Napakabugnutin kasi nito sa umaga.
Pagkatapos mag almusal ay pumasok na ang dalawa sa school na pareho nilang pinapasukan. Mikael's a senior and Senna's a junior, both on top of the class.
Wala silang kibuan sa loob ng sasakyan which was unusual dahil napakamakwento ni Senna sa nakatatandang kapatid. Nagiging tahimik lang ito kapag nag-aaral o kinakabahan. Katulad ngayon. Pinabayaan na lang niya itong lasapin ang kaba. Mawawala din iyon pagdating nila sa school. Twenty minutes lang ang byahe nila papuntang St. Monique's Academy and when they arrived, matagal bago bumaba si Senna.
Nang makababa na ito ay ayaw naman nitong pumasok agad kaya kinaladkad ito ni Mikael sa loob. The announcement board was in front of the school entrance and a lot of students were standing and craning their necks to see their names on the list. Pero nahawi ang kumpol ng estudyante ng makitang paparating sila. The brightest dela Vega siblings were always on the top that others were also excited to see how high their grades were.
May mga tumapik sa balikat ni Mikael kaya alam na niyang siya ang nasa 1st place sa 4th year. So, itatawid na lang niya ang paranoia ng kapatid niya. Hila-hila niya pa rin sa kamay si Senna .
He looked for the junior's list and as expected, Senna Katniss dela Vega was on the top. He brought her to the front to see it for herself.
"I told you so..."
She looked up to confirm it but her eyes darted to the list next to her own. She breathed out and faced her grinning brother.
"So, okay ka na?" tanong nito sa kanya. Tumango siya at ngumiti na rin.
"Hindi mo pa nakikita yung grade mo,"she said. He slung his arm around her neck at umalis na rin sila sa harap ng notice board.
"Sabi nila top 1 daw ako. Okay na yun." He never cared about his periodic grade. Pag alam na nito ang ranking, hindi na nito i checheck kung anong difference meron siya sa iba. Katwiran nito, makikita din naman niya ang grade sa school card.
But she cared about hers; her own and his. They maybe always on the top of their class but she had never surpass his average grade. That day was not different. Mas lamang pa rin ito ng .2 sa average niya. And he didn't even know it. Napabuntong - hininga siya ng malalim.
Napansin ito ni Mikael.
"Lagi ka na lang malalim kung huminga. May sakit ka ba sa baga?"
"Relieved lang ako na tapos yung exam week," she lied. Ayaw niyang mahahalata ni Mikael na may dinaramdam siya. Malakas ang radar nito sa mga iniisip at nararamdaman niya kahit hindi siya nagsasalita. Kaya iniba na lang niya ang usapan.
" llibre mo ako sa cafe."
" Libre na naman? Nasan ba allowance mo at ako lagi ang taya sa librehan?" It was partially true. Siya lagi ang nagbabayad sa kinakain nila at ni minsan ay hindi pa nakapag bayad ng bill si Senna kapag magkasama sila. Pero alaga naman siya nito sa mamahaling regalo kahit walang okasyon. Her daily allowance was always turned into a gift for him.
" O sige. Bahala ka. Wala kang periodical gift sa'kin." Nagpatiunang lumakad si Senna, hiding a sly smile. And as she expected, Mikael caged her again on his arm papuntang direksyon ng cafeteria.
"Ano ba gustong kainin ng baby sis ko na kaka breakfast lang? Sabihin mo lang. Kahit ano!"
"Eww!!" Siniko niya ito. "I'm not your baby sister!" She really hated to be called as such. She never felt right being his baby sister.
"You are my baby sister!" He insisted. And oddly, it hurts to hear it from him.
"Nasaan ang knight in shining shimmering armor mo?" tanong ni Diyosa. Josephine talaga ang pangalan nito pero napaka luma daw kaya Diyosa na lang. As if hindi mas luma pakinggan ang Diyosa. Pero ala Anne Curtis naman daw, sabi nito.
"Sinong Knight in shining shimmering armor?" Busy si Senna sa pag straighten ng chairs nila sa classroom. Cleaner siya ng araw na yun. Kahit private school sila, binibigyan pa rin sila ng simple tasks ng homeroom adviser nila para daw matuto naman silang huwag umasa sa ibang tao palagi.
"Sino pa? Wala naman ibang lagi umaaligid sa iyo kung di ang oh-so gorgeous, ever brilliant, super yummy older brother mong si Mikael. I heard pinagsigawan daw niya sa cafeteria that you're his baby sister. Ang sweet-sweet talaga ng baby ko!!!" Nag tatatalon ito sa kilig sa harapan niya.
"Phine, pwede ba. Pati ba naman ikaw nakikisali sa ka be-baby, sweetheart, honey ever kay Yael?"
"Aba, fans club member ako no! And not Phine! Diyosa...Di-yo-sa. Mikael. Bagay di ba?"
She just rolled her eyes at Di-yo-sa.
"Pero ewan ko ba diyan sa kuya mo. Parang wala naman ibang nakikitang babae yan kundi ikaw. Ikaw lang ang nilalapitan at sinasamahan ng kumag na yummy na yun." Nangalumbaba pa ito sa teacher's table habang pinapabayaan siyang tapusan ang task nilang dalawa.
"Alam ko pretty ka and all,"patuloy pa rin nito. "pero magkapatid kayo eh so hindi ka counted sa prospect niya. Ikaw yata ang standard of beauty nun eh. Ang taas ha! Wala bang planong mag girlfriend yang kuya mo? Nandito lang ako. Willing na willing akong tawaging doll kahit ipachange ko pa ang birth certificate ko." And tinutukoy nito ay ang endearment ni Mikael sa kanya na doll. Mukha daw kasi siyang manikang buhay ng una silang magkita.
Not a lot of people knew that they were not blood related. They look different but Mikael resembled her dad a little and she looked more like her mum. They didn't attend the same grade school. In fact Mikael was home schooled for the rest of his elementary years dahil kailangan nitong matutunan ang social etiquettes na hindi nito alam or pinapractice before.
Hindi lang iilan ang nagbanggit sa kanya na they would think they were a couple kung hindi lang nila alam na magkapatid sila. In shopping malls, they were always asked to try couple stuffs. After she accepted the fact that her parents adopted a total stranger boy to fill in the void that she cannot fulfill for them, they became very close. Natutuwa naman ang mga magulang nila that they got along so fine.
"Bawas bawasan mo kaya ang pagsama sa kuya mo para naman magkatime rin siya sa ibang girls." Napa taas ang kilay niya sa huling sinabi ni Diyosa.
"No way! Hindi ko naman minomonopolize ang time niya! Kung gusto niyang maghanap ng girlfriend, magagawa niya freely. It’s his decision. But I'm not gonna give up my times with him." She knew he won't leave her alone like that. He had an obligation. Mikael was too much a man of his words.
Napataas rin yata ang boses niya dahil mukhang na alarm si Diyosa sa kanya. Umalis ito sa teacher's table at finally ay tinulungan siyang tapusin ang pag aarrange ng chairs.
"Suggestion lang naman yun, friend. Masyado ka naman high blood. Kakainngit ka lang kasi. Pero ayoko rin namang makipagpalit sayo. Mawawalan ako ng chance sa kuya mo."
"My exact sentiments," sabi ng subconscious ni Senna. She immediately shook off the thought.
"Ayaw mo nun, kung kami lagi magkasama ni Yael, sure ka na single siya. You will always have a chance with my brother," sabi na lang niya.
"Ayy!! May point ka, ganda! Matalino ka talaga!"
"Sinong matalino?Ako?" Sumungaw si Mikael sa may pinto bago tuluyang pumasok.
"Ayy!Oo! And handsome too!" tili ni Diyosa ng makita ang nakatatandang kapatid ng kaibigan niya.
Lantaran kung humanga si Diyosa kay Mikael at nakakatuwa din naman itong magsalita. She was one of the few girls that Senna hanged out with. Hindi totally nagbago ang pagiging lady like ni Senna sa ibang tao. Kay Mikael lang natutong mag pagkasadista at chikadora ito. She was friendly but very proper with other people except when she was with him or her circle of friends.
"Hi Phine...!"
"Hi Yael!" Iniwan na naman ni Diyosa si Senna at lumapit sa bagong dating. Para itong kiti-kiti naglalakad sa harap ng binata. Pwede rin itong autistic.
"Akala ko ba ayaw mo ng Phine. Ba't sa kanya okay lang? And why are you calling him Yael? Sabi mo rin mas bagay ang Diyosa at Mikael, di ba?" Natapos na rin sa ginagawa niya si Senna at nakigulo na rin sa dalawa.
"Kahit ano pang itawag ni Yael sa akin, okay lang! I change my mind. Mas bagay sa kanya ang Yael.Its sho cuute, di vah?" pa cute nitong sabi.
"Actually, you can't call me that. It's Senna's way of calling my Kuya Mikael. Unless you want to call me Kuya too..."
Nagulat si Senna sa sinabi ni Mikael. Kaya kasi niya tinatawag na Yael ito dahil nahahabaan siya sa Mikael and when they were younger, she felt awkward calling him that. Kaya naging Yael na lang. Never niyang tinawag na Kuya ito.
"Ganun? Mikael na lang ulit. Mas sexy nga yun eh."
"If you think so...Una na kami ha. Nandito na sundo namin." Bumaba si Mikael sa table at kinuha ang backpack niya.
"Let's go, Doll...Bye Phine!"
"Vye!!!"
Nang makalabas sila ng room, she asked him, "Why did you say that? I don't call you Kuya. And not ever."
"I don't want other people to use that name for me. I want only you to say that. Just like I don't want others to call you Doll."
Napahinto si Senna sa narinig. That sounded so sweet if only she could think differently. But she can't...not now, not ever.
Akala ni Senna ay hindi alam ni Mikael na pinag kocompare niya ang mga grades nila. Pero matagal na niyang alam na siya ang kinocompete nito. Alam rin ni Mikael na hindi ito masyadong nababahala sa ranking ng year level nito at ang grades niya ang tinitingnan nito every Results Day. Kaya nga hindi niya masyadong binibigyan ng halaga ang sarili niyang ranking. Kung pwede nga lang na bumaba siya ng pwesto at ipagbahala ang grades, gagawin niya. Pero kung iyon naman ang gagawin niya ay ang mga magulang naman nila ang masasaktan.
Ang kaya lang niyang gawin ay ang panatilihing nasa parehong average ang total grade niya. Hindi niya kasi mapigilan si Senna sa pag-aaral upang malagpasan ang average niya. Pero ewan ba kung bakit lumalagpas talaga ng ilang points ang sa kanya laban kay Senna. Hindi niya malaman kung ano pang gagawin dahil hindi niya maaaring baliwalain ang last year sa high school. His dad specifically asked him to have the very best grades he could manage for his last year upang makapasok siya sa Harvard na siyang plano nitong pasukan niya sa college. Senna didn't know that. It was meant as a surprise. Alam niyang matutuwa ito para sa kanya pero sa palagay niya ay lalala ang pagiging competitive nito in secret. He was not looking forward to telling her that soon.
The dela Vega's were everything to him. Hindi matatawaran ng kahit anong pasasalamat ang ginawa ng mga ito para sa kanya. They changed his life completely, beyond his wildest imagination when he was 9 years old and a total orphan. Kaya kahit anong hilingin ng mga ito na maging siya ay gagawin niya. Kahit pa siguro hilingin nitong kapalit ay ang buhay niya. But he really didn't think they would. Actually, isa lang ang hinihiling sa kanya ng Daddy niya. And it was the simplest of all things.
"Take care of Senna,"his dad said the night he arrived in their mansion at makaharap ito sa unang pagkakataon bilang miyembro ng pamilya nito.
"Yun lang?" naisip niya. Napakadali lang naman nun.
Tinanong niya ito kung bakit sila nag ampon gayung may anak naman sila. Ang tanging isinagot nito ay tradisyon ng angkan.
Sa loob ng mahabang panahon ay palaging may lalaki sa bawat pamilya ng mga dela Vega. Ngunit pagkatapos maipanganak ni Senna ay hindi na maaring magbuntis pang muli ang Mommy niya dahil may sakit ito sa puso. Hindi naman siya ang unang ampon ng angkan. Sa bawat henerasyon siguro ay may isa o dalawang inaampon ang mga ito upang mapanatili ang tradisyon. Sinisiguro lamang nito na totoong wala ng kamag-anak na natitira ang aampuning batang lalaki upang walang manggulo o humabol sa mamanahin nito. Hindi rin naman maaring ilipat sa ibang pangalan ang kayamanan kaya wala rin itong silbi. The dela Vega clan was one heck of an eccentric family.
Taking care of Senna was the easiest job in the world. Hindi ito maarte at hindi brat. Napaka independent nito at napaka considerate sa mga tao sa kanyang paligid. Ang tanging maipipintas niya rito ay ang pagiging competitive nito sa grades niya. At naiintindihan niya iyon. Kahit wala itong sinasabi at ipinapakitang masama sa kanya ay alam niyang naiisip din nito na balang araw ay magiging mag kakompetensya sila sa mamanahin. Sa murang isip na walo ay alam na nitong ang pag - ampon sa kanya ay nangangahulugang hindi nito nabigyan ng satisfaction ang mga magulang dahil naging babae siya. Na kaya siya inampon dahil hindi nito mapapanatiling buhay ang apelyidong dela Vega. Alam niyang nasaktan si Senna when he arrived. And he hated hurting her. Ayaw na ayaw niyang nakikita itong umiiyak o nalulungkot. Kaya sumasakit ang ulo niya sa ka - iisip ng paraan para hindi na niya ito masaktan ng hindi rin nadidissapoint ang mga magulang.
He was thinking of a way to do both when he overheard Yaya Minda calling out to Senna. May bisita daw ito. He couldn't help but be curious. Dumungaw siya sa second floor railing. Mula roon ay tanaw niya ang buong first floor. Nasa magkabilang side ng grand staircase ang kwarto nila ni Senna kaya kita niya itong bumababa. Napakunot ang kanyang noo ng mapagtanto kung sino ang sinasabing bisita ni Senna.
"Hi, Senna..." Inabutan siya ng isang small jewelry box ni Jessie. Napangiwi si Senna pero tinaggap na rin niya ito.
"Thank you. Upo ka." Jessie was her grade school classmate at kakalipat lang nito sa St. Monique's. They were family friends. Noon pa man ay nagpaparinig na ito sa kanya na gusto daw siya nito. Naging pursigido ito ng malamang sa St. Monique's din siya nag -aaral. Nothing's wrong with him except that he was too persistent to the point of being annoying.
"Where's Yael???"
Ayaw ni Yael kay Jessie. Masyado daw sigurado sa sarili. She quite agreed, actually, pero hindi niya magawang itaboy si Jessie dahil wala naman itong ginagawang masama sa kanya.
"Sen..." simula nito.
"Ugh! I hate that nickname! Konti na lang, sin na!"
"Alam mo naman kung anong gusto ko di ba? I've been telling you that since middle school," sabi ni Jessie.
"Alam mo rin na wala pa sa isip ko yan. I want to finish high school without other commitments. Sinabi ko na sa'yo yan." She tried to say as subtly as she could.
"Pero Sen, sa America ako mag ka college. I can't spend time with you kung after high school mo pa ako sasagutin."
"Sabi ko bang sasagutin kita???"
"Kung ganun, you should find another girl that can spend the rest of high school with." Ngali - ngali na niyang ibato ang jewelry box na hawak niya dito. On the outside she seemed so calm and poised but the way she held the box should gave away her feelings if only he was paying enough attention.
"But it’s you who I like! Bakit gusto mo akong itulak sa iba?" Nalukot ang mukha ni Jessie. Parang nasaktan nga ito sa sinabi niya.
"Well, that should tell you something...You're just not a keen observer."
Napabuntong-hininga si Senna. Mukhang kailangan talaga niyang sabihin ng harapan na wala itong pag - asa. Oh boy, she was not good at this thing.
"She means to say na wala kang pag - asa, pare.That's what she has been telling you all this time." Pagkalingon niya ay nakapamulsang bumababa ng hagdan si Mikael. She thought he was eavesdropping the whole time. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon ay maiinis siya dito. Pero ngayon ay gustong-gusto niya itong yakapin sa tuwa. Hinding - hindi niya masasabi ang mga salitang iyon.
"My saviour!"
Nakababa na ng tuluyan si Mikael at nagsukatan ng tingin ang dalawang lalaki. Hindi man matatawag na magkaaway pero hindi magkaibigan ang dalawa.
Nagtanong sa kanya si Jessie noon kung bakit daw hindi nito alam na may nakatatandang kapatid pala siya. Sinabi na lang ni Senna na sa ibang bansa lumaki ang kapatid at noong mag ha high school na lang umuwi ng Pilipinas. Mahigpit na bilin ng kanyang Daddy na huwag ipagsabi kung kani-kanino na hindi sila tunay na magkadugo.
"Hindi ka dapat nakikisali sa usapan ng may usapan, pare." Kinabahan si Senna at napatayo na rin. Hindi yata nagustuhan ni Jessie ang narinig. Sabagay, sino naman ang gustong mabasted lalo na ng kapatid ng nililigawan mo?
"Tinutulungan ko lang si Senna. Mukhang hindi ka kasi marunong bumasa ng signs, eh."
"Yael..." she faintly warned him to stop. Namumula na ang kanyang manliligaw at nagtatagis na ang mga bagang.
" Masyado kang makialamero sa amin ni Senna,pare. Hindi ka naman kasali at saka hindi niya hinihingi ang opinyon mo." Jessie was shorter than Mikael but he wasn't intimated by his height. Nakakagigil na talaga ang pangingialam nito. Lagi na lang nasisira ang diskarte niya kay Senna dahil sumusulpot ito kung saan at yayayaing umalis ang kapatid. Senna was too attached to her brother and hero worships him kaya sumasama naman ito palagi. Mas napagkakamalan pang ito ang magsyota at ni minsan ay hindi sila napuri na bagay kung siya at si Senna ang magkasama. That bruised his ego. Ang further inflamed his anger and insecurities sa binatang dela Vega. Mabuti pa noong nasa ibang bansa ito, walang estorbo.
"Senna's my sister. Alam ko kung kelan niya kailangan ng tulong at kung kelan kailangan ko siyang pabayaan. I gave her enough time to put it in your head na ayaw niya sayo. But I noticed it just bounces off your thick skull kaya ako na ang magsasabi. Give it up. There's no use."
Matapang magsalita si Mikael dahil nasa debate team ito. He survived the orphanage dahil magaling itong mangatwiran and his tutor tolerated him. Mas gusto nitong sinasabi niya ang opinyon kaysa tinatago lang. It was a dela Vega mark. And nadala niya ito sa school. Pero hindi niya kailanman nagamit ang talim ng dila niya sa labas ng debate room. Ngayon lang. Kung mainit ang dugo sa kanya ni Jessie, mas lalo na siya. Hindi niya pinapakialaman ang mga manliligaw ni Senna dahil wala naman talaga siyang karapatan. Pero sadyang makapal ang mukha ng Jessie na ito at hindi marunong makiramdam.
"Yael, please." Nakahawak na si Senna sa braso niya upang pigilan ito. Alam ni Senna that Mikael had a hidden temper. And Jessie was known to fight.
"It’s her words that I need, not your useless opinion." Jessie's voice was low but the contempt was there. It won't do his family good kung bubugbugin niya ang binata sa mismong tahanan nito. Baka mapalayas siya ng Papa niya. But if they were not... He turned to Senna at hinintay ang sasabihin nito.
Senna turned to her brother looking scared instead of denying his words. Lalong nag init ang mukha niya sa galit at sa pagkapahiya.
"I'm sorry, Jessie..." she said but she moved back behind her brother who, in turn, wrapped his arm around her. Mikael gave him a triumphant look.
"Magbabayad ka, dela Vega!"
Senna sighed in relief when Jessie finally drove away. Nakakotse pala ito. He didn't have a license! But it was finally over. Galit na galit si Jessie at sa palagay niya ay hindi na siya kakausapin pa nitong muli. Bahala siya! Tama naman si Mikael. Jessie was insensitive.
"Anong nangyari doon? Bakit umalis na?" tanong ni Yaya Minda na may dalang merienda.
"Nabasted po. Hindi matanggap kaya, ayun, nagwalk out,"sabi ni Mikael at inabot ang juice na para sana kay Jessie.
"Binasted mo, Senna? Akala ko pa naman ay sasagutin mo na. Aba'y yun lang yata ang nagtagal ng pangliligaw sayo ah."
"Binasted po ni Yael, Yaya. " Nakikain na rin si Senna. Sayang naman ang hinanda ni Yaya Minda.
"Hindi mo naman deniny. I just relayed the message. Masyado ka kasing mabait." May naupuang kung ano si Mikael at ng kunin niya ito ay ang jewelry box pala na dala ni Jessie para kay Senna. Binuksan niya ito at nakita ang isang silver heart bracelet.
"Look at this. He doesn't even know you hate hearts! Anong klaseng manliligaw ba yun? Isoli mo yan sa kanya," he ordered her.
Senna took the box and the jewelry. She really hated hearts design.
"Ikaw na lang kaya magsoli. Hinid na'ko kakausapin nun noh."
"Kung ako ang magsasauli niyan ay baka mag kasuntukan lang kami. Mabuti ng hindi ko na makita pa iyon."
"Naku! Huwag kang maghahanap ng away Mikael. Baka masuspende ka pa. Malapit na ang graduation mo!" pinagsabihan ni Yaya Minda ang binata. Mahal na mahal nito ang dalawang alaga. Hindi naman kasi nag asawa si Yaya Minda at ang lahat ng panahon ay naubos nito sa pag-aalaga sa dalawa.
"Kaya nga po. Hindi po talaga ako maghahanap ng away. Kaya lang nagkaka migraine ako sa mga manliligaw ni Senna!"
Senna hit him on the arm. "As if hindi rin sumasakit ang ulo ko sa fans club mo! Kung ano-anong pinapabigay. Ano ako? Courier?"
"Asan na? Wala naman akong natatanggap," tanong ni Mikael.
"Tinapon ko! Bakit? Gusto mo?" Malas lang nila at sa kanya pa ipinabigay. Walang kahit ano na nakarating sa paroroonan na dumaan sa kanya.
Her brother grinned at her.
"Nagtatanong lang."
Tumayo na ito pagkatapos ubusin ang isang baso. Lumapit ito kay Yaya Minda na nakangiti lang na pinagmamasdan ang magkapatid. Yumakap si Mikael sa kanya at humalik ng matunog sa pisngi.
"Alis muna kami, Ya. Magcecelebrate kami. " At pagkatapos ay hinila nitong patayo si Senna.
"Anong celebration?Wait..!" Humalik din ito kay Yaya Minda bago nagpadala ng hila. "Thank you, Ya!"
Naiiling na pinagmasdan ni Yaya Minda ang dalawa habang papalayo. Kung naiba lang sana ang pagkakataon...
"Sabihin mo sa'kin kung bibigyan ka ng problema ng Jessie na yun..."
Napailing si Senna ng maalala ang sinabi ng kapatid. Nasa gymnasium si Senna at hinahanap si Jessie. Uwian na at iilan na lang ang natitira sa school. Hinihintay siya ni Mikael sa sasakyan habang isasauli niya ng huling regalo ni Jessie sa kanya. Ayaw niyang itago ito dahil bukod sa alam niyang may kamahalan ang alahas, ayaw niya ring magtago ng kahit ano mula dito.
Nakita niya si Jessie galing sa locker room. Nakabihis na ito mula sa pag papractice at handa na ring umuwi.
"Jessie!" Lumapit siya dito.
"Oh, look who's here! Nasaan na ang bodyguard mo?" Jessie said sarcastically.
"Don't call him that. I'm sorry about what happened but I'm here to give this back."
She gave the box to him but he did not take it. Napaatras si Senna ng haplusin nito ang mukha niya.
"Kaya pala walang nagtatagal na manligaw sa'yo. Kaya pala wala kang sinasagot kahit isa. At kaya pala walang niligawan kahit kailan ang kumag na iyon. Do you think a miracle will happen kung maghihintayan kayo?"
Kinabahan si Senna sa narinig. May alam ba si Jessie tungkol sa kanila ni Mikael? It was a family secret. It has always been that way.
"What are you talking about?" Patuloy sa pag-atras si Senna dahil patuloy rin sa paghakbang si Jessie palapit ng palapit sa kanya.
"Oh come on! Huwag na tayong maglokohan. Alam ko na ang totoo." He hadn't seen Jessie that way before. He was cool and confident,not menacing and scary.
"What truth? Mikael's my brother!"
He scoffed. "He is a dela Vega. But tell me, since when?"
Nanglaki ang mga mata ni Senna. He really knew about the adoption! Hindi dapat makalabas sa ibang tao ang tungkol dito. For some reasons, her dad forbade every one to talk about it.
"Surprised? Well, I was too. But it explains everything. Kung bakit napakalapit ninyo sa isa't -isa. Kung bakit hindi kita mapasagot-sagot. You are having an affair with your brother. Your 'brother', Senna. "
Tumama ang paa ni Senna sa bleachers. Na out of balance ito at tuluyang natimbuwang. Dumukwang si Jessie and held her arms trapped in place. Naiiyak na si Senna sa takot at kaba pero pinilit niyang huwag itong ipakita.
"Are you out of your mind? Sabi mo nga, he is my brother! How can I have an affair with him? Bitawan mo nga ako!"
"I will. Later. Pagkatapos mong pumayag sa gusto ko. Isn't it sad for the both of you? Maybe you don't have an affair with him but I'm quite sure kaya hindi ka pa nag kakaboyfriend dahil you'd rather Mikael to be that than just your brother. Too bad that's against the law."
Nalaman niya ang tungkol sa sekreto ng mga dela Vega noong araw din na binasted siya ng dalaga. He was very pissed and killing Mikael in his mind at napansin ito ng kanyang ina. He told her about what happened.
"Oh well. I think Mr. dela Vega's out of his mind when he adopted that boy. Ni hindi nga nila alam kung anong background may roon and batang yun."
He was stunned. He never thought of that. But it fitted perfectly. The mighty and high Mikael dela Vega was not really a dela Vega. Who could have think of that? Huh! Kung umasta ito ay parang hari ng St. Monique pero kung saang ampunan lang pala ito galing.
His mind shifted to Senna. The beautiful and smart Senna dela Vega. She was the epitome of a perfect girlfriend. Maganda, matalino at higit sa lahat, ubod ng yaman. His family would be very proud of him kung mapapasagot niya si Senna. But she was too difficult to please and very attached to her brother which turned out to be not her blood brother.
Nagsimulang gumana ang kanyang utak. The way they treat each other. They don't act like typical siblings na halos hindi mapagsama sa iisang silid. In fact, they couldn't live without seeing each other everytime they could. Mikael called Senna "Doll"at sa pagkakaalam niya ay si Senna rin lang ang tumatawag kay Mikael na Yael. They have exclusive endearments for each other.
They were making a fool out of everyone! People should know about it. Tingnan lang niya kung makapaghari - harian pa si Mikael sa school nila. Then, his dad called him up in his office. He told him never to say anything about what he learned to anyone kung ayaw niyang mapaaga ang pagpunta niya ng states. Their family business would lose a lot kung malalaman ng mga dela Vega that he knew about their secret.
"But don't worry about it, Doll, I won't tell anyone. 'If' you'll be my girlfriend. I really like you, you know." Jessie put his face close to Senna's. Kitang-kita niya ang pagnanasa sa mga mata nito. Hindi mapigilan ni Senna ang mapahikbi ng tuluyang dumapo ang mga labi ni Jessie sa kanyang pisngi. She couldn't let him do that to her.
"Jessie, please, let me go. Don't do this to me..." Ang luhang kanina pa pinipigilan ni Senna ay humilagpos sa kanyang mga mata. She never felt so scared ever before. Malakas si Jessie at hindi niya maigalaw ang mga binti at braso. Gusto man niyang sumigaw ay walang lumalabas na malakas na boses at wala siyang nakitang ibang tao na makakarinig sa kanya. Ang tanging naiisip na lamang niya ay si Mikael. Pero nasa parking lot ito naghihintay at malayo iyon sa gymnasium.
"Say yes, Senna. Say yes and your secret is safe. You wouldn't want them to know you love your own brother, right?" Walang plano si Jessie na galawin si Senna pero napakaganda nito at ubod ng bango. That was how it felt to be that close to her. And Mikael could do it anytime and who knew what more. Lalo lamang nagningas ang inis at inggit sa kanyang budhi.
"No, Jessie,please..."
Jessie was about to kiss Senna on the lips when somebody grabbed him on the collar. Natagpuan na lamang niya ang sariling sumasadsad sa court.
"You shit!" Mikael raged on again bago pa man makatayo ulit si Jessie.
Sinubukang lumaban ni Jessie pero sadyang mas matangkad at mas malakas si Mikael. Galit na galit ito kaya nabugbog siya nito ng todo.
"Yael, tama na. Tama na! You're gonna kill him!" Senna was trying to pull Mikael back. Hindi na nakakalaban si Jessie. Thank God she found her voice again.
Senna's crying brought him back. Kung hindi pa siya napigilan nito ay baka napatay niya ang hayop na si Jessie.
"Tama na..." She pulled him away. Nagsimulang dumating ang mga estudyanteng hindi pa nakakauwi at ang mga guards. Naabutan ng mga itong sumisigaw si Senna habang binubugbog ni Mikael si Jessie na nakahandusay sa court.
"Pasalamat ka at hindi kita napatay, hayup ka!"
"Anong nangyayari dito?" tanong ng isang gwardiya. Nakapalibot na sa kanila ang mga nakikiusyosong estudyante.
Senna tried to compose herself with much difficultly. Pero kailangan. She needed to clear Mikael's name.
"Jessie tried to...he harassed me..." Senna couldn't bring herself to say he tried to rape her. Ayaw niya ng eskandalo. Mabuti na lamang at kaunti na lang ang nasa paaralan.
"Totoo ba yun?" Jessie was standing up already with the help of one guard. He looked at them with much hatred.
"No..."
"Sinungaling!" Sinugod muli ni Mikael si Jessie kung hindi lang napigilan ng mga gwardiya. "May CCTV dito. Kaya hindi ka makakalusot!"
A look of shock and fear passed on Jessie's face bago ito nag- iwas ng tingin.
"May CCTV camera nga dito sa gym. Sa ngayon ay sa clinic muna kayo didiretso para magamot yang mga sugat ninyo. Hindi kayo dapat nag-aaway."
"Ayokong magpunta ng clinic. I want to go home,"sabi ni Senna. She was still trembling but she was trying to be brave in front of everyone. And as usual, Mikael saw through that. Maging siya ay nanginginig pa rin dahil sa galit. He needed to calm down. They had to tell their parents about what happened.
"We're going home." There was finality on his voice. Hindi na sila pinigilan pa. Mukhang si Jessie rin lang ang nangangailangan ng nurse sa kanilang dalawa.
Pero bago pa nakalayo si Senna at Mikael at nagsalitang muli si Jessie.
"dela Vega...magpasalamat ka sa apelyido mo..."
Napahinto sa paglalakad si Mikael at napalingon.
"Pero hindi siya kailanman magiging sa'yo..." matapos itong magsalita ay lumipat ang tingin nito kay Senna. Napakunot ang noo ni Mikael. Anong ibig nitong sabihin nito? Hindi magiging kanya si Senna? Binalewala muna niya kung ano man ang ibig sabihin nun. Kailangan niyang maiuwi ang kapatid sa lalong madaling panahon.
Hindi nagsalita si Senna sa loob ng sasakyan. Pero hindi nito binitiwan ang kamay ni Mikael. Mabuti na rin iyon dahil kailangan kalmahin ni Mikael ang sarili. Hindi pa niya naramdaman noon ang galit na naramdaman niya kay Jessie. Parang makakapatay siya ng tao. Kung hindi siya napigilan ni Senna ay hindi lang sa clinic dadamputin ang taong iyon. Hindi rin nagtanong si Manong Josep. Binilisan nito ang pagpapatakbo ng sasakyan kaya nakarating sila agad ng bahay.
Mikael carried Senna to her room. Pagkarating nila sa kwarto ay inilock ni Mikael ang pintuan. Doon lang umiyak ng umiyak si Senna habang niyayakap nito.
"I'm so sorry, Doll. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let you go alone. I'm sorry." Hindi niya mapapatawad ang sarili kung may masamang nangyari kay Senna. She was his purpose in life.
Nakaganti yata ng suntok si Jessie sa kanya. It struck him hard to realize that. He was nothing without Senna and he would honestly prefer not to exist without her.
Yinakap niya ng mas mahigpit ang kapatid. Pagtinging kapatid nga lang ba mayroon siya para kay Senna? O baka natatabunan lang ng obligasyon ang tunay niyang nararamdaman?
He grew up thinking only about her and nothing else. He couldn't even make himself look at other girls. Katwiran niya ay wala siyang panahon para sa sariling kaligayahan. Kailangan niyang gawin ang kanyang obligasyon para sa kapatid. But if he would be honest, he didn't like other girls because he would end up comparing them to Senna. His perfect, little Senna. His beautiful little 'sister'.
Biglang nakadama ng takot si Mikael. Hindi niya dapat naiisip ang mga ito. Mali sa paningin ng lahat, sa batas ng tao at sa batas ng Diyos and tinatakbo ng kanyang isip. Legal siyang dela Vega at hindi tamang mag-isip siya ng ganoon sa kanyang kapatid. Napakawalang utang na loob naman niya sa mga magulang na nagbigay sa kanya ng magandang buhay.
Kapatid niya si Senna. Habang-buhay. At kailangan ng kanyang kapatid ang kanyang Kuya ngayon.
"Baby Doll, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me..." After a couple of minutes ay kumawala ito sa pagkakayakap sa kanya at huminga ng malalim.
"It's not your fault. But I have to tell you something..." Mikael should know about what Jessie told her.
" He threatened me na ipagkakalat niya na hindi tayo tunay na magkapatid kung hindi ko siya sasagutin." She left out that Jessie also threatened to tell people about her feelings for her supposed brother. Hinding - hindi niya sasabihin kay Mikael iyon.
"That bastard!" Nabuhay na naman ang galit sa kanyang dibdib. " I knew he wouldn't do anything good."
"We have to tell Mum and Dad. Pero gusto ko rin malaman kung bakit ayaw nilang ipaalam sa iba ang tungkol doon."
"They didn't tell me. I guess its bad for the business kung malalaman ng stock holders na hindi ako tunay na dela Vega. They trusted the business for years within the family. "
It made a lot of sense. "I think you're right." Hindi na ito masyadong nanginginig pero bakas pa rin ang takot na dinanas nito. But Senna was too much a dela Vega to succumb to fear. "How am I going to tell them about today?"
Ginagap ni Mikael ang kamay ni Senna. He swore right then that he would never leave her alone ever again.
"I'll tell them."
Mikael broke the news to their parents kinagabihan. Their father was very angry at agad nitong tinawagan ang ama ni Jessie. Mrs. dela Vega was horrified. She gathered Senna on her arms and hugged her tight. But Senna didn't cry anymore. She had always shown a composed and brave side to their family. Si Yael lang at kung minsan ay si Yaya Minda ang nakakaalam ng kanyang pag -iyak.
Yael stayed with Senna until nakatulog ito. Yaya Minda was there to comfort her but Mikael opted to stay until he was sure she was sound asleep.
Kumalat sa buong school ang nangyari. Na suspende si Jessie sa school at agad itong pinadala ng mga magulang sa US. Mr. dela Vega was to file a case against Jessie pero pinigilan ito ni Senna. Ayaw na nitong palakihin ang gulo. So, they kept the true story within the families and the school authorities.
Lalong naging mas mahigpit si Mikael in keeping Senna safe. Kung dati ay hinahayaan niyang may lumapit at manligaw kay Senna, ngayon ay hindi na talaga pwede. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her ever again. Dapat ay naging mas malapit sila sa isa't - isa. Pero mula ng pagdudahan ni Mikael ang kanyang tunay na damdamin para kay Senna ay hindi na niya ito maalis pa sa kanyang isipan.
Sa paglipas ng panahon ay lalong naging mas maganda si Senna. Madali rin itong nakalimot sa hindi magandang pangyayari dahil na rin sa pagmamahal at pag -aalaga ng mga tao sa paligid nila.
Minsan, ng maligo sila sa swimming pool ay hindi niya napigilang humanga sa hubog ng katawan nito. He knew she would grow up to have perfect curves. Hindi siya nagtagal sa paliligo at nagdahilan na may gagawin pa sa kanyang kwarto. What he just actually did was beat himself for thinking such thought about her sister. Mula noon ay hindi na siya basta - basta pumapasok sa kwarto ni Senna ng hindi ito ang nagbubukas o kaya ay nag - aayang maligo sa pool o lumabas ng sila lang.
Senna was not oblivious to Mikael's changes. Dinahilan na lamang niya sa sarili na malalaki na sila. He wouldn't feel right anymore kung masyado silang malapit sa isa't - isa. Nasasaktan man ay alam niyang ito ang tama. Mas mabuti na ang ganito kaysa hayaan pa niyang lumago ng lumago ang maling damdamin mayroon siya para sa kapatid. Tama si Jessie. Hindi kailanman magiging sila. Mas maaga niyang matatanggap ito ay mas makabubuti para sa kanya.
She seemed to forget about her addiction on competing Mikael's grades. They went strolling less and less. Pero hindi pa rin pumapayag si Mikael na imbitahin siya sa labas. She couldn't care less anyway.
Mikael's graduation drew near. He had submitted his application to Harvard midyear at dumating na ang resulta. He got in. He announced it to the family on their dinner.
"What?" Senna couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"I got in at Harvard," Mikael repeated. "And I'll be staying there for 4 years."
"That's great son! I knew you'll make it. Congratulations!" Mr dela Vega stood up and shook Mikael's hand before giving him a hug. He was a proud father.
"Congratulations, hijo! We are so proud of you." Mrs dela Vega also gave Mikael a peck on his cheek.
Natutuwa rin si Mikael that he made them proud. Pero mas matutuwa pa siya kung magiging masaya rin si Senna para sa kanya. They haven't been the same since that day.
"Won't you congratulate me, Doll?" he said.
"You've been planning to apply for Harvard for a long time and you didn't even tell me," Pakiramdam ni Senna ay namanhid ang kanyang buong katawan. But the back of her eyes burned. She felt so hurt. "Am I the only one who doesn't know about this?"
"Well, it's meant to be a surprise. Hinid rin naman ako sigurado kung matatanggap ako. Aren't you happy for me?"
Pinigilan ni Senna na mapaluha sa harap ng kanyang pamilya. "Well, I am. I am. Congratulatons..." Pero hindi niya kayang magpanggap. "Excuse me..." Nagmamadali siyang umalis sa hapag kainan bago bumuhos ang kanyang luha. She wouldn't know how to explain.
Sabi na nga ba at magtatampo si Senna sa kanya. But he didn't expect to see tears on her eyes. Bumaling siya sa kanyang mga magulang upang himingi ng permisong sundan ang kapatid.
"Go on, son." sabi ng kanyang ama bago pa man siya nakapagsalita. Dali-dali niyang sinundan si Senna sa kwarto.
"Isn't it time for them to know, dad?" Mrs dela Vega held his husband's hand.
Hindi man nanggaling sa kanya si Mikael ay hindi iba ang nararamdaman niya para dito at kay Senna. Ayaw niyang makitang magkagulo ang dalawa ng dahil lang sa pera at mamanahin. Alam niyang malapit na malapit ang mga ito sa isa't isa. Kung hindi malilinaw sa dalawa ang lahat ay baka parehong masaktan ang dalawang anak. Doble ng sakit na iyon ang mararamdaman niya.
"Soon, mum, very soon..."
Binuksan ni Mikael ang pinto sa kwarto ni Senna at natagpuan niya itong nakaupo sa higaan nito.
"Senna, I'm sorry. Hindi ko naman akalain na ganito mo dadamdamin ito. Sana sinabi ko na lang kaagad."
Hindi ito humarap sa kanya. Bagkus ay lumabas ito sa balkonahe.
"Bakit mo pa ako sinanay na nandito ka palagi kung iiwan mo rin pala ako?" Parang lahat ng hinanakit simula ng magsimulang lumayo si Mikael sa kanya ay naipon lahat. She didn't know she was this wounded.
"Hindi sa ganun. Ayaw mo ba akong umalis?"
Senna never tried to stop him to do something. Though she was being competitive with him, she never tried to use guilt trip on him. Pero iniisip nito ngayon that he was betraying her and that he was trying to be a better dela Vega than her. But it wasn't his intention. Kung hihilingin nitong hindi siya tumuloy ay gagawin niya. He could have the best education here in the Philippines. He could persuade their father.
"May magagawa pa ba ako? Ni hindi mo nga ako tinanong o sinabihan tungkol sa plano mo eh. Pero mabuti na rin ito nang hindi na ako masanay na lagi kang kasama." Mabuti na ang ganito, para makalimutan ko na ang bwisit na damdamin na'to. Senna was strong and she wouldn't break down in front of him again. She sincerely hoped so.
Well, now, he was hurt. Simpleng tampuhan lang ito. Ngayon ay itinataboy na siya nito palayo.
"Doll..."
"Don't call me that! Stop calling me that! Tapos na obligasyon mo sa akin di ba? You're free to do what you want now."
"What obligation? Hindi ko na naiintindihan kung anong pinagsasasabi mo!" She was being irrational. Hindi na tungkol sa pagpasok niya sa Harvard ito.
They never fought like this before. Petty quarrels as children, oo, but never a full blown argument. Senna was always calm and composed while Mikael was always amiable.
"I know you were adopted to fill in the male shoes I couldn't wear. And I know that Dad asked you to keep an eye on me. Simula pa lang alam ko na ang lahat. That you were being kind and sweet to me dahil iyon ang dapat. It was just because you're asked to. It was never your own decision to be my perfect brother." And she hoped he didn't. Mas madali sana sa kanya ang isiping magkapatid nga sila. She tried to resent him before pero mahirap kalabanin ang kabaitan ni Mikael.
"So you think na ginawa ko lang iyon because I need to. All this time you didn't believe that I genuinely care for you. Na lahat iyon, pakitang tao lang. Akala ko pa naman sa lahat ng tao, ikaw ang nakakakilala sa akin ng totoo. You think I didn't love you for real."
"I know you do. And it made me love you more than I should." Senna saw the pain. She knew how it hurts because that was how she felt too.
Parang hinihiwa ang puso ni Mikael sa kanyang naririnig. Senna didn't know how much true he was to her more than he should. She didn't know kung paano siya nasasaktan sa tuwing nasasaktan ito. She had no idea how he suppressed himself not to punch every suitor she had. She would never know how he fought hard with himself to be 'just' the perfect brother that he should be.
"I don't know what's real or not. You made it hard to differentiate." Her voice was frosty it wrapped his broken heart and crushed it.
"So, you think I'm just pretending?" Lumapit si Mikael kay Senna and grabbed her shoulders. "How's this for pretending?"
He crushed his mouth on hers and kissed her hard. Nanglaki ang mga mata ni Senna sa gulat and she was frozen in place.
Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Mikael ng mapagtanto ang ginagawa. Binitawan niya ng padarang si Senna na hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nangyari at umatras.
"F^*k..." Dali- daling lumabas ng kwarto ang binata habang ang dalaga'y nakatanga pa rin.
When Mikael was totally out of the room, nanghihinang napaupo si Senna sa sahig at tuluyang naiyak.
"Senna, what happened?"
Nakatagpo ni Mrs dela Vega ang panganay na lumalabas ito sa kwarto. Para itong nakakita ng multo ng makita siya at hindi man lang siya kinibo bago patakbong umalis. Napagbuksan naman niyang umiiyak ang bunso.
"Mommy..."
Dinaluhan niya ang dalaga at niyakap. Mukhang malaki ang naging tampuhan ng dalawa.
"Anong nangyari sa inyo ng kuya mo?" tanong niya.
Lalong naiyak si Senna at yumakap sa kanya ng mahigpit.
"Mommy...it hurts...it really hurts..."
"Did you fight with Mikael? Did he hurt you?" Kaya ba parang takot na takot ito ng lumabas dahil napagbuhatan nito ng kamay ang kapatid?
"Ano bang pinag awayan ninyo? Hindi naman kayo nag - aaway ah." Patuloy lang sa pag-iyak si Senna at naguguluhan na siya.
"Senna, sagutin mo ako. Anong pinag - awayan ninyo? Sandali nga at tatawagin ko ang kuya mo." Umakto siyang tatayo pero pinigilan siya ng bunso at pilit na hinila pa - upo.
"Mommy, no! It’s not his fault."
"What's not his fault? What's happening? Sabihin mo sa akin ng hindi ako nanghuhula. Hindi ko maintindihan kung anong nangyayari sa inyo!"
"Mum...?"
"Yes, baby?"
"I love him..."
"I know, baby. Kaya nga hindi ko ma----"
"...not as my brother."
Natulos si Mrs dela Vega sa kinauupuan. Tama ba ang narinig niya?
"I know it’s wrong. I tried hard not to feel this. But I just can't help it. Mommy, what will I do? Please, help me..."
That wasn't what she expected. Anong mangyayari sa pamilya nila?
"Ipinatawag ko kayong dalawa dahil may mahalaga akong sasabihin sa inyo." Ni hindi man lang magkaharap ang dalawa. He could feel the tension from his two children and he wasn't too surprised as his wife was of the reason.
"Dapat na talaga nating sabihin sa dalawang bata ang lahat, Luis! Muntik na akong himatayin sa puso sa sinabi sa'kin ni Senna kagabi! I had no idea, at all!"
"Calm down, my dear. I will really tell the children. Hinihintay ko lang ang resulta ni Mikael from Harvard. It's time for them to know..."
"We adopted Mikael 7 years ago when your Lolo Anton called me for it. He thought it was time to prepare an heir to the company and Mikael was of the right age and background..."
As his father was speaking, para namang bumalik kay Mikael ang pakiramdam ng una siyang makarating sa mansyon. He was terrified then but also excited. He was feeling terrified now too but not excited anymore. He was sure na nag sumbong na si Senna sa mga magulang. He would be thrown out of this house any moment from now because of one stupid mistake he did last night. He couldn't even make himself look at his adopted father. Their mother didn't want to join them. Nagdahilan itong sumasakit ang ulo. Hindi niya masisisi ito. They were so good to him, at iyon pa ang iginanti niya.
Senna couldn't tell at all kung anong nararamdaman niya habang nagsasalita ang ama. She didn't intend to make her Mum know about her feelings for Mikael. Basta na lang iyon lumabas and she couldn't take it back. Her parents must be very shocked to learn about it and disgusted of her. But if they would shun Mikael from the family for something that wasn't his fault, hindi siya papayag. It was entirely her burden at ayaw niyang madamay ito.
Tiningnan ni Mr dela Vega ang batang itinuring niyang kanya mula simula. "I told you that I wanted you to protect Senna. You did a good job on that one. "
Hindi makatingin si Mikael sa kanyang ama. Hiyang - hiya siya sa sarili.
"And I know you know about it too." He turned to look at his only biological offspring. "You, Senna, on the other hand know something that Mikael doesn't know."
Nag - iwas ng tingin si Senna habang nag - angat naman ng mukha si Mikael sa pagkakayuko.
"Senna knew that the whole dela Vega Corporation will be given to you Mikael. That she will not hold a position in the company. A woman in the family was never allowed to." Napatayo si Mikael.
"But that's unfair to her!" Ngayon ay alam na niya kung bakit isinubsob nito ang sarili sa pag -aaral at kung bakit nasaktan ito ng husto ng makapasok siya sa Harvard. It sealed their fates.
"I know. But that's tradition."
"But, Dad----"
"Sit down, young man." Mr dela Vega told Mikael in a voice that he knew too well to disobey.
"Let me finish. It has always been like that in the family. There is one thing more that the two of you don't know. Hindi ka pa legal na dela Vega, Mikael."
Pareho silang hindi nakapagsalita. Kung may bomba man na sumabog sa harapan nila ay siguradong hindi mapapansin. Sa wakas ay nagawa nilang salubungin ang tingin ng isa't -isa. Bakas sa mga mukha nila kung gaano nila hindi inaasahan ang narinig mula sa ama.
Si Senna ang unang nakabawi sa pagkabigla, pilit nilalabanan ang pag -asang hindi niya kailanman inasahan.
"But his papers in high school are all dela Vega's."
"No, it isn't. All of Mikael's legal papers are still on his real family name. It was one of the reasons why you were home schooled when you first came aside from the reasons we gave you," baling niya kay Mikael. "I didn't want to change a lot of documents. Ipinalabas lang namin na you are truly a dela Vega when you entered high school."
"But why?" All along he thought he was legally part of this family and that he will forever be gayong wala naman pala siyang karapatan. He was no different from a charity case to them.
Kitang-kita sa mukha ni Mikael ang sakit at pagkalito sa lahat ng nalaman nila ng araw na iyon. Gustuhin man ni Senna na daluhan ito ay hindi niya magawa. Dahil may malaking bahagi ng puso niya na natutuwa sa mga pangyayari at alam niyang hindi tama iyon.
"Precaution. Lahat ng inampon ng pamilya ay dumaan dito." Lumapit si Mr dela Vega kay Mikael at lumuhod sa harapan nito. Kahit pa hindi niya apelyido ang gamit ng binata ay anak niya pa rin ito. "I'm sorry, son. I didn't want to hurt you but it was necessary."
"How will Yael inherit the company kung hindi siya legally adopted?" Mikael looked at her when she spoke. No, she wasn't being selfish when she asked that. In fact, it was the contrary. And she should really stop calling him that.
"Mikael's adoption will be legalized on his graduation day. His high school diploma will be Mikael Antonio dela Vega."
Should she be happy? Ofcourse, she should be! A part of her heart just couldn't stop to die when it would finally happen. She'd rather have it dead, anyways than lose him forever.
She tried to smile at him but his look was blank. She couldn't understand why he wasn't happy.
Mr dela Vega could, however. It was time to give them the most important announcement.
"But I decided to postpone it."
"Why would you do that, Dad?" It was Senna.
"Because I know some circumstances didn't go as expected."
Bumalik ang kaba sa dibdib nila Senna at Mikael. So, it really was about what happened last night.
"Dad, it wasn't his fault. None of it all was his. It was all mine. Huwag niyo na lang po siya idamay sa nangyari," sabi ni Senna.
Bakit siya pinagtatakpan ni Senna? As far as he knew, siya ang may kasalanan at hindi naman ito ang humalik sa kanya.
"Kung hindi niyo po itutuloy ang adoption ay maiintindihan ko. I'm sorry for disappointing you. What happened last night was not Senna's fault. Ako po ang may nagawang kasalanan." Hindi siyempre alam ni Mikael na iba ang sinasabi ni Senna sa sinasabi niya.
Nagsalubong ang tingin nila, kapwa nakakunot ang noo at hindi maintindihan kung anong sinasabi ng isa't - isa. Pumaginta si Mr dela Vega sa dalawa and held up his hand.
"I'm not punishing anyone. If anything, I'm just making a way for other things to happen. And I didn't say na hindi ko itutuloy. I said I'll postpone it."
He put his hand on Mikael's shoulder and looked him straight into his eyes.
"You'll go to Harvard and prove yourself to me and to everyone." He pointed his finger into Mikael's chest. "Prove that you are worthy of what your heart wants. I know what it is. Make me believe you want it that bad."
Ano nga bang gusto niya? Si Senna o isang pamilya? Kaya niya bang panindigan kung ano man ang piliin niya?
"Pag-isipan mong mabuti. A man who can fight for his heart's desire can run a corporation in his sleep," Mr dela Vega said.
"What are you two talking about? You know Mikael is capable, Dad. Do you really have to do this?"
Bumaling si Mr dela Vega kay Senna. "Do you really want Mikael to be legally adopted now? Do you honestly want him to be your real brother?"
Hinid nakasagot si Senna. Blood rushed to her face. When she looked at Mikael, she couldn't read the expression written on his face.
Tumayo si Mr dela Vega while Mikael and Senna were both immersed into their own turmoil.
"Mga bata pa kayo. Pabago-bago pa kayo ng isip. But I'll give fate a chance. Baka hindi kami pareho ng plano."
Naiwan ang dalawa sa sala.
"I'll talk to them." Tumayo si Senna pero pinigilan ni Mikael ang kanyang kamay.
"Here me out first…"
Naupo ulit si Senna habang lumipat naman si Mikael ss kanyang harapan .Hindi nito nibitawan ang kanyang kamay and her heart was beating wild. What could he possibly say to her that wouldn't hurt her?
"I don't know if this is right or wrong. But I don't think that matters now, anyway. All I ever wanted before was to have a family. Gusto ko lang noon na may mauwian ako na pamilyang tatanungin ako kung anong nangyari sa araw ko. Yun lang. Nang dumating ako sa pamilya ninyo, you made me feel the luckiest human being. And I love this family a lot. "
"Mikael, you don't have to explain this to me. I know how you love our family. Wh--What I said last night doesn't include this. This is clear to me." Nothing was ever clear to her than Mikael's devotion to their family. Kaya nga, kahit masakit sa kanya ay hindi siya papayag na hindi matuloy ang pagiging legal nitong dela Vega.
"No, it's not. You don't know how I feel about this whole thing." Mikael looked at her in the eyes. "You don’t know how much I love you…not as my sister.”
Would surprises ever stop coming? Parang nabura lahat ng iniisip ni Senna at napalitan ng isang malaking banner that says “HE LOVES YOU TOO!” with confetti and fireworks to match.
“What?” was all she could say.
Mikael released a big sigh to relieve the tension on his chest. “I’m not sure what to do. I’m only sure I feel something more than a brother should. Lumayo ako sayo dahil ang alam ko hindi tama iyon dahil magkapatid tayo. But now that…”he sighed one more time. “I just want you to know.”
She couldn’t tell if she was crying because of joy or sorrow. Not even in her wildest dreams did she ever expect to hear that from him. She always thought it was one sided and it was all wrong. Well, sa mata ng tao,oo, dahil magkapatid sila sa sociedad. But by law and in the eyes of God they do nothing wrong. And she thought it would break their parent’s hearts. My God, now it’s so complicated!
“Yael---“
“Shhh…I don’t want to hear what you want to say for now. I’m not even sure kung tama ba itong ginagawa ko. I want something to come home to even if it means you’ll break my heart. But I have to go to U.S and do what I should. I’ll come back and by that time I’ll be sure.”
She wiped her tears and tried composed herself. Yes. There was no other way than do this. Tumango - tango siya.
“Daddy’s right. We’re both so young. Maybe you’ll change your mind.” Though I doubt mine will. “This is so confusing and I don’t know what to think right now. I think we should give it some time. I’ll tell you what I think when you come back.”
He held her hands in his and they stared at each other’s eyes.
“4 years…” he said.
“4 years…”
5 years later…
She wanted to throw up. She never felt this nervous ever before. She stared at herself in the mirror. Nanglalalim ang kanyang mga mata though her make up hid most of it. She should have slept. But she thought her slate gray jersey dress was perfect for the occasion. It did not show so much skin but it was the right amount of sexy. No, she was not aiming for sexy, just presentable and pleasing to look at. Who is she kidding?
“Senna! Lumabas ka na diyan, pwede? We should be at the ballroom by now!” The door of the bathroom opened and revealed Josephine even as she was speaking.
“You’re very beautiful, okay? I’m sure Mikael will come running down when he sees you.”
“No, he won’t, Phine. I’m not even sure if he still feels the same way he did.” She sighed and swallowed hard to keep her heart from coming out.
“Well, I’m sure he can’t take his eyes off you tonight.”Senna told Phine everything pagkatapos umalis ni Mikael papuntang America right after his graduation. She couldn’t stop crying and she had to tell someone kung hindi ay baka mabaliw siya. Nagalit siya kay Senna at first but like every good friend, she listened and kept Senna sane.
“I think I’m gonna be sick. Kung hindi na lang kaya ako bumaba?”
“You’ve waited for this for 5 years and now you wanna bail out? Batukan kaya kita?” Hinila ni Phine si Senna palabas ng banyo. Pinaupo niya ito sa kama and pulled the vanity chair to face her.
“Spill it out.”
“Phine…I don’t think I’m ready to get hurt again. Or hurt mum and dad. One way or another, kung ano man ang kalalabasan nito ngayon, may masasaktan or it will be scandalous for the family. Ayokong magkaroon ng problema sila Daddy at Mommy or Lolo.”
“So, you’ll just stay in your bubble and wonder forever what might happen. You’d rather just keep on replaying alternate endings in your head? Senna, sabi mo nga, may masasaktan at masasaktan kahit ano pa ang mangyari. Why not finish the story now and get on with it, give more time sa kung sino man ang masasaktan kung sakali para makarecover? You can’t wonder your whole life.”
Tumayo si Senna at nagpalakad – lakad sa loob ng kwarta while wringing her hands. “Right, of course, you’re right. I just hate that I have no clue what will happen. He was so vague on his emails and he never ever mentioned anything about us again! Parang wala lang nangyari and we revert back to being ‘Doll’ and ‘Yael’. He promised to be back in 4 years pero hinintay niya pa talagang grumaduate ako bago siya umuwi! I haven’t even seen a picture of him! Its so frustrating!”
Phine sighed dramatically and throw her hair back. “I’ve heard all that a million times before and I’ll tell you for the millionth and one time that being ‘Doll’ and Yael’ was your way of telling each other you are not siblings. So, that’s a sign.”
“Well then, if that’s the case, what will people think?”
“They’ll think you’re crazy and that you’re one weird family. But then you’re a buena familia and it’s just normal to be abnormal in your kind. They’ll think whatever they want so stop thinking about other people.”
Oo nga naman. She can hide all she wants in her room pero hindi masosulosyunan ang problem niya. She had waited for so long. It was time to think of herself.
“One more thing, Phine…”
Phine glared at her. “You’re not really done yet, are you? Fine, what?”
“Why are you speaking in English?”
Tumayo ito at tinampal siya sa braso and they both laughed.
“Lumalabas ang pagiging articulate ko kapag namomoblema ka diyan sa love of your life mo!”
She giggled at her friend and eased a little of the tension she was feeling.
“But seriously Phine, thank you. Baka nabaliw na talaga ako kung wala ka.”
“You’re welcome, friend. Basta ba ako ang maid of honor mo ha.”
“We’ll see…”
She readied herself to finally face him again. Wala ng atrasan toh. But before she stepped down from the grand staircase of their house, she thought of something.
“Ano na kaya ang hitsura niya?” she mused aloud.
“Well, I don’t think he’ll get a step lower than good looking. But there’s only one way to find out.”
With one last exhale, she stepped down the stairs.
For one, he was not good looking. He was gorgeous. When his tuxedo clad frame filled the doorway, all eyes were on him. He grew taller, and the lanky 16 year old boy who left 5 years ago was now a very sexy full pledge man. The ballroom fell on a hush before the emcee recovered and announced his arrival.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let us all welcome, the man we’ve all been waiting for, Mr Mikael Antonio Fernandez!”
You have no idea.
Senna couldn’t take her eyes off him. He remained on the entrance, unsmiling, while scanning the crowd until he finally saw her. His right upper lip moved up to a boyish, disarming smirk he used to give her. He moved passed the clapping and admiring crowd to the principal table where Senna, their parents and the old head of the family, Mr Marcus dela Vega were seated.
“Finally. I’m starting to think you never want to come home, rascal.” Mikael clamped the old de Vega on his back and hugged him affectionately.
“I have to come home, Lolo. And I miss you too.”
“We miss you so much, hijo. Welcome home.” His mum folded him into a tight hug after kissing both his cheeks and passed him on to his Dad.
“We’re so proud of you. You