Promise To A Stardust (Published Under Flutter Fic)
Kabanata 13
Kabanata 13
IT was a tiring day for me but it faded with just the sight of two important men in my life.
Inasar pa 'ko ng mga kaibigang sina Monique, may date ba raw ako't excited makauwi.
"Hmm, wala naman." Napatawa ako. They teased me, napatawa naman ako at umiling sa kanila hanggang sa may ituro si Monique sa hindi kalayuan, gulat.
"Who's that? Bago sa paningin ko!" Pearl exclaimed excitedly kaya 'yon na lang ang gulat ko nang makita ang dalawa sa tabi ng pamilyar na traysikel, sa labas ng ospital.
Caspian crouched to listen to Sirius, may sinabi si Cas at ngumisi si Riu.
"Pakilala mo naman kami, Lars!" ani Monique.
Sabay na nag-angat ng dalawang mukhang mag-ama. I heard the girl's gasps when two pair of beautiful green eyes gazed at them.
With Caspian's smoldering eyes, pointed nose, and stubborn jaw, he looked dark and intimidating. Kung ang tapang ng mga features ni Caspian ay siya namang lambot ng kay Riu. However, they're giving the same vibe with those beautiful eyes.
"Mimi!" Riu's eyes danced in glee.
Hindi na ako nagulat nang tumakbo siya sa akin at mabilis na yumakap sa hita ko.
"Mimi! Mimi, alis tayo with Papa?!" he beamed.
"P-Papa?" Nanlaki ang mata ko.
Bago pa man ito makasagot ay nasa tabi ko na si Cas. I was startled when his hand went in the small of my back.
"Tara na?" He whispered and kissed my head.
I blinked, still confused.
"L-Lars, your family?" Gulat na tanong ni Pearl.
"Hello po, Sirius po!" Bibong lumapit ang nakangiting si Riu sa dalawa.
"H-hi, baby boy..." Bati ni Pearl at dumukwang palapit sa bata. startled like Monique, Pearl lowered her body to see him.
"W-what's your name?" Masuyong tanong nito.
"Sirius!" My Riu exclaimed happily. "Friends po kayo ni Mimi?"
"Yes, Sirius."
Napasulyap ako kay Cas na unti-unting kinukuha ang bag ko.
"Cas, what is he saying?"
"What?" He looked at me, oblivious.
"He called you Papa and–"
"O-oh, well... that... sorry, bawal ba?" I heard the hurt in his voice kaya dagli akong umiling.
"No!" I shook my head at him and took his hand. "Nagulat lang ako, I mean–"
He licked his lip. "It's okay if you don't want, kakausapin ko siya."
"Cas," I called and squeezed his hand. "It's alright. I was just curious what made it happen."
Napatitig kami kay Riu na bibong makipag-usap sa mga kaibigan.
"We're in school earlier, right? Out of nowhere, he asked if he could call me Papa because you're his Mimi. I guess he heard kids calling their dads that way," he said lowly.
My heart melted and ached at the same time. Maagang nawala ang magulang ni Riu and I know there's a part of him who wanted to experience having that.
"Thank you, Cas," I muttered. "For letting him."
"Anything for the little star and Mimi," he whispered back. Nag-init ang mukha ko at napailing. Natatawang humalik siya sa pisngi ko.
May tumikhim. Napalayo ako kay Cas at bumaling sa mga kaibigang may malisyosong tingin.
"I-I guess you've met Riu," segway ko at pinakilala sa bulilit ang mga kaibigan.
"Hello po ulit!" bibong bati ni Riu.
"And the..." Pinanliitan ako ng mata ni Monique.
"This is Caspian," pakilala ko.
"Good evening, girls," Cas smiled and it made their eyes twinkle even more. I pursed my lips.
"Ikaw Lars hindi ka nagsasabi!" Pearl scoffed. "You have a cute little boy and..." Sumulyap siya kay Caspian na halos kumislap ang mata niya. "And a hot fafa–"
"Pearl!" I hissed quietly. Nagkatawanan sila, nang-aasar na magkwento ako at dapat daw kinikwento ang mga ganyan!
"Naku, naku! Si Polaris! Akala mo tahimik lang, may tinatago pala" They teased.
"Papa, karga po," natunaw ako nang marinig iyon mula kay Riu. Inangat niya ang braso para magpabuhat na walang hirap namang sinunod ni Cas at binuhat siya sa isang braso.
Hawak ni Cas ang kamay ko habang buhat si Riu sa isa habang pabalik kami sa traysikel.
"Ano'ng trip n'yo at nandito kayo?" I asked.
"Namasada kami ni Riu, Reev," proud na sabi ni Cas. Namilog ang mata ko.
"What?"
"Yes, Mimi! Papa drive, Riu sukli!" sabay patunog niya ng coins sa bulsa niya at nasapo ko ang mukha nang magtawanan ang dalawa sa kalokohan nila.
We went to the supermarket and I couldn't take my eyes off them. Nakaupo sa cart si Riu habang tulak-tulak 'yon ni Cas and honestly speaking, if you look at them, you could say they're father and son.
Nagtuturuan pa sila ng junk food and Caspian's spoiling the little star. He's putting chips, chocolates, and candies in the cart. No'ng iisa pa siya'y tinawag ko na.
"Cas," I warned. He froze, parang maamong tupang bumaling siya.
He whispered something to Sirius before they looked back at me, Caspian with his sorry face and Sirius, pouting.
"Sorry po,"
"Sowi, Mimi..." They both said.
"Alright but..." bago ko pa matapos ang sinabi ko'y nag-uunahan na sila sa pagbalik no'ng sobrang mga chichirya.
Adorable.
Nagtungo ang dalawa sa harapan ko pagkatapos.
"Sowi po, Mimi! 'Di na po uulit." Sirius said, his green eyes twinkling. Namumula ang pisngi niya at kumukurap pa sa akin.
"Anong gagawin dapat?"
"Eat veggies po! Kasi candy is bad for baby Sirius!" he chanted.
I crouched to level him, pinching his cheek.
"Correct, okay, Mimi is not mad na."
"Thank you, Mimi! Love you!" he exclaimed and hugged my nape. I closed my eyes and felt his warmth, embracing him back.
Sa pagmulat ko ay nasalubong ko ang tingin ng nakatitig na si Caspian. His eyes were again filled with unnamed emotions but most of it, I could see the sorrow.
Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero kinakabahan ako nang ayain kami ni Cas na kumain sa isang resto sa may Casa Amara.
It was that resto I felt weird saying because it's got the same name as me.
Polaris
In all honestly, I was hesitant. Just the approaching sight of the resto made me feel something. Something I couldn't explain because it's buried deep down.
Caspian noticed the look on my face when he came to help us out. Napasulyap siya sa resto at nabakas ko rin ang tensyon niya.
"Hey, babe," he called.
Binalingan ko siya.
"I'm sorry I didn't ask if you want to eat here." He swallowed. "I knew another resto nearby you might like. We don't need to eat here–"
"Why not?" I looked at him curiously.
"Huh?" His lips parted. "Nothing, maybe you don't like it here?"
"No," I sighed. "It's alright. Let's go?"
Hawak ni Riu ang magkabilang palad namin ni Caspian nang pumasok sa resto. It was peaceful but when we got in, I saw the sudden shift of the ambiance. Nagulat ang staff at biglang lumapit, namimilog ang mata.
"Sir Caspian!" tawag nila pero ang mata'y nasa akin.
"Ma'am–"
"May tao ba sa may balcony?" Cas' voice echoed.
"No, Sir," 'di magkandaugaga nilang sagot. "Wala pong uupo ro'n sa reserved n'yo. Kasama–"
"Thank you, we'd like the menu, please," ani Cas, binuhat si Riu bago hawakan ang kamay ko. "Let's go, babe."
Hindi maalis ang utak ko sa gulat na reaksyon ng staff. Sa pagsulyap ko'y nakatulala pa rin sila sa 'kin at sa batang buhat ni Cas.
When we entered the balcony, a mixture of longing and misery assaulted my senses. My gaze locked at a familiar spot in the corner.
Nagpumilit bumaba si Riu at tumakbo sa upuan. Sumunod ako. Before we could sit, a woman appeared with a bright smile.
"Sir Cas! Wow! 'Di ka nagsabing dadaan ka–" Her smile froze when our gazes met.
Her jaw dropped.
"Ma'am–"
"We'd like to order, Mandy," ani Cas kaya napatalon ang babae at suminghap.
"Yes! Yes, of course! Let me..." Nagkumahog pa siyang may hinanap kung saan.
"Come on, Reev," akay sa 'kin ni Cas.
Sumunod ako. Riu was busy gawking at the skies. Nagtataka pa ring sinusundan ko ng tingin si Mandy. Muntik pa siyang mapatid sa paglapit sa 'min.
When our gazes clashed, namungay ang mata niya. I noticed she was teary-eyed but not in a painful way. She looked surprised and happy.
She smiled hesitantly. I smiled back at her at para hindi na maguluhan ay nag-iwas na lang.
I let Caspian order for us. Binuhat ko si Riu at pinaupo sa hita ko para punasan ang pawis niya at pinagtuturo na niya sa 'kin ang mga bituin.
"I-is that all, Sir?"
"Reev, do you have any additional?" ani Cas.
"Wala naman–"
"Ice cream!" Riu beamed and looked up. Mandy gasped, mas lumalaki ang mata habang nakatitig sa pamangkin ko.
"Alright, Riu. Ice cream for him,"
Mandy nodded. Ni hindi na niya masulat ang order at nakatulala lang siya sa 'min. I smiled awkwardly.
"Is there something wrong, Miss?" I asked.
"Wala po, wala..." She chuckled a little and glanced at Cas.
Caspian sighed.
"That's all." Bumaling siya sa 'kin. "Reev, this is Mandy, the restaurant's manager. Mandy, this is Reev, my girlfriend."
She offered her hand. I accepted it. She gripped my hand.
"Papa! Papa, ganda po stars!" Sirius exclaimed while pointing to the stars.
"A-anak n'yo, S-Sir?" The woman asked.
Caspian stiffened and shook his head. "Reev's nephew. Thanks, Mandy. Can we talk for a moment?"
"Sige, Sir," aniya na may ngiti, kumaway sa 'kin at kay Riu bago sumunod kay Caspian.
Sinundan ko sila ng tingin. Oddly enough, a part of me knew they were talking about me.
Why? Why does this restaurant feel familiar?
Nahulog ang tingin ko sa table napkin na may logo ng resto.
Polaris
There was a sudden flash. A man's hand appeared, an angry voice echoed.
"Sa 'yo na ang anak mo," mariing sabi niya. "I don't need a child that isn't mine."
Suminghap ako. Pilit ko siyang inabot para magmakaawang pakinggan ako pero hinawi niya ang kamay ko. Mas nanghina at nadurog lang ako nang tanggalin niya ang singsing sa kanyang daliri at inilapag sa lamesa sa harapan ko pagkatayo.
"Don't let me see your face again," malamig niyang sabi at tinalikuran ako.
My head throbbed, napapikit ako at kumuyom ang palad.
"You may be a slut but the good thing is, you fuck good in bed," mapang-uyam niyang sabi bago nailing at tinalikuran ako.
Pakiramdam ko ay nanliit ako. The place suddenly felt suffocating, lumalim ang paghinga ko, nawawala ang hangin hanggang sa panibagong memorya ang lumitaw.
I was screaming as the men dragged me out of my car, humahagulgol ako, nagmamakawa na h'wag saktan ang anak ko.
Humawak ako sa ulo at napadaing sa sakit. Naramdaman ko ang hapdi sa gilid ng mga mata.
"M-Mimi?" Sirius' worried voice echoed but it seemed distant. "Mimi!"
I opened my eyes to try and reassure him but my gaze was hazy. I could feel the warm drip of liquid staining my cheek.
"P-Papa! Papa, Mimi is crying! Help!" he exclaimed.
"Reev!" That familiar voice echoed... from the past.
His voice was the last thing I'd heard before my consciousness ebbed away.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
NAGISING ako kinabukasan na wala si Caspian sa bahay, tanging si Riu at ang doktor lang ang naabutan. The doctor instructed me to stay at home at ilang beses na akong nawawalang ng malay sa maikling panahon.
I took a day off and rested with Riu who cuddled me all day.
"'Di ka ba napapagod yumakap kay Mimi, mahal?"
Riu shook his head. "Papa said po yakap ikaw para po lakas ikaw..."
It made me smile.
"Nagpaalam pa si Papa sa 'yo?"
"Opo, alis. Work?" he mumbled. "Para may pambili si Riu ng toys!" he beamed.
Niyakap ko lang ang anak, hindi pinapansin ang umiilaw na telepono sa tawag ni Caspian.
Nagpaalam siyang may seminar na kailangang daluhan kasama si Wave. It seemed urgent. However, I didn't have the strength to reply just yet.
I'm still processing some parts of my memory I've remembered.
Para sa taong sinasabing 'di malaki ang parte niya sa nakaraan ko, he sure had a lot of memories in my head.
Those green eyes were impossible to forget. The man in my dreams got a clearer version now and it was him.
In the next days, he didn't stop updating me about him. Nakauwi na rin si Amy at dahil nga 'di ako sumasagot ay do'n siya nakikibalita.
Nga lang, nakokonsensya na 'ko no'ng ni-reject ko ang calls niya. Simula kagabi ay wala pa 'kong mensahe na natatanggap sa kanya ulit. He's texting me, asking for an update. Kahit nga raw thumbs up lang para lang makampante siya but even that...
I sighed.
It's Caspian, Lars. He's good to you and Riu, yes, he lied about knowing you in the past but maybe he has a reason. I just have to know it and that's when I'll decide if it was worth keeping from me or not.
Is this what love is? Making excuses for someone because you can see red signals yet you decided to ignore them?
Nang mautusan akong magdala ng charts sa ER ay narinig ko ang usapan ng mga kasamahan.
"Uy, Lars! Naalala mo 'yong bruhang nang-away sa 'yo noon?"
"Bruha?"
"'Yong Cheska!" ani Monique. "Nakakaloka, anak pala iyon ng congressman kaya malakas ang loob magmataas!"
Natigilan ako at tila sumama ang pakiramdam.
That woman is Cas' ex.
"Saan ka, Lars? Naku, h'wag ka munang pupunta sa may ER at nando'n ang bruha! Mukhang sumama mangampanya sa tatay niyang corrupt!"
I thanked them for the reminder but I really have to get this chart to Dr. Roque. Iniwan ko sila, tahimik na pumunta sa ER. I felt relieved when I did it without anything bad happening but someone blocked me.
My lips pursed. Nag-angat ako ng madilim na tingin kay Cheska na nakangisi sa 'kin.
"Fancy seeing you here, Polaris,"
Tumango ako. "May kailangan ka, Ma'am?"
"No. I was just worried kasi... why are you here? You should be with Caspian since he's celebrating!"
My forehead creased. Nakita niya ang reaksyon ko.
"Though, it wasn't shocking. I mean, sino ka nga ba? You're just the same old Polaris Reyes, the stupid, filthy rat."
It made my jaw tick but we're on the hospital premises so I maintained my composure.
"Is this talk necessary, Ma'am?" I asked. "Nasa loob tayo ng ospital. Kung hindi importante'y may trabaho pa ako–"
"Shut up, bitch," acid dripped her tone. "H'wag mo 'kong niyayabangan, Polaris. Not because Caspian talk pity on you–"
"Why would my boyfriend pity me?" I emphasized. It caught her off guard, nawala ang yabang niya't nangunot ang noo.
"Boyfriend?" Tumitig siya hanggang sa pagak na natawa. "This is ridiculous. Until now, he's fooling you? Unbelievable, Caspian!"
My heart throbbed. I felt the twitch of my fingers that I hid it in my scrubs.
What does she mean?
"What do you mean?" I asked coldly. "Kung nandito ka para manggulo, hindi kita papatulan pero h'wag na h'wag mong sisirain si Caspian–"
"How can you say Caspian's yours when he was on my suite for days, huh? Polaris?"
It made my heart drop but I refused to believe her lies.
"He had an emergency," nagpipigil kong sagot.
"Emergency? Oh, right! Caspian is too sweet! Isang tawag ko lang sa kanya, emergency na ako?" She giggled.
Nagpupuyos na 'ko sa galit. I was tempted to grab her hair and pull her out of the hospital but stopped myself.
"Must be your condition, then." She smiled evilly. "Too bad our poor little rat has to suffer amnesia after Caspian broke up with her."
My shoulders tensed.
"What are you saying?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang diin sa boses sa narinig na 'yon.
"You really are foolish, Polaris, 'no? Until now hindi mo pa rin napaghahalataan? Or maybe you do but you're a fool to even consider it? Caspian was only using you to make me jealous."
The bitter taste spread in my mouth but I shrugged it off and stared at her.
"Make you jealous?" I laughed. "If he was then bakit hindi pa pa niya 'ko iniwan matagal na? If he's making you jealous then why was it you running after his attention?"
She was caught off guard but she masked it with a smirk.
"It's a part of the play, Polaris, to fool you. That man even posed as a damn driver to lure you into believing he's a commoner."
My throat felt tighter. It was harder to breathe.
Naisip ko nang baka wala lang siyang magawa kaya siya nagda-drive ng traysikel pero ang gawin 'yon para lokohin ako?
"Hindi mo 'ko maloloko, Cheska." I firmed my lips. "Umalis ka na bago pa 'ko magtawag ng guards."
"If they'll throw me out," natawa siya. "My father's–"
"I don't give a damn about your father." Nang makasalubong ko ng tingin ang guard ay kumaway ako. "Sir, pasuyo naman ako, nakakaistorbo ng pasyente!"
"What?" she was alarmed. Lalo na no'ng nakalapit ang guard at pinakiusapan siyang umalis. No'ng ayaw niya'y inabot na siya. "Don't touch me with your filthy hand! Aalis ako! Punyeta!"
She walked out. Tumalikod ako para makaalis na sana nang marinig siya.
"Casa Amara, sounds familiar to you?" Nilingon ko siya, kunot ang noo. She smiled wickedly. "He owned it, Polaris. Why do you think he'd let you believe he's a mere driver when he's in fact, a billionaire?"
My head throbbed. She stepped closer before the guard even got her.
"You two had a past. After me, he took pity on you and played with you. Ang swerte mo ngang nabigyang pansin ka niya pero anong ginawa mo? You cheated on him, Polaris."
Suddenly, the image of the man with black eyes appeared in my head. My lips parted when I realized it had a face–it was someone else, someone familiar.
"Finally, natauhan na siya't natanto niyang ako pa rin ang para sa kanya but you scarred his ego, Lars, and he wanted to get even."
"Stop lying!" I couldn't stop the tremble in my voice any longer. "Leave!"
"Can't accept the hard truth?" she mocked. "Then, confirm it on your own. He just got back here earlier. He's in Casa Amara, in his real world–not yours."
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
"MA'AM, saan po tayo?"
"C-Casa Amara po, Kuya,"
I looked at my phone again, checking if he got any response yet but he didn't. He's not answering my calls.
Mas bumigat ang pakiramdam ko. I am on my way to Casa Amara not because I believe Cheska but because I wanted to prove her wrong.
Caspian might be foolish at times but he wouldn't do that to me!
It's impossible. Caspian loved me! I felt it!
He was just probably bored when he decided he'd be a driver, or a fisherman like he said but he won't... it would be absurd if he lied to me about being a hotelier.
Cheska wanted to rile me up. She wanted to ruin the trust I have for Cas. Papatunayan ko iyon.
Sobrang bigat ng paa ko habang papasok sa prestihiyosong hotel. Casa Amara is one of the most prestigious hotel and resorts in our province and all over the country. May branch din sila sa Maynila.
I stopped when I realized something.
I stayed in Casa Amara Manila during the medical mission and... he was there.
No. Sinabi ko sa kanya saan ako nag-i-stay. Of course, he'll know where exactly to go.
Ni 'di ko na nabigyang pansin ang prestihiyosong hotel at mabigat na ang pakiramdam kong dumiretso sa receptionist.
"How can I help you, Ma'am?"
"M-may hinahanap lang sana, perhaps, is it possible to know?"
"Sino po? Para matawagan natin kung sakali," aniya.
I let out a shaky breath.
"C-Caspian..." I murmured.
Napalitan kaagad ng surpresa ang reaksyon niya. She looked confused for a moment before typing. "Surname, Ma'am? Staff po ba? Or guest? Kung guest po, maybe patawagan po sila ng personal para babain kayo or–"
"Alcantara," I breathed. "Prince Caspian Alcantara."
Her eyes widened. She regarded me with a once over and nodded.
"May appointment po ba kayo, Ma'am?"
I paused.
"A-appointment?"
"Opo, Ma'am,"
"W-wala, eh, but...maybe can you reach him and tell him it's Reev... his girlfriend."
Nagulat siyang lalo. I swear I saw the humor in her expression but didn't say anything.
"Sige, Ma'am. Upo po muna kayo. Try ko pong tawagan si Mr. Alcantara, baka abala."
I nodded. Tila lumulutang na naupo sa couch, malalim ang iniisip. Palipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa receptionist na nakikipagtawanan na sa kasama niya.
Did he call Caspian already?
Mukhang kilala naman niya... pero Sir Caspian? The way she referred to him seems like he wasn't a regular guest.
No, Lars. You are overthinking again.
Bumalik lang ako sa wisyo nang bahagyang magkagulo sa lobby. Suddenly, I noticed the some staff aligning themselves properly. Some was panicking and fixing their name plate and uniform, as if a VVIP will come for an inspection.
The elevator door opened and I felt a punch in my gut when I familiar man walked out, sporting a coat and tie, shiny leather shoes, and bearing a stoic expression.
Napatayo ako sa gulat.
Caspian...
How... no fucking way.
"G-good evening, Sir!" They greeted in unison.
All my hopes disappeared in a snap. It wasn't my sweet Caspian. It wasn't the driver I know.
"Mr. Alcantara! If you can give us a chance again!" A group of men in corporate attires followed him as they begged for something I couldn't understand.
"Mr. Alcantara! Hindi naman namin alam na–" An old man pleaded but the look Cas made him stop in his tracks.
"I told you not to fuck on my personal life, Mr. Mendoza," his voice was low but it sent shivers all over my spine. "But you didn't."
"Sir–"
"I don't give a fuck if you're working in the government with the Estradas but once you messed with me and my woman..." His jaw clenched.
"Sir, hindi ko alam na kaya nila gusto ro'n–"
"I filed a restraining order and you'd help the bitch off it?"
"Sir–"
"We're cutting any connection we had with you, Mendoza. I want you out of my property. Now."
"Sir–"
"Take him out," utos niya at namulsa bago umalis, iniiwan ang nagmamakaawang lalaki.
He strode out of the place with authority. Like you knew he owned it, like you knew he's not the person you thought he was.
Nanliit ako. Hindi lang sa layo ng estado naming dalawa kung hindi dahil sa napatunayan kong totoo ang sinasabi ni Cheska.
When he's gone, tears stained my cheek.
He played with me. He fooled me. He broke the trust I've given. Ginawa niya akong tanga.
Putang ina.
Tang ina mo, Polaris! Ang tanga-tanga mo!
My fists closed as I took a step, the pain so intense it was numbing.
He broke his promise. He lied to me.
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