Prologue

Wayne

Present day.

I tasted the last drop of my whiskey when the door swung open. At pumasok ang luko-luko kong kaibigan na kararating lamang ng States. I smirked with his sudden visit.

"Sino na naman ang luhaang babaing iyon na dinispatsa mo?"

"Ang ganda ng pasalubong mo sa akin, ah."

I heard his evil smirked, "Di nga? Sino na naman ba yun? Wala na kayo ni Jelyn?"

I smirked. Nilagok ko kaagad ang bagong kuha kong whiskey.

"Ba't ka napadpad dito?"

"Sus! Umiiwas ka lang. Sino nga 'yung babaeng pinaluha mo na nakasalubong ko?" Kulit pa ni Miguel sa akin.

"Pinaluha ka diyan. Wala akong ginagawa sa kanya, ah."

"I bet, meron. Luhaan eh." Tudyo niya sa akin.

"Hindi nga! Kulit din nito. Anong atin at napadpad ka dito? Lagot ka kay Tito pag nalaman nun na inagahan mo ang uwi para mag hasik na naman ng lagim dito sa Manila. Tiyak itatapon ka na naman nun pabalik ng States." I chuckled.

"Naku! Style! 'Wag mong ibahin ang usapan at may nakita ako ng papasok ako dito. Tiyak na pinaiyak mo 'yon."

"Subra ka naman sa'kin Bro. Anong palagay mo sa akin? Malinaw naman ang usapan namin sa simula pa lang na no string attach. Iwan ko ba sa babaing yun at ang hirap umintindi ng salitang walang kami."

"Berdugo talaga ng mga babae."

"Ang sama mong kaibigan. Sinisira mo ang pagkatao ko. Kanino pa ba ako magmamana? Sayo di ba? Pareho lang naman tayo."

Napahalakhak ito ng malakas sa sinabi ko. Sabay upo na naka de kwatro habang ang dalawang braso ay nakapatong pa sa sandalan ng malaking sofa sa loob ng opisina ko.

"May sisirain pa ba Bro? Hindi ba at matagal ng malaki ang sira?"

"Siraulo ka talaga kahit kailan! Baka may makarinig sayo at maniwala sa mga pinagsasabi mo."

"Honestly speaking Bro, what makes you stop to get serious and commit with a girl? It's been a long time since you have been in a relationship with Jelyn. You're not getting any younger. You are already thirty years old, bro."

"Wow! Coming from your mouth? Am I the only one here who doesn't like commitment?"

Napahalakhak itong muli sa sinabi ko at ngiting asong nakatingin sa akin. Sarap sapakin!

"So bakit nga? I want to know why. Maybe my mind will change too, if magustuhan ko ang reason mo, ano?"

"It's simply because, I can't still find any girl that will surpass my standard."

Napabangon sa sofa bigla si Miguel sa sinabi ko at nakakunot noong hinarap ako nito.

"At ano na namang standard na yan ang tinutukoy mo, aber?"

"I should be the first man in a womans' life. It's a big factor for me."

***

10 YEARS AGO.

Pagkalipas ng mahabang oras na pagmamaneho ng walang patutunguhan, kaagad kong pinarada ang aking kotse sa gilid ng kalsada at saka pinatay ang makina.

I sighed. I looked around before I opened the door, lumabas ako at pabagsak itong sinara. Walang katao-tao. Madalang ang mga dumadaang sasakyan. Subrang daming naglalakihan at matataas na punong kahoy. Still, kapuri-puri pa rin ang lugar na ito at subrang tahimik. 'Di ko alam kung anong lugar itong napuntahan ko sa walang kwenta kong pagmamaneho para lang makalayo sa bahay. Malayo sa aking mga magulang, lalo na sa aking ama. A successful businessman.

Napapikit ako ng maramdaman ko ang lamig ng simoy ng hangin na dumadampi sa aking balat. I sighed. Nabawasan no'n ang bigat ng loob na aking nararamdaman. Pagod na sinandal ko ang aking ulo sa sasakyan. I closed my eyes and sighed even more deeply.

I finally did it. I finished my business course but I told my Dad I can't take over our company and I wanted to pursue my car racing profession.

He was so mad at me. Nanlilisik ang mga matang nakatingin sa akin at pinagduduro pa ako. I scowled. I scoffed. I smirked, habang inaalala ang reaksyon at mukha ni Dad.

He got something unforgivable nightmare towards cars. He can never forgive himself how my uncle and grandparents died years ago while he survived. He tried to avoid the fast approaching of the wheeler truck towards the car he was driving but he didn't make it. He thought, it was his fault more than the failure from the mechanical transportation that he can no longer avoid the accident.

Accident is an accident. No one can stop it. It's just a miracle and their luck if someone will survived with it. Sino pang mag-iisip ng gano'n? Na para bang wala siyang karapatang magkamali? Hindi niya naman ginusto ang nangyari. Even the truck driver and two others died in that tragic accident. Or maybe he can't accept the fact that his parents and brother died on his hands, in his own car.

I opened my eyes when I heard a series of horns. Huminto ito mismo sa likuran ng aking sasakyan. Nang bumaba siya ng kotse n'ya ay isang nakakalokong ngisi ang binigay niya sa akin. Habang dahan-dahang naglakad palapit sa akin. I scowled but she just smile sweetly back at me.

She crossed her two arms behind her back and playfully tilted her head while approaching and examining me. Sumandal ako sa sasakyan at inalok sa kan'ya ang isang lata ng beer na kaagad ko din naman ininuman ng tumanggi ito.

"I didn't know you were following me all the way here."

She smirked at sumandal na rin sa sasakyan sa tabi ko. "I accidentally saw you in a convenience store buying some beer. I tried to call your name many times but seems like you're in a hurry. You were ignoring me."

I chuckled. "I didn't hear you, sorry."

"What's the problem? Ang aga-aga umiinom ka." Then she sighs.

"Nothing."

I looked away at tinungga ko ang lahat ng laman ng beer sa latang hawak ko. Kaagad kong naramdaman ang pait at init ng alak na dumaloy sa aking lalamunan down to my stomach. Now, I started to like this place. So peaceful. With cold breeze of wind coming from the woods. Little bit noise coming from chirping of birds.

"What's your next plan after graduation?" She asked again.

Yumuko ako at tiningnan ang wala ng laman na lata ng beer sa aking kamay that I unconsciously crumpled. Breathing heavily, I parted my lips a little bit.

" I don't think I can be a car racer anymore, considering how my grandparents and uncle died." mahina kong sabi sa kanya na halos hindi niya na marinig.

But she raised her hand, held on my left arm and warmly squeezed it.

I looked at it.

"Of course you can! Who says you can't be a car racer? Remember, you're too good in multi-tasking, right? Naipasa mo ang bachelor degree mo habang nakikipag karera ka with flying colors pa! If it's really your passion go for it! Just believe in yourself and be richer by using your brain, your talent and your...charm." And mockingly laughed at me.

I stared at her and carried away by her gentle laugh. Jelyn will always be a fresh air to breath. My brain's cobweb remover. I met her at business school in States.

At first, we became friends, and to friends with benefits, till become my steady girlfriend. But our relationship is on and off. She's beautiful and sexy but not a wife material. She valued her body figure due her modeling career and never like a child, kung saan taliwas sa gusto ko. I'm dreaming to have my own family one day and having a child is the most important thing for me.

Aside from my best friends, she's the one who encourage me to continue my car racing profession while taking my damn bachelor degree. I'm having a hard time at first but because of their undying help and support, at the end I made it with flying colors.

However, there's the only one person still, who's not happy at all with my achievements. He freaked out when he found out that I still continue racing. Kung ano-ano pang masasakit na salita ang pinagbabato n'ya sa akin but I just ignored it all. Sinunod ko na ang gusto n'yang kurso para sa akin. Ngayon na tapos na ako;

My life.

My rule.

And no one can stop me for what I want to do!

I can work in our company but never wanted to take his position as CEO. Lot's of pressure and so damn much stressful! I don't want to shoulder it all! I'm not ready and I can't take the full responsibility.

I don't find it really cool, you know. Wearing two piece business suit. With necktie and shinny black shoes. Sitting in a swivel chair in front of the computer. Maisip ko pa lang na muli kong susuutin ang mga 'yon araw-araw nangangati na ang buong katawan ko. Para na akong sinasakal! Nababagot na ako agad maisip ko pa lang na papasok akong muli sa kompanya ni Dad. Pakiramdam ko para akong nakakulong. I loved speed and competition. Adventure. Not some like boring paper works!

"I'm going to work at my friends' resort, soon. He offered me the job."

She pouted her lips when she turned back at me. "Oh great! You can utilize your expertise how to drive a sports car over the wave then." She grin at me.

I abruptly released a pissed groaned, "Now, you're making me think over and over again about my decision because of that! Well, thank you very much darling!"

She laughed at me again. "Biro lang naman. Napakaseryoso mo kasi."

I opened another can of beer and drink it up.

"Nakakapagtaka lang bakit mas pinipili mo pang magtrabaho sa resort ng kaibigan mo kaysa sa sarili ninyong kompanya?"

"I'm not ready yet with my fathers' position to take it over. Kapag do'n ako pumasok mawawalan akong kalayaan ng tuluyan."

"Oh? But seriously, I will support you all the way Wayne. I will always be here for you. You know that."

I look at her and she's giving me her cutest smile again.

"I know." And gulp a big amount of my drinks. "Where are you going to take your residency then?"

"Saan pa ba? Sa tingin mo papayagan ako ni Dad magtrabaho pa sa iba? Tutol nga 'yon sa pagmomodel ko e. Pero buti na lang at nadala ko sa lambing. Ayon pumayag na din dahil tinapos ko naman yung pinili n'yang kurso para sa akin. Besides, baka mas madalas pa kitang makita dahil hindi na 'yun maghihigpit pa sa akin. I took over the COO position he wanted for me in our company."

I smirked the thought. "Well, congrats! You deserve. Pero baka mas mahirapan ka ngayon na makita ako dahil sa responsibilidad na nasa mga balikat mo as COO and we're in different field. Not unless ipabugbog ako ni Dad at kaladkarin papasok ng kompanya n'ya. Malulumpo muna ako bago tatapak sa lugar--"

"Hoy! Tumahimik ka!" She was a bit disturbed. "Napakatigas kasi ng ulo mo. Tsaka tigilan mo na 'yang pag-iinom mo habang bata ka pa. Sige ka. . ."

Pinagtawanan n'ya ako ng titigan ko siya ng masama. Pinanliitan ko pa s'ya lalo ng mga mata pero sa huli ay tinawanan ko na lang din. We both laughed. And for the mean time, I forgot the reason why I get here and that she followed me.

***

I started working at RJ Surf Camp Resort when Jelyn started her residency at DC Corporation. I decided to moved out at manirahang mag-isa malayo sa aking mga magulang para hindi na rin ako mapag-initan pa ng aking sariling ama.

Sa isang taon na pagtatrabaho ko bilang isang General Manager, I earned too much for myself. Right after the successful run of their business where I invested, I bought stocks and another assets when I earned more than I expected.

I bought my own private race track too. And I manage myself to improve even more my driving skills.

When I was a college, during my illustrious career, I won the Segment One World Championship and four Skyle Car titles. To date, I remains the only driver ever to win the Hindianna 500 (a race combining speed and daring in a heady blend with 500 laps of an oval circuit), the Baytona 500 (it consists of 200 laps around a 2.5-mile (4-km) tri-oval track), and the Segment One (fastest cars in the world around a race track) World Championships and the only driver to have won a race in the CASCAB Sprint Cup Series, Segment One and Hindiana 500.

And I remains the last Filipino-American to have won a Segment One race victory when I was second year college at the Duch Grand Prinx. I also the only person to be named United States driver of the year in two separate decades (second year college and fourth year college). I also one of three drivers to win races on road courses, pave ovals and dirt tracks in one season, a feat that I accomplished four different times.

And now, I'm aiming to hit the number one sits of all world championship tournaments and become a race car legend who transcended motorsport. I did it once. And I want to do it again. I want my name become a synonymous with excellence on the race track-any race track to make my fathers' proud. Baka sakaling magbago ang isip niya kapag mabalitaan niyang naging tanyag ang aking pangalan sa larangan ng karera. Maybe I could help him to realize that what had happened a decades ago was an accident and not his fault. And I want him to understand that being a professional racing driver is more of my lifestyle choice than a career. That I can managed myself in running a business while racing even I hate so much wearing a business suit. And that I enjoyed it and successful in that field.

When my relationship with Jelyn went crazy, I don't date any one anymore. But yeah, I engaged myself again to a random girls but just a fling. Nothing serious. But I was once fall in love with one of those woman. My first relationship which lasted for one year--that was way back on high school before I met Jelyn. I told her about it, so, she knew.

Until I met Rashmin El Salvador. In resort where I worked. I didn't know she's my boss girl. I admit, I was attracted at her and eventually told that to James. Sinapak n'ya ako kaagad pagkatapos.

I visit Jelyn at nakwento ko sa kanya ang nangyari. Bigla s'yang namutla at natahimik. Nanibago ako n'ong una sa naging reaksyon niya ng padabog niyang sinimulang gamutin ang mukha ko. Pero ng ngitian niya ako ng matamis pagkatapos ay nakalimutan ko din ang naging reaksyon niya sa sinabi ko.

One night, habang nagpapahinga ako sa aking kuwarto ng mapabalikwas ako ng bangon ng maalala ko ang luma kong phone. Masyado akong busy sa mga nakalipas na araw dahil sa paghahanda sa nalalapit na World Drivers' Championship competition na sasalihan ko.

Simula ng umalis ako sa poder ng aking mga magulang ay pinutol ko kaagad ang communication ko sa kanila. Even to my youngest sister Jhenica Viel na minu-minuto akong kinukulit at pinipilit na bumalik na ng bahay.

Kaagad akong umupo sa gilid ng aking kama at kinuha ito sa drawer malapit sa'king kama.

I turned it on.

Ilang araw pa lang ng maisipan ko itong buksan muli. Pinaactivate ko rin ang luma kong numero kaya sunod-sunod na nagpasukan ang ilang lumang mensahe. Nakita ko yung iba galing kay Mom but most of them coming from my younger sister Viel. Kaagad ko din naman pinapatay ito at binabalik sa drawer without reading any of their messages.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ko ngayon at binibuksan itong muli. Subrang antok at pagod ang nararamdaman ko pero ang utak ko'y animo'y walang kapaguran sa paglalakbay.

Sunod-sunod na nagpasukan muli ang mga mensahe galing sa mga ito. I miss them damn much! But I can't show up myself yet to them na walang dalang kahit anong bagay na maipagmamalaki sa kanila. Mas lalo lang akong lalaitin ni Dad at dudurugin sa pagtalikod ko sa kanyang offer. Meron pa akong isang gustong maabot bago ako biglang lilitaw sa harapan nila.

Bahagyang naagaw ng pansin ko ang huling mensahe na pumasok galing sa bunso kong kapatid na si Viel.

Lil.Viel: Kuya John! Answer your damn phone! Please!!!

Nakakunot noo'ng ilang ulit ko pa itong binasa. May biglang kabang bumundol sa aking dibdib na kaagad ko naman pinalis. Ilang araw na akong balisa. Hindi ko alam kung anong iisipin ko at dapat kong maramdaman. Bigla na lang akong kinakabahan na iwan. Hindi ko mawari kung ano. Malabong sa nalalapit na competition. Never akong kinabahan do'n or matakot man lang. It's my passion and I loved doing it. So, malabong dahil doon kaya ako nakakaramdam ng madalas na pagkabalisa ngayon.

Her messages were consistent. From the year I left home until now. I don't know if there were undelivered messages coming from them. But It doens't matter 'cause I don't bother myself to read any of them since then. Hindi dahil sa hindi ako interisado kundi ayaw ko lang masira ang plano ko, not until now.

I'm in a process on scrolling back to read her previous messages ng biglang tumunog ang hawak kong cellphone.

Lil.Viel's number calling...

Matagal ko itong tinitigan. Hinayaan ko lang itong tumunog. Makailang ulit muna itong tumawag bago ko tuluyang sinagot.

"Hello..!? Kuya John..! Are you there..!?"

Natahimik ako bigla ng marinig ko ang kanyang boses. Ilang minuto ang lumipas bago ako nahimasmasan ng muling magsalita ito.

"Goodness, Kuya!!"

I swallowed a lump on my throat bago ko nahanap ang aking boses.

"What's up, Lil. sis!?"

"Kuya si Dad!"

Natigagal ako ng sunod-sunod na itong magsalita. Unti-unti akong nanghina sa sunod-sunod na binalita sa'kin ni Viel. Naitulos ako sa aking kinauupuan. Nanlalamig. Nanginginig. Pakiramdam ko huminto ang pagdaloy ng dugo sa aking buong katawan at nakalimutan ko na ang paghinga. Wala sa sariling dahan-dahan kong naibaba ang cellphone. Umaalingawngaw pa rin sa aking pandinig ang malakas na hagulhol ng kapatid ko sa kabilang linya. Pakiramdam ko nasa harapan ko lang s'ya habang umiiyak. Matagal akong napatulala sa kawalan. Namanhid ang aking buong katawan na halos hindi ko maigalaw. Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas bago naproseso ng aking utak ang lahat ng sinabi n'ya. Hanggang sa unti-unting nanlabo ang aking mga mata. Wala sa sariling naikuyom ko ang aking mga kamao sa samo't saring pakiramdam na bumalot sa aking puso. Hindi ako makahinga. Malakas kong naibato sa pader ang hawak kong cellphone. Nawasak ito at nagsipagtalsikan kahit saan ang bawat bahagi nito. Malakas akong napasigaw at napasabunot sa aking buhok. It's just a joke--I told myself.

But.. I never thought.. that would be the last call that will change my whole life.

***

"Inay ko po... utang na loob mag bihis ka!"

He laughed wholeheartedly. "Don't tell me it's your first time seeing a naked man?"

"Kung sasabihin kong oo... maniniwala ka ba?!"

"No."

Napapadyak ako sa sagot n'ya. "E 'di hindi! Nagtanong ka pa! Basta magbihis ka! Kanina ka pang n*******d d'yan.. hindi ka ba nilalamig?!"

"No. Mas lalo pa nga akong... naiinitan."

"Anak ng... 'wag mo akong dem*nyohin at makakatikim ka talaga sa akin!"

"Anong ipapatikim mo sa akin? Can't wait to taste it babe."

"Parang wala kang pinagkaiba kay Mr. Cheng!" asik ko sa kanya.

"Mas gwapo naman ako dun."

"Aba't... 'di ka lang pala manyak. Conceited ka pa.!"

Natahimik s'ya. Malagkit n'ya akong tinitigan. "Magkano ba ang rate mo?"

Napakunot noo ako. "Rate? Anong rate ba ang pinagsasasabi mo?" nagtatakang tanong ko sa kanya.

"Come on, huwag na tayong maglukuhan pa dito."

"FYI lang Mister, hindi ako nakikipaglukuhan sayo..!"

"Give me this night and I'll give you what you want."

"Anong ibig mong sabihin? At anong alam mo sa gusto ko?"

"Alam kong... alam mo na ang ibig kong sabihin."

"Paano ko malalaman ang nilalaman niyang utak mo e hindi naman ako manghuhula..!"

He smirked. "Naiintriga ako sa style mo Miss. Nagpapataas ka ba ng presyo? But.. It's fine. Na-cha-challenge ako lalo. Tutal, tinakasan mo naman yung costumer mong si Mr. Cheng... ako na lang ang harapin mo. Name your price babe and I'll give it to you."

"Hindi ko kailangan ng pera mo! Ang kailangan ko ay kung paano ako malabas sa kwartong ito at makalayo sa mga humahabol sa akin at... lalo na sayo!"

"Really..? How about a hundred thousand? No.. fifty hundred thousand? And you're mine tonight." mabilis niyang offer sa akin.

"Binibili mo ba ako..?!"

"Yes." walang kaabog-abog na sagot n'ya.

"Aba't..." sinamaan ko s'ya ng tingin ng matamang pinasadahan n'yang muli ang kabuuan ko mula ulo hanggang paa habang nakataas pa ang gilid ng kanyang labi.

"Hindi ako bayarang babae kung yan ang iniisip mo! Hindi ko kailangan ang pera mo!"

I saw his evil smirked. "Pakipot ka pa. Sinong pinagluluko mo? Sa club ni Madam Baby ka naman nagtatrabaho. May looking for my friends ka pang nalalaman kanina."

Natigilan ako. "S-sinong may sabi...?"

"Sino pa ba sa tingin mo? Kasama siya ng mga Pulis kanina."

"P-pero nagsasabi akong totoo na waitress ako do'n..!"

"Really? Waitress....?" Nangniningning pa ang mga matang pinasadahan n'ya ako. "Ganyan kaikli ang suot? Kita na ang kaluluwa mo." he step forward while mocking me.

Bigla akong nataranta. "Wait..! Sandali lang..!" Ngunit hindi n'ya ako pinansin. "Huwag kang lalapit... Sabi ng sandali lang...!"