Chapter 6

In fairytales, the princess would always stay inside the castle of her royal parents, protected from the world and secured for the rest of her life.

But other princesses are just stubborn. They would trade the comfort of the kingdom for the euphoria of outdoor adventures that awaits. Some of them started wearing heavy boots instead of their glass slippers and traded their enormous ball gowns for a full-steel armor.

In the modern world, princesses are becoming their own knight in shining armor.

Ito ang iniisip ko paggising ko pa lang. It was such a long night, and true to Blake's words, sumakit nga ang paa ko. I groaned out loud and grabbed a pillow, burying my face and stealing a few minutes of sleep. I fought the urge to doze again or I'm going to miss my first period class. Mabigat man sa loob ay bumangon ako at tamad na naglakad patungo sa bathroom.

Nagtataka ako kung bakit hindi ako kinatok ni Mama ngayon. Usually, she's up and early to make sure that I am getting ready for school. Kapag naman may ginagawa siya sa kusina ay si Manang Joji ang pinapadala niya upang gisingin ako.

This morning, both of them are absent.

Dali-dali akong naligo at nagbihis. Every time I remember what happened last night, a small smile would creep to my lips. I could even still smell Blake's expensive perfume clinging to my skin as I let the hot water run through my frail body.

Pagkatapos kong magbihis ay bumaba na ako. I was such in a good mood but it slowly faltered when I heard angry voices in the kitchen.

"Why hire her? I'm sure you're aware, Simone, of the reputation of that woman!"

"Anna, you're being unreasonable. I hired her because of her competence. Atsaka, may anak na ang tao, Anna. Do you really think that she's capable of what you're thinking right now?"

"Oh, I don't know, Simone!" Mama said in a controlled angry voice. "My amigas warned me of that woman."

"That means you don't trust me."

"It's not that—"

"Mama... Papa..." dahan-dahan akong naglakad patungo sa kusina. Both of them went silent when they aw me. Nag-iwas ng tingin si Papa habang si Mama naman ay manipis ang linya ng mga labi, halatang galit. "May problema po ba?"

When no one bothered to answer me, Manang Joji immediately interrupted me with a kind smile. "Halika, hija, at kumain ka muna ng agahan. Usapang matatanda yan kaya dun muna tayo..."

I hesitated for a bit and watched them with sad eyes. Mama nodded encouragingly at me, while Papa remained silent and unmoving. Tumango na lamang ako at mabigat ang loob na sinundan si Manang Joji sa kusina.

I could still hear them arguing as I ate my breakfast. It's very unusual for them to argue this early in the morning. Just like other couples, Mama and Papa have their fair share of arguments, too. But most of the time, it's about business they're arguing and nothing else. Ngayon lang naiba ang usapan.

I heard Papa's car screeched down the pavement, alerting me that he's left for the office without even kissing me goodbye. Mas lalo pa atang sumama ang loob ko habang nagsisipilyo. Mayamaya pa ay pumasok si Mama sa kusina at nagtimpla ng kape.

"Ano bang nangyayari sa inyong dalawa ni Simone, Anna?" tanong kaagad ni Manang Joji sa kaniya. Since both my parents lost their own parents at a vey young age, si Manang Joji na ang tumayong nanay para sa kanilang dalawa. Anastasia De la Rua, no matter how old and successful she is, still seeks for guidance from the wise, old lady.

I heard Mama sigh in distress. Inilapag niya ang mug na hawak. "Maliit na away lang po, Manang... ayos lang po kaming dalawa ni Simone."

"Sigurado ka?"

"Opo..."

I glanced at Mama, who looks very sad today despite her blooming appearance. She'd worn the set of Chanel pearl drops that Papa gifted to her during their wedding anniversary. No matter how pretty it looked on her, the sad expression had taken over and overwhelmed her elegant face.

Hindi na ako umimik pa at tahimik na nagpaalam kay Mama. She kissed me goodbye and while I was headed out, I heard her murmur to Manang Joji her medicines for her head is aching again.

Mabigat ang loob kong pumasok sa school. Jess must've noticed it, because she was silent while we were eating. Hinayaan niya lang akong lunurin ang sarili sa mga iniisip. I know she must be dealing with something in their house, too. We both have family problems, and yet, we're still not ready to share it to each other.

Hindi ako sinundo ni Blake sa hapon na iyon. He notified me a few days earlier that he's going to a business trip with his brothers again, and he's not sure when he's able to come home. Sa totoo lang, hindi naman niya kailangang sabihin iyon sa akin. I'm not his girlfriend, after all. But I'm still glad that he's not abandoning me and keeps me updated all the time.

Kaya ganun na lamang ang gulat ko nang makita ko siyang papalabas sa office ni Dad. I instructed our driver earlier to drive me straight to the hacienda instead of the mansion. Nasa loob pa lang ako ng SUV ay klarong-klaro ko na ang matangkad niyang bulto sa labas ng opisina, may kausap. Mayamaya pa ay lumabas din ang kaniyang kapatid na si Gabriel.

Both of them are handsome, lean, and tall. Hindi ko na ipinagtataka na talagang kinababaliwan silang dalawa rito sa La Union. It's a close-knit community, and in this town, no secret is safe. Mabilis na kumakalat ang balita. The marriage of one of the Sobreval brother is already a big news to us. Some girls are still hoping that they get to catch at least one of them, and businesswomen are negotiating with their family to have their young daughters married to at least one of them.

Bumaba ako at mabilis na naningkit ang mga mata dahil sa tirik ng araw. I walked slowly towards them. Si Gabriel ang unang nakakita sa akin. He told something to his brother, and then Blake turned to me.

Muntik na akong mahinto sa paglalakad nang magtagpo ang mga mata namin. The words he said to me while we were in the rose garden that night still remained inside of my head. And this is the first time we're meeting again after that fateful night.

Naglakbay ang tingin ko sa umaalon niyang buhok. Just looking at him makes me want to cry because he's too beautiful. Every inch of him looks like he's been sculpted to perfection. Nakatayo lang siya diyan pero para na siyang model ng Rayban sunglasses na suot.

I cleared my throat and waved shyly at them. Mas lalo akong nahiya nang nginitian ako ni Gabriel at tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Ana! Ang laki mo na..." he greeted and pulled me into a brief hug. Mabango din naman si Gabriel pero bakit iba ang epekto sa akin kapag si amoy ni Blake ang lumulusob sa ilong ko? It feels like I'm addicted to his scent.

"Hello, Gabriel..." nahihiya kong wika sa kaniya.

"I missed the Halloween costume party this year. Sobrang busy kasi namin sa hacienda. Si Blake lang at Dad ang nakadalo." Patuloy niya. Tahimik lang si Blake sa kaniyang tabi pero ramdam ko ang titig niyang tagos mula sa suot niyang sunglasses. "How's Tita Anastasia?"

"She's doing well, Gabriel. Thank you."

"Look at you... dalagang-dalaga na..."

"Shut the hell up, Gab. You have a wife." Biglang sabat ni Blake, na ngayo'y nangungunot na ang noo.

Gabriel turned to him. "I'm not flirting with the girl. I'm complimenting her. I just knew from the very start that she'll grow beautiful like her mother."

Namula ang mga pisngi ko sa narinig. I'm still not used to getting compliments, so instead, I just smiled politely and pointed to the office.

"Nasa loob ba si Papa?"

"Wala."

"Oo."

Both of them answered at the same time. Nagtatakang tiningnan ni Gabriel si Blake.

"We just talked to Tito Simon just a minute ago, Blake."

Pati ako ay nagtataka rin siyang tiningnan. Bakit niya sinabing wala?

I saw him mutter a curse under his breath. Biglang tumunog ang phone ni Gabriel, so he politely excused himself and walked away. I was left staring at Blake.

"Pupuntahan ko lang si Papa—"

"Huwag."

Mabilis niyang hinablot ang braso ko, dahilan upang mapatingin ako sa kaniya. Seryoso na ngayon ang mukha niya. My heart pounded as I continued staring at him, with his hand on my arm. Blake sighed and took of his sunglasses.

"Hintayin mo nalang ang Papa mo dito sa labas, Savannah."

"Bakit?"

"Just please wait here outside."

Irritation slowly made its way to my bones. Everyone has been telling me on what to do ever since. Hindi na ako nakakagawa ng sariling desisyon dahil sa kanila. How will I learn to be independent if they're all making their decisions for me?

"Gusto kong makita ang Papa ko, Blake." Mariin kong wika sa kaniya.

He rested the sunglasses on top of his dark, wavy hair and stared at me seriously.

"You can't see your father right now, Anna."

"And why not—"

Naputol ang sasabihin ko nang bumukas ulit ang pinto ng opisina ni Papa. He's laughing with Valerie as if the fight earlier with Mama didn't happen at all. And he looked stunned to see me, and immediately withdrew his hand assisting Valerie. Nanlaki din ang mga mata ko sa nakita.

We were all silent for a few moments. Then I heard Blake cursed silently under his breath.

"A-Anna... nandito ka pala." Papa immediately walked towards me and pulled me to a hug. "What brought you here, hija?"

Instead of answering him, I turned towards Valerie who discreetly raised a brow at me. Masama ang tingin ko sa kaniya bago ko ito ibinalik kay Papa.

"Bibisitahin po sana kita."

"Bisita?" nagkamot ng batok si Papa. "I'm so sorry, hija. But I'm very busy. Valerie succeeded in setting up a meeting with an angel investor, and we're headed towards the meeting place right now. I just can't cancel it."

"It's okay. Uuwi nalang po ako." I said with a broken heart.

"Blake, pakihatid ng anak ko. You're headed home, right?"

"Yes, Tito. I'll drive Savannah home."

"Great." Papa turned to me again and kissed my forehead. "Be careful on your way home, okay? I'll see you tonight."

Hindi ako sumagot at hinayaan na lamang siyang umalis kasama si Valerie. Isa sa mga trabahante ng hacienda ang umalalay sa kanilang dalawa patungo sa SUV na ginagamit ni Papa sa tuwing may lakad siya. I noticed that Valerie went to sit with him in the backseat. Mas lalong bumigat ang loob ko.

"Blake, I have to pick up my wife and her friends. She says her car broke down in the middle of the road." Ani Gabriel na mukhang nagmamadaling makaalis. "I'll go ahead."

Tango lang ang isinagot ni Blake. Gabriel bid his goodbye and jogged towards his car. Nanatili lang akong nakayuko. When the two cars left, Blake turned to me.

Halos hindi na ako makatingin sa kaniya.

"Is that why you don't want me to go inside?" nanghihina kong tanong sa kaniya.

He silently nodded.

Tears brimmed my eyes. I'm still young to understand why these things happen but I'm already aware of what's going on. I just don't know the reason for it. Papa is such a good husband to Mama. Hindi naman siguro niya magagawang saktan ang Mama ko, diba?

"Anna..."

Blake touched me lightly. Nilingon ko na siya. His face is full of regrets and worries.

"I'm sorry you have to see that..."

Umusli paibaba ang gilid ng mga labi ko. I couldn't control how upset I really feel right now. I felt like my Papa abandoned me in front of a stranger woman.

"I'm sorry, too."

"It's okay, Blake. Iniiwasan mo lang na makita ko iyong nadatnan ko kanina."

"Don't worry. I'll talk some sense to Tito Simone. Or Dad could. He's not going to hurt your mother."

I nodded, and he took a step towards me. Nagulat nalang ako nang bigla niyang ipulupot ang mga braso at hinigit ako papalapit sa kaniya. I suddenly drowned in his manly scent now that he's embracing me. And as if on default, I close my eyes, desperately clinging to the connection that we have in that simple touch.

"But next time, promise me you'll listen to me. Hm?" he whispered huskily to my hair.

Wala na ako sa wisyong tumango. Biglang nawala ang lungkot na nararamdaman ko. All I could think right now is how safe I felt in his arms, and how I wanted to be hugged by him forever.

"I promise to protect you, Anna, as long as you want me to... just listen to me, okay? Listen to me all the time. Don't be so stubborn."

Napanguso na lamang ako at tumango. At least, the weight in my chest slowly vanished. His comforting words were enough for me to calm down. Nanatili akong nakayakap sa kaniya nang iilan pang minuto. I wanted to feel him this close to me, as I felt that it is the only place in the world where people could not hurt me.

"Can I come and visit your office?"

Napalingon sa akin si Blake saglit, bago niya ibinalik ang tingin sa lubak na daanan. He put on his sunglasses again, as we drove under the heat of the afternoon sun. Pabalik na kaming dalawa ngayon sa mansion.

"Visit our office? Why?"

I shrugged. "You're always picking me up, visiting me in our mansion, and sometimes we bump into each other at the hacienda. Siguro dapat ako naman ang pumunta sa iyo?"

"Wala ka nang ibang pupuntahan?"

"Sa iyo lang."

I went silent when I suddenly realized what I had just said. Blush crept to my cheeks. I bit my lower lip and cleared my throat.

"I mean... it's not like I have other friends to visit in town. And I wanted to see your hacienda, too."

Tumango si Blake. I could see the ghost of victorious smile in his lips. Inignora ko iyon, pati na rin ang matinding tambol ng puso ko. I just focused on the tall walls of the white mansion coming into view.

"Let me know if you're planning to visit, and I'll free my schedule ahead of time." aniya nang mapatay na ang makina ng kaniyang civic.

I nodded and smiled at him. "Thanks, Blake."

"Anything, Anna... Anything."

Tango ulit ang naging sagot ko at lumabas na ng kaniyang sasakyan. Pinagbuksan ako ng isa sa mga kasambahay namin. I headed straight inside and went to my room. Once I changed into my silk dress, I grabbed my hairbrush and walked slowly towards my parent's bedroom.

Mahina akong kumatok bago binuksan ang pinto. I found Mama sitting comfortably on her favorite seat, a book in hand. She smiled when she saw me.

"Nandito ka na pala."

I nodded and kissed her. I didn't even bother mentioning that I went to the hacienda earlier. Baka mag-away na naman sila ni Papa kapag umuwi na siya dito mamaya.

"Do you want me to brush your hair?"

I gladly nodded. Naupo ako nang patalikod sa kaniyang harap at iniabot ang hairbrush na dinala ko mula sa kwarto. Mama started combing my hair gently as her soft voice floated around the room.

"How was school?"

"Always the same."

"And Jessica?"

"Jess is a good friend, Mama."

"You should invite her to dinner again."

Tumango ulit ako habang patuloy si Mama sa pagsusuklay ng buhok kong ngayo'y lampas balikat na. I could see our reflection in the floor-to-ceiling vintage mirror that they installed in the room. Mama loves vintage stuff so much that Papa would travel to other places just to gift her a rare vintage item every wedding anniversary or any special occasions.

"Magiging kasing-ganda mo po baa ko, Mama, paglaki ko?" inosente kong tanong sa kaniya.

"Of course, Anna. You're beautiful inside and outside."

"And I'll find someone like Papa, too?"

We both giggled at the idea of it, and then she nodded.

"Yes, dear. You're going to fall in love, break your heart, and fall in love again. Life is just beginning for you. But promise me, you need to promise me, that even if you break your heart a thousand times, you'll still believe in love. Because love is the greatest thing in the world, my dear Anna. We get hurt, we suffer, we get jealous, we sacrifice, and we do things that we vowed ourselves we would never do for love. Isn't it amazing? How powerful love is. It's the most wonderful thing in the world... to love someone and stay in love for the longest of time."

My heart broke at what she just said. Is she implying that even if Papa breaks her heart, she'll still believe in love again? Is this an unspoken vow that even though what Papa is about to do right now, Mama will still love him until the end?

"I'm not sure if I'm capable of loving someone that much, Mama." I admitted.

Tumigil siya sa pagsusuklay ng buhok ko. Then she made me face her and cupped my chin gently.

"Listen, Savannah. Every time I look into your eyes, I see a gentle soul. Don't let anyone take that away from you. Being gentle is being strong. Don't mistake softness for weakness."

I nodded and hugged her.

"I love you so much, Anna. Before anyone else, I loved you with all my life. Make sure you don't receive half the love I give you because you deserve everything the universe is preparing for you."

In the words of my mother, I found comfort from the cruel world. And I realized that maybe, just maybe, that lone princess should content herself in the walls of her castle instead of risking her heart in the outside world.